Checking travel documents | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Checking travel documents to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Könntest du mir helfen, die Reisedokumente zu prüfen, bevor wir losfahren?

KURN-tuhst doo meer HEL-fuhn, dee RYE-zuh-doh-koo-MEN-tuh tsoo PROO-fuhn, buh-FOHR veer LOHS-fah-run? Could you help me check the travel documents before we leave?

Beginnen wir mit deinem Reisepass und deiner Bordkarte.

buh-GIN-un veer mit DYE-num RYE-zuh-pahs oont DYE-nuh BORT-kar-tuh. Let's start with your passport and boarding pass.

Mein Reisepass ist in der Innentasche.

mine RYE-zuh-pahs ist in dair IN-nuhn-TAH-shuh. My passport is in the inside pocket.

Hast du auch die Hotelreservierung bestätigt?

hahst doo owkh dee hoh-TEL-ray-zair-VOO-roong buh-SHTAY-tikt? Did you confirm the hotel reservation too?

Die Bestätigungs-E-Mail ist auf meinem Handy gespeichert.

dee buh-SHTAY-toongz EE-mail ist owf MY-num HEN-dee guh-SHPEE-khert. The confirmation email is saved on my phone.

Hast du eine ausgedruckte Kopie, falls dein Handy leer ist?

hahst doo EYE-nuh OWS-guh-DROOK-tuh koh-PEE-uh, fahls dine HEN-dee lair ist? Do you have a printed copy in case your phone dies?

Ich habe eine ausgedruckt und in den Ordner gelegt.

ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh OWS-guh-DROOKT oont in dayn ORD-nuh guh-LAYKT. I printed one and put it in the folder.

Dann haben wir alles, was wir brauchen.

dahn HAH-bun veer AL-luhs, vahs veer BROW-khun. Then we have everything we need.

Word by Word

Könntest “Könntest” expresses a polite request meaning “could” in “Könntest du mir helfen”. It is the form used with “du” to ask whether someone is willing or able to help. A reusable pattern is “Könntest du mir …?” when making a polite request.

du “Du” means “you” when addressing one person informally in “Könntest du mir helfen”. It is used with the informal singular form of the verb. A common pattern is “du + verb”, as in “Du hast …”.

mir “Mir” means “to me” and identifies the person who should receive help in “Könntest du mir helfen”. The verb “helfen” is used with this form for the person being helped. A reusable pattern is “jemandem helfen”, such as “Kannst du mir helfen?”.

helfen “Helfen” means “to help” in “Könntest du mir helfen”. It appears after “Könntest du” in the infinitive form. Use “jemandem helfen” when asking for or offering help.

die “Die” means “the” before the plural noun “Reisedokumente” in “die Reisedokumente”. It identifies specific travel documents. A common pattern is “die + plural noun” for specific plural things.

Reisedokumente “Reisedokumente” means “travel documents” in “die Reisedokumente zu prüfen”. It refers here to the documents needed for the trip. A reusable pattern is “Dokumente prüfen” when checking documents.

zu “Zu” marks the infinitive in “zu prüfen” after “helfen”. Together, “mir helfen, die Reisedokumente zu prüfen” means helping me check the travel documents. A common pattern is “jemandem helfen, etwas zu tun”.

prüfen “Prüfen” means “to check” in “die Reisedokumente zu prüfen”. It describes examining the documents before leaving. Use it with the thing being checked, as in “Dokumente prüfen”.

bevor “Bevor” means “before” and introduces the time clause “bevor wir losfahren”. It shows that checking happens earlier than setting off. A reusable pattern is “bevor + subject + verb”, as in “bevor wir gehen”.

wir “Wir” means “we” in “bevor wir losfahren”. It refers to the two people who are going to leave together. A common pattern is “wir + verb”, as in “wir fahren …”.

losfahren “Losfahren” means “to set off” or “to leave by vehicle” in “bevor wir losfahren”. It describes the action that has not happened yet when the documents are checked. Use it with a subject such as “wir” when talking about setting off.

Beginnen “Beginnen” means “let’s start” in “Beginnen wir mit deinem Reisepass”. This form invites the other person to start an activity together. A reusable pattern is “Beginnen wir mit …” when choosing the first item or step.

mit “Mit” means “with” in “Beginnen wir mit deinem Reisepass”. It introduces the first item used or considered. A common pattern is “mit etwas beginnen”, meaning to start with something.

deinem “Deinem” means “your” before “Reisepass” in “deinem Reisepass”. It shows that the passport belongs to the person being addressed informally. Use it directly before the relevant noun in a phrase such as “mit deinem …”.

