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How to Say ‘I just wanted to say that.’ in German

Das wollte ich nur sagen.

dahs VOL-tuh ikh noor ZAH-gen

[dahs VOL-tuh ikh noor ZAH-gen]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This signals that you aren't after anything and don't expect a conversation. It lets you give a stranger a compliment and walk away without it feeling odd.

Phrase Breakdown

Das wollte ich

dahs VOL-tuh ikh

that I wanted

'Wollte' is the past tense of 'wollen' and starts with a 'v' sound: VOL-teh. 'Ich' has a soft 'ch', like a hiss.

Example

Das wollte ich fragen.

That's what I wanted to ask.

Words in this phrase

Das

[dahs]

that

Used to indicate something known or assumed.

Example

Wir wissen, dass er kommt.

We know that he's coming.

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.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

nur sagen.

noor ZAH-gen

just to say

'Nur' means 'only' or 'just'. In 'sagen', the 's' sounds like 'z': ZAH-gen.

Example

Ich wollte nur sagen: danke!

I just wanted to say: thanks!

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.

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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