zu viele Köche verderben den Eintopf

/tsu ˈfiːlə ˈkœçə fɛɐ̯ˈdɛʁbn̩ deːn ˈaɪ̯ntɔp/
proverbIntermediate too many cooks spoil the brothproverb
What It Really Means
The idea that excessive collaboration or input can lead to poor outcomes due to lack of coordination or clarity.
Literal Meaning
Too many cooks spoil the stew.
Literal Breakdown
zu viele Köchetoo many cooks+verderbenspoil+den Eintopfthe stew
Mental Image
A kitchen where too many cooks are trying to prepare a single dish, leading to chaos and a ruined meal.
When to Use
A team leader might say this when a project is becoming disorganized due to too many people trying to contribute ideas without clear direction.
Cultural Note
This proverb is widely recognized in German-speaking cultures and is often used to advocate for streamlined decision-making processes.
informal

A proverb suggesting that having too many people involved in a project or decision-making process can lead to confusion, inefficiency, or poor results.

Das Projekt scheiterte, weil zu viele Köche mitreden wollten.

The project failed because too many people wanted to have a say.

💡

This proverb is often used to caution against overcomplicating a situation by involving too many people.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

zu viele Köche in der Kücheproverb
too many people involved in a project

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This proverb is often used to gently suggest that a project or decision would benefit from fewer contributors.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overcomplication

When using this phrase, ensure it's applied to situations where too many inputs are genuinely causing problems, not just to dismiss valid contributions.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from the idea that too many cooks in a kitchen would interfere with each other, leading to a ruined dish. It has been used metaphorically to describe overcrowded decision-making processes since at least the 16th century.

📝Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used in both professional and casual contexts to advise against involving too many people in a project or decision.

Word Breakdown

zu viele Köche
too many cooks
phrase
+
verderben
to spoil
verb
+
den Eintopf
the stew (or broth)
noun phrase
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch