01
die Flüssigkeit
liquid
A substance that can flow and has no fixed shape, such as water or oil.
example
Bei Fieber sollte man viel Flüssigkeit zu sich nehmen.
When you have a fever, you should take in plenty of fluids.
die Flüssigkeit
liquid
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is formed from the adjective 'flüssig' (liquid) and the ending '-keit'. The ending '-keit' turns adjectives into nouns that describe a quality or state. 'Flüssigkeit' is therefore the quality of being liquid, or a substance with this quality.
EXAMPLE
Honig verliert bei Erwärmung seine Zähigkeit und gewinnt an Flüssigkeit.
When heated, honey loses its viscosity and becomes more fluid.
Word family
'Flüssigkeit' (liquid/fluid) belongs to the word family of the verb 'fließen' (to flow). Everything that can flow is a 'Flüssigkeit'. The noun 'der Fluss' (the river) also belongs to this family.
EXAMPLE
Das Wasser fließt den Berg hinab.
The water flows down the mountain.
Typical collocations
In everyday life, especially in connection with health, 'Flüssigkeit' (fluid) is often used with the verbs 'trinken' (to drink) or 'zu sich nehmen' (to take in/consume). It is a general term for anything one drinks.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat mir geraten, mehr Flüssigkeit zu trinken.
The doctor advised me to drink more fluids.
Register
'Flüssigkeit' (liquid/fluid) is a neutral to slightly formal term. It is often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts in order to be precise. In normal everyday life, people often simply say 'Getränk' (drink) or 'etwas zu trinken' (something to drink).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, diese chemische Flüssigkeit ist ätzend!
Careful, this chemical liquid is corrosive!
Compare with
Flüssigkeit vs Wasser
water
'das Wasser' and 'die Flüssigkeit' are closely related because water is a liquid. But 'Wasser' means a specific liquid: the clear liquid that people drink, use for washing, or find in lakes and rivers. 'Flüssigkeit' is more general. Oil, juice, or medicine can also be liquids. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to something that can flow. If you specifically mean water, you say 'Wasser'. If the type of liquid is not important or not known, 'Flüssigkeit' fits better.
Flüssigkeit
In der Flasche war eine gelbe Flüssigkeit, die niemand kannte.
There was a yellow liquid in the bottle that no one recognized.
Wasser
Nach dem Sport trinkt sie ein großes Glas Wasser.
After exercising, she drinks a large glass of water.
In real life
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