das
Mittagessen
🍽️ What exactly is "das Mittagessen"?
Das Mittagessen (noun, neuter) refers to the meal typically eaten around midday. It's often the main meal of the day in German-speaking countries, although this is increasingly shifting.
It is a compound word formed from "Mittag" (midday) and "Essen" (meal, food, eating).
Since it only takes the article "das", there are no different meanings dependent on the article. It is always neuter.
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: How to decline "das Mittagessen"?
"Das Mittagessen" is a noun with the neuter article "das". Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das Mittagessen | ein Mittagessen (a lunch) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Mittagessens (of the lunch) | eines Mittagessens (of a lunch) |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem Mittagessen (to/for the lunch) | einem Mittagessen (to/for a lunch) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das Mittagessen | ein Mittagessen (a lunch) |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Mittagessen (the lunches) | - Mittagessen (lunches) |
| Genitive | der Mittagessen (of the lunches) | - Mittagessen (of lunches) |
| Dative | den Mittagessen (to/for the lunches) | - Mittagessen (to/for lunches) |
| Accusative | die Mittagessen (the lunches) | - Mittagessen (lunches) |
Example Sentences
- Das Mittagessen ist heute besonders lecker. (Lunch is particularly tasty today.)
- Wann gibt es Mittagessen? (When is lunch?)
- Nach dem Mittagessen machen wir einen Spaziergang. (After lunch, we'll go for a walk.)
- Die Qualität des Mittagessens in der Kantine variiert. (The quality of the lunch in the canteen varies.)
- Wir haben viele verschiedene Mittagessen während unserer Reise probiert. (We tried many different lunches during our trip.)
💡 How to use "das Mittagessen"?
"Das Mittagessen" is used in everyday language to refer to the midday meal. Here are some typical contexts:
- Time reference: "Wir treffen uns zum Mittagessen um 12:30 Uhr." (We'll meet for lunch at 12:30 PM.)
- Describing the meal: "Heute gab es als Mittagessen Schnitzel mit Pommes." (Today, we had schnitzel and fries for lunch.)
- Fixed part of the daily routine: "Nach der Schule essen die Kinder ihr Mittagessen." (After school, the children eat their lunch.)
- In the workplace: "Die Mittagspause wird oft für das Mittagessen genutzt." (The lunch break is often used for having lunch.)
It can refer to the meal itself or the act of eating at noon ("Ich bin gerade beim Mittagessen." - I'm having lunch right now.). Compared to "Lunch" (often used as an Anglicism), "Mittagessen" is the more traditional and common term.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Mittagessen"
-
Article "das": Remember that "das Essen" (the food/meal) is neuter. Even if you eat it at "Mittag" (midday), it remains das Essen. Imagine a neutral tray (das Tablett is also neuter!) serving das Mittagessen.
-
Meaning "Lunch": The word itself clearly tells the story: It's the meal (Essen) you have in the middle (Mitte) of the day (Tag). Mittag + Essen = Midday Meal = Lunch.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Mittagsmahlzeit: A more formal and longer term for the same thing.
- Der Lunch: A commonly used Anglicism, often implying a lighter or quicker midday meal.
- Das Mittagbrot: Regional or colloquial, often for a simpler, cold meal at noon.
Antonyms (opposite meals):
- Das Frühstück: Breakfast (the morning meal).
- Das Abendessen / Das Abendbrot: Dinner/Supper (the evening meal).
Similar but different terms:
- Die Mittagspause: The lunch break during work or school, where lunch is often eaten, but not the meal itself.
😄 A little Lunchtime Joke
DE: Fragt der Kellner: "Hat Ihnen das Mittagessen geschmeckt?" Gast: "Ausgezeichnet, aber die Portion war etwas klein." Kellner: "Wo hätten Sie denn gerne mehr gehabt?" Gast: "Auf dem Teller!"
EN: The waiter asks: "Did you enjoy the lunch?" Guest: "Excellent, but the portion was a bit small." Waiter: "Where would you have liked more?" Guest: "On the plate!"
📜 Poem about Lunchtime
DE:
Wenn die Sonn' am höchsten steht,
Und der Magen leise fleht,
Ist's Zeit für das Mittagessen,
Sorgen sind sogleich vergessen.
Ob Suppe, Braten, oder Brei,
Es stärkt uns für den Nachmittag, hei!
EN:
When the sun stands highest in the sky,
And the stomach softly cries,
It's time for das Mittagessen bright,
Worries vanish from our sight.
Be it soup, roast, or puree,
It strengthens us for the afternoon, hooray!
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich komme, wenn der halbe Tag vorbei,
Bin mal warm, mal kalt, mal Allerlei.
Ich stille deinen Hunger in der Mittagszeit.
Was bin ich wohl, steh' ich bereit?
EN:
I arrive when half the day is done,
Sometimes warm, sometimes cold, sometimes mixed fun.
I satisfy your hunger in the midday time.
What am I, when ready and prime?
Solution: Das Mittagessen (Lunch)
🧩 More Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Mittagessen" is a clear example of German compounding:
- Mittag: Refers to the middle of the day (midday).
- Essen: Refers to the act of eating or the meal itself.
Together, it literally means the meal at midday.
Cultural Significance:
Traditionally, das Mittagessen was often the main hot meal of the day in Germany, especially for families. In the modern working world, it's common to have a smaller meal at noon and eat a warm meal in the evening instead.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mittagessen?
The word "Mittagessen" is always neuter. The correct article is "das" (das Mittagessen, des Mittagessens). It refers to the meal eaten around midday, commonly known as lunch.