die
Suppe
🍲 What exactly is a 'Suppe'?
Die Suppe (feminine noun, plural: die Suppen) refers to a mostly warm, liquid to creamy dish prepared from various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, fish, broth (Brühe), or water. It is often eaten as a starter (Vorspeise), main course (Hauptgericht), or to provide nourishment during illness.
It always takes the feminine article 'die', so there's no risk of mixing up articles here. 🥳
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 Spotlight: Die Suppe
The noun "Suppe" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die".
Declension of die Suppe (Soup)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Suppe |
| Genitive | der | Suppe |
| Dative | der | Suppe |
| Accusative | die | Suppe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Suppen |
| Genitive | der | Suppen |
| Dativ | den | Suppen |
| Accusative | die | Suppen |
🥣 Example Sentences
- Im Winter esse ich gerne eine heiße Suppe.
(In winter, I like to eat a hot soup.) - Die Kellnerin servierte der hungrigen Gästin die Suppe.
(The waitress served the soup to the hungry guest (female).) - Der Geschmack der Suppe war ausgezeichnet.
(The taste of the soup was excellent.) - Meine Oma kocht die besten Suppen.
(My grandma cooks the best soups.)
🥄 When to use "Suppe"?
"Suppe" is a very common word in German and is used in many contexts:
- As a meal: Often as a starter (Vorsuppe) or a light main course.
- During illness: Chicken soup (Hühnersuppe) is considered a classic home remedy for colds.
- Idioms: "Die Suppe auslöffeln müssen, die man sich eingebrockt hat" (lit. 'to have to eat the soup you ladled for yourself' - meaning to face the consequences of one's actions). "Jemandem in die Suppe spucken" (lit. 'to spit in someone's soup' - meaning to spoil something for someone).
- Culinary variety: There are countless types of soups (Gemüsesuppe - vegetable soup, Tomatensuppe - tomato soup, Linsensuppe - lentil soup, Nudelsuppe - noodle soup, etc.).
Compared to Brühe (broth - usually clearer, often a base for soups) or Eintopf (stew - significantly heartier, often with more solid ingredients), Suppe is the more general term for a liquid, cooked dish.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Suppe'
Article Mnemonic: Think of a Super She-ro saving the day with soup - 'She' helps remember 'die'. The 'e' ending is common for feminine nouns.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine slurping up hot Soup. 'Suppe' sounds a bit like 'soup'.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Brühe: Broth - Often clearer than Suppe, frequently used as a base.
- Bouillon: French word for Brühe, often stronger in flavor.
- Eintopf: Stew or one-pot meal - Heartier and with more solid ingredients than most Suppen, often a complete main dish.
- Sud: Cooking liquid - The liquid something was cooked in (e.g., Gemüsesud - vegetable stock).
⚠️ Potential Confusion?
Sometimes Suppe and Eintopf are used interchangeably, but an Eintopf is generally thicker and more filling.
😂 A Little Soup Joke
Gast zum Kellner: "Herr Ober, in meiner Suppe schwimmt eine Fliege!"
Kellner: "Keine Sorge, die trinkt nicht viel."
Translation:
Guest to waiter: "Waiter, there's a fly swimming in my soup!"
Waiter: "Don't worry, it doesn't drink much."
📜 Poem about Soup
Die Suppe dampft im tiefen Teller,
macht müde Geister wieder heller.
Ob klar, ob cremig, heiß serviert,
hat sie uns alle schon kuriert.
Mit Nudeln, Grieß, Gemüse fein,
so löffeln wir uns Wärme ein.
Translation:
The soup steams in the deep plate,
makes tired spirits bright again.
Whether clear or creamy, served hot,
it has already cured us all.
With noodles, semolina, fine vegetables,
thus we spoon warmth into ourselves.
❓ Soup Riddle
Ich bin flüssig, doch kein Fluss,
bringe Wärme und Genuss.
Man löffelt mich, heiß oder kalt,
mal jung an Jahren, mal steinalt (in der Rezeptur).
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am liquid, but not a river,
I bring warmth and pleasure.
People spoon me, hot or cold,
sometimes young in years, sometimes ancient (in recipe).
What am I?
(Solution: Die Suppe / Soup)
💡 More about 'Suppe'
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)
"Suppe" is part of many compound nouns in German:
- Suppen + Ingredient: Tomatensuppe (tomato soup), Kürbissuppe (pumpkin soup), Linsensuppe (lentil soup), Hühnersuppe (chicken soup)
- Suppen + Utensil: Suppenteller (soup plate/bowl), Suppenlöffel (soup spoon), Suppentasse (soup cup), Suppenterrine (soup tureen)
- Suppen + Quality/Purpose: Cremesuppe (cream soup), Vorsuppe (starter soup), Mitternachtssuppe (midnight soup)
- Others: Suppenkasper (character from the Struwwelpeter story who refuses to eat his soup), Suppenküche (soup kitchen)
Etymology
The word "Suppe" comes from the Middle High German word "suppen", meaning "to sip" or "to drink".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Suppe?
The German word for "soup", Suppe, is always feminine. The correct article is therefore die Suppe.