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How to Say ‘Please tell me something’ in German

Erzählen Sie bitte etwas

air-tsehh-len ZEE BIT-tuh ET-vahs

[air-tsehh-len ZEE BIT-tuh ET-vahs]

Phrase Breakdown

Erzählen Sie

air-tsehh-len ZEE

Tell (formal)

A formal command, with the verb first and 'Sie' after it. Stress the second syllable: er-ZÄH-len.

Example

Erzählen Sie mal!

Tell me!

Words in this phrase

Erzählen

[air-tsehh-len]

tell

To communicate information, a story, etc.

Example

Ich erzähle eine Geschichte.

I tell a story.

Sie

[ZEE]

You (formal)

Formal way to address someone.

Example

Sind Sie bereit zu bestellen?

Are you ready to order?

bitte etwas

BIT-tuh ET-vahs

please, something

'bitte' makes the request polite. 'etwas' means 'something'. Both are stressed on the first syllable.

Example

Sagen Sie bitte etwas.

Please say something.

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.

etwas

[ET-vahs]

something

Refers to an unspecified object or thing.

Example

Ich habe etwas für dich.

I have something for you.

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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