Find a product before you join the queue
Use Entschuldigung, wo finde ich …? followed by the product. If you missed the location, ask for it again instead of guessing. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? can keep the exchange moving.
- Kundin
- Entschuldigung, wo finde ich Hafermilch?
- Mitarbeiter
- Im Gang rechts, neben dem Kaffee.
- Kassiererin
- Brauchen Sie eine Tüte?
- Kundin
- Nein, danke. Ich habe eine Tasche dabei.
- Kassiererin
- Das macht drei Euro sechzig.
- Kundin
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
- Kassiererin
- Ja. Den Bon dazu?
- Kundin
- Ja, bitte.
Recognise short checkout questions
The forms vary by shop and speaker. Mit Karte? can ask about payment; Den Bon dazu? asks whether you want the receipt. The context supplies the missing verb. These short service questions are useful to recognise even while you practise full sentences yourself.
| Possible question | What it asks | One reply |
|---|---|---|
| Brauchen Sie eine Tüte? | Do you need a bag? | Nein, danke. Ich habe eine Tasche dabei. |
| Bar oder mit Karte? | Cash or card? | Mit Karte, bitte. |
| Den Bon dazu? | Do you want the receipt? | Ja, bitte. |
| Haben Sie es passend? | Do you have the exact amount? | Leider nicht. |
Read a small receipt and confirm the total
The fictional basket below costs 3,60 € without a bag. If you add the 0,20 € bag in the second version, the total becomes 3,80 €. These numbers are practice data, not current store prices. Payment options depend on the actual store, so ask rather than assume that a particular card will be accepted.
| Item | Quantity | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brot | 1 | 2,40 € |
| Hafermilch | 1 | 1,20 € |
| Summe ohne Tüte | 3,60 € | |
| Tüte, only in version 2 | 1 | 0,20 € |
| Summe mit Tüte | 3,80 € |
Change the reply when the situation changes
Repeat the shopping exchange three times: first with your own bag and card; then with a purchased bag and cash; then with a receipt you do not need. Your reply should follow the new facts. If you did not hear the amount, ask Wie viel macht das? rather than naming a number from memory.
- Product I need: ______
- Where it is: ______
- My bag choice: ______
- My payment question: ______
- Receipt yes/no: ______
Six tasks to practise
Try each task before opening the answer. Open tasks show one model; equivalent appropriate answers are also possible.
Ask where to find oat milk.
Answer and explanation
Entschuldigung, wo finde ich Hafermilch?
The question gives the employee the product you need.
You brought a bag. Reply to “Brauchen Sie eine Tüte?”
Answer and explanation
Nein, danke. Ich habe eine Tasche dabei.
The reply fits the new information, rather than automatically buying a bag.
Add the bread 2,40 € and oat milk 1,20 €. What is the total without a bag?
Answer and explanation
3,60 €.
2,40+1,20=3,60.
Now add the 0,20 € bag. What is the new total?
Answer and explanation
3,80 €.
The bag changes the previous total by 0,20 €.
You want a receipt. Reply to “Den Bon dazu?”
Answer and explanation
Ja, bitte.
The short reply is enough because the question names the receipt.
You missed the amount. Ask for the total again.
Answer and explanation
Wie viel macht das?
This asks for the information you need. Können Sie den Betrag bitte wiederholen? is another option.
Questions learners ask
What does Den Bon dazu mean?
At the checkout it is a short question asking whether you want the receipt. The precise wording varies.
Can I always pay by card?
Check the actual store and card type. For the language task, Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? lets you ask instead of assuming.