Shopping

11 phrases · German with romanization, English and audio

  1. Was kostet das?

    How much does that cost?

    Usage

    The most natural way to ask the price of something

    Grammar Note

    "Kosten" means to cost. "Wie viel kostet das?" is an equally common alternative

  2. Ich schaue mich nur um

    I'm just browsing

    Usage

    Tell a shop assistant you are just looking around when approached

    Grammar Note

    "Sich umschauen" is a reflexive separable verb meaning to look around

  3. Haben Sie das in einer größeren Größe?

    Do you have that in a larger size?

    Usage

    Ask for a larger size when shopping for clothes

    Grammar Note

    "Größe" (size) comes from "groß" (big). "Größeren" is comparative in dative case

  4. Ich nehme es

    I'll take it

    Usage

    Tell the shop assistant you have decided to buy an item

    Grammar Note

    "Nehmen" means to take. In shopping contexts it implies purchasing

  5. Akzeptieren Sie Kreditkarten?

    Do you accept credit cards?

    Usage

    Ask whether card payment is accepted before purchasing

    Grammar Note

    "Sie" is the formal second-person pronoun. Kreditkarten is the plural of Kreditkarte

  6. Haben Sie das in Blau?

    Do you have this in blue?

    Usage

    Ask for a different color option. Replace "Blau" with any color name

    Grammar Note

    "In + color" specifies the desired color. Apply: Rot (red), Grün (green), Schwarz (black)

  7. Darf ich das anprobieren?

    May I try this on?

    Usage

    Ask to try on clothing. The fitting room is "Umkleidekabine"

    Grammar Note

    "Anprobieren" is separable: an + probieren. "Dürfen" is the modal verb for permission

  8. Kann ich den Kassenbon bekommen?

    Can I get the receipt?

    Usage

    Ask for a receipt after purchase, needed for returns or expense reports

    Grammar Note

    "Kassenbon" = Kasse (cash register) + Bon (voucher). Masculine, hence "den" in accusative

  9. Das ist ein Geschenk

    This is a gift

    Usage

    Let the shop know the item is a gift to request gift wrapping

    Grammar Note

    "Geschenk" is a neuter noun meaning gift. Also useful: Geschenkverpackung (gift wrapping)

  10. Ist das im Angebot?

    Is this on special offer?

    Usage

    Check whether an item is on sale or at a special price

    Grammar Note

    "Im" = in + dem (dative). "Angebot" = an (an-) + Gebot (offer/bid)

  11. Ich brauche keinen Kassenbon.

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Decline the printed slip when the cashier asks "Möchten Sie den Kassenbon?"

    Grammar Note

    German negates a noun that would take an indefinite article with "kein", not "nicht"; "Kassenbon" is masculine, so the accusative is "keinen". A "Quittung" is a formal, issued acknowledgement of payment, distinct from the slip printed at the till

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