Flexible Breaks at Work | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Flexible Breaks at Work to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich bin mir nicht sicher, wie dieses Team mit Pausen umgeht.

ikh bin meer neekht ZIKH-er, vee DEE-zes teem mit POW-zen OOM-gayt. I'm not sure how this team handles breaks.

Die Regelung ist flexibel, aber während der Servicezeiten muss die Besetzung trotzdem stimmen.

dee RAY-guh-loong ist flex-EE-buhl, AH-ber VAIR-ent dair SUR-viss-TSY-ten moos dee beh-ZET-soong TROTS-dame SHTIM-en. The policy is flexible, but coverage still matters during service hours.

Dann kann ich bei Bedarf kurz weggehen, solange jemand verfügbar ist.

dahn kahn ikh bye beh-DARF koorts VEK-gay-en, ZOH-lahn-guh YAY-mant fer-FYOOK-bar ist. So I can step away when needed, as long as someone is available.

Gib den Leuten einfach Bescheid, wenn du eine Weile weg bist.

geep den LOY-ten EEN-fakh beh-SHYT, ven doo EYE-nuh VY-luh vek bist. Just let people know if you'll be gone for a while.

Das scheint fair zu sein. Ich hatte Angst, dass es so aussehen könnte, als würde ich einfach verschwinden.

dahs shynt fair tsoo zine. ikh HAT-tuh AHNGST, dahss ess zoh OWS-zay-en KURN-tuh, ahls VUR-duh ikh EEN-fakh fer-SHVEN-den. That seems fair. I was worried it might look like I was disappearing.

Eine kurze Nachricht im Team-Chat sollte das verhindern.

EYE-nuh KOOR-tsuh NAKH-rikht im teem-khat ZOL-tuh dahss fer-HIN-dahn. A quick note in the team chat should prevent that.

Sollen wir für stressige Zeiten einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan erstellen?

ZOL-en veer fyoor SHTRES-ig-uh TSY-ten EYE-nen guh-MINE-zah-men TSYTE-plahn er-SHTEL-en? Should we create a shared schedule during busy periods?

Das könnte helfen, wenn mehrere Leute gleichzeitig zu Mittag essen wollen.

dahs KURN-tuh HEL-fen, ven MAY-rer LOY-tuh GLIKE-tsy-tikh tsoo MIT-tahk ESS-en VOL-en. That could help when several people want lunch at the same time.

Ich werde das beim nächsten Teamtreffen vorschlagen.

ikh VAIR-duh dahss BYME NEKHST-en TEEM-tref-en FOR-shlah-gen. I'll suggest it at the next team check-in.

Dann weiß jeder, was ihn erwartet.

dahn vice YAY-der, vahs een er-VAIR-tet. Then everyone will know what to expect.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and is the speaker who is unsure in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”. It commonly appears as the subject at the start of a statement about the speaker’s own situation.

bin “bin” means “am” in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher” and is the form of sein used with Ich. The pattern “Ich bin ...” is useful when describing your current state or opinion.

mir “mir” means “to me” in the expression “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”, which expresses the speaker’s uncertainty. This pronoun is part of the reusable pattern “sich nicht sicher sein” for saying that you are unsure.

nicht “nicht” negates sicher in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”, changing “sure” into “not sure”. This is useful when you want to state uncertainty about a rule, process, or answer.

sicher “sicher” means “sure” in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”. In this pattern, it describes how certain the speaker feels about something, such as a team’s procedure.

wie “wie” means “how” and introduces the embedded question “wie dieses Team mit Pausen umgeht”. It is useful for asking about the way a person, team, or organization does something.

dieses “dieses” means “this” and identifies the particular team in “dieses Team”. It is used directly before the noun when referring to a specific thing nearby or already under discussion.

Team “Team” means “team” in “dieses Team”. Here it refers to the group of coworkers whose break procedure is being discussed, so it can be used for a group working together.

mit “mit” means “with” in the construction “mit Pausen umgehen”. Together with umgehen, it helps express how someone handles or deals with something, and this construction is useful for discussing procedures or situations.

Pausen “Pausen” means “breaks” in “mit Pausen umgehen”; the citation form is Pause. The plural form is useful when talking about breaks generally rather than one particular break.

umgeht “umgeht” means “handles” or “deals with” in “wie dieses Team mit Pausen umgeht”. It is the verb form placed at the end of this embedded question, and “mit ... umgehen” is a reusable way to discuss handling something.

Die “Die” means “the” before “Regelung” in “Die Regelung ist flexibel”. It identifies the specific policy or arrangement already relevant to the workplace discussion.