Reisepass “Reisepass” means “passport” in “deinem Reisepass”. It is one of the travel documents being checked. A reusable pattern is “den Reisepass prüfen” when checking a passport.

und “Und” means “and” in “deinem Reisepass und deiner Bordkarte”. It connects the passport with the boarding pass as two items in the same list. Use it to join words or phrases that belong together.

deiner “Deiner” means “your” before “Bordkarte” in “deiner Bordkarte”. It shows that the boarding pass belongs to the person being addressed informally. It is used in the phrase “mit deiner Bordkarte”.

Bordkarte “Bordkarte” means “boarding pass” in “deiner Bordkarte”. It is the second travel item to be checked. A common pattern is “die Bordkarte zeigen” when showing a boarding pass.

Mein “Mein” means “my” before “Reisepass” in “Mein Reisepass”. It identifies the passport as belonging to the speaker. A common pattern is “Mein + noun” when stating ownership.

ist “Ist” means “is” in “Mein Reisepass ist in der Innentasche”. It links the passport to its location. Use it in the pattern “etwas ist in …” to say where something is.

in “In” means “in” in “in der Innentasche”. It shows that the passport is located inside the pocket. A reusable pattern is “etwas ist in + place” when describing a location.

der “Der” means “the” before “Innentasche” in “der Innentasche”. It identifies the specific inside pocket where the passport is located. The phrase “in der Innentasche” is a reusable way to describe this location.

Innentasche “Innentasche” means “inside pocket” in “in der Innentasche”. It names the specific place where the passport is stored. A common pattern is “etwas in die Innentasche legen” when putting something into an inside pocket.

Hast “Hast” means “have” in the question “Hast du auch die Hotelreservierung bestätigt?”. It asks the person addressed informally whether they have confirmed the reservation. A common question pattern is “Hast du …?”.

auch “Auch” means “also” or “too” in “Hast du auch die Hotelreservierung bestätigt?”. It adds the hotel reservation to the items already being checked. Place it before the added object or activity when adding another related item.

Hotelreservierung “Hotelreservierung” means “hotel reservation” in “die Hotelreservierung bestätigt”. It refers to the booking that needs to be confirmed. A reusable pattern is “eine Hotelreservierung bestätigen”.

bestätigt “Bestätigt” means “confirmed” in “die Hotelreservierung bestätigt”. It is the completed action asked about in the question. Use it with an object such as “eine Reservierung bestätigen” when confirming a booking.

Bestätigungs-E-Mail “Bestätigungs-E-Mail” means “confirmation email” in “Die Bestätigungs-E-Mail”. It refers to the email that records the confirmation of the reservation. A common pattern is “eine Bestätigungs-E-Mail speichern” when keeping this message.

auf “Auf” means “on” in “auf meinem Handy gespeichert”. It shows where the confirmation email is stored. A reusable pattern is “etwas ist auf meinem Handy gespeichert” for information kept on a phone.

meinem “Meinem” means “my” before “Handy” in “auf meinem Handy”. It shows that the phone belongs to the speaker. The phrase “auf meinem Handy” is a common way to identify the device where something is kept.

Handy “Handy” means “mobile phone” in “meinem Handy”. It is the device on which the confirmation email is saved. A common pattern is “etwas auf dem Handy speichern” when saving something on a phone.

gespeichert “Gespeichert” means “saved” in “ist auf meinem Handy gespeichert”. It describes information that has been kept on the phone. Use it with a location in patterns such as “auf dem Handy gespeichert”.

eine “Eine” means “a” in “eine ausgedruckte Kopie” and “one” in “Ich habe eine ausgedruckt”. In the first phrase it introduces a printed copy, while in the second it refers back to that copy. Use “eine” before a feminine noun such as “Kopie”.

ausgedruckte “Ausgedruckte” means “printed” in “eine ausgedruckte Kopie”. It describes a copy that exists on paper rather than only on the phone. A common pattern is “eine ausgedruckte Kopie haben” when keeping a paper copy.

