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German Phrase

Willst du bestellen?

/ˈvɪlst du bəˈʃtɛlən/
Meaning"Do you want to order?"
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Meaning

‘Willst du bestellen?’ translates to ‘Do you want to order?’ It is a direct, informal way to ask someone if they would like to place an order, typically in a restaurant, café, or when ordering online together.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you’re offering to take someone’s order in a casual setting – e.g., a waiter asking a friend at a table, a colleague ordering lunch together, or a family member deciding what to get at a take‑away.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Willstdubestellen?

1

Willst (wollen)

‘Willst’ is the 2nd person singular present form of ‘wollen’ (to want). It is used for informal ‘you’ (du).

2

du (personal pronoun)

‘du’ is the informal singular pronoun meaning ‘you’. It follows the verb in yes‑no questions.

3

bestellen (infinitive)

‘bestellen’ means ‘to order’. In a question it stays in the infinitive because the modal verb ‘wollen’ already carries the tense.

4

Verb‑first question

German yes‑no questions place the finite verb at the beginning, then the subject, then the infinitive or other elements.

🗨In Conversation

A

Willst du bestellen?

Do you want to order?

Ja, ich nehme das Schnitzel mit Pommes, bitte.

Yes, I’ll have the schnitzel with fries, please.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Willst du bestellst?

    The infinitive ‘bestellen’ must stay unchanged after the modal verb ‘wollen’. Do not add the -st ending.

  • Willst du bestellen Sie?

    Mixing informal ‘du’ with formal ‘Sie’ is incorrect. Use either ‘Willst du …?’ (informal) or ‘Möchten Sie …?’ (formal).

  • Willst du bestellen?

    When speaking to strangers or in a formal setting, replace ‘Willst du’ with ‘Möchten Sie’.

↔Alternatives

  • Möchtest du etwas bestellen?

    Would you like to order something?

  • Willst du etwas bestellen?

    Do you want to order something?

  • Möchten Sie bestellen?

    Would you like to order? (formal)

de

Cultural Tip

In German, ‘Willst du …?’ is informal and should only be used with people you address with ‘du’. In restaurants or with strangers, the more polite ‘Möchten Sie …?’ is preferred. Also, Germans often wait for the waiter to ask if you’d like to order; jumping in too early can be seen as impatient.