durchgebraten
/ˈdʊʁçɡəbraːtən/
The German phrase for "well done meat" is durchgebraten.
The term is used to describe meat that has been cooked thoroughly throughout. In a restaurant setting, you can use the phrase to order a steak by simply saying durchgebraten, bitte (well done, please). You may also see the variation gut durchgebraten used to translate "well done".
What does it mean word for word?
The word durchgebraten is a combination of durch (through) and gebraten (fried or roasted).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this term as an adjective immediately before a neuter noun such as Fleisch (meat), you must add the ending -es to form durchgebratenes Fleisch.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdʊʁçɡəbraːtən/
Did you know?
- In a professional German kitchen, the phrase durchgebraten is part of a scale that includes blutig for rare, which literally translates to 'bloody'.
- The prefix durch- in durchgebraten is used in several other German words to describe things that are 'complete' or 'thorough', such as durchschlafen for sleeping through the night without waking up.
- If you find your meat is overcooked beyond durchgebraten, you can describe it as übergart, meaning it has passed the point of ideal doneness.
Examples in context
- Ich hätte gerne mein Fleisch gut durchgebraten, bitte.I would like my meat well done, please.
- Könnten Sie mein Fleisch bitte gut durchbraten?Could you please cook my meat well done?
- gut durchgebraten, aber nicht zu trockenWell done, but not too dry
- Wie möchten Sie Ihr Fleisch zubereitet haben?How would you like your meat prepared?
- Ich hätte es gerne gut durchgebraten, aber nicht zu trocken, bitte.I would like it well done, but not too dry, please.
- Ich möchte das Steak bitte durchgebraten.I would like the steak well done, please.
- Ist das Fleisch wirklich gut durchgebraten?Is the meat really cooked thoroughly through?
- Er bevorzugt sein Fleisch immer durchgebraten.He always prefers his meat well done.
Example conversation
A waiter takes an order at a restaurant.
- HannahWie möchten Sie Ihr Steak haben?How would you like your steak?
- FelixBitte durchgebraten, keine Rosé.Well done, please, no pink.
- HannahSehr gerne, das kommt sofort.Certainly, that will be right out.
- FelixVielen Dank.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry durchgebraten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
