Preparing for Changeable Hiking Weather | Learn German in English

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Use Preparing for Changeable Hiking Weather to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Die Wettervorhersage für die Wanderung ändert sich ständig, mit Sonne und möglichen Schauern.

dee VET-er-for-HAY-zuh-guh fyoor dee VAN-der-oong END-ert zikh SHTEN-dikh, mit ZON-uh oont MURK-likh-en SHOU-ern. The forecast for the hike keeps changing, with sun and possible showers.

Zieh mehrere Schichten an und bring eine wasserdichte Jacke mit.

Tseeh MAY-ruh-ruh SHIKH-ten an oont bring EYE-nuh VAS-ser-dikh-tuh YAK-uh mit. Wear layers and bring a waterproof jacket.

Der Weg ist offen, aber der höhere Abschnitt kann schlammig sein.

dair vayk ist OFF-en, AH-ber dair HUR-uh-ruh AP-shnit kahn SHLAM-ikh zine. The trail is open, but the higher section may be muddy.

Wir sollten langsam gehen, besonders auf den bergab führenden Abschnitten.

veer ZOL-ten LANG-zahm GAY-en, beh-ZON-ders owf dayn bairg-AHP FYUR-en-den AP-shnit-ten. We should take it slowly, especially on the downhill parts.

Wenn das Wetter schlecht wird, können wir am Aussichtspunkt umkehren.

ven dahs VET-er SHLEKHT virt, KUR-nen veer am OWS-zikhts-poongkt oom-KAYR-en. If the weather turns bad, we can turn back at the viewpoint.

Lass uns das sagen, bevor wir losgehen, damit niemand unter Druck steht, weiterzugehen.

lahs oons dahs ZAH-gen, beh-FOR veer LOHS-gay-en, dah-MIT NEE-mahnt OON-ter droog shtayt, VY-ter-TSOO-GAY-en. Let's say that before we start, so no one feels pressured to continue.

Sollen wir die Gruppe daran erinnern, keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen?

ZOL-en veer dee GROO-puh dah-RAHN air-IN-ern, KIGH-nuh FRY-tsite-SHOO-uh tsoo TRAH-gen? Should we remind the group not to wear casual shoes?

Bitte sie, geeignete Schuhe zu tragen; schlammige Wege können rutschig sein.

BIT-tuh zee, guh-IGHG-nuh-tuh SHOO-uh tsoo TRAH-gen; SHLAM-ikh-uh VAY-guh KUR-nen ROOT-shikh zine. Ask them to wear proper shoes; muddy trails can be slippery.

Heute Abend würde eine Erinnerung ans Packen helfen.

HOY-tuh AH-bent VUR-duh EYE-nuh air-IN-uh-roong ahns PAK-en HEL-fen. A packing reminder tonight would help.

Schick sie früh genug, damit sich alle vorbereiten können.

SHIK zee fryoo guh-NOOK, dah-MIT zikh AH-luh for-buh-RITE-en KUR-nen. Send it early enough for everyone to prepare.

Word by Word

Die Die means “the” here and introduces Wettervorhersage as the subject of the sentence. It is used before this noun in the phrase Die Wettervorhersage für die Wanderung. The same article form can also appear in other German contexts, so the following noun helps identify its function here.

Wettervorhersage Wettervorhersage means “weather forecast,” the information that keeps changing in this dialogue. It is the subject in Die Wettervorhersage für die Wanderung ändert sich ständig. This compound is useful when discussing predicted weather.

für Für means “for” in für die Wanderung, identifying the hike that the forecast concerns. It commonly introduces the person, event, or activity something is intended for or related to. Here it is followed by die Wanderung.

Wanderung Wanderung means “hike” in für die Wanderung. It names the planned outdoor activity and follows für in this phrase. You can reuse it when talking about planning, starting, or describing a hike.

