water vapor / steam
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water vapor
Water in a gaseous state, which forms when water is heated and boils. Although pure vapor is invisible, the term is often used for the visible cloud of tiny water droplets that forms through condensation in colder air.
Vorsicht, aus dem Wasserkocher steigt heißer Wasserdampf auf!
Careful, hot steam is rising from the kettle!
The word is made up simply and logically of 'das Wasser' (the water) and 'der Dampf' (the steam / vapor). So it describes vapor that comes from water.
Beim Kochen entsteht viel Wasserdampf in der Küche.
When cooking, a lot of steam forms in the kitchen.
Although pure water vapor is an invisible gas, the word 'Wasserdampf' (water vapor / steam) is usually used in everyday language for the visible white cloud. This cloud consists of tiny water droplets that form when hot vapor meets colder air.
Der Spiegel im Bad war nach dem Duschen mit Wasserdampf beschlagen.
After the shower, the bathroom mirror was fogged up with steam.
'Wasserdampf' (water vapor / steam) is often combined with the verb 'aufsteigen' (to rise). The typical adjective used to describe it is 'heiß' (hot).
Heißer Wasserdampf stieg aus dem Topf auf.
Hot steam rose from the pot.
steam
Dampf and Wasserdampf can both refer to the heated water produced when water boils. Dampf is the shorter, more general term, while Wasserdampf explicitly clarifies that the substance is water and is also used for the visible cloud. In a precise explanation, Wasserdampf is therefore less ambiguous.
Der Wasserdampf über dem Topf bildete an der kalten Fensterscheibe kleine Tropfen.
The water vapor above the pot formed small droplets on the cold windowpane.
Beim Öffnen des Topfes stieg heißer Dampf auf.
When the pot was opened, hot steam rose out.
