die Baumwolle
cotton
The fabric made from the fibers of the cotton plant and used to make clothing or textiles.
EXAMPLE
Dieses T-Shirt ist aus 100 % Baumwolle.
This T-shirt is made of 100% cotton.
die Baumwolle
cotton
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Meanings
die Baumwolle
cotton
The soft, white plant fiber obtained from the seed capsules of the cotton plant.
EXAMPLE
Auf den Feldern in Ägypten wird viel Baumwolle angebaut.
A lot of cotton is grown in the fields in Egypt.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a compound of 'der Baum' (tree) and 'die Wolle' (wool). The plant's white, soft fibers look like wool growing on a tree or shrub — hence the name 'Baumwolle' (cotton).
EXAMPLE
Kinder finden den Namen „Baumwolle“ oft sehr logisch, wenn sie die Pflanze zum ersten Mal sehen.
Children often find the name 'Baumwolle' (cotton) very logical when they see the plant for the first time.
Context clue
You can tell whether the plant or the fabric is meant from the verb. Verbs like 'anbauen' (to cultivate/grow) or 'ernten' (to harvest) refer to the plant. If it is about clothing or products, the preposition 'aus' (made of/from) is often used.
EXAMPLE
In vielen warmen Ländern wird Baumwolle angebaut.
Cotton is grown in many warm countries.
Use with "aus"
When you describe the material of a piece of clothing or product, use the preposition 'aus' (made of/from). In this context, 'Baumwolle' (cotton) is an uncountable noun.
EXAMPLE
Meine Bettwäsche ist aus reiner Baumwolle.
My bed linen is made of pure cotton.
Compare with
Baumwolle vs Watte
cotton wool
Baumwolle refers here to the natural plant fiber as a raw material. Watte, by contrast, is a soft, fluffy product made from it or from a similar material, used, for example, to care for wounds. Baumwolle is appropriate for the starting material, while Watte is used for the processed form.
Baumwolle
Für die weichen Tupfer wird Baumwolle als Rohstoff verwendet.
Cotton is used as the raw material for the soft swabs.
Watte
Zur Reinigung der Wunde verwendet die Pflegekraft weiche Watte.
The caregiver uses soft cotton wool to clean the wound.
In real life
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