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How to Say ‘May I bother you for a second?’ in German

Darf ich kurz stören?

darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en

[darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en]

🇩🇪 In Germany: A polite, low-pressure opener for approaching a stranger. Germans tend to appreciate this kind of brief check before you launch into conversation.

Phrase Breakdown

Darf ich

darf ikh

May I

A polite way to ask permission. 'Darf' comes from 'dürfen'.

Example

Darf ich fragen?

May I ask?

Words in this phrase

Darf

[darf]

may / am allowed to

A polite modal verb used to ask permission.

Example

Bevor ich nach der Unternehmenskultur frage, sage ich: Darf ich fragen?

Before I ask about company culture, I say: May I ask?

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

kurz stören?

koorts SHTUR-en

briefly disturb (you)?

'Kurz' means briefly. 'St' at the start of a word sounds like 'sht'. Round your lips for 'ö'.

Example

Kann ich kurz reinkommen?

Can I come in for a moment?

Words in this phrase

kurz

[koorts]

briefly, for a moment

Means short; as an adverb, for a short time.

Example

Kann ich kurz telefonieren?

Can I make a quick call?

stören

[SHTUR-en]

disturb; interrupt

Verb meaning to bother or interrupt someone.

Example

Ich will nicht stören.

I don't want to disturb.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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