First Phrases

Table for one · Deutsch

Table for one phrases in German: 15 phrases

Ask for a table for one, check whether you need a reservation, book for tomorrow, sit at the bar or counter, order the menu of the day, ask what they recommend, mention vegetarian or allergies, ask for tap water, then get the bill, pay by card, ask about service and take the rest home. Short, natural phrases for eating out on your own.

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). Use "Sie" with waiters and restaurant staff. "Bedienung" means the waiting staff, "Speisekarte" the menu, "Theke" the counter and "Rechnung" the bill. Call the waiter with "Entschuldigung" or "Hallo". Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

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
    Einen Tisch für eine Person, bitte.
    Say it like: EYE-nen tish fewr EYE-neh pehr-ZOHN, BIT-teh
    A table for one, please.
    Register: Also "Ein Tisch für eine Person" when asking at the door.
  2. 02Neutral
    Muss man reservieren?
    Say it like: moos man reh-zer-VEE-ren
    Do I need a reservation?
    Register: Also "Brauche ich eine Reservierung?".
  3. 03Neutral
    Kann ich für morgen um 20 Uhr reservieren?
    Say it like: kan ikh fewr MOR-gen oom VAN-tsikh OOR reh-zer-VEE-ren
    Can I book for tomorrow at 8 p.m.?
    Register: "20 Uhr" is 8 p.m. (24-hour clock). Add "für eine Person".
  4. 04Neutral
    Hat die Küche noch geöffnet?
    Say it like: hat dee KEW-kheh nokh geh-ERF-net
    Is the kitchen still open?
    Register: Also "Kann man noch etwas essen?" (Can one still eat something?).
  5. 05Neutral
    Kann ich an der Theke sitzen?
    Say it like: kan ikh an der TAY-keh ZIT-sen
    Can I sit at the bar counter?
    Register: "An der Bar" also works. "An einem Tisch" = at a table.
  6. 06Neutral
    Gibt es ein Tagesgericht?
    Say it like: gipt es ine TAH-ges-geh-rikht
    Is there a dish of the day?
    Register: "Tagesgericht" is the dish of the day; "Mittagstisch" is a lunchtime offer. Which word is used varies.
  7. 07Neutral
    Was können Sie empfehlen?
    Say it like: vas KUH-nen zee emp-FAY-len
    What can you recommend?
    Register: Also "Was empfehlen Sie?".
  8. 08Neutral
    Ich bin Vegetarier.
    Say it like: ikh bin veh-geh-TAH-ree-er
    I'm vegetarian.
    Register: A woman says "Vegetarierin". Ask "Ist da Fleisch drin?" (Is there meat in it?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Ich bin allergisch gegen …
    Say it like: ikh bin ah-LEHR-gish GAY-gen
    I'm allergic to …
    Register: Add: "Nüsse" (nuts), "Gluten", "Meeresfrüchte" (seafood).
  10. 10Neutral
    Leitungswasser, bitte.
    Say it like: LY-toongs-vas-ser, BIT-teh
    Tap water, please.
    Register: Also "Ein Glas Leitungswasser, bitte." "Mineralwasser" is bottled water.
  11. 11Neutral
    Die Rechnung, bitte.
    Say it like: dee REKH-noong, BIT-teh
    The bill, please.
    Register: Short and common: "Zahlen, bitte!" (Paying, please!).
  12. 12Neutral
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Say it like: kan ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Bar" means in cash.
  13. 13Neutral
    Ist der Service im Preis inbegriffen?
    Say it like: ist dair ZER-vis im PRICE IN-beh-grif-fen
    Is service included in the price?
    Register: "Inklusive" means included. Asking about the tip: "Ist das Trinkgeld inbegriffen?".
  14. 14Neutral
    Kann ich den Rest einpacken lassen?
    Say it like: kan ikh den rest INE-pak-ken LAS-sen
    Can I have the rest packed up?
    Register: "Zum Mitnehmen" = to take away. "Einpacken" = to pack up.
  15. 15Neutral
    Es hat sehr gut geschmeckt, danke.
    Say it like: es hat zair goot geh-SHMEKT, DAN-keh
    It tasted very good, thank you.
    Register: "Es war köstlich" (It was delicious) is more formal.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a table for one in German?

Say: "Einen Tisch für eine Person, bitte." (A table for one, please.)

Should I use informal or formal German with a waiter?

Use "Sie" with waiters and restaurant staff. "Bedienung" means the waiting staff, "Speisekarte" the menu, "Theke" the counter and "Rechnung" the bill. Call the waiter with "Entschuldigung" or "Hallo". Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How do I say I am vegetarian or allergic in German?

Say: "Ich bin Vegetarier." (I'm vegetarian.) and "Ich bin allergisch gegen …" (I'm allergic to …)

How do I ask for the bill and pay by card in German?

Try: "Die Rechnung, bitte." (The bill, please.) and "Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?" (Can I pay by card?)

Table for one 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

All survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you live 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.
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firstphrases.app/survival/table-for-one/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint