🙏⏱️❓

How to Say ‘May I bother you for a moment?’ in German

Darf ich kurz stören?

darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en

[darf ikh koorts SHTUR-en]

💬 Usage Tip: kurz "briefly" softens the request, and Germans use it constantly: Hast du kurz Zeit? "Got a sec?"

Phrase Breakdown

Darf ich

darf ikh

May I

A polite way to ask permission. The verb comes first because it is a question. The 'ch' in 'ich' is soft, like a hiss.

Example

Darf ich reinkommen?

May I come in?

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 stören?

koorts SHTUR-en

disturb (you) briefly?

'kurz' means briefly. 'stören' means to disturb. Round your lips for the 'ö' in 'stören'.

Example

Ich will nicht lange stören.

I don't want to disturb you for long.

Words in this phrase

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.

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