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How to Say ‘Have you already tried anything?’ in German

Haben Sie schon etwas probiert?

hah-ben zee shohn ET-vahs pro-BEERT

[hah-ben zee shohn ET-vahs pro-BEERT]

🇩🇪 In Germany: German landlords often expect you to try the basics first, like resetting the boiler or checking the pressure. Be ready to list what you've already done.

Phrase Breakdown

Haben Sie schon

hah-ben zee shohn

Have you already

This is a formal question in the perfect tense. 'Schon' means 'already' and sounds like 'shone'.

Example

Haben Sie schon gegessen?

Have you already eaten?

Words in this phrase

Haben

[hah-ben]

have

To possess or hold something.

Example

Ich habe ein Buch.

I have a book.

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.

schon

[shohn]

already

By this time; prior to a specified time.

Example

Er ist schon weg.

He is already gone.

etwas probiert?

ET-vahs pro-BEERT

tried something?

'Probieren' means to try. Stress the 'ie' in 'pro-BEERT'.

Example

Ich habe etwas Neues probiert.

I tried something new.

Words in this phrase

etwas

[ET-vahs]

something, anything

Indefinite pronoun for an unspecified thing.

Example

Brauchen Sie etwas?

Do you need anything?

probiert

[pro-BEERT]

tried

Past participle of 'probieren', to try or attempt something.

Example

Ich habe den Kuchen probiert.

I tried the cake.

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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