onion
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onion
A plant with a round, edible bulb made up of several layers, used as a vegetable and seasoning because of its sharp flavor.
Für das Gulasch musst du zuerst eine Zwiebel in kleine Würfel schneiden.
For the goulash, you first have to cut an onion into small cubes.
pocket watch
A colloquial, outdated term for a thick, old-fashioned pocket watch.
Der Großvater schaute auf seine alte Zwiebel und stellte fest, dass es schon spät war.
Grandfather looked at his old pocket watch and realized that it was already late.
In the context of cooking and food, 'Zwiebel' (onion) is often used with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'Zwiebeln schneiden' (to cut onions), 'Zwiebeln hacken' (to chop onions), 'Zwiebeln schälen' (to peel onions), and 'Zwiebeln anbraten' (to sauté onions).
Für die Soße müssen Sie zuerst eine Zwiebel fein hacken.
For the sauce, you first need to finely chop an onion.
The structure of the onion with its many layers is often used as a metaphor in German. People speak of the 'Zwiebelprinzip' (onion principle / layering principle) or 'Zwiebellook' (layered look) when something is made up of several layers, for example clothing.
Im Winter kleide ich mich immer nach dem Zwiebelprinzip.
In winter, I always dress according to the layering principle.
The meaning 'Taschenuhr' (pocket watch) is outdated and colloquial. It is hardly used actively today, but it can appear in old books or films to create a nostalgic atmosphere.
Er zog seine goldene Zwiebel aus der Westentasche.
He pulled his gold pocket watch out of his vest pocket.
tuber / ticket / nose
Both words refer to a thickened underground part of a plant that serves as a storage organ. Zwiebel is a specific type: a layered, edible plant part; Knolle is the more general term for thickened storage tissue. Use Knolle for this broad group and Zwiebel for the layered type.
Die Zwiebel besteht aus mehreren Schichten und würzt unsere Suppe.
The onion is made up of several layers and adds flavor to our soup.
Die Kartoffel ist eine Knolle und speichert Nährstoffe unter der Erde.
A potato is a tuber that stores nutrients underground.
