die Delikatesse
delicacy
A special, high-quality, and often rare or expensive food that is considered a culinary pleasure.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Restaurant werden Austern als Delikatesse serviert.
In this restaurant, oysters are served as a delicacy.
die Delikatesse
delicacy
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Meanings
Usage tips
Origin of the word
The word 'Delikatesse' (delicacy) comes from French. The ending '-esse' is typical for feminine nouns from French and helps you remember the correct article 'die'.
EXAMPLE
Trüffel sind eine sehr teure Delikatesse.
Truffles are a very expensive delicacy.
The delicatessen
The plural 'Delikatessen' (delicacies) is often used to refer to a shop that sells such specialties: a 'Delikatessengeschäft' (delicatessen). There you can find many different high-quality foods.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den besonderen Schinken in einem Delikatessengeschäft gefunden.
I found the special ham in a delicatessen.
Typical collocations
A food 'gilt als' (is considered) a delicacy. In a restaurant, it can be 'als Delikatesse servieren' (served as a delicacy) or 'anbieten' (offered).
EXAMPLE
In einigen Kulturen gelten Insekten als Delikatesse.
In some cultures, insects are considered a delicacy.
Elevated style
The word 'Delikatesse' (delicacy) belongs to a somewhat elevated style of language. You often find it on menus, in the restaurant industry, or in cooking magazines.
EXAMPLE
Der Chefkoch präsentierte seine neueste Kreation als besondere Delikatesse.
The head chef presented his latest creation as a special delicacy.
Compare with
Delikatesse vs Spezialität
specialty
A Spezialität (specialty) is a dish or product that is especially typical and well known in a region or restaurant. A Delikatesse (delicacy) is distinguished by its high quality and is often rare or expensive. The same dish can therefore be both a Spezialität and a Delikatesse.
Delikatesse
Das Fischgericht gilt als Delikatesse, weil die seltenen Zutaten besonders hochwertig sind.
The fish dish is considered a delicacy because the rare ingredients are especially high-quality.
Spezialität
Das Fischgericht gilt als Spezialität der Region, weil es dort traditionell zubereitet wird.
The fish dish is considered a specialty of the region because it is traditionally prepared there.
In real life
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