Pfannkuchen
/ˈ(p)fanˌkuːxən/masculine
The English phrase pancake is translated into German as Pfannkuchen. Wiktionary also lists Eierkuchen and Plinse.
Meaning: thin batter cake (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pfannkuchen | /ˈ(p)fanˌkuːxən/ /ˈ(p)faŋ-/ |
masculine |
| Eierkuchen | /ˈaɪ̯ərˌkuːxən/ | Eastern, Germany, masculine |
| Plinse | [ˈplɪnzə] (narrow) | feminine |
| Blinse | feminine | |
| Plins | masculine | |
| Flins | masculine | |
| Fannkuchn | pronunciation spelling, rare |
A pancake is a thin batter cake.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Pfannkuchen is a compound of Pfanne (pan) and Kuchen (cake). The word Eierkuchen is a compound of Ei (egg) and Kuchen (cake).
Which one should you use?
While both terms can refer to a pancake, Eierkuchen specifically emphasizes the use of eggs in the batter, whereas Pfannkuchen is the more general term for a pan-cooked batter cake.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Eierkuchen is used in Eastern Germany. In the Berlin and Brandenburg areas, you will hear the term Plinse. In northern Germany, particularly in Low German dialects, the term Pannkoken is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Pfannkuchen is used in both singular and plural forms without changing its spelling.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈ(p)fanˌkuːxən/
Did you know?
- The English word 'blintz' is actually a distant linguistic relative of the German regional term Plinse.
Examples in context
- Probiere einmal diesen Pfannkuchen und sage mir, ob er dir schmeckt.Try this pancake and tell me if you like it.Tatoeba #11510732 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3258826 by sundown
- Egal wie flach man einen Pfannkuchen macht, er hat immer zwei Seiten.No matter how flat you make a pancake, it always has two sides.Tatoeba #1813202 by Tamy, translation #1372232 by Spamster
- Wo ist mein Pfannkuchen?Where's my pancake?Tatoeba #5943634 by list, translation #10029661 by ddnktr
- Für das Frühstück hätte ich gerne zwei Pfannkuchen, bitte.For breakfast, I would like two pancakes, please.
- Kannst du mir bitte einen Eierkuchen mit Ahornsirup servieren?Could you please serve me a pancake with maple syrup?
- Könntest du mir bitte ein paar Palatschinken machen? Ich habe Lust darauf.Could you please make me some pancakes? I'm craving them.
- Ich habe diese köstlichen Plinsen bei meiner Oma gegessen. Möchtest du das Rezept?I had these delicious pancakes at my grandma's. Would you like the recipe?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are deciding what to eat for breakfast.
- MaximilianMöchtest du heute einen Pfannkuchen essen?Would you like to eat a pancake today?
- SarahJa, das klingt super, Sarah!Yes, that sounds great, Sarah!
- MaximilianSoll ich den Pfannkuchen mit Apfelmus machen?Should I make the pancake with apple sauce?
- SarahDas ist eine sehr gute Idee.That is a very good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pancake” translations and entries Pfannkuchen, Eierkuchen, Plinse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Eierkuchen, Pfannkuchen, Plinse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
