Choosing a group gift with different opinions | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: While planning a group gift, two adults balance personal and useful ideas and settle on a travel mug with a shared card..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Choosing a group gift with different opinions to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Jeder hat eine andere Meinung zu dem Gruppengeschenk.

YAY-dah haht EYE-nuh AHN-duh-ruh MYE-noong tsoo daym GROOP-en-guh-SHENK. Everyone has a different opinion about the group gift.
B

Lass uns einen praktischen Weg finden, wie wir entscheiden können.

LAHS oons EYE-nen PRAK-tish-en VAYK FIN-den vee veer ent-SHY-den KUR-nen. Let's find a practical way to decide.
A

Manche möchten etwas Persönliches, während andere etwas Nützliches bevorzugen.

MAHN-shuh MURKH-ten ET-vahs per-ZURN-li-khes, VEH-rent AHN-duh-reh ET-vahs NOOTZ-li-khes beh-FOHR-tsoo-ghen. Some people want something personal, while others prefer something useful.
B

Was wissen wir darüber, was die Person wirklich mag?

VAHS VISS-en veer dah-ROO-bair, VAHS dee per-ZOHN VIRK-likh mahk? What do we know about what they actually like?
A

Die Person mag Kaffee und arbeitet oft in Cafés.

dee per-ZOHN mahk kah-FAY oont AR-bye-tet oft in kah-FAYS. They like coffee and often work in cafes.
B

Ein Thermobecher könnte nützlich und trotzdem persönlich sein.

eye-n TAIR-moh-BEH-kher KURNT-uh NOOTZ-likh oont TROTS-daym per-ZURN-likh zine. A travel mug could feel useful and still personal.
A

Wir können eine gemeinsame Karte dazulegen, damit alle eine Nachricht hinzufügen können.

veer KUR-nen EYE-nuh guh-MYNE-zah-muh KAR-tuh dah-TSOO-lay-gen, dah-MIT AH-luh EYE-nuh NAHKH-rikht HIN-tsoo-foo-gen KUR-nen. We can include a shared card so everyone can add a message.
B

So bleibt das Geschenk persönlich, ohne die Entscheidung kompliziert zu machen.

zoh blypt dahs guh-SHENK per-ZURN-likh, OHN-uh dee ent-SHY-doong kom-plee-TSYRT tsoo MAKH-en. That keeps the gift thoughtful without making the choice complicated.

