Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pilz | /pɪl(t)s/ /pɪlts/ |
masculine |
| Schwamm | /ʃvam/ | masculine |
| Schwammerl | Austria, Bavaria, neuter |
Pilz refers to the fruiting body of a fungus. Specific types of mushrooms include Steinpilz (Boletus edulis), Champignon (white button mushroom), Pfifferling (chanterelle) and Trüffel (truffle). To describe the action of gathering mushrooms, you can use Pilze ernten or Pilze sammeln. If you are describing something that grows quickly, the verb wuchern is used.
Which one should you use?
While Pilz is the standard German word for mushroom, Schwammerl is a common regional diminutive used in Southern German dialects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Schwammerl is used for mushroom in Austria and Bavaria. The term Schwamm is also a regional form, though it is considered obsolete.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Pilz is Pilze.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɪl(t)s/
When do people say it?
In food terminology, Maultaschen mit Pilzen refers to Swabian pasta pockets filled with mushrooms and Champignonrahmschnitzel refers to pork schnitzel with creamy mushroom sauce.
Did you know?
- German has a very specific word for the 'fairy ring' created by mushrooms, called Hexenring, which translates literally as 'witches' ring'.
- Because many edible and poisonous mushrooms look identical, German culture places a high value on the Pilzsachverständiger, a certified mushroom expert who verifies finds.
- In Germany, mushroom hunting is so culturally significant that many forests have strict local rules and seasonal periods for Pilze sammeln.
Examples in context
- Da ist ein Pilz.There's a mushroom.This sentence is useful for pointing out the presence of a mushroom.Tatoeba #12339271 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12246120 by Miktsoanit
- Dieser Pilz ist giftig.This mushroom is poisonous.This sentence is useful for stating that a mushroom is poisonous.Tatoeba #7186665 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7030731 by Hybrid
- Ist dieser Pilz genießbar?Is this mushroom edible?This sentence is useful for asking if a mushroom is edible.Tatoeba #8638901 by Melang, translation #9368850 by CK
- Ich liebe Pilze in meiner Suppe.I love mushrooms in my soup.
- Könnten Sie bitte ein Gericht mit Champignons empfehlen?Could you please recommend a dish with mushrooms?
- Lass uns leckere Pilze sammeln gehen!Let's go gather tasty mushrooms!
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are cooking dinner together.
- LukasSoll ich den Pilz schneiden?Should I cut the mushroom?
- HannahJa, bitte schneide den Pilz klein.Yes, please chop the mushroom into small pieces.
- LukasWelchen Pilz meinst du genau?Which mushroom exactly do you mean?
- HannahDen großen Pilz dort auf dem Brett.The big mushroom there on the board.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mushroom” translations and entries Pilz, Schwamm, Schwammerl, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
