delikat
/deliˈkaːt/
The English phrase scrumptious can be translated into German as delikat or lecker.
Meaning: of food: delectable, delicious (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| delikat | /deliˈkaːt/ |
| lecker | /ˈlɛkɐ/ |
Both words are used to describe food that is delectable or delicious.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean delicious, lecker is the much more common, everyday way to say something tastes good. In contrast, delikat sounds more formal or sophisticated.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, lecker takes standard German adjective endings depending on the gender, case and number of the noun it modifies, such as in leckerer Kuchen or leckeres Essen.
How do you pronounce it?
/deliˈkaːt/
Did you know?
- The word lecker is actually a linguistic relative of the English word 'lick'. It stems from an ancient Germanic root meaning 'to lick', implying the food is so good you want to lick it up.
- While lecker refers to taste, delikat can also describe someone who is physically fragile or sensitive, similar to the English 'delicate'.
- In South Africa, the word lekker is used in Afrikaans as a general term for 'great' or 'cool', applying to people and situations as well as food.
Examples in context
- Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist wirklich lecker.The food in this restaurant is truly scrumptious.
- Die Vorspeise war köstlich zubereitet.The appetizer was prepared scrumptiously.
- Das ist ein köstlicher Wein.This is a delicious wine.
- Hast du diese leckeren Kekse probiert?Have you tried these scrumptious cookies?
- Der Nachtisch war wirklich lecker!The dessert was really yummy!
- Das ist ein feines Stück Kuchen.This is a scrumptious piece of cake.
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are eating at a fancy restaurant.
- LauraWie schmeckt dir der Fisch, Lukas?How do you like the fish, Lukas?
- LukasEr ist sehr delikat und frisch.It is very scrumptious and fresh.
- LauraIch finde meinen Wein auch sehr delikat.I find my wine very delicate too.
- LukasDas ist ein tolles Restaurant.This is a great restaurant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scrumptious” translations and entries delikat, lecker, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries delikat, lecker, CC BY-SA 4.0.
