Choosing a Movie Together | Learn German in English

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Use Choosing a Movie Together to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Du möchtest einen Thriller, aber ich hatte auf etwas Leichteres gehofft.

Doo MURKH-tuhst EYE-nen TRIL-er, AH-ber ikh HAT-tuh owf ET-vahs LYKH-tuh-res guh-HOFT. You want a thriller, but I was hoping for something lighter.

Vielleicht finden wir einen Film, den wir beide gern sehen möchten.

Fee-LYKHT FIN-den veer EYE-nen film, den veer BYE-duh gairn ZAY-en MURKH-ten. Maybe we can find a film we both feel like watching.

Was ist mit dieser Krimikomödie? Die Kritiken sagen, dass sie nicht zu aufregend ist.

Vahs ist mit DEE-zer KREE-mee-koh-muh-DEE? Dee KREE-tee-ken ZAH-gen, dahs zee nikht tsoo OWF-ray-gent ist. What about this mystery comedy? The reviews say it isn't too intense.

Das könnte passen. Hat er Untertitel?

Dahs KURN-tuh PAS-en. HAH-tair OON-ter-teel? That could work. Does it have subtitles?

Ja, und er ist nicht zu lang.

Yah, oont air ist nikht tsoo lahng. It does, and it isn't too long.

Kürzere Filme sind besser, wenn wir spät anfangen.

KUR-tsuh-ruh FIL-muh zint BES-er, ven veer shpayt AHN-fang-en. Shorter movies are better when we start late.

Der Trailer hat etwas Spannung, aber er sieht trotzdem lustig aus.

Dair TRAY-ler haht ET-vahs SHPAN-noong, AH-ber air zayt TROTS-daym LOOS-tikh owss. The trailer has some suspense, but it still looks funny.

Dann passt er besser zu uns als ein reiner Thriller.

Dahn pahst air BES-er tsoo oons ahls eyne RY-ner TRIL-er. Then it fits us better than a straight thriller.

Ich reserviere Plätze in der mittleren Reihe.

Ikh reh-zair-VEE-ruh PLET-suh in dair MIT-tluh-ren RY-uh. I'll book seats in the middle row.

Ich glaube, der Film wird uns beiden gefallen.

Ikh GLOW-buh, dair film veert oons BYE-den guh-FAL-en. I think we'll both enjoy that one.

Word by Word

Du “Du” means “you” here and addresses one person directly. It is used as the subject in “Du möchtest einen Thriller.”

möchtest “Möchtest” expresses what the other person would like or wants in “Du möchtest einen Thriller.” This form is commonly used with an object, such as “einen Thriller.”

einen “Einen” means “a” in “einen Thriller.” It is the form used before the masculine noun “Thriller” in this sentence.

Thriller “Thriller” means a thriller, the film genre being requested. The same word is used in German for this type of film.

aber “Aber” means “but” and connects two contrasting preferences: “Du möchtest einen Thriller, aber ich hatte ... gehofft.” Use it to contrast one statement with another.

ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “ich hatte auf etwas Leichteres gehofft.” It is used as the subject when the speaker describes their own preference.

hatte “Hatte” contributes the meaning “had” in “ich hatte ... gehofft.” Together with “gehofft,” it describes a hope that existed before the current choice.

auf In “auf etwas Leichteres gehofft,” “auf” introduces what the speaker was hoping for. The reusable pattern is “auf etwas hoffen,” with the hoped-for thing after “auf.”

etwas “Etwas” means “something” in “etwas Leichteres.” It leaves the exact thing unspecified while “Leichteres” describes it.

Leichteres “Leichteres” means “something lighter” in “auf etwas Leichteres gehofft.” Its capitalized form refers to an unspecified lighter option, here a less intense film.

gehofft “Gehofft” means “hoped” in “ich hatte auf etwas Leichteres gehofft.” It is used with “auf” to say what someone hoped for.

Vielleicht “Vielleicht” means “maybe” and introduces a possible suggestion in “Vielleicht finden wir einen Film ...” It is useful when proposing an option without presenting it as certain.

finden “Finden” means “find” in “Vielleicht finden wir einen Film.” It describes locating or choosing an option, and it can be followed by the thing being found.

wir “Wir” means “we” and refers to the two people choosing the film together. It is the subject in “finden wir einen Film.”

