A1 Expression 격식체

Darf ich fragen?

May I ask?

A polite way to ask for permission to pose a question.

🌍

문화적 배경

Germans value 'Direktheit' (directness), but 'Höflichkeit' (politeness) is equally important when dealing with strangers. Using 'Darf ich fragen?' shows you are 'gut erzogen' (well-bred). Austrian German is often perceived as even more polite and formal than High German. You will hear 'Dürfte ich...' or even 'Darf ich bitten?' more frequently in Vienna. Swiss German culture is very consensus-oriented. 'Darf ich fragen?' is a standard way to ensure you aren't disturbing the social harmony. In German business culture, hierarchy still matters. Using 'Darf ich fragen?' when addressing a superior is a sign of recognizing that hierarchy.

💡

The 'Mal' Magic

Add 'mal' (Darf ich mal fragen...?) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. it makes you sound relaxed but still polite.

⚠️

Don't Overuse with Friends

If you use this with your best friend, they might think you're about to tell them some bad news or ask for a huge favor.

A polite way to ask for permission to pose a question.

💡

The 'Mal' Magic

Add 'mal' (Darf ich mal fragen...?) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. it makes you sound relaxed but still polite.

⚠️

Don't Overuse with Friends

If you use this with your best friend, they might think you're about to tell them some bad news or ask for a huge favor.

🎯

The Subjunctive Secret

Use 'Dürfte ich fragen...?' in emails to professors or high-level bosses. It's the ultimate 'respect' hack.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the missing modal verb to make the sentence polite.

_______ ich fragen, wie spät es ist?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Darf

'Darf' is the correct form of 'dürfen' for 'ich' to ask for permission.

Which sentence is the most formal and polite?

Choose the best option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Dürfte ich fragen?

The subjunctive 'Dürfte' adds an extra layer of politeness.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.

A: Entschuldigung, ________, wo {der|m} Marktplatz ist? B: Ja, gehen Sie geradeaus.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: darf ich fragen

This is the standard way to lead into a question with a stranger.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You are in a job interview and want to ask about the salary.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Darf ich fragen, wie hoch {das|n} Gehalt ist?

'Darf ich fragen' is appropriate for sensitive topics like money in a professional setting.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the missing modal verb to make the sentence polite. Fill Blank A1

_______ ich fragen, wie spät es ist?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Darf

'Darf' is the correct form of 'dürfen' for 'ich' to ask for permission.

Which sentence is the most formal and polite? Choose B1

Choose the best option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Dürfte ich fragen?

The subjunctive 'Dürfte' adds an extra layer of politeness.

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase. dialogue_completion A1

A: Entschuldigung, ________, wo {der|m} Marktplatz ist? B: Ja, gehen Sie geradeaus.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: darf ich fragen

This is the standard way to lead into a question with a stranger.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A2

Situation: You are in a job interview and want to ask about the salary.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Darf ich fragen, wie hoch {das|n} Gehalt ist?

'Darf ich fragen' is appropriate for sensitive topics like money in a professional setting.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, it's perfectly fine! It's better to be too polite than not polite enough when talking to service staff.

Only with very close friends or in a very casual classroom setting. Otherwise, it's quite rude.

Adding 'Sie' makes it more personal and direct. 'Darf ich fragen' is more general.

Usually, yes. If you are using 'Darf ich fragen', you are likely in a 'Sie' situation.

Yes, it's a great way to introduce a question in a formal email.

It is always 'fragen' (the infinitive).

You can say 'Ja, gerne' (Yes, gladly) or 'Natürlich' (Of course).

No, it's just colloquial/informal standard German.

Because 'dürfen' specifically refers to permission, which is the core of politeness.

Yes, but add 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me) first.

관련 표현

🔗

Darf ich mal?

similar

May I? (usually to pass by someone)

🔗

Gestatten Sie?

specialized form

Do you permit?

🔗

Eine Frage bitte

similar

One question please

🔗

Darf ich Sie kurz stören?

builds on

May I disturb you briefly?

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