In this post, we'll have a look at food vocabulary in German. Whether you want to order a meal at a German restaurant or just understand a recipe you've found on Youtube, we'll cover the most important words in this post.
This article just focuses on food & meals in German. We have separate posts on German drinks vocabulary or how to order a coffee in German.
German Food Vocabulary
Let's start with some very common words.
- das Essenfood
- die Vorspeisestarter
- das Hauptgerichtmain course
- der Nachtischdessert
- der Snacksnack
- die Suppesoup
Meat Vocabulary
German vocabulary related to meat is an essential aspect of the language for anyone interested in cooking, eating, or discussing food in a German-speaking context. The general word for "meat" in German is "Fleisch", which can refer to the flesh of any animal used as food.
Some common types of meat in German include "Rindfleisch" (beef), "Schweinefleisch" (pork), "Lammfleisch" (lamb), and "Geflügel" (poultry).
- das Fleischmeat
- das Rindfleischbeef
- das Hähnchenchicken
- der Schinkenham
- die Wurstsausage
- das Hackfleischminced meat
- das Wildvenison
There are also some useful German verbs that are used to describe different methods of cooking meat, such as "braten" (to roast or fry), "grillen" (to grill), and "schmoren" (to stew).
Popular dishes in German cuisine that feature meat are "Schnitzel" (breaded and fried meat), "Currywurst" (sausage with curry-flavored ketchup), and "Bratwurst" (grilled sausage).
Fish & Seafood Vocabulary
In German, seafood is referred to as "Meeresfrüchte" - which literally means "fruits of the sea".
Some common types of seafood in Germany include "Fisch" (fish), "Krebse" (crabs), "Muscheln" (mussels), and "Krabben" (shrimp). Here is a list of German seafood vocabulary:
- die Forelletrout
- der Fischfish
- die Austeroyster
- die Garneleprawn
- die Krabbecrab
- der Hummerlobster
- die Sardinesardine
Seafood is often served in restaurants as a main course, and it is also a popular ingredient in traditional German dishes such as "Fischbrötchen" (fish sandwiches) and "Krabbencocktail" (crab cocktail).
Fruit & Vegetables Vocabulary
- das Obstfruits
- das Gemüsevegetables
- der Apfelapple
- der Brokkolibroccoli
- die Bananebanana
- der Blumenkohlcauliflower
Breakfast Vocabulary
- der Teetea
- der Orangensaftorange juice
- der Kaffeecoffee
- die Butterbutter
- der Toasttoast
- das Rühreiscrambled eggs
- das Spiegeleifried egg
Herbs & Spices Vocabulary
- das Salzsalt
- der Pfefferpepper
- das Gewürzspice, herb
- die Petersilieparsley
- das Basilikumbasil
- der Schnittlauchchives
- der Kümmelcumin
- der Chilichili
Dairy Products Vocabulary
- die Butterbutter
- die Milchmilk
- der Käsecheese
- der Joghurtyoghurt
- die Sahnecream
Baked Goods Vocabulary
- das Brotbread
- der Kuchencake, pie
- das Brötchenbread roll
- das Gebäckpastry
Pasta, Rice & Grains Vocabulary
- die Nudeln (pl.)pasta
- die Spaghettispaghetti
- der Reisrice
- der Bulgurbulgur
- das Gnocchignocchi
Sweets & Snacks Vocabulary
- die Süßigkeiten (pl.)sweets
- die Schokoladechocolate
- die Gummibärchen (pl.)gummi bears
- die Chipscrisps
- das Eisice cream
Drinks Vocabulary
- die Colacoke
- das Wasserwater
- der Weinwine
- das Bierbeer
- die Limonadelemonade
Dips, Sauces & Oils Vocabulary
- das Öloil
- der Zuckersugar
- das Eiegg
- der Ketchuplketchup
- die Mayonnaisemayonnaise
- der Senfmustard