German Phrase
Ist für zwei.
Meaning
Literally ‘Is for two.’ It is a concise way to say that something – a reservation, a dish, a ticket, etc. – is intended for two people. The subject ‘es’ is usually omitted in spoken German, making the phrase sound natural and efficient.
When to use
Use this phrase when confirming capacity or suitability for two people, such as at a restaurant when asked how many guests a table can accommodate, when describing a ticket that admits two, or when indicating the portion size of a meal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Istfürzwei
sein (ist)
‘Ist’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb sein, used here as a copular verb linking the subject (often implied ‘es’) to the predicate.
für + Accusative
The preposition ‘für’ always takes the accusative case; ‘zwei’ is a cardinal number that does not change form in the accusative.
Implied subject
In short answers German often drops the subject pronoun ‘es’; the full sentence would be ‘Es ist für zwei (Personen).’
🗨In Conversation
Wie viele Personen können an diesem Tisch sitzen?
How many people can sit at this table?
Ist für zwei.
It’s for two.
✕Common Mistakes
Sind für zwei.
‘Sind’ is the plural form of ‘sein’; the subject is singular (es) so you must use ‘ist’.
Ist für zwei Personenen.
‘Personen’ is already plural; adding ‘-en’ is a false declension.
Ist zu zwei.
‘Zu’ means ‘to/too’, not the correct preposition for indicating capacity.
↔Alternatives
Für zwei Personen.
For two people.
Es ist für zwei.
It is for two.
Das ist für zwei.
That is for two.
Cultural Tip
German speakers value clarity and brevity, especially in service settings. When you answer with ‘Ist für zwei,’ you’re following the typical short‑answer pattern that omits the subject. In more formal contexts you might add ‘Personen’ or the noun you’re referring to, but the short form is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.