die  Ernährung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈnɛʁʊŋ/

🍎 What does 'die Ernährung' mean?

Die Ernährung (noun, feminine) refers to the intake of food by living organisms to maintain their vital functions, grow, and gain energy. It encompasses both the process of eating and drinking (sustenance, nourishment) and the type of food consumed (diet, nutrition).

• Meaning 1: The supply of nutrients (e.g., eine ausgewogene Ernährung - a balanced diet/nutrition).
• Meaning 2: The entirety of food typically consumed (e.g., die menschliche Ernährung - human nutrition).

⚠️ It is almost exclusively used in the singular form. The plural, die Ernährungen, is very rare and mostly used in technical contexts (e.g., referring to different dietary styles).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar Guide for 'die Ernährung'

The word "Ernährung" is a feminine noun. Its article is die. Like many nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural "die Ernährungen" is very uncommon and usually avoided. When used, it refers to different types or modes of nutrition.

Example Sentences

• Eine gesunde Ernährung ist wichtig für das Wohlbefinden.
  (A healthy diet/nutrition is important for well-being.)
• Der Arzt sprach mit dem Patienten über die Umstellung seiner Ernährung.
  (The doctor talked to the patient about changing his diet.)
• Die richtige Ernährung von Säuglingen ist entscheidend für ihre Entwicklung.
  (The proper nutrition of infants is crucial for their development.)
• Wir lernen in Biologie viel über die Ernährung der Tiere.
  (We learn a lot about animal nutrition in biology.)

💡 How to Use 'Ernährung'?

"Ernährung" is frequently used in German when discussing food, health, and lifestyle.

• Health Context: Often combined with adjectives like gesund (healthy), ausgewogen (balanced), ungesund (unhealthy), vegetarisch (vegetarian), vegan (vegan). (e.g., "Ich achte auf eine gesunde Ernährung." - I pay attention to a healthy diet.)
• Scientific Context: Used in biology, medicine, nutritional science (Ökotrophologie). (e.g., "Die Forschung zur menschlichen Ernährung macht Fortschritte." - Research on human nutrition is making progress.)
• Everyday Language: Generally refers to the way someone eats. (e.g., "Seine Ernährung besteht hauptsächlich aus Fast Food." - His diet consists mainly of fast food.)

Difference from 'Diät': While "Ernährung" describes general food intake or one's overall way of eating, "Diät" often refers to a specific dietary regimen, usually for weight loss or medical reasons (e.g., "Er macht eine Diät." - He is on a diet. vs. "Er hat eine gesunde Ernährung." - He has a healthy diet/nutrition.).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Ernährung'

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of other -ung words: die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), and die Ernährung. The ending sounds feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Ernährung" contains the verb stem "nähr" from nähren (to nourish). Think of how nährishing food is for your body. Proper Ernährung helps you near your health goals.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Misleading Words:

• Diät: While related, Diät specifically means a 'diet' in the sense of a restricted or special food regimen, often temporary or for medical/weight-loss purposes. Ernährung is the broader concept of one's general nutrition or way of eating.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Salat den Tomaten-Witz nicht verstanden? Weil er eine lange Leitung und eine andere Art von Ernährung bevorzugt – Dressing!

English: Why didn't the lettuce understand the tomato joke? Because it was slow on the uptake (lit. had a long line/pipe) and preferred a different kind of nutrition – dressing!

📜 Poem about Nutrition

German:
Die Ernährung, klug und fein,
soll Kraft und Energie uns leih'n.
Ob Obst, Gemüse, Korn und Saft,
gibt sie dem Körper neue Kraft.
Vergiss nicht Wasser, klar und rein,
so wird das Leben fröhlich sein.

English Translation:
Nutrition, wise and fine,
should lend us strength and energy divine.
Whether fruit, vegetable, grain, and juice,
it gives the body renewed use.
Don't forget water, clear and pure,
thus life will be joyful and secure.

🤔 A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin die Kost für Mensch und Tier,
ohne mich gäb's kein Leben hier.
Gesund und bunt, mal süß, mal herb,
ich sorge dafür, dass keiner sterb'. Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am the sustenance for humans and beasts,
without me, life here would have ceased.
Healthy and colorful, sometimes sweet, sometimes tart,
I ensure that no one departs.

What am I?
(Solution: die Ernährung - nutrition/diet)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ernährung" is derived from the verb nähren (to nourish). The prefix Er- often indicates the achievement of a state or result, and the suffix -ung nominalizes the verb, denoting the process or result.

• nähren: to nourish, to sustain
• Er- + nähren + -ung: The process or state of being nourished / the provision of nourishment.

Cultural Significance: Nutritional habits (Ernährungsgewohnheiten) are often deeply rooted in culture and tradition and can carry social or religious significance.