Inviting a Friend to a Design Event | Learn German in English

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Use Inviting a Friend to a Design Event to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Diese Woche gibt es eine Designveranstaltung.

DEE-zuh VOH-khuh gibbt es EYE-nuh deh-ZINE-fer-AN-shtal-toong. There's a design event this week.

Ich dachte, du möchtest vielleicht hingehen.

ikh DAHKH-tuh, doo MURKH-test fee-LYKHT HIN-gay-en. I thought you might want to go.

Vielleicht gehe ich hin. Was für eine Veranstaltung ist das?

fee-LYKHT GAY-uh ikh hin. Vas fyoor EYE-nuh fer-AN-shtal-toong ist dahs? I might. What kind of event is it?

Es gibt dort ein paar kurze Vorträge und eine kleine Ausstellung.

Es gibbt dort ine pahr KOORTS-uh FOR-tray-guh oont EYE-nuh KLY-nuh OWS-shtel-loong. It has a few short talks and a small exhibition.

Dann sollte es einfach sein, dort vorbeizuschauen.

Dahn SHOLL-tuh es EYE-nfakh zine, dort for-BYE-tsoo-SHOW-en. So it should be easy to drop in.

Müssen sich Besucher vorher anmelden?

MUR-sen zikh buh-ZOOKH-er FOHR-hayr AN-mel-den? Do visitors need to sign up beforehand?

Ich schaue auf der Veranstaltungsseite nach und schicke dir die Details.

Ikh SHOW-uh owf dayr fer-AN-shtal-toongs-ZY-tuh nahkh oont SHIK-uh deer dee DAY-tails. I'll check the event page and send you the details.

Könntest du auch herausfinden, wo wir uns treffen sollen?

KURNT-est doo owkh heh-ROWS-fin-den, voh veer oons TREF-en ZOLL-en? Could you also find out where we should meet?

Wenn die Anmeldung einfach ist, treffen wir uns vor dem ersten Vortrag am Eingang.

Ven dee AN-mel-doong EYE-nfakh ist, TREF-en veer oons fohr daym FAIR-sten FOR-trahk am EYE-ngahng. If sign-up is simple, let's meet by the entrance before the first talk.

Das passt für mich. Schick mir den Plan, sobald du ihn hast.

Dahs pahst fyoor mikh. SHIK meer dayn plahn, zoh-BAHLT doo een hahst. That works for me. Send the plan once you have it.

Heute Abend bestätige ich die Anmelderegeln und schlage eine Uhrzeit für unser Treffen vor.

HOY-tuh AH-bent beh-SHTEH-ti-guh ikh dee AN-mel-duh-ray-geln oont SHLAH-guh EYE-nuh OOR-tsite fyoor OON-zur TREF-en fohr. Tonight, I will confirm the sign-up rules and suggest a meeting time.

Dann kann ich mir den Abend freihalten.

Dahn kahn ikh meer dayn AH-bent FRY-hahl-ten. Then I can keep that evening free.

Word by Word

Diese “Diese” means “this” here and points to the specific week being discussed. It introduces the time expression “Diese Woche” for referring to the current week.

Woche “Woche” means “week” and names the time period in “Diese Woche”. The pattern “Diese Woche” is useful when locating an event within the current week.

gibt In “gibt es”, “gibt” helps present the existence of the design event. The reusable pattern “gibt es” introduces something that exists or is available.

es In “gibt es”, “es” is the element used with “gibt” to present that something exists. Together, “gibt es” can introduce an event, place, or other thing.

eine “Eine” introduces the event as one non-specific event in “eine Designveranstaltung”. It is used before the noun when mentioning an event without identifying a particular one.

Designveranstaltung “Designveranstaltung” means “design event” and names the event being proposed. This compound noun can be used for an event focused on design.

Ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person who noticed or will handle something. It is the subject in “Ich dachte” and “Ich schaue ... nach”.

dachte “Dachte” expresses the speaker’s earlier thought in “Ich dachte”. Its citation form is “denken”, and this form is used to introduce a thought or suggestion about another person.

du “Du” means “you” when addressing one familiar person. Here it identifies the friend whose possible interest is being discussed.

möchtest “Möchtest” expresses what the friend might want to do in “du möchtest vielleicht hingehen”. The pattern “du möchtest” can introduce a person’s desire or preference before an infinitive.

vielleicht “Vielleicht” means “maybe” or “perhaps” and makes the suggestion uncertain rather than definite. It is placed with the possible action in “möchtest vielleicht hingehen”.

hingehen “Hingehen” means “go there” in the context of going to the event. It follows “möchtest” as the action the friend might want to take.

gehe “Gehe” means “go” in “Vielleicht gehe ich hin”. Together with “hin”, it describes going to the event. The pattern “gehe ich hin” can express going to a place already understood from the context.

hin “Hin” points toward the event or place in “gehe ich hin”. It contributes the direction to the verb phrase rather than independently naming the action of going.

Was für “Was für” means “what kind of” in “Was für eine Veranstaltung ist das?”. “Was” asks what and “für” connects the question to the type or category being requested. The whole construction is useful for asking someone to describe an event or thing.

Veranstaltung “Veranstaltung” means “event” and is the noun being classified in “Was für eine Veranstaltung”. It can be used when asking about or describing an organized event.

ist “Ist” links the event to the question about its type in “Was für eine Veranstaltung ist das?”. Its citation form is “sein”, and the pattern “ist das” asks for identification or description.

das “Das” refers to the event in “ist das”, meaning “that” or “it” in this question. It points back to the event that has just been mentioned.

dort “Dort” means “there” and locates the talks and exhibition at the event location. The phrase “gibt es dort” can introduce things available at a place already understood.

ein In “ein paar”, “ein” contributes to the expression meaning “a few”. The expression “ein paar” introduces a small number of countable things.

paar “Paar” means “few” in the quantity expression “ein paar”. It is used before the items being counted, here “kurze Vorträge”.

kurze “Kurze” describes the talks as short in “kurze Vorträge”. It is placed before the noun it describes and helps give a brief description of the event program.

Vorträge “Vorträge” means “talks” or “lectures” and refers to the short presentations at the event. The plural form is used because there is more than one talk.

und “Und” means “and” and joins “kurze Vorträge” with “eine kleine Ausstellung”. It is useful for adding another item to a list.

kleine “Kleine” describes the exhibition as small in “eine kleine Ausstellung”. It gives a size description before the noun.

Ausstellung “Ausstellung” means “exhibition” and names the second part of the event. It can be used when describing something displayed for visitors.

Dann “Dann” means “then” and introduces the consequence of the event having short talks and a small exhibition. The pattern “Dann sollte es ...” presents an expected result.

sollte “Sollte” expresses an expectation in “sollte es einfach sein”, not a firm guarantee. It is useful when making a moderate prediction about how something will be.

einfach “Einfach” means “easy” or “simple” and describes the experience of dropping in. It modifies “sein” in the expression “einfach sein”.

sein “Sein” means “be” and completes the predicate after “sollte” in “sollte es einfach sein”. Its infinitive form follows the modal verb and describes the expected condition.

vorbeizuschauen “Vorbeizuschauen” means “to drop in” or “to stop by” in “dort vorbeizuschauen”. It names a brief visit to the event and is used after an expression describing whether that visit is easy.

Müssen “Müssen” asks whether visitors are required to do something beforehand. At the beginning of the question, it signals a need or requirement.

sich “Sich” refers back to the visitors in “sich anmelden”, showing that they register themselves. The pattern “sich anmelden” is used for signing up or registering.

