Discussing rebooking after a possible missed connection | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: During a travel delay, a traveler checks rebooking options and asks for routes with enough transfer time..

EN → DE / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Discussing rebooking after a possible missed connection to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Wegen dieser Verspätung könnte ich meinen Anschluss verpassen.

VAY-ghen DEE-zer fer-SHPAY-toong KURR-tuh ikh MY-nen AHN-shloos fer-PASS-en. I might miss my connection because of this delay.
B

Der Serviceschalter kann andere Verbindungen prüfen, sobald die Verspätung bestätigt ist.

dayr ZUR-viss-shal-ter kahn AHN-deh-reh fer-BIN-doong-en PRUE-fen, zoh-BAHLT dee fer-SHPAY-toong beh-SHTAY-tikt ist. The service desk can check other routes once the delay is confirmed.
A

Ich würde jetzt lieber einen Plan machen, als später in Eile zu geraten.

ikh VUR-duh yetst LEE-ber EYE-nen plahn MAH-khen, ahls SHPAY-ter in EYE-leh tsoo geh-RAH-ten. I would rather make a plan now than rush later.
B

Dann vergleichen wir die Möglichkeiten, aber denk daran, dass sie sich ändern können.

dahn fer-GLY-khen veer dee MOYG-likh-kite-en, AH-ber denk dah-RAHN, dahss zee zikh EN-dern KURN-en. Then let us compare the options, but keep in mind they may change.
A

Kannst du prüfen, ob hier eine flexible Umbuchung möglich ist?

kahnst doo PRUE-fen, ohp heer EYE-neh flex-EE-bleh OOM-boo-khoong MOYG-likh ist? Can you check whether flexible rebooking is available here?
B

Ich kann fragen, aber der Betreiber muss sie genehmigen.

ikh kahn FRAH-gen, AH-ber dayr beh-TRY-ber moos zee geh-NAY-mih-gen. I can ask, but the operator has to approve it.
A

Bitte suche nach Verbindungen mit genügend Zeit zwischen den Umstiegen.

BIT-teh ZOO-kheh nahkh fer-BIN-doong-en mit geh-NUE-gent tsite tsvish-en dayn OOM-sht ee-gen. Please look for routes with enough time between transfers.
B

Die werde ich zuerst berücksichtigen.

dee VAYR-duh ikh tsoo-AIRST beh-ROOK-sikh-tih-gen. I will put those first.
B

Damit wir nicht zum nächsten Zug rennen müssen.

dah-MIT veer nikht tsoom NAYKH-sten tsoog REN-en MUES-en. So we are not running for the next train.

