🔁❓

How to Say ‘Can you repeat that?’ in German

Können Sie das wiederholen?

KUR-nen zee dahs vee-der-HO-len

[KUR-nen zee dahs vee-der-HO-len]

💬 Usage Tip: With können "can", the second verb goes to the very end: Können Sie das wiederholen?. Swap it: Können Sie das buchstabieren? "can you spell that?".

Phrase Breakdown

Können Sie das

KUR-nen zee dahs

Can you ... that

This is a polite opening for a request. Make the 'ö' in 'Können' by rounding your lips while saying 'e'. Say these three words together in one smooth flow.

Example

Können Sie das aufschreiben?

Can you write that down?

Words in this phrase

Können

[KUR-nen]

can / are able to

Expresses ability or possibility.

Example

Wir können die Form der Symbole schnell erkennen.

We can quickly recognize the shape of the symbols.

Sie

[zee]

You (formal)

Formal second-person pronoun.

Example

Denken Sie, dass Netzwerken wichtig ist?

Do you think networking is important?

das

[dahs]

that / it

Used to refer to a situation or thing being discussed.

Example

Das ist nicht die richtige Straße.

That is not the right street.

wiederholen?

vee-der-HO-len

repeat?

This verb means 'to repeat'. Say it as 'vee-der-HOH-len', with the stress on 'HOH'. The German 'w' sounds like an English 'v'.

Example

Bitte wiederholen!

Please repeat!

Words in this phrase

wiederholen

[vee-der-HO-len]

repeat

Wiederholen means to say or do something again.

Example

Wiederholen Sie das bitte.

Please repeat that.

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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