German · Food & Drink
"Fork" in German: Gabel
die Gabel
Fork in German is die Gabel. At the table you say Kannst du mir die Gabel geben?. Plurals are die Gabeln.
Missing cutlery
Entschuldigung, mir fehlt eine Gabel.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Gabel
Say it
GAH-bel
/ˈɡaːbl̩/
GAH-bel. Stress GAH. Soft -bel.
"Fork" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Gabel | the fork Default noun. | Default noun. |
| eine Gabel | a fork Asking for one. | Asking for one. |
| die Gabeln | the forks Plural. | Plural. |
| Messer und Gabel | knife and fork Place setting. | Place setting. |
How to use Gabel in real life
- 1Missing cutlery
Entschuldigung, mir fehlt eine Gabel.
Excuse me, I'm missing a fork.
Restaurant request.
- 2Setting the table
Leg die Gabel links neben den Teller.
Put the fork left of the plate.
German place setting.
- 3Picnic pack
Hast du Gabeln für den Salat?
Do you have forks for the salad?
Plural Gabeln.
Mistakes English speakers make with Gabel
Incorrect: Gib mir den Gabel.
Correct: Gib mir die Gabel.
Gabel is feminine: die, not den.
Incorrect: Wo ist der Fork?
Correct: Wo ist die Gabel?
Use Gabel, not the English word.
Good to know
In Germany the fork sits on the left and the knife on the right. Crossing Messer und Gabel on the plate can signal you are finished; parallel placement often means you are pausing. Asking for eine Gabel is normal and not rude.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Sharing pasta at home
ChatPal
Brauchst du noch eine Gabel?
Do you still need a fork?
You
Ja bitte, meine Gabel ist zu klein.
Yes please, my fork is too small.
ChatPal
Hier. Die große Gabel ist besser für Nudeln.
Here. The big fork is better for noodles.
You
Danke. Mit dieser Gabel klappt es.
Thanks. With this fork it works.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Fork" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Fork" in German
How do you say fork?
Die Gabel.
Plural?
Die Gabeln.
May I have a fork?
Kann ich bitte eine Gabel haben?
Gender?
Feminine: die Gabel.
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
