shelf life / durability
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shelf life
The period of time during which a product, especially a food product, keeps its quality and can be safely consumed.
Achte bei Joghurt immer auf das Datum für die Mindesthaltbarkeit.
With yogurt, always pay attention to the best-before date.
The word 'Haltbarkeit' belongs to the word family of 'halten' (to hold / to last). Something that is 'haltbar' (durable / long-lasting) 'hält' (lasts) a long time. The ending '-keit' turns the adjective 'haltbar' into a noun.
Dieses Material ist sehr haltbar, es hält auch bei schlechtem Wetter.
This material is very durable; it holds up even in bad weather.
You can tell from context whether 'Haltbarkeit' refers to the shelf life of food or the durability of materials. If people are talking about food, it is about the time until spoilage. If they are talking about products like furniture or clothing, it means longevity.
Die Haltbarkeit des Joghurts ist abgelaufen.
The yogurt's shelf life has expired.
In connection with food, 'Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum' (best-before date, often abbreviated as MHD) is a very important word. It indicates until when a product retains its specific properties at minimum.
Du solltest das Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum auf der Verpackung überprüfen.
You should check the best-before date on the packaging.
When referring to the longevity of materials, 'Haltbarkeit' is often combined with adjectives such as 'hoch' (high), 'lang' (long), 'gering' (low), or 'begrenzt' (limited).
Das neue Smartphone wirbt mit einer hohen Haltbarkeit und einem robusten Display.
The new smartphone advertises high durability and a robust display.
stability
'die Stabilität' and 'die Haltbarkeit' can both describe that something does not break or go bad quickly. 'Stabilität' mainly means that an object or structure is firm and secure, or does not collapse. 'Haltbarkeit' means how long something remains usable. With food, it is often about until when it can be used safely. With materials, it means durability or lifespan. The words can be confused because stable things are often also durable. But a chair can stand stably, while its 'Haltbarkeit' describes how long it lasts.
Vor dem Urlaub hat Anna die Haltbarkeit der Milch geprüft.
Before the vacation, Anna checked the shelf life of the milk.
Die breiten Füße geben dem Tisch mehr Stabilität.
The wide legs give the table more stability.