German for Offering to Bring Something: "Was kann ich mitbringen?"
Learn to ask what you can bring, offer to bring dessert, and respond politely when you are invited to a German-speaking home.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you are invited to someone's home in a German-speaking country, it is common and polite to ask what you can contribute. This lesson teaches you to ask "Was kann ich mitbringen?" (What can I bring?), to offer a specific item such as dessert, and to understand common replies. You will also learn how to react when the host says you do not need to bring anything.
By the end, you can…
- ask what I should bring to a gathering.
- offer to bring a specific item such as dessert or drinks.
- understand and respond politely to a host's answer.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Was kann ich mitbringen?
What can I bring?
vahs kahn ikh MIT-bring-en
Standard polite question for any invitation. Use it after accepting the invitation.
Soll ich etwas zum Nachtisch mitbringen?
Should I bring something for dessert?
zol ikh ET-vahs tsum NAHK-tish MIT-bring-en
A specific offer. "Nachtisch" is the standard German word for dessert.
Ich bringe gern einen Kuchen mit.
I'd be happy to bring a cake.
ikh BRING-e gern AY-nen KOO-khen mit
Use "gern" to sound willing and friendly. The separable verb is "mitbringen"; "mit" goes at the end.
Muss ich etwas mitbringen?
Do I need to bring anything?
moos ikh ET-vahs MIT-bring-en
A direct but polite question. "Muss" asks about obligation, not just possibility.
Das ist lieb, aber du musst nichts mitbringen.
That's kind, but you don't need to bring anything.
dahs ist leep, AH-ber doo moost nikhts MIT-bring-en
A common host reply. "Du" is informal; use "Sie" with strangers or older people.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key verb is "mitbringen" (to bring along). It is separable: in a simple statement, the prefix "mit" moves to the end. Compare "Ich bringe einen Salat mit" (I'll bring a salad) and the question "Was bringst du mit?" (What are you bringing?). With a modal verb such as "kann" or "soll," the infinitive stays together at the end: "Was kann ich mitbringen?" and "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?" This pattern lets you ask about your contribution without sounding demanding.
When to use it
Use "Was kann ich mitbringen?" after you have accepted an invitation, usually a day or two before the event. If you already have an idea, make a specific offer: "Soll ich einen Nachtisch mitbringen?" or "Ich kann gern etwas zu trinken mitbringen." If the host says "Du musst nichts mitbringen," you can still reply "Ich bringe gern etwas Kleines mit" (I'd be happy to bring something small). In Austria and parts of southern Germany, "Nachtisch" is common, but you may also hear "Nachspeise" or "Dessert." In Switzerland, "Dessert" is widely used.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hallo, ich freue mich schon auf Samstag. Was kann ich mitbringen?
Hello, I'm already looking forward to Saturday. What can I bring?hah-LOH, ikh FROY-e mikh shon ouf ZAHMS-tahk. vahs kahn ikh MIT-bring-enDas ist lieb! Bring einfach etwas zum Nachtisch mit, wenn du möchtest.
That's kind! Just bring something for dessert if you'd like.dahs ist leep! bring AYN-fakh ET-vahs tsum NAHK-tish mit, ven doo MERKH-testSoll ich einen Kuchen backen oder lieber etwas kaufen?
Should I bake a cake or rather buy something?zol ikh AY-nen KOO-khen BAHK-en OH-der LEE-ber ET-vahs KOUF-enEin Kuchen wäre super. Aber nur, wenn es dir keine Umstände macht.
A cake would be great. But only if it's not any trouble for you.ine KOO-khen VEH-re ZOO-per. AH-ber noor, ven es deer KINE UM-shten-de mahktA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking homes, bringing something small is appreciated, but hosts often say nothing is needed. A bottle of wine, flowers, or a dessert is common. If you bring flowers, unwrap them before handing them over, and avoid red roses for casual visits because they can suggest romance. In formal situations, use "Sie": "Was kann ich mitbringen?" works for both, but "Können Sie etwas gebrauchen?" is more formal.
One thing to watch for
Saying "Ich bringe mit einen Kuchen" by putting the separable prefix in the wrong place.
Try this instead: In a simple statement, "mit" goes at the end: "Ich bringe einen Kuchen mit." With a modal verb, keep the infinitive together: "Ich kann einen Kuchen mitbringen." The form "Ich bringe mit einen Kuchen" is not standard German.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a host informally what you can bring?
Show a sample answer
Was kann ich mitbringen?
This is the standard polite question and works in both informal and formal contexts. You could also ask "Soll ich etwas mitbringen?" if you want to sound more specific.
2Turn this into a polite offer: "I can bring a salad."
Show a sample answer
Ich kann einen Salat mitbringen.
The modal verb "kann" sends the infinitive "mitbringen" to the end. "Ich bringe einen Salat mit" is also correct without a modal verb.
3Your host says "Du musst nichts mitbringen." What is a friendly reply?
Show a sample answer
Ich bringe gern etwas Kleines mit.
This accepts the host's statement while still offering something small. "Ich bringe trotzdem etwas mit" (I'll bring something anyway) is also possible but can sound more insistent.
Ask "Was kann ich mitbringen?" to offer your contribution, and remember that "mit" goes to the end of a simple sentence or stays with the infinitive after a modal verb.
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