Word by Word

Jeder “Jeder” means everyone or each person here: “Jeder hat eine andere Meinung”. It refers to each member of the group, and “Jeder hat …” is a useful pattern for saying that every person has something.
hat “Hat” means has in “Jeder hat eine andere Meinung”. With a person as the subject, it is used to say that someone possesses or holds something; a reusable pattern is “Jemand hat …”.
eine “Eine” means a or one before “andere Meinung” in this sentence. It introduces one opinion without identifying it more specifically, and “eine” can be used before a singular noun such as “eine Idee” in a new example.
andere “Andere” means different or another in “eine andere Meinung”. It shows that the opinion differs from other opinions, and “eine andere” is a useful pattern before a noun when referring to a different option.
Meinung “Meinung” means opinion in “eine andere Meinung”. The dialogue uses it for a person’s view about the gift, and “eine Meinung zu etwas” is a reusable pattern for describing an opinion about a topic.
zu “Zu” means about or concerning in “eine andere Meinung zu dem Gruppengeschenk”. In this use it connects “Meinung” with the topic being discussed, so “eine Meinung zu …” is a useful pattern.
dem “Dem” means the in the phrase “zu dem Gruppengeschenk”. Together with “zu”, it identifies the particular group gift being discussed; the exact reusable phrase is “zu dem …”.
Gruppengeschenk “Gruppengeschenk” means group gift, the gift being chosen by several people. It is the topic after “zu dem”, and it can be reused when discussing a present bought or prepared by a group.
Lass “Lass” begins the suggestion “Lass uns einen praktischen Weg finden”. Here it helps invite the other person to do something together, and “Lass uns …” is a useful pattern for making a suggestion.
uns “Uns” means us in “Lass uns einen praktischen Weg finden”. It shows that the suggested action includes the speaker and the listener, and “Lass uns …” is the common pattern for this shared suggestion.
einen “Einen” means a or one before “praktischen Weg”. It introduces one possible method without specifying it further, and “einen … finden” is a useful pattern when proposing a solution or option.
praktischen “Praktischen” means practical in “einen praktischen Weg”. It describes a method that can be used effectively for deciding, and “einen praktischen …” can introduce a workable solution in a new example.
Weg “Weg” means way or method in “einen praktischen Weg finden”. It refers to an approach to reaching a decision rather than a physical route, and “einen Weg finden” is a reusable expression for finding a solution.
finden “Finden” means find in “Lass uns einen praktischen Weg finden”. It is the action being suggested, with “einen praktischen Weg” as what is found; “Lass uns … finden” can introduce a joint search for a solution.
wie “Wie” means how in “wie wir entscheiden können”. It introduces the method or process being considered, and “wissen, wie …” is a useful pattern for saying that someone knows how something works or can be done.
wir “Wir” means we in “wie wir entscheiden können”. It refers to the people making the decision together, and it commonly appears before the verb in a clause such as “wie wir … können”.
entscheiden “Entscheiden” means decide in “wie wir entscheiden können”. It names the action whose method is being discussed, and after “können” the infinitive remains at the end in “wir … entscheiden können”.
können “Können” means can or be able to in “wie wir entscheiden können”. It expresses that the group is able to decide in a certain way, and it is commonly followed by an infinitive such as “entscheiden”.
Manche “Manche” means some people in “Manche möchten etwas Persönliches”. It introduces one part of the group and is contrasted with “andere”, and “Manche …, während andere …” is a useful pattern for presenting different preferences.
möchten “Möchten” means would like in “Manche möchten etwas Persönliches”. It expresses what some people want in a relatively polite way, and “möchten” can be followed by a thing someone wants, such as “etwas …”.
etwas “Etwas” means something in “etwas Persönliches” and “etwas Nützliches”. It leaves the exact thing unspecified, and “etwas” can be followed by a description of what kind of thing is meant.
Persönliches “Persönliches” means something personal in “etwas Persönliches”. It refers to a personal kind of gift or choice, and “etwas Persönliches” is a reusable pattern for naming an unspecified personal item or idea.
während “Während” means while in “während andere etwas Nützliches bevorzugen”. Here it introduces a contrasting situation involving other people, and “während …” can connect two actions or viewpoints that occur at the same time or differ.
Nützliches “Nützliches” means something useful in “etwas Nützliches”. It names a useful kind of gift without specifying the object, and it forms a clear contrast with “etwas Persönliches” in this discussion.
bevorzugen “Bevorzugen” means prefer in “andere etwas Nützliches bevorzugen”. It describes the choice of one type of gift over another, and “etwas bevorzugen” is a reusable pattern for stating a preference.
Was The initial “Was” means what in the direct question “Was wissen wir darüber …?”. The lower-case “was” in “was die Person wirklich mag” introduces the information being asked about, so German uses the same form both for the question word and for this clause-linking use.
wissen “Wissen” means know in “Was wissen wir darüber …?”. With “wir”, it asks what information the group has, and “wissen, was …” is a useful pattern for saying that someone knows what something is or what someone likes.
darüber “Darüber” means about that or regarding it in “Was wissen wir darüber, was die Person wirklich mag?”. It points to the topic of the person’s preferences, and “wissen … darüber” can be used when asking what is known about a subject.
die “Die” means the before “Person” in “die Person”. The same written form appears capitalized as “Die Person” at the beginning of the next sentence; here it identifies the particular person being discussed.
Person “Person” means person in “die Person wirklich mag”. It refers to the recipient of the group gift, and “die Person” is a useful phrase when referring to someone without naming them.
wirklich “Wirklich” means really or actually in “was die Person wirklich mag”. It emphasizes that the speakers want to know the person’s genuine preference, and it can be placed before a verb to add this emphasis.
mag “Mag” means likes in “Die Person mag Kaffee”. It states the person’s preference for coffee, and “jemand mag …” is a reusable pattern for saying what someone likes.
Kaffee “Kaffee” means coffee in “Die Person mag Kaffee”. It is the thing the person likes, and “Kaffee mögen” is a useful pattern for talking about a preference for coffee.
und “Und” means and in “Die Person mag Kaffee und arbeitet oft in Cafés”. It links two facts about the same person, and it can join two actions or pieces of information in one sentence.
