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GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Marille

If you're looking to get a taste of Austria, this is one of the words you should get familiar with.

Published: 20 February 2023 17:11 CET

German word of the day: Marille

Photo credit: Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash + Nicolas Raymond / flickr

Why do I need to know this word?

Because you have to be able to spot this food on a menu! Marille (which sounds like this) means apricot, and Marillenknödel is a dish of sweet apricot dumplings that are hugely popular in Austria.

Unsurprisingly these pastry dumplings are absolutely delicious. Made with ripe apricots wrapped in dough and then simmered in lightly salted water, the dumplings are usually then rolled in toasted breadcrumbs before being served with icing sugar and cream.

This dish is found all over the country, but especially in regions which are most popular for growing apricots, such as the Wachau and Vinschgau areas.

And if that doesn’t float your boat, you should also try Marillenmarmelade (apricot marmalade) and Marillenkuchen (apricot cake).

READ ALSO: Five dishes to try in Austria this apricot season

Apricots.

Apricots. Photo by Ilona Frey on Unsplash

Where does the word Marille come from?

In standard German, an apricot is called die Aprikose, which sounds quite similar to the English apricot.

But in Austria (and Bavaria in southern Germany), an apricot is known as die Marille.

Die Marille (or Marillen in plural) is said to derive from the scientific name “Prunus armeniaca”, which became “Marille” via the Italian “armellino”.

Both Aprikose and apricot stem from the same Latin expression: “Persicum praecoquum”, which means unripe peach. Through various transformations in different languages around the Mediterranean Sea, it turned into the French l’apricot.

Interestingly, until the 17th century Marille was also used across Germany, and the term changed with increasing French influence.

Use it like this:

Ich würde sehr gerne die Marillenknödel probieren.

I would really like to try the apricot dumplings.

Schatz, hol bitte später die Marillen aus dem Supermarkt.

Darling, please get the apricots from the supermarket later.

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Do Austrians still use the formal 'Sie' in German?

In Austria, people have been using “Sie” as a formal way of addressing each other for decades, if not centuries.

Using “Sie” is deeply integrated with Austrian culture and has been passed down through generations as a sign of respect and politeness.

But even if “Sie” is still commonly used in Austria today, younger generations tend to use it less frequently than older ones, and the more informal “Du” is increasing in popularity, Vienna’s IKI language academy told The Local.

The ‘du’ form has gained popularity

In general, using “du” is accepted in less formal settings or when you know someone well.

Over time, the use of “Sie” has decreased in informal and semi-official contexts in Austria, according to the IKI language academy.

The informal “du” form has gained popularity, especially among younger people and in digital communication. In social media, informal meetings, and among friends, the “du” form is more commonly used.

Heike Ziehr, Head of the German Language Department at Sprachenzentrum in Vienna, also agreed that “du” is gaining popularity but added that he does not think it’s appropriate in certain situations.

“‘Du’ is spreading, in social media, leisure time, or at workshops. In the mountains, people always use “du” above 2,000 meters. Occasionally, students address me informally at the university, then I point out to them that it is not appropriate. Sometimes there is a high level of familiarity between teachers and students, and then “du” is often used. I do not recommend it in a professional context”, he said.

READ NEXT: How to explore the Austrian mountains in the summer like a local

Formal and official situations

How “Sie” is used among the different generations depends on the situation and who is involved in it.

“Sie” is mainly used in formal and official situations in Austria. You use “Sie” in conversations with strangers, in professional contexts, during official appointments, in stores, and generally in scenarios where respect and distance are expected to be maintained.

It is also common to address older people or those in higher positions with “Sie”, as a sign of respect and acknowledgement.

Some examples of situations where you are expected to use “Sie” include when you have a doctors appointment, in formal business settings such as meetings with customers, or in daily life situations where you engage with strangers, such as in restaurants or other service establishments, especially when speaking to staff members.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Austria wants to define its fundamental culture but what is it?

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