Planning a Safe Group Hike | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: Before a group hike, two friends check trail difficulty, weather, and safety plans before sharing route details..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Planning a Safe Group Hike to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Der Bergwanderweg sieht schön aus, aber er könnte für Anfänger zu schwierig sein.

dair BAIRK-vahn-der-vayk zeet shurn ows, AH-ber air KURN-tuh fyoor AHN-feng-er tsoo SHVEE-rikh zine. The mountain trail looks beautiful, but it may be too difficult for beginners.
B

Lass uns die Entfernung, den Höhenunterschied und den Wetterbericht prüfen, bevor wir uns entscheiden.

lahss oons dee ent-FAIR-noong, dehn HUR-en-oon-ter-SHEET oont dehn VET-er-beh-RIKHT PRUE-fen, beh-FOHR veer oons ent-SHY-den. Let's check the distance, elevation, and weather forecast before we decide.
A

Es ist eine ziemlich lange Strecke.

ess ist EYE-nuh TSEEM-likh LAHNG-uh SHTREK-uh. It is a fairly long route.
A

Der Wetterbericht sagt für den Nachmittag leichten Regen voraus.

dair VET-er-beh-RIKHT zahkt fyoor dehn NAHKH-mit-tahk LIGHKH-ten RAY-gen fohr-ROWS. The forecast says light rain in the afternoon.
B

Dann brauchen wir einen frühen Start und einen Plan B.

dahn BROW-khen veer EYE-nen FROO-en shtahrt oont EYE-nen plahn BAY. Then we need an early start and a backup plan.
A

Es gibt eine kürzere Route, die zum selben Bahnhof zurückführt.

ess gipt EYE-nuh KUR-tsuh-ruh ROO-tuh, dee tsoom ZEL-ben BAHN-hohf tsoo-ROOK-fyoort. There is a shorter route that returns to the same station.
B

Das klingt sicherer, falls die Bedingungen auf dem Weg rutschig werden.

dahs klinkt ZIKH-er-er, fahls dee beh-DING-oong-en owf dehm vayk ROOT-shikh VAIR-den. That sounds safer if the trail conditions become slippery.
A

Sollen wir allen sagen, dass sie geeignete Schuhe und Wasser mitbringen sollen?

ZOL-len veer AH-len ZAH-gen, dahss zee geh-EYE-guh-tuh SHOO-uh oont VAH-ser MIT-bring-en ZOL-len? Should we tell everyone to bring proper shoes and water?
B

Sie sollten beides mitbringen.

zee ZOL-ten BY-dess MIT-bring-en. They should bring both.
B

Wir sollten klarstellen, dass wir bei Bedarf umkehren werden.

veer ZOL-ten KLAHR-shtel-en, dahss veer by beh-DAHRF OOM-kair-en VAIR-den. We should make it clear that we will turn back if needed.
A

Ich werde heute Abend die Routenkarte und die Treffzeit teilen.

ikh VAIR-duh HOY-tuh AH-bent dee ROOT-en-kar-tuh oont dee TREF-tsyt TIGH-len. I will share the route map and meeting time tonight.
B

Das sollte allen helfen, sich vorzubereiten und zu entscheiden, ob sie mitkommen können.

dahs ZOL-tuh AH-len HEL-fen, zikh for-tsoo-beh-RY-ten oont tsoo ent-SHY-den, op zee MIT-kom-en KURN-en. That should help everyone prepare and decide if they can join.

