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How to Say ‘Do you have a moment?’ in German

Haben Sie kurz Zeit?

hah-ben Zee koorts tsayt

[hah-ben Zee koorts tsayt]

💬 Usage Tip: kurz "briefly" softens the request. The same trick works elsewhere: Darf ich kurz fragen? "May I quickly ask?"

Phrase Breakdown

Haben Sie

hah-ben Zee

Do you have

Polite question opener: the verb comes first, then the formal 'Sie'. Say 'HAH-ben zee'.

Example

Haben Sie Fragen?

Do you have any questions?

Words in this phrase

Haben

[hah-ben]

have

To possess or hold something.

Example

Ich habe ein Buch.

I have a book.

Sie

[Zee]

You (formal)

Used when addressing someone politely.

Example

Akzeptieren Sie Kreditkarten?

Do you accept credit cards?

kurz Zeit?

koorts tsayt

a moment / time briefly

'kurz' means briefly. 'Zeit' starts with a 'ts' sound: 'tsait'. Let your voice rise at the end for the question.

Example

Hast du kurz Zeit?

Do you have a moment?

Words in this phrase

kurz

[koorts]

briefly / short

Adverb or adjective meaning for a short time or in a short way.

Example

Können wir nur kurz über den Preis sprechen?

Can we just briefly talk about the price?

Zeit

[tsayt]

time

Refers to the concept of time.

Example

Ich habe keine Zeit.

I have no time.

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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