Asking Someone to Hold Your Place in Line | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: While waiting in line, one person asks another to hold their place briefly while staying nearby and visible..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Asking Someone to Hold Your Place in Line to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Könnte ich Sie um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten, während wir hier anstehen?

KURN-tuh ikh zee oom EYE-nen KLY-nen geh-FAL-en BIT-en, VARE-nt veer heer AHN-shtay-en? Could I ask a small favor while we are in line?
B

Sagen Sie mir, was Sie brauchen, dann kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen.

ZAH-gen zee meer, vahs zee BROW-khen, dahn kahn ikh EE-nen fee-LYKH HEL-fen. Tell me what you need, and I may be able to help.
A

Könnten Sie meinen Platz freihalten, während ich etwas Wasser hole?

KURN-ten zee MY-nen PLAHTS fry-HAL-ten, VARE-nt ikh ET-vahs VAH-ser HOH-luh? Could you hold my place while I get some water?
B

Das kann ich tun, wenn Sie in der Nähe der Schlange bleiben.

Dahs kahn ikh toon, ven zee in dare NAY-uh dayr SHLAHNG-uh BLY-ben. I can do that if you stay close to the line.
A

Ich kann dort bleiben, wo Sie mich sehen können, und auf die Schlange achten.

Ikh kahn dort BLY-ben, voh zee mish ZAY-en KURN-en, oont owf dee SHLAHNG-uh AKH-ten. I can stay where you can see me and keep an eye on the line.
B

Das hilft, weil sich die Leute vielleicht Sorgen machen, wenn jemand verschwindet.

Dahs hilfft, vyle zikh dee LOY-tuh fee-LYKH ZOR-gen MAKH-en, ven YAY-mant fair-SHVIND-et. That helps, because people may worry if someone disappears.
A

Ich möchte nicht, dass jemand denkt, ich drängle mich vor.

Ikh MURKH-tuh nikht, dahs YAY-mant denkt, ikh DRENG-luh mish FOR. I do not want anyone to feel I am cutting in.
B

Wenn jemand fragt, kann ich erklären, dass Sie in der Nähe geblieben sind.

Ven YAY-mant frahkt, kahn ikh air-KLAY-ren, dahs zee in dare NAY-uh geh-BLY-ben zint. If anyone asks, I can explain that you stayed nearby.
A

Ich weiß Ihre Hilfe zu schätzen. Ich werde mich beeilen.

Ikh vाइस EE-ruh HIL-fuh tsoo SHET-sen. Ikh VAYR-duh mish BEE-len. I appreciate the help. I will be quick.
B

Kommen Sie einfach zurück, bevor es in der Schlange viel weitergeht.

KOM-en zee EYE-nfakh tsoo-ROOK, beh-FOHR ess in dayr SHLAHNG-uh feel VY-ter-GAYT. Just come back before the line moves much.

