die Kosmetik
cosmetics
Products and substances used to care for and beautify the body, especially the face, skin, and hair.
EXAMPLE
Im Badezimmer hat sie eine ganze Sammlung an Kosmetik.
She has a whole collection of cosmetics in the bathroom.
die Kosmetik
cosmetics
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Meanings
die Kosmetik
cosmetic change
A superficial improvement or measure that does not solve a fundamental problem, but only improves its appearance.
EXAMPLE
Die vom Unternehmen angekündigten Änderungen sind reine Kosmetik und ändern nichts an den schlechten Arbeitsbedingungen.
The changes announced by the company are purely cosmetic and do nothing to change the poor working conditions.
die Kosmetik
cosmetics industry
The field or industry concerned with the production, use, and sale of beauty products, as well as with beauty treatments.
EXAMPLE
Sie macht eine Ausbildung im Bereich der Kosmetik.
She is doing training in the field of cosmetics.
Usage tips
False friend
'Die Kosmetik' is a singular, uncountable term, similar to 'die Musik' (music). In English, the plural 'cosmetics' is usually used for products. In German, you say 'Kosmetik' even when you mean many different products.
EXAMPLE
Sie gibt viel Geld für Kosmetik aus.
She spends a lot of money on cosmetics.
Word family
The adjective for 'die Kosmetik' (cosmetics) is 'kosmetisch' (cosmetic). It is used to describe things that have to do with beauty care or are only superficial.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine kosmetische Behandlung gebucht.
She booked a cosmetic treatment.
Context clue
The figurative meaning 'oberflächliche Verbesserung' (superficial improvement) can often be recognized by signal words like 'rein' (purely), 'bloß' (merely), or 'nur' (only). It is often used in political or economic contexts to criticize the fact that a problem is not really being solved.
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Regeln sind bloße Kosmetik und ändern nichts am Grundproblem.
The new rules are mere cosmetics and do nothing to change the underlying problem.
Typical collocations
When it is about products, 'Kosmetik' (cosmetics) is often combined with verbs such as 'auftragen' (to apply), 'benutzen' (to use), or 'entfernen' (to remove). A distinction is also made between 'pflegende Kosmetik' (care cosmetics, e.g. creams) and 'dekorative Kosmetik' (decorative cosmetics, e.g. make-up).
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Schlafengehen sollte man die Kosmetik gründlich entfernen.
Before going to sleep, you should remove your cosmetics thoroughly.
Use in a profession
When 'Kosmetik' (cosmetics) refers to the industry, it often appears with prepositions like 'in' or 'im Bereich' (in the field). Typical formulations are 'in der Kosmetik arbeiten' (to work in cosmetics) or 'eine Ausbildung im Bereich Kosmetik machen' (to do training in the field of cosmetics).
EXAMPLE
Er arbeitet seit zehn Jahren in der Kosmetik.
He has worked in cosmetics for ten years.
Compare with
Kosmetik vs Beauty
beauty
Both words belong to the field of beauty care, but Beauty refers to the entire area and can also include services. Kosmetik here mainly means products and substances used to care for and beautify the body. Use Beauty for an offering or an industry, and Kosmetik for specific personal-care products.
Kosmetik
Für die tägliche Gesichtspflege kaufe ich milde Kosmetik.
I buy gentle cosmetics for my daily facial skincare routine.
Beauty
Die Beauty bietet neben Kosmetik auch Hautbehandlungen und andere Dienstleistungen an.
The beauty industry offers skincare treatments and other services in addition to cosmetics.
In real life
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