kochen
/ˈkɔχən/
To cook in German is kochen. Wiktionary also lists garen.
Meaning: to prepare food for eating (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| kochen | /ˈkɔχən/ |
| garen |
The primary way to express the act of preparing food is with kochen. This word covers the general act of cooking and can also be used specifically to mean boiling liquids. If you want to refer to the activity itself as a noun, such as 'cooking', use the capitalized form Kochen.
Which one should you use?
While kochen is the standard term for cooking or boiling, garen is used more specifically to describe the process of cooking food until it is fully done, tender or cooked through. This is often found in culinary or technical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past tense of kochen is kochte, and the past participle is gekocht. For people who prepare food, use the masculine noun Koch or the feminine noun Köchin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɔχən/
Did you know?
- The word kochen is used in the phrase vor Wut kochen, which describes someone who is 'boiling' with rage.
- In a metaphorical sense, etwas zusammenkochen can mean to concoct a plan or a lie, rather than preparing a meal.
- In German, the expression das kocht über is used both for a pot of water boiling over and for a person losing their temper.
Examples in context
- So kochen wir Reis.This is how we cook rice.This sentence shows how to use kochen to describe the method of preparing rice.Tatoeba #5243915 by Sudajaengi, translation #56325 by CK
- Ich kann gut kochen.I'm a good cook.This sentence uses kochen to describe a person's ability to cook.Tatoeba #1555747 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #325794 by CK
- Tom kann gut kochen.Tom is a good cook.This sentence uses kochen to describe Tom's ability to cook.Tatoeba #2312538 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #36993 by CK
- Mein Bruder ist ein guter KochMy brother is a good cook
- Meine Freundin ist eine leidenschaftliche KöchinMy friend is a passionate cook
- Er ist ein echter KochprofiHe is a true cooking professional
- Der Wirt in diesem Restaurant ist ein ausgezeichneter KochThe innkeeper in this restaurant is an excellent cook
- Ich möchte kochen lernen.I want to learn how to cook.
- Wir kochen heute Abend zusammen.We are cooking together tonight.
- Können Sie mir ein einfaches Rezept zum Kochen geben?Can you give me a simple recipe to cook?
- 260 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are in the kitchen after work.
- LauraWas willst du heute kochen?What do you want to cook today?
- JulianIch koche heute eine Suppe.I am cooking a soup today.
- LauraKann ich dir helfen?Can I help you?
- JulianJa, bitte schneide das Gemüse.Yes, please cut the vegetables.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cook” translations and entries kochen, garen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
