🙏🔁

How to Say ‘Could you please repeat that?’ in German

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?

KUR-nen zee dahs BIT-eh vee-der-HOH-len

[KUR-nen zee dahs BIT-eh vee-der-HOH-len]

💬 Usage Tip: With können, the main verb wiederholen moves to the very end. Swap it out: Können Sie das bitte erklären? "Could you please explain that?"

🇩🇪 In Germany: Asking for a repeat in a meeting is completely normal in Germany. Colleagues would usually rather repeat themselves than have you guess wrong.

Phrase Breakdown

Können Sie das

KUR-nen zee dahs

Can you ... that

A polite request with 'können'. Round your lips for the 'ö'.

Example

Können Sie das erklären?

Can you explain that?

Words in this phrase

Können

[KUR-nen]

can

Modal verb 'können' for plural subjects; the main verb goes to the end.

Example

Wir können morgen kommen.

We can come tomorrow.

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.

das

[dahs]

that

Used to indicate something known or assumed.

Example

Wir wissen, dass er kommt.

We know that he's coming.

bitte wiederholen?

BIT-eh vee-der-HOH-len

please repeat?

'wiederholen' means 'to repeat' and is stressed on 'HOL': 'vee-der-HOH-len'.

Example

Bitte wiederholen Sie die Nummer.

Please repeat the number.

Words in this phrase

bitte

[BIT-eh]

please

Polite word for requests.

Example

Einen Moment, bitte.

One moment, please.

wiederholen

[vee-der-HOH-len]

to repeat

Verb meaning to say or do something again.

Example

Bitte wiederholen Sie den Satz.

Please repeat the sentence.

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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