About This Lesson
Use Troubleshooting a printer problem to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Der Drucker lehnt meine Datei immer wieder ab, obwohl das Format unterstützt wird.
dehr DROOK-er laynt MY-nuh dah-TY IM-er VEE-der ahp, ohp-VOHL dahs for-MAHT oon-ter-SHTUERT veert. The printer keeps rejecting my file, although the format is supported.
B
Hast du geprüft, ob das Dokument zu große Bilder enthält?
hahst doo geh-PROOFT, ohp dahs doh-koo-MENT tsoo GROH-suh BIL-der ent-HELT? Have you checked whether the document contains oversized images?
A
Das ist möglich, denn die Präsentation enthält mehrere detaillierte Diagramme.
dahs ist MOERK-likh, den dee preh-zen-tah-TSYOHN ent-HELT MEH-reh-reh day-tah-YEERT-uh dee-ah-GRAHM-uh. That is possible, since the presentation includes several detailed charts.
B
Wenn wir sie komprimieren, könnte das helfen, ohne die Bildqualität zu beeinträchtigen.
ven veer zee kom-pree-MEER-en, KURN-tuh dahs HEL-fen, OHN-uh dee BILT-kvah-lee-TAYT tsoo beh-ayn-TRAYKH-tih-gen. Compressing them may help without damaging the visual quality.
A
Das wäre mir lieber, als die gesamte Präsentation neu zu erstellen.
dahs VARE-uh meer LEE-ber, ahls dee guh-ZAHM-tuh preh-zen-tah-TSYOHN noy tsoo er-SHTEL-len. I would prefer that to rebuilding the entire deck.
B
Schick sie über den gemeinsamen Ordner.
shik zee OO-ber den guh-MYN-zah-men ORT-ner. Send it through the shared folder.
B
Ich kann sie von meinem Konto aus testen.
ikh kahn zee fon MY-nem KON-toh ows TES-ten. I can test it from my account.
A
So muss ich nicht zufällig verschiedene Einstellungen ausprobieren.
zoh moos ikh nikht tsoo-FEL-likh fer-SHEE-den-uh EYN-shtel-loong-en ows-proh-BEER-en. That saves me from guessing at random settings.
B
Sobald sie gedruckt wird, sollten wir die Lösung für andere dokumentieren.
zoh-BAHLT zee guh-DROOKT veert, ZOL-ten veer dee LUR-zhoong fyoor AHN-duh-reh doh-koo-men-TEER-en. Once it prints, we should document the fix for others.Word by Word
Der
In "Der Drucker", "Der" means "the" and identifies a specific printer. This article form is used here with the masculine noun "Drucker" and can be reused before a known masculine noun.
Drucker
"Drucker" means "printer" and is the device rejecting the file. It can be used as the subject when describing what a printer does.
lehnt
In "lehnt meine Datei immer wieder ab", "lehnt" means "rejects" or "refuses". It is used with an object and the matching prefix "ab" at the end; the pattern "etwas lehnt etwas ab" describes rejection.
meine
In "meine Datei", "meine" means "my" and shows that the file belongs to the speaker. This form is used with the feminine noun "Datei" and can be reused before a possessed feminine noun in the same form.
Datei
"Datei" means "file", specifically the file that the printer rejects. It is useful for talking about a digital document that can be sent, tested, or printed.
immer
In "immer wieder", "immer" contributes the idea that something keeps happening. Together with "wieder", it emphasizes repeated rejection rather than a single event; this expression can describe a recurring problem.
wieder
In "immer wieder", "wieder" adds the meaning "again" to show recurrence. The complete expression "immer wieder" is a common way to describe something happening repeatedly.
ab
"ab" completes the rejection expression "lehnt ... ab". As the separated part of the verb, it appears at the end of this main clause and contributes the meaning of rejecting or refusing the file.
obwohl
"obwohl" means "although" and introduces a fact that contrasts with the printer's rejection. In "obwohl das Format unterstützt wird", it introduces the supporting detail and places the verb at the end of the clause.
das
In "das Format", "das" means "the" and identifies a specific format. This article form is used with the neuter noun "Format".
Format
"Format" means "format" and is the file type or structure that the printer supports. It can be used when discussing whether a system accepts a particular file format.
unterstützt
In "unterstützt wird", "unterstützt" means "supported" or accepted by the printer. Together with "wird", it describes the format as receiving support in a passive construction.
wird
In "unterstützt wird", "wird" helps form the passive meaning "is supported". It shows that the format receives the action rather than performing it.
Hast
In "Hast du geprüft", "Hast" means "have" and begins a direct question about whether checking has been completed. The pattern "Hast du ...?" is used to ask one person whether they have done something.
du
"du" means "you" when addressing one person directly and informally. Here it is the person being asked whether the document has been checked.
geprüft
In "Hast du geprüft", "geprüft" means "checked" or "verified". It is used with "Hast" and the question about whether the document contains oversized images.
ob
"ob" means "whether" and introduces the yes-or-no question inside "ob das Dokument zu große Bilder enthält". It is useful after verbs such as checking or asking when the answer may be yes or no.