Regelung “Regelung” means “policy” or “arrangement” in “Die Regelung ist flexibel”. It is useful for referring to an established rule or practical arrangement at work.

ist “ist” means “is” in “Die Regelung ist flexibel” and links the workplace arrangement with its description. The pattern “ist + adjective” is useful for describing a rule, object, or situation.

flexibel “flexibel” means “flexible” in “Die Regelung ist flexibel”, indicating that the arrangement allows some adjustment. It is useful when discussing rules or schedules that are not completely fixed.

aber “aber” means “but” and contrasts the flexible rule with the continued need for coverage in “flexibel, aber ...”. It is useful for adding an important limitation or opposing point.

während “während” means “during” in “während der Servicezeiten” and marks the time period when coverage matters. It is useful for placing an action or requirement within working hours or another defined period.

der “der” means “the” in “der Servicezeiten” and belongs to the time expression “während der Servicezeiten”. It helps identify the specific service hours being discussed.

Servicezeiten “Servicezeiten” means “service hours” in “während der Servicezeiten”. The compound refers to the hours when service is being provided, so it is useful when discussing staffing or availability during those hours.

muss “muss” means “must” or “has to” in “muss die Besetzung trotzdem stimmen”. It expresses a requirement, and it is followed here by the infinitive stimmen.

Besetzung “Besetzung” means “staffing” or “coverage” in “die Besetzung muss trotzdem stimmen”. Here it refers to having enough people available during service hours, a useful topic when coordinating workplace breaks.

trotzdem “trotzdem” means “still” or “nevertheless” in “muss die Besetzung trotzdem stimmen”. It signals that the staffing requirement remains despite the flexible break arrangement.

stimmen “stimmen” means “be right” or “work properly” in “die Besetzung muss trotzdem stimmen”. As the infinitive after muss, it describes the staffing being adequate, which is useful when checking whether an arrangement functions.

Dann “Dann” means “then” in “Dann kann ich bei Bedarf kurz weggehen” and presents the consequence of the previous information. It is useful for linking a condition or explanation to what happens next.

kann “kann” means “can” in “kann ich bei Bedarf kurz weggehen”, expressing that the speaker is allowed or able to step away when needed. The pattern “kann ich ...” is useful when discussing available actions or permission.

bei “bei” means “in” or “when there is” in the expression “bei Bedarf”. Together with Bedarf, it marks a situation in which an action is needed, and this pattern is useful for stating conditional availability.

Bedarf “Bedarf” means “need” in “bei Bedarf”, which means when needed or if necessary. This expression is useful in workplace instructions when an action should happen only as required.

kurz “kurz” means “briefly” in “kurz weggehen”, limiting the length of the speaker’s absence. It is useful for describing a short action or short period away.

weggehen “weggehen” means “go away” or “step away” in “kurz weggehen”. It is the infinitive after kann, and this expression is useful when talking about briefly leaving a place.

solange “solange” means “as long as” and introduces the condition “solange jemand verfügbar ist”. It is useful for setting a requirement that must continue to be true.

jemand “jemand” means “someone” in “solange jemand verfügbar ist”. It refers to an unspecified person who can provide the necessary coverage, so it is useful when the exact person is not important.

verfügbar “verfügbar” means “available” in “jemand verfügbar ist”. Here it describes a person who can remain present or provide coverage, making it useful when coordinating schedules or responsibilities.

Gib “Gib” means “give” in the instruction “Gib den Leuten einfach Bescheid”, where the whole expression means “let the people know”. It is an informal singular instruction used when telling one person to communicate information.

den “den” means “the” before “Leuten” in “den Leuten”. It identifies the particular people who should receive the information.

Leuten “Leuten” means “people” in “Gib den Leuten einfach Bescheid”; the citation form is Leute. Here it refers to the coworkers who need to be informed, so it is useful in group communication at work.

einfach “einfach” means “just” or “simply” in “Gib den Leuten einfach Bescheid”. It makes the instruction sound straightforward and uncomplicated, which is useful when suggesting an easy practical step.

Bescheid “Bescheid” is part of “Gib den Leuten einfach Bescheid”, an expression meaning to let someone know or inform them. The complete expression is useful when asking a person to communicate a short update.

wenn “wenn” means “if” or “when” in “wenn du eine Weile weg bist” and introduces the situation that triggers the instruction. It is useful for connecting an action with a condition or recurring situation.

du “du” means “you” in the informal expression “wenn du eine Weile weg bist”. It refers to the coworker being addressed directly, so it is used in familiar one-to-one workplace communication.

eine “eine” means “a” before “Weile” in “eine Weile”. It introduces an unspecified period of time, which is useful when the exact length is not important.

Weile “Weile” means “while” or “period of time” in “eine Weile weg bist”. The phrase refers to being away for some time, and it is useful when the duration is approximate rather than exact.

weg “weg” means “away” or “gone” in “eine Weile weg bist”. Together with bist, “weg sein” describes being absent from the current place, which is useful when explaining a temporary absence.

bist “bist” means “are” in “wenn du eine Weile weg bist” and is the form of sein used with du. It completes the expression describing the addressed person’s absence.

