cocoaGerman
All German lessons
German · Beginner
Ein Geschenk aussuchen
Buying a GiftHero phraseein Geschenk aussuchenchoosing a gift
A1
12:13 listen
Hosted by Lukas & MiaToday you'll learn:
The vocabulary
6 phrases from “Ein Geschenk aussuchen”
Each phrase has a plain explanation and real lines from the show. Tap “Hear it” to jump to that moment.
ein Geschenk aussuchenHero phrase
ein Geschenk aussuchenchoosing a gift
- Heute Nachmittag will ich ein Geschenk aussuchen.This afternoon I want to pick out a gift.
- Komm mit, wir können zusammen ein Geschenk aussuchen.Come along, we can pick out a gift together.
eine gute Idee habenPhrase 1
eine gute Idee habenhaving a good idea
- Endlich eine gute Idee haben für Omas Geburtstag!Finally having a good idea for Grandma's birthday!
- Sobald wir eine gute Idee haben, kaufen wir es.As soon as we have a good idea, we'll buy it.
das Geschenk einpackenPhrase 2
das Geschenk einpackenwrapping the gift
- Ich muss noch schnell das Geschenk einpacken.I still have to wrap the gift quickly.
- Vor der Feier noch das Geschenk einpacken, klar?Wrap the gift before the party, okay?
eine schöne Karte schreibenPhrase 3
eine schöne Karte schreibenwriting a nice card
- Vorher will ich noch eine schöne Karte schreiben.Before that I still want to write a nice card.
- Abends setze ich mich hin: eine schöne Karte schreiben.In the evening I sit down: write a nice card.
zur Party mitbringenPhrase 4
zur Party mitbringenbringing to the party
- Soll ich Wein zur Party mitbringen?Should I bring wine to the party?
- Die Nachspeise können wir zur Party mitbringen.We can bring the dessert to the party.
sich sehr freuenPhrase 5
sich sehr freuenbeing very happy
- Bald wird sie sich sehr freuen.Soon she'll be very happy.
- Er kann sich sehr freuen über die Nachricht.He can be very happy about the news.
The full conversation
Listen & read along
Lukas · now playing
Hallo Mia! Suchst du heute auch etwas?
ShortcutsAPrevious lineDNext lineSReplay this lineRLoop this lineSpacePlay / pause
00:00Intro
Hello Mia! Are you also looking for something today?
Hello Lukas! No, but you look stressed out.
I really need your help today.
What is going on with you?
My best friend Felix has a birthday soon.
How nice! Do you already have an idea?
Unfortunately no, I still have to choose a gift.
Looking for gifts can sometimes be difficult.
Exactly, I often don't know what to do.
No worries, we will help you with that today!
Welcome to our German podcast for beginners!
Today we learn six useful expressions.
Our most important expression today is: picking out a gift.
That means in English: picking out a gift.
Buying gifts is more fun with friends.
And with simple words it becomes easy.
Today we talk about many good ideas.
And we tell a funny story.
We also have a cultural fact today.
Do you know why people in Germany do not celebrate early?
You must never congratulate before the birthday!
Why that is, we will explain to you right away.
Stay tuned and learn diligently with us!
Now let's get started with part two!
Lukas, tell us about your last Saturday!
Last Saturday I wanted to choose a gift.
Who was the gift intended for?
For my good friend Felix from Berlin.
Where did you go first?
I went into a large department store.
And how was it in the department store?
It was crowded, loud, and very confusing.
Did you find something nice there right away?
No, I walked around for two hours.
What did you see on the shelves?
I saw colorful socks with cats.
Did you buy the cat socks for Felix?
No, the socks were really too silly!
What other things were there?
There was a huge yellow bath duck.
A bath duck? Did you really want to take that?
I almost bought the duck!
Why did you want to buy something crazy like that?
I was tired and had no clue.
Luckily you didn't do that!
Then I sat down for a moment.
What did you think about at that moment?
I asked myself: What does Felix really like?
