Appearance
Vocab: Food — A2 (2)
Food vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Kruste — crust, outer layer; scab, crust over a wound
Die Kruste most commonly means the browned outer layer of baked food. It is often used with Brot or Pizza.
Die Kruste ist schön knusprig.
The crust is nicely crispy.
knusprig means crispy, and schön here means nicely or pleasantly. Die Kruste is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Kruste nicht.
I do not eat the crust.
essen means to eat and nicht means not. Die Kruste is accusative because it is the object of esse; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Auf der Kruste liegt etwas Käse.
There is some cheese on the crust.
liegen means to lie or be placed, and etwas Käse means some cheese. Auf der Kruste is dative because it describes a fixed location; auf would take accusative for movement onto the crust.
Die Farbe der Kruste ist dunkel.
The colour of the crust is dark.
die Farbe is the colour and dunkel means dark. Der Kruste is genitive after die Farbe, showing which crust the colour belongs to.
Die Krusten der Brote sind sehr hart.
The crusts of the loaves are very hard.
Brote are loaves or breads, and hart means hard. Krusten is the plural with -n; der Brote is genitive plural, meaning of the loaves.
Auf der Wunde bildet sich eine Kruste.
A crust is forming over the wound.
die Wunde is the wound and sich bilden means to form. Auf der Wunde is dative because it describes location, while bildet sich uses the reflexive pronoun to show that the crust forms.
Bitte kratz die Kruste nicht ab.
Please do not scratch the crust off.
bitte means please and abkratzen means to scratch or scrape off. Die Kruste is accusative after kratz ... ab; the separable prefix ab moves to the end, and nicht negates the command.
köstlich — delicious, very tasty
köstlich is a strong positive word for food and drink, often meaning delicious or exquisite. It is stronger than simply lecker, which means tasty and is more common in everyday speech.
Die Suppe ist köstlich.
The soup is delicious.
die Suppe means the soup. köstlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir essen einen köstlichen Kuchen.
We are eating a delicious cake.
essen means eat and einen Kuchen means a cake. köstlichen has the masculine accusative ending -en after einen, because Kuchen is the accusative object of essen; the finite verb essen stands in position two.
Dieser Kuchen ist köstlicher als der andere.
This cake is more delicious than the other one.
dieser Kuchen means this cake and der andere means the other one. köstlicher is the comparative after ist, and als introduces the comparison; dieser Kuchen is the nominative subject.
Das Dessert schmeckt am köstlichsten.
The dessert tastes the most delicious.
das Dessert means the dessert and schmeckt means tastes. am köstlichsten is the superlative used predicatively after schmecken; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
das Lammfleisch — lamb meat
Lammfleisch is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. The genitive form is des Lammfleischs; in everyday speech, learners will also often hear a phrase with von.
Das Lammfleisch ist sehr zart.
The lamb meat is very tender.
zart means tender. Das Lammfleisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir braten das Lammfleisch im Ofen.
We roast the lamb meat in the oven.
braten means to roast or fry, and der Ofen is the oven. Das Lammfleisch is accusative because it is the direct object of braten; im Ofen is short for in dem Ofen and is dative because it describes a location.
Mit dem Lammfleisch kocht meine Mutter eine Suppe.
My mother cooks a soup with the lamb meat.
kochen means to cook, meine Mutter means my mother, and eine Suppe is a soup. Dem Lammfleisch is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Lammfleischs ist kräftig.
The taste of the lamb meat is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, and kräftig means strong or rich. Des Lammfleischs is genitive because it says what the taste belongs to; this mass noun has no normal plural.
mager — lean, thin, skinny; poor, meagre, disappointing
For food, mager usually means low in fat or lean; for a person, it can mean very thin and may sound less positive than schlank. The regular comparison is magerer, am magersten.
Das Fleisch ist mager.
The meat is lean.
das Fleisch means meat. Mager is predicative here, after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Ich kaufe mageres mageres Fleisch.
I am buying lean meat.
kaufen means to buy. mageres Fleisch is an accusative object after kaufe; the adjective has -es because Fleisch is neuter and has the indefinite article understood here.
Dieses Fleisch ist magerer als das andere.
This meat is leaner than the other one.
dieses means this, als means than, and andere means other. Magerer compares two kinds of meat and stands after ist, so it is predicative and has no extra adjective ending.
Von allen Gerichten ist die Suppe am magersten.
Of all the dishes, the soup is the leanest.
von allen Gerichten means of all the dishes and die Suppe means the soup. Am magersten is the predicative superlative after ist; am is part of the superlative form, not an article before a noun.
Das Unternehmen hatte ein mageres Jahr.
The company had a poor year.
das Unternehmen means the company and das Jahr means the year. Ein mageres Jahr is an accusative object after hatte, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Die Ernte fiel dieses Jahr mager aus.
The harvest was poor this year.
die Ernte means the harvest, dieses Jahr means this year, and ausfallen means to turn out. Mager describes the result predicatively; the separable verb appears as fiel ... aus, with aus at the end.
die Marille — apricot (Austrian)
Marille is the Austrian word for an apricot; in Germany, Aprikose is more usual. The plural is Marillen, not Marilles.
Die Marille ist reif.
The apricot is ripe.
reif means ripe. Die Marille is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich esse die Marille zum Frühstück.
I eat the apricot for breakfast.
esse means eat and zum Frühstück means for breakfast. Die Marille is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt der Marille etwas Zucker.
She gives the apricot some sugar.
gibt means gives and etwas Zucker means some sugar. Der Marille is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected thing with dative.
Der Geschmack der Marille ist süß.
The taste of the apricot is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste and süß means sweet. Der Marille is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Im Sommer kaufe ich frische Marillen.
In summer I buy fresh apricots.
im Sommer means in summer, kaufe means buy, and frische means fresh. Marillen is plural after frische; the plural ending is -n, and frische has an adjective ending before the noun.
die Mensa — cafeteria, canteen
die Mensa usually means a cafeteria at a university or school, not just any restaurant. It is often used with in der Mensa when talking about eating there.
Die Mensa ist heute voll.
The cafeteria is full today.
heute means “today” and voll means “full.” Die Mensa is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich besuche die Mensa jeden Dienstag.
