der  Brei

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bʁaɪ̯/

🥣 What exactly is "der Brei"?

Der Brei (masculine) refers to a thick to semi-solid food, often made from boiled or mashed grains, vegetables, or fruit. It's a very soft, often homogeneous mass without solid pieces.

• Main meaning: A soft, pureed, or mashed food (e.g., Grießbrei - semolina porridge, Kartoffelbrei - mashed potatoes, Babybrei - baby food).
• Figurative meaning: Sometimes used to describe an undefinable, viscous, or formless mass (e.g., "Schneebrei" - slushy snow on the street).

🚨 Note: "Brei" is almost always an uncountable mass. When talking about different types, the plural "die Breie" can rarely be used, but this is uncommon.

🧐 Grammar of "der Brei"

The word "Brei" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension (Masculine)

Example Sentences 📝

• Das Baby isst gerne seinen Brei. (The baby likes eating its porridge/mash. - Accusative)
• Die Konsistenz des Breies war perfekt. (The consistency of the porridge/mash was perfect. - Genitive)
• Gib dem Brei noch etwas Zucker hinzu. (Add a little more sugar to the porridge/mash. - Dative)
• Der Brei kocht auf dem Herd. (The porridge/mash is cooking on the stove. - Nominative)

💡 How to use "Brei"?

• Baby food: Very common in the context of infant and toddler nutrition (e.g., Karottenbrei - carrot puree, Obstbrei - fruit puree).
• Food for the sick: Often for people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Specific dishes: Classics like Grießbrei (semolina pudding/porridge), Haferbrei (oatmeal/porridge), or Kartoffelbrei (mashed potatoes).
• Describing consistency: Also used to describe a mushy texture (e.g., Schneebrei - slush).
• Figurative meaning (negative): The expression "Einheitsbrei" (lit. 'uniformity mash') describes something monotonous, boring, lacking variety (e.g., in TV programming, music).

Compared to Mus or Püree, Brei is often slightly coarser or refers more specifically to grain-based porridges, while Püree is usually finer and often used for vegetables or potatoes. Mus is commonly used for fruit (e.g., Apfelmus - apple sauce).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Brei"

Article mnemonic: Think of der Löffel (the spoon, masculine) which you use to eat den Brei. Or: Porridge is often hearty and strong, like a strong man (der Mann).

Meaning mnemonic: Imagine something being boiled down until it breaks down into a soft mass – that's der Brei. The 'ei' sound (like 'eye' in English) might sound soft, like the food itself.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• breit: Adjective meaning 'wide', not to be confused with Brei!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Ober den Gast: "War der Brei nach Ihrem Geschmack?"
Antwortet der Gast: "Ja, sehr! Ich habe selten so gut geklebte Tapete gegessen!"

Translation:
The waiter asks the guest: "Was the Brei (mash/porridge) to your taste?"
The guest replies: "Yes, very! I've rarely eaten such well-glued wallpaper!"

📜 Poem about Brei

Oh, du weicher, warmer Brei,
Ob aus Grieß, ob Allerlei.
Löffel rein, es schmeckt so fein,
Machst den Bauch voll, groß und klein.
Der Brei, so schlicht, doch wohlbekannt,
Nährt uns sanft im ganzen Land.

Translation:
Oh, you soft, warm Brei (mash/porridge),
Whether from semolina or various things.
A spoonful in, it tastes so fine,
Fills the belly, big and small.
Der Brei, so simple, yet well-known,
Gently nourishes us throughout the land.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin weich und oft auch warm,
hab' meist keinen festen Arm.
Babys lieben mich gar sehr,
komm aus Topf und Löffel her.
Bin mal süß, mal mit Gemüse drin,
habe selten Stücke Sinn.

Was bin ich?
(... Der Brei)

Translation:
I am soft and often warm,
I usually have no firm arm (shape).
Babies love me very much,
I come from pot and spoon.
Sometimes I'm sweet, sometimes with vegetables in,
I rarely make sense with pieces (or: rarely have pieces in me).

What am I?
(... Porridge/Mash/Puree - Der Brei)

🧩 Other Info about Brei

• Compound words: Brei is part of many compound words describing specific types: Grießbrei (semolina porridge), Haferbrei (oatmeal), Kartoffelbrei (mashed potatoes), Babybrei (baby food), Gemüsebrei (vegetable puree), Hirsebrei (millet porridge).
• Idiom "Einheitsbrei": (Lit. 'uniformity mash') Used to criticize a lack of variety or originality (e.g., "Das Fernsehprogramm ist nur noch Einheitsbrei." - "TV programming is just the same old stuff.").
• Idiom "um den heißen Brei herumreden": (Lit. 'to talk around the hot porridge') Means to beat around the bush, to avoid getting to the point.