How to Say ‘Could you explain again?’ in German
Könnten Sie das noch einmal erklären?
💬 Usage Tip: The 'ö' in 'könnten' is like 'er' in 'her', but shorter.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Polite way to ask for repetition, shows willingness to understand.
Phrase Breakdown
Könnten
Could
Modal verb for polite requests or possibilities.
Könnten Sie helfen?
Could you help?
Sie
you (formal)
Formal way to address someone directly.
Könnten Sie kommen?
Could you come?
das
that
Referring to something specific.
Das ist interessant.
That is interesting.
noch einmal
again
Phrase for repetition.
Sag es noch einmal.
Say it again.
erklären
explain
The verb for making something clear or understandable.
Kannst du das erklären?
Can you explain that?
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Könnten
[KUHN-ten]
Could
The conditional form of being able to do something. Used in polite requests.
Könnten Sie mir helfen?
Could you help me?
Sie
[zee]
you
Formal address or reference to one person.
Wie können Sie das machen?
How can you do that?
das
[dahs]
that
A demonstrative pronoun referring to a specific thing previously mentioned.
Das ist interessant.
That is interesting.
noch
[nokh]
again
Used to indicate repetition.
Könnten Sie das nochmal machen?
Could you do that again?
einmal
[INE-mahl]
once
One time or once again.
Sag es mir einmal.
Tell me once.
erklären
[ehk-LAIR-en]
explain
To make something clear or easy to understand.
Könnten Sie das erklären?
Could you explain that?
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