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How to talk to my Hausmeister politely? The Hausmeister put a note on my door, it says "am 30.10.2015 wird ihr WC-Topf erneuert. Der Handwerker kommt ca.9:30 Uhr zu Ihnem." But I did not ask anyone to fix or change my WC-Topf! and I will not be home at that time. I want to explain it to my Hausmeister and ask for some details. Before I go for the conversation, I need a script. Here is what I plan to say: Ich finde die Notiz an meiner Tür. Aber ich habe das Erneuern nicht antragen. Halten Sie das Papier für mich? Muss ich dafür erneuern bezahlen? Wenn ja, was kostet das? Können Sie die Zeit ändern? Weil ich habe Unterricht täglich am Vormittag. Kann der Handwerker am nachmittag bekommen? I jus start taking German lessens this month. So far I can say some simple sentences, and ask simple questions by "W-Fragen". But sometimes I feel like the way I talk is not polite and fluent enough. How can I show my courteousness in a conversation?

Answers · 2

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Your Hausmeister's use of the word "erneuern" is slightly odd. What I think he means is "austauschen" (= exchange). Also, I don't think you will have to pay anything. You're paying rent already and you did not ask for a new toilet bowl, it seems. Aaanyway, here is a grammatically corrected version of the things you planned to say already: Ich habe ihre Notiz an meiner Tür gefunden. (= I found your note at my door.) Aber ich habe niemanden gebeten, mein WC zu erneuern. (= But I did not ask for anyone to exchange my WC. [Careful! This sentence might seem impolite. See below.]) Halten Sie das Papier für mich? [I don't understand this one... this means "Are you holding the paper for me?" What paper are you speaking of?] Muss ich dafür bezahlen? /or/ Muss ich für die WC-Erneuerung bezahlen? (= Do I have to pay for this? or Do I have to pay for the WC exchange? [Note that the "da" in "dafür" refers back to a context established before, so "dafür" and "erneuern" can not go together]) Wenn ja, was kostet das? Können Sie die Zeit ändern? [Both already correct.] Vormittags habe ich jeden Tag Unterricht. (= I have classes every morning. [Style note: do not start sentences that only consist of a main clause with "weil". "Weil" should be used to start subclauses only, example: "Ich bin genervt, weil ich Hausaufgaben habe." or "Weil ich Hausaufgaben habe, bin ich genervt."]) Könnte der Handwerker auch am Nachmittag kommen? (= Could the plumber come in the afternoon? [bekommen = get/receive, kommen = come] ["könnte" is a bit more polite than "kann"]) Back to those first two sentences: Instead of saying that you did not ask anyone to do anything to your WC, maybe try: Ich war etwas verwirrt, als ich ihre Notiz gefunden habe. (= I was a little confused when I found your note.) Was muss denn an meinem WC repariert werden? (= What has to be repaired about my WC?)

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