das  Frühstück

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁyːʃtʏk/

🍳 What does "das Frühstück" mean?

Das Frühstück is the German word for breakfast, the first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning. It's a noun and always takes the neuter article das in German. There are no other articles for this word.

A typical German breakfast (ein typisches deutsches Frühstück) might include:

• Brötchen (bread rolls) or Brot (bread) 🍞
• Butter, Margarine
• Marmelade (jam/marmalade), Honig (honey) 🍯
• Käse (cheese) 🧀
• Wurst (sausage/cold cuts) or Schinken (ham) 🥓
• Gekochtes Ei (boiled egg) 🥚
• Müsli or Cornflakes with Milch (milk) or Joghurt (yogurt)
• Kaffee (coffee) ☕, Tee (tea) or Saft (juice) 🍊

🚨 Be aware: It's never 'der Frühstück' or 'die Frühstück'. The word is always neuter (sächlich).

📊 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Frühstück

The word Frühstück is a neuter noun (ein sächliches Substantiv). Here's how it declines (dekliniert):

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural form die Frühstücke is rarely used. It's mainly employed when referring to multiple, individually prepared or served breakfasts (e.g., in a hotel context or comparing different types of breakfasts).

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Nominative: Das Frühstück ist fertig. (Breakfast is ready.)
2. Accusative: Ich esse das Frühstück schnell. (I eat the breakfast quickly.)
3. Dative: Nach dem Frühstück gehe ich aus. (After breakfast, I go out.)
4. Genitive: Der Geschmack des Frühstücks war gut. (The taste of the breakfast was good.)
5. Plural (rare): Die verschiedenen Frühstücke im Hotel waren alle lecker. (The different breakfasts at the hotel were all delicious.)

🗣️ How to Use "das Frühstück"?

Das Frühstück is commonly used in everyday German to talk about the first meal of the day.

• Typical Collocations (Typische Kollokationen):
  • Frühstück essen/haben: To eat/have breakfast. (Wir essen um 8 Uhr Frühstück. - We eat breakfast at 8.)
  • Frühstück machen/zubereiten: To make/prepare breakfast. (Ich mache das Frühstück. - I make breakfast.)
  • zum Frühstück: For breakfast. (Was möchtest du zum Frühstück? - What do you want for breakfast?)
  • beim Frühstück: During/at breakfast. (Wir reden beim Frühstück. - We talk during breakfast.)
  • nach dem Frühstück: After breakfast. (Nach dem Frühstück lese ich die Zeitung. - After breakfast, I read the newspaper.)
  • vor dem Frühstück: Before breakfast. (Ich jogge vor dem Frühstück. - I jog before breakfast.)
• Context: You use it whether you're having breakfast at home (zu Hause), in a hotel (im Hotel), or in a café (im Café). Germans might also refer to special types like Sektfrühstück 🥂 (breakfast with sparkling wine) or Bauernfrühstück (farmer's breakfast - a hearty dish, often with fried potatoes and egg, not necessarily eaten in the morning).
• Comparison: Unlike the English word 'breakfast', which can sometimes stretch later into the day, das Frühstück specifically refers to the morning meal. A mid-morning snack might be called zweites Frühstück ('second breakfast') or Vormittagspause ('morning break'). A meal combining breakfast and lunch is usually called Brunch (borrowed from English).

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Frühstück"

Remembering the article "das":

Think of other meals in German: many main meals are neuter (sächlich): das Essen (food/meal), das Mittagessen (lunch), das Abendessen (dinner/supper) – and also das Frühstück. Picture a neutrally set table, ready for das Frühstück.

Remembering the meaning:

The word is composed of früh (early) and Stück (piece). Think of it as the 'early piece' of bread 🥖 or food you have in the morning. The first (early) piece of the day!

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

😂 A Little Breakfast Joke

German: Fragt der Kellner den Gast beim Frühstück: „Möchten Sie Ihren Kaffee schwarz?“ Antwortet der Gast: „Haben Sie denn eine andere Farbe?“ 😉

English: The waiter asks the guest at breakfast, "Would you like your coffee black?" The guest replies, "Do you have any other colours?" 😉

📜 Poem about Breakfast

German:
Am Morgen, wenn der Tag erwacht,
wird an den Tisch das Frühstück gebracht.
Brötchen, Kaffee, Ei dabei,
so startet man den Morgen frei.
Ein Duft von Honig, süß und klar,
das ist das Frühstück, wunderbar! ☀️

English Translation:
In the morning, when day awakes,
Breakfast to the table makes.
Rolls, coffee, egg alongside,
So the morning starts with stride.
A scent of honey, sweet and clear,
That is breakfast, wonderfully dear! ☀️

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin die erste Mahlzeit, früh am Tag,
komm' nach dem Schlafen, keine Frag'.
Mit Brot, mit Müsli oder Ei,
bin ich für viele mit dabei.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, merk es dir gut!

Was bin ich? 🤔
... Das Frühstück

English Translation:
I am the first meal, early in the day,
I come after sleeping, no delay.
With bread, with muesli, or an egg,
I'm there for many, it's often said.
My article is neuter, remember this clue!

What am I? 🤔
... Breakfast (das Frühstück)

💡 Other Information

• Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): The word Frühstück is a compound of the adjective/adverb früh (early) and the noun das Stück (piece). It likely originally meant an 'early piece of bread' eaten in the morning.
• Cultural Significance (Kulturelle Bedeutung): Breakfast often holds significant importance in Germany, especially weekend breakfast (Wochenendfrühstück) with the family, which can be more elaborate and leisurely. 🥐👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Variations (Variationen): There are many regional and personal variations of breakfast in Germany. What constitutes a 'typical' breakfast can differ widely.