German · Real conversations
Support and boundaries: useful German phrases
Show care while being clear about your limits.
Start with the essentials
Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.
- I'm sorry to hear that
das tut mir leid zu hören
I'm sorry to hear that
- Are you okay?
Geht es dir gut?
Are you okay?
- I agree
ich bin einverstanden
I agree
- Don't worry
keine Sorge
Don't worry
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | German |
|---|---|
| I'm sorry to hear that | das tut mir leid zu hören I'm sorry to hear that |
| Are you okay? | Geht es dir gut? Are you okay? |
| I agree | ich bin einverstanden I agree |
| Don't worry | keine Sorge Don't worry |
| Would you like to talk about it? | Möchtest du darüber reden? Show English translationWould you like to talk about it? |
| I'd prefer not to discuss that. | Darüber möchte ich lieber nicht sprechen. Show English translationI'd prefer not to discuss that. |
| I see what you mean, but ... | Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber … Show English translationI see what you mean, but … |
| I don't feel comfortable with that. | Damit fühle ich mich nicht wohl. Show English translationI don't feel comfortable with that. |
| Let me think about it. | Lass mich darüber nachdenken. Show English translationLet me think about it. |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
Ich hatte eine schwere Woche, aber ich weiß nicht, was ich sagen soll.
I've had a hard week, but I'm not sure what to say.
You
Möchtest du darüber reden?
Would you like to talk about it?
Partner
Vielleicht später. Darf ich fragen, warum du deine letzte Stelle verlassen hast?
Maybe later. Can I ask why you left your last job?
You
Darüber möchte ich lieber nicht sprechen.
I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Support and boundaries 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.
