Breakdown of Später bitte ich den Kellner um die Rechnung.
ich
I
später
later
der Kellner
the waiter
bitten um
to ask for
die Rechnung
the bill
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Questions & Answers about Später bitte ich den Kellner um die Rechnung.
Why is Später at the beginning of the sentence?
By fronting the time adverb Später (“later”), you emphasize when the action happens. In German main clauses the finite verb must remain in second position, so you get: Später (1st) – bitte (2nd, the verb) – ich (subject).
What is the function of bitte here?
Here bitte is the first‑person singular present of the verb bitten (“to request” or “to ask”). It means “I ask” rather than serving as the polite adverb “please.”
Why do we use um before die Rechnung?
The verb bitten requires a direct object for the person you’re asking and a prepositional object introduced by um for the thing requested. The pattern is jemanden um etwas bitten.
What case is den Kellner, and why?
den Kellner is masculine singular accusative because he is the direct object of bitten (the person being asked).
What case is die Rechnung, and why?
die Rechnung is feminine singular accusative. The preposition um always takes the accusative case in German.
Could I say Ich bitte den Kellner später um die Rechnung instead?
Yes. When ich starts the sentence, the verb bitte still stays in second position. Putting später later shifts the emphasis slightly away from the timing.
How would I ask for water instead of the bill?
Just replace die Rechnung with your desired item, e.g.:
Später bitte ich den Kellner um ein Glas Wasser.
Is Später bitte ich den Kellner um die Rechnung polite enough in real life?
It’s perfectly polite but a bit formal. In everyday German you often hear Zahlen bitte! (“Check, please!”) or address the waiter directly: Herr Ober, die Rechnung bitte.
What’s the difference between bitten and fragen?
fragen means “to ask a question” (to inquire), e.g. Ich frage, wie spät es ist (“I ask what time it is”). bitten means “to request something from someone,” e.g. Ich bitte dich um Hilfe (“I ask you for help”).
What’s the infinitive form of bitte?
The infinitive is bitten. The form bitte here is the present‑tense conjugation for ich.
Why is the article die used with Rechnung?
Rechnung is a feminine noun in German. Its singular accusative article is die, the same as its nominative.