Learn How to Ask for Clarification in German | Can Do #13

Welcome to Can Do German by GermanPod101.com Hallo zusammen, ich heiße Katrin Preußler. Hi everyone, I'm Katrin Preußler. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask for clarification. Expand your vocabulary with our Core 2000 Words eBook. It's free and packed with essential expressions that you'll use on a daily basis. Start building your vocabulary today. Click the link in the description below to download your free German eBook before it's gone. This is Sascha Lee and she meets her neighbor Jonas Jaeger for the first time in the lobby of their building. Jonas introduces himself by saying, nice to meet you, my name is Jonas. Sascha can't catch his name and asks for clarification. Listen to the conversation and focus on Sascha's request. Ready? Once more with the English translation. Let's take a closer look at the conversation. First is, literally, it pleases me, but translates as nice to meet you. Is actually a shortened version of, meaning, it pleases me to become acquainted with you. Jonas uses the shortened version in his introduction. This version can be used in many contexts and is appropriate for both informal and formal situations. Next is, my name is Jonas. First is, next is, am called, is from the verb, to be called. Last is the name. Note, Jonas only uses his given name. Sascha and Jonas are young adults in an informal situation, so he only uses his given name. Together it's, literally, I am called Jonas. But it translates as, my name is Jonas. Altogether it's, nice to meet you, my name is Jonas. Sascha can't catch his name. Do you remember how she asks, excuse me, can you repeat that? First is, excuse me, next is, is from the verb, to be able, is the informal word for you. Together, can you. Next is, that, in this context. Last is, repeat, together, literally, can you that repeat. But it translates as, can you repeat that? Altogether, excuse me, can you repeat that? Finally, do you remember how Jonas says, my name is Jonas. Hint, you've heard it before. In this lesson, you learned how to ask for clarification in an informal situation. Excuse me, can you repeat that? To ask for clarification in a formal situation. Excuse me, can you repeat that? For formal situations, replace, with, can you. Note, literally means, can they, as in, can they repeat that? But it's also a formal way to address a single person, as is the case here, where Sascha is addressing Jonas. To be able, you, when using formal German. Together, can you. The following is another useful way to ask someone to provide information. Can you write it down? For formal situations, replace, with, can you write it down? Let's look at the expressions once more. Listen and repeat. Entschuldigung, kannst du das wiederholen? Können sie das wiederholen? Entschuldigung, können sie das wiederholen? Noch einmal bitte. Kannst du langsamer sprechen? Did you notice the new phrases I used? Wondering how you can master these conversations even faster? Here's how. One, read along. You get the lesson conversation and translations inside our dialogue tool, so that you see each word as you hear it, and understand it all. Two, practice speaking. By shadowing what you hear, you can also record and compare yourself with native speakers with our voice recording tools. And three, take our assessment tests, and see how much you remember. These tools are part of our CanDo course. Just click the link in the description to get them. One more time, please. First is, additionally, in this context. Next is, literally, one time, but translates as, once. Last is, please, in this context. Literally, additionally once, please, but translates as, one more time, please. The second phrase is, literally, can you more slowly speak, but it translates as, can you speak more slowly. First is, is from the verb, to be able. You, informal. Together. Can you. After this is, more slowly. Last is, speak. All together. Can you speak more slowly? Let's review the new words. Speak. More slowly. Write down. Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation. Ready? Do you remember the informal way to say, excuse me? And how to say, repeat? Do you remember the informal way to say, can you? Do you remember how Sasha asks, excuse me, can you repeat that? Remember, she uses informal German. Do you remember how to say, nice to meet you? And do you remember how Jonas says, nice to meet you, my name is Jonas. Do you remember the formal German for, can you? Do you remember the formal way to ask, can you repeat that? Do you remember how to say, more slowly? And how to say, speak? And how to say, can you speak more slowly? Let's practice. Imagine you're Ben Lee. Jonas introduces himself, but you can't catch his name. Ask him to repeat it using informal German. Ready? Listen again and repeat. Let's try another. Imagine you're Jonas. Karen Lee introduces herself, but you can't catch her name. Use formal German. Ready? Listen again and repeat. Let's try one more. Imagine you're Jonas. Ask Sasha Lee to speak more slowly. Ready? Listen again and repeat. If you can't catch something someone says, you can say, This is the end of this lesson. Now, here's what you can do to cement this conversation in your head. Review the conversation with our dialogue tool and lesson transcripts. Study the key words and phrases with our spaced repetition flashcards. Review the key grammar and cultural tips inside the lesson notes. And test yourself with our assessment tests. So click the link in the description right now and sign up for your free lifetime account to access our CanDo course. Now you know how to ask for clarification in German. In particular, by asking people to speak more slowly and repeat what they've said. That's all there is to it. Keep practicing and move on to the next lesson.