German Phrase
Trockne das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier ab.
Meaning
‘Dry the steak first with kitchen paper.’ The sentence tells you to pat the steak dry before you continue cooking it, emphasizing that this should be the initial step.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving or following a recipe, especially in a cooking class, a video tutorial, or a written instruction list. It’s typical in kitchen contexts where moisture on the meat must be removed before searing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
TrocknedasSteakzuerstmitKüchenpapierab
Imperativ (du‑Form)
‘Trockne’ is the du‑imperative of the verb *trocknen*. It is used for giving a direct command to one person.
Trennbares Verb ‘abtrocknen’
‘ab’ is the separable prefix of *abtrocknen*. In the imperative it is placed at the end of the clause.
Artikel ‘das’
‘Steak’ is a neuter noun in German, so it takes the definite article *das* in the accusative.
Adverb ‘zuerst’
‘zuerst’ means ‘first’ and modifies the verb phrase, indicating the order of steps.
Präposition ‘mit’ + Dativ
‘mit’ governs the dative case; ‘Küchenpapier’ is neuter, so its dative form is identical to the nominative.
🗨In Conversation
Wie soll ich das Steak vorbereiten?
How should I prepare the steak?
Trockne das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier ab.
Dry the steak first with kitchen paper.
✕Common Mistakes
Trockne das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier.
Missing the separable prefix ‘ab’; without it the sentence means ‘dry the steak’ but not specifically ‘pat it dry’.
Trockne der Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier ab.
If you mistakenly use the masculine article ‘der’, it becomes ungrammatical because ‘Steak’ is neuter.
Trockne das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapiere ab.
Using the plural ‘Küchenpapiere’ is incorrect here; the material is treated as a singular mass noun.
↔Alternatives
Wische das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier trocken.
Wipe the steak dry with kitchen paper first.
Pat das Steak zuerst mit Küchenpapier ab.
Pat the steak dry with kitchen paper first.
Trockne das Steak vor dem Braten mit Küchenpapier.
Dry the steak with kitchen paper before frying.
Cultural Tip
In German kitchens, ‘Küchenpapier’ (paper towels) is the go‑to tool for removing surface moisture from meat. The separable verb *abtrocknen* is very common in cooking instructions, and the imperative form often appears in recipe books and cooking shows. Remember that ‘Steak’ is neuter (das Steak), even though the English word is masculine.