Film “Film” means “film” or “movie” in “einen Film.” It names the object they hope to find and watch.

den “Den” means “which” or “that” in “einen Film, den wir beide gern sehen möchten.” It refers back to “Film” and introduces information about which film they want to watch.

beide “Beide” means “both” in “wir beide.” It emphasizes that the two speakers share the wish to watch the film.

gern “Gern” contributes the meaning “like to” in “gern sehen möchten.” It shows that watching the film would be welcome or enjoyable.

sehen “Sehen” means “see” or “watch” in “sehen möchten.” It is the action the two speakers would like to do with the film.

möchten “Möchten” means “would like to” in “wir beide gern sehen möchten.” It expresses a polite or less direct wish and is followed here by “sehen.”

Was “Was” means “what” in the suggestion “Was ist mit dieser Krimikomödie?” Together with the rest of the question, it asks whether this film is an option.

ist “Ist” means “is” in “Was ist mit dieser Krimikomödie?” It forms part of the common suggestion “Was ist mit ...?”

mit In “Was ist mit dieser Krimikomödie?”, “mit” contributes to the meaning “about” or “how about.” The whole expression is used to suggest or raise a possible option.

dieser “Dieser” means “this” in “dieser Krimikomödie,” referring to the particular mystery comedy being considered. It points to a specific option already available in the conversation.

Krimikomödie “Krimikomödie” means “mystery comedy,” a film combining mystery elements with comedy. It names the film being suggested in “dieser Krimikomödie.”

Die “Die” means “the” in “Die Kritiken.” It introduces the reviews being used as information about the film.

Kritiken “Kritiken” means “reviews” in “Die Kritiken sagen ...” It refers to written or spoken evaluations of the film.

sagen “Sagen” means “say” in “Die Kritiken sagen, dass ...” It introduces the information reported by the reviews.

dass “Dass” means “that” and introduces the content of what the reviews say: “dass sie nicht zu aufregend ist.” It commonly introduces a subordinate clause reporting information or an opinion.

sie “Sie” means “it” here and refers to “die Krimikomödie.” In “dass sie nicht zu aufregend ist,” it identifies the film being described.

nicht “Nicht” means “not” and negates the description “zu aufregend.” In this sentence, the reviews say the film is not too intense.

zu “Zu” means “too” in “nicht zu aufregend.” It says that the film does not exceed the desired level of intensity.

aufregend “Aufregend” means “exciting” or “intense” in “nicht zu aufregend.” Here it describes the level of suspense or intensity a viewer may experience.

Das “Das” means “that” or “it” in “Das könnte passen.” It refers to the suggested film or option and evaluates it as a possible choice.

könnte “Könnte” means “could” in “Das könnte passen.” It presents the suggestion as a possible solution rather than a definite decision.

passen “Passen” means “fit” or “work” in “Das könnte passen.” The phrase says that the proposed film may be suitable for the two speakers.

Hat “Hat” means “has” in the question “Hat er Untertitel?” It asks whether the film includes subtitles.

er “Er” means “it” here and refers to “der Film.” In “Hat er Untertitel?”, the film is treated as the thing that may have subtitles.

Untertitel “Untertitel” means “subtitles” in “Hat er Untertitel?” It refers to the written text displayed with the film.

Ja “Ja” means “yes” and confirms the question about subtitles. In “Ja, und er ist nicht zu lang,” it also begins the speaker’s positive reply.

und “Und” means “and” and joins two favorable facts: the film has subtitles and is not too long. Use it to add related information.

lang “Lang” means “long” in “er ist nicht zu lang.” With “nicht zu,” it describes the film as not excessively long.

Kürzere “Kürzere” means “shorter” in “Kürzere Filme.” It compares the length of these films with longer alternatives in the context of starting late.

Filme “Filme” means “movies” in “Kürzere Filme sind besser.” It refers to movies generally, not only to the one specific film already suggested.

sind “Sind” means “are” in “Kürzere Filme sind besser.” It connects the subject “Kürzere Filme” with the evaluation “besser.”

besser “Besser” means “better” in “Kürzere Filme sind besser.” It expresses a preference based on the situation described after “wenn.”

wenn “Wenn” means “when” in “wenn wir spät anfangen.” It introduces the condition or time situation in which shorter films are preferable.

spät “Spät” means “late” in “wenn wir spät anfangen.” It describes the time at which the two speakers begin watching.

anfangen “Anfangen” means “start” in “wenn wir spät anfangen.” It describes beginning the film, and the subject here is “wir.”

