Mittagessen
[ˈmɪtakʔɛsn̩]neuter
The English phrase "lunch" is translated into German as Mittagessen. Wiktionary also lists Lunch.
Meaning: meal around midday (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mittagessen | [ˈmɪtakʔɛsn̩] (narrow) | neuter |
| Lunch | /lanʃ/ /lant͡ʃ/ |
masculine |
The term is used to refer to a meal eaten around midday. You can also use the related verbal phrases zu Mittag essen or mittagessen to mean "to eat lunch".
What does it mean word for word?
Mittagessen is a compound word consisting of Mittag (midday) and Essen (meal/food), literally meaning "midday meal".
Which one should you use?
While Lunch is used in German, Mittagessen is the standard and more common term for a midday meal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Lunch is an informal loanword that often carries a connotation of a light, modern or business-style meal. Additionally, Mittag can be used as an informal way to refer to lunch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, Mittagessen is always neuter (das Mittagessen), while the loanword Lunch is masculine (der Lunch).
Did you know?
- In many traditional German households, Mittagessen is historically the largest and most important meal of the day, while dinner is a lighter Abendbrot.
- In some regions of Germany, a light midday snack is called Brotzeit, a term that literally means 'bread time' and originates from Bavarian farming culture.
- In some regions of Germany, you might hear people refer to a midday meal as Vesper, a term more commonly associated with a small snack or a light evening meal in other contexts.
Examples in context
- Wo ist mein Mittagessen?Where's my lunch?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of your Mittagessen.Tatoeba #2835968 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2254643 by CK
- Wie war das Mittagessen?How was lunch?This sentence is useful for asking how the Mittagessen was.Tatoeba #3199224 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3199067 by CK
- Tom aß mein Mittagessen.Tom ate my lunch.This sentence is useful for stating that someone ate your Mittagessen.Tatoeba #7478575 by Yorwba, translation #2648739 by CK
- Ich schlage vor, dass wir unser Mittagessen um 13 Uhr einnehmen.I suggest that we have our lunch at 1 pm.
- Lass uns heute Mittag essen gehen!Let's go for lunch today!
- Kommst du zur Mittagspause?Are you coming for lunch break?
- 379 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are in their kitchen at noon.
- HannahIst das Mittagessen schon fertig, Julian?Is the lunch ready yet, Julian?
- JulianJa, ich habe das Mittagessen gerade gekocht.Yes, I just cooked the lunch.
- HannahDas ist toll, ich habe Hunger.That is great, I am hungry.
- JulianDann setz dich und iss dein Mittagessen.Then sit down and eat your lunch.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunch” translations and entries Mittagessen, Lunch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
