Sahne
/ˈzaːnə/Germany, feminine
The English word 'cream' (the fatty part of milk) is translated into German as Sahne. Wiktionary also lists Obers and Schmetten.
Meaning: fatty part of milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sahne | /ˈzaːnə/ | Germany, feminine |
| Obers | /ˈo.ːbɐs/ | Austria, neuter |
| Schmetten | /ʃmɛ.tn̩/ | Austria, neuter |
| Rahm | /ʁaːm/ | masculine |
The terms used for the dairy product 'cream' vary depending on the specific context and the region you are in.
Which one should you use?
Sahne is the most common and standard term used throughout Germany. Rahm is used primarily in culinary contexts or when referring specifically to the raw cream used to make butter. In Austria, Obers is the standard term, while Schmetten is a regional term used in parts of the country.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria, you will encounter the standard term Obers and the regional term Schmetten. In Germany, Sahne is the standard choice.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzaːnə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use Creme when they mean the dairy product. However, Creme actually refers to a color or a cosmetic/food texture.
Did you know?
- The word Obers is literally the word 'upper' with a suffix, reflecting the fact that cream is the 'upper' part of the milk.
- The German word Sahne has an unexpected ancestor in the Latin word 'sagīna', which means 'nourishment'.
Examples in context
- Butter wird aus Rahm gemacht.Butter is made from cream.This sentence shows how to use Rahm when talking about making butter.Tatoeba #448332 by al_ex_an_der, translation #35199 by sacredceltic
- Uns ist die Sahne ausgegangen.We have run out of cream.This sentence illustrates the use of Sahne to express running out of a supply.Tatoeba #673497 by samueldora, translation #62860 by CK
- Nimmst du Sahne in den Kaffee?Would you like some cream in your coffee?This sentence demonstrates a common way to use Sahne when offering it in a drink.Tatoeba #8815582 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #62265 by CK
- Ich möchte bitte Sahne in meinem Kaffee.I would like cream in my coffee, please.
- Kannst du mir etwas Rahm für meine Erdbeeren geben?Can you give me some cream for my strawberries?
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are preparing a cake in the kitchen.
- MaximilianBrauchen wir noch Sahne für die Torte?Do we still need cream for the cake?
- JuliaJa, ich hole die Sahne schnell aus dem Kühlschrank.Yes, I will quickly get the cream from the fridge.
- MaximilianDanke, Julia. Die Sahne muss schön kalt sein.Thanks, Julia. The cream must be nice and cold.
- JuliaKeine Sorge, ich habe sie gerade erst geholt.Don't worry, I just got it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cream” translations and entries Sahne, Obers, Schmetten, Rahm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Obers, Rahm, Sahne, Schmetten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
