My First Stumbles: Asking for Repetition in Germany

Okay, deep breath. Moving to Berlin was the biggest, most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me, but let’s be honest, it’s also the most confusing. Everything feels…different. The speed, the directness, the sheer volume of everything. And the German! It’s beautiful, complex, and consistently manages to throw me for a loop. One of the biggest hurdles, surprisingly, isn’t the grammar itself – it’s just…understanding. And a huge part of that is knowing how to ask for things to be repeated.

When Confusion Sets In: The Need for “Können Sie das wiederholen?”

There was this one day, I was at the Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe), the huge department store. I was desperately trying to find a specific brand of dark chocolate – Milka – because I was craving a little piece of home. I’d been asking this young man behind the chocolate counter, “Wo ist die Milka?” and he kept saying something back that sounded like “Hier?” But I just couldn’t quite grasp it. He was pointing vaguely towards a shelf, and I was nodding politely, feeling utterly lost. Finally, frustration started to bubble up. I took a deep breath and, in what I hoped was a reasonably polite tone, I asked, “Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie das wiederholen?” (Excuse me, can you repeat that?).

He instantly switched to explaining exactly where the Milka was, and I realized I hadn’t been listening properly. I’d been so focused on the individual words, I hadn’t picked up on the context. That’s when it hit me – “Können Sie das wiederholen?” wasn’t just a phrase; it was a lifesaver!

Building My Repetition Toolkit

Over the weeks, I’ve realised there are a few different ways I use this phrase, and it’s not always just about misunderstandings.

• When I genuinely don’t understand: As in the KaDeWe example, if someone says something quickly or uses a word I don’t know, I’ll use it. “Entschuldigung, können Sie das bitte langsamer sagen?” (Excuse me, could you please say that slower?).
• To clarify: Sometimes, I understand the words, but not the overall meaning. For example, my colleague, Klaus, was explaining a new process at work, and I wanted to be absolutely sure I grasped it. I interrupted and said, “Können Sie das bitte nochmal kurz zusammenfassen?” (Can you please summarize that briefly again?).
• As a polite way to ask for something to be repeated: Even if I do understand, I’ll use it to be extra polite. “Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen, bitte?” (Could you please repeat that, please?) – it just feels more respectful.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

I’ve made a few… embarrassing moments. One time, I was ordering coffee at a Kaffehaus and asked, “Ich möchte einen Cappuccino, bitte?” (I would like a cappuccino, please?). The barista gave me a slightly confused look and said, “Was?” (What?). I quickly corrected myself, “Können Sie das wiederholen?” – it’s amazing how quickly you learn to say that!

Another mistake I noticed was assuming everyone speaks slowly when they use the phrase. I’ve learned to say, “Können Sie das bitte etwas langsamer sagen?” (Can you please say that a little slower?). It’s helpful to add the “bitte” (please) to make the request sound even more polite.

Useful Phrases Beyond “Können Sie das wiederholen?”

While “Können Sie das wiederholen?” is absolutely essential, there are other useful phrases to build upon.

• “Ich verstehe nicht.” (I don’t understand.) – Very useful when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
• “Könnten Sie das bitte erklären?” (Could you please explain that?).
• “Wie bitte?” (What?) – A good one to have in your back pocket when you truly don’t catch a word.

My Takeaway: Patience and Persistence

Learning German is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be times when you feel completely lost, when you mishear something, or when you just can’t quite grasp what someone is saying. That’s totally normal. Don’t get frustrated. A little patience, a genuine willingness to learn, and a well-placed “Können Sie das wiederholen?” will get you a long way. And honestly, most Germans appreciate the effort – even if you make a few mistakes along the way! It’s a journey, and I’m enjoying (most of) it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need another Milka chocolate.