German · Real conversations

Cafés: useful German phrases

Order a drink and clarify a small detail.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

A coffee, please
einen Kaffee, bitte
A coffee, please
To go, please (takeaway)
zum Mitnehmen, bitte
To go, please (takeaway)
Water
das Wasser
Water
No, thank you
nein, danke
No, thank you

Make the conversation more specific

Useful German expressions for cafés
What you want to say	German
A coffee, please	einen Kaffee, bitte A coffee, please
To go, please (takeaway)	zum Mitnehmen, bitte To go, please (takeaway)
Water	das Wasser Water
No, thank you	nein, danke No, thank you
Could I have it without ...?	Könnte ich das ohne … bekommen? Show English translation Could I have it without …?
Is this for here or to take away?	Ist das zum Hieressen oder zum Mitnehmen? Show English translation Is this for here or to take away?
Could you make it decaf?	Könnten Sie ihn koffeinfrei machen? Show English translation Could you make it decaf?
Can I have tap water?	Könnte ich Leitungswasser bekommen? Show English translation Can I have tap water?
Is service included?	Ist die Bedienung inbegriffen? Show English translation Is service included?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Was möchten Sie in Ihrem Kaffee?
What would you like in your coffee?
You
Könnte ich das ohne Zucker haben?
Could I have it without sugar?
Partner
Ist das zum Hieressen oder zum Mitnehmen?
Is this for here or to take away?
You
Zum Mitnehmen, bitte.
To take away, please.

Cafés 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.