das Büfett
buffet
A selection of food and drinks set out on a table, from which guests usually serve themselves.
EXAMPLE
Beim Büfett konnte sich jeder so viel nehmen, wie er wollte.
At the buffet, everyone could take as much as they wanted.
das Büfett
buffet
das Büfett, die Büfetts
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Meanings
das Büfett
buffet counter
A place in a restaurant, cafeteria, or at an event where food and drinks are served or sold.
EXAMPLE
Am Büfett bekam ich noch ein warmes Mittagessen.
I got another hot lunch at the buffet counter.
das Büfett
sideboard / buffet
A usually large piece of furniture with cupboards and storage surfaces, used to keep dishes, cutlery, or other things in.
EXAMPLE
Das alte Büfett steht seit Generationen im Esszimmer.
The old sideboard has stood in the dining room for generations.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Büfett, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Büfetts |
| genitive | des Büfetts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Büfett | die Büfetts die Büfette |
| accusative | das Büfett | die Büfetts die Büfette |
| dative | dem Büfett | den Büfetts den Büfetten |
| genitive | des Büfetts des Büfettes | der Büfetts der Büfette |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can often recognize the meaning of „Büfett“ (buffet) from its context: When food is set out on a table, it refers to a selection that people serve themselves from; when it is a serving or sales counter, it refers to a place in a restaurant or at an event. If words such as „Schrank“ (cupboard), „Geschirr“ (dishes), or „Esszimmer“ (dining room) appear alongside it, it refers to the piece of furniture.
EXAMPLE
Beim festlichen Büfett konnten sich die Gäste selbst bedienen.
At the festive buffet, the guests could serve themselves.
Am Büfett in der Kantine bezahlte ich mein Mittagessen.
I paid for my lunch at the buffet counter in the cafeteria.
Das Büfett im Esszimmer bietet viel Platz für das Geschirr.
The sideboard in the dining room has plenty of space for the dishes.
Typical collocations
For a „Büfett“ (buffet) with food, common phrases include „ein reichhaltiges Büfett“ (an extensive buffet), „ein kaltes Büfett“ (a cold buffet), and „sich am Büfett bedienen“ (to help oneself at the buffet).
EXAMPLE
Für die Hochzeit wurde ein reichhaltiges Büfett vorbereitet.
An extensive buffet was prepared for the wedding.
Serving counter
When „Büfett“ (buffet) means a serving counter, it often appears with information about places or activities, such as „am Büfett bestellen“ (to order at the buffet counter), „am Büfett bezahlen“ (to pay at the buffet counter), and „zum Büfett gehen“ (to go to the buffet counter).
EXAMPLE
In der Pause ging ich zum Büfett und bestellte eine Suppe.
During the break, I went to the buffet counter and ordered a soup.
Piece of furniture
When „Büfett“ (sideboard / buffet) refers to a piece of furniture, it is often combined with words such as „alt“ (old), „antik“ (antique), or „aus Holz“ (made of wood). Typical contents include dishes, cutlery, and table linens.
EXAMPLE
Im antiken Büfett aus Holz liegen Omas Tischwäsche und das gute Besteck.
Grandma's table linens and fine cutlery are kept in the antique wooden sideboard.
In real life
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