der Abschaum
scum
A strongly derogatory term for people who are seen as morally corrupt, worthless, or contemptible.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter nannte die Täter den „Abschaum der Gesellschaft“.
The judge called the perpetrators the 'scum of society'.
der Abschaum
scum
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Abschaum
scum
The layer of dirt or foam that forms on the surface of liquids such as broth or jam during cooking and is removed.
EXAMPLE
Beim Kochen der Rinderbrühe sollte man den entstehenden Abschaum regelmäßig mit einer Kelle entfernen.
When cooking beef broth, you should regularly remove the scum that forms with a ladle.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of 'ab' (off/away) and 'Schaum' (foam). It literally refers to the foam that is skimmed off a liquid because it is considered impure. This idea of worthlessness was transferred to people.
EXAMPLE
Sie schöpfte den gräulichen Abschaum von der Suppe.
She skimmed the grayish scum off the soup.
Context clue
The meaning of the word is immediately clear from context. If people are talking about cooking, soups, or jam, it refers to foam. If they are talking about people, it is a severe insult.
EXAMPLE
Für solche Verbrechen gibt es keine Entschuldigung, das ist der reine Abschaum.
There is no excuse for such crimes; that is pure scum.
Strongly derogatory
As a term for people, 'Abschaum' (scum) is one of the strongest and most hurtful insults in German. It expresses deep contempt and is perceived as very aggressive.
EXAMPLE
Er beschimpfte die Einbrecher als „Abschaum“.
He insulted the burglars by calling them 'scum'.
Typical collocations
In a cooking context, 'Abschaum' (scum) is often combined with the verb 'abschöpfen' (to skim off). You skim the scum off a liquid in order to clarify it.
EXAMPLE
Die Köchin schöpfte den Abschaum sorgfältig mit einer Kelle ab.
The cook carefully skimmed off the scum with a ladle.
Compare with
Abschaum vs Pack
rabble / pack
Das Pack and der Abschaum are strong insults for despised people. Das Pack disparages a group as a whole; der Abschaum portrays them more specifically as morally corrupt and as the lowest of society. Abschaum is more suitable for this stronger moral condemnation.
Abschaum
Der Mann bezeichnete die moralisch verkommene Gruppe voller Verachtung als Abschaum.
The man contemptuously called the morally corrupt group scum.
Pack
Der Mann beschimpfte die randalierende Gruppe pauschal als Pack.
The man denounced the rioting group indiscriminately as rabble.
In real life
Loading video examples...