lard / schmaltz
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lard
Animal fat rendered by heating, especially from pigs or geese, used as a spread for bread or for frying and baking.
Meine Großmutter isst am liebsten ein Brot mit Schmalz und Zwiebeln.
My grandmother's favorite thing to eat is bread with lard and onions.
'Schmalz' is closely related to the verb 'schmelzen' (to melt). Animal fat is heated, that is, melted, to make lard from it.
Um Schmalz zu gewinnen, muss man das Fett langsam schmelzen.
To obtain lard, you have to melt the fat slowly.
In all of its meanings, 'Schmalz' is an uncountable noun. It is always used in the singular and cannot be combined with a number.
Für das Rezept benötige ich etwas Schmalz.
For the recipe, I need some lard.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Schmalz' from the context. If it is about cooking and eating, it means fat. If it is about films, music, or art, it means exaggerated sentimentality. If it is about hair, it means a styling cream.
Zum Anbraten der Kartoffeln nehme ich immer Schmalz.
I always use lard to fry the potatoes.
In the culinary meaning, 'Schmalz' is often specified more precisely, e.g. as 'Griebenschmalz' (lard with crispy bits), 'Gänseschmalz' (goose fat), or 'Schweineschmalz' (pork lard). A typical meal is a 'Schmalzbrot' (bread with lard).
Ein frisches Brot mit Griebenschmalz ist eine Spezialität.
Fresh bread with lard and crispy bits is a specialty.
In the meaning 'exaggerated sentimentality', 'Schmalz' (schmaltz) is a colloquial and derogatory word. It describes something as kitschy or falsely emotional.
Die Schlussszene des Films war reiner Schmalz.
The final scene of the film was pure schmaltz.
butter
'die Butter' and 'das Schmalz' are both fats that can be used in cooking. 'Butter' is made from milk or cream and is very typical on bread, for baking, and for cooking. 'Schmalz' is rendered animal fat, often from pork or goose. It has a stronger taste and is used more for certain dishes, for frying, or as a special spread for bread. Learners may confuse the words because both are edible fats. But in normal everyday life, on breakfast bread, people usually mean 'Butter', not 'Schmalz'.
Zum Braten der Kartoffeln nimmt mein Vater etwas Schmalz.
My father uses a little lard to fry the potatoes.
Vor dem Frühstück stellt Lena Butter und Marmelade auf den Tisch.
Before breakfast, Lena puts butter and jam on the table.