201 Vocabulary Phrases for Meals in German To Wow Your Dinner Company
44
Culinary fanatics make for a number of the greatest language learners as a result of tradition is most simply shared over the dinner desk with native delicacies. Meals in German tradition is the results of hundreds of years of agriculture and cultural mixing over dinners similar to yours. Study widespread phrases used across the desk for German meals and what dinner means to a German.
Etiquette in your invitation to a German dinner desk
In Germany, being invited to somebody’s dinner desk is a gesture of belief and a want to attach socially. These meals could also be informal in tone, however there’s an plain sense of ritual in how you can thoughts your manners and how you can order meals in German when out at a restaurant. Bringing a small present like a bottle of glowing cider or wine and following the identical desk manners you’d in America goes a good distance.
Simply make sure to present up on time! Punctuality is a critically essential worth in German social circles. Keep in mind the German idiom: Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit ist die deutsche Pünktlichkeit or “5 minutes earlier than the time is the German punctuality.”
What Germans name widespread condiments and seasonings
Some German stereotypes are true: Germans love their condiments! Particularly, Senf (mustard) is a favourite in German houses, with the primary Senf manufacturing facility being inbuilt 1726. See what different condiments your dinner company would possibly anticipate to see at your desk.
| German | English |
| der Balsamico | balsamic vinegar |
| die Basilikumblätter | basil leaves |
| das Currypulver | curry powder |
| das Guacamole | guacamole |
| der Honig | honey |
| das Salz | salt |
| der Ketchup | ketchup |
| der Knoblauch | garlic |
| der Meerrettich | horseradish |
| die Minze | mint |
| die Muskatnuss | nutmeg |
| die Paprika | paprika |
| die Petersilie | parsley |
| der Pfeffer | pepper |
| der Senf | mustard |
| die Sojasauce | soy sauce |
| die Vanille | vanilla |
| die Worcestersauce | Worcestershire sauce |
| die Zimtstange | cinnamon stick |
| die Zwiebelpulver | onion powder |
Because you’re doubtless to make use of these phrases as objects in a sentence (somewhat than topics), needless to say German articles can change primarily based on the function their noun is taking part in in a sentence.
Contemplate reviewing how this works as you have a look at how der Ketchup adjustments articles as we change it from a topic to a direct object, and eventually to an oblique object. (Evaluation the German instances should you want a deeper dive.)
- Der Ketchup schmeckt heute besonders süß. = The ketchup tastes particularly candy right this moment.
- Würden Sie mir bitte den Ketchup reichen? = Would you please move the ketchup?
- Ich gebe dem Ketchup einen Schuss Chili dazu. = I’m including a splash of chili (powder) to the ketchup.
On a regular basis greens in German
Familiarize your self with the most typical staple greens in German houses so you possibly can higher describe your sides to dinner company. Discover this German meals vocabulary within the desk under:
| German | English |
| die Aubergine | eggplant |
| die Avocado | avocado |
| die Bohne | bean |
| der Brokkoli | broccoli |
| die Erbse | pea |
| der Grünkohl | kale |
| der Gurke | cucumber |
| die Karotte | carrot |
| der Kartoffel | potato |
| der Knoblauch | garlic |
| der Kohl | cabbage |
| die Linse | lentil |
| der Mais | corn |
| die Paprika | bell pepper |
| der Radieschen | radish |
| der Rosenkohl | brussel sprouts |
| der Ruccola | arugula |
| der Salat | lettuce |
| die Schalotte | shallot |
| der Sellerie | celery |
| der Spargel | asparagus |
| der Spinat | spinach |
| die Süßkartoffel | Candy potato |
| die Tomate | tomato |
| die Zucchini | zucchini |
German’s favourite meats and what to name them
Whereas most Germans get pleasure from a superb Bratwurst (sausage), there are many different savory meats that decision the German dinner desk house. Discover out what to name your favourite carnivore dish in German.
