Checking an Apartment Before a Long Trip | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: Before leaving for a long trip, two adults check an apartment's appliances, locks, thermostat, and package arrangements..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Checking an Apartment Before a Long Trip to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Wir sind mehrere Tage weg, also lass uns die Wohnung noch einmal überprüfen.

Veer zint MAY-rer-uh TAH-guh vek, AHL-zoh lahss oons dee VOH-noong nokh EYN-mahl UE-ber-PROO-fen. We'll be away for several days, so let's double-check the apartment.
B

Ich habe die kleinen Geräte ausgesteckt und den Herd ausgeschaltet.

Ikh HAH-buh dee KLY-nen guh-RAY-tuh OWS-guh-SHTEKT oont dehn HAIRT OWS-guh-SHAHL-tet. I unplugged the small appliances and turned off the stove.
A

Sind die Balkontür und die Schlafzimmerfenster gut gesichert?

Zint dee bal-KOHN-tewr oont dee SHLAHF-tsim-er-FEN-stair goot guh-ZIKH-ert? Are the balcony door and bedroom windows secure?
B

Die Balkontür ist abgeschlossen, und ich überprüfe jetzt die Schlafzimmerfenster.

Dee bal-KOHN-tewr ist AP-guh-SHLOSS-en, oont ikh UE-ber-PROO-fuh yetst dee SHLAHF-tsim-er-FEN-stair. The balcony door is locked, and I will check the bedroom windows now.
A

Sollen wir den Thermostat niedriger einstellen, während wir weg sind?

ZOL-en veer den tair-moh-STAHT NEE-dree-ger EYN-shtel-en, VAY-rent veer vek zint? Should we lower the thermostat while we are gone?
B

Stell ihn niedriger ein, aber nicht so niedrig, dass die Wohnung zu kalt wird.

SHTEL een NEE-dree-ger EYN, AH-ber nikht zoh NEE-dreekh, dahss dee VOH-noong tsoo kahlt veert. Set it lower, but not so low that the apartment gets too cold.
A

Ich habe auch unseren Nachbarn gebeten, Pakete anzunehmen.

Ikh HAH-buh OWKH OON-zuh-ren NAKH-barn guh-BAY-ten, pah-KAY-tuh an-TSOO-nay-men. I also asked our neighbor to collect any packages.
B

Das lässt die Wohnung bewohnt aussehen, während wir weg sind.

Dahs lest dee VOH-noong beh-VOHNT OWS-zay-en, VAY-rent veer vek zint. That helps the place look occupied while we are away.
A

Jetzt fühle ich mich wohler dabei, die Wohnung zu verlassen.

Yetst FUE-luh ikh mikh VOHL-er dah-BYE, dee VOH-noong tsoo fair-LASS-en. Now I feel more relaxed about leaving.
B

Das Durchgehen dieser Checkliste hat etwas Zeit gekostet, aber es hat sich gelohnt.

Dahs DOORKH-gay-en DEE-zer CHEK-lis-tuh haht ET-vahs tsite guh-KOSS-tet, AH-ber es haht zikh guh-LOHNT. This checklist took a little time, but it was worth it.

