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B1 noun #4,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

der Mais

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces der Mais en 30 secondes

Explication der Mais in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'der Mais' means corn. You should be able to recognize it on a menu or in a supermarket. You might learn it as part of a list of vegetables (Gemüse). Key phrases include 'Ich mag Mais' (I like corn) or 'Das ist Mais' (That is corn). It is important to remember it is masculine: 'der Mais'. You should also know the word 'Popcorn', which is the same in German and English. Focus on the yellow color: 'Der Mais ist gelb.' This level is about basic identification and simple preferences.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'der Mais' in more descriptive sentences. You might talk about shopping: 'Ich kaufe eine Dose Mais' (I'm buying a can of corn). You should also learn the word 'der Maiskolben' (corn cob) because you might see them at a BBQ (Grillparty). You can describe how you eat it: 'Ich esse Mais mit Butter.' You might also learn that corn is a type of 'Getreide' (grain), even if we often treat it like a vegetable. You can use simple past or perfect tense: 'Gestern haben wir Mais gegessen.'

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At the B1 level, you should understand the role of 'der Mais' in German life beyond just food. You will learn about 'der Maisanbau' (corn cultivation) and see 'Maisfelder' (corn fields) while traveling. You should be able to discuss health or diets, such as 'Mais ist glutenfrei'. You will encounter compound words like 'Maismehl' (corn flour) or 'Maisstärke' (corn starch) in recipes. You can also participate in basic discussions about the environment, such as 'Biogas aus Mais'. This level requires you to use the word in different cases (nominative, accusative, dative) correctly.

At the B2 level, you can use 'der Mais' in more complex agricultural and economic contexts. You might discuss 'die Maisernte' (the corn harvest) or 'der Maispreis' (the price of corn) on the global market. You should be able to understand news reports about 'genmanipulierter Mais' (genetically modified corn) and express your opinion on 'Monokulturen' (monocultures). You can use more specific vocabulary like 'Futtermais' (fodder corn) versus 'Zuckermais' (sweet corn). You should also be comfortable with regional variations like 'Kukuruz' if you are in Austria.

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At the C1 level, you use 'der Mais' in specialized and nuanced discussions. You might analyze the 'Vermaisung der Landschaft' (the maizification of the landscape) in an essay about ecology. You understand the technical processes involving 'Maische' (mash) in distilleries or 'Maiskeimöl' (corn oil) in industrial food production. You can read academic texts about the history of 'Zea mays' and its impact on European population growth. Your vocabulary includes specific botanical parts like 'Maisbart' (corn silk) or 'Lieschblätter' (husks).

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At the C2 level, 'der Mais' is a word you can use with total flexibility in any register. You can discuss the plant's genetics, its role in the global commodities trade, or its symbolic representation in literature. You might explore the etymology of the word from the Taino 'mahiz' and how it entered the German lexicon. You can follow high-level political debates about agricultural subsidies for 'Energiemais' versus food crops. You are aware of rare dialectal uses and can use the word metaphorically if the context arises, demonstrating native-like fluency.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

der Mais en 30 secondes

Masculine noun (der Mais) meaning corn or maize.
Used as food (popcorn, salad), animal feed, and for energy.
Commonly found in compound words like Maiskolben or Maismehl.
Central to German agricultural landscapes and environmental debates.

The German word der Mais refers to the cereal plant known in English as corn or maize. Botanically known as Zea mays, it is one of the most significant crops globally, and in German-speaking countries, it occupies a unique position both in the culinary world and in the industrial landscape. Unlike 'Korn', which in German is a generic term for grain (or specifically rye in some northern regions), Mais refers specifically to the yellow-kerneled plant originally domesticated in Mexico. In Germany, you will encounter this word in supermarkets, at summer festivals where grilled corn is a staple, and increasingly in political discussions regarding renewable energy. Because the plant is so versatile, the term is used across multiple domains: agriculture, cooking, and environmental science.

Culinary Context: In a kitchen setting, 'der Mais' usually refers to the sweet variety (Zuckermais) used in salads, as a side dish, or as popcorn. Germans often buy it in cans (Dosenmais) or frozen.
Agricultural Context: Farmers distinguish between 'Futtermais' (fodder corn for livestock) and 'Energiemais' (used for biogas production). This distinction is vital in rural Germany where vast yellow fields dominate the summer landscape.

Im Sommer sieht man in Deutschland riesige Felder, auf denen der Mais meterhoch wächst.

