Clarify the scope of offering a round of drinks in German

The idea

Buying a round (eine Runde ausgeben, informally eine Runde schmeißen) is a familiar gesture in German pubs, often to celebrate something such as a birthday, a new job or a passed exam. In some circles people take turns, so accepting a round can come with a gentle expectation to buy one later; in others, everyone pays for themselves. Choosing a soft drink is perfectly acceptable. Grammar: “ausgeben” is separable and also means to spend money; the beneficiaries are dative, as in “Ich gebe euch einen aus” (I am buying you one).

Other ways to say it

“Die nächste Runde geht auf mich.” – Casual and very common; “auf mich” means I am paying.

“Ich gebe euch einen aus.” – Informal; “einen” stands for one drink.

“Darf ich Sie auf ein Getränk einladen?” – Formal Sie version, for example with business contacts.

Examples

• Ich möchte dieser kleinen Gruppe eine Runde ausgeben.I would like to buy this small group a round.
• Meinst du die vier Personen an unserem Tisch?Do you mean the four people at our table?
• Ja, genau diese Runde ist gemeint.Yes, precisely that group is meant.
• Kann ich auch ein alkoholfreies Getränk wählen?Can I choose a nonalcoholic drink too?
• Natürlich, sag einfach, was du gern möchtest.Of course; just say what you would like.
• Danke, dann ist der Umfang des Angebots klar.Thank you; that clarifies the scope of the offer.

Watch out

“Ich möchte diese kleine Gruppe eine Runde ausgeben.” → “Ich möchte dieser kleinen Gruppe eine Runde ausgeben.”: With “ausgeben” in this sense, the people you treat are the indirect object and need the dative. Learners often put both objects in the accusative, as English shows no difference.

Try it yourself

1. Translate into German: I would like to buy this small group a round.

   Show answer or example answer

   Ich möchte dieser kleinen Gruppe eine Runde ausgeben.

   “Dieser kleinen Gruppe” is dative feminine (the receivers), “eine Runde” is accusative (the thing given). After “möchte”, the separable “ausgeben” stays whole at the end.

2. Put the words in order: diese / gemeint / genau / ist / Ja / Runde

   Show answer or example answer

   Ja, genau diese Runde ist gemeint.

   “Genau diese Runde” uses Runde in its other sense, the group of people at the table. “Ist gemeint” is a state passive meaning “is meant”.

3. Write this sentence in German: Thank you; that clarifies the scope of the offer.

   Show answer or example answer

   Danke, dann ist der Umfang des Angebots klar.

   “Der Umfang des Angebots” uses the genitive “des Angebots” (neuter, with -s). “Dann” in second position after “Danke,” shows the result of the clarification.

Use it today

You passed your driving test and are at a bar with four friends. Write two sentences offering a round and saying that soft drinks count too.