First Phrases

Winter sales · Deutsch

Winter sales shopping phrases in German: 15 phrases

Ask if something is on sale, what it costs with the discount, whether you can try it on, for a bigger or smaller size, about exchanges and returns, a receipt, paying by card and gift wrap. Short, natural phrases for the winter sales in a new country.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). In Germany use "Sie" with shop staff and strangers. Young staff in fashion shops may say "du" to you; you can stay with "Sie". The "du" version is given where it helps. Shops often use the English word "Sale"; "Schlussverkauf" (the old name for the end-of-season sale), "reduziert" and "im Angebot" are also common.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Ist das reduziert?
    Say it like: ist dahs reh-doo-TSEERT
    Is this on sale?
    Register: Also "Ist das im Sale?" or "Ist das im Angebot?".
  2. 02Neutral
    Wie viel kostet es mit dem Rabatt?
    Say it like: vee FEEL KOS-tet ess mit daym rah-BAT
    How much is it with the discount?
    Register: Or "Wie viel Prozent Rabatt gibt es darauf?" (how many percent off?).
  3. 03Neutral
    Ist das schon der reduzierte Preis?
    Say it like: ist dahs shohn dair reh-doo-TSEER-teh PRYSS
    Is this already the reduced price?
    Register: Tags often show the old price crossed out next to the new one.
  4. 04Neutral
    Kann ich das anprobieren?
    Say it like: kan ikh dahs AHN-proh-bee-ren
    Can I try this on?
    Register: Plural: "Kann ich die anprobieren?"
  5. 05Neutral
    Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen?
    Say it like: voh zint dee OOM-kly-deh-kah-bee-nen
    Where are the fitting rooms?
    Register: Short: "Wo ist die Umkleide?"
  6. 06Neutral
    Haben Sie das eine Größe größer?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee dahs EYE-neh GROE-sseh GROE-sser
    Do you have this one size bigger?
    Register: "Eine Größe" = one size. Shoes: "eine Nummer größer". Du: "Habt ihr / Hast du das...?"
  7. 07Neutral
    Haben Sie das eine Größe kleiner?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee dahs EYE-neh GROE-sseh KLY-ner
    Do you have this one size smaller?
    Register: Shoes: "eine Nummer kleiner".
  8. 08Neutral
    Haben Sie das auch in einer anderen Farbe?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee dahs owkh in EYE-ner AN-deh-ren FAR-beh
    Do you have this in another colour?
    Register: Add the colour: "in Schwarz?" (in black?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Haben Sie noch eins im Lager?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee nokh EYENS im LAH-ger
    Do you still have one in the stock room?
    Register: Sale stock is limited, so it is worth asking.
  10. 10Neutral
    Kann ich das umtauschen oder zurückgeben?
    Say it like: kan ikh dahs OOM-tow-shen OH-der tsoo-RUEK-gay-ben
    Can I exchange it or return it?
    Register: In German shops a return of a normal purchase is the shop's goodwill, not a legal right. Ask before you pay.
  11. 11Neutral
    Kann man reduzierte Ware auch umtauschen?
    Say it like: kan man reh-doo-TSEER-teh VAH-reh owkh OOM-tow-shen
    Can reduced items be exchanged too?
    Register: Many shops exclude sale items from exchange. Keep the receipt either way.
  12. 12Neutral
    Kann ich bitte den Kassenbon haben?
    Say it like: kan ikh BIT-teh dayn KAH-sen-bon HAH-ben
    Could I have the receipt, please?
    Register: You need the "Kassenbon" for any exchange. Say "Brauche ich den?" if you are offered one and are not sure.
  13. 13Neutral
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Say it like: kan ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Some smaller shops still take only cash ("nur Bargeld"), so ask first. "Kontaktlos" = contactless.
  14. 14Neutral
    Ist das die Schlange für die Kasse?
    Say it like: ist dahs dee SHLANG-eh fuer dee KAH-seh
    Is this the queue for the till?
    Register: "Anstellen" = to join the queue; Germans expect you to queue in order.
  15. 15Polite
    Können Sie das bitte als Geschenk einpacken?
    Say it like: KOE-nen zee dahs BIT-teh als geh-SHENK EYEN-pa-ken
    Could you gift-wrap this, please?
    Register: Du: "Kannst du das als Geschenk einpacken?" Some shops do not wrap sale items.

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Quick answers

How do you ask if something is on sale in German?

Say: "Ist das reduziert?" (Is this on sale?)

Should I use informal or formal German with shop staff?

In Germany use "Sie" with shop staff and strangers. Young staff in fashion shops may say "du" to you; you can stay with "Sie". The "du" version is given where it helps. Shops often use the English word "Sale"; "Schlussverkauf" (the old name for the end-of-season sale), "reduziert" and "im Angebot" are also common.

How do I ask to try something on in German?

Say: "Kann ich das anprobieren?" (Can I try this on?)

How do I ask about exchanging or returning an item in German?

Try: "Kann ich das umtauschen oder zurückgeben?" (Can I exchange it or return it?)

Winter sales phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

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How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you are shopping in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Then open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group. Or try a phrase card for tonight first.

firstphrases.app/survival/sales-shopping-phrases/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint