German · Food & Drink

"Cheese" in German: Käse

der Käse

Say it: KAY-zuhmasculine · der Käsenoun/ˈkɛːzə/

Cheese in German is der Käse. Order or buy with Welchen Käse möchten Sie? A cheese sandwich is often ein Käsebrot.

At the counter

100 Gramm von diesem Käse, bitte.
100 grams of this cheese, please.
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How to pronounce Käse

Say it

KAY-zuh

/ˈkɛːzə/

KAY-zuh. Long ä like a in "care". Soft final e. Stress the first syllable.

"Cheese" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Käsethe cheese

Masculine noun.

Käsebrotcheese sandwich / bread with cheese

Simple open sandwich.

Schnittkäse / Weichkäsesliced / soft cheese

Supermarket categories.

geriebener Käsegrated cheese

For pasta and baking.

How to use Käse in real life

  1. 1At the counter

    100 Gramm von diesem Käse, bitte.

    100 grams of this cheese, please.

    Diesem Käse is dative after von.

  2. 2Breakfast

    Magst du Käse aufs Brot?

    Do you like cheese on bread?

    Bare Käse for the food in general.

  3. 3Cooking

    Der Käse ist noch nicht geschmolzen.

    The cheese hasn't melted yet.

    Der Käse masculine subject.

Mistakes English speakers make with Käse

Incorrect: die Käse

Correct: der Käse

Käse is masculine singular. Plural portions are often still Käse or Käsesorten.

Incorrect: Ich möchte die Käse.

Correct: Ich möchte den Käse. / Käse, bitte.

Masculine accusative is den Käse. Bare Käse, bitte also works for the product.

Good to know

Cheese boards appear at parties, but everyday Käse is often sliced for Abendbrot. Strong smells are normal—calling something Käse can also mean nonsense in slang: Das ist doch Käse!

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Building a quick lunch

  1. ChatPal

    Haben wir noch Käse im Kühlschrank?

    Do we still have cheese in the fridge?

  2. You

    Ja, der Käse von gestern reicht.

    Yes, yesterday's cheese is enough.

  3. ChatPal

    Dann mache ich Käsebrot. Willst du auch Käse?

    Then I'll make cheese bread. Do you want cheese too?

  4. You

    Klar. Wenig Käse, bitte.

    Sure. Not much cheese, please.

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"Cheese" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Cheese" in German

What gender is Käse?

Masculine: der Käse, den Käse.

How do you say cheese sandwich?

Käsebrot is the everyday open sandwich.

How do you ask for cheese at a counter?

Von diesem Käse bitte … Gramm.

Can Käse mean nonsense?

Yes, colloquially: Das ist Käse means that's nonsense.

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