noun
dish, food
B1
Speise (die) means 'dish' or more generally 'food', often in formal or culinary contexts (e.g., 'kalte Speisen'). Feminine noun with plural 'Speisen'. Declension follows regular feminine patterns. Use when referring to a course or prepared dish rather than everyday 'Essen'; common compounds: 'Speisekarte', 'Speiseplan'.
Examples
Die Speise war sehr lecker.
The dish was very tasty.
Diese Speise habe ich noch nie gegessen.
I've never eaten this dish before.
Nachdem die Köchin die Gäste begrüßte, servierte sie die Speise, die allen am Tisch gut schmeckte.
After the cook greeted the guests, she served the dish that tasted good to everyone at the table.
Details
Mnemonics
picture a plated dish labelled 'Speise' on a menu
sounds like 'spice' — think of a seasoned dish
die Speise — remember 'die' (feminine): imagine a female chef presenting the dish
Notes
Formal word for a prepared item of food; in many contexts interchangeable with 'Gericht'.