German Phrase
Nimm eine richtig heiße Pfanne.
Meaning
‘Take a really hot pan.’ It is a direct command, usually heard in a kitchen when someone wants the pan to be heated to a high temperature before adding food.
When to use
Use this sentence when giving cooking instructions, especially in recipes that require a quick sear or when you want to stress that the pan must be very hot to avoid sticking.
✦Grammar Breakdown
NimmeinerichtigheißePfanne
Imperative (Nimm)
‘Nimm’ is the du‑imperative of the verb nehmen (to take). It is used for direct commands to one person.
Indefinite article (eine)
‘eine’ is the feminine accusative form of the indefinite article, matching the noun Pfanne.
Intensifier (richtig)
‘richtig’ works as an informal intensifier meaning ‘really’ or ‘very’.
Adjective declension (heiße)
After an indefinite article the adjective takes the weak ending ‑e in the accusative feminine: ‘heiße’.
Noun (Pfanne)
‘Pfanne’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘pan’.
🗨In Conversation
Wie soll ich das Gemüse anbraten?
How should I fry the vegetables?
Nimm eine richtig heiße Pfanne.
Take a really hot pan.
✕Common Mistakes
Nimm eine richtig heißes Pfanne.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun ‘Pfanne’; after ‘eine’ the ending is ‑e, not ‑es.
Nehmen Sie eine richtig heiße Pfanne.
‘Nehmen’ is the infinitive; the correct imperative for ‘du’ is ‘Nimm’.
Nimm eine richtig heißer Pfanne.
The case is accusative, not nominative; the ending should be ‑e.
↔Alternatives
Nimm eine sehr heiße Pfanne.
Take a very hot pan.
Erhitze die Pfanne stark.
Heat the pan strongly.
Mach die Pfanne richtig heiß.
Make the pan really hot.
Cultural Tip
In German cooking a ‘richtig heiße Pfanne’ is essential for a good sear and to keep food from sticking. The word ‘richtig’ is colloquial and adds a friendly, informal tone – perfect for a home‑cooking setting but less common in formal written recipes.