German: Say 'I am making ___' and Describe the Dish
Learn to say what dish you are making in German using 'Ich mache' and describe it with simple adjectives and key ingredients.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to say what dish you are making in German. The focus is on the dish itself, not the cooking actions. You will use the pattern 'Ich mache' followed by the dish name, and then add a short description. This is useful for telling someone what you are preparing for a meal, whether it's a simple soup or a traditional German dish. You will also learn how to describe the dish with basic adjectives and mention main ingredients. By the end, you can confidently say what you are making and give a simple description.
By the end, you can…
- say what dish I am making using 'Ich mache'.
- describe a dish with simple adjectives like 'lecker' or 'einfach'.
- mention key ingredients in a dish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich mache eine Suppe.
I am making a soup.
ikh MAH-khuh AY-nuh ZUP-puh
Use 'eine' for feminine nouns like 'Suppe'. This is a general statement about making soup.
Ich mache einen Salat.
I am making a salad.
ikh MAH-khuh AY-nen zah-LAHT
'Salat' is masculine, so use 'einen' in the accusative case. This is common for a light meal.
Ich mache einen Kuchen.
I am making a cake.
ikh MAH-khuh AY-nen KOO-khen
'Kuchen' is masculine. Use this when baking a cake.
Das Essen ist lecker.
The food is delicious.
dahs ES-sen ist LEK-ker
A simple way to compliment the dish. 'Lecker' is informal and very common.
Die Suppe ist einfach zuzubereiten.
The soup is easy to prepare.
dee ZUP-puh ist AYN-fakh tsoo-tsoo-beh-RY-ten
Use 'einfach' to describe something as simple. 'Zuzubereiten' means 'to prepare'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Ich mache' + accusative article + dish name. The article changes depending on the gender of the noun: 'einen' for masculine (einen Salat), 'eine' for feminine (eine Suppe), and 'ein' for neuter (ein Omelett). For plural, use 'Ich mache' + plural noun without article, e.g., 'Ich mache Spaghetti.' To describe the dish, add a simple sentence with 'ist' + adjective, e.g., 'Die Suppe ist lecker.' You can also mention ingredients: 'Mit Kartoffeln' (with potatoes).
When to use it
Use this pattern when you want to tell someone what you are cooking or preparing right now. It's perfect for casual conversations, like when a family member asks what's for dinner. For example, 'Ich mache eine Pizza mit Käse.' (I am making a pizza with cheese.) If you are talking about a specific dish you are known for, you can say 'Ich mache heute meinen berühmten Apfelkuchen.' (Today I am making my famous apple cake.) Avoid using this pattern for actions like chopping or stirring; those require different verbs like 'schneiden' or 'rühren'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Was machst du gerade?
What are you making right now?vahs MAKHST doo geh-RAH-duhIch mache eine Gemüsesuppe. Sie ist sehr gesund.
I am making a vegetable soup. It is very healthy.ikh MAH-khuh AY-nuh geh-MYOO-zuh-ZUP-puh. zee ist zair geh-ZOONTDas klingt lecker! Mit welchen Zutaten?
That sounds delicious! With which ingredients?dahs klingt LEK-ker! mit VEL-khen TSOO-tah-tenMit Kartoffeln, Karotten und Sellerie.
With potatoes, carrots, and celery.mit kar-TOF-feln, kah-ROT-ten oont ZEL-leh-reeA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it's common to discuss what you're cooking as part of daily conversation. The phrase 'Ich mache' is neutral and widely used. For more formal situations, you might say 'Ich bereite ... zu' (I am preparing ...). Regional dishes vary: in Bavaria, you might hear 'Ich mache eine Brotzeit' (a cold snack), while in Switzerland, 'Ich mache ein Fondue' is popular. Note that 'lecker' is informal; in formal contexts, 'köstlich' (delicious) is better.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich bin machen' to mean 'I am making'.
Try this instead: In German, there is no continuous form like 'I am making'. Use the simple present: 'Ich mache'. For example, 'Ich mache eine Suppe' means both 'I make a soup' and 'I am making a soup' depending on context.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I am making a salad' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich mache einen Salat.
'Salat' is masculine, so the accusative article is 'einen'. 'Ich mache' is the correct verb form for 'I am making'.
2Translate: 'The cake is delicious.'
Show a sample answer
Der Kuchen ist lecker.
'Kuchen' is masculine, so use 'der'. 'Lecker' is the common informal adjective for delicious. You could also say 'Der Kuchen ist köstlich' in a more formal context.
3Make a sentence: 'I am making a soup with vegetables.'
Show a sample answer
Ich mache eine Suppe mit Gemüse.
'Suppe' is feminine, so use 'eine'. 'Mit Gemüse' means 'with vegetables'. You could also specify 'mit Kartoffeln' (with potatoes) as an alternative.
Use 'Ich mache' + accusative article + dish name to say what you are making. Describe the dish with 'ist' + adjective, and mention ingredients with 'mit'. Remember that German uses the simple present for ongoing actions.
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