Pack efficiently for a business trip | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: Before a business trip, two adults decide how to pack a carry-on with meeting clothes, documents, chargers, and quick-access items..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Pack efficiently for a business trip to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ich möchte für die Geschäftsreise nur eine Handgepäcktasche mitnehmen.

ikh MURKH-tuh fyr dee guh-SHEFTS-ry-zuh noor EYE-nuh HAHNT-guh-PEKT-tah-shuh MIT-nay-muhn. I want to take only a carry-on bag for the business trip.
B

Dann plane rund um das Outfit für das Meeting und beschränke die Extras auf ein Minimum.

dahn PLAH-nuh roont oom dahs OWT-fit fyr dahs MEE-ting oont buh-SHREN-kuh dee EK-stras owf eye-n MEE-nee-moom. Then plan around the meeting outfit and keep extras to a minimum.
A

Ich habe ein Meeting und ein ungezwungenes Abendessen im Reiseplan.

ikh HAH-buh eye-n MEE-ting oont eye-n oon-guh-TSVANG-uh-nes AH-bunt-es-en im RY-zuh-plahn. I have one meeting and one casual dinner on the itinerary.
B

Pack Sachen ein, die für beides passen.

PAHK ZAH-khen eye-n, dee fyr BY-dus PAHS-en. Pack pieces that can work for both.
B

Sonst ist die Tasche schnell voll.

zonst ist dee TAH-shuh shnell FOL. Or the bag will fill up fast.
A

Ich mache mir Sorgen, dass mein Hemd vor dem Meeting zerknittert.

ikh MAKH-uh meer ZOR-gen, dahs myne HEMT fohr dahs MEE-ting tser-KNIT-ert. I'm worried my shirt will wrinkle before the meeting.
B

Roll es vorsichtig zusammen und pack es aus, sobald du im Hotel ankommst.

ROHL es FOR-zikh-tikh tsoo-ZAH-men oont PAHK es OWS, zoh-BAHL doo im hoh-TELL AHN-komst. Roll it carefully, then unpack it as soon as you reach the hotel.
A

Soll ich Ladegeräte und Dokumente in die Vordertasche legen?

zohl ikh LAH-duh-guh-RAY-tuh oont doh-koo-MEN-tuh in dee FOR-der-TAH-shuh LAY-gen? Should chargers and documents go in the front pocket?
B

Bewahre dort Dinge auf, die du schnell zur Hand haben musst, zusammen mit einer zusätzlichen Kopie der Tagesordnung.

buh-VAH-ruh dort DING-uh owf, dee doo shnell tsoor HAHNT HAH-ben moost, tsoo-ZET-slikh-en mit EYE-ner koh-PEE der TAH-guhs-ORD-noong. Keep quick-access items there, along with a backup copy of the agenda.
A

Dann muss ich am Flughafen nicht die ganze Tasche öffnen.

dahn moos ikh ahm FLOO-khah-fen nikht dee GAHN-tsuh TAH-shuh URFF-nen. Then I won't have to open the whole bag at the airport.
B

Die Sicherheitskontrolle wird einfacher, wenn diese Dinge griffbereit sind.

dee ZIKH-er-hyts-kon-TROH-luh veert EYEHN-fah-kher, ven DEE-zuh DING-uh GRIF-buh-RYTE zint. Security will be easier when those things are close at hand.

