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How to Say ‘Dinner is ready!’ in German

Das Essen ist fertig!

dahs ES-sen ist FER-tikh

[dahs ES-sen ist FER-tikh]

💬 Usage Tip: fertig means both "ready" and "finished". Ich bin fertig can mean "I'm done" or "I'm exhausted".

Phrase Breakdown

Das Essen

dahs ES-sen

The food / the meal

Article and noun stay together. 'Essen' is the verb 'to eat' used as a noun, so it is capitalized. Stress the first syllable: ES-sen.

Example

Das Essen ist warm.

The food is warm.

Words in this phrase

Das

[dahs]

the

Definite article used with the noun 'Gespräch.'

Example

Das Gespräch hat mir neue Einblicke gegeben.

The conversation gave me new insights.

Essen

[ES-sen]

meal / food

can mean the act of eating or a meal itself

Example

Das Essen beginnt um sieben Uhr.

The meal begins at seven o'clock.

ist fertig!

ist FER-tikh

is ready!

'Fertig' means ready or finished. The final '-ig' is usually pronounced like the 'ch' in 'ich'.

Example

Ich bin fertig!

I'm done!

Words in this phrase

ist

[ist]

A form of the verb 'sein' used for singular subjects.

Example

Für viele Bewerber Ist ein gutes Teamklima entscheidend.

For many applicants, a good team climate is crucial.

fertig

[FER-tikh]

finished, done

Adjective meaning complete or ready.

Example

Das Essen ist fertig.

The food is ready.

Guides for German learners

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