German for Professional Orders: Polite Requests at Work
Learn to order or request items professionally in German workplaces, using polite forms and appropriate register.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In a professional German-speaking environment, ordering supplies, equipment, or services requires more than just translating 'I want'. You need to use polite forms, such as the Konjunktiv II (would like) and the formal 'Sie', to show respect and maintain workplace etiquette. This lesson teaches you how to make requests clearly and courteously, whether you're ordering office supplies, booking a meeting room, or requesting IT support. You'll learn key phrases, understand when to use them, and practice with a realistic dialogue.
By the end, you can…
- politely order or request items in a professional German setting.
- use Konjunktiv II and formal address to soften requests.
- distinguish between casual and professional ordering styles.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich würde gerne ... bestellen.
I would like to order ...
ikh VÜR-duh GAIR-nuh ... buh-SHTEL-lun
Polite and common for placing orders. Use with the formal 'Sie' or in writing.
Könnten Sie mir bitte ... schicken?
Could you please send me ...?
KÖN-ten zee meer BIT-tuh ... SHIK-ken
Very polite request, using Konjunktiv II. Suitable for email or phone.
Ich hätte gerne ...
I would like ...
ikh HET-tuh GAIR-nuh ...
Softer than 'Ich will'. Use when requesting specific items or services.
Wäre es möglich, ... zu ...?
Would it be possible to ...?
VAY-ruh es MÖG-likh, ... tsoo ...
Formal and indirect. Good for asking for favors or special arrangements.
Bitte senden Sie mir eine Bestätigung.
Please send me a confirmation.
BIT-tuh ZEN-den zee meer EYE-nuh buh-SHTAY-tee-goong
Standard closing for orders to ensure clarity. Use in written communication.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The Konjunktiv II (subjunctive) is key for polite requests. For example, 'Ich würde gerne' (I would like) instead of 'Ich will' (I want). Similarly, 'Könnten Sie' (Could you) is more polite than 'Können Sie' (Can you). Another pattern: 'Ich hätte gerne' (I would like) is softer than 'Ich möchte' (I would like), though both are acceptable. Use these with the formal 'Sie' to show respect.
When to use it
Use these phrases when ordering from suppliers, requesting internal services, or asking colleagues for items. In formal written communication, such as emails, start with 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' and use 'Ich würde gerne ... bestellen'. In spoken interactions, 'Könnten Sie mir bitte ...' works well. Avoid casual forms like 'Ich will' or 'Gib mir' in professional settings, as they can sound demanding.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, hier spricht Anna Schmidt von der Firma Meyer GmbH. Ich würde gerne Büromaterial bestellen.
Good day, this is Anna Schmidt from Meyer GmbH. I would like to order office supplies.GOO-ten tahk, heer shprikht AN-na shmit fon dair FIR-ma MY-er gmbh. ikh VÜR-duh GAIR-nuh BÜ-ro-ma-te-ree-AL buh-SHTEL-lun.Guten Tag Frau Schmidt. Was benötigen Sie genau?
Good day Ms. Schmidt. What exactly do you need?GOO-ten tahk frow shmit. vas buh-NÖ-ti-gen zee guh-NOW?Könnten Sie mir bitte 10 Packungen Druckerpapier und 5 Kartons Kugelschreiber schicken?
Could you please send me 10 packs of printer paper and 5 boxes of ballpoint pens?KÖN-ten zee meer BIT-tuh tsen PAK-koong-en DROO-ker-pa-peer oont fünv kar-TONS KOO-gel-shry-ber SHIK-ken?Natürlich. Ich werde Ihnen eine Bestätigung per E-Mail senden. Ist das in Ordnung?
Of course. I will send you a confirmation by email. Is that okay?na-TÜR-likh. ikh VAIR-duh EE-nen EYE-nuh buh-SHTAY-tee-goong pair EE-mayl ZEN-den. ist das in ORT-noong?A little context goes a long way
In German-speaking professional contexts, directness is valued, but politeness is still important. Using 'Sie' and Konjunktiv II shows respect. In Austria and Switzerland, similar forms are used, though regional variations in pronunciation exist. Avoid overly casual language unless you know the person well. Written orders often include a formal salutation and closing.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will' to mean 'I want' in a professional order, which can sound rude.
Try this instead: Use 'Ich würde gerne' or 'Ich hätte gerne' instead. For example, say 'Ich würde gerne einen neuen Laptop bestellen' rather than 'Ich will einen neuen Laptop bestellen'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask for a confirmation email in German?
Show a sample answer
Bitte senden Sie mir eine Bestätigung per E-Mail.
This is a direct but polite request using the imperative 'senden Sie'. Alternatively, 'Könnten Sie mir bitte eine Bestätigung per E-Mail senden?' is also correct and slightly more polite.
2What is the formal way to say 'I would like to order a new chair'?
Show a sample answer
Ich würde gerne einen neuen Stuhl bestellen.
This uses Konjunktiv II 'würde' and the accusative case for 'einen neuen Stuhl'. 'Ich hätte gerne einen neuen Stuhl' is also acceptable.
3Which phrase is more appropriate in a professional email: 'Können Sie mir das schicken?' or 'Könnten Sie mir das bitte schicken?'
Show a sample answer
Könnten Sie mir das bitte schicken?
The second uses Konjunktiv II 'könnten' and 'bitte', making it more polite. The first is grammatically correct but less formal.
In professional German, use Konjunktiv II and 'Sie' to order politely. Remember 'Ich würde gerne' and 'Könnten Sie bitte' to maintain etiquette.
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