How do you politely order in German?

For example: I would like two bread rolls, please = Ich hätte gern zwei Brötchen bitte. I would like a Schnitzel, please = Ich hätte gern das Schnitzel, bitte. I would like apple juice = Ich möchte einen Apfelsaft. May 2, 2023

What phrase do you say to order food in Germany?

Phrases to order While the person in the restaurant, bakery or bar will most likely ask “Was darf es sein?”, “Was möchten Sie?” (What would you like?) or just a simple “Bitte?” (Please?), you can use one of these phrases: Ich hätte gern ein (neutral) / eine (female) / einen (male) …

How to order drinks in Germany?

1. Saying “I'd like…” in German Ich möchte… (I'd like…) Ich hätte gerne… (I'd like to have…) Für mich ein / eine / einen… (For me, a…) Pils / Pilsner / Pilsener. Berliner Weiße (literally, “Berlin white”) Hefeweizen (literally, “yeast wheat”) Schwarzbier (black beer) Kölsch (beer from Cologne) More items... May 14, 2024

What is the German word order rule?

Basic German word order is similar to basic English word order. In both languages, simple sentences follow the pattern of SVO (subject, verb, object) . English is an analytic language, a language in which particles (helping words that must be present to create grammatical structures) and word order are important.

What is the tipping culture in Germany?

Tipping isn't mandatory in Germany. Instead, it's seen as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience . A tip is always welcome, but in Germany, it's usually based directly on the quality of service. If you're satisfied, leaving a tip is a way to show it.

What is the dining etiquette in Germany?

When dining with Germans, be especially mindful of proper manners. They eat continentally—with the fork in the left hand (tines down) and knife in the right hand throughout. Do not pass the fork back and forth between hands. Don't set down your knife to use the fork alone.

What is the German saying order?

Ordnung muss sein (reformed) or Ordnung muß sein (traditional) is a German proverbial expression which translates as "there must be order". The idea of "order" is generally recognized as a key cliche for describing German culture.

What is a popular German phrase?

Savvy travellers will probably already know basic German words, and they're pretty easy to pick up if you don't. Try hallo (hello), guten tag (good day), auf wiedersehen (goodbye), danke (thank you), bitte (please), ja (yes) and nein (no) .

How do you order a hamburger in German?

" Ich hätte gern einmal Hamburger.

What does bitte ein bit mean?

The company slogan is, "Bitte ein Bit." This is literally, "Please, a Bit," or "A Bit, please." In the 1970s, a second slogan was introduced, "Abends Bit, morgens fit" ("Bit in the evening, fit in the morning") implying that the consumption would not lead to a hangover.

How do you ask for one beer in German?

The waitress walks towards your table during Oktoberfest and, after taking your friends' order, she looks at you. All you need to say is für mich bitte ein Bier , or “For me a beer, please.” If you're sitting at the bar, you can also say Ich hätte gerne ein Bier, which means “I would like a beer” in German.

How do I order someone in German?

In German, you can make a polite request or command by placing the full verb at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the polite form of “you” (Sie) . gehen Sie! (Go!) laufen Sie!

Is German word order strict?

Although some features of German grammar, such as the formation of some of the verb forms, resemble those of English, German grammar differs from that of English in that it has, among other things, cases and gender in nouns and a strict verb-second word order in main clauses .

Ordering in German (2024)

Europe

Germany

Useful German for Dining Out

Erin Porter

Etiquette Rules when Dining Out in Germany

You'll find that most Germans begin the meal with a hearty Guten Appetit! Similar to Bon Appetit, it is an elegant way to phrase "Let's eat!". More informally, especially at lunch, you can expect an exclamation of "Mahlzeit!". This may be announced to the entire room when walking into a kneipe (small bar/pub) for a meal.

Note that you will need to request the check at the end of the meal as it is not common for the waiter to deliver it without asking. This allows you ample time to add to your order with a dessert or coffee. This partly explains why customer service in restaurants is so much slower and more laid-back than in North America.

