How to Say ‘What can I get you?’ in German
Was darf's sein?
vahs darfs zyne
[vahs darfs zyne]
💬 Usage Tip: darf's is short for darf es, literally "may it be". You'll hear the same squeeze in geht's "how's it going".
🇩🇪 In Germany: This is the standard opener at a bakery or café counter. You don't need to greet back at length; just say what you want.
Phrase Breakdown
Was
[vahs]
what
Question word used to ask for specific information.
Was kostet der Valet-Service?
What does the valet service cost?
darf's
[darfs]
may it
Short for 'darf es'; 'darf' means 'may', used in the polite service phrase 'what may it be?'
Was darf's denn heute sein?
What will it be today?
sein
[zyne]
be
Exist; occur; take place.
Es ist schön, hier zu sein.
It's nice to be here.
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