Chips
In German, the English phrase 'chips' is translated as Chips.
The term refers to thin slices of potato that have been fried or baked until they are crunchy.
Which one should you use?
In German, Chips refers specifically to thin, crunchy potato chips from a bag, whereas Pommes or Pommes Frites is used for thick-cut French fries.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should avoid using Chips to mean French fries in Germany, as it will almost always be interpreted as the thin, crispy snack found in bags.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Germany, you will see Pommes Schranke on menus, which literally translates to 'chips barrier'. This refers to fries served with ketchup and mayonnaise, resembling the colors of a railway signal.
- While Chips refers to the snack, the word Pommes is an abbreviation of the French Pommes de terre frites, which literally means 'fried apples of the earth'.
- The term Pommes is actually a shortened form of the French 'pomme de terre', meaning 'potato'. German speakers have adopted this French-derived abbreviation for their fried potato sticks.
Examples in context
- Ich rieche Fish and chips.I can smell fish and chips.This sentence shows the use of Chips in the context of a meal.Tatoeba #12271063 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12265435 by sundown
- Wie viele Chipstüten hast du gekauft?How many bags of potato chips did you buy?This sentence demonstrates the use of Chips when referring to bags of the snack.Tatoeba #8630686 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8529578 by CK
- Tom hat eine halbe Tüte Chips gegessen.Tom ate half a bag of potato chips.This sentence illustrates using Chips when describing an amount eaten from a bag.Tatoeba #12563952 by Waldelfe, translation #1027067 by CK
- Haben Sie auch Kartoffelchips ohne Geschmacksverstärker?Do you have potato chips without flavor enhancers as well?
- Kannst du bitte eine Tüte Chips holen?Can you please grab a bag of chips?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Laura are watching a movie on the couch.
- JulianMöchtest du auch ein paar Chips?Would you like some chips too?
- LauraJa gerne, sind das Paprika-Chips?Yes please, are those paprika chips?
- JulianNein, das sind ganz normale Chips.No, those are just normal chips.
- LauraDann gib mir bitte eine Handvoll Chips.Then please give me a handful of chips.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
