Kessel
/ˈkɛsəl/masculine
The English word kettle can be translated into German as Kessel or Kochtopf.
Meaning: vessel for boiling a liquid or cooking food (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kessel | /ˈkɛsəl/ | masculine |
| Kochtopf | [ˈkɔχˌtɔpf] (narrow) | masculine |
Kessel refers to a large vessel, cauldron or industrial boiler.
Which one should you use?
Kessel refers to a large vessel, cauldron or industrial boiler, rather than a small household tea kettle. The specific word for a modern electric tea kettle is Wasserkocher.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both Kessel and Kochtopf are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɛsəl/
Did you know?
- In a military context, a Kessel refers to a 'pocket' where enemy forces are completely surrounded by an encircling army.
- The word Kessel is used in German to describe a valley shaped like a basin or a cauldron, such as a 'Kar' or 'Kessel'.
- In a sports context, particularly in football, a 'Kessel' can refer to a highly intense or crowded atmosphere in a stadium.
Examples in context
- Tom füllte den Kessel.Tom filled the kettle.This sentence shows the action of filling the Kessel.Tatoeba #12455530 by Waldelfe, translation #8691162 by Hybrid
- Ich setze den Kessel auf.I'll put the kettle on.This sentence illustrates the phrase for starting to boil water using Kessel.Tatoeba #12275051 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8219404 by Hybrid
- Setz bitte den Kessel auf!Please put the kettle on.This sentence provides a polite way to ask someone to put the Kessel on.Tatoeba #13107625 by Waldelfe, translation #13095646 by CK
- In der Küche befindet sich ein moderner Tee-/Wasserkocher.There is a modern kettle in the kitchen.
- Komm, wir kochen uns schnell einen Tee mit dem Wasserkocher.Come on, let's quickly make some tea with the kettle.
- Kannst du bitte den Teekessel aufsetzen? Ich hätte gerne eine Tasse Tee.Can you please put on the tea kettle? I would like a cup of tea.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are in the kitchen preparing tea.
- HannahIst der Kessel schon heiß?Is the kettle already hot?
- FelixNein, ich muss ihn erst füllen.No, I have to fill it first.
- HannahStell den Kessel bitte auf den Herd.Please put the kettle on the stove.
- FelixAlles klar, ich mache das jetzt.All right, I'll do that now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kettle” translations and entries Kessel, Kochtopf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