Besucher “Besucher” means “visitors” and identifies the people who may need to register. It is the subject of the question about sign-up requirements.

vorher “Vorher” means “beforehand” and places the registration before the visit. The pattern “vorher anmelden” describes registering in advance.

anmelden “Anmelden” means “sign up” or “register” in “sich ... anmelden”. It is used with “sich” when people register themselves for an event or activity.

schaue “Schaue” is the verb part of the checking expression used with “nach” in “schaue ... nach”. It describes the speaker checking the event page, and it can be used with a source of information.

auf “Auf” means “on” in “auf der Veranstaltungsseite” and places the checking activity on the event page. This pattern identifies the page or source where information is checked.

der “Der” introduces the specific event page in “der Veranstaltungsseite”. Together with the noun, it refers to the page connected with the event.

Veranstaltungsseite “Veranstaltungsseite” means “event page” and names the online page being checked. This compound noun is useful for referring to a page containing information about an event.

nach “Nach” is the separable part used with “schaue” to express checking or looking something up. Together with “schaue”, it describes checking information on the event page.

schicke “Schicke” means “send” in “schicke dir die Details”. It identifies the speaker as the person sending information to the friend. The pattern “schicke dir” names the recipient.

dir “Dir” means “to you” and identifies the friend who will receive the details. It is used with a sending verb in “schicke dir”.

die “Die” introduces the specific details that the speaker plans to send in “die Details”. It marks information already connected with the event.

Details “Details” means “details” and refers to the event information being sent. It is used here as the thing received by the friend.

Könntest “Könntest” makes the request polite in “Könntest du auch ...?”. It asks whether the friend would be able or willing to find out something.

auch “Auch” means “also” and adds another request to the earlier offer to check the event page. It signals that finding the meeting place should be included as well.

herausfinden “Herausfinden” means “find out” and names the requested action of obtaining information about the meeting place. It is used after the polite request “Könntest du auch”.

wo “Wo” means “where” and introduces the question about the meeting location. The pattern “wo wir uns treffen sollen” asks where a meeting is intended to take place.

wir “Wir” means “we” and identifies both friends as the people who will meet. It is the subject in “wir uns treffen sollen”.

uns “Uns” refers to the two friends in “wir uns treffen”, expressing that they meet each other. The pattern “wir uns treffen” is useful for describing a planned meeting.

treffen “Treffen” means “meet” in “wir uns treffen sollen”. It names the planned action and follows “sollen” in the clause.

sollen “Sollen” expresses the intended or agreed arrangement in “wo wir uns treffen sollen”. The pattern is useful when asking or stating where people are expected to meet.

Wenn “Wenn” means “if” and introduces the condition that the registration is simple. It begins a conditional clause describing what will happen under that condition.

Anmeldung “Anmeldung” means “registration” or “sign-up” and refers to the event registration process. It is the subject of the condition “Wenn die Anmeldung einfach ist”.

vor “Vor” means “before” in “vor dem ersten Vortrag” and places the meeting earlier than the first talk. It is useful for locating one event in relation to another.

dem “Dem” introduces the specific talk in the time expression “vor dem ersten Vortrag”. It connects the preposition with the identified event that follows.

ersten “Ersten” means “first” and identifies which talk is meant in “dem ersten Vortrag”. It helps specify the earliest talk in the event schedule.

Vortrag “Vortrag” means “talk” or “lecture” and identifies the presentation before which the friends will meet. It can refer to one presentation in an event program.

am “Am” means “at the” in “am Eingang” and marks the entrance as the meeting location. This expression is useful when arranging to meet at a specific place.

Eingang “Eingang” means “entrance” and names the place where the friends plan to meet. It is used here with “am” to give the meeting location.

passt “Passt” means “works” or “suits” in “Das passt für mich”, showing that the proposed arrangement is acceptable to the speaker. The pattern “passt für mich” is useful for agreeing to a plan.

für “Für” means “for” in “für mich” and marks the person whose situation or preference is being considered. It is part of the expression “passt für mich”.

mich “Mich” means “me” in “passt für mich” and identifies the speaker as the person for whom the plan works. The pattern “für mich” expresses a personal assessment or preference.

