German for Food Preferences: Say 'No Onions, Please' and 'Extra Sauce'
Learn to order food in German with preferences like 'ohne Zwiebeln, bitte' and 'extra Soße'. Master polite requests for customizing dishes.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When ordering food in German, you may want to customize your dish according to your preferences, not dietary restrictions. This lesson teaches you how to say 'No onions, please' and 'Extra sauce' in German. You'll learn key phrases and patterns to express what you want or don't want in your meal, ensuring you get exactly what you like.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a dish without a specific ingredient, like onions.
- request extra sauce or another condiment.
- politely modify my order in a restaurant or at a food stand.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.
No onions, please.
OH-nuh TSVEE-buhln, BIT-tuh
Use this phrase when you want to exclude onions from your dish. It's polite and direct.
Mit extra Soße, bitte.
With extra sauce, please.
mit EKS-trah ZOH-suh, BIT-tuh
Use this to ask for additional sauce. You can replace 'Soße' with other condiments like 'Ketchup' or 'Mayo'.
Kann ich das ohne Zwiebeln haben?
Can I have that without onions?
kahn ikh dahs OH-nuh TSVEE-buhln HAH-buhn?
A more complete question form, useful if you want to be explicit. 'Das' refers to the dish you're pointing at or have ordered.
Bitte ohne Knoblauch.
Without garlic, please.
BIT-tuh OH-nuh K'NOHP-lowkh
Replace 'Knoblauch' with other ingredients you dislike, e.g., 'ohne Käse' (without cheese).
Einmal mit alles, aber ohne Zwiebeln.
One with everything, but without onions.
INE-mahl mit AHL-luhs, AH-ber OH-nuh TSVEE-buhln
Common at döner or burger stands. 'Mit alles' means with all toppings; then specify what to omit.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express preferences, use 'ohne' + [ingredient] for exclusions and 'mit extra' + [ingredient] for additions. For example: 'ohne Zwiebeln' (without onions), 'mit extra Soße' (with extra sauce). Add 'bitte' for politeness. You can also use full sentences: 'Ich möchte das ohne Zwiebeln.' (I would like that without onions.) or 'Kann ich extra Soße bekommen?' (Can I get extra sauce?)
When to use it
Use these phrases when ordering at restaurants, Imbissbuden (snack stands), or when customizing a dish. They are suitable for both formal and informal settings. For example, at a döner stand: 'Einmal Döner ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.' At a restaurant: 'Ich hätte gerne die Pasta ohne Käse.' (I would like the pasta without cheese.) If you want extra sauce, say: 'Mit extra Soße, bitte.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, was möchten Sie bestellen?
Good day, what would you like to order?GOO-tuhn TAHK, vahs MURKH-tuhn zee buh-SHTEL-uhn?Ich hätte gerne einen Döner ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.
I would like a döner without onions, please.ikh HET-tuh GUR-nuh INE-uhn DUR-ner OH-nuh TSVEE-buhln, BIT-tuhMöchten Sie auch extra Soße?
Would you like extra sauce as well?MURKH-tuhn zee owkh EKS-trah ZOH-suh?Ja, gerne mit extra Soße. Danke!
Yes, with extra sauce, please. Thanks!yah, GUR-nuh mit EKS-trah ZOH-suh. DAHNG-kuh!A little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it's common to customize orders, especially at casual eateries. Politeness is key: always add 'bitte'. In Austria and parts of Switzerland, 'Soße' is often called 'Sauce' (pronounced similar to English) or 'Tunke' in some regions. At traditional restaurants, modifications are usually accommodated, but it's polite to ask.
One thing to watch for
Using 'kein' instead of 'ohne' to mean 'without'. For example, saying 'Keine Zwiebeln, bitte' to mean 'No onions, please'.
Try this instead: 'Kein' means 'no' as in 'not any', but when specifying an ingredient to exclude, use 'ohne' (without). Say 'Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.' 'Keine Zwiebeln' would mean 'no onions' as in 'there are no onions', which is not what you want when ordering.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'No onions, please' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.
This is the standard phrase. You could also say 'Bitte ohne Zwiebeln.' Both are correct.
2How would you ask for extra sauce?
Show a sample answer
Mit extra Soße, bitte.
This is the most common way. Alternatively, 'Extra Soße, bitte.' works too.
3What is the difference between 'ohne' and 'kein' when ordering?
Show a sample answer
'Ohne' means 'without' and is used to exclude an ingredient. 'Kein' means 'no' and is used to negate a noun, e.g., 'Ich habe keine Zwiebeln.' (I have no onions.) When ordering, use 'ohne'.
'Ohne' directly modifies the dish, while 'kein' is a negative article. For requests, 'ohne' is correct.
Remember: 'ohne' for exclusions, 'mit extra' for additions, and always add 'bitte' for politeness. Practice these phrases to get your meal just the way you like it.
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