Das “Das” means “that” or “it” in “Das scheint fair zu sein”, referring to the break arrangement just described. It is useful for pointing back to a preceding idea, decision, or situation.

scheint “scheint” means “seems” in “Das scheint fair zu sein”. It presents the speaker’s evaluation as an impression rather than an absolute statement, which is useful when giving a measured opinion.

fair “fair” means “fair” or “reasonable” in “scheint fair zu sein”. Here it evaluates the arrangement as acceptable to the people involved, so it is useful when assessing a rule or proposal.

zu “zu” marks the infinitive in “fair zu sein”. Together with scheint, the construction expresses how something appears, and it is useful for describing an impression or judgment.

sein “sein” means “be” in “fair zu sein”, completing the infinitive construction after scheint. The phrase describes the speaker’s assessment of the arrangement.

hatte “hatte” means “had” in “Ich hatte Angst”, describing the speaker’s earlier worry. It is useful for reporting a concern that existed before the current conversation.

Angst “Angst” means “fear” or “worry” in the expression “Ich hatte Angst”. The construction “Angst haben” is useful for saying that you are worried about a possible result.

dass “dass” means “that” and introduces the content of the worry in “dass es so aussehen könnte”. It is useful for connecting a feeling or statement with the situation it concerns.

es “es” means “it” in “dass es so aussehen könnte”, referring to the situation or impression being discussed. It forms part of the expression about how something may appear.

so “so” means “like that” or “in that way” in “so aussehen könnte”. Together with aussehen, it describes the possible impression created by the speaker’s absence.

aussehen “aussehen” means “look” or “appear” in “so aussehen könnte”. It is used here to describe how the situation might seem to other people, which is useful when discussing appearances or impressions.

könnte “könnte” means “could” or “might” in “so aussehen könnte”, expressing a possible rather than certain impression. It is useful when describing a result that may happen but is not definite.

als “als” means “as if” in “als würde ich einfach verschwinden”. It introduces the imagined appearance of the situation, which is useful when explaining how an action might be interpreted.

würde “würde” means “would” in “als würde ich einfach verschwinden”. Together with verschwinden, it presents an imagined or hypothetical appearance, useful when describing how something might seem to others.

verschwinden “verschwinden” means “disappear” in “als würde ich einfach verschwinden”. It is the infinitive after würde and describes leaving without being seen or explained in this context.

kurze “kurze” means “short” or “quick” before “Nachricht” in “Eine kurze Nachricht”. It describes a message that does not need to be long, which is useful when recommending a brief update.

Nachricht “Nachricht” means “message” or “note” in “Eine kurze Nachricht im Team-Chat”. Here it refers to a brief written update for coworkers, so it is useful in workplace communication.

im “im” means “in the” in “im Team-Chat” and is the contracted form of in dem. It identifies the place or channel where the message should be posted.

Team-Chat “Team-Chat” means “team chat” in “Eine kurze Nachricht im Team-Chat”. It refers to the shared communication channel used to update the coworkers.

sollte “sollte” means “should” in “sollte das verhindern”, expressing an expected helpful result. It is useful when suggesting that an action will probably avoid a problem.

verhindern “verhindern” means “prevent” in “sollte das verhindern”. It is the infinitive after sollte and describes stopping the unwanted impression from occurring.

Sollen “Sollen” means “should” in the question “Sollen wir für stressige Zeiten einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan erstellen?”. It invites a joint decision or proposal, so it is useful when asking whether a group should take an action.

wir “wir” means “we” in “Sollen wir ... erstellen?” and includes the speaker and the other people involved. It is useful when proposing a shared action or decision.

für “für” means “for” in “für stressige Zeiten”, identifying the periods the schedule is intended to cover. It is useful for expressing the purpose or intended time of an arrangement.

stressige “stressige” means “busy” or “stressful” before “Zeiten” in “stressige Zeiten”. It identifies periods when coordinating breaks is more difficult, which is useful when planning for demanding work periods.

Zeiten “Zeiten” means “times” or “periods” in “stressige Zeiten”; the citation form is Zeit. Here it refers to recurring busy periods rather than one exact moment.

einen “einen” means “a” before “gemeinsamen Zeitplan” in “einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan erstellen”. It introduces the schedule that the speakers are considering creating.

gemeinsamen “gemeinsamen” means “shared” or “joint” before “Zeitplan” in “einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan”. It shows that the schedule would be used by the whole group, which is useful for coordinated plans.

