Short answer
“delicious” in German is köstlich
How to say delicious in German?
How to say delicious in German: the standard word is 'köstlich', while 'lecker' is the casual everyday alternative you'll hear most often. Use 'köstlich' for fine meals or to emphasize especially good taste, and 'lecker' at the dinner table with friends. Both change their endings to match the noun, so a delicious cake is 'köstlicher Kuchen' or 'leckerer Kuchen'.
Common pairings
köstlich schmecken (to taste delicious)ein köstliches Essen (a delicious meal)wirklich lecker (really delicious)leckeres Essen (tasty food)
How to use it
- Use lecker in casual conversation; it is the most common way to say a food or drink tastes good.
- Use köstlich when you want to sound more formal or emphasize especially fine, exquisite food; it can also describe pleasant experiences, e.g. 'ein köstlicher Duft' (a delightful scent).
Examples
Das Essen ist wirklich köstlich!
The food is really delicious!
Köstlich is a bit more elegant; use it when you want to emphasize how special the meal is.
Der Kuchen schmeckt total lecker.
The cake tastes really delicious.
Lecker is the everyday word for delicious; 'total' is a common casual intensifier.
Diese Schokolade ist einfach köstlich.
This chocolate is simply delicious.
Köstlich works well for sweets and treats; 'einfach' here means 'simply'.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Der Kuchen ist sehr lecker. | Kuchen (cake) is masculine, so it takes the article 'der', not 'das'. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Das schmeckt |
Das schmeckt lecker. | Gut and lecker both express positive taste, so using both sounds redundant and unnatural. |
FAQ
- How to say delicious in German?The standard translation is 'köstlich' (formal) and the most common everyday word is 'lecker'. Both mean delicious and can describe food or drink.
- What is the difference between lecker and köstlich?Lecker is casual and used in daily conversation; köstlich is more formal and expresses a higher level of appreciation, often for fine meals or treats.
- How do you say 'it tastes delicious' in German?Say 'Es schmeckt lecker' or 'Es schmeckt köstlich'. You can also just say 'Das ist lecker' (This is delicious).
- Can 'delikat' mean delicious in German?Delikat means 'delicate' or 'refined' and is rarely used for food in everyday speech. Stick to lecker and köstlich.