
Austrian cuisine is renowned for its delicious delicacies, including Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, and Käsespätzle mit grünem Salat. If you're planning a trip to Austria, it's useful to know how to say delicious in Austrian German. While delicious in German is commonly translated as köstlich or lecker, Austrians have strong opinions about these words. Lecker, which may be considered childish or associated with trash TV, can be offensive to some Austrians, while köstlich is also an option but less commonly used. To express that food is tasty, Austrians may say es ist/schmeckt sehr/ur/extrem gut, meaning it is/tastes very good.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Word | Lecker, Köstlich |
| Synonyms | Schmackhaft, Appetitlich |
| Origin | German |
| Austrian Perception | Childish, Lame, Tacky, Trashy |
| Alternative | Es ist/schmeckt sehr/ur/extrem gut |
| Austrian Dishes | Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, Käsespätzle mit grünem Salat, Spinatknödel, Topfentorte, Topfenstrudel, Apfelstrudel |
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What You'll Learn

'Delicious' in Austrian German is köstlich or lecker
Delicious in Austrian German is "köstlich" or "lecker". Austrian German has many differences from German in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and phonetics. While "köstlich" is the standard German translation for "delicious", "lecker" is also used in Austria, although it is considered by some Austrians to be associated with trash TV and is therefore disliked. However, "lecker" can be found on Austrian menus and is also used by Austrians in conversation.
Some examples of how to use "köstlich" in a sentence are:
- "Das ist wirklich köstlich!" ("This is really delicious!")
- "Der Kuchen ist köstlich." ("The cake is delicious.")
- "Der Reis ist lecker." ("The rice is delicious.")
Austrian cuisine is renowned for its beef stew, and one of the most famous Austrian dishes is Tafelspitz, which was the favourite dish of Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled from 1848 to 1916. This consists of beef in broth with spinach, roast potatoes, apples, and chives. Another popular dish is Käsespätzle mit grünem Salat, which is cheesy noodles topped with crispy onions and served with a green salad.
If you're planning a trip to Austria, it's useful to know some of the special names of traditional dishes you'll find there. For example, dumplings are called "Knödel" in Austrian German, while in German, they are called "Klösse". Austrian German also has different words for yogurt ("das Jog(h)urt") and coffee ("Kaffee")—in both cases, the emphasis is different from in German.
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Austrians may consider lecker to be childish or tacky
The word "delicious" in Austrian German is "lecker". However, some Austrians may consider this word to be childish or tacky due to historical and cultural reasons.
Lecker is a German word that is commonly used to describe something tasty or delicious. While it is understood and increasingly used in Austria, many Austrians still find the word "lecker" ugly and disgusting. This phenomenon, known as "Sprachekel" or language disgust, is not uncommon, as there are several German words that Austrians do not like. For example, "Quark" (curd cheese) is considered one of the most disgusting German words to Austrians, who instead use the word "Topfen".
The aversion to the word "lecker" in Austria may stem from historical rivalry and negative associations with Prussia. Some Austrians associate the word with negative connotations such as spießig (square), touristisch (touristy), and preußisch (Prussian). These associations may have developed due to the word being primarily used in German German and not Austrian German. As a result, some Austrians may view the word as a representation of German culture and history rather than just a word.
Additionally, the use of "lecker" may be considered childish or tacky by Austrians due to its regional implications. It is commonly associated with young, urban university students and not with older, rural individuals. This could contribute to the perception of the word as immature or informal.
It is worth noting that the use of "lecker" varies across Austria. While some regions, particularly those near the German border, do use the word, other regions may strongly prefer alternative words such as "fein" or "köstlich".
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Lecker can be found on menus in Graz
Graz, Austria's culinary capital, is a city for food lovers. The city is known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural history, and, of course, its delicious food. When exploring Graz's culinary scene, you may come across the word "Lecker" on menus, which is German for "delicious".
