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How to Say ‘Won't you stay for dinner?’ in German

Willst du nicht noch zum Abendessen bleiben?

vilst doo nicht nokh tsoom ah-bent-es-sen BLY-ben

[vilst doo nicht nokh tsoom ah-bent-es-sen BLY-ben]

🇩🇪 In Germany: A typical in-law invitation. Declining once is fine, but expect them to ask again, so a reason like someone waiting helps.

Phrase Breakdown

Willst du nicht noch

vilst doo nicht nokh

Don't you want to still

This is a friendly invitation phrased as a negative question. 'Noch' suggests staying a bit longer. The 'ch' in 'nicht' is soft; the 'ch' in 'noch' is throaty.

Example

Willst du nicht noch einen Tee?

Wouldn't you like another tea?

Words in this phrase

Willst

[vilst]

want

To desire or wish for something.

Example

Er will nach Hause.

He wants to go home.

[doo]

you

The pronoun 'du' in nominative form.

Example

Du bist schön.

You are beautiful.

nicht

[nicht]

not

Used to negate a sentence.

Example

Dieses Angebot gibt's nicht mehr.

This offer no longer exists.

noch

[nokh]

still / another

In café phrases, 'noch' often means 'another' or 'anything more'.

Example

Möchten Sie noch einen Kaffee?

Would you like another coffee?

zum Abendessen bleiben?

tsoom ah-bent-es-sen BLY-ben

stay for dinner?

'Zum' = 'zu dem'. 'Abendessen' (dinner) is stressed on 'AH'. 'Bleiben' sounds like 'BLY-ben'.

Example

Sie bleibt zum Abendessen.

She's staying for dinner.

Words in this phrase

zum

[tsoom]

to the

Indicating direction toward a place.

Example

Wir gehen zum Park.

We are going to the park.

Abendessen

[ah-bent-es-sen]

dinner

The main meal of the day, typically in the evening.

Example

Wir reden beim Abendessen.

We talk during dinner.

bleiben

[BLY-ben]

to stay

Remain in a certain state or position.

Example

Er bleibt gesund durch Sport.

He stays healthy through sport.

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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