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How to Say ‘Excuse me, can I interrupt for a second?’ in German

Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz stören?

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en

[ent-SHOOL-dee-goong darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en]

🇩🇪 In Germany: A polite, low-pressure opener. Asking permission before chatting someone up goes down far better in Germany than launching straight into a line.

Phrase Breakdown

Entschuldigung,

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong

Excuse me,

The standard polite way to get someone's attention. Stress the second syllable: ent-SCHUL-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 lightly.

Example

Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?

Excuse me, where is the train station?

darf ich kurz stören?

darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en

may I disturb you briefly?

A polite request to interrupt someone for a moment. Round your lips for the 'ö' in 'stören'.

Example

Darf ich kurz stören? Ich habe eine Frage.

May I disturb you briefly? I have a question.

Words in this phrase

darf

[darf]

may; am allowed to

Used to ask permission politely in a professional setting.

Example

In Darf ich Ihnen meine Kontaktdaten geben? macht Darf die Frage höflich.

In 'Darf ich Ihnen meine Kontaktdaten geben?' 'Darf' makes the question polite.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

kurz

[koorts]

briefly; short

Kurz means short or briefly, depending on context.

Example

Bitte antworten Sie kurz.

Please answer briefly.

stören

[SHTUR-en]

disturb; interrupt

Verb meaning to bother or interrupt someone.

Example

Ich will nicht stören.

I don't want to disturb.

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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