Learning German food vocabulary is one of the most enjoyable and useful parts of mastering the language. Whether you’re grocery shopping, ordering in a restaurant, or cooking at home, knowing basic food-related words will help you communicate with ease.
Why Learn German Food Vocabulary?
Food is a major part of culture and daily life. If you’re living in a German-speaking country or traveling there, being able to understand and talk about food helps you fit in, enjoy meals, and avoid confusion.
30 Essential German Food Words with English Meaning
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Brot | [broːt] | Bread |
| Milch | [mɪlç] | Milk |
| Käse | [ˈkɛːzə] | Cheese |
| Ei | [aɪ̯] | Egg |
| Fleisch | [flaɪ̯ʃ] | Meat |
Fruits and Vegetables in German – With Vocabulary List
- Apfel ([‘apfəl]) – Apple
- Banane ([baˈnaːnə]) – Banana
- Karotte ([kaˈʁɔtə]) – Carrot
- Tomate ([toˈmaːtə]) – Tomato
German Vocabulary for Meat, Fish, Eggs, and Other Proteins
- Hähnchen ([ˈhɛːnçən]) – Chicken
- Rindfleisch ([ˈʁɪntˌflaɪ̯ʃ]) – Beef
- Fisch ([fɪʃ]) – Fish
- Ei ([aɪ̯]) – Egg
Drinks and Beverages in German – Useful Vocabulary
- Wasser ([ˈvasɐ]) – Water
- Saft ([zaft]) – Juice
- Kaffee ([ˈkafeː]) – Coffee
- Bier ([biːɐ̯]) – Beer
Desserts and Sweet Treats in German
- Kuchen ([ˈkuːxn̩]) – Cake
- Eis ([aɪ̯s]) – Ice cream
- Schokolade ([ʃokoˈlaːdə]) – Chocolate
German Food Vocabulary by Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Frühstück ([ˈfʁyːʃtʏk]) – Breakfast
Mittagessen ([ˈmɪtaːkˌʔɛsn̩]) – Lunch
Abendessen ([ˈaːbn̩tˌʔɛsn̩]) – Dinner
German Words for Grocery Items and Ingredients
- Zucker ([ˈtsʊkɐ]) – Sugar
- Salz ([zalts]) – Salt
- Mehl ([meːl]) – Flour
- Butter ([ˈbʊtɐ]) – Butter
Common Food-Related Verbs in German (essen, trinken, kochen…)
- essen ([ˈɛsn̩]) – to eat
- trinken ([ˈtʁɪŋkən]) – to drink
- kochen ([ˈkɔxn̩]) – to cook
- bestellen ([bəˈʃtɛlən]) – to order
How to Use German Food Words in Sentences
Ich esse gerne Obst. – I like to eat fruit.
Möchtest du etwas Wasser? – Would you like some water?
Useful Phrases for Ordering Food in German
- Ich hätte gern ein Bier. – I would like a beer.
- Was empfehlen Sie? – What do you recommend?
- Die Rechnung, bitte. – The bill, please.
Tips to Memorize German Food Vocabulary Quickly
- Use flashcards with pictures and German words.
- Label food items in your kitchen with sticky notes.
- Watch German cooking shows or YouTube videos.
Quiz: Can You Match the German Food Words with Pictures?
This section can be interactive in your app or website using image flashcards or simple matching games.
Download the Free German Food Vocabulary PDF (Beginner-Friendly)
Click here to download a free printable list of German food vocabulary including all the examples and IPA pronunciations.
Conclusion: Practice and Master German Food Words Step by Step
Now that you’ve learned essential German food vocabulary, keep practicing in real situations – at home, restaurants, or markets. The more you use these words, the faster they’ll become part of your everyday German!