Significado
To ask someone about their drink preference.
Contexto cultural
When someone asks 'Was möchten Sie trinken?', ordering tap water is uncommon and sometimes seen as 'cheap'. Most people order bottled mineral water. In Viennese coffee houses, the question is often followed by a specific list of coffee types like 'Melange' or 'Einspänner'. In Swiss German areas, the formality is very high. You might hear 'Was dörf's sii?' as a dialect variation of 'Was darf es sein?'. In a German office, it is standard to offer {der|m} Kaffee or {das|n} Wasser immediately. Declining is fine, but accepting is a good way to start small talk.
The 'Sie' Rule
When in doubt, always use 'Sie'. It is never offensive to be too formal, but it can be offensive to be too informal.
Add 'gerne'
Adding 'gerne' (Was möchten Sie gerne trinken?) makes you sound even more native and friendly.
Significado
To ask someone about their drink preference.
The 'Sie' Rule
When in doubt, always use 'Sie'. It is never offensive to be too formal, but it can be offensive to be too informal.
Add 'gerne'
Adding 'gerne' (Was möchten Sie gerne trinken?) makes you sound even more native and friendly.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct formal way to ask a guest for their drink preference.
Guten Tag! _______ _______ _______ trinken?
'Was möchten Sie' is the only formal option in the list.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
Was möchten Sie _______? (to drink)
After 'möchten', the second verb must be in the infinitive form.
Complete the dialogue between a waiter and a customer.
Kellner: Was möchten Sie trinken? Gast: _______ {der|m} Apfelsaft, bitte.
'Apfelsaft' is masculine, and here it is in the accusative case (I would like [a] juice).
Match the phrase to the correct social situation.
Phrase: 'Was möchtest du trinken?'
The 'du' form is for friends and family.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Common Drink Responses
Heißgetränke
- • {der|m} Kaffee
- • {der|m} Tee
Kaltgetränke
- • {das|n} Wasser
- • {der|m} Saft
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosGuten Tag! _______ _______ _______ trinken?
'Was möchten Sie' is the only formal option in the list.
Was möchten Sie _______? (to drink)
After 'möchten', the second verb must be in the infinitive form.
Kellner: Was möchten Sie trinken? Gast: _______ {der|m} Apfelsaft, bitte.
'Apfelsaft' is masculine, and here it is in the accusative case (I would like [a] juice).
Phrase: 'Was möchtest du trinken?'
The 'du' form is for friends and family.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
3 preguntasYes, it is grammatically correct, but 'Was möchten Sie trinken?' is more common and direct.
Not necessarily, but it is less polite than 'Was möchten Sie trinken?'. It's better for a quick interaction at a bar.
The most common way is: 'Ich möchte einen {der|m} Kaffee, bitte' or simply 'Einen {der|m} Kaffee, bitte'.
Frases relacionadas
Was darf ich Ihnen bringen?
similarWhat may I bring you?
Haben Sie schon gewählt?
builds onHave you already chosen?
Noch einen Wunsch?
similarAny other wish?
Was möchtest du trinken?
informalWhat would you (informal) like to drink?
