die Creme
cream
A semi-solid substance for skin care that is applied to the skin to moisturize, protect, or heal it.
EXAMPLE
Ich benutze jeden Morgen eine Feuchtigkeitscreme für mein Gesicht.
I use a moisturizing cream for my face every morning.
die Creme
cream
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Meanings
die Creme
cream
A sweet, creamy dish or filling for cakes and desserts, often made from cream, eggs, and sugar.
EXAMPLE
Der Kuchen war mit einer leichten Vanille-Creme gefüllt.
The cake was filled with a light vanilla cream.
die Creme
crema
The dense, golden-brown layer of foam on a freshly prepared espresso. In specialist jargon, the Italian term 'Crema' is often used.
EXAMPLE
Ein perfekter Espresso hat eine stabile Creme.
A perfect espresso has a stable crema.
die Creme
cream / elite
Colloquial and figurative for the elite or the best representatives of a group; the upper class. Often in the expression 'die Creme de la Creme'.
EXAMPLE
Zur Gala war die Creme der Gesellschaft eingeladen.
The cream of society was invited to the gala.
Usage tips
French loanword
The word 'Creme' (cream) comes from French. This explains the spelling with '-e' at the end and the pronunciation, which differs from German.
EXAMPLE
Für das Dessert benötigen wir eine süße Creme.
For the dessert, we need a sweet cream.
Typical verbs
In the context of skin care, 'Creme' (cream) is often combined with the verbs 'auftragen' (to apply), 'benutzen' (to use), or 'verwenden' (to use). You can also say 'sich eincremen' (to put cream on oneself).
EXAMPLE
Tragen Sie die Creme dünn auf die gereinigte Haut auf.
Apply a thin layer of the cream to cleansed skin.
In a dessert context
When 'Creme' (cream) refers to a food, it is often used with verbs like 'zubereiten' (to prepare), 'aufschlagen' (to whip), or 'rühren' (to stir). Common compounds are 'Vanillecreme' (vanilla cream) or 'Schokoladencreme' (chocolate cream).
EXAMPLE
Die Konditorin schlägt die Creme für die Torte steif.
The pastry chef whips the cream for the cake until stiff.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning 'Elite' (elite) is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'die Creme de la Creme' (the cream of the crop). This expression is taken directly from French.
EXAMPLE
Zum Festival kam die Creme de la Creme der internationalen Musikszene.
The cream of the international music scene came to the festival.
Compare with
Creme vs Elite
elite
Elite directly refers to an outstanding or influential top group. Creme can figuratively mean the same group of the very best, but it is more colloquial and requires a clear linguistic context. For a neutral term, Elite is therefore usually more appropriate.
Creme
Beim festlichen Empfang trifft sich die Creme der deutschen Forschung.
The cream of German research is gathering at the formal reception.
Elite
Auf dem Kongress trifft sich die Elite der deutschen Forschung.
The elite of German research is gathering at the conference.
In real life
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