Borrowing a Bicycle Repair Kit | Learn German in English

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Use Borrowing a Bicycle Repair Kit to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt, und ich brauche ein Reparaturset.

mine FAHR-raht-RYE-fen ist plaht, oont ikh BROW-khuh ine reh-pa-ra-TOOR-zet. My bicycle tire is flat, and I need a repair kit.

Ich habe ein Set mit Reifenhebern und einem Ersatzschlauch.

ikh HAH-buh ine zet mit RYE-fen-HAY-bern oont EYE-nem air-ZAHTS-shlowkh. I have a kit with tire levers and a spare inner tube.

Könntest du mir zeigen, wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut?

KURN-tist doo meer TSOY-gen, vee mahn dahs raht RIKH-tikh OWS-bowt? Could you show me how to remove the wheel correctly?

Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um.

DRAY dahs FAHR-raht FOR-zikh-tikh oom. Start by turning the bike upside down carefully.

Ich habe noch nie allein einen Schlauch gewechselt.

ikh HAH-buh nokh nee ah-LINE EYE-nen shlowkh geh-VEK-selt. I have never changed an inner tube by myself before.

Befolge die Anleitung genau und versuche nicht, ein Teil mit Gewalt zu bewegen.

beh-FOL-guh dee AHN-lie-toong guh-NOW oont fer-ZOO-khuh nikht, ine tile mit geh-VAHLT tsoo beh-VAY-gen. Follow the instructions carefully, and do not force any part to move.

Nachdem ich ihn ersetzt habe, sollte ich den Reifendruck prüfen?

NAHKH-daym ikh een AIR-zetst HAH-buh, ZOL-tuh ikh dayn RYE-fen-drook PRYOO-fen? After I replace it, should I check the pressure?

Der Reifen sollte sich fest anfühlen, aber nicht zu hart sein.

dair RYE-fen ZOL-tuh zikh fest ahn-FYOO-len, AH-ber nikht tsoo hart zine. The tire should feel firm, but not too hard.

Könntest du in der Nähe bleiben, während ich den ersten Schritt ausprobiere?

KURN-tist doo in dair NAY-uh BLY-ben, VAY-rent ikh dayn AIR-sten shrit OWS-proh-BEE-ruh? Could you stay nearby while I try the first step?

Ich kann dir den ersten Teil erklären, während du das Set benutzt.

ikh kahn deer dayn AIR-sten tile air-KLEH-ren, VAY-rent doo dahs zet beh-NOOTST. I can talk you through the first part while you use the kit.

Word by Word

Mein “Mein” means “my” and identifies the bicycle tire as belonging to the speaker in “Mein Fahrradreifen”. It is used before a singular noun to show possession, as in “Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt”.

Fahrradreifen “Fahrradreifen” means “bicycle tire”, the tire that is flat in this dialogue. It is a compound noun used as the subject in “Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt”, useful when describing a bicycle problem.

ist “Ist” means “is” and connects “Mein Fahrradreifen” with the description “platt”. It is the form of “sein” used with this subject, as in “Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt”.

platt “Platt” means “flat” here, describing the condition of the bicycle tire. “Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt” is useful when reporting that a tire needs repair.

und “Und” means “and” and joins the statement about the flat tire with the speaker’s need for a repair kit. It commonly connects two related clauses, as in “Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt, und ich brauche ein Reparaturset”.

ich “Ich” means “I” and refers to the person speaking. In “ich brauche” and “Ich habe”, it marks the speaker as the subject, a basic pattern for describing personal needs or possessions.

brauche “Brauche” means “need” in “ich brauche ein Reparaturset”. It is the form of “brauchen” used with “ich” and is commonly followed by the thing that is needed.

ein “Ein” means “a” or “an” before the singular noun “Reparaturset”. The pattern “ich brauche ein Reparaturset” is useful for asking for one specific item that is needed.

