die  Pizzeria

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pɪt͡saˈʁiːa/

🍕 What Exactly is a Pizzeria?

A Pizzeria (pronounced with emphasis on the 'i': Pizzeria) is a restaurant or food establishment that specializes in preparing and selling pizza. Often, other Italian dishes like Pasta or Salate (salads) are also offered.

The word comes from Italian and is a feminine noun in German. Therefore, the correct article is die Pizzeria.

Die Pizzeria and its Cases: Grammar in Detail

The noun „Pizzeria“ is feminine. Here is its declension:

Usage Examples

1. Wir gehen heute Abend in die Pizzeria um die Ecke. (We are going to the pizzeria around the corner tonight. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Teig der Pizzeria schmeckt besonders gut. (The dough of the pizzeria tastes particularly good. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich habe der Pizzeria eine gute Bewertung gegeben. (I gave the pizzeria a good review. - Dative Singular)
4. In unserer Stadt gibt es viele gute Pizzerien. (There are many good pizzerias in our city. - Nominative Plural)

Everyday Usage: When to Say Pizzeria?

The word „Pizzeria“ is used commonly in everyday language to refer to a place where you can eat or order pizza. It's a very common and well-understood word in German.

• You use it when talking about going out to eat: „Lass uns in die Pizzeria gehen.“ (Let's go to the pizzeria.)
• It's used when referring to a specific place: „Die Pizzeria an der Hauptstraße macht die beste Pizza.“ (The pizzeria on the main street makes the best pizza.)
• Also in the context of ordering: „Ich rufe mal bei der Pizzeria an.“ (I'll call the pizzeria.)

Compared to the general term „Restaurant“, „Pizzeria“ is more specific. An „Italiener“ (Italian restaurant) or „italienisches Restaurant“ might be a Pizzeria, but doesn't have to be (although many are).

How to Remember 'die Pizzeria'

Here are a couple of mnemonic devices:

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Pizza! Most words ending in '-a' borrowed from Italian or Latin are feminine in German, like die Pizzeria.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine sitting in a cozy German Stube (pub/inn), but the air smells strongly of Pilz (mushrooms), Zzwiebeln (onions), and tomato sauce – just like in a Pizzeria.

Other Words for Pizzeria and Opposites?

🤣 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kellner in der Pizzeria: „Möchten Sie Ihre Pizza geschnitten haben, in sechs oder acht Stücke?“
Antwortet der Gast: „Bitte nur in sechs. Acht Stücke schaffe ich nie!“

Translation:
The waiter at the pizzeria asks: "Would you like your pizza cut into six or eight slices?"
The guest replies: "Just six, please. I could never eat eight slices!"

📜 Ode to the Pizzeria

Im Ofen heiß, der Teig so rund,
die Pizzeria macht gesund?
Nein, nicht ganz, doch lecker sehr,
bringt Freude, Glück und noch viel mehr.
Mit Käse, Schinken, Pilzen drauf,
nimmt das Schlemmen seinen Lauf.

Translation:
In the hot oven, the dough so round,
does the pizzeria make you sound (healthy)?
No, not quite, but very tasty,
brings joy, happiness, and much more, hastily.
With cheese, ham, mushrooms on top,
the feasting begins and doesn't stop.

🤔 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich hab' 'nen Ofen, heiß und groß,
Backe Fladen, pausenlos.
Aus Italien kommt mein Name her,
bring dir Pizza, bitte sehr!
Man sagt zu mir stets "die", das ist fein,
wer kann ich wohl nur sein?

Translation:
I have an oven, hot and large,
Baking flatbreads, without a charge (continuously).
My name comes from Italy, it's true,
Bringing you pizza, yes I do!
People always call me "die", that's fine,
Who could I possibly be?

Solution: die Pizzeria

Interesting Facts about the Pizzeria

Word Origin: The word „Pizzeria“ comes directly from Italian, where „pizza“ means pizza and „-eria“ is a suffix for shops or places (similar to 'bakery' from 'bake' - compare German Bäckerei from backen).

Typical Decor: Many Pizzerien try to convey an Italian flair, often with red-and-white checkered tablecloths (rot-weiß-karierte Tischdecken), pictures from Italy, and sometimes a prominently placed wood-fired oven (Holzofen).