The word "fruit" ("fruit") in German is translated by two synonyms: das Obst and die Frucht. However, these concepts are not as synonymous as it seems at first glance, and are not always interchangeable. Let's understand the intricacies of the language of Schiller and Goethe.
Obst vs Frucht - the difference between concepts
Fruit in German can be denoted by both of the above concepts, but the first is a sub-concept of the second. So, if we are talking about any fruit of a tree, shrub, whether edible or not, then the term "Frucht" is used. Thus, this is what hangs on a tree or on a bush, and what can be eaten. Frucht is a fruit, its pulp with seeds.
The word Obst always means only edible fruits.
Here are some examples:
1. Isst du gerne Obst? - Do you like (willingly eat) fruits? This refers to truly edible products.
2. Ich gehe Obst kaufen. - I'm going to buy fruit. Indeed, if we buy something in a store, it will be Obst, because what is purchased will be eaten.
3. Auf dem Baum hängen verschiedene Früchte. - Various fruits are hanging on the tree. It is not clear here whether the fruits are edible or inedible, thereforethe term "Frucht" fits better than Obst.
Plural or singular
The word Frucht is used both in the singular and in the plural. One fruit is Frucht, and several are already Früchte.
However, das Obst is used in German only in the singular. If we see one fruit, in German it sounds like das Obst. If several fruits are meant and in Russian it would sound in the plural, then in German - in the singular.
Examples: 1. Ich esse keine gedörrtes Obst. I don't eat dried fruit.
2. Obst liegt schon lange auf dem Tisch. Fruit has been on the table for a long time.
The same situation, by the way, with the word "vegetables" in German. If we are talking about vegetables, even in the plural, then the only thing used is still: das Gemüse. It should be remembered that these words are of the middle gender, but the article is not used, because these nouns are uncountable.
The phrase "Children, you rarely eat vegetables and fruits" is translated as follows: "Kinder, ihr esst selten Obst und Gemüse".
Genus of "fruit" in German
"Fruit" in German is almost always used with the feminine article - die. This is the vast majority of words:
die Birne - pear (and also, curiously, "light bulb", it's easier to remember);
die Aprikose (note: not with "b", as in Russian, but with"p") - apricot;
die Banane - which is logical, a banana;
die Orange, or in the Dutch manner die Apfelsine - orange;
die Mandarine and die Klementine - tangerine and clementine (a sweeter variety of tangerine);
die Wassermelone - watermelon;
die Honigmelone - melon;
die Kiwi - despite the fact that in Russian the word "kiwi" is neuter, in German it is feminine. Same thing with avocado. It is also with the article die - die Avokado;
die Ananas - as you might guess, pineapple;
die Feige - fig;
die Kokonuss - coconut (as well as other types of nuts, such as Walnuss - walnut);
die (Wein) traube (optional) - grapes;
die Pflaume (and in the Austrian version die Zwetschke) - plum;
Also, all berries in German are feminine:
Die Kirsche - cherry.
Die Erdbeere - strawberries and strawberries.
Die Johannisbeere - red and blackcurrant (called Ribisel in Austria, also feminine).
Die Himbeere - Raspberry.
However, as with any rule, there are exceptions. There are only a few and they are easy to remember.
So, the German masculine apple is der Apfel. There is also its derivative - Granatapfel - pomegranate.
Peach also has a masculine article - der Pfirsich.
