Which one should you use?
While Nudeln is the common word used for noodles or pasta, the term Teigwaren is a more formal and technical word used to mean "pasta products" or "dough products," specifically in commercial or nutritional contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southern regions of Germany, particularly in Swabia and Bavaria, you will find Spätzle, which are small, irregularly shaped egg noodles. Additionally, the Swabian region is known for a unique type of noodle called Schwäbische Dampfnudeln, which consist of steamed yeast dumplings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Nudeln is used in its plural form to refer to the food in general and takes the feminine definite article die. If you are referring to a single piece of noodle, you use the singular form die Nudel.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnuːdl̩n/
Did you know?
- The word nudeln is also used as a verb meaning to fiddle with something or to waste time on a trivial task.
- In German slang, if someone is called a Nudel, it often means they are perceived as weak, clumsy or lacking a backbone.
- The traditional Spätzle are not cut with a knife but are scraped off a wooden board using a special tool called a Spätzleschaber.
Examples in context
- Ich esse gerade Nudeln.I am eating noodles.This sentence shows how to state what you are currently eating using Nudeln.Tatoeba #1211001 by samueldora, translation #486974 by human600
- Tom aß trockene Rāmen-Nudeln.Tom ate dry ramen noodles.This sentence describes using the form Nudeln to specify a type of dry ramen noodles.Tatoeba #11492678 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8469533 by Hybrid
- Reis, Nudeln und Kartoffeln sind typische Sättigungsbeilagen.Rice, noodles, and potatoes are typical side dishes.This sentence uses Nudeln to list typical side dishes.Tatoeba #1597475 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2725623 by AlanF_US
- In diesem Restaurant servieren sie ausgezeichnete Teigwaren.In this restaurant, they serve excellent noodles.
- Lust auf Nudeln? Ich koche Spaghetti Bolognese.Craving noodles? I am cooking spaghetti Bolognese.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- JuliaHast du Lust auf Nudeln?Do you feel like having noodles?
- JulianJa, das klingt gut.Yes, that sounds good.
- JuliaWelche Nudeln sollen wir kochen?Which noodles should we cook?
- JulianLass uns Spaghetti machen.Let's make spaghetti.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Nudeln, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
