Improving a home office setup | Learn German in English

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Use Improving a home office setup to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Meine Schultern tun weh, nachdem ich den ganzen Tag an diesem kleinen Tisch gearbeitet habe.

MY-nuh SHOOL-tairn toon VAY, NAAKH-dem ikh den GAHN-tsen TAHK ahn DEE-zem KLY-nen TISH geh-AR-bye-tet HAH-buh. My shoulders hurt after working at this small table all day.

Dein Arbeitsplatz belastet deinen Körper, besonders weil der Monitor so niedrig steht.

DYNE AR-bites-plats beh-LAS-tet DY-nen KUR-per, beh-ZON-ders vyle dair MOH-nee-tohr zoh NEE-drikh shtayt. Your setup is hard on your body, especially with the monitor so low.

Ich könnte ihn mit Büchern höher stellen, bis ich einen passenden Monitorständer kaufe.

Ikh KURN-tuh een mit BYOO-hurn HUR-er SHTEL-en, biss ikh EYE-nen PAS-en-den MOH-nee-tohr-shtend-er KOW-fuh. I could raise it with books until I buy a proper stand.

Das würde deiner Haltung helfen.

DAHS VUR-duh DY-ner HAL-toong HEL-fen. That would help your posture.

Du solltest auch prüfen, ob die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört.

DOO ZOLL-test OWKH PROO-fen, ohp dee SPEE-guh-loong fom FEN-stair dayn BILT-shirm shturt. You should also check whether glare from the window is affecting the screen.

Das Sonnenlicht am Nachmittag macht den Bildschirm schwer lesbar.

DAHS ZON-en-likht ahm NAKH-mit-tahk makht dayn BILT-shirm shvair LAYSS-bahr. The afternoon sunlight makes the screen difficult to read.

Versuch, den Schreibtisch ein wenig zu verschieben, oder zieh bei Gesprächen den Vorhang zu.

Fehr-ZOOKH, dayn SHRIBE-tish EYE-n VAY-nikh tsoo fer-SHEE-ben, OH-der TSEE bye geh-SHPRAY-khen den FOHR-hahng tsoo. Try moving the desk slightly, or use the curtain during calls.

Wenn ich mich wohler fühle, sollte ich auch besser arbeiten können.

Ven ikh mikh VOHL-er FOO-luh, ZOLL-tuh ikh OWKH BES-er AR-bye-ten KURN-en. If I feel more comfortable, I should be able to work better too.

Kleine Veränderungen sind wichtig, wenn man stundenlang in derselben Haltung bleibt.

KLY-nuh fer-EN-der-oong-en zint VIKH-tikh, ven mahn SHTOON-den-lahng in DAIR-zell-ben HAL-toong blypt. Small adjustments matter when you repeat the same position for hours.

Ich kann diese Anordnung erst einmal ausprobieren, bevor ich etwas kaufe.

Ikh kahn DEE-zuh AHN-ord-noong AIRST EYN-mahl OWS-proh-beer-en, beh-FOHR ikh ET-vahs KOW-fuh. I can try this layout first before buying anything.

Das klingt sinnvoll, denn die günstigste Lösung könnte ausreichen.

DAHS klinkt ZIN-fool, den dee GOON-stikh-stuh LUR-zoong KURN-tuh OWS-rye-khen. That makes sense, because the cheapest solution may be enough.

Word by Word

Meine Meine means my in Meine Schultern and shows that the shoulders belong to the speaker. Use Meine before a plural noun when referring to something belonging to yourself.

Schultern Schultern means shoulders in Meine Schultern tun weh. It names the body part that is painful here. Use Schultern when talking about the left and right shoulder area.

tun In tun weh, tun is the verb used with weh to express that something hurts. Here it does not have its usual standalone meaning of doing. Keep tun together with weh for this pain expression.

weh Weh supplies the meaning of being painful in Meine Schultern tun weh. The pain is expressed through the combination tun weh, not through weh alone. Use this combination to describe a painful body part.

nachdem Nachdem means after and introduces the earlier activity nachdem ich den ganzen Tag an diesem kleinen Tisch gearbeitet habe. It connects that completed activity with the later report of pain. Use nachdem before a clause describing what happened first.

ich Ich means I and refers to the speaker in ich den ganzen Tag gearbeitet habe. It is written Ich when it begins a sentence, as in Ich könnte ihn mit Büchern höher stellen. Use ich when the speaker is the subject.

den Den is the form of the meaning the in den ganzen Tag. Together with ganzen, it identifies the full day being discussed. The reusable time expression is den ganzen Tag.

ganzen Ganzen means whole or entire in den ganzen Tag. It emphasizes that the work continued throughout the day. Use ganzen in the expression den ganzen Tag to say all day.

