What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
backen
Example
Ich backe gerne Kuchen. (I like to bake cakes.) [backen: verb]
Example
Sie ist eine talentierte Bäckerin. (She is a talented baker.) [Bäckerin: noun]
bake
Example
I'm going to bake a batch of cookies for the party. [bake: verb]
Example
She loves to experiment with different recipes when she bakes. [bakes: present simple]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bake is more commonly used than backen in everyday English language. Bake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while backen is specific to the German language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between backen and bake?
While backen is associated with the German language and is used in a more formal context within German-speaking countries, bake is used in both formal and informal English contexts.