German · Real conversations
How to say “This isn't what I ordered.” in German
Explain that the item brought to you does not match your order.
Das ist nicht das, was ich bestellt habe.
This isn't what I ordered.
Point to the item and name the correct order when possible.
Use it in three situations
A wrong dish
Das ist nicht das, was ich bestellt habe.
This isn't what I ordered.
An incorrect drink
Entschuldigung, das ist nicht die Suppe, die ich bestellt habe.
Sorry, this isn't the soup I ordered.
A takeaway order
Ich habe Tee bestellt, aber das ist Kaffee.
I ordered tea, but this is coffee.
What to watch for
Keep the statement about the order; an accusation about the person's intentions is unnecessary.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine restaurant problems. Say this in German: Sorry, this isn't the soup I ordered.
Reveal a sample reply
Entschuldigung, das ist nicht die Suppe, die ich bestellt habe.
Sorry, this isn't the soup I ordered.
Build a useful exchange
Explain a problem with an order and settle the bill.
This expression 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.