Word by Word

Der Der means “the” here and introduces Bergwanderweg. It is the article used with this masculine subject in the sentence. You can reuse it before the same kind of masculine singular subject when it is the topic of the sentence.
Bergwanderweg Bergwanderweg means “mountain trail,” the route being discussed. It is a compound referring specifically to a hiking trail in the mountains. A useful pattern is Der Bergwanderweg ... when describing this trail.
sieht sieht means “looks” in the expression sieht schön aus. Together with aus, it describes how the trail appears rather than what it physically does. Reuse sieht ... aus with an adjective to describe appearance.
schön schön means “beautiful” in sieht schön aus, describing the mountain trail positively. Inside this expression, it is the adjective that tells how the trail looks. You can reuse sieht ... schön aus for something that appears beautiful.
aus aus completes sieht schön aus, which means “looks beautiful.” It does not mean “out” separately in this sentence; it is part of the expression describing appearance. Reuse the pattern sieht + adjective + aus.
aber aber means “but” and contrasts the trail’s beautiful appearance with its possible difficulty. It connects two statements that do not point in the same direction. Reuse aber before the contrasting statement.
er er refers back to Bergwanderweg and means “it” here. German uses this masculine pronoun because Bergwanderweg is grammatically masculine. Reuse er when referring back to this noun in a later clause.
könnte könnte means “might” or “could,” presenting the trail’s difficulty as a possibility rather than a certainty. Here it combines with zu schwierig sein to express a possible assessment. Reuse könnte + an infinitive when describing a possible situation.
für für means “for” in für Anfänger and identifies the people for whom the trail may be too difficult. It introduces the intended group in this description. Reuse für before a person or group affected by an assessment.
Anfänger Anfänger means “beginners,” the people for whom the trail may be too difficult. In this dialogue, it refers to people with limited hiking experience. Reuse für Anfänger when discussing suitability for beginners.
zu zu means “too” in zu schwierig sein and marks an excessive degree of difficulty. Together with schwierig, it says that the trail may be more difficult than beginners can reasonably manage. Reuse zu + adjective to express “too” much of a quality.
schwierig schwierig means “difficult” and describes the trail’s level of challenge. In zu schwierig sein, it is the quality judged to be excessive for beginners. Reuse schwierig für ... when describing something as difficult for a person or group.
sein sein means “be” and completes könnte zu schwierig sein. It follows könnte as the infinitive that describes the possible state of the trail. Reuse a modal verb followed by an infinitive such as sein.
Lass Lass begins Lass uns, meaning “let’s” in this invitation to check the information together. It turns the suggestion into a joint action. Reuse Lass uns + infinitive to suggest doing something together.
uns uns means “us” in Lass uns and identifies the people who should carry out the suggested action. Together with Lass, it forms the invitation “let’s.” Reuse Lass uns before an infinitive for a shared suggestion.
die die means “the” before Entfernung in die Entfernung. It introduces a specific distance that the speakers want to check. Reuse die before this feminine singular noun when referring to a particular distance.
Entfernung Entfernung means “distance,” one of the route details to be checked. Here it refers to how far the planned hike goes. Reuse die Entfernung prüfen when checking a distance.
den den means “the” before Höhenunterschied and Wetterbericht in this list. It marks specific masculine nouns as objects of prüfen. Reuse den before a particular masculine object in a similar checking phrase.
Höhenunterschied Höhenunterschied means “elevation difference,” the change in height along the route. It is one of the practical details the hikers want to check before deciding. Reuse den Höhenunterschied prüfen when evaluating a route.
und und means “and” and links the distance, elevation difference, and weather forecast in one list. It adds another item without contrast. Reuse und between coordinated words or phrases.
Wetterbericht Wetterbericht means “weather forecast,” the information about expected conditions. Here it is another object of prüfen before the group makes a decision. Reuse den Wetterbericht prüfen when checking the forecast.
prüfen prüfen means “check” in Lass uns ... prüfen. It describes examining the route information before deciding. Reuse prüfen with information, a document, or another specific thing that needs checking.
bevor bevor means “before” and introduces the action that must happen before the decision. It links checking the details with deciding about the hike. Reuse bevor with a clause describing an earlier action.
wir wir means “we” and refers to the two friends making the hiking decision. In bevor wir uns entscheiden, it is the subject of the subordinate clause. Reuse wir when the speaker includes themselves and others.
entscheiden entscheiden means “decide” in uns entscheiden, referring to making the choice about the hike. The form uns shows that the speakers are deciding for themselves. Reuse sich entscheiden when talking about making a decision.
Es Es begins Es ist eine ziemlich lange Strecke and refers to the route as the thing being described. It functions as the sentence’s subject for the statement about its length. Reuse Es ist ... when describing a situation or thing.
ist ist means “is” and states the route’s current description. Here it connects the route with ziemlich lange. Reuse ist with a noun or adjective to describe something.
eine eine means “a” before Strecke and introduces one route or stretch. It presents the route as a singular example. Reuse eine before a feminine singular noun in a similar indefinite description.
ziemlich ziemlich means “fairly” or “quite” and softens the description of the route’s length. In ziemlich lange Strecke, it says the route is noticeably long without making the strongest possible claim. Reuse ziemlich before an adjective to express a fairly high degree.
