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How to Say ‘Please stay sober.’ in German

Bitte bleiben Sie nüchtern.

BIT-tuh BLY-ben zee NUEKH-tern

[BIT-tuh BLY-ben zee NUEKH-tern]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Before surgery this usually means nothing from midnight on. Patients are often told that even chewing gum and smoking are off-limits, so ask if you're unsure.

Phrase Breakdown

Bitte bleiben Sie

BIT-tuh BLY-ben zee

Please stay

This is the polite command form. 'bleiben' sounds like 'BLY-ben'.

Example

Bitte bleiben Sie im Bett.

Please stay in bed.

Words in this phrase

Bitte

[BIT-tuh]

please

Polite word used in requests and offers.

Example

Kommen Sie bitte zum Schalter.

Please come to the counter.

bleiben

[BLY-ben]

stay

To remain in a state or place.

Example

Locker bleiben, es wird alles gut.

Stay relaxed, it will all be fine.

Sie

[zee]

you (formal)

Formal second person singular pronoun.

Example

Können Sie mir bitte folgen?

Can you please follow me?

nüchtern.

NUEKH-tern

fasting / with an empty stomach.

In hospitals, 'nüchtern' means not eating or drinking. The 'ü' is short, followed by a soft 'ch': NÜCH-tern.

Example

Kommen Sie morgen nüchtern.

Come tomorrow without having eaten.

Words in this phrase

nüchtern

[NUEKH-tern]

fasting, with empty stomach

Not having eaten or drunk, e.g. before surgery.

Example

Kommen Sie nüchtern zur Blutabnahme.

Come fasting for the blood test.

Guides for German learners

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