I go to the cafeteria every Tuesday.
besuche means “visit or go to,” and jeden Dienstag means “every Tuesday.” Die Mensa is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir essen in der Mensa.
We eat in the cafeteria.
essen means “eat” and in der Mensa means “in the cafeteria.” Here in describes a location, so it takes the dative; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Die Öffnungszeiten der Mensa stehen online.
The cafeteria’s opening hours are online.
die Öffnungszeiten means “the opening hours,” stehen means “are listed,” and online means “online.” Der Mensa is genitive because it identifies whose opening hours they are.
Die Mensen schließen am Wochenende.
The cafeterias close at the weekend.
schließen means “close” and am Wochenende means “at the weekend.” Mensen is plural, so the finite verb is schließen, not the singular schließt.
In der Mensa gibt es heute Suppe.
There is soup in the cafeteria today.
gibt es means “there is,” and heute Suppe means “soup today.” In der Mensa is dative because it expresses a fixed location, and gibt es is the usual structure for saying that something exists.
der Metzger — butcher; butcher's shop
Metzger can mean a butcher or, in some regions, a butcher's shop. The profession is usually described with beim Metzger for shopping there.
Der Metzger arbeitet früh am Morgen.
The butcher works early in the morning.
arbeitet means works and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Der Metzger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Metzger am Samstag.
I visit the butcher on Saturday.
besuche means visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. den Metzger is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich kaufe beim Metzger Wurst.
I buy sausage at the butcher's.
kaufe means buy and Wurst means sausage. beim Metzger is short for bei dem Metzger; bei always takes the dative, while Wurst is the accusative object of kaufe.
Das Auto des Metzgers steht vor dem Laden.
The butcher's car is in front of the shop.
Auto means car, steht means is standing or is parked, and Laden means shop. des Metzgers is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Metzger öffnen ihre Läden früh.
The butchers open their shops early.
öffnen means open, ihre means their, and Läden means shops. Metzger is plural because it has the article die; the noun has the same form in the singular and plural.
Wir kaufen das Fleisch beim Metzger.
We buy the meat at the butcher's.
Fleisch means meat and kaufen means buy. beim Metzger means at the butcher's and is dative after bei; das Fleisch is accusative because it is the object of kaufen.
Der Metzger an der Ecke hat heute zu.
The butcher's on the corner is closed today.
an der Ecke means on the corner and zu haben means to be closed. Der Metzger is the subject in the nominative, and heute means today; the phrase an der Ecke gives more information about the shop.
das Milchprodukt — dairy product
This compound combines Milch (milk) and Produkt (product). It includes both traditional dairy foods and modern products made from milk.
Das Milchprodukt enthält viel Eiweiß.
The dairy product contains a lot of protein.
enthält means contains, viel means a lot of, and Eiweiß means protein. Milchprodukt is nominative because it is the subject, and enthält is the finite verb in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Milchprodukt.
I am buying a dairy product.
kaufe means buy, and ein means a or one. Milchprodukt is accusative after kaufen; the neuter form keeps ein in the accusative.
Ich vertraue diesem Milchprodukt nicht.
I do not trust this dairy product.
vertraue means trust, diesem means this, and nicht means not. Milchprodukt is dative because vertrauen takes the dative, and the negative word nicht comes at the end here.
Die Qualität des Milchprodukts ist gut.
The quality of the dairy product is good.
die Qualität means the quality, and gut means good. Milchprodukts is genitive after Qualität to mean the quality of the product; the neuter noun takes -s.
Viele Milchprodukte stehen im Kühlschrank.
Many dairy products are in the fridge.
viele means many, stehen means are standing, and im Kühlschrank means in the fridge. Milchprodukte is the plural subject; the umlaut and -e replace the singular ending.
mild — mild, gentle; not strong or spicy
For weather, food, and behaviour, mild means not extreme or not strong. The opposite can be stark for flavour or heftig for weather and behaviour.
Heute ist es mild.
It is mild today.
Heute means today, and es means it. Mild stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir genießen mildes Wetter.
We are enjoying mild weather.
Wir means we, and genießen means enjoy; das Wetter is the weather. Mildes Wetter is the accusative object of genießen, and the adjective takes -es after the uninflected article; the finite verb genießen is in position two.
Der Tee ist milder als der Kaffee.
The tea is milder than the coffee.
Der Tee is the tea and der Kaffee is the coffee. Milder compares two drinks and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Der Frühling ist am mildesten.
Spring is the mildest.
Der Frühling means spring. Am mildesten is the superlative predicate after ist; the superlative uses am plus -sten, not an attributive ending.
die Nachspeise — dessert
Die Nachspeise ist sehr lecker.
The dessert is very tasty.
sehr lecker means very tasty. Die Nachspeise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir bestellen die Nachspeise später.
We will order the dessert later.
bestellen means to order and später means later. die Nachspeise is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestellen is in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin der Nachspeise einen neuen Namen.
I give the dessert a new name for my friend.
meiner Freundin means to my friend, einen neuen Namen means a new name, and geben means give. The sentence is unusual in meaning: der Nachspeise is dative only if the dessert is the recipient, so the natural meaning is that I give the dessert a name; the accusative object is einen neuen Namen.
Der Geschmack der Nachspeise war wunderbar.
The taste of the dessert was wonderful.
der Geschmack means the taste and wunderbar means wonderful. der Nachspeise is genitive because it shows whose taste it was; the genitive feminine article is der, and war is the past form of sein.
Im Restaurant wählen viele Gäste Nachspeisen.
Many guests choose desserts in the restaurant.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, viele Gäste means many guests, and wählen means choose. Nachspeisen is plural and accusative because it is the object of wählen; the plural ending is -n.
das Nahrungsmittel — food, food product
Nahrungsmittel is a more formal or technical word than Essen and refers especially to food products or substances. Its singular and plural look alike; only the article or another determiner shows the number.
Das Nahrungsmittel ist frisch.
The food product is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Nahrungsmittel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Nahrungsmittel im Supermarkt.
I buy the food product at the supermarket.
kaufe means buy, and im Supermarkt means at the supermarket. Das Nahrungsmittel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; kaufe is in position two.
Sie hilft einem Nahrungsmittel-Hersteller.