Tag Tag means day in den ganzen Tag. Here it refers to the complete period during which the speaker worked. Use Tag in time expressions about a day.

an An means at in an diesem kleinen Tisch and places the work at the table. It is used with the location expression an diesem kleinen Tisch. Use an to describe being positioned at a surface or place.

diesem Diesem means this in an diesem kleinen Tisch and points to one specific table. It appears directly before Tisch in this location phrase. Use diesem when referring to a particular nearby or already identified thing in this form of the expression.

kleinen Kleinen means small in an diesem kleinen Tisch and describes the table. It helps distinguish this table from other possible tables. Use kleinen before Tisch in the phrase an diesem kleinen Tisch.

Tisch Tisch means table in an diesem kleinen Tisch. It names the surface where the speaker has been working. Use Tisch when identifying a table as a work location.

gearbeitet Ge arbeitet means worked in nachdem ich den ganzen Tag an diesem kleinen Tisch gearbeitet habe. It describes the completed work activity that happened before the shoulders began to hurt. Use gearbeitet with habe in this completed-activity clause.

habe Habe is the auxiliary form used with gearbeitet in gearbeitet habe. Together they describe the earlier completed work in the nachdem clause. With nachdem, habe comes after gearbeitet in this sentence.

Dein Dein means your in Dein Arbeitsplatz and refers to the person being addressed. It identifies the workplace as belonging to that person. Use Dein before a noun when speaking informally to one person about something they have.

Arbeitsplatz Arbeitsplatz means workplace or work setup in Dein Arbeitsplatz. Here it refers to the home office arrangement rather than only a job location. Use Arbeitsplatz for the place or setup where someone works.

belastet Belastet means puts strain on in belastet deinen Körper. The workplace is described as causing physical strain to the body. Use belastet with a person or body part that is experiencing the strain.

deinen Deinen means your in deinen Körper and identifies the body as belonging to the person addressed. It appears before Körper in the phrase belastet deinen Körper. Use deinen before a masculine object in this kind of direct-address sentence.

Körper Körper means body in deinen Körper. It refers to the person's physical body affected by the workplace. Use Körper when discussing physical strain or comfort.

besonders Besonders means especially in besonders weil der Monitor so niedrig steht. It emphasizes that the low monitor is a particularly important reason for the strain. Use besonders before the detail you want to highlight.

weil Weil means because and introduces the reason weil der Monitor so niedrig steht. It explains why the workplace puts strain on the body. Use weil before a clause giving a reason.

der Der means the in der Monitor and identifies the monitor being discussed. It introduces the subject of the reason clause. Use der before this noun in the phrase der Monitor so niedrig steht.

Monitor Monitor means monitor in der Monitor so niedrig steht. It refers to the computer display whose position is too low. Use Monitor when discussing the screen device in the work setup.

so So means so in so niedrig and strengthens the description of the monitor's low position. It shows that the monitor is positioned noticeably low. Use so before an adjective when emphasizing its degree.

niedrig Niedrig means low in der Monitor so niedrig steht. It describes the monitor's position relative to the desired height. Use niedrig to describe something positioned at a low level.

steht Steht means is positioned in der Monitor so niedrig steht. Here it describes where the monitor is placed, not a person standing. Use steht to describe the position of an object that remains in a place.

könnte Könnte means could in Ich könnte ihn mit Büchern höher stellen. It presents raising the monitor as a possible or tentative action. Use könnte with an infinitive such as höher stellen to suggest a possible solution.

ihn Ihn means it in Ich könnte ihn mit Büchern höher stellen and refers back to der Monitor. It replaces the previously mentioned monitor so the noun does not need to be repeated. Use ihn for a previously mentioned masculine item in this object position.

mit Mit means with in mit Büchern and shows what will be used to raise the monitor. The books function as supporting material. Use mit before the thing used for an action.

Büchern Büchern means books in mit Büchern. Here the books are used to support and raise the monitor. Use Büchern after mit when referring to several books used for something.

höher Höher means higher in ihn mit Büchern höher stellen. It describes raising the monitor to a position above its current height. Use höher with stellen when describing an object being placed at a higher level.

stellen Stellen means put or place in höher stellen. Here it means placing the monitor higher by using books underneath it. Use stellen with an object when describing putting it in a position.

bis Bis means until and introduces the endpoint bis ich einen passenden Monitorständer kaufe. The temporary book solution continues up to the purchase of a suitable stand. Use bis before a clause that gives the endpoint of an action.

einen Einen means a or one in einen passenden Monitorständer. It introduces one unspecified monitor stand that the speaker plans to buy. Use einen before a singular masculine object in this kind of phrase.

passenden Passenden means suitable in einen passenden Monitorständer. It describes a stand that fits the monitor and the intended setup. Use passenden before a noun when emphasizing that something is appropriate for the purpose.

