extract
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extract
A concentrated substance obtained from plant or animal materials through a chemical or physical process (e.g. with water or alcohol).
Für den Kuchen verwende ich immer einen hochwertigen Vanille-Extrakt.
For the cake, I always use a high-quality vanilla extract.
excerpt / summary
A short excerpt or summary from a longer text, book, or document.
Der Artikel liefert nur einen kurzen Extrakt der umfangreichen Studie.
The article provides only a short summary of the extensive study.
The noun 'der Extrakt' (extract) is closely related to the verb 'extrahieren' (to extract). Both terms describe the result of 'pulling out' something—whether a substance from a plant or information from a text.
Es ist schwierig, diesen Wirkstoff aus der Wurzel zu extrahieren.
It is difficult to extract this active ingredient from the root.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about cooking, cosmetics, or chemistry, it usually refers to a substance. If it is about books, articles, or reports, it refers to a text excerpt.
Dieser Hautcreme wurde ein Extrakt aus Algen zugesetzt.
An extract from algae was added to this skin cream.
In both meanings, 'Extrakt' (extract) is very often used with the preposition 'aus' + dative to indicate the origin or source. You speak of 'ein Extrakt aus einer Pflanze' (an extract from a plant) or 'ein Extrakt aus einem Buch' (an excerpt from a book).
Der heilsame Extrakt wird aus den Blättern des Baumes gewonnen.
The healing extract is obtained from the leaves of the tree.
When referring to a substance, 'Extrakt' (extract) is often described with adjectives such as 'hochkonzentriert' (highly concentrated), 'rein' (pure), 'natürlich' (natural), or 'wässrig' (aqueous, made with water).
Für dieses Rezept benötigen Sie einen hochkonzentrierten Fruchtextrakt.
For this recipe, you need a highly concentrated fruit extract.
summary
Both words can refer to a short account of a longer document. Zusammenfassung is the neutral and usual term, whereas Extrakt (extract) emphasizes filtering out the essential content and is used less often. In general texts, Zusammenfassung is usually the more appropriate choice.
Der Extrakt aus dem langen Bericht nennt nur die wichtigsten Ergebnisse.
The extract from the lengthy report lists only the most important findings.
Am Ende des Berichts steht eine kurze Zusammenfassung der wichtigsten Ergebnisse.
At the end of the report there is a short summary of the most important findings.
