altbacken
/ˈaltˌbakən/
In German, the English phrase stale is translated using several different words depending on the context. If unsure, use altbacken. Wiktionary also lists schal and fade.
Meaning: having lost its freshness (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| altbacken | /ˈaltˌbakən/ /altˈbakən/ |
| schal | /ʃaːl/ |
| fade | /ˈfaːdə/ |
The word for stale in German changes based on what has lost its freshness. Use altbacken for baked goods, schal for drinks that have gone flat and fade for things that are stale or uninteresting. If you are describing a drink like beer or wine that has actually turned or gone bad, you can use the verb umkippen or the phrase allmählich abscheulich schmecken.
What does it mean word for word?
The term altbacken is a compound of alt (old) and backen (to bake), literally meaning old-baked.
Which one should you use?
German distinguishes between types of staleness: use altbacken specifically for bread or baked goods, and use schal specifically for beverages like beer or water that have gone flat or stale.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaltˌbakən/
Did you know?
- To describe a drink that has actually spoiled and become disgusting, Germans use the verb umkippen, which literally means 'to tip over'.
- The word altbacken is often used as a metaphor for ideas or styles that are outmoded or old-fashioned.
- The German word for stale beer, schal, shares the same ancient root as the English word 'shallow'.
Examples in context
- Das Brot ist altbacken.The bread is stale.This sentence shows how to describe bread that is altbacken.Tatoeba #3772529 by Manfredo, translation #2628684 by CK
- Wie ekel, schal und flach und unersprießlich scheint mir das ganze Treiben dieser Welt!How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world.This sentence uses schal to describe things that feel weary, flat or uninteresting.Tatoeba #2871342 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2871346 by shekitten
- schales Bierstale beerThis sentence uses schal to describe beer that has gone stale.
- Es riecht hier muffigIt smells stale in here.
- Das Brot schmeckt altbackenThe bread tastes stale.
- Der Kaffee schmeckt abgestanden.The coffee tastes stale.
- Die Brötchen sind altbacken.The rolls are stale.
- Das Ganze ist schon etwas angestanden.The whole thing has become a bit stale.
- Das Bier schmeckt alt und abgestanden.The beer tastes old and stale.
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are in the kitchen.
- LauraIst das Brot noch frisch?Is the bread still fresh?
- MaximilianNein, es ist leider schon altbacken.No, unfortunately it is already stale.
- LauraSoll ich ein neues kaufen?Should I buy a new one?
- MaximilianJa, bitte mach das.Yes, please do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stale” translations and entries altbacken, schal, fade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries altbacken, fade, schal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