Word by Word

Ich Ich means “I” here: the speaker is talking about their own packing decision. It is used as the subject in Ich möchte and Ich habe. Use it when stating your own action, wish, or situation.
möchte möchte expresses the speaker’s wish to take only one bag. In Ich möchte, it introduces the action mitnehmen. Use it before an infinitive to make a polite or less direct request or intention.
für für marks the purpose or occasion in für die Geschäftsreise: the bag is being taken for the business trip. It commonly appears before the person, thing, or event that something is intended for. Here it connects the action mitnehmen with die Geschäftsreise.
die die is the definite article in die Geschäftsreise and die ganze Tasche, meaning “the.” In die Dinge, die du ... musst, the same form introduces a description of the things. Its function depends on the noun or clause that follows it.
Geschäftsreise Geschäftsreise means “business trip,” the travel occasion for which the speaker is packing. It appears in für die Geschäftsreise. Use it for a trip connected with work or business.
nur nur limits the plan to one carry-on bag in nur eine Handgepäcktasche. It means that nothing beyond this stated amount is intended. Place it near the word or phrase you want to restrict.
eine eine means “a” or “one” in eine Handgepäcktasche and introduces one carry-on bag. It also appears in eine zusätzliche Kopie in the dialogue as part of einer zusätzlichen Kopie. Use it before a singular noun when referring to an unspecified item.
Handgepäcktasche Handgepäcktasche means “carry-on bag,” the small bag the speaker wants to take on the trip. It is the object of mitnehmen in eine Handgepäcktasche mitnehmen. Use it when referring to luggage kept with you during travel.
mitnehmen mitnehmen means “take along” in eine Handgepäcktasche mitnehmen. It describes bringing the bag with the speaker on the business trip. Use it for taking a person or thing with you to another place.
Dann Dann means “then” and links the packing decision to the advice that follows. Dann plane introduces the next step after choosing only a carry-on. Use it to show what happens or should happen next.
plane plane gives the direct instruction to plan around the meeting outfit. In plane rund um das Outfit, it tells the listener to organize the packing with that outfit as the focus. Use it when telling someone to organize something in a particular way.
rund rund contributes to the expression rund um das Outfit, meaning “around” or “with the outfit as the focus.” Together with um, it sets the central point for the packing plan. Keep rund and um together in this reusable pattern.
um um completes rund um das Outfit, which means to plan with the outfit at the center. In this expression, um does not describe a physical movement around an object. Use the pattern rund um + noun for a central topic or focus.
das das is the definite article before Outfit in das Outfit für das Meeting, meaning “the.” It identifies the specific outfit being discussed. Use it before a known or already relevant noun.
Outfit Outfit means “outfit,” specifically the clothes planned for the meeting. In das Outfit für das Meeting, it is the focus of the packing plan. Use it for a coordinated set of clothes.
Meeting Meeting means “meeting” in the business-trip context. It appears in das Outfit für das Meeting and ein Meeting, referring to the scheduled work event. Use it for a planned meeting, especially in a work context.
und und connects two equal items or actions. In Ich habe ein Meeting und ein ungezwungenes Abendessen, it joins the meeting and dinner. It also links instructions in plane ... und beschränke ....
beschränke beschränke gives the instruction to limit the extras. In beschränke die Extras auf ein Minimum, the listener is told to keep the number of extras very low. Use it with auf when specifying the limit.
Extras Extras means additional items beyond the main packing needs. In die Extras, it refers to things that are not essential for the meeting and dinner. Use it for added items or features beyond the basic set.
auf auf introduces the limit in beschränke die Extras auf ein Minimum. The expression means to restrict something to a stated level. Use beschränken auf + limit when describing what amount or level is allowed.
ein ein means “a” in ein Minimum and also appears as the separable instruction particle in Pack Sachen ein. In ein Minimum, it introduces the stated limit; in Pack Sachen ein, it completes the packing instruction. Its function is determined by the surrounding construction.
Minimum Minimum means “minimum,” the smallest amount intended here. In auf ein Minimum, it sets the upper limit for extras at a very low level. Use it after auf when describing restriction to the lowest practical amount.
habe habe means “have” in Ich habe ein Meeting und ein ungezwungenes Abendessen. It tells the listener what events are included in the speaker’s itinerary. Use it to state that you have an appointment, event, or item.
ungezwungenes ungezwungenes describes the dinner as casual or informal in ein ungezwungenes Abendessen. It distinguishes this dinner from the more formal meeting context. Use it before a noun when describing a relaxed, informal character.
Abendessen Abendessen means “dinner,” the casual evening meal in the itinerary. It appears in ein ungezwungenes Abendessen. Use it for the evening meal or the event of having that meal.
im im means “in the” in im Reiseplan. It identifies the itinerary as the place where the meeting and dinner are listed. im is the shortened form of in dem and commonly appears before a noun.
Reiseplan Reiseplan means “itinerary” or “travel plan.” In im Reiseplan, it contains the scheduled meeting and dinner. Use it for a plan listing the events or arrangements of a journey.
Pack Pack gives a direct packing instruction in Pack Sachen ein. It tells the listener to put suitable items into the bag. Use it at the beginning of a direct instruction about packing.
