German for Beginners: Choosing Between Two Foods with 'Ich nehme' and 'Ich bevorzuge'
Learn to decide between two foods in German using 'Ich nehme' (I'll have) and 'Ich bevorzuge' (I prefer), with a practical dialogue and common-mistake tips.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're choosing between two foods in German, you often need to express a decision or a preference. This lesson teaches two key patterns: 'Ich nehme ...' (I'll have ...) for a direct choice, and 'Ich bevorzuge ...' (I prefer ...) for stating a preference. You'll practice comparing two options and responding naturally in a café or restaurant setting. We'll focus on the accusative case after these verbs, so you can swap in different foods confidently.
By the end, you can…
- choose between two foods using 'Ich nehme ...' and 'Ich bevorzuge ...'.
- ask someone which of two foods they prefer using 'Was nimmst du?' or 'Was bevorzugst du?'.
- use the accusative case correctly with these verbs.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich nehme die Suppe.
I'll have the soup.
ikh NAY-muh dee ZUP-uh
Use 'Ich nehme' when making a direct choice, like ordering in a restaurant. 'Die Suppe' is feminine, so the article stays 'die' in the accusative.
Ich bevorzuge den Salat.
I prefer the salad.
ikh buh-FOR-tsoo-guh den zah-LAHT
'Ich bevorzuge' expresses a preference. 'Der Salat' is masculine; in the accusative, 'der' changes to 'den'.
Was nimmst du?
What will you have?
vas NIMST doo
Informal question to ask someone's choice. Use 'Was nehmen Sie?' for formal.
Was bevorzugst du?
What do you prefer?
vas buh-FOR-tsookst doo
Ask about a preference between options. Formal: 'Was bevorzugen Sie?'
Ich nehme lieber den Kuchen.
I'd rather have the cake.
ikh NAY-muh LEE-ber den KOO-khen
'Lieber' softens a choice, meaning 'rather'. It's common in casual decisions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Both 'Ich nehme' and 'Ich bevorzuge' are followed by the accusative case. For masculine nouns, the article changes from 'der' to 'den': 'Ich nehme den Salat.' For feminine and neuter nouns, the article stays the same: 'Ich nehme die Suppe' (feminine), 'Ich nehme das Brot' (neuter). Plural nouns also use 'die': 'Ich nehme die Nudeln.' To ask a question, invert the verb: 'Nimmst du den Salat?' or 'Bevorzugst du die Suppe?'
When to use it
Use 'Ich nehme' when you are making a decision or ordering, often in response to a question like 'Was möchten Sie?' (What would you like?). Use 'Ich bevorzuge' when you are comparing two things and stating a preference, for example, 'Ich bevorzuge Fisch, aber ich nehme heute das Fleisch.' (I prefer fish, but today I'll have the meat.) In casual settings, 'Ich nehme lieber' is very common to express a mild preference: 'Ich nehme lieber den Apfel.'
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-ten tahk! vas MERKH-ten zee buh-SHTEL-en?Ich nehme die Suppe. Und du, was nimmst du?
I'll have the soup. And you, what will you have?ikh NAY-muh dee ZUP-uh. unt doo, vas NIMST doo?Ich bevorzuge den Salat, aber ich nehme lieber die Suppe.
I prefer the salad, but I'd rather have the soup.ikh buh-FOR-tsoo-guh den zah-LAHT, AH-ber ikh NAY-muh LEE-ber dee ZUP-uhGute Wahl! Ich nehme auch lieber die Suppe.
Good choice! I'd also rather have the soup.GOO-tuh vahl! ikh NAY-muh owkh LEE-ber dee ZUP-uhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, when ordering in a restaurant, it's common to use 'Ich nehme' or 'Ich möchte' rather than 'Ich will' (I want), which can sound demanding. 'Ich bevorzuge' is more formal and often used in writing or when comparing options politely. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Ich nehme' is also standard, but you might hear 'Ich hätt' gern' (I would like) in casual speech. Always use 'Sie' with strangers unless invited to use 'du'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will' to mean 'I'll have' when ordering.
Try this instead: 'Ich will' sounds like 'I want' and can be rude. Use 'Ich nehme' or 'Ich möchte' instead. For example, say 'Ich nehme den Salat' not 'Ich will den Salat'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I'll have the bread' in German? (das Brot)
Show a sample answer
Ich nehme das Brot.
'Ich nehme' is the correct verb for ordering. 'Das Brot' is neuter, so the article remains 'das' in the accusative. 'Ich möchte das Brot' is also correct.
2Translate: 'I prefer the apple.' (der Apfel)
Show a sample answer
Ich bevorzuge den Apfel.
'Bevorzugen' takes the accusative, and 'der Apfel' becomes 'den Apfel'. 'Ich mag den Apfel lieber' is another way to express preference.
3Ask a friend informally: 'What do you prefer?'
Show a sample answer
Was bevorzugst du?
This is the informal second-person singular form. For formal, use 'Was bevorzugen Sie?'. 'Was nimmst du?' asks about a choice, not a preference.
Use 'Ich nehme' for direct choices and 'Ich bevorzuge' for preferences. Remember the accusative: 'den' for masculine, 'die' for feminine/plural, 'das' for neuter.
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