Order at a café in German
Learn to order drinks in German, choose a size, and ask for the price politely. Includes a realistic café dialogue and cultural tips.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to order a drink in German, specify a size or option, and ask for the price politely. We focus on a typical café or bar interaction in a German-speaking country. You will practice key phrases, understand regional differences, and see a complete dialogue between a customer and a server. By the end, you will be able to confidently order a beverage and handle the payment politely.
By the end, you can…
- order a drink in German using a polite phrase.
- specify a size or option for my drink.
- ask for the price politely.
- understand and respond to a server's questions.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich möchte einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
ikh MURKH-tuh EYE-nen KAH-fay, BIT-tuh
Use 'Ich möchte' for polite requests. 'Einen' is the accusative masculine form for 'a'.
Einen großen Kaffee, bitte.
A large coffee, please.
EYE-nen GROH-sen KAH-fay, BIT-tuh
Add an adjective before the noun to specify size. 'Groß' means large; 'klein' means small.
Mit Milch, bitte.
With milk, please.
mit MILKH, BIT-tuh
Use 'mit' + noun to add options like milk, sugar, or lemon.
Was kostet das?
How much does that cost?
vas KOS-tet das
A direct but polite way to ask for the price. Use 'das' for 'that'.
Wie viel macht das?
How much is that altogether?
vee feel makht das
Common in Austria and southern Germany. Literally 'How much does that make?'
Zahlen, bitte.
The bill, please.
TSAH-len, BIT-tuh
Use this to ask for the bill. In Austria, say 'Zahlen, bitte' or 'Die Rechnung, bitte'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To order politely, use 'Ich möchte' + accusative noun. For example: 'Ich möchte einen Tee.' (I would like a tea.) To add a size, put an adjective before the noun: 'Ich möchte einen großen Tee.' (I would like a large tea.) For options, use 'mit' + noun: 'mit Zucker' (with sugar). To ask the price, say 'Was kostet das?' or 'Wie viel kostet das?' Both are polite.
When to use it
Use 'Ich möchte' in cafés, restaurants, or bars. It is polite and widely understood. Use 'Was kostet das?' when you want to know the price of a specific item. If you are ordering multiple items, use 'Wie viel macht das?' to ask for the total. In Austria, 'Wie viel macht das?' is more common. In Switzerland, you might hear 'Was macht das?' Remember to say 'bitte' to soften your request.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag! Was möchten Sie?
Good day! What would you like?GOO-ten TAHK! vas MURKH-ten zeeIch möchte einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.ikh MURKH-tuh EYE-nen KAH-fay, BIT-tuhMöchten Sie ihn groß oder klein?
Would you like it large or small?MURKH-ten zee een GROHS o-der KLINEGroß, bitte. Mit Milch.
Large, please. With milk.GROHS, BIT-tuh. mit MILKHGerne. Das macht 3,50 Euro.
Certainly. That comes to 3.50 euros.GAIR-nuh. das makht DRAY EU-ro FUMF-tsikhDanke. Hier bitte.
Thank you. Here you go.DAN-kuh. heer BIT-tuhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it is common to pay at the counter in cafés, but in restaurants, the server brings the bill. Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated; round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10%. In Austria, 'Wie viel macht das?' is standard, while in Germany, 'Was kostet das?' is more common. In Switzerland, prices are higher, and you might hear 'Was macht das?'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will' to order, which sounds rude.
Try this instead: Use 'Ich möchte' instead. For example, say 'Ich möchte einen Kaffee' rather than 'Ich will einen Kaffee'. 'Ich möchte' is polite and appropriate for service interactions.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you order a small tea with lemon politely?
Show a sample answer
Ich möchte einen kleinen Tee mit Zitrone, bitte.
This uses 'Ich möchte' for politeness, 'einen kleinen Tee' for a small tea (accusative), and 'mit Zitrone' for with lemon. 'Bitte' softens the request. Alternatives: 'Ich hätte gern einen kleinen Tee mit Zitrone' is also correct.
2Ask how much a large coffee costs.
Show a sample answer
Was kostet ein großer Kaffee?
This uses 'Was kostet' + noun. 'Ein großer Kaffee' is nominative because it is the subject of the question. In Austria, you could also say 'Wie viel kostet ein großer Kaffee?' or 'Was macht ein großer Kaffee?'
3The server asks 'Möchten Sie ihn groß oder klein?' You want small. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Klein, bitte.
This directly answers the question with the adjective 'klein' and adds 'bitte' for politeness. You could also say 'Ich möchte ihn klein' or 'Einen kleinen, bitte'.
Use 'Ich möchte' to order politely, add size adjectives like 'groß' or 'klein', and ask 'Was kostet das?' or 'Wie viel macht das?' for the price. Always say 'bitte' and 'danke' to be courteous.
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