About This Lesson
Use Getting a Washing Machine to Start to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Diese Waschmaschine startet nicht.
DEE-zuh VAHSH-muh-SHEE-nuh SHTAR-tet nikht. This washing machine won't start.
B
Hast du den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf geprüft?
HAST doo dayn SHTEK-er oont dayn EYN-shalt-knopf geh-PROOFT? Did you check the plug and the power button?
A
Der Stecker steckt, aber nichts passiert.
dayr SHTEK-er shtaykt, AH-ber nikhts pah-SEERT. The plug is in, but nothing happens.
B
Vielleicht ist die Tür nicht richtig zu.
fye-LIKHT ist dee TOOR nikht RIKH-tikh tsoo. Maybe the door isn't closed properly.
A
In der Anleitung steht, dass die Tür klicken soll, bevor die Maschine startet.
in dair AHN-lie-toong shtayt, dahs dee TOOR KLIK-en zohl, beh-FOR dee muh-SHEE-nuh SHTAR-tet. The instructions say it should click before it starts.
B
Drück die Tür noch einmal, dann drück auf Start.
DRIK dee TOOR nokh EYN-mahl, dahn DRIK owf SHTART. Push the door once more, then press start.
A
Die Tür hat geklickt, und jetzt funktioniert die Maschine.
dee TOOR hat geh-KLIKT, oont yetst foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT dee muh-SHEE-nuh. The door clicked, and now it works.
B
Manchmal lösen einfache Kontrollen das Problem.
MAHNKH-mahl LUHR-zən EYN-fahkh-uh kon-TROHL-en dahs proh-BLAYM. Sometimes simple checks solve the problem.Word by Word
Diese
In "Diese Waschmaschine", "Diese" means "this" and points to the washing machine being discussed. Its citation form is "dieser"; "Diese" is the form used here before "Waschmaschine". This pattern is useful when identifying a specific nearby object.
Waschmaschine
"Waschmaschine" means washing machine, the appliance that will not start in the dialogue. The compound combines washing with machine, and it is the subject in "Diese Waschmaschine startet nicht". Use it when talking about operating, checking, or repairing a washing machine.
startet
In "Diese Waschmaschine startet nicht", "startet" means starts, referring to the machine beginning its cycle. The verb is "starten"; "startet" is the dialogue form used with the washing machine here. This form is useful when describing whether a machine begins to operate.
nicht
"Nicht" makes the statement negative in "startet nicht", meaning that the washing machine does not start. It appears after the verb in this sentence to negate the starting action. Use it to say that an expected action or result is not happening.
Hast
In "Hast du den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf geprüft?", "Hast" helps ask whether the checking has been done. Its citation form is "haben"; "Hast" is the form used in this question with "du". This pattern is useful for asking "Hast du ... geprüft?" about a completed check.
du
"Du" means you and identifies the person being asked in "Hast du den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf geprüft?". It is used with the verb form "Hast" in this direct question. Use it when speaking informally to one person.
den
In "den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf", "den" means the and introduces the two things that are being checked. It appears before each listed object in the coordinated phrase. This reuse pattern is useful when naming specific objects after an action such as checking.
Stecker
"Stecker" means plug, specifically the plug whose connection is checked in the dialogue. It is the object in "den Stecker ... geprüft" and the subject in "Der Stecker steckt". Use it when discussing whether an electrical appliance is connected.
und
"Und" means and and joins "den Stecker" with "den Einschaltknopf" in the list of things to check. It connects two equivalent items without changing their individual meanings. Use it to add another object or action to the same statement.
Einschaltknopf
"Einschaltknopf" means power button, the control that may need to be checked before the machine can start. It is the second object in "den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf geprüft". Use it when referring to the button used to switch a device on.
geprüft
In "Hast du den Stecker und den Einschaltknopf geprüft?", "geprüft" means checked or inspected. Its verb is "prüfen"; "geprüft" is the form used with "Hast du" for the completed check. This pattern is useful for asking whether a possible cause has been examined.
