inorganic
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inorganic
Refers to the chemistry of substances that do not come from living organisms and do not contain carbon in the form typical of living beings. It is the opposite of 'organisch' (organic).
Wasser, Salze und Metalle sind Beispiele für anorganische Stoffe.
Water, salts, and metals are examples of inorganic substances.
The word consists of the prefix 'an-' and the adjective 'organisch' (organic). The prefix 'an-' functions here like 'un-' and negates the base word. So 'anorganisch' means 'not organic'.
Die Chemie beschäftigt sich mit organischen und anorganischen Stoffen.
Chemistry deals with organic and inorganic substances.
In a scientific context, 'anorganisch' (inorganic) is often combined with technical terms. Typical collocations are 'anorganische Chemie' (inorganic chemistry), 'anorganische Stoffe' (inorganic substances), or 'anorganische Salze' (inorganic salts).
Im Chemieunterricht lernten wir die Eigenschaften anorganischer Verbindungen.
In chemistry class, we learned the properties of inorganic compounds.
This meaning belongs primarily to the technical language of the natural sciences, especially chemistry and biology. It is used less often in everyday life.
Für die Analyse benötigen wir eine Probe des anorganischen Materials.
For the analysis, we need a sample of the inorganic material.
The figurative meaning can be recognized from context. It describes things that seem artificial, disharmonious, or without a natural structure, often in the areas of architecture, art, or urban planning.
Das schnelle Wachstum der Stadt wirkte planlos und anorganisch.
The city's rapid growth seemed haphazard and inorganic.
artificial
'künstlich' and 'anorganisch' can overlap in certain contexts because both can describe something as not seeming natural or alive. 'künstlich' is the normal everyday word for something that is made or seems not genuine. 'anorganisch' is mainly a technical term from chemistry and there means the opposite of 'organisch' (organic). In a figurative sense, 'anorganisch' can also mean that something seems to lack a natural connection or living development. Learners should therefore pay attention to the context: in everyday language, 'künstlich' is usually more natural; in chemistry or in more elevated descriptions, 'anorganisch' may be more precise.
Im Chemieunterricht untersuchen wir heute anorganische Stoffe.
In chemistry class today, we are examining inorganic substances.
Auf der Feier trug Hannah künstliche Wimpern.
Hannah wore artificial eyelashes at the party.