Speck
/ʃpɛk/masculine
The English phrase "bacon" is translated into German as Speck. Wiktionary also lists Bauchspeck and Bacon.
Meaning: cut of meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Speck | /ʃpɛk/ | masculine |
| Bauchspeck | /ˈbaʊ̯xˌʃpɛk/ | masculine |
| Bacon | masculine |
In German, Speck is the most common and widely accepted term for bacon. If you wish to emphasize that the meat is smoked, you can use Räucherspeck.
Which one should you use?
While Speck is a general term for bacon or cured meat, Bauchspeck specifically refers to bacon from the pork belly. Dörrfleisch is a colloquial way of saying bacon used in certain regions like Bavaria and Swabia.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The English word Bacon is used informally by many Germans, especially the younger generation. The English loanword Bacon is used in German, particularly in modern culinary contexts or when referring to the specific style of breakfast bacon.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of this word are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃpɛk/
Did you know?
- In German, the word Speck is used in the idiom Speckgürtel, which literally means 'bacon belt'. It refers to the affluent suburban residential areas surrounding a major city.
- The German word Speck shares a common ancestor with the English word 'speck', which refers to a tiny spot or particle.
- When Germans talk about 'belly fat' in a medical or fitness context, they use the word Bauchspeck instead of a more clinical term.
Examples in context
- Der Speck riecht gut.The bacon smells good.This sentence shows how to describe the scent of Speck.Tatoeba #10043289 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10042463 by CK
- Riech' ich da etwa Speck?Do I smell bacon?This sentence is useful for expressing the sensation of smelling Speck.Tatoeba #4020434 by pullnosemans, translation #3826398 by CK
- Speck stammt vom Schwein.Bacon comes from pigs.This sentence is used to state the origin of Speck.Tatoeba #9369467 by Tamy, translation #2498671 by Hybrid
- Ich möchte Speck zum KochenI would like bacon for cooking
- Füge den Speck hinzuAdd the bacon
- Brate den Speck knusprigFry the bacon until crispy
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is preparing breakfast in their kitchen.
- SarahJulian, hast du den Speck gekauft?Julian, did you buy the bacon?
- JulianJa, der Speck liegt im Kühlschrank.Yes, the bacon is in the fridge.
- SarahGut, ich brate ihn jetzt.Good, I am frying it now.
- JulianDas riecht fantastisch, Sarah.That smells fantastic, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bacon” translations and entries Speck, Bauchspeck, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bauchspeck, Speck, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