Reparaturset “Reparaturset” means “repair kit”, the set needed to fix the bicycle tire. It is the object of “brauche” in “ich brauche ein Reparaturset”, so it names the item being requested.

habe “Habe” means “have” and expresses possession in “Ich habe ein Set”. It is the form of “haben” used with “ich” and can introduce an item that someone can offer.

Set “Set” means “kit” or “set” and refers here to the bicycle repair equipment. In “ein Set mit Reifenhebern und einem Ersatzschlauch”, “mit” introduces the contents of the set.

mit “Mit” means “with” and connects the set to the tools and spare inner tube it contains. The pattern “ein Set mit Reifenhebern und einem Ersatzschlauch” is useful for describing what equipment comes together.

Reifenhebern “Reifenhebern” means “tire levers”, the tools included in the repair set. It is used after “mit” in “mit Reifenhebern”, a pattern for listing the contents of equipment; the citation form is “Reifenheber”.

einem “Einem” means “a” or “an” before “Ersatzschlauch” in “mit ... einem Ersatzschlauch”. The form follows “mit”, which introduces the item included with the set.

Ersatzschlauch “Ersatzschlauch” means “spare inner tube”, an extra inner tube available for the repair. In “einem Ersatzschlauch”, it names one item included in the set.

Könntest “Könntest” expresses “could” in the polite request “Könntest du mir zeigen”. It is used with “du” to ask someone for help in a considerate way.

du “Du” means “you” when addressing one person informally. In “Könntest du mir zeigen”, it identifies the person being asked to demonstrate something.

mir “Mir” means “to me” and identifies the person who should receive the demonstration in “mir zeigen”. The pattern “du mir zeigen” places the person helped before the thing or information being shown.

zeigen “Zeigen” means “show” in the request “mir zeigen, wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut”. It can be used with a person and a “wie” clause to ask someone to demonstrate how to do something.

wie “Wie” means “how” and introduces the explanation of the correct way to remove the wheel in “wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut”. This pattern is useful when asking how an action is performed.

man “Man” refers to people in general or to an unspecified person in “wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut”. It is useful in general instructions when the action is not tied to one named person.

das “Das” means “the” before “Rad” in “das Rad”. It identifies the specific wheel being removed and forms the noun phrase that functions as the object of “ausbaut”.

Rad “Rad” means “wheel” in “das Rad richtig ausbaut”. It is the bicycle part that is being removed, so the phrase is useful when discussing wheel repair.

richtig “Richtig” means “correctly” in “das Rad richtig ausbaut”. It describes the manner of removing the wheel and is useful when asking about the proper way to perform a task.

ausbaut “Ausbaut” means “removes” in “wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut”. It is the form of “ausbauen” used at the end of the “wie” clause, a position typical for the finite verb in this subordinate clause.

Dreh “Dreh” means “turn” in the direct instruction “Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um”. It is the imperative form used when telling one person informally how to begin the repair.

Fahrrad “Fahrrad” means “bicycle” and is the object being turned over in “Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um”. It is useful for giving instructions about handling the bicycle during repair.

vorsichtig “Vorsichtig” means “carefully” and describes how the bicycle should be turned in “Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um”. It is useful when giving instructions for an action that should be done gently.

um “Um” completes the separable verb in “Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um”, meaning to turn the bicycle over. Here it belongs with “Dreh” rather than expressing a separate meaning such as around.

noch “Noch” contributes the meaning “ever” or “yet” in the expression “noch nie”. Together with “nie”, it emphasizes that the speaker has not changed an inner tube at any time before.

nie “Nie” means “never” in “Ich habe noch nie allein einen Schlauch gewechselt”. The expression “noch nie” is useful for saying that an experience has not happened before.

allein “Allein” means “alone” or “by oneself” and explains that the speaker has not previously changed an inner tube without help. In “noch nie allein”, it describes how the earlier action would have been performed.

einen “Einen” means “a” or “an” before “Schlauch” in “einen Schlauch gewechselt”. It introduces the particular inner tube that was changed in this account of past experience.