Dokument
"Dokument" means "document" and is the item being checked for oversized images. It can be used as the subject when describing what a document contains.
zu
In "zu große Bilder", "zu" means "too" and shows that the images exceed a suitable size. Here it belongs to the pattern "zu" plus an adjective, not to an infinitive construction.
große
In "zu große Bilder", "große" means "large" and describes the images as exceeding the appropriate size. Its form matches the plural noun "Bilder" in this phrase.
Bilder
"Bilder" means "images" and refers to the oversized visual elements contained in the document. It is the material that the document contains and that may be compressed.
enthält
"enthält" means "contains" and describes what is inside the document. It is used with the document as the subject and the images as the contained material.
ist
In "Das ist möglich", "ist" means "is" and links the proposed explanation with an assessment of possibility. The pattern "Das ist ..." can be used to evaluate a suggestion or situation.
möglich
In "Das ist möglich", "möglich" means "possible" or feasible. Here it says that oversized images are a plausible explanation for the problem.
denn
"denn" means "because" or "since" and gives the reason for saying that the explanation is possible. It connects the explanation to the fact that the presentation contains several detailed charts.
die
In "die Präsentation", "die" means "the" and identifies a specific presentation. This article form is used here with the feminine noun "Präsentation".
Präsentation
"Präsentation" means "presentation" or deck and is the document containing the charts. It can be used when discussing a presentation that includes, is sent, or is rebuilt.
mehrere
"mehrere" means "several" and indicates more than one without giving an exact number. It modifies the plural noun "Diagramme" and can be reused before an unspecified plural group.
detaillierte
"detaillierte" means "detailed" and describes the charts as containing a lot of information. Its form is used before the plural noun "Diagramme".
Diagramme
"Diagramme" means "charts" or "diagrams" and identifies the detailed visual elements in the presentation. They are the things that the presentation contains.
Wenn
At the start of "Wenn wir sie komprimieren", "Wenn" means "if" and introduces a condition for the possible help. It can introduce a planned action whose result is then discussed.
wir
"wir" means "we" and identifies the speaker and the other colleague as the people who may compress the images. It is used as the subject for a joint action.
sie
"sie" is a pronoun whose referent is supplied by context. In "Wenn wir sie komprimieren", it refers to the images; in the later sending, testing, and printing lines, it refers to the item being sent, tested, or printed.
komprimieren
"komprimieren" means "compress" and describes reducing the size of the images or file. It can be used with digital images or files as the object of the action.
könnte
In "könnte das helfen", "könnte" means "could" or "might" and presents help as a possibility rather than a certainty. It is useful when suggesting a measure whose result is not yet known.
helfen
In "könnte das helfen", "helfen" means "help" and describes the possible benefit of compressing the images. It appears after "könnte" and can be used with a proposed action as the subject.
ohne
In "ohne die Bildqualität zu beeinträchtigen", "ohne" means "without" and introduces an action that should not occur. The pattern "ohne" plus an infinitive with "zu" describes avoiding an unwanted result.
Bildqualität
"Bildqualität" means "image quality" and is the quality that should remain undamaged during compression. It is the object of the action described by "beeinträchtigen".
beeinträchtigen
In "ohne die Bildqualität zu beeinträchtigen", "beeinträchtigen" means "impair" or "damage". It names the unwanted effect that the compression should avoid.
wäre
In "Das wäre mir lieber", "wäre" means "would be" and presents the preferred option hypothetically. The pattern "Das wäre ..." can express an evaluation or preference about a proposed action.
mir
In "Das wäre mir lieber", "mir" means "to me" or "for me" and shows whose preference is being expressed. It identifies the speaker as the person who considers one option preferable.
lieber
In "Das wäre mir lieber", "lieber" means "preferable" or "more desirable". It expresses a preference and is followed here by the alternative introduced with "als".
als
In "lieber, als die gesamte Präsentation neu zu erstellen", "als" means "rather than" and introduces the less preferred alternative. The pattern "lieber ..., als ..." compares two possible actions.
gesamte
In "die gesamte Präsentation", "gesamte" means "entire" or "whole" and emphasizes that the complete presentation would have to be rebuilt. It modifies the noun "Präsentation".
neu
In "neu zu erstellen", "neu" means "anew" and shows that the presentation would be created again. It modifies the action of creating rather than describing the presentation itself.
erstellen
In "neu zu erstellen", "erstellen" means "create" or "rebuild" and refers to making the presentation again. It is used with the presentation as the object of the action.
Schick
"Schick" means "send" and is a direct informal request to one person. It tells the colleague to send the file through the shared folder.
über
In "über den gemeinsamen Ordner", "über" means "through" or "via" and identifies the route used for sending the file. It can introduce the channel or medium through which something is sent.
den
In "den gemeinsamen Ordner", "den" means "the" and identifies a particular folder. This article form is used here with the masculine noun "Ordner" in this phrase.
gemeinsamen
"gemeinsamen" means "shared" or "common" and describes a folder used by both colleagues. It modifies the noun "Ordner".
