die Muttermilch
breast milk
The milk produced by a human mother's breast to feed her baby.
EXAMPLE
Muttermilch gilt als die beste und natürlichste Nahrung für Säuglinge.
Breast milk is considered the best and most natural food for infants.
die Muttermilch
breast milk
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Meanings
etwas mit der Muttermilch aufsaugen
to absorb from infancy
To learn or internalize something from earliest childhood, so that it seems completely self-evident and natural to you.
EXAMPLE
Die Leidenschaft für das Theater hat sie quasi mit der Muttermilch aufgesogen, da ihre Eltern beide Schauspieler waren.
She practically absorbed her passion for theater from infancy, since both her parents were actors.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is built very logically and consists of 'die Mutter' (the mother) and 'die Milch' (the milk). So it literally means 'the mother's milk'.
EXAMPLE
Die Ernährung des Babys besteht in den ersten Monaten nur aus Muttermilch.
In the first few months, the baby's diet consists only of breast milk.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas mit der Muttermilch aufsaugen' (to absorb something with one's mother's milk) is a fixed unit. It means that someone learned an ability or quality very naturally as a small child.
EXAMPLE
Da seine Eltern Musiker sind, hat er das Rhythmusgefühl mit der Muttermilch aufgesogen.
Since his parents are musicians, he absorbed a sense of rhythm from infancy.
Context clue
You can always recognize the figurative meaning by the verb 'aufsaugen' (to absorb). Without this verb, 'Muttermilch' (breast milk) is used almost exclusively in its literal meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Begeisterung für Bücher hat sie mit der Muttermilch aufgesogen.
She absorbed her enthusiasm for books from infancy.
In real life
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