German Technology Vocabulary: Technology Words in German

German Technology Vocabulary

Start with the most common words, then expand your knowledge with intermediate and advanced vocabulary.

Beginner (A1)

internet das Internet
program das Programm
smartphone das Smartphone
tablet das Tablet
screen der Bildschirm
computer der Computer
printer der Drucker
laptop der Laptop
app die App
file die Datei
headphones die Kopfhörer
mouse die Maus
keyboard die Tastatur
website die Website

Elementary (A2)

Bluetooth das Bluetooth
cable das Kabel
charger das Ladegerät
bookmark das Lesezeichen
microphone das Mikrofon
password das Passwort
update das Update
Wi-Fi das WLAN
projector der Beamer
user der Benutzer/die Benutzerin
browser der Browser
e-reader der E-Reader
speaker der Lautsprecher
monitor der Monitor
folder der Ordner
robot der Roboter
scanner der Scanner
screenshot der Screenshot
touchscreen der Touchscreen
USB stick der USB-Stick
virus der Virus
logout die Abmeldung
login die Anmeldung
battery die Batterie
data die Daten
remote control die Fernbedienung
SIM card die SIM-Karte
software die Software
search engine die Suchmaschine
version die Version
webcam die Webcam

Intermediate & Advanced (B1-C1)

cookie das Cookie
format das Format
modem das Modem
network das Netzwerk
pixel das Pixel
trackpad das Trackpad
upgrade das Upgrade
adapter der Adapter
port der Anschluss
chip der Chip
code der Code
developer der Entwickler/die Entwicklerin
bug der Fehler
hacker der Hacker/die Hackerin
joystick der Joystick
router der Router
server der Server
memory der Speicher
driver der Treiber
application die Anwendung
notification die Benachrichtigung
cloud die Cloud
hard drive die Festplatte
installation die Installation
NFC die NFC
backup die Sicherungskopie
operating system das Betriebssystem
dashboard das Dashboard
motherboard das Motherboard
power supply das Netzteil
RAM der Arbeitsspeicher
cache der Cache
hub der Hub
engineer der Ingenieur/die Ingenieurin
processor der Prozessor
sensor der Sensor
customization die Anpassung
antenna die Antenne
resolution die Auflösung
bandwidth die Bandbreite
database die Datenbank
uninstallation die Deinstallation
diagnostics die Diagnose
firewall die Firewall
frequency die Frequenz
graphics card die Grafikkarte
malware die Schadsoftware
circuit die Schaltung
interface die Schnittstelle
maintenance die Wartung
protocol das Protokoll
algorithm der Algorithmus
benchmark der Benchmark
microprocessor der Mikroprozessor
encryption die Verschlüsselung
artificial intelligence die künstliche Intelligenz

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Example Sentences

In proper context. With highlighted verbs and adjectives.

Beginner & Elementary (A1-A2)

Essential vocabulary for daily technology use, hardware, and everyday digital actions.

Der alte Drucker druckt sehr langsam. The old printer prints very slowly.
Das WLAN funktioniert heute nicht. The Wi-Fi is not working today.
Ich brauche ein neues Ladekabel. I need a new charging cable.
Der Computer speichert die Datei automatisch. The computer saves the file automatically.
Sie sucht ein sicheres Passwort. She is looking for a secure password.
Ich habe eine neue App installiert. I installed a new app.
Der Monitor hat einen großen Bildschirm. The monitor has a large screen.
Die Batterie im Smartphone ist leer. The battery in the smartphone is empty.
Wir haben sehr schnelles Internet zu Hause. We have very fast internet at home.
Er verkauft seinen alten Laptop. He is selling his old laptop.

Intermediate & Advanced (B1-C1)

Sentences covering advanced software concepts, cybersecurity, and system management.

Das Betriebssystem aktualisiert die Software regelmäßig. The operating system updates the software regularly.
Der Server verschlüsselt alle sensiblen Daten. The server encrypts all sensitive data.
Die Entwicklerin programmiert einen neuen Algorithmus. The developer is programming a new algorithm.
Eine Firewall schützt das Netzwerk vor Angriffen. A firewall protects the network from attacks.
Der Prozessor analysiert die komplexen Signale. The processor analyzes the complex signals.
Viele Programme nutzen künstliche Intelligenz. Many programs use artificial intelligence.
Er bevorzugt eine kabellose Tastatur. He prefers a wireless keyboard.
Die digitale Transformation verändert die Wirtschaft. Digital transformation is changing the economy.
Die Festplatte ist leider beschädigt. The hard drive is unfortunately damaged.
Der neue Adapter ist mit allen Geräten kompatibel. The new adapter is compatible with all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Master German technology terminology, computer actions, and regional device names.

German borrows many technology terms from English, but each receives a grammatical gender based on standard rules or semantic equivalents:

Neuter (das): Borrowed modern terms like das Smartphone, das Tablet, das Upgrade, and das Dashboard usually take das.
Masculine (der): Computer hardware devices often take der, such as der Laptop, der Computer, der Router, and der Server.
Feminine (die): Terms derived from English ending in '-ware' or mapped to native feminine nouns take die, such as die App (Short for Applikation), die Software, and die Cloud.

When operating tech devices, you will regularly use these common verbs:

herunterladen / downloaden: to download (e.g., Ich lade eine Datei herunter).
hochladen: to upload data onto a server or cloud.
speichern: to save a document or project state.
löschen: to delete a file or entry.
neustarten: to restart or reboot a system.

German speakers pronounce English tech acronyms using German letter names:

WLAN: Pronounced 'V-Lahn' (short for Wireless Local Area Network, used for Wi-Fi).
USB: Pronounced 'OO-Es-Bay'.
SIM-Karte: Pronounced 'Zim-Karte'.
NFC: Pronounced 'En-Eff-Tsay'.

To describe the operational state of your hardware or software, use these terms:

online / offline: Connected or disconnected from the network.
kabellos: Wireless or cord-free.
kompatibel: Compatible with other hardware or software.
beschädigt / defekt: Damaged or malfunctioning.
sicher / unsicher: Secure or insecure (e.g., password, connection).

While standard technology vocabulary is unified across German-speaking countries, notable regional variations exist for everyday hardware:

Cell phone: In Germany and Austria, it is universally called das Handy, whereas in Switzerland, das Natel is traditionally used.
Wi-Fi: Germany and Austria predominantly use das WLAN, while Switzerland frequently uses das Wi-Fi alongside WLAN.
Mousepad: Called das Mauspad in Germany and Austria, but often referred to as die Mausmatte in Switzerland.

German Technology Vocabulary