German word

Kraut

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁaʊ̯t/

Meaning

  • neuter nounherb

Example

Ich streue Kräuter über den Salat.

I sprinkle herbs over the salad.

Illustration for Kraut (herb)

More examples

Beim Zerreiben entfaltet das Kraut ein intensives Aroma.

When crushed, the herb releases an intense aroma.

Core concept

A leafy plant or its leaves, ranging from a seasoning sprig to a cabbage head or an unwanted garden growth.

Common phrases

  • frisches Kraut

    fresh herb

  • getrocknetes Kraut

    dried herb

  • ein Bund Kraut

    a bunch of herbs

Similar words

Kräuter: A group of fresh herbs, including their leaves and tender stems.
Gewürz: A dried or mixed seasoning added to food for flavor or spice.
Sauerkraut: Salted cabbage fermented with lactic acid and served as a German side dish.

Definition in German

Kraut bezeichnet meist die essbaren oder aromatischen Teile krautiger Pflanzen, die als Gewürz, Heilmittel oder Lebensmittel verwendet werden.

Word origin

Kraut comes from Old High German chruot through Middle High German krût and is related to Dutch kruid, with an old broad sense for vegetation.

Usage tips

  • Kraut is neuter: das Kraut; the common plural Kräuter refers to individual herbs, while Kraut can also refer to cabbage as a mass noun.

Other meanings

  • weednoun
  • plantnoun
  • cabbagenoun

Opposites

  • Unkrautweednoun

Related words

  • krautigherbaceousadjective
  • krautartigherb-likeadjective

Word lists with this word