Rescheduling a Meeting Because of Icy Roads | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Rescheduling a Meeting Because of Icy Roads to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Die Straßen sind vereist, und heute Morgen ist die Sicht schlecht.

dee SHTRAH-sen zint fer-EYSt, oont HOY-tuh MOR-gen ist dee ZIKHT shlekht The roads are icy, and visibility is poor this morning.

Zum Treffen zu fahren klingt riskant.

tsoom TREF-fen tsoo FAH-ren klinkt risk-AHNT Driving to the meeting sounds risky.

Ich verschiebe es nur ungern, aber die Sicherheit sollte an erster Stelle stehen.

ikh fer-SHEE-buh ess noor OONG-airn, AH-bair dee ZIKH-air-hyt SHOL-tuh ahn ER-stair SHTEL-luh SHTAY-en I hate to reschedule, but safety should come first.

Schreib ihnen jetzt und erkläre die Straßenverhältnisse klar.

SHRYBE EE-nen yetst oont air-KLEH-ruh dee SHTRAH-sen-fer-HELt-niss-uh klahr Message them now and explain the road conditions clearly.

Soll ich vorschlagen, dass wir uns stattdessen online treffen, statt ganz abzusagen?

ZOLL ikh FOR-shlah-gen, dahss veer oons shtat-DESS-en ON-line TREF-fen, shtaht gahnts AHP-tsoo-ZAH-gen Should I suggest meeting online instead of canceling completely?

So könnte die Arbeit weitergehen, ohne dass jemand unterwegs sein muss.

zoh KURR-tuh dee AHRT-byt VY-ter-gay-en, OH-nuh dahss YAY-mant OON-ter-veyks zyn moos That would keep the work moving without anyone traveling.

Ich kann fragen, ob eine Teilnahme per Video für sie funktionieren würde.

ikh kahn FRAH-gen, ohp EYE-nuh TYLE-nah-muh pair VEE-deh-oh fyr zee foonk-tsyoh-NEER-en VUR-duh I can ask whether joining by video would work for them.

Biete auch an, dass wir uns persönlich treffen, sobald die Straßen sicherer sind.

BEE-tuh owkh AHN, dahss veer oons PURR-ZURN-likh TREF-fen, zoh-BAHLT dee SHTRAH-sen ZIKH-air-er zint Offer to meet in person once the roads are safer, too.

Wenn sie lieber warten möchten, passt morgen für mich auch.

ven zee LEE-bair VAHR-ten MURKH-ten, pahst MOR-gen fyr mikh owkh If they would rather wait, tomorrow also works for me.

Klare Optionen sollten es leichter machen, die Änderung zu akzeptieren.

KLAH-ruh op-tsyoh-nen SHOL-ten ess LYEKH-ter MAKH-en, dee END-air-oong tsoo ak-tsep-TEE-ren Clear options should make the change easier to accept.

Word by Word

Die “Die” means “the” in “Die Straßen” and introduces the roads being discussed. The same written form also appears as “die” in “die Sicherheit” and “die Änderung”; in reusable phrases, it comes directly before the noun it determines.

Straßen “Straßen” means “roads” in “Die Straßen sind vereist.” It names the roads whose condition affects the meeting, and can be reused with a condition or location, such as “Die Straßen sind ...” in a new example.

sind “Sind” means “are” in “Die Straßen sind vereist.” It connects the subject “Die Straßen” with their condition, and is commonly used before a description of a plural subject.

vereist “Vereist” means covered with ice or icy in “Die Straßen sind vereist.” Together with “sind,” it describes the current road condition; it can be reused for roads, paths, or surfaces affected by ice.

und “Und” means “and” and links the two weather statements in “Die Straßen sind vereist, und heute Morgen ist die Sicht schlecht.” It is reused to join related words, phrases, or complete statements.

heute “Heute” means “today” in “heute Morgen,” specifying the current day. It commonly combines with a time expression, as in “heute Morgen” in this dialogue.