Schlauch “Schlauch” means “inner tube” in “einen Schlauch gewechselt”. It is the bicycle part being changed, and the pattern “einen Schlauch wechseln” is useful when describing this repair.

gewechselt “Gewechselt” means “changed” in “Ich habe noch nie allein einen Schlauch gewechselt”. It is the past participle of “wechseln” used with “habe” to describe a completed repair action.

Befolge “Befolge” means “follow” in the instruction “Befolge die Anleitung genau”. It is an imperative form used to tell one person to follow written or spoken guidance.

die “Die” means “the” before “Anleitung” in “die Anleitung”. It identifies the specific instructions that should be followed in the repair situation.

Anleitung “Anleitung” means “instructions” or “guidance” and refers to the directions for the repair. In “Befolge die Anleitung genau”, it is the thing that the learner is told to follow.

genau “Genau” means “carefully” or “exactly” in “Befolge die Anleitung genau”. It emphasizes following the instructions without skipping or changing their details.

versuche “Versuche” means “try” in the instruction “versuche nicht, ein Teil mit Gewalt zu bewegen”. It is an informal singular imperative used to tell someone not to attempt a particular action.

nicht “Nicht” means “not” and negates the instruction “versuche ... zu bewegen”. In “versuche nicht, ein Teil mit Gewalt zu bewegen”, it makes the advice a prohibition.

Teil “Teil” means “part” or “component” in “ein Teil”. It refers generally to one part of the repair mechanism, without naming a more specific component.

Gewalt “Gewalt” means “force” in the expression “mit Gewalt”. This expression describes moving something forcefully, and here it is used to warn against forcing a part during repair.

zu “Zu” marks the infinitive in “zu bewegen”. Together with “versuche nicht”, it forms the construction “versuche nicht, ein Teil mit Gewalt zu bewegen”, meaning “do not try to move a part by force”.

bewegen “Bewegen” means “move” in “ein Teil mit Gewalt zu bewegen”. It is the infinitive after “zu” and names the action that should not be attempted forcefully.

Nachdem “Nachdem” means “after” and introduces the clause “Nachdem ich ihn ersetzt habe”. It is useful for ordering one completed action before another action or question.

ihn “Ihn” means “it” or “him” as the object of “ersetzt” in “ich ihn ersetzt habe”. Here it refers to the item being replaced, while the exact antecedent is understood from the repair context.

ersetzt “Ersetzt” means “replaced” in “ich ihn ersetzt habe”. It is the past participle of “ersetzen” used with “habe” in the clause introduced by “Nachdem”.

sollte “Sollte” expresses “should” in the question “sollte ich den Reifendruck prüfen?”. It asks whether checking the tire pressure is the appropriate next action.

den “Den” means “the” before “Reifendruck” in “den Reifendruck prüfen”. It identifies the specific tire pressure that the speaker is asking about checking.

Reifendruck “Reifendruck” means “tire pressure”. In “den Reifendruck prüfen”, it is the thing that should be checked after the replacement.

prüfen “Prüfen” means “check” in “sollte ich den Reifendruck prüfen?”. It is an infinitive used after “sollte” and names the proposed follow-up action.

Der “Der” means “the” before “Reifen” in “Der Reifen sollte sich fest anfühlen”. It introduces the specific tire whose condition is being described.

