German Phrase
Wann kommt unser Essen an?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the expected arrival time of a meal, typically in a restaurant, delivery service, or at a gathering. It literally means “When does our food arrive?” and conveys a polite curiosity about timing.
When to use
Use this question when you’re waiting for a meal that has been ordered or prepared for a group, such as at a restaurant, during a catered event, or when a food delivery is on its way.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WannkommtunserEssenan
Interrogative adverb 'Wann'
'Wann' asks about time and is placed at the beginning of a yes‑no or wh‑question.
Verb position in main clause
In German main clauses, the finite verb ('kommt') occupies the second position (V2 rule).
Separable prefix verb 'ankommen'
'ankommen' splits in main clauses: the prefix 'an' moves to the end of the sentence.
Possessive determiner 'unser'
'unser' agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies; here it’s nominative masculine singular.
Noun 'Essen' as neuter
'Essen' (the food) is a neuter noun, so the article would be 'das Essen' in the nominative.
🗨In Conversation
Wann kommt unser Essen an?
When does our food arrive?
In etwa zehn Minuten, das Restaurant hat gerade das Essen fertig.
In about ten minutes, the restaurant just finished the food.
✕Common Mistakes
Wann kommt unser Essen ankommt?
The verb 'ankommen' is separable; the prefix 'an' must go to the sentence end in a main clause.
Wann kommt unsere Essen an?
'Essen' is neuter, so the correct possessive is 'unser', not the feminine 'unsere'.
wann kommt unser Essen an?
The sentence needs a capital 'W' at the start because German nouns and the first word of a sentence are capitalized.
↔Alternatives
Um wie viel Uhr kommt unser Essen?
At what time does our food arrive?
Wie lange dauert es noch, bis unser Essen da ist?
How much longer until our food is here?
Können Sie mir sagen, wann das Essen kommt?
Can you tell me when the food will come?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it’s common to ask about the timing of a meal politely but directly. In formal settings (e.g., a fine‑dining restaurant) you might add a “Bitte” at the beginning: “Bitte, wann kommt unser Essen an?” In casual settings among friends, a simple “Wann kommt das Essen?” is perfectly fine. Remember that “ankommen” is used for things that arrive at a place, not for the act of being served, which would be “serviert werden”.