German Phrase
Bist du bereit, Nachtisch zu bestellen?
Meaning
The sentence asks someone if they are ready to order dessert. It is a polite, slightly informal way to move the meal forward after the main course.
When to use
Use this phrase in a restaurant or café when the main dishes have been served and you want to check if the other person wants to order something sweet. It works well in both casual and semi‑formal dining situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Bistdubereit,Nachtischzubestellen?
sein (Bist)
‘Bist’ is the second‑person singular present form of ‘sein’ (to be) and is used for yes/no questions.
bereit sein
‘bereit’ is an adjective that normally appears with ‘sein’ to mean ‘ready’ or ‘prepared’.
zu + infinitive
In German, an infinitive clause that functions as an object is introduced by ‘zu’ (e.g., ‘zu bestellen’).
comma before infinitive clause
A comma is placed before the infinitive clause ‘zu bestellen’ when it is expanded or clarified.
Nachtisch (noun)
‘Nachtisch’ is a masculine noun (der Nachtisch) meaning ‘dessert’; it stays unchanged in this sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Bist du bereit, Nachtisch zu bestellen?
Are you ready to order dessert?
Ja, ich nehme den Apfelstrudel, bitte.
Yes, I'll have the apple strudel, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Bist du bereit zu bestellen, Nachtisch?
‘bereit’ must be paired with ‘sein’; you cannot say ‘bereit zu bestellen’ without ‘sein’.
Bist du bereit, Nachtisch bestellen?
When using the infinitive clause, you need ‘zu’ before the verb.
Bist du bereit, den Nachtisch zu bestellen?
Adding ‘den’ is not wrong, but it changes the nuance; the original phrase is more general and idiomatic.
↔Alternatives
Möchtest du den Nachtisch bestellen?
Would you like to order dessert?
Willst du etwas zum Nachtisch haben?
Do you want something for dessert?
Sollen wir jetzt den Nachtisch nehmen?
Shall we have dessert now?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, dessert is often ordered after the coffee, not immediately after the main course. It’s common to ask the table if everyone is ready before the waiter brings the dessert menu. Using ‘bereit’ sounds slightly more formal than ‘willst du’, so choose based on the setting.