German Phrase
Was isst du zu Mittag?
Meaning
This question asks someone what they are eating for lunch. It is a neutral, everyday way to inquire about a meal that is about to be or has just been eaten.
When to use
Use it in informal settings – with friends, classmates, coworkers, or family members – when you want to know what they are having for lunch or to suggest a lunch plan.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasisstduzuMittag?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; it does not change with case in this question.
isst (verb essen, 2nd person singular)
Present tense form of 'essen' for 'du'; note the vowel change from 'e' to 'i' (stem change).
du (subject pronoun)
Informal 'you'; placed after the verb in questions when the verb is already conjugated.
zu Mittag (idiomatic time phrase)
Literally 'to midday', it functions as a fixed expression meaning 'for lunch'.
Word order in yes‑no and wh‑questions
The finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject and any other elements.
🗨In Conversation
Was isst du zu Mittag?
What are you eating for lunch?
Ich habe einen Salat und ein Stück Brot.
I have a salad and a piece of bread.
✕Common Mistakes
Was isst du zum Mittag?
The correct preposition in this idiom is 'zu', not 'zum' (which is a contraction of 'zu dem').
Was du isst zu Mittag?
In a wh‑question the verb must come before the subject; saying 'Was du isst zu Mittag?' is incorrect.
Was isst du zu die Mittage?
The noun stays singular; do not add an article or plural form.
↔Alternatives
Was gibt es zum Mittagessen?
What's there for lunch?
Was hast du zum Mittagessen?
What do you have for lunch?
Was möchtest du zu Mittag essen?
What would you like to eat for lunch?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, the main midday meal (Mittagessen) is usually eaten between 12:00 and 13:30. "Zu Mittag essen" is a set phrase; you will often hear it in schools, offices, and restaurants. Typical lunch dishes range from warm meals like Schnitzel or Kartoffelsalat to lighter options such as Brotzeit (bread with cold cuts) or a simple salad. When asking the question, keep the tone friendly – Germans appreciate directness but also value politeness, so a smile or a brief "Bitte" after the answer is common.