How to Ask for Clarification - Examples and Variations

Learn how to ask for clarification

Also Appears In: Can Do German for Absolute Beginners Can Ask for Clarification

Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Let’s look at the expressions once more.

Listen and repeat.

Entschuldigung.

Kannst du das wiederholen?

Entschuldigung, kannst du das wiederholen?

Können Sie das wiederholen?

Entschuldigung, können Sie das wiederholen?

Noch einmal, bitte.

Kannst du langsamer sprechen?

Did you notice the new phrases I used?

Noch einmal, bitte.

Noch einmal, bitte. "One more time, please." Noch einmal bitte.

First is noch, "additionally" in this context. Noch. Noch.

Next is einmal, literally "one time," but translates as "once." Einmal. Einmal.

Last is bitte, "please," in this context. Bitte. Bitte.

Noch einmal bitte, literally "additionally once please," but translates as "one more time, please." Noch einmal bitte.

The second phrase is

Kannst du langsamer Sprechen?

Literally "Can you more slowly speak," but it translates as "Can you speak more slowly?" Kannst du langsamer sprechen?

First is kannst du, "can you." Kannst du.

Kannst is from the verb können, "to be able." Können.

Du, "you," informal. Du.

Together, kannst du, "can you."

After this is langsamer, "more slowly." Langsamer. Langsamer.

Last is sprechen. "speak." Sprechen. Sprechen.

All together, Kannst du langsamer sprechen? "Can you speak more slowly?" Kannst du langsamer sprechen?

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