ändert Ändert means “changes” here, describing what the weather forecast does. In ändert sich, this form works with sich to express that something changes. It is useful for describing changing plans, conditions, or information.

sich Sich is part of ändert sich and shows that the forecast changes itself rather than changing a stated object. Together, ändert sich means “changes.” This reflexive pattern is useful for describing conditions or situations that change over time.

ständig Ständig means “constantly” and emphasizes that the forecast changes repeatedly. In ändert sich ständig, it modifies the whole change described by the verb phrase. It can be reused to describe something happening again and again.

mit Mit means “with” in mit Sonne und möglichen Schauern, adding the weather conditions included in the forecast. It commonly introduces accompanying people, things, or conditions. Here it introduces Sonne and möglichen Schauern.

Sonne Sonne means “sun” in mit Sonne. It names one of the possible weather conditions mentioned in the forecast. You can reuse it when describing sunny conditions or what a forecast includes.

und Und means “and” and links Sonne with möglichen Schauern. It joins these two weather possibilities in the same phrase. The same linking pattern is useful for adding another related item.

möglichen Möglichen means “possible” in möglichen Schauern, describing showers that may occur. Its ending fits the form used after mit in this phrase. It can be reused before a noun when discussing something that may happen or exist.

Schauern Schauern means “showers” in mit Sonne und möglichen Schauern. It refers to short periods of rain included as a possible condition in the forecast. This form is useful when mentioning showers as an accompanying weather possibility.

Zieh Zieh means “put on” or “wear” in Zieh mehrere Schichten an. It is the informal singular command used to tell one person what clothing to put on. The complete reusable expression is Zieh mehrere Schichten an, with an completing the putting-on action.

mehrere Mehrere means “several” and indicates more than one layer in mehrere Schichten. It specifies the quantity without giving an exact number. You can reuse it before a plural noun when recommending or describing several items.

Schichten Schichten means “layers” in mehrere Schichten, referring to layers of clothing. It is the thing that the listener is told to put on in Zieh mehrere Schichten an. This word is useful when discussing clothing that can be added or removed.

an An completes Zieh ... an and contributes the meaning “on” to the action of putting clothing on. The separated expression Zieh mehrere Schichten an is the relevant construction here. It is useful to keep an with the verb when giving this command.

bring Bring means “bring” in bring eine wasserdichte Jacke mit. It is an informal singular command telling one person to take the jacket along. The complete expression is bring eine wasserdichte Jacke mit, where mit completes the meaning of bringing something along.

eine Eine means “a” in eine wasserdichte Jacke and introduces one jacket. It specifies an indefinite item rather than a particular jacket already identified. Here it comes before the feminine noun Jacke and its description.

wasserdichte Wasserdichte means “waterproof” and describes the jacket that should be brought. Its ending matches the form used before Jacke in eine wasserdichte Jacke. It can be reused before an item when its resistance to water matters.

Jacke Jacke means “jacket” in eine wasserdichte Jacke. It is the item the listener is told to bring for changeable weather. This word is useful when discussing clothing for outdoor conditions.

Der Der means “the” here and introduces Weg as the subject of the sentence. In Der Weg ist offen, it identifies the trail being discussed. The noun that follows determines the article form used here.

Weg Weg means “trail” or “path” in Der Weg ist offen. It refers to the route of the hike. You can reuse it when discussing whether a trail is open, difficult, or safe.

ist Ist means “is” and links Der Weg with the description offen. It states the current condition of the trail. This form is useful for describing one thing with an adjective.

offen Offen means “open” in Der Weg ist offen, indicating that the trail can currently be used. It follows ist as a description of the trail. It can be reused for routes, places, or facilities that are available for use.

aber Aber means “but” and introduces a limitation to the statement that the trail is open. It connects Der Weg ist offen with the warning about the higher section. This pattern is useful when adding a contrasting condition.

höhere Höhere means “higher” in der höhere Abschnitt, identifying the section located farther up the trail. Its ending fits the noun phrase used here. It can be reused to compare parts of a route or other things by position or level.

