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Lebensmittel
/ˈleːbn̩sˌmɪtl̩/
groceries
Ich kaufe Lebensmittel im Supermarkt.
I buy groceries at the supermarket.
formal
Items such as food and household supplies that are consumed or used in daily life.
Die Preise für Lebensmittel sind gestiegen.
The prices for groceries have risen.
Sie hat eine Liste mit Lebensmitteln für das Rezept gemacht.
She made a list of groceries for the recipe.
Lebensmittel is a compound noun combining 'Leben' (life) and 'Mittel' (means/resources). It is always plural in German.
Collocations
tägliche Lebensmitteldaily groceriesfrische Lebensmittelfresh groceriesLebensmittel kaufento buy groceries
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Plural Usage
Lebensmittel is always used in the plural form in German, even when referring to a single item (e.g., 'ein Lebensmittel' is incorrect; use 'ein Lebensmittelprodukt' or 'eine Lebensmittelart' instead).
Gold Rule
Compound Nouns
Lebensmittel is a compound noun. Breaking it down helps: 'Leben' (life) + 'Mittel' (means/resources). This pattern is common in German for creating new nouns.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'lebensmittel', from Old High German 'lebensmittel' (means of subsistence), from 'leben' (to live) + 'mittel' (means). Cognate with Dutch 'levensmiddelen' and English 'livelihood'.
Usage Notes
Lebensmittel is a formal term primarily used in written contexts or when referring to shopping. In everyday speech, Germans often use 'Einkäufe' or 'Nahrungsmittel'.
Word Breakdown
Leben
life
rootMittel
means/resources
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch