German word

Kohl

Pronunciation

IPA/koːl/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncabbage

Example

Der Kohl ist frisch.

The cabbage is fresh.

Illustration for Kohl (cabbage)

More examples

Zum Abendessen gab es gedünsteten Kohl.

There was braised cabbage for dinner.

Core concept

A cabbage plant with thick leaves gathered into either a large head or many small heads.

Common phrases

  • Weißer Kohl

    white cabbage

  • gedünsteter Kohl

    braised cabbage

  • eingelegter Kohl

    pickled cabbage

Similar words

Weißkohl: A round-headed cabbage with pale outer leaves, often eaten raw.
Grünkohl: A dark green cabbage with curly leaves, usually cooked and served warm.
Wirsing: A cabbage with soft, wrinkled leaves, well suited to soups and stews.
Rotkohl: A round-headed cabbage with reddish leaves, often braised with a sweet flavor as a side dish.

Definition in German

Kohl bezeichnet verschiedene Kohlsorten wie Weißkohl, Rotkohl oder Rosenkohl und meint allgemein Blattgemüse, das gekocht oder roh gegessen wird.

Word origin

The German noun Kohl developed from Old High German kol or chol, an early borrowing of Latin caulis that also underlies English cole and kale.

Usage tips

  • Kohl usually names the vegetable or category generally, whereas Kohle means coal and has a final -e.

Related words

  • Weißkohlwhite cabbagenoun
  • Rotkohlred cabbagenoun
  • Grünkohlkalenoun

Word lists with this word