German shopping phrases can make everyday buying feel smooth and clear. A label, a fitting room question, or a card terminal prompt is like a short conversation written in public. This page focuses on prices, sizes, and payments, with practical phrases you can use in shops, supermarkets, markets, and online checkout pages.
Core Phrases You Will Use Often
- Wie viel kostet das? (How much does that cost?)
- Haben Sie das in Größe M? (Do you have this in size M?)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? (Can I pay by card?)
- Gibt es Rabatt? (Is there a discount?)
- Ich hätte gern eine Quittung. (I would like a receipt.)
Think of these as reusable keys: short, polite, and easy to adapt. Add bitte (please) and danke (thank you) to keep the tone warm and professional.
Price Language
Price talk in German is direct and practical. The important parts are numbers, the euro, and a few everyday verbs like kosten (to cost).
Asking About A Price
- Wie viel kostet das? (How much does that cost?)
- Was kostet das? (What does it cost?)
- Wie teuer ist das? (How expensive is that?)
- Ist das im Angebot? (Is it on special?)
- Gibt es einen Rabatt? (Is there a discount?)
If you want to sound extra polite, add bitte: “Wie viel kostet das, bitte?”
Understanding The Reply
- Das kostet zehn Euro. (That costs ten euros.)
- Das macht 12,50 €. (That comes to €12.50.)
- Zusammen 18 Euro. (Eighteen euros total.)
- Mit Karte oder bar? (By card or cash?)
- Das ist reduziert. (That is reduced.)
In German writing, decimals often use a comma (12,50). On many receipts you will see both formats, so focus on the digits first.
A price tag is a small sentence. Learn its grammar and it stops feeling like a code.
Helpful mindset for fast reading
Numbers That Matter In Stores
- Euro (€, Euro) and Cent (ct, Cent)
- ein (1), zwei (2), drei (3), vier (4), fünf (5)
- zehn (10), zwanzig (20), dreißig (30)
- hundert (100), tausend (1,000)
For fast listening, remember one pattern: German often says the ones before the tens (for example, 23 is “dreiundzwanzig”).
Shopping Phrase Table
This table groups German shopping phrases by situation so you can copy what you need, then swap the number or size as required.
| Situation | German Phrase | Meaning | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Wie viel kostet das? | How much does that cost? | Point gently to the item: das is flexible. |
| Price | Was kostet das pro Kilo? | What does that cost per kilo? | Use with food counters and markets; pro means “per”. |
| Price | Ist das im Angebot? | Is it on special? | Angebot is a common sign word; easy to spot. |
| Price | Gibt es einen Rabatt? | Is there a discount? | Keep it light; the word Rabatt is widely understood. |
| Size | Haben Sie das in Größe S/M/L? | Do you have this in size S/M/L? | Say the size clearly; add bitte for politeness. |
| Size | Haben Sie das in Größe 38? | Do you have this in size 38? | Many items use numbers; speak each digit calmly. |
| Size | Wo ist die Umkleidekabine? | Where is the fitting room? | Umkleide is a strong keyword in stores. |
| Size | Kann ich das anprobieren? | Can I try this on? | Anprobieren is very common; you will hear it often. |
| Payment | Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? | Can I pay by card? | If you prefer contactless: add kontaktlos. |
| Payment | Nur Barzahlung? | Cash only? | Short question, clear tone; nur means “only”. |
| Payment | Kontaktlos, bitte. | Contactless, please. | Simple and polite; works at any terminal. |
| Payment | Muss ich eine PIN eingeben? | Do I need to enter a PIN? | eingeben = “to enter” (a code or number). |
| Receipt | Ich hätte gern einen Kassenbon. | I would like a receipt. | Kassenbon, Beleg, and Quittung are all useful. |
| Returns | Kann ich das umtauschen? | Can I exchange this? | Pair it with Beleg (proof of purchase). |
| Checkout | Haben Sie Kleingeld? | Do you have small change? | Kleingeld is “coins / small change”. |
Size Language
Sizes can look simple, then surprise you. German size talk becomes easy when you learn three anchors: Größe (size), passt (fits), and anprobieren (try on).
Finding The Right Size
- Welche Größe ist das? (What size is this?)
- Ich brauche eine Nummer größer. (I need one size bigger.)
