I’ve composed a list to help you understand what you’re buying in der Supermarkt (the supermarket). I’ve listed basic everyday food below and I’ve also added the plural to each one. The general rule when saying an object is plural in the nominative and accusative cases is that the gender changes to “die”: for example der Apfel is just one apple, but many apples would be die Äpfel.
Obst
Fruit
die Banane(n) Banana(s)
der (die) (Ä)Apfel Apple(s)
die Feige(n) Fig(s)
die Traube(n) Grape(s)
die Birne(n) Pear(s)
die Ananas Pineapple(s)
die Wassermelone(n) Watermelon(s)
die Orange(n) Orange(s)
Gemuse
Vegetables
die Karotte(n) Carrot(s)
die Kartoffel(n) Potato(es)
die Zucchini(s) Courgette(s) – for all the American readers it would of course be zucchini, an easy one to remember!
die Paprika(s) Pepper(s) (as in bell pepper) – put the colour before just as you would do in English. For example die rote (red) Paprika, die gelbe (yellow) Paprika, die grüne (green) Paprika.
der Mais Sweetcorn (there is no plural for this, and therefore remains “der”)
der (die) Maiskolben Corn on the cob(s) – note that the “n” stays at the end when it’s singular too!
die Zwiebel(n) Onion(s)
der (die) Knoblauch(zehen) Garlic(cloves)
die Bohne(n) Bean(s)
die Erbse(n) Pea(s)
Fleisch
Meat
Here a lot of the words have no plural variation. For example in English you would say “the beef” whether it was singular or plural, which is the same in German in this case.
das Rindfleisch Beef
das Schweinefleisch Pork
der Speck Bacon
das (die) Hähnchen Chicken(s)
Milchprodukte
dairy
der (die) Käse Cheese
die Milch Milk
der (die) Joghurt(s) Yoghurt(s)
die Butter Butter
der Quark Quark
alles Andere
Everything else
der (die) Chip(s) Crisp(s) – or chips to the American readers!
die Pommes Chips/Fries
der Reis Rice
die Nudel(n) Pasta – although a lot of German’s now say pasta as well.
der (die) Kamillen/Pfefferminz/Früchttee(s) Chamomile/peppermint/fruit tea(s)
der Kaffee Coffee
der Thunfisch Tuna
die Sardelle(n) Anchovy(ies)
der (die) Lachs(e) Salmon
das (die) Öl(e) Oil
das Mehl Flour
der Honig Honey
die Nu(ü)ss(e) Nut(s)
das (die) Brot(e) Bread
If you want to know any other translations of food leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer it!
Tschüss,
Larissa
Comments:
Joseph T. Madawela:
Thanks this is excellent. I am compilind a list of german words so I can become proficient in German. This helps a lot.
Larissa:
@Joseph T. Madawela Thanks Joseph for the comment! I’m glad I helped, it’s always good to have a whole list of vocabulary 🙂
Larissa
Chairy azzadin:
@Larissa Hi larissa im Azza i have a plan to study in german and i need “brieffreund” to get newest information about study in german can you be my brieffreund?
Please reply to me in my email
Im begging….
Allan Mahnke:
Thanks! This allows me to ask a question that came up again recently. I grew up with grapes as Trauben, as you have it. But recently I am seeing Weintrauben used more frequently. (In the US most of my direct experience of German comes written or on internet videos.) I can’t detect from context a difference. Is there one?
Thanks!!
Allan
Larissa:
@Allan Mahnke Hi Allan, you know I was thinking the same thing as I wrote this post! Technically all grapes are Weintrauben, as Weintrauben are simply grapes that come from a Weinrebe (grapevine). However there are different types of grapes that are specially grown, such as Tafeltrauben are grown to be eaten raw (these would be seedless and sweet) and another type which are also called Weintrauben are grown to make wine (wein = wine)! So in a way there isn’t really a difference between Weintrauben and Trauben… unless you were talking about making wine. A bit confusing, but I hope that answered your question?!
Larissa 🙂
Grant F:
Hallo and thank you for the post! One question on Misc foods: what is der Quark?
Larissa:
@Grant F Hi Grant, Quark is a soft cheese that’s a bit like Greek yoghurt but naturally has no fat in it 🙂
Larissa
Allan Mahnke:
You did answer it. It is as I suspected. Many thanks!
We have been delighted to find that our market here in the US is carrying Quark. Perhaps it will soon reach other cities as well.
Milton:
Hi, very useful your blog, thanks
By any chance do you have an audio with the pronunciation? It would be a great help also
Cheers
Milton
Junior:
Thank you for giving me some words to learn about I’m learning German but I’m at a beginner’s stage.Thank u
Pece N.:
Hello Larissa.
In one week I need to have an interview in German for a seasonal job in Germany. Besides words for foods in German, do you have other basic useful words and phrases in German from where I can learn?
Thanks in advance.
Pece N.
Larissa:
@Pece N. Hi Pece N.!
I’ve dug up a few posts that could help you, take a look:
https://blogs.transparent.com/german/useful-vocabulary-for-everyday-life-in-germany/
https://blogs.transparent.com/german/german-phone-call-vocabulary/
https://blogs.transparent.com/german/nach-dem-weg-fragen-asking-for-directions-in-german/
https://blogs.transparent.com/german/asking-for-directions-in-german-street-names-and-placessquares/
You can also use the search bar on the right hand side to find more!
I hope this helps and good luck with your interview 🙂
Larissa
Diana:
I am trying to make a dish I grew up with in Germany Gemuse.. the vegetable used is wirschein what is this in English?
Thank you,
Diana
Lukas:
It’s great. I can German words easily
Hailey:
Can someone help me with these words in german including articles? Sardine, peanut butter, ants (plural of ant with article please), ladybugs (plural of Lady bug with article), grasshoppers ( plural of grasshopper with article). Please and thanks.