süß
sweet
Having the taste of sugar or honey. One of the basic tastes.
EXAMPLE
Der Tee ist mir ein bisschen zu süß, ich mag ihn lieber herb.
The tea is a bit too sweet for me; I prefer it more bitter.
süß
sweet / cute
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Meanings
süß
cute
Cute, sweet, or charming. Often used for small children, animals, or also as a compliment for people or things.
EXAMPLE
Schau mal, was für ein süßes Kätzchen da im Garten spielt!
Look, what a cute little kitten is playing there in the garden!
süß
sweet
Pleasant to the senses, especially to the sense of smell or hearing; fragrant or melodious.
EXAMPLE
Ein süßer Duft von blühendem Jasmin lag in der Luft.
A sweet scent of blooming jasmine hung in the air.
süß
fresh
Describes water that is not salty (freshwater).
EXAMPLE
Fische wie der Karpfen leben ausschließlich in süßem Wasser.
Fish such as carp live exclusively in fresh water.
Usage tips
Context clue
The two most common meanings are 'tastes like sugar' and 'cute'. The context makes the difference clear: if 'süß' (sweet) refers to food or drink, it is about the taste. If it refers to people, animals, or small things, it usually means 'cute'.
EXAMPLE
Diese Erdbeeren sind wunderbar süß.
These strawberries are wonderfully sweet.
Colloquial use
The meaning 'cute' or 'charming' is very common in everyday language. You can use it for babies and animals, but also as a friendly compliment for people.
EXAMPLE
Dein neuer Haarschnitt ist echt süß!
Your new haircut is really cute!
Fixed combination
In the combination 'süßes Wasser' (fresh water) or as the compound 'Süßwasser' (freshwater), the word has a fixed, technical meaning: water that is not salty. It is used in geography and biology.
EXAMPLE
Der See enthält süßes Wasser und ist die Heimat vieler Fischarten.
The lake contains fresh water and is home to many species of fish.
Poetic language
When 'süß' (sweet) describes a smell or a sound, it is often a poetic or literary expression. It is used less often this way in normal everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Durch den Garten zog ein süßer Duft von Rosen.
A sweet scent of roses drifted through the garden.
Compare with
süß vs lieb
nice / dear
„Lieb“ and „süß“ can both be used as compliments for a child or a person. „Lieb“ mainly evaluates friendliness and good behavior, while „süß“ emphasizes a cute or charming impression. Use „lieb“ for an action and „süß“ more for the overall impression.
süß
Das Kind sah in seinem neuen roten Pullover süß aus.
The child looked cute in their new red sweater.
lieb
Das Kind war lieb und teilte seinen Kuchen mit dem Besuch.
The child was well-behaved and shared their cake with the visitors.
In real life
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