Ch 1 · Lesson 3German · Chapter 1 · Lesson 3 · Grammar primer
Danke, bitte and Entschuldigung
Thank you, please and sorry, plus the three sentences that keep a conversation alive when your German runs out.
The short version
! - !
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is please when you ask for something, you are welcome when someone says , here you are when you hand something over, and ? when you did not catch what was said. One word, four jobs, and the moment always makes the job clear.
Danke, Bitte and Entschuldigung
is thank you, and it comes in three strengths:
- Dankethanks
- Danke schönthank you
- Vielen Dankmany thanks
is the busiest word in the list. It does four jobs:
| German | English | Job |
|---|---|---|
, . | A coffee, please. | please |
! - ! | Thanks! - You're welcome! | you're welcome |
. | Here you are. | handing something over |
? | Sorry? (Say that again?) | asking to repeat |
- , .
- .
One counter, two bittes: the customer asks with bitte (please), the baker hands the coffee over with bitte schön (here you are).
covers a small apology and a polite excuse me: , ? - Excuse me, where is the station? For a real apology, say . - I'm sorry.
When you are lost
Three sentences keep a conversation alive when your German runs out:
| English | German |
|---|---|
| I don't understand. | . |
| Say that again? | ? |
| Please speak slowly. | . |
and (yes and no) complete the survival kit: , ! - Yes, please!
Going further: The whole set on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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9-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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Lesson 3 of 38 in this chapter