German · Food & Drink
"Chicken" in German: Hähnchen
das Hähnchen
Chicken as food in German is das Hähnchen. On menus you also see Hähnchenbraten or gegrilltes Hähnchen. A live chicken is usually das Huhn; a cute chick is das Küken.
Ordering lunch
Ich nehme das Hähnchen mit Reis.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Hähnchen
Say it
HEN-shen
/ˈhɛːnçən/
HEN-shen. The äh is like e in "bed" held longer. Soft -chen ending.
"Chicken" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das Hähnchen | chicken (as food) Default on menus and in shops. | Default on menus and in shops. |
| das Huhn | chicken / hen (the animal) Live bird or farm talk. | Live bird or farm talk. |
| Hühnchen | little chicken Softer, sometimes on kids' menus. | Softer, sometimes on kids' menus. |
| Hähnchenbraten | roast chicken Common lunch special. | Common lunch special. |
How to use Hähnchen in real life
- 1Ordering lunch
Ich nehme das Hähnchen mit Reis.
I'll take the chicken with rice.
Hähnchen is the food word on most menus.
- 2At the butcher
Haben Sie noch frisches Hähnchen?
Do you still have fresh chicken?
Ask for weight or pieces after this.
- 3Family dinner
Mama macht heute Hähnchen im Ofen.
Mom is making chicken in the oven today.
No article needed when talking about the dish in general.
Mistakes English speakers make with Hähnchen
Incorrect: Ich esse den Huhn.
Correct: Ich esse das Hähnchen. / Ich esse Huhn.
Huhn is neuter (das). For cooked chicken, Hähnchen is the safer everyday word.
Incorrect: Ein Chicken, bitte.
Correct: Ein Hähnchen, bitte.
Germans understand chicken, but menus and shops expect Hähnchen.
Good to know
In Germany Hähnchen often means a roasted half-chicken sold at markets and street stands. At a rotisserie you buy ein halbes Hähnchen with fries or a bread roll, and people eat it with their hands.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing lunch at a market stand
ChatPal
Nimmst du das Hähnchen oder den Döner?
Are you taking the chicken or the döner?
You
Das Hähnchen, bitte. Mit Pommes.
The chicken, please. With fries.
ChatPal
Gut. Willst du noch eine Soße zum Hähnchen?
Good. Do you want a sauce with the chicken too?
You
Ja, scharf. Und eine Cola.
Yes, spicy. And a cola.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Chicken" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Chicken" in German
Is Hähnchen the same as Huhn?
Almost. Hähnchen is usually the food. Huhn is the animal, or chicken meat in some recipes.
What is the gender of Hähnchen?
Neuter: das Hähnchen, ein Hähnchen.
How do you say chicken nuggets?
Chicken Nuggets or Hähnchen-Nuggets. Both appear on menus.
How do you say roast chicken?
Hähnchenbraten or gegrilltes Hähnchen.
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
