📞❓

How to Say ‘May I call you?’ in German

Darf ich Sie anrufen?

darf ikh ZEE AHN-roo-fen

[darf ikh ZEE AHN-roo-fen]

💬 Usage Tip: anrufen splits without a helper verb: Ich rufe Sie morgen an, with an at the end.

Phrase Breakdown

Darf ich Sie

darf ikh ZEE

May I (call) you

A polite request using the formal 'Sie'. 'Sie' sounds like 'zee'.

Example

Darf ich Sie etwas fragen?

May I ask you something?

Words in this phrase

Darf

[darf]

may / am allowed to

A polite modal verb used to ask permission.

Example

Bevor ich nach der Unternehmenskultur frage, sage ich: Darf ich fragen?

Before I ask about company culture, I say: May I ask?

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

Sie

[ZEE]

You (formal)

Formal way to address someone.

Example

Sind Sie bereit zu bestellen?

Are you ready to order?

anrufen?

AHN-roo-fen

call?

'Anrufen' means to phone someone. Stress the first syllable: 'AN-roo-fen'.

Example

Ich will dich anrufen.

I want to call you.

Words in this phrase

anrufen

[AHN-roo-fen]

to call; to phone

Used when contacting someone by telephone.

Example

Anrufen können Sie uns bis zum Küchenschluss.

You can call us until the kitchen closes.

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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