gesund
/ɡəˈzʊnt/
The English word "wholesome" can be translated into German as gesund.
The word is used to describe things that are decent, innocuous or sweet.
Meaning: decent, innocuous, sweet (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gesund can mean "wholesome" when discussing food or lifestyle, its primary and most common meaning is "healthy".
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun meaning "something wholesome", the word is capitalized and takes a neuter ending, such as Gesundes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈzʊnt/
Did you know?
- The German word gesund is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'sound', as in the phrase 'safe and sound'.
- In Germany, when someone sneezes, the standard response is Gesundheit, which literally means 'health'.
- While gesund describes health, Germans often use the phrase gesundes Misstrauen to describe a 'healthy' or 'wholesome' amount of skepticism.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte etwas Gesundes essen.I want to eat something wholesome.This sentence shows how to use the noun form Gesundes to mean "something wholesome".Tatoeba #12393913 by Yorwba, translation #10646888 by AlanF_US
- Sie kocht gesunde Mahlzeiten für ihre Familie.She prepares wholesome meals for her family.This sentence demonstrates the use of gesund to describe meals.Tatoeba #8798637 by Yorwba, translation #312866 by CK
- Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist ausgewogen und gesund.The food at this restaurant is balanced and wholesome.
- Die selbstgemachten Smoothies sind wirklich gesund und nahrhaft.The homemade smoothies are truly wholesome and nutritious.
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are discussing a movie they just watched.
- JuliaDer Film war wirklich sehr gesund für die Seele.The movie was really very wholesome for the soul.
- MaximilianJa, das war eine sehr schöne und friedliche Geschichte.Yes, that was a very beautiful and peaceful story.
- JuliaWir brauchen mehr so gesund Unterhaltung im Fernsehen.We need more such wholesome entertainment on television.
- MaximilianDa hast du absolut recht, Julia.You are absolutely right, Julia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gesund, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gesund, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
