German I, Semester 2, Das Essen
Sections:

Introduction  |   Section 1  |   Section 2  |   Section 3   |  Dictionaries

  Section One:

Part A  |   Part B  |   Part C  |   Part D   |   Part E   |   Part F   |   Part G   |   Part H

Section One - Part D

Key ConceptDas Mittagessen
Breakfast isn't the only meal of the day. Traditionally, the main meal in German speaking countries is "das Mittagessen," eaten around noon, as the name implies. Some small shops and businesses close for the "Mittagspause" (noon break) from about 12-2 or 1-3, and people go home to eat. However, with the school day now extending more into the afternoon, and with more people working in businesses that don't close at noon, families are increasingly having their main meal in the evening. Sometimes there is a compromise: people eat a full "Mittagessen" with the family only on the weekend; during the week they have a moderate noon meal at work or school and then have a smaller main meal at home in the evening. Most medium to large companies offer an excellent warm meal in their own cafeterias. The employees typically have 30 minutes to eat lunch. When people get home from school and work, it is not uncommon to hear the question, "Essen wir warm oder kalt?" (I.e., "Are we going to have a warm meal or things like sandwiches, salad, and fruit?")

Here are some things that might be eaten for "das Mittagessen."

Fish Pork Roastbeef Beef Chicken
Potatoes Carrots Peas Salad Soup

Many people take a piece of Obst (fruit) with them to work or school, and fruit desserts are also quite common. Here is the vocabulary for some of the more important fruits in German speaking countries.

Bananas Apple Plum Pear Berries
Berries Grapes Blueberries Strawberry Watermelon
Apricot Peach Grapefruit Orange Lemon

The German speaking countries have the custom of mid-afternoon "Kaffee und Kuchen" (which we'll talk about later in the unit), so dessert (der Nachtisch) is often not part of the Mittagessen. When it is, it is usually:

Pudding Ice cream Fruit


Vocabulary Practice

Üben wir die neuen Vokabeln.
Let's Practice this vocabulary in this practice activity. Speedword


 

Writing Practice Was brauchst du zum Essen?
Say what utensils you need to eat the following things. Klicke auf das Deutsche und du siehst die richtige Antwort. The first one is done for you.

 

Für die Suppe Ich brauche einen Löffel.
Für das Rindfleisch
Für den Salat
Für das Wiener Schnitzel
Für die Cornflakes
Für das Hähnchen
Für die Kartoffeln

 


Vocabulary PracticeMehr Übung
Practice the Section 1 vocabulary in this activity. SpeedWord


Project AssignmentWie geht's mit dem Projekt?
How's it going with your project on der Schwarzwald?

Remember, you are to include the following information:

  • Location of der Schwarzwald
  • Where it gets its name
  • Information about at least two topographical areas (mountains, rivers, waterfalls, valleys, etc.)
  • Famous products of the area (food, beverages, handicrafts, etc.)
  • Folk costumes of the area
  • What tourists should see and do in the area.
  • At least one well-known legend or story from the area.
  • You need to have an original essay of at least 200 words (in English).
  • You are to find at least 6 pictures relating to der Schwarzwald and make a picture essay complete with captions about what you find. You may include one historical person in your picture essay.

The four deadlines:

Deadline 1: What you know already and ideas for finding information for the project. This is like brain storming; full sentences are not required. (5 points)
Deadline 2: Your detailed outline of the information you find (10 points)
Deadline 3: Your rough draft (5 points)
Deadline 4: The final project (written essay and picture essay). (30 points)

The detailed outline (deadline 2) is due now. Diese Aufgabe hat 10 Punkte.

Go on to Part E.

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