Sachen Sachen means “things” or “items,” referring here to clothing pieces that can serve both events. In Pack Sachen ein, it is what should be put into the bag. Use it for everyday objects when a more specific noun is unnecessary.
beides beides means “both” and refers to the meeting and the casual dinner. In für beides passen, it means that the packed items should work for both occasions. Use it when two previously mentioned things are considered together.
passen passen means “fit” or “work well” in für beides passen: the items should be suitable for both events. The pattern für + occasion shows what something is suitable for. Use it when clothing or another item suits a purpose or situation.
Sonst Sonst means “otherwise” and introduces the negative result of packing too many items. In Sonst ist die Tasche schnell voll, it warns that the bag will become full quickly. Use it to connect an action with the consequence that follows if the advice is not followed.
ist ist means “is” in ist die Tasche schnell voll. It describes the bag’s resulting state. Use it to connect a subject with a condition or description.
Tasche Tasche means “bag,” referring to the carry-on being packed. In die Tasche and die ganze Tasche, it is the container for the clothes and documents. Use it for a bag used to carry belongings.
schnell schnell means “quickly” or “fast” in schnell voll. It emphasizes how soon the bag will reach its full state. Use it to describe a rapid action or change.
voll voll means “full” in die Tasche ... voll. It describes the bag as having no useful space left for more items. Use it after sein to describe a container’s filled state.
mache mir Sorgen mache mir Sorgen means “am worried” in Ich mache mir Sorgen, dass mein Hemd ... . The complete expression combines mache, mir, and Sorgen to describe personal concern, not simply the act of making something. Use it before dass to introduce the situation causing the worry.
dass dass introduces the situation that causes the worry in dass mein Hemd vor dem Meeting zerknittert. It connects Ich mache mir Sorgen with the content of that concern. Use it to introduce a subordinate statement after expressions such as concern or belief.
mein mein means “my” in mein Hemd and identifies the shirt as belonging to the speaker. It appears directly before the noun Hemd. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with yourself.
Hemd Hemd means “shirt,” the item the speaker is worried about. In mein Hemd ... zerknittert, it is the thing that may become wrinkled. Use it for a shirt, especially a button-up or business shirt.
vor vor means “before” in vor dem Meeting. It places the possible wrinkling earlier than the meeting. Use it with a time or event to say that something happens before it.
dem dem means “the” in vor dem Meeting and identifies the specific meeting that serves as the time reference. It appears after vor in this time expression. Keep vor dem Meeting together when referring to something happening before the meeting.
zerknittert zerknittert describes the shirt as becoming wrinkled before the meeting. In dass mein Hemd vor dem Meeting zerknittert, it is the unwanted result the speaker is concerned about. Use it when clothing develops visible creases.
Roll Roll gives the direct instruction to roll the shirt. In Roll es vorsichtig zusammen, it tells the listener to roll the item carefully as a packing method. Use it at the beginning of a direct instruction about rolling something.
es es means “it” in Roll es vorsichtig zusammen and refers back to the shirt. It is the item being rolled and later unpacked. Use it when referring back to a neuter noun or an already mentioned thing.
vorsichtig vorsichtig means “carefully” in Roll es vorsichtig zusammen. It tells the listener to avoid rough handling while rolling the shirt. Use it to describe an action carried out with care.
zusammen zusammen completes the rolling instruction in Roll es vorsichtig zusammen and indicates rolling the item together into a compact form. It contributes the idea of bringing the material into a rolled unit. Use it with an action when separate parts are brought together.
aus aus completes the unpacking instruction in pack es aus. It indicates taking the shirt out after the listener reaches the hotel. Use it with pack when telling someone to remove packed items.
sobald sobald means “as soon as” in sobald du im Hotel ankommst. It makes unpacking happen immediately after arrival. Use it to connect an action with the first moment another event is completed.
du du means “you” in sobald du im Hotel ankommst and addresses the person receiving the packing advice. It is also the understood subject of the direct instructions. Use it when speaking informally to one person.
Hotel Hotel means “hotel,” the place the traveler reaches after the trip begins. In im Hotel ankommst, it is the destination of arrival. Use it for the accommodation where the traveler is staying.
ankommst ankommst means “arrive” or “reach” in im Hotel ankommst. It describes the moment the listener gets to the hotel, after which the shirt should be unpacked. It appears in the time clause introduced by sobald.
Soll Soll introduces the speaker’s question about what should happen to the chargers and documents. In Soll ich Ladegeräte und Dokumente ... legen?, it asks whether placing them there is the right action. Use Soll ich ...? to ask for advice or permission about an action.
Ladegeräte Ladegeräte means “chargers,” the travel items being considered for the front pocket. In Ladegeräte und Dokumente, it is one of two groups of items to place there. Use it for devices used to charge electronic equipment.
Dokumente Dokumente means “documents,” such as the papers needed for the business trip. In Ladegeräte und Dokumente, they are planned for the front pocket. Use it for written or official papers carried for a purpose.
in in indicates the destination in in die Vordertasche legen: the chargers and documents should be placed into the front pocket. With a movement or placement action such as legen, it points to where something is put. Use it before the destination of an item being placed.
