Choosing a Restaurant with Several Constraints | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

Use Choosing a Restaurant with Several Constraints to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ein Restaurant auszuwählen ist schwierig, weil wir einige Vorgaben haben.

EYN res-taw-RAHNT OWS-tsoo-VAY-len ist SHVEE-rikh, vile veer EYE-nee-guh FOR-gah-ben hah-ben. Choosing a restaurant is tricky because we have a few constraints.

Lass uns zuerst die Anforderungen auflisten: Essensangebote, Lautstärke, Entfernung und Komfort.

LAHSS oons tsoo-AIRST dee AHN-for-duh-roong-en OWS-lis-ten: ESS-ens-AHN-guh-boh-tuh, LOWT-shtair-kuh, ent-FAIR-noong oont kom-FORT. Let's list the needs first: food options, noise level, distance, and comfort.

Eine Person braucht vegetarische Gerichte, und eine andere möchte einen ruhigen Ort.

EYE-nuh pair-ZOHN browkht veh-guh-TAH-ree-shuh guh-RIKH-tuh, oont EYE-nuh AHN-duh-ruh MURKH-tuh EYE-nen ROO-ee-gen Ohrt. One person needs vegetarian options, and another wants somewhere quiet.

Dann wäre ein lautes Burgerrestaurant kein guter Kompromiss.

DAHN VAIR-uh EYN LOW-tes BOOR-ger-res-taw-RAHNT kine GOO-ter kom-proh-MISS. Then a loud burger place would not be a good compromise.

Dieses Restaurant in der Nähe hat vegetarische Gerichte und einen ruhigeren Sitzbereich.

DEE-zes res-taw-RAHNT in dair NAY-uh haht veh-guh-TAH-ree-shuh guh-RIKH-tuh oont EYE-nen ROO-ee-guh-ren ZEETS-buh-RYEKH. This nearby restaurant has vegetarian dishes and a quieter seating area.

Würde die Speisekarte für die ganze Gruppe passen?

VUR-duh dee SHPY-zuh-KAR-tuh fewr dee GAHN-tsuh GROO-puh PAH-sen? Would the menu work for the whole group?

Die Speisekarte sieht einfach genug aus, und die Sitzplätze wirken bequem.

DEE SHPY-zuh-KAR-tuh zeet EYN-fahkh guh-NOOK, oont dee ZEETS-plets-uh VEER-ken beh-KVAYM. It looks simple enough, and the seating seems comfortable.

Dann erkläre, warum dieser Ort zur Gruppe passt, bevor du ihn bestätigst.

DAHN air-KLAIR-uh, VAH-room DEE-zer Ohrt tsoor GROO-puh pahst, buh-FOR doo een beh-SHTAY-tikst. Then explain why this place fits the group before you confirm it.

Ich werde den Grund nennen und fragen, ob jemand Bedenken hat.

Ikh VAIR-duh dayn GROONT NEN-en oont FRAH-gen, op YAY-mahnt beh-DENG-ken haht. I'll share the reason and ask whether anyone has a concern.

Klare Gründe machen es später weniger unangenehm.

KLAH-ruh GROON-duh MAH-khen ess SHPAY-ter VAY-nee-ger OON-ahng-uh-NAYM. Clear reasons reduce awkwardness later.

Word by Word

Ein In „Ein Restaurant auszuwählen“ means “a” and introduces the restaurant being chosen. It is used before a singular noun in this sentence. This pattern is useful when introducing one unspecified thing or place.

Restaurant „Restaurant“ means “restaurant,” the place being chosen in the dialogue. It is the noun connected with „Ein“ in „Ein Restaurant auszuwählen“. Use it when talking about a place where people eat.

auszuwählen „auszuwählen“ means “to choose” or “to select” and describes the activity under discussion. Here it is the zu-form of the verb used in „Ein Restaurant auszuwählen“. This form is useful after expressions that describe an activity, such as “it is difficult to choose.”

ist „ist“ means “is” and links the activity „Ein Restaurant auszuwählen“ with its description „schwierig“. It is the form of “to be” used with the subject here. Use this pattern to describe an activity or situation.

schwierig „schwierig“ means “difficult” or “tricky” in the assessment of choosing a restaurant. It describes the activity in „Ein Restaurant auszuwählen ist schwierig“. Use it after a form of “to be” to evaluate a task or situation.

weil „weil“ means “because” and introduces the reason for the difficulty. In „weil wir einige Vorgaben haben“, it connects the reason to the main statement. After „weil“, the conjugated verb appears at the end of the clause.

wir „wir“ means “we” and refers to the people choosing the restaurant together. It is the subject of „haben“ in „weil wir einige Vorgaben haben“. Use it when the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.

einige „einige“ means “some” or “a few” and indicates that there are several requirements. In „einige Vorgaben“, it comes directly before the noun it describes. Use it with a plural noun when referring to an unspecified number that is more than one.

