A chemical element that is essential for all living things and occurs in various forms. It is used, among other things, for fertilizers and in the chemical industry.
example
Phosphor ist ein wichtiger Nährstoff für das Pflanzenwachstum.
Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth.
Usage tips
Use as a substance name
As the name of a chemical element, 'Phosphor' (phosphorus) is an uncountable noun, or substance name. In general statements, it is therefore often used without an article.
EXAMPLE
Der menschliche Körper benötigt Phosphor für gesunde Knochen und Zähne.
The human body needs phosphorus for healthy bones and teeth.
Typical collocations
Common combinations describe occurrence or deficiency. Typical phrases are 'reich an Phosphor sein' (to be rich in phosphorus), 'Phosphor enthalten' (to contain phosphorus), or 'ein Mangel an Phosphor' (a phosphorus deficiency).
EXAMPLE
Nüsse und Samen sind reich an Phosphor.
Nuts and seeds are rich in phosphorus.
Register: technical language
'Phosphor' (phosphorus) is a term from the technical language of chemistry, biology, and agriculture. In normal everyday life, the word is rarely used, except when talking about nutrition or gardening.
EXAMPLE
Im Chemieunterricht haben wir die Eigenschaften von Phosphor besprochen.
In chemistry class, we discussed the properties of phosphorus.
Compare with
confusable
Phosphor vs Phosphat
phosphate
'Phosphor' and 'Phosphat' are closely related chemically, but they are not the same thing. 'Phosphor' is a chemical element. 'Phosphat' is a chemical compound, more specifically a salt or ester of phosphoric acid. Both words occur in contexts involving plants, fertilizers, and nutrients, so they can easily be confused. When referring to the element itself, you say 'Phosphor'. When referring to substances in fertilizer, detergents, or food additives, 'Phosphat' is often more precise.
Phosphor
Im Chemieunterricht erklärt die Lehrerin, warum Phosphor für Lebewesen wichtig ist.
In chemistry class, the teacher explains why phosphorus is important for living things.