Schick “Schick” means “send” and functions as a direct request in “Schick mir den Plan”. It is useful when telling someone to send a specific item.

mir “Mir” means “to me” and identifies the recipient of the plan in “Schick mir den Plan”. It is used with a sending verb to show who should receive something.

den “Den” introduces the specific plan in “den Plan”. It marks the plan as the item the speaker is asking to receive.

Plan “Plan” means “plan” and refers to the agreed event arrangements. The expression “Schick mir den Plan” is useful when asking someone to send the finalized arrangement.

sobald “Sobald” means “as soon as” and introduces the point when the plan is available. The pattern “sobald du ihn hast” links an action to the moment someone has the required information.

ihn “Ihn” refers back to “den Plan” in “sobald du ihn hast”. It identifies the plan as the thing the friend will have.

hast “Hast” means “have” in “du ihn hast” and describes having the plan ready or available. The pattern “du ihn hast” can refer to possessing or receiving a previously mentioned item.

Heute “Heute” means “today” and, with “Abend”, refers to tonight in “Heute Abend”. This time expression specifies when the speaker will confirm the details.

Abend “Abend” means “evening” and completes the time expression “Heute Abend”. It identifies the part of the day when the confirmation will happen.

bestätige “Bestätige” means “confirm” and describes the speaker’s planned action regarding the registration rules. It is coordinated with “schlage” to list two actions for tonight.

Anmelderegeln “Anmelderegeln” means “sign-up rules” and refers to the requirements or instructions for registration. This compound noun is the information the speaker plans to confirm.

schlage “Schlage” is the verb part used with “vor” to express suggesting something in “schlage ... vor”. Here the speaker suggests a meeting time. This construction is useful when proposing an option for an arrangement.

Uhrzeit “Uhrzeit” means “time” in the sense of a specific clock time for the meeting. The phrase “eine Uhrzeit für unser Treffen” identifies the time being proposed.

unser “Unser” means “our” and connects the meeting with both friends in “unser Treffen”. It is used before a noun to show that something belongs to or concerns the speakers together.

kann “Kann” means “can” and expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility to keep the evening free. It is followed by the infinitive “freihalten”.

freihalten “Freihalten” means “keep free” or “leave available” in “mir den Abend freihalten”. It describes reserving the evening so that the planned event can take place.

Grammar Points

Trennbare Verben: Verbpräfix am Satzende

Wir schauen vorher bei der Veranstaltung vorbei.

Veer SHOW-en FOHR-hayr bye dayr fer-AN-shtal-toong fohr-BYE.

We stop by the event beforehand.

Bei vorbeischauen steht vorbei im Hauptsatz am Ende: Wir schauen ... vorbei.

Reflexive Verben: sich treffen

Wir treffen uns am Eingang.

Veer TREF-en oons am EYE-ngahng.

We meet at the entrance.

Das Reflexivpronomen passt zur Person: ich treffe mich, du triffst dich, wir treffen uns.

German Vocabulary

Ausstellung noun

OWS-shtel-loong exhibition

Besucher noun

buh-ZOOKH-er visitor

Designveranstaltung noun

deh-ZINE-fer-AN-shtal-toong design event

einfach adj

EYE-nfakh easy; simple

hingehen verb

HIN-gay-en to go there

kurz adj

KOORTS short kurze

sich anmelden verb

zikh AN-mel-den to sign up; to register

Veranstaltung noun

fer-AN-shtal-toong event

vielleicht adv

fee-LYKHT perhaps; maybe

vorbeischauen verb

for-BYE-tsoo-SHOW-en to drop in; to stop by

vorher adv

FOHR-hayr beforehand

Vortrag noun

FOR-trahk talk; lecture

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

There's a design event this week.

Show Answer

Diese Woche gibt es eine Designveranstaltung.

I thought you might want to go.

Show Answer

Ich dachte, du möchtest vielleicht hingehen.

Do visitors need to sign up beforehand?

Show Answer

Müssen sich Besucher vorher anmelden?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

short

Show Answer

kurze

easy; simple

Show Answer

einfach

perhaps; maybe

Show Answer

vielleicht

exhibition

Show Answer

Ausstellung