butter
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butter
A spreadable edible fat made by churning milk or cream and used as a spread as well as for cooking and baking.
Zum Frühstück esse ich am liebsten ein Brötchen mit Butter und Marmelade.
For breakfast, I like having a roll with butter and jam best.
In the context of cooking and eating, 'Butter' (butter) is often combined with the verbs 'streichen' (to spread), 'schmelzen' (to melt), or 'anbraten' (to sauté/fry briefly).
Für das Rezept muss man zuerst die Butter in der Pfanne schmelzen.
For the recipe, you first have to melt the butter in the pan.
Normally, 'Butter' (butter) is an uncountable noun. However, when referring to individual portions, such as those served in restaurants, it can also be used in the plural in German.
Ich brauche noch Butter für den Kuchen.
I still need butter for the cake.
The expression 'alles in Butter' (everything's fine) is a colloquial way of saying that everything is okay or under control. The phrase is used as a whole.
Ich habe mit dem Chef gesprochen, alles in Butter.
I spoke with the boss—everything's fine.
'Butter bei die Fische' (cut to the chase) is a colloquial request, especially common in northern Germany, to get to the point. The unusual grammar 'bei die' is a fixed part of the expression.
Red nicht lange drumherum, sag mal Butter bei die Fische!
Don't beat around the bush—come on, cut to the chase!
lard / schmaltz
'die Butter' and 'das Schmalz' are both fats that can be used in cooking. 'Butter' is made from milk or cream and is very typical on bread, for baking, and for cooking. 'Schmalz' is rendered animal fat, often from pork or goose. It has a stronger taste and is used more for certain dishes, for frying, or as a special spread for bread. Learners may confuse the words because both are edible fats. But in normal everyday life, on breakfast bread, people usually mean 'Butter', not 'Schmalz'.
Vor dem Frühstück stellt Lena Butter und Marmelade auf den Tisch.
Before breakfast, Lena puts butter and jam on the table.
Zum Braten der Kartoffeln nimmt mein Vater etwas Schmalz.
My father uses a little lard to fry the potatoes.