German Phrase
Was willst du trinken?
Meaning
Literally ‘What do you want to drink?’, this sentence is used to ask someone which beverage they would like. It’s a direct, informal way to offer a drink in everyday conversation.
When to use
Use it in casual settings – at a café with friends, during a home gathering, or when you’re the host offering a beverage. It’s appropriate for people you know well; with strangers or in a formal context you’d usually choose a softer form.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Waswillstdutrinken?
Interrogative pronoun (Was)
‘Was’ is the question word for ‘what’ and always occupies the first position in a German yes‑no or wh‑question.
Modal verb placement (willst)
‘Willst’ is the 2nd‑person singular present of the modal verb ‘wollen’. In a main clause the finite verb stays in second position.
Subject after the verb (du)
Because the question word already occupies the first slot, the subject ‘du’ follows the finite verb.
Infinitive at the end (trinken)
With a modal verb the main verb stays in infinitive form and moves to the end of the clause.
Verb‑second rule (V2)
German main clauses require the finite verb in the second position, even in questions.
🗨In Conversation
Was willst du trinken?
What would you like to drink?
Ich nehme ein Wasser, bitte.
I'll have a water, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Willst du trinken?
Missing the question word ‘Was’; the sentence becomes a yes‑no question meaning ‘Do you want to drink?’
Willst du zu trinken?
The preposition ‘zu’ is not used with modal verbs; the infinitive goes directly after the modal.
Was willst du zu trinken?
Again, ‘zu’ is unnecessary after ‘willst’. The correct form is ‘Was willst du trinken?’
↔Alternatives
Was möchtest du trinken?
What would you like to drink?
Was darf ich dir zu trinken anbieten?
May I offer you something to drink?
Was willst du haben zu trinken?
What do you want to have to drink?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries offering a drink is a common sign of hospitality. While ‘Was willst du trinken?’ is perfectly understandable, native speakers often prefer the more polite ‘Was möchtest du trinken?’ in mixed or formal groups. Remember that ‘trinken’ is a regular verb, so the infinitive stays unchanged after a modal verb.