Making sure the person you are talking to get’s your message is crucial. If they don’t understand you, talking to them is just a waste of time and energy. This is even more important when you are using a language you are still learning to master. So today, we will look at the correct way how to say “do you understand” in German.
Of course, language is only one means of communication between humans. We also rely on gestures, the mimics of our faces, the tone of what is being said and all kinds of body language. And when we are in doubt whether the person we talk to gets what we are saying, it is often best to ask.
In Britain, a common joke about how to talk to foreigners is to do it in English, but slowly and with a loud voice. But today we try to get a step ahead and look at the typical German translations for some common phrases about understanding.
Do you understand in German when addressing a single Person (informal)
As usual in German we have to distinguish between the formal and informal forms of addressing other people. You use the formal address when you are talking to foreigners, authority figures like doctors or the police, as well as clients and seniors in your company. The informal way of address is used for friends and family.
- Verstehst du? — Do you understand?
- Verstehst du mich? — Do you understand me?
- Verstehst du, was ich meine? — Do you understand what I mean?
- Verstehst du, wovon ich spreche? — Do you understand what I am talking about?
- Kannst du mir folgen? — Do you get my drift?
Do you understand in German when addressing a single Person (formal)
Germans in general have become much more relaxed about this whole formal informal thing in recent decades, but when in doubt you should use the formal address.
- Verstehen Sie? — Do you understand?
- Verstehen Sie mich? — Do you understand me?
- Verstehen Sie, was ich meine? — Do you understand what I mean?
- Verstehen Sie, wovon ich spreche? — Do you understand what I am talking about?
- Können Sie mir folgen? — Do you get my drift?
Do you understand in German when addressing multiple Persons (informal)
- Versteht ihr? — Do you understand?
- Versteht ihr mich? — Do you understand me?
- Versteht ihr, was ich meine? — Do you understand what I mean?
- Versteht ihr, wovon ich spreche? — Do you understand what I am talking about?
- Könnt ihr mir folgen? — Do you get my drift?
Do you understand in German when addressing multiple Persons (formal)
In German, there is no difference between addressing a single person or multiple persons when using the formal address. So the following sentences are the same as above.
- Verstehen Sie? — Do you understand?
- Verstehen Sie mich? — Do you understand me?
- Verstehen Sie, was ich meine? — Do you understand what I mean?
- Verstehen Sie, wovon ich spreche? — Do you understand what I am talking about?
- Können Sie mir folgen? — Do you get my drift?
Typical Replies in German
So, how would a German native speaker reply to one of these questions? Here are some examples:
- Ja, ich verstehe. — Yes, I understand.
- Ja, ich hab’s verstanden. — Yes, I got it.
- Ja, ich weiß, was du meinst. — Yes, I know what you mean.
- Nein, ich verstehe es nicht. — No, I don’t understand.
- Nein, ich habe das nicht verstanden. — No, I did not understand that.
- Nein, ich weiß nicht, was du meinst. — No, I don’t know what you mean.
