Managing expired food in a shared fridge | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: In a shared kitchen, two adults discuss expired food in a fridge and plan labels, a deadline, and a weekly cleanout..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Managing expired food in a shared fridge to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Im Gemeinschaftskühlschrank liegen wieder abgelaufene Lebensmittel.

im guh-MYN-shahfts-KEWL-shrahngk LEE-gen VEE-der AP-guh-LOW-fuh-nuh LAY-bens-mit-tel There's expired food in the shared fridge again.
B

Das könnte zu einem Hygieneproblem werden, wenn es noch viel länger dort steht.

dahs KURNT-uh tsoo EYE-nem hy-GYAY-nuh-proh-BLAYM VAIR-den, venn ess nokh feel LEN-ger dort shtayt It could become a hygiene problem if it sits there much longer.
A

Einige Behälter sind nicht beschriftet, deshalb weiß niemand, wem sie gehören.

EYE-ni-guh buh-HEL-ter zint nikht buh-SHRIFT-et, DESS-halp vice NEE-mant, vaym zee guh-HUR-en Some containers aren't labeled, so nobody knows who owns them.
B

Wir sollten einen Hinweis aufhängen und die Leute bitten, ihre Namen und die Daten daraufzuschreiben.

veer ZOL-ten EYE-nen HIN-vice OWF-heng-en oont dee LOY-tuh BIT-ten, EE-ruh NAH-men oont dee DAH-ten dah-ROWF-tsoo-SHRY-ben We should post a notice asking people to add their names and dates.
A

Sollen wir alles wegwerfen, was älter als eine Woche ist?

ZOL-len veer AL-les VEK-ver-fen, vahs EL-ter als EYE-nuh VO-khuh ist Should we throw away anything older than a week?
B

Erst nachdem wir allen eine klare Frist gegeben haben.

airst nahkh-DAYM veer AL-len EYE-nuh KLAH-ruh FRIST guh-GAY-ben HAH-ben Only after we give everyone a clear deadline.
A

Vielleicht können wir im Gruppenchat eine wöchentliche Reinigung vorschlagen.

fee-LYKHt KUR-nen veer im GROOP-en-chat EYE-nuh VURKH-nt-li-khuh RYE-ni-goong FOR-shlah-gen Maybe we can suggest a weekly cleanout in the group chat.
B

Dadurch wäre die wöchentliche Reinigung planbar und käme nicht plötzlich.

dah-DOORKH VAIR-uh dee VURKH-nt-li-khuh RYE-ni-goong plahn-BAHR oont KAY-muh nikht PLURTS-likh That would make the weekly cleanout predictable instead of sudden.
A

Die Leute können ihre Fächer vor dem Reinigungstag leeren.

dee LOY-tuh KUR-nen EE-ruh FEKH-er for daym RYE-ni-goong-stahk LAY-ren People can clear their shelves before cleaning day.
B

Das sollte die Nutzung des Kühlschranks für alle fair und sicher machen.

dahs ZOL-tuh dee NOOTS-oong dess KEWL-shrahngks fewr AL-luh fair oont ZIKH-er MAKH-en That should make fridge use fair and safe for everyone.