She helps a food manufacturer.
hilft means helps, and a Nahrungsmittel-Hersteller is a food manufacturer. Helfen takes a dative object, so einem is used; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Qualität des Nahrungsmittels ist wichtig.
The quality of the food product is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. Des Nahrungsmittels is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Nahrungsmittel enthalten Zucker.
Many foods contain sugar.
viele means many, enthalten means contain, and Zucker means sugar. Viele Nahrungsmittel is the plural nominative subject; the plural form does not change from the singular, and enthalten stands in position two.
naschen — to nibble, to eat sweets
Naschen usually means eating sweets or small amounts for pleasure, not eating a full meal. It is a weak verb and forms the perfect with haben: hat genascht.
Die Kinder naschen gern Schokolade.
The children like eating chocolate.
die Kinder means the children, and gern means gladly or like to. Schokolade is chocolate; it is an accusative object, although its article is not visible here, and the finite verb naschen stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern heimlich genascht.
We secretly ate sweets yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and heimlich means secretly. Genascht is the Partizip II and goes to the end of the perfect clause; it pairs with haben, while wir haben forms the sentence bracket.
Als Kind naschte er oft vor dem Abendessen.
As a child, he often ate sweets before dinner.
als Kind means as a child, oft means often, and vor dem Abendessen means before dinner. Naschte is simple past; in the clause beginning with als, the finite verb goes to the end.
Nasch nicht so viel vor dem Essen!
Don’t eat so many sweets before the meal!
nicht so viel means not so much, vor means before, and das Essen means the meal. Nasch is the du imperative; nicht makes it negative, and vor dem Essen uses dative after vor for a time relationship.
Ich würde jetzt gern naschen.
I would like to eat something sweet now.
jetzt means now and gern means gladly or would like to. Würde expresses the conditional, while naschen stays as an infinitive at the end; no object is stated, but the understood food is usually something sweet.
Nach dem Film werden wir noch naschen.
After the film, we will still eat some sweets.
nach dem Film means after the film and noch means still or additionally. Werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive naschen goes to the end.
der Nährstoff — nutrient
As a countable noun, der Nährstoff usually refers to one particular nutrient; the general substance is often expressed with the plural Nährstoffe.
Der Nährstoff ist wichtig für den Körper.
The nutrient is important for the body.
wichtig means important and der Körper means the body. Der Nährstoff is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Körper braucht den Nährstoff.
The body needs the nutrient.
der Körper means the body and brauchen means to need. Den Nährstoff is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Der Arzt erklärt dem Patienten die Wirkung von dem Nährstoff.
The doctor explains the effect of the nutrient to the patient.
der Arzt is the doctor, erklären means to explain, der Patient is the patient, and die Wirkung is the effect. Dem Nährstoff is dative because von always takes the dative, while dem Patienten is also dative as the person receiving the explanation.
Die Bedeutung des Nährstoffs ist noch nicht klar.
The importance of the nutrient is not yet clear.
die Bedeutung means importance, noch nicht means not yet, and klar means clear. Des Nährstoffs is genitive because it identifies whose importance is meant; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
Obst und Gemüse enthalten viele Nährstoffe.
Fruit and vegetables contain many nutrients.
Obst means fruit, Gemüse means vegetables, enthalten means contain, and viele means many. Nährstoffe is accusative plural because it is the object of enthalten; the plural has the ending -e.
das Osterei — Easter egg
The plural Ostereier is common when talking about decorated or hidden eggs. Osterei is a compound of Ostern and Ei.
Das Osterei liegt im Nest.
The Easter egg is in the nest.
das Nest means nest, and liegt means is lying. Das Osterei is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Kinder suchen ein Osterei.
The children are looking for an Easter egg.
die Kinder means the children and suchen means are looking for. Ein Osterei is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind ein Osterei.
I give the child an Easter egg.
ich gebe means I give, and dem Kind means to the child. Ein Osterei is accusative as the thing being given, while dem Kind is dative as the recipient.
Die Farbe des Ostereis ist rot.
The colour of the Easter egg is red.
die Farbe means colour and rot means red. Des Ostereis is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the noun gets -s and the article changes to des.
Die Kinder bemalen die Ostereier.
The children paint the Easter eggs.
bemalen means paint or decorate. Die Ostereier is plural and accusative because bemalen takes the eggs as its direct object; the singular ending changes from -ei to -eier.
der Paradeiser — tomato (Austrian German)
This is the usual Austrian word for die Tomate. In Germany and much of Switzerland, learners normally hear Tomate instead.
Der Paradeiser ist reif.
The tomato is ripe.
reif means ripe. Der Paradeiser is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Paradeiser am Markt.
I am buying the tomato at the market.
kaufe means am buying, and am Markt means at the market. Den Paradeiser is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; kaufe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Paradeiser etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the tomato.
gebe means give or add, and etwas Salz means some salt. Dem Paradeiser is dative because geben uses a dative recipient, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing being added.
Die Farbe des Paradeisers ist kräftig rot.
The tomato’s colour is bright red.
die Farbe means the colour, and kräftig rot means bright red. Des Paradeisers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine genitive ending is -s.
Die Paradeiser liegen in der Schüssel.
The tomatoes are in the bowl.
liegen means are lying, and die Schüssel means the bowl. Die Paradeiser is plural, with no ending change from the singular; in der Schüssel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Pudding — pudding, custard dessert
Pudding normally means a sweet, soft dessert in German. It is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and forms its plural with -s.
Der Pudding ist noch warm.
The pudding is still warm.
noch means still, and warm means warm. Der Pudding is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich esse den Pudding nach dem Essen.
I eat the pudding after the meal.
essen means to eat, and nach dem Essen means after the meal. Den Pudding is accusative because essen takes a direct object; nach takes dative here in the time phrase.
Wir geben dem Pudding etwas Zucker.
We add some sugar to the pudding.
geben means to give or add, and etwas Zucker means some sugar. Dem Pudding is dative as the recipient or destination, while etwas Zucker is the accusative thing added.
Der Geschmack des Puddings ist sehr gut.
The taste of the pudding is very good.
der Geschmack is the taste, and sehr gut means very good. Des Puddings is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Puddings stehen im Kühlschrank.