Morgen “Morgen” means “morning” in “heute Morgen,” while the lowercase form “morgen” means “tomorrow” in “morgen ...” in the last line. Capitalization distinguishes the noun “Morgen” from the time adverb “morgen” here.

ist “Ist” means “is” in “ist die Sicht schlecht.” It links the singular subject “die Sicht” with its description, and is commonly followed by a state or quality.

Sicht “Sicht” means visibility in “die Sicht schlecht,” referring to how clearly one can see. It is useful in descriptions of weather or travel conditions, especially with a quality such as “schlecht.”

schlecht “Schlecht” means poor or bad in “die Sicht schlecht.” Here it describes visibility rather than a person or object, and it can be reused after “sein” to describe an unfavorable condition.

Zum “Zum” means “to the” in “Zum Treffen zu fahren.” It is the written contraction of “zu dem,” and commonly introduces a destination, purpose, or event in expressions such as “zum Treffen.”

Treffen “Treffen” means meeting in “Zum Treffen,” the event someone would travel to. The same spelling appears as “treffen” in “uns treffen,” where it means to meet; the surrounding words show which use is intended.

zu “Zu” introduces the infinitive in “zu fahren,” so “Zum Treffen zu fahren” means traveling or driving to the meeting. This pattern is reusable with another infinitive when describing an activity or purpose.

fahren “Fahren” means to drive or travel in “zu fahren.” With “Zum Treffen,” it describes getting to the meeting, and it can be reused after “zu” for travel by vehicle or movement from one place to another.

klingt “Klingt” means sounds in “klingt riskant,” expressing an assessment of how the proposed travel seems. It is commonly used with an adjective to give an impression, as in “Das klingt ...” in a new example.

riskant “Riskant” means risky in “klingt riskant,” describing the proposed drive as involving danger. It can be reused after “sein” or “klingen” to assess an action, plan, or situation.

Ich “Ich” means “I” in “Ich verschiebe es nur ungern,” identifying the person who would reschedule the meeting. It is used as the subject when the speaker describes their own action or opinion.

verschiebe “Verschiebe” means reschedule or postpone in “Ich verschiebe es.” The form refers to moving the meeting to a later time, and it can be reused with an object such as “es” or another appointment.

es “Es” means “it” in “Ich verschiebe es,” referring to the meeting already understood from the context. It is commonly used as a short object when the specific event has already been mentioned.

nur “Nur” means “only” or “just” in “nur ungern,” limiting the speaker’s reluctance. Together with “ungern,” it softens the statement by showing that rescheduling is not preferred rather than completely rejected.

ungern “Ungern” means reluctantly or not gladly in “Ich verschiebe es nur ungern.” It shows that the speaker dislikes the action, and it can be reused after an action verb to express reluctance about doing something.

aber “Aber” means “but” and contrasts reluctance with the priority of safety in “..., aber die Sicherheit ...”. It commonly connects two statements when the second one limits or outweighs the first.

Sicherheit “Sicherheit” means safety in “die Sicherheit sollte ... stehen.” It identifies the concern that should guide the decision, and it can be reused when discussing safe choices, travel, or working conditions.

sollte “Sollte” expresses what should be the case in “die Sicherheit sollte an erster Stelle stehen.” Here it presents safety as the recommended priority, and it can be reused to give advice about a person, action, or principle.

an “An” contributes to the fixed expression “an erster Stelle,” meaning in the first place or as the top priority. The same form appears at the end of “Biete auch an,” where it is the separated part of the verb meaning offer; its surrounding words determine the use.

erster “Erster” means first in “an erster Stelle,” identifying the top position in a priority order. This expression is reused to say that something should receive the highest priority.