lange lange means “long” and describes the length of Strecke. The ending matches its use before Strecke in this noun phrase. Reuse lange Strecke when describing a long route or stretch.
Strecke Strecke means “route” or “stretch” here and refers to the planned hiking distance. The sentence evaluates this route as fairly long. Reuse eine lange Strecke when referring to a long distance or route.
sagt sagt contributes to the expression sagt ... voraus, meaning that the forecast predicts something. Here the weather report gives the prediction about rain. Reuse a form of sagen with information that someone or something reports.
Nachmittag Nachmittag means “afternoon” in für den Nachmittag. It identifies the time when the light rain is forecast. Reuse für den Nachmittag when referring to something planned or expected for the afternoon.
leichten leichten means “light” in leichten Regen and describes rain that is not heavy. Its ending fits its position before Regen in this phrase. Reuse leichter or leichten Regen according to the surrounding sentence structure when describing light rain.
Regen Regen means “rain,” the weather expected in the afternoon. In leichten Regen, it is described as light. Reuse leichter Regen when talking about light rain.
voraus voraus completes sagt ... voraus, which means “predicts” or “forecasts.” Here it shows that the weather report predicts light rain rather than merely mentioning rain. Reuse the separable verb voraus|sagen when referring to a forecast or prediction.
Dann Dann means “then” and connects the forecast to the next planning consequence. Because rain is expected, the speakers need an early start and a backup plan. Reuse Dann at the start of a sentence to introduce a resulting action or conclusion.
brauchen brauchen means “need” and states what the hikers require for the plan. Here its objects are einen frühen Start and einen Plan B. Reuse brauchen + an object when identifying something necessary.
einen einen means “a” before Start and introduces one early start as something needed. Its form fits the object position after brauchen. Reuse einen before a masculine singular object in a similar phrase.
frühen frühen means “early” and describes the start as happening early. Its ending fits its position before Start in this phrase. Reuse einen frühen Start when referring to an early beginning.
Start Start means “start” and refers to the beginning of the hike. In einen frühen Start, it means an early departure or beginning. Reuse ein früher Start when describing an early start.
Plan Plan means “plan” and refers to an alternative arrangement for the hike. In Plan B, the letter identifies it as the backup option. Reuse Plan B for a backup plan when the first plan may not work.
gibt gibt contributes to Es gibt, which means “there is” in the sentence about another route. It introduces the existence of a shorter route. Reuse Es gibt + noun when presenting something that exists or is available.
kürzere kürzere means “shorter” and compares this route with the longer route already discussed. It describes the alternative route as requiring less distance or time. Reuse eine kürzere Route when presenting a shorter alternative.
Route Route means “route” and refers to the alternative path of the hike. Here it is the route that leads back to the same station. Reuse eine Route, die ... when describing a route and its destination or purpose.
zum zum means “to the” in zum selben Bahnhof. It combines the direction word zu with the article form dem. Reuse zum before a masculine or neuter destination when expressing movement toward it.
selben selben means “same” and shows that the route returns to the station already associated with the group’s plan. It describes Bahnhof as identical to that earlier station. Reuse zum selben ... when referring back to the same destination.
Bahnhof Bahnhof means “station,” specifically the station to which the shorter route returns. It is the destination introduced by zum. Reuse zum Bahnhof when describing movement toward a station.
zurückführt zurückführt means “leads back” and describes the route’s direction to the station. It combines the idea of leading with returning to an earlier place. Reuse eine Route, die ... zurückführt when describing a route that leads back somewhere.
Das Das means “that” or “it” and refers to the shorter route just mentioned. In Das klingt sicherer, it is the subject of the assessment. Reuse Das klingt ... when giving an opinion about a suggestion or option.
klingt klingt means “sounds” in Das klingt sicherer. It introduces an impression or evaluation of the shorter route. Reuse Das klingt + adjective when saying how an idea or option appears.
sicherer sicherer means “safer” and evaluates the shorter route as involving less risk. It compares this option with the earlier route. Reuse klingt sicherer when describing an option that seems safer.
falls falls means “if” or “in case” and introduces a possible condition. Here the shorter route would be safer in case the path becomes slippery. Reuse falls with a clause describing a possible circumstance.
Bedingungen Bedingungen means “conditions” and refers to the conditions on the trail. In this dialogue, the relevant condition is that the path may become slippery. Reuse die Bedingungen when discussing circumstances affecting an activity.
auf auf means “on” in auf dem Weg and identifies the path where the conditions occur. Together with dem Weg, it forms a location phrase. Reuse auf dem Weg when referring to something happening on the path.
dem dem means “the” in auf dem Weg and forms the phrase auf dem Weg. Its form belongs to this location expression before the masculine noun Weg. Reuse auf dem ... when describing a location on a path or route.
Weg Weg means “path” or “way” in auf dem Weg. It refers to the trail surface whose conditions may become slippery. Reuse auf dem Weg when describing something happening on the path.
rutschig rutschig means “slippery” and describes the possible condition of the path. In rutschig werden, it is the quality the path may acquire. Reuse rutschig werden when saying that a surface may become slippery.
werden werden means “become” in rutschig werden. It expresses a change into the condition of being slippery. Reuse adjective + werden to describe something changing into a new state.
