der
Imbiss
🍽️ What Exactly is an Imbiss?
The German word der Imbiss has two main meanings:
- A small meal or a snack, often eaten between main meals. It's usually something quick and simple. Think of it as a light bite.
- A small shop or stand (an Imbissbude or Schnellimbiss) where such small meals and drinks are sold, often for takeaway. Typically, you'll find dishes like Currywurst, Pommes Frites (fries), Döner Kebab, etc., here. This is your typical German snack stand or kiosk.
In both cases, the word is masculine: der Imbiss.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Imbiss
The noun "Imbiss" is masculine. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Imbiss |
| Genitive | des | Imbisses |
| Dative | dem | Imbiss |
| Accusative | den | Imbiss |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Imbisse |
| Genitive | der | Imbisse |
| Dative | den | Imbissen |
| Accusative | die | Imbisse |
Example Sentences:
- Ich hole mir schnell einen Imbiss. (Accusative, meaning: snack)
I'll quickly get myself a snack. - Der Geruch des Imbisses lockte uns an. (Genitive, meaning: snack stand)
The smell of the snack stand attracted us. - Nach der Arbeit treffen wir uns am Imbiss um die Ecke. (Dative, meaning: snack stand)
After work, we'll meet at the snack stand around the corner. - In dieser Straße gibt es viele kleine Imbisse. (Nominative Plural, meaning: snack stands)
There are many small snack stands on this street.
🍟 When to Use "Imbiss"?
The term der Imbiss is very common in everyday German.
- As a snack: When talking about a small meal between main meals. "Ich brauche nur einen kleinen Imbiss, kein großes Mittagessen." (I just need a small snack, not a big lunch.)
- As a place: When referring to a fast-food stall or snack bar. "Lass uns zum Imbiss gehen, ich habe Hunger auf Pommes." (Let's go to the snack stand, I'm hungry for fries.)
Context: It often implies something quick, uncomplicated, and affordable. An "Imbiss" is less formal than visiting a Restaurant or having a full Mahlzeit (meal). The focus is on quick eating or buying fast food.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with das Gebiss (dentures/set of teeth).
💡 Memory Hooks
Remembering the article: Think of the typical snack stand owner: often it's a man (DER Mann) selling you DEN Imbiss. Masculine connection!
Remembering the meaning: Imagine taking a quick BITE (Biss in German) - im Biss - the food is gone quickly. A quick bite is an Imbiss (snack). The place for that quick bite is also der Imbiss (snack stand).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms
- For snack: der Snack, die Zwischenmahlzeit (between-meal snack), der Happen (bite, morsel), die Kleinigkeit (small thing)
- For place: der Schnellimbiss (fast food place), die Imbissstube (snack room/parlor), die Imbissbude (snack stall), (coll.) die Fressbude (grub stall)
Antonyms
- For snack: die Hauptmahlzeit (main meal), das Festmahl (feast), das Bankett (banquet), das Menü (menu, set meal)
- For place: das Restaurant, das Gasthaus (inn, pub with food), das Speiselokal (eating establishment)
Similar Words (Caution!):
- das Gebiss: False friend – means dentures or set of teeth.
😂 A Little Imbiss Joke
German: Fragt der Gast den Imbissverkäufer: "Ist die Currywurst auch wirklich scharf?" Verkäufer: "Na klar! Die hat mehr Feuer als mein erster Toaster!"
English Translation: A customer asks the snack stand vendor: "Is the Currywurst really spicy?" Vendor: "Of course! It's got more fire than my first toaster!"
📜 Poem About the Imbiss
German:
Am späten Abend, schnell noch eben,
zum Imbiss kurz, das kann was geben.
Ne Wurst, Pommes, ein Klecks Mayo drauf,
so nimmt der Hunger seinen Lauf.
Der Imbiss stillt den kleinen Drang,
mit Duft und einfachem Gesang
von brutzelnd Fett – ein Hochgenuss,
bevor der Tag hat seinen Schluss.
English Translation:
Late in the evening, quickly now,
A short trip to the Imbiss, it will allow
A sausage, fries, a dab of mayo bright,
Thus hunger takes its hungry flight.
Der Imbiss calms the little need,
With scent and simple sizzling creed
Of frying fat – a true delight,
Before the day turns into night.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin ein Ort, doch auch ein Mahl,
du findest mich fast überall.
Man isst mich schnell, oft nebenbei,
Currywurst und Pommes frites sind dabei.
An meiner Theke stehst du kurz,
für einen schnellen, kleinen Sturz
in Kalorien – lecker, schlicht.
Wer bin ich? Sag's, verzage nicht!
English Translation:
I am a place, but also a meal,
You find me almost everywhere, it's real.
You eat me quickly, often on the side,
Currywurst and French fries are inside.
At my counter, you stand for a bit,
For a quick, small plunge, you must admit,
Into calories – tasty, plain.
Who am I? Tell me, don't refrain!
Solution: der Imbiss
Fun Facts About the Imbiss
Word Origin: The word "Imbiss" comes from Middle High German "inbiz" or "imbiz", which originally just meant "food" or "nourishment". It's related to the verb "beißen" (to bite) – so an Imbiss is something you bite into.
Cultural Significance: Imbisskultur (snack culture) is very strong in Germany. Especially famous are the Currywurst (particularly in Berlin and the Ruhr area) and the Döner Kebab, popularized by Turkish immigrants. Snack stands (Imbissbuden) often serve as social meeting points.
Typical Foods: Pommes Frites (often "Pommes rot-weiß" with ketchup and mayo), Bratwurst (fried sausage), Currywurst, Frikadellen/Buletten (meat patties), Schnitzelbrötchen (schnitzel roll), Döner Kebab, pizza slices.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Imbiss?
The German word "Imbiss" is always masculine. The correct form is der Imbiss. It means either a small meal (snack) or a place (snack stand/kiosk) where such meals are sold.