asphalt
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asphalt
A black, viscous to solid mixture of bitumen and aggregates, used mainly as a surface for roads, paths, and squares.
Nach dem Regen glänzte der frische Asphalt der neu gemachten Straße.
After the rain, the fresh asphalt of the newly built road gleamed.
Common verbs used with 'Asphalt' (asphalt) are 'Asphalt verlegen' (to lay asphalt) or 'Asphalt auftragen' (to apply asphalt). Typical adjectives describe its condition, for example 'heißer' (hot), 'nasser' (wet), or 'rissiger Asphalt' (cracked asphalt).
Die Baufirma wird morgen den neuen Asphalt verlegen.
The construction company will lay the new asphalt tomorrow.
When 'Asphalt' (asphalt) refers to the material in general, it is often used without an article. When talking about a specific road surface, the definite article 'der Asphalt' (the asphalt) is used.
Moderne Straßen bestehen oft aus einer Mischung aus Asphalt und Beton.
Modern roads often consist of a mixture of asphalt and concrete.
In colloquial language, 'Asphalt' (asphalt) is sometimes used metaphorically for the urban environment or the street. A well-known metaphor is 'Asphaltdschungel' (asphalt jungle) for a large, impersonal city.
Er wuchs im Asphaltdschungel von Berlin auf.
He grew up in the asphalt jungle of Berlin.
tar
Both words refer to black materials used in road construction, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. Asphalt is the finished mixture or surface made of bitumen and aggregate, while Teer is a thick, sticky liquid and a binding agent. For a road surface, Asphalt is therefore usually the appropriate word.
Die Arbeiter erneuern heute den Asphalt auf der beschädigten Straße.
The workers are resurfacing the damaged road with asphalt today.
Der klebrige Teer wird als Bindemittel für die Straßenmischung verwendet.
The sticky tar is used as a binding agent in the road mixture.
