German for Haggling: Ask 'Can You Give Me a Discount?' and Negotiate a Better Price
Learn intermediate German phrases to ask for a discount, respond to prices, and negotiate politely at markets and small shops.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Haggling in German is less about aggressive bargaining and more about friendly, respectful negotiation. This lesson teaches you how to ask for a discount, react to a price, and close a deal using natural phrases. You will learn the difference between asking for a discount (Rabatt) and negotiating a total price, and how to use modal verbs like können and machen to keep the tone polite. We focus on situations where haggling is normal, such as flea markets, weekly markets, and small independent shops, and we note where fixed prices are the norm.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a discount politely in German using different registers.
- respond to a price and suggest a lower one without sounding rude.
- negotiate a final price and confirm the deal in a market or small shop.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben?
Can you give me a discount?
KUH-nen zee meer EYE-nen rah-BAT GAY-ben
Formal, use with shopkeepers you address as Sie. Works in small shops and at market stalls.
Kannst du mir einen Rabatt geben?
Can you give me a discount?
KAHNST doo meer EYE-nen rah-BAT GAY-ben
Informal, use with vendors you already know or who are clearly younger and you have switched to du.
Machen Sie mir einen besseren Preis?
Can you give me a better price?
MAH-khen zee meer EYE-nen BESS-er-en PRICE
Common at markets when asking for a lower total price rather than a percentage discount.
Das ist mir zu teuer.
That is too expensive for me.
dahs ist meer tsoo TOY-er
A soft way to signal the price is too high and invite a counteroffer.
Was ist Ihr letzter Preis?
What is your final price?
vahs ist eer LETS-ter PRICE
Formal. Use when you are serious and want the seller to name their bottom line.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a question with können (can) plus the dative pronoun mir (to me) and the noun Rabatt: Können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben? For a lower total price, use machen with a comparative adjective: Machen Sie mir einen besseren Preis? You can also soften with vielleicht (maybe): Können Sie mir vielleicht einen Rabatt geben? To respond to a price, use Das ist mir zu teuer (That is too expensive for me) or Das ist etwas viel (That is a bit much). These patterns keep the negotiation polite and leave room for the seller to counter.
When to use it
Haggling is normal at flea markets (Flohmärkte), weekly markets (Wochenmärkte), and sometimes in small independent shops, especially when buying several items or paying cash. It is not normal in supermarkets, chain stores, or for services with fixed prices; there, asking for a discount can sound out of place. At markets, a friendly opening like Was ist Ihr letzter Preis? works well. If the seller says Der Preis ist fest (The price is fixed), accept it politely with Alles klar, dann nehme ich es (All right, then I will take it).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben?
Excuse me, can you give me a discount?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, KUH-nen zee meer EYE-nen rah-BAT GAY-benDas kommt darauf an. Wie viel möchten Sie denn kaufen?
That depends. How much would you like to buy?dahs kohmt dah-ROWF ahn. vee feel MERKH-ten zee den KOW-fenIch nehme drei Stück. Machen Sie mir einen besseren Preis?
I will take three pieces. Can you give me a better price?ikh NAY-me dray shtook. MAH-khen zee meer EYE-nen BESS-er-en PRICEOkay, bei drei Stück mache ich Ihnen zehn Prozent Rabatt.
Okay, for three pieces I will give you a ten percent discount.oh-KAY, by dray shtook MAH-khe ikh EE-nen tsayn pro-TSENT rah-BATA little context goes a long way
In Germany, haggling is expected in some contexts and unwelcome in others. At flea markets and weekly markets, friendly negotiation is common, especially for multiple items or at the end of the day. In supermarkets, chain stores, and most service settings, prices are fixed and asking for a discount can seem inappropriate. Use Sie with unfamiliar vendors unless they offer du first. A calm, polite tone and a smile matter more than aggressive tactics.
One thing to watch for
Using Kannst du mir einen Rabatt geben? with an older or unfamiliar vendor.
Try this instead: Use the formal Sie form: Können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben? Switch to du only if the vendor clearly uses du with you or you are in a casual setting among peers.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask a market vendor for a discount using the formal Sie?
Show a sample answer
Können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben?
This uses the modal verb können in the formal Sie form, the dative pronoun mir, and the noun Rabatt. It is polite and direct. A valid alternative is Könnten Sie mir einen Rabatt geben? using the subjunctive for extra politeness.
2You want a lower total price, not a percentage discount. What phrase can you use?
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Machen Sie mir einen besseren Preis?
This asks for a better price using the comparative besseren. It works well at markets. You could also say Können Sie mir einen besseren Preis machen? with the same meaning.
3The seller says Der Preis ist fest. What is a polite response?
Show a sample answer
Alles klar, dann nehme ich es.
This accepts the fixed price without arguing and confirms the purchase. Another polite option is Verstehe, danke. Ich überlege es mir noch.
Ask for a discount with Können Sie mir einen Rabatt geben? or Machen Sie mir einen besseren Preis? Keep it friendly, use Sie with strangers, and accept a fixed price politely.
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