Word by Word

Wir Wir means “we” and is the subject in Wir sind mehrere Tage weg. The lowercase form wir appears later in während wir weg sind. Use it as the subject when referring to yourself together with at least one other person.
sind Sind means “are” in Wir sind mehrere Tage weg and während wir weg sind. It is the form of sein used with Wir. Reuse the pattern Wir sind + description or location when speaking about a group including yourself.
mehrere Mehrere means “several” in mehrere Tage, indicating more than one day without giving an exact number. It comes directly before the plural noun Tage. Use mehrere + plural noun when referring to an unspecified number of things.
Tage Tage means “days” in mehrere Tage. It is the plural form of Tag and expresses the length of the absence here. Use it in duration phrases such as mehrere Tage.
weg Weg means “away” in Wir sind mehrere Tage weg. After sind, it describes the people’s state of being absent from the apartment. Use sein + weg when saying that someone is away.
also Also means “so” or “therefore” and connects the absence with the suggestion to check the apartment. In also lass uns die Wohnung noch einmal überprüfen, it introduces the practical consequence. Use it to connect a reason or situation with a conclusion or suggestion.
lass Lass in lass uns die Wohnung noch einmal überprüfen introduces a suggestion meaning “let’s check the apartment again.” It is the form used to invite another person to do something together. Reuse lass uns + infinitive for a joint suggestion.
uns Uns means “us” in lass uns die Wohnung noch einmal überprüfen. Together with lass, it identifies the people who should carry out the suggested action. Use lass uns + infinitive when including yourself and another person in a proposal.
die Die means “the” in die Wohnung and refers to a specific apartment known in the conversation. It forms the noun phrase die Wohnung. Use die before a specific noun when its form is appropriate for that noun phrase.
Wohnung Wohnung means “apartment” in die Wohnung and die Wohnung zu verlassen. Here it is the place being checked and later left. Use it when referring to an apartment or dwelling, often with a definite article for a specific one.
noch Noch contributes the meaning “again” in the expression noch einmal. It signals that the checking will be done one more time, rather than describing something that is still happening. Reuse noch einmal + infinitive for repeating an action.
einmal Einmal means “once” in noch einmal, and the whole expression means “once more” or “again.” Here it adds one further repetition to überprüfen. Use noch einmal when asking or deciding to repeat an action.
überprüfen Überprüfen means “to check” or “to inspect” in die Wohnung noch einmal überprüfen. It is the infinitive used for the action proposed after lass uns. Reuse etwas überprüfen with the thing being checked as the object.
Ich Ich means “I” and is the speaker’s subject in Ich habe die kleinen Geräte ausgesteckt. The lowercase form ich also appears later in the source as part of the same pronoun across contexts. Use it as the subject when speaking about yourself.
habe Habe means “have” in Ich habe die kleinen Geräte ausgesteckt, where it helps express a completed action. It is the form of haben used with Ich. Reuse Ich habe + completed-action form when reporting what you have done.
kleinen Kleinen means “small” in die kleinen Geräte and describes the appliances being unplugged. Its form appears directly before the plural noun Geräte in this noun phrase. Reuse die kleinen + plural noun when identifying specific small things.
Geräte Geräte means “appliances” or “devices” in die kleinen Geräte. These are the objects that were unplugged before leaving. Use it for household appliances or other devices when referring to them as a group.
ausgesteckt Ausgesteckt means “unplugged” in habe die kleinen Geräte ausgesteckt. It describes the completed action performed on the appliances; the citation form is ausstecken. Reuse habe + ausgesteckt when reporting that something has been unplugged.
und Und means “and” and joins the two completed actions in ausgesteckt und den Herd ausgeschaltet. It shows that both the appliances and the stove were dealt with. Use it to connect words, phrases, or clauses that belong together.
den Den means “the” in den Herd and identifies a specific stove. It forms the noun phrase den Herd as the object of ausgeschaltet. Use den before a specific masculine noun when this article form is required in the sentence.
Herd Herd means “stove” in den Herd ausgeschaltet. It is the appliance that was turned off. Use it when referring specifically to a stove in a kitchen.
ausgeschaltet Ausgeschaltet means “turned off” or “switched off” in den Herd ausgeschaltet. It describes the completed action performed on the stove; the citation form is ausschalten. Reuse habe + ausgeschaltet when reporting that a device or appliance was switched off.
Balkontür Balkontür means “balcony door” in Die Balkontür ist abgeschlossen. It identifies the door whose security is being checked. Use it for a door leading to a balcony, especially in phrases about locking or checking it.
Schlafzimmerfenster Schlafzimmerfenster means “bedroom windows” in die Schlafzimmerfenster. These are the windows that are checked for security. Use it when referring to windows belonging to a bedroom; the plural meaning is clear from the dialogue context.
