Appearance
Vocab: Food — A1 (2)
Food vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Karotte — carrot
A Karotte is a carrot. The word Möhre is also common in German, especially in some regions.
Die Karotte ist frisch.
The carrot is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Die Karotte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Karotte.
I am eating the carrot.
esse means eat. Die Karotte is accusative because essen takes a direct object; for a feminine noun, the article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind die Karotte.
I give the carrot to the child.
gebe means give, dem Kind means to the child, and Kind means child. Die Karotte is accusative as the thing given, while dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient.
Die Farbe der Karotte ist orange.
The colour of the carrot is orange.
die Farbe means the colour, and orange means orange. Der Karotte is genitive because it means of the carrot; the feminine article is der in the genitive.
Karotten sind gut für Salat.
Carrots are good for salad.
sind means are, gut für means good for, and der Salat means salad. Karotten is plural and is the nominative subject; the plural noun has no ending change beyond -n here.
Die Suppe enthält eine Karotte.
The soup contains a carrot.
die Suppe means the soup, enthält means contains, and eine means a. Eine Karotte is accusative because enthalten takes a direct object; the finite verb enthält stands in position two.
die Kartoffel — potato
Die Kartoffel ist weich.
The potato is soft.
weich means soft. Die Kartoffel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Kartoffel.
I eat the potato.
esse means eat. Die Kartoffel is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Ich gebe der Kartoffel Salz.
I add salt to the potato.
gebe means give or add, and das Salz means salt. Der Kartoffel is dative as the recipient or target, while Salz is the accusative thing added.
Der Geschmack der Kartoffel ist mild.
The taste of the potato is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Der Kartoffel is genitive because it identifies which taste; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kartoffeln sind heiß.
The potatoes are hot.
heiß means hot. Kartoffeln is plural and takes die; the plural subject requires sind.
der Keks — cookie, biscuit
The plural of der Keks is die Kekse. In everyday German, Keks can mean either a cookie or a biscuit, depending on regional usage and context.
Der Keks ist knusprig.
The cookie is crisp.
knusprig means crisp. Der Keks is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse einen Keks.
I am eating a cookie.
esse means am eating, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Keks is accusative because essen takes a direct object, and the finite verb esse is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind einen Keks.
I give the child a cookie.
geben means to give, and das Kind means the child. dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Keks is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Geschmack des Kekses ist süß.
The taste of the cookie is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste, and süß means sweet. des Kekses is genitive to show whose taste it is; the singular noun gets the ending -es, and ist remains in position two.
Zum Frühstück esse ich Kekse.
I eat cookies for breakfast.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast. Kekse is the plural of Keks and is accusative because essen takes the cookies as its object; the finite verb esse is in position two after the fronted time phrase.
die Kirsche — cherry
The plural is Kirschen. The fruit has a stone, called der Stein or der Kern in German.
Die Kirsche ist süß.
The cherry is sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Kirsche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich esse die Kirsche.
I am eating the cherry.
esse means am eating. Ich is I, and essen takes the object die Kirsche in the accusative; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Kirsche?
I give the child the cherry?
gebe means give and dem Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural with der Kirsche as the intended headword form; the dative form is normally used in a phrase such as mit der Kirsche, where mit forces the dative.
Der Stiel der Kirsche ist grün.
The stalk of the cherry is green.
der Stiel is the stalk and grün means green. Der Kirsche is genitive because it identifies whose stalk it is; the genitive phrase follows the noun it describes.
Im Sommer esse ich Kirschen.
In summer I eat cherries.
im Sommer means in summer and esse means eat. Kirschen is plural without an ending on the article because no article is used; its plural ending is -n.
die Kiwi — kiwi fruit
Feminine die Kiwi means the fruit. The flightless bird is masculine der Kiwi, although both meanings have the plural Kiwis.
Die Kiwi ist reif.
The kiwi is ripe.
reif means ripe. Die Kiwi is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schäle die Kiwi.
I peel the kiwi.
schäle means peel. Die Kiwi is accusative because schälen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Kiwi?
I give the child the kiwi?
gebe means give and dem Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural with der Kiwi as the intended headword form; the dative form is normally found after mit, as in mit der Kiwi.
Die Schale der Kiwi ist braun.
The skin of the kiwi is brown.
die Schale is the skin or peel and braun means brown. Der Kiwi is genitive because it means of the kiwi fruit; feminine die changes to der.
Zum Frühstück esse ich zwei Kiwis.
I eat two kiwis for breakfast.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast and esse means eat. Kiwis is plural with -s, and zwei means two; the plural spelling is the same as for the kiwi bird.
die Kokosnuss — coconut
The plural is die Kokosnüsse, with an umlaut and -e. The fruit is also used in compounds such as Kokosmilch, coconut milk.
Die Kokosnuss liegt auf dem Tisch.
The coconut is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Kokosnuss is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Kokosnuss.
I am buying a coconut.
kaufe means am buying. eine Kokosnuss is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich trinke Milch aus der Kokosnuss.
I drink milk from the coconut.
trinke means drink, and Milch means milk. aus always takes the dative, so der Kokosnuss is dative; the finite verb trinke is in position two.
Der Geschmack der Kokosnuss ist mild.
The taste of the coconut is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. der Kokosnuss is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the verb ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Markt liegen frische Kokosnüsse.
Fresh coconuts are lying at the market.
Auf dem Markt means at the market, liegen means are lying, and frische means fresh. Kokosnüsse is plural; auf takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement.
der Kopfsalat — head of lettuce
This is a countable vegetable, so it normally has the plural Kopfsalate. Do not confuse Kopfsalat with the general word Salat, which can also mean a prepared salad.
Der Kopfsalat ist frisch.
The head of lettuce is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Der Kopfsalat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe den Kopfsalat.
I am buying the head of lettuce.
kaufe means am buying. Den Kopfsalat is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kopfsalat etwas Wasser.
I give the lettuce some water.
gebe means give, and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Kopfsalat is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative; the direct object Wasser is accusative.
Die Farbe des Kopfsalats ist schön grün.
The colour of the lettuce is a beautiful green.
die Farbe means the colour and schön grün means beautifully green. Des Kopfsalats is genitive because it expresses whose colour it is; the masculine article is des and the noun takes -s.
Auf dem Markt liegen frische Kopfsalate.
Fresh heads of lettuce are lying at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, liegen means are lying, and frische means fresh. Kopfsalate is plural after frische; auf takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement.
kosten — to cost; to taste, sample
The pattern is etwas kostet jemanden etwas: a thing costs someone an amount. The person is often accusative, as in Das kostet mich viel, while the price is an amount without an article; do not confuse this lowercase verb with plural die Kosten.
Das Buch kostet zehn Euro.
The book costs ten euros.
das Buch means the book, and zehn Euro means ten euros. The price is an accusative amount with kosten; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Die Reparatur hat mich zweihundert Euro gekostet.
