About This Lesson
Use A useful reset with a short walk to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden, welche Version des Designs besser funktioniert.
ikh kahn mikh nikht ent-SHY-dun, VEL-khuh ver-ZEE-ohn dess deh-ZIGHNS BESS-er foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT. I can't decide which version of the design works better.
B
Gehen wir für ein paar Minuten nach draußen und besprechen wir es.
GHAY-un veer fyr ine pahr mee-NOO-tun nahkh DROW-sun oont beh-SHPREKH-un veer ess. Let's step out for a few minutes and talk it through.
A
Frische Luft könnte helfen, aber ich möchte nicht zu viel Zeit verlieren.
FRISH-uh looft KURNT-uh HEL-fun, AH-ber ikh MURKH-tuh nikht tsoo feel tsight fer-LEE-run. Fresh air might help, but I don't want to lose too much time.
B
Wir können einfach um den Block gehen und uns auf die wichtigste Entscheidung konzentrieren.
veer KUR-nun EYE-nfakh oom dayn blokh GHAY-un oont oons owf dee VIKH-tikh-stuh ent-SHY-dung kon-tsen-TREE-run. We can just circle the block and focus on the main decision.
A
Das würde mir eine Pause geben, ohne das Problem ganz aus den Augen zu verlieren.
dahs VUR-duh meer EYE-nuh POW-zuh GAY-bun, OH-nuh dahs proh-BLAYM gahnts ows dayn OW-gun tsoo fer-LEE-run. That would give me a break without dropping the problem completely.
B
Manchmal fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an, wenn man sich bewegt.
MAHNKH-mahl fyoort zikh EYE-nuh ent-SHY-dung LYKHT-er ahn, venn mahn zikh beh-VAYKT. Sometimes moving around makes the decision feel easier.
A
Ich nehme mein Handy mit, falls wir das Mock-up prüfen müssen.
ikh NAY-muh mine HEN-dee mit, fahls veer dahs MOK-up PRYOO-fun MYOO-sun. I'll bring my phone in case we need to check the mockup.
B
Lass uns in einem ruhigen Tempo gehen, damit es nicht zu einer weiteren Aufgabe wird.
lahs oons in EYE-num ROO-ikh-un TEM-poh GHAY-un, dah-MIT ess nikht tsoo EYE-nuh VY-ter-un OWF-gah-buh veert. Keep the pace relaxed so it doesn't turn into another task.
A
Nach einem kurzen Spaziergang können wir zurückkommen und eine Richtung wählen.
nahkh EYE-num KOORTS-un shpah-TSEE-er-gahng KUR-nun veer tsoo-ROOK-kom-un oont EYE-nuh RIKH-toong VAY-lun. After a short walk, we can come back and choose one direction.
B
Ein kurzer Neustart könnte uns eine weitere Stunde des Überdenkens ersparen.
ine KOORTS-er NOY-shtahrt KURNT-uh oons EYE-nuh VY-ter-uh SHTOON-duh dess YOO-ber-DEN-kuns er-SHPAR-un. A short reset might save us from another hour of overthinking.Word by Word
Ich
In ‘Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden’, ‘Ich’ identifies the speaker as the person who cannot decide. It is useful when stating your own situation, opinion, or intention.
kann
In ‘Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden’, ‘kann’ expresses ability or inability, with ‘nicht’ showing that the speaker is unable to decide. It is used with an infinitive such as ‘entscheiden’.
mich
In ‘Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden’, ‘mich’ refers back to the speaker and is part of the expression for making a decision. This reflexive form is used when the subject is ‘Ich’.
nicht
In ‘Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden’, ‘nicht’ negates the ability to decide. It can be placed before the infinitive phrase when rejecting or denying an action.
entscheiden
In ‘Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden’, ‘entscheiden’ means to decide or make up one’s mind. It follows the modal verb ‘kann’ and is useful when choosing between options.
welche
In ‘welche Version des Designs’, ‘welche’ identifies which option is being considered. It is useful before a noun when selecting one item from several possibilities.
