Significado
A polite request for someone to reduce their speaking pace.
Contexto cultural
In Germany, directness is valued, but so is the 'Sie' form. Asking someone to slow down is seen as a sign of respect for the information being shared. Austrians may use even more 'softeners' and polite phrases. You might hear 'vielleicht' (perhaps) added to the sentence. Swiss German speakers often switch to High German when they realize someone is struggling, but they appreciate the polite request in High German. In a German business meeting, clarity is king. If you don't ask someone to slow down and then make a mistake, it's considered your fault for not speaking up.
The Smile Factor
Always pair this phrase with a friendly smile. It signals that the problem is your hearing/understanding, not their speaking style.
Don't Overuse
If you ask someone to slow down five times in a row, they might switch to English. Use it strategically for the most important information.
Significado
A polite request for someone to reduce their speaking pace.
The Smile Factor
Always pair this phrase with a friendly smile. It signals that the problem is your hearing/understanding, not their speaking style.
Don't Overuse
If you ask someone to slow down five times in a row, they might switch to English. Use it strategically for the most important information.
The 'Sie' Rule
When in doubt, always use 'Sie'. It is never offensive to be too formal, but it can be offensive to be too informal.
Write it down
If they slow down and you still don't get it, follow up with 'Könnten Sie das bitte aufschreiben?' (Could you please write that down?).
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of 'können' to make the sentence polite.
________ Sie etwas langsamer sprechen?
'Könnten' is the Konjunktiv II form, which is the most polite way to ask a stranger for a favor.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a job interview?
Select the best option:
This option uses the polite 'Sie' and the respectful 'Könnten'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Das kostet fünfhundertvierundsiebzig Euro und neunzig Cent. B: Entschuldigung, ________________?
The speaker gave a long, complex number quickly, so asking to slow down is the logical response.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
Match them up:
These are the direct translations of the components.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Können vs. Könnten
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios________ Sie etwas langsamer sprechen?
'Könnten' is the Konjunktiv II form, which is the most polite way to ask a stranger for a favor.
Select the best option:
This option uses the polite 'Sie' and the respectful 'Könnten'.
A: Das kostet fünfhundertvierundsiebzig Euro und neunzig Cent. B: Entschuldigung, ________________?
The speaker gave a long, complex number quickly, so asking to slow down is the logical response.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are the direct translations of the components.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, 'Könnten' is the subjunctive form and sounds much more polite and less like a demand.
In an emergency, yes. But it sounds a bit like a command. Adding 'Könnten Sie' makes it a proper request.
You can say: 'Entschuldigung, immer noch ein bisschen zu schnell für mich.' (Sorry, still a bit too fast for me.)
In this context, it means 'somewhat' or 'a bit'. It acts as a softener.
Here it functions as an adverb, describing *how* they should speak.
Absolutely! It's a great way to practice your B1 grammar while getting the help you need.
'Sprechen' is more formal and general. 'Reden' is more like 'to talk' or 'to chat'. In this phrase, 'sprechen' is more common.
Because 'könnten' is a modal verb, and in German, the second verb always goes to the end of the clause.
Yes, it is perfectly standard in Austria and Switzerland as well.
You would say: 'Kannst du bitte etwas langsamer sprechen?'
You can say 'Nicht so schnell, bitte!' (Not so fast, please!)
Yes, they are interchangeable here. 'Ein bisschen' is slightly more casual.
Frases relacionadas
Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen?
similarCould you please repeat that?
Wie bitte?
similarPardon? / What was that?
Was bedeutet das?
builds onWhat does that mean?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
contrastDo you speak English?
Einen Moment, bitte.
similarOne moment, please.
Ich verstehe nicht.
similarI don't understand.
