It’s one of the most basic foods around the world — and in German, it’s just as simple. The word for rice is Reis. You’ll see it on every menu and food package, and it pops up in everything from health advice to lunchbox planning.
Reis is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der — der Reis. Wondering how to keep German noun genders straight? Our quick and incredibly helpful 5-minute video lesson gives you smart, memorable ways to master der / die / das.
Real conversations where Reis might come up
Whether you're ordering sushi, shopping at the supermarket, or checking your pantry, Reis is a go-to word for all kinds of dishes — especially in vegetarian or Asian meals.
– Hast du noch Reis zuhause?
– Nur noch ein bisschen. Reicht für zwei Leute.
(“Do you still have rice at home?” – “Just a little. Enough for two people.”)
Beginner sample dialogue
Max: Was kochen wir heute?
Lena: Curry mit Reis.
Max: Super! Ich liebe Reisgerichte.
(Max: What are we cooking today?
Lena: Curry with rice.
Max: Awesome! I love rice dishes.)
Grammar in action: How to use Reis
Nominative: Der Reis ist fertig.
(The rice is ready.)Accusative: Ich koche den Reis.
(I’m cooking the rice.)Dative: Mit dem Reis schmeckt das Gericht besser.
(With the rice, the dish tastes better.)Genitive: Die Farbe des Reises ist weiß.
(The color of the rice is white.)
Still confused about all these endings? Our German grammar course explains the case system clearly — in English — and without overloading you with grammar talk.
Other ways to talk about rice in German
You’ll see Reis used with different types and forms:
weißer Reis – white rice
Vollkornreis – whole grain rice
Basmati-Reis – basmati rice
Reisgericht – rice dish
Reiskocher – rice cooker
Reisnudeln – rice noodles
Reisbrei – rice porridge
Reisbällchen – rice balls (e.g. for sushi or Italian arancini)
Common expressions:
Reis kochen – to cook rice
Reis aufsetzen – to put rice on (to boil)
Reis als Beilage – rice as a side dish
Word variations and tidbits
The word Reis in German comes from the same root as in many other languages, ultimately from ancient Greek and Latin, likely through Italian and French. It’s considered a loanword — but one that’s been in German for centuries.
Fun fact: While Germans do eat Reis, it’s far less of a staple than in Asian cultures. In German-speaking kitchens, Kartoffeln (potatoes) and Nudeln (pasta) are often just as common.
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Reis
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