Version
In ‘welche Version des Designs’, ‘Version’ means one form or option of the design. It is useful when comparing different forms of a product, document, or plan.
des
In ‘des Designs’, ‘des’ links the design to the version and means ‘of the’. It introduces the phrase that specifies what the version belongs to.
Designs
In ‘des Designs’, ‘Designs’ means ‘design’ and specifies what kind of version is being discussed. The ending ‘-s’ connects it to ‘des’ in this possessive phrase.
besser
In ‘welche Version des Designs besser funktioniert’, ‘besser’ compares the versions and means that one works more successfully than the other. It is useful when evaluating two or more alternatives.
funktioniert
In ‘welche Version des Designs besser funktioniert’, ‘funktioniert’ says that the version works effectively for its purpose. It is used with a singular subject such as ‘Version’ when assessing how something works.
Gehen
At the start of ‘Gehen wir für ein paar Minuten nach draußen’, ‘Gehen’ forms a suggestion for both speakers to go. This pattern is useful when proposing a shared action.
wir
In ‘Gehen wir’ and ‘Wir können’, ‘wir’ identifies the speaker and the other person together. It is useful when making a suggestion or describing what both people can do.
für
In ‘für ein paar Minuten’, ‘für’ introduces the planned duration of the walk. It is commonly used before a period of time to say how long something is intended to last.
ein
In ‘ein paar Minuten’, ‘ein’ is part of the quantity expression meaning ‘a few’. In ‘Ein kurzer Neustart’, it introduces one short reset as a noun phrase.
paar
In ‘ein paar Minuten’, ‘paar’ means a small number rather than an exact amount. The expression is useful for suggesting a short, approximate period.
Minuten
In ‘für ein paar Minuten’, ‘Minuten’ names the units of time for the short walk. The plural is used because the amount is more than one minute.
nach
In ‘nach draußen’, ‘nach’ marks movement toward the outside. In ‘Nach einem kurzen Spaziergang’, it instead means ‘after’ and introduces a later point in time.
draußen
In ‘nach draußen’, ‘draußen’ means outside, where the speakers plan to go. It is useful for describing a location beyond the current indoor space.
und
In ‘nach draußen und besprechen wir es’, ‘und’ connects the two suggested actions: going outside and discussing the issue. It is useful for joining actions that belong to the same plan.
besprechen
In ‘und besprechen wir es’, ‘besprechen’ means to discuss or talk through the matter. It is useful when people examine an issue together rather than merely mentioning it.
es
In ‘besprechen wir es’, ‘es’ refers to the design decision or problem already under discussion. It is useful for referring back to a matter without repeating the noun.
Frische
In ‘Frische Luft’, ‘Frische’ describes the air as fresh. It takes this form because it appears directly before the feminine noun ‘Luft’ in this phrase.
Luft
In ‘Frische Luft könnte helfen’, ‘Luft’ means air, specifically the fresh air outside. It is useful when talking about air as something that may improve a situation.
könnte
In ‘Frische Luft könnte helfen’, ‘könnte’ presents help as a possibility rather than a certainty. It is useful when making a cautious suggestion or prediction.
helfen
In ‘könnte helfen’, ‘helfen’ means to help or have a beneficial effect. It follows ‘könnte’ and is useful when describing something that may improve a situation.
aber
In ‘könnte helfen, aber ich möchte nicht’, ‘aber’ introduces a concern that limits or contrasts with the previous idea. It is useful for balancing a positive point with a reservation.
möchte
In ‘ich möchte nicht zu viel Zeit verlieren’, ‘möchte’ expresses what the speaker wants or would like. It is useful for stating a preference politely.
zu
In ‘zu viel Zeit’, ‘zu’ means ‘too’ and marks an excessive amount. It also appears in ‘zu einer weiteren Aufgabe’, where it helps express a change into another task.
viel
In ‘zu viel Zeit’, ‘viel’ refers to a large amount of time, and ‘zu viel’ means more than is wanted. This pattern is useful when saying that an amount is excessive.
