Können Sie das wiederholen?
/ˈkœnən ziː das ˌviːdɐˈhoːlən/word by word
The English phrase "can you repeat that?" is translated into German as Können Sie das wiederholen?
This phrase is a polite request used when you have not heard or understood what someone has said and would like them to say it again.
Which one should you use?
While Können Sie das wiederholen? is the formal way to ask, the informal version Kannst du das wiederholen? is used when speaking with friends, family or children.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the question Können Sie das wiederholen?, the main verb wiederholen (to repeat) moves to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkœnən ziː das ˌviːdɐˈhoːlən/
When do people say it?
A much shorter and very common polite way to express "Can you repeat that?" is to say Wie bitte?, which functions like "Pardon?" in English.
Did you know?
- While Können Sie das wiederholen? is polite, using the formal Sie with a close friend can be interpreted as a joke or a sign of sudden anger.
- The word wiederholen is a combination of 'again' and 'to fetch', making the literal translation 'to fetch again'.
- The capitalization of Sie to show formal respect only became a standard practice in the 17th century.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie das bitte wiederholen?Excuse me, can you please repeat that?
- Könnten Sie das bitte noch einmal sagen?Could you please say that again?
- Würden Sie das bitte wiederholen?Would you please repeat that?
- Kannst du das bitte nochmal sagen?Can you please say that again?
- Wiederhole das bitte.Please repeat that.
- Ich habe es nicht verstanden. Können Sie das wiederholen?I did not understand. Can you repeat that?
Example conversation
A student is asking a professor for clarification in a lecture.
- HannahEntschuldigung, ich habe die Frage nicht gehört. Können Sie das wiederholen?Excuse me, I did not hear the question. Can you repeat that?
- FelixNatürlich, Hannah. Ich frage nach dem Termin für die Prüfung.Of course, Hannah. I am asking about the date for the exam.
- HannahVielen Dank, Herr Professor.Thank you very much, Professor.
- FelixGerne geschehen.You are welcome.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Können, Sie, das, wiederholen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sie, das, können, sie, wiederholen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
