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darf ich fragen

may I ask; if I may ask

adverb DARF ikh FRAH-gen Rare
Communication Questions

Also means

I'd like to ask

Usage Note

Darf ich fragen is a polite formula used to preface a potentially intrusive question: Darf ich fragen, wie alt Sie sind? It softens the directness of the question and shows social awareness. The full form Wenn ich fragen darf is an even more hedged variant. Common in polite conversation and formal contexts.

Examples

"Darf ich fragen, wie Sie zu dieser Entscheidung gekommen sind?"

Natural Translation

May I ask how you came to this decision?

Literal Translation

May I ask, how you to this decision come are?

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