German · Food & Drink
"Napkin" in German: Serviette
die Serviette
Napkin in German is die Serviette. Restaurants offer eine Serviette with meals. Paper ones are Papierservietten.
Café
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How to pronounce Serviette
Say it
zer-vee-ET-uh
/zɛʁˈvjɛtə/
zer-vee-ET-uh. Stress ET; soft final -uh.
"Napkin" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Serviette | the napkin Default noun. | Default noun. |
| eine Serviette | a napkin Asking for one. | Asking for one. |
| Papierserviette | paper napkin Casual meals. | Casual meals. |
| Stoffserviette | cloth napkin Formal table. | Formal table. |
How to use Serviette in real life
- 1Café
Kann ich bitte eine Serviette haben?
Can I please have a napkin?
Request.
- 2Kids' meal
Wisch deinen Mund mit der Serviette ab.
Wipe your mouth with the napkin.
Parent talk.
- 3Setting table
Leg die Serviette links neben die Gabel.
Put the napkin left of the fork.
Place setting.
Mistakes English speakers make with Serviette
Incorrect: Gib mir den Serviette.
Correct: Gib mir die Serviette.
Serviette is feminine: die Serviette.
Incorrect: Wo ist die Napkin?
Correct: Wo ist die Serviette?
Use Serviette, not English napkin.
Good to know
German cafés usually keep Papierservietten on the table. Finer dinners switch to Stoffservietten. Handtuch is a towel, not a napkin — don't mix them.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Eating messy street food outside
ChatPal
Hast du eine Serviette in der Tasche?
Do you have a napkin in your bag?
You
Ja, hier — nimm diese Serviette.
Yes, here — take this napkin.
ChatPal
Danke. Die Serviette rettet mein Shirt.
Thanks. The napkin is saving my shirt.
You
Immer. Ohne Serviette wird's chaotisch.
Always. Without a napkin it gets chaotic.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Napkin" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Napkin" in German
How do you say napkin?
Die Serviette.
Gender?
Feminine: die Serviette.
Paper napkin?
Papierserviette.
May I have a napkin?
Kann ich bitte eine Serviette haben?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
