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How to Say ‘May I open it?’ in German

Darf ich es aufmachen?

darf ikh es OWF-makh-en

[darf ikh es OWF-makh-en]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Asking before you unwrap is polite and common in Germany. The giver will almost always say yes.

Phrase Breakdown

Darf ich es

darf ikh es

May I ... it

'Darf ich' means 'May I', the polite way to ask permission.

Example

Darf ich es sehen?

May I see it?

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.

[es]

A neutral pronoun used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

Es ist ein schöner Tag.

It is a beautiful day.

aufmachen?

OWF-makh-en

open?

This is the full verb 'to open'. Stress the first syllable: 'OWF-makh-en'.

Example

Kannst du die Tür aufmachen?

Can you open the door?

Words in this phrase

aufmachen

[OWF-makh-en]

to open

Separable verb meaning to open something, e.g. a present.

Example

Ich will das Paket aufmachen.

I want to open the parcel.

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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