coat / smock
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coat
A simple, often white or blue coat worn to protect clothing at work, especially by doctors, lab technicians, or tradespeople.
Die Ärztin zog vor der Untersuchung einen frischen Kittel an.
The doctor put on a fresh coat before the examination.
smock
A simple, apron-like dress that used to be worn often by women while doing housework or by children while playing.
Auf dem alten Foto trug meine Großmutter als Kind einen geblümten Kittel.
In the old photo, my grandmother was wearing a floral smock as a child.
The meaning of 'Kittel' can almost always be inferred from context. Words like 'Arzt' (doctor), 'Labor' (laboratory), 'Chemie' (chemistry), or 'weiß' (white) point to the protective coat. Words like 'alt' (old), 'Kind' (child), 'Großmutter' (grandmother), or 'spielen' (to play) point to the old-fashioned garment.
Der Chemiker trug einen blauen Kittel. (Schutzmantel)
The chemist wore a blue coat. (protective coat)
In a professional context, the Kittel is often referred to as an 'Arztkittel' (doctor's coat) or 'Laborkittel' (lab coat). Typical verbs are 'einen Kittel anziehen' (to put on a coat), 'ausziehen' (to take off), or 'tragen' (to wear).
Im Labor ist das Tragen eines Kittels Pflicht.
In the lab, wearing a coat is mandatory.
The meaning as a simple dress is now outdated. It is almost only used when talking about earlier times, historical clothing, or rural traditions.
Früher trugen Frauen bei der Hausarbeit oft einen Kittel über ihrer Kleidung.
In the past, women often wore a smock over their clothes while doing housework.
coat
Mantel and Kittel are both worn over normal clothing. A Mantel mainly protects against cold or rain. A Kittel, by contrast, protects clothing while working and is therefore the usual term, for example, in a laboratory or a doctor's office.
Bei der Arbeit im Labor trägt die Ärztin einen weißen Kittel.
While working in the laboratory, the doctor is wearing a white lab coat.
Auf dem Weg zum Labor trägt die Ärztin einen warmen Mantel.
On her way to the laboratory, the doctor is wearing a warm coat.
