envelope / cover
Loading your saved state.
envelope
A paper covering used to package and send letters or flat documents. Synonymous with 'Briefumschlag' (envelope) or 'Kuvert' (envelope).
Steck den Brief bitte in den Umschlag und klebe eine Briefmarke darauf.
Please put the letter in the envelope and stick a stamp on it.
compress
A damp cloth or a cloth soaked with a substance that is placed on a part of the body to relieve pain, inflammation, or fever. It is also called a compress or a wrap.
Gegen die Schwellung am Knöchel helfen kalte Umschläge.
Cold compresses help with the swelling on the ankle.
cover
The outer cover or dust jacket of a book, which is often graphically designed and contains information about the book.
Der Umschlag des Buches war so interessant, dass ich es sofort kaufen wollte.
The cover of the book was so interesting that I wanted to buy it immediately.
cargo handling
The process of transferring goods from one means of transport to another, especially in ports or at freight railway stations. The term can also refer to the amount of goods transferred.
Der Hamburger Hafen hat einen enormen Umschlag an Containern.
The Port of Hamburg has an enormous volume of container handling.
All meanings of 'der Umschlag' (the envelope/cover/compress/handling) are derived from the separable verb 'umschlagen'. This verb literally means to place, fold, or wrap something around something else. This basic idea helps you understand the different meanings.
Sie schlug die Decke um das frierende Kind.
She wrapped the blanket around the freezing child.
Since 'Umschlag' has many meanings, context is crucial. Words like 'Brief' (letter) or 'Post' (mail) point to the letter envelope. Medical terms like 'Fieber' (fever) or 'Bein' (leg) point to the wrap or compress. 'Buch' (book) or 'Titel' (title) refer to the book cover.
Ich brauche einen Umschlag für diese Postkarte.
I need an envelope for this postcard.
When referring to the medical wrap, the phrases 'einen Umschlag machen' (to make/apply a compress) or 'einen Umschlag anlegen' (to apply a compress) are often used. Usually it is also specified whether it is cold or warm.
Die Ärztin riet ihm, kalte Umschläge zu machen.
The doctor advised him to apply cold compresses.
The meaning 'Umladen von Waren' (transferring goods) belongs to the technical language of logistics and business. You usually hear or read it in news reports or reports about ports, trade, and transport.
Der Umschlag von Gütern im Hafen ist im letzten Jahr gestiegen.
The handling of goods in the port increased last year.
cover
For a book, both words can refer to its designed outer covering. „Cover“ usually focuses on the visible front and its design, while „Umschlag“ refers to the outer cover as a whole. Use „Cover“ when you mean the front design, and „Umschlag“ when you mean the entire covering.
Der Umschlag des Romans schützt die Seiten und zeigt vorn eine große rote Blume.
The novel’s cover protects the pages and shows a large red flower on the front.
Das Cover des Romans zeigt eine große rote Blume.
The cover of the novel shows a large red flower.
