# German Basics: Menschen Part 2

**Language:** German  
**CEFR Level:** A1  

> Dive into part 2 of your German journey with interactive dialogues based on Chapters 7-12 of [Menschen](https://shop.hueber.de/de/reihen-und-lehrwerke/menschen/menschen-sechsbandige-ausgabe/menschen-a1-1.html). Perfect for listening and speaking practice on the go, this course covers daily routines, travel, and socializing.

**Setting:** Lukas and Klara meet at a vibrant language exchange café in Hamburg, navigating their busy schedules and shared interests. As they plan weekend trips and share stories of past adventures, they build a lasting friendship.

## Lessons

### 1. Talk about free time

Lukas and Klara discuss what they love doing on weekends.

**Vocabulary:**
- kochen (to cook)
- singen (to sing)
- lesen (to read)
- tanzen (to dance)
- die Freizeitaktivitäten (the leisure activities)

**Objectives:**
- Understand spoken statements about various leisure activities.
- Describe your own hobbies.

### 2. Discover new hobbies

Klara shares her passion for capturing moments and baking.

**Vocabulary:**
- schwimmen (to swim)
- fotografieren (to photograph)
- malen (to paint)
- backen (to bake)
- das Hobby (the hobby)

**Objectives:**
- Ask others about their hobbies.
- State what you like to do.

### 3. Describe your abilities

Lukas explains how well he can play sports.

**Vocabulary:**
- können (can / to be able to)
- wirklich (really)
- gar nicht (not at all)
- ein bisschen (a little bit)
- toll (great)

**Objectives:**
- Describe personal abilities.
- State how well you can do something.

### 4. Give sincere compliments

Klara compliments Lukas on his beautiful photos.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Kompliment (the compliment)
- die Augen (the eyes)
- super (super)
- schön (beautiful)
- sehr gut (very good)

**Objectives:**
- Give compliments to others.
- Express gratitude and respond politely.

### 5. Discuss activity frequency

Lukas talks about how often he goes for a walk in nature.

**Vocabulary:**
- nie (never)
- manchmal (sometimes)
- oft (often)
- immer (always)
- spazieren gehen (to go for a walk)

**Objectives:**
- State how often you perform activities.
- Use adverbs of frequency.

### 6. Make polite requests

Klara asks if she can borrow a lighter and make a quick call.

**Vocabulary:**
- telefonieren (to talk on the phone)
- rauchen (to smoke)
- das Auto (the car)
- das Feuerzeug (the lighter)
- haben (to have)

**Objectives:**
- Make polite requests.
- Ask for permission to do something.

### 7. Grant or decline requests

Lukas politely declines a request to go to the movies tonight.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Kino (the cinema)
- das Theater (the theater)
- das Foto (the photo)
- die Musik (the music)
- die Natur (the nature)

**Objectives:**
- Politely grant a request.
- Politely decline a request.

### 8. Plan an outing

Klara suggests visiting an art exhibition downtown.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Schwimmbad (the swimming pool)
- das Museum (the museum)
- das Café (the café)
- die Ausstellung (the exhibition)
- die Disco (the disco)

**Objectives:**
- Name places for outings.
- Make suggestions for leisure activities.

### 9. Days of the week

Lukas lists his schedule for the upcoming week.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Woche (the week)
- der Montag (Monday)
- der Dienstag (Tuesday)
- der Mittwoch (Wednesday)
- der Donnerstag (Thursday)

**Objectives:**
- Name the days of the week.
- Specify days using temporal prepositions.

### 10. Times of the day

Klara talks about her favorite time of day to relax.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Freitag (Friday)
- der Samstag (Saturday)
- der Sonntag (Sunday)
- der Tag (the day)
- die Tageszeit (the time of day)

**Objectives:**
- Name the times of the day.
- Discuss favorite times of the day.

### 11. Morning to evening

Lukas describes his routine from early morning to late evening.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Morgen (the morning)
- der Vormittag (the morning / forenoon)
- der Mittag (the noon)
- der Nachmittag (the afternoon)
- der Abend (the evening)

**Objectives:**
- Use temporal prepositions to specify times of the day.

### 12. Tell the time informally

Klara and Lukas figure out the exact time to meet up.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Uhrzeit (the time)
- vor (to / before)
- nach (past / after)
- halb (half)
- das Viertel (the quarter)

**Objectives:**
- Tell the time informally for casual conversations.
- Ask others for the current time.

### 13. Cancel an appointment

Lukas unfortunately has to cancel their planned coffee date.

**Vocabulary:**
- sich verabreden (to arrange to meet)
- vorschlagen (to suggest)
- absagen (to cancel)
- das Problem (the problem)
- leider (unfortunately)

**Objectives:**
- State a lack of time.
- Politely cancel an appointment.

### 14. Read digital messages

Klara sends a quick text to reschedule their meetup.

