das
Schnitzel
🍽️ What exactly is a Schnitzel?
The German word das Schnitzel primarily refers to a thin slice of meat, usually breaded and fried in fat. It's a very popular dish in German and Austrian cuisine.
- Origin: The word derives from the Middle High German word snitzel, a diminutive form of sniz (cut). So, it originally means "small cut" or "something sliced".
- Types: There are many variations, the most famous probably being the Wiener Schnitzel (traditionally made from veal). Other popular types include Jägerschnitzel (with mushroom cream sauce) or Zigeunerschnitzel (with paprika sauce, often called Paprikaschnitzel or Schnitzel Balkan Art today). Pork or turkey meat is also often used (then usually declared as Schnitzel Wiener Art - Vienna style schnitzel).
🚨 Important: In German, the word "Schnitzel" is always used with the article "das". It is a neuter noun.
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Schnitzel
The noun "Schnitzel" is neuter (sächlich). Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Schnitzel |
| Genitive | des | Schnitzels |
| Dative | dem | Schnitzel |
| Accusative | das | Schnitzel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schnitzel |
| Genitive | der | Schnitzel |
| Dative | den | Schnitzeln |
| Accusative | die | Schnitzel |
💡 Example Sentences
- Ich hätte gerne das Wiener Schnitzel mit Pommes.
(I would like the Wiener Schnitzel with fries.) - Der Geschmack des Schnitzels war ausgezeichnet.
(The taste of the Schnitzel was excellent.) - Gibst du dem Schnitzel noch etwas Zitrone?
(Do you add some lemon to the Schnitzel?) - Wir bestellen heute Abend zwei Schnitzel.
(We are ordering two Schnitzel tonight.) - Die Panade der Schnitzel war besonders knusprig.
(The breading of the Schnitzel was particularly crispy.)
🍴 How "das Schnitzel" is used
The word "Schnitzel" is mainly used in the context of food and cooking (Essen und Kochen). You'll find it on menus (Speisekarten), in recipes (Rezepten), and in everyday conversations about meals.
- In a restaurant: "Ich nehme das Schnitzel mit Kartoffelsalat." (I'll have the Schnitzel with potato salad.)
- When cooking: "Zuerst musst du die Schnitzel plattieren." (First, you have to pound the Schnitzel flat.)
- Colloquially: You sometimes hear the expression "sich freuen wie ein Schnitzel" (to be happy like a Schnitzel), which means to be extremely happy. The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it's widely used. Example: "Er hat sich über das Geschenk gefreut wie ein Schnitzel!" (He was happy as a clam about the gift! - idiomatic translation)
⚠️ Distinction: Don't confuse it with "der Schnipsel" (a small scrap of paper) or the verb "schnitzen" (to carve wood), even though the word origins are related.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of das Essen (the food), das Gericht (the dish). Schnitzel is a dish, so it's das Schnitzel. Or picture das Kind (the child) happily eating das Schnitzel. Many general food items that aren't clearly male or female take 'das'.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds a bit like "snip" or "slice". A Schnitzel is essentially a thin slice of meat that's been prepared.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Panierte Fleischscheibe: (breaded meat slice) A descriptive term.
- Kotelett (partially): (cutlet/chop) While also a slice of meat, a Kotelett usually has a bone and isn't necessarily breaded.
- Plätzli (Swiss German): Often used in Switzerland for thin meat slices (even unbreaded).
Antonyms (opposing meaning):
Direct antonyms are rare. You could contrast it with:
⚠️ Beware of Confusion:
- Der Schnipsel: A small scrap of paper.
- Schnitzen: The act of carving wood.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Warum hat das Schnitzel die Straße überquert?
... Um auf die andere Tellerseite zu kommen! 😄
EN: Why did the Schnitzel cross the road?
... To get to the other side of the plate! 😄
📜 Poem: Ode to the Schnitzel
DE:
Oh, Schnitzel, goldbraun und so fein,
auf meinem Teller, knusprig rein.
Das Fleisch so zart, geklopft ganz platt,
machst jeden Magen wohlig satt.
Mit Zitrone, Preiselbeeren, kühl,
bist du mein liebstes Essensziel!
EN:
Oh, Schnitzel, golden-brown and fine,
Upon my plate, so crisp, divine.
Das meat so tender, pounded flat,
Makes every stomach pleasantly fat.
With lemon, cranberries, cool,
You are my favorite foodie goal!
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin aus Fleisch, ganz dünn und platt,
in Ei und Bröseln nehm ich ein Bad.
In heißem Fett werd ich goldbraun,
kannst mich in Wien und Köln anschauen.
Mit Zitrone schmeckt's am besten wohl,
mein Artikel ist nicht der oder die, sondern...
Lösung: das Schnitzel
EN:
I'm made of meat, quite thin and flat,
In egg and breadcrumbs, I take a bath.
In hot fat, I turn golden-brown,
You can see me in Vienna and Cologne town.
With lemon, I taste best overall,
My article isn't der or die, but...
Solution: das Schnitzel
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Word Composition: As mentioned, "Schnitzel" comes from "Schnitt" (cut) or "schnitzen" (to carve/slice). It denotes something cut off or sliced small.
- Wiener Schnitzel: The famous Wiener Schnitzel is protected by law and must be made from veal (Kalbfleisch). Schnitzel made from other types of meat (pork - Schwein, turkey - Pute) must be labelled differently (e.g., "Schnitzel Wiener Art" - Vienna style schnitzel).
- Side Dishes (Beilagen): Typical side dishes for Schnitzel include French fries (Pommes frites), potato salad (Kartoffelsalat), fried potatoes (Bratkartoffeln), or a mixed salad (gemischter Salat).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schnitzel?
The German noun "Schnitzel" is neuter, so you always use the article "das" (das Schnitzel).