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German Phrase

Dieses Gericht ist zu salzig.

/ˈdiːzəs ɡəˈʁɪçt ɪst tsuː ˈzalɪç/
Meaning"This dish is too salty."
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Meaning

The sentence means ‘This dish is too salty.’ It points out that the amount of salt in the food exceeds what is pleasant. The structure ‘zu + adjective’ is a common way to express that something is excessive.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you’re eating at home, in a restaurant, or cooking and you notice the food has more salt than you like. It’s also handy when giving feedback to a chef or a friend who prepared the meal.

✦Grammar Breakdown

DiesesGerichtistzusalzig

1

Dieses

Demonstrative pronoun in neuter nominative singular, matching the noun 'Gericht'.

2

Gericht

Neuter noun meaning 'dish' or 'meal', used here in the nominative case as the subject.

3

ist

Third‑person singular present of the verb 'sein' (to be).

4

zu

Adverb meaning 'too' that signals an excessive degree of the following adjective.

5

salzig

Predicative adjective meaning 'salty'. After 'zu' it stays in its base form without an ending.

🗨In Conversation

A

Dieses Gericht ist zu salzig.

This dish is too salty.

Möchten Sie, dass ich etwas weniger Salz hinzufüge?

Would you like me to add a little less salt?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Dieser Gericht ist zu salzig.

    ‘Gericht’ is neuter, so the correct demonstrative is ‘Dieses’, not ‘Dieser’.

  • Dieses Gericht ist zu sehr salzig.

    ‘Zu sehr’ is used with verbs or adjectives that take a comparative form; with ‘salzig’ you use ‘zu salzig’.

  • Dieses Gericht ist zu salzige.

    In a predicative construction after ‘ist’, the adjective stays uninflected: ‘salzig’, not ‘salzige’.

↔Alternatives

  • Dieses Essen ist zu salzig.

    This food is too salty.

  • Das Essen ist zu salzig.

    The food is too salty.

  • Das Gericht ist zu stark gesalzen.

    The dish is over‑salted.

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Cultural Tip

In German-speaking countries it’s considered polite to phrase a complaint about food gently. Instead of a blunt ‘zu salzig’, you might say ‘Könnte man etwas weniger Salz verwenden?’ (Could we use a little less salt?). Also note that regional cuisines differ: northern German dishes tend to be milder, while some Bavarian specialties can be saltier.