SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Airport

German Phrase

Bitte stell sicher, dass deine Taschen leer sind.

/ˈbɪtə ʃtɛl ˈzɪçɐ ˈdas ˈdaɪ̯nə ˈtaʃən leːɐ̯ zɪnt/
Meaning"Please make sure that your pockets are empty."
💡

Meaning

A polite request asking someone to verify that their pockets contain nothing. It is commonly used before security checks, boarding a plane, or entering any area where hidden items are prohibited.

🎯

When to use

Use this sentence at airports, train stations, theaters, schools, or any venue where staff need to ensure that pockets are empty for safety or security reasons.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Bittestellsicher,dassdeineTaschenleersind.

1

Bitte

Polite particle used to soften a request; it does not change the verb form.

2

Imperative ‘stell’

‘Stell’ is the 2nd‑person singular imperative of ‘stellen’; combined with ‘sicher’ it forms the separable verb ‘sicherstellen’ (to make sure).

3

Subordinate clause with ‘dass’

Everything after ‘dass’ is a dependent clause; the finite verb moves to the end (‘sind’).

4

Possessive pronoun agreement

‘deine’ matches the feminine plural noun ‘Taschen’ (your pockets).

5

Adjective ‘leer’

‘leer’ stays unchanged because it is used predicatively before the verb ‘sind’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Bitte stell sicher, dass deine Taschen leer sind.

Please make sure that your pockets are empty.

Ja, ich habe alles herausgenommen.

Yes, I’ve taken everything out.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Bitte stelle sicher, dass deine Taschen leer sind.

    ‘Stelle’ is the 2nd‑person singular formal imperative; with ‘du’ you need ‘stell’. Use ‘Bitte stellen Sie sicher’ for formal address.

  • Bitte stell sicher, dass dein Taschen leer sind.

    The possessive must agree with the noun’s gender and number; ‘Taschen’ is feminine plural, so it is ‘deine Taschen’.

  • Bitte stell sicher, dass deine Taschen leer ist.

    The verb must agree with the plural subject ‘Taschen’; therefore it is ‘sind’, not ‘ist’.

  • Bitte stell sicher dass deine Taschen leer sind.

    In German, a comma separates the main clause from the subordinate clause introduced by ‘dass’.

↔Alternatives

  • Bitte überprüfe, ob deine Taschen leer sind.

    Please check whether your pockets are empty.

  • Stell bitte sicher, dass deine Taschen leer sind.

    Make sure, please, that your pockets are empty.

  • Achte darauf, dass deine Taschen leer sind.

    Make sure that your pockets are empty.

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries security staff often ask passengers to empty their pockets before passing through metal detectors. Using ‘Bitte’ before the imperative shows respect and helps keep the tone friendly, which is appreciated in formal or public settings.