July 2014

8 key phrases for going shopping in German

September 23, 2025July 25, 2014 by Coffee Break Languages

Shopping in a German-speaking country can be an amazing experience, whether you’re exploring souvenir shops, browsing local markets or hunting for deals in department stores. To make the most out of this time, knowing the language’s key phrases for going shopping in German is a must.

That is why in this blog post we’ve selected eight useful and practical phrases for navigating the shopping scene with ease. Don’t forget to listen to the podcast to learn how to pronounce this essential vocabulary!

1. Kann ich euch helfen?

When you first enter a store, a friendly greeting sets the tone so don’t forget to use one of the forms of hello in German. That being said, the phrase Kann ich Ihnen helfen? which means, Can I help you? is definitely one that you’ll hear from a shop assistant when you walk into a store. If you are going shopping with a friend, you might also hear the plural form Kann ich euch helfen?

Additionally, the assistant may ask: Suchen Sie etwas Spezielles? Are you looking for something specific?. Again, the plural form would be: Sucht ihr etwas Spezielles?

2. Ich gucke nur

Now that you know what the shop assistant might ask you if you need help, it is also useful to know how to answer that question. In case you’re shopping on your own, you can politely let them know that you’re not ready to buy anything yet by saying Ich gucke nur. I’m just looking.

In some regions of Germany, Ich schaue nur might also be used instead of gucke, but gucken is more commonly heard in everyday conversation.

3. Kann ich das anprobieren?

One of the most useful phrases for going shopping in German for clothes or shoes is Kann ich das anprobieren? which translates to Can I try this on?. This sentence could be especially useful when you find an item that you’re interested in but want to check if it fits before making a purchase.

To this request, the shop assistant may respond with:

Ja, natürlich! Die Umkleidekabinen sind dort drüben. Yes, of course! The fitting rooms are over there.
Klar, hier ist eine Umkleidekabine. Sure, here is a fitting room.

4. Passt das? Passen die?

Once you’ve tried on a pair of shoes or clothing, the shop assistant might ask you Passt das? Does that fit? or Passen die? Do they fit? A straightforward answer to this question in German would be:

Ja, passt perfekt. Yes, fits perfectly.
Nein, nicht ganz. No, not quite.

If you would like it in a different size, you might use the following phrase.

5. Haben Sie das/die in …

Another key phrase for going shopping in German is Haben Sie das/die in …? Do you have that/them in …?. It is a perfect way to ask about the availability of a product in a specific size, colour, or style. For example, if you are shopping for shoes and want to know if the store has a different size, you might ask:

Haben Sie die auch in Größe 43? Do you also have them in size 43?

Or if you are expressing preferences, you could say:

Haben Sie das in einer anderen Farbe? Do you have that in another colour?
Ich hätte lieber das in Blau. I’d prefer that in blue.

6. Wie viel kostet das? Wie viel kosten die?

Once you’ve found the perfect item, another key skill to shopping in German is being able to ask for the price. Simply ask Wie viel kostet das? which means How much does that cost? or Wie viel kosten die? which is used for more than one item, like shoes.

This is a crucial phrase to know while shopping to avoid any surprises at the checkout.

7. Das/Die nehme ich.

When you’ve decided on your purchase, you can say, Das/Die nehme ich.. This translates to, I’ll take that/them. It’s a great way to let the shop assistant know you’ve made your decision and are ready to check out.

8. Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?

In many German stores, you’ll have the option to pay with a credit or debit card. To ask, Can I pay by card?, you can say: Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? This is an important question to ask when on the counter.

With these phrases under your belt, your shopping experience in German will go smoothly! After all, you’ll be able to navigate any store confidently and make your shopping experience much easier. From asking to try things on to paying for your purchases, you now have the essential vocabulary you need to enjoy your time shopping in a German-speaking country.

Since you already know how to go about shopping, how about learning to navigate any place by being able to ask for tourist information in a German-speaking city? Check out the article we prepared on the subject and also gain more insight into relative pronouns in German!

Season 4 – Lesson 18 – Coffee Break French

February 18, 2025July 22, 2014 by Coffee Break Languages

It’s time for a new episode of Coffee Break French. This week Sylvie is responding to her mother’s latest email as they’re both looking forward to spending a family weekend in Épinal. As usual Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points contained in the text, including the expressions se dépêcher de faire quelque chose, se faire des idées, and the very useful word sacré. Please note that lesson 18 of Season 4 was originally known as lesson 418 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.

A definitive guide to tu and vous

November 4, 2025July 17, 2014 by Coffee Break Languages

For learners of French, and indeed many other languages, it’s often difficult to know how to address people, since there are two different forms of the word for “you”: tu and vous. Back in Coffee Break French lesson 3 we introduced this concept, and in our mini soap opera in lessons 71-80 we discussed it too in lesson 76.

