German at the Deli Counter: Asking for Sausage Casing to Be Removed
Learn polite German phrases to ask deli staff to remove the casing (Pelle) from sausage (Wurst) using the verb entfernen.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
At a German deli counter, you often buy Wurst by weight, and the casing stays on. If you want it removed, you need a polite, clear request. This lesson teaches you how to ask a staff member to take the Pelle off the Wurst. You will learn the key nouns Wurst, Pelle and the verb entfernen, plus a reusable question pattern. You will also practice a short dialogue and learn when to use these phrases. The focus is on polite requests in a service setting, not on prices or store policies.
By the end, you can…
- ask a deli staff member to remove the casing from a sausage.
- name the sausage and its casing in German.
- use the polite request pattern with können Sie.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen?
Can you remove the casing from the sausage?
KUH-nen zee dee PEL-luh fon dair VOORST ent-FAIR-nen
Polite standard request. Use when you want the casing taken off before the sausage is sliced or packed.
Bitte ohne Pelle.
Without the casing, please.
BIT-tuh OH-nuh PEL-luh
Short and polite. Useful if the staff already know which Wurst you mean.
Könnten Sie die Pelle abmachen?
Could you take the casing off?
KÖNN-ten zee dee PEL-luh AP-makh-en
Slightly more casual but still polite. abmachen is common in everyday speech.
Ich möchte die Wurst ohne Pelle.
I would like the sausage without the casing.
ikh MÖKH-tuh dee VOORST OH-nuh PEL-luh
States your preference clearly. Use when ordering a specific amount.
Ist es möglich, die Pelle zu entfernen?
Is it possible to remove the casing?
ist es MÖG-likh dee PEL-luh tsoo ent-FAIR-nen
Very polite and indirect. Good if you are unsure whether the staff can do it.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is: Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen? Here, können Sie means 'can you' and is followed by the object die Pelle (the casing), then von der Wurst (from the sausage), and finally the infinitive entfernen (remove). The verb entfernen goes at the end. You can swap Wurst for a specific type, for example von der Bratwurst or von der Salami. You can also replace entfernen with abmachen for a more conversational tone: Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst abmachen?
When to use it
Use these phrases at a deli counter when you are buying Wurst and want the casing removed before it is sliced or packed. Start with Können Sie... for polite requests. If the staff are busy, a short Bitte ohne Pelle is enough. Use Ich möchte... when you are stating what you want, for example Ich möchte 200 Gramm Wurst ohne Pelle. Avoid commands like Entfernen Sie die Pelle, which sound abrupt in a service situation.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich hätte gern 200 Gramm von der Wurst.
Hello, I would like 200 grams of the sausage.GOO-ten TAHK, ikh HET-tuh gairn TSOO-hun-dert gram fon dair VOORSTGerne. Soll ich sie so lassen?
Certainly. Should I leave it as it is?GAIR-nuh. zol ikh zee zo LAS-senKönnen Sie bitte die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen?
Can you please remove the casing from the sausage?KUH-nen zee BIT-tuh dee PEL-luh fon dair VOORST ent-FAIR-nenJa, das mache ich. Ein Moment bitte.
Yes, I will do that. One moment, please.yah, das MAKH-uh ikh. ine mo-MENT BIT-tuhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, deli staff are used to specific requests, but politeness matters. Use Sie and bitte. Direct commands can sound rude. If you are unsure whether the casing can be removed, ask Ist es möglich... rather than assuming. Regional words for casing vary: Pelle is widely understood, but you may also hear Haut or Darm for natural casing.
One thing to watch for
Using the English word order: Können Sie entfernen die Pelle von der Wurst?
Try this instead: In German, the infinitive entfernen goes at the end of the clause: Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen? This is the standard word order for modal verbs like können.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask a deli staff member to remove the casing from the sausage?
Show a sample answer
Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen?
This uses the polite Sie form and places the infinitive entfernen at the end. Könnten Sie... is also correct and slightly more polite.
2What is the German word for the casing of a sausage?
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die Pelle
Pelle is the common everyday word. In some regions or for natural casing, Haut or Darm may be used, but Pelle is widely understood.
3How would you say 'I would like the sausage without the casing'?
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Ich möchte die Wurst ohne Pelle.
This states your preference clearly. You can add a quantity, for example Ich möchte 200 Gramm Wurst ohne Pelle.
Use Können Sie die Pelle von der Wurst entfernen? for a polite, clear request at the deli counter. Keep the infinitive at the end and add bitte for extra politeness.
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