Learn to ask “Once again, please"
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| Hello and welcome to German Survival Phrases brought to you by germanpod101.com, this course is designed to equip you with the language skills and knowledge to enable you to get the most out of your visit to Germany. |
| You will be surprised at how far a little German will go. |
| Now before we jump in, remember to stop by germanpod101.com and there you will find the accompanying PDF and additional info in the post. |
| If you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. |
| German Survival Phrases. Lesson 9. Can you say it again? |
| Now a dictionary is a great idea but don’t forget that you can use German to learn in a more fun and interactive way. |
| In German, can you say it again is [Können Sie das wiederholen?] Let’s break it down by syllable [Können Sie das wiederholen?] Let’s hear it again [Können Sie das wiederholen?] The first word [können] means could. |
| Let’s break down this word and hear it one more time [Können SIe das wiederholen?] This is followed by [Sie] which in English is you, formally [Können Sie]. |
| So to recap here, we have [Können Sie] literally this means can you. |
| Let’s take a look at the next word [das] which means that [das] This is followed by [wiederholen] which in English is, to repeat [wiederholen] So to recap here, we have [das wiederholen] literally this means that repeat and altogether we have [Können Sie das wiederholen?] which literally means, can you that repeat. |
| Here is another phrase that you can use in much the same way. |
| In German, once again please is [Noch einmal, bitte]. |
| Let’s break it down by syllable [Noch einmal, bitte] Now let’s hear it once again [Noch einmal, bitte] The first word [noch] means still. |
| Let’s hear it one more time [noch] This is followed by [einmal] which in German is once more [einmal] To recap here, we have [noch einmal] literally this means still once more. |
| Let’s take a look at the next word [bitte] which means please. |
| [bitte] Altogether we have [Noch einmal, bitte] which literally means still once more please. |
| In German, slowly please is [langsam bitte] Let’s break it down by syllable [langsam bitte] Now let’s hear it once again [langsam bitte] The first word [Langsam] means slow. |
| Let’s break down this word and hear it one more time [Langsam bitte] This is followed by [bitte] which in English is please. |
| [bitte] To recap here, we have [Langsam bitte] literally this means slow please or slowly please. |
| Now let’s hear how to use this actually. |
| For example, your coworker is interested in teaching you some new words in German but he or she doesn’t speak clearly enough. |
| So you ask her [Können Sie das wiederholen?] or maybe you are in a restaurant and the waiter is presenting the menu of the day but he speaks too fast for you to understand. |
| So you say to him [Langsam bitte] As you learn more and more German, these phrases will become very useful. |
| Okay to close our today’s lesson, we’d like you to practice what you’ve just learned. |
| I provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you are responsible for shouting it out aloud. |
| You have a few seconds before I give you the answer. |
| So [Viel Glück] which means good luck in German. |
| Slowly please [Langsam bitte] Once more please [Noch einmal, bitte] Can you repeat that please [Können Sie das wiederholen, bitte?] |
| That’s going to do it for today. |
Comments
HideCan "noch einmal, bitte" be also used to ask someone to repeat an action (ie in a bar to get another bottle of beer) ? Or should I use "noch eine Flasche Bier, bitte" ?
Hi Alan,
Thank you for your comment. 👍
You are right. German can be a little tricky when it comes to word order. Rules
are not quite as clear cut as in English.
But yes, your sentence below and the use of bitte are perfectly fine. 😉
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Kind regards,
Reinhard
Team GermanPod101.com
Hallo,
I'm confused on the order you can say "Bitte"
Is it correct to say: Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
Hello K,
Thank you for your feedback.
This is actually an interesting question. "noch einmal, bitte" is commonly used
by native Germans if they are purely referring to an action. For instance, if a magician
does a trick and you want him or her to repeat it, you would use it.
If you want to order another beer, you can either say "noch einmal das selbe, bitte", or
"noch eine Flasche Bier, bitte". 😉
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Kind regards,
Reinhard
Team GermanPod101.com
I think "noch eine Flasche Bier, bitte" sounds more polite. Is "noch einmal, bitte" correct? :)
Hi Krystal,
Thanks for your comment! :smile:
"Bitte wiederholen Sie nochmal/noch einmal" is more being used when somebody wants to confirm certain data (for example: phone number or email-address, order).
Regards,
Albert
Team GermanPod101.com
Would "bitte wiederholen Sie?" be an appropriate way to also ask for something to be repeated?
"Wie bitte?" is perfect for asking someone to repeat something. It's polite, especially compared to "Was?" or "Häh?" - these expressions are what first comes to mind, but children are taught not to say them because they are rude.
I learned that to ask someone to repeat something, to say "wie bitte?" Is this too short or impolite? I have used it before and the person repeated but I haven't heard it very often.
Couldn't you say "noch einmal das Gleiche, bitte" to the waitress if you want another beer? That doesn't sound that strange to me.
But again it would be a thing you asking for not an action. If you want to say "Can you (please) do it again" would that be "Kannst Du es (bitte) noch einmal machen?" / "Können Sie es (bitte) noch einmal machen" Or using tun for machen even though that seems to be strange in a formal sentence.
Or specify the action. Like "can you (please) say it again" would be "Kannst Du es (bitte) noch einmal sagen" or if you want to listen to something again( like the new germanpod101 lesson ;)) and ask "Can you please play that again" that would be "Kannst Du es bitte noch einmal abspielen"
But I think to get another beer you aslo could rais your bottle and say "noch eines bitte" (another one please)
"noch einmal, bitte" would sound strange to me in that context. "noch eine Flasche Bier, bitte" is perfect however :-)