chemical
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chemical
A chemical substance with a specific, defined composition, often produced industrially or used in chemical processes.
Beim Experimentieren mit gefährlichen Chemikalien muss man eine Schutzbrille tragen.
When experimenting with dangerous chemicals, you have to wear safety goggles.
'Die Chemikalie' (chemical) belongs to the word family around 'die Chemie' (chemistry). Related words are the adjective 'chemisch' (chemical) and the profession 'der Chemiker' or 'die Chemikerin' (chemist).
Der Chemiker erklärte die Eigenschaften der Chemikalie.
The chemist explained the properties of the chemical.
Don't confuse the noun 'die Chemikalie' (chemical) with the adjective 'chemisch' (chemical). 'Chemisch' describes a property or a process, while 'die Chemikalie' is a substance.
Das ist eine chemische Reaktion.
That is a chemical reaction.
The word is often combined with adjectives that describe a danger or property. Common combinations are 'gefährliche Chemikalien' (dangerous chemicals), 'giftige Chemikalien' (toxic chemicals), or 'industrielle Chemikalien' (industrial chemicals).
In diesem Labor wird mit hochgiftigen Chemikalien gearbeitet.
In this laboratory, people work with highly toxic chemicals.
substance
Substanz and Chemikalie can both refer to a substance with specific chemical properties. Substanz is more general and neutral, whereas Chemikalie usually means a defined substance intended for industrial or chemical processes. When talking about the material in general, Substanz is appropriate; for such a use, Chemikalie is more suitable.
Im Labor verwenden wir eine definierte Chemikalie.
In the lab, we are using a defined chemical.
Im Labor untersuchen wir eine unbekannte Substanz.
In the lab, we are examining an unknown substance.
