German food vocabulary is crucial to study for beginners. It helps in ordering food in the restaurant as well as in the use of German food names in your daily conversation.
Learning food vocabulary helps you shop at the supermarket and learn about the popular dishes of Germany. Additionally, you learn about the German food culture in-depth.
Useful German Food Vocabulary
The German food vocabulary is easy to memorise when you divide it into categories such as vocabulary for breakfast, afternoon and dinner. Create a category for fruits, including seasonal and fresh varieties.
Another category should be created for dairy products, including cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream. In short, create categories that help you remember German food vocabulary.
Food and Meals in German
The first step to building a strong German food vocabulary is to learn it every day. When you do your daily German conversation, try to include vocabulary related to food and meals.
Here is the table listed with German food vocabulary that you can use in your German sentence structure.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Essen | Food |
| die Mahlzeit | Meal |
| das Frühstück | Breakfast |
| das Mittagessen | Lunch |
| das Abendessen | Dinner / Evening meal |
| der Snack | Snack |
| das Getränk | Beverage / Drink |
| das Wasser | Water |
| der Saft | Juice |
| der Kaffee | Coffee |
| der Tee | Tea |
Fruits in German
Learning the names of common fruits in German helps you with your daily activities, such as buying groceries.
The table below includes the names of fruits in German that you can use to make sentences and speak with the correct pronunciation.
| German | English | Pronunciation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Apfel | Apple | AHP-fel | Ich esse jeden Tag einen Apfel. (I eat an apple every day.) |
| die Banane | Banana | bah-NAH-nuh | Die Banane ist süß. (The banana is sweet.) |
| die Orange | Orange | oh-RAHN-zuh | Ich trinke gern Orangensaft. (I like to drink orange juice.) |
| die Traube | Grape | TROW-buh | Die Trauben sind frisch. (The grapes are fresh.) |
| die Erdbeere | Strawberry | AIRT-bay-ruh | Ich mag Erdbeeren mit Joghurt. (I like strawberries with yoghurt.) |
| die Kirsche | Cherry | KEER-shuh | Die Kirschen schmecken lecker. (The cherries taste delicious.) |
| die Birne | Pear | BEER-nuh | Die Birne ist reif. (The pear is ripe.) |
| die Zitrone | Lemon | tsi-TROH-nuh | Die Zitrone ist sauer. (The lemon is sour.) |
| die Wassermelone | Watermelon | VAH-ser-meh-LOH-nuh | Im Sommer esse ich gern Wassermelone. (I like eating watermelon in summer.) |
| die Ananas | Pineapple | AH-nah-nahs | Die Ananas ist sehr saftig. (The pineapple is very juicy.) |
| der Pfirsich | Peach | PFEER-zikh | Ich kaufe einen Pfirsich auf dem Markt. (I buy a peach at the market.) |
| die Mango | Mango | MAHN-goh | Die Mango schmeckt sehr gut. (The mango tastes very good.) |
Vegetables in German-encounter
Vegetables are an important part of our daily meals. Learning the names of vegetables in German helps you shop for groceries, cook meals, and talk about food in everyday situations.
Learning vegetables in German, which are commonly used in soups, salads, side dishes and main courses, makes our daily activity more manageable.
The table below includes a few common vegetables in German, and you also learn how to use them in forming sentences with examples mentioned below.
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| die Kartoffel | Potato | Ich esse gern Kartoffeln zum Abendessen. (I like eating potatoes for dinner.) |
| die Zwiebel | Onion | Die Zwiebel ist scharf. (The onion is strong in flavour.) |
| der Salat | Lettuce / Salad | Ich esse einen Salat zum Mittagessen. (I eat a salad for lunch.) |
| der Brokkoli | Broccoli | Brokkoli ist sehr gesund. (Broccoli is very healthy.) |
| der Spinat | Spinach | Kinder sollten mehr Spinat essen. (Children should eat more spinach.) |
| der Kohl | Cabbage | Kohl wird oft in deutschen Gerichten verwendet. (Cabbage is often used in German dishes.) |
Meat Vocabulary in German
The traditional German food culture has an important food, which is meat.
You will find a variety of meat dishes, and therefore, knowing vocabulary related to meat is important so that you can cook or eat at a restaurant.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Fleisch | Meat |
| das Rindfleisch | Beef |
| das Schweinefleisch | Pork |
| das Hähnchen | Chicken |
| das Lammfleisch | Lamb |
| das Kalbfleisch | Veal |
| die Wurst | Sausage |
| die Bratwurst | Grilled sausage |
| die Weißwurst | White sausage |
| der Schinken | Ham |
| der Speck | Bacon |
Seafood Vocabulary in German
Understanding German food culture helps when ordering food in German restaurants.
So learn seafood vocabulary and order your meal in a restaurant like native German speakers.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Fisch | Fish |
| der Kabeljau | Cod |
| die Forelle | Trout |
| die Garnele | Prawn / Shrimp |
| die Krabbe | Crab |
| die Muschel | Mussel |
| die Auster | Oyster |
| der Tintenfisch | Squid |
| der Hering | Herring |
Dairy Products in German
In German food vocabulary, there is a category for dairy products.
