German word

Zwiebel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsviːbl̩/

Meaning

  • feminine nounonion

Example

Ich schneide eine Zwiebel.

I'm cutting an onion.

Illustration for Zwiebel (onion)

More examples

Beim Anbraten wird die Zwiebel goldbraun und süßlich.

When sautéed, the onion turns golden brown and slightly sweet.

Core concept

An edible round bulb with tight, peelable layers, used raw or cooked to add flavor to food.

Common phrases

  • eine Zwiebel schneiden

    cut an onion

  • eine Zwiebel schälen

    peel an onion

  • rote Zwiebel

    red onion

Similar words

Knoblauch: A bulbous seasoning vegetable with a sharp taste and strong smell.
Frühlingszwiebel: A slim onion with a white root end and green leaves, eaten raw or cooked.
Schalotte: A small aromatic bulb whose thin-skinned sections have a mild sweetness.
Lauch: A long-stemmed vegetable with a white base and green leaves, used in soups and stir-fries.

Definition in German

Zwiebel ist ein Gemüse, das aus einer runden, schichtigen Knolle besteht und roh oder gegart zum Würzen benutzt wird.

Word origin

German Zwiebel developed through Old High German zwibolla and Middle High German zwibel from Latin cepulla, a diminutive of cepa, meaning onion.

Usage tips

  • Zwiebel is feminine, so its basic form is die Zwiebel and its plural is die Zwiebeln.

Other meanings

  • bulbnoun

Related words

  • Zwiebelschaleonion peelnoun
  • Zwiebelkuchenonion tartnoun
  • zwiebeligonionyadjective

Word lists with this word