gut Gut means “well” in gut gesichert, describing the windows and door as securely protected. It strengthens the description of their security rather than naming a separate object. Reuse gut + descriptive form when saying that something is in a satisfactory or secure condition.
gesichert Gesichert means “secured” in gut gesichert. It describes whether the balcony door and bedroom windows are protected before the trip; the citation form is sichern. Reuse gut gesichert when checking whether something has been made secure.
ist Ist means “is” in Die Balkontür ist abgeschlossen. It links the balcony door with its current locked state and is the form of sein used with Die Balkontür. Reuse ist + description when stating the condition of one thing.
abgeschlossen Abgeschlossen means “locked” in Die Balkontür ist abgeschlossen. It describes the door’s current condition; the citation form is abschließen. Reuse ist abgeschlossen when confirming that a door or similar lockable object is locked.
überprüfe Überprüfe means “check” or “inspect” in ich überprüfe jetzt die Schlafzimmerfenster. It is the speaker’s present action of examining the bedroom windows; the citation form is überprüfen. Reuse ich überprüfe + object when stating that you are checking something now.
jetzt Jetzt means “now” in ich überprüfe jetzt die Schlafzimmerfenster and Jetzt fühle ich mich wohler. It places the action or feeling at the current moment. Use it to say that something is happening or applies at this time.
Sollen Sollen means “should” in Sollen wir den Thermostat niedriger einstellen? It asks whether the speakers ought to carry out the adjustment. It is the form of sollen used with wir. Reuse Sollen wir + infinitive when asking for a joint decision or suggestion.
Thermostat Thermostat means “thermostat” in den Thermostat niedriger einstellen. It is the device whose setting is being changed while the speakers are away. Use it when discussing temperature control in an apartment or building.
niedriger Niedriger means “lower” in den Thermostat niedriger einstellen, specifying a lower setting. It is related to the form niedrig, which appears later in nicht so niedrig. Reuse niedriger einstellen when asking to adjust a setting downward.
einstellen Einstellen means “to set” or “to adjust” in den Thermostat niedriger einstellen. It names the action of changing the thermostat’s setting; the citation form is einstellen. Reuse etwas einstellen with the object being adjusted and the desired setting.
während Während means “while” in während wir weg sind. It introduces the time during which the thermostat setting should apply. Reuse während + clause to connect an action or state with another ongoing period.
Stell Stell in Stell ihn niedriger ein is a direct instruction to adjust the thermostat to a lower level. It is the command form used with the separable verb einstellen. Reuse Stell + object + setting + ein when telling someone to adjust something.
ihn Ihn means “it” in Stell ihn niedriger ein, referring back to the masculine noun Thermostat. It is the object pronoun used for that device in the instruction. Use ihn when referring to a previously mentioned masculine noun as the object of an action.
ein Ein is the separated final part of einstellen in Stell ihn niedriger ein. Together, Stell ... ein means “set ...” or “adjust ...”; ein does not mean “in” by itself here. Keep the object between Stell and ein when reusing this command pattern.
aber Aber means “but” and contrasts the lower setting with the warning not to make it excessively low. In aber nicht so niedrig, it limits the preceding instruction. Use it to introduce a restriction or contrasting point.
nicht Nicht means “not” in nicht so niedrig and negates the degree of the setting. It prevents the thermostat from being set at the excessive level described next. Reuse nicht so + adjective to reject a particular degree.
so So means “so” in nicht so niedrig, dass die Wohnung zu kalt wird and introduces the degree being limited. The construction so niedrig, dass ... means “so low that ...”. Reuse so + adjective + dass-clause to describe a degree and its result.
niedrig Niedrig means “low” in so niedrig and describes the thermostat setting. It forms the result-limiting expression nicht so niedrig, dass die Wohnung zu kalt wird. Reuse niedrig for a setting or level that is below the desired range.
dass Dass means “that” and introduces the result clause die Wohnung zu kalt wird. It connects the degree of the thermostat setting with its possible consequence. Reuse so + adjective + dass + result clause when explaining what a degree would cause.
zu Zu means “too” in zu kalt, showing that the apartment could become excessively cold. It modifies the adjective kalt to express an unwanted degree. Reuse zu + adjective when a quality exceeds an acceptable level.
kalt Kalt means “cold” in zu kalt. Here it describes the possible temperature of the apartment if the thermostat is lowered too far. Use it with temperature or other contexts where something has a low temperature.
wird Wird means “becomes” or “gets” in die Wohnung zu kalt wird. It describes a possible change in the apartment’s temperature; the citation form is werden. Reuse wird + adjective when describing something changing into a new condition.
auch Auch means “also” in Ich habe auch unseren Nachbarn gebeten. It adds the request to the earlier apartment preparations. Use it to add another related action or fact.
unseren Unseren means “our” in unseren Nachbarn and identifies the neighbor as connected to both speakers. Its exact form belongs to this noun phrase before Nachbarn. Reuse unseren + noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with a group including yourself.
Nachbarn Nachbarn means “neighbor” in unseren Nachbarn. This is the person asked to receive the packages; the citation form is Nachbar. Reuse unseren Nachbarn when referring to that person in this situation.
gebeten Gebeten means “asked” or “requested” in Ich habe auch unseren Nachbarn gebeten, Pakete anzunehmen. It describes the completed request made to the neighbor; the citation form is bitten. Reuse habe jemanden gebeten, etwas anzunehmen when reporting a request for someone to receive something.
Pakete Pakete means “packages” in Pakete anzunehmen. These are deliveries that the neighbor will receive during the speakers’ absence. Use it when referring to multiple parcels or deliveries.
anzunehmen Anzunehmen means “to accept” or “to receive” in Pakete anzunehmen. It states what the neighbor was asked to do; the citation form is annehmen. Reuse jemanden bitten, Pakete anzunehmen when asking another person to receive deliveries.
Das Das means “that” or “it” in Das lässt die Wohnung bewohnt aussehen. It refers to the package arrangement just mentioned and presents its effect. Use Das at the start of a sentence when referring back to a previously described action or situation.
lässt Lässt means “lets” or “causes” in Das lässt die Wohnung bewohnt aussehen. Here it says that the arrangement causes the apartment to appear occupied; the citation form is lassen. Reuse etwas lässt etwas + adjective + aussehen to describe an effect on appearance.
bewohnt Bewohnt means “occupied” or “inhabited” in die Wohnung bewohnt aussehen. It describes the appearance the apartment should give while nobody is there. Reuse bewohnt aussehen when saying that a place appears to have people living in it.
aussehen Aussehen means “to look” or “to appear” in die Wohnung bewohnt aussehen. Together with bewohnt, it describes the apartment’s outward impression rather than its actual occupancy. Reuse etwas + adjective + aussehen to describe how something appears.
fühle Fühle means “feel” in Jetzt fühle ich mich wohler. It expresses the speaker’s improved emotional state after the checks; the citation form is fühlen. Reuse fühle ich mich + adjective when describing how you feel.
mich Mich means “myself” or “me” in fühle ich mich wohler. It is the reflexive component of the expression describing the speaker’s own feeling. Reuse fühle ich mich + description when talking about your personal state.
wohler Wohler means “more comfortable” or “better” in fühle ich mich wohler. It shows that the speaker feels an improved sense of comfort about leaving. Reuse sich wohler fühlen when a situation makes someone feel more at ease.
dabei Dabei means “about doing so” or “in connection with it” in wohler dabei, die Wohnung zu verlassen. Together, sich wohler fühlen dabei, etwas zu tun describes feeling more comfortable about carrying out an action. Reuse dabei, + zu-infinitive to connect a feeling with the action concerned.
verlassen Verlassen means “to leave” in die Wohnung zu verlassen. It is the infinitive naming the action the speaker now feels more comfortable doing. Reuse etwas verlassen with the place or thing being left as the object.
Durchgehen Durchgehen means “going through” or “reviewing” in Das Durchgehen dieser Checkliste. It is a nominalized action and refers to reviewing every relevant item on the checklist; the citation form is durchgehen. Reuse Durchgehen + object when describing a review of a list or set of items.
dieser Dieser means “this” in dieser Checkliste and identifies the particular checklist being reviewed. It appears directly before Checkliste in the noun phrase. Use dieser + noun when pointing to a specific item in the relevant form.
Checkliste Checkliste means “checklist” in Das Durchgehen dieser Checkliste. It names the list used to review the apartment’s preparations. Use it for an organized list of items to check.
hat Hat means “has” in Das Durchgehen dieser Checkliste hat etwas Zeit gekostet, where it helps express that the review took time. It is the form of haben used with the singular subject Das Durchgehen. Reuse hat ... gekostet when saying that an activity required a certain amount of time or another resource.
etwas Etwas means “a little” or “some” in etwas Zeit. It gives an unspecified small amount of time without stating an exact duration. Reuse etwas Zeit kosten when saying that an activity takes some time.
Zeit Zeit means “time” in etwas Zeit gekostet. It is the resource required by the checklist review. Reuse etwas Zeit kosten to describe an activity that takes time.
gekostet Gekostet means “cost” or “took” in etwas Zeit gekostet, where time is the resource required. It is the completed-action form of kosten. Reuse hat etwas Zeit gekostet when reporting that an activity took some time.
es Es means “it” in es hat sich gelohnt. Here it refers to the checklist review or the preparations as a whole, and the full expression means “it was worth it.” Reuse Es hat sich gelohnt to say that a completed action or effort produced enough benefit.
sich Sich is the reflexive component in es hat sich gelohnt. It belongs to the expression sich lohnen, which evaluates an action or effort as worthwhile. Reuse it in the fixed pattern Es hat sich gelohnt.
gelohnt Gelohnt means “been worth it” in es hat sich gelohnt. It is the completed-action form of lohnen and evaluates the checklist and preparations positively. Reuse Es hat sich gelohnt after an action when saying that the effort was worthwhile.

