German Phrase
Brauchst du noch einen Kaffee?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether the listener would like another cup of coffee or still wants coffee. It is a friendly, informal way to offer a refill or check if someone needs coffee.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings – at home, in a café, or during a break at work – when you want to see if someone wants more coffee or is still interested in having one.
✦Grammar Breakdown
BrauchstdunocheinenKaffee?
Verb conjugation (brauchen)
‘brauchen’ is a regular verb; with ‘du’ it takes the ending –st: ‘du brauchst’.
Word order in yes‑no questions
In German yes‑no questions the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.
Accusative case
‘Kaffee’ is the direct object, so it appears in the accusative. The masculine indefinite article changes from ‘ein’ to ‘einen’.
‘noch’ as ‘still / another’
‘noch’ can mean ‘still’ (as in ‘do you still need…’) or ‘another/one more’ when combined with a noun.
🗨In Conversation
Brauchst du noch einen Kaffee?
Do you need another coffee?
Ja, gern! Ich hätte gern noch einen.
Yes, please! I’d like another one.
✕Common Mistakes
Brauchst du noch ein Kaffee?
The noun ‘Kaffee’ is masculine and the indefinite article must be in accusative: ‘einen Kaffee’. Using ‘ein Kaffee’ is nominative and incorrect here.
Brauchst du noch Kaffee?
Without the article the sentence sounds incomplete; German requires an article or determiner with a singular countable noun.
Brauchst du noch einen Kaffees?
‘Kaffee’ is not pluralized when referring to a cup; the plural ‘Kaffees’ would mean different types of coffee, not another cup.
↔Alternatives
Möchtest du noch einen Kaffee?
Would you like another coffee?
Willst du noch einen Kaffee?
Do you want another coffee?
Hast du noch Lust auf einen Kaffee?
Do you feel like having another coffee?
Cultural Tip
Coffee is a central part of German daily life. Offering a second cup is seen as a sign of hospitality. In many German households and offices, it’s common to ask ‘Brauchst du noch einen Kaffee?’ after the first cup, especially in the afternoon. Keep the tone informal (using ‘du’) unless you’re speaking with someone you’d address formally – then you’d say ‘Brauchen Sie noch einen Kaffee?’