die Sorte
variety / type
A specific kind or type of something, especially with plants, foods, or products.
EXAMPLE
Welche Sorte Äpfel eignet sich am besten zum Backen?
Which variety of apples is best suited for baking?
die Sorte
variety / type
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Meanings
die Sorte
type
Colloquial and often derogatory for a certain kind of person or character.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Sorte Mensch möchte ich nichts zu tun haben.
I don't want anything to do with that type of person.
Usage tips
False friend
'Die Sorte' is a noun and means 'kind' or 'type'. It is not the same as the English expression 'sort of', which expresses uncertainty and means more like 'somehow' or 'in a way'.
EXAMPLE
Welche Sorte Wein empfehlen Sie zu diesem Gericht?
Which type of wine do you recommend with this dish?
Context clue
If 'Sorte' refers to things like foods or products, it has the neutral meaning 'kind/type'. If people are being discussed, especially with words like 'diese' (this/these) or 'solche' (such), the colloquial, negative meaning is often intended.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag diese Sorte Kekse sehr gerne.
I really like this type of cookie.
Typical collocations
In the context of products, 'Sorte' is often used in the question 'Welche Sorte...?' (Which type/variety...?). It is also frequently combined with the genitive or 'von' (of) to show belonging.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben verschiedene Sorten von Äpfeln im Angebot.
We offer different varieties of apples.
Colloquial use
Using 'Sorte' for people is colloquial and almost always has a derogatory or distancing meaning. It expresses that you do not value this kind of person.
EXAMPLE
Von dieser Sorte Mensch halte ich mich lieber fern.
I prefer to stay away from that type of person.
Compare with
Sorte vs Art
kind / way
Art and Sorte can classify products according to shared characteristics. Art refers to a broader category, while Sorte usually refers to a specific variety within such a category. So Art fits green or black tea, while Sorte fits different varieties of green tea.
Sorte
Der Laden führt innerhalb des grünen Tees verschiedene Sorten.
The store carries different varieties of green tea.
Art
Der Laden führt verschiedene Arten von Tee, darunter grünen und schwarzen Tee.
The store carries different kinds of tea, including green and black tea.
In real life
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