supper / evening meal
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supper
The main meal eaten in the evening. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it traditionally often consists of bread with cold cuts, cheese, and salad.
Bei uns gibt es meistens gegen 18 Uhr Abendbrot.
At our place, we usually have supper around 6 p.m.
The word is a compound of 'der Abend' (the evening) and 'das Brot' (the bread). The name shows how important bread traditionally is for this meal.
Für das Abendbrot kaufe ich noch schnell ein frisches Brot.
I'll quickly buy a fresh loaf of bread for supper.
'Abendbrot' (supper/evening meal) often refers to a specific, traditional meal in German-speaking countries. It is frequently a cold meal with bread, cheese, sausage/cold cuts, and vegetables, not necessarily a hot, cooked dish.
Zum Abendbrot gibt es heute eine Auswahl an Käse und dazu Tomaten.
For supper today, there will be a selection of cheeses and some tomatoes with it.
You use 'zum Abendbrot' (for supper) for the meal itself, for example when eating something, and 'beim Abendbrot' (during supper) to express that something happens during the meal.
Was möchtest du zum Abendbrot trinken?
What would you like to drink with supper?
dinner
'das Abendessen' and 'das Abendbrot' both mean a meal in the evening. 'Abendessen' is more general and can be hot or cold. 'Abendbrot' often means a rather simple, cold meal with bread, cheese, cold cuts, or salad. In some families, however, people also use 'Abendbrot' generally for the evening meal. The words can be confused because both fit the same time of day. If you want to stay neutral, 'Abendessen' is safer. If the focus is really on bread and cold foods, 'Abendbrot' sounds more natural.
Nach dem Spaziergang essen wir ein einfaches Abendbrot mit Käse und Tomaten.
After the walk, we eat a simple supper with cheese and tomatoes.
Wenn ihr später kommt, bleibt das Abendessen im Ofen warm.
If you come later, dinner will stay warm in the oven.