Frühstück, Mittagessen und Abendessen
In German, breakfast, lunch and dinner is Frühstück, Mittagessen und Abendessen.
What does it mean word for word?
Mittagessen combines Mittag, meaning midday, with Essen, meaning food or meal, so it is literally the midday meal. Abendessen is built the same way from Abend, meaning evening.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three nouns are neuter and take the article das, as in das Frühstück, das Mittagessen, das Abendessen.
When do people say it?
In many German homes lunch has traditionally been the main hot meal of the day, while the evening meal is often a simple cold meal of bread with cheese and cold cuts.
Did you know?
- The word Frühstück literally translates to 'early piece', stemming from the idea of an 'early bite' taken at the start of the day.
- In many German households, the evening meal is called Abendbrot, which literally means 'evening bread'. This highlights the cultural tradition of eating a cold meal of bread and spreads rather than a cooked dish.
- While Mittagessen is the noun for the meal, Germans use the verb mittagessen to describe the act of eating lunch. This transforms the name of the meal into a specific action.
Examples in context
- Ich hätte gerne Frühstück um 8 Uhr.I would like breakfast at 8 o'clock.
- Was gibt es zum Frühstück?What's for breakfast?
- Möchtest du mit mir zu Mittag essen gehen?Do you want to go to lunch with me?
- Ich esse gerne Müsli und trinke Kaffee zum Frühstück.I like to eat cereal and drink coffee for breakfast.
- Heute haben wir Schnitzel und Kartoffelsalat zum Mittagessen.Today we're having schnitzel and potato salad for lunch.
- Abendessen bei meiner Oma ist immer besonders lecker.Dinner at my grandma's is always especially delicious.
- Frühstück, Mittagessen und Abendessen sind wichtig.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are important.
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are discussing a meal plan.
- LauraPlanst du Frühstück, Mittagessen und Abendessen?Are you planning breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
- MaximilianJa, ich plane alle drei Mahlzeiten.Yes, I am planning all three meals.
- LauraDas ist sehr hilfreich, Maximilian.That is very helpful, Maximilian.
- MaximilianGerne, Laura!You're welcome, Laura!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Abendessen, Frühstück, Mittagessen, abendessen, mittagessen, und, CC BY-SA 4.0.