The repair cost me two hundred euros.
die Reparatur means the repair, mich means me, and zweihundert Euro means two hundred euros. mich is accusative for the person affected and the price is an accusative amount; hat is in position two and gekostet goes to the end.
Das Essen kostete früher nur fünf Euro.
The meal used to cost only five euros.
das Essen means the meal, früher means in the past, and nur means only. kostete is the regular simple-past form in position two; fünf Euro states the price.
Koste die Suppe!
Taste the soup!
die Suppe means the soup. The imperative koste addresses one person informally, and die Suppe is accusative because it is the direct object.
Das würde mehr Zeit kosten.
That would take more time.
das means that, and mehr Zeit means more time. würde expresses a hypothetical situation and kosten remains an infinitive at the end; Zeit is an accusative amount.
Die Reise wird viel Geld kosten.
The trip will cost a lot of money.
die Reise means the trip, and viel Geld means a lot of money. wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive kosten goes to the end; the money is an accusative amount.
Ich möchte die Soße kosten.
I would like to taste the sauce.
möchte means would like, and die Soße means the sauce. die Soße is accusative because it is the direct object; after möchte, the infinitive kosten goes to the end.
Kostest du den Kuchen?
Are you tasting the cake?
du means you, and der Kuchen means the cake. In a yes-no question, the finite verb kostest comes first; den Kuchen is accusative as the thing being tasted.
der Kuchen — cake
Der Kuchen is cake in general; a single portion is ein Stück Kuchen. The plural is unusual because die Kuchen has the same noun form as the singular.
Der Kuchen ist lecker.
The cake is delicious.
lecker means delicious or tasty. Der Kuchen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich esse den Kuchen nicht.
I am not eating the cake.
essen means to eat and nicht means not. Den Kuchen is accusative because it is the object of esse; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir geben dem Kuchen zehn Minuten im Ofen.
We give the cake ten minutes in the oven.
geben means to give, zehn Minuten means ten minutes, and der Ofen is the oven. Dem Kuchen is dative because it is the thing given time; the dative masculine article is dem.
Der Duft des Kuchens ist wunderbar.
The smell of the cake is wonderful.
der Duft means the smell and wunderbar means wonderful. Des Kuchens is genitive because it identifies which cake the smell belongs to; Kuchen adds -s after des.
Auf dem Tisch stehen zwei Kuchen.
There are two cakes on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, stehen means stand or are placed, and zwei means two. Kuchen is plural without an ending; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a location.
der Käse — cheese
Käse is usually an uncountable food noun and has no article when speaking about cheese in general. The plural die Käse is used mainly for different varieties or kinds of cheese, while ein Stück Käse means a piece of cheese.
Der Käse ist frisch.
The cheese is fresh.
frisch means “fresh”. Der Käse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Käse im Supermarkt.
I am buying the cheese at the supermarket.
kaufe means “buy”, im Supermarkt means “at the supermarket”, and Supermarkt means “supermarket”. Den Käse is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; kaufe is in position two.
Ich esse Brot mit Käse.
I eat bread with cheese.
esse means “eat”, Brot means “bread”, and mit means “with”. Käse is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Der Geschmack des Käses ist stark.
The taste of the cheese is strong.
der Geschmack means “the taste”, stark means “strong”, and ist means “is”. Des Käses is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the noun adds -s and the verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Markt gibt es viele Käse.
There are many cheeses at the market.
auf dem Markt means “at the market”, gibt es means “there are”, and viele means “many”. Käse is plural here, referring to different varieties; its form is identical to the singular, so viele shows the number.
der Kürbis — pumpkin, squash
The plural of der Kürbis is die Kürbisse. A pumpkin used as a decoration is also called ein Kürbis.
Der Kürbis ist groß.
The pumpkin is big.
ist groß means is big. Der Kürbis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Kürbis.
I am buying the pumpkin.
kaufe means buy. Den Kürbis is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Kürbis etwas Wasser.
I give the pumpkin some water.
gebe means give, and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Kürbis is dative because it is the recipient; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Kürbisses ist orange.
The pumpkin's colour is orange.
die Farbe means the colour and orange means orange. Des Kürbisses is genitive and shows whose colour it is; the noun has the ending -ses.
Im Herbst wachsen viele Kürbisse.
Many pumpkins grow in autumn.
im Herbst means in autumn, wachsen means grow, and viele means many. Kürbisse is plural and nominative as the subject; im is short for in dem and marks the dative time phrase.
das Lebensmittel — food, food product
das Lebensmittel is countable when it means an individual food product, while Lebensmittel is often used as a general plural meaning food. The singular and plural have the same noun form, so the article is important.
Das Lebensmittel ist frisch.
The food product is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Lebensmittel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Ich kaufe das Lebensmittel im Supermarkt.
I am buying the food product at the supermarket.
ich means I, kaufe means buy, and im Supermarkt means at the supermarket. Das Lebensmittel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, with dative for a location.
Wir geben dem Lebensmittel eine neue Verpackung.
We give the food product new packaging.
wir means we, geben means give, and eine neue Verpackung means new packaging. Dem Lebensmittel is dative as the recipient or target of geben, while eine neue Verpackung is the accusative thing given.
Die Qualität des Lebensmittels ist ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the food product is excellent.
die Qualität means the quality, and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Des Lebensmittels is genitive after Qualität to show what kind of quality is meant; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Laden stehen viele Lebensmittel.
There are many food products in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means stand or are displayed, and viele means many. Lebensmittel is plural without a noun ending; im marks the dative location, while the plural verb stehen agrees with the displayed products.
das Lebensmittelgeschäft — grocery store, food shop
The compound combines Lebensmittel, food products, and Geschäft, shop or business. It is a count noun with plural Lebensmittelgeschäfte; the plural has -e and an umlaut.
Das Lebensmittelgeschäft ist heute bis acht Uhr geöffnet.
The grocery store is open until eight today.
heute means today, bis acht Uhr means until eight o’clock, and geöffnet means open. Das Lebensmittelgeschäft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and geöffnet follows the verb sein.
Ich kaufe im Lebensmittelgeschäft Milch und Brot.
I buy milk and bread at the grocery store.
Milch means milk and Brot means bread. Im Lebensmittelgeschäft is dative because in describes a fixed location here, while Milch und Brot are accusative objects of kaufe; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Lebensmittelgeschäft.
We are meeting in front of the grocery store.
wir treffen uns means we are meeting, and vor means in front of. Dem Lebensmittelgeschäft is dative because the preposition vor takes the dative for a location; uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Lebensmittelgeschäfts stehen an der Tür.
The grocery store’s opening hours are on the door.
Die Öffnungszeiten are the opening hours, stehen means are displayed, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Lebensmittelgeschäfts is genitive because it shows whose opening hours they are; the verb stehen agrees with plural Öffnungszeiten.
In unserer Straße gibt es zwei Lebensmittelgeschäfte.
There are two grocery stores in our street.
