Food & Ordering
Food & Ordering
Ordering food puts the accusative case to work in a real, everyday context — "I would like..." always takes a direct object, and German marks it on the article.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
"Ich möchte..." + accusative object
Ich möchte einen Kaffee, bitte. (I'd like a coffee, please.)
I'd like a coffee, please.
möchte ("would like") is a modal verb, so the thing you're ordering is its direct object and takes the accusative case — watch masculine nouns switch ein → einen (einen Kaffee, not ein Kaffee). Feminine and neuter nouns look the same as their nominative forms, so this is really only something to actively watch for with masculine items on the menu.
Restaurant politeness formulas
Die Rechnung, bitte. / Zahlen, bitte.
The check, please. / (I'd like to) pay, please.
Both phrases are set expressions German speakers use verbatim to ask for the bill — you don't need to build a full sentence. As with English "Check, please," brevity is normal and polite here, not rude.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| die Speisekarte | dee SHPY-zeh-kar-teh | the menu |
| der Kaffee | dair KAH-fay | the coffee |
| das Wasser | dahs VAH-ser | the water |
| das Brot | dahs broht | the bread |
| die Suppe | dee ZOOP-eh | the soup |
| das Fleisch | dahs flysh | the meat |
| das Gemüse | dahs geh-MEW-zeh | the vegetables |
| Ich möchte..., bitte. | ikh MERKH-teh ... BIT-teh | I would like..., please. |
| Die Rechnung, bitte. | dee REKH-noong BIT-teh | The check, please. |
| Guten Appetit! | GOO-ten ah-peh-TEET | Enjoy your meal! |
| lecker | LEK-er | tasty / delicious |