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How to Say ‘Sparkling water or still water?’ in German

Mit oder ohne Kohlensäure?

mit OH-der OH-neh KOH-len-zoy-reh

[mit OH-der OH-neh KOH-len-zoy-reh]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Sparkling water is the German default, so you'll hear this question a lot. Answer ohne or still "still" if you don't want bubbles.

Phrase Breakdown

Mit oder ohne

mit OH-der OH-neh

With or without

The waiter offers a choice. The 'h' in 'ohne' is silent: 'OH-ne'.

Example

Mit oder ohne Milch?

With or without milk?

Words in this phrase

Mit

[mit]

with

A preposition meaning 'with'.

Example

Mit Blick klingt nach einem schönen Tisch.

'With a view' sounds like a nice table.

oder

[OH-der]

Connects two alternatives.

Example

In Möchten Sie lieber drinnen oder draußen sitzen? verbindet oder zwei Möglichkeiten.

In Would you prefer to sit inside or outside?, or connects two possibilities.

ohne

[OH-neh]

without

Preposition meaning lacking something.

Example

Kaffee ohne Zucker, bitte.

Coffee without sugar, please.

Kohlensäure?

KOH-len-zoy-reh

carbonation (sparkling)?

Say 'KOH-len-zoy-re'. The 'äu' sounds like 'oy'.

Example

Wasser ohne Kohlensäure, bitte.

Still water, please.

Words in this phrase

Kohlensäure

[KOH-len-zoy-reh]

carbonation, fizz

Carbonic acid; used to ask if water is sparkling.

Example

Das Wasser hat viel Kohlensäure.

The water is very fizzy.

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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