In unserer Straße means in our street, and zwei means two. Lebensmittelgeschäfte is the plural after zwei; es gibt always takes an accusative noun, although the plural form looks the same in this sentence as nominative.
lecker — tasty, delicious
Lecker is common in everyday speech for food that tastes good. It can also be used informally for an attractive person, but for a learner it is safest to use it mainly for food.
Die Suppe ist lecker.
The soup is delicious.
Die Suppe means the soup. Lecker is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir essen ein leckeres Frühstück.
We are having a tasty breakfast.
Wir essen means we are eating or having, and Frühstück means breakfast. Leckeres describes the neuter accusative object Frühstück and takes -es after ein; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Der Kuchen schmeckt leckerer als das Eis.
The cake tastes better than the ice cream.
Der Kuchen means the cake, schmeckt means tastes, and das Eis means the ice cream. Leckerer is predicative and is compared with als; after schmecken, the food is the subject, not an accusative object.
Diese Pizza schmeckt am leckersten.
This pizza tastes the best.
Diese Pizza means this pizza, and schmeckt means tastes. Am leckersten is the predicative superlative after schmeckt; do not add an adjective ending to leckersten in this am-form.
der Lutscher — lollipop
Der Lutscher normally means a lollipop in everyday German. Its plural is also Lutscher, with no ending added.
Der Lutscher ist süß.
The lollipop is sweet.
süß means sweet. Der Lutscher is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Kind kauft einen Lutscher.
The child is buying a lollipop.
das Kind means the child, and kauft means buys or is buying. Einen Lutscher is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; kauft is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind einen Lutscher.
I give the child a lollipop.
geben means give, and dem Kind means the child as the receiver. Dem Kind is dative because it receives something, while einen Lutscher is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Lutschers ist blau.
The colour of the lollipop is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Lutschers is genitive to show which colour is meant; the masculine noun takes -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Kinder teilen die Lutscher.
The children share the lollipops.
die Kinder means the children, and teilen means share. Die Lutscher is plural and accusative because it is the object of teilen; its form looks like the singular, so the article shows the number.
die Mahlzeit — meal; enjoy your meal!; well, that’s just great!
Die Mahlzeit normally means a meal, such as breakfast, lunch or dinner. The plural is die Mahlzeiten; in the greeting Mahlzeit!, it is also used informally to wish someone an enjoyable meal, especially around lunchtime.
Die Mahlzeit ist fertig.
The meal is ready.
fertig means ready. Die Mahlzeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir beginnen die Mahlzeit.
We are starting the meal.
beginnen means to start. Die Mahlzeit is accusative because beginnen takes an accusative object; the finite verb beginnen is in position two.
Ich trinke Wasser zu der Mahlzeit.
I drink water with the meal.
trinken means to drink and das Wasser means water. Der Mahlzeit is dative after zu; the finite verb trinke is in position two.
Der Geruch der Mahlzeit ist wunderbar.
The smell of the meal is wonderful.
der Geruch means the smell and wunderbar means wonderful. Der Mahlzeit is genitive because it identifies whose smell; with a feminine noun, the noun itself stays unchanged and the article is der.
Am Wochenende kochen wir mehrere Mahlzeiten.
At the weekend we cook several meals.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, kochen means to cook, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Mahlzeiten is accusative because it is the object of kochen; the plural ending is -en.
„Mahlzeit!“ – „Danke, gleichfalls!“
“Enjoy your meal!” – “Thanks, same to you!”
Danke means thanks and gleichfalls means same to you. Mahlzeit! is a fixed informal greeting, not a complete sentence with a visible verb.
Na, Mahlzeit! Schon wieder ist die Kaffeemaschine kaputt.
Well, that’s just great! The coffee machine is broken again.
na is an interjection like well, schon wieder means again, and kaputt means broken. Here Mahlzeit! is ironic rather than a literal meal greeting; in the next sentence, ist stands in position two.
der Mais — maize, corn
Mais is normally a mass noun in German, so it has no ordinary plural. For separate items, speakers may use expressions such as Maiskolben for ears of corn.
Der Mais wächst auf dem Feld.
The maize is growing in the field.
wächst means grows, and das Feld is the field. Der Mais is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
Ich esse den Mais gern.
I like eating maize.
essen means to eat and gern means gladly or like to. Den Mais is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Kind Mais.
We give the child maize.
geben means to give and das Kind is the child. Dem Kind is dative as the recipient, while Mais is an uncountable food noun used without an article.
Der Geschmack des Maises ist süß.
The taste of the maize is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste and süß means sweet. Des Maises is genitive because it says whose taste it is; the genitive article is des and the noun ends in -es.
Wir kaufen Mais auf dem Markt.
We buy maize at the market.
kaufen means buy, auf dem Markt means at the market, and Markt is market. This sentence has no true plural because Mais is a mass noun; the requested plural slot is illustrated by ordinary article-free use, with Mais as the accusative object.
die Mandarine — tangerine, mandarin
The plural is Mandarinen, with -n added to the singular. The fruit is also called die Orange in some contexts, but a Mandarine is usually smaller and easier to peel.
Die Mandarine ist süß.
The tangerine is sweet.
süß means sweet. die Mandarine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Mandarine.
I am eating the tangerine.
essen means eat. die Mandarine is accusative because essen takes a direct object, while the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Mandarine.
I give the child a tangerine.
geben means give, and das Kind is the child. dem Kind is dative because it receives something, while eine Mandarine is accusative as the thing given.
Die Schale der Mandarine ist dünn.
The tangerine's peel is thin.
die Schale is the peel and dünn means thin. der Mandarine is genitive to show whose peel it is; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist is in position two.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Mandarinen.
There are three tangerines lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and liegen means lie or be lying. Mandarinen is plural after drei; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location, not movement.
die Mango — mango
This is the tropical fruit. The plural is die Mangos; the ending -s is common with many borrowed food words.
Die Mango liegt auf dem Tisch.
The mango is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Mango is nominative because it is the subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe eine Mango.
I am buying a mango.
kaufe means buy. Eine Mango is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Mango etwas Limettensaft.
I add some lime juice to the mango.
gebe means give or add, etwas means some, and der Limettensaft is lime juice. Der Mango is dative because it is the recipient or target, while etwas Limettensaft is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geschmack der Mango ist süß.
The mango's taste is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste and süß means sweet. Der Mango is genitive because it shows whose taste is meant; the feminine genitive article is also der.
Die Mangos sind heute im Angebot.
The mangoes are on sale today.
heute means today and im Angebot means on sale. Die Mangos is the plural subject, and the plural verb sind agrees with it.
die Margarine — margarine
Die Margarine is a mass noun, so it is normally used without a plural. For a measured amount, use a phrase such as ein Stück Margarine.
Die Margarine steht im Kühlschrank.
The margarine is in the refrigerator.
stehen means to stand or be located, and im Kühlschrank means in the refrigerator. Die Margarine is nominative because it is the subject; im is in dem, and in takes the dative for location.
Ich kaufe die Margarine.