Word by Word

Wegen “Wegen” means because of and gives the reason for possibly missing the connection in “Wegen dieser Verspätung”. It is useful for stating the cause of a problem or event.
dieser “Dieser” means this and points to the specific delay in “dieser Verspätung”. Use it before a noun when referring to one particular thing.
Verspätung “Verspätung” means delay, specifically the travel delay causing the possible missed connection here. A useful pattern is “wegen einer Verspätung” for because of a delay.
könnte “Könnte” expresses might or could in “könnte ich meinen Anschluss verpassen”. It presents missing the connection as a possibility rather than a certainty.
ich “Ich” means I and is the person who might miss the connection in “könnte ich meinen Anschluss verpassen”. Use it as the subject when speaking about yourself.
meinen “Meinen” means my in “meinen Anschluss” and identifies the connection belonging to the speaker. It is the possessive form used before “Anschluss” in this dialogue.
Anschluss “Anschluss” means connection, here a connecting train or other part of a journey. A useful travel pattern is “einen Anschluss verpassen” for miss a connection.
verpassen “Verpassen” means miss in “meinen Anschluss verpassen”. It is used with the missed thing as its object, as in “etwas verpassen”.
Der “Der” means the in “Der Serviceschalter” and introduces the service desk being discussed. It is capitalized here because it begins the sentence; a useful pattern is “der” plus a masculine noun.
Serviceschalter “Serviceschalter” means service desk, the place where the traveler can ask about other connections. In this dialogue it is the subject of “Der Serviceschalter kann andere Verbindungen prüfen”.
kann “Kann” means can in “Der Serviceschalter kann andere Verbindungen prüfen”. It expresses ability or possibility and is followed here by the infinitive “prüfen”.
andere “Andere” means other in “andere Verbindungen”, referring to routes different from the current one. Use it before a noun when presenting alternatives.
Verbindungen “Verbindungen” means connections or routes in the travel context. The plural form is used because the service desk may check several alternatives.
prüfen “Prüfen” means check or examine in “andere Verbindungen prüfen”. It follows “kann” here; a useful pattern is “etwas prüfen” when checking an option or detail.
sobald “Sobald” means once or as soon as and introduces the condition in “sobald die Verspätung bestätigt ist”. Use it to connect an action with the moment something becomes true.
die “Die” means the in “die Verspätung” and identifies the specific delay being discussed. It is the article used before “Verspätung” in this phrase.
bestätigt “Bestätigt” means confirmed in “die Verspätung bestätigt ist”. It describes the delay as officially confirmed, which is the point when the other routes can be checked.
ist “Ist” means is and completes “die Verspätung bestätigt ist”. In this clause it states the condition that the delay has been confirmed.
würde “Würde” means would in “Ich würde jetzt lieber einen Plan machen”. It presents the speaker’s preferred course of action in a polite or hypothetical way.
jetzt “Jetzt” means now and contrasts immediate planning with acting later. Use it to locate an action at the present moment.
lieber “Lieber” means rather or preferably in “jetzt lieber einen Plan machen”. The pattern “lieber … als …” compares a preferred action with an alternative.
einen “Einen” means a in “einen Plan” and introduces one plan the speaker would prefer to make. It is the article form used before “Plan” in this phrase.
Plan “Plan” means plan, here a plan for handling the delayed journey. The common expression “einen Plan machen” means make a plan.
machen “Machen” means make in “einen Plan machen”. It is used with “Plan” to describe creating a course of action and follows “würde” here.
als “Als” means than in the comparison “lieber einen Plan machen, als später in Eile zu geraten”. It introduces the less-preferred alternative after “lieber”.
später “Später” means later and refers to a later point in the journey when rushing might be necessary. It is useful for contrasting a later action with “jetzt”.
in “In” means in as part of the expression “in Eile geraten”. Here it helps describe entering a hurried situation.
Eile “Eile” means hurry in “in Eile geraten”, referring to a rushed situation. A new example is “Ich bin in Eile” for I am in a hurry.
zu “Zu” marks the infinitive in “zu geraten”. Together with “geraten”, it forms the alternative action in the comparison.
geraten “Geraten” means get into in “in Eile zu geraten”. The pattern “in etwas geraten” describes entering a situation; a new example is “in Schwierigkeiten geraten” for get into difficulties.
Dann “Dann” means then and moves the conversation to the next step: comparing the options. Use it to introduce a consequence or a following action.
vergleichen “Vergleichen” means compare in “vergleichen wir die Möglichkeiten”. It is used with the things being compared, here “die Möglichkeiten”.
wir “Wir” means we and identifies the two people who will compare the options. Use it as the subject when including yourself and at least one other person.
Möglichkeiten “Möglichkeiten” means options or possibilities in “die Möglichkeiten”. Here it refers to the available rebooking choices, and the plural indicates more than one choice.
aber “Aber” means but and contrasts comparing the options with the warning that they may change. Use it to introduce a limitation or opposing point.
denk “Denk” means remember or keep in mind in “Denk daran, dass sie sich ändern können”. It is an informal direct instruction to one person; “Denk daran, dass …” is a useful reusable pattern.
daran “Daran” means about that or of that in “Denk daran, dass sie sich ändern können”. It points to the fact that the options may change and completes the expression “Denk daran”.
dass “Dass” means that and introduces the information to keep in mind in “dass sie sich ändern können”. It is useful for introducing a statement that depends on a verb such as “denken” or “wissen”.
sie “Sie” means they here and refers to “die Möglichkeiten”, the options that may change. Use it as the subject when referring back to several things.
sich “Sich” is part of “sich ändern” in “sie sich ändern können” and shows that the options undergo a change. A useful pattern is “etwas kann sich ändern” for something may change.
ändern “Ändern” means change in “sie sich ändern können”. It appears with “sich” because the options themselves are the things undergoing change.
können “Können” means can or may in “sie sich ändern können”, expressing the possibility that the options will change. A useful pattern is “etwas kann sich ändern” when describing a possible change.
du “Du” means you in “Kannst du prüfen”. It addresses one person informally while asking them to check something.
ob “Ob” means whether in “prüfen, ob hier eine flexible Umbuchung möglich ist”. Use “prüfen, ob …” to ask or investigate whether something is possible or true.
hier “Hier” means here and locates the possible rebooking at the current service point. Use it to refer to the place where the speakers are.
eine “Eine” means a in “eine flexible Umbuchung” and introduces one possible rebooking. It is the article form used before “Umbuchung” in this phrase.
flexible “Flexible” means flexible in “eine flexible Umbuchung”. It describes a rebooking option that allows adjustment rather than referring to one fixed arrangement.
Umbuchung “Umbuchung” means rebooking, here changing the travel booking after the delay. A useful pattern is “eine Umbuchung ist möglich” for a rebooking is possible.
möglich “Möglich” means possible or available in “eine flexible Umbuchung möglich ist”. It says that the requested rebooking option can be offered; a new example is “Ist das möglich?” for Is that possible?
fragen “Fragen” means ask in “Ich kann fragen”. It describes asking the responsible person or organization for information or approval and follows “kann” here.
Betreiber “Betreiber” means operator, the organization or person responsible for the service in this dialogue. It is the subject of “der Betreiber muss sie genehmigen”.
muss “Muss” means has to or must in “der Betreiber muss sie genehmigen”. It expresses a requirement that must be fulfilled before the rebooking can proceed.
genehmigen “Genehmigen” means approve in “der Betreiber muss sie genehmigen”. It is used with the item being approved, here the flexible rebooking referred to by “sie”.
Bitte “Bitte” means please and makes “Bitte suche nach Verbindungen” a polite request. It commonly appears at the beginning or end of a request.
suche “Suche” means look for in “Bitte suche nach Verbindungen”. It is an informal instruction to one person and is used with “nach” when searching for something.
nach “Nach” means for in the pattern “nach Verbindungen suchen”. It is the preposition used with “suchen” to identify what someone is looking for.
mit “Mit” means with in “Verbindungen mit genügend Zeit”. It connects the routes with the feature they should have: enough time between transfers.
genügend “Genügend” means enough in “genügend Zeit”. It indicates that the amount of transfer time should be sufficient to avoid rushing.
Zeit “Zeit” means time, here the time available between transfers. The useful expression “genügend Zeit” means enough time.
zwischen “Zwischen” means between in “zwischen den Umstiegen”. It identifies the interval separating the transfer points.
den “Den” means the in “den Umstiegen” and introduces the transfer points being discussed. It is the article form used with “Umstiegen” in this phrase.
Umstiegen “Umstiegen” means transfers in “zwischen den Umstiegen”. Here it refers to the points in the journey where the traveler changes trains or other transport.
werde “Werde” means will in “Die werde ich zuerst berücksichtigen”. It expresses the speaker’s future intention to consider the selected routes.
zuerst “Zuerst” means first in “Die werde ich zuerst berücksichtigen”. It gives these routes priority over the other options.
berücksichtigen “Berücksichtigen” means take into account or consider in “Die werde ich zuerst berücksichtigen”. It is used with the options being considered and follows “werde” here.
Damit “Damit” means so that and introduces the purpose in “Damit wir nicht zum nächsten Zug rennen müssen”. It explains why the routes with more transfer time should be prioritized.
nicht “Nicht” means not and negates “rennen müssen” in “nicht zum nächsten Zug rennen müssen”. The phrase means that running to the next train should not be necessary.
zum “Zum” means to the in “zum nächsten Zug”. It is the contracted form of “zu dem” and introduces the destination or object toward which the running would be directed.
nächsten “Nächsten” means next in “zum nächsten Zug”. It identifies the train that follows the current one in the travel sequence.
Zug “Zug” means train in “zum nächsten Zug”. It is the transport the speakers want to reach without having to run.
rennen “Rennen” means run in “zum nächsten Zug rennen müssen”. It describes moving quickly to catch the next train and follows “müssen” here.
müssen “Müssen” means have to or must in “nicht zum nächsten Zug rennen müssen”. With “nicht”, it expresses that running to the next train should not be necessary.

