How to Say ‘What would you like?’ in German
Was darf es sein?
vahs darf ess zine
[vahs darf ess zine]
💬 Usage Tip: A very common service phrase. Slightly more formal and polished than Was möchten Sie?.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Bartenders and servers often use this when they are ready to take your order. It sounds professional and friendly.
Phrase Breakdown
Was
[vahs]
what
Question word used at the start of polite service questions.
Was empfehlen Sie heute?
What do you recommend today?
Darf es sein
darf ess zine
may it be / what can it be
Polite phrase often used in shops or restaurants to ask what the customer wants.
Was darf es sein, bitte?
What can I get for you, please?
Words in this phrase
darf
[darf]
may / can
Polite helper verb used when serving customers.
Was darf ich Ihnen bringen?
What may I bring you?
es
[ess]
it
Neutral pronoun used in set phrases like ordering questions.
Es kommt sofort.
It will come right away.
sein
[zine]
be
Verb meaning 'to be'; here part of a common ordering phrase.
Soll es ein Bier sein?
Will it be a beer?
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