Tipping is also done differently than in places like the USA. Tips should only be around 10 percent and is given when paying the bill - not left on the table. Refer to our full guide on tipping in Germany for different situations and recommendations.

English-German Dining Phrasebook

Here are some useful phrases to help you get straight to the food, whether it be eisbein or schweinshaxe.

(You'll find the pronunciation in parentheses. Just read it out loud, the capitalized part of the word should be emphasized.)

The menu, please! - Die Speisekarte, bitte! (dee SHPY-se-Cart-uh, BITT-uh)
Waiter/ Waitress - der Kellner (dehr kel-ner)
Restaurant -restaurant (reh-stoh-RAH)
Food - Essen (EH-sehn) Also is the verb “to eat”.
Guest - Gast (gahst)
Order - bestellen - beh-SHTEHL-ehn)
What would you like to eat? - Was möchten Sie essen? (Vas mook-ten zee Ess-en)
I’ d like... - Ich haette gern... (ish HAT-uh garn...)
without or with - ohne (O-nuh) or mit (midd) like when ordering currywurst
Breakfast - Frühstück (FRUU-shtuuk). Often consists of pastry or roll, meat, cheese, fruit and coffee. However, options are expanding with pancakes, bacon, and other American-specialties becoming popular.

Lunch - Mittagessen (mit-TAHK-ess-en). The largest warm meal of the day.
Dinner - Abendessen (AH-bent-ess-en), or the traditional meal of Abendbrot (AH-bent-broht). Often a simple affair of bread, meats and cheese. Hence the name of Abendbrot, or "evening bread".
Appetizer - Vorspeise (FOHR-shpiy-zeh)
Main Course - Hauptgericht (HOWPT-geh-reeht)
Dessert - Nachspeise (NAHKH-shpiy-zeh)
Vegetarian - Vegetarier / Vegetarierin (VEG-uh-TAR-ear / VEG-uh-TAR-ear-in). To order, you can say "Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?" (hah-bn zee veh-ge-tah-rî-she ge-rîH-te) (Do you have vegetarian dishes?).

Do you have....? - Haben Sie...? ( HAB-uhn see...)
What do you recommend? - Was empfehlen Sie? (Vus emp-VAY-luhn see?)
Is this table free? - Ist der Tisch frei? (Ist dare tish fry?). It is fairly common to share tables, especially at casual establishments and beer gardens.
Can I please reserve a table? - Kann ich einen Tisch reservieren, bitte?
Plate - Teller (TELL-er)
Fork - Gabel (Gob-al)
Knife - Messer (MESS-er)
Spoon - Löffel (Luh-fill)
Napkin - Serviette (Serve-iet)
Glass - Glas (Glass)

Beer - Bier (be-ear)
Another, please - Noch eins, bitte (Nach einz, BITT-uh)
Ice cubes - Eiswürfel (Ice-werf-al). Although good luck getting them! Ice is not commonly served or even available. Beware that the German word for ice cream, "eis", also soundsdeceptively similar.
Enjoy your meal! - Guten Appetit! (gootn Appetit!)
Cheers - Prost (PRO-st)
Thank you - Danke (DAHN-kuh)
I didn’t order that! - Das habe ich nicht bestellt! (Dus HU-buh ish nisht buh-STELT)
Did you like the food? - Hat es Ihnen geschmeckt? (hât ês ee-nen ge-shmêkt). Hopefully, you can respond with a cheerful "Lecker !" (delicious).

The check, please! – Die Rechnung, bitte (dee RECH-nung, BITT-uh)
Keep the change - Das Stimmt (Das Schtemt)
Tip - Trinkgeld or “drinking money” (tRINK-geld)
To take away, please. - Zum mitnehmen, bitte. It is uncommon to bring home leftovers, but you can often order a meal to take-away.

Ordering in German (2024)

Etiquette Rules when Dining Out in Germany

English-German Dining Phrasebook

FAQs

How do you politely order in German? ›

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