das Vitamin
vitamin
An organic compound that the body needs for vital functions but cannot produce itself, or can produce only in insufficient quantities.
EXAMPLE
Orangen enthalten viel Vitamin C.
Oranges contain a lot of vitamin C.
das Vitamin
vitamin
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Meanings
Vitamin B
connections
A colloquial term (short for Vitamin 'Beziehung' — relationship) for the advantage one gets through personal contacts and relationships, especially in professional life.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Job nur durch Vitamin B bekommen, sein Onkel ist der Chef.
He only got the job through connections; his uncle is the boss.
Usage tips
Context clue
The colloquial meaning exists only in the fixed expression 'Vitamin B'. Any other combination with a letter (Vitamin C, D, A) or the word on its own always refers to the biological substance.
EXAMPLE
Im Winter nehme ich zusätzlich Vitamin D.
In winter I take extra vitamin D.
Typical collocations
In the biological sense, 'Vitamin' (vitamin) is often used with verbs such as 'enthalten' (to contain) or 'brauchen' (to need). The combination 'reich an Vitaminen' (rich in vitamins) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Gemüse enthält viele wichtige Vitamine.
This vegetable contains many important vitamins.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Vitamin B' is a fixed expression. The 'B' stands for 'Beziehungen' (relationships/connections). It describes the advantage you get through personal contacts.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Vitamin B ist es schwer, in dieser Branche eine Stelle zu finden.
Without connections, it is hard to find a job in this industry.
Register
The expression 'Vitamin B' belongs to colloquial language. In formal situations or in a job interview, you would not use this expression.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Wohnung nur durch Vitamin B bekommen, das ist doch klar.
He only got the apartment through connections, that's obvious.
In real life
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