Historically, corn was introduced to Europe following the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In German, it was sometimes historically called 'Türkisch Korn' or 'Welschkorn', though these terms are now obsolete or restricted to very specific dialects. Today, the word is universally understood. It is a masculine noun, and while it is technically a count noun, it is most frequently used as a mass noun when referring to the crop or the food item in general. When you want to refer to a single unit, you would typically use the compound noun 'der Maiskolben' (the corn cob). The word carries a sense of abundance and summer warmth, as the harvest typically takes place in late summer and autumn.

In the modern era, 'der Mais' has become a point of contention in environmental debates. Germany is a leader in biogas technology, and 'Energiemais' is a primary fuel for these plants. Critics often discuss the 'Vermaisung der Landschaft' (the 'maizification' of the landscape), referring to the monocultures that can harm biodiversity. Therefore, when you hear the word in a news report, it might not be about dinner, but about agricultural policy and ecological impact. Understanding this word at a B1 level means moving beyond the dinner plate and recognizing its role in the German economy and environment.

Viele Landwirte nutzen den Mais nicht nur als Nahrung, sondern auch zur Gewinnung von Energie.

Using der Mais correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender (masculine) and how it functions as both a mass noun and a component of compound words. In the nominative case, it is 'der Mais'. In the accusative, it stays 'den Mais'. In the dative, it becomes 'dem Mais', and the genitive is 'des Maises'. Because it is often treated as an uncountable substance (like 'water' or 'flour'), you will rarely see it in the plural form 'Maise', except when referring to different types or varieties of corn (Maissorten).

Subject (Nominative): Der Mais ist dieses Jahr besonders hoch gewachsen. (The corn grew particularly tall this year.)
Object (Accusative): Wir ernten den Mais im September. (We harvest the corn in September.)

One of the most powerful features of German is the ability to create compound nouns. 'Mais' is a very frequent prefix in these constructions. If you are talking about the flour made from corn, it is 'das Maismehl'. If you are talking about the starch, it is 'die Maisstärke'. If you are at a BBQ and want a cob, you ask for 'den Maiskolben'. Note that the gender of the compound word is always determined by the last element (e.g., 'das Mehl' is neuter, so 'das Maismehl' is neuter; 'der Kolben' is masculine, so 'der Maiskolben' is masculine).

Möchten Sie Ihren Mais mit Butter und Salz oder lieber pur essen?

When describing the properties of corn, you might use adjectives like 'frisch' (fresh), 'gekocht' (boiled), 'geröstet' (roasted), or 'gedost' (canned). For example: 'Ich mag keinen Mais aus der Dose.' (I don't like canned corn.) In more advanced contexts, you might hear about 'genmanipulierter Mais' (genetically modified corn), which is a significant topic of debate in European agriculture. In these sentences, the adjective must agree with the masculine gender of 'Mais'.

Die Farbe ihres Kleides war ein leuchtendes Maisgelb, das perfekt zum Sommertag passte.

In a restaurant, you might see 'Maispoularde' on the menu. This refers to a chicken that has been fed predominantly on corn, resulting in slightly yellower skin and meat. This shows how 'Mais' functions not just as a standalone ingredient but as a descriptor for quality and production methods. Mastering the use of 'Mais' involves recognizing these subtle culinary and agricultural signals.

You will encounter the word der Mais in various real-life scenarios across German-speaking countries. The most common place is the 'Supermarkt'. In the vegetable aisle (Gemüseabteilung), you will see 'frischer Mais' (fresh corn) during the season, usually sold in packs of two cobs. In the canned goods aisle (Konservenabteilung), you will find 'Dosenmais' or 'Zuckermais'. If you are looking for snacks, 'Popcorn' is the word, but the ingredient remains 'Mais'.

At the Cinema (Kino): 'Möchten Sie süßes oder salziges Popcorn?' - Even though the word 'Popcorn' is an English loanword, the base product is always discussed as 'Mais'.
On the Farm (Auf dem Bauernhof): Farmers will talk about 'Maisernte' (corn harvest) and 'Maisgebiss' (the header of a forage harvester). If you go for a walk in the countryside in August, you'll see signs for 'Maislabyrinthe' (corn mazes).

Das Maislabyrinth ist ein beliebtes Ausflugsziel für Familien im Spätsommer.

