How to Say ‘Can you explain that again?’ in German
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
kahnst doo dahs nokh INE-mahl er-KLEH-ren
[kahnst doo dahs nokh INE-mahl er-KLEH-ren]
💬 Usage Tip: With [kannst du], the main verb moves to the end: [Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?] Same pattern: [Kannst du das wiederholen?]
🇩🇪 In Germany: This is natural with a coworker you're on [du] terms with. If your workplace is more formal, switch to [Können Sie ...?].
Phrase Breakdown
Kannst du
kahnst doo
Can you
Polite question form used to ask if someone is able to do something.
Kannst du mir helfen?
Can you help me?
Words in this phrase
Kannst
[kahnst]
can
Informal form of 'can' used to ask one person something.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
du
[doo]
you
Informal singular 'you'.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
das
[dahs]
that
Refers to the thing just explained.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
Noch einmal
nokh INE-mahl
once more / again
Used to ask for repetition.
Kannst du es noch einmal sagen?
Can you say it once more?
Words in this phrase
noch
[nokh]
again / another time
Signals repetition.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
einmal
[INE-mahl]
once / one more time
Together with 'noch' it means 'one more time'.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
erklären
[er-KLEH-ren]
explain
Verb meaning to make something understandable.
Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
Can you explain that again?
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