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German Phrase

Ich brauch ein 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild.

/ɪç bʁaʊ̯x aɪ̯n ˈbɪtə nɪçt ˈʃtøːʁən ʃɪlt/
Meaning"I need a “Please do not disturb” sign."
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Meaning

The speaker is saying that they need a sign that reads “Bitte nicht stören” (Please do not disturb). It’s a practical request, often heard in hotels, offices, or shared workspaces.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are ordering, buying, or asking someone to provide a “Do not disturb” sign – for example, when setting up a private office, preparing a hotel room, or creating a quiet‑study area.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichbrauchein'Bittenichtstören'-Schild

1

Verb conjugation (brauchen)

The verb "brauchen" is conjugated as "ich brauche"; colloquially speakers drop the ending "e" and say "ich brauch".

2

Indefinite article (ein)

"Schild" is a neuter noun, so it takes the indefinite article "ein" in the accusative case.

3

Compound noun with quotation

When a quoted phrase modifies a noun, German often joins them with a hyphen: "'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild".

4

Quotation marks

Single quotes are used here to highlight the exact wording on the sign; they are not part of the spoken sentence.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich brauch ein 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild.

I need a “Please do not disturb” sign.

Kein Problem, ich hole gleich eins für dich.

No problem, I’ll get one for you right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich brauche ein 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild.

    In informal speech the final “e” is often dropped, but in formal writing you should keep it: "Ich brauche…"

  • Ich brauch ein 'Bitte nicht stören' Schild.

    Missing the hyphen makes the phrase sound ungrammatical; the quoted phrase should be linked to the noun with a hyphen.

  • Ich brauch das 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild.

    If you use the definite article, the gender must match: "das Schild" → "das 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild".

↔Alternatives

  • Ich benötige ein 'Bitte nicht stören'-Schild.

    I need a “Please do not disturb” sign.

  • Ich brauche ein Schild mit der Aufschrift „Bitte nicht stören“.

    I need a sign that says “Please do not disturb”.

  • Könntest du mir ein „Bitte nicht stören“-Schild besorgen?

    Could you get me a “Please do not disturb” sign?

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries, “Bitte nicht stören” signs are standard in hotels and offices. They’re also used humorously on bedroom doors or study rooms to signal a need for privacy. When writing the phrase on a sign, the capitalisation of all three words is typical, but you’ll also see it all in lower‑case for a more modern design.