The puddings are in the fridge.
stehen means are standing or are located, and der Kühlschrank is the fridge. Puddings is the plural with -s; im Kühlschrank is short for in dem Kühlschrank, with dative because it describes a location.
reif — ripe; mature, ready
reif describes fruit that is ready to eat and people who are mature or ready for something. With the fixed phrase reif für (“ready for”), für takes the accusative.
Die Banane ist reif.
The banana is ripe.
die Banane means the banana. reif is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe reife Tomaten.
I am buying ripe tomatoes.
kaufe means am buying, and Tomaten means tomatoes. reife describes the accusative object Tomaten, and the adjective takes -e because it follows the uninflected plural form Tomaten without an article.
Diese Äpfel sind reifer als die anderen.
These apples are riper than the others.
diese Äpfel means these apples, and die anderen means the others. reifer compares two groups and is followed by als; because it is predicative after sind, it has no adjective ending.
Die Erdbeeren sind am reifsten.
The strawberries are the ripest.
die Erdbeeren means the strawberries. am reifsten is the superlative used predicatively after sind; the verb is in position two, and this form is not placed directly before a noun.
der Rest — remainder, rest, leftover; the others, the rest
For food, der Rest can mean the leftovers; for an amount or group, it means what remains. The plural is die Reste, not die Rests.
Der Rest bleibt im Kühlschrank.
The rest stays in the refrigerator.
bleibt means stays, and im Kühlschrank means in the refrigerator. Der Rest is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Ich esse den Rest später.
I will eat the rest later.
esse means eat, and später means later. Den Rest is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Mit dem Rest machen wir morgen eine Suppe.
We will make a soup with the rest tomorrow.
machen means make, morgen means tomorrow, and eine Suppe is a soup. Dem Rest is dative because mit always takes the dative; machen is in position two.
Die Farbe des Restes ist noch gut.
The colour of the remainder is still good.
die Farbe means the colour, and noch gut means still good. Des Restes is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Reste kommen morgen in den Müll.
The leftovers go into the rubbish tomorrow.
kommen means go or come, morgen means tomorrow, and der Müll is rubbish. Die Reste is plural nominative as the subject; in den Müll is accusative because it expresses movement into something.
Der Rest der Familie kommt später.
The rest of the family is coming later.
die Familie means the family, and später means later. Der Rest is the nominative subject, while der Familie identifies the group that remains; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir warten auf den Rest der Gruppe.
We are waiting for the rest of the group.
warten means wait, auf means for here, and die Gruppe is the group. Den Rest is accusative because this meaning of auf takes the accusative with waiting; the phrase der Gruppe specifies the group.
das Rindfleisch — beef
Rindfleisch is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For a particular amount, use a measure such as ein Kilo Rindfleisch; the genitive can be des Rindfleischs or des Rindfleisches.
Das Rindfleisch ist frisch.
The beef is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Rindfleisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe Rindfleisch für das Abendessen.
I am buying beef for dinner.
ich kaufe means I am buying, and für das Abendessen means for dinner. Rindfleisch is an uncountable accusative object after kaufen; as a mass noun, it usually appears without an article.
Die Köchin gibt dem Rindfleisch Salz und Pfeffer.
The cook adds salt and pepper to the beef.
die Köchin is the cook, gibt means gives or adds, and Salz und Pfeffer are salt and pepper. Dem Rindfleisch is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected item with the dative, while Salz und Pfeffer are accusative.
Der Geschmack des Rindfleischs ist kräftig.
The taste of the beef is rich.
der Geschmack means taste and kräftig means rich or strong. Des Rindfleischs is genitive after der Geschmack to show what is being tasted; the mass noun has no ordinary plural.
roh — raw, uncooked; crude, brutal
Roh most often describes food that has not been cooked. It is the opposite of gar or gekocht, and it can also describe materials that have not yet been processed.
Das Fleisch ist roh.
The meat is raw.
das Fleisch means the meat. Roh is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; predicative adjectives have no ending.
Sie isst rohes Gemüse.
She is eating raw vegetables.
sie isst means she is eating, and das Gemüse means the vegetables. Rohes stands before the neuter accusative noun Gemüse and takes -es after the zero article; Gemüse is the accusative object of essen.
Rohes Fleisch ist roher als gebratenes Fleisch.
Raw meat is rawer than cooked meat.
Fleisch means meat, gebraten means fried or cooked, and als means than. Roher is attributive before masculine nominative Fleisch and therefore has both the comparative ending -er and the adjective ending -er; als introduces the comparison.
Dieses Gemüse ist am rohesten.
This vegetable is the rawest.
dieses Gemüse means this vegetable. Am rohesten is the predicative superlative after ist; the am form is not followed directly by a noun.
Rohes Gemüse schmeckt frisch.
Raw vegetables taste fresh.
Gemüse means vegetables, schmeckt means tastes, and frisch means fresh. Rohes Gemüse is the nominative subject; the adjective ending -es appears because neuter Gemüse has no article here.
Kinder sollten kein rohes Ei essen.
Children should not eat a raw egg.
Kinder means children, sollten means should, and kein Ei means no egg. Rohes describes the neuter accusative noun Ei after kein; the modal verb sollten is finite in position two and essen goes to the end.
Seine Worte waren roh und verletzend.
His words were crude and hurtful.
seine Worte means his words, verletzend means hurtful, and waren means were. Roh is predicative after waren, so it has no adjective ending; und links the two descriptions.
Die Polizei stoppte die rohe Gewalt.
The police stopped the brute force.
die Polizei means the police, stoppte means stopped, and Gewalt means force or violence. Rohe Gewalt is the accusative object of stoppte, and the feminine adjective takes -e after die.
die Rosine — raisin
Rosinen are dried grapes and are commonly found in Müsli, cakes and sweet bread. Do not confuse Rosine with a fresh grape, which is die Traube.
Die Rosine ist sehr süß.
The raisin is very sweet.
sehr süß means very sweet. Die Rosine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse eine Rosine.
I am eating a raisin.
esse means am eating, and eine means one or a. Eine Rosine is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Rosine.
I give the child a raisin.
gebe means give, and dem Kind means the child. Dem Kind is dative because it receives something, while eine Rosine is accusative as the thing given.
