buchstabiert man das
The phrase "you spell that" is translated into German as buchstabiert man das.
A request for someone to name the letters of a word one by one.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this as a request for how to spell something, the phrase functions as a question and requires the interrogative pronoun Wie (How) at the beginning to form the sentence Wie buchstabiert man das?
Did you know?
- The verb buchstabieren comes from the word Buchstabe, which means 'letter'. This is derived from the words for 'beech' and 'staff', as early Germanic runes were carved into beech wood sticks.
- When spelling over the phone, Germans use a specific spelling alphabet where B is Berta and D is Dora. This differs from the NATO phonetic alphabet used in English-speaking aviation and military contexts.
- If you accidentally use the word Mann instead of man in your question, you are literally asking 'How does a man spell that?'
Examples in context
- Wie buchstabiert man das?How do you spell that?This sentence shows how to ask for the spelling of an object or concept using buchstabiert man das.Tatoeba #2504544 by Zaghawa, translation #436119 by lukaszpp
- Wie buchstabiert man das Wort?How do you spell that word?This sentence demonstrates asking for the spelling of a specific word using buchstabiert man das.Tatoeba #1910602 by Zaghawa, translation #1451679 by CK
- Kannst du 'Haus' buchstabieren? Wie 'H-a-u-s'.Can you spell 'house'? Like 'H-a-u-s'.
Example conversation
Julia is asking Julian for his last name.
- JuliaWie ist dein Name, Julian?What is your name, Julian?
- JulianMein Name ist Julian Schwarz.My name is Julian Schwarz.
- JuliaEntschuldigung, wie buchstabiert man das?Sorry, how do you spell that?
- JulianS-C-H-W-A-R-Z.S-C-H-W-A-R-Z.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
