I asked ChatGPT to translate into German my finding, that my German improved alot due to the availability of German podcasts during the pandemic. As I recall, I got one translation, then, asked for alternatives. Among these several ensuing options, I saw both Verfügbarkeit and Erhältlichkeit.
So I asked:
What is the difference between Verfügbarkeit and Erhältlichkeit?
In general, both "Verfügbarkeit" and "Erhältlichkeit" can be translated as "availability" in English. However, there is a subtle difference between the two words in German.
"Verfügbarkeit" implies that something is available or ready to use, while "Erhältlichkeit" emphasizes that something can be obtained or acquired. In other words, "Verfügbarkeit" refers to the state of something being ready for use, while "Erhältlichkeit" refers to the possibility of obtaining something.
For example, if we say that a product is "verfügbar", it means that it is ready to use or can be used immediately. On the other hand, if we say that a product is "erhältlich", it means that it can be obtained or purchased, but it may not be immediately available or ready to use.
In the context of the original sentence, "Verfügbarkeit" emphasizes that there were many podcasts and YouTube channels that were readily available for use during the pandemic, while "Erhältlichkeit" would emphasize that these resources were obtainable or accessible during the pandemic.
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One or two native speakers said this explanation was very good and perhaps better than they could have offered themselves. When I sit down at my laptop, my mouse is right here and "verfügbar" available, while if I need oranges, they are "erhältlich" available at several grocery stores not far from me.