Sollen Sollen means “should” in the question Sollen wir ...? and asks whether the speakers ought to do something. It presents a proposal for informing everyone. Reuse Sollen wir + infinitive? to ask whether a joint action is advisable.
allen allen means “to everyone” in allen sagen and identifies the people who should receive the information. Its form marks the recipients of sagen. Reuse jemandem or allen sagen when telling a person or group something.
sagen sagen means “tell” or “say” in allen sagen, dass ... . Here it introduces information that should be communicated to everyone. Reuse jemandem sagen, dass ... when telling someone that something is the case.
dass dass means “that” and introduces the information to be told to everyone. It begins the clause about bringing suitable shoes and water. Reuse sagen, dass ... to report or communicate a statement.
sie sie means “they” in dass sie ... mitbringen sollen and refers to everyone in the group. It is the subject of the subordinate clause. Reuse sie when referring back to a plural group.
geeignete geeignete means “suitable” or “proper” and describes shoes appropriate for the hike. It identifies the kind of shoes the group should bring. Reuse geeignete Schuhe when specifying suitable footwear for an activity.
Schuhe Schuhe means “shoes,” one of the items the hikers should bring. They are listed together with water as necessary equipment. Reuse Schuhe mitbringen when telling someone to bring shoes along.
Wasser Wasser means “water,” the other item the hikers should bring. In the dialogue, it is paired with Schuhe as practical hiking equipment. Reuse Wasser mitbringen when asking someone to bring water along.
mitbringen mitbringen means “bring along” and describes carrying the shoes and water to the hike. It is the infinitive after sollen in the subordinate clause. Reuse etwas mitbringen when asking someone to bring an item to a meeting or activity.
sollten sollten means “should” and expresses the recommendation that the group bring the items. Here it is used in the statement They should bring both. Reuse sollten + infinitive to give advice about what people ought to do.
beides beides means “both” and refers to Schuhe and Wasser together. It avoids repeating the two items while keeping both included. Reuse beides when referring to two previously mentioned things as a pair.
klarstellen klarstellen means “make clear” and describes communicating an important rule about turning back. It is the infinitive after sollten in Wir sollten klarstellen, dass ... . Reuse klarstellen, dass ... when making a statement or condition explicit.
bei bei contributes to bei Bedarf, meaning “if needed” or “as necessary.” It introduces the circumstance in which the group will turn back. Reuse bei Bedarf when describing an action taken only when it becomes necessary.
Bedarf Bedarf means “need” or “necessity” in bei Bedarf. The phrase refers to the situation in which turning back becomes necessary. Reuse bei Bedarf with an action that may be taken when required.
umkehren umkehren means “turn back,” referring to returning instead of continuing the hike. It is the infinitive after werden in dass wir ... umkehren werden. Reuse umkehren when deciding to return from a route or journey.
Ich Ich means “I” and identifies the speaker who will share the route information. It is the subject of the sentence about tonight’s action. Reuse Ich werde ... when stating what you will do.
werde werde means “will” in Ich werde ... teilen and helps express a future action. It is followed by the infinitive teilen at the end of the sentence. Reuse werde + infinitive to say what you will do.
heute heute means “today” and places the planned sharing on the current day. Together with Abend, it specifies when the action will happen. Reuse heute with a time expression for something happening today.
Abend Abend means “evening” in heute Abend. It identifies the part of today when the route information will be shared. Reuse heute Abend for an action planned for this evening.
Routenkarte Routenkarte means “route map,” the map showing the planned path. It is one of the two items the speaker will share. Reuse die Routenkarte teilen when sharing a map of a route.
Treffzeit Treffzeit means “meeting time,” the agreed time when the group should meet. It is shared together with the route map. Reuse die Treffzeit teilen when informing people of the meeting time.
teilen teilen means “share” and describes sending or giving the route map and meeting time to the group. It is the infinitive after werde. Reuse Informationen or einen Plan teilen when making information available to others.
sollte sollte means “should” in Das sollte ... helfen and expresses an expected helpful result. The shared information is expected to help everyone prepare and decide. Reuse Das sollte + infinitive when predicting a likely effect.
helfen helfen means “help” and describes the benefit the shared information should provide. Here it is followed by sich vorzubereiten and zu entscheiden, which name the actions it supports. Reuse jemandem helfen, etwas zu tun when saying that someone helps another person do something.
sich sich refers back to the people who need to prepare themselves in sich vorzubereiten. Together with vorzubereiten, it forms the reflexive action “to prepare oneself.” Reuse sich + infinitive when the person preparing is also the person affected by the preparation.
vorzubereiten vorzubereiten means “to prepare” in sich vorzubereiten, referring to preparing for the hike. It follows helfen as a zu-infinitive and includes the reflexive action marked by sich. Reuse sich vorzubereiten auf ... when preparing oneself for an activity or event.
ob ob means “whether” and introduces the question of participation. It links entscheiden with the issue of whether each person can join. Reuse entscheiden, ob ... when deciding between whether something is possible or will happen.
mitkommen mitkommen means “come along” and refers to joining the group hike. Here it appears in the question of whether people can join. Reuse mitkommen when inviting someone to accompany you.
können können means “can” or “be able to” and expresses whether the people are able to join. It follows mitkommen in the subordinate clause. Reuse können + infinitive to describe ability or possibility.