- Ich brauche eine Nummer kleiner. (I need one size smaller.)
- Passt das? (Does it fit?)
- Es ist zu groß / zu klein. (It is too big / too small.)
In many stores you can ask for a quick check: “Haben Sie eine Größentabelle?” (Do you have a size chart?)
Shoes, Measurements, And Fit
- Welche Schuhgröße haben Sie? (What shoe size do you have?)
- Haben Sie das in 42? (Do you have it in 42?)
- Gibt es das auch in Zentimetern? (Is it also available in centimeters?)
- Wie sind die Maße? (What are the measurements?)
- Der Schnitt ist eher klein. (The cut runs rather small.)
When you hear Schnitt, think “cut” or “fit.” It is a fast way to talk about how clothing sits on the body.
Common Size Words
| German | Use | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Größe | General size | Works for clothing, gloves, and many items. |
| Schuhgröße | Shoe size | Use with numbers like 41, 42. |
| zu groß | too big | Short, clear feedback in fitting rooms. |
| zu klein | too small | Pairs well with “eine Nummer”. |
| eng | tight | Useful when something fits but feels restrictive. |
| weit | loose / wide | Helpful for sleeves, waist, and overall cut. |
Payment Language
Payment moments are fast. One clear question can prevent confusion: Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? Add a preference like kontaktlos or bar (cash) and you are done.
Mini Dialogue Templates
- You: Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
- Staff: Ja, gerne. / Nur bar.
- You: Kontaktlos, bitte.
- Staff: Bitte die Karte auflegen.
These short lines are like traffic signals: clear, quick, and designed for smooth flow.
Card, Cash, And Contactless
- Mit Karte (by card) and bar (cash)
- Kontaktlos (contactless) and mit PIN (with PIN)
- Mit Kreditkarte (with credit card) and mit Debitkarte (with debit card)
- Bitte stecken. (Please insert [the card].)
- Bitte unterschreiben. (Please sign.)
If you want to confirm the method before scanning starts, use “Zahle ich hier an der Kasse?” (Do I pay here at the register?) It fits supermarkets and larger stores.
Receipts And Simple After-Sales Phrases
- Bekomme ich einen Beleg? (Can I get a receipt?)
- Ich hätte gern eine Quittung. (I would like a receipt.)
- Kann ich das umtauschen? (Can I exchange this?)
- Wie lange ist die Rückgabefrist? (How long is the return period?)
- Wo ist der Kundenservice? (Where is customer service?)
Keeping these phrases short helps. Payment counters are busy places, and clarity is the most polite choice.
Useful Add-Ons For Any Shopping Situation
Finding Items
- Wo finde ich …? (Where can I find …?)
- Haben Sie …? (Do you have …?)
- Ich suche … (I am looking for …)
- In welcher Abteilung? (In which section?)
Add one product word and the phrase becomes complete. Even simple nouns plus bitte work very well.
Polite Timing And Availability
- Ist das noch da? (Is that still available?)
- Wann kommt das wieder rein? (When will it be back in stock?)
- Gibt es das auch in einer anderen Farbe? (Is it also available in another color?)
- Kann ich das reservieren? (Can I reserve it?)
Availability questions feel natural and respectful. A small word like auch (also) makes your request softer.
References
- European Central Bank Euro Banknotes Information
- European Commission Using The Euro
- DWDS Dictionary Entry: “kosten”
- Duden Entry: “Größe”
- Wikipedia German Numerals
- Wikipedia Clothing Sizes
FAQ
How do I ask “How much is this?” in German?
Use Wie viel kostet das? or Was kostet das?. Add bitte for a polite tone: Wie viel kostet das, bitte?
What is the simplest way to ask for a different size?
Say Haben Sie das in Größe M? for letter sizes, or Haben Sie das in Größe 38? for number sizes. If you already tried it on, you can say Eine Nummer größer, bitte.
How do I ask if I can pay by card?
The standard phrase is Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?. If you prefer contactless, add Kontaktlos, bitte. If you want to confirm cash only, ask Nur bar?
Which German word should I use for “receipt”?
You can use Kassenbon, Beleg, or Quittung. A safe sentence is Ich hätte gern einen Beleg.
How do I ask where the fitting room is?
Ask Wo ist die Umkleidekabine?. If you want permission to try something on, say Kann ich das anprobieren?