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How to Say ‘To go make a quick phone call’ in German

Nur kurz telefonieren gehen

noor koorts teh-leh-foh-NEE-ren GAY-en

[noor koorts teh-leh-foh-NEE-ren GAY-en]

💬 Usage Tip: German puts an activity verb in front of gehen to say "go and do something": essen gehen "go out to eat", tanzen gehen "go dancing".

Phrase Breakdown

Nur kurz

noor koorts

just briefly

A common phrase meaning 'only for a moment'. Both words have a short 'u' and a rolled or throaty 'r'.

Example

Ich bin nur kurz weg.

I'm only gone for a moment.

Words in this phrase

Nur

[noor]

only; just

Used to make something sound modest or not too important.

Example

Es ist nur eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit.

It is only a small thoughtful gift.

kurz

[koorts]

briefly / quickly

Describes doing something in a short, quick way.

Example

Der Techniker bleibt nur kurz.

The technician is staying only briefly.

telefonieren gehen

teh-leh-foh-NEE-ren GAY-en

to go make a phone call

Infinitive + 'gehen' means 'to go do something'. Stress the 'nie' in te-le-fo-NIE-ren.

Example

Ich muss telefonieren gehen.

I have to go make a phone call.

Words in this phrase

telefonieren

[teh-leh-foh-NEE-ren]

to make a phone call

To talk with someone by phone.

Example

Ich muss kurz telefonieren.

I need to make a quick call.

gehen

[GAY-en]

to go

A common verb meaning to go or to walk.

Example

Wir gehen oft im Frühling nach draußen.

We often go outside in spring.

Guides for German learners

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