beim Mittagessen
The English phrase "at lunch" is translated into German as beim Mittagessen.
beim Mittagessen is used to describe something that occurs during the time one is eating the midday meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of bei dem Mittagessen. The word bei means "at" or "during" and dem Mittagessen means "the midday meal".
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition bei always takes the dative case. This is why the article das changes to dem within the contraction beim.
Did you know?
- While Mittagessen is the main warm meal for many Germans, the evening meal is often called Abendbrot, which literally means 'evening bread'.
- While beim Mittagessen describes the timing, if you want to say you are 'at lunch' in the sense of being 'out for lunch', Germans often say ist in der Mittagspause.
- The German language allows you to turn the noun Mittagessen into a lowercase verb, mittagessen, to describe the specific act of eating at midday.
Examples in context
- Beim Mittagessen habe ich zufällig Tom getroffen.I ran into Tom at lunch today.This sentence shows how to use beim Mittagessen to describe running into someone while eating.Tatoeba #2392624 by brauchinet, translation #2389919 by CK
- Wir treffen uns um 12 Uhr im Büro, um zu Mittag zu essen.We'll meet at 12 o'clock in the office to have lunch.
- Können wir während der Mittagspause über das Projekt sprechen?Can we discuss the project during lunch break?
- Lass uns beim Mittagessen über das Wochenende sprechen.Let's talk about the weekend during lunch.
- Hast du in der Mittagspause Zeit, um in das neue Restaurant zu gehen?Do you have time during lunch break to go to the new restaurant?
- Können wir in der Mittagspause einen Spaziergang machen?Can we take a walk during lunch break?
- Wir würden uns freuen, wenn Sie zu Mittag mit uns in unserem Bürorestaurant essen.We would be delighted if you could have lunch with us at our office restaurant.
- Bitte geben Sie Ihren Bestellwunsch während der Mittagspause telefonisch durch.Please place your lunch order over the phone during lunch break.
- Wir können beim Mittagessen darüber sprechen.We can talk about it at lunch.
- Beim Mittagessen habe ich eine Idee gehabt.I had an idea at lunch.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are discussing their plans for the day.
- MaximilianWollen wir beim Mittagessen die Details planen?Do we want to plan the details at lunch?
- HannahJa, das ist eine gute Idee, Maximilian.Yes, that is a good idea, Maximilian.
- MaximilianSoll ich etwas mitbringen?Should I bring something?
- HannahNein, wir gehen einfach zusammen essen.No, we will just go eat together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
