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How to Say ‘Please have a seat.’ in German

Bitte nehmen Sie Platz.

BIT-tuh NAY-muhn ZEE plahts

[BIT-tuh NAY-muhn ZEE plahts]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Wait to be offered a seat before sitting down in a German interview. Sitting before you're asked can seem a little forward.

Phrase Breakdown

Bitte nehmen

BIT-tuh NAY-muhn

Please take

'Bitte' makes the request polite. 'nehmen' means to take.

Example

Bitte nehmen Sie das.

Please take this.

Words in this phrase

Bitte

[BIT-tuh]

please

A polite word meaning 'please,' and sometimes also 'you're welcome.'

Example

Bitte sagt mir den Termin.

Please tell me the date.

nehmen

[NAY-muhn]

to take / to choose

Verb meaning to take something; in restaurant context, it often means to choose an option.

Example

Wir könnten den Nebenraum nehmen, wenn er frei ist.

We could take the side room if it is available.

Sie Platz.

ZEE plahts

a seat (you, formal)

'Platz nehmen' is a fixed phrase meaning to sit down. 'Sie' is the formal 'you'.

Example

Nehmen Sie Platz!

Have a seat!

Words in this phrase

Sie

[ZEE]

You (formal)

Formal way to address someone.

Example

Sind Sie bereit zu bestellen?

Are you ready to order?

Platz

[plahts]

seat / place

A spot or seat somewhere, often used for seating in a restaurant.

Example

Ein ruhiger Platz ist für ein Gespräch besser.

A quiet seat is better for a conversation.

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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