Word by Word

Im “Im” means “in the” in “Im Gemeinschaftskühlschrank” and refers to the shared fridge. It is the contracted form of “in dem”, used here for a location.
Gemeinschaftskühlschrank “Gemeinschaftskühlschrank” means “shared fridge” in this dialogue. It names a refrigerator used by several people and is a compound of “Gemeinschaft” and “Kühlschrank”.
liegen “Liegen” means “are lying” or “are located” here: the expired food is in the fridge. It is useful for describing where things are located, as in “Die Bücher liegen auf dem Tisch” in a new example.
wieder “Wieder” means “again” here, showing that expired food has appeared in the shared fridge another time. Use it to describe a repeated situation, such as “Er kommt wieder” in a new example.
abgelaufene “Abgelaufene” means “expired” in “abgelaufene Lebensmittel”. It describes food whose usable date has passed and directly modifies “Lebensmittel” here.
Lebensmittel “Lebensmittel” means “food” or “groceries” in this dialogue. It is used for food items in general, especially when discussing storage, shopping, or disposal.
Das “Das” means “it” in “Das könnte zu einem Hygieneproblem werden”. It refers to the situation just mentioned and places that situation as the subject of the next statement.
könnte “Könnte” expresses “could” in “Das könnte zu einem Hygieneproblem werden”, presenting a possible result rather than a certain one. It is useful when warning about a possible consequence.
zu “Zu” means “into” or “to” in “zu einem Hygieneproblem werden”. Together with “werden”, it introduces the result of becoming a hygiene problem.
einem “Einem” means “a” in “zu einem Hygieneproblem”. It appears after “zu” in this phrase and introduces the possible result.
Hygieneproblem “Hygieneproblem” means “hygiene problem” in this dialogue. It names the possible health or cleanliness issue caused by food remaining too long.
werden “Werden” means “become” in “zu einem Hygieneproblem werden”. It follows “könnte” as the infinitive and describes a change into a new condition.
wenn “Wenn” means “if” in “wenn es noch viel länger dort steht”. It introduces the condition under which the possible hygiene problem could occur.
es “Es” means “it” in “wenn es noch viel länger dort steht”. It refers to the food or situation being discussed and functions as the subject of this conditional clause.
noch “Noch” means “still” in “noch viel länger”. It shows that the food would remain there for additional time.
viel “Viel” means “much” in “noch viel länger” and strengthens the comparison, meaning considerably longer. It can also modify an amount, as in “viel Wasser” in a new example.
länger “Länger” means “longer” in “noch viel länger dort steht”. It compares the additional time that the food might remain there with the time already passed.
dort “Dort” means “there” and points to the place where the food is located. In this dialogue, that place is the shared fridge.
steht “Steht” means “stands” or “sits” in “es ... dort steht”, describing something remaining in a place. The related verb “stehen” is commonly used for an object’s position, as in “Die Flasche steht im Kühlschrank” in a new example.
Einige “Einige” means “some” in “Einige Behälter”. It introduces a part of the containers without specifying exactly how many.
Behälter “Behälter” means “containers” in this dialogue. It refers to the food containers stored in the shared fridge.
sind “Sind” means “are” in “sind nicht beschriftet”. It links the containers to their state of not having labels.
nicht “Nicht” means “not” and negates “beschriftet” in “sind nicht beschriftet”. Use it before the element that is being denied or negated.
beschriftet “Beschriftet” means “labeled” in “sind nicht beschriftet”. It describes whether information such as a name or date has been written on the containers.
deshalb “Deshalb” means “therefore” or “so” in “deshalb weiß niemand”. It connects the unlabeled containers with the consequence that nobody knows who owns them.
weiß “Weiß” means “knows” in “weiß niemand”. It describes having or lacking knowledge about who owns the containers.
niemand “Niemand” means “nobody” in this dialogue. It is the person who does not know whom the containers belong to.
wem “Wem” means “to whom” in “wem sie gehören”. It asks about the person who owns the containers and is used with “gehören” in this expression.
sie “Sie” means “they” in “sie gehören”. It refers to the containers and is the subject of the clause about ownership.
gehören “Gehören” means “belong” in “wem sie gehören”. The expression asks or states who something belongs to, as in “Wem gehört das?” in a new example.
Wir “Wir” means “we” and identifies the speakers as the people who should take action. It is used as the subject of the proposal in this sentence.
sollten “Sollten” means “should” in “Wir sollten einen Hinweis aufhängen”. It presents a recommendation about what the speakers ought to do.
einen “Einen” means “a” in “einen Hinweis”. It introduces the particular notice that the speakers propose putting up.
Hinweis “Hinweis” means “notice” in this dialogue. It refers to a written message posted to inform people about names and dates.
aufhängen “Aufhängen” means “put up” or “hang up” in “einen Hinweis aufhängen”. It describes attaching a notice so that other people can read it.
und “Und” means “and” and joins the two proposed actions: putting up a notice and asking people to write information on it.
die “Die” means “the” in “die Leute”. It introduces the people who are being asked to add their names and dates.
Leute “Leute” means “people” in this dialogue. It refers to the people who use the shared fridge.
bitten “Bitten” means “ask” or “request” in “die Leute bitten”. The reusable pattern is “jemanden bitten, etwas zu tun”, meaning to ask someone to do something.
ihre “Ihre” means “their” in “ihre Namen und die Daten”. It shows that the names and dates belong to the people being asked.