Der
In "Der Stecker steckt", "Der" means the and introduces the plug being discussed. It is the sentence-opening form before "Stecker" here. Use this pattern when presenting a specific object as the subject of a statement.
steckt
In "Der Stecker steckt", "steckt" means is plugged in, describing the plug's connection rather than a separate action of inserting it. The verb is "stecken"; "steckt" is the dialogue form used with "Der Stecker". This expression is useful when reporting that a plug is already connected.
aber
"Aber" means but and contrasts the plug being connected with the fact that nothing happens. It joins "Der Stecker steckt" and "nichts passiert". Use it to introduce an unexpected result or limitation.
nichts
"Nichts" means nothing in "nichts passiert", saying that no visible response occurs. It is the thing described as happening, or more precisely not happening, in this sentence. Use it when an action produces no result.
passiert
In "nichts passiert", "passiert" means happens or occurs, referring to the machine showing no response. The verb is "passieren"; "passiert" is the form used with "nichts" here. This pattern is useful for reporting that nothing is happening after an action.
Vielleicht
"Vielleicht" means maybe and introduces a possible explanation: "Vielleicht ist die Tür nicht richtig zu." It signals that the speaker is suggesting a cause without presenting it as certain. Use it when proposing a likely reason for a problem.
ist
In "ist die Tür nicht richtig zu", "ist" means is and links the door with its closed or not-closed state. Its verb is "sein"; "ist" is the form used here with "die Tür". This pattern is useful for describing the current condition of an object.
die
In "die Tür", "die" means the and introduces the door being checked. It is also used in "die Maschine startet" to introduce the machine in the subordinate clause. Use it before a specific object when referring back to something known in the situation.
Tür
"Tür" means door, here the washing-machine door that may not be properly closed. It appears in "die Tür nicht richtig zu" and later in "Drück die Tür noch einmal". Use it when giving or understanding instructions about opening or closing a door.
richtig
In "nicht richtig zu", "richtig" means properly or correctly and describes how completely the door is closed. It modifies the state expressed by "zu", so the issue is not simply the door's position but whether it is closed correctly. Use it when checking whether an action or condition has been done correctly.
zu
In "die Tür nicht richtig zu", "zu" means closed and describes the door's closed state. Together, "richtig zu" means properly closed; the whole expression explains why the machine may not start. This pattern is useful for describing whether a door or similar opening is closed.
In
In "In der Anleitung steht", "In" means in and locates the information in the instructions. It introduces the source of the statement, followed by "der Anleitung". Use this pattern when referring to information written in a manual or set of instructions.
Anleitung
"Anleitung" means instructions or manual, the source that states what should happen before the machine starts. It appears in "In der Anleitung steht, dass ...". Use it when referring to directions for operating or checking a device.
steht
In "In der Anleitung steht, dass ...", "steht" means says or states, referring to information written in the instructions. The verb is "stehen"; "steht" is the form used with "die Anleitung" here. This construction is useful for reporting what a manual or written source says.
dass
"Dass" means that and introduces the content of what the instructions state: "dass die Tür klicken soll". It connects the reporting phrase with the statement being reported. Use it after expressions such as "In der Anleitung steht" when giving the stated information.
klicken
In "dass die Tür klicken soll", "klicken" means click, referring to the sound or action expected from the door. Its verb form is an infinitive because it follows "soll" in this construction. Use it when describing the clicking action of a button, switch, or door mechanism.
soll
In "die Tür klicken soll", "soll" means should or is supposed to, expressing the expected behavior described by the instructions. Its verb is "sollen"; "soll" is used here with the infinitive "klicken". This pattern is useful for stating what a device is expected to do.
bevor
"Bevor" means before and places "die Maschine startet" earlier than the clicking described in the sentence. It introduces the time relationship in "bevor die Maschine startet". Use it to explain that one action must happen before another.
Drück
"Drück" means push or press and gives a direct instruction to press the door. Its verb is "drücken"; "Drück" is the informal command form used here. This pattern is useful when telling one person to apply pressure to a control or door.
noch
In "noch einmal", "noch" contributes the meaning of again or once more. Together with "einmal", it tells the listener to repeat the action. Use this expression when asking someone to perform the same action one additional time.
ein
In "noch einmal", "ein" is part of the expression meaning once more, rather than a standalone count of one. It combines with "mal" to form the repeated-action instruction. This pattern is useful when asking for one additional attempt.
mal
In "noch einmal", "mal" contributes the idea of one time or one occasion, making the phrase mean once more. It works together with "noch" and "ein" in the instruction to repeat the push. Use the complete expression when requesting another attempt.
dann
"Dann" means then and orders the next action after pushing the door. In "dann drück auf Start", it marks pressing Start as the following step. Use it to connect instructions in a sequence.
auf
In "Drück auf Start", "auf" is part of the instruction to press the control labeled Start. It links the pressing action to the named button or control. Use this construction when directing someone to press a specific control.
Start
"Start" means start and names the control to be pressed in "Drück auf Start". Here it functions as the label of the machine's start control, not as the action itself. Use it when referring to a button or control marked Start.
hat
In "Die Tür hat geklickt", "hat" helps describe the completed clicking of the door. Its citation form is "haben"; "hat" is the form used with "Die Tür" in this past construction. This pattern is useful for reporting that a completed action has just produced a result.
geklickt
In "Die Tür hat geklickt", "geklickt" means clicked, referring to the sound or action that confirms the door closed. Its verb is "klicken"; "geklickt" is the completed-action form used with "hat" here. Use it when reporting that a mechanism has made a click.
jetzt
"Jetzt" means now and marks the change from the earlier problem to the current working state. In "jetzt funktioniert die Maschine", it emphasizes the result after the door clicked. Use it when reporting what is true at the present moment.
funktioniert
In "funktioniert die Maschine", "funktioniert" means works or is functioning, referring to the washing machine operating successfully. The verb is "funktionieren"; "funktioniert" is the dialogue form used with "die Maschine". This pattern is useful for confirming that a device now operates.
Manchmal
"Manchmal" means sometimes and introduces a general observation rather than one single event. In "Manchmal lösen einfache Kontrollen das Problem", it says that this result occurs on some occasions. Use it when describing something that happens occasionally.
lösen
In "lösen einfache Kontrollen das Problem", "lösen" means solve, with "einfache Kontrollen" as the checks that solve "das Problem". The verb is "lösen"; this is the form used in the general statement. Use this pattern when saying that an action or measure solves a problem.
einfache
In "einfache Kontrollen", "einfache" means simple and describes the checks as uncomplicated. It modifies "Kontrollen" and helps contrast the small checks with the machine problem they resolve. Use it before a noun when describing a straightforward action or measure.
Kontrollen
"Kontrollen" means checks or inspections, referring to basic things such as checking the plug, button, and door. Its citation form is "Kontrolle"; "Kontrollen" is the plural form used in the general statement. Use it when talking about checking possible causes of a problem.
das
In "das Problem", "das" means the and introduces the specific problem being solved. It identifies the problem already described by the machine not starting. Use it before a known problem or result in a sentence like "... lösen das Problem".
Problem
"Problem" means problem, here the washing machine's failure to start. It is the object in "einfache Kontrollen lösen das Problem". Use it when describing an issue that a check or action may solve.
Grammar Points
Imperativ für du: Verbstamm ohne -st
Drück noch einmal.
DRIK nokh EYN-mahl.Press once more.
For a direct informal command, use the verb stem without the ending -st.
nichts als Negationspronomen
Vielleicht passiert nichts.
fye-LIKHT pah-SEE-ert nikhts.Maybe nothing will happen.
nichts means “nothing” and negates the whole situation without needing nicht.
German Vocabulary
Einschaltknopf
noun
EYN-shalt-knopf
power button
nichts
pron
nikhts
nothing
passieren
verb
pah-SEE-ren
to happen
passiert
prüfen
verb
PROO-fen
to check
geprüft
richtig
adv
RIKH-tikh
properly; correctly
starten
verb
SHTAR-ten
to start
startet
stecken
verb
SHTEK-en
to be plugged in
steckt
Stecker
noun
SHTEK-er
plug
Tür
noun
TOOR
door
vielleicht
adv
fye-LIKHT
maybe
Waschmaschine
noun
VAHSH-muh-SHEE-nuh
washing machine
zu
adv
tsoo
closed
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
This washing machine won't start.
Show Answer
Diese Waschmaschine startet nicht.The plug is in, but nothing happens.
Show Answer
Der Stecker steckt, aber nichts passiert.Sometimes simple checks solve the problem.
Show Answer
Manchmal lösen einfache Kontrollen das Problem.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to be plugged in
Show Answer
stecktnothing
Show Answer
nichtsto happen
Show Answer
passiertto check