German for Handling a Misunderstanding: Saying Sorry, My German Isn't Good
Learn to repair misunderstandings in German: say you didn't catch something, ask for a rephrase, and explain that your German isn't good yet. Includes a dialogue and practice.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When a conversation in German goes off track, you need a few reliable repair phrases. This lesson gives you the exact sentence for 'Sorry, my German is not good' and shows how to ask someone to repeat or rephrase. You will also learn how to check what a word means and how to ask staff for help without guessing. The focus is on polite, natural German that works in shops, cafés, stations and offices. By the end, you will be able to keep a conversation going even when you miss a key word.
By the end, you can…
- say that my German is not good and ask someone to speak more slowly or repeat.
- ask what a word or phrase means and request a rephrasing in German.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut.
Sorry, my German is not so good.
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, mine DOYTSH ist nikht zo goot
Use this as a polite repair phrase when you need the other person to slow down or simplify. It is neutral and works in most situations.
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
Can you repeat that, please?
KUR-nen zee das BIT-tuh vee-der-HOH-len
Use this when you heard the words but did not catch them. It asks for the same words again, not a different explanation.
Was bedeutet das?
What does that mean?
vas buh-DOY-tet das
Use this when you understand the sounds but do not know the meaning of a word or phrase. It is direct and common.
Können Sie das anders sagen?
Can you say that another way?
KUR-nen zee das AN-ders ZAH-gen
Use this when repeating the same words will not help. It asks for a rephrasing or a simpler explanation.
Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.
Please speak more slowly.
SHPREH-khen zee BIT-tuh LANG-zah-mer
Use this when the other person is speaking too fast. It is polite and direct. In Austria and parts of Switzerland, you may also hear langsam instead of langsamer in casual speech, but langsamer is standard.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a polite request with können + Sie + infinitive at the end: Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? You can swap the infinitive to change the request: Können Sie das bitte langsamer sagen? (Can you say that more slowly, please?) or Können Sie mir helfen? (Can you help me?). Another useful pattern is Was bedeutet ...? for asking about meaning: Was bedeutet 'Termin'? (What does 'Termin' mean?). To say your German is not good, use mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut. The word nicht goes before so gut. Do not use kein here, because kein negates nouns, not adjectives: mein Deutsch ist nicht gut, not mein Deutsch ist kein gut.
When to use it
Use Entschuldigung, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut at the start of a repair, especially with strangers, staff or officials. It softens the request and signals that you need patience. Use Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? when you missed the exact words, and Können Sie das anders sagen? when the words themselves are the problem. If you are in a shop or station and need help, you can say Entschuldigung, ich verstehe nicht. Können Sie mir helfen? (Excuse me, I don't understand. Can you help me?). For asking staff specifically, use Ich habe eine Frage. (I have a question.) followed by your question. Avoid asking for a specific person by name unless you know they are available; instead ask Was kann ich tun? (What can I do?) or Wo finde ich ...? (Where do I find ...?). These are general and do not assume a policy.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
Excuse me, my German is not so good. Can you repeat that, please?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, mine DOYTSH ist nikht zo goot. KUR-nen zee das BIT-tuh vee-der-HOH-lenJa, natürlich. Der Zug fährt von Gleis drei ab.
Yes, of course. The train departs from platform three.yah, nah-TUER-likh. dair tsook fairt fon glice dry apDanke. Was bedeutet 'Gleis'?
Thank you. What does 'Gleis' mean?DAN-kuh. vas buh-DOY-tet gliceDas ist die Plattform, wo der Zug hält. Gleis drei ist dort hinten.
That is the platform where the train stops. Platform three is back there.das ist dee PLAT-form, voh dair tsook helt. glice dry ist dort HIN-tenA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, directness is often valued, but politeness still matters. Using Entschuldigung and bitte makes your request respectful. In Austria and Switzerland, you may hear slightly different words for some items, such as Jause for a snack in Austria, but standard German is widely understood. If someone switches to English, you can say Ich möchte auf Deutsch üben. (I would like to practice in German.) This is friendly and clear.
One thing to watch for
Saying Ich bin sorry or Mein Deutsch ist kein gut.
Try this instead: Use Entschuldigung or Es tut mir leid for 'sorry', and mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut. 'Kein' is not used before an adjective like gut; it negates nouns, as in Ich habe kein Geld (I have no money).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You did not hear a price clearly. What two German phrases can you use to ask for a repeat or a rephrase?
Show a sample answer
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? and Können Sie das anders sagen?
Both are polite requests. The first asks for the same words again; the second asks for a different explanation. Either can work depending on whether you missed the sound or the meaning.
2How do you say 'Sorry, my German is not good' in German?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut.
This is a standard repair phrase. You could also say Es tut mir leid, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut, which is slightly more formal but also correct.
3You want to ask a staff member what a word means. What German question do you use?
Show a sample answer
Was bedeutet das?
This asks 'What does that mean?' It is direct and common. You can also say Was bedeutet dieses Wort? (What does this word mean?) for clarity.
Keep three repair phrases ready: Entschuldigung, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut; Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?; and Was bedeutet das? They let you stay in the conversation and get the help you need.
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