German · Food & Drink

"Fruit" in German: Obst

das Obst

Say it: OHPSTneuter · das Obstnoun/ɔpst/

Note: a single fruit: die Frucht

Fruit as a food category in German is das Obst. A single fruit is often die Frucht. Fruit salad is der Obstsalat.

Shopping list

Kauf bitte frisches Obst.
Please buy fresh fruit.
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How to pronounce Obst

Say it

OHPST

/ɔpst/

OHPST. Short o. Final st cluster crisp.

"Fruit" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
das Obstfruit (as food)

Category word in shops and kitchens.

die Fruchta fruit / fruit

Often one piece or botanical sense.

Obstsalatfruit salad

Common dish.

Obststandfruit stand

Market compound.

How to use Obst in real life

  1. 1Shopping list

    Kauf bitte frisches Obst.

    Please buy fresh fruit.

    Obst as mass noun.

  2. 2Breakfast

    Zum Frühstück esse ich Obst.

    For breakfast I eat fruit.

    No article needed.

  3. 3Kids snack

    Nimm Obst mit in die Schule.

    Take fruit to school.

    Parent instruction.

Mistakes English speakers make with Obst

Incorrect: Ich kaufe Früchte. (meaning general fruit shopping)

Correct: Ich kaufe Obst.

For fruit as food in general, Obst is the everyday word. Früchte is possible but less common in shopping talk.

Incorrect: der Obst

Correct: das Obst

Obst is neuter.

Good to know

Supermarkets separate Obst und Gemüse clearly. Seasonal Obst from local growers shows up at weekly markets, and Obstsaft is juice. Frucht sounds more technical or singular.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Building a healthy snack plate

  1. ChatPal

    Wollen wir Obst oder Kuchen?

    Do we want fruit or cake?

  2. You

    Obst. Es liegt noch Obst im Kühlschrank.

    Fruit. There's still fruit in the fridge.

  3. ChatPal

    Gut. Ich schneide das Obst klein.

    Good. I'll cut the fruit small.

  4. You

    Ich hole Joghurt.

    I'll get yogurt.

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"Fruit" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Fruit" in German

What is the difference between Obst and Frucht?

Obst is fruit as food. Frucht often means a single fruit or a more botanical sense.

What gender is Obst?

Neuter: das Obst.

How do you say fruit salad?

Der Obstsalat.

How do you say fruit juice?

Der Obstsaft or just Saft.

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