der Zucker
sugar
A sweet-tasting, crystalline substance (sucrose) obtained from plants such as sugar beets or sugar cane and used as food.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke meinen Kaffee ohne Zucker.
I drink my coffee without sugar.
der Zucker
sugar
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Meanings
der Zucker
blood sugar
In a medical context, the short form for blood sugar, meaning the concentration of glucose in the blood.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Essen hat der Arzt meinen Zucker gemessen.
After the meal, the doctor measured my blood sugar.
Usage tips
Use as a mass noun
In its main meaning, 'Zucker' (sugar) is an uncountable noun (mass noun). It is therefore usually used without an article or in the singular when talking about the substance in general.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Kuchen braucht man Mehl, Eier und Zucker.
For this cake, you need flour, eggs, and sugar.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether household sugar or blood sugar is meant. In a medical context or in combination with verbs like 'messen' (to measure) and adjectives like 'hoch' (high) or 'niedrig' (low), it almost always means blood sugar.
EXAMPLE
Mein Arzt sagt, ich muss auf meinen Zucker achten.
My doctor says I have to watch my blood sugar.
Typical quantities
When referring to a specific amount of sugar, quantity expressions are often used, such as 'ein Löffel Zucker' (a spoonful of sugar), 'ein Stück Zucker' (a sugar cube), or 'eine Prise Zucker' (a pinch of sugar).
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du ein Stück Zucker in deinen Espresso?
Would you like a sugar cube in your espresso?
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Zucker' (blood sugar) is often used with the possessive pronoun. Typical phrases are 'seinen Zucker messen' (to measure one's blood sugar), 'hohen/niedrigen Zucker haben' (to have high/low blood sugar), or 'ein Problem mit dem Zucker haben' (to have a problem with one's blood sugar).
EXAMPLE
Viele Diabetiker müssen mehrmals täglich ihren Zucker messen.
Many diabetics have to measure their blood sugar several times a day.
Compare with
Zucker vs Kohlenhydrat
carbohydrate
Zucker is a specific sweet substance, while Kohlenhydrate form a broader group of nutrients. Sugar therefore belongs to carbohydrates, but not every carbohydrate is simply sugar. Use Zucker when the sweet substance is meant, and Kohlenhydrate when referring to the nutrient group.
Zucker
Das Müsli enthält viel Zucker und schmeckt deshalb sehr süß.
The muesli contains a lot of sugar and therefore tastes very sweet.
Kohlenhydrat
Das Müsli enthält viele Kohlenhydrate und liefert dem Körper Energie.
The muesli contains a lot of carbohydrates and provides the body with energy.
In real life
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