And what are his favorite hobbies?
Felix loves reading novels and drinking coffee.
That is a wonderful starting point!
I went immediately into a bookstore.
Were you able to choose a gift there?
Yes, I found a great book.
And did you buy something else with it?
Next door I bought a nice mug.
A book and a coffee mug, perfect!
That was much better than the yellow duck.
Felix was certainly very happy about it.
Yes, he was really totally thrilled.
Now we talk about German customs.
There are some special rules in Germany.
The most important rule concerns the birthday.
In Germany people never congratulate before the birthday.
Why is one never allowed to do that?
Many people believe that it brings bad luck.
One only celebrates on the actual day or after.
Even if you already have the gift,
you wait until the right day.
You are also not allowed to toast before midnight.
Exactly, only from midnight on is it celebrated!
And how important is wrapping in Germany?
Very important! A plastic bag often looks impolite.
One takes nice paper and a ribbon.
In addition one almost always writes a card.
What do people in Germany like to give most?
Very popular are useful items or vouchers.
For example a voucher for a restaurant.
Or tickets for a nice concert.
That shows genuine attentiveness for friends.
When I want to choose a gift for friends,
I always think about their hobbies.
That is exactly the right way!
Let us look at our five further expressions!
With pleasure! What is our second expression?
The second expression is: having a good idea.
First you have to have a good idea.
Without an idea you search for hours in shops.
You walk in circles and get tired.
What comes as the third expression?
Our third expression is: wrapping the gift.
Before the celebration you have to wrap the gift.
With colorful paper everything looks much nicer.
A bow makes the parcel perfect.
And what is expression number four?
Number four is: writing a nice card.
I always want to write a nice card.
A sweet greeting brings great joy to every person.
One writes a few personal words inside.
Which expression follows as number five?
The fifth expression is: bringing to the party.
One can bring flowers and juice to the party.
Or a delicious cake for all guests.
And our sixth expression is: being very pleased.
The host will be very happy!
A radiant smile is the most beautiful thanks.
Now I am curious, Mia.
What are you curious about then?
What gift-giving type are you actually?
I belong very proudly to Team Mia!
What does Team Mia mean when giving gifts?
Team Mia plans gifts at least two weeks in advance.
Two weeks in advance? That is really very early!
I craft my own decorations and pretty bows.
And I clearly belong to Team Lukas!
What does Team Lukas do differently?
Team Lukas often buys gifts spontaneously and practically.
So you buy quickly and without long plans?
I go out one day before,
and buy useful items for everyday life.
Oh dear, we are really very different!
But every person has their own style.
That makes gift giving so colorful and exciting.
Mia, let's do a little numbers riddle!
Oh yes, I love numbers riddles!
What do you estimate: What percentage of Germans
buy gifts only at the very last minute?
Maybe twenty percent of people?
I read in an article:
It is almost forty percent of respondents!
Almost forty percent? That really is a lot!
They buy everything shortly before the celebration.
Now I also have a question for you.
I am ready, ask me your question!
What percentage of Germans wish for gift vouchers?
I guess: Maybe thirty percent?
I heard it is over fifty percent!
Over half of the people like vouchers?
Because one can choose something oneself with it.
That is practical and saves a lot of stress.
That way everyone gets exactly the right thing.
Now we test your knowledge in everyday situations!
I look forward to it, go right ahead!
Situation one: Your sister has a birthday next week.
You don't know at all what you should buy. What do you need?
In this case I say:
First I have to have a good idea!
Very good! Without an idea you cannot start.
Situation two: You are standing in a shop in town.
You look at many colorful things. What are you doing?
Very clear, here is my answer:
I want to choose a suitable gift.
Excellent! You choose the best product.
Situation three: You bought a nice book.
You have paper and tape on the table. What do you do?
There I don't think long and answer:
I will now carefully wrap the gift.
Correct! Nicely wrapped it looks great.
Situation four: The little parcel lies ready on the table.
You take a pen and paper. What is your plan?