Der Geschmack der Rosine ist intensiv.
The taste of the raisin is intense.
der Geschmack means the taste and intensiv means intense or strong. Der Rosine is genitive because it shows which thing has this taste; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Müsli liegen viele Rosinen.
There are many raisins in the muesli.
im Müsli means in the muesli, liegen means are lying or are there, and viele means many. Rosinen is the plural with -n, and viele Rosinen is the subject.
der Schafskäse — sheep's cheese, feta
Schafskäse is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural; use expressions such as ein Stück Schafskäse for a portion. It is often translated as feta, although Feta can also refer specifically to the protected Greek cheese.
Der Schafskäse schmeckt würzig.
The sheep's cheese tastes spicy.
schmecken means to taste, and würzig means spicy or savoury. Der Schafskäse is nominative because it is the subject, and schmeckt stands in position two.
Wir kaufen Schafskäse auf dem Markt.
We are buying sheep's cheese at the market.
kaufen means to buy and der Markt is the market. Schafskäse is an uncountable accusative object, so it usually has no article; auf dem Markt describes the location.
Zu dem Schafskäse passen Oliven.
Olives go well with the sheep's cheese.
zu here means with or alongside, and passen means go well with; Oliven are olives. Zu dem Schafskäse is dative because zu always takes the dative, and passen stands in position two.
Der Geschmack des Schafskäses ist kräftig.
The taste of the sheep's cheese is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste and kräftig means strong or intense. Des Schafskäses is genitive because it shows which cheese the taste belongs to; ist is in position two.
scharf — sharp; spicy, hot; sharp, clear (of an image)
Scharf can describe an object with a sharp edge or food with a hot taste. The meaning depends on the noun: ein scharfes Messer is a sharp knife, while scharfe Soße is spicy sauce.
Die Soße ist scharf.
The sauce is spicy.
Soße means sauce. Scharf is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; ist is in position two.
Das ist eine scharfe Suppe.
That is a spicy soup.
Suppe means soup, and eine means a. Scharfe stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after eine; the verb ist remains in position two.
Diese Soße ist schärfer als die andere.
This sauce is spicier than the other one.
Diese means this, Soße means sauce, and andere means other. Schärfer is the comparative and is followed by als for the comparison; as a predicative adjective it has no ending.
Diese Chili ist am schärfsten.
This chilli is the hottest.
Chili is a chilli pepper, and Diese means this. Am schärfsten is the predicative superlative; the form uses am plus the adjective ending -sten.
Das Foto ist nicht scharf.
The photo is not sharp.
Foto means photo and nicht means not. Scharf is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; nicht negates the adjective.
Die Kamera macht besonders scharfe Bilder.
The camera takes especially sharp pictures.
Kamera means camera, macht means makes or takes, besonders means especially, and Bilder means pictures. Scharfe Bilder is the accusative object of macht; the plural adjective ending is -e after the zero article.
die Scheibe — slice; pane; disc; pane; disc
The meaning depends on context: Scheibe Brot is a slice of bread, while Fensterscheibe is a windowpane and CD-Scheibe can mean a disc.
Die Scheibe ist zu dünn.
The slice is too thin.
zu dünn means too thin. Die Scheibe is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Scheibe Brot.
I am eating the slice of bread.
esse means am eating, and Brot means bread. Die Scheibe is accusative because essen takes a direct object.
Gib mir bitte eine Scheibe.
Please give me a slice.
gib means give, mir means to me, and bitte means please. Eine Scheibe is accusative as the thing given, while mir is dative because it is the recipient.
Der Rand der Scheibe ist braun.
The edge of the slice is brown.
der Rand means the edge and braun means brown. Der Scheibe is genitive because it identifies which edge is meant.
Auf dem Teller liegen drei Scheiben.
Three slices are lying on the plate.
auf dem Teller means on the plate, and liegen means are lying. Scheiben is plural and is the subject; dem Teller is dative because auf describes a location here.
Die Scheibe ist kaputt.
The pane is broken.
kaputt means broken. Die Scheibe is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der Ball hat die Scheibe getroffen.
The ball hit the pane.
der Ball means the ball and getroffen means hit. Die Scheibe is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; getroffen goes at the end in the perfect.
der Schinken — ham
Schinken can mean ham as food or a whole cured ham; it is often used without a plural when the meat is treated as food. The plural Schinken is used for different hams or types of ham.
Der Schinken schmeckt gut.
The ham tastes good.
schmeckt gut means tastes good. Der Schinken is masculine and is the nominative subject; the adjective gut follows schmecken in a predicative phrase.
Ich kaufe den Schinken beim Metzger.
I’m buying the ham at the butcher’s.
kaufe means buy and der Metzger is the butcher. den Schinken is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; beim Metzger means at the butcher’s and bei takes the dative.
Ich gebe dem Schinken noch etwas Salz.
I add a little more salt to the ham.
noch etwas Salz means a little more salt. dem Schinken is dative because it is the thing receiving the addition, while Salz is the accusative object of geben.
Der Geruch des Schinkens ist stark.
The smell of the ham is strong.
der Geruch is the smell and stark means strong. des Schinkens is genitive because it identifies the source of the smell; the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Laden liegen verschiedene Schinken.
There are various hams in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means lie or are displayed, and verschiedene means various. verschiedene Schinken is plural; the noun has no visible plural ending, so verschiedene shows the number.
die Schnitte — slice of bread, open sandwich; slice, cut piece
The feminine noun die Schnitte usually means a slice of bread or an open sandwich in everyday speech. Its plural is die Schnitten; do not mistake the singular die Schnitte for the plural of der Schnitt, which is also spelled die Schnitte.
Die Schnitte liegt auf dem Teller.
The slice of bread is on the plate.
liegt means is lying, and der Teller means the plate. Die Schnitte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich esse die Schnitte zum Frühstück.
I am eating the sandwich for breakfast.
esse means eat and zum Frühstück means for breakfast. Die Schnitte is accusative because essen takes a direct object, while the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester der Schnitte?
I give my sister the sandwich?
