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
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Meanings
der Spargel
beanpole
A colloquial, often joking or slightly derogatory term for a very tall and thin person.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist so ein Spargel, er isst viel, nimmt aber nie zu.
My brother is such a beanpole; he eats a lot but never gains weight.
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 Hering
herring / tent peg
“Spargel” can be used colloquially to refer to a very tall and thin person. The stated meaning of “Hering,” on the other hand, contains no term for a thin person; it refers to a fish or a tent peg. Therefore, “Spargel” fits this figurative context, while “Hering” is not attested for this meaning according to the meanings provided.
Spargel
Mit seiner großen, dünnen Gestalt wurde er von seinen Freunden scherzhaft als Spargel bezeichnet.
Because of his tall, thin build, his friends jokingly called him a beanpole.
Hering
Der Hering ist ein silbriger Fisch, der in der Nordsee lebt.
The herring is a silvery fish that lives in the North Sea.
In real life
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