Monitorständer Monitorständer means monitor stand in einen passenden Monitorständer. It is the proper stand the speaker plans to buy instead of using books. Use Monitorständer for a support designed to hold a monitor.

kaufe Kaufe means buy in bis ich einen passenden Monitorständer kaufe. It describes the speaker's planned purchase of the monitor stand. Use kaufe with the item being purchased, as in einen passenden Monitorständer kaufe.

Das Das means that in Das würde deiner Haltung helfen and refers to the suggested action of raising the monitor. It points back to the previous idea instead of naming it again. Use Das at the start of a reply when evaluating a previous suggestion.

würde Würde means would in Das würde deiner Haltung helfen. It presents the benefit as a possible result of the suggested adjustment. Use würde with an infinitive such as helfen when describing a hypothetical result.

deiner Deiner means your in deiner Haltung and identifies the posture as belonging to the person addressed. It appears before Haltung in the phrase deiner Haltung helfen. Use deiner before this noun when referring to the other person's posture.

Haltung Haltung means posture or position in deiner Haltung. Here it refers to the way the person holds the body while working. It also appears in derselben Haltung when discussing staying in the same position.

helfen Helfen means help in deiner Haltung helfen. The proposed monitor adjustment is expected to benefit the person's posture. Use helfen when describing something that provides support or improvement.

Du Du means you and directly addresses one familiar person in Du solltest auch prüfen. It is capitalized because it begins the sentence. Use Du when giving informal advice to one person.

solltest Solltest means should in Du solltest auch prüfen. It gives the person a recommendation to check the screen and glare. Use solltest with an infinitive such as prüfen when advising one person informally.

auch Auch means also in Du solltest auch prüfen. It adds this check to the other suggested workplace adjustments. Use auch when adding another action or point.

prüfen Prüfen means check in prüfen, ob die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört. It asks the listener to verify whether the window reflection is causing a problem. Use prüfen followed by ob when checking whether something is true.

ob Ob means whether in prüfen, ob die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört. It introduces the question being checked. Use ob before a clause that expresses an indirect yes-or-no question.

die Die means the in die Spiegelung and identifies the particular reflection affecting the screen. It introduces the subject of the ob clause. Use die before Spiegelung in this phrase.

Spiegelung Spiegelung means reflection or glare in die Spiegelung vom Fenster. Here it refers to light reflected from the window onto the screen. Use Spiegelung when reflected light interferes with seeing a display.

vom Vom means from the in vom Fenster and identifies the window as the source of the reflection. It is the contracted form used in this source expression. Use vom before a source such as Fenster in this phrase.

Fenster Fenster means window in die Spiegelung vom Fenster. It identifies where the glare comes from. Use Fenster when describing the source of light entering the room.

Bildschirm Bildschirm means screen in den Bildschirm stört. It refers to the display affected by the reflection and later by sunlight. Use Bildschirm when talking about reading or viewing a computer display.

stört Stört means interferes with in die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört. The reflection makes it harder to use the screen properly. Use stört when one thing disrupts or makes another thing more difficult to use.

Sonnenlicht Sonnenlicht means sunlight in Das Sonnenlicht am Nachmittag. It is the light that causes the screen to be difficult to read. Use Sonnenlicht when referring to natural light from the sun.

am Am means in the or during the in am Nachmittag. It identifies the time of day when the sunlight causes the problem. Am is the contracted form used before Nachmittag in this time expression.

Nachmittag Nachmittag means afternoon in am Nachmittag. It specifies when the sunlight makes the screen difficult to read. Use Nachmittag with am to refer to this part of the day.

macht Macht means makes in macht den Bildschirm schwer lesbar. It links the sunlight to the result that the screen is difficult to read. Use macht with an object and a description of the resulting condition.

schwer Schwer means difficult in schwer lesbar. It describes the difficulty of reading the screen. Together with lesbar, it forms the description schwer lesbar.

lesbar Lesbar means readable in schwer lesbar. It describes whether the screen can be read clearly. Use lesbar for text or a display that can or cannot be read.

