German Phrase
Nur einen Salat.
Meaning
Literally 'Only a salad.' It is used to state that you want just a single salad and nothing else, most often when ordering food in a restaurant or café.
When to use
Use this short phrase when a waiter asks if you’d like anything else, when you’re confirming your order, or when you want to emphasize that a salad is the only item you’ll have.
✦Grammar Breakdown
NureinenSalat
Nur (only)
Nur is an adverb meaning 'only' or 'just' and does not change its form.
Accusative case with ein‑words
After a masculine noun in the accusative, the indefinite article changes from 'ein' to 'einen'.
Salat (masculine)
Salat is a masculine noun, so in the accusative it takes the ending -en with the indefinite article.
🗨In Conversation
Möchten Sie noch etwas?
Would you like anything else?
Nur einen Salat, bitte.
Just a salad, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Nur ein Salat.
The indefinite article must be in the accusative masculine form 'einen' after a verb or preposition that requires the accusative.
Nur den Salat.
Using the definite article changes the meaning; 'Nur den Salat' would refer to a specific salad already known in the conversation.
Nur einen Salat bitte
Missing punctuation is fine in speech, but in writing a period or comma clarifies the sentence.
↔Alternatives
Nur ein Salat, bitte.
Just a salad, please.
Nur einen Salat, danke.
Just a salad, thanks.
Nur Salat.
Only salad.
Nur einen gemischten Salat.
Only a mixed salad.
Cultural Tip
In German restaurants it’s common to specify the exact quantity and type of dish you want. The phrase uses the accusative case because the implied verb (e.g., 'ich nehme' – 'I’ll have') governs the accusative. Remember that 'Salat' is masculine, so the indefinite article becomes 'einen' in the accusative. Adding 'bitte' makes the request polite, while omitting it can sound abrupt.