In political and scientific discourse, 'Mais' is a frequent topic in 'Nachrichten' (news). You might hear phrases like 'der Anbau von Gen-Mais' (the cultivation of GM corn) or 'Subventionen für Energiemais' (subsidies for energy corn). This is especially true in discussions about the 'Energiewende' (energy transition) in Germany. Environmentalists might use the term 'Mais-Monokultur' to criticize the lack of biodiversity in certain agricultural regions. Thus, the word bridges the gap between simple grocery shopping and complex socio-political debate.

In der Steiermark sagt man oft noch 'Kukuruz' statt Mais.

Finally, you will hear it in 'Kochshows' (cooking shows). Chefs might talk about 'Maiscremesuppe' (corn chowder) or using 'Maisgrieß' for Polenta. Because 'Mais' is gluten-free, it is also a keyword in the 'glutenfreie Ernährung' (gluten-free diet) community. If you are reading labels on gluten-free bread or pasta, 'Maismehl' and 'Maisstärke' will appear frequently as primary ingredients. In this context, the word is associated with health and dietary requirements.

For English speakers, the word der Mais is relatively straightforward because it sounds like 'maize'. However, there are several pitfalls to avoid, particularly regarding pronunciation, gender, and the use of the word 'corn'.

Pronunciation Pitfall: The 'ai' in 'Mais' is pronounced like the 'i' in 'light' or the 'y' in 'sky' ([maɪ̯s]). A common mistake for beginners is to confuse it with the word 'die Maus' (mouse), which is pronounced with an 'au' sound ([maʊ̯s]). Saying 'Ich esse gerne Maus' instead of 'Ich esse gerne Mais' will certainly cause some raised eyebrows!
The 'Corn' Confusion: Do not translate 'corn' literally as 'Korn' in most contexts. In German, 'Korn' refers to grain in general or specifically to rye. If you want to talk about the yellow vegetable, you must use 'Mais'. 'Korn' is also a type of German schnapps.

Another mistake involves the countability of the noun. In English, we can say 'two corns' (though it's rare), but in German, you cannot say 'zwei Maise' to mean two ears of corn. You must use the compound 'Maiskolben'. 'Ich hätte gerne zwei Mais' is grammatically incorrect and sounds incomplete. Instead, say 'Ich hätte gerne zwei Maiskolben'.

Falsch: Ich kaufe drei Maise.
Richtig: Ich kaufe drei Maiskolben.

Gender confusion is also common. Remember that 'Mais' is masculine (der). Using 'das Mais' or 'die Mais' is a frequent error. This gender carries over into all related compounds like 'der Maisanbau', 'der Maispreis', and 'der Maiskeim'. The only exception is if the second part of the compound has a different gender, such as 'die Maisstärke' (f) or 'das Maisfeld' (n).

Achten Sie auf die Endung: Mais (Getreide) vs. Maische (mash in brewing).

Finally, be careful with the word 'Maische'. It sounds similar but refers to 'mash' in the context of beer brewing or wine making. While related to fermentation, it is a different technical term. Stick to 'Mais' for the plant and 'Maiskolben' for the vegetable to ensure clear communication.

While der Mais is the standard German term, there are several related words, regional variations, and specific terms depending on the context. Understanding these will help you navigate different regions of the German-speaking world and more technical discussions.

Kukuruz: This is the most famous regional alternative, used primarily in Austria and parts of Bavaria. It is borrowed from the Slavic 'kukuruz'. While 'Mais' is understood everywhere, using 'Kukuruz' in Vienna will make you sound very local.
Welschkorn: An archaic term literally meaning 'foreign grain'. You might find this in old literature or historical documents. It reflects the fact that corn was an imported plant from the Americas.

When comparing 'Mais' to other grains, you might use more general terms. 'Das Getreide' is the collective noun for all cereals, including wheat (Weizen), rye (Roggen), barley (Gerste), and oats (Hafer). If you are talking about the biological category, 'Mais' is a 'Süßgras' (sweet grass). In culinary contexts, if you are looking for a substitute, you might consider 'Hirse' (millet) or 'Quinoa', though they have different textures.

Obwohl Mais botanisch ein Getreide ist, wird er in der Küche oft wie Gemüse behandelt.

In terms of products derived from corn, 'Polenta' is a common alternative term when referring specifically to cornmeal porridge. In Switzerland, 'Riebel' is a traditional dish made from cornmeal. If you are discussing the plant's structure, you might use 'die Rispe' (the tassel) or 'die Lieschblätter' (the husks). Knowing these specific terms is useful for reading recipes or agricultural reports.

