Basilikum
/baˈziːlikʊm/masculine
The English phrase basil is Basilikum in German.
Basilikum refers to the herb. Note that the English word 'basil' is not used in German.
Meaning: herb (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Basilikum is neuter, so it takes the article das.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈziːlikʊm/
Did you know?
- The word Basilikum sounds very similar to Basilisken, the German word for the mythical creature 'basilisk', though they are entirely different things.
- The name Basilikum shares its roots with the word 'basilica', as both derive from the Greek word for 'royal'.
- In German, the word Basilikum is used exclusively for the herb, whereas the English 'basil' is sometimes used as a person's name. You will almost never find a person named Basilikum in Germany.
Examples in context
- Bestreue die Pizza mit Basilikum.Put some basil on the pizza.Tatoeba #6458367 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5357063 by Hybrid
- Auch wenn Basilikum welkt, sein Aroma behält es.Even when basil wilts, it keeps its aroma.Tatoeba #5441027 by Esperantostern, translation #12464359 by Miktsoanit
- Basilikum ist ein Kraut, eine Basilika eine Kirche.Basil is an herb, a basilica is a church.This sentence clarifies the distinction between Basilikum and the type of building called a basilica.Tatoeba #13417259 by mhr, translation #13564011 by rul
- Entschuldigen Sie, enthält das Gericht Basilikum?Excuse me, does the dish contain basil?
- Können Sie mir das Rezept für das Pesto mit Basilikum geben?Can you give me the recipe for the pesto with basil?
- Wo finde ich frisches Basilikum?Where can I find fresh basil?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
- SarahHast du frisches Basilikum im Garten?Do you have fresh basil in the garden?
- JulianJa, ich hole dir schnell ein paar Blätter.Yes, I'll get a few leaves for you quickly.
- SarahDas Basilikum passt perfekt zu der Tomatensoße.The basil goes perfectly with the tomato sauce.
- JulianIch stimme dir zu, Sarah!I agree with you, Sarah!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basil” translations and entries Basilikum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Basilikum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