Reifen “Reifen” means “tire” in “Der Reifen”. It is the subject of the description about how the tire should feel after repair.

sich “Sich” is the reflexive pronoun used with “anfühlen” in “sich fest anfühlen”. Together, they describe how the tire feels rather than an action directed at another object.

fest “Fest” means “firm” in “sich fest anfühlen”. It describes the recommended feel of the tire and is contrasted with being too hard in the same sentence.

anfühlen “Anfühlen” means “feel” in the construction “sich fest anfühlen”. The pattern is used to describe how something feels to the touch, such as a tire during a repair check.

aber “Aber” means “but” and contrasts “fest” with “nicht zu hart”. It is useful for giving a recommendation that includes both a desired quality and a limit.

hart “Hart” means “hard” in “nicht zu hart sein”. With “zu”, it describes a condition that should be avoided because the tire should not feel excessively hard.

in “In” means “in” in the fixed expression “in der Nähe”. Together with “der Nähe”, it describes a location close to the person who is working.

Nähe “Nähe” means “vicinity” or “nearby area” in “in der Nähe bleiben”. The expression is useful when asking someone to remain close enough to help.

bleiben “Bleiben” means “stay” in “in der Nähe bleiben”. It is the infinitive after “Könntest du” and names the requested action of remaining nearby.

während “Während” means “while” and introduces “während ich den ersten Schritt ausprobiere”. It connects two actions that take place at the same time.

ersten “Ersten” means “first” in “den ersten Schritt”. It identifies the initial step in a sequence of repair actions.

Schritt “Schritt” means “step” in “den ersten Schritt”. It refers to one stage of the repair process and is useful when discussing actions in a sequence.

ausprobiere “Ausprobiere” means “try out” in “ich den ersten Schritt ausprobiere”. It is the form of “ausprobieren” used at the end of the subordinate clause introduced by “während”.

kann “Kann” means “can” and expresses ability or willingness in “Ich kann dir den ersten Teil erklären”. It is a modal verb followed by the infinitive “erklären” in this offer of help.

dir “Dir” means “to you” and identifies the person who will receive the explanation in “dir ... erklären”. This pattern is useful when offering to explain something directly to another person.

erklären “Erklären” means “explain” in “dir den ersten Teil erklären”. It is the infinitive after “kann” and is used with a person receiving the explanation and the thing being explained.

benutzt “Benutzt” means “uses” in “während du das Set benutzt”. It is the form of “benutzen” used with “du” at the end of the subordinate clause, describing how the learner handles the kit.

Grammar Points

wie + Nebensatz: Das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende.

wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut

vee mahn dahs raht RIKH-tikh OWS-bowt

how to remove the wheel correctly

In a clause with „wie“, the conjugated verb moves to the end.

Trennbare Verben: aus- steht im Hauptsatz am Ende.

Ich probiere das Reparaturset aus.

ikh proh-BEE-ruh dahs reh-pa-ra-TOOR-zet ows

I try out the repair kit.

In a main clause, the prefix „aus“ separates and moves to the end.

German Vocabulary

ausbauen verb

OWS-bow-en to remove; to take out ausbaut

wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut

brauchen verb

BROW-khen to need brauche

Ich brauche ein Reparaturset.

Ersatzschlauch noun

air-ZAHTS-shlowkh spare inner tube

mit einem Ersatzschlauch

Fahrradreifen noun

FAHR-raht-RYE-fen bicycle tire

Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt.

platt adj

plaht flat

Mein Fahrradreifen ist platt.

Rad noun

raht wheel

das Rad

Reifenheber noun

RYE-fen-HAY-ber tire lever Reifenhebern

mit Reifenhebern

Reparaturset noun

reh-pa-ra-TOOR-zet repair kit

Ich brauche ein Reparaturset.

richtig adv

RIKH-tikh correctly; properly

das Rad richtig ausbauen

Set noun

zet kit; set

Ich habe ein Set.

wie conj

vee how

wie man das Rad richtig ausbaut

zeigen verb

TSOY-gen to show

Könntest du mir zeigen?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Start by turning the bike upside down carefully.

Show Answer

Dreh das Fahrrad vorsichtig um.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

repair kit

Show Answer

Reparaturset

to show

Show Answer

zeigen

tire lever

Show Answer

Reifenhebern

to need

Show Answer

brauche