Der Kukuruz ist in Österreich ein fester Bestandteil der regionalen Küche.

Finally, consider the word 'Maisch' or 'Maische' in the context of alcohol production. While not a synonym for the plant itself, it is a linguistic 'false friend' to be aware of. 'Maische' refers to the crushed grapes or malted grain soaking in water. It's a related agricultural process but a distinct vocabulary item. When in doubt, stick to 'Mais' for the yellow kernels we all know.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Before 'Mais' became the standard term, Germans called it 'Türkisch Korn'. This wasn't because it came from Turkey, but because 'Turkish' was a general term at the time for anything foreign or exotic coming from far away.

Guide de prononciation

UK /maɪs/

US /maɪs/

Single syllable word; no specific stress pattern.

Rime avec

Eis (ice) Heiß (hot) Reis (rice) Preis (price) Greis (old man) Gleis (track) Fleiß (diligence) Weiß (white)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it like 'mace' (English).
Confusing it with 'Maus' (mouse), which has an 'ow' sound.
Confusing it with 'März' (March).
Adding an extra syllable.
Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to similarity with 'maize'.

Écriture 2/5

Simple spelling, but remember the masculine gender.

Expression orale 3/5

Must distinguish 'ai' sound from 'au' in Maus.

Écoute 2/5

Clear sound, usually context-dependent.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

gelb das Essen das Feld der Bauer wachsen

Apprends ensuite

das Getreide die Ernte die Biogasanlage die Monokultur glutenfrei

Avancé

die Photosynthese die Genmanipulation die Fruchtfolge die Silage

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine Nouns ending in -s

Der Mais -> Des Maises (Genitive adds -es).

Compound Noun Gender

Das Feld (n) + Der Mais (m) = Das Maisfeld (n).

Mass Nouns in German

Mais is usually used without a plural in general contexts.

Adjective Agreement with Masculine Nouns

Gelber Mais (Nominative), gelben Mais (Accusative).

Prepositions with Dative (Location)

Im Maisfeld (In dem Maisfeld).

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Exemples par niveau

Der Mais ist gelb.

The corn is yellow.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Ich esse gerne Mais.

I like eating corn.

Use of 'gerne' to express liking an action.

Ist das Mais?

Is that corn?

Basic question structure.

Mais ist ein Gemüse.

Corn is a vegetable.

Noun as a complement.

Wir kaufen Mais.

We are buying corn.

Present tense, accusative case (though 'Mais' doesn't change form here).

Das Popcorn ist aus Mais.

The popcorn is made of corn.

Preposition 'aus' indicates material/origin.

Der Mais schmeckt gut.

The corn tastes good.

Verb 'schmecken' with an adverb.

Hier ist der Mais.

Here is the corn.

Use of 'hier ist' for identification.

Ich kaufe eine Dose Mais im Supermarkt.

I am buying a can of corn at the supermarket.

Accusative object with a prepositional phrase.

Möchtest du einen Maiskolben essen?

Would you like to eat a corn cob?

Compound noun 'Maiskolben' in accusative.

Im Sommer wächst der Mais sehr schnell.

In the summer, the corn grows very fast.

Adverbial phrase of time at the start.

Wir haben gestern Mais gegessen.

We ate corn yesterday.

Perfect tense (haben + Partizip II).

Der Mais auf dem Feld ist schon hoch.

The corn in the field is already tall.

Prepositional phrase 'auf dem Feld'.

Kannst du den Mais bitte kochen?

Can you please boil the corn?

Modal verb 'können' in a request.

Ich mag keinen Mais in meinem Salat.

I don't like corn in my salad.

Negation with 'kein' in accusative.

Mais ist gesund und lecker.

Corn is healthy and delicious.

Coordination of two adjectives.

Der Landwirt erntet den Mais mit einer Maschine.

The farmer harvests the corn with a machine.

Subject-Verb-Object with instrumental 'mit'.

Maismehl ist eine gute Alternative zu Weizenmehl.

Corn flour is a good alternative to wheat flour.

Compound noun 'Maismehl' as subject.

Wegen des Regens wächst der Mais dieses Jahr gut.

Because of the rain, the corn is growing well this year.

Genitive case after the preposition 'wegen'.

In Deutschland wird viel Mais für Biogas verwendet.

In Germany, a lot of corn is used for biogas.

Passive voice (wird + Partizip II).