Grammar Points

sobald + Nebensatz mit Verb am Ende

Sobald sich die Verbindung ändert, prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.

zoh-BAHLT zikh dee fer-BIN-doong EN-dert, PRUE-fen veer dee MOYG-likh-kite-en.

As soon as the connection changes, we check the options.

Nach „sobald“ steht das konjugierte Verb am Ende des Nebensatzes.

damit + Nebensatz mit Verb am Ende

Wir suchen eine Möglichkeit, damit der Umstieg möglich ist.

veer ZOO-khen EYE-neh MOYG-likh-kite, dah-MIT dayr OOM-sht eek MOYG-likh ist.

We are looking for an option so that the transfer is possible.

„Damit“ leitet einen Zwecksatz ein; das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende.

German Vocabulary

Anschluss noun
AHN-shloos connection; connecting train
bestätigen verb
beh-SHTAY-tih-gen to confirm bestätigt
Eile noun
EYE-leh hurry
einen Plan machen phrase
EYE-nen plahn MAH-khen to make a plan
flexibel adj
flex-EE-bel flexible flexible
Möglichkeit noun
MOYG-likh-kite possibility; option Möglichkeiten
prüfen verb
PRUE-fen to check; to examine
Serviceschalter noun
ZUR-viss-shal-ter service desk
sich ändern verb
zikh EN-dern to change
Verbindung noun
fer-BIN-doong connection; route Verbindungen
verpassen verb
fer-PASS-en to miss
Verspätung noun
fer-SHPAY-toong delay

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I will put those first.

Show AnswerDie werde ich zuerst berücksichtigen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

connection; connecting train

Show AnswerAnschluss

delay

Show AnswerVerspätung

to confirm

Show Answerbestätigt

connection; route

Show AnswerVerbindungen