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German Phrase

Wann gibt's Abendessen?

/van ɡɪpts ˈaːbn̩tˌɛsn̩/
Meaning"When is dinner?"
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Meaning

This phrase is a contraction of 'Wann gibt es Abendessen?'. It is the standard, idiomatic way to ask when the evening meal will be served or is expected to be ready.

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When to use

Use this phrase in casual settings with family, friends, or roommates. It is perfect for checking the schedule of a meal at home or as a guest in an informal household.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Wanngibt'sAbendessen

1

Wann

An interrogative pronoun used to ask about a point in time.

2

gibt's

A common contraction of 'gibt es'. The expression 'es gibt' literally means 'it gives' but functions as 'there is' or 'there are'.

3

Abendessen

A neuter compound noun (das Abendessen). Note that all nouns in German must be capitalized.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wann gibt's Abendessen? Ich habe schon Hunger.

When is dinner? I'm already hungry.

In etwa zehn Minuten. Der Tisch ist fast gedeckt.

In about ten minutes. The table is almost set.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Wann ist Abendessen?

    While grammatically possible, 'gibt es' is the more natural and idiomatic way to ask when a meal is happening.

  • Wann gibt es das Abendessen?

    In German, general meals like Abendessen usually do not require a definite article.

↔Alternatives

  • Um wie viel Uhr essen wir?

    At what time do we eat?

  • Wann ist das Essen fertig?

    When is the food ready?

de

Cultural Tip

In many German-speaking households, 'Abendessen' is also known as 'Abendbrot', traditionally consisting of bread, cheeses, and cold meats. It is typically served earlier than in Southern Europe, often between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.