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How to Say ‘Together or separately?’ in German

Zusammen oder getrennt?

tsoo-ZAH-men OH-der geh-TRENT

[tsoo-ZAH-men OH-der geh-TRENT]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Servers routinely ask this at the table. Splitting the bill item by item is completely normal, even on dates.

Phrase Breakdown

Zusammen

[tsoo-ZAH-men]

together

Describes people doing something jointly or as a group.

Example

Beim Karriereevent sitzen wir zusammen und lernen das Team kennen.

At the career event, we sit together and get to know the team.

oder getrennt?

OH-der geh-TRENT

or separately?

Waiters ask this when you pay. In 'getrennt' the stress is on the second syllable (ge-TRENNT), and the 'g' is hard. Let your voice rise at the end, since it's a question.

Example

Getrennt, bitte.

Separately, please.

Words in this phrase

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.

getrennt

[geh-TRENT]

separately

Means separate; when paying, each person pays their own.

Example

Wir zahlen getrennt.

We pay separately.

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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