German Phrase
Was ist ein schnelles Abendessen unter der Woche?
Meaning
The sentence asks for ideas or examples of a dinner that can be prepared quickly on a weekday. It’s a practical question often heard when people discuss meal planning or look for time‑saving recipes.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re talking about daily routines, asking friends or family for quick‑cook suggestions, or when you need inspiration for a fast, healthy dinner after work or school.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasisteinschnellesAbendessenunterderWoche?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in a question; it stays unchanged regardless of case.
ist (verb 'sein')
Third‑person singular present of 'sein' (to be), used here as a copula linking subject and predicate.
ein (indefinite article)
Neuter nominative singular article matching 'Abendessen'.
schnelles (adjective ending)
Weak ending '-es' because the adjective follows the indefinite article with a neuter noun in nominative.
Abendessen (neuter noun)
Means 'dinner' or 'evening meal'; neuter gender, nominative case here.
unter der Woche (prepositional phrase)
Literally 'under the week', idiomatically 'during the week'; 'unter' governs dative, so 'der Woche' is dative feminine.
🗨In Conversation
Was ist ein schnelles Abendessen unter der Woche?
What’s a quick dinner during the week?
Wie wäre es mit einer Gemüsepfanne mit Reis?
How about a vegetable stir‑fry with rice?
✕Common Mistakes
Was ist einen schnelles Abendessen unter der Woche?
The noun 'Abendessen' is neuter, so the correct indefinite article is 'ein', not the masculine accusative 'einen'.
Was ist ein schnelles Abendessen unter die Woche?
The preposition 'unter' requires the dative case; the correct form is 'unter der Woche'.
Was ist ein schnell Abendessen unter der Woche?
When an adjective directly precedes a noun with an indefinite article, it takes the weak ending '-es' (schnelles).
↔Alternatives
Was kann ich unter der Woche schnell zum Abendessen kochen?
What can I quickly cook for dinner during the week?
Hast du ein schnelles Rezept für das Abendessen unter der Woche?
Do you have a quick recipe for a weekday dinner?
Welches Abendessen geht sich schnell unter der Woche?
Which dinner can be made quickly during the week?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, dinner (Abendessen) is often lighter than lunch and many people prefer quick, balanced meals on weekdays—think of salads, one‑pan dishes, or simple pasta. Using "unter der Woche" signals you’re talking about the work‑day routine rather than the weekend, which is a subtle but important distinction in everyday conversation.