German for English speakers Beach · Lesson 1

Weather problems

Weather complaints in German — Was für ein Wind! (What a wind!) — and casual Wollen wir spazieren gehen? (Shall we go for a walk?).

Conversation

  1. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    Meine Güte, was für ein Wind!

    Wow, what a wind!

    Tip: <Meine Güte> = lit. my goodness

  2. Meera Meera

    Wollen wir spazieren?

    Shall we have a walk?

    Tip: <spazieren> = This is used only in the sense of going for a walk, i.e., a stroll.

  3. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    Ich glaube nicht, dass das möglich wäre, weil der Wind zu stark ist.

    That's impossible. The wind is too strong.

    Tip: <dass ...weil> = These cause the verbs to be moved to the end of the sentence. This is due to them triggering a subjunctive clause.

  4. Meera Meera

    Ich glaube, dass es besser wäre, wenn wir drinnen bleiben würden.

    Maybe it's better to get inside.

    Tip: <dass ...wenn> = these cause the verbs to be moved to the end of the sentence.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you exclaim 'what a ...!' in German?

Was für ein/eine + noun: Was für ein Wind! Was für ein Tag! Adjective agreement applies to ein.

How do you suggest in German?

Wollen wir + infinitive? = 'shall we ...?'. Wollen wir spazieren gehen? = 'shall we go for a walk?'. Modal wollen + infinitive.

Common German weather phrases?

Es ist windig (windy), es ist sonnig (sunny), es regnet (raining), es ist kalt/warm/heiß (cold/warm/hot).

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