German for accepting an invitation: say "I'd love to come" and ask what to bring
Learn to accept a German invitation warmly with "Ich komme sehr gern" and ask what to bring using "Was soll ich mitbringen?" Includes polite and casual variants.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When someone invites you in German, accepting warmly is a specific skill. This lesson teaches you to say "I'd love to come" with "Ich komme sehr gern" and to ask what to bring with "Was soll ich mitbringen?" You will also learn a slightly more formal variant and a casual variant so you can respond naturally to friends, neighbors, or colleagues. The focus is on a positive reply, not on declining.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation warmly in German.
- ask what I should bring to an event.
- choose between a polite and a casual way to accept.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich komme sehr gern.
I'd love to come.
ikh KOM-muh zair gern
Standard warm acceptance. Use with friends, family, and most informal invitations.
Ich komme gerne.
I'd be happy to come. / I'll gladly come.
ikh KOM-muh GER-nuh
Slightly less emphatic than "sehr gern," but still positive and natural.
Was soll ich mitbringen?
What should I bring?
vas zol ikh MIT-bring-en
The most common way to ask what to bring. Works for dinners, parties, and casual gatherings.
Soll ich etwas mitbringen?
Should I bring something?
zol ikh ET-vas MIT-bring-en
A softer yes/no question. Useful when you are not sure whether the host expects anything.
Ich würde sehr gern kommen.
I would love to come.
ikh VUER-duh zair gern KOM-men
Polite and slightly more formal. Good for colleagues, acquaintances, or a written reply.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept, use a form of "kommen" plus "gern." "Ich komme gern" means "I'll gladly come." Adding "sehr" makes it warmer: "Ich komme sehr gern." For a more polite or written tone, use "Ich würde sehr gern kommen." The verb "würde" plus the infinitive "kommen" is a common polite form. To ask about bringing something, use "Was soll ich mitbringen?" or "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?" The separable verb "mitbringen" means "to bring along." In a main clause, the prefix "mit" goes to the end: "Ich bringe einen Salat mit."
When to use it
Use "Ich komme sehr gern" with friends, neighbors, and family. Use "Ich würde sehr gern kommen" with colleagues, a boss, or someone you do not know well. If the invitation is for a meal, asking "Was soll ich mitbringen?" is normal and helpful. If the host says "Nichts, danke," you can still offer: "Ich bringe gern etwas mit." In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear "Ich komme gerne" with the same meaning; "gerne" and "gern" are both standard.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ich mache am Samstag ein Essen. Kommst du?
I'm making a dinner on Saturday. Are you coming?ikh MA-khuh am ZAM-stahk ain ES-sen. KOMST dooJa, ich komme sehr gern. Was soll ich mitbringen?
Yes, I'd love to come. What should I bring?yah, ikh KOM-muh zair gern. vas zol ikh MIT-bring-enBring bitte einen Salat mit.
Please bring a salad.bring BIT-tuh AI-nen zah-LAHT mitMache ich gern. Bis Samstag!
I'll gladly do that. See you Saturday!MA-khuh ikh gern. bis ZAM-stahkA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, hosts often say what to bring if you ask, but "Nichts, danke" is also common. A small contribution such as a drink, dessert, or flowers is usually welcome. For a formal invitation, a written reply with "Ich würde sehr gern kommen" is appropriate.
One thing to watch for
Saying "Ich will kommen" to mean "I'd love to come."
Try this instead: "Ich will kommen" sounds like "I want to come" and can seem blunt or demanding. Use "Ich komme sehr gern" or "Ich würde sehr gern kommen" instead. Example: "Ich komme sehr gern am Samstag."
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say "I'd love to come" in a warm, informal way?
Show a sample answer
Ich komme sehr gern.
This uses "kommen" plus "sehr gern" and is the standard warm acceptance. "Ich komme gerne" is also correct and slightly less emphatic.
2Ask your host what you should bring.
Show a sample answer
Was soll ich mitbringen?
This is the most common question for this situation. "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?" is also correct and softer.
3Make the acceptance more polite for a colleague.
Show a sample answer
Ich würde sehr gern kommen.
The "würde" plus infinitive form is polite and works well in formal or written contexts. "Ich komme sehr gern" is also acceptable if the relationship is friendly.
Accept with "Ich komme sehr gern" or, more politely, "Ich würde sehr gern kommen," then ask "Was soll ich mitbringen?" to offer help.
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