Asking a coworker to re-explain: Clarify conflicting instructions
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Key Phrases
Kannst du es bitte noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain it again, please?
Ich habe zwei verschiedene Anweisungen bekommen.
I got two different instructions.
Also zuerst der Bericht, und dann die E-Mails?
So first the report, and then the emails?
Skills You'll Learn
Asking someone to repeat or explain something again politely.
Höflich darum bitten, dass etwas noch einmal erklärt wird.
Describing confusion when receiving conflicting instructions.
Verwirrung über widersprüchliche Anweisungen ausdrücken.
Confirming the correct order of tasks in a workplace conversation.
Die richtige Reihenfolge von Aufgaben in einem Arbeitsgespräch bestätigen.
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are at work and feel confused because Anna and Mr. Becker gave you different instructions, so you ask for clarification about what to do first.
Hallo, kannst du es bitte noch einmal erklären?
Hello, could you please explain it again?
Klar, was ist unklar?
Sure, what's unclear?
Ich habe zwei verschiedene Anweisungen bekommen.
I received two different instructions.
Ah, von wem hast du sie bekommen?
Ah, from whom did you get them?
Von Anna und von Herrn Becker.
From Anna and from Ms. Becker.
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Hallo.
HAH-loh
Hello.
Kannst du
kahnst doo
Can you
💬 [du] is the informal singular [you]. With [du], the verb often ends in [‑st]: [kannst du], [hast du], [willst du].
See breakdown →Es bitte
ess BIT-tuh
It please
Noch einmal
nokh INE-mahl
Once again
💬 [noch einmal] is a very common way to say [again] when asking someone to repeat or re-explain something. You can swap it into other requests too: [Sag das bitte noch einmal.]
See breakdown →Erklären
air-KLEH-ren
Explain
Kannst du es bitte noch einmal erklären?
kahnst doo ess BIT-tuh nokh INE-mahl air-KLEH-ren
Can you explain it again, please?
🇩🇪 With a coworker, [Kannst du ...?] is natural if you already use [du] at work. If your workplace is more formal, switch to [Können Sie ...?] instead.
See breakdown →Klar.
klahr
Sure.
💬 On its own, [klar] often means [sure] or [got it], not just [clear]. In [etwas klar machen], it can also mean [sort something out] or [make something clear].
See breakdown →Was ist
vahs ist
What is
Unklar
oon-KLAHR
Unclear
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