Besteck
/bəˈʃtɛk/neuter
The German word for cutlery is Besteck. Wiktionary also lists Essbesteck.
Meaning: eating and serving utensils (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Besteck | /bəˈʃtɛk/ | neuter |
| Essbesteck | /ˈɛsbəˌʃtɛk/ | neuter |
Besteck is the general term for all cutlery. If you want to refer specifically to the utensils used for eating, you can use Essbesteck.
Which one should you use?
Besteck is the general term for all cutlery, while Essbesteck specifically refers to eating cutlery.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both Besteck and Essbesteck are neuter nouns. Because Besteck is a non-count noun, it does not typically have a plural form when referring to a set of utensils. When using the definite article, use das Besteck. In the context of individual pieces, note that Messer is used for knife, Gabel for fork and Löffel is a masculine noun used for spoon.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈʃtɛk/
Did you know?
- In traditional German table etiquette, it is considered impolite to leave your Besteck crossing each other on the plate.
- The word Besteck originates from the verb bestecken, which means 'to provide a thing by inserting it into another thing'. It originally described the case used to hold a set of tools rather than the tools themselves.
- The word Besteck can also be used in technical contexts to refer to a set of tools for a specific trade, not just for eating.
Examples in context
- Wo ist das Besteck?Where is the cutlery?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the Besteck.Tatoeba #3327296 by al_ex_an_der, translation #5354968 by joshodude_1308
- Das Besteck ist aus Silber.The cutlery is made of silver.This sentence is useful for describing the material that the Besteck is made of.Tatoeba #10103444 by Melang, translation #12114775 by sundown
- Bitte bring dein eigenes Besteck mit.Please bring your own cutlery.This sentence is useful for reminding someone to bring their own Besteck.Tatoeba #1481797 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1481796 by sundown
- Entschuldigen Sie, wo finde ich das Besteck?Excuse me, where can I find the cutlery?
- Kannst du bitte das Essbesteck auf den Tisch legen?Can you please put the cutlery on the table?
- Bitte geben Sie mir das BesteckPlease give me the cutlery
- Kannst du mir bitte einen Löffel geben?Can you please give me a spoon?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are setting the table for dinner.
- JuliaFelix, kannst du bitte das Besteck holen?Felix, can you please get the cutlery?
- FelixJa, liegt das Besteck in der Schublade?Yes, is the cutlery in the drawer?
- JuliaJa, direkt neben den Tellern.Yes, right next to the plates.
- FelixAlles klar, ich bringe es sofort.All right, I'll bring it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cutlery” translations and entries Besteck, Essbesteck, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Besteck, Essbesteck, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
