01
das Abendessen
dinner
The meal eaten in the evening. Depending on the region and habit, this can be a hot or cold meal.
example
Was gibt es heute zum Abendessen? Ich habe großen Hunger.
What's for dinner today? I'm really hungry.
das Abendessen
dinner
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
The word is simply composed of 'der Abend' (the evening) and 'das Essen' (the food/meal). The gender is determined by the second word, 'das Essen', so it is 'das Abendessen' (the dinner).
EXAMPLE
Das Abendessen ist die letzte Mahlzeit des Tages.
Dinner is the last meal of the day.
Typical preposition
'Abendessen' (dinner) is very often used with the preposition 'zu' in the form 'zum'. This expresses the purpose or the meal being referred to.
EXAMPLE
Was möchtest du zum Abendessen?
What would you like for dinner?
Typical verbs
Typical verbs used with the meal are 'das Abendessen kochen' (to cook dinner), 'zubereiten' (to prepare), or 'machen' (to make).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss jetzt nach Hause gehen und das Abendessen kochen.
I have to go home now and cook dinner.
Context clue
Whether the meal or a social event is meant is often revealed by the accompanying words. Adjectives like 'festlich' (festive) or verbs like 'einladen' (to invite) point to a special event.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma gibt ein offizielles Abendessen für die neuen Partner.
The company is hosting an official dinner for the new partners.
Compare with
Abendessen vs Dinner
dinner
'das Abendessen' and 'das Dinner' both refer to a meal in the evening. 'Abendessen' is the normal German word and fits everyday situations, whether the meal is simple, hot, or cold. It can also mean a shared meal with guests. 'Dinner' sounds more festive or formal and is more likely to be used when the meal is a special event. Learners may confuse the words because both take place in the evening. A simple rule is: at home or in everyday life, people usually say 'Abendessen'; for an elegant meal with guests, 'Dinner' is more likely.
Abendessen
Nach der Arbeit kocht Lisa ein schnelles Abendessen.
After work, Lisa cooks a quick dinner.
Dinner
Morgen findet im Hotel ein festliches Dinner für die Gäste statt.
Tomorrow, a festive dinner for the guests will take place at the hotel.
In real life
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