One of the best restaurants in Graz, Der Steirer, offers a fun mix of modern twists on classic dishes. Here, you might find larger plates topped with Backhendl and Goulash, as well as small plates and tapas, including deviled egg with smoked salmon and salmon roe. Der Steirer is a popular spot among locals, so reservations are recommended.
For a unique dining experience, Genießerei am Markt, located in a stall at the Kaiser-Josef-Platz market, offers a chance to eat like a local. Chef Christopher Leitinger showcases regional, seasonal cuisine, with a focus on the best ingredients the market has to offer. While the setting may be humble, the dining experience is enhanced by the delicious food.
Landhauskeller, situated in a traditional courtyard, serves up classic Austrian dishes such as Tafelspitz (boiled beef with roasted potatoes and apple-horseradish) and Wiener Schnitzel. The menu also features seasonal options like asparagus tomato soup and tempting desserts like apple pie.
Graz truly lives up to its reputation as Austria's culinary capital, offering a range of dining options that showcase the region's culinary creativity and traditional flavours. As you explore the city and its cuisine, keep an eye out for "Lecker" on menus to discover delicious dishes that will tantalise your taste buds.
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Köstlich and lecker are used in southern German
In German, there are two words that can be used to mean 'delicious': 'köstlich' and 'lecker'. However, there is a distinction in the way the two words are used. 'Lecker' is a more informal word, akin to 'tasty', and is used to describe food that pleases you. On the other hand, 'köstlich' is a more formal word, used to describe food that is exceptionally good, such as homemade food or a Michelin-star meal. It is used when 'lecker' doesn't do the taste justice.
When it comes to Austria, it is important to note that the use of these words may vary. While 'köstlich' is commonly used in Austrian German and is considered more elegant, 'lecker' is generally avoided in Austria. Austrians tend to dislike the word 'lecker' because it is associated with licking and is seen as a German word rather than an Austrian one. Instead, Austrians may prefer phrases like 'Hat's geschmeckt', which refers to the smacking of food.
Therefore, if you're looking to describe something as 'delicious' in Austrian German, 'köstlich' is a more appropriate choice. It gives a sense of elevated taste and distinguishes the food as something special. For example, you could say "Das ist wirklich köstlich!" ("This is really delicious!") or "Der Kuchen ist köstlich" ("The cake is delicious").
In conclusion, while both 'köstlich' and 'lecker' can be used to mean 'delicious' in Southern German, they are used in different contexts and carry different connotations. 'Lecker' is more casual and commonly used for tasty food, while 'köstlich' is more formal and reserved for when the food is truly delightful and exceeds your expectations.
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Austrians use schmeckt sehr gut to say something tastes very good
Austrians use the phrase "schmeckt sehr gut" to say that something tastes very good. This phrase directly translates to "tastes very good" in English and is used to describe the taste of food, drinks, and even toothpaste!
For example, you could say "Das Essen schmeckt sehr gut" to comment on how good the food you're eating is. You could also use the phrase to compliment a specific dish, such as "Der Kuchen schmeckt sehr gut" to say that the cake is very tasty.
The phrase can also be used to describe how well certain foods go together. For instance, "Das schmeckt sehr gut mit Kürbissamen-Pudding und Palmbutter" would express that something tastes great with squash seed pudding and palm butter.
Additionally, "schmeckt sehr gut" can be used to describe the taste of specific ingredients. For example, "Diese Zucchini schmeckt sehr gut in Kombination mit Tzatziki" would mean that the zucchini tastes fantastic when paired with tzatziki.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian word for 'delicious' is "köstlich". However, the word "lecker" is also sometimes used, though many Austrians dislike this word as it is associated with trashy TV.
Yes, "appetitlich" and "schmackhaft" can be used to describe something that looks or smells good.
To say 'this cake is delicious' in Austrian, you would say "dieser Kuchen ist köstlich".
Käsespätzle mit grünem Salat is a delicious Austrian dish consisting of cheesy noodles topped with crispy onions and served with a green salad.
Topfenstrudel, a curd cheese strudel, is a delicious dessert that can be found in Austria.











