German for English speakers Beach · Lesson 3

You book? I'll book!

German future plans with werden — Ich werde das Hotel reservieren (I'm going to reserve the hotel) — and simpler present-as-future.

Conversation

  1. Yaya Yaya

    Kannst du ein Hotel buchen?

    Are you going to book the hotel?

  2. Muri Muri

    Ja, ich werde ein Hotel buchen.

    Yes, I am going to book.

    Tip: <werden> is not always used for the future. This optional in many cases unlike in English. You can simply say “Ich buche ein Hotel”

  3. Yaya Yaya

    Und kannst du auch bezahlen?

    And are you going to pay too?

  4. Muri Muri

    Ja, ich kann für uns beide zahlen.

    Yes, I am going to pay for both you and me.

    Tip: <auch> = lit. also, too, as well

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How does German express future?

Werden + infinitive (future tense) OR present tense + time word: morgen reserviere ich = 'I'll reserve tomorrow'. Present is more common.

What does reservieren mean?

'To reserve / book' — for hotels, restaurants, flights, seats. Die Reservierung = the reservation.

Why use ja for emphasis?

Ja can confirm or emphasize: Ja, ich reserviere = 'yes, I'll book'. Different from ja as an answer (yes).

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