I am buying the margarine.
kaufen means to buy. Die Margarine is accusative because kaufe takes a direct object; with feminine nouns, the article die is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Margarine etwas Brot.
I give the child some bread with the margarine.
geben means to give, das Kind means the child, and etwas Brot means some bread. Here mit is understood in the phrase about the margarine and takes the dative: mit der Margarine; the sentence also has dem Kind as the recipient.
Der Geschmack der Margarine ist mild.
The taste of the margarine is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild. Der Margarine is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Wir essen Brot mit Margarine.
We eat bread with margarine.
essen means to eat, Brot means bread, and mit means with. Margarine is a mass noun and normally has no plural; mit requires the dative, but the article is omitted because the amount is general.
die Marmelade — jam, marmalade
In everyday German, Marmelade commonly means jam made from various fruits. The plural Marmeladen is used for different kinds or jars.
Die Marmelade steht auf dem Tisch.
The jam is on the table.
steht means is standing or is placed, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Marmelade is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kaufe die Marmelade im Supermarkt.
I am buying the jam at the supermarket.
kaufe means buy, and im Supermarkt means at the supermarket. Die Marmelade is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester ein Brot mit Marmelade.
I give my sister a bread roll with jam.
gebe means give, meiner Schwester means my sister, and ein Brot means a bread roll or loaf. Marmelade is dative after mit, which always takes the dative; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Der Geschmack der Marmelade ist sehr süß.
The taste of the jam is very sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste, and süß means sweet. der Marmelade is genitive because it tells whose taste it is; feminine genitive uses der, while the noun keeps the same form.
Wir probieren drei Marmeladen.
We are trying three kinds of jam.
probieren means try, and drei means three. Marmeladen is plural because there are three kinds; it is accusative because probieren takes a direct object, and the plural ending is -n.
Zum Frühstück esse ich Brot mit Marmelade.
For breakfast I eat bread with jam.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast, esse means eat, and Brot means bread. Marmelade is used without an article as an uncountable food; mit forces the dative, and the finite verb esse stands in position two.
das Mehl — flour
Das Mehl is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural when referring to the food ingredient. Use a quantity expression such as ein Kilo Mehl when you need to count it.
Das Mehl steht in der Küche.
The flour is in the kitchen.
steht means is standing or is located, and die Küche means the kitchen. Das Mehl is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich brauche Mehl für den Kuchen.
I need flour for the cake.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Kuchen means the cake. Mehl is an uncountable accusative object after brauchen; für takes the accusative in den Kuchen.
Mit dem Mehl backe ich Brot.
I bake bread with the flour.
mit means with, backe means bake, and Brot means bread. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Mehl is dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, backe still comes in position two.
Die Farbe des Mehls ist sehr hell.
The colour of the flour is very light.
die Farbe means colour and hell means light or pale. Des Mehls is genitive because it says whose colour it is; ist is the finite verb in position two.
die Melone — melon
Die Melone usually means a melon; in many contexts it can specifically mean a watermelon. For the fruit as food in general, German often uses it without an article.
Die Melone ist reif.
The melon is ripe.
reif means ripe. Die Melone is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Melone.
I am buying a melon.
kaufe means am buying. Eine Melone is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article is still eine.
Ich gebe der Melone etwas Wasser.
I give the melon some water.
gebe means give and etwas Wasser means some water. Der Melone is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Schale der Melone ist dick.
The melon’s rind is thick.
die Schale means the rind or skin, and dick means thick. Der Melone is genitive because it shows whose rind it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Melonen liegen auf dem Tisch.
The melons are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Melonen is the plural subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Zum Frühstück esse ich Melone.
I eat melon for breakfast.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast and esse means eat. Here Melone is used without an article as food in a general or uncounted sense; esse is in position two after the fronted time phrase.
das Menü — menu; set meal; menu of commands or options
In a restaurant, das Menü usually means a set meal rather than the complete list of all available dishes. In computing, it can also mean a menu of commands.
Das Menü kostet zwölf Euro.
The set meal costs twelve euros.
zwölf Euro means twelve euros, and kostet means costs. Das Menü is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Menü.
I’ll have the set meal.
nehme means take or choose. Das Menü is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Wir bestellen dem Menü?
Are we ordering the set meal?
This sentence is not standard German for ordering a menu; bestellen normally takes an accusative object. A correct dative example is Wir folgen dem Menüplan, where dem Menüplan means the menu plan and is dative after folgen.
Die Preise des Menüs stehen auf der Karte.
The prices of the set meal are on the menu.
die Preise means the prices, stehen means are written or stand, and die Karte is the menu or card. Des Menüs is genitive because it shows whose prices they are; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Heute gibt es drei Menüs.
Today there are three set meals.
heute means today, gibt es means there are, and drei means three. Menüs is plural after drei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
Klicken Sie auf das Menü.
Click on the menu.
klicken Sie means click, auf means on, and das Menü means the computer menu. Das Menü is accusative because auf here describes the target of the action; klicken Sie is a formal imperative.
Im Menü finden Sie die Einstellungen.
You will find the settings in the menu.
im means in the, and die Einstellungen means the settings. Im Menü is dative because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb finden is in position two, while formal Sie is the subject.
mitnehmen — to take along, to bring with you
mitnehmen is separable and strong: its stem changes from nehm- to nimm- in the third-person singular and imperative. The person or thing taken along is normally an accusative object.
Sie nimmt ihren Regenschirm mit.
She is taking her umbrella with her.
der Regenschirm means the umbrella, and ihren means her. ihren Regenschirm is accusative because mitnehmen takes the thing being taken as an object; nimmt is in position two and mit goes to the end.
Ich habe meinen Pass mitgenommen.
I took my passport with me.
der Pass means passport, and meinen means my. The perfect uses haben and the Partizip II mitgenommen at the end; meinen Pass is accusative because it is the object.
Er nahm seine Tochter zum Arzt mit.
He took his daughter to the doctor.
seine Tochter means his daughter, and der Arzt means the doctor. seine Tochter is accusative as the object, while zu takes the dative in zum Arzt; nahm is in position two and mit is final.
Nimm eine Jacke mit!
Take a jacket with you!
eine Jacke means a jacket. This is the du imperative nimm; the object is accusative and the prefix mit follows the object at the end.
Ich würde gern meinen Bruder mitnehmen.
I would like to take my brother along.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mein Bruder means my brother. würde plus mitnehmen expresses a wish; the infinitive is kept together at the end and meinen Bruder is accusative.
Morgen nimmt sie ihre Freundin zum Konzert mit.
Tomorrow she will take her friend to the concert.
morgen means tomorrow, ihre Freundin means her female friend, and das Konzert is the concert. The present tense can express a planned future; nimmt stands in position two, ihre Freundin is accusative, and mit is separated.
das Mittagessen — lunch
Mittagessen is a compound of Mittag and Essen and means the midday meal. It can be countable in contexts such as several prepared lunches, so a plural is possible even though the singular is much more common.
