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German Phrase

Ich hätte gern, dass mein Zimmer geputzt wird.

/ɪç ˈhɛtə ɡɛrn, das maɪn ˈtsɪmɐ ɡəˈpʊtst vɪrt/
Meaning"I would like my room to be cleaned."
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Meaning

This phrase expresses a polite wish or request for something to be done, specifically that one's room is cleaned. It uses the subjunctive II form of 'haben' ('hätte') to soften the request and the 'dass' clause with the passive voice ('geputzt wird') to indicate that the action is performed by someone else.

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When to use

You would typically use this phrase in a formal or semi-formal setting, such as when speaking to hotel staff, a landlord, or a service provider. It's a polite way to express a desire for a service without directly commanding someone.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichhätte gerndassmein Zimmergeputzt wird

1

Ich hätte gern...

This is a polite way to express a wish or desire, literally 'I would have gladly...'. 'Hätte' is the subjunctive II form of 'haben' (to have), which softens the request.

2

dass-clause

The conjunction 'dass' (that) introduces a subordinate clause. In 'dass' clauses, the conjugated verb always moves to the very end of the clause.

3

Passive Voice (geputzt wird)

The phrase 'geputzt wird' is in the present tense passive voice. It means 'is being cleaned' or 'will be cleaned'. It's used when the action is performed on the subject, rather than by the subject, and the agent (who cleans) is either unknown or unimportant.

4

Word Order in dass-clauses

Remember that in a 'dass' clause, the subject ('mein Zimmer') comes after 'dass', and all other elements (like the past participle 'geputzt') precede the conjugated verb ('wird') at the end.

🗨In Conversation

A

Guten Morgen! Ich hätte gern, dass mein Zimmer geputzt wird.

Good morning! I would like my room to be cleaned.

Ja, natürlich. Wir schicken jemanden vorbei. Welche Zimmernummer haben Sie?

Yes, of course. We'll send someone over. What is your room number?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich möchte, dass mein Zimmer putzt.

    The verb 'putzen' (to clean) needs to be in the passive voice here, as the room is being cleaned by someone else, not cleaning itself. It should be 'geputzt wird'.

  • Ich hätte gern, dass mein Zimmer wird geputzt.

    In a 'dass' clause, the conjugated verb ('wird') always goes to the very end of the clause. The correct order is 'geputzt wird'.

  • Ich hätte gern mein Zimmer putzen.

    This construction is grammatically incorrect for expressing 'I would like my room to be cleaned'. While 'Ich hätte gern mein Zimmer geputzt' is possible (and more direct), this specific phrasing is wrong.

↔Alternatives

  • Könnten Sie bitte mein Zimmer putzen?

    Could you please clean my room?

  • Ich möchte, dass mein Zimmer geputzt wird.

    I want my room to be cleaned.

  • Ich hätte gerne mein Zimmer geputzt.

    I would like my room cleaned.

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Cultural Tip

Germans generally appreciate directness, but politeness is still valued, especially in service interactions. Using 'Ich hätte gern, dass...' or 'Könnten Sie bitte...' is a good balance of being clear and courteous. In hotels, you might also see a sign to hang on the door for cleaning service, which is a common non-verbal way to make this request.