mahlen
/ˈmaːlən/
The English phrase 'grind' means mahlen in German. Wiktionary also lists zermahlen.
Meaning: to reduce to smaller pieces (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| mahlen | /ˈmaːlən/ /ˈmaːlɛn/ |
| zermahlen |
The primary meaning of these terms is to reduce a substance to smaller pieces. In technical or industrial settings, the term Mahlgang can be used to refer to a specific grinding stage or mechanism.
Which one should you use?
While mahlen is the standard verb used for processes like grinding coffee or grain, zermahlen carries a stronger sense of the action, implying the complete pulverization or destruction of a substance into tiny particles.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle gemahlen is used as an adjective to describe substances that have already undergone the grinding process, such as gemahlener Kaffee (ground coffee).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmaːlən/
Did you know?
- The English word 'meal', as in 'cornmeal', and the German verb mahlen share the same ancient Germanic root. Both words describe the result or the act of grinding grain.
- While mahlen is used for coffee and grain, Germans use the verb schleifen to describe 'grinding' metal or sharpening a blade.
- The German verb malen (to paint) looks almost identical to mahlen (to grind) but has a completely different meaning. They are distinct roots despite their visual similarity.
Examples in context
- Sie mahlen Weizen zu Mehl.They grind wheat into flour.This sentence shows the use of mahlen for processing grain.Tatoeba #4195407 by Dani6187, translation #306867 by CM
- Wir mahlen unseren Kaffee von Hand.We grind our coffee by hand.This sentence demonstrates using mahlen for manual coffee preparation.Tatoeba #4195408 by Dani6187, translation #2711683 by sharptoothed
- Kaufen Sie nicht bereits gemahlenen Zimt, sondern mahlen Sie ihn vor dem Gebrauch selbst!Don't buy ground cinnamon, grind it yourself before using.This sentence illustrates how to use mahlen when giving instructions to grind a spice yourself.Tatoeba #2683835 by al_ex_an_der, translation #3413365 by erikspen
- Bitte überprüfen Sie das Mahlwerk Ihrer Kaffeemaschine.Please check the grinder of your coffee machine.
- Sie müssen den Kaffee mahlen, bevor Sie ihn brühen.You need to grind the coffee before brewing it.
- Ich werde meine Gewürze frisch mahlen.I will grind my spices fresh.
- Ich muss meinen Kaffee frisch mahlen.I need to grind my coffee fresh.
- Vergiss nicht, die Gewürze zu mahlen, bevor du sie verwendest.Don't forget to grind the spices before using them.
- Mahlst du deinen Kaffee selbst oder kaufst du ihn bereits gemahlen?Do you grind your coffee yourself, or do you buy it already ground?
- Ich mahle die Gewürze in meiner Mühle.I grind the spices in my grinder.
- Ich bevorzuge frisch gemahlenen Kaffee.I prefer freshly ground coffee.
- Die Gewürze in Pulverform sind vorgemahlen.The spices in powder form are pre-ground.
- Sie müssen die Bohnen vor dem Mahlen wiegen.You need to weigh the beans before grinding them.
- Ich habe mir eine neue Mühle gekauft, um meinen eigenen Pfeffer zu mahlen.I bought a new grinder to grind my own pepper.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- LauraFelix, kannst du bitte die Muskatnuss mahlen?Felix, can you please grind the nutmeg?
- FelixJa, ich werde sie sofort mahlen.Yes, I will grind it immediately.
- LauraDanke, das riecht dann viel besser.Thanks, it will smell much better then.
- FelixGerne, ich mache das für dich.You're welcome, I'll do that for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grind” translations and entries mahlen, zermahlen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mahlen, zermahlen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