Here there is a simple solution:
I still want to write a nice card.
Wonderful! Personal words are always appreciated.
Situation five: The party starts at seven PM.
You take the parcel and cake. What do you do?
There my answer is right away:
I will bring the things to the party.
Perfect! One never arrives with empty hands.
Situation six: Your friend opens the parcel and laughs.
How does your friend react to your surprise?
I see that immediately in his eyes:
My friend will be very happy!
Very nice! Giving joy is the most important thing.
Situation seven: Your colleague is moving into a new apartment.
He invites everyone to a party. What do you say?
There I have a fitting sentence:
We want to choose a gift together,
and then bring it to the party.
Great! That strengthens community in the team.
Situation eight: You buy chocolate for your grandmother.
You want to bring her joy. Which steps do you take?
I take two important steps:
First I will wrap the gift,
and then write a nice card.
Fantastic! Your grandmother will be thrilled.
Situation nine: Your neighbor helped you with moving.
You want to say thank you warmly. What do you consider?
Here I do the following:
I must have a good idea,
so that my neighbor can be very pleased.
Situation ten: You have an invitation to dinner tomorrow.
You are on the go after work. What do you take care of quickly?
There I answer completely relaxed:
I still want to choose a gift,
before the shops close in the evening.
Situation eleven: You bought a new game.
The game lies on the table. What do you do before the party?
There I say full of joyful anticipation:
I will wrap the gift with bows,
and write a nice card.
Situation twelve: Your friends built a new kitchen.
They invite you to the housewarming. What do you do?
In this situation I say:
I will bring nice plants to the party,
and everyone will be very happy!
Solved perfectly! You mastered all situations wonderfully.
With these expressions one feels confident.
That was a very entertaining episode today!
And we did not buy a yellow bath duck!
Luckily not! The book was much better.
Now comes our important speaking task for you.
Exactly, a practical exercise for your daily life.
Think about your next shopping stroll in town.
Here is our target sentence for today:
I want to choose a nice gift today.
Stand in front of the mirror at home tomorrow.
Say this sentence out loud three times in front of the mirror!
Speak every word clearly and with joy.
Also definitely write to us in the comments:
Are you Team Lukas or Team Mia?
Do you plan gifts early, or do you buy spontaneously?
We look forward very much to your many comments!
Thank you very much for listening diligently today.
Until next time, and have fun giving gifts!
Du bist dranYour turn
Übung mit 6 echten SituationenPractice with 6 real situations
1ein Geschenk aussuchenein Geschenk aussuchen
Dein Freund fragt: Was machst du heute Nachmittag? Du brauchst noch ein Geschenk. Was sagst du?
Your friend asks: What are you doing this afternoon? You still need a gift. What do you say?2eine gute Idee habeneine gute Idee haben
Oma hat bald Geburtstag. Lange keine Idee, und jetzt hast du eine. Was sagst du?
Grandma's birthday is soon. For a long time no idea, and now you have one. What do you say?3das Geschenk einpackendas Geschenk einpacken
Ihr müsst in zehn Minuten los. Das Geschenk hat noch kein Papier. Was sagst du?
You must leave in ten minutes. The gift still has no paper. What do you say?4eine schöne Karte schreibeneine schöne Karte schreiben
Das Geschenk ist fertig. Zuerst willst du noch eine nette Karte. Was sagst du?
The gift is ready. First you still want a nice card. What do you say?5zur Party mitbringenzur Party mitbringen
Heute Abend ist eine Party. Du weißt nicht, ob Wein okay ist. Was sagst du?
There is a party tonight. You do not know if wine is okay. What do you say?6sich sehr freuensich sehr freuen
Oma öffnet das Geschenk bald. Es ist wirklich schön. Was sagst du?
Grandma opens the gift soon. It is really nice. What do you say?Today's small task
Stand in front of the mirror at home tomorrow.Stand in front of the mirror at home tomorrow.
All languages · cocoaReview page for Ein Geschenk aussuchen