to grind
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to grind
To crush something, especially grain or coffee, in a mill or similar device into a fine powder or small particles.
Für frischen Kaffee mahle ich die Bohnen immer direkt vor dem Aufbrühen.
For fresh coffee, I always grind the beans right before brewing.
The verb 'mahlen' (to grind) is closely connected to the noun 'die Mühle' (the mill). A mill is the traditional building or device in which grain is ground.
Früher brachten die Bauern ihr Korn zur Mühle, um es mahlen zu lassen.
In the past, farmers brought their grain to the mill to have it ground.
The past participle 'gemahlen' (ground) is very often used as an adjective before a noun to describe the result of grinding.
Ich kaufe immer frisch gemahlenen Kaffee.
I always buy freshly ground coffee.
In its literal meaning, 'mahlen' (to grind) is typically combined with foods that are processed into powder. Common objects are 'Kaffee' (coffee), 'Getreide' (grain), 'Pfeffer' (pepper), or 'Gewürze' (spices).
Kannst du bitte den Pfeffer für den Salat frisch mahlen?
Could you please grind the pepper fresh for the salad?
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the expression 'Die Mühlen der ... mahlen langsam' (the wheels of ... grind slowly). It expresses that a process takes a very long time, especially with institutions.
Die Mühlen der Justiz mahlen langsam, aber gerecht.
The wheels of justice grind slowly, but fairly.
to push / bump / come across
'stoßen' and 'mahlen' can both mean that something hard is made smaller, for example into powder. The difference lies in the type of movement and the tool. 'stoßen' is used when you crush something in a mortar with forceful pounding movements. 'mahlen' is used when a device or mill makes something fine by rubbing or rotating, especially coffee or grain. Learners may confuse the words because the result is often a fine powder. Remember: you crush spices in a mortar with 'stoßen'; you grind coffee or grain in a mill with 'mahlen'.
Vor dem Frühstück mahlt Paul frische Kaffeebohnen.
Before breakfast, Paul grinds fresh coffee beans.
Für die Suppe stößt Maria die Gewürze im Mörser fein.
For the soup, Maria finely crushes the spices in the mortar.