das Bonbon
candy
A small sweet made of sugar that you suck or chew.
EXAMPLE
Als Belohnung gab die Oma dem Kind ein leckeres Fruchtbonbon.
As a reward, Grandma gave the child a tasty fruit candy.
das Bonbon
candy
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Meanings
das Bonbon
perk / extra
In a figurative sense, a small advantage, a special benefit, or an attractive extra.
EXAMPLE
Als kleines Bonbon erhielten alle Mitarbeiter am Jahresende einen Einkaufsgutschein.
As a little extra, all employees received a shopping voucher at the end of the year.
Usage tips
French origin
The word 'Bonbon' (candy) comes from French. It is a reduplication of 'bon', meaning 'good', and was originally a word from children’s language for something that tastes good.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du ein Bonbon?
Would you like a candy?
Regional variants
The word 'Bonbon' (candy) is understood throughout the German-speaking world. In Austria and parts of Bavaria, however, people more often say 'das Zuckerl', and in Switzerland 'das Guetsli'.
EXAMPLE
In Wien habe ich mir ein Sackerl mit Zuckerl gekauft.
In Vienna, I bought myself a small bag of candies.
Typical compounds
To describe the type of sweet more precisely, 'Bonbon' (candy) is often used as the base word in compounds. Examples include 'Hustenbonbon' (cough drop), 'Fruchtbonbon' (fruit candy), or 'Karamellbonbon' (caramel candy).
EXAMPLE
Im Winter habe ich immer ein paar Hustenbonbons in meiner Tasche.
In winter, I always have a few cough drops in my bag.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'Bonbon' (perk/extra) describes a small, unexpected advantage or a nice extra. It is often used in the phrase 'als kleines Bonbon' (as a little extra).
EXAMPLE
Als Bonbon gab es für alle Teilnehmer des Seminars ein Buch gratis dazu.
As a bonus, all participants in the seminar received a free book.
Compare with
Bonbon vs Bonus
bonus
Both words can refer to an attractive extra or an additional benefit. “Der Bonus” often sounds like a systematically provided additional benefit, while “das Bonbon” is more likely to be a friendly free extra or a promotional incentive. Choose “Bonus” for a fixed additional benefit and “Bonbon” for a special extra.
Bonbon
Als kleines Bonbon gibt es zum neuen Handy eine kostenlose Tasche dazu.
As a little extra, a free case comes with the new phone.
Bonus
Wer regelmäßig einkauft, erhält als Bonus einen Gutschein.
Customers who shop regularly receive a voucher as a bonus.
In real life
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