German for Repair Workshops: Asking About Spare Parts and Ordering Them
Learn to ask for spare parts in German, specify the model, and request that a part be ordered. Includes polite patterns, a repair-shop dialogue, and cultural tips for Germany.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you bring a flea-market find to a German repair workshop, you need precise, polite language to ask about spare parts. This lesson teaches you to say 'Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?' and 'Können Sie das bestellen?' You will also learn to name the exact part, describe the problem, and ask about alternatives. The focus is on spoken, everyday German used in repair shops and repair cafés, where staff expect clear, specific questions. By the end, you will be able to handle the first conversation at the counter without switching to English.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a repair shop has spare parts for a specific model.
- request that a part be ordered and ask how long it might take.
- name common spare parts and describe what is broken.
- respond politely when a part is not available and ask for alternatives.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?
Do you have spare parts for this model?
HAH-ben zee air-ZATS-ty-leh fuer DEE-zes mo-DELL
Standard polite question. Use 'dieses Modell' when pointing at the item or its label. For a specific part, say 'Haben Sie ein Ersatzteil für dieses Modell?'
Können Sie das bestellen?
Can you order it?
KUR-nen zee das beh-SHTEL-len
Use after you have identified the part. 'Das' refers to the part already mentioned. For a plural, use 'die' or 'die Teile': 'Können Sie die bestellen?'
Ich brauche einen neuen Keilriemen.
I need a new V-belt.
ikh BROW-kheh EYE-nen NOY-en KYL-ree-men
Replace 'Keilriemen' with the part you need. Note the accusative masculine 'einen neuen'. Common parts: 'Schlauch' (hose), 'Bremse' (brake), 'Zahnrad' (gear).
Das ist ein Verschleißteil.
That is a wear part.
das ist ine fer-SHLYSS-tyl
Useful when explaining why you need a replacement. 'Verschleißteil' is a standard term for parts that wear out, such as belts, pads, or seals.
Können Sie mir sagen, was das kostet?
Can you tell me what that costs?
KUR-nen zee meer ZAH-gen vas das KOS-tet
Polite way to ask about price without demanding a quote. The shop may give an estimate, but this lesson does not guarantee prices or policies.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Haben Sie ... für dieses Modell?' This lets you ask about any part without naming it first. For example: 'Haben Sie einen Akku für dieses Modell?' (Do you have a battery for this model?) or 'Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?' If you know the part, use the accusative: 'Haben Sie einen neuen Riemen?' Note that 'Ersatzteile' is plural; for one part, say 'ein Ersatzteil'. To ask about ordering, use 'Können Sie das bestellen?' The pronoun 'das' refers to the part you just discussed. If you need to be more specific, say 'Können Sie das Ersatzteil bestellen?'
When to use it
Use these questions at the counter or when a technician inspects your item. Start with a greeting: 'Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage.' Then state the problem: 'Bei meiner Bohrmaschine ist der Schalter kaputt.' After that, ask about the part: 'Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?' If the shop does not have it, ask: 'Können Sie das bestellen?' and then 'Wie lange dauert das ungefähr?' (About how long does that take?). In a repair café, where volunteers help, you might say 'Können wir das zusammen anschauen?' (Can we look at it together?). Always keep the tone polite and patient; 'Sie' is standard with staff you do not know.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage. Bei meiner Bohrmaschine ist der Schalter kaputt. Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?
Good day, I have a question. The switch on my drill is broken. Do you have spare parts for this model?GOO-ten TAHK, ikh HAH-beh EYE-neh FRAH-geh. bye MY-ner BOHR-mah-shee-neh ist dair SHAL-ter kah-POOT. HAH-ben zee air-ZATS-ty-leh fuer DEE-zes mo-DELLZeigen Sie mir bitte das Modell. Ich schaue nach, ob wir das Teil haben.
Please show me the model. I will check whether we have the part.TSY-gen zee meer BIT-teh das mo-DELL. ikh SHOU-eh nakh, op veer das tyl HAH-benHier ist es. Können Sie das bestellen, wenn Sie es nicht da haben?
Here it is. Can you order it if you do not have it?heer ist es. KUR-nen zee das beh-SHTEL-len, ven zee es nikht dah HAH-benJa, das kann ich bestellen. Das dauert normalerweise ein paar Tage. Ich rufe Sie an, wenn es da ist.
Yes, I can order that. It usually takes a few days. I will call you when it is in.yah, das kan ikh beh-SHTEL-len. das DOW-ert nor-MAH-ler-vy-zeh ine pahr TAH-geh. ikh ROO-feh zee an, ven es dah istA little context goes a long way
In Germany, repair cafés are popular community spaces where volunteers help fix items, often for free or for a small donation. In a commercial workshop, staff may be more formal and may ask for the exact model number. Always use 'Sie' with staff unless they offer 'du'. It is normal to ask about ordering and waiting times, but do not assume a fixed price or guarantee; ask 'Was würde das ungefähr kosten?' if you need an estimate.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Hast du Ersatzteile?' with a shop employee you do not know.
Try this instead: Use the polite 'Sie' form: 'Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?' The 'du' form is only for friends, family, or when the other person explicitly offers it. In a workshop, 'Sie' is the safe default.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a repair shop whether they have spare parts for a specific model?
Show a sample answer
Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?
This is the standard polite question. You could also say 'Haben Sie ein Ersatzteil für dieses Modell?' for a single part. Both are correct; the plural 'Ersatzteile' is more general.
2You need a new V-belt. Ask for it using the accusative case.
Show a sample answer
Ich brauche einen neuen Keilriemen.
The verb 'brauchen' takes the accusative. 'Keilriemen' is masculine, so 'einen neuen' is correct. If you need a different part, adjust the article and adjective ending accordingly.
3The shop does not have the part. Ask politely if they can order it.
Show a sample answer
Können Sie das bestellen?
This uses 'das' to refer to the part already mentioned. You could also say 'Können Sie das Ersatzteil bestellen?' for clarity. Both are polite and natural.
At a German repair workshop, start with 'Haben Sie Ersatzteile für dieses Modell?' and follow up with 'Können Sie das bestellen?' if needed. Keep your tone polite with 'Sie', name the part precisely, and ask about waiting time without assuming a price or guarantee.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s German into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr