Following signs to the registration desk | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Following signs to the registration desk to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich kann das Veranstaltungsschild an der Wand sehen.

ikh KAHN dahs fer-ahn-SHTAHL-toongs-shilt ahn dair VAHNT ZAY-en I can see the event sign on the wall.

Auf dem Schild steht, dass der Anmeldeschalter oben ist.

owf daym shilt shtayt, dahs dair AN-mel-duh-SHAHL-ter OH-ben ist It says the desk is upstairs.

Der Weg nach oben ist leicht zu finden.

dair VAYK nahkh OH-ben ist LYKHt tsoo FIN-den The way upstairs is easy to follow.

Das Schild hilft sehr.

dahs shilt hilft zair The sign helps a lot.

Der Treppenabsatz ist gleich vor uns.

dair TREP-en-ap-sahts ist GLYKH fohr oons The landing is just ahead.

Dann sollte der Anmeldeschalter ganz in der Nähe sein.

dahn SHOOL-te dair AN-mel-duh-SHAHL-ter gahnts in dair NEH-uh zine Then the registration desk should be close.

Gehen wir, bevor die Schlange länger wird.

GAY-en veer, buh-FOHR dee SHLAHNG-uh LENG-er veert Let's go before the line gets longer.

Ich halte das Formular bereit.

ikh HAHL-teh dahs for-moo-LAHR buh-RITE I will keep the form ready.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person who can see the sign. It is used as the subject in “Ich kann”. Use it when speaking about yourself, for example in the dialogue phrase “Ich kann das Veranstaltungsschild an der Wand sehen.”

kann “kann” expresses ability in “Ich kann das Veranstaltungsschild an der Wand sehen.” It is followed by the action “sehen” at the end of the sentence. Use “Ich kann … sehen” when saying that you are able to see something.

das “das” is the definite article meaning “the” before “Veranstaltungsschild”; the capitalized form “Das” appears before “Schild” in “Das Schild hilft sehr.” Use “das” before a noun when referring to a specific thing, as in “das Veranstaltungsschild.”

Veranstaltungsschild “Veranstaltungsschild” means “event sign,” the sign that gives directions to the event. In “das Veranstaltungsschild an der Wand,” it is the thing the speaker can see. Use it when identifying a sign connected with an event or public gathering.

an “an” means “on” in “an der Wand” and places the sign at the wall. Together with “der Wand,” it describes where the sign is located. Use “an der Wand” when saying that something is on or at a wall.

der “der” is the definite article meaning “the” in “an der Wand”; the capitalized form “Der” appears at the start of “Der Weg nach oben.” It accompanies the specific nouns “Wand” and “Weg” in these dialogue phrases. Use the exact article together with the noun phrase you are describing.

Wand “Wand” means “wall” in “an der Wand,” which tells where the event sign can be seen. It is used with “an” to describe a location on a wall. Use “an der Wand” when pointing out something displayed on a wall.

sehen “sehen” means “to see” and is the action the speaker is able to perform in “Ich kann das Veranstaltungsschild an der Wand sehen.” It appears after “kann” as the action being described. Use “Ich kann … sehen” when saying that you can see a person or thing.

Auf “Auf” means “on” in “Auf dem Schild” and locates the written information on the sign. It combines with “dem Schild” to describe where the message appears. Use “Auf dem Schild steht …” when reading or reporting information displayed on a sign.

dem “dem” is the definite article meaning “the” in the location phrase “Auf dem Schild.” It accompanies “Schild” after “Auf” in this expression. Reuse the complete phrase “Auf dem Schild” when saying that information is on the sign.

Schild “Schild” means “sign” in “Auf dem Schild steht, dass der Anmeldeschalter oben ist.” It is the surface on which the directional information is written. Use “das Schild” when referring to a specific sign.

steht “steht” is the verb used here to say that information is written or displayed on the sign. In “Auf dem Schild steht, dass der Anmeldeschalter oben ist,” it introduces the message found there. Reuse “Auf dem Schild steht …” when reporting what a sign says.

dass “dass” means “that” and introduces the information given by the sign in “dass der Anmeldeschalter oben ist.” It links the statement about the sign with the content of its message. Use “steht, dass …” when saying what is written or stated.

Anmeldeschalter “Anmeldeschalter” means “registration desk,” the counter the two people are trying to reach. In “der Anmeldeschalter oben,” it is the place identified by the sign. Use “der Anmeldeschalter” when referring to a desk where people register for an event.

oben “oben” means “upstairs” or “above” and gives the location of the registration desk in “der Anmeldeschalter oben ist.” It tells the listener that the desk is higher up in the building. Use “oben ist” when identifying something as being upstairs.

ist “ist” means “is” and connects the registration desk with its location in “der Anmeldeschalter oben ist.” In this subordinate clause, it appears at the end after the location “oben.” Use it in a pattern such as “Der Schalter ist oben” when stating where something is.

Weg “Weg” means “way” or “path” in “Der Weg nach oben,” referring to the route upstairs. It is the route that is easy to find. Use “Der Weg nach oben” when giving directions to a higher level.

nach “nach” means “to” or “toward” in “nach oben,” showing the direction upward. Together with “oben,” it describes movement or a route leading upstairs. Use “nach oben” when directing someone toward a higher place.

leicht “leicht” means “easy” in “leicht zu finden” and says that the route can be found without much difficulty. It describes the action expressed by “zu finden.” Use the pattern “leicht zu …” to describe an action that is easy to do.

zu “zu” introduces the infinitive “finden” in “leicht zu finden.” Here it helps form the expression meaning “easy to find.” Reuse the pattern “leicht zu finden” when describing something whose location is easy to locate.

finden “finden” means “to find” in “leicht zu finden,” referring to locating the way upstairs. It appears with “zu” because the phrase describes an action that is easy. Use it in a pattern such as “etwas leicht zu finden” when saying that something is easy to locate.

hilft “hilft” means “helps” in “Das Schild hilft sehr,” saying that the sign makes finding the way easier. The subject doing the helping is “Das Schild.” Use “Das hilft” or “Das Schild hilft” when explaining that something is useful.

sehr “sehr” intensifies “hilft” in “Das Schild hilft sehr,” meaning that the sign helps a lot. It emphasizes the usefulness of the sign. Use “hilft sehr” when saying that something is very helpful.

Treppenabsatz “Treppenabsatz” means “landing,” the level area between or at the end of stairs. In “Der Treppenabsatz ist gleich vor uns,” it identifies the next part of the staircase ahead. Use it when pointing out a landing inside a building.

gleich “gleich” means “just” or “right” in “gleich vor uns,” showing that the landing is immediately ahead. It emphasizes the short distance or near position. Use “gleich vor uns” when pointing out something that is directly ahead.

vor “vor” means “in front of” or “ahead of” in “vor uns.” It places the landing in the space ahead of the two speakers. Use “vor uns” when describing something located directly in front of the people speaking.

uns “uns” means “us” and refers to the two speakers in “vor uns.” It identifies the people whose position is being used as the reference point. Use “vor uns” when saying that something is ahead of us.

Dann “Dann” means “then” and marks the next conclusion after noticing the landing. In “Dann sollte der Anmeldeschalter … sein,” it connects the new information with the expected location of the desk. Use “Dann” when drawing a conclusion or describing what happens next.

sollte “sollte” expresses an expectation or reasonable conclusion in “Dann sollte der Anmeldeschalter ganz in der Nähe sein.” It makes the statement less certain than a direct fact. Reuse the pattern “sollte … sein” when saying that something is expected to be in a particular state or place.

ganz “ganz” intensifies the phrase “ganz in der Nähe,” meaning that the registration desk is right or very nearby. It strengthens the description of the short distance. Use “ganz in der Nähe” when saying that something is very close.

in “in” is part of the location phrase “in der Nähe,” meaning “nearby” or “in the vicinity.” It places the registration desk within the nearby area. Reuse “in der Nähe sein” when describing where something is located.

Nähe “Nähe” means “vicinity” or “nearby area” in “in der Nähe.” The phrase describes the registration desk as close to the speakers. Use “in der Nähe” when saying that a person or place is close by.

sein “sein” means “to be” in “sollte der Anmeldeschalter ganz in der Nähe sein.” It completes the expression of where the desk is expected to be. Use it after “sollte” in a pattern such as “sollte … sein.”

Gehen “Gehen” means “go” in the invitation “Gehen wir,” which means “let’s go.” It invites the speaker and listener to move toward the registration desk. Use “Gehen wir” when suggesting that both people leave or move somewhere.

wir “wir” means “we” and includes both speakers in “Gehen wir.” It identifies the people who are being invited to go together. Use “wir” when referring to yourself and at least one other person.

bevor “bevor” means “before” and introduces the condition or time in “bevor die Schlange länger wird.” It says that they should go before the line increases in length. Use “bevor” to connect an action with something that has not happened yet.

die “die” is the definite article meaning “the” before “Schlange” in “die Schlange länger wird.” It refers to the specific line at the registration desk. Use “die Schlange” when referring to a particular queue.

Schlange “Schlange” means “line” or “queue” in this event-registration context. In “die Schlange länger wird,” it is the group of people waiting at the desk. Use “die Schlange” when talking about a queue that people are waiting in.

länger “länger” means “longer” in “die Schlange länger wird,” describing an increase in the line’s length. It is used with “wird” to express that the line becomes longer. Reuse “länger wird” when describing something increasing in length.

wird “wird” means “gets” or “becomes” in “die Schlange länger wird.” Together with “länger,” it describes a change in the line’s condition. Use “wird” with an adjective when saying that something becomes a certain way.

halte “halte” means “keep” or “hold” in “Ich halte das Formular bereit.” With “bereit,” it expresses keeping the form ready for use. Reuse the pattern “Ich halte … bereit” when saying that you keep an item prepared.

Formular “Formular” means “form,” referring to the document needed at the registration desk. In “das Formular bereit,” it is the item being kept ready. Use “das Formular” when talking about a form that someone must complete or present.

bereit “bereit” means “ready” in “Ich halte das Formular bereit.” It describes the form as prepared and available when needed. Use “etwas bereit halten” or the dialogue pattern “Ich halte das Formular bereit” when keeping something ready for immediate use.

Grammar Points

werden + Komparativ

wird länger

veert LENG-er

gets longer

werden + comparative adjective describes a change: something becomes more or increasingly so.

Gehen wir

Gehen wir

GAY-en veer

Let's go.

German forms this suggestion with the verb first, followed by wir.

German Vocabulary

Anmeldeschalter noun

AN-mel-duh-SHAHL-ter registration desk

dass conj

dahs that

finden verb

FIN-den find

leicht adj

LYKHt easy

nach oben phrase

nahkh OH-ben upstairs; upward

oben adv

OH-ben upstairs; above

Schild noun

shilt sign

sehen verb

ZAY-en see

stehen verb

SHTAY-en stand; say on a sign steht

Veranstaltungsschild noun

fer-ahn-SHTAHL-toongs-shilt event sign

Wand noun

VAHNT wall

Weg noun

VAYK way; path

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The sign helps a lot.

Show Answer

Das Schild hilft sehr.

The landing is just ahead.

Show Answer

Der Treppenabsatz ist gleich vor uns.

I will keep the form ready.

Show Answer

Ich halte das Formular bereit.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

see

Show Answer

sehen

stand; say on a sign

Show Answer

steht

sign

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Schild

wall

Show Answer

Wand