wind turbine / pinwheel
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wind turbine
A large, modern installation with rotor blades that uses the energy of the wind to generate electricity.
Der neue Windpark besteht aus fünfzig riesigen Windrädern.
The new wind farm consists of fifty huge wind turbines.
The word is made up of 'Wind' (wind) and 'Rad' (wheel). So it literally describes a wheel moved by the wind, whether it is a large installation or a small toy.
Auf dem Hügel steht ein einzelnes Windrad.
There is a single wind turbine on the hill.
You can tell from context whether a large power installation, a children's toy, or part of an old mill is meant. Words like 'Windpark' (wind farm), 'Strom' (electricity), or 'riesig' (huge) point to the modern installation, while 'bunt' (colorful) or 'Papier' (paper) point to the toy.
Der Landwirt plant, auf seinem Feld ein Windrad zur Stromerzeugung zu errichten.
The farmer plans to build a wind turbine on his field to generate electricity.
In connection with generating electricity, a wind turbine is often used with certain verbs: a wind turbine is 'gebaut' (built) or 'errichtet' (erected), it 'dreht sich' (turns) in the wind and 'erzeugt' or 'produziert' (generates/produces) electricity.
Dieses Windrad produziert genug Strom für 1000 Haushalte.
This wind turbine produces enough electricity for 1,000 households.
wind power
'das Windrad' and 'die Windkraft' both belong to the topic of energy from wind. The difference is important: a wind turbine is a concrete thing, meaning an installation with rotor blades that you can see. Wind power is the energy or the method of generating electricity through wind. Learners may confuse the words because wind turbines use wind power. But you do not say that wind power is standing in a field. A wind turbine is standing there. If you are talking about the form of energy, 'Windkraft' is the right fit.
Auf dem Hügel hinter dem Dorf steht ein neues Windrad.
There is a new wind turbine on the hill behind the village.
In der Schule halten wir morgen ein Referat über Windkraft.
Tomorrow at school, we are giving a presentation about wind power.