This sentence is not natural German: der Schnitte cannot be the direct object after geben here. A correct sentence is: Ich gebe meiner Schwester eine Schnitte. Meiner Schwester is dative as the recipient, and eine Schnitte is accusative as the thing given.
Der Rand der Schnitte ist knusprig.
The crust of the sandwich is crisp.
der Rand means the crust or edge, and knusprig means crisp. Der Schnitte is genitive because it shows whose crust it is; the feminine article is der in the genitive singular.
Wir kaufen zwei Schnitten für die Reise.
We are buying two sandwiches for the journey.
zwei means two, für means for, and die Reise means the journey. Schnitten is plural and accusative because kaufen takes the thing bought as its direct object.
Kannst du mir eine Schnitte Kuchen geben?
Can you give me a slice of cake?
Kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and Kuchen is cake. Eine Schnitte is accusative as the thing given, while mir is dative as the recipient; the infinitive geben goes to the end after kannst.
Die Schnitte ist zu dünn.
The slice is too thin.
zu dünn means too thin. Die Schnitte is nominative because it is the subject, and ist links it to the predicative adjective dünn.
das Schnitzel — cutlet, schnitzel
In German-speaking countries, das Schnitzel usually means a thin, breaded and fried piece of meat. The plural is unchanged: das Schnitzel, die Schnitzel.
Das Schnitzel ist sehr lecker.
The cutlet is very tasty.
lecker means tasty. Das Schnitzel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle das Schnitzel.
I am ordering the cutlet.
bestelle means order. Das Schnitzel is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object, although the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich esse das Schnitzel mit dem Schnitzel?
I eat the cutlet with the cutlet?
This sentence is not natural German because it repeats the same noun incorrectly. A correct example is: Ich esse das Schnitzel mit Salat. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Salat would be used if the article were shown.
Die Panade des Schnitzels ist knusprig.
The cutlet's coating is crisp.
die Panade means the coating, and knusprig means crisp. Des Schnitzels is genitive because it shows whose coating it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Heute essen wir Schnitzel.
Today we are eating cutlets.
Heute means today and essen means eat. Schnitzel is plural here and has the same form as the singular; it is the accusative object of essen, with no article because the meaning is general.
das Schweinefleisch — pork
Schweinefleisch is a mass noun for pork as food and normally has no plural. For a particular portion, German uses a measure or serving word such as ein Stück Schweinefleisch rather than making Schweinefleisch plural.
Das Schweinefleisch ist frisch.
The pork is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Schweinefleisch is nominative because it is the subject, and frisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Ich kaufe das Schweinefleisch beim Metzger.
I buy the pork at the butcher’s.
kaufen means to buy, beim Metzger means at the butcher’s, and der Metzger is a butcher. das Schweinefleisch is accusative as the direct object; bei takes the dative, shown by beim (= bei dem).
Sie kocht dem Schweinefleisch eine Soße.
She cooks a sauce for the pork.
kochen means to cook and die Soße means sauce. dem Schweinefleisch is dative as the thing for which the sauce is cooked, while eine Soße is the accusative object.
Der Geschmack des Schweinefleisches ist mild.
The taste of the pork is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild or not strong. des Schweinefleisches is genitive because it identifies the meat’s taste; the neuter genitive uses des and -es.
Wir essen heute Schweinefleisch.
We are eating pork today.
heute means today and essen means to eat. Schweinefleisch is a mass noun and has no normal plural, so this sentence uses the uncountable singular without an article; the requested plural slot is therefore not a real form.
die Semmel — bread roll (regional)
Semmel is a regional word for a bread roll, especially in Austria and southern Germany. In much of northern Germany, learners are more likely to hear Brötchen instead.
Die Semmel ist noch warm.
The bread roll is still warm.
noch warm means still warm. Die Semmel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Semmel zum Frühstück.
I am eating the bread roll for breakfast.
esse means eat, and zum Frühstück means for breakfast. die Semmel is accusative because essen takes a direct object; zum is short for zu dem and introduces the dative phrase zum Frühstück.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Semmel ein Stück.
I give the child a piece of the bread roll.
gebe means give, dem Kind means the child, and ein Stück means a piece. der Semmel is dative after von only when that preposition is present, but in this sentence the natural phrase is actually genitive-like possession; the sentence therefore illustrates the article form der, while dem Kind is dative as the recipient of geben.
Der Duft der Semmel macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the bread roll makes me hungry.
der Duft means the smell, and hungrig means hungry. der Semmel is genitive because it identifies what the smell comes from; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Frische Semmeln liegen auf dem Tisch.
Fresh bread rolls are lying on the table.
frische means fresh, liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Semmeln is plural and is the nominative subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location, not movement.
servieren — to serve (food or drinks)
Servieren takes haben in the perfect and usually takes an accusative thing served; a person receiving it can be added in the dative, as in den Gästen. Do not add ge- to servieren: the Partizip II is serviert.
Der Kellner serviert das Essen.
The waiter serves the food.
der Kellner means the waiter, and das Essen means the food. Das Essen is accusative because servieren takes the thing being served as a direct object; the finite verb serviert is in position two.
Wir haben den Gästen das Abendessen serviert.
We served the guests dinner.
den Gästen means the guests, and das Abendessen means dinner. Den Gästen is dative because they receive the food, while das Abendessen is accusative; haben is in position two and serviert goes to the end.
Die Köchin servierte eine warme Suppe.
The cook served a warm soup.
die Köchin means the female cook, and eine warme Suppe means a warm soup. Eine warme Suppe is accusative as the direct object, and the weak past form servierte stands in position two.
Servier den Kaffee bitte!
Please serve the coffee!
den Kaffee means the coffee, and bitte means please. Servier is the informal singular command for du; the object is accusative, and the imperative normally comes first.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, servierte ich selbst.
If I had more time, I would serve myself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and selbst means myself or personally. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; servierte is the Konjunktiv II form used for an unreal situation and stands in position two in the main clause.
Heute Abend werden wir das Menü servieren.
This evening we will serve the menu.
heute Abend means this evening, and das Menü means the menu. Das Menü is accusative because it is the direct object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive servieren goes to the end.
der Speck — bacon; pork fat
Speck is normally a mass noun when it means bacon or pork fat, so it has no ordinary plural. It can also refer informally to body fat; the exact meaning comes from the context.