Vorgaben „Vorgaben“ means “constraints” or “requirements” that need to be taken into account. Here it refers to the group’s conditions for choosing a restaurant. Use it for requirements that guide a decision or plan.

haben „haben“ means “have” and states that the group has several requirements. In „wir einige Vorgaben haben“, it is placed at the end because the clause follows „weil“. Use it to describe requirements, possessions, or circumstances that someone has.

Lass „Lass“ begins the suggestion „Lass uns zuerst die Anforderungen auflisten“, meaning “let’s list the requirements first.” It addresses one person and invites joint action. Use this form in the pattern „Lass uns“ when suggesting that you and another person do something together.

uns „uns“ means “us” in the suggestion „Lass uns zuerst die Anforderungen auflisten“. Together, „Lass uns“ means “let’s,” so the action includes the speaker and the listener. Use it after „Lass“ when making a shared suggestion.

zuerst „zuerst“ means “first” and shows that listing the requirements should happen before the other decisions. It modifies the action in „zuerst die Anforderungen auflisten“. Use it to order steps in a plan or discussion.

die In „die Anforderungen“ and „Die Speisekarte“, „die“ means “the” and identifies a specific noun. Its form changes according to the noun and sentence context, so the exact form must be learned with its phrase. Use it before a known or specific noun.

Anforderungen „Anforderungen“ means “requirements” or “needs” that should be considered. In the dialogue, they are the points to list before choosing the restaurant. Use it for conditions that something needs to meet.

aufzulisten „aufzulisten“ means “to list” and describes putting the requirements into an ordered list. It appears in the suggestion „die Anforderungen aufzulisten“. This zu-form is useful when describing the action that someone proposes or plans to do.

Essensangebote „Essensangebote“ means “food options” and is one of the requirements being listed. It refers to the food available for the group. Use it when comparing what different places offer to eat.

Lautstärke „Lautstärke“ means “noise level” or “volume” and is another requirement for the restaurant. Here it concerns how loud the place may be. Use it when discussing the volume of sounds in a place.

Entfernung „Entfernung“ means “distance” and names another factor in choosing the restaurant. It refers to how far the place is from the relevant starting point or people. Use it when comparing how far away places are.

und „und“ means “and” and joins related words or statements. In the list, it connects the final item „Komfort“ with the previous requirements. Use it to add another equivalent point or action.

Komfort „Komfort“ means “comfort” and is the final requirement in the list. In this dialogue, it relates to how comfortable the restaurant and its seating will be. Use it when considering whether a place feels comfortable for people.

Eine „Eine Person“ means “one person” or “a person,” introducing one member of the group. The form „Eine“ appears before „Person“ in this sentence. Use it when identifying one person without naming them.

Person „Person“ means “person” and refers to one member of the group. In „Eine Person braucht vegetarische Gerichte“, it is the subject of the statement. Use it when referring to an individual in a neutral way.

braucht „braucht“ means “needs” and states that one person requires vegetarian dishes. It is used with the needed thing in „braucht vegetarische Gerichte“. Use this pattern to say that someone needs a particular item, service, or condition.

vegetarische „vegetarische“ means “vegetarian” and describes the dishes needed by one person. It appears directly before „Gerichte“ in „vegetarische Gerichte“. Use it before a food noun when identifying food without meat.

