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How to Say ‘And next time you order something green, promise?’ in German

Und nächstes Mal bestellst du was Grünes, versprochen?

oont NAYKH-stes mahl beh-SHTELST doo vas GROO-nes fer-SHPROKH-en

[oont NAYKH-stes mahl beh-SHTELST doo vas GROO-nes fer-SHPROKH-en]

💬 Usage Tip: Because the sentence opens with nächstes Mal, the verb jumps ahead of du: bestellst du, not du bestellst. Starting with any time phrase does this: Morgen kommst du mit "Tomorrow you're coming along".

🇩🇪 In Germany: Teasing someone about their drink order is a light, low-risk way to flirt at a German bar. Using du with someone your age there is completely normal, even with a stranger.

Phrase Breakdown

Und nächstes Mal

oont NAYKH-stes mahl

And next time

A time phrase at the start of the sentence, so the verb comes next. Say 'ä' like the 'e' in 'bed'.

Example

Nächstes Mal komme ich mit.

Next time I'll come along.

Words in this phrase

Und

[oont]

and

A conjunction used to connect sentences or elements in a sentence.

Example

Und ich freue mich.

And I am happy.

[NAYKH-stes]

Adjective 'nächst-' with neuter ending, used before 'Mal'.

Example

Nächstes Jahr fahre ich nach Berlin.

Next year I'm going to Berlin.

Mal

[mahl]

time

A particular moment or period in which something occurs.

Example

Das ist das erste Mal.

This is the first time.

bestellst du was Grünes,

beh-SHTELST doo vas GROO-nes

you'll order something green,

Here the verb comes before 'du' because of the time phrase. In this context, 'something green' means something healthy.

Example

Heute bestellst du was Grünes.

Today you'll order something green.

Words in this phrase

bestellst

[beh-SHTELST]

(you) order

Informal 'du' form of 'bestellen', to order food or drinks.

Example

Bestellst du noch ein Bier?

Are you ordering another beer?

[doo]

you (singular/informal)

Used when speaking to one person informally.

Example

Wie fühlst du dich heute Abend?

How do you feel this evening?

was

[vas]

something

Colloquial short form of 'etwas'.

Example

Ich muss dir was sagen.

I have to tell you something.

Grünes

[GROO-nes]

green (something green)

Adjective 'grün' used as a noun: something green, here a playful hint at a green drink.

Example

Ich trinke heute etwas Grünes.

I'm drinking something green today.

versprochen?

fer-SHPROKH-en

promise?

This is the participle of 'versprechen', used as a tag question. Say 'v' like 'f' and 'sp' like 'shp'.

Example

Du kommst mit, versprochen?

You're coming along, promise?

Words in this phrase

versprochen

[fer-SHPROKH-en]

promised

Past participle of 'versprechen'; used alone as a question it means 'promise?'

Example

Du kommst morgen, versprochen?

You'll come tomorrow, promise?

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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