Salami
feminine
In German, the English phrase "pepperoni" is translated as Salami. If unsure, use Salami. Wiktionary also lists Pfeffersalami and scharfe Salami.
Meaning: sausage (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Salami | feminine |
| Pfeffersalami | feminine |
| scharfe Salami | feminine |
While English speakers use "pepperoni" to refer to a specific type of spicy sausage, the German word Salami is a general term for many types of cured sausage and does not inherently imply a spicy flavor.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Pfeffersalami is a compound noun made of Pfeffer, meaning pepper and Salami, meaning salami.
Which one should you use?
Salami is the general term for the sausage, whereas Pfeffersalami specifically refers to pepper salami. You can also use the phrase scharfe Salami to specify the spicy variety often used for pepperoni pizza.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided are feminine nouns.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word Pepperoni when ordering food in German. In German, Pepperoni refers to small chili peppers rather than the sausage.
Did you know?
- Unlike in the US where 'pepperoni' is almost exclusively a pizza topping, Salami is a primary component of the traditional German breakfast platter.
- In some German regions, Salami is categorized as a Rohwurst, meaning a raw sausage that has been cured and dried without being cooked.
- German butchers offer many varieties of Salami, including Jagdsalami (hunting salami) which is typically smoked and has a firmer texture.
Examples in context
- Ich will Salami auf meiner Pizza.I want pepperoni on my pizza.This sentence shows how to request Salami as a pizza topping.Tatoeba #12103567 by Naina, translation #8015371 by CK
- Ich verstehe nicht, wieso Pizza mit scharfer Salami so beliebt ist.I don't understand why pepperoni pizza is so popular.This sentence uses the term Salami to discuss the popularity of spicy pizza.Tatoeba #10160861 by Yorwba, translation #662345 by DancingHorses
- Ich hätte gerne eine Pizza mit Paprikawurst.I would like a pizza with pepperoni.
- Ich koche gerne mit Paprikawurst, da sie mehr Geschmack verleiht.I enjoy cooking with pepperoni as it adds more flavor.
- Möchtest du eine Salami auf dein Sandwich?Would you like a salami on your sandwich?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are preparing a snack platter.
- LukasSollen wir Salami zum Käse kaufen?Should we buy some salami to go with the cheese?
- JuliaJa, das passt sehr gut zusammen.Yes, those go very well together.
- LukasIch schneide die Salami jetzt in Scheiben.I'll slice the salami now.
- JuliaDanke, Lukas, das ist sehr nett.Thanks, Lukas, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pepperoni” translations and entries Salami, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
