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Question for native German speakers: Are abendbrot and brotzeit regional terms? I know that when I took German I was taught abendessen and imbiss respectively.

claudius 7y ago
Abendbrot is probably not regional, though Abendessen (evening meal) may be more standard use, especially when going out or having a small family meal is not implied. Brotzeit is regional for a mid-day meal (10am-5pm?), with Imbiss and Vesper other alternatives. Those three can also be "taken with you" ("eine Brotzeit/einen Imbiss/eine Vesper mitnehmen") when leaving your house to be consumed during (e.g.) a day trip.
dspig 7y ago
Brotzeit [1] is Bavarian, and when used here in north Germany usually implies a Bavarian-style meal, not just that it's bread-based. I don't think Abendbrot is regional, it's an evening meal where bread with toppings/fillings is probably the main component, whereas Abendessen is probably something hot. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotzeit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotzeit
ThePadawan 7y ago
I can only agree with the other responses. In my personal usage, I would say Abendessen and Snack. Abendbrot sounds like something a 60+ year old would call it. I haven't heard it called Brotzeit since I was in elementary school in Bavaria, so that overlaps with the sibling responses. Personally, when I hear "Imbiss", a kiosk that sells food is the primary thing that comes to mind. As in, you can get a hot dog with fries there.
- cyxxon 7y ago
  Agreed, an Imbiss is the kiosk where you get food, not the food itself; at least I never heard the word used for the food in my 40+ years as a German ;)
- eskimobloood 7y ago
  I'm only 45 and use Abendbrot, so does my daughter.
- tallanvor 7y ago
  Regarding Imbiss, it could be that my teacher learned it incorrectly, or it could be that I'm remembering incorrectly. Or, of course, it could be technically correct, but not actually used in daily speech. :)
  - ThePadawan 7y ago
    It's a 100% reasonable to teach it. The German Wikipedia result right now is a disambiguation page between the snack and the place to buy the snack ("Imbiss" always being short for Imbissbude, Imbissstand etc.).
- emsign 7y ago
  I wouldn't say Abendbrot is something only old folks use. It simply implies that your Abendessen involves bread and butter with a topping. When you say you're having Abendbrot you literally mean that you are eating bread, otherwise you say Abendessen. It's not unusual for some German families to eat their main meal late in the afternoon or evening, when everyone is home. So they might prefer to call it Abendessen since they're not just having bread and toppings but a proper hot meal.
_pmf_ 7y ago
I've heard "Brotzeit" only in Bavaria or relating to a Bavarian style meal.

claudius 7y ago

Abendbrot is probably not regional, though Abendessen (evening meal) may be more standard use, especially when going out or having a small family meal is not implied. Brotzeit is regional for a mid-day meal (10am-5pm?), with Imbiss and Vesper other alternatives. Those three can also be "taken with you" ("eine Brotzeit/einen Imbiss/eine Vesper mitnehmen") when leaving your house to be consumed during (e.g.) a day trip.

dspig 7y ago

Brotzeit [1] is Bavarian, and when used here in north Germany usually implies a Bavarian-style meal, not just that it's bread-based. I don't think Abendbrot is regional, it's an evening meal where bread with toppings/fillings is probably the main component, whereas Abendessen is probably something hot. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotzeit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotzeit

ThePadawan 7y ago

I can only agree with the other responses. In my personal usage, I would say Abendessen and Snack. Abendbrot sounds like something a 60+ year old would call it. I haven't heard it called Brotzeit since I was in elementary school in Bavaria, so that overlaps with the sibling responses. Personally, when I hear "Imbiss", a kiosk that sells food is the primary thing that comes to mind. As in, you can get a hot dog with fries there.

cyxxon 7y ago
Agreed, an Imbiss is the kiosk where you get food, not the food itself; at least I never heard the word used for the food in my 40+ years as a German ;)
eskimobloood 7y ago
I'm only 45 and use Abendbrot, so does my daughter.
tallanvor 7y ago
Regarding Imbiss, it could be that my teacher learned it incorrectly, or it could be that I'm remembering incorrectly. Or, of course, it could be technically correct, but not actually used in daily speech. :)
- ThePadawan 7y ago
  It's a 100% reasonable to teach it. The German Wikipedia result right now is a disambiguation page between the snack and the place to buy the snack ("Imbiss" always being short for Imbissbude, Imbissstand etc.).
emsign 7y ago
I wouldn't say Abendbrot is something only old folks use. It simply implies that your Abendessen involves bread and butter with a topping. When you say you're having Abendbrot you literally mean that you are eating bread, otherwise you say Abendessen. It's not unusual for some German families to eat their main meal late in the afternoon or evening, when everyone is home. So they might prefer to call it Abendessen since they're not just having bread and toppings but a proper hot meal.

_pmf_ 7y ago

I've heard "Brotzeit" only in Bavaria or relating to a Bavarian style meal.