tab
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tab
A tab in a computer program, especially in a web browser, that makes it possible to keep several documents or web pages open in a single window.
Ich habe zu viele Tabs offen und mein Computer wird langsam.
I have too many tabs open and my computer is getting slow.
The word 'Tab' is a modern loanword from English. It has become firmly established in German for both meanings and is frequently used in everyday language.
Kannst du den Tab mit der Wettervorhersage offen lassen?
Can you leave the tab with the weather forecast open?
Which meaning is intended becomes immediately clear from context. If it is about computers, the internet, or browsers, it means a browser tab. If it is about housework, dishwashing, or laundry, it means a tablet.
Ich habe den Link in einem neuen Tab geöffnet.
I opened the link in a new tab.
In a computer context, 'Tab' is often used with the verbs 'öffnen' (to open), 'schließen' (to close), and 'wechseln' (to switch).
Er hat aus Versehen den falschen Tab geschlossen.
He accidentally closed the wrong tab.
In a household context, 'Tab' is often part of compound words such as 'Spülmaschinen-Tab' (dishwasher tablet) or 'Waschmittel-Tab' (laundry detergent tablet). It is used with verbs like 'einlegen' (to put in) or 'benutzen' (to use).
Für stark verschmutztes Geschirr solltest du einen Power-Tab benutzen.
For heavily soiled dishes, you should use a power tablet.
window
'das Fenster' and 'der Tab' both belong to working on a computer or in a browser. A window is a separate area on the screen, often for a program or a browser. A tab is a tab within a window, for example for a single web page. The words can be confused because both can be opened and closed. The simple difference is: a window can contain several tabs.
Wir lassen den Tab mit dem Formular offen, damit wir die Daten später eintragen können.
We leave the tab with the form open so that we can enter the data later.
In der Bibliothek öffnet er ein neues Fenster für die Präsentation.
In the library, he opens a new window for the presentation.