German for Live Cooking Instruction: Guiding Someone Through a Dish Step by Step
Learn to give real-time cooking instructions in German using imperative forms, sequencing words, and polite checks. Ideal for intermediate learners who want to cook together in German.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you cook with someone in German, you don’t just read a recipe aloud—you guide them through each action as it happens. This lesson teaches you the essential phrases for live instruction: telling someone to chop, stir, or wait, checking if they’ve finished, and warning them about heat. You’ll practice the informal imperative (du-form), sequencing words like zuerst and dann, and polite alternatives like könntest du. By the end, you’ll be able to run a cooking session entirely in German, from preparation to plating.
By the end, you can…
- give clear step-by-step cooking instructions using the informal imperative.
- sequence actions with words like zuerst, dann, danach, and schließlich.
- check whether someone has completed a step and offer polite alternatives.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Zuerst die Zwiebeln schneiden.
First, chop the onions.
TSOO-airst dee TSVEE-beln SHNY-dun
Use this to start a sequence. 'Zuerst die Zwiebeln schneiden.' is an elliptical instruction (a bare infinitive phrase with no subject), common in recipes and live cooking; it is not an imperative verb form. The full imperative would be 'Schneide die Zwiebeln!' (du) or 'Schneiden Sie die Zwiebeln!' (Sie).
Dann rührst du alles gut um.
Then you stir everything well.
dahn RUERST doo AH-les goot UM
This is a statement used as an instruction. In live cooking, a declarative sentence with 'du' is common and sounds less bossy than a bare imperative.
Pass auf, dass es nicht anbrennt!
Watch out that it doesn't burn!
pahs ouf dahs es nikht AHN-brent
Use this warning when something is on the stove. 'Pass auf' is the informal imperative of 'aufpassen' (to pay attention).
Hast du die Karotten schon geschält?
Have you peeled the carrots yet?
hahst doo dee kah-ROT-en shohn guh-SHAYLT
A yes/no question to check progress. The past participle 'geschält' goes to the end. Use 'schon' to ask if something is done yet.
Könntest du bitte den Herd etwas runterdrehen?
Could you please turn the stove down a bit?
KUERN-test doo BIT-tuh dane HAIRT ET-vahs ROON-ter-dray-en
A polite request using the subjunctive 'könntest'. Use this when you want to soften an instruction, especially with people you don't know well.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For live cooking, the most natural pattern is the informal imperative with 'du'. Regular verbs drop the -en ending and often the 'e' in the stem: 'schneiden' → 'Schneid!' (or 'Schneide!'), 'rühren' → 'Rühr!' (or 'Rühre!'). Separable verbs keep the prefix at the end: 'umrühren' → 'Rühr um!', 'runterdrehen' → 'Dreh runter!'. For a softer tone, use a statement with 'du': 'Du schneidest jetzt die Zwiebeln.' This sounds like a gentle reminder rather than a command. For polite requests, use 'könntest du' + infinitive: 'Könntest du die Zwiebeln schneiden?'
When to use it
Use bare imperatives ('Schneid!', 'Rühr um!') when you are cooking side by side and need quick, clear directions. They are direct but not rude among friends or family. Use statements with 'du' when you want to sound collaborative: 'Jetzt rührst du alles um.' Use 'könntest du' when you are less familiar with the person or in a formal setting, e.g., a cooking class. To check if a step is done, ask 'Hast du schon ...?' with the past participle at the end: 'Hast du schon die Eier geschlagen?' To warn about heat, use 'Pass auf, dass ... nicht anbrennt!'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Zuerst schneidest du die Zwiebeln in kleine Würfel.
First, you cut the onions into small cubes.TSOO-airst SHNY-dest doo dee TSVEE-beln in KLYE-nuh VUER-felOkay, fertig. Was mache ich als Nächstes?
Okay, done. What do I do next?oh-KAY, FAIR-tikh. vahs MAH-khuh ikh ahls NAYS-tesJetzt gibst du die Zwiebeln in die Pfanne und rührst sie um, bis sie glasig sind.
Now you put the onions in the pan and stir them until they are translucent.yetst GEEPST doo dee TSVEE-beln in dee PFAH-nuh unt RUERST zee UM, bis zee GLAH-zikh zintSoll ich schon die Tomaten dazugeben?
Should I add the tomatoes already?zol ikh shohn dee toh-MAH-ten dah-TSOO-gay-benA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, direct imperatives are common in everyday cooking situations and are not considered impolite among friends or family. However, with acquaintances or in a professional cooking class, using 'könntest du' or 'würden Sie' is more appropriate. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear 'Schau, dass ...' instead of 'Pass auf, dass ...' for warnings. In Switzerland, the informal imperative often uses 'du' but with slightly different intonation; the polite form 'Sie' is standard in formal contexts. Always use 'Sie' with strangers unless invited to use 'du'.
One thing to watch for
Using the formal 'Sie' imperative with friends, e.g., 'Schneiden Sie die Zwiebeln!' when cooking with a close friend.
Try this instead: With friends, use the informal 'du' imperative: 'Schneid die Zwiebeln!' or a statement: 'Du schneidest die Zwiebeln.' Reserve 'Schneiden Sie' for formal situations or when you don't know the person well.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you tell a friend to 'stir everything well' using the informal imperative?
Show a sample answer
Rühr alles gut um!
This uses the imperative of 'umrühren' with the separable prefix 'um' at the end. You could also say 'Rühr alles gut durch' or 'Rühre alles gut um'—both are correct.
2What phrase would you use to check if someone has already peeled the potatoes?
Show a sample answer
Hast du die Kartoffeln schon geschält?
This uses the present perfect with 'schon' to ask if the action is completed. The past participle 'geschält' goes to the end. You could also ask 'Sind die Kartoffeln schon geschält?'—both are natural.
3How do you warn someone that the sauce might burn?
Show a sample answer
Pass auf, dass die Soße nicht anbrennt!
This uses 'Pass auf, dass ... nicht anbrennt' to warn about burning. In Austria, you might hear 'Schau, dass die Soße nicht anbrennt!'—both are correct.
In live cooking, use short imperatives for quick directions, statements with 'du' for a collaborative tone, and 'könntest du' for politeness. Always match your formality to the person you're cooking with.
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