German · Food & Drink

"Knife" in German: Messer

das Messer

Say it: MESS-erneuter · das Messernoun/ˈmɛsɐ/

Knife in German is das Messer. Plural is also die Messer. At the table you say Gib mir bitte das Messer.

Cooking

Vorsicht, das Messer ist sehr scharf.
Careful, the knife is very sharp.
Practice German out loud

Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free

How to pronounce Messer

Say it

MESS-er

/ˈmɛsɐ/

MESS-er. Short e, soft -er. Stress MESS.

"Knife" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
das Messerthe knife

Default noun.

ein Messera knife

Asking for one.

die Messerthe knives

Plural same form.

scharfes Messersharp knife

Kitchen warning.

How to use Messer in real life

  1. 1Cooking

    Vorsicht, das Messer ist sehr scharf.

    Careful, the knife is very sharp.

    Safety talk.

  2. 2Table

    Kannst du mir das Messer reichen?

    Can you pass me the knife?

    Meal request.

  3. 3Drawer

    Die Messer liegen in der Schublade.

    The knives are in the drawer.

    Plural identical.

Mistakes English speakers make with Messer

Incorrect: Gib mir den Messer.

Correct: Gib mir das Messer.

Messer is neuter: das Messer.

Incorrect: Wo ist die Knife?

Correct: Wo ist das Messer?

Use Messer, not English knife.

Good to know

Germans keep a bread knife (Brotmesser) separate from the steak knife. Crossing Messer und Gabel can mark the end of a meal. Kids hear Pass auf, scharfes Messer! early in kitchen talk.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Chopping vegetables together

  1. ChatPal

    Nimm das große Messer für die Karotten.

    Take the big knife for the carrots.

  2. You

    Okay. Ist dieses Messer spülmaschinenfest?

    Okay. Is this knife dishwasher-safe?

  3. ChatPal

    Nein, das Messer bitte nur von Hand spülen.

    No, please wash the knife by hand only.

  4. You

    Alles klar. Ich lege das Messer hierhin.

    Got it. I'll put the knife here.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

Practice this conversation in ChatPal

"Knife" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Knife" in German

How do you say knife?

Das Messer.

Plural?

Die Messer — same form.

Gender?

Neuter: das Messer.

Pass the knife?

Kannst du mir das Messer reichen?

Learn a word, then use it out loud

  1. Step 1: See it in context
  2. Step 2: Say it out loud
  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

Keep reading

Ready to say it out loud?

ChatPal is a voice-first app for practicing real conversations in German. Try real scenarios and get personalized feedback on your speaking.

Start with 7 days free.