Schmaltz Meaning in English

word

US

ˈʃmɑɫts

SHMAHLTS

UK

ʃmˈælts

sh-MALTS

Definition

'Schmaltz' means excessive sentimental emotion, often in music, movies, or stories. It can also refer to chicken or goose fat used in traditional Jewish cooking.

Usage & Nuances

Somewhat informal, often used dismissively for art that's overly emotional or cheesy ('full of schmaltz'). In food contexts, 'schmaltz' is specific to Jewish cuisine. Don't confuse with 'schmalz' (German butter).

• Spanish: sentimentalismo exagerado - grasa de pollo (comida judía)
• Portuguese (BR): sentimentalismo exagerado - gordura de frango (culinária judaica)
• Portuguese (PT): sentimentalismo exagerado - gordura de frango (culinária judaica)
• Chinese (Simplified): 煽情 - 鸡油（犹太食品）
• Chinese (Traditional): 煽情 - 雞油（猶太食品）
• Hindi: अत्यधिक भावुकता - चिकन फैट (यहूदी खाना)
• Arabic: العاطفية الزائدة - دهن الدجاج (طعام يهودي)
• Bengali: অতিরিক্ত আবেগ - মুরগি বা হাঁসের চর্বি (যুদ্ধু রান্নায়)
• Russian: сентиментальность - куриный жир (еврейская кухня)
• Japanese: 過度な感傷 - 鳥の脂肪（ユダヤ料理）
• Vietnamese: tình cảm uỷ mị - mỡ gà/ngỗng (ẩm thực Do Thái)
• Korean: 지나친 감상 - 슈말츠(유대 요리용 닭/거위 기름)
• Turkish: aşırı duygusallık - tavuk veya kaz yağı (Yahudi mutfağı)
• Urdu: ضرورت سے زیادہ جذباتیت - مرغی یا ہنس کی چربی (یہودی کھانوں میں)
• Indonesian: tình cảm sướt mướt - mỡ gà/ngỗng (ẩm thực Do Thái)

Example Sentences

That movie was full of schmaltz.

basic

He added some schmaltz to the potatoes.

basic

I don't like music with too much schmaltz.

basic

You could tell the speech was pure schmaltz—everyone was tearing up.

natural

Some people love their mashed potatoes with a bit of schmaltz for extra flavor.

natural

That commercial was dripping with schmaltz—so cheesy!

natural