foodstuff
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foodstuff
A product consumed by humans or animals for nutrition in order to supply the body with energy and nutrients. The term is more formal than 'Lebensmittel' (food).
Grundnahrungsmittel wie Brot, Reis und Kartoffeln sind für viele Menschen die Basis ihrer Ernährung.
Staple foods such as bread, rice, and potatoes are the basis of many people's diets.
The word is made up of 'die Nahrung' (nutrition/food) and 'das Mittel' (means). So it literally means a 'means of nutrition'. The 's' in the middle is a linking sound that connects the two parts of the word.
Wasser ist ein lebenswichtiges Nahrungsmittel.
Water is a vital foodstuff.
'Nahrungsmittel' (foodstuff) is a rather formal and factual term. You often find it in scientific texts, official documents, or in the context of the food industry.
Die Kennzeichnung von Nahrungsmitteln ist in der EU streng geregelt.
The labeling of foodstuffs is strictly regulated in the EU.
Common combinations include 'Grundnahrungsmittel' (staple food) for basic products such as bread or rice. People also speak of 'pflanzlichen' (plant-based) and 'tierischen' (animal-based) 'Nahrungsmitteln' (foodstuffs), or of the 'Nahrungsmittelindustrie' (food industry).
Reis ist in vielen Kulturen ein wichtiges Grundnahrungsmittel.
Rice is an important staple food in many cultures.
food / meal / eating
'das Essen' and 'das Nahrungsmittel' both have to do with things that can be eaten. 'das Essen' is the normal everyday word for food on a plate or, more generally, for what one eats. 'das Nahrungsmittel' more often means an individual product used for nutrition, for example bread, rice, or milk. It sounds more formal and is more suitable in texts about health, nutrition, or goods. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to edible things. In everyday language, however, people usually say 'Essen'; 'Nahrungsmittel' is used when speaking factually about products.
Reis ist in vielen Ländern ein wichtiges Nahrungsmittel.
Rice is an important foodstuff in many countries.
Das Essen ist heute besonders scharf, aber es schmeckt mir gut.
The food is especially spicy today, but I like it.