German for English speakers Farm · Lesson 2

Doing things before others

Sequence in German — Machst du dein Bett, bevor du gehst? (Do you make the bed before leaving?) — with bevor for 'before'.

Conversation

Pronunciation Translations Tips

Yaya

Machst du dein Bett, bevor du rausgehst?

Do you make the bed before going out?

Tip: <Verstehe> = in casual settings it is okay to omit the personal pronoun if it is clear from context who is talking
Meera

Ja, ich mache mein Bett und spüle das Geschirr fast jeden Tag.

Yes, I make the bed and wash the dishes almost always.
Muri

Und machst du Sport?

Do you also do any sport?

Tip: <Sport machen> = This can also mean “to exercise” or “to work out”.
Meera

Leider mache ich nicht oft Sport.

Sadly, I don't do sport often.

Tip: <Leider> = lit. unfortunately

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'before doing X' in German?

Bevor + clause: bevor du gehst, bevor ich esse. After bevor, the verb goes to the end. Different from 'before noun' which uses vor + noun.

What does fast immer mean?

'Almost always'. Fast = almost. German frequency: nie, selten, manchmal, oft, fast immer, immer.

Common German chores?

Das Bett machen (make the bed), Geschirr spülen (do dishes), staubsaugen (vacuum), Wäsche waschen (do laundry), aufräumen (tidy up).