76 most delicious fruits to learn in German for a fruity vocab

As the weather gets warmer (even in Germany!), we’re getting in the mood for smoothies, sorbet and sweet desserts. So get ready for a portion of fresh fruits!

From “Zwetschge” to “Drachenfrucht” - Some fruits can be a mouthful in German - but a delicious one!

Whether you’re learning German to follow a German apple cake recipe or to order your favorite dessert on a summer vacation to a German-speaking country - now is the perfect time to boost your vocabulary and your immune system with this sweet list of fruits in German.

List of fruits in German

The German word for fruit is “Frucht” [fʁʊxt], and its plural is “Früchte” [ˈfʁʏçtə]. Now, we’re not gonna lie. That’s one of the more difficult German words to pronounce. With the German “r”, followed by “u/ü” and “ch”, you might need a couple of tries to get it right.

Just make sure you master each of the sounds individually before you put them together. Our fun and fresh beginner's guide to learning the German alphabet can help with that.

Citrus fruits in German

Citrus trees don’t do well in colder climates. So Germany gets its citrus fruits primarily from Peru, Paraguay, Spain and Ghana. Oranges and tangerines are especially popular in the winter, while lime and lemon are perfect for fizzy drinks on hot summer days.

Stone fruits in German (drupe fruits)

In spring and summer, you’ll find lots of stone fruits like mirabelles, plums and cherries, in German orchards and backyards. If you want to keep them around throughout the year, you can always turn them into delicious jams!

Berries in German

Berries like it cool, which is why a large number of fruits that grow in Germany belong to this category. The more sun they get, the sweeter they taste. During the summer months, Germany has an abundance of strawberry and raspberry fields, many of which offer a “pick your own” option.

Nothing like spending some time in the sun, munching fresh fruits that you handpicked. So grab your sunhat and a basket!

Melon fruits in German

Most European melons come from Italy, Spain and southern France, but what a lot of people don’t know is that some melons grow in Germany, too, even though this may require good gardening skills and a greenhouse in some regions. The most popular ones are honeydews, watermelons, pineapples, and cantaloupe melons.

Tropical fruits in German

Tropical fruits are harvested in tropical and subtropical regions such as India, Thailand, Brazil and Mexico. Unfortunately, central Europe is too cold for them.

Pome fruits in German

The apple is the most popular fruit throughout all of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

80% of Germans state that they regularly eat apples!

Probably a healthy habit, considering the old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Nuts in German

They might not be as refreshing as the others, but nuts also count as fruits - and they’re some of the healthiest ones, as they’re a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals.

Fruity German idioms

The German language includes countless idioms that involve fruits, especially those that are native to Germany. If someone is unpleasant to be around it’s “nicht gut Kirschen essen” or “no fun eating cherries” with them.

You might go so far as to call them a “Pflaume” (Plum) in German but sometimes you just gotta do something you don’t want to do or as the Germans say “in den sauren Apfel beißen” or “to bite into the sour apple”.

Tips for learning the names of fruits in German

The list of fruits is long and it can be boring to just learn them by heart one by one. Here are some ideas to make learning more fun.

1. Watch baking videos in German

Youtube is a great source for baking videos. Look up German recipes for fruit cakes or other fruity desserts and practice your language skills, while you sit back and let the others do the baking.

2. Involve your senses

After finding the right inspiration, it’s time to pick a dessert and make it yourself, while repeating the fruit-related words. You’re more likely to learn new words when you involve your whole body.

3. Learn a German song involving fruits

Learn from the fruits themselves - with this cute German song. Listen to the different fruits introduce themselves and tell their stories - perfect for kids AND YOU!

Das Obstlied - Kinderlieder zum mitsingen - Obst lernen - german fruit song

Fruit shopping at a market or supermarket in Germany

When you’re fruit shopping in Germany, remember to bring your own bag. Germans care about the environment and usually charge for plastic bags. When you’re ordering fruits from a vendor, simply say “Ich hätte gern” (I’d like to have) and add the number or the weight (“Gramm” or Kilo”).

Eventually, remember to say thank you and goodbye!

Sweeten up your language learning experience

No need to make learning German feel like you’re biting into a sour apple! Sweeten up the experience with our tips and remember to have fun with it. Just like planting a fruit tree, learning a language takes time.

Showing up to class and putting in the work is like sowing the seeds, and when you’re able to have your first conversation with a native speaker or you manage to order the right amount of almonds at the supermarket by yourself, you’ll feel like harvesting the sweet fruits of your labor and realize that it was worth it!

If you’re finding these blog article lessons fun and peachy, keep enjoying the German language ride on our free learn German vocabulary blog.