Esterachtig

Esterachtig is a Dutch adjective that literally means “ester-like.” It is used to describe a smell, taste, aroma or even a visual effect that resembles the typical characteristics of an ester compound. Esters are organic compounds formed by the reaction of an alcohol with an acid, and they are well known for their pleasant, fruity, or sometimes sweet and floral scents. Therefore, when something is described as esterachtig, the speaker is implying that it carries a pleasant, sweet, or fruit‑like quality reminiscent of those natural ester fragrances.

In everyday language, people may describe perfumes, essential oils, fruit juices, or even certain culinary dishes as esterachtig. The term can also be used in descriptions of chemical reactions or products in a laboratory setting, where the odor or flavor produced is reminiscent of ester organic compounds. For example, a synthetic fragrance may be labelled esterachtig to indicate that its scent profile is designed after natural fruit esters.

The word esterachtig is derived from the noun ester, which comes from the Greek “esterō” meaning “to be a little” or “to make wet.” It entered German and then Dutch through the scientific description of organic chemistry. In Dutch, the suffix –achtig is a common adjective-forming element meaning “like” or “resembling,” and it is attached to the root word ester to form esterachtig. The term is neutral and purely descriptive, with no evaluative connotation beyond the typical pleasantness associated with esters.