Gerichte „Gerichte“ means “dishes” and refers here to vegetarian meals available on the menu. It is the object of „braucht“. Use it when talking about individual prepared foods or meals.

andere „andere“ means “another” and introduces a different person from the one mentioned first. In „eine andere“, the noun is understood from the context as “person.” Use it to distinguish one person or thing from a previously mentioned one.

möchte „möchte“ means “would like” or “wants” and expresses the second person’s preference for a quiet place. It is followed here by „einen ruhigen Ort“. Use „möchte“ to state a polite preference or request.

einen „einen“ is the indefinite article meaning “a” before „ruhigen Ort“ in this sentence. It introduces one non-specific place that the person would like. Its exact form is tied to the noun phrase used here.

ruhigen „ruhigen“ means “quiet” and describes the place the second person wants. It appears in „einen ruhigen Ort“ before the noun. Use it when describing a place with little noise or activity.

Ort „Ort“ means “place” and refers to a location where the person would like to be. In „einen ruhigen Ort“, it is the object of „möchte“. Use it for a place or location in a general sense.

Dann „Dann“ means “then” and draws a conclusion from the requirements just mentioned. Here it introduces the judgment about the loud burger restaurant. Use it to connect a result or next step to something already discussed.

wäre „wäre“ means “would be” and presents a hypothetical evaluation of the burger restaurant. In „wäre ... kein guter Kompromiss“, it expresses what the place would represent under the stated conditions. Use it when evaluating a possible situation rather than stating a simple fact.

lautes „lautes“ means “loud” and describes the burger restaurant as noisy. It appears before „Burgerrestaurant“ in „ein lautes Burgerrestaurant“. Use it before a noun when describing a place or thing with a high noise level.

Burgerrestaurant „Burgerrestaurant“ means “burger restaurant” and identifies the alternative place being judged. In the dialogue, its loudness makes it unsuitable as a compromise. Use it for a restaurant whose main offering is burgers.

kein „kein“ means “no” or “not a” and negates „guter Kompromiss“. It says that the loud burger restaurant would not count as a good compromise. Use it before a noun when denying that something is an example of that noun.

guter „guter“ means “good” and evaluates the compromise negatively when combined with „kein“. It appears before „Kompromiss“ in „kein guter Kompromiss“. Use it before a noun to describe a positive quality.

Kompromiss „Kompromiss“ means “compromise,” a solution that balances different requirements. Here it refers to a restaurant choice that should work for both vegetarian needs and quiet seating. Use it when people with different preferences agree on a balanced option.

Dieses „Dieses Restaurant in der Nähe“ means “this nearby restaurant” and points to a specific restaurant being considered. „Dieses“ identifies the restaurant as the one currently under discussion. Use it to point out a particular nearby thing or place.

in In „in der Nähe“, „in“ contributes to the expression meaning “nearby” or “in the vicinity.” It is used together with „der Nähe“, not as an isolated translation of the whole phrase. Use this construction when locating something close to the speaker or another reference point.

der In „in der Nähe“, „der“ is part of the fixed location phrase meaning “nearby” or “in the vicinity.” Its contribution is to introduce „Nähe“ within that phrase. Learn it together with „in der Nähe“ when describing something close by.

Nähe „Nähe“ means “vicinity” or “nearness” in „in der Nähe“. The complete phrase „in der Nähe“ means that the restaurant is nearby. Use this phrase to say that a person or place is close to a reference point.

hat „hat“ means “has” and states that the nearby restaurant offers vegetarian dishes and contains a quieter seating area. It connects the restaurant with the things it provides or contains. Use it to describe what a place has available.

ruhigeren „ruhigeren“ means “quieter” and compares the seating area with a noisier alternative or with another area. It appears before „Sitzbereich“ in „einen ruhigeren Sitzbereich“. Use this form when describing a place as having less noise than another option.

Sitzbereich „Sitzbereich“ means “seating area” and refers to a designated area where guests can sit. In the dialogue, the area is described as quieter. Use it when discussing a particular section for seating in a restaurant or other place.

Würde „Würde“ begins the question „Würde die Speisekarte für die ganze Gruppe passen?“, asking whether the menu would be suitable. It presents the question hypothetically and politely. Use this structure to ask whether something would work for a person or group.

Speisekarte „Speisekarte“ means “menu” and refers to the restaurant’s list of available food. In the question, it is the thing being evaluated for the group. Use it when asking about or discussing a restaurant’s menu.

für In „für die ganze Gruppe“, „für“ means “for” and identifies the group that the menu should suit. It connects the menu’s suitability with its intended people. Use it before the person or group that benefits from or is considered by something.

ganze „ganze“ means “whole” or “entire” and emphasizes that every member of the group is included. It appears in „die ganze Gruppe“. Use it before a noun when referring to something in its entirety.