Das Mittagessen ist schon fertig.
Lunch is already ready.
schon means already and fertig means ready. Das Mittagessen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich koche heute ein Mittagessen.
I am cooking lunch today.
ich koche means I am cooking and heute means today. Ein Mittagessen is accusative because kochen takes a direct object, and the finite verb koche is in position two.
Wir sitzen beim Mittagessen zusammen.
We sit together at lunch.
wir sitzen zusammen means we sit together. Beim Mittagessen is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Der Geruch des Mittagessens macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the lunch makes me hungry.
der Geruch means the smell, macht means makes, and hungrig means hungry. Des Mittagessens is genitive because it identifies the smell’s source, while mich is accusative as the object of macht.
Die Mittagessen in dieser Kantine sind günstig.
The lunches in this cafeteria are inexpensive.
in dieser Kantine means in this cafeteria and günstig means inexpensive. Die Mittagessen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the noun keeps the same form as in the singular.
die Möhre — carrot
die Möhre means carrot and is a feminine noun. Karotte is another common word for the same vegetable; in everyday German, both words are understood.
Die Möhre ist frisch.
The carrot is fresh.
frisch means fresh. die Möhre is nominative because it is the subject of ist, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Möhre.
I am eating the carrot.
esse means eat. die Möhre is accusative because essen takes an accusative object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind die Möhre.
I give the child the carrot.
gebe means give, dem Kind means the child, and geben means to give. dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while die Möhre is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Möhre ist orange.
The colour of the carrot is orange.
die Farbe means the colour, and orange means orange. der Möhre is genitive because it says whose colour it is; the feminine noun keeps the same ending and the article changes to der.
Ich kaufe Möhren.
I am buying carrots.
kaufe means buy. Möhren is an unmodified plural accusative object after kaufen; the plural is formed with -n, while the article is omitted because the amount is unspecified.
der Nachtisch — dessert
Nachtisch usually means a sweet course after the main meal, not any food eaten at night. The compound contains Nacht (night) and Tisch (table), but its meaning is simply dessert.
Der Nachtisch ist schon fertig.
The dessert is already ready.
fertig means ready, and schon means already. Der Nachtisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle einen Nachtisch.
I am ordering a dessert.
bestellen means to order, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Nachtisch is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object, while bestelle stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin den Nachtisch.
I give my friend the dessert.
geben means to give, and meiner Freundin means my female friend. Meiner Freundin is dative as the recipient, while den Nachtisch is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Nachtisches ist süß.
The taste of the dessert is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste, and süß means sweet. Des Nachtisches is genitive because it shows whose taste it is, and the masculine noun takes -es; ist remains in position two.
Wir probieren heute zwei Nachtische.
Today we are trying two desserts.
probieren means to try, heute means today, and zwei means two. Zwei Nachtische is plural and accusative because it is the object of probieren; the plural has the ending -e.
die Nudel — noodle; pasta
die Nudel means one noodle, while Nudeln commonly means pasta as a meal. In everyday German, the food meaning is normally plural even when English uses the uncountable word pasta.
Die Nudel ist noch heiß.
The noodle is still hot.
noch means still, and heiß means hot. Die Nudel is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Nudel mit einer Gabel.
I eat the noodle with a fork.
ich esse means I eat, mit means with, and eine Gabel is a fork. die Nudel is accusative because essen takes a direct object; mit einer Gabel is dative because mit always governs the dative.
Das Kind gibt der Nudel eine Soße.
The child gives the noodle a sauce.
das Kind means the child, gibt means gives, and eine Soße is a sauce. der Nudel is dative because geben assigns the recipient dative, while eine Soße is the accusative thing being given.
Der Geschmack der Nudel ist mild.
The taste of the noodle is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strongly flavoured. der Nudel is genitive and means of the noodle; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen heute Nudeln.
We are eating pasta today.
wir means we, heute means today, and essen means eat. Nudeln is a plural accusative object after essen; the plural has -n, and the finite verb essen is in position two.
die Nuss — nut
The plural is Nüsse, with an umlaut and -e. In compounds, Nuss can describe foods such as Nusskuchen, meaning nut cake.
Die Nuss liegt auf dem Tisch.
The nut is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. die Nuss is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich esse die Nuss.
I am eating the nut.
esse means eat. die Nuss is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Nuss?
I give the child the nut?
gebe means give, and dem Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural with der Nuss as the dative form of die Nuss; the correct sentence is Ich gebe dem Kind die Nuss, where die Nuss is accusative.
Die Schale der Nuss ist hart.
The shell of the nut is hard.
die Schale means the shell, and hart means hard. der Nuss is genitive because it shows whose shell it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Wir kaufen Nüsse für den Kuchen.
We are buying nuts for the cake.
kaufen means buy, and für den Kuchen means for the cake. Nüsse is the plural accusative object of kaufen; the plural article is omitted here because the sentence speaks about nuts in general.
Die Kinder sammeln Nüsse im Park.
The children collect nuts in the park.
Kinder means children, sammeln means collect, and im Park means in the park. Nüsse is plural and is the accusative object of sammeln, while the finite verb stands in position two.
das Obst — fruit
Obst is usually an uncountable mass noun, so it has no plural. For individual kinds or pieces, German can use expressions such as Obstsorten or Stücke Obst.
Obst ist gesund.
Fruit is healthy.
gesund means healthy. Obst is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; because Obst is a mass noun here, there is no plural.
Ich kaufe Obst.
I am buying fruit.
ich means I and kaufe means buy. Obst is an accusative object because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Wir essen jeden Tag mit Obst.
We eat fruit every day.
wir means we, essen means eat, jeden Tag means every day, and mit means with. The preposition mit always takes the dative, but the form of this neuter mass noun looks the same as the nominative and accusative.
Der Geschmack des Obstes ist süß.
The taste of the fruit is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste and süß means sweet. des Obstes is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the genitive ending -es is added to the neuter noun.
der Obstsalat — fruit salad
Der Obstsalat ist fertig.
The fruit salad is ready.
fertig means ready. Der Obstsalat is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse den Obstsalat.
I am eating the fruit salad.
ich means I and esse means eat. Den Obstsalat is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Obstsalat etwas Zitronensaft.
I add some lemon juice to the fruit salad.
ich gebe means I give or add, etwas means some, and der Zitronensaft means lemon juice. Dem Obstsalat is dative because geben has a recipient or target, while etwas Zitronensaft is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geschmack des Obstsalats ist frisch.
The taste of the fruit salad is fresh.
der Geschmack means the taste and frisch means fresh. Des Obstsalats is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Im Sommer essen wir gern Obstsalate.
In summer we like eating fruit salads.
im Sommer means in summer and gern means gladly or like to. Obstsalate is the plural direct object of essen; its article is omitted here because it is used generally.
das Olivenöl — olive oil
Olivenöl is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. To count it, use a container or quantity such as eine Flasche Olivenöl, meaning a bottle of olive oil.
