German Phrase
Rechne bitte 15 % Trinkgeld dazu.
Meaning
The sentence is a polite request asking someone to add a 15 % tip to the current bill or amount. It is commonly used in restaurants, cafés, or when settling a service fee.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want the server or cashier to calculate the total including a 15 % gratuity, especially in informal or semi‑formal settings. It can also be used in a written note on a receipt.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Rechnebitte15%Trinkgelddazu
Imperativ (2. Person Singular)
‘Rechne’ is the imperative form of ‘rechnen’ used for a direct request to one person.
Bitte as a Polite Particle
‘Bitte’ placed after the verb softens the command, making it a polite request.
Prozentangabe
‘15%’ is read as ‘fünfzehn Prozent’ and functions as a numeric modifier for the noun that follows.
Trinkgeld (noun, neuter)
‘Trinkgeld’ is a neuter noun; in this construction it is the object of the verb ‘rechnen’.
Dazu (adverb)
‘Dazu’ means ‘to it’ or ‘in addition’, indicating that the tip should be added to the total amount.
🗨In Conversation
Rechne bitte 15 % Trinkgeld dazu.
Please add a 15 % tip.
Gern, das macht dann 23,50 €.
Sure, that comes to €23.50.
✕Common Mistakes
Rechnen bitte 15% Trinkgeld dazu.
‘Rechnen’ is the infinitive; you need the imperative ‘Rechne’ for a direct request.
Rechne bitte fünfzehn Prozent Trinkgeld dazu.
When writing percentages in German, the percent sign (%) is preferred; spelling it out can sound overly formal in spoken language.
Rechne bitte 15 % Trinkgeld.
‘Dazu’ must stay attached to the verb phrase; omitting it changes the meaning to simply ‘calculate the tip’ without adding it to the total.
↔Alternatives
Bitte 15 % Trinkgeld draufschlagen.
Please add 15 % tip on top.
Könntest du 15 % Trinkgeld hinzufügen?
Could you add a 15 % tip?
Bitte den Betrag um 15 % erhöhen.
Please increase the amount by 15 %.
Cultural Tip
In Germany, tipping is customary but not obligatory; a 5–10 % tip is typical in restaurants. Asking for a precise 15 % tip is more common in tourist areas or when the service was exceptional. Using ‘bitte’ keeps the request courteous, which is appreciated in German-speaking cultures.