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German Phrase

Passt dir der Tisch?

/pas(t) diːɐ̯ deːɐ̯ tɪʃ/
Meaning"Does this table suit you?"
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Meaning

Literally ‘Does the table fit you?’, this question is used to ask whether a particular table is suitable – in size, height, location or simply preference – for the person you’re speaking to.

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When to use

Use it in restaurants, cafés, meeting rooms, or any setting where you need to offer a seat and want to confirm that the chosen table works for the other person.

✦Grammar Breakdown

PasstdirderTisch?

1

Verb passen (3rd person singular)

‘Passt’ is the present‑tense form of ‘passen’ used with a third‑person singular subject (here ‘der Tisch’).

2

Dative pronoun dir

‘dir’ is the dative form of ‘du’; with ‘passen’ the person who is affected is in the dative case.

3

Word order in yes/no questions

German yes/no questions place the finite verb in first position, followed by the indirect object and then the subject.

4

Nominative subject der Tisch

‘der Tisch’ stays in the nominative because it is the subject that does the ‘fitting’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Passt dir der Tisch?

Does this table work for you?

Ja, er ist perfekt. Danke!

Yes, it’s perfect. Thanks!

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Passt du der Tisch?

    ‘Passen’ takes a dative object, so the correct pronoun is ‘dir’, not the nominative ‘du’.

  • Der Tisch passt dir?

    While grammatically possible, the typical yes/no question places the verb first: ‘Passt dir der Tisch?’. Putting the verb at the end sounds like a statement.

  • Passt dir den Tisch?

    ‘Den Tisch’ is accusative; the subject of ‘passen’ stays nominative, so it must remain ‘der Tisch’.

↔Alternatives

  • Ist der Tisch für dich in Ordnung?

    Is the table okay for you?

  • Möchtest du an diesem Tisch sitzen?

    Would you like to sit at this table?

  • Passt Ihnen der Tisch?

    Does this table suit you? (formal)

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries it’s common to ask about seating comfort before guests sit down. ‘Passt dir …?’ is informal; switch to the formal dative ‘Ihnen’ when speaking to strangers, older people, or in a business context. Also, Germans appreciate a quick, clear answer – a simple ‘Ja, passt’ or ‘Nein, lieber …’ is enough.