In this workshop, you will practice making and responding to requests in German. You will learn when to use informal du and formal Sie, how to soften requests with mal and bitte, and how to react politely. The examples come from recorded native speakers, so you can hear natural pronunciation and rhythm. You will play both roles in short exchanges, choose the right reply, and recall the phrases from memory. This is active speaking practice, not just reading. By the end, you should feel more confident asking someone to wait and responding appropriately in everyday situations.
Informal Requests with du
When you speak with friends, family, or close colleagues, you can use du. The imperative «Warte mal kurz!» means 'Wait a moment!' The word mal makes it sound casual and friendly, not rude. Another common way is «Kannst du kurz warten?» which means 'Can you wait a moment?' This is a question, so it sounds softer than a direct command. Use these with people you already know well. If you are unsure whether to use du, it is safer to use Sie until the other person offers du. In the recordings, you hear these phrases clearly. Practice saying them aloud, paying attention to the short 'u' in du and the 'a' in mal.
Formal Requests with Sie
With strangers, customers, officials, or anyone you address with Herr or Frau plus last name, use Sie. «Können Sie kurz warten?» means 'Can you wait a moment?' It is polite and neutral. For extra politeness, add Entschuldigung and bitte: «Entschuldigung, würden Sie bitte kurz warten?» means 'Excuse me, would you please wait a moment?' This is useful in shops, waiting rooms, or offices. The recording also shows «Entschuldigung, könnten Sie bitte kurz warten?» which is slightly more polite with könnten. Notice that Sie is always capitalized in polite requests. Practice the difference between du and Sie by saying both versions aloud.
Responding to Requests
When someone asks you to wait, you can reply in different ways. In the recorded dialogue, speaker B says «Ja, natürlich. Was ist denn los?» meaning 'Yes, of course. What is going on?' Then after hearing the reason, B says «Kein Problem, ich warte hier.» meaning 'No problem, I will wait here.' Finally, B says «Gern. Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit.» meaning 'You're welcome. Take your time.' These responses show willingness and politeness. Notice that B uses Sie with A, so the relationship is formal. You can use similar phrases when you are the one waiting. Practice saying these replies with the same intonation as the recording.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Warte mal kurz!
Wait a moment!
VAR-tuh mahl koorts
Kannst du kurz warten?
Can you wait a moment?
kahnst doo koorts VAR-tuhn
Können Sie kurz warten?
Can you wait a moment?
KUR-nuhn zee koorts VAR-tuhn
Entschuldigung, würden Sie bitte kurz warten?
Excuse me, would you please wait a moment?
ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, VOOR-duhn zee BIT-tuh koorts VAR-tuhn
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Entschuldigung, könnten Sie bitte kurz warten?
Excuse me, could you please wait a moment?Ja, natürlich. Was ist denn los?
Yes, of course. What is going on?Ich habe noch eine Frage zu meinem Antrag.
I still have a question about my application.Kein Problem, ich warte hier.
No problem, I will wait here.Danke, das ist sehr freundlich von Ihnen.
Thank you, that is very kind of you.Gern. Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit.
You're welcome. Take your time.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Asking Someone to Wait
You are in a formal office. You need to ask a staff member to wait a moment while you check something. The staff member is a stranger, so use Sie.
Your task: Say the formal request «Entschuldigung, könnten Sie bitte kurz warten?» aloud. Then imagine the staff member replies «Ja, natürlich. Was ist denn los?» Respond with «Ich habe noch eine Frage zu meinem Antrag.»
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You hear someone say «Kannst du kurz warten?» You need to choose the best reply for an informal situation with a friend.
Your task: Which reply fits? Option A: «Ja, natürlich. Was ist denn los?» Option B: «Gern. Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit.» Say your chosen reply aloud. Then explain why the other option does not fit.
Recall and Role-Play: From Memory
Without looking at the phrases, recall the formal request for waiting and the polite response about taking time. You will play both roles.
Your task: First, as the person asking, say the formal request with Entschuldigung and bitte. Then, as the person responding, say the phrase that means 'You're welcome. Take your time.'
Common questions
When should I use du and when should I use Sie?
Use du with friends, family, and close colleagues. Use Sie with strangers, customers, officials, or anyone you address with Herr or Frau plus last name. If you are unsure, start with Sie. The other person may offer du if they want a more informal tone.
What does mal do in a request like «Warte mal kurz!»?
Mal makes the request sound more casual and friendly. It does not change the basic meaning of 'wait a moment,' but it softens the command. You can use mal in informal situations with people you know well. In formal requests, you would typically use bitte instead.
Sources and further reading
- german: polite and casual requestsChecked September 2026
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