brass
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brass
A golden-yellow, shiny alloy of the metals copper and zinc, used for fittings, musical instruments, and decorative objects.
Die alten Türgriffe sind aus massivem, poliertem Messing gefertigt.
The old door handles are made of solid, polished brass.
As a material term (mass noun), 'Messing' (brass) is usually used without an article, especially after the preposition 'aus' (made of/from). You say 'ein Schild aus Messing' (a sign made of brass), not 'aus dem Messing'.
Der Kerzenständer ist aus poliertem Messing.
The candlestick is made of polished brass.
Brass is often described with adjectives such as 'glänzend' (shiny), 'poliert' (polished), or 'massiv' (solid). Typical objects made of brass are musical instruments, especially brass instruments, door handles, signs, or bathroom fixtures.
An der alten Eichentür war ein glänzendes Messingschild angebracht.
A shiny brass sign was attached to the old oak door.
The adjective 'messingen' is derived from the noun 'das Messing' (brass) and means 'made of brass'. It is somewhat more formal or literary than the phrase 'aus Messing' (made of brass).
Sie bewunderte die alten messingenen Knöpfe an der Jacke.
She admired the old brass buttons on the jacket.
bronze
Bronze and Messing are both alloys containing copper and can look similar in finished objects. Bronze mainly contains tin, whereas Messing contains zinc. When the composition is known, the second metal therefore determines the appropriate term.
Für den Türgriff wurde Messing aus Kupfer und Zink verwendet.
Brass made from copper and zinc was used for the door handle.
Für den Türgriff wurde Bronze aus Kupfer und Zinn verwendet.
Bronze made from copper and tin was used for the door handle.
