Zitrone
/t͡siˈtʁoːnə/feminine
The English word 'lemon' is Zitrone in German.
Zitrone refers to the citrus fruit. If you want to refer to the general category of citrus fruits, use Zitrusfrucht. Related adjectives include zitronengelb, which describes something having the color of a lemon and various compounds that describe something having the flavor or scent of a lemon.
Meaning: citrus fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Zitrone is used for a lemon, the German word for a lime is Limone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Zitrone is a feminine noun. Its plural form is Zitronen. When expressing possession or partitive relations (such as 'of a lemon'), use the feminine genitive article einer, resulting in einer Zitrone. When using the word as a combining form in compounds, it takes the linking element '-en-', such as in Zitronenlimonade.
How do you pronounce it?
/tsiˈtʁoːnə/
Did you know?
- The word Zitrone is central to the German expression jemanden auspressen wie eine Zitrone, which means to exhaust someone completely of their energy or resources.
- The word Zitrone was influenced by the Italian citrone and Middle French citron during the 15th century.
- The word Zitronenmelisse describes a plant that smells like a Zitrone despite being part of the mint family and not a citrus fruit.
Examples in context
- Die Zitrone ist gelb.The lemon is yellow.The first sentence is useful for describing the color of a Zitrone.Tatoeba #2730898 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2730909 by Hybrid
- Die Zitrone ist sauer.The lemon is sour.The second sentence is useful for describing the taste of a Zitrone.Tatoeba #1085230 by Esperantostern, translation #1079478 by keira_n
- Das ist ein Zitronenbaum.That's a lemon tree.The third sentence is useful for identifying a tree that contains the word Zitrone.Tatoeba #1126582 by Esperantostern, translation #1098006 by cntrational
- Ich möchte bitte eine Zitrone für meinen Tee.I would like a lemon for my tea
- Diese Zitronenlimonade hat einen erfrischenden Zitronengeschmack.This lemonade has a refreshing lemon taste
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are preparing a drink in the kitchen.
- JulianBrauchst du eine Zitrone für den Tee?Do you need a lemon for the tea?
- JuliaJa, bitte gib mir die Zitrone.Yes, please give me the lemon.
- JulianHier ist die Zitrone, Julia.Here is the lemon, Julia.
- JuliaDanke, Julian!Thanks, Julian!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lemon” translations and entries Zitrone, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Zitrone, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
