The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing having a shaft, a bearing sleeve that encloses the shaft with a short radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap, and an equalizing volume that is disposed between an outer circumference of the bearing sleeve and a covering cap at least partly overlapping the bearing sleeve and firmly fixed with respect to the bearing sleeve and connected to the bearing gap via at least one connecting channel or gap, a bearing fluid filling the bearing gap and the connecting channel/gap fully and the equalizing volume at least partially and the bearing fluid forming a continuous fluid film between the bearing gap and the equalizing volume.