Grammar Points

während + Nebensatz: Das Verb steht am Ende.

Während die Nachbarn Pakete annehmen, sieht die Wohnung wohler aus.

VAY-rent dee NAKH-barn pah-KAY-tuh AN-nay-men, zeet dee VOH-noong VOHL-er OWS.

While the neighbors accept packages, the apartment looks more comfortable.

Nach während steht ein Nebensatz; das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende. Im Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter Stelle.

sich lohnen: sich hat gelohnt

Das Durchgehen der Checkliste hat sich gelohnt.

Dahs DOORKH-gay-en dair CHEK-lis-tuh haht zikh guh-LOHNT.

Going through the checklist was worth it.

sich lohnen ist eine feste reflexive Wendung. Im Perfekt steht sie mit haben: hat sich gelohnt.

German Vocabulary

ausgeschaltet verb
OWS-guh-SHAHL-tet turned off; switched off
ausgesteckt verb
OWS-guh-SHTEKT unplugged
Balkontür noun
bal-KOHN-tewr balcony door
Geräte noun
guh-RAY-tuh appliances; devices
gesichert adj
guh-ZIKH-ert secure; secured
Herd noun
HAIRT stove
mehrere det
MAY-rer-uh several
noch einmal phrase
nokh EYN-mahl again; once more
Schlafzimmerfenster noun
SHLAHF-tsim-er-FEN-stair bedroom window
überprüfen verb
UE-ber-PROO-fen to check; to inspect
weg adj
vek away; gone

Wir sind mehrere Tage weg.

Wohnung noun
VOH-noong apartment

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to check; to inspect

Show Answerüberprüfen

unplugged

Show Answerausgesteckt

several

Show Answermehrere

appliances; devices

Show AnswerGeräte