lacquer / varnish
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lacquer / varnish
A liquid substance applied to surfaces to protect them and give them a smooth, often shiny coating. It is used, for example, for cars, furniture, or fingernails.
Der Lack des Neuwagens hat leider schon einen tiefen Kratzer.
Unfortunately, the new car's paint already has a deep scratch.
past its prime
A colloquial idiom meaning that the best time is over, that something is no longer new or attractive, or that someone has lost their youth and freshness.
Nach zwanzig Jahren im Job merkt er langsam, dass bei ihm der Lack ab ist.
After twenty years on the job, he is slowly realizing that he is past his prime.
'Der Lack' means a protective coating in German, such as paint or nail polish. It should not be confused with the English word 'lack', which means 'Mangel' (shortage/absence).
Ich brauche neuen Lack, um die Gartenmöbel zu streichen.
I need new varnish to paint the garden furniture.
Common verbs used with 'Lack' (lacquer/varnish/paint) are 'Lack auftragen' (to apply lacquer/paint), 'den Lack polieren' (to polish the paint), or 'den Lack zerkratzen' (to scratch the paint). The word is also part of compounds such as 'Autolack' (car paint) or 'Nagellack' (nail polish).
Nach dem Waschen hat er den Autolack sorgfältig poliert.
After washing the car, he carefully polished the car paint.
The phrase 'der Lack ist ab' (literally: the lacquer is off) is a fixed colloquial idiom. It is used for people or things that are past their best and are no longer new or attractive.
Das Handy funktioniert noch, aber man sieht, dass der Lack ab ist.
The phone still works, but you can see that it is past its prime.
color / paint
Farbe is the general term for the substance used to color or protect a surface. Lack is a more specific coating that usually forms a smooth and often shiny protective layer. Use Farbe for painting in general and Lack for this kind of special protective or glossy coating.
Für den Holztisch kauft Anna einen klaren Lack mit glänzender Oberfläche.
Anna buys clear varnish with a glossy finish for the wooden table.
Für die Wand im Kinderzimmer kauft Anna eine grüne Farbe.
Anna buys green paint for the wall in the children's room.
