📕 Lektion 16: Im Laden — At the Shop (Shopping)
🛒 Welcome! In this lesson you'll learn how to shop in German! How to ask for things in a shop, ask about the price, and pay. A fun and very useful lesson!
🎬 Lesson Video
1. 🏪 New Words (Neue Wörter) — At the Shop
Let's learn important words about shopping and the shop. These words will help you buy anything!
🏬 The Shop and Supermarket (Der Laden und der Supermarkt)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| der Laden | deer LAH-den | the shop / store |
| das Geschäft | dahs ge-SHEFT | the shop / business |
| der Supermarkt | deer ZOO-per-markt | the supermarket |
| der Markt | deer markt | the market |
| der Bäcker | deer BEK-er | the baker / bakery shop |
| die Bäckerei | dee bek-er-EYE | the bakery |
| der Metzger | deer MET-sger | the butcher's shop |
| der Discounter | deer dis-KOWN-ter | the discount store |
| der Kiosk | dee KY-osk | the kiosk / corner shop |
🛍️ Things in the Shop (Sachen im Laden)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| der Einkaufswagen | deer INE-kowfs-vah-gen | the shopping cart / trolley |
| der Einkaufskorb | deer INE-kowfs-korb | the shopping basket |
| die Kasse | dee KAH-suh | the cash register / checkout |
| der Korb | deer korb | the basket |
| die Tüte | dee TÜ-tuh | the bag (plastic / paper) |
| die Flasche | dee FLAH-shuh | the bottle |
| das Regal | dahs re-GAHL | the shelf |
| die Karte | dee KAR-tuh | the card (bank card) |
| das Bargeld | dahs BAR-gelt | the cash |
💰 Money and Prices (Geld und Preise)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| das Geld | dahs gelt | the money |
| der Euro | deer OY-roh | the euro |
| der Cent | deer tsent | the cent |
| der Preis | deer price | the price |
| das Angebot | dahs AN-ge-boht | the offer / sale |
| die Quittung | dee KVIT-oong | the receipt |
| gratis | GRAH-tis | free (of charge) |
| billig | BIL-ish | cheap |
| teuer | TOY-er | expensive |
🧑🤝🧑 The People (Die Leute)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| der Kunde | deer KOON-duh | the customer (male) |
| die Kundin | dee KOON-din | the customer (female) |
| der Verkäufer | deer fer-KOY-fer | the salesperson (male) |
| die Verkäuferin | dee fer-KOY-fer-in | the salesperson (female) |
🛒 Important Verbs for Shopping (Verben für den Einkauf)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kaufen | KOW-fen | to buy |
| einkaufen | INE-kow-fen | to go shopping |
| verkaufen | fer-KOW-fen | to sell |
| bezahlen | be-TSAH-len | to pay |
| kosten | KOS-ten | to cost |
| brauchen | BROW-khen | to need |
| suchen | ZOO-khen | to look for / search |
| nehmen | NAY-men | to take |
| bekommen | be-KOM-en | to get / receive |
| öffnen | ÖF-nen | to open |
| schließen | SHLEE-sen | to close |
| zahlen | TSAH-len | to pay |
💡 Tip: The difference between kaufen and einkaufen: kaufen = to buy a specific thing, einkaufen = to go shopping (buy many things).
2. 💰 Grammar: Asking for the Price (Nach dem Preis fragen)
Let's learn how to ask "how much does it cost?" in German. Super easy!
Wie viel kostet das? = How much does this cost?
🟢 For one thing (singular):
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wie viel kostet der Apfel? | How much is the apple? |
| Wie viel kostet die Banane? | How much is the banana? |
| Wie viel kostet das Brot? | How much is the bread? |
| Der Apfel kostet 1 Euro. | The apple costs 1 euro. |
| Die Banane kostet 50 Cent. | The banana costs 50 cents. |
🟢 For many things (plural):
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wie viel kosten die Äpfel? | How much are the apples? |
| Wie viel kosten die Bananen? | How much are the bananas? |
| Wie viel kosten die Tomaten? | How much are the tomatoes? |
| Die Äpfel kosten 2 Euro. | The apples cost 2 euros. |
Did you notice the difference? 👀
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| kostet (costs) | kosten (cost) |
| der / die / das | die (always) |
⚠️ Golden rule: - One thing (singular) → kostet + der / die / das - Many things (plural) → kosten + die
🏧 Numbers with Prices (Zahlen mit Preisen)
Let's remember the numbers in German:
| Number | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | eins | ince |
| 2 | zwei | tsvy |
| 3 | drei | dry |
| 4 | vier | fear |
| 5 | fünf | foonf |
| 6 | sechs | zex |
| 7 | sieben | ZEE-ben |
| 8 | acht | ahkt |
| 9 | neun | noyn |
| 10 | zehn | tsehn |
| 20 | zwanzig | TSVAN-tsikh |
| 50 | fünfzig | FOONF-tsikh |
| 100 | einhundert | ine-HOON-dert |
How to say prices in German:
| Price | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 € | ein Euro | ine OY-roh |
| 1.50 € | ein Euro fünfzig | ine OY-roh FOONF-tsikh |
| 2.99 € | zwei Euro neunundneunzig | tsvy OY-roh noyn-und-noyn-tsikh |
| 0.50 € | fünfzig Cent | FOONF-tsikh tsent |
| 10.00 € | zehn Euro | tsehn OY-roh |
💡 Tip: In German, the comma (,) separates the euro from the cents, not the decimal point! 2,99 € = 2 euros and 99 cents (not 299 euros!)