Kopie “Kopie” means “copy” in “eine ausgedruckte Kopie”. It refers to a duplicate of the confirmation that can be used if the phone is unavailable. A reusable pattern is “eine Kopie ausdrucken” when printing a copy.

falls “Falls” means “in case” in “falls dein Handy leer ist”. It introduces a possible problem that the printed copy is meant to prepare for. A common pattern is “falls + clause” when describing a precaution.

dein “Dein” means “your” before “Handy” in “dein Handy”. It identifies the phone as belonging to the person being addressed informally. Use it before the relevant noun in phrases such as “dein Handy ist …”.

leer “Leer” means “empty” and here describes a phone with no battery power in “dein Handy leer ist”. It explains why carrying a printed copy would be useful. A common pattern is “Das Handy ist leer” when the phone has run out of charge.

Ich “Ich” means “I” in “Ich habe eine ausgedruckt”. It identifies the speaker as the person who printed the copy and put it away. Use it before a verb when describing your own action.

habe “Habe” means “have” as the helping verb in “Ich habe eine ausgedruckt”. Together with “ausgedruckt”, it describes a completed printing action. A common pattern is “Ich habe …” followed by a completed action.

ausgedruckt “Ausgedruckt” means “printed out” in “Ich habe eine ausgedruckt”. It describes the completed action of printing one copy. A reusable pattern is “Ich habe … ausgedruckt” with the thing printed in the object position.

den “Den” means “the” before “Ordner” in “in den Ordner gelegt”. It identifies the specific folder into which the copy was put. The phrase “in den Ordner legen” is used when placing something into that folder.

Ordner “Ordner” means “folder” in “in den Ordner gelegt”. It is the place where the printed copy was put. A common pattern is “etwas in den Ordner legen” when filing something in a folder.

gelegt “Gelegt” means “put” or “placed” in “in den Ordner gelegt”. It describes the completed action of placing the copy into the folder. Use it with a destination phrase such as “in den Ordner” when saying where something was placed.

Dann “Dann” means “then” in “Dann haben wir alles, was wir brauchen”. It marks the conclusion that follows from having checked and prepared the documents. A common pattern is “Dann + verb” when stating what happens or follows next.

haben “Haben” means “have” in “haben wir alles”. It says that the speakers possess or have available everything needed. A common pattern is “wir haben …” when describing what is available.

alles “Alles” means “everything” in “alles, was wir brauchen”. It refers collectively to all the required travel items. A reusable pattern is “alles, was …” when specifying everything that meets a condition.

was “Was” means “that which” or “what” in “alles, was wir brauchen”. It introduces the clause that specifies which things are included in “alles”. A common pattern is “alles, was + clause” when describing everything needed or relevant.

brauchen “Brauchen” means “need” in “was wir brauchen”. It describes the items required for the trip. Use it with the needed object, as in “Wir brauchen …”.

Grammar Points

zu + Infinitiv

zu prüfen

tsoo PROO-fuhn

to check

German uses zu before an infinitive in many dependent or purpose expressions.

Adjektivendung vor dem Nomen

ausgedruckte Kopie

OWS-guh-DROOK-tuh koh-PEE-uh

printed copy

The adjective ausgedruckt takes the ending -e before the feminine noun Kopie.

German Vocabulary

beginnen verb

buh-GIN-un to start; to begin Beginnen

bestätigen verb

buh-SHTAY-tig-un to confirm bestätigt

Bestätigungs-E-Mail noun

buh-SHTAY-toongz EE-mail confirmation email

Bordkarte noun

BORT-kar-tuh boarding pass

helfen verb

HEL-fuhn to help

Hotelreservierung noun

hoh-TEL-ray-zair-VOO-roong hotel reservation

Innentasche noun

IN-nuhn-TAH-shuh inside pocket

losfahren verb

LOHS-fah-run to leave; to set off

prüfen verb

PROO-fuhn to check zu prüfen

Reisedokument noun

RYE-zuh-doh-koo-MENT travel document Reisedokumente

Reisepass noun

RYE-zuh-pahs passport

speichern verb

SHPY-khurn to save gespeichert

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

My passport is in the inside pocket.

Show Answer

Mein Reisepass ist in der Innentasche.

Did you confirm the hotel reservation too?

Show Answer

Hast du auch die Hotelreservierung bestätigt?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to leave; to set off

Show Answer

losfahren

to help

Show Answer

helfen

passport

Show Answer

Reisepass

boarding pass

Show Answer

Bordkarte