Grammar Points

Trennbare Verben: aussehen → sieht ... aus

Der Bergwanderweg sieht schön aus.

dair BAIRK-vahn-der-vayk zeet shurn ows.

The mountain trail looks beautiful.

Bei trennbaren Verben steht die Vorsilbe im Hauptsatz am Satzende: sieht ... aus.

Reflexives Verb mit zu-Infinitiv: sich entscheiden, sich vorzubereiten

Wir entscheiden uns, uns vorzubereiten.

veer ent-SHY-den oons, oons for-tsoo-beh-RY-ten.

We decide to prepare ourselves.

Nach „sich entscheiden“ steht häufig ein zu-Infinitiv; das Reflexivpronomen passt zum Subjekt.

German Vocabulary

Anfänger noun
AHN-feng-er beginners
aussehen verb
OWS-zay-en to look, to appear sieht ... aus
Bergwanderweg noun
BAIRK-vahn-der-vayk mountain trail
Entfernung noun
ent-FAIR-noong distance
Höhenunterschied noun
HUR-en-oon-ter-SHEET elevation difference
prüfen verb
PRUE-fen to check
schön adj
shurn beautiful
schwierig adj
SHVEE-rikh difficult
sich entscheiden verb
zikh ent-SHY-den to decide uns entscheiden
Strecke noun
SHTREK-uh route, distance
Wetterbericht noun
VET-er-beh-RIKHT weather forecast
ziemlich adv
TSEEM-likh fairly, quite

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

It is a fairly long route.

Show AnswerEs ist eine ziemlich lange Strecke.

They should bring both.

Show AnswerSie sollten beides mitbringen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

distance

Show AnswerEntfernung

beginners

Show AnswerAnfänger

beautiful

Show Answerschön

to check

Show Answerprüfen