Asking for a copy of a document | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: At a service desk, one adult asks for a copy of a stamped document page and confirms how the original will be handled..

EN → DE / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Asking for a copy of a document to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Könnte ich eine Kopie von diesem Dokument bekommen?

KURN-tuh ikh EYE-nuh koh-PEE fohn DEE-zem doh-koo-MENT beh-KOM-men? Could I get a copy of this document?
B

Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.

ikh moos tsoo-AIRST dahs oh-ree-gee-NAHL ZAY-en. I need to see the original first.
A

Soll ich ein Antragsformular ausfüllen?

zoll ikh eye-n AHN-trahks-for-moo-LAHR owss-FOOL-en? Should I fill out a request form?
B

Bitte füllen Sie das Formular aus.

BIT-tuh FOOL-en zee dahs for-moo-LAHR owss. Please complete the form.
B

Dann kann ich die Kopie machen.

dahn kahn ikh dee koh-PEE MAKH-en. Then I can make the copy.
A

Ich brauche nur die Seite mit dem Stempel.

ikh BROW-khuh noor dee ZYE-tuh mit daym SHTEM-pel. I only need the page with the stamp.
B

Ich kopiere diese Seite und halte die anderen Seiten zusammen.

ikh koh-PEE-ruh DEE-zuh ZYE-tuh oont HAL-tuh dee AHN-duh-ren ZYE-ten tsoo-ZAH-men. I will copy that page and keep the other pages together.
A

Bitte behandeln Sie das Original vorsichtig.

BIT-tuh beh-HAHND-len zee dahs oh-ree-gee-NAHL FOHR-zikh-tikh. Please handle the original carefully.
B

Ich gebe Ihnen alles zusammen zurück.

ikh GAY-buh EE-nen AH-les tsoo-ZAH-men tsoo-RUEK. I will return everything together.