Der Speck riecht gut.
The bacon smells good.
riecht gut means “smells good”. Der Speck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb riecht stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Speck für das Frühstück.
I am buying the bacon for breakfast.
kaufe means “buy”, and für das Frühstück means “for breakfast”. Den Speck is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Speck etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the bacon.
gebe means “give” or “add”, and etwas Salz means “some salt”. Dem Speck is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected thing with the dative, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geschmack des Specks ist kräftig.
The flavour of the bacon is strong.
der Geschmack means “the flavour”, and kräftig means “strong” or “intense”. Des Specks is genitive because it identifies whose flavour it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
der Thunfisch — tuna, tuna fish
Thunfisch can mean the animal or tuna as food. When it means food, it is often used without an article, as in Ich esse Thunfisch.
Der Thunfisch schwimmt im Meer.
The tuna is swimming in the sea.
schwimmt means is swimming and im Meer means in the sea. Der Thunfisch is nominative because it is the subject, and schwimmt is in position two.
Ich esse den Thunfisch.
I am eating the tuna.
esse means eat. Den Thunfisch is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Thunfisch etwas Futter.
I give the tuna some food.
gebe means give, etwas means some, and Futter means food or feed. Dem Thunfisch is dative because geben marks the recipient with dative, while etwas Futter is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Thunfischs ist dunkel.
The colour of the tuna is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Thunfischs is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Thunfische leben im Pazifik.
Many tuna fish live in the Pacific.
viele means many, leben means live, and der Pazifik means the Pacific Ocean. Thunfische is nominative plural as the subject; im Pazifik is dative because it expresses location.
die Tiefkühlpizza — frozen pizza
The compound combines Tiefkühl-, frozen, with Pizza, pizza. Both Tiefkühlpizzen and Tiefkühlpizzas are used as plurals.
Die Tiefkühlpizza ist schon im Ofen.
The frozen pizza is already in the oven.
schon means already, and der Ofen is the oven. Die Tiefkühlpizza is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Tiefkühlpizza für heute Abend.
I am buying a frozen pizza for this evening.
kaufe means buy, and heute Abend means this evening. Eine Tiefkühlpizza is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Mit einer Tiefkühlpizza werden vier Personen satt.
Four people become full with one frozen pizza.
mit means with, and vier Personen means four people; satt werden means become full. Einer Tiefkühlpizza is dative because mit always takes the dative, and werden is in position two.
Der Geschmack einer Tiefkühlpizza ist oft salzig.
The taste of a frozen pizza is often salty.
der Geschmack is the taste, and salzig means salty. Einer Tiefkühlpizza is genitive because it says whose taste it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Im Supermarkt liegen viele Tiefkühlpizzen.
There are many frozen pizzas in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, and liegen means are lying or are located. Viele Tiefkühlpizzen is plural, and the verb liegen comes before the subject because the sentence begins with a place phrase.
die Vanille — vanilla
Vanille is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. It can mean the spice itself or its flavour; for a portion, German uses a phrase such as eine Vanilleschote for a vanilla pod.
Vanille riecht süß.
Vanilla smells sweet.
riecht means smells and süß means sweet. Vanille is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb riecht stands in position two.
Ich kaufe Vanille für den Kuchen.
I am buying vanilla for the cake.
kaufe means buy, für means for, and der Kuchen is the cake. Vanille is an uncountable accusative object after kaufen and normally has no article; für always takes the accusative, shown by den Kuchen.
Ich gebe dem Tee Vanille.
I add vanilla to the tea.
gebe means give or add, der Tee is the tea, and dem Tee means to the tea. Dem Tee is dative because it is the recipient after geben, while uncountable Vanille is the accusative thing being added.
Der Duft der Vanille ist stark.
The smell of vanilla is strong.
Der Duft means the smell and stark means strong. Der Vanille is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Für das Eis brauche ich Vanille.
I need vanilla for the ice cream.
Für das Eis means for the ice cream, and brauche means need. Vanille is a mass noun and has no ordinary plural; after brauchen it is an uncountable accusative object, while für takes the accusative.
vegan — vegan
The adjective usually describes food or a diet. In everyday German, vegan can also describe a person who follows a vegan diet, but Veganer or Veganerin is clearer for a person.
Das Essen ist vegan.
The food is vegan.
das Essen means the food, and ist means is. vegan is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir bestellen ein veganes Gericht.
We are ordering a vegan dish.
bestellen means order, ein Gericht means a dish, and Gericht is a meal or dish here. veganes is attributive and takes -es because ein veganes Gericht is neuter accusative, the direct object of bestellen.
Diese Suppe ist veganer als die andere.
This soup is more vegan than the other one.
diese Suppe means this soup, als means than, and die andere means the other one. veganer is formed with -er; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Gerichten ist dieses am vegansten.
Of all the dishes, this one is the most vegan.
von allen Gerichten means of all the dishes, and dieses means this one. am vegansten is the predicative superlative after ist; am is not used before a noun.
der Veganer — vegan, vegan person
The feminine form is Veganerin. Veganer can also be used as an adjective-derived noun, so its plural has the same visible ending as the singular; the article shows the number.
Mein Bruder ist Veganer.
My brother is vegan.
mein Bruder means my brother, and ist means is. Veganer is a predicative noun after sein, so it has no article; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich treffe einen Veganer im Restaurant.
I meet a vegan in the restaurant.
treffe means meet, einen means a in the masculine accusative, and im Restaurant means in the restaurant. einen Veganer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object.
Sie hilft einem Veganer bei der Auswahl.
She helps a vegan with the choice.
hilft means helps, einem means a in the masculine dative, and bei der Auswahl means with the choice or selection. einem Veganer is dative because helfen takes a dative object.
Die Meinung des Veganers ist interessant.
The vegan's opinion is interesting.
die Meinung means the opinion and interessant means interesting. des Veganers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is, and the noun adds -s in this case.
Viele Veganer kaufen auf dem Markt ein.
Many vegans shop at the market.
viele means many, kaufen ... ein means shop, and auf dem Markt means at the market. Veganer is plural after viele, and the separable verb einkaufen splits in the main clause; dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
das Weißbrot — white bread
Das Weißbrot is normally an uncountable food, so it has no ordinary plural. To count it, use eine Scheibe Weißbrot for a slice or ein Laib Weißbrot for a loaf.