Zeit
In ‘zu viel Zeit verlieren’, ‘Zeit’ is the time that the speakers do not want to waste. It is useful when discussing how long an activity takes or whether it is worth the time.
verlieren
In ‘zu viel Zeit verlieren’, ‘verlieren’ means to lose or waste time. It also appears in ‘aus den Augen zu verlieren’, where the meaning is to lose sight of an issue.
können
In ‘Wir können einfach um den Block gehen’, ‘können’ expresses what both speakers are able or willing to do. It is useful for suggesting a possible action together.
einfach
In ‘Wir können einfach um den Block gehen’, ‘einfach’ means simply or just and makes the proposed action sound straightforward. It is useful when presenting a low-effort option.
um
In ‘um den Block gehen’, ‘um’ describes a route around the block. It is useful for talking about movement around a place or object.
den
In ‘um den Block’, ‘den’ identifies the block as the object of the route around it. The same form appears in ‘aus den Augen’, where it belongs to the fixed expression about losing sight of something.
Block
In ‘um den Block gehen’, ‘Block’ means a city block or group of buildings. It is useful when describing a short walk around nearby streets.
uns
In ‘uns auf die wichtigste Entscheidung konzentrieren’, ‘uns’ refers back to both speakers and is part of the expression for focusing themselves on something. In ‘Lass uns’, it identifies the two people who are invited to act together.
auf
In ‘uns auf die wichtigste Entscheidung konzentrieren’, ‘auf’ introduces the subject of their focus. This preposition is useful with the expression for concentrating on a particular issue.
die
In ‘die wichtigste Entscheidung’, ‘die’ introduces the specific decision that matters most in this situation. It is useful before a definite feminine noun phrase.
wichtigste
In ‘die wichtigste Entscheidung’, ‘wichtigste’ identifies the decision as the most important one among the possible decisions. It is useful when ranking items by importance.
Entscheidung
In ‘die wichtigste Entscheidung’, ‘Entscheidung’ means the choice or decision the speakers need to make. It is useful when discussing a point that requires selecting a direction or option.
konzentrieren
In ‘uns auf die wichtigste Entscheidung konzentrieren’, ‘konzentrieren’ means focus attention on the main decision. It follows ‘können’ and is used with ‘auf’ to identify the focus.
Das
At the start of ‘Das würde mir eine Pause geben’, ‘Das’ refers back to the suggested walk and its effect. The same spelling appears as ‘das’ in ‘das Problem’, where it introduces the specific problem.
würde
In ‘Das würde mir eine Pause geben’, ‘würde’ presents the proposed walk as something that would have a possible result. It is useful for describing a hypothetical or expected consequence.
mir
In ‘mir eine Pause geben’, ‘mir’ identifies the person who would receive the benefit of the break. It is useful when saying that an action gives or provides something for the speaker.
eine
In ‘eine Pause geben’, ‘eine’ introduces one break. The same form appears in ‘eine Richtung’ and ‘eine weitere Stunde’, where it introduces one feminine noun in each phrase.
Pause
In ‘eine Pause geben’, ‘Pause’ means a break from the current work or thought process. It is useful when describing a temporary rest during an activity.
geben
In ‘Das würde mir eine Pause geben’, ‘geben’ means provide or give the speaker a break. It follows ‘würde’ and is useful for describing what an action provides.
ohne
In ‘ohne das Problem ganz aus den Augen zu verlieren’, ‘ohne’ means without and introduces something that will not happen. It is useful for describing a benefit while excluding an unwanted result.
Problem
In ‘das Problem ganz aus den Augen zu verlieren’, ‘Problem’ refers to the design decision that still needs attention. It is useful for naming an unresolved issue in work or everyday life.
ganz
In ‘das Problem ganz aus den Augen zu verlieren’, ‘ganz’ means completely and strengthens the idea of losing sight of the problem. It is useful when emphasizing that something would happen fully.
aus
In ‘aus den Augen verlieren’, ‘aus’ is part of the expression meaning to lose sight of something. The full phrase is useful when an issue is no longer being kept in mind.
