Essiggurke
/ˈɛsɪçˌɡʊʁkə/feminine
In German, "pickle" (referring to a preserved cucumber) is Essiggurke. Wiktionary also lists eingelegte Gurke and saure Gurke.
Meaning: preserved cucumber (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Essiggurke | /ˈɛsɪçˌɡʊʁkə/ /ˈɛsɪkˌɡʊʁkɛ/ |
feminine |
| eingelegte Gurke | feminine | |
| saure Gurke | feminine | |
| Gewürzgurke | /ɡəˈvʏʁt͡sˌɡʊʁkə/ /ɡeˈvʏʁt͡sˌɡʊʁkɛ/ |
feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
Essiggurke is a compound of Essig (vinegar) and Gurke (cucumber). Gewürzgurke is a compound of Gewürze (spices) and Gurke (cucumber).
Which one should you use?
Gewürzgurke is the most common term used for the pickled cucumbers typically served as a side dish or snack. Essiggurke specifically emphasizes the vinegar-based brine used in the preservation process.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of the noun for pickle (Essiggurke, Gewürzgurke, saure Gurke, eingelegte Gurke) are feminine and take the article die.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛsɪçˌɡʊʁkə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use pökeln for pickling vegetables, but pökeln refers specifically to curing meat with salt.
Did you know?
- In German slang, calling someone a Gurke can mean they are clumsy or lack talent, similar to calling a player a 'lemon' in English sports terminology.
- The word Gurke entered the German language via Old Polish, which had borrowed it from Byzantine Greek.
- In some regional German dialects, Gurke can be used to describe an old, unreliable car.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte eine Essiggurke essen.I want to eat a pickle.
- Die Essiggurke schmeckt sehr sauer.The pickle tastes very sour.
- Hast du eine Essiggurke für das Sandwich?Do you have a pickle for the sandwich?
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are preparing a sandwich together.
- SarahSoll ich eine Essiggurke in das Sandwich legen?Should I put a pickle in the sandwich?
- MaximilianJa bitte, das schmeckt viel besser.Yes please, that tastes much better.
- SarahIch schneide die Essiggurke jetzt in Scheiben.I am slicing the pickle now.
- MaximilianDanke, Sarah, das ist sehr nett von dir.Thanks, Sarah, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pickle” translations and entries Essiggurke, Gewürzgurke, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Essiggurke, Gewürzgurke, Gurke, CC BY-SA 4.0.
