The idea
“Sich an etwas bedienen” takes an + dative: an dem Brot, often shortened to am Brot. The du imperative drops the -st ending and often the -e: bedien dich. “Von etwas nehmen” means to take some of it: von der Kräuterbutter. Nachnehmen means to take a second helping. “Für alle gedacht” says something is meant for everyone. “Sich etwas nehmen” has a dative reflexive: ich nehme mir.
Other ways to say it
“Greif ruhig zu!” – Casual and encouraging; zugreifen means to reach for food.
“Bitte bedienen Sie sich.” – Formal; typical at a buffet or reception.
“Nimm dir, so viel du möchtest.” – Casual; makes clear there is plenty.
Examples
- Bedien dich gern an dem Brot auf dem Tisch.Help yourself to the bread on the table.
- Darf ich auch von der Kräuterbutter nehmen?May I also have some of the herb butter?
- Ja, beides ist für alle gedacht.Yes, both are for everyone.
- Dann nehme ich mir eine kleine Portion.Then I will take a small portion.
- Du kannst später jederzeit noch etwas nachnehmen.You can always help yourself to more later.
- Danke, ich fange erst einmal damit an.Thanks; I will start with this for now.
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Watch out
“Hilf dir selbst mit dem Brot.” → “Bedien dich gern am Brot.”: English “help yourself” cannot be translated with helfen; “Hilf dir selbst” means solve your own problem. For food, German uses sich bedienen or zugreifen.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Help yourself to the bread on the table.
Show answer or example answer
Bedien dich gern an dem Brot auf dem Tisch.
Bedien is the short du imperative, dich the reflexive. “An dem Brot” is dative after sich bedienen an; “auf dem Tisch” gives the place.
Put the words in order: alle / beides / für / gedacht / ist / Ja
Show answer or example answer
Ja, beides ist für alle gedacht.
Beides refers to the bread and the butter together. “Für alle gedacht” uses the participle gedacht: intended for everyone.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; I will start with this for now.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, ich fange erst einmal damit an.
“Erst einmal” means for now; “damit anfangen” refers back to the small portion with da + mit.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Help yourself to the bread on the table.
Bedien dich gern an dem Brot auf dem Tisch.
Put the words in order: alle / beides / für / gedacht / ist / Ja
Ja, beides ist für alle gedacht.
Write this sentence in German: Thanks; I will start with this for now.
Danke, ich fange erst einmal damit an.
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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At your birthday party, a colleague hesitates at the salad table. Invite her to help herself with sich bedienen and Sie, and say there is more in the kitchen.