chestnut
die Kastanie, die Kastanien
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chestnut
The shiny brown fruit of the chestnut tree. A distinction is made between the edible sweet chestnut and the inedible horse chestnut.
Im Herbst sammeln die Kinder Kastanien, um daraus kleine Männchen zu basteln.
In autumn, the children collect chestnuts to make little figures out of them.
chestnut tree
The tree on which chestnuts grow (chestnut tree).
Unter der großen Kastanie im Biergarten ist es im Sommer angenehm schattig.
Under the large chestnut tree in the beer garden, it is pleasantly shady in summer.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kastanien |
| genitive | der Kastanie |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Kastanie | die Kastanien |
| accusative | die Kastanie | die Kastanien |
| dative | der Kastanie | den Kastanien |
| genitive | der Kastanie | der Kastanien |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can tell from the context whether the fruit or the tree is meant. Verbs like 'sammeln' (to collect), 'essen' (to eat), or 'basteln' (to make crafts) refer to the fruit. Prepositions like 'unter' (under) or adjectives like 'alt' (old) and 'groß' (large) point to the tree.
Die Kinder sammeln im Park bunte Kastanien.
The children are collecting colorful chestnuts in the park.
Wir saßen im Sommer gerne unter der alten Kastanie.
In summer, we liked sitting under the old chestnut tree.
Collecting inedible horse chestnuts in autumn is a very popular activity for children in Germany. The fruits are often used with matches to make little figures and animals.
Wir haben heute Kastanien gesammelt und daraus eine ganze Familie gebastelt.
We collected chestnuts today and made a whole family out of them.
Edible chestnuts are often called 'Maronen' (sweet chestnuts) or 'Esskastanien' (edible chestnuts). A typical winter specialty at Christmas markets is 'heiße Maronen' (hot roasted chestnuts).
Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt duftet es herrlich nach heißen Kastanien.
At the Christmas market, there is a wonderful smell of hot roasted chestnuts.
When referring to the tree, it often conveys the idea of a shady spot in summer. The phrase 'unter einer Kastanie sitzen' (to sit under a chestnut tree) is especially typical for beer gardens.
Im Biergarten saßen wir unter einer riesigen Kastanie.
In the beer garden, we sat under a huge chestnut tree.
