German for English speakers Clothes · Lesson 1

What would you like?

Express preferences in German — Nein, lieber eine Bluse (No, I'd rather a blouse) — with the comparative adverb lieber.

Conversation

  1. Rose Rose

    Wollen Sie ein T-Shirt haben?

    Would you like a t-shirt?

  2. Yaya Yaya

    Nein, ich würde lieber eine Bluse haben.

    No, I'd rather a blouse.

    Tip: <lieber> = This does not mean “lover”,that would be Liebhaber, but rather “prefer”.

  3. Rose Rose

    Sehr gut. Und was für einen Rock wollen Sie gerne haben?

    Great. And what kind of skirt would you like?

    Tip: <denn> is a filler world that could be translated as “then”.

  4. Yaya Yaya

    Einen für Geschäftszwecke, weil ich im Büro arbeite.

    A quite formal one, for the office.

    Tip: <weil> = lit. because

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is lieber?

Comparative of gern = 'rather / more preferably'. Ich hätte lieber eine Bluse = 'I'd rather a blouse'.

T-Shirt vs Bluse vs Hemd?

Das T-Shirt = casual t-shirt. Die Bluse = blouse (women's). Das Hemd = button-down shirt (typically men's).

How do you decline politely in German?

Nein, danke (no, thanks), Lieber + alternative (rather...), Eigentlich nicht (actually not). Soften with reasons.

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