Ich habe ein Rezept für eine Maiscremesuppe gefunden.

I found a recipe for a corn cream soup.

Compound noun 'Maiscremesuppe'.

Man kann aus Mais auch Öl gewinnen.

One can also extract oil from corn.

Indefinite pronoun 'man' and modal verb.

Die Kinder spielen Verstecken im Maisfeld.

The children are playing hide and seek in the corn field.

Dative case after 'in' (location).

Maisstärke wird oft zum Binden von Soßen benutzt.

Corn starch is often used to thicken sauces.

Passive voice and compound noun 'Maisstärke'.

Die Vermaisung der Landschaft wird oft kritisiert.

The 'maizification' of the landscape is often criticized.

Abstract noun 'Vermaisung' derived from 'Mais'.

Genmanipulierter Mais ist in der EU umstritten.

Genetically modified corn is controversial in the EU.

Adjective 'genmanipuliert' modifying 'Mais'.

Der Preis für Mais ist am Weltmarkt gestiegen.

The price of corn has risen on the world market.

Perfect tense of an intransitive verb (sein + gestiegen).

Futtermais dient hauptsächlich der Ernährung von Nutztieren.

Fodder corn primarily serves to feed livestock.

Verb 'dienen' with dative object.

Die Monokultur von Mais schadet der Bodenqualität.

The monoculture of corn harms the soil quality.

Subject with genitive attribute.

Nach der Ernte wird der Mais in Silos gelagert.

After the harvest, the corn is stored in silos.

Passive voice with temporal preposition 'nach'.

Maispoularde gilt als eine besondere Delikatesse.

Corn-fed chicken is considered a special delicacy.

Verb 'gelten als' (to be considered as).

Diese Maissorte ist besonders resistent gegen Schädlinge.

This corn variety is particularly resistant to pests.

Compound noun 'Maissorte' and adjective 'resistent'.

Die ökologischen Folgen des intensiven Maisanbaus sind gravierend.

The ecological consequences of intensive corn cultivation are serious.

Genitive attributes and complex noun phrases.

Maiskeimöl zeichnet sich durch einen hohen Anteil an ungesättigten Fettsäuren aus.

Corn germ oil is characterized by a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.

Reflexive verb 'sich auszeichnen durch'.

In der Steiermark wird der Kukuruz traditionell zu Sterz verarbeitet.

In Styria, corn is traditionally processed into 'Sterz'.

Regional synonym 'Kukuruz' and passive voice.

Die Diversifizierung der Fruchtfolge könnte die Dominanz des Maises brechen.

Diversifying crop rotation could break the dominance of corn.

Subjunctive II (könnte) for possibility.

Maisstärke fungiert in der Lebensmittelindustrie als Bindemittel.

Corn starch functions as a binding agent in the food industry.

Verb 'fungieren als'.

Die indigenen Völker Amerikas kultivierten den Mais bereits vor Jahrtausenden.

The indigenous peoples of America cultivated corn thousands of years ago.

Preterite tense for historical facts.

Die Biogasgewinnung aus Energiemais steht in Konkurrenz zur Nahrungsmittelproduktion.

Biogas production from energy corn is in competition with food production.

Noun-verb connection 'in Konkurrenz stehen'.

Die Lieschblätter des Maises wurden früher oft als Füllmaterial für Matratzen verwendet.

The corn husks were often used as filling material for mattresses in the past.

Specific botanical term 'Lieschblätter'.

Die morphologische Variabilität des Maises ermöglichte seine Anpassung an verschiedenste Klimazonen.

The morphological variability of corn enabled its adaptation to the most diverse climatic zones.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Kritiker konstatieren eine zunehmende Vermaisung der Agrarlandschaft zulasten der Biodiversität.

Critics state an increasing 'maizification' of the agricultural landscape at the expense of biodiversity.

Sophisticated verb 'konstatieren' and preposition 'zulasten'.

Die Transgenese bei Maispflanzen evoziert tiefgreifende ethische und ökologische Debatten.

Transgenesis in corn plants evokes profound ethical and ecological debates.

Scientific terminology.

Mais fungiert als C4-Pflanze besonders effizient bei der CO2-Fixierung unter hohen Temperaturen.

As a C4 plant, corn functions particularly efficiently in CO2 fixation under high temperatures.

Specialized biological knowledge.

Die Hegemonie des Maises in der US-amerikanischen Lebensmittelindustrie ist ein Paradebeispiel für industrielle Monokulturen.

