German for Discounts: How to Ask for Student or Senior Reductions
Learn to ask for student or senior discounts in German, understand eligibility, and use the right phrases for price reductions.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In German-speaking countries, many businesses offer discounts for students and seniors, but you often need to ask. This lesson teaches you how to ask for a student or senior discount, understand the response, and clarify eligibility. You'll learn key phrases like 'Gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?' and 'Gibt es einen Seniorenrabatt?', and how to respond when asked for identification. We'll focus on standard German used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with notes on regional variations where relevant.
By the end, you can…
- ask if a student discount is available.
- ask if a senior discount is available.
- understand and respond to questions about eligibility.
- use the correct terms for discounts and identification.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?
Is there a student discount?
GEEPT es AY-nen shtoo-DEN-ten-rah-BAT
Use this in shops, museums, or cinemas. 'Studentenrabatt' is masculine because 'Rabatt' is masculine.
Gibt es einen Seniorenrabatt?
Is there a senior discount?
GEEPT es AY-nen zay-NYOH-ren-rah-BAT
Use for discounts for older people. 'Senioren' is the plural of 'Senior'.
Ich bin Student/Studentin.
I am a student.
ikh bin shtoo-DENT / shtoo-DEN-tin
Use 'Student' if you are male, 'Studentin' if you are female. This clarifies eligibility.
Ich bin über 65.
I am over 65.
ikh bin EE-ber FOONF-unt-zekh-tsikh
State your age to qualify for a senior discount. Some places use 60 or 65 as the threshold.
Haben Sie einen Studentenausweis?
Do you have a student ID?
HAH-ben zee AY-nen shtoo-DEN-ten-ous-vice
The staff may ask this. 'Studentenausweis' is masculine. Be ready to show your ID.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if a discount exists, use 'Gibt es einen ...?' followed by the type of discount. 'Rabatt' is masculine, so the accusative form is 'einen Rabatt'. For example: 'Gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?' (Is there a student discount?) or 'Gibt es einen Seniorenrabatt?' (Is there a senior discount?). You can also ask 'Gibt es einen Rabatt für Studenten?' (Is there a discount for students?) using 'für' + accusative. The word order is flexible: 'Gibt es für Studenten einen Rabatt?' is also correct.
When to use it
Use these phrases at ticket counters, museums, cinemas, theaters, and some retail stores. Student discounts are common with a valid student ID; senior discounts often start at 60 or 65. In Austria and Switzerland, the same phrases work, but a student ID may be called 'Studentenausweis' or, in Swiss German, 'Legi'. Always ask politely: 'Entschuldigung, gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?' (Excuse me, is there a student discount?). If you're not sure about eligibility, ask 'Ab welchem Alter gibt es den Seniorenrabatt?' (From what age is the senior discount?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?
Excuse me, is there a student discount?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, GEEPT es AY-nen shtoo-DEN-ten-rah-BATJa, mit einem gültigen Studentenausweis. Haben Sie einen?
Yes, with a valid student ID. Do you have one?yah, mit AY-nem GÜL-tee-gen shtoo-DEN-ten-ous-vice. HAH-ben zee AY-nen?Ja, hier bitte. Wie viel kostet es dann?
Yes, here you go. How much does it cost then?yah, heer BIT-te. vee feel KOS-tet es dan?Dann kostet es 8 Euro statt 12 Euro.
Then it costs 8 euros instead of 12 euros.dan KOS-tet es akht OY-ro shtat tsvölf OY-roA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, discounts are often not advertised; you need to ask. Politeness matters: start with 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me). In formal situations, use 'Sie'; with young staff, 'du' might be acceptable, but 'Sie' is safer. Student discounts usually require a valid student ID, and senior discounts may require proof of age. In Switzerland, the term 'Legi' (from 'Legitimation') is commonly used for student ID.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich habe ein Student' instead of 'Ich bin Student'.
Try this instead: 'Ich habe ein Student' means 'I have a student', which is wrong. To say you are a student, use 'Ich bin Student' (male) or 'Ich bin Studentin' (female). For example: 'Ich bin Studentin, gibt es einen Rabatt?' (I am a student, is there a discount?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a senior discount?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Gibt es einen Seniorenrabatt?
This is the standard phrase. 'Seniorenrabatt' is masculine, so 'einen' is used. You could also ask 'Gibt es einen Rabatt für Senioren?' which is equally correct.
2What might a cashier ask you if you request a student discount?
Show a sample answer
Haben Sie einen Studentenausweis?
They are asking if you have a student ID. You can respond 'Ja, hier bitte' (Yes, here you go) and show it. If you don't have one, say 'Nein, leider nicht' (No, unfortunately not).
3How do you say 'I am over 65' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich bin über 65.
This states your age to qualify for a senior discount. You can also say 'Ich bin über 65 Jahre alt.' The number is pronounced 'fünfundsechzig'.
To get a discount in German-speaking countries, politely ask 'Gibt es einen Studentenrabatt?' or 'Gibt es einen Seniorenrabatt?' and be ready to show your student ID or proof of age. Always use 'Sie' in formal contexts.
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