German · Real conversations
Markets and groceries: useful German phrases
Buy a quantity and ask about a product.
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.
- Apple
der Apfel
Apple
- Bread
das Brot
Bread
- Potato
die Kartoffel
Potato
- How much does it cost?
Wie viel kostet das?
How much does it cost?
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | German |
|---|---|
| Apple | der Apfel Apple |
| Bread | das Brot Bread |
| Potato | die Kartoffel Potato |
| How much does it cost? | Wie viel kostet das? How much does it cost? |
| Half a kilo of ..., please. | Ein halbes Kilo …, bitte. Show English translationHalf a kilo of …, please. |
| Is this ripe? | Ist das reif? Show English translationIs this ripe? |
| When was this made? | Wann wurde das gemacht? Show English translationWhen was this made? |
| Do you have anything locally grown? | Haben Sie etwas aus regionalem Anbau? Show English translationDo you have anything locally grown? |
| Could you put these in separate bags? | Könnten Sie das in getrennte Tüten packen? Show English translationCould you put these in separate bags? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
Guten Morgen. Was möchten Sie?
Good morning. What would you like?
You
Ein halbes Kilo Tomaten, bitte.
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
Partner
Bitte schön. Diese Melone ist heute sehr gefragt.
Here you are. This melon is popular today.
You
Ist das reif?
Is this ripe?
Markets and groceries 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.