The hegemony of corn in the US food industry is a prime example of industrial monocultures.

Abstract concept 'Hegemonie'.

In der Mythologie vieler präkolumbianischer Kulturen nahm der Mais eine sakrale Stellung ein.

In the mythology of many pre-Columbian cultures, corn occupied a sacred position.

Idiomatic expression 'eine Stellung einnehmen'.

Die ökonomische Abhängigkeit von Maisexporten kann für Schwellenländer prekäre Folgen haben.

Economic dependence on corn exports can have precarious consequences for emerging markets.

Complex modal construction.

Maische, obgleich etymologisch verwandt, ist begrifflich strikt vom Getreide Mais zu trennen.

Mash, although etymologically related, is conceptually to be strictly separated from the grain corn.

Concessive clause with 'obgleich'.

Collocations courantes

Mais anbauen

Mais ernten

frischer Mais

Mais aus der Dose

genmanipulierter Mais

ein Feld Mais

Mais dreschen

Mais häckseln

Mais kochen

Mais grillen

Phrases Courantes

Maiskolben mit Butter

— Corn on the cob with butter. A classic side dish.

Ich hätte gerne einen Maiskolben mit Butter.

Popcorn aus Mais

— Popcorn made from corn. Often redundant but used for clarity.

Popcorn wird aus speziellem Mais gemacht.

Mais im Salat

— Corn in salad. A very common ingredient in German mixed salads.

Möchtest du auch Mais im Salat haben?

Mais für die Tiere

— Corn for the animals. Referring to fodder.

Dieser Mais ist nur für die Tiere bestimmt.

Ein Meer aus Mais

— A sea of corn. A poetic way to describe vast fields.

Soweit das Auge reicht, sieht man ein Meer aus Mais.

Mais und Bohnen

— Corn and beans. A classic culinary pairing.

Mais und Bohnen passen gut zusammen.

Gekochter Mais

— Boiled corn.

Gekochter Mais ist eine gesunde Beilage.

Gerösteter Mais

— Roasted corn. Often sold as a snack.

Gerösteter Mais ist ein knuspriger Snack.

Mais vom Grill

— Grilled corn.

Mais vom Grill schmeckt leicht rauchig.

Mais auf dem Wochenmarkt

— Corn at the weekly market.

Im September kaufe ich Mais auf dem Wochenmarkt.

Souvent confondu avec

der Mais vs Maus

Phonetically similar but means 'mouse'. Watch the vowel sound.

der Mais vs März

Visually similar but means 'March'. Different pronunciation.

der Mais vs Korn

Means 'grain' or 'rye', not 'corn' (the yellow vegetable).

Expressions idiomatiques

"Das ist alles Mais"

— Not a standard idiom, but sometimes used regionally to mean something is nonsense or 'baloney' (rare).

Glaub ihm nicht, das ist alles Mais!

Slang/Very Informal

"Die Flinte ins Korn werfen"

— To give up. While 'Korn' is used here, it is the general term for grain, often including corn fields in modern imagery.

Du darfst jetzt nicht die Flinte ins Korn werfen!

Standard

"Das Kind im Maisfeld"

— Refers to someone getting lost or a situation that is hard to see through (informal).

Ich fühle mich wie ein Kind im Maisfeld.

Informal

"Wie Mais aufpoppen"

— To appear suddenly in large numbers.

Überall im Viertel poppen neue Cafés wie Mais auf.

Informal

"Maisgelbe Neid"

— A play on 'gelb vor Neid' (yellow with envy), specifically using corn-yellow.

Er war maisgelb vor Neid.

Literary

"Im Mais stehen"

— To be stuck or in a confusing situation (regional).

Jetzt stehen wir ordentlich im Mais.

Regional/Colloquial

"Einen Kolben haben"

— To have a large nose or to be drunk (slang, related to the shape of the corn cob).

Der hat aber einen ordentlichen Kolben!

Slang

"Mais fressen"

— To eat greedily (crude).

Hör auf, so viel Mais zu fressen!

Vulgar

"Süß wie Zuckermais"

— Very sweet or endearing.

Dein Baby ist ja süß wie Zuckermais.

Informal

"Durch den Mais ziehen"

— To drag someone through the mud/criticize (regional variant).

Er wurde ordentlich durch den Mais gezogen.

Regional

Facile à confondre

der Mais vs die Maische

Sounds almost identical.