**Vocabulary:**
- die SMS (the text message)
- der Chat (the chat)
- die Einladung (the invitation)
- schreiben (to write)
- antworten (to answer)

**Objectives:**
- Read and comprehend short digital text messages.
- Write short emails to invite someone.

### 15. Stock the refrigerator

Lukas checks what basics he has in his fridge.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Brot (the bread)
- die Butter (the butter)
- der Käse (the cheese)
- der Schinken (the ham)
- der Apfel (the apple)

**Objectives:**
- Describe the frequency of items kept in a refrigerator.
- State basic food preferences.

### 16. Offer drinks

Klara welcomes a guest and offers them a hot beverage.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Milch (the milk)
- der Kaffee (the coffee)
- der Tee (the tea)
- der Kühlschrank (the refrigerator)
- trinken (to drink)

**Objectives:**
- Welcome a guest.
- Offer specific food and drinks.

### 17. Discuss breakfast routines

Lukas shares what he typically eats for breakfast on weekdays.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Frühstück (the breakfast)
- der Hunger (the hunger)
- der Durst (the thirst)
- das Müsli (the muesli)
- essen (to eat)

**Objectives:**
- Discuss daily breakfast routines.
- Express feelings of hunger and thirst.

### 18. Share food preferences

Klara talks about the vegetables and fruits she loves to eat.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Tomate (the tomato)
- die Kartoffel (the potato)
- der Salat (the salad)
- das Obst (the fruit)
- mögen (to like)

**Objectives:**
- State what you like and do not like to eat.
- Accept or politely decline offers of food.

### 19. Cook dinner together

Lukas decides to cook a warm soup and roast for dinner.

**Vocabulary:**
- schmecken (to taste)
- die Suppe (the soup)
- der Fisch (the fish)
- der Braten (the roast)
- die Orange (the orange)

**Objectives:**
- Form compound nouns to describe combined dishes.
- Invite someone to a home-cooked dinner.

### 20. Read a restaurant menu

Klara browses a menu to choose a three-course meal.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Speisekarte (the menu)
- die Vorspeise (the appetizer)
- das Hauptgericht (the main course)
- das Dessert (the dessert)
- das Eis (the ice cream)

**Objectives:**
- Read and navigate a simple restaurant menu.
- Categorize dishes into a three-course menu.

### 21. Invite someone to dinner

Lukas offers Klara a slice of homemade chocolate cake.

**Vocabulary:**
- möchten (would like)
- das Stück (the piece)
- der Kuchen (the cake)
- die Schokolade (the chocolate)
- die Pizza (the pizza)

**Objectives:**
- Invite someone to a dinner.
- Accept or politely decline a dinner invitation.

### 22. Choose public transit

Klara compares taking the subway versus a taxi to the station.

**Vocabulary:**
- die U-Bahn (the subway)
- die S-Bahn (the suburban train)
- der Zug (the train)
- der Bus (the bus)
- das Taxi (the taxi)

**Objectives:**
- Name various means of public transportation.
- Describe travel plans.

### 23. Navigate the train station

Lukas looks for the right platform for his departing train.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Verkehrsmittel (the means of transport)
- der Bahnhof (the train station)
- das Gleis (the track)
- der Bahnsteig (the platform)
- die Haltestelle (the stop)

**Objectives:**
- Ask for travel information at a train station.
- Extract information from public transit announcements.

### 24. Use separable travel verbs

Klara explains where she needs to transfer trains.

**Vocabulary:**
- einsteigen (to board)
- aussteigen (to get off)
- umsteigen (to transfer)
- ankommen (to arrive)
- abfahren (to depart)

**Objectives:**
- Describe travel plans using separable verbs.

### 25. Handle luggage

Lukas asks a friend to pick him up with his heavy suitcase.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Gepäck (the luggage)
- der Koffer (the suitcase)
- die Tasche (the bag)
- abholen (to pick up)
- mitbringen (to bring along)

**Objectives:**
- Provide travel information including arrivals and pickups.

### 26. Describe daily routines

Klara talks about grocery shopping and watching TV after work.

**Vocabulary:**
- einkaufen (to shop)
- fernsehen (to watch TV)
- anrufen (to call)
- das Telefonat (the phone call)
- die Minute (the minute)

**Objectives:**
- Describe a daily routine using separable verbs.

### 27. Make a phone call

Lukas calls the transit info line to find the next connection.

**Vocabulary:**
- nehmen (to take)
- finden (to find)
- kreuzen (to cross)
- bleiben (to stay)
- die Durchsage (the announcement)

**Objectives:**
- Conduct a phone conversation about travel plans.

### 28. Say goodbye

Klara wraps up a phone call and says goodbye until tomorrow.

