Learn Dutch: Ik wil een stukje taart, alstublieft. - I want a piece of cake, please.

Stukje is the diminutive form of stuk (piece). By adding the basic -je suffix, it literally means a little piece. In Dutch, it is very common to use diminutives to sound friendly, polite, or modest, especially when asking for food or drinks.

Why is there no word for 'of' in een stukje taart?

In Dutch, when you talk about an amount, a piece, or a container of something, you do not use a word for 'of'. You just put the amount (een stukje) directly next to the thing you are having (taart). You are literally saying 'a little piece cake'.

Does wil mean the same thing as the English word 'will'?

No, this is a common trap for English speakers! Wil comes from the verb willen, which means 'to want'. So Ik wil means 'I want'. It is not used to make future tense sentences like in English.

Could I say alsjeblieft instead of alstublieft?

Yes, but alstublieft is the formal version of 'please', which is perfect and safe for ordering from a waiter or shop assistant you don't know. Alsjeblieft is the informal version, which you generally use with friends, family, or children.