der  Käse

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɛːzə/

🧀 What exactly is "der Käse"?

Der Käse means cheese, a solid or semi-solid food product made from milk (usually cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk) by curdling the milk protein (casein). There are countless varieties of Käse worldwide, differing in taste, texture, and production method.

Figuratively, "Käse" can also colloquially mean nonsense or rubbish (e.g., "Erzähl doch keinen Käse!" - Don't talk such nonsense!). In this meaning, however, it's rather neutral and isn't declined.

🚨 Attention: Although there are many types of cheese (Käsesorten), which can be feminine (e.g., die Gouda-Sorte - the Gouda type), the general word for the product itself is masculine: der Käse.

🧐 Grammar of Käse: Cases & Examples

The noun "Käse" is masculine (maskulin). Here is its declension (Deklination):

💡 Example Sentences (Beispielsätze):

1. Der Käse auf dem Tisch riecht intensiv. (The cheese on the table smells intense. - Nominative Singular)
2. Der Geschmack des Käses ist würzig. (The taste of the cheese is savory. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich gebe dem Käse noch etwas Zeit zum Reifen. (I give the cheese some more time to ripen. - Dative Singular)
4. Wir kaufen den Käse auf dem Markt. (We buy the cheese at the market. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Käse aus der Schweiz sind weltberühmt. (The cheeses from Switzerland are world-famous. - Nominative Plural, referring to varieties)
6. Ich kann den Käsen nichts hinzufügen. (I can't add anything to the cheeses. - Dative Plural, rare)
7. "Das ist doch alles Käse!" (That's all nonsense! - Colloquial for nonsense, no declension)

💬 How to use "Käse"?

"Der Käse" is primarily used in the context of food and drink (Essen und Trinken). People talk about:

• Types of cheese (Käsesorten, e.g., der Gouda, der Emmentaler)
• Cheese platters (Käseplatten, e.g., eine Platte mit verschiedenen Käsen - a platter with various cheeses)
• Dishes with cheese (Gerichte mit Käse, e.g., Käsespätzle, Käsebrot - cheese spaetzle, cheese bread)
• Buying or making cheese

The colloquial meaning "nonsense" is also very common:

• "Was du da erzählst, ist doch Mumpitz / Käse!" (What you're saying is rubbish / nonsense!)
• "So ein Käse! Das glaube ich nicht." (What nonsense! I don't believe that.)

⚠️ Don't confuse "der Käse" (cheese) with "die Kasse" (cash register/checkout). The pronunciation is similar, but the meaning and article are different.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Käse"

Mnemonic for the Article:

Think: Der guy loves his Käse. Imagine a guy (masculine = der) enjoying a piece of cheese. He derives pleasure (Der Genuss) from Käse.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

"Käse" sounds a bit like the English "cheese", especially the 'ee' sound if you stretch the 'ä'. Or imagine mice saying "Case? Oh, you mean Käse!" when offered a suitcase instead of cheese.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Die Kasse: Cash register/checkout. Sounds similar, but has the article "die".
• Der Kasten: Box, crate. Sounds vaguely similar.

😂 A Cheesy Joke

German: Fragt der Ober den Gast: "Wie fanden Sie den Käse?" Gast: "Rein zufällig! Ich habe das Schnitzel zur Seite geschoben, und da war er!"

English: The waiter asks the guest: "How did you find the cheese?" Guest: "Purely by chance! I pushed the schnitzel aside, and there it was!" (Play on words: "finden" means both "to find" and "to find something to be [adjective]").

📜 Poem about Käse

German:
Der Käse, rund und manchmal eckig,
Mal mild, mal stark, mal etwas speckig.
Aus Milch gemacht, mit Kunst und Zeit,
Steht er für Gaumenfreud' bereit.
Ob Schweizer, Gouda, Brie so fein,
Ein Leben ohne? Das wär' Pein!
Doch sagst du: "Alles Käse hier!",
Meinst du wohl Unsinn, glaub es mir.

English Translation:
The cheese, round and sometimes square,
Sometimes mild, strong, a bit fatty there.
Made from milk, with art and time,
Ready for palates, truly sublime.
Be it Swiss, Gouda, Brie so fine,
A life without? A pain divine!
But if you say: "It's all cheese here!",
You mean it's nonsense, hold it dear.

❓ Little Cheese Riddle

German:
Ich werde aus Milch gemacht,
hab Löcher oft, bei Tag und Nacht.
Mal bin ich mild, mal rieche ich streng,
auf Brot und Pizza lieg' ich läng'.
Man sagt auch, ich sei Unsinn pur,
doch essbar bin ich, auf die Schnur!

Was bin ich? (... Der Käse)

English Translation:
I'm made from milk, it's true,
Have holes often, day and night through.
Sometimes I'm mild, sometimes smell strong,
On bread and pizza, I belong.
Some say that I am nonsense pure,
But edible I am, for sure!

What am I?
(... Cheese / Der Käse)

💡 Good to know: More about Käse

Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word "Käse" comes from the Latin "caseus".

Trivia:

• There are estimated to be over 5000 different types of cheese worldwide. (Es gibt Schätzungen zufolge über 5000 verschiedene Käsesorten weltweit.)
• The holes in Swiss cheese (die Löcher im Schweizer Käse) are formed by fermentation processes (carbon dioxide formation) during ripening.
• The rind (die Rinde) of many cheeses is edible and contributes to the flavor.
• "Harzer Käse" is a sour milk cheese known for its low fat content and strong smell.