Word by Word

Könnte “Könnte” makes the request polite and less direct in “Könnte ich Sie um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten?”. It presents asking as a possibility rather than a demand. This pattern is useful for making a polite request.
ich “ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Könnte ich Sie um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten?”. It is the person asking for the favor. A reusable pattern is “Könnte ich ... bitten?” for a polite request.
Sie “Sie” means formal “you” in “Könnte ich Sie um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten?”. It refers to the person being asked for help. The same formal address appears in requests such as “Könnten Sie meinen Platz freihalten?”.
um In “um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten”, “um” introduces what is being requested. The construction asks someone for something: “jemanden um etwas bitten”. Here, the requested thing is “einen kleinen Gefallen”.
einen In “um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten”, “einen” introduces one unspecified favor. It belongs with the noun “Gefallen” in this request. This form can be reused in “um einen ... bitten” when asking for one thing.
kleinen “kleinen” describes the requested favor as small in “einen kleinen Gefallen”. It presents the request as limited or modest. The exact adjective form belongs to the phrase “einen kleinen Gefallen”.
Gefallen “Gefallen” means “favor” in “um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten”. It refers to a helpful action that the speaker wants to request. “Jemanden um einen Gefallen bitten” is a useful way to ask someone for help.
bitten “bitten” means “to ask” or “to request” in “Könnte ich Sie um einen kleinen Gefallen bitten?”. It is the action of making the polite request. The pattern “jemanden um etwas bitten” keeps both the person and the requested thing.
während “während” means “while” and introduces an action happening at the same time in “während wir hier anstehen”. It connects the request with the situation of waiting in line. It is useful for describing two simultaneous actions.
wir “wir” means “we” in “während wir hier anstehen”. It refers to the speaker and the other person together. Here it identifies the people who are currently waiting in line.
hier “hier” means “here” and points to the current place in “während wir hier anstehen”. It emphasizes that the speakers are waiting at this particular location. It can be used to identify where an ongoing action is taking place.
anstehen “anstehen” means “to wait in line” in “während wir hier anstehen”. It describes the shared activity in the scene. The phrase “hier anstehen” can be reused when explaining that you are currently waiting in a line.
Sagen “Sagen” means “tell” in the formal request “Sagen Sie mir, was Sie brauchen”. It asks the other person to say what is needed. This is a useful polite instruction when inviting someone to explain their needs.
mir “mir” means “to me” in “Sagen Sie mir, was Sie brauchen”. It identifies the person who should receive the information. The pattern “Sagen Sie mir, ...” is used to ask someone to tell you something.
was “was” means “what” in “was Sie brauchen”. It introduces the information that the other person should tell the speaker. Here it connects “Sagen Sie mir” with the thing the person needs.
brauchen “brauchen” means “need” in “was Sie brauchen”. It describes the other person’s need. The phrase “was Sie brauchen” can be used when asking someone to explain what they require.
dann “dann” means “then” in “dann kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen”. It presents the possible help as a consequence of being told what is needed. The pattern “..., dann ...” links a situation with its result.
kann “kann” means “can” or “am able to” in “dann kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen”. It expresses the speaker’s ability to help. The word “vielleicht” makes this ability sound possible rather than certain.
Ihnen “Ihnen” means formal “to you” in “kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen”. It identifies the person who may receive the help. The verb “helfen” commonly appears with the person being helped in this position.
vielleicht “vielleicht” means “perhaps” or “maybe” in “kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen”. It makes the offer less definite and leaves room for uncertainty. It is useful when offering possible help without promising it.
helfen “helfen” means “to help” in “kann ich Ihnen vielleicht helfen”. It names the assistance the speaker may provide. The pattern “jemandem helfen” identifies the person receiving the help.
Könnten “Könnten” makes “Könnten Sie meinen Platz freihalten?” a polite request to a formal “you”. It asks whether the other person would be willing to hold the place. This form is useful for making a respectful request.
meinen “meinen” means “my” in “meinen Platz freihalten”. It identifies the place as belonging to the speaker. It is used here directly before “Platz” in the request to keep that place free.
Platz “Platz” means “place” or “spot” in “meinen Platz freihalten”. In this scene, it means the speaker’s position in the line. The phrase “meinen Platz freihalten” is useful when asking someone to keep your position.
freihalten “freihalten” means “to keep free” or “to hold open” in “meinen Platz freihalten”. It describes preserving the speaker’s position while they briefly leave. This exact phrase can be reused when asking someone to keep a place available.
etwas “etwas” means “some” in “etwas Wasser”. It refers to an unspecified amount of water. The phrase is useful when asking for or getting an unspecified amount of something.
Wasser “Wasser” means “water” in “etwas Wasser hole”. It is the thing the speaker plans to get. Here it follows “etwas” to express an unspecified amount of water.
hole “hole” means “get” or “fetch” in “etwas Wasser hole”. It describes the speaker going to obtain water and bring it back. The form is useful for saying that you are getting something.
Das “Das” means “that” or “it” in “Das kann ich tun”. It refers to the proposed action of holding the speaker’s place. The pattern “Das kann ich tun” confirms that the speaker is willing to do something.
tun “tun” means “do” in “Das kann ich tun”. It completes the statement that the speaker can carry out the proposed action. This expression can be used to agree to do something that has just been mentioned.
wenn “wenn” means “if” in “wenn Sie in der Nähe der Schlange bleiben”. It introduces the condition for the speaker’s agreement. Here, the condition is that the other person remains near the line.
in “in” means “in” in “in der Nähe der Schlange”. Together with “der Nähe”, it describes being within the nearby area of the line. The phrase “in der Nähe bleiben” means to stay nearby.
der “der” is the definite article “the” in phrases such as “in der Nähe” and “der Schlange”. It forms part of these fixed noun phrases. “In der Nähe” is a common way to describe a nearby location.
Nähe “Nähe” means “vicinity” or “nearby area” in “in der Nähe der Schlange”. It describes a location close to the line. The phrase “in der Nähe bleiben” is useful when promising not to go far away.
Schlange “Schlange” means “line” or “queue” in “der Schlange”. The context shows that it refers to people waiting, not to an animal. The phrase “in der Schlange” means “in the line”.
bleiben “bleiben” means “stay” or “remain” in “wenn Sie in der Nähe der Schlange bleiben”. It describes continuing to be near the line. This verb is useful with a location when telling someone where to remain.
dort “dort” means “there” in “Ich kann dort bleiben”. It points to a particular place where the speaker can remain. Here it is followed by “wo Sie mich sehen können”, which explains which place is meant.
wo “wo” means “where” in “wo Sie mich sehen können”. It introduces the location at which the speaker will stay. This pattern connects a place with what can happen there.
