Order a coffee in German: café practice

The idea

For a polite order, use Ich hätte gern followed by what you want. Einen Kaffee uses the masculine accusative. Bitte makes a short request polite. You can ask the price with Was kostet das? and request the bill with Die Rechnung, bitte.

Examples to say aloud

• Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.
  I would like a coffee.
• Mit Milch, bitte.
  With milk, please.
• Die Rechnung, bitte.
  The bill, please.

A common mistake

Ich heiße Kaffee means “My name is Coffee”. Use Ich hätte gern when ordering.

Try it yourself

Which orders a coffee: Ich heiße Kaffee. / Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.

Make your attempt, then open the explanation.

Keep practising

Try KLAR’s first three A1 lessons without signing up. These quick guides are supplementary practice and do not represent a complete A1 course.