01
der Spinat
spinach
A green leafy vegetable that is eaten cooked or raw as food.
example
Als Kind mochte ich keinen Spinat, aber heute esse ich ihn gerne.
As a child, I didn't like spinach, but today I enjoy eating it.
der Spinat
spinach
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Meanings
Usage tips
Use as a mass noun
'Spinat' (spinach) is a mass noun, similar to 'Milch' (milk) or 'Reis' (rice). It is usually used in the singular and often without an article when talking about the food in general.
EXAMPLE
Zum Mittagessen gibt es heute Fisch mit Spinat und Kartoffeln.
For lunch today, there is fish with spinach and potatoes.
Typical preparations
Common combinations in cooking are 'Rahmspinat' (creamed spinach), 'Blattspinat' (leaf spinach), or the classic meal 'Spinat mit Spiegelei und Kartoffeln' (spinach with a fried egg and potatoes). A distinction is also made between 'frischem Spinat' (fresh spinach) and 'Tiefkühlspinat' (frozen spinach).
EXAMPLE
Ich mag am liebsten Rahmspinat.
I like creamed spinach best.
Cultural context
As in English, spinach is also often associated in German-speaking countries with the comic character Popeye and is considered a symbol of strength and health.
EXAMPLE
Iss deinen Spinat, damit du groß und stark wirst!
Eat your spinach so you grow big and strong!
Compare with
Spinat vs Mangold
Swiss chard
'der Spinat' (spinach) and 'der Mangold' (Swiss chard) are both green leafy vegetables and can be cooked in similar ways. That is why they are easily confused in recipes. Spinach usually has softer leaves and is often cooked as a classic leafy vegetable or eaten raw. Swiss chard has large leaves and noticeably thick stems, which are often used as well. If a recipe only mentions small, soft green leaves, it usually means spinach. If thick stems and large leaves are important, 'Mangold' is more precise.
Spinat
Zum Abendessen macht Tom Nudeln mit Spinat und etwas Käse.
For dinner, Tom is making pasta with spinach and a little cheese.
Mangold
Mangold schmeckt gut, wenn man die Stiele klein schneidet und mit den Blättern kocht.
Swiss chard tastes good when you cut the stems into small pieces and cook them with the leaves.
In real life
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