What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Bitte (please), wiederholen (to repeat), Sie (you – formal) and es (it).
Which one should you use?
While Bitte wiederholen Sie es is the formal version, Bitte wiederhol es is the informal version used with friends, family or children.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Bitte wiederholen Sie es uses the formal Sie to address the person. In formal contexts, you may also use the more complete sentences Können Sie es bitte wiederholen? (Can you please repeat it?) or Entschuldigung, könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? (Excuse me, could you please repeat that?).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɪtə ˌviːdɐˈhoːlən ziː ɛs/
When do people say it?
In many casual or semi-formal situations, instead of using a full sentence, Germans often simply say Wie bitte? to mean 'Pardon?' when asking someone to repeat themselves.
Did you know?
- The word wiederholen is built from wieder meaning 'again' and holen meaning 'to fetch' or 'to get'.
Examples in context
- Ich habe das nicht verstanden. Bitte wiederholen Sie es.I did not understand that. Please repeat it.
Example conversation
Hannah is talking to a clerk at a train station.
- HannahEntschuldigung, ich verstehe nicht.Excuse me, I don't understand.
- JulianDer Zug fährt auf Gleis vier ab.The train departs from platform four.
- HannahBitte wiederholen Sie es noch einmal.Please repeat it one more time.
- JulianNatürlich, Gleis vier.Of course, platform four.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Bitte, wiederholen, Sie, es) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bitte, Sie, bitte, es, sie, wiederholen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
