Can i bother you for a moment

Members Current visitors. Interface Language. Log in. Install the app. Forums English Only English Only. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Might I spare you a moment?

Thread starter EdisonBhola Start date Jul 4, EdisonBhola Senior Member Korean. Hi all, Can anyone teach me what is the meaning of the following phrase? The reason I asked this question is that I came across it in an English usage book written by a non-native. The books says that "might" can be used when talking to older people or people in authority to show our respect. Then it goes on to give the following example to illustrate the point: Might I spare you a moment, Dr Anderson?

No further explanation is provided in the book. Many thanks! Can I bother you for a minute, Dr Anderson? Click to expand Improve your vocabulary with our audio Phrasebook. Posso disturbarla per un momento? Posso disturbare per un momento? Posted by admin on We remove language barriers. May I bother you for a moment? English May I bother you for a moment? Translation Comparison Extension for Firefox. Therefore it is perfectly alright and accepted as polite enough if you just say:.

In a less formal setting usually when you address people with "Du" but also possible with people you don't know you may just ask. Nicht selten bekommst du eine Antwort in der Form: "Eigentlich nicht, aber jetzt hast du mich ja schon unterbrochen. It's not infrequently to get an answer alike: "No I didn't but you already bother me. This would not be considered rude by anybody I know. Although you could certainly manage to intonate it such that it sounds a bit demanding, but you can do this with basically everything.

As long as you put it clearly as a question it should be okay. Can I have a word with you? Can I talk to you for a minute? Can I talk to you? May I have a moment with you? Do you have a minute? On sales calls, I use in English, "May I stop you from working for two minutes? I just turn and walk away. Sign up to join this community. A2 [ T ] to annoy or cause problems for someone:. Don't bother your father when he's working. I'm sorry to bother you , but could you help me lift this suitcase?

I didn't want to bother her with work matters on her day off. The noise was beginning to bother us, so we left. She threatened to call the police if he didn't stop bothering her. See more results ». She looked busy and I didn't want to bother her.

If the noise bothers you I'll switch it off. The neighbours make a bit of noise but it doesn't bother me. Will it bother you if I have the TV on? I didn't want to bother her when she has so many problems of her own.

Causing feelings of anger and displeasure. I can take you there - it's really no bother. It hardly seems worth the bother to go all that way just for two nights. UK I had a bit of bother getting hold of his phone number. I'm sorry to be a bother, but could I have that number again? Synonyms annoyance. Oh bother! It's raining and I left my umbrella at home.

Expressions of anger. That dog has never been a bother to anyone. Examples of bother. My sense rather is that they were clearly an anxious group, as he insists, but they were bothered rather than troubled by slavery.