German Phrase
Beschreib das Problem Schritt für Schritt.
Meaning
A direct request to give a detailed, sequential description of an issue. It emphasizes that the speaker wants the explanation broken down into clear, ordered steps.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need a thorough troubleshooting report, in a classroom when a student is asked to explain a math problem, or in a meeting where a colleague must outline a technical difficulty.
✦Grammar Breakdown
BeschreibdasProblemSchrittfürSchritt.
Imperativ (du)
‘Beschreib’ is the informal singular imperative of ‘beschreiben’. The full form is ‘Beschreibe’, but the final -e is often dropped in spoken German.
Akkusativobjekt
‘das Problem’ is the direct object in the accusative case, answering the question ‘what?’
Idiom ‘Schritt für Schritt’
Literally ‘step for step’, this fixed expression means ‘step by step’ and is used to describe a sequential process.
Artikel ‘das’
‘das’ is the neuter definite article in the accusative, matching the noun ‘Problem’.
🗨In Conversation
Beschreib das Problem Schritt für Schritt.
Describe the problem step by step.
Zuerst habe ich den Computer neu gestartet, dann ist das Netzwerk ausgefallen, und schließlich hat die Software einen Fehler angezeigt.
First I rebooted the computer, then the network went down, and finally the software showed an error.
✕Common Mistakes
Beschreibe das Problem Schritt für Schritt.
The full form ‘Beschreibe’ is correct for formal writing; dropping the -e (‘Beschreib’) is informal and should be avoided in professional emails.
Schritt für Schritt für das Problem.
Do not duplicate ‘für’; the idiom is ‘Schritt für Schritt’ only once.
Beschreib dem Problem Schritt für Schritt.
Never use the dative ‘dem Problem’ here; the verb ‘beschreiben’ takes an accusative object.
↔Alternatives
Erkläre das Problem Schritt für Schritt.
Explain the problem step by step.
Führe das Problem Schritt für Schritt aus.
Walk through the problem step by step.
Bitte beschreibe das Problem nacheinander.
Please describe the problem one after another.
Cultural Tip
German communication can be very direct. Adding ‘Bitte’ at the beginning (Bitte beschreibe …) softens the request and sounds more polite, especially in formal or professional settings. Also, the full imperative ‘Beschreibe …’ is preferred in written or formal contexts.