Meaning
Commenting negatively on food taste.
Cultural Background
In Germany, it is common to wait until everyone has their food and someone says 'Guten Appetit' before eating. If you then say 'Das schmeckt nicht' immediately, it is seen as very blunt. Austrians might use the word 'leiwand' for good, but for bad food, they remain quite similar to Germans, though they might say 'Des schmeckt ma ned' in dialect. Swiss Germans are often perceived as slightly more polite/indirect than Northern Germans. They might say 'Es isch nöd so mis Ding' (It's not quite my thing).
Add 'mir'
Adding 'mir' (Das schmeckt mir nicht) makes you sound less like you're blaming the cook and more like you're stating a preference.
Watch the 'nicht' position
Always put 'nicht' at the end of this specific short sentence.
Meaning
Commenting negatively on food taste.
Add 'mir'
Adding 'mir' (Das schmeckt mir nicht) makes you sound less like you're blaming the cook and more like you're stating a preference.
Watch the 'nicht' position
Always put 'nicht' at the end of this specific short sentence.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb.
Das ______ nicht.
'Schmeckt' is the correct 3rd person singular form of 'schmecken'.
How do you say 'I don't like the taste' using the dative?
Which one is correct?
The verb 'schmecken' requires the dative pronoun 'mir'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a friend's house and the pizza is burnt.
This is the appropriate phrase for expressing that food is bad.
Complete the dialogue.
Kellner: Schmeckt die Suppe? Gast: Nein, sie ______ ______.
The subject 'sie' (referring to the soup) requires 'schmeckt'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Food Opinions
Positive
- • Lecker
- • Gut
- • Prima
Negative
- • Schmeckt nicht
- • Ekelhaft
- • Zu salzig
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDas ______ nicht.
'Schmeckt' is the correct 3rd person singular form of 'schmecken'.
Which one is correct?
The verb 'schmecken' requires the dative pronoun 'mir'.
You are at a friend's house and the pizza is burnt.
This is the appropriate phrase for expressing that food is bad.
Kellner: Schmeckt die Suppe? Gast: Nein, sie ______ ______.
The subject 'sie' (referring to the soup) requires 'schmeckt'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, that is grammatically incorrect. You should say 'Das schmeckt nicht gut' or simply 'Das schmeckt nicht.'
It depends on the context. In a restaurant, it's fine. At a friend's house, it might be a bit too direct.
'Nicht schmecken' is the standard way to say you don't like it. 'Schlecht schmecken' implies the food might be spoiled.
Related Phrases
Das ist lecker
contrastThat is delicious
Mahlzeit!
similarEnjoy your meal / Hello
Ich bin satt
builds onI am full
