Signification
A polite request for someone to reduce their speaking speed.
Contexte culturel
In Germany, being direct about your language level is appreciated. People will often switch to English if they see you struggling, so if you want to practice German, you must say 'Bitte sprechen Sie langsam, ich möchte Deutsch üben' (Please speak slowly, I want to practice German). Swiss German (Schwiizerdütsch) is significantly different from Standard German (Hochdeutsch). If you ask a Swiss person to speak slowly, they might just speak Swiss German slower. You may need to ask them to speak 'Hochdeutsch' first. Austrians are generally known for a slightly more 'gemütlich' (cozy/relaxed) pace of life, but their dialects in rural areas can be very fast and melodic. Politeness is very important here, so always use 'Bitte'. In a German office, efficiency is key. If you don't understand something because of the speed, it's considered professional to interrupt politely and ask for a slower pace rather than wasting time later on mistakes.
The Hand Gesture
Pair the phrase with a gentle 'pushing down' motion with your hand. This visual cue helps the speaker understand your request immediately even before you finish the sentence.
Don't forget 'Sie'
If you just say 'Bitte sprechen langsam', it sounds like 'Please speak slow' and is grammatically incomplete. Always include 'Sie' for the formal touch.
Signification
A polite request for someone to reduce their speaking speed.
The Hand Gesture
Pair the phrase with a gentle 'pushing down' motion with your hand. This visual cue helps the speaker understand your request immediately even before you finish the sentence.
Don't forget 'Sie'
If you just say 'Bitte sprechen langsam', it sounds like 'Please speak slow' and is grammatically incomplete. Always include 'Sie' for the formal touch.
The 'English' Trap
If you say this phrase, many Germans will immediately switch to English to be helpful. If you want to keep speaking German, add: 'Ich möchte Deutsch lernen!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing formal pronoun.
Bitte sprechen ______ langsam.
The formal request always uses 'Sie'.
Which sentence is the most polite for a stranger?
You are at the post office and the clerk is too fast.
This uses the correct formal imperative and 'bitte'.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Phrases: 1. Bitte sprechen Sie langsam. 2. Bitte sprechen Sie laut. 3. Bitte sprechen Sie deutlich.
Langsam = slowly, laut = loudly, deutlich = clearly.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Das Ticket kostet fünfzehn Euro.' B: 'Entschuldigung, ich verstehe nicht. ______ ______ ______ ______?'
The context of 'I don't understand' requires a request for slower speech.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesBitte sprechen ______ langsam.
The formal request always uses 'Sie'.
You are at the post office and the clerk is too fast.
This uses the correct formal imperative and 'bitte'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Langsam = slowly, laut = loudly, deutlich = clearly.
A: 'Das Ticket kostet fünfzehn Euro.' B: 'Entschuldigung, ich verstehe nicht. ______ ______ ______ ______?'
The context of 'I don't understand' requires a request for slower speech.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is the standard polite way to speak to anyone you don't know personally. It is never 'too formal' for a learner.
Yes, 'Langsam, bitte' is a shorter, very common alternative that is still polite enough for most situations.
It's okay to ask again! You can say: 'Entschuldigung, immer noch zu schnell. Bitte noch langsamer.'
'Langsam' means 'slowly', while 'langsamer' means 'slower'. Both work, but 'langsamer' is often more natural as you are asking them to change their current speed.
Use the informal: 'Sprich bitte langsam.'
Not at all. In fact, it's considered more polite than just staring blankly or saying 'Was?' (What?).
Yes, it shows that you care about accuracy. Just use the very polite version: 'Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen?'
In German imperative (command) forms for 'Sie', the verb always comes first, followed by the pronoun.
It is an adverb because it describes *how* someone should speak.
Then use 'Bitte sprechen Sie lauter' (Please speak louder).
Expressions liées
Noch einmal, bitte.
similarOnce more, please.
Wie bitte?
similarPardon? / What was that?
Ich verstehe nicht.
builds onI don't understand.
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
contrastDo you speak English?