mich “mich” means “me” in “wo Sie mich sehen können”. It identifies the speaker as the person whom the other person can see. It is the object of “sehen” in this sentence.
sehen “sehen” means “see” in “Sie mich sehen können”. It describes the other person’s ability to keep the speaker visible. The pattern “jemanden sehen können” is useful for saying that someone is able to see a person.
können “können” means “can” or “be able to” in “Sie mich sehen können”. It expresses the other person’s ability to see the speaker. It follows “sehen” here as part of the expression “sehen können”.
und “und” means “and” in “und auf die Schlange achten”. It links the speaker’s promise to stay visible with the additional action of watching the line. It connects two related actions in the same statement.
auf In “auf die Schlange achten”, “auf” is part of the expression meaning “pay attention to” or “watch”. It introduces the thing receiving attention. The pattern “auf etwas achten” is useful when saying that you will watch something.
die “die” is the definite article “the” in “die Schlange”. It introduces the specific line that the speaker will watch. Here it belongs to the phrase “auf die Schlange achten”.
achten “achten” means “pay attention” or “watch” in “auf die Schlange achten”. It describes monitoring the line while staying nearby. The reusable pattern is “auf etwas achten” for paying attention to something.
hilft “hilft” means “helps” in “Das hilft”. It says that the speaker’s plan to stay visible is helpful. The pattern “Das hilft” can acknowledge that someone’s action improves a situation.
weil “weil” means “because” in “weil sich die Leute vielleicht Sorgen machen”. It introduces the reason why staying nearby is helpful. It is used to explain the cause of a statement.
sich In “sich die Leute vielleicht Sorgen machen”, “sich” is part of the expression “Sorgen machen”, which means “worry”. It refers back to the people who experience the concern. The whole expression is used to say that people may become worried.
Leute “Leute” means “people” in “die Leute vielleicht Sorgen machen”. It identifies the people who may worry if someone disappears. Here it is the group experiencing the concern.
Sorgen “Sorgen” means “worries” or “concerns” in “sich die Leute vielleicht Sorgen machen”. It is part of the expression meaning “to worry”. The phrase is useful when describing concern about a person or situation.
machen “machen” means “make” in “Sorgen machen”, but the whole expression “sich Sorgen machen” means “to worry”. It describes the people experiencing concern rather than someone making a physical object. This construction is useful for talking about worry.
jemand “jemand” means “someone” or, in this context, “anyone” in phrases such as “wenn jemand verschwindet” and “Wenn jemand fragt”. It refers to an unspecified person. These patterns are useful when describing what happens if an unknown person takes an action.
verschwindet “verschwindet” means “disappears” in “wenn jemand verschwindet”. It describes someone no longer being visible or present. The sentence uses it as the possible event that may cause people to worry.
möchte “möchte” expresses what the speaker would like or wants in “Ich möchte nicht”. It introduces the speaker’s wish to avoid a certain impression. The pattern “Ich möchte nicht, dass ...” is useful for stating what you do not want to happen.
nicht “nicht” means “not” in “Ich möchte nicht, dass jemand denkt”. It negates the speaker’s wish. Here, the speaker does not want someone to think that they are cutting in.
dass “dass” means “that” in “dass jemand denkt”. It introduces the content of what someone might think. The pattern “Ich möchte nicht, dass ...” expresses something the speaker wants to prevent.
denkt “denkt” means “thinks” in “dass jemand denkt, ich drängle mich vor”. It describes the possible opinion of another person. Here it introduces the idea that the speaker may be seen as cutting in.
drängle In “ich drängle mich vor”, “drängle” describes pushing ahead or cutting in. The speaker uses it to describe the behavior they do not want others to attribute to them. The full expression is useful when talking about moving ahead of people in a line.
vor In “drängle mich vor”, “vor” contributes the idea of moving forward ahead of others. Together with “drängle mich”, it expresses cutting in. It is part of this expression rather than a separate location in the sentence.
fragt “fragt” means “asks” in “Wenn jemand fragt”. It describes a possible question from another person in the line. The phrase is useful when explaining what you will say if someone asks about the situation.
erklären “erklären” means “explain” in “kann ich erklären, dass Sie in der Nähe geblieben sind”. It describes giving another person the reason or facts about the situation. The pattern “erklären, dass ...” introduces the information being explained.
geblieben “geblieben” means “stayed” or “remained” in “dass Sie in der Nähe geblieben sind”. Together with “sind”, it describes the completed fact that the person stayed nearby. This wording can be used when reporting that someone remained in a place.
sind In “Sie in der Nähe geblieben sind”, “sind” works with “geblieben” to express that the person stayed nearby. It helps form the completed statement about the earlier action. The full phrase reports where the person remained.
weiß In “Ich weiß Ihre Hilfe zu schätzen”, “weiß” is part of the expression used to say “I appreciate your help”. It does not simply mean that the speaker knows something here. The pattern “Ich weiß ... zu schätzen” expresses appreciation.
Ihre “Ihre” means formal “your” in “Ihre Hilfe”. It identifies the help as belonging to the person being addressed formally. It is used directly before the noun it describes.
Hilfe “Hilfe” means “help” in “Ich weiß Ihre Hilfe zu schätzen”. It refers to the assistance the other person has provided. The phrase expresses gratitude for that assistance.
zu “zu” is the infinitive marker in “zu schätzen”. It connects “schätzen” with “weiß” in the expression “Ich weiß Ihre Hilfe zu schätzen”. The two words belong together in this way of expressing appreciation.
schätzen “schätzen” means “appreciate” or “value” in “Ich weiß Ihre Hilfe zu schätzen”. Together with “weiß ... zu”, it expresses that the speaker values the help. This pattern is useful for thanking someone for support.
werde “werde” expresses “will” in “Ich werde mich beeilen”. It presents the speaker’s intention to hurry. The pattern “Ich werde ...” can state what the speaker plans to do.
beeilen “beeilen” means “hurry” or “be quick” in “Ich werde mich beeilen”. It describes the speaker’s intention to return quickly. The form appears with “mich” in this expression for hurrying.
Kommen “Kommen” means “come” in the formal instruction “Kommen Sie einfach zurück”. It tells the other person to return to the line. This is a direct but softened instruction in the conversation.
einfach “einfach” means “just” in “Kommen Sie einfach zurück”. It makes the instruction sound straightforward and less demanding. It can be used to present an action as simple to carry out.
zurück “zurück” means “back” in “Kommen Sie einfach zurück”. Together with “Kommen” it means “come back”. It specifies that the person should return to the previous place in the line.
bevor “bevor” means “before” in “bevor es in der Schlange viel weitergeht”. It introduces the time limit for returning. Here, the person should come back before the line progresses much further.
es In “bevor es in der Schlange viel weitergeht”, “es” is the impersonal subject used to describe the situation progressing. It belongs to the expression about things moving further in the line. The phrase focuses on the line’s progress rather than on a specific person.
viel “viel” means “much” or “a lot” in “viel weitergeht”. It indicates a large amount of progress. Here it describes how far the situation in the line may move before the person returns.
weitergeht “weitergeht” means “goes further” or “progresses” in “es in der Schlange viel weitergeht”. It describes the line moving on. The full phrase sets a practical deadline for coming back.

