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Technical English–German Glossary: Machinery, IT & Engineering TermsThis glossary compiles essential technical vocabulary across machinery, information technology (IT), and engineering, presenting English terms with their German equivalents, short definitions, and contextual notes. It’s designed for translators, engineers working in bilingual environments, technical writers, and students who need precise, industry-standard terminology. Where applicable, gendered noun forms and common compound variations in German are included.
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How to use this glossary
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- Use the English term to find the German equivalent and a concise definition.
\n - For German nouns, the article (der/die/das) is provided. Plural forms are given when irregular or commonly used.
\n - Context notes indicate industry-specific usage or common false friends.
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Core machinery terms
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Actuator — German: Stellantrieb (der)
\nShort definition: A device that converts control signals into mechanical movement.
\nNote: Also used: “Antrieb” or “Aktuator” in some technical texts. -
Bearing — German: Lager (das)
\nShort definition: A machine element that supports and reduces friction between moving parts.
\nNote: Types — “Kugellager” (ball bearing), “Gleitlager” (plain bearing). -
Camshaft — German: Nockenwelle (die)
\nShort definition: Shaft with cams that open and close valves in engines. -
Gearbox — German: Getriebe (das)
\nShort definition: Assembly of gears that transmits torque and adjusts speed.
\nNote: “Schaltgetriebe” = manual gearbox, “Automatikgetriebe” = automatic transmission. -
Hydraulic pump — German: Hydraulikpumpe (die)
\nShort definition: Pumps fluid to generate hydraulic energy for actuators and systems. -
Servo motor — German: Servomotor (der)
\nShort definition: Motor with feedback control for precise positioning. -
Shaft — German: Welle (die)
\nShort definition: Rotating component transmitting torque. -
Torque — German: Drehmoment (das)
\nShort definition: Rotational force applied to a shaft or component.
\nNote: Common unit: Newton-meters (Nm).
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Core engineering terms
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Load — German: Last (die) / Belastung (die)
\nShort definition: Forces or stresses applied to a structure or component.
\nNote: “Nutzlast” (payload), “Eigenlast” (dead load). -
Stress — German: Spannung (die)
\nShort definition: Internal forces per unit area within materials.
\nNote: Different from “Spannung” in electricity context where it means voltage — context is important. -
Strain — German: Dehnung (die) / Verformung (die)
\nShort definition: Deformation per unit length under load. -
Fatigue — German: Wöchenermüdung? / Dauerfestigkeit (die)
\nShort definition: Failure mechanism from repeated cyclic loading.
\nCorrection note: The correct term is Dauerfestigkeit for fatigue strength; “Werkstoffermüdung” or “Materialermüdung” may be used for material fatigue. -
Tolerance — German: Toleranz (die)
\nShort definition: Permissible variation in dimensions or performance. -
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) — German: Finite-Elemente-Analyse (FEA) / Finite-Elemente-Methode (FEM)
\nShort definition: Numerical method for solving complex structural, thermal, and fluid problems. -
Bearing capacity — German: Tragfähigkeit (die)
\nShort definition: Maximum load a structure or soil can support.
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Core IT terms
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Server — German: Server (der) / Dienst (der) (contextual)
\nShort definition: Computer or software that provides services to clients over a network. -
Client — German: Client (der) / Klient (der)
\nShort definition: Device or software requesting services from a server. -
Database — German: Datenbank (die)
\nShort definition: Organized collection of structured data. -
API (Application Programming Interface) — German: API (Application Programming Interface) / Schnittstelle (die)
\nShort definition: Set of rules and protocols for interacting with software components. -
Encryption — German: Verschlüsselung (die)
\nShort definition: Process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access. -
Firewall — German: Firewall (die) / Sicherheitswand (selten)
\nShort definition: Network security system that controls incoming and outgoing traffic. -
Cloud computing — German: Cloud-Computing (das) / Cloud-Dienste (pl.)
\nShort definition: On-demand delivery of computing services over the internet. -
Latency — German: Latenz (die) / Verzögerung (die)
\nShort definition: Time delay between request and response. -
Throughput — German: Durchsatz (der)
\nShort definition: Amount of data processed in a given time period.
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Cross-disciplinary and common technical terms
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Specification (spec) — German: Spezifikation (die) / Anforderungsspezifikation (die)
\nShort definition: Document that describes requirements and criteria for systems or components. -
Prototype — German: Prototyp (der)
\nShort definition: Early sample or model built to test functions and design. -
Maintenance — German: Wartung (die) / Instandhaltung (die)
\nShort definition: Activities to keep equipment in working order. -
Inspection — German: Prüfung (die) / Inspektion (die)
\nShort definition: Examination to ensure compliance with standards. -
Redundancy — German: Redundanz (die)
\nShort definition: Duplication of critical components to increase reliability. -
Failure mode — German: Ausfallart (die) / Fehlerart (die)
\nShort definition: Specific way a component can fail.
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Units, measurements & symbols
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Newton (N) — German: Newton (N)
\nShort definition: SI unit of force. -
Pascal (Pa) — German: Pascal (Pa)
\nShort definition: SI unit of pressure. -
Meter (m) — German: Meter (m)
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Watt (W) — German: Watt (W)
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RPM (revolutions per minute) — German: U/min (Umdrehungen pro Minute)
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Translation tips and common pitfalls
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- Technical false friend: English “stress” = German “Spannung”, but “Spannung” also means “voltage” in electrical contexts — use context to choose “Biegespannung” (bending stress) or “Zugspannung” (tensile stress).
\n - Compound nouns are common in German; translate by forming appropriate compounds (e.g., “hydraulic pump” = “Hydraulikpumpe”, not “Hydraulik Pumpe”).
\n - Articles matter in German technical documentation; include them where clarity is important (especially in maintenance manuals).
\n - Abbreviations often remain in English (API, CPU) but check local standards—some texts prefer German expansions.
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Sample glossary (selected entries)
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Below are grouped entries for quick reference.
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- Actuator — Stellantrieb (der) — converts signals into mechanical motion.
\n - Ball bearing — Kugellager (das) — rolling-element bearing using balls.
\n - CAD (Computer-Aided Design) — CAD (Computer-Aided Design) / Rechnergestütztes Konstruieren (das) — software for design and drafting.
\n - CNC (Computer Numerical Control) — CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) / Computerisierte numerische Steuerung (selten) — machine control via programmed commands.
\n - Ethernet — Ethernet (das) — family of networking technologies for LANs.
\n - Heat exchanger — Wärmetauscher (der) — device transferring heat between fluids.
\n - PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) — SPS (Speicherprogrammierbare Steuerung) (die) — industrial digital computer.
\n - Sensor — Sensor (der) / Fühler (der) — device detecting physical quantities.
\n - Valve — Ventil (das) — device controlling fluid flow.
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Appendix — useful German compound examples
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- Hydraulic control valve — Hydraulisches Steuerventil (das)
\n - High-pressure pump — Hochdruckpumpe (die)
\n - Data transmission rate — Datenübertragungsrate (die)
\n - Structural steel beam — Stahlträger (der)
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If you want this converted into a printable A4 glossary, a bilingual CSV, or an expanded glossary focused on one subfield (e.g., PLC programming, automotive drivetrain, or embedded systems), tell me which format or subfield and I’ll produce it.
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