Reporting a Missing Wallet Safely | Learn German in English

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Use Reporting a Missing Wallet Safely to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich kann mein Portemonnaie nicht finden, und zuletzt hatte ich es im Café.

ikh kahn mine por-teh-moh-NAY nikht FIN-den, oont tsoo-LETST HAH-teh ikh ess im ka-FAY. I can't find my wallet, and I last had it at the cafe.

Bevor du anrufst, bereite eine Beschreibung davon vor, wie dein Portemonnaie aussieht.

beh-FOR doo AHN-roofst, beh-RY-teh EYE-neh beh-SHRY-boong dah-FON fohr, vee dine por-teh-moh-NAY OWS-seet. Before you call, prepare a description of what the wallet looks like.

Es ist ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie mit einer abgenutzten Ecke.

ess ist ine KLYN-ess SHVAR-tsess por-teh-moh-NAY mit EYE-ner AHP-guh-NOOTST-en ECK-eh. It's a small black wallet with a worn corner.

Das sollte dem Personal helfen, nach dem Portemonnaie zu suchen, ohne nach privaten Details zu fragen.

dahs SOL-teh daym per-tsoh-NAHL HEL-fen, nahkh daym por-teh-moh-NAY tsoo ZOO-khen, OH-neh nahkh pree-VAH-ten duh-TILES tsoo FRAH-gen. That should help the staff check without asking for private details.

Ich rufe an und erkläre, wann mir aufgefallen ist, dass es fehlt.

ikh ROO-feh AHN oont ehk-LAIR-eh, vahn meer OWS-guh-fah-len ist, dahss ess faylt. I'll call and explain when I noticed it was missing.

Nenne ein paar Dinge, die darin sind, aber teile keine Angaben aus persönlichen Dokumenten.

NEN-eh ine pahr DING-eh, dee dah-RIN zint, AH-ber TYE-leh KINE-eh AHN-gah-ben ows per-ZURN-lee-khen doh-koo-MENT-en. Mention a few items inside, but don't share details from personal documents.

Darin sind ein Foto und eine gefaltete Notiz.

dah-RIN zint ine FOH-toh oont EYE-neh guh-FAL-teh-teh noh-TEETS. It has a photo and a folded note inside.

Diese Angaben sollten ausreichen, um es sicher zu identifizieren.

DEE-zeh AHN-gah-ben SOL-ten OWS-rye-khen, oom ess ZIKH-er tsoo ee-den-tee-fee-TSEER-en. Those details should be enough to identify it safely.

Wenn sie es haben, kann ich eine Zeit vereinbaren, um es abzuholen.

ven zee ess HAH-ben, kahn ikh EYE-neh Tsite fehr-EYE-n-bahr-en, oom ess AHP-tsoo-HOH-len. If they have it, I can arrange a time to pick it up.

Ruf jetzt an, und ich überprüfe deine Tasche noch einmal, während du wartest.

roof YETST AHN, oont ikh OO-ber-PROO-feh DYE-neh TAH-sheh nokh EYE-nah-mahl, VAY-rent doo VAR-test. Call now, and I'll check your bag again while you wait.

Word by Word

Ich 'Ich' means “I” and identifies the speaker in the dialogue. It is the subject of the sentence and can also appear after a conjunction, as in the later lowercase form 'ich'.

kann 'kann' expresses ability in 'Ich kann mein Portemonnaie nicht finden': the speaker is unable to find the wallet. It is used with an infinitive such as 'finden'.

mein 'mein' means “my” and shows that the wallet belongs to the speaker. It comes directly before the thing owned, as in 'mein Portemonnaie'.

