supply / stock
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supply / stock
A quantity of things (e.g., food, materials) that you keep or have accumulated for future use.
Für den Winter haben wir einen großen Vorrat an Holz im Keller.
For the winter, we have a large supply of wood in the basement.
The word is made up of 'vor' (before/ahead) and 'Rat' (advice). The idea behind it is that you keep something ready or have accumulated it 'im Voraus' (in advance).
Ein guter Vorrat an Konserven ist bei einem Stromausfall nützlich.
A good supply of canned food is useful during a power outage.
When you want to say what you have a supply of, you use the preposition 'an' with the dative. The structure is: 'ein Vorrat an etwas' (a supply of something).
Die Eichhörnchen haben einen großen Vorrat an Nüssen für den Winter gesammelt.
The squirrels have gathered a large supply of nuts for the winter.
Common verbs used with 'Vorrat' (supply/stock) are 'einen Vorrat anlegen' (to build up a supply), 'einen Vorrat aufbrauchen' (to use up a supply), and 'der Vorrat geht zur Neige' (the supply is running low).
Wir sollten einen neuen Vorrat an Kaffee anlegen.
We should build up a new supply of coffee.
The phrase 'solange der Vorrat reicht' (while supplies last) is very common in advertising and retail. It means that an offer is available only in limited quantities.
Das Sonderangebot gilt nur, solange der Vorrat reicht.
The special offer is valid only while supplies last.
stock / inventory
Both words refer to an existing quantity of goods, food, or materials. „Der Bestand“ primarily describes the total quantity currently recorded, whereas „der Vorrat“ emphasizes that something is being kept for later use. Use „Bestand“ when counting or checking quantities and „Vorrat“ when planning for later.
Für den Winter legen wir einen Vorrat an Mehl und Reis an.
We are laying in a supply of flour and rice for the winter.
Der aktuelle Bestand an Mehl reicht noch für drei Tage.
The current stock of flour will last for another three days.
