First Phrases

Christmas market · Deutsch

Christmas market in German: 16 phrases

Order mulled wine or an alcohol-free punch, sort out the mug deposit, ask the price, pay by card, find the lantern walk or the concert, and start a chat at a standing table. Natural phrases for a winter market evening.

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: Neutral. At a German Christmas market ("Weihnachtsmarkt") stall people order short and friendly: "Einen Glühwein, bitte." "Du" is normal with other visitors your age; "Sie" with older people and staff you do not know. Most stalls serve drinks in a mug with a deposit ("Pfand", usually 2 to 5 euros) that you get back when you return the mug; in some places the mug is a souvenir you may keep. Many stalls are cash only.

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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16 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Einen Glühwein, bitte.
    Say it like: INE-en GLUE-vine, BIT-teh
    One mulled wine, please.
    Register: The usual way to order at a stall.
  2. 02Neutral
    Eine heiße Schokolade, bitte.
    Say it like: INE-eh HY-seh shoh-koh-LAH-deh, BIT-teh
    One hot chocolate, please.
    Register: Add "mit Sahne" for whipped cream.
  3. 03Neutral
    Gibt es auch Kinderpunsch oder etwas ohne Alkohol?
    Say it like: gipt es owkh KIN-der-punsh OH-der ET-vahs OH-neh AL-koh-hohl
    Do you also have children's punch or something without alcohol?
    Register: "Kinderpunsch" = hot alcohol-free fruit punch, for everyone.
  4. 04Neutral
    Wie viel Pfand kostet die Tasse?
    Say it like: vee feel PFAHNT KOS-tet dee TAH-seh
    How much is the deposit on the mug?
    Register: "Pfand" = deposit. Say "Becher" if it is a cup.
  5. 05Neutral
    Ich möchte die Tasse zurückgeben und mein Pfand wiederhaben.
    Say it like: ikh MOEKH-teh dee TAH-seh tsoo-RUEK-gay-ben oont mine PFAHNT VEE-der-hah-ben
    I'd like to return the mug and get my deposit back.
    Register: Hand the mug over at the stall you got it from.
  6. 06Neutral
    Kann ich die Tasse behalten?
    Say it like: kahn ikh dee TAH-seh beh-HAHL-ten
    Can I keep the mug?
    Register: You lose the deposit; some markets sell a souvenir mug.
  7. 07Neutral
    Was kostet das?
    Say it like: vahs KOS-tet dahs
    How much is that?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Neutral
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Say it like: kahn ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Many stalls take cash only, so ask first.
  9. 09Neutral
    Noch einen, bitte.
    Say it like: nokh INE-en, BIT-teh
    One more, please.
    Register: Short and normal.
  10. 10Neutral
    Wo startet der Laternenumzug?
    Say it like: voh SHTAR-tet dair lah-TER-nen-oom-tsook
    Where does the lantern walk start?
    Register: For a concert say "das Konzert" instead: "Wo ist das Konzert?"
  11. 11Neutral
    Ist hier noch frei?
    Say it like: ist heer nokh fry
    Is this spot free?
    Register: Works for a seat or a place at a standing table.
  12. 12Informal
    Darf ich mich dazustellen? Ganz schön voll heute, oder?
    Say it like: dahrf ikh mikh dah-TSOO-shtel-len? gahnts shoen fol HOY-teh, OH-der
    May I join you? Quite busy today, isn't it?
    Register: Friendly opener at a standing table; "du" feel.
  13. 13Neutral
    Frohe Weihnachten!
    Say it like: FROH-eh VINE-akh-ten
    Merry Christmas!
    Register: Neutral; "Schöne Feiertage!" (happy holidays) works for everyone.
  14. 14Neutral
    Gibt es etwas Vegetarisches zu essen?
    Say it like: gipt es ET-vahs veh-geh-TAH-ri-shes tsoo ES-sen
    Is there anything vegetarian to eat?
    Register: Neutral.
  15. 15Neutral
    Wo sind die Toiletten?
    Say it like: voh zint dee toy-LET-ten
    Where are the toilets?
    Register: Neutral.
  16. 16Polite
    Könnten Sie bitte ein Foto von uns machen?
    Say it like: KOEN-ten zee BIT-teh ine FOH-toh fon oons MAH-khen
    Could you take a photo of us, please?
    Register: Polite; with people your age "Kannst du…?" is fine.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the Christmas market in German?

Start with: "Einen Glühwein, bitte." (One mulled wine, please.)

Should I use informal or formal German at the Christmas market?

At a German Christmas market ("Weihnachtsmarkt") stall people order short and friendly: "Einen Glühwein, bitte." "Du" is normal with other visitors your age; "Sie" with older people and staff you do not know. Most stalls serve drinks in a mug with a deposit ("Pfand", usually 2 to 5 euros) that you get back when you return the mug; in some places the mug is a souvenir you may keep. Many stalls are cash only.

How do I order mulled wine in German?

Try: "Einen Glühwein, bitte." (One mulled wine, please.)

Same errand, another language

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German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market

Also: New Year phrases in German

All 6 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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