die  Schüssel

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃʏsl̩/

🥣 What exactly is a Schüssel?

Die Schüssel (noun, feminine) primarily refers to an open, usually round and concave vessel that is deeper than a plate (ein Teller). It's typically used for storing, serving, or eating food like soups (Suppen), cereal (Müsli), salads (Salate), or for mixing ingredients (Zutaten).

There are various types of Schüsseln, e.g.:

• Suppenschüssel: For serving soup.
• Salatschüssel: For preparing and serving salad.
• Rührschüssel: For mixing dough (Teig) or other ingredients during cooking or baking.
• Müslischüssel: A smaller bowl for breakfast cereals.

Colloquially, "die Schüssel" can also refer to a Satellitenschüssel (satellite dish, parabolic antenna) for TV reception. 📡

⚠️ Attention: Although similar, a 'Schale' is often shallower than a 'Schüssel'.

🧐 Grammar: Die Schüssel in Detail

The word "Schüssel" is a feminine noun. The article is "die".

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ich esse mein Müsli jeden Morgen aus meiner Lieblingsschüssel.
   I eat my cereal every morning from my favorite bowl.
2. Reich mir bitte die große Schüssel für den Salat.
   Please pass me the large bowl for the salad.
3. Die Katze trinkt Wasser aus ihrer Schüssel.
   The cat drinks water from its bowl.
4. Auf dem Dach ist eine große Satellitenschüssel montiert.
   A large satellite dish is mounted on the roof.

🍽️ How to use "die Schüssel"?

"Die Schüssel" is an everyday word in German, especially in the context of food and the kitchen (Küche).

• Eating & Serving: Bowls are used for soups, salads, cereal, desserts, etc. ("Gib mir mal die Schüssel mit den Kartoffeln." - Pass me the bowl with the potatoes.)
• Preparation: Large bowls (Rührschüsseln) are essential for baking and cooking. ("Mische die Zutaten in einer großen Schüssel." - Mix the ingredients in a large bowl.)
• Storage: Smaller bowls can be used to store leftovers (Reste).
• Technology (Colloquial): A satellite dish is often simply called "Schüssel". ("Wir brauchen eine neue Schüssel für besseren Empfang." - We need a new dish for better reception.)

Distinction from "Schale": A Schale is often shallower and can also be decorative (Obstschale - fruit bowl). A Schüssel is generally deeper and more functional for eating or mixing. However, the distinction can sometimes be blurred.

🧠 Mnemonics for Schüssel

Article Mnemonic: Think of things often served *in* a bowl that are feminine in German: die Suppe (soup), die Salatsoße (salad dressing). The feminine article 'die' fits 'die Schüssel'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone making a lot of noise 'shushing' (sounds like 'Schüs-') people away from their cereal bowl ('-sel'). Shush-sel -> Schüssel.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Schlüssel (der): Key (tool for locks). Note the different article and meaning!

😂 A little Joke

Warum hat die Schüssel den Teller verlassen?

Weil sie fand, er sei zu flach! 😄

(Why did the bowl leave the plate? Because she found him too shallow!)

📜 Poem about the Schüssel

Die Schüssel, rund und tief,
\Wo Müsli seinen Anfang schlief.
\Hält Suppe warm, Salat so frisch,
\Ein treuer Freund auf jedem Tisch.

Mal groß zum Rühren, mal ganz klein,
\So muss 'ne gute Schüssel sein!
\Und auf dem Dach, wer hätte es gedacht?
\Bringt sie das Fernsehbild zur Nacht.

--- English Translation ---

The bowl, so round and deep,
Where cereal first fell asleep.
Keeps soup warm, salad nice and fresh,
A trusty friend upon the mesh (table).

Sometimes large for mixing, sometimes small,
That's how a good bowl serves us all!
And on the roof, who would have guessed?
It brings TV pictures to our nest.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin rund und habe einen Bauch,
\doch Kleider trag' ich niemals, auch
\wenn man mich füllt mit leck'ren Sachen,
\die Groß und Klein viel Freude machen.
\Mal steh' ich auf dem Tisch bereit,
\mal fang' ich Signale, weit und breit.

Was bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I am round and have a belly,
But clothes I never wear, though tell ye,
I'm filled with tasty things instead,
Bringing joy to all, young and old, it's said.
Sometimes I stand ready on the table bright,
Sometimes I catch signals, far and wide.

What am I?

Solution: Die Schüssel (The bowl)

💡 More Facts about die Schüssel

Word Meaning & Origin:

The word "Schüssel" comes from Middle High German "schüzzel" or "schüzzele", which in turn derives from Old High German "scuzzila". It's related to the word "Schuss" (shot) in the sense of something poured or cast into it, suggesting its shape. It also has connections to the Latin "scutella" (small dish, drinking bowl).

Compound Words (Examples):

• Rührschüssel: Mixing bowl
• Salatschüssel: Salad bowl
• Suppenschüssel: Soup bowl
• Obstschüssel: Fruit bowl
• Satellitenschüssel: Satellite dish
• Schüsselantenne: Dish antenna