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How to Say ‘I was just about to say’ in German

Ich wollte gerade sagen

ikh VOL-tuh guh-RAH-duh ZAH-gen

[ikh VOL-tuh guh-RAH-duh ZAH-gen]

💬 Usage Tip: gerade with a past form means "was just about to". Swap in any verb: Ich wollte gerade gehen "I was just about to leave."

Phrase Breakdown

Ich wollte

ikh VOL-tuh

I wanted / I was going to

'Wollte' is the past tense of 'wollen'. The 'w' sounds like English 'v'. Say the 'ch' in 'ich' softly.

Example

Ich wollte dich anrufen.

I wanted to call you.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

wollte

[VOL-tuh]

wanted to

Past tense form used politely in 'I wanted to...' expressions.

Example

Ich wollte sagen, dass seit gestern Abend nur kaltes Wasser da ist.

I wanted to say that since yesterday evening there has only been cold water.

gerade sagen

guh-RAH-duh ZAH-gen

just (about to) say

'Gerade' here means 'just now / about to'. Stress the second syllable: ge-RA-de.

Example

Das wollte ich gerade sagen!

I was just about to say that!

Words in this phrase

gerade

[guh-RAH-duh]

currently; just now

Used to mean 'currently,' 'right now,' or sometimes 'just.' Useful when talking about present opportunities.

Example

Gerade suche ich auf dem Karriereevent nach neuen Kontakten.

Right now I am looking for new contacts at the career event.

sagen

[ZAH-gen]

say

A verb meaning to say or tell.

Example

Ich wollte sagen, dass nur kaltes Wasser kommt.

I wanted to say that only cold water is coming.

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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