German · Restaurant
They bring you the wrong dish: what to say in German
They brought you something you did not order.
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How it's done. In Germany it is normal to point out a mistake politely: Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht bestellt. The waiter will replace it without fuss.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, das habe ich nicht bestellt.
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, dahs KHAH-beh eekh neekht besh-TELT.
Excuse me, I didn't order this.
Or say:Entschuldigung, ich hatte etwas anderes bestellt.
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, eekh KHAH-teh EH-tvuhs AHN-deh-res besh-TELT.
THEY SAY
Oh, tut mir leid! Was hatten Sie bestellt?Oh, toot meer light! Vahs KHAH-tayn zee besh-TELT?
Oh, I'm sorry! What had you ordered?
They might also say:
Das tut mir leid. Was war es denn?
Dahs toot meer light. Vahs vahr es dayn?
I'm sorry. What was it then?
2
YOU REPLY
Ich hatte die Gemüsesuppe bestellt.
Eekh KHAH-teh dee geh-MYOO-zeh-zoo-peh besh-TELT.
I had ordered the vegetable soup.
THEY SAY
Natürlich, ich bringe sie Ihnen sofort.Nuh-TYOOR-leekh, eekh BREEN-geh zee EE-nayn zoh-FORT.
Of course, I'll bring it to you right away.
3
YOU FINISH
Vielen Dank!
FEE-layn dahnk!
Thank you very much!
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
habe
KHAH-beh
verb
I have
nicht
neekht
adverb
not
bestellt
besh-TELT
verb
ordered
tut
toot
verb
does
leid
light
noun
sorrow
hatten
KHAH-tayn
verb
had
16 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Similar situations
You are with a child and ask for a high chairRestaurant · A1 in the app
→You phone a restaurant and book a table for Saturday eveningRestaurant · A2 in the app
→You ask the waiter what they recommend todayRestaurant · A1 in the app
→You ask for the bill and the waiter asks if you are paying togetherRestaurant · A2 in the app
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