die Kruste
crust
The hard, often crispy outer layer of bread or other baked goods that forms during baking.
EXAMPLE
Die Kruste dieses frischen Brotes ist besonders lecker.
The crust of this fresh bread is especially delicious.
die Kruste
crust
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Meanings
die Kruste
scab
A hard layer of clotted blood and wound fluid that forms over a healing wound.
EXAMPLE
Zupf nicht an der Kruste, sonst gibt es eine Narbe.
Don't pick at the scab, or you'll get a scar.
die Kruste
crust
A firm, hard surface layer on something, for example on the Earth (Earth's crust) or on a liquid.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Regen bildete sich eine harte Kruste auf dem trockenen Ackerboden.
After the rain, a hard crust formed on the dry farmland.
die Kruste
crust
The browned and crispy top layer of a baked dish, often made of cheese or breadcrumbs.
EXAMPLE
Der Kartoffelauflauf hat eine goldbraune Käse-Kruste.
The potato casserole has a golden-brown cheese crust.
Usage tips
Context clue
The word 'Kruste' (crust/scab) has very different meanings. The context makes clear what is meant: at the bakery it is about bread, at the doctor's about a wound, and in geology about the Earth.
EXAMPLE
Die Kruste vom Brot ist besonders knusprig.
The crust of the bread is especially crispy.
Typical adjectives
When it is about bread or baked goods, the crust is often described with adjectives such as 'knusprig' (crispy), 'kross' (crusty/crispy), 'dunkel' (dark), or 'hart' (hard).
EXAMPLE
Ich mag Brot am liebsten, wenn es eine dicke, knusprige Kruste hat.
I like bread best when it has a thick, crispy crust.
Typical verbs
In a medical context, a scab forms on a wound. A typical warning is not to scratch or pick at the scab, as this interferes with healing.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt sagte, ich solle die Kruste auf dem Knie in Ruhe lassen.
The doctor said I should leave the scab on my knee alone.
Fixed expression
In geography and geology, 'die Erdkruste' (the Earth's crust) is a fixed term for the outermost solid layer of our planet.
EXAMPLE
Die Erdkruste ist unter den Ozeanen dünner als unter den Kontinenten.
The Earth's crust is thinner under the oceans than under the continents.
Typical collocations
With baked dishes such as casseroles, people often speak of a 'Käsekruste' (cheese crust) or a 'goldbraune Kruste' (golden-brown crust). For many people, it is the tastiest part of the meal.
EXAMPLE
Für eine perfekte Kruste streue ich am Ende geriebenen Parmesan über die Lasagne.
For a perfect crust, I sprinkle grated Parmesan over the lasagna at the end.
Compare with
Kruste vs Haut
skin
On a liquid, Haut can refer to a thin, continuous layer. Kruste is appropriate when the surface layer has clearly become firm, hard, or brittle. The key factor is therefore mainly the nature of the layer.
Kruste
Auf der alten Farbe hat sich eine harte Kruste gebildet.
A hard crust has formed on the old paint.
Haut
Auf der warmen Milch hat sich eine dünne Haut gebildet.
A thin skin has formed on the warm milk.
In real life
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