German for the Bakery: How to Ask for the Heel of the Bread (Brotende)
Learn to ask for the end piece of a loaf in German bakeries using Brotende, Anschnitt, and Kruste. Includes polite phrases and a dialogue.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In a German bakery, if you want the end slice of a loaf—the one with the most crust—you need the right words. The heel is called das Brotende or der Anschnitt. This lesson teaches you how to ask for it casually and politely, using the pattern 'Ich hätte gerne ...' and related phrases. You'll also learn to talk about the crust (die Kruste) and understand regional differences. By the end, you'll be able to walk into a Bäckerei and confidently request the end piece, whether you want it sliced or whole.
By the end, you can…
- ask for the heel of the bread using 'Brotende' or 'Anschnitt'.
- use 'Ich hätte gerne ...' to make a polite request in a bakery.
- understand and respond to a baker's questions about slicing or quantity.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich hätte gerne das Brotende.
I would like the heel of the bread.
ikh HET-uh GAYR-nuh das BROH-ten-duh
Polite and casual. Use 'hätte gerne' for any request in a bakery or shop.
Haben Sie noch den Anschnitt?
Do you still have the end piece?
HAH-ben zee nokh dane AHN-shnit
Asks if the end piece is available. 'Anschnitt' often refers to the first cut slice.
Kann ich bitte das Brotende haben?
Can I please have the heel of the bread?
kahn ikh BIT-tuh das BROH-ten-duh HAH-ben
A direct but polite question. 'Bitte' softens the request.
Ist das Brotende noch da?
Is the heel of the bread still there?
ist das BROH-ten-duh nokh dah
Casual way to check availability. 'Noch da' means 'still there'.
Ich möchte bitte den Anschnitt, wenn er noch da ist.
I would like the end piece, please, if it's still there.
ikh MURKH-tuh BIT-tuh dane AHN-shnit, ven air nokh dah ist
A bit more formal. 'Möchte' is also polite. Use 'wenn er noch da ist' to be considerate.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The phrase 'Ich hätte gerne ...' is the standard polite way to ask for something in a shop or bakery. It literally means 'I would have gladly ...' but translates as 'I would like ...'. You can use it with any item: 'Ich hätte gerne das Brotende.' (I would like the heel.) 'Ich hätte gerne den Anschnitt.' (I would like the end piece.) 'Ich hätte gerne ein Brot.' (I would like a loaf of bread.) For a more casual tone, you can also say 'Ich möchte ...' or simply 'Das Brotende, bitte.' (The heel, please.) The verb 'hätte' is a subjunctive form, but you don't need to worry about grammar—just learn it as a fixed phrase.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a bakery counter and want the end slice of a loaf. In Germany, the end piece is often considered a special treat because of its high crust content. If you don't see it displayed, it's fine to ask. For example, if you want it sliced, you can add: 'Können Sie es mir bitte aufschneiden?' (Can you slice it for me, please?) If you want the whole end piece, just say 'das Brotende' or 'den Anschnitt'. Note that 'Anschnitt' can also mean the first slice you cut from a loaf at home, but in a bakery it usually means the end piece. In some regions, especially in the south, you might hear 'Kipf' or 'Scherzl' for the end piece, but 'Brotende' is understood everywhere.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag! Ich hätte gerne das Brotende.
Good day! I would like the heel of the bread.GOO-ten tahk! ikh HET-uh GAYR-nuh das BROH-ten-duhDas Brotende? Ja, das haben wir noch. Möchten Sie es ganz oder aufgeschnitten?
The heel? Yes, we still have it. Would you like it whole or sliced?das BROH-ten-duh? yah, das HAH-ben veer nokh. MURKH-ten zee es gants oh-der OWF-guh-shnit-en?Aufgeschnitten, bitte. Und ist die Kruste sehr hart?
Sliced, please. And is the crust very hard?OWF-guh-shnit-en, BIT-tuh. unt ist dee KROOS-tuh zair hart?Ein bisschen, aber sie schmeckt gut. Das macht zwei Euro fünfzig.
A little, but it tastes good. That's two euros fifty.ine BIS-khen, AH-ber zee shmekt goot. das makht tsvey OY-roh FOONF-tsikh.A little context goes a long way
In German bakeries, the end piece is often sold at the same price as regular slices, but it's not always displayed. Asking for it is perfectly normal. The word 'Anschnitt' is more common in some regions, while 'Brotende' is universally understood. If you want to be extra polite, use 'Ich hätte gerne' instead of 'Ich will' (I want), which can sound rude. Also, bakers may ask if you want it sliced ('aufgeschnitten') or whole ('ganz').
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will das Brotende' to mean 'I want the heel'.
Try this instead: 'Ich will' sounds demanding. Use 'Ich hätte gerne das Brotende' or 'Ich möchte das Brotende, bitte' instead. For example: 'Ich hätte gerne das Brotende, bitte.' This is polite and appropriate for a bakery.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask for the heel of the bread in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich hätte gerne das Brotende.
This uses the polite 'hätte gerne' pattern. You could also say 'Ich möchte das Brotende, bitte' or 'Kann ich bitte das Brotende haben?'
2What is another word for the end piece of bread?
Show a sample answer
Der Anschnitt.
'Anschnitt' is a common synonym for 'Brotende' in bakeries. Both are correct, though 'Brotende' is more widely understood.
3How would you ask if the end piece is still available?
Show a sample answer
Haben Sie noch den Anschnitt?
This question uses 'noch' (still) and 'den Anschnitt' (the end piece). You could also ask 'Ist das Brotende noch da?'
To ask for the heel of the bread in a German bakery, say 'Ich hätte gerne das Brotende' or 'Haben Sie noch den Anschnitt?' Use 'bitte' to be polite, and don't be afraid to ask—it's a normal request.
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