| German | English |
| das Brathähnchen | roasted hen |
| das Dönerfleisch | döner meat |
| das Entenfleisch | duck meat |
| das Filet | fillet |
| das Geflügel | poultry |
| das Gehackte | floor meat |
| das Hammelfleisch | mutton |
| das Hasenfleisch | rabbit meat |
| das Hirschfleisch | venison |
| das Kalbfleisch | veal |
| das Kasseler | smoked pork chop |
| das Lammfleisch | lamb |
| die Leber | liver |
| das Mett | uncooked minced pork |
| das Putenfleisch | turkey |
| das Rauchfleisch | smoked meat |
| das Rindfleisch | beef |
| der Rostbraten | roast beef |
| das Salami | salami |
| der Schinken | ham |
| das Schweinebauch | pork stomach |
| die Speck | bacon |
| die Weißwurst | white sausage |
| die Wiener | vienna sausage |
| das Wildfleisch | recreation meat |
Names for fruits on the German dinner desk
Discover the sweeter aspect of German meals with the German names for widespread fruits that add sweetness to life. For those who look carefully, you’ll see that a lot of them are spelled (and pronounced) equally to English. That exhibits how carefully German and English are associated as Germanic languages.
| German | English |
| die Ananas | pineapple |
| der Apfel | apple |
| die Aprikose | apricot |
| die Banane | banana |
| die Birne | pear |
| die Blaubeere | blueberry |
| die Brombeere | blackberry |
| die Clementine | clementine |
| die Cranberry | cranberry |
| die Erdbeere | strawberry |
| die Himbeere | raspberry |
| die Kirsche | cherry |
| die Kiwi | kiwi |
| die Limette | lime |
| die Mango | mango |
| die Melone | melon |
| die Orange | orange |
| die Pfirsich | peach |
| die Pflaume | plum |
| die Sternfrucht | starfruit |
| die Stachelbeere | gooseberry |
| die Traube | grape |
| die Wassermelone | watermelon |
| die Weintraube | wine grape |
| die Zitrone | lemon |
German meals phrases for dairy merchandise
Germany’s love for dairy exhibits up on the meal as assortments of cheeses, lotions, and extra. Study what to name acquainted dairy objects in German, which make up lots of the most widespread German meals to eat.
| German | English |
| die Buttermilch | buttermilk |
| das Eis/die Eiscreme | ice cream |
| der Frischkäse | cream cheese |
| der Hüttenkäse | cottage cheese |
| der Joghurt | yogurt |
| der Käse | cheese |
| die Kondensmilch | condensed milk |
| die Milch | milk |
| der Mozzarella | mozzarella |
| die Rohmilch | uncooked milk |
| die Sahne | cream |
| die Sauerrahm | bitter cream |
| die Schlagsahne | whipped cream |
| der Schmierkäse | spreadable cheese |
| die Schokoladenmilch | chocolate milk |
| der Vollmilchkäse | full-fat cheese |
| der Weichkäse | tender cheese |
| die Ziegenmilch | goat milk |
| die Ziegenkäse | goat cheese |
Fashionable names of drinks in German

Drinks are as prevalent in German tradition as its wealthy and savory meals. A timeless reminiscence for a lot of Germans is strolling by means of a bustling German Christmas market and getting a heat, cozy glass of Glühwein (heat, mulled wine). Uncover what different drinks are widespread at a German dinner desk.
| German | English |
| der Apfelsaft | apple juice |
| das Bier | beer |
| die Cola | cola, soda |
| der Kaffee | espresso |
| der Kakao | scorching cocoa |
| der Kräutertee | natural tea |
| die Milch | milk |
| das Mineralwasser | mineral water |
| der Orangensaft | orange juice |
| das Rotwein | purple wine |
| die Schorle | juice blended with glowing water |
| der Schwarztee | black tea |
| das Sprudelwasser | glowing water |
| der Stillwasser | nonetheless water (uncarbonated) |
| der Tee | tea |
| die Zitronenlimonade | lemonade, lemon soda |
Vegan and vegetarian substitutes in German
When animal merchandise aren’t your cup of tea, be happy to ask for one among these substitutes to make your meals in German households extra becoming to your wants.
| German | English |
| die Agavendicksaft | agave syrup |
| das Bananenpüree | mashed banana (egg substitute) |
| die Cashewmilch | cashew milk |
| die Chiasamen | chia seeds |
| die Erdnussbutter | peanut butter |
| der Haferdrink | oat milk |
| der Hefeflocken | dietary yeast |
| das Kokosöl | coconut oil |
| der Pflanzenkäse | plant-based cheese |
| die Pflanzenmilch | plant milk |
| das Pflanzenöl | vegetable oil |
| der Tofu | tofu |
Tips on how to describe meals textures in German
From the kross (crispy) fried meals widespread at Oktoberfest in Germany to the ethereal bread for which Germany is legendary, mouth really feel is simply as essential as style in terms of German meals phrases. Discover the fitting phrase to match the feel of your star dish for the night right here.
