German Phrase
Gibt's Rabatte?
Meaning
Literally “Are there discounts?” – a quick, informal way to ask a shop assistant or a website if any price reductions are available.
When to use
Use it while shopping in stores, at market stalls, or when browsing an online shop. It’s perfectly fine in casual conversation, but in very formal written requests you would use the full form "Gibt es Rabatte?".
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gibt'sRabatte?
Contraction "Gibt's"
"Gibt's" is the colloquial contraction of "gibt es"; the "es" is dropped and the apostrophe marks the omission.
Verb "geben" (to give)
"gibt" is the third‑person singular present of "geben" and is used impersonally with the dummy subject "es".
Plural noun "Rabatte"
"Rabatte" is the plural of "Rabatt"; German nouns change in the plural and the article "es" does not change.
Question word order
In yes/no questions the verb moves to the first position: "Gibt es …?"
🗨In Conversation
Gibt's Rabatte?
Are there any discounts?
Ja, wir haben 10 % Rabatt auf alle Artikel im Ausverkauf.
Yes, we have a 10 % discount on all items in the clearance sale.
✕Common Mistakes
Gibt Rabatte?
The dummy subject "es" is required; the correct form is "Gibt es Rabatte?" or the contraction "Gibt's Rabatte?"
Gibt's Rabatt?
When asking about more than one discount, use the plural "Rabatte"; "Rabatt" would refer to a single discount.
Gibt's Rabatte?
In formal writing avoid the contraction; use the full "Gibt es" instead.
↔Alternatives
Gibt es Rabatte?
Are there discounts?
Sind Rabatte verfügbar?
Are discounts available?
Können wir einen Rabatt bekommen?
Can we get a discount?
Gibt es Sonderangebote?
Are there special offers?
Cultural Tip
In Germany discounts are usually limited to seasonal sales (e.g., "Schlussverkauf" or "Ausverkauf") or special promotions. Asking "Gibt's Rabatte?" is common, but expect the shopkeeper to answer politely with the exact percentage or to say that prices are fixed. Using the full form "Gibt es Rabatte?" is safer in very formal settings such as business negotiations.