Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| setzen Sie sich | /ˈzɛtsən ziː zɪç/ (word by word) | formal |
| setz dich | informal | |
| setzt euch | informal, plural |
These phrases are used to invite someone to take a seat. In formal settings, Bitte setzen Sie sich. is a common way to say "Please have a seat."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase setzen Sie sich is literally "set yourself," where sich is a reflexive pronoun.
Which one should you use?
The form of the phrase changes depending on whom you are addressing: setzen Sie sich is used for formal situations, setz dich is used for one person in an informal setting and setzt euch is used for a group of two or more people in an informal setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
setzen Sie sich is the formal version, suitable for addressing a stranger, a superior or used in a professional setting. setz dich and setzt euch are informal and should be used when addressing a friend, a child, a family member or a group of friends/children.
How does it change in a sentence?
These phrases are derived from the separable verb hinsetzen, which means "to sit down." The particle hin indicates the direction of movement toward a seat.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɛtsən ziː zɪç/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using sitzen (to be sitting) when you want to tell someone to perform the action of sitting down. Instead, use the verb setzen.
Did you know?
- The formal Sie evolved from a plural demonstrative pronoun in Old Saxon, effectively addressing a single person as if they were a group.
- In the formal phrase setzen Sie sich, the word Sie is capitalized specifically to distinguish the formal 'you' from the lowercase 'sie' which means 'she' or 'they'.
- Using the informal setz dich with a superior in a professional German environment could be perceived as a significant social faux pas.
Examples in context
- Setz dich bitte hin!Please sit down.This sentence shows a common way to say "Please sit down" using setz dich.Tatoeba #8641771 by Melang, translation #415594 by CM
- Bitte setzen Sie sich, gnädige Frau!Please sit down, madam.This sentence demonstrates a formal way to say "Please sit down" using setzen Sie sich.Tatoeba #13586024 by Waldelfe, translation #9004487 by carlosalberto
- Bitte setz dich!Please sit down!This sentence shows how to say "Please sit down" using setz dich.Tatoeba #1392674 by Vortarulo, translation #1222430 by Zifre
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A business meeting in a modern office.
- JulianGuten Tag, Frau Schmidt. Bitte setzen Sie sich.Good day, Ms. Schmidt. Please sit down.
- SarahVielen Dank, Herr Weber.Thank you very much, Mr. Weber.
- JulianMöchten Sie etwas Wasser?Would you like some water?
- SarahJa, gerne.Yes, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please sit down” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (setzen, Sie, sich) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sie, dich, euch, setzen, sich, sie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
