Nomen

die Zwiebel

onion

Ich schneide eine Zwiebel für die Suppe.

I'm cutting an onion for the soup.

Zwiebeln bringen mich zum Weinen.

Onions make me cry.

to chop/slice ((an onion)) I'm chopping an onion for the soup.

Synonyms: Bolle (regional)

From Old High German 'zwibollo', related to Latin 'cepulla' (small onion). The 'zwi-' part is often associated with 'zwei' (two) due to the layers, but this is a folk etymology.

Think of the 'zwei' (two) or many layers of an onion. Even if not the true etymology, it's a helpful mnemonic.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.