In German
Ei
Meaning: egg
Formal or informal? “Ei” is the everyday word for egg. For an ice cream or ice, the word is “Eis”, which is different.
Example sentences
Zum Frühstück esse ich ein Ei.
For breakfast I eat an egg.
Wie viele Eier brauchst du für den Kuchen?
How many eggs do you need for the cake?
Das Ei ist noch warm.
The egg is still warm.
Grammar note
“Das Ei” is neuter, so it takes “das” and “ein”. The plural is “die Eier”, and in the dative plural it's “den Eiern”.
Common mistake
Don't confuse “Ei” (egg) with “Eis” (ice or ice cream). They sound similar, but they are different words.
Quick check
Which German word means “egg”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the plural of “Ei”?
“Eier”, with an umlaut-free -er ending.
What is the German word for ice cream?
“Eis”, which is different from “Ei”.