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How to Say ‘Excuse me, do you have a moment?’ in German

Entschuldigung, haben Sie kurz Zeit?

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong hah-ben zee koorts tsayt

[ent-SHOOL-dee-goong hah-ben zee koorts tsayt]

🇩🇪 In Germany: At Fête de la Musique, wait until the performer finishes a song or packs up before approaching. Opening with Entschuldigung and Sie is the polite default with a stranger.

Phrase Breakdown

Entschuldigung,

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong

Excuse me,

A polite way to get someone's attention. Stress the second syllable: 'ent-SHUL-di-gung'.

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 for a small mistake.

Example

Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?

Excuse me, where is the train station?

haben Sie

hah-ben zee

do you have

A formal question: the verb comes before 'Sie'.

Example

Haben Sie Wasser?

Do you have water?

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?

Literally 'briefly time'. Both 'z' sounds are pronounced 'ts'.

Example

Hast du jetzt kurz Zeit?

Do you have a moment now?

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.

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