Versuch Versuch is an informal singular command meaning try in Versuch, den Schreibtisch ein wenig zu verschieben. It introduces a practical suggestion for changing the desk position. Use Versuch, followed by zu and an infinitive, to tell one familiar person to try an action.

Schreibtisch Schreibtisch means desk in den Schreibtisch ein wenig zu verschieben. It is the piece of furniture whose position should be adjusted. Use Schreibtisch when referring to a desk used for work or study.

ein Ein is part of the quantity expression ein wenig in ein wenig zu verschieben. Together with wenig, it indicates a small amount rather than one separate object. Keep ein with wenig when expressing a slight degree or amount here.

wenig Wenig means little or slightly in ein wenig zu verschieben. With ein, it limits the amount of movement suggested for the desk. Use ein wenig before an action when suggesting a small adjustment.

zu Zu marks the infinitive in zu verschieben. It connects the suggested action to Versuch. Use zu before the infinitive in the pattern Versuch, ... zu verschieben.

verschieben Verschieben means move or shift in den Schreibtisch ein wenig zu verschieben. It describes changing the desk's position slightly to manage the glare. Use verschieben with the object whose position is being changed.

oder Oder means or and connects two alternatives: moving the desk or drawing the curtain. It presents another possible way to reduce the screen problem. Use oder between alternative actions or choices.

zieh Zieh is an informal singular command meaning pull or draw in zieh bei Gesprächen den Vorhang zu. Here it tells the listener to draw the curtain closed during conversations. Use zieh as a direct command to one familiar person for this action.

bei Bei means during in bei Gesprächen. It gives the situation in which the curtain should be closed. Use bei before an activity or event to say that something happens during it.

Gesprächen Gesprächen means conversations or calls in bei Gesprächen. Here it refers to work conversations for which the curtain may be needed. Use Gesprächen after bei when referring to several conversations as a situation.

Vorhang Vorhang means curtain in den Vorhang zu. It names the object that should be drawn closed to control the sunlight. Use Vorhang with ziehen and zu when describing closing a curtain.

Wenn Wenn means if in Wenn ich mich wohler fühle. It introduces the condition for the expected improvement in work. It is capitalized here because it starts the sentence. Use Wenn before a condition clause.

mich Mich means me in mich wohler fühle and refers back to the speaker. With fühle, it describes the speaker's own physical or personal state. Use mich with fühlen when describing how the speaker feels.

wohler Wohler means more comfortable or better in mich wohler fühle. It compares the speaker's comfort after the setup changes with the current situation. Use wohler with fühle to describe feeling more at ease.

fühle Fühle means feel in mich wohler fühle. It describes the speaker's own experience of comfort. Use fühle with mich and a description such as wohler.

sollte Sollte means should in sollte ich auch besser arbeiten können. Here it expresses an expected result if the speaker feels more comfortable, rather than a direct instruction. Use sollte with an infinitive or ability expression when describing an expected outcome.

besser Besser means better in besser arbeiten. It describes improved quality or effectiveness of the work. Use besser before a verb when saying that an action can be performed more effectively.

arbeiten Arbeiten means work in besser arbeiten können. It names the activity that is expected to improve after the setup changes. Use arbeiten with können to express being able to work.

können Können means be able to in besser arbeiten können. It expresses the speaker's ability to work better under the improved conditions. Use können with an infinitive such as arbeiten.

Kleine Kleine means small in Kleine Veränderungen and describes the limited size or extent of the adjustments. It is capitalized because it begins the sentence. Use Kleine before a plural noun when describing small changes.

Veränderungen Veränderungen means changes or adjustments in Kleine Veränderungen. Here it refers to small changes in the home office setup. Use Veränderungen for modifications to an arrangement or situation.

sind Sind means are in Kleine Veränderungen sind wichtig. It links the adjustments to the evaluation that they matter. Use sind to connect a plural subject with a description.

wichtig Wichtig means important in Veränderungen sind wichtig. It says that even small adjustments matter when the same position is maintained for hours. Use wichtig to state that something matters or deserves attention.

man Man means one or people in general in wenn man stundenlang in derselben Haltung bleibt. It makes the statement general rather than referring only to the two speakers. Use man with a verb for general advice or observations about people.

stundenlang Stundenlang means for hours in stundenlang in derselben Haltung bleibt. It emphasizes the long duration of remaining in one position. Use stundenlang with an activity or state that continues for several hours.

in In means in in in derselben Haltung. It describes remaining within a particular body position or posture. Use in before Haltung when talking about the position someone maintains.

derselben Derselben means the same in in derselben Haltung. It emphasizes that the position does not change over the period being discussed. Use derselben before Haltung when referring to a previously established posture.

bleibt Bleibt means stays or remains in in derselben Haltung bleibt. It describes continuing in the same posture for hours. Use bleibt with in and a position to say that someone remains there.

kann Kann means can in Ich kann diese Anordnung erst einmal ausprobieren. It expresses that the speaker is able or willing to test the current setup. Use kann with an infinitive such as ausprobieren.

diese Diese means this in diese Anordnung and points to the current arrangement of the home office. It identifies the specific layout the speaker plans to test. Use diese before a noun when referring to a particular thing.

