to anoint / apply ointment
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to apply ointment
To apply an ointment, cream, or oil to the skin, usually for medical, care-related, or cosmetic reasons.
Der Arzt riet ihm, die wunde Stelle zweimal täglich zu salben.
The doctor advised him to apply ointment to the sore spot twice a day.
to anoint
In a religious or ceremonial context, to smear someone with holy oil in order to consecrate or bless them.
In vielen Monarchien werden Könige bei ihrer Krönung gesalbt.
In many monarchies, kings are anointed at their coronation.
to speak sanctimoniously
To speak in an excessively solemn, pathetic, or hypocritical way.
Der Redner salbte über die Wichtigkeit von Moral, während er selbst in Skandale verwickelt war.
The speaker spoke sanctimoniously about the importance of morality while he himself was involved in scandals.
The verb 'salben' is derived directly from the noun 'die Salbe' (ointment). An ointment is a cream that you apply to the skin. This connection helps you understand the basic meaning.
Die Mutter holte die Salbe und begann, den Arm des Kindes zu salben.
The mother got the ointment and began to apply it to the child's arm.
The three meanings can be distinguished well from context. Medical terms and body parts point to applying cream. Religious or ceremonial words like 'König' (king) or 'Öl' (oil) point to consecration. A context about speeches and speaking points to the figurative, negative meaning.
Der Priester salbte den Kranken mit heiligem Öl.
The priest anointed the sick person with holy oil.
In the medical meaning, the direct object (accusative) is the body part being treated. The person to whom this is done can be in the dative.
Der Pfleger salbte dem Patienten den Rücken.
The nurse applied ointment to the patient's back.
In the ceremonial meaning, the person is the direct object (accusative). Often a 'zu' construction follows, describing the new role or new status.
Der Prophet Samuel salbte David zum König.
The prophet Samuel anointed David as king.
The figurative meaning 'to speak solemnly' is almost always used negatively and ironically. It describes a manner of speaking perceived as exaggerated, pathetic, or insincere and is typical of an elevated, often journalistic style.
Er hörte dem Manager zu, wie dieser über Teamgeist salbte, und musste innerlich lachen.
He listened to the manager speaking sanctimoniously about team spirit and had to laugh inwardly.
to apply / assign
Both words work when ointment or cream is applied to the skin. With “auftragen,” the focus is on the substance or the layer being applied. “Salben” usually focuses on the person or part of the body being treated and is especially suitable in medical contexts.
Die Pflegekraft salbte den Patienten vorsichtig an der gereizten Stelle.
The caregiver carefully applied ointment to the patient at the irritated spot.
Die Pflegekraft trug die Salbe vorsichtig auf die gereizte Haut auf.
The caregiver carefully applied the ointment to the irritated skin.
