die Prise
pinch
A very small amount of a powdered or granular substance that can be held between the thumb and index finger.
EXAMPLE
Für den Teig benötigen Sie eine Prise Salz.
For the dough, you need a pinch of salt.
die Prise
pinch
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Meanings
die Prise
touch
In a figurative sense, a small amount or hint of something abstract.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war eine Komödie mit einer guten Prise Romantik.
The film was a comedy with a good touch of romance.
die Prise
pinch of snuff
A small amount of snuff that is inhaled through the nose.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Herr nahm nach dem Essen genüsslich eine Prise aus seiner Tabakdose.
After the meal, the old gentleman took a pinch from his tobacco box with relish.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the context of cooking and recipes, 'Prise' (pinch) is almost always used for spices or seasonings. The most common combinations are 'eine Prise Salz' (a pinch of salt), 'eine Prise Pfeffer' (a pinch of pepper), or 'eine Prise Zucker' (a pinch of sugar).
EXAMPLE
Gib noch eine Prise Muskatnuss in die Kartoffelsuppe.
Add another pinch of nutmeg to the potato soup.
Figurative meaning
This figurative meaning works like in cooking: you add a small but effective amount of something abstract. Typical phrases are 'eine Prise Humor' (a touch of humor), 'eine Prise Ironie' (a touch of irony), or 'eine Prise Spannung' (a touch of suspense).
EXAMPLE
Seine Geschichte erzählte er mit einer guten Prise Selbstironie.
He told his story with a good touch of self-irony.
Context clue
You can recognize the difference between the meanings from the context. If it is about food, it refers to a powdered ingredient. If it is about a story, a film, or a situation, it refers to an abstract quality.
EXAMPLE
Für den Kuchenteig braucht man eine Prise Zimt.
For the cake batter, you need a pinch of cinnamon.
Specific usage
This meaning is very specific and refers only to snuff. The fixed expression for it is 'eine Prise (Schnupftabak) nehmen' (to take a pinch of snuff).
EXAMPLE
Er holte seine Dose hervor und nahm eine Prise Schnupftabak.
He took out his tin and took a pinch of snuff.
Compare with
Prise vs Spur
track / trace
A Spur Ironie refers to a very small but still perceptible amount in a statement. A Prise Ironie sounds more like a deliberately added note. If you merely notice something, Spur is appropriate; if it appears as an intentional touch, Prise is more suitable.
Prise
Mit einer Prise Ironie machte er seine Antwort etwas lockerer.
He made his reply a little more lighthearted with a touch of irony.
Spur
In seiner Antwort war noch eine Spur Ironie zu hören.
There was still a trace of irony in his reply.
In real life
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