B1 Formal Service
„Was belieben Sie?"
What is your pleasure?
What does „Was belieben Sie?" mean in German?
„Was belieben Sie?" means "What is your pleasure?." Literally: "What do you please?."
Literal Translation
"What do you please?"
Was What
belieben do
Sie you
English Equivalent
"What would you like?"
This English idiom conveys the same meaning as the German expression.
Grammar Notes
Very polite; archaic
When is this idiom used?
Formal
This expression is used in formal or literary German, often found in written texts and speeches.
Quick Quiz — Test Yourself
Test your knowledge of Was belieben Sie?
Related Idioms
„Was befehlen Sie?"
What can I do for you?
„Ab (= geht ab, gehen ab)."
Exit (exeunt).
„Vom 1. Januar ab wird die Miete erhöht."
From the 1st of January the rent will be raised.
„Er ist abgeblitzt."
He was rebuffed.
„Er brach kurz ab."
He stopped short.
„Sie sitzen noch auf der ABC-Bank."
They are still beginners.
