I know this sounds a little nuts, but I live in an 1800's German settlement in Australia. It was once home to several families but now it's only me that lives here. My dogs and I often take late night walks to look at the local mob of kangaroos etc... Here lately when I walk past one of the older buildlings I can very distinctly hear an old lady saying something to me in German. She sounds angry. But she speaks quickly so I can't really make out what she is saying. Ok...I know a lot of folks don't believe in such things, but it's just part of daily life here. What I want to be able to say back to this lady is something like "I'm sorry, but I don't speak German" in the most respectful way possible.
2007-03-21 20:48:31 · 7 answers · asked by PJJ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I couldn't even count how many extra people live here with me! The cemetary on the block has more than 30 graves. I have seen at least a dozen people, and hear others. They don't bother me. I just want to give these people the respect they deserve. Most don't try to talk to me...probably because of the german/english thing. I think this particular lady may be annoyed with my dogs. I figure if I tell her we don't speak the same language she will find another way to tell me what she wants to tell me.
2007-03-21 21:13:20 · update #1
answerer 1 is correct, but it would be more polite to say
"Es tut mir leid, aber ich spreche leider kein Deutsch"
2007-03-21 23:24:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
tut mir leid , aber ich spreche kein deutsch- sorry but I don't speak german!
2007-03-22 03:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
can i move in.. im looking to move to australia soon. sorry but my german isnt completey up to scratch anymore.
just leave her be and she should leave you in peace too. she's probably just angry coz you live there now and you not german.. right? wel you on the right path just apologise to her and go on your way.. you never know you could get accustomed to her presence
2007-03-22 04:05:31 · answer #3 · answered by Crazy_German 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am sorry, but I don't speak German in German is:
Es tut mir leid. Ich kann nicht Deutsche sprechen.
2007-03-22 04:10:15 · answer #4 · answered by sugarpacketchad 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
entschuldigense vorseer keine duetsch
(ent-shold-igen-ze for-seer kin-e doy-tsh)
it means "excuse me, i don't understand german"
2007-03-23 18:45:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
meine deutsch shlect
2007-03-22 08:36:23 · answer #6 · answered by Jessie Marie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ich verstehe nicht deutsch
pronounced as: ish frustere doich
(I don't understand german)
please: bitte (bitter)
speak: sprechen (spreken)
English: (Englissh) prounounce
E as in egg)
2007-03-22 04:18:55 · answer #7 · answered by houseproudguru 1 · 1⤊ 8⤋