Stelle “Stelle” means place or position in “an erster Stelle.” In this phrase it refers to a position in a ranking of priorities, and it can be reused with an ordinal description to identify a place or rank.

stehen “Stehen” means stand or be positioned in “an erster Stelle stehen,” where it describes safety as occupying the top priority position. It can be reused in expressions that describe where something is positioned, literally or conceptually.

Schreib “Schreib” means write in the direct instruction “Schreib ihnen jetzt.” It tells someone to send a written message, and it can be reused before the recipient or content of a message.

ihnen “Ihnen” means to them in “Schreib ihnen jetzt,” identifying the recipients of the message. It is commonly used after a communication verb such as “Schreib” when naming the people who receive the message.

jetzt “Jetzt” means now in “Schreib ihnen jetzt,” indicating that the message should be sent immediately. It can be reused to place an action in the present moment.

erkläre “Erkläre” means explain in “erkläre die Straßenverhältnisse klar.” It is an instruction to make the road conditions understandable, and it can be reused before the thing being explained.

Straßenverhältnisse “Straßenverhältnisse” means road conditions in “die Straßenverhältnisse.” It refers to the state of the roads relevant to travel, and it can be reused when describing whether driving conditions are safe or difficult.

klar “Klar” means clearly in “erkläre die Straßenverhältnisse klar,” describing how the explanation should be given. It can be reused after an action verb to indicate that information should be understandable and unambiguous.

Soll “Soll” asks whether the speaker should do something in “Soll ich vorschlagen ...?” It opens a request for advice or confirmation, and it can be reused before a subject and an infinitive when asking what action is appropriate.

vorschlagen “Vorschlagen” means suggest in “Soll ich vorschlagen, dass wir uns ... treffen ...?” It introduces an idea for handling the meeting, and it can be reused with “dass” followed by the proposed action.

dass “Dass” means that and introduces the proposed action in “vorschlagen, dass wir uns stattdessen online treffen.” It commonly links a reporting or suggestion verb to a complete subordinate statement.

wir “Wir” means “we” in “dass wir uns ... treffen,” referring to the people who would meet. It is used as the subject when the speaker includes themselves and others in the action.

uns “Uns” refers to the people meeting each other in “wir uns stattdessen online treffen” and “wir uns persönlich treffen.” Together with “treffen,” it forms the expression for meeting one another, and this pattern can be reused for another meeting setting.

stattdessen “Stattdessen” means instead in “uns stattdessen online treffen,” replacing the planned in-person meeting with an online one. It commonly points back to an earlier option and introduces the alternative chosen.

online “Online” means online in “online treffen,” describing the setting of the proposed meeting. It can be reused after verbs such as “treffen” to indicate that an activity takes place through the internet.

statt “Statt” means instead of in “statt ganz abzusagen,” introducing the action that is being avoided. It is reused before an alternative action or expression, as in “statt ...” followed by what will not be done.

ganz “Ganz” means completely in “ganz abzusagen,” emphasizing that the meeting would be canceled in full. It can be reused before an action or description to express completeness.

abzusagen “Abzusagen” means to cancel in “statt ganz abzusagen.” The separated prefix is joined to the infinitive here, and this form can be reused after “statt” when comparing an alternative with canceling an event.

So “So” means that way in “So könnte die Arbeit weitergehen,” referring to the online option just proposed. It can be reused at the beginning of a statement to show the method or result of an earlier suggestion.

könnte “Könnte” expresses a possible result in “So könnte die Arbeit weitergehen.” It presents continued work as an option rather than a certainty, and it can be reused before an infinitive when describing a possible action or outcome.