Das Olivenöl steht in der Küche.
The olive oil is in the kitchen.
steht means is standing or is kept, and die Küche means the kitchen. Das Olivenöl is nominative because it is the subject; this mass noun normally has no plural.
Ich kaufe Olivenöl im Supermarkt.
I buy olive oil at the supermarket.
Ich kaufe means I buy, and im Supermarkt means at the supermarket. Olivenöl is the accusative object of kaufe; as an uncountable substance, it is usually used without an article here.
Wir kochen mit Olivenöl.
We cook with olive oil.
Wir kochen means we cook, and mit means with. Mit takes the dative, but the uncountable noun Olivenöl has the same visible form in the dative and accusative.
Der Geschmack des Olivenöls ist mild.
The taste of the olive oil is mild.
Der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or gentle. Des Olivenöls is genitive because it identifies which taste; the compound noun takes -s in the genitive.
Für den Salat brauche ich Olivenöl.
I need olive oil for the salad.
Für den Salat means for the salad, and brauche means need. Für takes the accusative, but Olivenöl has no plural because it is normally a mass noun; this sentence therefore shows quantity without counting individual items.
das Omelett — omelette
The plural is Omeletts, with -s, and the genitive singular is des Omeletts. The word is neuter, so its article is das.
Das Omelett ist heiß.
The omelette is hot.
heiß means hot. das Omelett is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse das Omelett.
I am eating the omelette.
ich means I and esse means am eating. das Omelett is accusative because essen takes a direct object, and esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe meinem Bruder dem Omelett nicht.
I do not give my omelette to my brother.
geben means to give, meinem Bruder means to my brother, and nicht means not. dem Omelett is dative because the sentence treats it as the thing given; the dative article is dem, and gebe is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Omeletts ist mild.
The taste of the omelette is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild. des Omeletts is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the noun takes -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Zum Frühstück gibt es Omeletts.
There are omelettes for breakfast.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast, and gibt es means there are. Omeletts is plural and has the ending -s; in the expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
die Orange — orange
The noun die Orange means the fruit. Its plural is die Orangen; do not confuse it with lowercase orange, the colour adjective.
Die Orange ist süß.
The orange is sweet.
süß means sweet. Orange is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse eine Orange.
I am eating an orange.
esse means eat. eine Orange is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester eine Orange.
I give my sister an orange.
gebe means give and meiner Schwester means to my sister. meiner Schwester is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Orange is the accusative thing being given.
Die Schale der Orange ist dick.
The orange peel is thick.
Schale means peel and dick means thick. der Orange is genitive because it identifies whose peel it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Orangen.
Three oranges are lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and liegen means are lying. Orangen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement.
die Paprika — pepper; paprika; paprika powder
Paprika can mean one pepper or several peppers; the plural forms are Paprikas and Paprika. Do not confuse the vegetable with das Paprikapulver, which means paprika powder.
Die Paprika ist rot und süß.
The pepper is red and sweet.
rot means red and süß means sweet. Die Paprika is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjectives come after ist, so they have no adjective endings.
Ich schneide die Paprika für den Salat.
I cut the pepper for the salad.
schneiden means to cut, and der Salat is the salad. die Paprika is accusative because it is the direct object of schneiden; für also takes the accusative in für den Salat.
Ich gebe der Paprika etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the pepper.
etwas Salz means some salt, and geben means to give or add. der Paprika is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geschmack der Paprika passt gut zur Suppe.
The flavour of the pepper goes well with the soup.
der Geschmack means the flavour, passen means to go well with, and die Suppe is soup. der Paprika is genitive because it identifies whose flavour is meant; zur means zu der and takes the dative.
Wir kaufen Paprikas in drei Farben.
We buy peppers in three colours.
kaufen means to buy, drei means three, and die Farben are colours. Paprikas is a plural accusative object; Paprika is also a possible plural, especially when the context already makes the number clear.
Für die Soße nehme ich einen Teelöffel Paprika.
For the sauce, I use a teaspoon of paprika.
die Soße is sauce, and ein Teelöffel is a teaspoon. Here Paprika means the spice or powder and is a mass noun; einen Teelöffel is accusative because it is the object of nehme, while für takes the accusative.
Die Suppe schmeckt mit Paprika besser.
The soup tastes better with paprika.
die Suppe is soup, schmecken means to taste, and besser means better. mit takes the dative, but the uncountable spice Paprika has no visible case ending; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
der Pfannkuchen — pancake
Der Pfannkuchen is the common German word for a pancake. Its plural is also Pfannkuchen, so the article or verb must show whether one or more are meant.
Der Pfannkuchen schmeckt gut.
The pancake tastes good.
schmeckt gut means “tastes good”. Der Pfannkuchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Ich esse einen Pfannkuchen.
I am eating a pancake.
esse means “eat” and einen means “a” before a masculine accusative noun. Einen Pfannkuchen is accusative because essen takes a direct object, and esse is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Pfannkuchen etwas Zucker.
I put some sugar on the pancake.
gebe means “give or put”, etwas Zucker means “some sugar”, and Zucker means “sugar”. Dem Pfannkuchen is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Rand des Pfannkuchens ist knusprig.
The edge of the pancake is crispy.
der Rand means “the edge”, knusprig means “crispy”, and ist means “is”. Des Pfannkuchens is genitive to show which pancake the edge belongs to; the noun takes -s in this form.
Die Pfannkuchen sind schon fertig.
The pancakes are already ready.
sind means “are”, schon means “already”, and fertig means “ready”. Die Pfannkuchen is plural, but the noun has no plural ending; the plural verb sind shows the number.
der Pfeffer — pepper
Pfeffer is usually a mass noun, so it has no plural. For a quantity, use viel Pfeffer, wenig Pfeffer or eine Prise Pfeffer.
Der Pfeffer steht auf dem Tisch.
The pepper is on the table.
der Tisch means table, and stehen means to be standing or located. Der Pfeffer is nominative because it is the subject, while auf dem Tisch uses the dative for a location; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich brauche den Pfeffer für die Suppe.
I need the pepper for the soup.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and die Suppe means soup. Den Pfeffer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and für also forces the accusative; brauche stands in position two.
Ich würze die Suppe mit dem Pfeffer.
I season the soup with the pepper.
würzen means to season, die Suppe means the soup, and mit means with. Dem Pfeffer is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb würze stands in position two.
Der Geschmack des Pfeffers ist sehr stark.
The taste of the pepper is very strong.
der Geschmack means taste, and stark means strong. Des Pfeffers is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the masculine noun gets -s in the genitive, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
der Pfirsich — peach
The plural of der Pfirsich is die Pfirsiche. Do not confuse Pfirsich with Aprikose, which means apricot.
Der Pfirsich ist süß.
The peach is sweet.
süß means sweet. Der Pfirsich is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich esse einen Pfirsich.
I am eating a peach.
essen means to eat, and einen means one or a in the masculine accusative. Einen Pfirsich is accusative because essen takes a direct object.
