Markets & Souvenirs

1. Wie viel kostet das?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price at a market

   Grammar Note

   Here "kosten" has no object; the price is asked about the subject "das". "Was kostet das?" is an equivalent variant

2. Kann man über den Preis verhandeln?

   Can one negotiate the price?

   Usage

   Asking whether the price is negotiable

   Grammar Note

   "Man" is impersonal "one". Negotiation is common at German flea markets (Flohmarkt)

3. Würden Sie es für 10 Euro verkaufen?

   Would you sell it for 10 euros?

   Usage

   Offering a counter-price during negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "Würden Sie" is subjunctive II for polite requests. Change the amount as needed

4. Bekomme ich einen Rabatt, wenn ich mehrere kaufe?

   Can I get a discount if I buy several?

   Usage

   Asking for a bulk discount

   Grammar Note

   In "wenn" clauses the verb goes to the end. "Mengenrabatt" specifically means bulk discount

5. Ist das handgemacht?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asking whether an item is handmade

   Grammar Note

   "Handgefertigt" and "handgearbeitet" are near-synonyms. German Christmas markets often feature handmade goods

6. Aus welchem Material ist das?

   What material is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking about the material of a craft or garment

   Grammar Note

   "Aus" expresses material and takes the dative. A typical answer is "aus Holz" (out of wood)

7. Könnten Sie das als Geschenk einpacken?

   Could you wrap this as a gift?

   Usage

   Politely requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "Einpacken" is separable but stays together as an infinitive. "Geschenkpapier" = gift wrap

8. Wo ist der Nachtmarkt?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking the location of a night market

   Grammar Note

   In Germany, "Weihnachtsmarkt" (Christmas markets) often run into the evening hours

9. Kann ich eine Quittung bekommen?

   Can I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Requesting a receipt for expense reporting

   Grammar Note

   "Quittung" is a formal receipt. A till receipt is usually called "Kassenbon"; "Beleg" is the general word for a voucher or supporting document

10. Wann hat der Markt geöffnet?

    When is the market open?

    Usage

    Asking the market's opening hours

    Grammar Note

    "Wann hat ... geöffnet?" is the standard phrasing. "Öffnungszeiten" also means business hours

11. Ich schaue mich nur um, danke

    I'm just looking around, thanks

    Usage

    Politely declining a vendor's offer of help

    Grammar Note

    "Sich umschauen" is separable and reflexive; "mich" is the accusative reflexive

12. Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?

    Can I pay by card?

    Usage

    Checking whether card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    Germany is still cash-heavy; you may often hear "Nur Bargeld" (cash only)

13. Das ist ein Souvenir für meine Familie

    This is a souvenir for my family

    Usage

    Telling the seller who the souvenir is for

    Grammar Note

    "Für" governs the accusative. Also useful: "Mitbringsel" — a little gift you bring back

14. Können Sie das ins Ausland verschicken?

    Can you ship this abroad?

    Usage

    Checking whether the seller offers international shipping

    Grammar Note

    Directional "in" takes the accusative; "ins" contracts "in das"

15. Was ist heute am frischesten?

    What's the freshest today?

    Usage

    Asking which item is freshest at a food market

    Grammar Note

    Predicate superlatives use "am ___sten". "Was empfehlen Sie?" (what do you recommend) is also useful

16. Ist der Preis verhandelbar?

    Is the price negotiable?

    Usage

    Directly asking whether the displayed price can be lowered

    Grammar Note

    Adjectives ending in "-bar" mean "able to be ___" (lesbar = readable, machbar = doable)

17. Haben Sie eine kleinere Größe?

    Do you have a smaller size?

    Usage

    Asking whether a smaller size is available

    Grammar Note

    Replace "kleinere" with "größere" to ask for a larger size

18. Das ist mir zu teuer

    That's too expensive for me

    Usage

    Signaling that the offered price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "Zu + adjective" means "too ___". Adding "mir" softens it as personal opinion

19. das Salz

    Salt

    Usage

    Point to this to find salt at a market or supermarket

20. der Zucker

    Sugar

    Usage

    Point to this to find sugar at a market or supermarket

21. der Pfeffer

    Pepper

    Usage

    Point to this to find or ask for pepper

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; bell peppers are a different word, "die Paprika"

22. das Öl

    Oil

    Usage

    Point to this to find cooking oil

23. der Essig

    Vinegar

    Usage

    Point to this to find vinegar

24. die Butter

    Butter

    Usage

    Point to this to find or ask for butter

25. der Käse

    Cheese

    Usage

    Point to this to find or ask for cheese

26. der Honig

    Honey

    Usage

    Point to this to find honey

27. der Joghurt

    Yoghurt

    Usage

    Point to this to find yoghurt

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