advertising / ad
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advertising
Measures aimed at drawing attention to a product, service, or company and promoting sales. Includes ads, posters, TV commercials, etc.
Die Firma gibt viel Geld für Werbung in sozialen Medien aus.
The company spends a lot of money on advertising on social media.
The noun 'Werbung' (advertising) is derived from the verb 'werben' (to advertise / to recruit). This verb means to make a strong effort to win something or someone over—whether customers, new members, or someone's favor.
Die Partei wirbt um junge Wähler.
The party is campaigning for young voters.
Typical expressions are 'Werbung machen für' (to advertise / promote) or 'Werbung schalten' (to place an ad), used to express that someone is advertising a product or service.
Viele Firmen schalten Werbung vor wichtigen Fußballspielen.
Many companies place ads before important soccer matches.
When 'Werbung' (ad) means a single advertisement, it can be plural or used with an article. If it refers to the concept of advertising, it is usually uncountable and appears in the singular without an article.
Im Briefkasten war schon wieder so viel Werbung.
There was so much advertising in the mailbox again.
When it is about winning people over, 'Werbung' (recruitment / promotion) often appears with the preposition 'um' or with a genitive. This shows that commercial advertising is not meant.
Der Verein macht Werbung um neue Mitglieder.
The association is trying to recruit new members.
advertisement / report / display
'die Werbung' and 'die Anzeige' can both mean something that promotes a product, an apartment, or a service. 'Werbung' is the more general term. It includes things like posters, videos, commercials, or online campaigns. An 'Anzeige' is usually a single published notice, often as text or an image in a newspaper, on a website, or in an app. Learners may confuse the words because an 'Anzeige' is often advertising. But not all 'Werbung' is an 'Anzeige'. 'Werbung' fits the whole act or field of advertising; 'Anzeige' fits a specific published ad.
Im Bus sehe ich jeden Morgen Werbung für ein neues Fitnessstudio.
On the bus, I see advertising for a new gym every morning.
Anna hat eine Anzeige für ein gebrauchtes Fahrrad im Internet gefunden.
Anna found an advertisement for a used bicycle online.