German · Café
You choose a slice of cake at the counter: what to say in German
You choose a piece of cake at the counter.
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How it's done. In German cafés you take cake (Kuchen) by the piece; whipped cream (Sahne) is often offered with it.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Entschuldigung, was ist das?
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, vahs eest dahs?
Excuse me, what is this?
Or say:Was für ein Kuchen ist das?
Vahs fyoor ighn KOO-khayn eest dahs?
THEY SAY
Das ist Apfelkuchen, ganz frisch.Dahs eest AHP-fel-koo-khayn, gahnts freesh.
That's apple cake, very fresh.
They might also say:
Das ist ein Käsekuchen mit Früchten.
Dahs eest ighn KEH-zeh-koo-khayn meet FRYOOKH-tayn.
That's a cheesecake with fruit.
2
YOU REPLY
Dann nehme ich ein Stück, bitte.
Dahn NEH-meh eekh ighn shtyook, BEE-teh.
Then I'll have a piece, please.
THEY SAY
Mit Sahne?Meet ZAH-neh?
With cream?
They might also say:
Möchten Sie Sahne dazu?
MYOKH-tayn zee ZAH-neh duh-TSOO?
Would you like cream with it?
3
YOU REPLY
Ja, gern.
Yah, gehrn.
Yes, please.
Or say:Nein, ohne Sahne, bitte.
Nighn, OH-neh ZAH-neh, BEE-teh.
THEY SAY
Gern. Zum Mitnehmen oder hier?Gehrn. Tsoom MEET-neh-mayn OH-duh kheer?
Gladly. To take away or here?
4
YOU FINISH
Hier, bitte. Danke!
Kheer, BEE-teh. DAHN-keh!
Here, please. Thank you!
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
ist
eest
verb
is
Apfelkuchen
AHP-fel-koo-khayn
noun
apple cake
ganz
gahnts
adverb
quite, whole
frisch
freesh
adjective
fresh
Dann
Dahn
adverb
then
nehme
NEH-meh
verb
I take
16 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Können Sie mir das zeigen?
KYOH-nayn zee meer dahs TSIGH-gayn?
Can you show me?
Similar situations
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