snack / vespers
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snack / light meal
A small, often cold meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening. The term is used especially in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Nach der Wanderung gab es eine deftige Vesper mit Brot, Käse und Wurst.
After the hike, there was a hearty snack with bread, cheese, and sausage.
The two meanings of 'Vesper' are easy to distinguish. If it is about food, drink, or a break (often outdoors), it refers to the meal. If the context is religious and mentions a church, monastery, or prayer, it refers to the service.
Wir machen eine kurze Vesper, bevor wir weiterwandern.
We'll have a short snack before we continue hiking.
As a term for a meal, 'Vesper' is used almost exclusively in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In other parts of Germany, the word is rarely used or understood in this context.
In Schwaben gehört eine gute Vesper zum Feierabend dazu.
In Swabia, a good snack is part of the end of the workday.
When referring to the meal, 'Vesper' is often combined with verbs like 'machen' (to have/make), 'einnehmen' (to take/eat), or 'essen' (to eat). Typical adjectives are 'kalt' (cold), 'herzhaft' (savory), or 'deftig' (hearty).
Nach der Gartenarbeit haben wir eine herzhafte Vesper gemacht.
After working in the garden, we had a hearty snack.
In a religious context, 'Vesper' is often used with verbs like 'feiern' (to celebrate/hold), 'beten' (to pray), or 'halten' (to hold). A common phrase is also 'zur Vesper gehen' (to go to vespers).
Die Gemeinde ist eingeladen, die sonntägliche Vesper mitzufeiern.
The congregation is invited to take part in the Sunday vespers.
dinner
'das Abendessen' and 'die Vesper' can both mean a meal later in the day. 'Abendessen' is the general word for the meal in the evening and is understood everywhere. It can also be a shared meal at a celebration or a business appointment. 'Vesper' refers more to a smaller, often cold meal in the late afternoon or early evening. The word is common especially in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Learners may confuse the words because they are close to each other in time. If you are speaking neutrally about the evening meal, 'Abendessen' is usually safer.
Nach der Wanderung packt Paula die Vesper aus: Brot, Käse und ein paar Äpfel.
After the hike, Paula unpacks the snack: bread, cheese, and a few apples.
Zum Abendessen kocht die Familie heute Suppe und isst danach zusammen am großen Tisch.
For dinner today, the family is cooking soup and then eating together at the large table.