Ordner
"Ordner" means "folder" and is the shared location through which the file should be sent. It can refer to a digital place for storing or sharing files.
Ich
"Ich" means "I" and identifies the speaker as the person who can test the file. It is the subject of the sentence and is capitalized because it begins the sentence.
kann
In "Ich kann sie von meinem Konto aus testen", "kann" means "can" and expresses the speaker's ability or possibility to test the item. The pattern "Ich kann ... testen" is useful for offering to perform a test.
von
In "von meinem Konto aus", "von" means "from" and marks the account as the starting point or source of the testing. Together with "aus", it forms the complete expression for testing from an account.
meinem
In "meinem Konto", "meinem" means "my" and shows that the account belongs to the speaker. Its form is used in the phrase introduced by "von".
Konto
"Konto" means "account" and identifies the account from which the colleague will test the file. It can be used for a user account in a digital service.
aus
In "von meinem Konto aus", "aus" completes the expression meaning "from my account" and emphasizes the standpoint or source of the testing. The whole phrase identifies where the test is carried out.
testen
"testen" means "test" and describes checking the file from another account. It follows "kann" and takes the item being tested as its object.
So
At the start of "So muss ich nicht ...", "So" means "that way" or "so" and refers to testing the file from the other account. It connects that method with the result that the speaker does not need to try settings randomly.
muss
In "muss ich nicht ... ausprobieren", "muss" means "must" or "have to", but the negation makes the meaning "do not have to". This pattern expresses that an action is unnecessary.
nicht
In "muss ich nicht ... ausprobieren", "nicht" negates the obligation expressed by "muss". The complete phrase says that the speaker does not need to try the settings.
zufällig
In "zufällig verschiedene Einstellungen ausprobieren", "zufällig" means "randomly" and describes trying settings without a targeted choice. It modifies the way the settings are tested.
verschiedene
"verschiedene" means "various" or "different" and describes multiple settings that could be tried. It modifies the plural noun "Einstellungen".
Einstellungen
"Einstellungen" means "settings" and refers to the printer or file options that the speaker would otherwise try. It is the object of "ausprobieren".
ausprobieren
"ausprobieren" means "try out" and describes testing different settings to see what works. Here it follows "muss" and takes "verschiedene Einstellungen" as its object.
Sobald
"Sobald" means "once" or "as soon as" and introduces the point at which the next action should happen. In "Sobald sie gedruckt wird", it connects successful printing with documenting the solution.
gedruckt
In "gedruckt wird", "gedruckt" means "printed" and describes the file as receiving the printing action. Together with "wird", it forms the passive expression "is printed".
sollten
In "sollten wir ... dokumentieren", "sollten" means "should" and presents documenting the solution as a recommendation for both colleagues. It can be used to suggest a sensible shared action.
Lösung
"Lösung" means "solution" or "fix" and refers to the successful way of resolving the printer problem. It is the thing that the colleagues should document for others.
für
In "für andere", "für" means "for" and identifies the people who should benefit from the documented solution. It can introduce the intended recipients of information or help.
andere
In "für andere", "andere" means "others" or "other people" and refers to people who may encounter the same problem later. It is used without a stated noun because the people are understood from context.
dokumentieren
"dokumentieren" means "document" or record and describes writing down the solution for future users. It follows "sollten" and takes the solution as its object.
Grammar Points
obwohl + Nebensatz: Verb am Ende
Obwohl das Dokument geprüft ist, lehnt der Drucker die Datei ab.
ohp-VOHL dahs doh-koo-MENT geh-PROOFT ist, laynt dehr DROOK-er dee dah-TY ahp.Although the document has been checked, the printer rejects the file.
German puts the conjugated verb at the end of a clause beginning with obwohl.
ablehnen: lehnt ... ab
Der Drucker lehnt die Datei ab.
dehr DROOK-er laynt dee dah-TY ahp.The printer rejects the file.
ablehnen is a separable verb: the prefix ab moves to the end in a main clause.
German Vocabulary
ablehnen
verb
AHP-LAY-nen
to reject
lehnt ... ab
Datei
noun
dah-TY
file
Dokument
noun
doh-koo-MENT
document
Drucker
noun
DROOK-er
printer
enthalten
verb
ent-HAL-ten
to contain
Format
noun
for-MAHT
format
immer wieder
adv
IM-er VEE-der
again and again; repeatedly
möglich
adj
MOERK-likh
possible
obwohl
conj
ohp-VOHL
although
Präsentation
noun
preh-zen-tah-TSYOHN
presentation
prüfen
verb
PROO-fen
to check; to examine
geprüft
zu große
adj
tsoo GROH-suh
too large
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Send it through the shared folder.
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Schick sie über den gemeinsamen Ordner.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to contain
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enthaltenalthough
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obwohlfile
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Dateiformat