Substanz

Substanz is a German noun meaning substance in English. It is used in science, philosophy, and everyday language to denote matter with a definite composition and properties, as well as the essential or underlying reality of a thing. In general usage, Substanz can also mean the real content or worth of an argument, process, or object.

In chemistry and related sciences, a substance is a form of matter with a fixed composition that cannot be separated into components by physical means. Substances are typically classified as elements, which consist of a single type of atom, or compounds, which are chemical combinations of two or more elements in fixed ratios. A pure substance has uniform properties throughout, whereas mixtures contain two or more substances and can vary in proportion.

In philosophy, Substanz refers to the fundamental kind of being that exists independently of its properties. It is the enduring 'stuff' that bears attributes and undergoes change, and it is contrasted with accidents or predicates that may come and go. In the Scholastic tradition, substance was a primary category of being, central to discussions of ontology and identity.

In practical use, Substanz also appears in regulatory and medical contexts to denote chemical substances, including active ingredients in medicines, or other defined materials. In everyday German, the word carries the sense of real content or substance of a matter, helping distinguish what matters from mere rhetoric or form.