Which German phrases matter most here?

“Setzen Sie sich, wohin Sie möchten.” (Sit wherever you like); “Ist hier noch frei?” (Is this seat free); “Möchten Sie etwas trinken?” (Would you like something to drink). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

German phrases for ordering drinks and small plates in Germany

In a German bar you usually sit down and the server comes to you. Order a round with “Zwei Pils und ein Wasser, bitte”, then ask “Was empfehlen Sie?” for something to share. At the end say “Zahlen, bitte”, and “Wir möchten getrennt zahlen” if everyone pays their own share.

Try it · about two minutes

After work you meet friends at a busy bar and order a round of drinks and something to share.

Sound on: the server speaks German. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Server
Setzen Sie sich, wohin Sie möchten.
Sit wherever you like.
You
Ist hier noch frei?
Is this seat free?
Server
Möchten Sie etwas trinken?
Would you like something to drink?
You
Zwei Pils und eine Apfelschorle, bitte.
Two Pils and an apple spritzer, please.
Server
Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
Are you ready to order?
You
Was empfehlen Sie?
What do you recommend?
Server
Was möchten Sie?
What would you like?
You
Eine Brezel und eine Käseplatte zum Teilen, bitte.
A pretzel and a cheese platter to share, please.
It’s getting late. Your friends are heading home, and everyone wants to pay for their own share.
You
Wir möchten getrennt zahlen.
We’d like to pay separately.
Server
Das macht acht Euro fünfzig.
That comes to eight fifty.
You
Machen Sie neun draus.
Make it nine.

Which German phrases do you need?

Setzen Sie sich, wohin Sie möchten.
Sit wherever you like.
Ist hier noch frei?
Is this seat free?
Möchten Sie etwas trinken?
Would you like something to drink?
Kann ich bitte die Karte haben?
Can I see the menu, please?
Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
Are you ready to order?
Wir brauchen noch einen Moment.
We need a few more minutes.
Was empfehlen Sie?
What do you recommend?
Wir würden gern bestellen.
We’d like to order.
Zahlen, bitte.
The bill, please.
Wir möchten getrennt zahlen.
We’d like to pay separately.

What is worth knowing in Germany?

How a night out at a bar goes

1
In a pub or bar you usually pick a free table yourself, unless a sign or a host says otherwise.
2
The server comes to your table for drinks and food. At a very busy counter you may order at the bar instead.
3
Everyone pays at the end. Say if you want separate bills.
We’d like to pay separately.

Drinks you will see

A Radler is beer mixed with lemonade. A Schorle is juice or wine topped up with sparkling water. Water is ordered and paid for like any other drink.

Wasser, bitte.

Water, please.

Prost

Before the first sip, raise your glass, say Prost and look each person in the eye as you clink glasses.

Prost.

Cheers.

Questions about this situation

Which German phrases matter most here?: “Setzen Sie sich, wohin Sie möchten.” (Sit wherever you like); “Ist hier noch frei?” (Is this seat free); “Möchten Sie etwas trinken?” (Would you like something to drink). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in German

All situations in German

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.