Bedeutung
A polite request for a faster pace.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Punctuality is a core value. Being late is often seen as a lack of discipline. 'Schnell, bitte' is a functional tool to avoid the social shame of tardiness. Even more than in Germany, time is precision. In Swiss German, you might hear 'Schnäll, bitte' or 'Gange mir,' but the sentiment of efficiency remains the same. Austrians are generally perceived as slightly more relaxed ('gemütlich') than Germans, but in Vienna, the pace of life is still fast. 'Schnell, bitte' is common in the coffee house culture when catching a waiter's eye. In German business, 'Time is Money' is taken literally. Requests for speed are seen as professional, not personal slights.
Tone Matters
Say it with a rising intonation to sound polite. A falling intonation can sound like a barked command.
False Friend Alert
Never use the English word 'fast' in German; people will think you mean 'almost' and might actually slow down!
Bedeutung
A polite request for a faster pace.
Tone Matters
Say it with a rising intonation to sound polite. A falling intonation can sound like a barked command.
False Friend Alert
Never use the English word 'fast' in German; people will think you mean 'almost' and might actually slow down!
The 'Waiter' Trick
If you need the bill in a hurry, make a writing gesture in the air and say 'Zahlen, schnell bitte.' It works every time.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to make a polite request for speed.
Ich habe keine Zeit. ____, bitte!
'Schnell' is the correct word for 'fast' or 'quickly'.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a taxi driver to hurry?
Taxi driver: 'Wohin?' You: 'Zum Hotel, ...'
'Schnell bitte' is the standard neutral/polite way to express urgency.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kommst du?' B: 'Ja, einen Moment.' A: 'Nein, wir sind spät! ____, ____!'
The context of being late ('wir sind spät') requires a request for speed.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the airport and your gate is closing.
Urgency at an airport gate is the perfect time for this phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIch habe keine Zeit. ____, bitte!
'Schnell' is the correct word for 'fast' or 'quickly'.
Taxi driver: 'Wohin?' You: 'Zum Hotel, ...'
'Schnell bitte' is the standard neutral/polite way to express urgency.
A: 'Kommst du?' B: 'Ja, einen Moment.' A: 'Nein, wir sind spät! ____, ____!'
The context of being late ('wir sind spät') requires a request for speed.
You are at the airport and your gate is closing.
Urgency at an airport gate is the perfect time for this phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenNot inherently. The 'bitte' makes it neutral. However, your tone of voice and the context (e.g., if the person is already rushing) determine the politeness.
Only if there is a genuine emergency. Otherwise, use a more formal structure like 'Könnten Sie das bitte priorisieren?'
'Rasch' is a bit more formal and often used in writing. In spoken German, 'schnell' is much more common.
You would usually say 'Beeil dich!' or 'Mach schnell!'
Verwandte Redewendungen
Beeil dich
similarHurry up (informal)
Sofort
similarImmediately
Langsam, bitte
contrastSlowly, please
Zack zack
specialized formChop chop
Eilt sehr
formalIt is very urgent
