German for Interrupting Politely: 'Sorry to cut in, but...' and 'Can I add something?'
Learn German phrases to interrupt politely when you need to speak immediately, without changing the topic. Includes formal and informal options.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you need to speak right away—maybe you have urgent information, a correction, or an important question. In German, interrupting politely requires specific phrases that signal respect while claiming the floor. This lesson teaches you how to cut in without offending, using expressions like 'Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber...' and 'Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?'. You'll learn the difference between interrupting and changing the topic, and when to use formal versus informal language.
By the end, you can…
- interrupt a conversation politely in German to share urgent information.
- ask for permission to add something using appropriate formal or informal phrases.
- distinguish between interrupting and changing the topic in German.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber...
Sorry to cut in, but...
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, das ikh oon-ter-BRE-khe, AH-ber
Formal and neutral. Use when you need to interrupt someone politely, especially in professional settings.
Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?
Can I add something quickly?
darf ikh koorts ET-vas er-GEN-tsen
Formal. Use to ask permission to add a point without seeming aggressive.
Entschuldige, kann ich kurz was sagen?
Sorry, can I say something quickly?
ent-SHOOL-dee-guh, kan ikh koorts vas ZAH-gen
Informal, used with friends or peers. 'Was' is colloquial for 'etwas'.
Tut mir leid, ich muss dich kurz unterbrechen.
I'm sorry, I have to interrupt you briefly.
toot meer lite, ikh moos dikh koorts oon-ter-BRE-khen
Informal, direct but polite. Use when you really need to stop someone mid-sentence.
Verzeihung, darf ich mal ganz kurz dazwischengehen?
Excuse me, may I just cut in very briefly?
fer-TSY-oong, darf ikh mahl gants koorts da-TSVI-shen-gay-en
Formal and slightly more elaborate. 'Dazwischengehen' literally means 'to go in between'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Most polite interruptions in German start with an apology or a request for permission, followed by 'aber' (but) or a direct question. For example: 'Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber ich habe eine wichtige Frage.' (Sorry to interrupt, but I have an important question.) Another pattern is 'Darf ich kurz...?' (May I briefly...?) plus a verb like 'ergänzen' (add), 'sagen' (say), or 'fragen' (ask). The word 'kurz' (briefly) signals that you won't take much time, which softens the interruption. In informal settings, you can use 'kann ich mal kurz...?' (can I just quickly...?) with friends.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you need to speak immediately—for example, to correct a factual error, share urgent news, or ask a critical question. They are not for changing the topic; that would require phrases like 'Apropos...' (speaking of...) or 'Übrigens...' (by the way...). Interrupting politely is especially important in German business meetings, where direct interruptions without a softener can seem rude. In informal chats, you can be more relaxed: 'Sag mal, darf ich kurz was einwerfen?' (Hey, can I quickly throw something in?) is fine among friends.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Wir sollten also den Termin auf nächste Woche verschieben.
So we should postpone the appointment to next week.veer ZOL-ten AH-zo den ter-MEEN ouf NAY-ste VE-khe fer-SHEE-benEntschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber der Kunde hat gerade angerufen und braucht den Termin früher.
Sorry to cut in, but the client just called and needs the appointment sooner.ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, das ikh oon-ter-BRE-khe, AH-ber dair KOON-duh hat guh-RAH-duh AN-guh-roo-fen oont browkht den ter-MEEN FROO-erOh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.
Oh, thanks for the info. Then we need to change that immediately.oh, DAN-kuh fewr dee IN-fo. dan MUE-sen veer das zo-FORT EN-dernJa, genau. Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen? Wir könnten den Termin auf morgen früh legen.
Yes, exactly. Can I add something quickly? We could set the appointment for tomorrow morning.yah, guh-NOW. darf ikh koorts ET-vas er-GEN-tsen? veer KOEN-ten den ter-MEEN ouf MOR-gen frew LAY-genA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, politeness in interruptions often involves acknowledging the other person's turn with 'Entschuldigung' or 'Verzeihung'. Directness is valued, but without a softener it can come across as rude, especially with strangers or superiors. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Entschuldigung' is standard, but you may also hear 'Verzeihung' in formal contexts. Among friends, 'Sag mal' or 'Hör mal' can preface an interruption, but they are informal.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Entschuldigung' alone as an interruption without a follow-up phrase, which can sound abrupt.
Try this instead: Always pair the apology with a clear request or explanation, e.g., 'Entschuldigung, darf ich kurz etwas sagen?' instead of just 'Entschuldigung.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely interrupt a meeting to share urgent news, using formal German?
Show a sample answer
Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber ich habe eine wichtige Information.
This uses the formal apology and 'aber' to introduce the urgent point. Alternatives like 'Verzeihung, darf ich kurz unterbrechen?' are also correct.
2What is the informal way to ask 'Can I say something quickly?' to a friend?
Show a sample answer
Kann ich kurz was sagen?
This uses 'was' instead of 'etwas' and drops 'Entschuldige' if the context is casual. You could also say 'Darf ich mal kurz was sagen?'
3Which phrase would you use to ask permission to add a point in a formal discussion?
Show a sample answer
Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?
This is a polite, formal way to request the floor. 'Ergänzen' means 'to add' and is common in meetings.
To interrupt politely in German, start with an apology or permission question, add 'kurz' to show brevity, and use 'aber' to introduce your point. Formal: 'Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber...' Informal: 'Kann ich kurz was sagen?'
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