Learning the vocabulary of dairy products in German helps you to understand supermarket labels.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die Milch | Milk |
| der Käse | Cheese |
| die Butter | Butter |
| der Joghurt | Yoghurt |
| die Sahne | Cream |
| der Quark | Quark |
| der Frischkäse | Cream cheese |
| der Hüttenkäse | Cottage cheese |
| die Buttermilch | Buttermilk |
| der Kefir | Kefir |
Bread and Grains in German
Germany has more than 3,000 varieties of bread and bread rolls.
So if you want to enjoy them, learn all the words related to bread and enjoy the different varieties of bread.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Brot | Bread |
| das Brötchen | Bread roll |
| das Vollkornbrot | Whole-Grain Bread |
| das Roggenbrot | Rye bread |
| das Weißbrot | White bread |
| das Toastbrot | Toast bread |
| der Reis | Rice |
| die Nudeln | Pasta / Noodles |
| der Hafer | Oats |
| das Müsli | Muesli |
Condiments and Seasonings in German
Condiments and seasonings are found on every restaurant table.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Salz | Salt |
| der Pfeffer | Pepper |
| der Senf | Mustard |
| der Ketchup | Ketchup |
| die Mayonnaise | Mayonnaise |
| der Essig | Vinegar |
| das Öl | Oil |
| die Soße | Sauce |
| der Zucker | Sugar |
| der Zimt | Cinnamon |
| die Kräuter | Herbs |
| das Gewürz | Spice / Seasoning |
Desserts and Sweet Treats in German
Desserts and sweet treats are an important part of all festive seasons and also found normally in cafes and every restaurant.
Here is a list of desserts you should know when ordering food in German.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Kuchen | Cake |
| die Torte | Creamy cake / Gateau |
| das Eis | Ice cream |
| der Pudding | Pudding |
| die Schokolade | Chocolate |
| der Keks | Biscuit / Cookie |
| der Apfelkuchen | Apple cake |
| der Käsekuchen | Cheesecake |
| der Strudel | Strudel |
| die Marmelade | Jam |
| der Honig | Honey |
| die Süßigkeit | Sweet / Candy |
Popular German Foods and Specialities
If you go to Germany and know their food and culture well, it will be beneficial for you.
Bratwurst
In English, bratwurst is called ‘grilled sausage’.
It is prepared from meat, pork, beef, or veal.
It is served with bread rolls, mustard, or sauerkraut (fermented cabbage). It is popular during the time of Christmas, barbecues, and beer gardens.
Weißwurst
‘Weißwurst’ (German: ‘die Weißwurst’) refers to a white sausage. It represents the traditional Bavarian sausage.
Its preparation is unique, making it extremely delicious and flavourful. It is made from finely minced veal and pork back bacon, flavoured with parsley, lemon, onions, and mild spices.
Usually, it is served to the customer with süßem Senf (sweet mustard), a fresh pretzel, and wheat beer. In Bavaria, Weißwurst is often enjoyed as a late breakfast or brunch and is considered an important part of regional food culture.
Sauerkraut
Vegetarians do not need to feel stressed. They do have options, and one of them is ‘Sauerkraut’ (German: ‘das Sauerkraut’), which means ‘fermented cabbage’.
It is made by fermenting finely shredded cabbage with salt, which gives it a distinctive tangy flavour. Sauerkraut is served with rye bread, potatoes, bread dumplings, or pretzels or sometimes as a salad to vegetarians.
For non-vegetarians, you get it with sausages, pork, and roasted meats. This dish is valued for both its taste and health benefits.
Pretzel (Brezel)
“Brezel” is a twisted, soft bread and a name for a pretzel.
It is mainly served at breakfast and is made of wheat dough and topped with coarse salt.
It is very popular in the southern part of Germany. People eat it every morning for their breakfast.
Schwarzbrot (Rye Bread)
Schwarzbrot is a dark rye bread that you will get with cheese, butter or jam.
This dish is also served at breakfast and is preferred at dinner because it is extremely nutritious.
You will find Schwarzbrot usually at every other restaurant.
Leberkäse
‘Leberkäse’ is a word for liver cheese. The funniest part is that this dish contains neither liver nor cheese.
It is prepared from pork and beef mixed with spices.
It is served in a bread roll with mustard and fried eggs and is extremely popular in Bavaria.
Quark
Quark is like a yoghurt or cheese; eat it with fruit and honey for breakfast.
It is also used in cheesecake and desserts, and it can be both sweet and savoury.
It is a highly consumed dairy product in Germany.
Sweet Mustard (Süßer Senf)
Süßer Senf, or sweet mustard, is served with Weißwurst in Bavaria.
It is used as dipping sauce with other snacks when you eat.
It is also a condiment in southern German cuisine.