**Vocabulary:**
- bald (soon)
- vielleicht (perhaps)
- richtig (correct)
- jetzt (now)
- morgen (tomorrow)

**Objectives:**
- End a telephone conversation using appropriate phrases.
- Say goodbye in various formal and informal ways.

### 29. Talk about chores

Lukas cleans up his apartment and does his homework.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Arbeit (the work)
- das Büro (the office)
- der Beruf (the profession)
- die Hausaufgabe (the homework)
- aufräumen (to clean up)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name common everyday activities and chores.

### 30. Read an appointment calendar

Klara checks her calendar to find a free time slot.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Termin (the appointment)
- der Terminkalender (the appointment calendar)
- täglich (daily)
- regelmäßig (regularly)
- lange (for a long time)

**Objectives:**
- Read and extract information from a daily appointment calendar.
- Use temporal prepositions to specify timeframes.

### 31. Talk about the past

Lukas talks about studying and laughing with friends yesterday.

**Vocabulary:**
- lernen (to learn)
- üben (to practice)
- reden (to talk)
- lachen (to laugh)
- kaufen (to buy)

**Objectives:**
- Form the past tense (Perfekt) of regular verbs.
- Talk about past events.

### 32. Irregular verbs in the past

Klara mentions who she met and what she saw last week.

**Vocabulary:**
- schlafen (to sleep)
- sehen (to see)
- sprechen (to speak)
- denken (to think)
- treffen (to meet)

**Objectives:**
- Form the past tense (Perfekt) of irregular verbs.
- Ask and answer questions about past activities.

### 33. Past hobbies

Lukas describes playing tennis and riding his bike last weekend.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Fahrrad (the bicycle)
- der Sport (the sport)
- der Fußball (the soccer)
- das Tennis (the tennis)
- spielen (to play)

**Objectives:**
- Discuss the frequency and destinations of past activities.

### 34. Read informal emails

Klara reads an email from a colleague about a recent business trip.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Notiz (the note)
- die E-Mail (the email)
- der Kollege (the male colleague)
- die Kollegin (the female colleague)
- die Pause (the break)

**Objectives:**
- Read informal emails to understand what someone did recently.
- Write an email describing your routine from yesterday.

### 35. Specific past timeframes

Lukas recounts exactly what he was doing yesterday afternoon.

**Vocabulary:**
- gestern (yesterday)
- heute (today)
- gleich (shortly / immediately)
- sonst (otherwise)
- fertig (finished)

**Objectives:**
- Use temporal expressions for past timeframes.

### 36. Name the early months

Klara talks about planning trips between January and May.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Januar (January)
- der Februar (February)
- der März (March)
- der April (April)
- der Mai (May)

**Objectives:**
- Name the months of the year.
- Discuss plans for different times of the year.

### 37. Name the late months

Lukas prepares for a long vacation from June to October.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Juni (June)
- der Juli (July)
- der August (August)
- der September (September)
- der Oktober (October)

**Objectives:**
- Continue naming the months of the year.
- State when you last celebrated.

### 38. Discuss the seasons

Klara shares her favorite activities to do in spring and winter.

**Vocabulary:**
- der Frühling (the spring)
- der Sommer (the summer)
- der Herbst (the autumn)
- der Winter (the winter)
- der November (November)
- der Dezember (December)

**Objectives:**
- Talk about specific activities you enjoy doing in different seasons.

### 39. Talk about past celebrations

Lukas describes a wonderful birthday party he attended last year.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Fest (the festival / party)
- die Party (the party)
- der Geburtstag (the birthday)
- die Hochzeit (the wedding)
- feiern (to celebrate)

**Objectives:**
- State when, where, and what you last celebrated.
- Talk about past events using the Perfekt tense.

### 40. Describe major festivals

Klara shares facts about the famous carnival and New Year's events.

**Vocabulary:**
- das Festival (the festival)
- der Karneval (the carnival)
- das Silvester (New Year's Eve)
- das Neujahr (the New Year)
- das Event (the event)

**Objectives:**
- Read and understand short texts about cultural festivals.
- Describe festivals using specific data.

### 41. Movement in the past

Lukas talks about hiking and traveling to the mountains.

**Vocabulary:**
- passieren (to happen)
- fliegen (to fly)
- gehen (to go)
- fahren (to drive / go)
- wandern (to hike)

**Objectives:**
- Form the past tense (Perfekt) with the auxiliary verb sein.
- State travel destinations using correct prepositions.

### 42. Summarize past experiences

Klara writes down notes about a memorable trip around the world.

**Vocabulary:**
- die Leute (the people)
- der Mensch (the human)
- die Welt (the world)
- der Spaß (the fun)
- das Erlebnis (the experience)

**Objectives:**
- Write bulleted notes summarizing a memorable past experience.
- Extract key information from texts.