| German | English |
| bröckelig | crumbly |
| cremig | creamy |
| dicht | dense |
| faserig | stringy |
| Feucht | moist |
| glatt | easy |
| gummiartig | rubbery |
| hart | arduous |
| knackig | crunchy, crisp (for greens) |
| kross | crispy (typically for fried meals) |
| krustig | crusty |
| luftig | ethereal |
| samtig | velvety |
| schwammig | spongy |
| sehnig | sinewy |
| trocken | dry |
| weich | tender |
| zäh | robust, chewy |
| zart | tender |
| zerbrechlich | brittle |
Utilizing adjectives in German sentences
Be conscious as you utilize adjectives to explain the style and really feel of meals in German. The ending of your adjective should change primarily based on the gender, quantity, and case of the noun you’re describing. You’ll additionally must take into consideration what sort of determiner, if any, is used for the noun as effectively, like der (the) or ein (a). Studying which ending to decide on takes apply, however patterns rapidly emerge when you get into it.
Under are a number of sentence examples you should utilize to place these German adjectives to work:
- Zum Frühstück gab es frisches Obst. There was recent fruit for breakfast
- Ich magazine keinen bitteren Tee. = I don’t like bitter tea.
- Hast du salzige Brezeln mitgebracht? = Did you carry salty pretzels?
Describing flavors of meals in German

Level out the most effective flavors of your meal with family and friends, or critique the possibly sub-par facets of a rushed meal eaten at a questionable restaurant with these adjectives to explain the style of meals in German.
| German | English |
| bitter | bitter |
| buttrig | buttery |
| deftig | hearty, wealthy |
| essigartig | vinegary |
| fad | bland |
| fischig | fishy |
| frisch | recent |
| fruchtig | fruity |
| geschmacklos | flavorless |
| delicate | delicate |
| nussig | nutty |
| pfeffrig | peppery |
| pikant | savory |
| rauchig | smoky |
| sauer | bitter |
| scharf | spicy |
| süß | candy |
| würzig | seasoned |
| zuckrig | sugary |
Cooking phrases to know
Whilst you actually don’t must be a correct Küchenchef (chef) to speak about the way you produced your dish for the night, it may be intoxicating to your company to listen to the cooking course of described. Elevate the presentation of your dishes by preserving the phrases for cooking types in German in your again pocket for these mouth-watering explanations.
| German | English |
| abschrecken | to shock, cool rapidly with water |
| andicken | to thicken |
| anrösten | to dry-roast |
| aufkochen | to carry to a boil |
| backen | to bake |
| blanchieren | to blanch |
| braten | to roast, to fry |
| dämpfen | to steam |
| dünsten | to stew, to braise gently |
| einreduzieren | to cut back |
| erhitzen | to warmth |
| grillen | to grill |
| häuten | to pores and skin, to peel |
| karamellisieren | to caramelize |
| marinieren | to marinate |
| pürieren | to purée |
| räuchern | to smoke |
| schwenken | to toss, to sauté |
| umrühren | to stir, to combine in |
| würzen | to season |
Suggestions for utilizing these cooking verbs in sentences
An essential a part of studying how you can communicate German is getting used to the German conjugation of verbs. For essentially the most half, conjugation simply entails dropping the -en from the tip of your verb of selection and including a brand new ending primarily based as regards to your sentence, which is the noun performing the motion.
Under are a number of sentence examples conjugating the verb kneten (to knead) with a number of completely different topics:
- Ich knete den Teig, bis er schön glatt ist. = I am kneading the dough till it’s good and easy.
- Ihr knetet viel zu kräftig – seid vorsichtiger! = You all are kneading approach too arduous—be extra cautious!
A style of German with Rosetta Stone
German meals may be as laden with social expectation as they are often with enjoyable, camaraderie, and nourishment. Having fun with the flavors of centuries-old genuine meals in German will aid you not solely construct your vocabulary in sensible methods, nevertheless it’ll additionally aid you take a deeper look into the wealthy German tradition. Our listing of 201 phrases for meals in German is certain that can assist you immerse your self in wealthy dialog with different German audio system.
Rosetta Stone may help you’re taking it even additional. With interactive reside classes, you possibly can study the German language by means of cultural enrichment and the Dynamic Immersion Technique that focuses on the way you study naturally. You’ll achieve the boldness to host your individual dinner events with Germans and have interaction in actual conversations that make all of the learning worthwhile.

