German · Real conversations
Repairing a conversation: German conversation practice
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use. 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 learner asking a patient conversation partner for clarification.
Goal: Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
Read the conversation
Partner
Der Name ist etwas schwierig zu schreiben.
Show English translation
The name is a little difficult to spell.
You
Könnten Sie das aufschreiben?
Show English translation
Could you write it down?
Partner
Natürlich. Dieses Wort beschreibt eine regelmäßige Handlung.
Show English translation
Of course. This word describes a regular action.
You
Könnten Sie mir ein Beispiel geben?
Show English translation
Could you give me an example?
Partner
Zum Beispiel treffen wir uns am Ende der Arbeitswoche.
Show English translation
For example, we meet at the end of the working week.
You
Meinen Sie Freitag?
Show English translation
Do you mean Friday?
Partner
Ja, Freitag. Wir treffen uns vor dem Bahnhof.
Show English translation
Yes, Friday. We meet outside the station.
You
Lassen Sie mich prüfen, ob ich das richtig verstanden habe: Wir treffen uns am Freitag.
Show English translation
Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Partner
Genau. Schreib das Wort für diesen Ort in deine Notizen.
Show English translation
That's right. Write the word for that place in your notes.
You
Ist das das richtige Wort?
Show English translation
Is this the right word?
Try your part first
Partner says: The name is a little difficult to spell. Your goal: Could you write it down?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten Sie das aufschreiben?
Could you write it down?
Partner says: Of course. This word describes a regular action. Your goal: Could you give me an example?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten Sie mir ein Beispiel geben?
Could you give me an example?
Partner says: For example, we meet at the end of the working week. Your goal: Do you mean Friday?
Reveal a sample reply
Meinen Sie Freitag?
Do you mean Friday?
Partner says: Yes, Friday. We meet outside the station. Your goal: Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Reveal a sample reply
Lassen Sie mich prüfen, ob ich das richtig verstanden habe: Wir treffen uns am Freitag.
Let me check that I understood: we meet on Friday.
Partner says: That's right. Write the word for that place in your notes. Your goal: Is this the right word?
Reveal a sample reply
Ist das das richtige Wort?
Is this the right word?
Make it your own
- Ask for an example about your own day.
- Check a second possible meaning.
- Ask the person to write a different word.
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.