Zeitplan “Zeitplan” means “schedule” in “einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan erstellen”. It refers to an organized plan of times, useful for coordinating several people’s activities.

erstellen “erstellen” means “create” or “draw up” in “einen gemeinsamen Zeitplan erstellen”. It is the infinitive after Sollen, and the pattern is useful when proposing to make a plan or document.

helfen “helfen” means “help” in “Das könnte helfen”. It is the infinitive after könnte and describes an action that may improve the situation, which is useful when evaluating a proposed solution.

mehrere “mehrere” means “several” in “mehrere Leute”. It indicates more than one person without specifying the exact number, which is useful when discussing a group.

Leute “Leute” means “people” in “mehrere Leute”; this is the citation form corresponding to Leuten earlier. Here it refers to coworkers who may want lunch at the same time.

gleichzeitig “gleichzeitig” means “at the same time” in “gleichzeitig zu Mittag essen”. It shows that the people’s lunch plans overlap, which is useful when explaining why coordination is needed.

Mittag “Mittag” means “noon” or “midday” in the expression “zu Mittag essen”. The complete expression means to eat lunch, and it is useful for talking about the midday meal.

essen “essen” means “eat” in “zu Mittag essen wollen”. It is the infinitive describing the meal activity and appears before wollen in this construction.

wollen “wollen” means “want” in “zu Mittag essen wollen”. It expresses the people’s intention and is useful for describing what someone plans or wishes to do.

werde “werde” means “will” in “Ich werde das ... vorschlagen” and helps express the speaker’s future intention. The pattern “Ich werde ...” is useful when committing to a later action.

beim “beim” means “at the” in “beim nächsten Teamtreffen” and is the contracted form of bei dem. It places the proposed action at the time of the team meeting.

nächsten “nächsten” means “next” before “Teamtreffen” in “beim nächsten Teamtreffen”. It identifies the upcoming meeting at which the suggestion will be made.

Teamtreffen “Teamtreffen” means “team meeting” in “beim nächsten Teamtreffen”. It refers to a meeting of the coworkers, a setting where a shared schedule can be proposed.

vorschlagen “vorschlagen” means “suggest” in “das beim nächsten Teamtreffen vorschlagen”. It is the infinitive after werde and is useful when presenting an idea for other people to consider.

weiß “weiß” means “knows” in “Dann weiß jeder, was ihn erwartet”. It expresses that each person will have the relevant information, and it is useful when talking about knowing a fact or situation.

jeder “jeder” means “everyone” or “each person” in “Dann weiß jeder”. It refers to every member of the team individually, which is useful when describing information shared across a group.

was “was” means “what” in “was ihn erwartet” and introduces the content of what each person will know. It is useful for referring to an unspecified situation, result, or information.

ihn “ihn” means “him” in “was ihn erwartet”, referring to each person represented by jeder. It identifies the person who will experience or face what is coming.

erwartet “erwartet” means “awaits” or “is in store for” in “was ihn erwartet”. Together, the expression tells the listener what situation or arrangement to expect, which is useful when clarifying future conditions.

Grammar Points

solange + Nebensatz mit Verb am Ende

Solange die Besetzung stimmt

ZOH-lahn-guh dee beh-ZET-soong SHTIMT

As long as the staffing works out

Nach „solange“ steht das konjugierte Verb im Nebensatz am Ende.

während + Genitiv

während der Servicezeiten

VAIR-ent dair SUR-viss-TSY-ten

during the service hours

„während“ steht häufig mit dem Genitiv: „der Servicezeiten“.

German Vocabulary

bei Bedarf phrase

bye beh-DARF when needed; if necessary

bei Bedarf kurz weggehen

Besetzung noun

beh-ZET-soong staffing; coverage

die Besetzung muss stimmen

flexibel adj

flex-EE-buhl flexible

Die Regelung ist flexibel.

mit etwas umgehen verb

mit ET-vahs OOM-gay-en to deal with something mit Pausen umgeht

wie dieses Team mit Pausen umgeht

Pause noun

POW-zuh break Pausen

mit Pausen umgeht

Regelung noun

RAY-guh-loong policy; arrangement

Die Regelung ist flexibel.

Servicezeit noun

SUR-viss-TSYTE service hour Servicezeiten

während der Servicezeiten

sicher adj

ZIKH-er sure

Ich bin mir nicht sicher.

solange conj

zoh-LAHNG-uh as long as

solange jemand verfügbar ist

stimmen verb

SHTIM-en to be right; to work out

muss die Besetzung trotzdem stimmen

während prep

VAIR-ent during

während der Servicezeiten

weggehen verb

VEK-gay-en to step away; to leave

kurz weggehen

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Then everyone will know what to expect.

Show Answer

Dann weiß jeder, was ihn erwartet.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

break

Show Answer

Pausen

flexible

Show Answer

flexibel

during

Show Answer

während

sure

Show Answer

sicher