Arbeit “Arbeit” means work in “die Arbeit weitergehen,” referring to the ongoing work connected with the meeting. It can be reused with verbs describing whether work continues, stops, or progresses.

weitergehen “Weitergehen” means continue or keep going in “die Arbeit weitergehen.” It describes the work continuing despite the change of meeting format, and it can be reused with an activity, process, or situation that does not stop.

ohne “Ohne” means without in “ohne dass jemand unterwegs sein muss,” introducing the condition that nobody needs to travel. It commonly introduces something absent or, as here, a subordinate statement describing what does not happen.

jemand “Jemand” means someone or anyone in “jemand unterwegs sein muss,” referring generally to a person who might otherwise be traveling. It can be reused when the particular person is not specified.

unterwegs “Unterwegs” means on the way or traveling in “unterwegs sein muss.” It describes being in transit rather than already at the meeting, and it can be reused with “sein” to talk about someone traveling.

sein “Sein” means be in “unterwegs sein muss,” completing the expression for being on the way. After “muss,” it remains in the infinitive and can be reused with a state or location expression.

muss “Muss” expresses necessity in “jemand unterwegs sein muss,” saying that someone has to be traveling. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, with the infinitive at the end of this subordinate clause.

kann “Kann” means can in “Ich kann fragen,” expressing that the speaker is able or willing to ask. It is commonly followed by an infinitive that names the possible action.

fragen “Fragen” means ask in “Ich kann fragen, ob ...,” introducing a request for information or confirmation. It can be reused before “ob” when asking whether a proposed arrangement is suitable.

ob “Ob” means whether in “fragen, ob eine Teilnahme ... funktionieren würde.” It introduces an indirect yes-or-no question, and the verb appears at the end of this subordinate clause.

eine “Eine” means “a” or “an” before “Teilnahme” in “eine Teilnahme per Video.” It introduces one unspecified form of participation, and it is commonly placed directly before the noun it determines.

Teilnahme “Teilnahme” means participation or attendance in “eine Teilnahme per Video.” Here it refers to joining the meeting by video, and it can be reused with a medium or event that someone attends.

per “Per” means by or via in “per Video,” identifying the medium used for participation. It can be reused before a communication or transport method, such as a method given in a new example.

Video “Video” means video in “per Video,” referring to the medium for joining the meeting. It can be reused after “per” to describe participation through a video connection.

für “Für” means for in “für sie,” identifying the people for whom video participation would be suitable. It commonly introduces the person or group affected by whether an arrangement works.

sie “Sie” means them in “für sie,” referring to the people who may join by video; in “Wenn sie lieber warten möchten,” the same written form means they. The surrounding construction shows whether it refers to people affected by an arrangement or the subject of an action.

funktionieren “Funktionieren” means work or be suitable in “für sie funktionieren würde.” It asks whether the video arrangement would be acceptable or practical for them, and it can be reused with an option, plan, or method.

würde “Würde” presents the possible suitability of the video option in “funktionieren würde.” It frames the question as a possible result rather than a definite fact, and it is commonly used with an infinitive to describe what would happen or work.

Biete “Biete” means offer in “Biete auch an, dass wir uns persönlich treffen.” It instructs someone to present an additional meeting option, and the separated “an” completes this verb later in the same sentence.

auch “Auch” means also or too in “Biete auch an,” adding the in-person option to the online possibility. It can be reused to add another action, choice, or piece of information.

persönlich “Persönlich” means in person in “uns persönlich treffen,” contrasting the meeting with joining online. It can be reused with a meeting or conversation to specify that people are physically together.

sobald “Sobald” means as soon as or once in “sobald die Straßen sicherer sind,” linking the meeting to the point when the roads become safer. It introduces a time condition for a later action.

sicherer “Sicherer” means safer in “die Straßen sicherer sind,” describing an improvement in road safety compared with the current condition. It can be reused to compare two levels of safety.

