When you want to know what is inside a dish, you need a simple question and the ability to understand a short answer. In this workshop you will ask about ingredients, listen to a reply, and check whether a specific ingredient is present. You will practise both roles: the person asking and the person answering. The recordings give you the exact lines to use, so you can repeat them aloud and build confidence before trying the tasks.
Asking what is in a dish
The most direct way to ask about the contents of a dish is «Was ist da drin?». This means "What is in this?" You can use it when you are looking at a menu item or a plate and want a general list. If you already have a specific ingredient in mind, you can ask about it directly. For example, «Ist da Käse drin?» means "Does this have cheese in it?" and «Ist da Fleisch drin?» means "Does this have meat in it?" These questions are useful when you want a yes or no answer about one ingredient. Practise saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Pay attention to the rising intonation that signals a question.
Understanding a short reply
When someone answers your question, they may list ingredients or confirm that something is not included. In the recorded exchange, the answer to the general question is «Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.», which means "There is cheese and tomato in it." If you then ask about another ingredient with «Ist da auch Zwiebel drin?», which means "Does it also have onion in it?", the reply can be «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.», meaning "No, onion is not in it." Notice that the reply directly addresses the ingredient you asked about. When you listen, focus on the ingredient word and whether the answer starts with a yes or a no. This helps you decide if the dish is suitable for you.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Was ist da drin?
What is in this?
vahs ist dah drin?
Ist da Käse drin?
Does this have cheese in it?
ist dah KAY-zuh drin?
Ist da Fleisch drin?
Does this have meat in it?
ist dah flīsh drin?
Ist da Zwiebel drin?
Does this have onion in it?
ist dah TSVEE-buhl drin?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Was ist da drin?
What is in this?Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.
There is cheese and tomato in it.Ist da auch Zwiebel drin?
Does it also have onion in it?Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.
No, onion is not in it.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer about ingredients
You are at a small food counter. One person asks about the dish, and the other person answers using the recorded lines. Decide who will be the customer and who will be the staff member.
Your task: Customer: say «Was ist da drin?». Staff: reply with «Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.». Customer: ask «Ist da auch Zwiebel drin?». Staff: answer with «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.». Then swap roles and repeat the same order: question, reply, follow-up question, reply.
Reply comprehension: choose the matching answer
You hear a question about a specific ingredient. Read the three possible replies and choose the one that correctly answers the question.
Your task: Question: «Ist da Käse drin?» (Does this have cheese in it?). Options: A) «Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.» (There is cheese and tomato in it.) B) «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.» (No, onion is not in it.) C) «Ist da auch Zwiebel drin?» (Does it also have onion in it?). Choose the best reply.
Recall with correct roles
Work with a partner or use the audio. One person will ask about ingredients, and the other will answer. You will recall the lines from memory without looking at them first.
Your task: Person A asks what is in the dish using «Was ist da drin?». Person B answers with «Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.». Person A then asks about onion using «Ist da auch Zwiebel drin?». Person B replies with «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.». After one round, swap roles but keep the same order: general question, answer, follow-up question, answer.
Common questions
Can I use these questions for any dish?
Yes, the questions «Was ist da drin?», «Ist da Käse drin?», and «Ist da Fleisch drin?» are general and can be used when you want to know about the contents of a dish. The recorded replies «Da ist Käse und Tomate drin.» and «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.» are examples about cheese, tomato, and onion, so you may hear different ingredients in other situations.
What if the answer is just yes or no?
A short yes or no still tells you whether the ingredient is present. Listen for the ingredient word and the beginning of the reply. In the recorded exchange, «Nein, Zwiebel ist nicht drin.» starts with a no and then names onion, so you know onion is not in the dish.
Sources and further reading
- german: ask about ingredientsChecked September 2026
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