schmackhaft
tasty
Tasting good; flavorful and appetizing.
EXAMPLE
Die Köchin hat uns ein sehr schmackhaftes Essen zubereitet.
The cook prepared a very tasty meal for us.
schmackhaft
tasty
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Meanings
jemandem etwas schmackhaft machen
to make something appealing to someone
In a fixed expression meaning to present an idea, proposal, or task to someone in such a way that the person finds it attractive and desirable.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef versuchte, uns die Überstunden mit einem Bonus schmackhaft zu machen.
The boss tried to make the overtime appealing to us with a bonus.
Usage tips
Word formation
The word is made up of the stem “Schmack-” (from “schmecken” (to taste)) and the ending “-haft.” The ending “-haft” forms adjectives and means “having the quality of something,” so literally “having the quality of taste.”
EXAMPLE
Die Suppe war einfach, aber sehr schmackhaft.
The soup was simple but very tasty.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning exists only in the fixed expression “jemandem etwas schmackhaft machen” (to make something appealing to someone). The person is in the dative (“jemandem” (to someone)) and the thing is in the accusative (“etwas” (something)).
EXAMPLE
Er versuchte, mir die neue Arbeitsstelle schmackhaft zu machen.
He tried to make the new job appealing to me.
Context: food & drink
In its literal meaning, “schmackhaft” describes only food and drink. It is a slightly more elevated word and is often used on menus, in recipes, or in restaurant reviews.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Speisekarte standen viele schmackhafte Gerichte.
There were many tasty dishes on the menu.
Compare with
schmackhaft vs lecker
delicious
Lecker and schmackhaft both describe food that tastes good. Lecker sounds more everyday, personal, and somewhat colloquial. Schmackhaft sounds more factual and neutral, so it is often better suited to a matter-of-fact description of a dish.
schmackhaft
Auf der Speisekarte wird dieselbe Suppe als schmackhaft beschrieben.
The same soup is described as tasty on the menu.
lecker
Die Suppe ist richtig lecker, sagt Paul nach dem ersten Löffel.
“The soup is really delicious,” Paul says after the first spoonful.
In real life
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