Augen
In ‘aus den Augen verlieren’, ‘Augen’ literally means eyes, but the complete expression means to lose sight of or stop keeping track of something. It is useful for saying that a problem should remain in view mentally.
Manchmal
At the start of ‘Manchmal fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an’, ‘Manchmal’ means sometimes and presents the idea as an occasional experience. It is useful when describing something that happens on some occasions but not always.
fühlt
In ‘fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an’, ‘fühlt’ is part of the expression meaning that something feels a certain way. It is useful for describing a person's experience or impression rather than an objective measurement.
sich
In ‘fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an’, ‘sich’ is part of the expression that describes how the decision feels. It links the feeling back to the decision being described.
leichter
In ‘fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an’, ‘leichter’ means easier and compares the decision with how it felt before the walk. It is useful when describing reduced difficulty.
an
At the end of ‘fühlt sich eine Entscheidung leichter an’, ‘an’ completes the verb expression that means ‘feel’. This separable verb pattern is useful for describing how a situation seems or feels.
wenn
In ‘wenn man sich bewegt’, ‘wenn’ introduces the circumstance under which the decision may feel easier. It is useful for connecting a result with a condition or situation.
man
In ‘wenn man sich bewegt’, ‘man’ refers generally to a person or people rather than to one named individual. It is useful for making a general observation.
bewegt
In ‘wenn man sich bewegt’, ‘bewegt’ means moves around physically. It is useful when describing movement as a possible way to change how one feels or thinks.
nehme
In ‘Ich nehme mein Handy mit’, ‘nehme’ describes the speaker's planned action of taking something along. German uses this present form for an intended future action in this context.
mein
In ‘mein Handy’, ‘mein’ shows that the phone belongs to the speaker. It is useful before a noun when identifying something as the speaker's possession.
Handy
In ‘mein Handy’, ‘Handy’ means mobile phone in German. It is useful when referring to the device the speaker may carry or use to check something.
mit
In ‘Ich nehme mein Handy mit’, ‘mit’ completes the expression meaning to take something along. It is useful when an object accompanies someone to another place.
falls
In ‘falls wir das Mock-up prüfen müssen’, ‘falls’ introduces a possible situation or condition. It is useful when preparing for an action that may become necessary.
Mock-up
In ‘das Mock-up prüfen’, ‘Mock-up’ means a model or visual version used for checking a design. It is useful in a design or product discussion when reviewing a proposed result.
prüfen
In ‘das Mock-up prüfen müssen’, ‘prüfen’ means check or review the mock-up. It appears before the modal verb ‘müssen’ and is useful when verifying whether a design works as intended.
müssen
In ‘wir das Mock-up prüfen müssen’, ‘müssen’ expresses necessity: the speakers may need to check the mock-up. It is useful for describing a required action.
Lass
In ‘Lass uns in einem ruhigen Tempo gehen’, ‘Lass’ begins a suggestion for both speakers to do something together. This pattern is useful for proposing a shared action in a direct but friendly way.
in
In ‘in einem ruhigen Tempo gehen’, ‘in’ introduces the manner or pace of walking. It is useful when describing the conditions or style in which an action is performed.
einem
In ‘in einem ruhigen Tempo’, ‘einem’ introduces one pace or tempo within the phrase. Its form fits the noun phrase used after ‘in’ here.
ruhigen
In ‘in einem ruhigen Tempo’, ‘ruhigen’ describes the pace as calm and relaxed. It is useful when asking someone to perform an activity without pressure or hurry.
Tempo
In ‘in einem ruhigen Tempo gehen’, ‘Tempo’ means pace or speed. It is useful when discussing how quickly an activity should be carried out.
damit
In ‘damit es nicht zu einer weiteren Aufgabe wird’, ‘damit’ introduces the purpose of keeping the pace relaxed. It is useful for explaining what an action is intended to prevent or achieve.
einer
In ‘zu einer weiteren Aufgabe’, ‘einer’ introduces another task into which the walk might turn. It is useful in this phrase when describing a possible change into an additional activity.
weiteren
In ‘zu einer weiteren Aufgabe’, ‘weiteren’ means another or additional and shows that the walk would become one more task. It is useful when adding an item to an already existing set of tasks.
