B1 · 45 words
Cooking in German
What is in the kitchen and what you do with it — plus the imperative, which is what a recipe is written in.
German recipes are written in one of two forms, and both are worth recognising. The modern one uses the imperative: Schneiden Sie die Zwiebel klein. The older one uses an infinitive standing alone at the end: Zwiebel klein schneiden. That second form has no subject at all and is used for instructions of every kind — assembly instructions, safety notices, exam papers. A third form turns up in old cookery books and nowhere else: man nehme drei Eier, a Konjunktiv I that survives as a fossil. It reads as deliberately old-fashioned now, which is exactly why cookbooks still use it.
The words
Verb (14)
schneidento cutVerbA2
schneiden – schnitt – geschnitten.
bratento fry, to roastVerbB1
du brätst, er brät; gebraten.
rührento stirVerbB1
mischento mixVerbB1
würzento seasonVerbB1
abkühlento cool downVerbB1
Separable.
servierento serveVerbB1
No ge- in the participle.
vorbereitento prepareVerbB1
Separable, and the ge- goes inside: vorbereitet.
anbrennento burn, to catchVerbB1
Separable, with "sein".
probierento taste, to tryVerbA2
No ge- in the participle.
abwaschento wash upVerbB1
Separable and strong: du wäschst ab, abgewaschen.
kühlento cool, to chillVerbB1
verwendento useVerbB1
sich eignento be suitableVerbB1
Always with für or als: sich für etwas eignen, sich als Geschenk eignen.
Noun (29)
die ZutatingredientNounB1
Usually plural: die Zutaten.
der Topfpot, saucepanNounA2
Plural: die Töpfe.
die Pfannefrying panNounA2
Plural: die Pfannen.
der OfenovenNounA2
Plural: die Öfen. Also a stove or a furnace.
der Herdhob, cookerNounA2
Plural: die Herde.
das MesserknifeNounA1
Plural: die Messer.
die GabelforkNounA1
Plural: die Gabeln.
der LöffelspoonNounA1
Plural: die Löffel. "ein Esslöffel" is a tablespoon in a recipe.
der TellerplateNounA1
Plural: die Teller.
die TassecupNounA1
Plural: die Tassen.
das Glasglass; jarNounA1
Plural: die Gläser. Also a jar of jam.
das Backblechbaking trayNounB1
Plural: die Backbleche.
das Gewürzspice, seasoningNounB1
Plural: die Gewürze.
der PfefferpepperNounA2
No plural.
das ÖloilNounA2
Plural: die Öle.
die ZwiebelonionNounA2
Plural: die Zwiebeln.
der KnoblauchgarlicNounB1
No plural.
die Nudelnpasta, noodlesNounA2
Plural in this sense. Singular: die Nudel.
der ReisriceNounA2
No plural.
das MehlflourNounA2
No plural in normal use.
der Teigdough, batterNounB1
Plural: die Teige.
die Soßesauce, gravyNounB1
Plural: die Soßen. Also spelled "Sauce".
das BesteckcutleryNounB1
A collective with no plural in normal use.
der DeckellidNounB1
Plural: die Deckel.
die SpülmaschinedishwasherNounA2
Plural: die Spülmaschinen.
der Restremainder, leftoversNounA2
Plural: die Reste.
die Portionportion, servingNounB1
Plural: die Portionen.
die Flüssigkeitliquid, fluidNounB1
Plural: die Flüssigkeiten.
der GeruchsmellNounB1
Plural: die Gerüche.
Adjective (2)
garcooked through, doneAdjectiveB1
Also an adverb meaning "at all": gar nicht.
rohrawAdjectiveB1
This list belongs to Food and drink — 22 lists and 862 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
From these 45 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.