Maya: Welcome back to German for Gringos, lesson five. I'm Maya.
Devon: And I'm Devon. You have greetings, courtesy, and numbers under your belt. Today you get the most important survival skill of all: ordering food and drink.
Maya: Phrase one: the menu, please. "dee SHPY-zuh-KAR-tuh, BIT-tuh". Pronunciation tip: start with a soft sh, like the English word "shpy", then roll into "zuh" and "KAR-tuh". Say it with me: "dee SHPY-zuh-KAR-tuh, BIT-tuh".
Devon: Phrase two, the magic words: I would like. "ikh HEHT-tuh gairn". Tip: the "kh" ending is the soft ch sound, just a breathy sh, so soften your k. "ikh HEHT-tuh gairn".
Maya: Phrase three: for me, please. "fyoor mikh, BIT-tuh". Tip: "fyoor" rhymes with cure, and "mikh" ends with that same soft breathy ch. "fyoor mikh, BIT-tuh".
Devon: Phrase four, the classic closer: the bill, please. "dee REHKH-noong, BIT-tuh". Tip: the "noong" is nasal, like the end of the word sing. "dee REHKH-noong, BIT-tuh".
Maya: Phrase five: one more, please. "nokh ines, BIT-tuh". Tip: "nokh" starts with the throaty ch, like clearing your throat gently, and "ines" is just "een-ess" said fast. Perfect for ordering another coffee. "nokh ines, BIT-tuh".
Devon: Phrase six, to praise the cook: that tastes delicious. "dahs shmekt LEHK-uh". Tip: "shmekt" starts with a sh sound, and "LEHK-uh" is short and punchy. "dahs shmekt LEHK-uh".
Maya: And phrase seven, for when you cannot decide: what do you recommend. "vahs emp-FEH-len zee". Tip: "vahs" starts with a v sound, and "zee" is the formal you. Say it slowly: "vahs emp-FEH-len zee".
Devon: Now let's put it together. I'm the waiter at a Bavarian restaurant, and you're ordering.
Maya: Guten Abend! Please, dee SHPY-zuh-KAR-tuh, BIT-tuh.
Devon: Guten Abend. Here you are.
Maya: Tell me, vahs emp-FEH-len zee?
Devon: The Wiener schnitzel is famous here.
Maya: Then ikh HEHT-tuh gairn the schnitzel, and fyoor mikh, BIT-tuh, a beer.
Devon: Excellent choice.
Maya: The meal arrives. dahs shmekt LEHK-uh! And now, dee REHKH-noong, BIT-tuh.
Devon: You just ordered a whole meal in German. Bravo.
Maya: Cultural note: in Germany, the waiter will never bring you the bill on their own. You have to ask for it with "dee REHKH-noong, BIT-tuh". And when you sit down at a restaurant, the server comes to your table. You never walk up to a counter to order, unless you are at a standing beer hall.
Maya: Recap drill. Phrase one: how do you say I would like?
Devon: "ikh HEHT-tuh gairn". Phrase two: the bill, please?
Maya: "dee REHKH-noong, BIT-tuh". Phrase three: that tastes delicious?
Devon: "dahs shmekt LEHK-uh". Lesson five complete. Tomorrow, eating like a local: dietary needs and tipping done right. CHOOss!