Portemonnaie 'Portemonnaie' means “wallet” here. It names the missing object and can be used after possessive words such as 'mein' or 'dein'.

nicht 'nicht' negates the action in 'nicht finden', meaning that the speaker cannot find the wallet. It is commonly placed before the part of the sentence being negated.

finden 'finden' means “find” and is the infinitive used after 'kann'. It can describe locating a person or object, such as a missing wallet.

und 'und' means “and” and joins the speaker’s difficulty with the information about where the wallet was last had. It commonly connects words, phrases, or complete clauses.

zuletzt 'zuletzt' means “last” or “most recently” and places the speaker’s last possession of the wallet in time. It is useful for giving the last known location or moment of an object.

hatte 'hatte' means “had” in the statement about the last time the speaker possessed the wallet. It can be used with an object and a time or place, as in 'hatte ich es im Café'.

es 'es' means “it” and refers back to the wallet. The same pronoun appears with different capitalization at the beginning of a later sentence as 'Es'.

im 'im' means “in the” or “at the” and is used here for the location 'im Café'. It is the contracted form of 'in dem' and commonly introduces a place.

Café 'Café' means “cafe” and names the place where the wallet was last had. It can follow a location expression such as 'im'.

Bevor 'Bevor' means “before” and introduces the action that should happen before the call. In 'Bevor du anrufst', it introduces a subordinate clause describing the earlier action.

du 'du' means “you” when addressing one person informally. Here it identifies the person who is going to call and prepare the description.

anrufst 'anrufst' means “call” in the clause 'Bevor du anrufst'. It is the form of the separable verb for calling by phone used in a subordinate clause, where the verb appears together.

bereite 'bereite' is a direct instruction to prepare something. In 'bereite eine Beschreibung davon vor', it is part of the separable verb meaning “prepare” and takes the material being prepared.

eine 'eine' means “a” or “an” and introduces one unspecified description in 'eine Beschreibung'. It is placed before the noun it determines.

Beschreibung 'Beschreibung' means “description” and refers to information about the wallet’s appearance. A useful pattern is to prepare or give a description of an object.

davon 'davon' means “of it” or “about it” and refers back to the wallet. Together with 'Beschreibung', it specifies that the description concerns the wallet.

vor 'vor' is the separable part of the verb in 'bereite eine Beschreibung davon vor', which means “prepare”. The particle moves to the end of the main clause, so it stays separated from 'bereite' here.

wie 'wie' means “how” and introduces the clause describing the wallet’s appearance. It is useful when explaining how something looks or functions.

dein 'dein' means “your” when speaking informally to one person. Here it identifies the wallet as belonging to the person being addressed, as in 'dein Portemonnaie'.

aussieht 'aussieht' means “looks” or “appears” in the clause about the wallet’s appearance. It is the combined form of the verb used at the end of the clause introduced by 'wie'.

ist 'ist' means “is” and identifies or describes the wallet in 'Es ist ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie'. It links the subject with a description or noun phrase.

ein 'ein' means “a” or “an” and introduces the wallet description after 'ist'. It is placed before the noun phrase that identifies what the object is.

kleines 'kleines' means “small” and describes the size of the wallet. It appears directly before 'schwarzes Portemonnaie' as part of the object’s description.

schwarzes 'schwarzes' means “black” and gives the wallet’s color. It is placed before 'Portemonnaie' together with the size description.

mit 'mit' means “with” and introduces a feature of the wallet: a worn corner. It commonly links an object with something it has or contains.

einer 'einer' means “a” or “an” in the phrase 'mit einer abgenutzten Ecke'. It introduces the specific feature that the wallet has.

abgenutzten 'abgenutzten' means “worn” or “worn-out” and describes the condition of the corner. It is useful for giving a physical identifying detail about an object.

Ecke 'Ecke' means “corner” and identifies the part of the wallet that is worn. It can be used to describe the location or condition of a corner on an object.

Das 'Das' means “that” here and refers to the description just given. It allows the speaker to comment on the whole preceding idea without repeating it.

sollte 'sollte' expresses the expectation that something should help. In 'Das sollte dem Personal helfen', it presents the description as likely to be useful.

dem 'dem' means “the” in 'dem Personal' and identifies the staff as the people who receive help. It appears directly before 'Personal' in the phrase with 'helfen'.