Traditional German Dishes You Should Know
Here are a few of them.
Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten’s meaning is German pot roast. This word is pronounced ZOW-er-brah-ten.
It is usually known as Germany’s national dish and originated in the Rhineland. Here we put the beef in vinegar, wine, herbs, and spices for several days before being slow-cooked until tender.
It is served with potato dumplings, red cabbage, and gravy.
Spätzle
‘Spätzle‘ refers to soft egg noodles served with roasted meals or cheese and originated in the Swabia region of southern Germany.
This German dish is pronounced ‘SHPETS-leh’.
Maultaschen
Germans pronounce this dish as MOWL-tah-shen. It is like pasta pockets filled with minced meat, spinach, onions, herbs, and breadcrumbs, although vegetarian fillings are also popular.
They can be served in broth, pan-fried with onions, or alongside potato salad. Maultaschen are especially associated with Lent but also enjoyed on normal days.
Currywurst
‘Currywurst’ is pronounced as KUH-ree-vurst. The German food name was created in Berlin after the Second World War.
Currywurst has become one of Germany’s most popular street foods. The preparation includes sliced grilled or fried sausage covered with tomato sauce and curry powder.
Königsberger Klopse
‘Königsberger Klopse’ is pronounced as ‘KUH-nigs-ber-ger KLOP-zuh’ and means tender meatballs made from minced beef or veal.
It is usually served in restaurants with boiled potatoes or rice. It remains a popular family meal throughout Germany.
Schnitzel
‘Schnitzel’, meaning ‘breaded meat cutlet’, is pronounced as SHNIT-sel. Although its origins are closely linked to Austria, Schnitzel is one of the most commonly served dishes in Germany.
You can easily find it in every family meal on normal days.
Stollen
‘Stollen’ is the word used for fruit bread in Germany. It is usually pronounced as SHTOL-len. It is said that this idea was first originated in Dresden and related to Christmas.
The preparation of his German fruit bread includes the use of dried fruits, raisins, nuts, butter, spices, and often marzipan before being dusted generously with icing sugar. Stollen has a rich, buttery flavour and is traditionally enjoyed during Advent and Christmas.
Prinzregententorte
Another word for ‘Prinzregententorte’ in English is ‘prince regent cake’. It is usually spoken as PRINTS-reh-GEN-ten-tor-tuh. In this recipe there is use of chocolate from Bavaria that was used to honour Prince Regent Luitpold.
There are several layers in this cake. They are filled with chocolate buttercream and covered in a smooth dark chocolate glaze. This filling is what makes this cake so delicious and is also very popular in Germany and around the world.
German Food Culture and Dining Customs
In Germany when families and relatives gather on holidays or weekends, they present a perfect example of their culture.
Let’s get to know about German food culture in detail.
What Is German Cuisine Known For?
Talking of German cuisine reminds you about sausage and bread. German cuisine is known for Weißwurst and pretzels and also for seafood.
Let’s understand in detail.
German Meal Times and Eating Habits
German meal timings are mentioned below.
- Breakfast (Frühstück): 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch (Mittagessen): 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.,
- Dinner (Abendessen): 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
In some places during the afternoon, people prefer to eat coffee with cake.
Dining Etiquette in Germany
Here are a few dining etiquettes in Germany, such as ‘enjoy your meal’, which is ‘Guten Appetit’, and ‘thank you’, which is ‘Danke’.
Common German Food Phrases and Expressions
There are a few examples mentioned in a tabulated format.
Ordering Food in German
| German Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ich nehme das, bitte. | I’ll have that, please. |
| Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte? | Do you have vegetarian dishes? |
| Die Rechnung, bitte. | The bill, please. |
| Vielen Dank! | Thank you very much! |
Talking About Likes and Dislikes
It is crucial that you can express your likes and dislikes related to German food, especially when you order in a restaurant; otherwise, you will always end up eating the food that you don’t like.
| German Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ich mag Pizza. | I like pizza. |
| Ich esse gern Obst. | I like eating fruit. |
| Ich liebe Schokolade. | I love chocolate. |
| Ich mag keinen Fisch. | I do not like fish. |
| Ich esse kein Fleisch. | I do not eat meat. |
| Mein Lieblingsessen ist Pasta. | My favourite food is pasta. |
| Was isst du gern? | What do you like to eat? |
Useful Restaurant Vocabulary
On a daily basis, the useful vocabulary includes ‘Speisekarte’ (menu), ‘Kellner’ (waiter), ‘Kellnerin’ (waitress), ‘Bestellung’ (order), and finally ‘Rechnung’ (bill), which are the words you always need to remember.
Try to use these words in your German sentences when you go to a restaurant in Germany.
Conclusion
So what we have learnt in this blog is to remember German food vocabulary; we need to divide it into categories. Additionally, use this vocabulary in our everyday conversation.
In case of a training programme, you can explore La Forêt Education and strengthen your skills with the Goethe A1 and Goethe A2 courses.
