German · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Ice" in German: Eis

das Eis

Say it: ICEneuter · das Eisnoun/aɪs/

Ice as frozen water in German is das Eis. Say Das Eis auf dem See trägt noch nicht or Eis auf der Straße. Ice cream is also Eis, so context must show frozen water here.

Winter sidewalk

Vorsicht da liegt Eis vor der Tür.
Careful — there's ice in front of the door.
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How to pronounce Eis

Say it

ICE

/aɪs/

ICE. Long ei like English eye; short word.

"Ice" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
das Eisice (frozen water)

Core noun in this sense.

Glatteisblack ice

Road hazard.

Eiswürfelice cubes

Drinks.

vereisticed over

Surfaces.

How to use Eis in real life

  1. 1Winter sidewalk

    Vorsicht da liegt Eis vor der Tür.

    Careful — there's ice in front of the door.

    Frozen water on the ground.

  2. 2Lake check

    Das Eis ist noch zu dünn zum Betreten.

    The ice is still too thin to walk on.

    Lake ice.

  3. 3Drink order

    Wasser ohne Eis bitte mir ist kalt genug.

    Water without ice please — I'm cold enough.

    Ice cubes, still frozen water.

Mistakes English speakers make with Eis

Incorrect: die Eis

Correct: das Eis

Eis is neuter: das Eis.

Incorrect: Ich esse Eis (as the only example for frozen water).

Correct: Das Eis auf der Straße ist glatt.

For this entry keep frozen-water contexts clear.

Good to know

Winter radio warns about Glatteis more than bare Eis. On lakes people wait for thick Eis before skating. In restaurants Eiswürfel are optional; many locals drink soft drinks without ice in cold months.

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Walking carefully after a freeze

  1. ChatPal

    Siehst du das Eis auf dem Bürgersteig?

    Do you see the ice on the sidewalk?

  2. You

    Ja. Das Eis ist spiegelglatt.

    Yes. The ice is mirror-smooth.

  3. ChatPal

    Dann langsam. Streusalz hilft gegen Eis.

    Then slowly. Road salt helps against ice.

  4. You

    Gut. Lieber Umweg als Sturz aufs Eis.

    Good. Better a detour than a fall on the ice.

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"Ice" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Ice" in German

How do you say ice (frozen water)?

Das Eis.

Black ice?

Glatteis.

Ice cubes?

Eiswürfel.

Same word as ice cream?

Yes — context shows which Eis you mean.

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