Groceries, food in German 🇩🇪

Lebensmittel info.

Memory Tip:
• Break the word into two parts: "Leben" (life) and "Mittel" (means). Think of it as "the means for life," which are the food items necessary to sustain life.

Explanation:
• Lebensmittel refers to food or groceries, especially items you purchase to eat. It is a general term that encompasses all edible products.

Similar Words:
• Nahrungsmittel – another common word for food or groceries.
• Esswaren – though less commonly used, it also means food products.

Alternate Meanings/Slang:
• While Lebensmittel is primarily used for food items, there isn’t a widely recognized slang meaning. However, in creative contexts, one might encounter metaphorical uses like "Geistige Lebensmittel" (intellectual nourishment) to refer to things that feed the mind.

Example Sentences:
• Ich gehe jetzt in den Supermarkt, um Lebensmittel einzukaufen.
• Frische Lebensmittel sind wichtig für eine gesunde Ernährung.
• Nach dem Umzug fehlen noch einige Lebensmittel in unserer neuen Küche.

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lebensmittel info.

Tips to Remember the German Word 'Lebensmittel':
– Break down the word into 'Lebens' (life) and 'Mittel' (means) – so it literally means 'means of life', which makes sense since food is essential to life.
– Associate 'mittel' with 'middle' (as they are similar in pronunciation), and since food is central or 'middle' to life, this might help you remember the term.
– Think of 'Lebensmittel' as the 'mittels' or necessary tools for 'Leben' (life), which food certainly is.

Explanations:
– 'Lebensmittel' is a compound noun in German.
– It refers primarily to food or anything edible that provides nutritional support for an organism.
– It includes all food items – be they packaged, fresh, canned, or preserved.

Other Words That Mean the Same Thing:
– Essen (food in general, or a meal)
– Nahrung (nourishment, often used for human and animal food)
– Proviant (provisions, often used for food supplies especially in context of travel or outdoor activities)

Alternate Meanings:
– In everyday modern German, 'Lebensmittel' doesn't really have slang meanings and remains firmly associated with food.
– Historically, 'Mittel' has broad applicability so in different contexts, it may have been adapted, but not in contemporary usage.

Examples of Sentences That Use 'Lebensmittel':
– "Ich gehe Lebensmittel einkaufen." (I am going grocery shopping.)
– "Die Preise für Lebensmittel steigen." (The prices for groceries are increasing.)
– "In diesem Supermarkt gibt es eine große Auswahl an biologischen Lebensmitteln." (In this supermarket, there is a large selection of organic food.)
– "Wir müssen unsere Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren." (We need to reduce our food waste.)
– "Sie stellt selbstgemachte Lebensmittel her." (She makes homemade food.)

2 years ago