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German Phrase

Ich brauch' Wasser.

/ɪç ˈbʁaʊ̯x ˈvasɐ/
Meaning"I need water."
💡

Meaning

Literally 'I need water.' It is a short, informal way to express thirst or a request for water, often used in casual conversation or when ordering at a café.

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When to use

Use this phrase in informal settings—among friends, family, or when speaking to service staff in a relaxed environment. In formal contexts, stick to the full form 'Ich brauche Wasser.'

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichbrauch'Wasser

1

Pronoun Ich

Subject pronoun meaning 'I'. In German, pronouns are not omitted as in some languages.

2

Verb brauchen (colloquial contraction)

The verb 'brauchen' means 'to need'. In informal speech the ending -e is often dropped and replaced with an apostrophe: 'brauch''.

3

Accusative object

Wasser is the direct object and appears in the accusative case; nouns with no article keep the same form.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich brauch' Wasser.

I need water.

Hier, bitte. Noch etwas?

Here you go. Anything else?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ich braucht Wasser.

    Verb conjugation is wrong; 'brauchen' for 'ich' is 'brauche' (or colloquial 'brauch'').

  • Ich brauch Wasser.

    Missing apostrophe after the dropped 'e' can look like a typo; the correct informal spelling is 'brauch''.

  • Ich brauche das Wasser.

    Using the definite article changes the meaning to 'I need the water' (specific water), which is rarely intended in a general request.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich möchte Wasser.

    I would like water.

  • Könnte ich bitte Wasser haben?

    Could I have water, please?

  • Ich benötige Wasser.

    I require water.

de

Cultural Tip

In German-speaking countries, asking for water is usually straightforward. At restaurants you’ll often be offered 'ein Glas Wasser' (a glass of water) automatically. The contraction 'brauch'' is common in spoken German but should be avoided in writing or formal speech. Also, remember that 'Wasser' is neuter (das Wasser).