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Which phrase politely orders 'I would like a coffee' in German?

Ich hätte gern means I would like.

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  1. Ich habe einen Kaffee.
  2. Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee. ✔
  3. Ich mache einen Kaffee.

Why: Ich hätte gern is the polite way to order, like 'I would like'. Ich habe means 'I have' and Ich mache means 'I am making', so neither places an order.

Huh, didn't know that: Wiktionary's example for gern shows 'Ich möchte dieses Kleid gerne anprobieren', meaning I'd like to try on this dress, please.

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What do you call sad coffee? Despresso.
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References

Answer: Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.. Ich hätte gern is the polite way to order, like 'I would like'. Ich habe means 'I have' and Ich mache means 'I am making', so neither places an order.

  1. Wiktionary: gern en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gern
    Ich möchte dieses Kleid gerne anprobieren. I'd like to try on this dress please.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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