Namen “Namen” means “names” in this dialogue. The names are information that people should write on the notice or containers as part of identifying ownership.
Daten “Daten” means “dates” in this context, referring to the dates people should add. The surrounding mention of names and food labels makes dates, rather than data, the relevant meaning here.
daraufzuschreiben “Daraufzuschreiben” means “to write on it” in this sentence. “Darauf” refers to the notice, and the form completes the request for people to write their names and dates on it.
Sollen “Sollen” means “should we” or “shall we” at the beginning of “Sollen wir alles wegwerfen?”. It turns the suggestion into a question about a possible action.
alles “Alles” means “everything” in “alles wegwerfen”. It refers generally to all food that meets the condition described afterward.
wegwerfen “Wegwerfen” means “throw away” in this dialogue. It is used for disposing of food, and the reusable pattern is “etwas wegwerfen”.
was “Was” means “that which” in “was älter als eine Woche ist”. It introduces the relative clause that identifies which things should be thrown away.
älter “Älter” means “older” in “älter als eine Woche”. It compares the age of the food with one week.
als “Als” means “than” in the comparison “älter als eine Woche”. It introduces the standard used for the comparison.
eine “Eine” means “a” or “one” in “eine Woche”. It introduces the time period used as the comparison standard.
Woche “Woche” means “week” in this dialogue. It sets the time limit used to decide which food may be thrown away.
ist “Ist” means “is” in “was älter als eine Woche ist”. It completes the relative clause describing the age of the food.
Erst “Erst” means “only then” or “not until” in “Erst nachdem wir allen eine klare Frist gegeben haben”. It makes giving everyone a deadline a condition that must come first.
nachdem “Nachdem” means “after” and introduces the action that must happen before throwing food away. It introduces the subordinate clause “nachdem wir allen eine klare Frist gegeben haben”.
allen “Allen” means “everyone” or “all people” in “allen eine klare Frist gegeben”. It identifies the people who should receive the deadline.
klare “Klare” means “clear” in “eine klare Frist”. It describes a deadline that is definite and understandable to everyone.
Frist “Frist” means “deadline” in this dialogue. It refers to the final time by which people should respond or remove their food.
gegeben “Gegeben” means “given” in “eine klare Frist gegeben haben”. It is the form used with “haben” to describe giving everyone a deadline.
haben “Haben” means “have” in “gegeben haben”. It works with “gegeben” to complete the statement that the speakers have given everyone a deadline.
Vielleicht “Vielleicht” means “maybe” and introduces a possible suggestion. It makes the proposal about a weekly cleanout less direct and more tentative.
können “Können” means “can” or “are able to” in “können wir ... vorschlagen”. It expresses that the speakers have the possibility of making the suggestion.
Gruppenchat “Gruppenchat” means “group chat” in this dialogue. It identifies the shared communication channel where the weekly cleanout can be suggested.
wöchentliche “Wöchentliche” means “weekly” in “eine wöchentliche Reinigung”. It describes something that happens once each week.
Reinigung “Reinigung” means “cleaning” or “cleanout” in this dialogue. It refers to the planned regular removal and cleaning of the fridge’s contents.
vorschlagen “Vorschlagen” means “suggest” in “eine wöchentliche Reinigung vorschlagen”. It is used when presenting an idea for other people to consider.
Dadurch “Dadurch” means “as a result” or “thereby” in this sentence. It connects the suggested regular schedule with the result that the cleanout would be predictable.
wäre “Wäre” means “would be” in “wäre ... planbar”. It presents the result as a consequence of adopting the suggested weekly schedule.
planbar “Planbar” means “predictable” or “plannable” in this dialogue. It describes a cleaning routine whose timing can be known in advance.
käme “Käme” means “would come” in “käme nicht plötzlich”. It describes how the cleaning would occur under the proposed regular schedule.
plötzlich “Plötzlich” means “suddenly” in “käme nicht plötzlich”. It describes something happening unexpectedly or without gradual preparation.
Fächer “Fächer” means “shelves” or “compartments” in the fridge. It refers to the individual storage spaces that people can empty before cleaning day.
vor “Vor” means “before” in “vor dem Reinigungstag”. It places the action of emptying the shelves earlier than cleaning day.
dem “Dem” means “the” in “vor dem Reinigungstag”. It appears after “vor” in this time expression and introduces the specific cleaning day.
Reinigungstag “Reinigungstag” means “cleaning day” in this dialogue. It names the scheduled day before which people should empty their fridge compartments.
leeren “Leeren” means “empty” or “clear out” in “ihre Fächer ... leeren”. It describes removing the contents from the fridge compartments before cleaning.
Nutzung “Nutzung” means “use” in “die Nutzung des Kühlschranks”. It refers to how people use the shared fridge.
des “Des” means “of the” in “des Kühlschranks”. It connects the use being discussed with the fridge.
Kühlschranks “Kühlschranks” means “of the fridge” in “die Nutzung des Kühlschranks”. It identifies the fridge whose use should become fair and safe.
für “Für” means “for” in “für alle”. It identifies the people who should benefit from the fair and safe use of the fridge.
alle “Alle” means “everyone” in “für alle”. It refers to all people who share or use the fridge.
fair “Fair” means “fair” in “fair und sicher”. It describes fridge use that treats everyone appropriately and equally.
sicher “Sicher” means “safe” in “fair und sicher”. It describes fridge use that avoids hygiene or cleanliness problems.
machen “Machen” means “make” in “die Nutzung ... fair und sicher machen”. It describes causing the fridge’s use to have the qualities “fair” and “safe”.

