⏰❓

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 literally means "short" and softens the request to just a quick moment. It works in other asks too: Kann ich kurz fragen? "Can I ask quickly?"

Phrase Breakdown

Haben Sie

hah-ben zee

Do you have

Formal question start. The verb comes first and 'Sie' is the polite 'you'. Say 'HAH-ben zee'.

Example

Haben Sie einen Stift?

Do you have a pen?

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

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

kurz Zeit?

koorts tsayt

a moment / time briefly

'kurz' means 'short/briefly' and 'Zeit' means 'time'. The 'z' sounds like 'ts': 'koorts tsite'.

Example

Hast du kurz Zeit?

Do you have a moment?

Words in this phrase

kurz

[koorts]

briefly, for a moment

Means short; as an adverb, for a short time.

Example

Kann ich kurz telefonieren?

Can I make a quick call?

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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer