der  Grill

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡʁɪl/

🔥 What exactly is a Grill?

The German word der Grill primarily has two meanings:

1. The grilling device: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the appliance itself used for cooking food over open flames or heat. There are various types like Holzkohlegrills (charcoal grills), Gasgrills (gas grills), or Elektrogrills (electric grills).
2. The barbecue event (colloquial): Sometimes, "der Grill" is used synonymously for a barbecue party, although das Grillen (the act of grilling) or die Grillparty (the barbecue party) are more precise. For example: "Wir schmeißen heute Abend den Grill an." can mean either turning on the device or having a barbecue gathering.

🚨 Important: The word is always masculine, so it's der Grill.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Grill

The noun "Grill" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Der neue Grill steht auf der Terrasse. (The new grill is on the terrace. - Nominative Singular)
• Der Geruch des Grills zog durch den Garten. (The smell of the grill drifted through the garden. - Genitive Singular)
• Wir legen das Fleisch auf den heißen Grill. (We put the meat on the hot grill. - Accusative Singular)
• Auf dem Grill brutzeln die Würstchen. (The sausages are sizzling on the grill. - Dative Singular)
• Im Sommer verkaufen sie viele verschiedene Grills. (In summer, they sell many different grills. - Nominative/Accusative Plural)

💡 How to use "der Grill" correctly

• Typical Context: Sommer (summer), Garten (garden), Balkon (balcony), Park, camping, outdoor meals, parties.
• As a device: "Mein alter Grill ist kaputt, ich brauche einen neuen." (My old grill is broken, I need a new one.) or "Kannst du bitte den Grill anzünden?" (Can you please light the grill?)
• As an event (less common, colloquial): "Wir treffen uns morgen zum Grill bei mir." (We're meeting for a barbecue at my place tomorrow. - Here, 'zum Grillen' is more common).
• Related Verb: grillen (to grill - Ich grille, du grillst, wir grillen...).
• Differentiation: Don't confuse it with "die Grille" (the cricket, feminine) or "der Drill" (the drill/exercise, masculine).

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Grill"

1. For the article (der): Imagine a stereotypical Dad (der Mann, the man) proudly operating his big, new Grill. Dads and grills – a cliché that helps remember the masculine article!
2. For the meaning: Think of the sound and smell: The Great Roasting Instantly Lures Lunchers – that's the Grill!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Similar Words (Watch out!):

• die Grille: feminine, the insect, cricket.
• der Drill: masculine, the strict exercise, drill.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Grillfest teil?

Weil sie keinen Magen für die Würstchen haben! 😄

(Why do skeletons never join the barbecue?)

(Because they don't have the stomach for the sausages!) 😄

📜 A Rhyme about the Grill

Der Sommer ruft, die Sonne lacht,
Der Grill wird schnell zurechtgemacht.
Die Kohlen glüh'n, ein Duft entsteht,
der Appetit im Winde weht.
Ein Würstchen hier, ein Steak daneben,
so lässt sich's wunderbar leben!

(Summer calls, the sun does laugh,
The grill is quickly made just right.
The coals glow hot, a scent does waft,
Appetite blows in the light.
A sausage here, a steak beside,
That's how wonderfully life can glide!)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe einen Rost, doch bin kein altes Tor.
Ich mache Essen heiß, steh' oft im Gartenflor.
Mit Kohle, Gas, Strom bring ich Fleisch zum Brutzeln fein.
Was kann ich wohl nur sein?

(I have a grate, but I'm not an old gate.
I make food hot, often stand in a garden spot.
With coal, gas, power, I make meat sizzle right.
What might I be?)

Solution: der Grill (the grill)

🧐 More about the Grill?

• Word Origin: The word "Grill" comes from the Latin "craticulum," meaning "small gridiron" or "wickerwork." It entered German via the French "grille" (grate, grille).
• Cultural Significance: Grillen (grilling/barbecuing) is a very popular leisure activity in Germany, especially in summer. It's often associated with social gatherings and celebrations.
• Compound Words: There are many compound words, e.g., der Kugelgrill (kettle grill), der Tischgrill (table grill), das Grillgut (food to be grilled), der Grillmeister (grill master/person grilling), die Grillzange (grill tongs).