Wenn “Wenn” means if in “Wenn sie lieber warten möchten,” introducing a possible condition. It can be reused at the start of a conditional statement before the situation that determines the next action.

lieber “Lieber” means rather in “lieber warten möchten,” showing a preference for waiting over another option. It is commonly used with a verb to express what someone would prefer to do.

warten “Warten” means wait in “lieber warten möchten,” describing the option of delaying the meeting. It can be reused after a preference or modal expression when someone chooses not to act immediately.

möchten “Möchten” expresses would like to in “warten möchten,” presenting the other people’s preference politely. It is commonly used with an infinitive to state what someone would like to do.

passt “Passt” means suits or works in “morgen ... passt ... für mich,” saying that tomorrow is acceptable for the speaker. It can be reused with a time, appointment, or arrangement that is convenient for someone.

mich “Mich” means me in “für mich,” identifying the person for whom tomorrow is suitable. The pattern “passt ... für mich” can be reused when stating that a time or arrangement works for the speaker.

Klare “Klare” means clear in “Klare Optionen,” describing options that are easy to understand. It appears directly before the plural noun “Optionen” and can be reused before a noun when emphasizing understandable choices or information.

Optionen “Optionen” means options in “Klare Optionen,” referring to the possible arrangements offered for the meeting. It can be reused when presenting several choices between which someone can decide.

sollten “Sollten” expresses should in “Klare Optionen sollten es leichter machen,” presenting an expected or recommended effect. It can be reused before an infinitive when discussing what several options or actions ought to achieve.

leichter “Leichter” means easier in “es leichter machen,” describing a reduction in difficulty. It is used here in a pattern where one thing makes another action or result easier.

machen “Machen” means make in “es leichter machen, die Änderung zu akzeptieren.” Together with “leichter,” it says that the clear options reduce the difficulty of acceptance; this pattern can be reused with another action that becomes easier.

Änderung “Änderung” means change in “die Änderung zu akzeptieren,” referring to the change from the original meeting arrangement. It can be reused for a modification to a plan, schedule, or arrangement.

akzeptieren “Akzeptieren” means accept in “die Änderung zu akzeptieren,” describing agreeing to the changed arrangement. It can be reused after “zu” when explaining what someone may find easier to accept.

Grammar Points

sobald + Nebensatz: Verb am Ende

Sobald die Straßen sicherer sind, funktioniert die Teilnahme online leichter.

zoh-BAHLT dee SHTRAH-sen ZIKH-air-er zint, foonk-tsyoh-NEERT dee TYLE-nah-muh ON-line LYEKH-ter

As soon as the roads are safer, participating online works more easily.

Nach „sobald“ steht ein Nebensatz; das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende: „sicherer sind“.

nur ungern + Verb

Ich verschiebe das Treffen nur ungern.

ikh fer-SHEE-buh dahss TREF-fen noor OONG-airn

I am reluctant to reschedule the meeting.

„Nur ungern“ drückt aus, dass man etwas widerwillig oder lieber nicht tut.

German Vocabulary

fahren verb

FAH-ren to drive; to travel

zu fahren

heute Morgen phrase

HOY-tuh MOR-gen this morning

heute Morgen ist die Sicht schlecht.

klingt verb

klinkt sounds

klingt riskant

nur ungern phrase

noor OONG-airn reluctantly; unwillingly

Ich verschiebe es nur ungern

riskant adj

risk-AHNT risky

klingt riskant

schlecht adj

shlekht poor; bad

ist die Sicht schlecht

Sicherheit noun

ZIKH-air-hyt safety

die Sicherheit sollte an erster Stelle stehen

Sicht noun

ZIKHT visibility

die Sicht schlecht

Straßen noun

SHTRAH-sen roads

Die Straßen sind vereist.

Treffen noun

TREF-fen meeting

Zum Treffen zu fahren

vereist adj

fer-EYSt icy

Die Straßen sind vereist.

verschiebe verb

fer-SHEE-buh reschedule; postpone

Ich verschiebe es nur ungern

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Driving to the meeting sounds risky.

Show Answer

Zum Treffen zu fahren klingt riskant.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

icy

Show Answer

vereist

roads

Show Answer

Straßen

meeting

Show Answer

Treffen

sounds

Show Answer

klingt