das Mineral
mineral
A naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure.
EXAMPLE
Gold und Quarz sind wertvolle Minerale.
Gold and quartz are valuable minerals.
das Mineral
mineral
das Mineral, die Minerale
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Meanings
das Mineral
mineral
A nutrient essential for the body that is taken in through food. Often referred to in the plural as minerals or mineral nutrients.
EXAMPLE
Bananen enthalten viel Kalium, ein wichtiges Mineral für den Körper.
Bananas contain a lot of potassium, an important mineral for the body.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Mineral, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Minerale |
| genitive | des Minerals |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Mineral | die Minerale die Mineralien |
| accusative | das Mineral | die Minerale die Mineralien |
| dative | dem Mineral | den Mineralen den Mineralien |
| genitive | des Minerals | der Minerale der Mineralien |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Mineral' belongs to a word family related to rock and water. Related words are the adjective 'mineralisch' (mineral) and the noun 'das Mineralwasser' (mineral water).
EXAMPLE
Dieses Gestein ist reich an mineralischen Stoffen.
This rock is rich in mineral substances.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about geology, stones, or crystals, the scientific meaning (m01) is meant. If it is about nutrition, health, or the body, the nutrient (m02) is meant.
EXAMPLE
In der Ausstellung werden seltene Minerale aus aller Welt gezeigt.
Rare minerals from all over the world are shown in the exhibition.
Typical verbs (geology)
In a geological context, a mineral is often combined with verbs like 'finden' (to find), 'sammeln' (to collect), 'abbauen' (to mine), or 'enthalten' (to contain).
EXAMPLE
In dieser Mine werden wertvolle Minerale abgebaut.
Valuable minerals are mined in this mine.
Typical collocations (nutrition)
In the context of nutrition, 'Mineral' (usually in the plural 'Mineralien' or 'Mineralstoffe') is often mentioned together with 'Vitaminen' (vitamins). A typical phrase is 'reich an Mineralien sein' (to be rich in minerals).
EXAMPLE
Eine ausgewogene Ernährung versorgt den Körper mit Vitaminen und Mineralstoffen.
A balanced diet supplies the body with vitamins and minerals.
Compare with
Mineral vs Erz
ore
Both words can refer to a naturally occurring mineral material. Mineral is the more general term for an inorganic solid, whereas Erz additionally implies that metals or other valuable substances can be extracted from it. Without this connection, Mineral is the more appropriate choice.
Mineral
Der Geologe untersuchte das Mineral unter dem Mikroskop.
The geologist examined the mineral under a microscope.
Erz
Aus dem Erz im Bergwerk kann man Eisen gewinnen.
Iron can be extracted from the ore in the mine.
In real life
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