We’ve come across a wonderful flow chart on how to use correctly the tu and vous form in French which has been doing the rounds on social media in the past few days. Created by the author William Alexander whose forthcoming book “Flirting with French: How a Language Charmed Me, Seduced Me, and Almost Broke My Heart” (which we can’t wait to read!), the flow chart explains exactly when you should opt for tu and when you should stick with vous. Although the author’s tongue was obviously firmly in cheek, it’s very accurate! Please have a look at the original which you can find on the LA Times site and let us know what you think in the comments below, and if you’re interested in pre-ordering the book, here are the Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk links!

6 Useful phrases to navigate with a map in German

October 2, 2025July 13, 2014 by Coffee Break Languages

Planning a trip to a German-speaking country? Well, then you must understand that knowing how to use a map in German can make your travels much smoother. Especially if you are in a smaller town with limited connection!

From understanding directions to locating landmarks, mastering these key phrases will help you find your way out and about like a pro. Don’t forget to listen to the podcast to learn more about pronunciation and listen to some of this new vocabulary being used in practice.

1. Haben Sie eine Stadtkarte / eine Karte?

After checking in at your hotel using your German vocabulary, you are ready to explore the town or city you are visiting. The first thing you’ll likely need upon arriving in a new place is a Stadtplan city map or Karte map especially if you are in a smaller town or visiting a tourist attraction.

To ask for that, you can use this simple structure:

Entschuldigung, haben Sie einen Stadtplan von Bamberg? Excuse me, do you have a city map of Bamberg?

Similar to asking for a map of a city, you might also need a map when navigating national parks, estates or other tourist attractions. In this case, you can simply ask for a Karte map to help you navigate the terrain.

Entschuldigung, haben Sie eine Karte von dem Park? Excuse me, do you have a map of the park?

2. Wo finde ich das auf der Karte?

If someone gives you directions in German, this phrase will help you match their instructions to your map. It’s especially useful for pinpointing exact locations.

Wo finde ich den Bahnhof auf der Karte? Where can I find the train station on the map?

This ensures you’re on the right track and helps you avoid getting lost.

3. Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen?

When you’re not sure where to go, locals can be incredibly helpful. If you forgot how to ask where you can find the location, you can use this phrase to ask someone to point out the location on your map in German.

Können Sie mir das Franziskanerkloster auf der Karte zeigen? Can you show me the Franciscan Monastery on the map?

4. Wie komme ich dorthin?

If, instead of asking someone to show you where something is on the map, you prefer to ask for directions, you can use this phrase to find your way. It is useful if you are walking or using public transportation.

Example:

Wie komme ich von hier zum Hauptbahnhof? How do I get from here to the main station?

Combine this with your map in German to plan the best route.

5. Wie weit ist es von hier?

This phrase helps you gauge the distance between your current location and your destination. When paired with your map in German, it gives you a better sense of timing and the best way to travel.

A good question could be:

Wie weit ist es von hier zur Altstadt? How far is it from here to the Old Town?

You can adjust your plans accordingly, whether it’s a quick walk, a longer bus ride or even worth taking a taxi.

6. Können Sie das wiederholen? Ich spreche nicht so gut Deutsch.

This is a very useful sentence to add to your vocabulary, especially if you only speak a little German, as it translates to Can you repeat that? I don’t speak German very well. So, if directions are being explained too quickly, this phrase will help you slow things down and get a better understanding.

Germans appreciate it when tourists make an effort, even if their German isn’t perfect. Alternatively, you can also say:

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? Ich habe es nicht verstanden. Can you please repeat that? I didn’t understand.

Learning how to navigate and ask for directions using a map in German not only helps you have a better travel experience but also gives you confidence as you explore! Whether you’re seeking the nearest bus stop or planning a scenic route to a museum, these phrases will ensure you’re prepared.

As always, don’t hesitate to ask locals for help — they’ll appreciate your effort to speak German and may even share hidden gems in the area. And if you need a little help with your shopping vocabulary, make sure to head to our blog post in which we list some key phrases for going shopping in German!

Season 4 – Lesson 17 – Coffee Break French

February 24, 2025July 1, 2014 by Coffee Break Languages

In this episode of Coffee Break French Season 4, we consider Monique’s latest email as she looks forward to Sylvie’s visit this coming weekend. Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points contained in the text, including the expression tous les quatre matins, ce n’est pas la porte à côté, l’essentiel c’est que + subjunctive and lots more. Please note that lesson 17 of Season 4 was originally known as lesson 417 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.