Guten Tag! If you’ve ever enjoyed a delicious hummus or a hearty chickpea salad and wondered how to refer to this legume in German, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “chickpea” in German, along with some tips, examples, and even regional variations if they exist.
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Formal Ways to Say Chickpea in German
When you’re in a more formal setting or want to communicate with a sense of politeness, these are the terms you can use:
1. Kichererbse
This is the most common and standard translation of “chickpea” in German. It is pronounced as “ki-cher-erp-seh”. Here, “ki” sounds like the English word “key” and “seh” rhymes with “say”.
Example: “Das Gericht enthält viele Kichererbsen.” (The dish contains many chickpeas.)
2. Kichererbse(n)
If you prefer to add the letter “n” in parentheses after “Kichererbse,” it indicates the plural form. However, note that plurals are often not used in German when specifying quantities, so the usage without the “n” is also correct.
Example: “Ich liebe Kichererbsen in meinem Salat.” (I love chickpeas in my salad.)
Informal Ways to Say Chickpea in German
In less formal settings or when talking to friends or family, you can use these more colloquial terms:
1. Kicher(r)bsen
The informal version of “Kichererbse” is “Kicherbsen”. You can even remove the second “er” to make it sound more casual. Pronounce it as “ki-kerb-sen” and make sure to separate the syllables clearly.
Example: “Gestern habe ich köstliche Kicherbsen gegessen.” (Yesterday, I ate delicious chickpeas.)
2. Kicher(r)erbse
Similar to the previous point, you can also drop the second “er” and say “Kichererbse” more informally as “Kicherbse”. This version is often used in casual conversations.
Example: “Ich mag Hummus mit Kicherbsen.” (I like hummus with chickpeas.)
Tips and Regional Variations
It’s essential to note that German is primarily spoken in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other regions where slight variations in dialects exist. While “Kichererbse” is the standard term across these regions, there might be minor differences in pronunciation.
Southern German Variation:
In certain southern regions of Germany, such as Bavaria, you might come across the term “Kicherkoan” or “Kicherkoasen”. These variations are common in local dialects but won’t be widely understood elsewhere.
Local Dialect Example: “Mir machad häufig Kicherkoasen-Strudl.” (We often make chickpea strudel.)
Summary
To recap, the formal and most common way to say “chickpea” in German is “Kichererbse”. For a more informal setting, you can use the shortened versions “Kicherbsen” or “Kicherbse”. Keep in mind the slight regional variations, like “Kicherkoan” or “Kicherkoasen” in certain southern German dialects. Now you can confidently talk about chickpeas in German, whether you’re ordering a dish at a restaurant or discussing your favorite hummus recipe with friends. Guten Appetit!
