German for English speakers Beach · Lesson 0

Picking an ice cream

Order ice cream in German — Kann ich ein Eis haben? (Can I have an ice cream?) — and choose Waffel oder Becher (cone or cup).

Conversation

  1. Pishi Pishi

    Dürfte ich ein Eis haben?

    Can I have an ice cream?

    Tip: <Eis> can either mean “ice” or “ice cream”. Usually, meaning from context is clear.

  2. Kyle Kyle

    Natürlich, ein Hörnchen oder einen Becher?

    Sure thing. Cone or cup?

    Tip: <Natürlich> = lit. naturally, this is used very frequently in German.

  3. Pishi Pishi

    Einen Becher!

    Cup!

    Tip: <Einen> = this is accusative because the action is inferred from context.

  4. Kyle Kyle

    Und mit welchem Geschmack?

    What flavours?

    Tip: <Geschmack> = Flavor or taste

  5. Pishi Pishi

    Schokolade und Pistazie, bitte.

    Chocolate and pistachio. Thanks!!

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you order in German?

Kann ich + noun + haben? (literal: can I have ...?) or Ich hätte gern + noun. Both polite. Add bitte (please) at the end.

Common German ice cream flavors?

Vanille, Schokolade, Erdbeere (strawberry), Pistazie, Zitrone (lemon), Stracciatella, Haselnuss (hazelnut).

Waffel vs Becher?

Die Waffel = cone (waffle cone). Der Becher = cup/tub. Standard ice-cream parlour options.

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