How to Say ‘I'd like a coffee, please.’ in German
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
ikh HET-tuh gehrn EYE-nen KAH-feh BIT-tuh
[ikh HET-tuh gehrn EYE-nen KAH-feh BIT-tuh]
💬 Usage Tip: [hätte gern] is a standard polite pattern for ordering. Reuse it with almost anything: [Ich hätte gern ein Croissant] or [Ich hätte gern zwei Kaffee].
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
The German word for 'I,' used when ordering for yourself.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
hätte
[HET-tuh]
would have / would like
A polite request form commonly used in service situations.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
gern
[gehrn]
gladly / would like
Combined with 'hätte' to express a polite wish or order.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
Einen Kaffee
EYE-nen KAH-feh
a coffee
The object being requested; in German, Kaffee is masculine, so the accusative is einen Kaffee.
Ich nehme einen Kaffee.
I'll take a coffee.
Words in this phrase
einen
[EYE-nen]
a
Masculine accusative article used with 'Kaffee' as the direct object.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
Kaffee
[KAH-feh]
coffee
The drink being ordered in the sentence.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
bitte
[BIT-tuh]
please
Makes the order polite and friendly.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I would like a coffee, please.
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