01
die Kost
food
The totality of the food that a person or group of people regularly consumes. It often refers to the type and quality of the food.
example
Im Krankenhaus bekam er nur leichte Kost.
In the hospital, he was given only light food.
die Kost
food / board
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Kost' (food / fare) is closely related to the verb 'kosten' (in the sense of to taste). It originally referred to what one tastes or samples, that is, food.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Restaurant gibt es traditionelle deutsche Kost.
This restaurant serves traditional German fare.
Singular only
When 'die Kost' (food / fare) refers to general nutrition, the word is almost always used in the singular. It is a collective term and has no plural form in this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Kost in der Kantine ist sehr abwechslungsreich.
The food in the cafeteria is very varied.
Usage context
The word 'Kost' (food / fare) is often used in more formal or institutional contexts to describe the type of diet. It is frequently found in contexts such as diets, gastronomy, or medicine.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat mir für die nächste Woche Schonkost verordnet.
The doctor prescribed bland food for me for the next week.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Kost und Logis' (board and lodging) is a fixed unit and means 'meals and accommodation.' The two words are almost always used together in this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Als Saisonarbeiter auf dem Weingut erhielt er ein kleines Gehalt sowie freie Kost und Logis.
As a seasonal worker at the winery, he received a small salary as well as free board and lodging.
Figurative meaning
The expression 'schwere Kost' (heavy going) is used metaphorically for content that is intellectually demanding or emotionally burdensome. The opposite is 'leichte Kost' (light reading / light entertainment) for entertaining, simple content.
EXAMPLE
Der Roman über die Nachkriegszeit war wirklich schwere Kost.
The novel about the postwar period was really heavy going.
Compare with
Kost vs Essen
food / meal / eating
'das Essen' and 'die Kost' can both mean the food that someone consumes. 'das Essen' is the normal and very general word in everyday language. 'die Kost' sounds somewhat more specialized and often describes the type or quality of someone's regular diet, for example 'leichte Kost' (light food), 'gesunde Kost' (healthy food), or 'vegetarische Kost' (vegetarian food). If you are simply talking about a meal or food, 'Essen' sounds more natural. 'Kost' is used more when talking about a specific type of diet.
Kost
Nach der Operation empfiehlt die Ärztin leichte Kost.
After the operation, the doctor recommends light food.
Essen
Nach dem Training steht das Essen schon auf dem Tisch.
After training, the food is already on the table.
In real life
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