How to Say ‘I would like’ in German
Ich hätte gern
ikh HET-te gearn
[ikh HET-te gearn]
💬 Usage Tip: [hätte] is the soft, polite form of [haben]: [ich hätte gern] is the standard café-shop way to say "I'd like." You can reuse it with other things too: [Ich hätte gern einen Espresso.]
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
First-person singular pronoun meaning 'I'.
Ich sage im Café: Ich hätte gern einen Espresso.
I say in the café: I would like an espresso.
hätte
[HET-te]
would have / would like
Polite subjunctive form of 'haben'; in café language it helps express a polite request.
Im Café bestelle ich höflich: Ich hätte gern einen Latte.
In the café I order politely: I would like a latte.
gern
[gearn]
gladly
Used with 'hätte' to sound natural and polite, like 'would gladly like' meaning 'would like'.
An der Kasse sage ich: Ich hätte gern einen Cappuccino.
At the register I say: I would like a cappuccino.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”
Emma L., 27, UX Researcher
“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”
Marcus J., 40, Engineer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager