German Phrase
Sag klar, was du willst.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to state their wishes in a clear, unambiguous way. It combines an imperative with a subordinate clause that specifies the content of the request.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to encourage a friend, colleague, or partner to be direct about their needs—e.g., in a negotiation, a planning meeting, or a casual conversation where clarity matters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sagklar,wasduwillst.
Imperative (Sag)
‘Sag’ is the informal singular imperative of the verb ‘sagen’ (to say). Use it when speaking to a friend or peer.
Adverb ‘klar’
‘klar’ functions as an adverb meaning ‘clearly’ or ‘plainly’; it modifies the verb ‘sagen’.
Relative clause ‘was du willst’
‘was’ introduces a subordinate clause meaning ‘what’; the clause follows the main clause and explains the content of the statement.
Verb ‘willst’ (2nd person singular)
‘willst’ is the present‑tense form of ‘wollen’ (to want) for ‘du’. It is used here to ask for the listener’s desire.
🗨In Conversation
Sag klar, was du willst, damit wir das Projekt richtig planen können.
Say clearly what you want so we can plan the project correctly.
Also, ich möchte mehr Zeit für die Recherche.
Well, I’d like more time for research.
✕Common Mistakes
Sage klar, was du willst.
‘Sage’ is the formal or plural imperative; with a single informal addressee you need ‘Sag’.
Sag klar, was du will.
‘Will’ is the 1st‑person singular of ‘wollen’; the correct 2nd‑person form is ‘willst’.
Sag, was du willst.
Leaving out the adverb loses the nuance of ‘clearly’; you could use ‘deutlich’ instead.
↔Alternatives
Sag deutlich, was du möchtest.
Say clearly what you would like.
Sag mir, was du willst.
Tell me what you want.
Formuliere deine Wünsche klar.
Formulate your wishes clearly.
Cultural Tip
German communication often values directness and precision. While being clear is appreciated, tone matters: pairing ‘klar’ with a friendly smile or a polite ‘bitte’ softens the command and keeps the interaction courteous.