German: Ask Someone to Elaborate ("Could You Explain That Further?")
Learn intermediate German phrases to ask for deeper explanation, clarification of details, and concrete examples without simply asking someone to repeat themselves.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, the challenge is rarely hearing the words — it is getting the full picture. When someone gives you a short answer, a vague reason, or a quick summary, you need ways to ask them to go deeper: to explain the background, add detail, or give an example. This lesson teaches German phrases for exactly that. It does not cover asking for repetition; instead, it focuses on pushing a conversation toward fuller understanding.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to explain something in more detail
- request a concrete example or further background
- use polite and neutral registers appropriately when asking for elaboration
- respond to an incomplete explanation without sounding rude or confused
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Könnten Sie das genauer erklären?
Could you explain that in more detail?
KÖN-ten zee das guh-NAU-er er-KLÄ-ren
Polite Sie-form; ideal in professional or formal situations when you need more precise information.
Kannst du das etwas ausführlicher beschreiben?
Can you describe that in a bit more detail?
KANST doo das ET-vas OUS-foor-li-sher buh-SHRAY-ben
Informal du-form; natural with friends, colleagues you know well, or classmates.
Was genau meinst du damit?
What exactly do you mean by that?
vas guh-NAU MYNST doo da-MIT
Asks for clarification of meaning, not repetition. Common in discussion and debate.
Könntest du mir ein Beispiel geben?
Could you give me an example?
KÖN-test doo meer yn BY-shpeel GAY-ben
Requests a concrete illustration; useful when an abstract explanation is not enough.
Ich würde gern mehr darüber erfahren.
I would like to learn more about that.
ikh VUER-de gern mair da-RUE-ber er-FAH-ren
Softens the request and signals genuine interest; works in both formal and informal contexts.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A reliable pattern is a modal verb plus an adverb of degree plus an infinitive: Könnten Sie das genauer erklären? / Kannst du das ausführlicher beschreiben? The modal verb (könnten, kannst) carries the polite request, the adverb (genauer, ausführlicher) asks for more depth, and the infinitive (erklären, beschreiben) names the action. You can swap in präziser, konkreter, or detaillierter depending on what kind of depth you need.
When to use it
Use the Sie-forms with strangers, officials, teachers, and in most workplace settings. Use du-forms with friends, family, and peers. If you want to sound especially considerate, add a softener: Ich würde gern mehr darüber erfahren, wenn es Ihnen nichts ausmacht. Avoid bare imperatives like Erklären Sie das genauer — they can sound demanding. In southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, you may also hear the polite plural ihr in informal service situations, but standard written German keeps Sie and du distinct.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Der neue Prozess ist effizienter, aber nicht in allen Abteilungen.
The new process is more efficient, but not in all departments.dair NOY-er pro-TSESS ist ef-i-TSYEN-ter, oup-er nikht in AL-en ap-TY-loon-genKönnten Sie das genauer erklären? Was bedeutet das konkret für unser Team?
Could you explain that in more detail? What does that mean concretely for our team?KÖN-ten zee das guh-NAU-er er-KLÄ-ren? vas buh-DOY-tet das kon-KRAYT fuer OON-zer teemIn den Abteilungen mit viel Kundenkontakt dauert die Umstellung länger, weil mehr Schulungen nötig sind.
In departments with a lot of customer contact, the transition takes longer because more training is needed.in dayn ap-TY-loon-gen mit feel KOON-den-kon-takt DOU-ert dee OOM-shtel-loong LEN-ger, vyl mair SHOO-loon-gen NÖ-tikh zintKönntest du mir ein Beispiel geben, wie das im Alltag aussieht?
Could you give me an example of what that looks like in everyday work?KÖN-test doo meer yn BY-shpeel GAY-ben, vee das im AL-tak OUS-zeetA little context goes a long way
German professional culture often values directness, but directness is not the same as bluntness. Asking for elaboration with Könnten Sie... or Ich würde gern... shows that you take the topic seriously. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, Sie is standard in formal contexts, while du spreads faster in startups and creative teams. When in doubt, start with Sie and let the other person offer du.
One thing to watch for
Using Wie bitte? or Noch einmal, bitte? when you actually want a deeper explanation.
Try this instead: Wie bitte? and Noch einmal, bitte? ask for repetition, not elaboration. To ask for more depth, say Könnten Sie das genauer erklären? or Was genau meinen Sie damit? These invite the speaker to expand, not to repeat the same words.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are in a formal meeting and need a more precise explanation. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
Könnten Sie das genauer erklären?
This uses the polite Sie-form and the modal könnten, which is appropriate for formal settings. Kannst du das genauer erklären? would be too informal here.
2A friend gives a vague reason for cancelling plans. Ask for a concrete example.
Show a sample answer
Kannst du mir ein Beispiel geben?
The du-form matches a friendly context, and ein Beispiel geben directly requests a concrete illustration. Könntest du mir ein Beispiel geben? is also acceptable and slightly softer.
3You want to show interest and ask for more background without sounding demanding. What could you say?
Show a sample answer
Ich würde gern mehr darüber erfahren.
This sentence expresses interest and softens the request. It works in both formal and informal contexts, though adding wenn es Ihnen nichts ausmacht makes it even more polite.
To go deeper in German, ask for genauer, ausführlicher, or ein Beispiel — not for repetition. Choose Sie or du to match the relationship, and add a softener when you want to sound especially considerate.
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