In this workshop you will practice a short restaurant situation in German. A dish arrives with an ingredient you did not want, and you need to say something politely. You will learn how to state what you ordered, point out the problem, ask for a new version, and understand the server's response. The phrases are short and useful for beginners. You can play both roles: first as the customer, then as the server. Listen to each recording, repeat it aloud, and then use it in the tasks below. Speaking a new language takes practice, so say every line out loud more than once. If a word feels difficult, slow down and say it in small parts. The goal is not to be perfect, but to be clear and polite.
Say what you ordered and what is wrong
Start by stating your original order. The line «Ich habe das ohne Käse bestellt.» means 'I ordered this without cheese.' Use it when you want to remind the server what you asked for. Then point out the problem with «Entschuldigung, da ist Käse drauf.», which means 'Excuse me, there is cheese on it.' This is a polite way to show that something is not right. To say you cannot eat the dish, you can add «Ich kann das nicht essen.», which means 'I can't eat this.' These three lines give you a clear and polite start. Say them slowly and clearly. Point at the dish when you say 'das' so the server understands which plate you mean.
Ask for a new dish politely
After you explain the problem, ask for a solution. The line «Könnten Sie das bitte ohne Käse machen?» means 'Could you please make this without cheese?' The words 'Könnten Sie' are a polite way to say 'could you' to a server. This is more formal and friendly than a direct command. You can use this line after the server understands the problem. If you want to be extra clear, you can first say «Ich habe das ohne Käse bestellt.» and then «Könnten Sie das bitte ohne Käse machen?». This shows what you ordered and what you want now. Practice the polite tone: keep your voice calm and friendly. In German, polite requests often use 'bitte', which means 'please'.
Understand the server's reply
In this dialogue, B replies «Oh, das tut mir leid. Möchten Sie einen neuen Salat ohne Käse?» meaning Oh, I am sorry. Would you like a new salad without cheese? A accepts with «Ja, bitte. Könnten Sie das ohne Käse machen?» B then says «Natürlich. Ich bringe Ihnen sofort einen neuen Salat.» meaning Of course. I will bring you a new salad right away. That is a promise to replace it; the recording does not show the replacement arriving. Listen for the offer, acceptance and promise as separate steps.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Ich habe das ohne Käse bestellt.
I ordered this without cheese.
ikh HAH-buh das OH-nuh KAY-zuh buh-SHTELT
Entschuldigung, da ist Käse drauf.
Excuse me, there is cheese on it.
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, dah ist KAY-zuh DRAWF
Könnten Sie das bitte ohne Käse machen?
Could you please make this without cheese?
KURN-ten zee das BIT-tuh OH-nuh KAY-zuh MAKH-en
Ich kann das nicht essen.
I can't eat this.
ikh kan das nikht ES-en
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Entschuldigung, ich habe den Salat ohne Käse bestellt, aber da ist Käse drauf.
Excuse me, I ordered the salad without cheese, but there is cheese on it.Oh, das tut mir leid. Möchten Sie einen neuen Salat ohne Käse?
Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like a new salad without cheese?Ja, bitte. Könnten Sie das ohne Käse machen?
Yes, please. Could you make it without cheese?Natürlich. Ich bringe Ihnen sofort einen neuen Salat.
Of course. I'll bring you a new salad right away.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: customer and server
You are at a restaurant. You ordered a salad without cheese, but the salad arrives with cheese on top. You need to speak to the server. Use the recordings to guide your lines.
Your task: Rehearse the four recorded turns: A «Entschuldigung, ich habe den Salat ohne Käse bestellt, aber da ist Käse drauf.» B «Oh, das tut mir leid. Möchten Sie einen neuen Salat ohne Käse?» A «Ja, bitte. Könnten Sie das ohne Käse machen?» B «Natürlich. Ich bringe Ihnen sofort einen neuen Salat.» A is the customer; B is the server. Use this exact sequence before recalling it.
Understand the offer and acceptance
Listen to B’s offer to replace the salad. Choose the customer’s explicit acceptance and identify what B promises next.
Your task: Which line explicitly accepts: «Ja, bitte. Könnten Sie das ohne Käse machen?» or «Ich kann das nicht essen.»? Then listen to «Natürlich. Ich bringe Ihnen sofort einen neuen Salat.» Does the server say the new salad has already arrived, or promise to bring it right away? Answer in English and repeat A’s acceptance.
Recall the recorded exchange
Replay the four dialogue clips in order, then cover their text. Keep the two speakers in the same roles throughout the exchange.
Your task: Say all four recorded lines from memory, alternating A, B, A, B. After one attempt, compare with the complete model below. If practising with a partner, exchange parts and keep the same conversation order.
Common questions
What if I only want to point out the problem but not ask for a new dish?
You can use the line that means 'Excuse me, there is cheese on it.' This points out the problem politely. If you want, you can also add the line that means 'I ordered this without cheese.' This reminds the server of your original order. You do not have to ask for a new dish if you do not want one. But if you do want a solution, the polite request line is ready for you.
How do I know if the server is offering a solution or just apologizing?
Listen for the word 'Möchten Sie' which means 'Would you like'. This usually introduces an offer. In the recording, the server says 'Möchten Sie einen neuen Salat ohne Käse?' This means 'Would you like a new salad without cheese?' If you hear this, the server is offering a solution. You can accept with 'Ja, bitte' which means 'Yes, please.' If the server only says 'Das tut mir leid' which means 'I'm sorry', they are apologizing but may not have offered a solution yet. In that case, you can ask politely with the request line.
Sources and further reading
- german: send food back politelyChecked September 2026
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