Aufgabe
In ‘zu einer weiteren Aufgabe wird’, ‘Aufgabe’ means a task or piece of work. It is useful for distinguishing a relaxing activity from something that creates another obligation.
wird
In ‘es nicht zu einer weiteren Aufgabe wird’, ‘wird’ means becomes or turns into. Together with ‘zu einer weiteren Aufgabe’, it describes the possible result of the walk becoming another task.
kurzen
In ‘Nach einem kurzen Spaziergang’, ‘kurzen’ describes the walk as short. It is useful when referring to an activity that takes only a limited amount of time.
Spaziergang
In ‘Nach einem kurzen Spaziergang’, ‘Spaziergang’ means a walk, especially a relaxed walk. It is useful for describing a brief outing intended for a break or change of scene.
zurückkommen
In ‘können wir zurückkommen’, ‘zurückkommen’ means come back to the original place or task. It is useful when someone temporarily leaves and then returns.
Richtung
In ‘eine Richtung wählen’, ‘Richtung’ means a direction or chosen course. It is useful when deciding which option or approach to follow next.
wählen
In ‘eine Richtung wählen’, ‘wählen’ means choose or select. It is useful when making a decision between possible directions or options.
kurzer
In ‘Ein kurzer Neustart’, ‘kurzer’ describes the reset as short. It is useful when emphasizing that a change or interruption will take little time.
Neustart
In ‘Ein kurzer Neustart’, ‘Neustart’ means a reset or fresh start in the thinking process. It is useful when a brief change helps people approach an ongoing problem again.
weitere
In ‘eine weitere Stunde’, ‘weitere’ means another or additional and adds one more hour to the time already spent thinking. It is useful when referring to extra time or an additional unit.
Stunde
In ‘eine weitere Stunde des Überdenkens’, ‘Stunde’ means an hour. It is useful for describing a substantial additional period spent on an activity.
Überdenkens
In ‘eine weitere Stunde des Überdenkens’, ‘Überdenkens’ names the overthinking that would fill the additional hour. Its form connects this activity to the amount of time being spared.
ersparen
In ‘uns eine weitere Stunde des Überdenkens ersparen’, ‘ersparen’ means save or spare the speakers from an unwanted additional hour. It is useful when an action prevents someone from having to endure or spend time on something.
Grammar Points
mitnehmen: trennbares Verb
Ich nehme das Handy mit.
ikh NAY-muh dahs HEN-dee mit.I take the mobile phone along.
Bei trennbaren Verben steht die Vorsilbe im Hauptsatz am Ende: nehme ... mit.
falls + Nebensatz
Falls das Handy funktioniert, nehme ich es mit.
fahls dahs HEN-dee foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT, NAY-muh ikh ess mit.If the mobile phone works, I’ll take it along.
Nach „falls“ steht das konjugierte Verb am Ende des Nebensatzes: funktioniert.
German Vocabulary
besprechen
verb
beh-SHPREKH-un
to discuss; to talk through
besser
adj
BESS-er
better
Design
noun
deh-ZIGHN
design
Designs
frisch
adj
frish
fresh
Frische
funktionieren
verb
foonk-tsee-oh-NEER-un
to work; to function
funktioniert
helfen
verb
HEL-fun
to help
Luft
noun
looft
air
nach draußen
phrase
nahkh DROW-sun
outside; outdoors
sich entscheiden
verb
zikh ent-SHY-dun
to decide
entscheiden
verlieren
verb
fer-LEE-run
to lose
Version
noun
ver-ZEE-ohn
version
Zeit
noun
tsight
time
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to work; to function
Show Answer
funktioniertbetter
Show Answer
besserto discuss; to talk through
Show Answer
besprechenfresh