Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben.

I slice the bread.

Breakdown of Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben.

• das Brot: the bread
• ich: I
• in Scheiben schneiden: to slice

Questions & Answers about Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben.

Why is it "das Brot" and not "den Brot"?

Because Brot is neuter. In the accusative singular, neuter keeps das, while masculine would be den. So as a direct object you get das Brot. Compare: Ich esse den Apfel (masc.) vs Ich esse das Brot (neut.).

Which case does "in" take here, and why?

in can take accusative (direction/change) or dative (location). Here it expresses a change of state (the bread becomes slices), so it’s accusative. You don’t see an article, but conceptually it’s “in [accusative] Scheiben.” Compare: Ich bin in der Küche (dative, location) vs Ich gehe in die Küche (accusative, direction).

Why is there no article before "Scheiben"?

Because it means “into slices” in a general way, not “into the slices.” Result phrases with in often omit the article: in Scheiben/Würfel/Streifen schneiden. In die Scheiben would imply there are already specific slices you are cutting into, which isn’t the case.

Why plural "Scheiben" and not singular "Scheibe"?

You typically produce multiple slices, hence plural. Singular would be used only if you truly meant one slice: Ich schneide das Brot in eine Scheibe (odd but possible).

How do I say “into thin slices” or “into thick slices”?

Add an adjective after in (accusative plural, no article → -e ending):

• in dünne Scheiben (thin slices)
• in dicke Scheiben (thick slices)
• in gleichmäßige Scheiben (even/uniform slices)

Does “Ich schneide” mean “I cut” or “I am cutting”?

Both. German present covers simple and continuous. To stress the ongoing action, add gerade: Ich schneide gerade das Brot in Scheiben. More formal: Ich bin dabei, das Brot in Scheiben zu schneiden.

How do I say this in the past?

• Perfect (common in speech): Ich habe das Brot in Scheiben geschnitten.
• Preterite (more written): Ich schnitt das Brot in Scheiben. Irregular forms: past participle geschnitten, preterite schnitt.

Can I omit the article and say “Ich schneide Brot in Scheiben”?

Yes. Ich schneide Brot in Scheiben is generic/unspecified. Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben refers to a specific bread. Ich schneide ein Brot in Scheiben emphasizes one whole loaf.

What else can “Scheibe” mean besides “slice”?

It can be a pane/disc: Fensterscheibe (window pane), Bremsscheibe (brake disc). Context tells you whether it’s food or something flat/round.

Is “Ich schneide in Scheiben das Brot” acceptable word order?

Grammatically possible but unnatural. The idiomatic order is: Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben. You can front the object for emphasis: Das Brot schneide ich in Scheiben.

Why not use “zu” (e.g., “zu Scheiben”)?

Result after cutting is expressed with in + accusative: in Scheiben/Würfel/Streifen schneiden. zu appears with other verbs (e.g., zu Staub zerfallen, etwas zu Brei schlagen/machen) but not with schneiden.

What’s the difference between “schneiden,” “aufschneiden,” and “zerschneiden”?

• schneiden: neutral “to cut”; with result phrase: in Scheiben schneiden (to slice).
• aufschneiden: to cut/slice open (e.g., ein Brötchen aufschneiden). Colloquial meaning: “to brag.”
• zerschneiden: to cut up into pieces (often destructively), not specifically into slices. Also common: abschneiden (cut off), durchschneiden (cut through).

How do I give the command “Cut the bread into slices!”?

• Informal singular: Schneide das Brot in Scheiben!
• Informal plural: Schneidet das Brot in Scheiben!
• Polite/formal: Schneiden Sie das Brot in Scheiben!

Any pronunciation tips for “schneide,” “Brot,” and “Scheiben”?

• sch = “sh”
• ei = “eye”
• schneide ≈ “SHNY-deh”
• Brot has a long, closed “o” (like “boat,” but pure): “broht”
• Scheiben ≈ “SHY-ben” (weak “-en”)

How do I say “a slice of bread,” and how do I talk about loaves vs slices?

• “a slice of bread”: eine Scheibe Brot (also eine Brotscheibe)
• plural slices: zwei/drei Scheiben Brot
• loaves: ein Brot, zwei Brote

Where do I put an instrument phrase like “with a knife”?

Place the “mit”-phrase before the result phrase: Ich schneide das Brot mit einem Messer in Scheiben. You can also front it for emphasis: Mit einem Messer schneide ich das Brot in Scheiben.

Is “schneiden” ever reflexive?

Yes, when you cut yourself: Ich habe mich beim Brotschneiden geschnitten. When cutting something else, no reflexive pronoun: Ich schneide das Brot in Scheiben.

Why are “Brot” and “Scheiben” capitalized, and what about “Ich”?

All nouns are capitalized in German, so Brot and Scheiben are capitalized. The pronoun ich is not normally capitalized; it’s capital here only because it starts the sentence.