to rub in / coat
Loading your saved state.
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.
'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
'auftragen' and 'einreiben' can both mean putting a substance on skin or a surface. 'auftragen' is more general: you apply a cream, paint, or layer to a spot. Exactly how you do it is not so important. 'einreiben' is more specific: you spread something using rubbing motions, often so that it is absorbed or the surface is cared for. This fits especially with ointment on the skin or oil on wood. Learners may confuse the words because both are possible with cream or oil. If the motion is important, you are more likely to say 'einreiben'; if only the layer is important, you are more likely to say 'auftragen'.
Am Abend reibt Sarah ihre Hände mit einer fetten Creme ein.
In the evening, Sarah rubs her hands with a rich cream.
Wegen der starken Sonne trägt sie vor dem Schwimmen Sonnencreme auf.
Because of the strong sun, she applies sunscreen before swimming.