01
der Esslöffel
tablespoon
A large spoon used mainly for eating soup or as serving cutlery.
example
Kannst du mir bitte einen Esslöffel für die Suppe geben?
Can you please give me a tablespoon for the soup?
der Esslöffel
tablespoon
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word "Esslöffel" is made up of the verb "essen" (to eat) and the noun "Löffel" (spoon). The "s" in between is a linking s that connects the two parts. So it is literally a spoon for eating.
EXAMPLE
Für die Gemüsesuppe brauchst du einen tiefen Teller und einen Esslöffel.
For the vegetable soup, you need a deep plate and a tablespoon.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether the spoon is meant as a tool or as a unit of measurement. In recipes, often together with numbers and ingredients, it is a unit of measurement. In other situations, it is the piece of cutlery.
EXAMPLE
Für den Teig benötigen Sie drei Esslöffel Öl.
For the dough, you need three tablespoons of oil.
Abbreviation in recipes
In cookbooks and recipes, "Esslöffel" as a unit of measurement is almost always abbreviated as "EL". This saves space and is quick to read.
EXAMPLE
Geben Sie 2 EL Olivenöl in die Pfanne.
Put 2 tbsp olive oil into the pan.
Precise quantities
As a unit of measurement, a distinction is often made between a "gestrichenen Esslöffel" (level tablespoon) and a "gehäuften Esslöffel" (heaped tablespoon) in order to indicate the amount more precisely.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept braucht man einen gestrichenen Esslöffel Mehl.
For the recipe, you need one level tablespoon of flour.
Compare with
Esslöffel vs Löffel
spoon
'der Löffel' is the general word for a piece of cutlery with a handle and a small bowl. 'der Esslöffel' is a specific spoon: it is larger than a teaspoon and is often used for soup or for serving. In recipes, 'Esslöffel' also means a specific amount. The words can be confused because an 'Esslöffel' is also a 'Löffel'. If the size or the amount is important, it is better to say 'Esslöffel'. If you are only talking generally about the cutlery, 'Löffel' is enough.
Esslöffel
Für die Soße braucht Yusuf zwei Esslöffel Öl.
Yusuf needs two tablespoons of oil for the sauce.
Löffel
Nach dem Abendessen legt Herr Hofmann den Löffel in die Spülmaschine.
After dinner, Mr. Hofmann puts the spoon in the dishwasher.
In real life
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