Drehscheibe
turntable
The German word "Drehscheibe" is a compound noun made of:
- Dreh (from drehen): "to turn" or "to rotate"
- Scheibe: "disc" or "plate"
Meaning:
A "Drehscheibe" is a "turntable" or "rotary platform". It refers to a mechanical device or platform that rotates around a fixed axis. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a hub or central point in a network (e.g., transportation or communication).
Similar words:
- Wendeltreppe (spiral staircase) – also implies rotation but refers to stairs
- Umdrehscheibe – less common, variant
- Knotenpunkt (hub, node) – used metaphorically for a central connecting point but not physically rotating.
Difference:
"Drehscheibe" explicitly denotes a rotating disc or platform, either physically or metaphorically (central hub). Words like "Knotenpunkt" denote a central place but without the emphasis on rotation.
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Examples
Die Eisenbahn-Drehscheibe hat einen Durchmesser von 20 Metern.noun
The railway turntable has a diameter of 20 meters.
In der Werkstatt wurden gestern mehrere Drehscheiben für die Reparatur vorbereitet.noun
In the workshop several turntables were prepared yesterday for the repair.
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