Serviette
/zɛrˈvi̯ɛtə/feminine
The German word for napkin is Serviette. Wiktionary also lists Mundtuch.
Meaning: serviette (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Serviette | /zɛrˈvi̯ɛtə/ /zɛrˈviːrtə/ |
feminine |
| Mundtuch | neuter |
The term refers to a napkin used during a meal.
Which one should you use?
Use Serviette for a standard table napkin used for dining. The term Mundtuch is also a form for napkin, but it is a neuter noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Serviette is a feminine noun, so the definite article is die (die Serviette). The plural form is Servietten (die Servietten).
How do you pronounce it?
/zɛrˈvi̯ɛtə/
Did you know?
- The word Mundtuch literally translates to 'mouth cloth'.
- In very formal German dining etiquette, the way you place your Serviette on your lap or the table communicates whether you have finished your meal.
- The root of Serviette comes from the Latin 'servire', meaning 'to serve'.
Examples in context
- Tom faltete aus der Serviette einen Kranich.Tom folded the napkin into a crane.This sentence shows how to describe folding a napkin into a shape.Tatoeba #6779101 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5874774 by Hybrid
- Hier fehlt eine Serviette.There is a napkin missing.This sentence demonstrates how to state that a napkin is missing.Tatoeba #342163 by lilygilder, translation #36289 by CK
- Könnte ich bitte eine Serviette haben?May I have a napkin, please?This sentence is useful for requesting a napkin politely.Tatoeba #445043 by xtofu80, translation #36286 by CK
- Kann ich bitte eine Serviette haben?Can I have a napkin, please?
- Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir bitte eine Serviette bringen?Excuse me, could you please bring me a napkin?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are sitting at a dinner table.
- FelixHannah, gibst du mir bitte eine Serviette?Hannah, can you give me a napkin please?
- HannahJa, hier ist eine saubere Serviette.Yes, here is a clean napkin.
- FelixDanke, ich habe etwas verschüttet.Thanks, I spilled something.
- HannahKein Problem, Felix.No problem, Felix.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “napkin” translations and entries Serviette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Serviette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