Grammar Points

sich Sorgen machen: reflexives Verb

Sie machen sich Sorgen.

Zee MAKH-en zikh ZOR-gen.

You worry.

Bei diesem Ausdruck steht das Reflexivpronomen sich; es gehört fest zur deutschen Wendung.

Trennbare Verben im Präsens

Sie kommen zurück.

Zee KOM-en tsoo-ROOK.

You come back.

Bei trennbaren Verben steht der Verbzusatz im Hauptsatz am Satzende: kommen ... zurück.

German Vocabulary

anstehen verb
AHN-shtay-en to wait in line
bitten verb
BIT-en to ask
bleiben verb
BLY-ben to stay; remain
brauchen verb
BROW-khen to need
freihalten verb
fry-HAL-ten to hold; keep free
Gefallen noun
geh-FAL-en favor

jemanden um einen Gefallen bitten

helfen verb
HEL-fen to help
in der Nähe phrase
in dare NAY-uh nearby; in the vicinity
Platz noun
PLAHTS place; spot

meinen Platz freihalten

sehen verb
ZAY-en to see
während conj
VARE-nt while
Wasser noun
VAH-ser water

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to need

Show Answerbrauchen

to help

Show Answerhelfen

water

Show AnswerWasser

to wait in line

Show Answeranstehen