01
die Pfanne
pan
A flat piece of cookware with a long handle, used for frying foods such as eggs, meat, or vegetables.
example
Er briet die Zwiebeln in der Pfanne goldbraun an.
He fried the onions in the pan until golden brown.
die Pfanne
pan
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the context of cooking, 'Pfanne' (pan) is often used with the preposition 'in' (in). You fry something 'in der Pfanne' (in the pan, dative) or put ingredients 'in die Pfanne' (into the pan, accusative).
EXAMPLE
Das Fleisch brät schon in der Pfanne.
The meat is already frying in the pan.
Fixed expression
The colloquial idiom 'jemanden in die Pfanne hauen' means to sharply criticize someone, betray them, or harm them.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seinen Kollegen vor dem Chef richtig in die Pfanne gehauen.
He really threw his colleague under the bus in front of the boss.
Context clues
Almost always, 'Pfanne' (pan) means the piece of cookware. The meanings in anatomy or old firearms are technical language and can only be recognized through the specific context (medicine, history).
EXAMPLE
Für Spiegeleier brauchst du eine beschichtete Pfanne.
For fried eggs, you need a non-stick pan.
Compare with
Pfanne vs Topf
pot
'der Topf' and 'die Pfanne' are both cookware and are often used on the stove. The difference is mainly in their shape and typical use. A 'Topf' is deep and is well suited for water, soup, pasta, or stew. A 'Pfanne' is flat, usually has a long handle, and is more suitable for frying, for example eggs, meat, or vegetables. Learners may confuse the words because you use both to heat food. As a simple guide: a lot of liquid or boiling is more likely done in a 'Topf', while frying with a little fat is more likely done in a 'Pfanne'.
Pfanne
In der Pfanne brät Tom am Abend ein Ei mit etwas Gemüse.
In the evening, Tom fries an egg with some vegetables in the pan.
Topf
Für die Nudeln stellt Sofia einen großen Topf mit Wasser auf den Herd.
For the pasta, Sofia puts a large pot of water on the stove.
In real life
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