German · Real conversations
Calls and messages: German conversation practice
Handle a short call and confirm a message. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A person handling a call with a weak connection.
Goal: Handle a short call and confirm a message.
Read the conversation
Partner
Hallo, bist du da?
Show English translation
Hello, are you there?
You
Kannst du mich hören?
Show English translation
Can you hear me?
Partner
Ich höre dich, aber der Ton ist nicht klar.
Show English translation
I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear.
You
Die Verbindung ist schlecht.
Show English translation
The connection is breaking up.
Partner
Ja. Ich muss mit Anna über die Besprechung morgen reden.
Show English translation
Yes. I need to talk to Anna about tomorrow's meeting.
You
Könntest du eine Nachricht hinterlassen?
Show English translation
Could you leave a message?
Partner
Sag Anna bitte, dass ich angerufen habe. Kannst du mir sagen, wann sie Zeit hat?
Show English translation
Please tell Anna I called. Could you let me know when she's free?
You
Ich rufe dich zurück.
Show English translation
I'll call you back.
Partner
Danke. Ich habe vorhin eine Benachrichtigung über eine Nachricht von dir gesehen.
Show English translation
Thanks. I saw an alert for a message from you earlier.
You
Hast du meine Nachricht bekommen?
Show English translation
Did you get my message?
Try your part first
Partner says: Hello, are you there? Your goal: Can you hear me?
Reveal a sample reply
Kannst du mich hören?
Can you hear me?
Partner says: I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear. Your goal: The connection is breaking up.
Reveal a sample reply
Die Verbindung ist schlecht.
The connection is breaking up.
Partner says: Yes. I need to talk to Anna about tomorrow's meeting. Your goal: Could you leave a message?
Reveal a sample reply
Könntest du eine Nachricht hinterlassen?
Could you leave a message?
Partner says: Please tell Anna I called. Could you let me know when she's free? Your goal: I'll call you back.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich rufe dich zurück.
I'll call you back.
Partner says: Thanks. I saw an alert for a message from you earlier. Your goal: Did you get my message?
Reveal a sample reply
Hast du meine Nachricht bekommen?
Did you get my message?
Make it your own
- Use a different callback time.
- Leave a message for someone else.
- Switch to a written message.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
