01
das Mark
marrow
The soft, fatty substance inside bones (bone marrow).
example
Markklößchensuppe wird mit dem Mark aus Rinderknochen zubereitet.
Marrow dumpling soup is prepared with marrow from beef bones.
das Mark
marrow / pulp
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Important gender note
The article 'das' is crucial with this word. 'Das Mark' refers to the soft substance. Another noun, 'die Mark', was the former German currency. So the correct gender is important to avoid confusion.
EXAMPLE
Das Mark in den Knochen ist sehr nahrhaft.
The marrow in the bones is very nutritious.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'bis ins Mark' (to the core) means 'very deeply' or 'intensely' and is not understood literally. It often describes strong feelings or physical sensations such as cold.
EXAMPLE
Seine Kritik hat sie bis ins Mark getroffen.
Her criticism hit her to the core.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'das Mark' (the core) refers to the core or essence of an abstract matter. You can recognize this meaning when it is combined with words such as 'Problem' (problem), 'Diskussion' (discussion), or 'Kritik' (criticism).
EXAMPLE
Seine Frage trifft das Mark des Problems.
His question gets to the core of the problem.
Typical verbs
In the literal meaning, 'Mark' (marrow/pulp) is often combined with verbs that describe removing it. Typical phrases are 'das Mark aus Knochen lösen' (to remove the marrow from bones) or 'das Mark aus einer Schote kratzen' (to scrape the pulp from a pod).
EXAMPLE
Für die Soße kratzt der Koch das Mark aus der Vanilleschote.
For the sauce, the cook scrapes the pulp from the vanilla pod.
Compare with
Mark vs Fleisch
meat / flesh
'das Mark' and 'das Fleisch' can both mean soft parts of something, for example in animals or fruits. 'Fleisch' is usually the edible muscle part of animals or the soft edible part of a fruit. 'Mark' refers more to the inside: in bones, the soft substance inside the bone; in plants or fruits, the innermost soft part. The words can be confused because both can describe something soft and edible. In cooking, however, you normally say 'Fleisch' when you mean steak, chicken, or fruit flesh. 'Mark' is more precise when you are talking about bone marrow or the innermost part.
Mark
Für die Suppe kocht der Koch die Knochen lange, damit das Mark Geschmack abgibt.
For the soup, the cook boils the bones for a long time so that the marrow releases its flavor.
Fleisch
Das Fleisch der Mango ist sehr weich und süß.
The flesh of the mango is very soft and sweet.
In real life
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