German Phrase
Halte die Sitze sauber für andere.
Meaning
‘Keep the seats clean for others.’ It is a polite but firm request, often seen on public transport or in shared spaces, urging the listener to maintain cleanliness out of consideration for fellow passengers.
When to use
Use this sentence on trains, buses, trams, airplanes, or any shared seating area where you want to remind someone (or a group) to leave the seats tidy for the next person.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HaltedieSitzesauberfürandere.
Imperativ (2. Person Singular)
‘Halte’ is the imperative form of ‘halten’ used for a direct command to ‘du’ (you).
Definite Article ‘die’ (Akkusativ Plural)
‘die’ marks the plural accusative object ‘Sitze’ (the seats).
Noun ‘Sitze’ (Plural)
‘Sitze’ is the plural of ‘der Sitz’ and here functions as the direct object.
Predicative Adjective ‘sauber’
‘sauber’ follows the verb ‘halten’ and describes the state the seats should be kept in.
Preposition ‘für’ + Akkusativ
‘für’ always takes the accusative; ‘andere’ is in the accusative plural.
Indefinite Pronoun ‘andere’ (Akkusativ Plural)
‘andere’ means ‘others’ and agrees with the plural accusative case required by ‘für’.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, könntest du bitte die Sitze sauber halten?
Excuse me, could you please keep the seats clean?
Klar, ich halte die Sitze sauber für andere.
Sure, I’ll keep the seats clean for others.
✕Common Mistakes
Halte die Sitze sauberer für andere.
‘Sauberer’ is a comparative adjective; the sentence needs the base form ‘sauber’ to describe the state.
Halte die Sitz sauber für andere.
‘Sitz’ is singular; the sentence refers to multiple seats, so the plural ‘Sitze’ is required.
Halte die Sitze sauber für anderen.
‘Anderen’ is dative; after ‘für’ the accusative ‘andere’ must be used.
↔Alternatives
Bitte halte die Sitze sauber.
Please keep the seats clean.
Achte darauf, dass die Sitze sauber bleiben.
Make sure the seats stay clean.
Halte die Sitze für andere sauber.
Keep the seats clean for others.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries public transport signage often uses short imperatives like this one. The tone is considered polite yet authoritative; adding ‘Bitte’ softens it further. Remember that German prefers the verb‑first order in commands, so ‘Halte …’ is the natural phrasing.