A sweet, strongly spiced baked good similar to gingerbread or honey cake. 'Lebkuchen' is especially popular in Germany during the Christmas season.
example
Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt duftet es herrlich nach gebrannten Mandeln und frischem Lebkuchen.
At the Christmas market, there is a wonderful smell of roasted almonds and fresh gingerbread.
Usage tips
Cultural context
'Lebkuchen' (gingerbread) is inseparably connected with the Christmas season in Germany. You can find it at every Christmas market and in all supermarkets starting in autumn.
EXAMPLE
Für mich beginnt die Weihnachtszeit, wenn ich den ersten Lebkuchen esse.
For me, the Christmas season begins when I eat my first piece of gingerbread.
Typical forms
'Lebkuchen' (gingerbread) is often the base word for specific forms of the baked good. Especially well known are the 'Lebkuchenherz' (gingerbread heart), which you buy at folk festivals, and the 'Lebkuchenhaus' (gingerbread house) from the fairy tale 'Hänsel und Gretel' (Hansel and Gretel).
EXAMPLE
Zum Geburtstag hat er mir ein großes Lebkuchenherz mit meinem Namen darauf geschenkt.
For my birthday, he gave me a large gingerbread heart with my name on it.
Regional specialty
Certain cities are famous for their 'Lebkuchen' (gingerbread). Especially well known is 'Nürnberger Lebkuchen' (Nuremberg gingerbread), whose name is even geographically protected.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma schickt uns jedes Jahr zu Weihnachten echte Nürnberger Lebkuchen.
Every year at Christmas, my grandma sends us real Nuremberg gingerbread.