Hähnchenfleisch
The English phrase "chicken meat" is translated into German as Hähnchenfleisch.
The term refers to the edible flesh of a chicken used as food.
What does it mean word for word?
Hähnchenfleisch is a compound noun. It combines Hähnchen, which means a little rooster or chicken, with Fleisch, meaning meat.
Which one should you use?
While Hähnchenfleisch is common, you may also see the synonymous term Huhnfleisch, which is used to describe chicken meat in a more general sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swiss German, the term Pouletfleisch is used. In the Bavarian dialect, you will hear Hendlfleisch instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the genitive case, such as when saying "of chicken meat", the word becomes Hähnchenfleischs. While the plural form Hähnchenfleische is grammatically possible, it is extremely rare in practice because meat is typically treated as an uncountable mass noun in German.
Did you know?
- The word Hähnchen uses a diminutive suffix that literally translates to 'little rooster', even though the meat comes from various types of chickens.
- In Switzerland, you will see Pouletfleisch instead of Hähnchenfleisch, as Swiss German borrows the word Poulet from French.
- German has two distinct words for chicken based on context: Huhn for the living animal and Hähnchen for the food.
Examples in context
- Ich würde gerne ein Gericht mit Fleisch vom Huhn bestellen, bitte.I would like to order a dish with chicken meat, please.
- Kannst du bitte Hühnerfleisch für das Abendessen besorgen?Can you please get some chicken meat for dinner?
- Hast du Geflügelfleisch für unser Barbecue gekauft?Did you buy poultry meat for our barbecue?
- Das Hähnchenfleisch ist sehr zart.The chicken meat is very tender.
- Ich kaufe heute frisches Hähnchenfleisch.I am buying fresh chicken meat today.
- Möchten Sie Hähnchenfleisch oder Rindfleisch?Would you like chicken meat or beef?
Example conversation
At a grocery store, deciding what to cook for dinner.
- SarahWas sollen wir heute Abend kochen, Julian?What should we cook this evening, Julian?
- JulianVielleicht ein Gericht mit Hähnchenfleisch?Maybe a dish with chicken meat?
- SarahJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- JulianDann hole ich es schnell im Supermarkt.Then I will quickly get it at the supermarket.
