How to Say ‘Could you...?’ in German
Könnten Sie...?
KERN-ten zee
[KERN-ten zee]
💬 Usage Tip: [Sie] takes the same verb form as [sie] (they): [könnten Sie], not [könntest Sie]. Use the same pattern in other polite requests, like [Könnten Sie warten?].
🇩🇪 In Germany: This is a polite, normal way to ask a taxi driver for something. In a tense moment, it sounds much better than a direct command.
Phrase Breakdown
Könnten
[KERN-ten]
could
"Könnten" is a polite conditional form meaning "could" when making a request.
Könnten Sie am Seitenausgang warten?
Could you wait at the side exit?
Sie
[zee]
you
"Sie" is the formal German word for "you," used with strangers like a taxi driver.
Könnten Sie bitte zum Treffpunkt kommen?
Could you please come to the meeting point?
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