Abschnitt Abschnitt means “section” in der höhere Abschnitt. It refers to one particular part of the trail rather than the entire route. This word is useful when giving information about a specific part of a path or process.

kann Kann means “can” or “may” in kann schlammig sein, expressing a possibility about the higher section. It is followed by the infinitive sein at the end of the clause. This pattern is useful for stating that a condition may occur.

schlammig Schlammig means “muddy” and describes the possible condition of the higher section. In kann schlammig sein, it appears as the description after kann. It can be reused for trails, ground, or other surfaces containing mud.

sein Sein means “be” in kann schlammig sein and completes the modal expression about a possible condition. It remains in the infinitive position after kann. This pattern is useful for saying that something may be a certain way.

Wir Wir means “we” and refers to the two speakers together in Wir sollten langsam gehen. It is the subject giving the advice about how to walk. It can be reused when the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.

sollten Sollten means “should” in Wir sollten langsam gehen, presenting the recommendation to walk slowly. It is followed by the infinitive gehen. This is a useful way to make a suggestion about what a group ought to do.

langsam Langsam means “slowly” in langsam gehen and describes the recommended manner of walking. It modifies gehen rather than naming a separate action. It can be reused when advising someone to move at a reduced speed.

gehen Gehen means “go” or “walk” in langsam gehen. Here it refers to moving along the hiking trail. It appears as the infinitive after sollten and can be reused with a manner word such as langsam.

besonders Besonders means “especially” and highlights the downhill sections as the place where the advice matters most. It introduces a more specific focus within the broader recommendation. It can be reused to emphasize one person, place, or situation.

auf Auf means “on” or “along” in auf den bergab führenden Abschnitten, referring to the parts of the trail where the group should walk slowly. Here it introduces the sections being discussed. It can be reused with a route or surface when describing where an action happens.

den Den means “the” in den bergab führenden Abschnitten and introduces the specific sections being discussed. Its form belongs to this plural phrase after auf. The following noun phrase makes clear that it refers to the downhill sections.

bergab Bergab means “downhill” in bergab führenden Abschnitten. It describes the direction of the sections on the trail. It can be reused to identify movement or routes that go downward.

führenden Führenden contributes “leading” or “going” in bergab führenden Abschnitten, describing sections that go downhill. It forms part of the description of Abschnitten rather than naming a separate action here. This pattern is useful for describing a route by the direction it leads.

Abschnitten Abschnitten means “sections” in den bergab führenden Abschnitten. It refers to several particular parts of the trail, especially those going downhill. This word can be reused when dividing a route or another larger thing into parts.

Wenn Wenn means “if” here and introduces the condition Wenn das Wetter schlecht wird. It sets up the situation in which the speakers can turn back. This conditional pattern is useful for discussing what to do when a condition occurs.

das Das means “the” in das Wetter and identifies the weather being discussed. It is part of the phrase das Wetter schlecht wird. The noun that follows determines this article form here.

Wetter Wetter means “weather” in Wenn das Wetter schlecht wird. It is the condition that may become bad during the hike. This word is useful when discussing weather changes, forecasts, or outdoor plans.

schlecht Schlecht means “bad” in das Wetter schlecht wird, describing an undesirable change in the weather. It appears with wird to express that the weather becomes bad. It can be reused to describe a condition or situation negatively.

wird Wird means “becomes” in das Wetter schlecht wird. It expresses a change into the condition described by schlecht. This form is useful when saying that weather or another situation turns into a different state.

können Können means “can” in können wir am Aussichtspunkt umkehren, expressing the option to turn back. It is followed by the infinitive umkehren. This pattern is useful for presenting an available action or possibility.

am Am means “at the” in am Aussichtspunkt. It introduces the viewpoint as the location where the group can turn back. This contracted form is useful in phrases naming a location or point associated with an action.

Aussichtspunkt Aussichtspunkt means “viewpoint” in am Aussichtspunkt. It is the planned turn-back location on the hike. You can reuse it when discussing a place with a view or a meeting point on a trail.

umkehren Umkehren means “turn back” in können wir am Aussichtspunkt umkehren. It describes returning in the direction from which the group came. It appears as the infinitive after können and is useful when setting a point at which a group will stop advancing.

