Kümmel
/ˈkʏml̩/masculine
The English word caraway is translated into German as Kümmel.
Kümmel is a masculine noun referring to the seed/fruit.
Meaning: seed/fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
In German, Kümmel refers specifically to caraway, whereas the English word 'cumin' is translated as Kreuzkümmel to avoid confusion.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkʏml̩/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the German word Kümmel (caraway) with Kümmel (a type of liqueur), though they are spelled the same. In a culinary context, it refers to the spice.
Did you know?
- A traditional German home remedy involves chewing Kümmel seeds to soothe an upset stomach, a practice still common today.
- The term Kreuzkümmel literally translates to 'cross-caraway', which is the German way of differentiating the two spices.
- The liqueur Kümmel is historically associated with Northern Germany and Scandinavia, making the word a marker of regional spirits.
Examples in context
- Kümmel ist ein wichtiges Gewürz in der deutschen Küche.Caraway is an important spice in German cuisine.
- Der Kümmel schmeckt in diesem Brot sehr gut.The caraway tastes very good in this bread.
- Ich brauche noch etwas Kümmel für die Suppe.I still need some caraway for the soup.
- Ein wenig Kümmel verleiht dem Gericht Aroma.A little caraway gives the dish aroma.
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are cooking together in their kitchen.
- LauraLukas, hast du den Kümmel gefunden?Lukas, did you find the caraway?
- LukasJa, er steht im Gewürzregal.Yes, it is in the spice rack.
- LauraPerfekt, ich mische ihn jetzt unter das Gemüse.Perfect, I'm mixing it into the vegetables now.
- LukasDas wird sicher sehr lecker schmecken.That will certainly taste very delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “caraway” translations and entries Kümmel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
