German word

Rohstoff

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁoːˌʃtɔf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounraw material

Example

Die Firma importiert billigere Rohstoffe.

The company imports cheaper raw materials.

Illustration for Rohstoff (raw material)

More examples

Erneuerbare Rohstoffe gewinnen in vielen Branchen an Bedeutung.

Renewable raw materials are gaining importance in many industries.

Core concept

A mine, field, or forest supplies material that has not yet become a finished product.

Common phrases

  • lokale Rohstoffe

    local raw materials

  • erneuerbare Rohstoffe

    renewable raw materials

  • Preise für Rohstoffe

    prices for raw materials

Similar words

Rohmaterial: Unprocessed material fed into a production process before further processing.
Material: Any substance or fabric used to make or build something.
Ressource: A usable supply for economic activity, including materials, energy, or other assets.
Bodenschatz: A natural resource found underground or on the surface and obtained by extraction.

Definition in German

Natürliches Ausgangsmaterial, das direkt aus der Natur gewonnen und weiterverarbeitet wird.

Word origin

The compound Rohstoff joins the adjective roh with the noun Stoff, giving the sense of material in an unprocessed state.

Usage tips

  • In economic contexts, Rohstoff often means a natural resource used in production, while Material can also include processed supplies.

Other meanings

  • resourcenoun

Opposites

  • Erzeugnisproductnoun
  • Verbrauchsgutconsumer goodnoun

Related words

  • Rohstoffpreisraw material pricenoun
  • Rohstoffhandelraw material tradenoun
  • rohstoffbasiertraw-material-basedadjective

Word lists with this word