Personal 'Personal' means “staff” and refers collectively to the people working at the cafe. It is the group that can search for the missing wallet.

helfen 'helfen' means “help” and describes how the wallet description supports the staff’s search. A useful pattern is 'jemandem helfen, etwas zu tun', meaning to help someone do something.

nach 'nach' is used with 'suchen' in 'nach dem Portemonnaie zu suchen' to express searching for something. The reusable pattern is 'nach etwas suchen'.

zu 'zu' marks the infinitive in 'zu suchen' after 'helfen'. It is part of the pattern in which one person helps someone carry out an action.

suchen 'suchen' means “search” or “look for” and refers to the staff looking for the wallet. It is used with 'nach' when naming the object being sought.

ohne 'ohne' means “without” and introduces an action that is avoided: asking for private details. It can introduce an infinitive phrase such as 'ohne nach ... zu fragen'.

privaten 'privaten' means “private” and describes the details the staff should not request. It appears directly before 'Details'.

Details 'Details' means “details” and refers here to private information that should not be shared. It can be used for specific pieces of information about a person or object.

rufe 'rufe' means “call” in the speaker’s statement about making the phone call. It is the verb part of the separable expression 'rufe an'.

an 'an' is the separable particle that completes the calling expression 'rufe an'. Together, the exact phrase means “I call” or “I’ll call” in this dialogue.

erkläre 'erkläre' means “explain” and describes what the speaker will say during the call. It can introduce information about when or how something happened.

wann 'wann' means “when” and introduces the time the speaker noticed the wallet was missing. It is useful for asking about or reporting a time.

mir 'mir' means “to me” and identifies the person who noticed the absence in 'mir aufgefallen'. Together with the noticing expression, it presents the realization as something that became apparent to the speaker.

aufgefallen 'aufgefallen' means “noticed” or “stood out as noticeable” in 'mir aufgefallen ist'. It is used with a person such as 'mir' to describe when something became apparent to that person.

dass 'dass' means “that” and introduces the content of what the speaker noticed. It begins the clause 'dass es fehlt', whose verb appears at the end.

fehlt 'fehlt' means “is missing” or “is absent” and describes the wallet’s current absence. A common pattern is to say that a particular object 'fehlt' when it is not there.

Nenne 'Nenne' is a direct instruction meaning “mention” or “name”. Here it asks the listener to name a few items inside the wallet.

paar 'paar' means “few” in the expression 'ein paar Dinge'. The full expression is used for a small, non-specific number of things.

Dinge 'Dinge' means “things” or “items” and refers to objects inside the wallet. It can be followed by information specifying which things are meant.

die 'die' means “which” or “that” here and introduces the clause describing the items. In 'Dinge, die darin sind', it refers back to 'Dinge'.

darin 'darin' means “inside it” or “in it” and refers to the wallet. It describes the location of the items without repeating the name of the container.

sind 'sind' means “are” and states that the items are inside the wallet. The pattern 'Darin sind ...' places the location first and then names what is there.

aber 'aber' means “but” and contrasts the advice to mention a few items with the warning not to share document details. It commonly connects two contrasting instructions or statements.

teile 'teile' is a direct instruction meaning “share”. In 'teile keine Angaben', it tells the listener not to disclose certain information.

keine 'keine' means “no” or “not any” and negates the noun phrase 'keine Angaben'. It is placed before the plural information being withheld.

Angaben 'Angaben' means “information” or “details” and refers to information taken from personal documents. It is used for specific information that someone provides or shares.

aus 'aus' means “from” or “out of” and identifies the source of the information: personal documents. A useful pattern is 'Angaben aus Dokumenten' for information originating in documents.

persönlichen 'persönlichen' means “personal” and describes the documents. It marks them as documents containing private information.

Dokumenten 'Dokumenten' means “documents” and names the source from which the private information comes. It can follow 'aus' when describing information taken from documents.

Foto 'Foto' means “photo” and is one of the items inside the wallet. It can be mentioned as a concrete identifying detail without revealing private document information.

gefaltete 'gefaltete' means “folded” and describes the condition of the note. It gives a physical detail that can help distinguish the item.

Notiz 'Notiz' means “note” and identifies the second item inside the wallet. It can refer to a short written message or piece of writing.

