noun
vinegar
B1
Means 'vinegar'. German noun with masculine article der; plural Essige though often treated as an uncountable mass noun. Genitive des Essigs. Regular declension forms provided. Common culinary ingredient; when plural 'Essige' can refer to different types or varieties of vinegar.
Examples
Für den Salat mache ich ein Dressing aus Öl und Essig.
For the salad I make a dressing from oil and vinegar.
Ich brauche Essig für das Salatdressing.
I need vinegar for the salad dressing.
Die Köchin gab dem Salat Essig, damit er würziger wurde, obwohl manche Gäste Essig nicht mochten.
The cook gave the salad vinegar so that it became more flavorful, although some guests did not like vinegar.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a bottle labeled 'Essig' next to a salad bowl.
Essig sounds like 'S-ick' — imagine the strong sour smell making you pucker.
Der (male) — imagine a man daring someone to drink a shot of vinegar.
Notes
Often used as an uncountable commodity in German (no plural in many contexts), but a plural 'Essige' exists when referring to different types.