Vordertasche Vordertasche means “front pocket,” the easily accessible section of the bag. In in die Vordertasche legen, it is the destination for chargers and documents. Use it for a pocket located at the front of a bag or similar container.
legen legen means “put” or “place” in in die Vordertasche legen. It describes positioning the chargers and documents in the front pocket. Use it when placing an object somewhere, especially with a destination introduced by in.
Bewahre Bewahre gives the direct instruction to keep or store the quick-access items in the front pocket. In Bewahre dort Dinge auf, it tells the listener where to leave them. Use it when instructing someone to store something in a particular place.
dort dort means “there” and refers back to the front pocket. In Bewahre dort Dinge auf, it avoids repeating that location. Use it to point to a place already mentioned or clear from the situation.
Dinge Dinge means “things” or “items,” referring to items that need to be quickly available. In Dinge, die du schnell zur Hand haben musst, the following description explains which things are meant. Use it for objects when their exact type is not specified.
zur Hand haben zur Hand haben means “have readily available” in schnell zur Hand haben musst. The complete expression describes keeping something close enough to use immediately; zur, Hand, and haben work together. Use it for documents or objects that should be easy to reach when needed.
musst musst means “must” or “have to” in die du schnell zur Hand haben musst. It expresses the necessity that the items be readily available. Use it before an infinitive or expression describing what the listener is required to do.
mit mit means “with” in zusammen mit einer zusätzlichen Kopie. It adds the backup copy to the items stored in the front pocket. Use it to name a person or thing accompanying or included with another.
einer einer introduces the additional copy in mit einer zusätzlichen Kopie, meaning “an” or “one” in this phrase. It is part of the group being kept together with the quick-access items. Use it before a singular noun when referring to one unspecified item in this construction.
zusätzlichen zusätzlichen means “additional” or “extra” in einer zusätzlichen Kopie. It shows that this copy is added beyond the main copy of the agenda. Use it before a noun when identifying something provided in addition to an existing item.
Kopie Kopie means “copy,” here a backup copy of the agenda. In einer zusätzlichen Kopie der Tagesordnung, it identifies the extra version to keep in the front pocket. Use it for a duplicate version of a document.
der der means “the” or “of the” in der Tagesordnung. It connects Kopie with the specific document that has been copied. Use it in this expression to identify what the copy is a copy of.
Tagesordnung Tagesordnung means “agenda,” the document for the meeting. In einer zusätzlichen Kopie der Tagesordnung, it is the document whose backup copy should be readily available. Use it for a list of topics or items planned for a meeting.
muss muss means “must” or “have to” in Dann muss ich ... nicht ... öffnen. It expresses the necessity that would otherwise apply at the airport, which is then negated by nicht. Use it to state an obligation or requirement.
am am means “at the” in am Flughafen and locates the possible bag opening at the airport. It is the shortened form of an dem. Use it before a place or event when saying that something happens there.
Flughafen Flughafen means “airport,” the place where the traveler expects to go through security. In am Flughafen, it identifies the travel location for the action öffnen. Use it when discussing air travel or airport procedures.
nicht nicht negates the need to open the whole bag in muss ich am Flughafen nicht ... öffnen. It means the speaker will not have to perform that action. Place it with the action or statement being denied.
ganze ganze means “whole” or “entire” in die ganze Tasche. It emphasizes that the complete bag, rather than only the front pocket, would otherwise need to be opened. Use it before a noun to stress that nothing is left out.
öffnen öffnen means “open” in die ganze Tasche öffnen. It describes opening the entire bag at the airport. Use it for opening a bag, door, document, or other closed item.
Sicherheitskontrolle Sicherheitskontrolle means “security check” or “security control,” referring to the airport screening process. In Die Sicherheitskontrolle wird einfacher, it is the process made easier by keeping items accessible. Use it when discussing an official security screening.
wird wird means “will become” or “will be” in wird einfacher. It presents the expected result of keeping the items close at hand. Use it with a description when stating how something will change or turn out.
einfacher einfacher means “easier” in Die Sicherheitskontrolle wird einfacher. It describes the security check as less difficult because the required items are accessible. Use it to compare a situation with a more difficult alternative.
wenn wenn introduces the condition in wenn diese Dinge griffbereit sind. The security check will be easier under the condition that the items are readily available. Use it to introduce a condition or a time-related circumstance.
diese diese means “these” or “those” in diese Dinge and points back to the quick-access items, chargers, documents, and agenda copy. It identifies the specific items already under discussion. Use it before a noun when referring to items connected with the current situation.
griffbereit griffbereit means “within reach” or “readily available.” In diese Dinge griffbereit sind, it describes items positioned so they can be accessed quickly during security. Use it for objects that are close and ready to be taken or used.
sind sind means “are” in diese Dinge griffbereit sind. It connects the plural subject diese Dinge with the condition griffbereit. Use it to describe the state or location of more than one thing.