Gruppe „Gruppe“ means “group” and refers to all the people planning the meal together. In „für die ganze Gruppe“, it is the group for whom the menu should work. Use it for several people considered as one unit.

passen In „für die ganze Gruppe passen“, „passen“ means “fit” or “work for” the group. It asks whether the menu is suitable for everyone. Use the pattern „für ... passen“ when checking whether an option suits a person or group.

sieht „sieht“ is part of „sieht ... aus“, which means “looks” or “appears.” In the dialogue, it describes how the menu appears visually or in terms of simplicity. Use this separable-verb pattern to give an impression based on appearance.

einfach „einfach“ means “simple” in „Die Speisekarte sieht einfach genug aus“. It describes the menu as uncomplicated enough for the group. Use it to describe something that is easy to understand or not complex.

genug „genug“ means “enough” and shows that the menu appears sufficiently simple. In „einfach genug“, it follows the adjective it modifies. Use this pattern after an adjective to express a sufficient degree.

aus „aus“ completes the separable expression „sieht einfach genug aus“, meaning “looks simple enough.” It is separated from „sieht“ and appears at the end of the clause. Learn „sieht ... aus“ as a whole when describing how something appears.

Sitzplätze „Sitzplätze“ means “seats” or “seating places” and refers to the places available for people to sit. In the dialogue, these seats seem comfortable. Use it when discussing the available individual places for sitting.

wirken „wirken“ means “seem” or “appear” and gives an impression about the seats. In „die Sitzplätze wirken bequem“, it signals that the speaker is judging them from what they observe. Use it before an adjective when something gives a particular impression.

bequem „bequem“ means “comfortable” and describes the impression given by the seats. It follows „wirken“ in „wirken bequem“. Use it to describe seating, clothing, or another thing that feels comfortable.

erkläre „erkläre“ means “explain” and is a direct instruction to give the reason why the place suits the group. It appears in „erkläre, warum dieser Ort zur Gruppe passt“. Use it when asking one person to make a reason or connection clear.

warum „warum“ means “why” and introduces the reason that should be explained. In „warum dieser Ort zur Gruppe passt“, it introduces a clause explaining the place’s suitability. Use it to ask for or state a reason.

dieser „dieser Ort“ means “this place” and points to the restaurant already being considered. „dieser“ identifies a specific place in the discussion. Use it when referring to one particular place that is present in the context.

zur In „zur Gruppe passen“, „zur“ is part of the expression meaning “fit or suit the group.” It combines with „Gruppe“ to show the group that the place should suit. Use the pattern „zu ... passen“ when saying that something is suitable for someone or something.

passt In „dieser Ort zur Gruppe passt“, „passt“ means “fits” or “suits” the group. It evaluates whether the restaurant meets the group’s combined needs. Use „zu ... passen“ to say that an option is suitable for a person, group, or purpose.

bevor „bevor“ means “before” and introduces the action that must happen before confirmation. In „bevor du ihn bestätigst“, it places the confirmation after the explanation. Use it to order two actions in time; the verb goes to the end of the subordinate clause.

du „du“ means “you” and addresses one person directly. It is the subject of „bestätigst“ in „bevor du ihn bestätigst“. Use it when speaking informally to one person.

ihn „ihn“ means “it” here and refers back to the restaurant being confirmed. It is the object of „bestätigst“ in „du ihn bestätigst“. Use it to refer back to a previously mentioned masculine noun when it is receiving the action.

bestätigst „bestätigst“ means “confirm” and refers to making the restaurant choice official. It appears in the subordinate clause „bevor du ihn bestätigst“. Use it when confirming a decision, reservation, or arrangement.

Ich „Ich“ means “I” and identifies the speaker who will give the reason and ask about concerns. It is the subject of „werde“ in the sentence. Use it when speaking about yourself as the person who will act.

werde „werde“ means “will” in „Ich werde den Grund nennen“. Together with the infinitive „nennen“, it expresses a future intention. Use this pattern to say what you plan or intend to do.

den In „den Grund“, „den“ means “the” and identifies the specific reason for the restaurant choice. It appears before „Grund“ in the object phrase. Use it before a known or specific masculine noun in this kind of phrase.

