How to Say ‘I'd like a coffee, please.’ in German
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
ikh HET-teh gearn EYE-nen ka-FAY BIT-teh
[ikh HET-teh gearn EYE-nen ka-FAY BIT-teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [hätte gern] is a standard polite pattern for ordering. Reuse it with other items: [Ich hätte gern einen Cappuccino, bitte.]
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
The first-person singular pronoun, used when ordering for yourself.
Ich sage: Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
I say: I would like a coffee, please.
hätte
[HET-teh]
would have / would like
A polite request form meaning 'would like' in ordering situations.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. mit laktosefreier Milch.
I would like a coffee, please, with lactose-free milk.
gern
[gearn]
gladly / would like
Together with 'hätte,' it creates the polite phrase 'would like.'
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. und dazu Wasser.
I would like a coffee, please, and water with it.
Einen Kaffee
EYE-nen ka-FAY
a coffee
The thing being requested; 'Kaffee' is masculine, so it takes 'einen' in the accusative.
Ich nehme einen Kaffee.
I’ll take a coffee.
Words in this phrase
einen
[EYE-nen]
a
Masculine accusative article used before 'Kaffee' in a request.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. für unterwegs.
I would like a coffee, please, to go.
Kaffee
[ka-FAY]
coffee
The beverage being ordered.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. Ohne Zucker.
I would like a coffee, please. No sugar.
bitte
[BIT-teh]
please
A polite word often added at the end of an order.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte. Das klingt höflich.
I would like a coffee, please. That sounds polite.
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