das Salz
salt
A white, crystalline substance (sodium chloride) used mainly to season and preserve food.
EXAMPLE
Die Suppe schmeckt fad, es fehlt noch etwas Salz.
The soup tastes bland; it still needs some salt.
das Salz
salt
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Meanings
das Salz in der Suppe
special ingredient
An idiom for something that is what really makes a thing interesting, appealing, or valuable.
EXAMPLE
Die lebhaften Diskussionen sind für mich das eigentliche Salz in der Suppe bei diesem Seminar.
For me, the lively discussions are the real special ingredient in this seminar.
das Salz
salt
In chemistry, a class of chemical compounds made up of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).
EXAMPLE
Im Chemieunterricht lernten wir, dass bei der Reaktion einer Säure mit einer Base ein Salz entsteht.
In chemistry class, we learned that when an acid reacts with a base, a salt is formed.
Usage tips
Context clues
You can tell from context whether the kitchen seasoning or the chemical compound is meant. In everyday life and cooking, it always refers to table salt. In scientific contexts, often together with 'Säure' (acid) or 'Base' (base), it refers to the chemical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Gibst du mir bitte mal das Salz?
Could you please pass me the salt?
Countable or not?
As a seasoning, 'Salz' (salt) is usually an uncountable noun. In chemistry, however, 'Salz' (salt) is countable, and the plural is 'die Salze' (the salts) when referring to different kinds of salts.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept brauchst du nur eine Prise Salz.
For the recipe, you only need a pinch of salt.
Typical collocations
In connection with cooking, 'Salz' (salt) is often used with the verb 'würzen' (to season) or in the phrase 'eine Prise Salz' (a pinch of salt). A pinch is a very small amount that you take between two fingers.
EXAMPLE
Die Soße muss noch mit Salz und Pfeffer gewürzt werden.
The sauce still needs to be seasoned with salt and pepper.
Fixed idiom
The phrase 'das Salz in der Suppe' (literally: the salt in the soup) is a fixed idiom. It describes an ingredient or event that is what really makes something interesting or special.
EXAMPLE
Für ihn sind die Reisen mit Freunden das Salz in der Suppe des Lebens.
For him, traveling with friends is the special ingredient in life.
Technical language
The meaning of 'Salz' (salt) as a chemical compound is technical language. It is mainly used in chemistry class, at university, or in scientific texts.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Neutralisation entsteht Wasser und ein Salz.
During neutralization, water and a salt are formed.
In real life
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