Grund „Grund“ means “reason” and refers to the explanation for choosing the restaurant. In „den Grund nennen“, it is the reason the speaker will give to the group. Use it when stating why a decision or action was made.

nennen „nennen“ means “name” or “state” and here means to give or state the reason. It appears after „werde“ in „Ich werde den Grund nennen“. Use it with a reason, name, or other specific piece of information that you want to state.

fragen „fragen“ means “ask” and describes the speaker’s plan to find out whether anyone has a concern. It is coordinated with „nennen“ after „werde“. Use it when requesting information or checking someone’s opinion.

ob „ob“ means “whether” or “if” and introduces an indirect yes-or-no question. In „fragen, ob jemand Bedenken hat“, it introduces what the speaker will ask. After „ob“, the conjugated verb appears at the end of the clause.

jemand „jemand“ means “someone” or “anyone” and refers to an unspecified person in the group. In „ob jemand Bedenken hat“, the speaker checks whether at least one person has concerns. Use it when the particular person is not identified or does not matter.

Bedenken „Bedenken“ means “concerns” or “reservations” about the proposed restaurant choice. In the dialogue, the speaker asks whether anyone has any. Use it when checking for doubts or objections before confirming a decision.

Klare „Klare Gründe“ means “clear reasons,” referring to explanations that are easy for the group to understand. „Klare“ describes „Gründe“ at the beginning of the final sentence. Use it before a noun when emphasizing that information is understandable and unambiguous.

Gründe „Gründe“ means “reasons” and refers to the explanations given for the restaurant choice. The dialogue says that stating them clearly reduces later awkwardness. Use it when giving several explanations for a decision or opinion.

machen „machen“ means “make” and describes the effect that clear reasons have on a later situation. In „machen es später weniger unangenehm“, it connects the reasons with that effect. Use it in patterns where something causes a situation or experience to become a certain way.

es „es“ means “it” in „machen es später weniger unangenehm“. It refers to the situation of discussing or deciding together rather than to one specific noun. Use it as the pronoun in expressions describing how a situation feels or becomes.

später „später“ means “later” and refers to a later point in the group’s decision or meal planning. It modifies the effect described in the final sentence. Use it to contrast a later time with the current moment.

weniger „weniger“ means “less” and shows that clear reasons reduce the degree of awkwardness. It appears before „unangenehm“ in „weniger unangenehm“. Use it before an adjective to express a reduced degree of a quality.

unangenehm „unangenehm“ means “awkward” or “uncomfortable” when describing the later situation. The phrase „weniger unangenehm“ means that clear reasons make that situation less awkward. Use it for situations, interactions, or feelings that are unpleasant or socially uncomfortable.

Grammar Points

die Gerichte auszuwählen

Es ist schwierig, die Gerichte auszuwählen.

ess ist SHVEE-rikh, dee guh-RIKH-tuh OWS-tsoo-VAY-len.

It is difficult to choose the dishes.

With a separable verb, zu goes between the prefix and the verb: auswählen becomes auszuwählen.

in der Nähe

Der Ort ist in der Nähe.

dair Ohrt ist in dair NAY-uh.

The place is nearby.

In der Nähe is a fixed phrase meaning “nearby”; the location phrase uses the dative form der.

German Vocabulary

Anforderung noun

AHN-for-duh-roong requirement; need Anforderungen

auflisten verb

OWS-lis-ten to list

auswählen verb

OWS-tsoo-VAY-len to choose; to select auszuwählen

Entfernung noun

ent-FAIR-noong distance

Essensangebot noun

ESS-ens-AHN-guh-boht food option; food offering Essensangebote

Gericht noun

guh-RIKH-t dish Gerichte

Komfort noun

kom-FORT comfort

Lautstärke noun

LOWT-shtair-kuh noise level; volume

ruhig adj

ROO-ikh quiet ruhigen

schwierig adj

SHVEE-rikh difficult; tricky

vegetarisch adj

veh-guh-TAH-rish vegetarian

Vorgabe noun

FOR-gah-buh constraint; requirement Vorgaben

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

distance

Show Answer

Entfernung

to list

Show Answer

auflisten

difficult; tricky

Show Answer

schwierig

to choose; to select

Show Answer

auszuwählen