Zuckermais
The German word for sweetcorn is Zuckermais.
Zuckermais refers to the variety of corn with a high sugar content that is typically eaten as a vegetable.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Zucker (sugar) and Mais (corn).
Which one should you use?
While Mais can refer to corn in general, Zuckermais specifically denotes the sweet variety used for eating. If you are referring specifically to the whole cob of sweetcorn, you can use Maiskolben.
Did you know?
- In some regional German dialects, you may hear Mais referred to as Korn, but using Korn for sweetcorn in a supermarket would likely be misunderstood as a request for grain or a spirit.
- If you are eating sweetcorn on the cob, you might use the term Maiskolben, where Kolben actually translates to 'club' or 'mallet' in other contexts.
- In German culture, Maiskolben are a staple of summer grilling, but they are typically served with butter and salt rather than the creamed toppings common in some other cultures.
Examples in context
- Ich bevorzuge den ZuckermaisI prefer sweetcorn
- Der Mais schmeckt köstlich mit Butter und SalzThe sweetcorn tastes delicious with butter and salt
- Ich habe gestern Maiskörner in meiner Suppe gefundenI found sweetcorn kernels in my soup yesterday
- Die besten Rezepte enthalten frischen ZuckermaisThe best recipes include fresh sweetcorn
- Ich mag Zuckermais im Salat.I like sweetcorn in the salad.
- Möchtest du etwas Zuckermais probieren?Would you like to try some sweetcorn?
- Der Zuckermais schmeckt sehr süß.The sweetcorn tastes very sweet.
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are shopping for vegetables at a market.
- SarahSchau mal, der Zuckermais sieht frisch aus.Look, the sweetcorn looks fresh.
- JulianStimmt, den nehmen wir mit.True, let's take that with us.
- SarahWir können ihn heute Abend grillen.We can grill it this evening.
- JulianDas ist eine gute Idee, Sarah.That is a good idea, Sarah.
