das
Bistro
☕ What exactly is a Bistro?
A Bistro (neuter, article: das) is a small, often cozy type of eatery, originally from France. In Germany, it typically refers to a place that offers both drinks (like Kaffee, Wein, Bier) and simple, small meals (kleine Speisen). The atmosphere is usually more casual (legerer) than in a formal restaurant (Restaurant). It's similar to a Café or a small pub (kleine Kneipe), but often has a French touch.
Note: This word only uses the neuter article das. There are no alternative meanings associated with different articles.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
-o → mostly neutral.
🧐 Grammar of "das Bistro" in Detail
The word "Bistro" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). It always takes the article das.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Bistro | ein Bistro |
| Genitive | des Bistros | eines Bistros |
| Dative | dem Bistro | einem Bistro |
| Accusative | das Bistro | ein Bistro |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Bistros | Bistros |
| Genitive | der Bistros | Bistros |
| Dative | den Bistros | Bistros |
| Accusative | die Bistros | Bistros |
💡 Example Sentences
- Wir treffen uns später in dem kleinen Bistro an der Ecke. (We'll meet later in the small bistro on the corner. - Dative Singular)
- Das Bistro gegenüber hat heute geschlossen. (The bistro opposite is closed today. - Nominative Singular)
- Ich habe gestern Abend in einem Bistro gegessen. (I ate in a bistro last night. - Dative Singular)
- Die Stadt hat viele gemütliche Bistros. (The city has many cozy bistros. - Nominative/Accusative Plural)
- Der Besitzer des Bistros ist sehr freundlich. (The owner of the bistro is very friendly. - Genitive Singular)
🗣️ How to use "Bistro"?
"Bistro" is used to describe a specific type of establishment:
- Context: Usually informal, for a quick coffee (schnellen Kaffee), lunch (Mittagessen), an after-work drink (Drink nach der Arbeit), or a simple dinner (einfaches Abendessen).
- Atmosphere: Often perceived as cozy (gemütlich), casual (ungezwungen), and sometimes having a French flair (französisches Flair).
- Distinction: It differs from a Restaurant due to its often simpler menu (einfachere Speisekarte) and more casual atmosphere. It's more than just a Café (which primarily focuses on coffee and cake - Kaffee und Kuchen) and often a bit more stylish or international than a typical German pub or Kneipe (which mainly focuses on drinks, especially beer - Bier).
- Target Audience: Popular with students (Studenten), young people (junge Leute), but also for quick business lunches (schnelle Geschäftsessen) or meeting friends (Treffen mit Freunden).
For example, you might say: "Lass uns auf einen Wein ins Bistro gehen" (Let's go to the bistro for a glass of wine) or "Ich hole mir mittags oft einen Salat im Bistro um die Ecke." (I often get a salad at the bistro around the corner for lunch.)
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Bistro"
Article Mnemonic: Think of das Haus (the house). A Bistro is often small and cozy, like das little house. Both are neuter.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying, "Let's be strolling... into that little place for a quick bite!" Sounds a bit like Bistro and hints at its casual nature.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Café: Similar, but often focuses more on coffee, cake, and breakfast.
- Die Kneipe: More focused on drinks (especially beer), often more rustic.
- Die Gaststätte / Das Lokal: More general terms for places to eat and drink.
- Die Bar: Clearly focused on alcoholic drinks, often open in the evenings.
Antonyms (opposite meaning - limited applicability):
- Das Restaurant / Das Speiselokal: Usually more formal, larger menu, often higher prices, focus on full meals.
- Die Kantine: More functional, self-service, often in companies or institutions (canteen).
⚠️ Misleadingly similar words:
There aren't common German words that sound very similar to "Bistro" and have a completely different meaning causing frequent confusion.
😄 A little joke
DE: Fragt der Ober im Bistro: "Hatten Sie reserviert?" Antwortet der Gast: "Nein, wieso? Sehen wir so alt aus?"
EN: The waiter in the bistro asks: "Did you make a reservation?" The guest replies: "No, why? Do we look that old?" (This is a pun: "reserviert" sounds like "konserviert" which means preserved/canned, often associated with old things).
📜 A Poem about the Bistro
DE:
Das Bistro klein, an Straßes Rand,
Mit Charme bekannt im ganzen Land.
Ein Kaffee schnell, ein Wein am Glas,
Hier findet jeder leicht etwas.
Gespräche leis', Gelächter klingt,
Wo Hektik schnell mal inne springt.
Ein Ort für Pause, kurz und fein,
So soll ein gutes Bistro sein.
EN:
The bistro small, by the roadside bright,
Known for its charm, a welcome sight.
A coffee quick, a wine by glass,
Here everyone finds something, alas.
Quiet talks, laughter's sound,
Where hustle briefly can't be found.
A place for breaks, short and neat,
That's how a good bistro should meet.
❓ A little riddle
DE:
Ich bin kein großes Restaurant,
Hab oft französisch Flair zur Hand.
Man trinkt bei mir Kaffee und Wein,
Und isst dazu was Leckres, klein.
Was bin ich?
... Das Bistro
EN:
I'm not a large restaurant,
Often have French flair on hand.
People drink coffee and wine with me,
And eat something tasty and small, you see.
What am I?
... Das Bistro
🌍 Origin and Other Info
The word Bistro comes from French. There are various theories about its exact origin. One popular, but likely incorrect, story claims it comes from the Russian word "bystro" (быстро), meaning "quickly". Russian soldiers supposedly shouted this in Parisian pubs in 1814 to be served quickly. However, an origin from regional French dialects, where similar words referred to small pubs or wine merchants, is more probable.
In German, it's an established loanword and is used as a neuter noun (das Bistro) as described.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bistro?
The German word "Bistro" is neuter, so you always use the article das: das Bistro.