Grammar Points

etwas gehört jemandem

Die Behälter gehören niemandem.

dee buh-HEL-ter guh-HUR-en NEE-man-tum

The containers belong to nobody.

gehören takes the dative: niemand becomes niemandem when saying who something belongs to.

daraufzuschreiben

Namen und Daten daraufzuschreiben

NAH-men oont DAH-ten dah-ROWF-tsoo-SHRY-ben

to write names and dates on it

In this separable verb, zu goes between the prefix darauf and the verb schreiben.

German Vocabulary

abgelaufene adj
AP-guh-LOW-fuh-nuh expired

abgelaufene Lebensmittel

aufhängen verb
OWF-heng-en to put up

einen Hinweis aufhängen

Behälter noun
buh-HEL-ter container

Einige Behälter

beschriftet adj
buh-SHRIFT-et labeled

nicht beschriftet

bitten verb
BIT-ten to ask

die Leute bitten

gehören verb
guh-HUR-en to belong to

wem sie gehören

Gemeinschaftskühlschrank noun
guh-MYN-shahfts-KEWL-shrahngk shared fridge

Im Gemeinschaftskühlschrank

Hinweis noun
HIN-vice notice

einen Hinweis

Hygieneproblem noun
hy-GYAY-nuh-proh-BLAYM hygiene problem

zu einem Hygieneproblem

Lebensmittel noun
LAY-bens-MIT-tel food

abgelaufene Lebensmittel

Namen noun
NAH-men names

ihre Namen

niemand pron
NEE-mant nobody

niemand weiß

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

There's expired food in the shared fridge again.

Show AnswerIm Gemeinschaftskühlschrank liegen wieder abgelaufene Lebensmittel.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

notice

Show AnswerHinweis

container

Show AnswerBehälter

food

Show AnswerLebensmittel

nobody

Show Answerniemand