noun
nutrition, diet
B1
Meaning: 'nutrition' or 'diet' (food intake/habits). Noun: die Ernährung (feminine). Plural given as Ernährungen but often uncountable in German; use singular for general concepts. Common collocations: 'gesunde Ernährung'. Declension: genitive der Ernährung; plural den Ernährungen. Used in contexts of health, biology, gastronomy.
Examples
Die Ernährung in der Kantine wurde dieses Jahr verbessert.
The cafeteria's food has been improved this year.
Die Studie zeigte, dass die Ernährung vieler Kinder ungesund war, weil frisches Obst selten gekauft wurde.
The study showed that the diet of many children was unhealthy because fresh fruit was rarely bought.
Eine gesunde Ernährung ist wichtig für Kinder.
A healthy diet is important for children.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a balanced plate with vegetables and proteins representing good nutrition.
Sounds like 'earn-ah-rung' — think 'earning' good health through nutrition.
Die Ernährung — think of 'die' as a plate (feminine) holding food.
Notes
Ernährung is often used as an uncountable noun (nutrition, diet). It appears in contexts about health, public policy, and personal habits.