Lass Lass means “let” in Lass uns das sagen and introduces a suggestion for joint action. Together with uns, it means “let’s.” This informal pattern is useful for proposing that the speaker and another person do something together.

uns Uns means “us” in Lass uns das sagen and identifies the people included in the suggestion. It works with Lass to form the proposal “let us say that.” This pattern can be reused before an infinitive when suggesting a shared action.

sagen Sagen means “say” in Lass uns das sagen. It names the action the speakers suggest doing before the hike starts. It appears as the infinitive after Lass uns and can be reused when proposing that information be stated aloud.

bevor Bevor means “before” and introduces the time clause bevor wir losgehen. It places the speaking action earlier than the start of the hike. This pattern is useful for explaining that one action should happen before another.

losgehen Losgehen means “set off” or “start going” in bevor wir losgehen. It refers to the group beginning the hike. It can be reused when talking about leaving or starting an activity on foot.

damit Damit means “so that” and introduces the purpose of saying the plan aloud. The phrase damit niemand unter Druck steht explains the intended result. This construction is useful for stating the purpose of an action.

niemand Niemand means “no one” in damit niemand unter Druck steht. It refers to every person in the group under the condition that none should feel pressured. It can be reused as the subject of a statement about nobody doing or experiencing something.

unter Unter means “under” in unter Druck stehen. Together with Druck stehen, it forms the expression for being under pressure. This preposition is useful in fixed expressions describing a person’s situation or circumstances.

Druck Druck means “pressure” in unter Druck stehen. The complete expression describes feeling pressured to continue. It can be reused when discussing pressure from a situation or from other people.

steht Steht means “stands” literally, but in unter Druck steht it contributes to the expression meaning “is under pressure.” The subject is niemand, so the phrase describes no one being pressured. This construction is useful for describing someone’s pressure or lack of pressure.

weiterzugehen Weiterzugehen means “to continue going” in unter Druck steht, weiterzugehen. It describes continuing along the route after the weather worsens or conditions become difficult. It is a useful infinitive pattern after expressions about pressure, permission, or plans to continue.

Sollen Sollen means “should” in Sollen wir die Gruppe daran erinnern...? It forms a question asking whether the speakers ought to take this action. This pattern is useful for making a suggestion or checking agreement about what to do.

Gruppe Gruppe means “group” in die Gruppe. It refers to the other hikers who should receive the reminder. This word is useful when giving instructions intended for several people together.

daran Daran is part of die Gruppe daran erinnern and refers to the action that the group should remember. Here that action is keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. The reusable pattern daran erinnern, etwas zu tun means reminding someone to do something.

erinnern Erinnern means “remind” in die Gruppe daran erinnern, keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. It introduces a reminder about an action that follows. This pattern is useful when asking someone to remember or not forget a specific action.

keine Keine means “no” or “not any” in keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. It negates the type of shoes the group is being reminded not to wear. It can be reused before a plural noun when saying that none of those items should be used or worn.

Freizeitschuhe Freizeitschuhe means “casual shoes” in keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. It identifies the footwear that is considered unsuitable for this hike. This compound is useful when distinguishing everyday leisure footwear from shoes appropriate for an activity.

zu Zu introduces the infinitive tragen in keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. Together, this phrase expresses the action the group should not perform. The pattern daran erinnern, etwas zu tun or nicht zu tun is useful for reminders.

tragen Tragen means “wear” in keine Freizeitschuhe zu tragen. It describes having the shoes on, not merely carrying them. It appears after zu and is useful when discussing what clothing or footwear someone should wear.

Bitte Bitte means “please” in Bitte sie, making the request more polite. It signals that the speaker is asking someone to carry out the following action. This word can be placed at the beginning of a direct request.

sie Sie means “them” in Bitte sie, referring to the group mentioned in the previous line. It is the people who should be asked to wear suitable shoes. This object pronoun is useful when the requested action concerns people already identified.

geeignete Geeignete means “suitable” or “proper” in geeignete Schuhe. It describes shoes appropriate for the muddy and potentially slippery trails. It can be reused before a noun when recommending something fit for a particular activity.