Word by Word

Könnte “Könnte” means “could” and makes the request polite in “Könnte ich eine Kopie von diesem Dokument bekommen?”. Its citation form is können, and this form is used here with ich. Use it at a service desk when politely asking whether something is possible.
ich “ich” means “I” and identifies the person making the request or carrying out the action. It appears as the subject in “Könnte ich eine Kopie von diesem Dokument bekommen?” and “Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.” Use it when talking about your own needs, plans, or actions.
eine “eine” means “a” or “an” and introduces one unspecified copy in “eine Kopie von diesem Dokument”. It belongs directly before the noun Kopie. Use it when requesting one item rather than a specifically identified item.
Kopie “Kopie” means “copy”, here referring to a copy of the document the person has presented. The phrase “eine Kopie von diesem Dokument” connects the copy with its source. Use it when asking a service desk, office, or shop for a duplicate of something.
von “von” means “of” or “from” and links the copy to the document it comes from in “eine Kopie von diesem Dokument”. A reliable pattern is Kopie von followed by the source. Use it when identifying what a copy is made from.
diesem “diesem” means “this” and points to the specific document being presented in “von diesem Dokument”. It appears directly before Dokument after von. Use this form when referring to the particular document currently being discussed.
Dokument “Dokument” means “document”, here the document whose copy is requested. It appears in “von diesem Dokument” to identify the source. Use it when discussing official papers at an office or service desk.
bekommen “bekommen” means “get” or “receive” in “Könnte ich eine Kopie von diesem Dokument bekommen?”. It is the infinitive used after Könnte ich in this polite request. Use it when asking to receive an item or service.
muss “muss” means “must” or “need to” in “Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.” Its citation form is müssen, and this form is used here with ich. It commonly comes before an action that is required, as in “Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.”
zuerst “zuerst” means “first” or “before anything else” and shows that seeing the original comes before making the copy. It appears before “das Original sehen” in “Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.” Use it to make the order of steps clear in an office procedure.
das “das” means “the” and introduces the specific original in “das Original”. It helps identify which document must be seen. Use it before a clearly identified item, as in “das Original sehen.”
Original “Original” means “original”, here the original document rather than its copy. The phrase “das Original sehen” states that the staff member must inspect it first. Use it when distinguishing an original paper from a copy.
sehen “sehen” means “see” or “inspect” in “Ich muss zuerst das Original sehen.” It is the infinitive after muss and describes the required first action. Use it with an object when saying that someone needs to look at or inspect something.
Soll “Soll” means “should” in the question “Soll ich ein Antragsformular ausfüllen?”. Its citation form is sollen, and this form is used here with ich to ask what action is expected. Use Soll ich to ask whether you are supposed to do something in a practical situation.
ein “ein” means “a” or “an” and introduces the unspecified request form in “ein Antragsformular”. It appears directly before the compound noun Antragsformular. Use it when referring to one form or other single item that has not yet been specifically identified.
Antragsformular “Antragsformular” means “request form” or “application form”, the form needed for the copy request. It appears with ausfüllen in “ein Antragsformular ausfüllen”. Use it when an office requires a written request before processing something.
ausfüllen “ausfüllen” means “fill out” in “Soll ich ein Antragsformular ausfüllen?”. It is the complete verb for completing a form, and the dialogue also shows it split in “füllen Sie das Formular aus”. Use it when completing paperwork or an official form.
Bitte “Bitte” means “please” and makes the instruction polite in “Bitte füllen Sie das Formular aus.” It is placed at the beginning of this formal request. Use it when asking someone courteously to complete an action.
füllen “füllen” contributes the action of filling in “füllen Sie das Formular aus”. Together with aus, the full expression means “fill out”; aus completes the separable verb. Use the full instruction “Bitte füllen Sie das Formular aus” when asking someone to complete a form.
Sie “Sie” means formal “you” in “Bitte füllen Sie das Formular aus” and “Bitte behandeln Sie das Original vorsichtig.” It addresses an adult or service worker respectfully. Use it in formal requests and instructions to someone you do not address informally.
Formular “Formular” means “form”, here the form that must be completed before the copy can be made. It appears in “füllen Sie das Formular aus”. Use it when referring to a document with fields that someone needs to complete.
aus “aus” is the separable particle that completes ausfüllen in “füllen Sie das Formular aus”. It contributes the “out” part of the meaning, while the whole expression means “fill out”. In this instruction, it appears at the end of the clause.
Dann “Dann” means “then” and introduces the next step in “Dann kann ich die Kopie machen.” It connects making the copy with the earlier completion of the form. Use it at the start of a sentence when describing what happens after another action.
kann “kann” means “can” or “is able to” in “Dann kann ich die Kopie machen.” Its citation form is können, and this form is used here with ich. Use it to state that someone is able to carry out an action after a condition or previous step.
die “die” means “the” and identifies the copy in “die Kopie machen”. It refers to the particular copy requested in this exchange. Use it before an item that is already clear or identified in the conversation.
machen “machen” means “make” or “do”, here specifically “make the copy” in “Dann kann ich die Kopie machen.” It is the infinitive after kann. Use it with Kopie when describing the action of producing a copy.
brauche “brauche” means “need” in “Ich brauche nur die Seite mit dem Stempel.” Its citation form is brauchen, and this form is used here with ich. Use it to state what you require, especially when narrowing down a request.
nur “nur” means “only” and limits the request to one page in “Ich brauche nur die Seite mit dem Stempel.” It appears before the item that is needed. Use it to clarify that no additional pages or items are required.
Seite “Seite” means “page”, here the page that contains the stamp. The phrase “die Seite mit dem Stempel” identifies the requested part of the document. Use it when asking for or referring to a particular document page.
mit “mit” means “with” and connects the page to the feature used to identify it in “mit dem Stempel”. The pattern Seite mit followed by an identifying feature is useful for specifying one page. Use it when describing what a document page contains.
dem “dem” is the definite article in “mit dem Stempel”, referring to the specific stamp on the page. It appears directly before Stempel after mit. Use this article form in the exact phrase “mit dem Stempel” when identifying the stamp.
Stempel “Stempel” means “stamp”, here the stamp that identifies the page to be copied. It appears in “die Seite mit dem Stempel”. Use it when discussing an official stamp or mark on a document.
kopiere “kopiere” means “copy” in “Ich kopiere diese Seite”. Its citation form is kopieren, and this form is used here with ich to state the planned action. Use it when telling someone that you will copy a specific page or document.
diese “diese” means “this” and points to the page that has just been identified in “diese Seite”. It refers to the particular page the staff member will copy. Use it with a clearly indicated item when pointing it out in the conversation.
und “und” means “and” and joins the two actions in “Ich kopiere diese Seite und halte die anderen Seiten zusammen.” It shows that copying the page and keeping the remaining pages together are part of the same handling process. Use it to connect related actions.
halte “halte” means “keep” or “hold” in “halte die anderen Seiten zusammen”. Its citation form is halten, and this form is used here with ich. The full phrase means to keep the other pages together, so use it when explaining how papers will be kept organized.
anderen “anderen” means “other” and distinguishes the pages that are not the page being copied in “die anderen Seiten”. It identifies the remaining pages as a separate group. Use it after one item has already been singled out and you need to refer to the rest.
Seiten “Seiten” means “pages”, here the other pages that will stay together. It appears in “die anderen Seiten zusammen”. Use it when referring to multiple pages in a document or set of papers.
zusammen “zusammen” means “together” in “halte die anderen Seiten zusammen”. With halte, it describes keeping the pages as one organized group. Use it when explaining that papers or objects will remain together rather than being separated.
behandeln “behandeln” means “handle” or “treat” in the instruction “Bitte behandeln Sie das Original vorsichtig.” It describes the way the original document should be handled. Use it in a formal service situation when asking someone to take care with an item.
vorsichtig “vorsichtig” means “carefully” or “gently” and describes how to handle the original in “Bitte behandeln Sie das Original vorsichtig.” It adds a caution because the document should not be damaged. Use it when giving careful-handling instructions for papers or other delicate items.
gebe “gebe” means “give” in the return action “Ich gebe Ihnen alles zusammen zurück.” Its citation form is geben, and this form is used here with ich. Together with zurück, it expresses returning everything to the other person.
Ihnen “Ihnen” means “to you” in the formal return statement “Ich gebe Ihnen alles zusammen zurück.” It identifies the person who will receive the documents. Use it in a formal service interaction when saying that you are giving something back to someone.
alles “alles” means “everything” and refers to the complete set of documents in “Ich gebe Ihnen alles zusammen zurück.” It assures the other person that all the items will be returned. Use it when referring to the whole group of relevant things rather than selecting only one item.
zurück “zurück” means “back” and completes the return meaning in “Ich gebe Ihnen alles zusammen zurück.” It shows that the documents go back to the person who brought them. Use it at the end of a separable return expression when describing something being given back.

