das  Mahl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/maːl/

🍽️ What exactly is "ein Mahl"?

The German word das Mahl (neuter gender) means a meal, specifically food eaten at a particular time, usually warm and substantial. It's often used for the main meals of the day (Mittagessen - lunch, Abendessen - dinner) and can imply a slightly more formal or communal character than the more general word das Essen (food, meal).

Sometimes it's also used for a particularly festive or elaborate meal, e.g., ein Festmahl (a feast).

There is only one article for "Mahl": das. ⚠️ Don't confuse it with the verb mahlen (to grind) or other similar-sounding words.

🧐 Grammar and Declension of "das Mahl"

"Mahl" is a noun (Substantiv) of neuter gender (Neutrum). Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Das gemeinsame Mahl am Abend ist uns wichtig.
   (The shared meal in the evening is important to us.)
2. Wir bereiten ein festliches Mahl für unsere Gäste vor.
   (We are preparing a festive meal for our guests.)
3. Nach einem langen Arbeitstag freue ich mich auf ein warmes Mahl.
   (After a long workday, I look forward to a warm meal.)
4. Die Ritter versammelten sich zum abendlichen Mahle (oder Mahl) in der großen Halle.
   (The knights gathered for the evening meal in the great hall.)
5. Früher gab es oft drei feste Mahle (oder Mähler) am Tag.
   (In the past, there were often three set meals a day.)

💡 How to Use "das Mahl"?

"Das Mahl" is often used to emphasize the act of eating together or a specific, structured meal, as opposed to the more general das Essen, which can also just mean 'food'.

• More Formal Contexts: In invitations or when describing festive occasions (e.g., Hochzeitsmahl - wedding meal, Festmahl - feast).
• Emphasis on Community: When togetherness during the meal is important (e.g., das Familienmahl - the family meal).
• Main Meals: More commonly used for lunch or dinner than for breakfast or snacks.
• Expression "Mahlzeit!": This is a typical greeting in Germany and Austria around lunchtime, especially among colleagues. It essentially means "Enjoy your meal" (like Guten Appetit) or is simply a greeting used at midday.

Comparison with "Essen":

• "Ich koche das Essen." (Refers to the food itself - I'm cooking the food/meal.)
• "Wir setzen uns zum Mahl." (Emphasizes the act of eating at a specific time, often together - We are sitting down for the meal.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Mahl"

For the Article (das): Think of a meal as a basic, neuter necessity - like the neuter article das. Or imagine: "Das ist das Mahl" - This is the meal, simple and neutral.

For the Meaning (meal): "Mahl" sounds quite similar to the English word "meal". Also, remember the common greeting "Mahlzeit!" - people say this around lunchtime. You take time (Zeit) for a Mahl.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms (Similar Meaning):

• Das Essen: The most general term for meal or food.
• Die Mahlzeit: Very common synonym, almost interchangeable with "Mahl". (Note: different gender - die!)
• Die Speise: Often refers to a specific dish or type of food.
• Das Gericht: A single prepared item of a meal, a course or dish.
• Das Festmahl: A particularly large, festive meal; a feast.
• Das Menü: A sequence of courses in a meal; a menu.

Antonyms (Opposites):

Direct antonyms are difficult, but one could mention words describing the opposite of a full meal:

• Der Snack: A small meal between main meals.
• Der Imbiss: A small, often quickly prepared meal or snack.
• Das Fasten: Fasting, the deliberate abstention from food.

Similar Words (Be Careful!):

• mahlen: Verb, meaning to grind (e.g., coffee).
• das Mal: Neuter noun, meaning time, occasion, mark (e.g., das erste Mal - the first time, Muttermal - birthmark).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kellner den Gast: "Wie fanden Sie das Mahl?"
Gast: "Rein zufällig. Ich habe unter dem Salatblatt nachgesehen!"

Waiter asks the guest: "How did you find the meal?"
Guest: "Purely by chance. I looked under the lettuce leaf!"

(This plays on the double meaning of "finden" - to find something physically, and to find something in terms of opinion.)

📜 Poem about the Meal

Am Tisch vereint, bei Kerzenschein,
beginnt das Mahl, so froh und fein.
Die Teller voll, der Duft so klar,
ein Augenblick, so wunderbar.
Gemeinsam schmeckt's, das ist doch klar,
das täglich Brot, Jahr für Jahr.

(Gathered at the table, by candlelight,
the meal begins, so happy and fine.
The plates are full, the scent so clear,
a moment, so wonderful.
Together it tastes good, that's clear,
the daily bread, year after year.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich komme oft am Mittag, manchmal spät,
bin selten kalt, wenn man mich isst und tät'.
Ich bring' Familie und Freunde an den Tisch,
mal einfach, mal als Festschmaus frisch.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: das Mahl

(I often come at noon, sometimes late,
am seldom cold when eaten straight.
I bring family and friends to the table,
sometimes simple, sometimes a festive label.

What am I?

Answer: das Mahl (the meal))

📌 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Mahl" comes from the Old High German word "māl", which originally meant "point in time" or "appointed time". From this, the meaning "set mealtime" and finally "meal" itself developed.

The Greeting "Mahlzeit!": As mentioned earlier, "Mahlzeit!" is a very common greeting around lunchtime in German-speaking countries, especially in the workplace. It can wish someone "Enjoy your meal" (Guten Appetit) or simply serve as a time-specific greeting.