German · Real conversations
Restaurant problems: German conversation practice
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A diner speaking politely to restaurant staff.
Goal: Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
Read the conversation
Partner
Hier ist Ihr Hähnchengericht.
Show English translation
Here is your chicken dish.
You
Das ist nicht das, was ich bestellt habe.
Show English translation
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner
Entschuldigung. Ich prüfe Ihre Bestellung. Möchten Sie schon ein Dessert wählen?
Show English translation
I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert?
You
Könnten wir noch ein paar Minuten haben?
Show English translation
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner
Natürlich. Wie möchten Sie bezahlen?
Show English translation
Of course. How would you like to pay?
You
Könnten wir getrennt zahlen?
Show English translation
Could we have separate bills?
Partner
Gern. Ist alles andere schon da?
Show English translation
Certainly. Has everything else arrived?
You
Wir haben unsere Getränke noch nicht bekommen.
Show English translation
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner
Ich bringe sie gleich. Hier sind Ihre Rechnungen.
Show English translation
I'll bring them now. Here are your bills.
You
Ich glaube, auf der Rechnung ist ein Fehler.
Show English translation
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Try your part first
Partner says: Here is your chicken dish. Your goal: This isn't what I ordered.
Reveal a sample reply
Das ist nicht das, was ich bestellt habe.
This isn't what I ordered.
Partner says: I'm sorry. I'll check your order. Are you ready to choose dessert? Your goal: Could we have a few more minutes?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten wir noch ein paar Minuten haben?
Could we have a few more minutes?
Partner says: Of course. How would you like to pay? Your goal: Could we have separate bills?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten wir getrennt zahlen?
Could we have separate bills?
Partner says: Certainly. Has everything else arrived? Your goal: We haven't received our drinks yet.
Reveal a sample reply
Wir haben unsere Getränke noch nicht bekommen.
We haven't received our drinks yet.
Partner says: I'll bring them now. Here are your bills. Your goal: I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich glaube, auf der Rechnung ist ein Fehler.
I think there's a mistake on the bill.
Make it your own
- A different dish is missing.
- Ask for a shared bill.
- Explain a different bill error.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
