German word

Imbiss

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪmbɪs/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsnack

Example

Ich esse einen Imbiss.

I'm having a snack.

Illustration for Imbiss (snack)

More examples

Nach dem Kino holen wir uns einen Imbiss.

After the movie, we'll get ourselves a snack.

Core concept

A modest serving passed across a counter, with the counter itself carrying the same everyday label.

Common phrases

  • einen Imbiss zwischendurch

    a snack between meals

  • am Imbiss essen

    eat at the snack bar

  • einen Imbiss holen

    go get a snack

Similar words

Imbissbude: A small kiosk serving food for a quick meal.
Imbissstand: A basic fixed or mobile stand selling simple light meals.
Straßenimbiss: A roadside food stall serving quick snacks.

Definition in German

Als Imbiss bezeichnet man eine schnelle, einfache Speise oder den Ort, an dem solche Speisen verkauft werden.

Word origin

The German noun Imbiss continues Old High German imbiz and Middle High German imbiz, which came from a Latin term for refreshment.

Usage tips

  • Imbissbude or Imbissstand identifies a specific food business more clearly than Imbiss alone.

Other meanings

  • food stallnoun
  • snack barnoun

Opposites

  • Hauptspeisemain coursenoun
  • Vollmahlzeitfull mealnoun

Related words

  • Imbissstubesnack barnoun
  • Imbissbetriebsnack bar operationnoun
  • Imbissangebotsnack offeringsnoun

Word lists with this word