die Portion
portion
A specific amount of food intended for one person or served to one person.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern eine große Portion Pommes frites.
I'd like a large portion of French fries.
die Portion
portion
die Portion, die Portionen
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Meanings
die Portion
portion
A certain share or amount of something that does not necessarily have to be food.
EXAMPLE
Für dieses Projekt braucht man eine extra Portion Geduld.
For this project, you need an extra portion of patience.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Portion, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Portionen |
| genitive | der Portion |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Portion | die Portionen |
| accusative | die Portion | die Portionen |
| dative | der Portion | den Portionen |
| genitive | der Portion | der Portionen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Use with nouns
When 'Portion' (portion) is followed by a noun that describes the type of portion, this noun usually comes directly after it without a preposition. Using 'von' (of) is grammatically correct, but less common in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Er bestellte eine Portion Nudeln mit Tomatensoße.
He ordered a portion of pasta with tomato sauce.
Typical collocations
In connection with food, 'Portion' (portion) is often used with the adjectives 'groß' (large), 'klein' (small), or 'doppelt' (double). Typical verbs are 'bestellen' (to order), 'nehmen' (to take), or 'bekommen' (to get).
EXAMPLE
Eine kleine Portion Pommes, bitte!
A small portion of fries, please!
Abstract amounts
In the figurative meaning, 'Portion' (portion) is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical phrases are 'eine Portion Glück' (a portion of luck), 'eine Portion Mut' (a portion of courage), or 'eine extra Portion Geduld' (an extra portion of patience).
EXAMPLE
Mit einer ordentlichen Portion Selbstvertrauen schaffst du die Prüfung.
With a solid portion of self-confidence, you'll pass the exam.
Compare with
Portion vs Stück
piece
When serving food, Stück and Portion can refer to the same amount. Stück mainly refers to the specific, separated unit, while Portion emphasizes the amount intended for or served to one person. With cake, both are therefore possible, depending on whether the shape or the amount is important.
Portion
Die Bedienung gab jedem Gast eine Portion Kuchen auf den Teller.
The server put a portion of cake on each guest’s plate.
Stück
Die Bedienung legte jedem Gast ein Stück Kuchen auf den Teller.
The server put a piece of cake on each guest’s plate.
In real life
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