Der “Der” means “the” in “Der Trailer.” It introduces the specific trailer being discussed.

Trailer “Trailer” means “trailer,” a short preview of a film. In “Der Trailer hat etwas Spannung,” it is the source of the impression being described.

Spannung “Spannung” means “suspense” in “etwas Spannung.” It describes the feeling of tension created by the trailer.

sieht “Sieht” contributes the meaning “looks” in “er sieht trotzdem lustig aus.” The full expression “sieht ... aus” describes how something appears.

trotzdem “Trotzdem” means “still” or “nevertheless” in “aber er sieht trotzdem lustig aus.” It marks a result that remains true despite the suspense mentioned before.

lustig “Lustig” means “funny” in “er sieht trotzdem lustig aus.” It describes the impression the trailer gives of the film.

aus In “er sieht trotzdem lustig aus,” “aus” is the separated particle that completes “sieht ... aus.” The complete expression means that the film looks or seems funny.

Dann “Dann” means “then” and draws a conclusion from the previous information. In “Dann passt er besser zu uns,” it means that the film is therefore a better match.

passt “Passt” means “fits” or “suits” in “passt er besser zu uns.” The construction “zu uns passen” describes whether something is suitable for the people involved.

uns “Uns” means “us” in “passt er besser zu uns.” It refers to the two speakers as the people whom the film suits.

als “Als” means “than” in the comparison “besser ... als ein reiner Thriller.” It introduces the alternative used for comparison.

ein “Ein” means “a” in “ein reiner Thriller.” It introduces one possible thriller as the comparison.

reiner “Reiner” describes the thriller in “ein reiner Thriller” as a straight or purely thriller-type film. It contrasts with the suggested film’s mixture of mystery and comedy.

reserviere “Reserviere” means “reserve” or “book” in “Ich reserviere Plätze.” The speaker uses it to state the planned action of booking seats.

Plätze “Plätze” means “seats” in “Plätze in der mittleren Reihe.” It refers to the places the speaker intends to reserve at the cinema.

in “In” means “in” in “in der mittleren Reihe.” It introduces the location of the seats within the cinema.

mittleren “Mittleren” means “middle” in “der mittleren Reihe.” It specifies that the seats are in the center row rather than another row.

Reihe “Reihe” means “row” in “der mittleren Reihe.” It identifies the row where the seats will be reserved.

glaube “Glaube” means “think” or “believe” in “Ich glaube, der Film ...” The expression “Ich glaube” introduces the speaker’s opinion or expectation.

wird “Wird” helps express the expectation in “der Film wird uns beiden gefallen.” It presents the film as something the two speakers are expected to enjoy.

beiden “Beiden” means “both of us” in “uns beiden.” It emphasizes that the expected enjoyment applies to the two speakers together.

gefallen “Gefallen” means “be enjoyable to” or “please” in “der Film wird uns beiden gefallen.” This construction presents the film as the thing that will be enjoyable to the two speakers.

Grammar Points

könnte + Infinitiv

könnte passen

KURN-tuh PAS-en

could work / might fit

„könnte“ ist die Konjunktiv-II-Form von „können“ und drückt eine vorsichtige Möglichkeit aus.

hatte + Partizip II

hatte ... gehofft

HAT-tuh ... guh-HOFT

had hoped

Das Plusquamperfekt beschreibt eine Handlung, die vor einem anderen vergangenen Ereignis abgeschlossen war.

German Vocabulary

aufregend adj

OWF-ray-gent exciting; intense

finden verb

FIN-den to find

gern adv

gairn gladly; like to

hoffen verb

HOFF-en to hope hatte ... gehofft

Krimikomödie noun

KREE-mee-koh-muh-DEE mystery comedy

Kritik noun

kree-TEEK review; criticism Kritiken

leicht adj

LYKHT light; easy Leichteres

mögen verb

MUR-gen to like; would like möchtest

Du möchtest einen Thriller.

passen verb

PAS-en to fit; to work könnte passen

sehen verb

ZAY-en to watch; to see

Thriller noun

TRIL-er thriller einen Thriller

vielleicht adv

fee-LYKHT maybe; perhaps

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That could work. Does it have subtitles?

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Das könnte passen. Hat er Untertitel?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to like; would like

Show Answer

möchtest

maybe; perhaps

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vielleicht

gladly; like to

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gern

mystery comedy

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Krimikomödie