German · Real conversations
Visiting family: German conversation practice
Thank a host and take part in a family visit. 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 guest visiting a friend's or partner's family.
Goal: Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
Read the conversation
Partner
Willkommen! Komm rein und fühl dich wie zu Hause.
Show English translation
Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home.
You
Danke für die Einladung.
Show English translation
Thank you for having me.
Partner
Schön, dass du da bist. Ich decke gerade den Tisch.
Show English translation
It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table.
You
Kann ich bei etwas helfen?
Show English translation
Can I help with anything?
Partner
Danke, der Tisch ist jetzt gedeckt. Wir haben lange nicht über unsere Familien gesprochen.
Show English translation
Thanks, the table is ready now. We haven't talked about our families in a while.
You
Wie geht es allen zu Hause?
Show English translation
How is everyone at home?
Partner
Allen geht es gut. Meine Eltern sind diese Woche verreist.
Show English translation
Everyone is well. My parents are away this week.
You
Grüß bitte deine Eltern von mir.
Show English translation
Please give my regards to your parents.
Partner
Das mache ich. Anna und ich kennen uns seit Jahren.
Show English translation
I will. Anna and I have known each other for years.
You
Wie lange kennt ihr euch schon?
Show English translation
How long have you known each other?
Try your part first
Partner says: Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home. Your goal: Thank you for having me.
Reveal a sample reply
Danke für die Einladung.
Thank you for having me.
Partner says: It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table. Your goal: Can I help with anything?
Reveal a sample reply
Kann ich bei etwas helfen?
Can I help with anything?
Partner says: Thanks, the table is ready now. We haven't talked about our families in a while. Your goal: How is everyone at home?
Reveal a sample reply
Wie geht es allen zu Hause?
How is everyone at home?
Partner says: Everyone is well. My parents are away this week. Your goal: Please give my regards to your parents.
Reveal a sample reply
Grüß bitte deine Eltern von mir.
Please give my regards to your parents.
Partner says: I will. Anna and I have known each other for years. Your goal: How long have you known each other?
Reveal a sample reply
Wie lange kennt ihr euch schon?
How long have you known each other?
Make it your own
- Ask about a different relative.
- Offer to help set the table.
- Give regards to someone who is away.
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.
