Aubergine vs. Melanzani
The German words Aubergine and Melanzani both refer to the vegetable known as eggplant or aubergine in English. The main difference between them is their regional usage, reflecting the linguistic influences on different German-speaking areas.
Aubergine
A2Aubergine is the standard and most common term used for eggplant throughout Germany and in Swiss Standard German. It is a loanword from French.
Für das Ratatouille schneide ich eine Zucchini und eine Aubergine in kleine Würfel.
(For the ratatouille, I am cutting a zucchini and an eggplant into small cubes.)
Gegrillte Aubergine mit Knoblauch ist eine meiner Lieblingsvorspeisen.
(Grilled eggplant with garlic is one of my favorite appetizers.)
Im Supermarkt gab es heute schöne, feste Auberginen im Angebot.
(There were nice, firm eggplants on sale at the supermarket today.)
Die Farbe ihres neuen Pullovers ist ein tiefes Aubergine.
(The color of her new sweater is a deep eggplant.)
Das indische Gericht Baingan Bharta wird hauptsächlich aus Auberginen zubereitet.
(The Indian dish Baingan Bharta is made mainly from eggplants.)
Melanzani
B1Melanzani is the term for eggplant used almost exclusively in Austria. It is borrowed from the Italian word melanzane (plural). In Austria, Melanzani is commonly used as a plural form, but it can also refer to a single eggplant.
In Wien bestellt man einen Melanzani-Salat, keinen Auberginensalat.
(In Vienna, you order an eggplant salad, not an aubergine salad.)
Ich brauche noch zwei Melanzani für den Auflauf heute Abend.
(I still need two eggplants for the casserole tonight.)
Meine Oma aus Graz macht die besten gefüllten Melanzani.
(My grandma from Graz makes the best stuffed eggplants.)
Kannst du bitte eine große Melanzani vom Bauernmarkt mitbringen?
(Can you please bring one large eggplant from the farmer's market?)
Die Speisekarte bot panierte Melanzani mit Joghurtsauce an.
(The menu offered breaded eggplant with a yogurt sauce.)
Summary
In summary, the difference is purely regional. Aubergine is the standard term in Germany, derived from French. Melanzani is the standard term in Austria, derived from Italian. If you are in Germany, you will almost always hear and use Aubergine. If you are in Austria, using Melanzani will make you sound like a local.