German · A1 · Speaking · about 5 min
Order your drink, ask the price, and request the bill using short polite sentences.
‘Ich hätte gern’ is a polite way to order. The phrase works with other drinks and dishes too.
Say thisIch hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
MeaningI would like a coffee, please.
When to use itStart the conversation naturally.
Say thisWas kostet das?
MeaningHow much does that cost?
When to use itAdd the detail the other person needs.
Say thisDie Rechnung, bitte.
MeaningThe bill, please.
When to use itFinish with a clear, polite line.
| Say this | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. | I would like a coffee, please. | Start the conversation naturally. |
| Was kostet das? | How much does that cost? | Add the detail the other person needs. |
| Die Rechnung, bitte. | The bill, please. | Finish with a clear, polite line. |
SituationYou want a coffee without milk. What do you say?
Say thisEinen Kaffee ohne Milch, bitte.
Why‘Ohne Milch’ means without milk.
SituationTwo people need a table. Which line asks for one?
Say thisEinen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
Why‘Einen Tisch für zwei’ is a table for two; Tisch takes accusative here.
SituationYou want the cake but need to ask whether it contains nuts. What do you ask?
Say thisSind Nüsse darin?
Why‘Sind Nüsse darin?’ asks if there are nuts in it. Confirm ingredients with staff before eating.
SituationYou are leaving with the coffee. Which short phrase tells the server?
Say thisZum Mitnehmen, bitte.
Why‘Zum Mitnehmen’ means to take away.
SituationThe bill arrives. You want to pay by card. What do you ask?
Say thisKann ich mit Karte bezahlen?
Why‘Mit Karte bezahlen’ means to pay by card.
| Situation | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want a coffee without milk. What do you say? | Einen Kaffee ohne Milch, bitte. | ‘Ohne Milch’ means without milk. |
| Two people need a table. Which line asks for one? | Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. | ‘Einen Tisch für zwei’ is a table for two; Tisch takes accusative here. |
| You want the cake but need to ask whether it contains nuts. What do you ask? | Sind Nüsse darin? | ‘Sind Nüsse darin?’ asks if there are nuts in it. Confirm ingredients with staff before eating. |
| You are leaving with the coffee. Which short phrase tells the server? | Zum Mitnehmen, bitte. | ‘Zum Mitnehmen’ means to take away. |
| The bill arrives. You want to pay by card. What do you ask? | Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen? | ‘Mit Karte bezahlen’ means to pay by card. |
Order your drink, ask the price, and request the bill using short polite sentences.
You want a coffee. What do you say to the server?
You want a coffee without milk. What do you say?
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
Start the conversation naturally.
Was kostet das?
How much does that cost?
Add the detail the other person needs.
Die Rechnung, bitte.
The bill, please.
Finish with a clear, polite line.