Meaning
To ask about preferences for additives to a drink.
Cultural Background
The 'Kaffeeklatsch' is a traditional afternoon social gathering centered around coffee and cake. It's where 'Mit Milch und Zucker?' is heard most often. In Vienna, coffee culture is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. There are dozens of ways to order coffee (e.g., Melange, Einspänner), but the basic question about milk and sugar remains essential. The Swiss often use the term 'Kaffee Crème', which already implies a bit of cream/milk is added, making the question sometimes redundant. Tea is more popular than coffee here. They use 'Kluntje' (rock sugar) and do not stir the cream, allowing it to form a 'cloud' in the tea.
The 'Rising' Tone
Since this is a question without a question word (like 'wie' or 'was'), make sure your voice goes up at the end of 'Zucker'.
Stück Zucker
In Germany, sugar is often served in cubes. You can say 'Ein Stück Zucker' or 'Zwei Stück Zucker'.
Meaning
To ask about preferences for additives to a drink.
The 'Rising' Tone
Since this is a question without a question word (like 'wie' or 'was'), make sure your voice goes up at the end of 'Zucker'.
Stück Zucker
In Germany, sugar is often served in cubes. You can say 'Ein Stück Zucker' or 'Zwei Stück Zucker'.
Ordering like a local
If you want it black, just say 'Schwarz, bitte'. It's faster and very common.
Lactose-free
If you need lactose-free milk, ask for 'Laktosefreie Milch'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
Trinken Sie Ihren Tee ____ Milch und Zucker?
'Mit' is the correct preposition for 'with' when adding ingredients.
Which is the most natural way to ask a guest about their coffee?
A guest just arrived. You offer coffee. What do you say?
This is the standard, polite shorthand for asking preferences.
Complete the dialogue.
Kellner: 'Ein Kaffee für Sie. Mit Milch und Zucker?' Kunde: 'Nein danke, ich trinke ihn ________.'
'Schwarz' (black) is the opposite of 'mit Milch und Zucker'.
Match the response to the request.
Request: 'Ich hätte gerne einen Tee mit viel Zucker.'
Responding to a request for 'viel Zucker' (a lot of sugar).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Black vs. With Everything
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTrinken Sie Ihren Tee ____ Milch und Zucker?
'Mit' is the correct preposition for 'with' when adding ingredients.
A guest just arrived. You offer coffee. What do you say?
This is the standard, polite shorthand for asking preferences.
Kellner: 'Ein Kaffee für Sie. Mit Milch und Zucker?' Kunde: 'Nein danke, ich trinke ihn ________.'
'Schwarz' (black) is the opposite of 'mit Milch und Zucker'.
Request: 'Ich hätte gerne einen Tee mit viel Zucker.'
Responding to a request for 'viel Zucker' (a lot of sugar).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it's very common and efficient. Adding 'bitte' (please) at the end makes it perfectly polite.
You can say 'Mit Honig statt Zucker, bitte'.
Generally no, except in the North (Ostfriesland). Most Germans drink tea with lemon or plain.
It's evaporated milk, often served in small plastic containers in older cafes.
You say '{der|m} Haferdrink' or '{die|f} Hafermilch'.
Yes, it is always {der|m} Zucker.
Yes, but 'Eiskaffee' in Germany usually comes with vanilla ice cream already!
It means artificial sweetener.
In short questions about substances, articles are often omitted for speed.
Say 'Mit ein wenig Milch'.
Yes, '{die|f} Sahne' is cream. In coffee, it's often called 'Kaffeesahne'.
An afternoon social meeting with coffee and gossip.
Related Phrases
Schwarz, bitte
contrastBlack, please
Mit viel Milch
specialized formWith a lot of milk
Ohne Zucker
similarWithout sugar
Ein Stück Zucker
builds onOne cube of sugar
