die
Speisekarte
📖 What does 'die Speisekarte' mean?
Die Speisekarte (noun, feminine) refers to a list or booklet found in restaurants, cafés, or similar establishments, detailing the available food (Speisen) and often drinks (Getränke), usually with their prices. It helps guests choose their meal.
It's a compound word derived from Speise (food, dish) and Karte (card, list, map - here meaning list).
Because the base word 'Karte' is feminine (die Karte), die Speisekarte is also feminine. There are no exceptions regarding the article. 💡
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'die Speisekarte'
The word 'Speisekarte' is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Speisekarte | eine Speisekarte (a menu) |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Speisekarte | einer Speisekarte (of a menu) |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Speisekarte | einer Speisekarte (to/for a menu) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Speisekarte | eine Speisekarte (a menu) |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Speisekarten (the menus) | keine Speisekarten (no menus) |
| Genitive | der Speisekarten (of the menus) | keiner Speisekarten (of no menus) |
| Dative | den Speisekarten (to/for the menus) | keinen Speisekarten (to/for no menus) |
| Accusative | die Speisekarten (the menus) | keine Speisekarten (no menus) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Kellner brachte uns sofort die Speisekarte.
(The waiter brought us the menu immediately.) - Könnte ich bitte eine Speisekarte haben?
(Could I please have a menu?) - Die Auswahl auf der Speisekarte war riesig.
(The selection on the menu was huge.) - Wir studierten die Speisekarten der verschiedenen Restaurants.
(We studied the menus of the different restaurants.) - Aufgrund der Speisekarte entschieden wir uns für das italienische Restaurant.
(Because of the menu, we decided on the Italian restaurant.)
🍽️ Everyday Usage of 'die Speisekarte'
Die Speisekarte is a common term, especially in the context of gastronomy and dining out.
- In a restaurant: You ask for the menu ("Könnten wir bitte die Speisekarte haben?" - Could we please have the menu?) or the waiter brings it proactively.
- For selection: You 'study' (studieren) or 'read' (lesen) the menu to choose a dish.
- As a description: You can talk about a menu ("Die Speisekarte dort ist sehr traditionell." - The menu there is very traditional. or "Ich fand nichts Gutes auf der Speisekarte." - I didn't find anything good on the menu.).
Sometimes, there are more specific types of menus:
- Die Getränkekarte: Drinks menu.
- Die Weinkarte: Wine list.
- Die Dessertkarte: Dessert menu.
- Die Tageskarte: Menu of the day / Daily specials.
Colloquially, people often just say "Karte" if the context (restaurant) is clear ("Hast du schon in die Karte geschaut?" - Have you looked at the menu yet?).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Remember that 'Speisekarte' ends in '-karte'. The word 'Karte' (card, map, list) is feminine: die Karte. Therefore, die Speisekarte is also feminine. Imagine an elegant lady 💃 handing you die Karte (the menu).
Meaning Mnemonic: Break the word down: Speise (food, dish) + Karte (card, list). So, it's literally a 'food list'. Easy!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- There's no direct antonym. Conceptually, you could consider:
- Mündliche Empfehlung: Verbal recommendation (when there's no menu and the waiter lists the dishes).
- Keine Auswahl / Festes Menü: No choice / Set menu (when there's no menu because only one dish or a fixed sequence is served).
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
- Die Fahrkarte: Ticket for public transport. Sounds similar because of '-karte', but has nothing to do with food.
- Die Landkarte: Map (geographical).
- Die Eintrittskarte: Entrance ticket (for an event).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Gast zum Kellner: "Was können Sie mir heute empfehlen?"
Kellner: "Geduld, mein Herr. Die Küche ist etwas langsam heute."
English: Guest to the waiter: "What can you recommend today?"
Waiter: "Patience, sir. The kitchen is a bit slow today."
(Okay, the joke isn't directly about the Speisekarte, but about the restaurant situation!)
📜 Poem about the Speisekarte
German:
Die Karte kommt, ein wichtiger Moment,
der Magen knurrt, weil er das Essen kennt.
Von Vorspeise bis zum süßen Schluss,
die Speisekarte weckt Genuss.
Man liest und wählt mit großem Sinn,
wo fängt man an, wo führt es hin?
Ein kleines Buch voll Leckerei,
bringt Freude und das Essen schnell herbei!
English Translation:
The menu comes, an important time,
the stomach growls, knowing food sublime.
From starter till the sweet end nears,
the menu awakens joyful cheers.
One reads and chooses with great sense,
where to begin, what happens hence?
A little book of tasty treats,
brings joy and quickly brings the eats!
🧩 Riddle Time
German:
Ich zeig dir Schnitzel, Suppe, Fisch,
komm meist im Restaurant auf den Tisch.
Ich hab kein Mundwerk, doch ich sage,
was es zu essen gibt an diesem Tage.
Was bin ich?
(... Die Speisekarte)
English Translation:
I show you schnitzel, soup, and fish,
and usually land upon the table's dish (context: arrive at the table).
I have no mouth, yet I declare,
what food is offered for you there.
What am I?
(... The menu / die Speisekarte)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Speisekarte' is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- Die Speise: Meaning food, dish.
- Die Karte: Meaning card, list, map; in this context, it means list or menu.
Cultural Notes:
In Germany, it's standard for prices listed on the Speisekarte to be inclusive of VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) and service charge (Bedienungsgeld), although tipping (Trinkgeld) is customary and appreciated. The design and length of a Speisekarte can often indicate the style and standard of the restaurant.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Speisekarte?
The correct article for the word Speisekarte is exclusively die. It is a feminine noun (die Speisekarte, der Speisekarte, die Speisekarten).