01
die Erbse
pea
A small, round, usually green seed of the pea plant that is eaten as a vegetable.
example
Zum Schnitzel gibt es heute Karotten und Erbsen.
Today, the schnitzel comes with carrots and peas.
die Erbse
pea
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
As a vegetable, 'Erbse' (pea) is often used in the plural and frequently combined with other foods. Typical collocations are 'Erbsen und Möhren' (peas and carrots), 'Erbsensuppe' (pea soup), or 'eine Dose Erbsen' (a can of peas).
EXAMPLE
Ich koche heute eine leckere Erbsensuppe für das Abendessen.
I'm making a delicious pea soup for dinner today.
Use of the idiom
The expression 'Prinzessin auf der Erbse' (princess and the pea) describes a person. It is used according to the pattern 'jemand ist eine (echte) Prinzessin auf der Erbse' (someone is a real princess and the pea).
EXAMPLE
Sei doch nicht so eine Prinzessin auf der Erbse, es ist nur ein bisschen Regen.
Don't be such a princess and the pea; it's only a little rain.
Cultural background
This expression comes from the famous fairy tale 'Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse' (The Princess and the Pea) by Hans Christian Andersen. Knowing the story helps you understand the meaning of excessive sensitivity.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte von der Prinzessin auf der Erbse kennt in Deutschland fast jedes Kind.
Almost every child in Germany knows the story of the Princess and the Pea.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the plant or the vegetable is meant. Verbs like 'anpflanzen' (to plant), 'wachsen' (to grow), or 'ernten' (to harvest), as well as the context of 'Garten' (garden) or 'Feld' (field), point to the plant.
EXAMPLE
Im Frühling säen wir die Erbsen im Gemüsebeet aus.
In spring, we sow the peas in the vegetable bed.
Compare with
Erbse vs Bohne
bean
'die Bohne' and 'die Erbse' are both small edible plant seeds and are often served as vegetables. That is why learners may confuse them. A bean is, depending on the variety, elongated or larger, and it can also be eaten as a whole green pod. A pea is small, round, and usually green. In recipes, the difference is important because beans and peas look different and are often prepared differently.
Erbse
Zu den Kartoffeln gibt es heute Erbsen und Möhren.
Today, there are peas and carrots with the potatoes.
Bohne
Beim Einkaufen nimmt Frau Meier eine Dose weiße Bohnen für den Eintopf.
While shopping, Mrs. Meier picks up a can of white beans for the stew.
In real life
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