German · Real conversations
How to say “Could you write it down?” in German
Ask someone to put an unfamiliar word or an instruction in writing.
Könnten Sie das aufschreiben?
Could you write it down?
Point to the information you need written, or name it in the sentence.
Use it in three situations
A name you did not catch
Könnten Sie das aufschreiben?
Could you write it down?
A classroom instruction
Könnten Sie Ihren Namen aufschreiben?
Could you write your name down?
A meeting detail
Könnten Sie bitte die Adresse aufschreiben?
Could you write down the address, please?
What to watch for
Writing something down does not necessarily include translating or explaining it.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine repairing a conversation. Say this in German: Could you write your name down?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten Sie Ihren Namen aufschreiben?
Could you write your name down?
Build a useful exchange
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
