98. German for the Restaurant

98.  German for the Restaurant   

Today, we can look at the basic phrases you might like to know when you visit a German restaurant or pub. Even if you greet the waiter / waitress in German or order your meal or a drink, this will make your trip feel just a little more special. First, though, the answers to yesterday's quiz ... 

1  Ich bin nervös = I am nervous       
2  Bist du krank sick?= Are you sick?

3  Heinz ist optimistisch = Heinz is optimistic.    
4 Gudrun ist humorvoll = Gudrun is humorous.
5  Wir sind sehr  traurig = we are very sad     
6  Seid ihr sarkastisch = Are you sarcastic?

7  Herr Müller, Sie sind so laut! = Mr Müller, you are so noisy!  
8  Gabi u. Fritz sind so unartig! = Gabi and Fritz are so naughty!

9  Das ist etwas komisch = that is rather strange   
10  Thomas, warum bist du so müde? = Thomas,  why are you so tired?

and a couple of sentences with haben ....  

  

1.  Ich habe Hunger = I am hungry,  
2.   Hast du Durst ? = Are you thirsty? 
3.  Kurt hat Angst vor Donner = Kurt is afraid of thunder. 
4.  Tina hat Grippe = Tina has the flu.   
5.  Klaus hat heute Geburtstag = it is Klaus' birthday today.

So, some useful phrases for the restaurant trip. 

Die Speisekarte / das Menü bitte! = The menu please

Vorspeise  =  entree

Hauptgericht = main Course

Nachspeise = dessert

alkoholische / alkoholfreie Getränke  =  alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks

bezahlen bitte!  = I would like to pay please  (usual phrase for 'the bill please')
die Rechnung = bill

Entschuldigung / Verzeihung!  =  excuse / pardon (me)

Bedienung!  =  waiter / waitress ( lit. = service) Probably used mostly these days rather than the former traditional Herr Ober / Fräulein. The latter is now seen by many as rather demeaning, hence the preference for Bedienung.

Mehrwertsteuer  =  value added tax  /  GST (in Australia) / sales tax (America)

Mehrwertsteuer und Bedienung inklusive  =  GST / VAT and service included

ein Trinkgeld = a tip (lit. money for a drink). 

While most restaurants will include on the menu that a fee for service has been included in the price, nonetheless a tip for the waiter / waitress for good service is greatly appreciated.

Open Air Dining in Heidelberg