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How to Say ‘Excuse me, I have a problem.’ in German

Entschuldigung, ich habe ein Problem.

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong ikh hah-be ine Proh-blem

[ent-SHOOL-dee-goong ikh hah-be ine Proh-blem]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Stating the problem plainly and calmly like this is how Germans usually complain. Directness reads as normal, not rude.

Phrase Breakdown

Entschuldigung,

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong

Excuse me,

A polite way to get attention. Stress 'SCHUL': ent-SCHUL-di-gung. 'sch' sounds like English 'sh'.

Example

Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?

Excuse me, where is the train station?

Words in this phrase

Entschuldigung

[ent-SHOOL-dee-goong]

excuse me; sorry

Used to get attention politely or to apologize lightly.

Example

Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?

Excuse me, where is the train station?

ich habe ein Problem.

ikh hah-be ine Proh-blem

I have a problem.

Say it smoothly after a short pause. Stress 'Problem' on the last syllable.

Example

Ich habe ein Problem mit dem Auto.

I have a problem with the car.

Words in this phrase

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

habe

[hah-be]

have

To possess or hold.

Example

Ich habe bei meinem letzten Job neue Fähigkeiten erworben.

I have acquired new skills at my last job.

ein

[ine]

a; an

Indefinite article used before 'Hallo'.

Example

Reicht das für ein Hallo, oder braucht es ein besseres Timing?

Is that enough for a hello, or does it need better timing?

Problem

[Proh-blem]

Problem

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with.

Example

Das einzige Problem war, dass der Lautsprecher nicht funktionierte.

The only problem was that the speaker didn't work.

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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