German · Food & Drink
"Bread" in German: Brot
das Brot
Bread in German is das Brot, a neuter noun. Small rolls are Brötchen, and they are a breakfast staple. Bakeries are everywhere, and people often buy fresh Brot several times a week.
At the bakery
Ich hätte gern ein Vollkornbrot, bitte.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Brot
Say it
broht
/bʁoːt/
Broht, with a long o as in "boat" but without a strong English w glide. The final t is clear. Stress the single syllable.
"Bread" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das Brot | bread; a loaf The general word for bread. | The general word for bread. |
| das Brötchen | bread roll Small breakfast roll; in Bavaria also Semmel. | Small breakfast roll; in Bavaria also Semmel. |
| das Vollkornbrot | wholegrain bread Very common dark loaf in German bakeries. | Very common dark loaf in German bakeries. |
| die Scheibe Brot | slice of bread How you count bread at the table. | How you count bread at the table. |
How to use Brot in real life
- 1At the bakery
Ich hätte gern ein Vollkornbrot, bitte.
I'd like a wholegrain loaf, please.
Naming the type is clearer than just saying Brot.
- 2At breakfast
Magst du Butter aufs Brot?
Do you want butter on your bread?
Aufs is auf das. Brot here means the slice.
- 3Shopping list
Wir brauchen noch Brot und Milch.
We still need bread and milk.
No article needed when speaking about bread in general.
Mistakes English speakers make with Brot
Incorrect: der Brot
Correct: das Brot
Brot is neuter: das Brot. A roll is das Brötchen.
Incorrect: zwei Broten
Correct: zwei Brote
The plural is die Brote. Broten appears only in forms like mit Broten in some contexts; for counting loaves use Brote.
Good to know
Germany takes bread seriously: dense rye loaves, seed breads, and regional rolls are everyday food, not special treats. Abendbrot is a cold evening meal of bread with cheese, sausage, or toppings, still common in many homes.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Morning stop at a bakery
ChatPal
Holst du noch schnell Brot?
Are you quickly grabbing bread?
You
Ja, ein dunkles Brot und sechs Brötchen.
Yes, a dark loaf and six rolls.
ChatPal
Perfekt. Ohne Brot schmeckt das Frühstück halb.
Perfect. Breakfast tastes half as good without bread.
You
Stimmt. Ich stehe schon in der Schlange.
True. I'm already in the queue.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Bread" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bread" in German
What is the difference between Brot and Brötchen?
Brot is a loaf or bread in general. Brötchen are small rolls, usually for breakfast.
How do you say a slice of bread?
Eine Scheibe Brot. For "a piece of bread" people also say ein Stück Brot.
Is Brot masculine?
No, it is neuter: das Brot. Many food staples are neuter, but always check.
Why do Germans buy bread so often?
Fresh bakery bread goes stale faster than packaged soft bread, so many people buy it several times a week.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
