01
der Spargel
asparagus
A vegetable whose edible parts are the young white or green shoots of the asparagus plant.
example
Im Frühling gibt es bei uns oft frischen Spargel mit Kartoffeln.
In spring, we often have fresh asparagus with potatoes.
der Spargel
asparagus
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Cultural context
Asparagus has great cultural significance in Germany. 'Spargelzeit' (asparagus season) in spring, roughly April to June, is celebrated, and the vegetable is considered a seasonal delicacy.
EXAMPLE
Endlich ist wieder Spargelzeit!
At last, it's asparagus season again!
Typical verbs
In connection with asparagus, three verbs are especially typical: 'stechen' (to harvest, literally to cut/dig), 'schälen' (to peel/prepare), and 'kochen' (to cook/prepare).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Feld wird der Spargel von Hand gestochen.
In the field, the asparagus is harvested by hand.
Colloquial usage
Calling a person 'Spargel' (beanpole) is colloquial. It describes a very tall, thin person and can sound joking or slightly derogatory depending on the tone.
EXAMPLE
Seit seinem Wachstumsschub ist er ein richtiger Spargel geworden.
Since his growth spurt, he has become a real beanpole.
Countable or uncountable
'Spargel' (asparagus) can be used both uncountably, when referring to the dish, and countably, when referring to the individual spears.
EXAMPLE
Heute Abend essen wir Spargel mit Schinken.
Tonight we're eating asparagus with ham.
Compare with
Spargel vs Latte
slat / crossbar
'die Latte' and 'der Spargel' can both refer to something long and narrow. The important difference is the area of use: a 'Latte' is a solid bar or slat, usually made of wood, metal, or plastic. It is used for building, fences, or furniture. 'Spargel', on the other hand, is a vegetable that you eat. The words can be confused because individual asparagus spears can look long and narrow. In the kitchen, however, you say 'Spargel'; when building or repairing something, you say 'Latte'.
Spargel
Anton kauft auf dem Markt frischen Spargel für das Abendessen.
Anton buys fresh asparagus at the market for dinner.
Latte
Für den kaputten Zaun brauchen wir noch eine neue Latte.
We still need a new slat for the broken fence.
In real life
Loading video examples...