The idea
The Kaffeekasse is a familiar part of office life in Germany, especially where the employer does not provide free coffee. Colleagues pay into a tin or box, either a monthly flat rate or per cup, often recorded on a tally sheet (Strichliste) next to the machine. Someone usually volunteers to buy supplies and keep track of the money. Some teams also use it for gifts or a team breakfast. Arrangements are informal and differ from office to office. Grammar: “wird … verwendet” is the passive with werden; “wofür” asks “for what”.
Other ways to say it
“Wie viel zahlt man bei euch pro Tasse?” – Direct and neutral; assumes a per-cup system.
“Wer kümmert sich um die Kaffeekasse?” – Asks who manages the money and the shopping.
“Muss ich mich in die Strichliste eintragen?” – Practical question about the tally sheet; sich eintragen is reflexive.
Examples
- Wofür wird das Geld in eurer Kaffeekasse verwendet?What is the money in your shared coffee fund used for?
- Damit kaufen wir hier Kaffee für den Gemeinschaftsraum.We use it to buy coffee for the shared room here.
- Gibt es einen vereinbarten Beitrag oder ist er freiwillig?Is there an agreed contribution, or is it voluntary?
- Unsere konkrete Absprache steht neben der Dose.Our specific arrangement is written next to the tin.
- Dann lese ich zuerst nach, wie ihr es organisiert.Then I will first read how you organize it.
- Frag gern nach, wenn eine Angabe unklar bleibt.Feel free to ask if any information remains unclear.
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Watch out
“Wofür ist das Geld in eurer Kaffeekasse verwendet?” → “Wofür wird das Geld in eurer Kaffeekasse verwendet?”: English “is used” becomes “wird verwendet” when it describes a regular process. “Ist verwendet” is a state passive and would mean the money has already been used up.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: What is the money in your shared coffee fund used for?
Show answer or example answer
Wofür wird das Geld in eurer Kaffeekasse verwendet?
“Wofür” combines wo and für to ask about purpose. The passive “wird … verwendet” puts the participle at the end, and “in eurer Kaffeekasse” is dative feminine.
Put the words in order: Beitrag / einen / er / es / freiwillig / Gibt / ist / oder / vereinbarten
Show answer or example answer
Gibt es einen vereinbarten Beitrag oder ist er freiwillig?
Two questions are joined by “oder”. In the second, “er” refers back to “Beitrag” (masculine), and the verb “ist” comes first again because it is a new yes/no question.
Write this sentence in German: Feel free to ask if any information remains unclear.
Show answer or example answer
Frag gern nach, wenn eine Angabe unklar bleibt.
“Frag gern nach” is a friendly du-imperative; “gern” softens it into an invitation. The wenn-clause sends “bleibt” to the end.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: What is the money in your shared coffee fund used for?
Wofür wird das Geld in eurer Kaffeekasse verwendet?
Put the words in order: Beitrag / einen / er / es / freiwillig / Gibt / ist / oder / vereinbarten
Gibt es einen vereinbarten Beitrag oder ist er freiwillig?
Write this sentence in German: Feel free to ask if any information remains unclear.
Frag gern nach, wenn eine Angabe unklar bleibt.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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On your first day you see a tin labelled “Kaffeekasse” next to the machine. Write two questions to a colleague: how much people pay and who buys the coffee.