01
der Schaum
foam
A mass of many small gas bubbles that forms on or in a liquid, for example with soap, beer, or on ocean waves.
example
Das Badewasser war voller duftendem Schaum.
The bathwater was full of fragrant foam.
der Schaum
foam
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Schaum' (foam) is the basis for the verb 'schäumen' (to foam) and the adjective 'schaumig' (foamy). When a liquid foams, it forms foam.
EXAMPLE
Die Seife schäumt gut, wenn man sie mit Wasser mischt.
The soap foams well when you mix it with water.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'Schaum vor dem Mund haben' (to foam at the mouth) means to be extremely angry. The phrase is fixed and is always used in this form to express great rage.
EXAMPLE
Als der Chef die schlechten Zahlen sah, hatte er Schaum vor dem Mund.
When the boss saw the bad numbers, he was foaming at the mouth.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Schaum' (foam) from context. In the bath or on drinks, it is a liquid mass (m01), in mattresses or packaging a solid material (m02), and on menus a dessert (m04).
EXAMPLE
Auf meinem Cappuccino ist immer viel Milchschaum.
There is always a lot of milk foam on my cappuccino.
Typical verbs
When foam is actively produced, the verb 'schlagen' (to beat/whip) is often used. For example, you can beat cream or egg whites into foam.
EXAMPLE
Für den Kuchen muss man das Eiweiß zu steifem Schaum schlagen.
For the cake, you have to beat the egg whites into a stiff foam.
Compare with
Schaum vs Blase
blister / bladder / bubble
'Blase' and 'Schaum' can both have to do with air or gas in a liquid. A 'Blase' is a single small sphere of air or gas. 'Schaum' is a whole mass of many small bubbles, for example on soapy water, beer, or ocean waves. Learners may confuse the words because foam is made up of many bubbles. If you mean a single round shape, you say 'Blase'. If you mean the white or airy mass, you say 'Schaum'.
Schaum
Auf dem Kaffee liegt viel heller Schaum.
There is a lot of light-colored foam on the coffee.
Blase
Im Glas steigt eine kleine Blase nach oben.
A small bubble rises to the top in the glass.
In real life
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