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

Bitte nehmen Sie Platz.

BIT-eh NAY-men zee plats

[BIT-eh NAY-men zee plats]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Interviewers usually say this as you enter. Wait for it before sitting down, as taking a seat uninvited can seem a bit forward.

Phrase Breakdown

Bitte

[BIT-eh]

please

Polite word for requests.

Example

Einen Moment, bitte.

One moment, please.

nehmen Sie Platz.

NAY-men zee plats

take a seat

A formal imperative meaning 'take a seat'. The 'eh' in 'nehmen' is a long 'ay'. 'Platz' ends in a sharp 'ts' sound.

Example

Nehmen Sie Platz, Herr Müller.

Take a seat, Mr. Müller.

Words in this phrase

nehmen

[NAY-men]

take

To choose or accept something.

Example

Wir nehmen das Menü.

We'll take the set menu.

Sie

[zee]

you

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

Platz

[plats]

seat

A place to sit, e.g. a chair at a table.

Example

Dieser Platz ist besetzt.

This seat is taken.

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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