🗣️ Useful Sentences in the Shop
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte … bitte. | I would like … please. |
| Ich hätte gern … | I would like … (polite) |
| Was kostet das? | What does this cost? |
| Wie viel kostet das? | How much does this cost? |
| Das ist aber teuer! | That's expensive! |
| Das ist aber billig! | That's cheap! |
| Haben Sie …? | Do you have …? |
| Ich brauche … | I need … |
| Ich suche … | I'm looking for … |
| Nehme ich. | I'll take it. |
| Das ist alles. | That's everything. |
| Was macht das zusammen? | What's the total? |
| Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? | Can I pay by card? |
| Bar, bitte. | Cash, please. |
| Die Quittung, bitte. | The receipt, please. |
3. 💬 Conversation (Gespräch) — At the Supermarket
This is a conversation between Ahmed (customer) and Mrs. Müller (the salesperson) at the supermarket:
Ahmed: Guten Morgen! (Good morning!)
Verkäuferin: Guten Morgen! Kann ich Ihnen helfen? (Good morning! Can I help you?)
Ahmed: Ja, ich suche die Äpfel. Wo sind die Äpfel? (Yes, I'm looking for the apples. Where are the apples?)
Verkäuferin: Die Äpfel sind dort im Regal. Sie kosten 2,99 Euro pro Kilo. (The apples are there on the shelf. They cost 2.99 euros per kilo.)
Ahmed: Danke! Ich möchte ein Kilo Äpfel, bitte. (Thank you! I would like one kilo of apples, please.)
Verkäuferin: Bitte sehr! Möchten Sie noch etwas? (Here you go! Would you like anything else?)
Ahmed: Ja, ich brauche auch eine Tüte. Haben Sie Tüten? (Yes, I also need a bag. Do you have bags?)
Verkäuferin: Ja, hier. Eine Tüte kostet 10 Cent. (Yes, here. One bag costs 10 cents.)
Ahmed: Okay, ich nehme eine Tüte. Was macht das zusammen? (Okay, I'll take a bag. What's the total?)
Verkäuferin: Ein Kilo Äpfel (2,99 €) und eine Tüte (0,10 €) — das macht 3,09 Euro. (One kilo of apples (2.99 €) and one bag (0.10 €) — that makes 3.09 euros.)
Ahmed: Hier sind 3,09 Euro. Bar, bitte. (Here is 3.09 euros. Cash, please.)
Verkäuferin: Danke schön! Hier ist Ihre Quittung. Auf Wiedersehen! (Thank you very much! Here is your receipt. Goodbye!)
Ahmed: Tschüss! (Bye!)
🧐 Questions about the conversation:
| Question in German | English |
|---|---|
| Wo sucht Ahmed? | Where is Ahmed shopping? |
| Was möchte Ahmed kaufen? | What does Ahmed want to buy? |
| Wie viel kosten die Äpfel pro Kilo? | How much do the apples cost per kilo? |
| Was braucht Ahmed noch? | What else does Ahmed need? |
| Wie viel kostet die Tüte? | How much does the bag cost? |
| Wie viel bezahlt Ahmed zusammen? | How much does Ahmed pay in total? |
| Bezahlt Ahmed mit Karte oder bar? | Does Ahmed pay by card or cash? |
✅ Answers:
- Ahmed is shopping at the supermarket.
- Ahmed wants to buy one kilo of apples.
- The apples cost 2.99 euros per kilo.
- Ahmed also needs a bag.
- The bag costs 10 cents.
- Ahmed pays a total of 3.09 euros.
- Ahmed pays in cash.
