German for Elementary Learners: Accepting and Refusing Polite Requests
Learn to answer polite German requests with "Gerne", "Klar", "Leider nicht" and "Es tut mir leid", using the right register and softeners.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone asks you for help in German, your answer matters as much as the request. A bare "Ja" or "Nein" can sound abrupt, while "Gerne" or "Leider nicht" sounds natural and polite. This lesson focuses only on responses: how to accept warmly, refuse gently, and ask for more time. You will practise short, complete answers you can use at work, at home and with friends.
By the end, you can…
- accept a polite request warmly with "Gerne" or "Klar".
- refuse a polite request gently with "Leider" and a short reason.
- ask for more time or suggest another time instead of saying no directly.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Gerne!
Gladly! / With pleasure!
GEHR-nuh
The standard warm acceptance after "Könntest du ...?" or "Kannst du ...?". It is short, friendly and very common in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Klar, mache ich.
Sure, I'll do it.
klahr, MA-khuh ikh
Relaxed but polite. Use with friends, family and colleagues you know well. In formal situations, prefer "Ja, gerne."
Leider nicht.
Unfortunately not.
LY-duh nikht
A gentle refusal. "Leider" softens the "no" and is expected in polite German. Add a short reason if you can.
Es tut mir leid, aber ich habe keine Zeit.
I'm sorry, but I don't have time.
es toot meer lyt, AH-ber ikh HAH-buh KY-nuh tsyt
A complete, polite refusal. Use it when you must say no clearly, for example to a colleague or a neighbour.
Können wir das später machen?
Can we do that later?
KUH-nun veer dahs SHPAY-ter MA-khun
A soft alternative to a direct refusal. It shows willingness but asks for another time.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For accepting, use "Gerne" alone or "Ja, gerne". For refusing, use "Leider" plus a short reason: "Leider nicht, ich arbeite gerade." For a softer refusal, use "Es tut mir leid, aber ..." followed by a reason. You can also offer an alternative: "Heute nicht, aber morgen gerne." These patterns work after "Kannst du ...?", "Könntest du ...?" and "Würdest du ...?".
When to use it
Use "Gerne" and "Klar" with friends, family and close colleagues. Use "Ja, gerne" or "Selbstverständlich" in formal situations, for example with a boss, a teacher or a customer. Use "Leider nicht" when you must refuse but want to stay friendly. If the request is important, add "Es tut mir leid" and a reason. In Austria and southern Germany, "Passt schon" can mean "It's fine", but it is not a standard acceptance of a request.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Könntest du mir bitte mit den Hausaufgaben helfen?
Could you please help me with the homework?KUHN-tust doo meer BIT-tuh mit dayn HOUS-ouf-gah-bun HEL-funGerne! Was verstehst du nicht?
Gladly! What don't you understand?GEHR-nuh! vahs fair-SHTAYST doo nikhtDiese Aufgabe hier. Hast du heute Abend Zeit?
This exercise here. Do you have time tonight?DEE-zuh OUF-gah-buh heer. hahst doo HOY-tuh AH-bunt tsytLeider nicht, aber morgen Nachmittag gerne.
Unfortunately not, but tomorrow afternoon gladly.LY-duh nikht, AH-ber MOR-gun NAHKH-mit-tahk GEHR-nuhA little context goes a long way
German politeness often relies on "bitte" in the request and "gerne" or "leider" in the answer. A direct "Nein" is not rude everywhere, but adding "leider" or a short reason sounds warmer. In formal contexts, use "Sie" and full sentences; with friends, short answers like "Klar" are normal. Regional variants exist: "Passt" or "Passt schon" is common in Austria and Bavaria, but it is informal and context-dependent.
One thing to watch for
Answering a polite request with a bare "Nein" or "Ja" and nothing else.
Try this instead: Add a softener or a short phrase. Instead of "Nein", say "Leider nicht" or "Es tut mir leid, aber ich habe keine Zeit." Instead of a flat "Ja", say "Gerne" or "Ja, gerne." This keeps the answer friendly and natural.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A colleague asks: "Kannst du mir bitte helfen?" You want to accept warmly. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Gerne!
"Gerne" is the standard warm acceptance and fits a polite request. "Klar" or "Ja, gerne" are also correct in less formal situations.
2A friend asks: "Kommst du heute mit ins Kino?" You cannot come. Give a polite refusal.
Show a sample answer
Leider nicht. Ich habe keine Zeit.
"Leider nicht" softens the refusal, and the short reason makes it clear. "Es tut mir leid, aber ich kann nicht" is also correct.
3Your boss asks: "Können Sie das morgen machen?" You need more time. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Können wir das später machen?
This asks for another time instead of refusing directly. With "Sie", keep the formal form. "Geht es auch übermorgen?" is another polite option.
Accept with "Gerne" or "Ja, gerne"; refuse with "Leider nicht" or "Es tut mir leid, aber ...". Add a short reason or an alternative time to stay polite.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s German into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr