You are a beginner German learner who often sees a new word and freezes because you are not sure how to say it. In this workshop you will practise the exact spoken moves: getting someone's attention, asking how to pronounce a specific word, repeating it back, and checking whether you got it right. The situations are realistic and the language you need is supplied by the source lesson, so you can focus on speaking rather than inventing new grammar.
Preparation: set up the ask before you speak
Before you open your mouth, decide two things: which word you need help with, and whether the person you are asking is a friend or a stranger. That choice changes which form of the question you use. If you are pointing at a written word, you can use the shorter casual question. If you are asking a stranger or someone in a formal role, use the full polite question. Have the word ready in your mind or on your screen so you can say it clearly. Also prepare a fallback: if the person answers too quickly, you can ask them to say it slowly. Knowing your fallback before you start keeps you from panicking mid-conversation. Finally, remind yourself that your goal is not perfect pronunciation on the first try. Your goal is to complete the loop: ask, repeat, check. That loop is what makes you sound like a learner who is actively engaged rather than someone who is stuck. Practise saying the question out loud a few times before the role-play so your mouth is ready for the unfamiliar sounds.
Handling the harder turn: when the answer is not what you expected
The real challenge comes after you repeat the word. Sometimes the person says it was almost right and points out one specific sound. In the source dialogue, the correction focuses on the 'ch' sound in 'Kirche', and the speaker is told to try again. That is your moment to stay calm and ask for one more try rather than giving up. You can respond by repeating the word once more and then asking your check question again. If the person gives you a comparison to another word, do not try to analyse it in the moment. Just listen to the sound and copy it. If you still are not sure, you can ask the person to say the word slowly. The key is to keep the exchange going for one more turn instead of ending it with a nervous nod. A second useful move is to repeat the word in a short phrase so you hear it in context. For example, if the word is a greeting, say it as if you were greeting someone. This shows the other person you are trying to use the word, not just mimic a sound. If the person corrects you a second time, thank them and say the word once more. Ending on a clear attempt leaves a better impression than stopping after the first correction.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Wie spricht man dieses Wort aus?
How do you pronounce this word?
vee shprikht mahn DEE-zes vort ows
Wie sagt man das?
How do you say that?
vee zahkt mahn dahs
Kannst du das bitte langsam sagen?
Can you please say that slowly?
kahnst doo dahs BIT-tuh LAHNG-zahm ZAH-gen
Ich wiederhole: ...
I repeat: ...
ikh vee-der-HOH-luh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Wie spricht man dieses Wort aus?
How do you pronounce this word?Man spricht es 'Kirche' aus.
You pronounce it 'Kirche'.Ich wiederhole: Kirche. Habe ich das richtig ausgesprochen?
I repeat: Kirche. Did I pronounce that correctly?Fast. Das 'ch' ist wie in 'ich'. Versuch es noch einmal.
Almost. The 'ch' is like in 'ich'. Try it again.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Asking a classmate about a word on the board
You are in a beginner German class. The teacher has written a word on the board that you do not recognise. Your classmate Lena is sitting next to you and is friendly. You want to ask her how to pronounce the word before the teacher calls on someone.
Your task: Turn to Lena and ask how to pronounce the word on the board. Use the polite full question from the lesson. Then repeat the word back using the repetition phrase, and ask your check question. Say everything out loud as if Lena were really there.
At the pharmacy with a written word
You are at a pharmacy in Berlin. You have a note from your doctor with a German word on it. You need to say the word out loud to the pharmacist, but you are not sure how to pronounce it. The pharmacist, Frau Weber, is standing behind the counter and is not busy.
Your task: Show Frau Weber the note and ask how to pronounce the word. Because this is a formal situation with a stranger, use the full polite question. Repeat the word back, then check whether you said it correctly. Speak clearly and at a normal volume.
A friend teaches you a new word at a party
You are at a small party with German-speaking friends. Your friend Jonas uses a word you have never heard before. You want to learn it so you can use it later in the evening. The music is a little loud, and other people are talking nearby.
Your task: Ask Jonas how to say the word he just used. Because he is your friend, you can use the shorter casual question. Repeat the word back, check whether you got it right, and then use the word in a short sentence of your own to show you understood.
Common questions
What if I forget the full question in the middle of speaking?
Start with the shorter casual question if you are with a friend, or pause and restart the full polite question. The important thing is to keep going. You can also point at the word and use the shorter form as a fallback. Practising the question out loud several times before the role-play will make it easier to retrieve under pressure.
How do I know whether to use the formal or informal form?
Use the formal form with strangers, people older than you, and anyone in an official role such as a pharmacist, doctor, or teacher. Use the informal form with friends, classmates, and family. The source lesson notes that the formal slow-down phrase is more polite than the informal one, so if you are unsure, the formal form is the safer choice.
What should I do if the person corrects me more than once?
Stay calm and treat each correction as useful information. Repeat the word after each correction, then ask your check question again. If you are still struggling, use the supplied slow-down phrase to ask the person to say the word slowly. Ending with one more clear attempt is better than giving up.
Sources and further reading
- german: asking how to pronounce a wordChecked September 2026
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