German Phrase
Was gibt's heute Abend zu essen?
Meaning
Literally, "What is there to eat this evening?" It is the everyday way to ask what will be served for dinner or what food options are available tonight.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings – at home with family, with friends, or when you arrive at a restaurant and want to know the dinner menu. It’s casual, so avoid it in very formal business contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wasgibt'sheuteAbendzuessen
gibt's = gibt es
The contraction "gibt's" is short for "gibt es" and is used in informal spoken German to ask if something exists or is available.
Word order in questions
In yes‑no and wh‑questions, the verb (or verb phrase) comes right after the question word: Was gibt's …
Infinitive with zu
When an infinitive follows a preposition like "zu", it stays in its base form: zu essen.
Noun capitalization
All nouns in German are capitalized, so "Abend" is written with a capital A.
🗨In Conversation
Was gibt's heute Abend zu essen?
What's for dinner tonight?
Wir machen Spaghetti Bolognese und einen gemischten Salat.
We're making spaghetti bolognese and a mixed salad.
✕Common Mistakes
Was gibt heute Abend zu essen?
The verb needs the dummy subject "es"; "gibt" alone sounds incomplete.
Was gibt's heute Abend zu essen?
When you replace the whole phrase with a noun, use "zum Essen" instead of "zu essen".
Was gibt's heute abend zu essen?
Nouns must be capitalized in German; writing "abend" is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Was gibt es heute Abend zu essen?
What is there to eat this evening?
Was gibt es heute zum Abendessen?
What is there for dinner today?
Was gibt es heute zum Essen?
What's for dinner today?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, "Abendessen" (dinner) is usually the main hot meal and is served between 6 pm and 8 pm. In some northern regions people may have a lighter "Abendbrot" (evening bread) instead of a cooked meal. When you ask "Was gibt's heute Abend zu essen?" you’re tapping into a common household routine, and the answer often includes a simple, hearty dish like sausages, potatoes, or a pasta dish.