Ask a host about shoes indoors in German

The idea

In Germany there is no single rule about shoes indoors. Many people take off their outdoor shoes (Straßenschuhe) at home, especially in wet or snowy weather, and some keep guest slippers (Gästepantoffeln or Hausschuhe) by the door. At parties or formal dinners, guests often keep their shoes on. Some guests bring their own indoor shoes to frequent visits. Watch what the hosts are wearing, or ask. Grammar: “ausziehen” is separable but stays joined at the end of a dass-clause; “im Flur” is dative because it names a location.

Other ways to say it

“Soll ich die Schuhe ausziehen?” – Short and neutral; works with du and Sie.

“Ist es Ihnen lieber, wenn ich die Schuhe ausziehe?” – Formal Sie version for hosts you do not know well.

“Ich habe Hausschuhe dabei.” – Practical remark that signals consideration for the host.

Examples

• Möchtest du, dass ich die Schuhe im Flur ausziehe?Would you like me to take my shoes off in the hallway?
• Ja, hier laufen wir lieber ohne Straßenschuhe.Yes, we prefer to go without outdoor shoes here.
• Hast du einen Platz für meine Schuhe?Do you have a place for my shoes?
• Neben der Bank ist noch etwas frei.There is still some space beside the bench.
• Gut, ich richte mich nach deiner Bitte.Good; I will follow your request.
• Danke fürs Nachfragen, jeder Haushalt handhabt das anders.Thank you for asking; every household handles it differently.

Watch out

“Soll ich die Schuhe abnehmen?” → “Soll ich die Schuhe ausziehen?”: English “take off” has several German equivalents. Clothes and shoes are “ausziehen”; “abnehmen” is for hats, glasses or a phone receiver, so it sounds odd here.

Try it yourself

1. Translate into German: Would you like me to take my shoes off in the hallway?

   Show answer or example answer

   Möchtest du, dass ich die Schuhe im Flur ausziehe?

   “Möchtest du” asks for the host’s wish. The dass-clause ends with “ausziehe”, the separable verb kept whole, and “im Flur” is dative for location.

2. Put the words in order: du / einen / für / Hast / meine / Platz / Schuhe

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   Hast du einen Platz für meine Schuhe?

   “Hast du” starts a yes/no question. “Einen Platz” is masculine accusative after haben, and “für meine Schuhe” is accusative plural after für.

3. Write this sentence in German: Thank you for asking; every household handles it differently.

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   Danke fürs Nachfragen, jeder Haushalt handhabt das anders.

   “Fürs Nachfragen” contracts für das and turns the verb nachfragen into a noun, so it is capitalised. “Handhaben” means to handle or manage something.

Use it today

You are visiting a colleague’s home for the first time. Write what you say at the door to ask about shoes, once with du and once with Sie.