German · Body & Health

"Diet" in German: Ernährung

die Ernährung

Say it: air-NAY-roongfeminine · die Ernährungnoun/ɛɐ̯ˈnɛːʁʊŋ/

Note: weight-loss diet: die Diät

Diet as everyday eating habits in German is die Ernährung. A weight-loss plan is usually die Diät. Say gesunde Ernährung when you mean healthy food habits.

Doctor visit

Wir sollten deine Ernährung etwas anpassen.
We should adjust your diet a bit.
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How to pronounce Ernährung

Say it

air-NAY-roong

/ɛɐ̯ˈnɛːʁʊŋ/

air-NAY-roong. Stress NAY. The ä is like e in "bed". Soft -ung ending.

"Diet" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
die Ernährungdiet / eating habits

Health and nutrition talk.

gesunde Ernährunghealthy diet

Doctor or lifestyle advice.

die Diätweight-loss diet

Cutting calories, not general habits.

Ernährung umstellento change one's diet

Lifestyle shift.

How to use Ernährung in real life

  1. 1Doctor visit

    Wir sollten deine Ernährung etwas anpassen.

    We should adjust your diet a bit.

    Ernährung for overall habits.

  2. 2Meal prep chat

    Meine Ernährung ist seit Ostern leichter.

    My diet has been lighter since Easter.

    Possessive with Ernährung.

  3. 3Label reading

    Diese Ernährung passt gut für Sportler.

    This diet suits athletes well.

    Product or plan context.

Mistakes English speakers make with Ernährung

Incorrect: Ich mache eine Ernährung (for weight loss only).

Correct: Ich mache eine Diät. / Ich stelle meine Ernährung um.

Diät is the weight-loss plan; Ernährung is broader eating habits.

Incorrect: Mein Ernährung ist schlecht.

Correct: Meine Ernährung ist schlecht.

Ernährung is feminine: meine, not mein.

Good to know

Germans talk about gesunde Ernährung in clinics and magazines without sounding extreme. Diät often means a short weight-loss phase. Friends may ask Iss du gerade Diät? before offering cake, while doctors stick to Ernährung.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing lunch after a checkup

  1. ChatPal

    Der Arzt will eine klarere Ernährung von dir.

    The doctor wants a clearer diet from you.

  2. You

    Okay. Weniger Zucker in meiner Ernährung, oder?

    Okay. Less sugar in my diet, right?

  3. ChatPal

    Genau. Deine Ernährung muss nicht langweilig sein.

    Exactly. Your diet doesn't have to be boring.

  4. You

    Gut. Dann starte ich die neue Ernährung morgen.

    Good. Then I'll start the new diet tomorrow.

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"Diet" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Diet" in German

How do you say diet in German?

Die Ernährung for habits; die Diät for a weight-loss plan.

Healthy diet?

Gesunde Ernährung.

I'm on a diet?

Ich mache eine Diät. / Ich bin auf Diät.

Gender of Ernährung?

Feminine: die Ernährung, meine Ernährung.

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