Grammar Points

Trennbare Verben im Hauptsatz: Präfix am Satzende

Bewahre die Dokumente in der Vordertasche auf.

buh-VAH-ruh dee doh-koo-MEN-tuh in dair FOR-der-TAH-shuh owf.

Keep the documents in the front pocket.

Bei trennbaren Verben steht der Präfix im Hauptsatz am Ende: aufbewahren → Bewahre ... auf.

sich Sorgen machen + Dativpronomen

Ich mache mir Sorgen.

ikh MAKH-uh meer ZOR-gen.

I am worried.

Die feste Wendung verwendet ein Reflexivpronomen im Dativ: ich mache mir Sorgen.

German Vocabulary

Abendessen noun
AH-bunt-es-en dinner
beschränken verb
buh-SHREN-kuhn to limit beschränke
Geschäftsreise noun
guh-SHEFTS-ry-zuh business trip
Handgepäcktasche noun
HAHNT-guh-PEKT-tah-shuh carry-on bag
Minimum noun
MEE-nee-moom minimum
mitnehmen verb
MIT-NAY-muhn to take along
Outfit noun
OWT-fit outfit
passen verb
PAHS-en to work or fit
planen verb
PLAH-nuhn to plan plane
Reiseplan noun
RY-zuh-plahn itinerary
Sache noun
ZAH-khuh thing Sachen
ungezwungen adj
oon-guh-TSVUNG-uhn casual ungezwungenes

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Or the bag will fill up fast.

Show AnswerSonst ist die Tasche schnell voll.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to limit

Show Answerbeschränke

dinner

Show AnswerAbendessen

to plan

Show Answerplane

outfit

Show AnswerOutfit