How to Say ‘Could you please’ in German
Können Sie bitte
KUR-nen zee BIT-tuh
[KUR-nen zee BIT-tuh]
💬 Usage Tip: This is one of the most useful polite request starters in German. Gold-star phrase.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Bitte is powerful in German—small word, big politeness.
Phrase Breakdown
Können
[KUR-nen]
can / could
Polite modal verb used when making a request.
Können Sie bitte leiser sprechen?
Could you please speak more quietly?
Sie
[zee]
you
Formal 'you', used to address hotel staff politely.
Können Sie mir helfen?
Can you help me?
bitte
[BIT-tuh]
please
Makes a request sound polite.
Bitte kommen Sie kurz mit.
Please come with me for a moment.
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