German for Catering an Event: Negotiating Business Deals at Intermediate Level
Learn German phrases and patterns for negotiating event catering contracts, from Anfrage to Angebot to Auftragsbestätigung, with register and regional notes.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
This lesson teaches you how to handle a catering enquiry and negotiation in German as a business transaction, not a market haggle. You will learn to ask for a quote, specify guest numbers and dietary needs, discuss per-person prices and minimum order values, request a written offer, and confirm an order. The focus is on standard business German used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with notes where usage differs. You will practise polite but clear forms such as 'Wir würden gerne ein Angebot anfordern' and 'Könnten Sie uns einen Rabatt einräumen?', and you will see how catering contracts often depend on guaranteed guest counts and payment terms rather than quick bargaining.
By the end, you can…
- request a written catering quote for a specific event in German.
- negotiate price, minimum order value and payment terms politely.
- confirm a catering order and clarify delivery, staffing and dietary requirements.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wir möchten für eine Firmenfeier ein Catering anfragen.
We would like to request catering for a company event.
veer MURCH-ten fewr EYE-nuh FIR-men-fy-er ine KAT-uh-ring AN-frah-gen
Standard opening for a business enquiry by email or phone; 'anfragen' is more formal than 'fragen'.
Könnten Sie uns ein schriftliches Angebot zusenden?
Could you send us a written quote?
KURN-ten zee oons ine SHRIFT-li-khes AN-guh-boat TSOO-zen-den
Use 'schriftlich' in business contexts; a verbal price is not binding.
Der Preis pro Person liegt bei 45 Euro, inklusive Service.
The price per person is 45 euros, including service.
dair PRICE pro pair-ZONE leekt bye FÜNF-unt-feer-tsik OY-roh, in-kloo-ZEE-vuh SUR-vis
'pro Person' is standard; 'inklusive' or 'inkl.' is common in offers.
Ab 80 Gästen gewähren wir einen Rabatt von zehn Prozent.
For 80 guests or more, we grant a ten percent discount.
ap ACH-tsik GES-ten guh-VAIR-en veer EYE-nen ra-BAT fon tsayn pro-TSENT
'gewähren' is formal business German; 'ab' plus dative means 'from ... onwards'.
Wir bestätigen den Auftrag unter Vorbehalt der Gästezahl.
We confirm the order subject to the final number of guests.
veer buh-SHTAY-tee-gen dane OWF-trak OON-ter FOR-buh-halt dair GES-te-tsahl
Useful when the guest count may still change; 'unter Vorbehalt' means 'subject to'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For polite business requests, use 'Könnten Sie ...?' or 'Wir würden gerne ...'. Example: 'Könnten Sie uns ein Angebot zusenden?' (Could you send us a quote?) and 'Wir würden gerne einen Termin vereinbaren.' (We would like to arrange an appointment.) The subjunctive 'könnten' and 'würden' softens the request without sounding weak. In offers, use 'liegt bei' for prices: 'Der Preis liegt bei 45 Euro pro Person.' For conditions, use 'ab' plus dative: 'ab 80 Gästen'. For discounts, 'einen Rabatt gewähren' is more formal than 'Rabatt geben'.
When to use it
Use these forms in emails and phone calls with catering companies, hotels or event agencies. Start with 'Wir möchten ... anfragen' when you need a quote. Use 'Könnten Sie ...?' when asking for changes, such as 'Könnten Sie vegetarische Optionen anbieten?' (Could you offer vegetarian options?). Use 'unter Vorbehalt' when the guest number is not final: 'Wir bestätigen den Auftrag unter Vorbehalt der Gästezahl.' In Austria and Switzerland, 'Jause' can mean a cold snack, but for business catering, 'Catering' and 'Angebot' are understood throughout the German-speaking region.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, wir möchten für eine Firmenfeier ein Catering anfragen.
Good day, we would like to request catering for a company event.GOO-ten tahk, veer MURCH-ten fewr EYE-nuh FIR-men-fy-er ine KAT-uh-ring AN-frah-genGerne. Für wie viele Personen und an welchem Datum?
Certainly. For how many people and on which date?GAIR-nuh. fewr vee FEE-luh pair-ZONE-en oont an VEL-khem dah-TOOMFür etwa 90 Gäste am 12. Juni. Könnten Sie uns ein schriftliches Angebot zusenden?
For about 90 guests on 12 June. Could you send us a written quote?fewr ET-wah NOYN-tsik GES-te am TSVÖLF-ten YOO-nee. KURN-ten zee oons ine SHRIFT-li-khes AN-guh-boat TSOO-zen-denJa, wir senden Ihnen das Angebot bis Freitag. Ab 80 Gästen gewähren wir zehn Prozent Rabatt.
Yes, we will send you the quote by Friday. For 80 guests or more, we grant a ten percent discount.yah, veer ZEN-den EE-nen das AN-guh-boat bis FRYE-tahk. ap ACH-tsik GES-ten guh-VAIR-en veer tsayn pro-TSENT ra-BATA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking business settings, a written 'Angebot' is usually expected before you commit, and verbal prices are often treated as non-binding. Punctuality and clear deadlines matter: 'bis Freitag' means by Friday. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Angebot' and 'Auftrag' are standard, but some regional terms for food and service may differ; when in doubt, ask for clarification in writing.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Wie viel kostet es?' as the main price question in a formal catering negotiation.
Try this instead: In business catering, ask for a structured quote: 'Könnten Sie uns ein Angebot zusenden?' or 'Wie hoch ist der Preis pro Person?' This signals that you expect a written offer with conditions, not just a quick number.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask a caterer to send a written quote?
Show a sample answer
Könnten Sie uns ein schriftliches Angebot zusenden?
This uses the polite subjunctive 'könnten' and the formal 'schriftliches Angebot'. 'Könnten Sie uns ein Angebot schicken?' is also acceptable but slightly less formal.
2How do you say that the price is 45 euros per person, including service?
Show a sample answer
Der Preis pro Person liegt bei 45 Euro, inklusive Service.
'liegt bei' is a standard way to state a price in offers. 'Der Preis pro Person beträgt 45 Euro' is also correct and slightly more formal.
3How do you confirm an order subject to the final number of guests?
Show a sample answer
Wir bestätigen den Auftrag unter Vorbehalt der Gästezahl.
'unter Vorbehalt' means 'subject to'. You could also say 'vorbehaltlich der endgültigen Gästezahl', which is more formal.
In German catering negotiations, ask for a written Angebot, state prices with 'liegt bei' or 'beträgt', use 'ab' for discounts, and confirm with 'unter Vorbehalt' when guest numbers may change.
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