das
Abendessen
🍽️ What exactly is "das Abendessen"?
Das Abendessen refers to the meal typically eaten in the evening. It's a compound noun formed from "Abend" (evening) and "Essen" (meal/food/eating). In German, it's neuter, so the definite article is "das".
There's only this one meaning and its corresponding article das. There's no risk of confusion with other articles for this word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of "das Abendessen"
"Abendessen" is a neuter noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das Abendessen | ein Abendessen (a dinner) |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Abendessens (of the dinner) | eines Abendessens (of a dinner) |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Abendessen (to/for the dinner) | einem Abendessen (to/for a dinner) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das Abendessen | ein Abendessen (a dinner) |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Abendessen (the dinners) | - Abendessen / viele Abendessen ((many) dinners) |
| Genitive | der Abendessen (of the dinners) | - Abendessen / vieler Abendessen (of (many) dinners) |
| Dative | den Abendessen (to/for the dinners) | - Abendessen / vielen Abendessen (to/for (many) dinners) |
| Accusative | die Abendessen (the dinners) | - Abendessen / viele Abendessen ((many) dinners) |
💡 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Abendessen ist fertig! (Dinner is ready!)
- Genitive: Der Geruch des Abendessens lockte alle an. (The smell of the dinner attracted everyone.)
- Dative: Nach dem Abendessen schauen wir einen Film. (After dinner, we'll watch a movie.)
- Accusative: Ich bereite heute das Abendessen zu. (I am preparing dinner today.)
- Plural: Die vielen festlichen Abendessen im Dezember waren köstlich. (The many festive dinners in December were delicious.)
🗣️ How to Use "das Abendessen"?
"Das Abendessen" is used to describe the last main meal of the day, which takes place in the evening. The exact time can vary but is usually between 6 PM and 8 PM.
- Typical Situations: Family meals, eating after work, going to a restaurant in the evening.
- Formality: The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Regional Differences: In some regions (especially Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria), "das Nachtessen" is also used, often synonymously. "Das Abendbrot" often refers to a simpler, cold evening meal (bread, cheese, cold cuts), while "das Abendessen" can also be a hot meal.
Example: "Was gibt es heute zum Abendessen?" (What's for dinner today?) or "Wir sind heute Abend zum Abendessen bei Freunden eingeladen." (We are invited for dinner at friends' place tonight.)
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article "das"
Think of das Essen (food/meal). Meals are often neuter in German (das Frühstück - breakfast, das Mittagessen - lunch), so it's also das Abendessen. It's like a formula: Time + Essen = das + (Time)Essen.
For the meaning
The word itself tells you: It's the Essen (meal) in the Abend (evening). Simple as that!
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for das Abendessen
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Nachtessen: (Often regional) Used synonymously, especially in the southern German-speaking areas. Means 'night meal'.
- Abendmahlzeit: Slightly more formal, emphasizes the 'meal' aspect ('evening mealtime').
- Abendbrot: Often specifically refers to a cold evening meal ('evening bread'). However, depending on the family/region, it can also mean a hot dinner.
- Vesper: (Regional, especially Southwest Germany) Can refer to an afternoon snack or also the evening meal (often cold). ⚠️ Pay attention to context!
Antonyms (opposites)
- Frühstück: Breakfast (morning meal).
- Mittagessen: Lunch (midday meal).
- Zwischenmahlzeit: Snack between main meals (e.g., coffee and cake).
⚠️ Similar Words
Be careful not to confuse "Abendessen" with events like a "Dinner" (often a more formal, social occasion) or a simple "Imbiss" (snack/light meal).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Gast den Ober: "Was können Sie mir heute zum Abendessen empfehlen?" Sagt der Ober: "Unser Tagesgericht ist heute besonders gut!" Fragt der Gast: "Und was ist das?" Antwortet der Ober: "Das Frühstück von heute Morgen, aufgewärmt!" 😉
English Translation: A guest asks the waiter: "What can you recommend for dinner tonight?" The waiter says: "Our dish of the day is especially good today!" The guest asks: "And what is it?" The waiter replies: "This morning's breakfast, reheated!" 😉
📜 Poem about Abendessen
German:
Der Tag geht nun zur Ruh',
die Arbeit ist getan.
Was kommt auf den Tisch nun zu?
Das Abendessen fängt an.
Mit Liebsten, groß und klein,
man sitzt zusammen gern.
So soll der Abend sein,
bei Kerzenschein, nicht fern.
English Translation:
The day now goes to rest,
the work is done.
What's coming to the table next?
Dinner has begun.
With loved ones, large and small,
we gladly sit together.
That's how the evening should enthrall,
by candlelight, whatever the weather.
🧩 Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin eine Mahlzeit, doch nicht am Morgen,
Auch mittags mach' ich keine Sorgen.
Ich komme, wenn der Tag sich neigt zur Nacht,
Und werde oft gemeinsam vollbracht.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Abendessen
English Translation:
I am a meal, but not in the morning,
At noon, I cause no scorning.
I come when day turns into night,
And am often shared with delight.
What am I?
Solution: Dinner (Das Abendessen)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition
"Das Abendessen" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- der Abend: The evening (time of day after the afternoon and before the night).
- das Essen: The food, meal, or the act of eating.
Cultural Context
While in some cultures dinner is the main (often hot) meal of the day, traditionally in Germany, lunch (das Mittagessen) was often the main hot meal. Therefore, the German "Abendbrot" (evening bread) is frequently a cold meal. However, this is changing, and hot dinners (warmes Abendessen) are very common today.
Summary: is it der, die or das Abendessen?
The correct form is unambiguous: It is always das Abendessen (neuter).