saure Sahne
feminine
The English phrase sour cream is saure Sahne in German. If unsure, use saure Sahne. Wiktionary also lists Sauerrahm and Schmand.
Meaning: cream which has been treated with a benign bacterium (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| saure Sahne | feminine | |
| Sauerrahm | /ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌʁaːm/ /ˈsaʊ̯ɐˌʁaːm/ (Austria) |
masculine |
| Schmand | /ʃmant/ | masculine |
The terms describe cream that has been treated with benign bacteria to create a sour flavor.
What does it mean word for word?
The term saure Sahne is composed of the adjective saure (sour) and the noun Sahne (cream).
Which one should you use?
While saure Sahne is the most common general term, Schmand refers to a thicker, higher-fat version of sour cream.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Sauerrahm is a term used in Eastern Germany and Austria.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sauer takes the -e ending in saure Sahne because it follows a zero article in the nominative or accusative feminine singular.
Did you know?
- The word Schmand might actually be a distant relative of the English word 'smooth', as both may stem from a Germanic root meaning 'soft'.
Examples in context
- Tom garnierte seine Suppe mit Sauerrahm.Tom garnished his soup with sour cream.This sentence shows how to use Sauerrahm as a garnish for soup.Tatoeba #6782120 by brauchinet, translation #6620566 by Hybrid
- Wir machen saure Sahne selber.We make our own sour cream.This sentence shows how to use saure Sahne when discussing making the product yourself.Tatoeba #6935062 by raggione, translation #6705542 by Eccles17
- Könnten Sie mir bitte etwas saure Sahne geben?Could you please give me some sour cream?
- Ich nehme gern saure Sahne zu meinen Bratkartoffeln.I like to have sour cream with my fried potatoes.
- Ich brauche noch saure Sahne für die Kartoffeln.I still need sour cream for the potatoes.
Example conversation
A couple is preparing a potato-based meal in their kitchen.
- SarahHast du saure Sahne für die Kartoffeln?Do you have sour cream for the potatoes?
- JulianNein, ich habe sie leider vergessen.No, unfortunately, I forgot it.
- SarahSoll ich sie schnell im Supermarkt holen?Should I quickly go get it at the supermarket?
- JulianJa, das wäre toll, Sarah.Yes, that would be great, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sour cream” translations and entries Sauerrahm, Schmand, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sahne, Sauerrahm, Schmand, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
