Zwiebel
/ˈt͡sviːbəl/feminine
The German word for onion is Zwiebel. If unsure, use Zwiebel. Wiktionary also lists Bölle.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zwiebel | /ˈt͡sviːbəl/ | feminine |
| Bölle | Alemannic German, feminine, masculine |
For more technical or botanical contexts, such as describing an onion or a similar bulbous plant, you can use the term Zwiebelgewächs.
Which one should you use?
Zwiebel is the standard term, while Bölle is a dialectal variation. In technical botanical discussions, Zwiebelgewächs is used to describe the plant itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Bölle is a regional dialectal form used in Alemannic-speaking areas.
How does it change in a sentence?
Zwiebel is a feminine noun. The plural form of Zwiebel is Zwiebeln.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsviːbəl/
Did you know?
- The word Zwiebel is used in the German term Zwiebelprinzip, which refers to the 'onion principle' of dressing in many thin layers to stay warm in winter.
- In some German regions, the phrase Zwiebeln schälen meaning 'to peel onions' is used metaphorically to describe the process of uncovering the truth layer by layer.
- German has a specific compound noun Zwiebeltränen to describe the 'onion tears' shed while chopping, treating the phenomenon as a single named concept.
Examples in context
- Ich schneide eine Zwiebel.I'm cutting up an onion.This sentence shows how to use Zwiebel when cutting up an onion.Tatoeba #8074790 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4752778 by DarkHollow
- Ich will keine Zwiebelsuppe.I don't want onion soup.This sentence demonstrates the use of Zwiebel within a compound noun like onion soup.Tatoeba #12511601 by Naina, translation #6805736 by CK
- Soll ich die Zwiebeln schneiden?Shall I cut the onion?This sentence shows the use of the plural form Zwiebeln.Tatoeba #3327254 by al_ex_an_der, translation #4864639 by Helginka
- Zum Abendessen verwendete ich eine Zwiebel in meinem Gericht.For dinner, I used an onion in my dish.
- Ich habe ein paar Zwiebelchen zum Kochen mitgebracht.I brought a few onions for cooking.
- Ich brauche noch Tomaten und Zwiebeln für den Salat.I still need tomatoes and onions for the salad.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen while preparing dinner.
- LauraHast du eine Zwiebel für den Salat?Do you have an onion for the salad?
- JulianJa, ich habe eine Zwiebel im Schrank.Yes, I have an onion in the cupboard.
- LauraKannst du sie bitte schneiden?Can you please cut it?
- JulianKlar, ich mache das sofort.Sure, I'll do that right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations and entries Zwiebel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
