01
die Vorspeise
starter / appetizer
A small, light dish served as the first course of a menu before the main course.
example
Als Vorspeise bestelle ich einen gemischten Salat.
As a starter, I'll order a mixed salad.
die Vorspeise
starter / appetizer
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is composed of 'vor' (before) and 'die Speise' (the dish/food). So it is literally the 'Vor-Speise', the dish you eat before the main course.
EXAMPLE
Die Speisekarte bietet eine große Auswahl an Vorspeisen.
The menu offers a wide selection of starters.
Use with 'als'
Very often, the Vorspeise (starter/appetizer) is introduced with the preposition 'als' to describe its function in the menu.
EXAMPLE
Als Vorspeise nehme ich eine Tomatensuppe.
As a starter, I'll have tomato soup.
Part of a menu
A 'Vorspeise' is the first part of a classic menu. The typical order in Germany is: Vorspeise (starter), then Hauptspeise or Hauptgericht (main course), and finally Nachspeise or Dessert (dessert).
EXAMPLE
Das Menü besteht aus Vorspeise, Hauptgericht und Dessert.
The menu consists of a starter, main course, and dessert.
Compare with
Vorspeise vs Beilage
side dish / insert
'die Beilage' and 'die Vorspeise' can both refer to food in a menu, but they appear at different points. You eat a 'Vorspeise' (starter / appetizer) before the main course, usually as a small first course. A 'Beilage' (side dish) is served with the main course, for example potatoes, rice, vegetables, or salad. Learners may confuse the words because neither one is the main course itself. A practical way to remember it is: the Vorspeise comes before it, the Beilage comes with it.
Vorspeise
Als Vorspeise bestellen wir eine Suppe, danach kommt das Hauptgericht.
As a starter, we order a soup; after that comes the main course.
Beilage
Zum Fisch nimmt Anna als Beilage einen kleinen Salat.
With the fish, Anna has a small salad as a side dish.
In real life
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