Das Weißbrot liegt auf dem Tisch.
The white bread is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and der Tisch is a table; auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Das Weißbrot is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe das Weißbrot.
I am buying the white bread.
kaufen means “to buy”. Das Weißbrot is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe, but the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt dem Kind das Weißbrot.
She gives the white bread to the child.
geben means “to give”, and das Kind is the child. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while das Weißbrot is accusative because it is the thing being given.
Der Geschmack des Weißbrots ist mild.
The taste of the white bread is mild.
der Geschmack means “taste”, and mild means “mild”. Des Weißbrots is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; Weißbrot adds -s in the genitive.
Zum Frühstück esse ich Weißbrot.
I eat white bread for breakfast.
zum Frühstück means “for breakfast”, and essen means “to eat”. Weißbrot is used as a mass noun here, so it has no ordinary plural; the finite verb esse is in position two even though the sentence starts with a time phrase.
der Wochenmarkt — weekly market
A Wochenmarkt is usually an open-air food market held on particular days, not simply any shop open during the week. The compound combines Woche with Markt.
Der Wochenmarkt findet jeden Mittwoch statt.
The weekly market takes place every Wednesday.
stattfinden means to take place, and jeden Mittwoch means every Wednesday. Der Wochenmarkt is nominative because it is the subject. Stattfinden is separable, so the finite part findet is in position two and statt goes to the end.
Ich besuche den Wochenmarkt.
I visit the weekly market.
besuchen means to visit. Ich means I. Den Wochenmarkt is accusative because it is the direct object of besuche; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Auf dem Wochenmarkt kaufe ich Äpfel.
I buy apples at the weekly market.
Äpfel means apples, and kaufen means to buy. Auf dem Wochenmarkt means at the weekly market; auf takes dative for a fixed location, so dem Wochenmarkt is dative.
Die Preise des Wochenmarktes sind oft niedriger.
The prices of the weekly market are often lower.
die Preise means the prices, and niedriger means lower. oft means often. Des Wochenmarktes is genitive because it specifies which market's prices; the masculine article is des and the noun adds -es.
In unserer Stadt gibt es mehrere Wochenmärkte.
There are several weekly markets in our town.
unsere Stadt means our town or city, and mehrere means several. Es gibt means there is or there are and always takes an accusative object, so mehrere Wochenmärkte is accusative plural.
zubereiten — to prepare (food)
zubereiten is a separable weak verb: bereitet zu, bereitete zu, zubereitet. It normally takes an accusative food or meal as its object and uses haben in the perfect.
Ich bereite heute das Abendessen zu.
I am preparing dinner today.
heute means today, and das Abendessen means dinner. das Abendessen is accusative because zubereiten takes a direct object; the separable verb has bereite in position two and zu at the end.
Wir haben eine Suppe zubereitet.
We prepared a soup.
eine Suppe means a soup. The accusative object follows haben, while the Partizip II zubereitet goes to the end; zubereiten takes haben, not sein, in the perfect.
Sie bereitete das Essen schnell zu.
She prepared the food quickly.
das Essen means the food, and schnell means quickly. das Essen is accusative because it is the direct object; in the simple past, bereitete is in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Bereite bitte das Gemüse zu.
Please prepare the vegetables.
bitte means please, and das Gemüse means the vegetables. The command uses the stem bereite and places the separable prefix zu at the end; das Gemüse is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde gern einen Salat zubereiten.
I would like to prepare a salad.
gern means gladly or would like to, and einen Salat means a salad. einen Salat is accusative because it is the direct object; after würde, the whole infinitive zubereiten goes to the end and is not split.
Wir werden das Frühstück gemeinsam zubereiten.
We will prepare breakfast together.
das Frühstück means breakfast, and gemeinsam means together. das Frühstück is accusative, while werden is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive zubereiten stands at the end.
die Zwischenmahlzeit — snack, small meal between main meals
This compound combines zwischen, between, with Mahlzeit, meal. It is more neutral and specific than simply Snack, and it can describe food eaten between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Die Zwischenmahlzeit ist schon fertig.
The snack is already ready.
schon means already and fertig means ready. Die Zwischenmahlzeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich bereite eine Zwischenmahlzeit vor.
I am preparing a snack.
vorbereiten means to prepare, and vor means in advance or beforehand. Eine Zwischenmahlzeit is accusative because it is the object of vorbereiten; the separable verb is split, with bereite in position two and vor at the end.
Nach dem Sport esse ich eine Zwischenmahlzeit.
After sport, I eat a snack.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and esse means eat. The preposition nach takes the dative, but eine Zwischenmahlzeit is accusative because it is the object of essen; the verb comes in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Zusammensetzung der Zwischenmahlzeit ist wichtig.
The composition of the snack is important.
die Zusammensetzung means composition or ingredients, and wichtig means important. Der Zwischenmahlzeit is genitive because it identifies whose composition is meant; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Gesunde Zwischenmahlzeiten geben Kindern Energie.
Healthy snacks give children energy.
gesund means healthy, geben means give, Kindern means children, and Energie means energy. Zwischenmahlzeiten is the plural subject, while Kindern is dative because it is the recipient of geben.
das Öl — oil
Öl is normally a mass noun and therefore has no plural when it means oil as a substance. Different kinds can be counted with expressions such as Ölsorten or Flaschen Öl.
Das Öl ist noch warm.
The oil is still warm.
noch means still, and warm means warm. Das Öl is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche das Öl für den Salat.
I need the oil for the salad.
brauche means need, and für den Salat means for the salad. Das Öl is accusative because it is the object of brauchen; für also takes the accusative in den Salat.
Sie brät das Gemüse in dem Öl.
She fries the vegetables in the oil.
brät means fries, das Gemüse means the vegetables, and in means in. Dem Öl is dative because in describes a location here, not movement; das Gemüse is accusative because it is the object.
Der Geruch des Öls ist stark.
The smell of the oil is strong.
der Geruch means the smell, and stark means strong. Des Öls is genitive because it identifies the source of the smell; the neuter noun takes -s in this case.