Diese 'Diese' means “these” or “those” and points back to the identifying details just mentioned. It introduces the plural noun 'Angaben' and evaluates them as sufficient.

ausreichen 'ausreichen' means “be enough” or “suffice” in 'sollten ausreichen'. A useful pattern is 'etwas sollte ausreichen, um etwas zu tun'.

um 'um' introduces a purpose clause in 'um es sicher zu identifizieren'. Together with 'zu' and the infinitive, it explains what the details are sufficient for.

sicher 'sicher' means “safely” here and describes the manner of identifying the wallet. It modifies the action of identification and emphasizes avoiding unnecessary disclosure.

identifizieren 'identifizieren' means “identify” and refers to confirming that the wallet is the correct one. It appears after 'zu' in the purpose expression 'um es sicher zu identifizieren'.

Wenn 'Wenn' means “if” and introduces a condition: the wallet must be in the staff’s possession. It begins the conditional clause 'Wenn sie es haben'.

sie 'sie' means “they” here and refers to the cafe staff. It is the subject of the condition about whether the staff have the wallet.

haben 'haben' means “have” and states that the staff may possess the wallet. It completes the conditional clause after 'Wenn'.

Zeit 'Zeit' means “time” in 'eine Zeit vereinbaren'. It refers to a mutually arranged time for collecting the wallet.

vereinbaren 'vereinbaren' means “arrange” or “agree on” and describes setting a time for collection. A common pattern is 'eine Zeit vereinbaren'.

abzuholen 'abzuholen' means “to pick it up” in 'um es abzuholen'. It is the form used for the separable verb meaning to collect something, with 'zu' inserted into the verb.

Ruf 'Ruf' is a direct instruction meaning “call”. In 'Ruf jetzt an', it is the imperative part of the separable verb for making a phone call.

jetzt 'jetzt' means “now” and tells the listener when to make the call. It adds an immediate time to the instruction 'Ruf jetzt an'.

überprüfe 'überprüfe' means “check” or “inspect” and describes checking the bag again. It is the speaker’s first-person verb form after 'ich'.

deine 'deine' means “your” when speaking informally to one person. It identifies the bag as belonging to the person being addressed, as in 'deine Tasche'.

Tasche 'Tasche' means “bag” and names the item that will be checked again. It can be used with a possessive word such as 'deine'.

noch 'noch' contributes the sense of an additional or repeated action in 'noch einmal'. Together with 'einmal', it helps express “again” rather than a first check.

einmal 'einmal' means “once” in some contexts, but in 'noch einmal' it contributes to the meaning “again”. The complete expression is used when repeating an action.

während 'während' means “while” and introduces an action happening at the same time as the bag check. It begins the subordinate clause 'während du wartest'.

wartest 'wartest' means “wait” and describes what the listener does during the check. It is used with 'während' to express that the waiting happens at the same time.

Grammar Points

nach etwas suchen

Ich suche nach meinem Portemonnaie.

ikh ZOO-kheh nahkh MY-nem por-teh-moh-NAY.

I am looking for my wallet.

The verb suchen is used with nach and the dative when you say what you are looking for.

ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie

Es ist ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie.

ess ist ine KLYN-ess SHVAR-tsess por-teh-moh-NAY.

It is a small black wallet.

Adjective endings change after ein; neuter nouns take -es in the nominative.

German Vocabulary

abgenutzten adj

AHP-guh-NOOTST-en worn

mit einer abgenutzten Ecke

anrufst verb

AHN-roofst call

Bevor du anrufst

aussieht verb

OWS-seet looks; appears

wie dein Portemonnaie aussieht

Beschreibung noun

beh-SHRY-boong description

eine Beschreibung

Café noun

ka-FAY café

im Café

Ecke noun

ECK-eh corner

einer abgenutzten Ecke

kleines adj

KLYN-ess small

ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie

nach ... suchen phrase

nahkh ... ZOO-khen to look for; to search for

nach dem Portemonnaie zu suchen

Personal noun

per-tsoh-NAHL staff

dem Personal

Portemonnaie noun

por-teh-moh-NAY wallet

mein Portemonnaie

schwarzes adj

SHVAR-tsess black

ein kleines schwarzes Portemonnaie

zuletzt adv

tsoo-LETST last; most recently

zuletzt hatte ich es im Café

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

looks; appears

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aussieht

worn

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abgenutzten

wallet

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Portemonnaie

café

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Café