to rub in / coat
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to rub in
To spread an ointment, cream, or liquid on the skin with rubbing motions so that it is absorbed.
Nach dem Sonnenbad sollte man sich gut mit einer feuchtigkeitsspendenden Lotion einreiben.
After sunbathing, you should rub yourself well with a moisturizing lotion.
to coat
To treat a surface with a substance (e.g. wax, oil, grease) in order to protect it, care for it, or prepare it.
Er musste die neuen Lederstiefel vor dem ersten Tragen gründlich mit Fett einreiben.
Before wearing the new leather boots for the first time, he had to coat them thoroughly with grease.
'Einreiben' (to rub in/coat) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'ein' comes at the end of the sentence. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'einzureiben' is written as one word.
Die Mutter reibt ihr Kind mit Sonnencreme ein.
The mother rubs sunscreen on her child.
'Einreiben' (to rub in/coat) is often used reflexively with a dative pronoun to say which of your own body parts you are applying something to. The structure is then: sich (Dativ) + Körperteil (Akkusativ) + einreiben.
Ich reibe mir die Hände mit Desinfektionsmittel ein.
I rub my hands with disinfectant.
In the context of personal care, 'einreiben' (to rub in) is often used with substances such as 'Creme' (cream), 'Salbe' (ointment), 'Lotion' (lotion), or 'Öl' (oil).
Der Masseur rieb ihm den Rücken mit einem duftenden Öl ein.
The masseur rubbed his back with a fragrant oil.
When it comes to treating surfaces, typical combinations are 'Holz mit Öl einreiben' (to rub oil into wood), 'Leder mit Wachs einreiben' (to rub wax into leather), or 'eine Backform mit Butter einreiben' (to grease a baking pan with butter).
Bevor du den Teig hineingibst, musst du die Backform gut mit Butter einreiben.
Before you put the dough in, you have to coat the baking pan well with butter.
to apply / assign
Both words can refer to spreading a cream or liquid on the skin. „Auftragen“ only says that the substance is put onto the surface. „Einreiben“ additionally emphasizes the rubbing motions used to help the substance absorb into the skin.
Reiben Sie die Creme vorsichtig in die gereizte Haut ein.
Gently rub the cream into the irritated skin.
Tragen Sie die Creme dünn auf die gereizte Haut auf.
Apply a thin layer of cream to the irritated skin.
