In many conversations you need to say something before the other person finishes. German has polite phrases for this. In this workshop you will practice interrupting with a short apology, asking permission to add a point, and understanding a reply when someone interrupts you. You will use formal and informal phrases, and you will also practice a short workplace exchange. Listen to each recording, repeat it aloud, and then try the three speaking tasks. You can play both roles yourself; there is no automatic correction, so use the answer keys to check your choices.
Opening a polite interruption
A polite interruption usually starts with a short apology, then the important information. The phrase «Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber...» means 'Sorry to cut in, but...'. It is neutral and works in formal situations. After the word 'aber' (but), you add your news. For a more informal situation with friends or peers, you can use «Entschuldige, kann ich kurz was sagen?», which means 'Sorry, can I say something quickly?'. Here 'was' is a casual short form of 'etwas' (something). If you really must stop someone in the middle of a sentence, «Tut mir leid, ich muss dich kurz unterbrechen.» means 'I'm sorry, I have to interrupt you briefly.' Notice that all three phrases are short and calm. A calm voice makes the interruption sound polite, not rude.
Asking to add a point
Sometimes you do not want to stop the other person; you only want to add one idea. For this, use «Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?», which means 'Can I add something quickly?'. It is formal and safe in a meeting or with a customer. The verb 'ergänzen' means 'to add' or 'to supplement'. After this question, you can offer your suggestion. In the workplace exchange, speaker B first interrupts with urgent news, and later asks «Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?» before suggesting a new time. This shows a useful pattern: first give the urgent information, then ask permission before adding a suggestion. Keep your addition short, and check that the other person agrees before you continue.
Understanding the reply
When you interrupt, the other person often reacts with thanks or agreement. In the recording, speaker A answers the interruption with «Oh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.», which means 'Oh, thanks for the info. Then we need to change that immediately.' The word 'sofort' means 'immediately', so this reply shows that the interruption was accepted and the plan will change. Speaker B then confirms with 'Ja, genau' (Yes, exactly) and asks to add a point. When you hear a reply like this, you can continue with your suggestion. If the other person says nothing or seems annoyed, it is better to apologize again and wait. Listening carefully to the reply helps you decide whether to continue or to stop.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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
Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen?
Can I add something quickly?
darf ikh koorts ET-vas er-GEN-tsen
Entschuldige, kann ich kurz was sagen?
Sorry, can I say something quickly?
ent-SHOOL-dee-guh, kan ikh koorts vas ZAH-gen
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
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Wir sollten also den Termin auf nächste Woche verschieben.
So we should postpone the appointment to next week.Entschuldigung, 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.Oh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.
Oh, thanks for the info. Then we need to change that immediately.Ja, 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.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided interruption exchange
Imagine you are in a formal meeting. A colleague is speaking about a schedule. You have urgent news from a customer and must interrupt politely.
Your task: Play speaker A and say «Wir sollten also den Termin auf nächste Woche verschieben.». Switch to speaker B and say the complete interruption «Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber der Kunde hat gerade angerufen und braucht den Termin früher.». Return to A and answer «Oh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.». Repeat in this order, copying the recordings. The client needs the appointment sooner; do not invent an additional news sentence.
Choose the right reply
You hear someone interrupt a conversation. You must decide whether the interruption was accepted or refused, based only on the reply.
Your task: Listen to the workplace exchange in the recordings. Speaker A replies after the interruption. Does the reply mean the interruption was accepted or refused? Say your answer aloud, then repeat the reply phrase exactly as you heard it. After that, choose the correct meaning: (a) Thanks for the info, we will change the plan. (b) Please do not interrupt me again.
Recall with correct roles
Two people are talking about an appointment. One person interrupts with urgent news, and the other person reacts. You will now recall the phrases without looking at the text.
Your task: Without reading, recall B's complete interruption, then A's reply. Next recall B's suggestion of tomorrow morning. Check the three lines in order: «Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber der Kunde hat gerade angerufen und braucht den Termin früher.», «Oh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.», «Ja, genau. Darf ich kurz etwas ergänzen? Wir könnten den Termin auf morgen früh legen.».
Common questions
What is the difference between the formal and informal interrupting phrases?
The formal phrase «Entschuldigung, dass ich unterbreche, aber...» is neutral and safe in professional settings. The informal phrase «Entschuldige, kann ich kurz was sagen?» is used with friends or peers. Both start with a short apology, but the formal one uses 'Entschuldigung' and the informal one uses 'Entschuldige'. Choose based on who you are speaking to.
How do I know if my interruption was accepted?
Listen to the reply. In the recordings, the reply «Oh, danke für die Info. Dann müssen wir das sofort ändern.» thanks the speaker for the information and says the plan must change immediately. This shows the interruption was accepted. If the other person does not thank you or seems annoyed, apologize again and wait before continuing.
Sources and further reading
- german: interrupt politelyChecked September 2026
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