könnten Sie das wiederholen
/ˈkœntn̩ ziː das ˌviːdɐˈhoːlən/word by word
The German phrase for "could you repeat that" is könnten Sie das wiederholen.
This phrase is used as a polite request when you did not hear or understand what someone said and need them to say it again. In many situations, Germans use the short phrase Wie bitte? to ask someone to repeat themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb wiederholen means "to repeat". Although it looks like a separable verb, it is actually inseparable, which means the prefix wieder is not stressed and does not move to the end of the sentence in this context.
Which one should you use?
While könnten Sie das wiederholen? is a polite, conditional request using the subjunctive, Können Sie das wiederholen? is a more direct request for ability.
How does it change in a sentence?
The formal version uses the pronoun Sie and the subjunctive form könnten to make the request polite. The informal version uses du instead of Sie.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkœntn̩ ziː das ˌviːdɐˈhoːlən/
Did you know?
- The verb wiederholen is built from two simple actions: 'again' and 'to fetch'. It carries the historical sense of 'fetching something back' or bringing a sound back to the listener.
- In some contexts, wiederholen can mean 'to reclaim' or 'to take back' an object, which is completely different from repeating a phrase.
Examples in context
- Könnten Sie das wiederholen?Could you repeat that?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase könnten Sie das wiederholen.Tatoeba #1317808 by Zaghawa, translation #327331 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, könnten Sie das wiederholen?Excuse me, could you repeat that?
- Ich habe Sie nicht verstanden, könnten Sie das wiederholen?I did not understand you, could you repeat that?
Example conversation
Maximilian is at a ticket counter talking to Hannah.
- MaximilianWo muss ich in den Zug steigen?Where do I need to board the train?
- HannahSie müssen auf Gleis vier warten.You have to wait on platform four.
- MaximilianVerzeihen Sie, könnten Sie das wiederholen?I'm sorry, could you repeat that?
- HannahNatürlich, Gleis vier.Of course, platform four.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (könnten, Sie, das, wiederholen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sie, das, sie, wiederholen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
