der Vorrat vs die Reserve
German word comparison
Listen to der Vorrat
Listen to die Reserve
| der Vorrat | die Reserve |
|---|---|
fo-RAT noun | dee reh-zehr-vuh noun |
| a supply or stock of something kept for later use | a reserve supply kept back for emergencies or future use |
How they differ
"Die Reserve" emphasizes something deliberately set aside and not meant for immediate use. Compared with "der Vorrat," it sounds more like a backup stock or emergency reserve than ordinary stored supplies.
When to use each
When to use der Vorrat: Use "der Vorrat" for a general stored supply of food, materials, or goods.
When to use die Reserve: Use "die Reserve" when the idea of keeping something back for emergencies or as backup is important.
Side-by-side examples
- Unser Vorrat an Wasser ist fast aufgebraucht.
(Our supply of water is almost used up.) - Wir halten eine Reserve an Wasser für Notfälle zurück.
(We keep a reserve of water for emergencies.)
Register & nuance: "Die Reserve" is common in both everyday and formal language, but it often sounds more deliberate and strategic than "der Vorrat".