Anordnung Anordnung means arrangement or layout in diese Anordnung ausprobieren. Here it refers to the current placement of the desk, monitor, and curtain. Use Anordnung for the way items are organized or positioned.

erst Erst contributes the meaning first or for now in erst einmal. It presents testing the current layout as the initial step before buying anything. Use erst together with einmal for a temporary or preliminary action.

einmal Einmal is part of erst einmal in erst einmal ausprobieren. Together with erst, it means first for now rather than emphasizing a literal single occasion. Use erst einmal to describe a preliminary step.

ausprobieren Ausprobieren means try out in diese Anordnung erst einmal ausprobieren. It describes testing the current layout before spending money on a new item. Use ausprobieren with the arrangement or object being tested.

bevor Bevor means before and introduces bevor ich etwas kaufe. It sets the purchase after the trial of the current layout. Use bevor before a clause that describes a later action.

etwas Etwas means something or anything in bevor ich etwas kaufe. It refers to an unspecified item that might be bought later. Use etwas when the particular object is not named.

klingt Klingt means sounds in Das klingt sinnvoll. It introduces an evaluation of the suggestion as it appears or seems. Use klingt with a description such as sinnvoll when giving an opinion about an idea.

sinnvoll Sinnvoll means sensible or reasonable in Das klingt sinnvoll. It evaluates trying the current layout before buying something as a good idea. Use sinnvoll to describe an action or solution that makes practical sense.

denn Denn means because in denn die günstigste Lösung könnte ausreichen. It introduces the explanation for why the suggestion sounds sensible. Use denn to connect a statement with a reason in a direct explanatory sentence.

günstigste Günstigste means cheapest in die günstigste Lösung. It identifies the solution with the lowest cost among the possible solutions. Use günstigste before a noun when selecting the least expensive option.

Lösung Lösung means solution in die günstigste Lösung. Here it refers to an arrangement or adjustment that may solve the home office problem. Use Lösung for an option that addresses a practical difficulty.

ausreichen Ausreichen means be enough or suffice in könnte ausreichen. It says that the cheapest solution may meet the need without buying more. Use ausreichen after könnte when expressing that something may be sufficient.

Grammar Points

hoch → höher

höher

HUR-er

higher

The comparative of hoch is irregular: hoch changes to höher.

zu + Infinitiv

zu verschieben

tsoo fer-SHEE-ben

to move; to shift

In German, zu comes directly before the infinitive in this form: zu verschieben.

German Vocabulary

Arbeitsplatz noun

AR-bites-plats workplace; workstation

Dein Arbeitsplatz belastet deinen Körper.

belasten verb

beh-LAS-ten to strain; to burden belastet

Dein Arbeitsplatz belastet deinen Körper.

Haltung noun

HAL-toong posture; position

Das würde deiner Haltung helfen.

hoch adj

HOHK high höher

Ich könnte ihn mit Büchern höher stellen.

Körper noun

KUR-per body

Dein Arbeitsplatz belastet deinen Körper.

nachdem conj

NAAKH-dem after

nachdem ich den ganzen Tag an diesem kleinen Tisch gearbeitet habe

niedrig adj

NEE-drikh low

weil der Monitor so niedrig steht

passend adj

PAS-ent suitable; appropriate passenden

einen passenden Monitorständer

Schulter noun

SHOOL-tuh shoulder Schultern

Meine Schultern tun weh.

Spiegelung noun

SPEE-guh-loong reflection; glare

ob die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört

stören verb

SHTUR-en to disturb; to interfere with stört

die Spiegelung vom Fenster den Bildschirm stört

wehtun verb

VAY-toon to hurt tun weh

Meine Schultern tun weh.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That would help your posture.

Show Answer

Das würde deiner Haltung helfen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

body

Show Answer

Körper

to strain; to burden

Show Answer

belastet

after

Show Answer

nachdem

high

Show Answer

höher