4. 🗣️ Lesson Vocabulary (Wortschatz)
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| der Laden | deer LAH-den | the shop / store |
| das Geschäft | dahs ge-SHEFT | the shop / business |
| der Supermarkt | deer ZOO-per-markt | the supermarket |
| einkaufen | INE-kow-fen | to go shopping |
| kaufen | KOW-fen | to buy |
| bezahlen | be-TSAH-len | to pay |
| kosten | KOS-ten | to cost |
| der Preis | deer price | the price |
| das Geld | dahs gelt | the money |
| der Euro | deer OY-roh | the euro |
| der Cent | deer tsent | the cent |
| die Kasse | dee KAH-suh | the cash register / checkout |
| die Tüte | dee TÜ-tuh | the bag |
| das Regal | dahs re-GAHL | the shelf |
| billig | BIL-ish | cheap |
| teuer | TOY-er | expensive |
| brauchen | BROW-khen | to need |
| suchen | ZOO-khen | to look for |
| nehmen | NAY-men | to take |
| Wie viel kostet …? | vee feel KOS-tet | How much does … cost? |
| Haben Sie …? | HAH-ben zee | Do you have …? |
| Ich möchte … | ish MÖKH-tuh | I would like … |
| Das ist alles. | dahs ist AH-les | That's everything. |
| Was macht das zusammen? | vas makht dah tsoo-ZAH-men | What's the total? |
| der Kunde / die Kundin | — | the customer (m/f) |
| der Verkäufer / die Verkäuferin | — | the salesperson (m/f) |
| die Quittung | dee KVIT-oong | the receipt |
| das Angebot | dahs AN-ge-boht | the offer / sale |
| offen / geöffnet | OF-en / ge-ÖF-net | open |
| geschlossen | ge-SHLOS-en | closed |
| die Einkaufsliste | dee INE-kowfs-lis-tuh | the shopping list |
✅ Lesson Summary
| What did you learn? | Key Sentence |
|---|---|
| Names of shops and things | der Supermarkt, die Kasse, die Tüte |
| Asking for the price | Wie viel kostet das? |
| Difference between kostet (singular) and kosten (plural) | Der Apfel kostet… / Die Äpfel kosten… |
| Asking for something in a shop | Ich möchte …, bitte. |
| Asking if something is available | Haben Sie …? |
| Paying and the receipt | Was macht das zusammen? — 3,09 Euro. |
| Difference between kaufen and einkaufen | kaufen = to buy / einkaufen = to go shopping |
🎉 Great job! You finished Lektion 16! Now you can shop in German, buy anything, and ask for the price! 👉 Next step: Go to the 📝 Übungsbuch exercises Lektion 16 and solve them to practice!
5. 🎁 "Liking" Verbs with the Dative: gefallen, passen, stehen (Verben mit Dativ)
In the shop the salesperson asks: Wie gefällt Ihnen der Mantel? (How do you like the coat?). These three verbs take the Dative case — the person who likes something is in the Dative, not the subject:
| Verb | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| gefallen | ge-FEL-len | to be pleasing / to like | Der Mantel gefällt mir. |
| passen | PAS-sen | to fit (size) | Die Schuhe passen gut. |
| stehen | SHTEH-en | to suit (look good on) | Der Hut steht dir! |
⚠️ Notice: With ich the verb changes to gefällt (a → ä): Das Kleid gefällt mir.
The Pronouns in the Dative
| Nominative | Dative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mir | Der Mantel gefällt mir. |
| du | dir | Passt dir die Jacke? |
| er / sie / es | ihm / ihr / ihm | Das Hemd steht ihm gut. |
| wir | uns | Die Schuhe passen uns. |
| ihr | euch | Gefällt euch das Geschäft? |
| sie (they) / Sie (formal) | ihnen / Ihnen | Wie gefällt Ihnen der Laden? |
Examples from the shop
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Der Mantel gefällt mir. | deer MAHN-tel ge-FELT meer | I like the coat. |
| Passt dir die Größe? | past deer dee GRÖ-suh | Does the size fit you? |
| Die Schuhe passen mir nicht. | dee SHOO-uh PAS-en meer nikht | The shoes don't fit me. |
| Der Hut steht Ihnen! | deer hoot SHTEET EE-nen | That hat suits you! |
| Kann ich Ihnen helfen? | kan ikh EE-nen HEL-fen | Can I help you? (same sentence as the salesperson in the dialogue above) |
⚠️ Golden rule: In English you say "I like it" (I am the subject), but German turns it around: mir gefällt... = "it pleases me" — you are in the Dative and the thing is the subject.
📘 Detailed explanation: Dative Case • Personal Pronouns in the Dative
6. ❓ Which One? welch- and Pointing with der/die/das (welche- und der, das, die)
When choosing between several things you ask "which?" — in German: welch-. Its ending changes with gender and case exactly like the definite articles:
welch- changes like der/die/das
| Gender | Question (Nominative) | Question about the chosen item (Accusative) |
|---|---|---|
| der (masculine) | Welcher Pullover ist billig? | Welchen Mantel nehmen Sie? |
| die (feminine) | Welche Farbe gefällt Ihnen? | Welche Farbe möchten Sie? |
| das (neuter) | Welches Hemd passt? | Welches Hemd möchten Sie? |
| die (plural) | Welche Schuhe sind schön? | Welche Schuhe passen mir? |
Pointing inside the shop: der / die / das
In a shop you point with your finger and use the article itself for pointing ("this one!" / "that one!"):
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Der da, bitte. | This one (masculine), please. |
| Ich nehme die da. | I'll take that one. |
| Das dort ist auch schön. | That one over there is nice too. |
💡 Tip: Welcher/Welche/Welches = which one of a group (a choice question), while der/die/das together with a word like da / dort is a direct pointer to a specific thing.
📘 Detailed explanation: Interrogative & Demonstrative Articles