Ich gebe dem Pfirsich etwas Zucker.
I add some sugar to the peach.
geben means to give or add, and etwas Zucker means some sugar. Dem Pfirsich is dative because it is the recipient or target, while Zucker is the accusative thing added.
Der Geschmack des Pfirsichs ist wunderbar.
The taste of the peach is wonderful.
der Geschmack means taste, and wunderbar means wonderful. Des Pfirsichs is genitive because it shows which fruit the taste belongs to; the noun adds -s.
Die Pfirsiche liegen in der Schale.
The peaches are lying in the bowl.
liegen means are lying, and die Schale means the bowl. Pfirsiche is the plural of der Pfirsich; in der Schale is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Pflaume — plum; idiot, fool
die Pflaume is the fruit plum. Do not confuse it with die Pflaumen in the plural, which adds -n.
Die Pflaume ist süß.
The plum is sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Pflaume is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse eine Pflaume.
I am eating a plum.
essen means to eat. eine Pflaume is accusative because it is the direct object of esse, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Pflaume.
I give the child a plum.
geben means to give and das Kind means the child. dem Kind is dative because it receives something, while eine Pflaume is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Geschmack der Pflaume ist intensiv.
The flavour of the plum is intense.
der Geschmack means the flavour and intensiv means intense. der Pflaume is genitive because it identifies whose flavour is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Auf dem Teller liegen drei Pflaumen.
There are three plums on the plate.
der Teller means the plate and liegen means are lying. Pflaumen is the regular plural with -n, while auf dem Teller is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Er ist manchmal eine Pflaume.
Sometimes he is a real idiot.
manchmal means sometimes and er means he. eine Pflaume is a colloquial insult meaning an idiot; after ist, the noun is nominative because it describes the subject.
Sei keine Pflaume!
Don’t be such an idiot!
sei means be and keine means no or not a. keine Pflaume is a predicate noun after sein, and the imperative Sei addresses one person directly.
das Picknick — picnic
Ein Picknick machen is the usual German expression for having a picnic. The word is a neuter loanword, and its plural is regular with -s.
Das Picknick beginnt um zwölf Uhr.
The picnic starts at twelve o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um zwölf Uhr means at twelve o’clock. das Picknick is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir machen das Picknick im Park.
We are having the picnic in the park.
wir means we, machen means make or have, and im Park means in the park. das Picknick is accusative because machen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, with dative for location.
Bei dem Picknick spielen die Kinder Ball.
The children play ball at the picnic.
bei means at, die Kinder means the children, and Ball spielen means play ball. bei always takes the dative, so dem Picknick is dative; spielen is in position two.
Die Decke des Picknicks ist noch im Auto.
The picnic blanket is still in the car.
die Decke means the blanket, noch means still, and im Auto means in the car. des Picknicks is genitive because it tells which picnic the blanket belongs to; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Im Sommer machen wir oft Picknicks.
In summer, we often have picnics.
im Sommer means in summer and oft means often. Picknicks is the plural object of machen, and the plural ending is -s; the finite verb machen remains in position two.
der Pilz — mushroom, fungus
Pilz can mean a mushroom used as food or a fungus more generally. In everyday food contexts, Pilze usually means edible mushrooms, but not every fungus is safe to eat.
Der Pilz wächst im Wald.
The mushroom is growing in the forest.
wächst means grows, and der Wald means forest. Der Pilz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
Wir essen den Pilz mit Reis.
We eat the mushroom with rice.
essen means eat and der Reis means rice. Den Pilz is accusative because essen takes a direct object; mit Reis is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Sie kocht mit dem Pilz eine Suppe.
She cooks a soup with the mushroom.
kocht means cooks and eine Suppe means a soup. Mit dem Pilz is dative because mit requires the dative, while eine Suppe is the accusative object of kocht.
Die Farbe des Pilzes ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the mushroom is unusual.
die Farbe means colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Pilzes is genitive because it shows which mushroom the colour belongs to; the masculine noun adds -es.
Im Herbst wachsen viele Pilze.
Many mushrooms grow in autumn.
im Herbst means in autumn, viele means many, and wachsen means grow. Viele Pilze is plural, with -e added to Pilz; the plural subject follows the initial time phrase, but the finite verb remains in position two.
die Pizza — pizza
German uses two common plurals: Pizzen and Pizzas. The food can be ordered, shared or eaten, and the word is used much like the English word.
Die Pizza ist noch heiß.
The pizza is still hot.
noch means still and heiß means hot. Die Pizza is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir bestellen die Pizza online.
We order the pizza online.
bestellen means to order and online means online. Die Pizza is accusative because it is the direct object of bestellen; the finite verb bestellen is in position two.
Ich gebe der Pizza noch Käse.
I add more cheese to the pizza.
geben means to give or add, noch means more or still, and der Käse means cheese. Der Pizza is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben; Käse is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geruch der Pizza macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the pizza makes me hungry.
der Geruch means smell, hungrig means hungry, and macht mich means makes me. Der Pizza is genitive because it says what the smell belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
Wir teilen zwei Pizzen.
We share two pizzas.
teilen means to share and zwei means two. Pizzen is a plural of Pizza; it is accusative because the pizzas are the object of teilen, and Pizzas is also possible.
die Pizzeria — pizzeria, pizza restaurant
A Pizzeria is a restaurant, not just a place where pizza is made. For a location, German commonly uses in der Pizzeria with the dative.
Die Pizzeria öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The pizzeria opens at six o’clock.
öffnen means to open and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Pizzeria is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Wir suchen die Pizzeria am Marktplatz.
We are looking for the pizzeria in the market square.
suchen means to look for, am Marktplatz means at the market square. Die Pizzeria is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen; am Marktplatz gives its location.
Wir essen in der Pizzeria am Marktplatz.
We are eating in the pizzeria at the market square.
essen means to eat and der Marktplatz means the market square. In takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Pizzeria is dative; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Die Speisekarte der Pizzeria ist klein.
The pizzeria’s menu is small.
die Speisekarte means menu and klein means small. Der Pizzeria is genitive because it says which restaurant the menu belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
In der Stadt gibt es viele Pizzerien.
There are many pizzerias in the city.
die Stadt means city, viele means many, and es gibt means there is or there are. Pizzerien is the plural formed with -ien; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form does not show this.
die Pommes — French fries, chips
die Pommes is a plural-only noun, shortened from Pommes frites. Use plural forms such as die Pommes and den Pommes; do not create a singular die Pommes for one fry.
Pommes sind heute im Angebot.
French fries are on special offer today.
heute means today, and im Angebot means on special offer. Pommes is a plural-only noun, so it takes the plural verb sind even though the form does not change.
Ich möchte Pommes.
I would like French fries.
möchte means would like. Pommes is the accusative object of möchte; with a food order, the noun is often used without an article.
Er isst mit den Pommes einen Salat.
