Beilage

Beilage is a German noun with two primary senses. In culinary usage, it designates a side dish that accompanies a main course. Common examples include potatoes, rice, or vegetables served as Beilage to meat, fish, or other dishes. In menus and recipe collections, Beilage describes what is served alongside the main item and is often listed as Beilage zum Gericht or as eine passende Beilage.

In a second sense, Beilage refers to an enclosure or attachment in written communication and documentation. In letters, emails, or official papers, a Beilage is something that accompanies the main text, such as a form, brochure, or additional document. In business practice, Beilage is frequently used alongside terms like Anlage or Anhang; while Anlage is common for electronic or formal attachments, Beilage can refer to physical enclosures included with correspondence or printed material.

Etymology: Beilage derives from beilegen, meaning to lay beside or attach. The word is feminine (die Beilage) and forms the plural Beilagen.

Regional and stylistic notes: Beilage is standard across German-speaking countries in culinary contexts (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). In formal correspondence, Beilage is widely understood, though modern electronic communication often favors Anlage or Anhang to indicate attachments. In everyday language, Beilage remains the neutral term for both a side dish and an enclosure, with context clarifying the intended meaning.