My first German fish-market experience was chaotic.
I pointed at a gorgeous fillet and proudly asked for „200 Gramm Lachs /laks/“… except I accidentally said „200 Gramm Wachs“ (wax).
The fishmonger blinked slowly. I blinked slowly. A very confused yak walked home with zero fish and a bruised ego.
Let’s make sure you can order fish, talk about fish, and point at fish without accidentally requesting household materials.
Quick Primer
German fish names are:
- Often similar to English
- Mostly masculine (der)
- Full of wonderful, nature-ish compounds
- Super common in restaurants, markets, and menus
Most words below use standard Germany-German spelling and IPA.
Everyday Fish You’ll See Everywhere
| German | IPA | English |
| der Fisch | /fɪʃ/ | fish |
| der Lachs | /laks/ | salmon |
| der Thunfisch | /ˈtuːnˌfɪʃ/ | tuna |
| der Kabeljau | /ˈkaːbəlˌjaʊ̯/ | cod |
| der Seelachs | /ˈzeːˌlaks/ | pollock |
| der Hering | /ˈheːʁɪŋ/ | herring |
| die Forelle | /foˈʁɛlə/ | trout |
| der Karpfen | /ˈkaʁpfn̩/ | carp |
| der Wels | /vɛls/ | catfish |
Popular In Restaurants
| German | IPA | English |
| der Zander | /ˈt͡sandɐ/ | pike-perch |
| der Hecht | /hɛçt/ | pike |
| die Dorade | /doˈʁaːdə/ | sea bream |
| die Makrele | /maˈkʁeːlə/ | mackerel |
| der Wolfsbarsch | /ˈvɔlfsˌbaʁʃ/ | sea bass |
| die Sardine | /zaʁˈdiːnə/ | sardine |
| die Sardelle | /zaʁˈdɛlə/ | anchovy |
Seafood (Technically Not Fish, But You’ll Want These Too)
| German | IPA | English |
| die Garnele | /ɡaʁˈneːlə/ | shrimp |
| der Tintenfisch | /ˈtɪntn̩ˌfɪʃ/ | squid |
| der Oktopus | /ˈɔktoˌpʊs/ | octopus |
| die Muschel | /ˈmʊʃl̩/ | mussel |
| die Auster | /ˈaʊ̯stɐ/ | oyster |
River & Lake Fish (Common In Germany)
| German | IPA | English |
| der Aal | /aːl/ | eel |
| der Barsch | /baʁʃ/ | perch |
| der Rotbarsch | /ˈʁoːtˌbaʁʃ/ | redfish |
| der Saibling | /ˈzaɪ̯blɪŋ/ | char |
| der Schleie | /ˈʃlaɪ̯ə/ | tench |
Fish Dish Vocabulary
| German | IPA | English |
| geräuchert | /ɡəˈʁɔɪ̯çɐt/ | smoked |
| gebraten | /ɡəˈbʁaːtn̩/ | fried |
| gegrillt | /ɡəˈɡʁɪlt/ | grilled |
| roh | /ʁoː/ | raw |
| Filet | /fiˈleː/ | fillet |
| ganze Portion | /ˈɡant͡sə pɔʁˈt͡si̯oːn/ | whole portion |
Useful Restaurant Phrases
| German | IPA | English |
| Ich hätte gern den Lachs. | /ɪç ˈhɛtə ɡɛʁn deːn laks/ | I’d like the salmon. |
| Gibt es das auch als Filet? | /ɡɪpt ɛs das aʊ̯x als fiˈleː/ | Does this also come as a fillet? |
| Ist der Fisch frisch? | /ɪst deːɐ̯ fɪʃ fʁɪʃ/ | Is the fish fresh? |
| Welche Fische empfehlen Sie? | /ˈvɛlçə ˈfɪʃə ɛmpˈfeːlən ziː/ | Which fish do you recommend? |
Region Notes
- In northern Germany, fish culture is huge—expect Hering, Makrele, Backfisch.
- Austria and Switzerland share many names but are more focused on freshwater fish.
- Switzerland tends to soften the r sound but uses the same spelling.
Mini Dialogues
Dialogue 1 – At The Fish Counter
Haben Sie frischen Lachs?
/ˈhaːbn̩ ziː ˈfʁɪʃn̩ laks/
Do you have fresh salmon?
Ja, der ist heute ganz neu.
/jaː deːɐ̯ ɪst ˈhɔɪ̯tə ɡant͡s nɔʏ̯/
Yes, it just arrived today.
Dialogue 2 – Ordering At A Restaurant
Ich nehme den Zander, bitte.
/ɪç ˈneːmə deːn ˈt͡sandɐ/
I’ll take the pike-perch, please.
Möchten Sie ihn gegrillt oder gebraten?
/ˈmœçtn̩ ziː iːn ɡəˈɡʁɪlt oːdɐ ɡəˈbʁaːtn̩/
Would you like it grilled or fried?
Dialogue 3 – Talking About Preferences
Magst du Thunfisch?
/maːkst duː ˈtuːnˌfɪʃ/
Do you like tuna?
Ja, aber ich esse lieber Forelle.
/jaː aːbɐ ɪç ˈʔɛsə ˈliːbɐ foˈʁɛlə/
Yeah, but I prefer trout.
Quick Reference
| German | IPA | English |
| der Lachs | /laks/ | salmon |
| der Thunfisch | /ˈtuːnˌfɪʃ/ | tuna |
| der Hering | /ˈheːʁɪŋ/ | herring |
| die Forelle | /foˈʁɛlə/ | trout |
| der Zander | /ˈt͡sandɐ/ | pike-perch |
| das Filet | /fiˈleː/ | fillet |
Five-Minute Practice Plan
- Read 10 fish names aloud with IPA.
- Point at photos of fish online and name them in German.
- Say 3 sentences: Ich esse gern…
- Shadow Dialogue 1 once.
- Practice ordering: Ich hätte gern…
- Describe one fish dish you like in simple German.
Now You Can Navigate Any German Fish Situation
Once you know these names, fish markets, menus, and seaside restaurants in German-speaking countries feel friendly instead of intimidating.
And best of all—you’ll never again ask for wax instead of salmon like a confused, hungry yak.