He is eating a salad with the French fries.
isst means is eating, and einen Salat means a salad. The preposition mit forces the dative, so plural die Pommes becomes den Pommes; the accusative object is einen Salat.
Der Geschmack der Pommes ist sehr gut.
The taste of the French fries is very good.
Der Geschmack means the taste, and sehr gut means very good. der Pommes is genitive plural after Geschmack to show whose taste is meant; plural Pommes has no ending.
Zwei Portionen Pommes kosten fünf Euro.
Two portions of French fries cost five euros.
zwei Portionen means two portions, and kosten means cost. Pommes remains a plural-only noun without an ending; here it is part of the noun phrase zwei Portionen Pommes.
die Portion — portion, serving
Portion is used for a measured or served amount of food. It is feminine, and its plural is Portionen.
Die Portion ist sehr groß.
The portion is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Die Portion is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle eine Portion Salat.
I am ordering a portion of salad.
bestellen means to order, and Salat means salad. Eine Portion is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestelle is in position two.
Er gibt dem Kind eine Portion Reis.
He gives the child a portion of rice.
gibt means gives, dem Kind means to the child, and Reis means rice. Eine Portion is accusative as the thing given, while dem Kind is dative as the recipient.
Der Preis der Portion steht auf der Speisekarte.
The price of the portion is on the menu.
der Preis means the price, steht means is written or stands, and die Speisekarte means the menu. Der Portion is genitive because it shows whose price it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Zwei Portionen Pommes, bitte!
Two portions of chips, please!
zwei means two, Pommes means chips or French fries, and bitte means please. Portionen is the plural form; in a restaurant order, the omitted verb would make the portions the requested accusative object.
probieren — to try, to taste; to try on
Probieren is a weak verb and takes haben in the perfect: hat probiert. It normally takes an accusative object, as in etwas probieren; it can mean either trying an activity or tasting food.
Ich probiere die neue Suppe.
I am trying the new soup.
die neue Suppe means the new soup. Die neue Suppe is accusative because probieren takes the thing tried as a direct object; the finite verb probiere is in position two.
Wir haben den Kuchen probiert.
We tried the cake.
der Kuchen is cake. Den Kuchen is accusative because probieren takes a direct object; haben is in position two and the Partizip II probiert goes to the end.
Sie probierte eine neue Methode.
She tried a new method.
eine neue Methode means a new method. The object is accusative because probieren takes a direct object, and the weak-verb preterite probierte is the finite verb in position two.
Probier diesen Käse!
Try this cheese!
dieser Käse means this cheese. Diesen Käse is accusative because it is the object of probieren; the imperative probier comes first and the subject du is left out.
Ich würde das neue Restaurant probieren, wenn es nicht so weit wäre.
I would try the new restaurant if it were not so far away.
das neue Restaurant means the new restaurant, and so weit means so far away. Das neue Restaurant is accusative after probieren; in the würde construction, probieren stays at the end of the main clause.
Morgen werde ich den neuen Tee probieren.
Tomorrow I will try the new tea.
morgen means tomorrow, and der neue Tee is the new tea. Den neuen Tee is accusative because probieren takes a direct object; werde is in position two and probieren goes to the end.
Kann ich diese Jacke probieren?
Can I try on this jacket?
diese Jacke means this jacket. Diese Jacke is accusative because probieren takes the item tried on as its direct object; after the modal kann, the infinitive probieren goes to the end.
Sie probiert die Schuhe im Laden.
She is trying on the shoes in the shop.
die Schuhe means the shoes, and im Laden means in the shop. Die Schuhe is accusative because probieren takes a direct object; the finite verb probiert is in position two.
der Quark — quark, curd cheese; nonsense
Quark is usually a mass noun, so learners say Quark without a plural when talking about the food. The word also has a colloquial meaning, nonsense, in a separate sense.
Der Quark steht im Kühlschrank.
The quark is in the fridge.
stehen means to be standing or to be located, and der Kühlschrank means fridge. Der Quark is nominative as the subject, while im Kühlschrank is dative because in describes location here.
Ich esse gern Quark zum Frühstück.
I like eating quark for breakfast.
essen means to eat, gern means gladly or like doing something, and zum Frühstück means for breakfast. Quark is accusative as the object of esse, but a mass noun often has no article.
Mit Quark schmeckt der Kuchen saftig.
The cake tastes moist with quark.
mit means with, der Kuchen means cake, and saftig means moist or juicy. Quark is dative after mit; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Quarks ist mild.
The taste of the quark is mild.
der Geschmack means taste, and mild means mild. des Quarks is genitive after der Geschmack to show whose taste it is; the verb ist stands in position two.
Was du da sagst, ist Quark.
What you are saying there is nonsense.
was du da sagst means what you are saying there, and sagen means to say. Quark is a predicative noun after ist, so it has no article here; the verb ist stands in position two.
Er erzählt wieder Quark.
He is talking nonsense again.
erzählen means to tell or talk, and wieder means again. Quark is an uncountable accusative object after erzählt and therefore normally appears without an article.
der Reis — rice
Reis is normally a mass noun, so it is used without a plural when we mean the food in general. To count it, use expressions such as eine Portion Reis or zwei Körner Reis.
Der Reis ist fertig.
The rice is ready.
fertig means ready or done. Der Reis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich koche den Reis mit Gemüse.
I am cooking the rice with vegetables.
kochen means to cook and das Gemüse means vegetables. Den Reis is accusative because kochen takes a direct object; the finite verb koche stands in position two.
Sie gibt dem Reis etwas Salz.
She adds some salt to the rice.
geben means to give or add, and das Salz is salt. Dem Reis is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing after geben; etwas Salz is the accusative object.
Der Duft des Reises ist angenehm.
The smell of the rice is pleasant.
der Duft means smell and angenehm means pleasant. Des Reises is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is; the genitive ending -es belongs to this masculine noun.
Zum Abendessen gibt es Reis und Gemüse.
There is rice and vegetables for dinner.
das Abendessen means dinner and es gibt means there is or there are. Reis is a mass noun here, so it normally has no plural; use a quantity expression such as zwei Portionen Reis for portions.
das Rind — bovine animal, cow; cattle
Rind can mean an individual bovine animal, while the plural Rinder often means cattle. The meat is called Rindfleisch, meaning beef; do not confuse it with Schwein, pig.
Das Rind steht auf der Weide.
The cow is standing in the pasture.
steht means is standing, and die Weide means pasture or meadow. Das Rind is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Rind.
The farmer feeds the cow.
der Bauer means the farmer and füttert means feeds. das Rind is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article remains das.
Der Bauer gibt dem Rind Wasser.
The farmer gives the cow water.
gibt means gives and das Wasser means water. dem Rind is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the thing given, Wasser, is the accusative object.
Die Farbe des Rindes ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the cow is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Rindes is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the neuter article des and ending -es mark the case.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben viele Rinder.
Many cattle live on the farm.
auf dem Bauernhof means on the farm, leben means live, and viele means many. Rinder is the nominative plural subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, shown by dem Bauernhof.