das  Schmecken

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃmɛkən/

👅 Taste Explained: What is 'das Schmecken'?

'Das Schmecken' is the nominalization of the verb 'schmecken' (to taste). It refers to the act of tasting itself or the sense of taste as an ability.

It's what's called a nominalized infinitive (or substantiviertes Verb). Such nouns in German are always neuter, which is why it's 'das Schmecken'.

It usually refers to:

• The act of sampling/trying: Das Schmecken der neuen Soße war ein Genuss. (The tasting of the new sauce was a delight.)
• The sensory impression: Das Schmecken von Süßem ist oft angenehm. (The tasting of sweetness is often pleasant.)
• The ability to taste (sense of taste): Sein Schmecken ließ nach der Erkältung nach. (His sense of taste diminished after the cold.)

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with the verb 'schmecken' (e.g., Die Suppe schmeckt gut - The soup tastes good) or the noun 'der Geschmack' (the taste/flavor, e.g., Der Geschmack der Suppe ist gut - The taste of the soup is good).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Corner: Declining 'das Schmecken'

'Das Schmecken' is a nominalized infinitive and therefore always neuter (das). It is mostly used in the singular and often treated as uncountable.

Declension Singular

A plural form ('die Schmecken') is grammatically possible but extremely rare and unusual, as it refers to an abstract process.

Example Sentences

1. Das Schmecken ist einer unserer fünf Sinne. (The sense of taste is one of our five senses.)
2. Wegen des intensiven Schmeckens konnte er die Zutat identifizieren. (Because of the intense tasting, he could identify the ingredient.)
3. Er widmete sich ganz dem Schmecken des Weines. (He dedicated himself entirely to the tasting of the wine.)
4. Wir üben das bewusste Schmecken im Kochkurs. (We practice conscious tasting in the cooking class.)

How to Use 'das Schmecken' 🧐

You use 'das Schmecken' when talking about the process or ability of tasting, often in a slightly more formal or abstract context than the verb 'schmecken'.

• Focus on the process: Das Schmecken von bitteren Stoffen dient oft als Warnsignal. (The tasting of bitter substances often serves as a warning signal.)
• Focus on the sense: Durch die Krankheit wurde sein Schmecken beeinträchtigt. (His sense of taste was affected by the illness.)
• Distinction from the verb: The verb 'schmecken' describes how something tastes (Der Kuchen schmeckt gut. - The cake tastes good.) or the action of trying something (Ich schmecke mal die Suppe. - I'll taste the soup quickly.). The noun 'das Schmecken' names the process or sense itself.
• Distinction from 'der Geschmack': 'Der Geschmack' refers to the property of food (Der Geschmack ist süß. - The taste is sweet.) or personal preference (Er hat einen guten Geschmack. - He has good taste.).

You'll find 'das Schmecken' more often in texts about biology, cooking, sensory perception, or medicine.

Memory Hooks 🧠

For the article 'das': Remember that almost all verbs turned into nouns (nominalized infinitives) in German take 'das'. Think of: das Essen (the eating / food), das Trinken (the drinking), das Laufen (the running), das Sehen (the seeing / sight)... and therefore also das Schmecken. The rule is: Infinitive becomes noun -> 'das' must join the fun!

For the meaning 'act/sense of tasting': The word 'Schmecken' sounds a bit like 'smacking' your lips when you taste something delicious. It refers to the act or sense of tasting with your mouth.

Word Relations: Similar & Opposite

Potential Confusion

• Der Geschmack: Refers to the property (sweet, sour) or preference. Not the process.
• schmecken (verb): The action or the result (Es schmeckt gut - It tastes good). Not the noun for the process/sense.

A Little Joke 😂

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Sehen und Schmecken?"
Fritzchen: "Ganz einfach! Beim Sehen schließt man die Augen nicht so fest zu!"

Teacher asks: "What's the difference between seeing and tasting?"
Little Fritz: "Easy! When seeing, you don't close your eyes so tightly!"

A Little Poem about Tasting 🍽️

Das Schmecken, welch ein feiner Sinn,
zeigt, was im Essen steckt tief drin.
Ob süß, ob salzig, bitter, sauer,
es prüft genau, auf Gedeih und Dauer.
Das Schmecken sagt uns, frisch und klar,
was gut für uns, was schlecht sogar.

Tasting, what a subtle sense,
shows what's deep inside the food's defense.
Whether sweet or salty, bitter, sour,
it tests precisely, hour by hour.
Tasting tells us, fresh and clear,
what is good for us, what's bad, oh dear.

Riddle Time 🤔

Ich habe keine Augen, doch helf' dir zu seh'n,
ob Speisen dir munden, ob sie schön.
Ich wohne im Munde, auf der Zunge zuhaus,
und prüfe für dich jeden Bissen, jeden Schmaus.

Was bin ich?

I have no eyes, yet help you see,
if dishes please you, if they're lovely.
I live in the mouth, at home on the tongue,
and check every bite for you, every feast begun.

What am I?

Solution: Das Schmecken (or der Geschmackssinn) - The sense of taste

Further Details

Word Formation

'Das Schmecken' is a classic example of nominalization (Substantivierung). The infinitive of a verb ('schmecken') is taken and used as a noun. This is often recognizable by the article ('das') and/or capitalization.

Biology

Tasting (das Schmecken) is one of the five classic human senses, along with sight, hearing, smell, and touch. It is primarily mediated by taste buds on the tongue.