Grammar Points

ausfüllen: Füllen Sie ... aus

Füllen Sie bitte das Antragsformular aus.

FOOL-en zee BIT-tuh dahs AHN-trahks-for-moo-LAHR owss.

Please fill out the application form.

In a separable verb, the prefix aus moves to the end in this polite command.

zurückgeben: Geben Sie ... zurück

Geben Sie bitte das Original zurück.

GAY-ben zee BIT-tuh dahs oh-ree-gee-NAHL tsoo-RUEK.

Please return the original document.

The separable prefix zurück moves to the end in a polite command.

German Vocabulary

Antragsformular noun
AHN-trahks-for-moo-LAHR request form; application form ein Antragsformular
ausfüllen verb
OWSS-FOOL-en fill out; complete füllen Sie ... aus
bekommen verb
beh-KOM-men get
Dokument noun
doh-koo-MENT document diesem Dokument
Formular noun
for-moo-LAHR form das Formular
Kopie noun
koh-PEE copy eine Kopie
machen verb
MAKH-en make
Original noun
oh-ree-gee-NAHL original document das Original
sehen verb
ZAY-en see
Seite noun
ZYE-tuh page die Seite
Stempel noun
SHTEM-pel stamp dem Stempel
zuerst adv
tsoo-AIRST first

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I need to see the original first.

Show AnswerIch muss zuerst das Original sehen.

Should I fill out a request form?

Show AnswerSoll ich ein Antragsformular ausfüllen?

Please complete the form.

Show AnswerBitte füllen Sie das Formular aus.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

first

Show Answerzuerst

get

Show Answerbekommen

see

Show Answersehen

make

Show Answermachen