Meaning
Stating the action of consuming a beverage.
Cultural Background
When you say 'Ich trinke' in a social setting with alcohol, it is vital to look the other person in the eye when clinking glasses and saying 'Prost!'. In Vienna, 'Ich trinke einen {der|m} Kleinen Braunen' refers to a specific type of coffee culture that is world-renowned. The Swiss often drink 'Rivella', a soda made from milk whey. Saying 'Ich trinke Rivella' is a very local experience.
Add 'gerade'
If you want to sound more natural when saying you are currently drinking, say 'Ich trinke gerade'.
Accusative Case
Remember that masculine drinks change: 'einen Kaffee', 'einen Saft', 'einen Tee'.
Meaning
Stating the action of consuming a beverage.
Add 'gerade'
If you want to sound more natural when saying you are currently drinking, say 'Ich trinke gerade'.
Accusative Case
Remember that masculine drinks change: 'einen Kaffee', 'einen Saft', 'einen Tee'.
Tap Water
If you want tap water in a restaurant, specifically ask for 'Leitungswasser', otherwise you will get expensive bottled water.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'trinken'.
Ich ___ {der|m} Kaffee.
The first-person singular conjugation of 'trinken' is 'trinke'.
Which sentence is correct for 'I am drinking water'?
Choose one:
German uses the simple present for ongoing actions.
Match the German to the English.
Match them:
Basic vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was trinkst du? B: Ich ___ einen Saft.
You drink juice, you don't eat it.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can I drink?
Hot
- • {der|m} Kaffee
- • {der|m} Tee
- • {die|f} Schokolade
Cold
- • {das|n} Wasser
- • {der|m} Saft
- • {die|f} Limo
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ {der|m} Kaffee.
The first-person singular conjugation of 'trinken' is 'trinke'.
Choose one:
German uses the simple present for ongoing actions.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic vocabulary matching.
A: Was trinkst du? B: Ich ___ einen Saft.
You drink juice, you don't eat it.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsNo, use 'Ich esse Suppe'.
Only if used without an object in a context where alcohol is implied. Otherwise, it's neutral.
'Trinken' is for humans; 'saufen' is for animals or binge drinking.
Just say 'Ich trinke'. German doesn't have a separate 'am drinking' form.
In formal writing, yes. In casual speech, it is often dropped ('Ich trink').
It takes the accusative case for the object being drunk.
Yes, for general statements or habits, you can omit the article.
Related Phrases
einen trinken gehen
similarTo go out for a drink (usually alcohol).
etwas austrinken
specialized formTo finish a drink.
Prost!
similarCheers!
durstig sein
builds onTo be thirsty.