Schuhe Schuhe means “shoes” in geeignete Schuhe zu tragen. These are the proper shoes the group is asked to wear. The word is useful in practical advice about footwear and outdoor activities.

schlammige Schlammige means “muddy” in schlammige Wege. It describes the trails as covered with or affected by mud. It can be reused before a noun when a surface or route has muddy conditions.

Wege Wege means “trails” or “paths” in schlammige Wege. It refers to the routes that may become slippery because of mud. This plural form is useful when discussing several paths or trail sections.

rutschig Rutschig means “slippery” and describes the possible condition of the muddy trails. In schlammige Wege können rutschig sein, it states a safety reason for wearing proper shoes. It can be reused for surfaces on which someone might lose their footing.

Heute Heute means “today” in Heute Abend. It places the reminder in the current day. This word is useful for specifying that an action or event should happen on the present day.

Abend Abend means “evening” in Heute Abend. Together, Heute Abend means “this evening” or “tonight,” when the packing reminder would help. This time expression is useful for scheduling an action later on the same day.

würde Würde means “would” in würde ... helfen, presenting the reminder as something that would be useful. It gives the statement a conditional or tentative tone rather than issuing a direct command. This pattern is useful for making a polite suggestion about what could help.

Erinnerung Erinnerung means “reminder” in eine Erinnerung ans Packen. It refers to a message or prompt that helps people remember to pack. This noun can be reused for reminders about preparations, appointments, or tasks.

ans Ans means “to the” or “about the” in ans Packen. It is part of the expression eine Erinnerung ans Packen, identifying packing as the subject of the reminder. This construction is useful when naming the action that someone should be reminded about.

Packen Packen means “packing” in ans Packen. It names the preparation activity that the reminder concerns. It can be reused when discussing preparing bags or belongings before a trip.

helfen Helfen means “help” in würde eine Erinnerung ans Packen helfen. It describes the usefulness of sending a packing reminder. It appears as the infinitive after würde and can be reused when explaining what would assist someone.

Schick Schick means “send” in Schick sie früh genug. It is an informal singular command telling one person to send the reminder. This command pattern is useful for giving a direct instruction about sending a message or item.

früh Früh means “early” in früh genug. It describes the timing of sending the reminder. Together with genug, it means that the reminder should arrive with sufficient advance time.

genug Genug means “enough” in früh genug, expressing sufficient earliness for preparation. It completes the timing expression rather than naming a separate object. This pattern is useful when setting a deadline or minimum amount of time.

alle Alle means “everyone” in damit sich alle vorbereiten können. It refers to all members of the group. It can be reused as the subject when an action applies to every person in a group.

vorbereiten Vorbereiten means “prepare” in damit sich alle vorbereiten können. With sich, it describes everyone getting ready for the hike. It appears as the infinitive after können and is useful when discussing preparation for an upcoming activity.

Grammar Points

Trennbare Verben: anziehen → Zieh ... an

Zieh eine wasserdichte Jacke an.

Tseeh EYE-nuh VAS-ser-dikh-tuh YAK-uh an.

Put on a waterproof jacket.

The prefix an- moves to the end of the sentence in the present tense.

Adjektivendung nach eine: wasserdichte Jacke

eine wasserdichte Jacke

EYE-nuh VAS-ser-dikh-tuh YAK-uh

a waterproof jacket

Before a feminine noun after eine, the adjective usually ends in -e.

German Vocabulary

anziehen verb

AN-tsee-en to put on Zieh ... an

Jacke noun

YAK-uh jacket

offen adj

OFF-en open

Schauer noun

SHOU-er shower Schauern

Schicht noun

SHIKHT layer Schichten

sich ändern verb

zikh END-ern to change ändert sich

Sonne noun

ZON-uh sun

ständig adv

SHTEN-dikh constantly

Wanderung noun

VAN-der-oong hike

wasserdicht adj

VAS-ser-dikht waterproof wasserdichte

Weg noun

vayk trail

Wettervorhersage noun

VET-er-for-HAY-zuh-guh forecast

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

sun

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Sonne

hike

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Wanderung

shower

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Schauern

layer

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Schichten