ointment
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ointment
A semi-solid, often greasy or oily substance that is applied to the skin for medical treatment or care.
Der Arzt hat mir eine Salbe gegen den Juckreiz verschrieben.
The doctor prescribed me an ointment for the itching.
The noun 'die Salbe' (the ointment) is closely related to the verb 'salben' (to anoint). 'Salben' means to rub a person or part of the body with an ointment or oil, often in a ceremonial or medical context.
Der Priester salbte die Stirn des Kranken mit heiligem Öl.
The priest anointed the sick person's forehead with holy oil.
In everyday language, 'Salbe' (ointment) is often combined with the verbs 'auftragen' (to apply), 'einreiben' (to rub in), or 'verwenden' (to use). A doctor can 'eine Salbe verschreiben' (prescribe an ointment).
Die Salbe sollte zweimal täglich dünn auf die betroffene Stelle aufgetragen werden.
The ointment should be applied thinly to the affected area twice a day.
To describe the purpose of an ointment, German usually uses the preposition 'gegen' followed by the accusative. Typical examples are 'eine Salbe gegen Schmerzen' (an ointment for pain) or 'eine Salbe gegen Insektenstiche' (an ointment for insect bites).
In der Apotheke gibt es eine gute Salbe gegen Sonnenbrand.
There is a good ointment for sunburn at the pharmacy.
cream
'die Creme' and 'die Salbe' can both be semi-solid products that you apply to the skin. 'Creme' often sounds like normal skincare, for example for dry skin. 'Salbe' sounds more like medicine or treatment and is often greasier or oilier. The words can be confused because both can look similar and come from a tube. When it is about daily skincare, 'Creme' is usually more natural. If something is meant to heal or treat an area of skin, 'Salbe' fits better.
Die Salbe hat geholfen, weil die kleine Wunde schnell besser wurde.
The ointment helped because the small wound quickly got better.
Wir kaufen im Supermarkt eine Creme für die Hände.
We buy a cream for our hands at the supermarket.