German Phrase
Wir brauchen einen Tisch für vier.
Meaning
The sentence means “We need a table for four (people).” It is a practical request you would make when arriving at a restaurant, café, or any place where seating is arranged by the number of guests.
When to use
Use this phrase when you enter a dining establishment with a group and want the staff to assign a table that can accommodate all four of you. It works equally well in casual cafés, family‑style restaurants, and more formal dining rooms.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WirbraucheneinenTischfürvier.
Subject Pronoun
"Wir" is the first‑person plural pronoun and is the subject of the sentence.
Verb "brauchen"
"brauchen" means “to need” and is a regular verb that takes a direct object in the accusative.
Accusative Article "einen"
"einen" is the masculine singular indefinite article in the accusative case, required because "Tisch" is the direct object.
Noun "Tisch"
"Tisch" (masculine) means “table”. In the accusative it stays "Tisch"; only the article changes.
Preposition "für"
"für" always governs the accusative case, so the numeral "vier" stays in its base form.
Cardinal Number "vier"
"vier" means “four” and can refer to people, objects, or a quantity.
🗨In Conversation
Wir brauchen einen Tisch für vier.
We need a table for four.
Natürlich, bitte folgen Sie mir.
Of course, please follow me.
✕Common Mistakes
Wir brauchen ein Tisch für vier.
The article must be accusative because "Tisch" is the direct object of "brauchen".
Brauchen wir einen Tisch für vier.
Word order is wrong for a polite request; the subject comes first.
Wir brauchen einen Tisch für vier Personen.
While not wrong, adding "Personen" is redundant in casual speech; learners often over‑complicate the phrase.
↔Alternatives
Können wir einen Tisch für vier Personen haben?
Can we have a table for four people?
Ein Tisch für vier, bitte.
A table for four, please.
Wir möchten einen Tisch für vier reservieren.
We would like to reserve a table for four.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it is common to specify the number of guests rather than saying “for us”. Using "für vier Personen" sounds a bit more formal, while "für vier" is perfectly natural in everyday conversation. Wait for the host to confirm the table; they may ask "Für vier Personen, richtig?" (For four people, right?).