Kaugummi
/ˈkaʊ̯ˌɡʊmi/neuter
The German word for a piece of gum is Kaugummi.
Kaugummi can be used as an uncountable mass noun, similar to how English speakers use the word gum or as a countable noun to refer to individual pieces.
Meaning: single piece of chewing gum (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The compound noun Kaugummi is made of kauen, which means to chew and Gummi, which means gum.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Kaugummi is Kaugummis.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʊ̯ˌɡʊmi/
Did you know?
- In some German school contexts, Gummi is a common slang term for an eraser. A student might ask to borrow a Gummi when they actually mean a stationery tool.
- The word Kaugummi can be used as a metaphor for a process that drags on far too long. A tedious negotiation or a boring movie might be described as zäh wie Kaugummi, meaning 'tough as chewing gum'.
- While English uses 'gum' for both the substance and the candy, Germans use the word Gummi to refer almost exclusively to industrial rubber used in tires or elastic bands.
Examples in context
- Hast du etwas Kaugummi?Have you got any chewing gum?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any gum.Tatoeba #12573985 by Augustus, translation #13585229 by sundown
- Tom kaut einen Kaugummi.Tom is chewing bubble gum.This sentence shows someone chewing a piece of gum.Tatoeba #1692837 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1487097 by Spamster
- Sie kaut Kaugummi, oder?She's chewing gum, isn't she?This sentence is used to confirm that someone is chewing gum.Tatoeba #8970102 by Yorwba, translation #8527141 by CH
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are sitting in a classroom.
- LukasHannah, hast du einen Kaugummi?Hannah, do you have a piece of gum?
- HannahJa, ich habe einen Kaugummi.Yes, I have a piece of gum.
- LukasKannst du mir einen geben?Can you give me one?
- HannahNatürlich, hier bitte.Of course, here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gum” translations and entries Kaugummi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