arbeitet “Arbeitet” means works in “arbeitet oft in Cafés”. It describes what the person regularly does, and “jemand arbeitet in …” is a useful pattern for stating someone’s workplace or work location.
oft “Oft” means often in “arbeitet oft in Cafés”. It shows that working in cafés happens regularly rather than only once, and it commonly appears before the place or other details in a sentence.
in “In” means in or at in “in Cafés”. Here it introduces the places where the person works, and “arbeiten in …” is a reusable pattern for talking about a work location.
Cafés “Cafés” means cafes in “arbeitet oft in Cafés”. It names the places where the person often works, and it can be used after “in” when referring to several cafés.
Ein “Ein” means a or one in “Ein Thermobecher könnte …”. It introduces one possible gift idea, and “Ein … könnte …” is a useful pattern for proposing a possible option.
Thermobecher “Thermobecher” means travel mug in “Ein Thermobecher könnte nützlich … sein”. It names the proposed gift, and it can be used when discussing a container for keeping a drink warm while travelling or working elsewhere.
könnte “Könnte” means could in “Ein Thermobecher könnte nützlich … sein”. It presents the travel mug as a possible idea rather than a definite result, and “könnte … sein” is a useful pattern for making a tentative assessment.
nützlich “Nützlich” means useful in “könnte nützlich und trotzdem persönlich sein”. It describes a benefit of the travel mug, and it can be used after “sein” to evaluate whether something is useful.
trotzdem “Trotzdem” means still or nevertheless in “und trotzdem persönlich”. It marks that the gift can be personal despite also being useful, and it is useful for connecting an unexpected or contrasting result to what was just said.
persönlich “Persönlich” means personal in “trotzdem persönlich sein”. Here it describes the character of the gift, and “etwas ist persönlich” is a reusable pattern for saying that something feels personal or individual.
sein “Sein” means be in “könnte nützlich und trotzdem persönlich sein”. It follows “könnte” and links the travel mug with the descriptions “nützlich” and “persönlich”, and “könnte … sein” is a useful pattern for a possible quality.
gemeinsame “Gemeinsame” means shared or common in “eine gemeinsame Karte”. It shows that the card belongs to the group’s joint gift, and “eine gemeinsame …” can describe something used or prepared by several people.
Karte “Karte” means card in “eine gemeinsame Karte dazulegen”. It refers to the card included with the gift for everyone’s message, and “eine Karte dazulegen” is a useful pattern for adding a card to a present.
dazulegen “Dazulegen” means to add or include something along with something else in “eine gemeinsame Karte dazulegen”. The card is added to the gift, and “etwas dazulegen” is a reusable pattern when placing an additional item with a main item.
damit “Damit” means so that in “damit alle eine Nachricht hinzufügen können”. It introduces the purpose of including the shared card, and “damit … können” is a useful pattern for explaining what an action makes possible.
alle “Alle” means everyone in “damit alle eine Nachricht hinzufügen können”. It includes every member of the group, and “alle können …” is a useful pattern for saying that everyone has the ability or opportunity to do something.
Nachricht “Nachricht” means message in “eine Nachricht hinzufügen”. It refers to the written contribution each person can put on the shared card, and “eine Nachricht hinzufügen” is a reusable pattern for adding a message to something.
hinzufügen “Hinzufügen” means add in “alle eine Nachricht hinzufügen können”. It describes putting an additional message onto the card, and “etwas hinzufügen” is a useful pattern for adding information or another item.
So “So” means in this way or thus in “So bleibt das Geschenk persönlich”. It refers to the plan just described, including the shared card, and sentence-initial “So …” can show the result of an arrangement.
bleibt “Bleibt” means stays or remains in “So bleibt das Geschenk persönlich”. It says that the gift retains a personal quality, and “etwas bleibt …” is a useful pattern for describing a quality that continues.
das “Das” means the in “das Geschenk”. It identifies the particular gift being discussed, and “das” is used here directly before the noun “Geschenk”.
Geschenk “Geschenk” means gift in “das Geschenk persönlich”. It refers to the travel mug together with the shared card, and “ein Geschenk” is a useful phrase when discussing something given to another person.
ohne “Ohne” means without in “ohne die Entscheidung kompliziert zu machen”. It introduces something that does not happen as a result of the plan, and “ohne … zu machen” is a useful pattern for saying that an action occurs without another action occurring.
Entscheidung “Entscheidung” means decision or choice in “die Entscheidung kompliziert zu machen”. It refers to the act of choosing the gift, and “eine Entscheidung treffen” is a common pattern for making a decision.
kompliziert “Kompliziert” means complicated in “die Entscheidung kompliziert zu machen”. It describes the result the speakers want to avoid for the choice, and “etwas kompliziert machen” is a reusable pattern for saying that something makes a matter difficult.
machen “Machen” means make in “ohne die Entscheidung kompliziert zu machen”. Together with “kompliziert”, it means to make the decision complicated, and “etwas … machen” is a useful pattern for describing the result one action causes.

Grammar Points

Lass uns + Infinitiv

Lass uns entscheiden.

LAHS oons ent-SHY-den.

Let's decide.

After Lass uns, use the infinitive to make a suggestion.

während + Nebensatz: Verb am Ende

Während manche Kaffee mögen, arbeitet jeder.

VEH-rent MAHN-shuh KAH-fay MER-gen, AR-bye-tet YAY-dah.

While some people like coffee, everyone works.

In a clause with während, the conjugated verb moves to the end.

German Vocabulary

entscheiden verb
ent-SHY-den decide

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Gruppengeschenk noun
GROOP-en-guh-SHENK group gift

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Jeder pron
YAY-dah everyone

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Lass uns phrase
LAHS oons let's

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Manche pron
MAHN-shuh some people

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Meinung noun
MYE-noong opinion

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möchten verb
MURKH-ten would like

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nützlich adj
NOOTZ-likh useful Nützliches

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persönlich adj
per-ZURN-likh personal Persönliches

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praktisch adj
PRAK-tish practical praktischen

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während conj
VEH-rent while

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Weg noun
VAYK way

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Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

practical

Show Answerpraktischen

everyone

Show AnswerJeder

would like

Show Answermöchten

opinion

Show AnswerMeinung