wenn ich so sagen darf
if I may put it that way; if I may say so
adverb VEN ikh zo ZAH-gen DARF Rare
Also means
to use that expression
Usage Note
Wenn ich so sagen darf hedges an unusual, bold, or potentially offensive expression: Er war, wenn ich so sagen darf, ein charmanter Schwindler. It is a politeness device acknowledging that the chosen words are imprecise or blunt. More hedging than a simple sozusagen and more formal than quasi.
Examples
"Das war, wenn ich so sagen darf, keine sonderlich elegante Lösung."
Natural Translation
That was, if I may say so, not a particularly elegant solution.
Literal Translation
That was, if I so say may, no especially elegant solution.
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