Maische is mash for brewing/distilling, while Mais is the plant/grain.

Die Maische gärt im Fass.

der Mais vs das Korn

English 'corn' is a false friend.

In German, Korn is grain in general. In English, corn is specifically maize.

Das Feld ist voller Korn (could be rye, wheat, etc.).

der Mais vs die Maus

Phonetic similarity.

Maus is an animal; Mais is a plant.

Die Maus frisst den Mais.

der Mais vs der März

Visual/spelling similarity.

März is a month; Mais is a plant.

Im März säen wir noch keinen Mais.

der Mais vs Meis

Spelling error.

There is no word 'Meis' in German, but 'Meise' is a bird (titmouse).

Die Meise sitzt im Mais.

Structures de phrases

Ich mag [Nomen].

Ich mag Mais.

Ich kaufe [Artikel] [Nomen].

Ich kaufe einen Maiskolben.

[Nomen] wird für [Zweck] verwendet.

Mais wird für Biogas verwendet.

Wegen [Genitiv] wächst der Mais.

Wegen des Wetters wächst der Mais.

Die Kritik an [Dativ] nimmt zu.

Die Kritik am Maisanbau nimmt zu.

Es gilt, [Akkusativ] zu fördern/vermeiden.

Es gilt, Monokulturen von Mais zu vermeiden.

[Nomen] zeichnet sich durch [Akkusativ] aus.

Maisöl zeichnet sich durch Vitamine aus.

Obgleich [Nebensatz], [Hauptsatz].

Obgleich Mais gesund ist, wird er oft kritisiert.

Famille de mots

Noms

der Maiskolben

das Maismehl

die Maisstärke

das Maisfeld

der Maisanbau

das Maiskeimöl

der Dosenmais

der Zuckermais

die Maische

Verbes

einmaischen

vermaisen

Adjectifs

maisgelb

maisähnlich

Apparenté

das Getreide

die Ernte

der Kolben

das Korn

die Biogasanlage

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high, especially in summer and in agricultural regions.

Erreurs courantes

Ich esse gerne Maus. → Ich esse gerne Mais.
Confusing the 'ai' sound with 'au'. One means corn, the other means mouse!
Kann ich zwei Maise haben? → Kann ich zwei Maiskolben haben?
Mais is a mass noun. To count it, you need a counter-word like 'Kolben'.
Das Korn ist gelb. → Der Mais ist gelb.
'Korn' is a false friend. In German, it means grain in general, not specifically corn.
Ich mag das Mais. → Ich mag den Mais.
'Mais' is masculine, so the article must be 'der' (nominative) or 'den' (accusative).
Maismehl ist aus Maische gemacht. → Maismehl ist aus Mais gemacht.
'Maische' is mash used in brewing, not the base plant 'Mais'.

Astuces

Masculine Gender

Always remember 'der Mais'. If you forget, think of 'der Reis' (the rice) - both are masculine grains!

Countable vs Uncountable

Use 'Mais' for the substance and 'Maiskolben' for the individual pieces. You don't buy 'drei Maise', you buy 'drei Maiskolben'.

Rhyme Time

Mais rhymes with Eis, Reis, and Heiß. Use these familiar words to master the 'ai' sound.

Popcorn Preferences

In German cinemas, sweet popcorn is the default. If you want salty, you must specify 'salziges Popcorn'.

The Three Maizes

Distinguish between Zuckermais (eat), Futtermais (animals), and Energiemais (biogas) to sound like a pro.

No 'e' at the end

It's 'Mais', not 'Maise' or 'Maize'. Keep it short and simple.

Austrian Flavor

Use 'Kukuruz' when visiting Austria to impress the locals with your regional knowledge.

Salad Staple

If you see 'Gemischter Salat' on a German menu, there is a 90% chance it contains corn.

Gluten-Free

Mais is a key word for people with Celiac disease. Look for 'Maismehl' on labels for safe alternatives.

Landscape

In late August, look for 'Maislabyrinthe' signs in the countryside for a fun summer activity.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Mice' in a 'Maize' maze. The word 'Mais' sounds like 'mice' and means 'maize'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a bright yellow corn cob shaped like a giant 'M'. The kernels are little 'i' dots.

Word Web

Gelb Feld Essen Popcorn Kolben Sommer Bauernhof Glutenfrei

Défi

Try to find three products in your kitchen that contain 'Mais' (check for Maisstärke or Maismehl) and say their names in German.

