01
die Beere
berry
A small, usually round and juicy fruit that grows on bushes or small plants.
example
Im Sommer esse ich am liebsten frische Beeren direkt vom Strauch.
In summer, I like eating fresh berries straight from the bush best.
die Beere
berry
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Beere' (berry) is the base word for many German fruit names. If you see '-beere' at the end of a word, it is usually a small, round fruit.
EXAMPLE
Meine Lieblingsfrüchte sind Erdbeeren und Himbeeren.
My favorite fruits are strawberries and raspberries.
Typical collocations
In everyday language, 'Beere' is often combined with verbs of collecting and eating. Typical phrases are 'Beeren pflücken' (to pick berries), 'Beeren sammeln' (to collect berries), or 'frische Beeren genießen' (to enjoy fresh berries).
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer gehen wir oft in den Wald, um Beeren zu pflücken.
In summer, we often go into the forest to pick berries.
Context clue
You can recognize the botanical meaning from a scientific or very specific context. Words like 'botanisch' (botanical), 'Fruchtform' (fruit type), or the mention of fruits that people do not normally call berries are clear signals.
EXAMPLE
Botanisch gesehen ist auch die Gurke eine Beere.
Botanically speaking, the cucumber is also a berry.
Register
The botanical definition of 'Beere' (berry) is used almost exclusively in the technical language of biology and horticulture.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Fachbuch wird die Banane als Beere klassifiziert.
In this specialist book, the banana is classified as a berry.
Compare with
Beere vs Obst
fruit
'Obst' and 'Beere' both belong to the area of edible fruits. 'Obst' is the general collective term for many sweet fruits, for example apples, pears, or plums. In everyday language, a 'Beere' is a small, juicy fruit, for example a strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry. The words can be confused because berries are often also eaten as fruit. In botany, 'Beere' can be used more precisely and differently than in everyday language. For food and shopping, the simple rule is: berries are a special kind of fruit.
Beere
Die Kinder sammeln im Garten reife Beeren für den Kuchen.
The children collect ripe berries in the garden for the cake.
Obst
Im Sommer kaufe ich oft Obst auf dem Markt.
In summer, I often buy fruit at the market.
In real life
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