Ordering at a German Bakery — Words and Phrases

How it works

The Bäckerei is where most people have their first real German exchange, because it is short, predictable and happens before you have had coffee. The whole interaction runs on about six phrases, and once you have them the transaction is the same in every bakery in the country.

You open with Ich hätte gern — "I would like". It is the polite form and it is what adults say; Ich will sounds like a demand. Then the quantity and the item: Ich hätte gern zwei Brötchen. If you only want one of something, say ein Stück or just the item.

You will then be asked Sonst noch etwas? — "anything else?" Either add something or close with Nein danke, das war's. The last question is usually Zum Mitnehmen oder zum Hiertrinken? — takeaway or eating in. Then a number you already know from lesson 2, and you are done.

Examples

• Guten Morgen! Ich hätte gern zwei Brötchen.Good morning! I would like two rolls.
• Und ein Croissant, bitte.And a croissant, please.
• Sonst noch etwas? — Nein danke, das war's.Anything else? — No thanks, that's all.
• Zum Mitnehmen, bitte.To take away, please.
• Was kostet die Brezel?How much is the pretzel?
• Das macht vier Euro zwanzig.That comes to four euros twenty.
• Ich zahle mit Karte.I'll pay by card.
• Ein Stück Kuchen, bitte.A slice of cake, please.
• Haben Sie auch Vollkornbrot?Do you also have wholemeal bread?
• Danke schön! — Bitte schön!Thank you! — You're welcome!

Mistakes to avoid

Wortschatz

The words from this lesson.

Kulturnotiz

The bread roll is the most regionally contested word in German. It is das Brötchen across most of the north and west, die Semmel in Bavaria and Austria, and die Schrippe in Berlin — and people are genuinely attached to their version. Say Brötchen anywhere and you will be understood; say Semmel in Munich and you will sound local.

Common questions