Origine du mot

The word 'Mais' entered the German language in the 16th century. It originates from the Spanish word 'maíz', which was borrowed from the Taino word 'mahiz'. The Taino were the indigenous people of the Caribbean encountered by Columbus.

Sens originel : The Taino word 'mahiz' meant 'source of life' or 'that which sustains life', reflecting the plant's central importance to their diet.

Indo-European (Germanic branch) via Romance (Spanish) from Arawakan (Taino).

Contexte culturel

Be aware of the debate surrounding GMOs (Gen-Mais) in Germany, which is much more sensitive than in the US.

In the US, 'corn' is the standard word. In the UK, 'maize' is the agricultural term, while 'sweetcorn' is the food. German 'Mais' covers both.

Interstellar (Movie): The last crop growing on Earth is corn (Mais). Children of the Corn (Book/Movie): 'Kinder des Zorns' in German, but set in cornfields. Popcorn: The most global cultural export of the Mais plant.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Supermarket

Wo finde ich den Dosenmais?
Ist der Mais frisch?
Zwei Maiskolben, bitte.
Gibt es Bio-Mais?

Cooking

Den Mais abtropfen lassen.
Maismehl unterrühren.
Mit Maisstärke binden.
Mais in der Pfanne rösten.

Agriculture

Wann ist die Maisernte?
Der Mais steht gut.
Futtermais für die Kühe.
Schädlinge im Maisfeld.

Politics/Environment

Gegen Gen-Mais demonstrieren.
Mais als Energieträger.
Die Vermaisung stoppen.
Subventionen für Mais.

Cinema

Eine große Portion Popcorn.
Süßer oder salziger Mais?
Der Mais poppt nicht.
Frisches Popcorn riecht gut.

Amorces de conversation

"Magst du lieber süßes oder salziges Popcorn?"

"Hast du schon mal ein Maislabyrinth besucht?"

"Was hältst du von Mais als Energiequelle?"

"Isst du gerne Maiskolben vom Grill?"

"Benutzt du oft Maismehl beim Backen?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe ein deutsches Maisfeld im Spätsommer. Wie sieht es aus und wie riecht es?

Denkst du, dass Mais ein gesundes Lebensmittel ist? Warum oder warum nicht?

Schreibe über eine Erinnerung an ein Grillfest, bei dem es Mais gab.

Diskutiere die Vor- und Nachteile von 'Energiemais' für die Umwelt.

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Maiskorn. Erzähle deine Geschichte vom Feld bis zum Popcorn.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, 'der Mais' is always masculine in German. This applies to all its basic meanings as a plant and food item. When it forms part of a compound word, the gender follows the last word, such as 'das Maisfeld' (neuter) because 'das Feld' is neuter.

The most common way is 'der Maiskolben'. If you are at a restaurant or BBQ, you would say 'Ich möchte einen Maiskolben'. You can also specify 'gegrillter Maiskolben' for grilled corn on the cob.

In German, 'das Popcorn' is typically neuter, although you might occasionally hear 'der Popcorn'. Stick with 'das Popcorn' for standard usage. Remember that it is made from 'Mais'.

Kukuruz is the regional word for corn used in Austria and parts of Southern Germany. It comes from Slavic languages. If you use it in Vienna, you'll sound like a local, but 'Mais' is also perfectly understood there.

Yes, but farmers usually call it 'Futtermais'. This variety is different from the 'Zuckermais' that humans eat, as it is less sweet and has a higher starch content suitable for livestock.

Focus on the 'ai' sound. It should be like the 'y' in 'sky'. Open your mouth slightly wider for 'Maus' (au) and keep it more narrow and sharp for 'Mais' (ai). Practice saying 'Eis' (ice) first; 'Mais' rhymes exactly with 'Eis'.

Botanically, it is 'Getreide' (grain). However, in a culinary context, it is often treated as 'Gemüse' (vegetable). In the supermarket, you will find fresh corn in the vegetable section and canned corn near the peas and carrots.

It is a critical term used by environmentalists to describe the over-cultivation of corn, leading to monotonous landscapes and a loss of biodiversity. It's a common word in German environmental debates.

They are different. 'Maismehl' is finely ground corn (cornmeal), while 'Maisstärke' is the pure starch extracted from the grain (cornstarch). Recipes will usually specify which one is needed.

Not usually in the form of grits or porridge like in the US South, but 'Cornflakes' (an English loanword) are a very popular breakfast cereal in Germany.

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