Hallo zusammen!
I’m super happy to finally announce this: group classes are coming! 🇩🇪🎉
Starting 2 November, I’ll be running new German group classes for A1, A2, B1, and B2. So whether you’re still building the basics or already trying to make your German sound more natural, there’ll be a group for your level.
If you’d like more information, just comment “GWM” below or reply to this email, and I’ll send you the details. Self-learning courses will also be available shortly after, for those of you who prefer learning at your own pace.
But now, back to your German training. 👀
Today, we’re going to the Flohmarkt. Literally, the “flea market.”
So, viel Spaß beim Lesen und Trainieren!
Part 1 - Read 👀
Read the Dialogue (out loud if you can)
Franzi: Ich war gestern auf dem Flohmarkt und hab ein fast neues Salatbesteck gefunden. Für nur drei Euro. Ich freue mich.
Ben: Ein Salatbesteck von Fremden. Igittigitt ⍟.
Franzi: Was ist denn dein Problem?
Ben: Jemand hat damit Salat angefasst. Viele Male. Ich weiß nicht wer, ich weiß nicht wie, ich weiß nicht unter welchen Umständen ⍟.
Franzi: Das kommt in die Spülmaschine und fertig ⍟.
Ben: Besteck geht ja noch ⍟. Aber Schuhe… niemals. Das ist für mich die absolute Grenze. Jemand anderes hat diese Schuhe geformt, mit seinen Füßen, über Jahre.
Franzi: Vintage-Schuhe sind gerade mega angesagt ⍟.
Ben: Vintage ist ein schönes Wort. Und Unterwäsche, falls das jemand je in Betracht zieht…
Franzi: Das zieht niemand in Betracht.
Ben: Du wärst überrascht, was auf Flohmärkten so liegt.
Franzi: Okay, was kaufst du denn gebraucht?
Ben: Bücher. Vinyl. Alte Kameras. Sachen, die man nicht am Körper trägt.
You just saw what conversational German looks like. The next parts are where passive understanding turns into real training reps: 2. listen → 3. understand → 4. write → 5. speak. That’s what makes conversational German start feeling more natural!
Part 2 - Listen 👂
Hear the Dialogue (switch to slow version if the original is too quick.)
Audio 🎧
Slow Audio ⏳
Part 3 - Understand 💡
Read the explanations & translation (Go through the explanations and translation. Take your time, this is where things click.)
A) Explanations 💬
⍟ Igittigitt – A playfully expressive spoken exclamation used to convey disgust or revulsion, often exaggerated for comic effect rather than genuine distress, common in informal conversation when reacting to something unpleasant or unsavoury. (English: “ew” or “yuck” or “gross”, literal: an onomatopoeic sound of disgust)
⍟ unter welchen Umständen – A natural spoken construction used to gesture at the unknown or potentially alarming circumstances surrounding something, often used to build up a sense of vague unease without specifying exactly what the concern is. (English: “under what circumstances” or “in what kind of conditions”, literal: “under which circumstances”)
⍟ und fertig – A short, decisive spoken phrase used to close off a discussion or instruction, signalling that something is simple and requires no further thought or explanation, widely usable whenever someone wants to shut down objections with a breezy sense of finality. (English: “and that’s that” or “done” or “end of story”, literal: “and finished”)
⍟ geht ja noch – A resigned but relatively positive spoken phrase used to say that something is acceptable or manageable, even if not ideal, implying that it falls within the boundaries of what the speaker can tolerate, common when making concessions in an argument. (English: “that’s still okay” or “that I can live with” or “that’s just about fine”, literal: “that still goes”)
⍟ mega angesagt – A casual spoken phrase widely used to describe something that is very much in fashion or trending right now, with “mega” functioning as an intensifier and “angesagt” as the colloquial word for trendy or in demand. (English: “really in right now” or “massively on trend”, literal: “mega in-demand”)
B) Translation 🔄
Franzi: I was at the flea market yesterday and found an almost brand-new salad serving set. For only three euros. I'm thrilled.
Ben: A salad serving set from strangers. Ew.
Franzi: What's your problem?
Ben: Someone used that to touch salad. Many times. I don't know who, I don't know how, I don't know under what circumstances.
Franzi: It goes in the dishwasher and that's that.
Ben: Cutlery I can still live with. But shoes… never. That's my absolute limit. Someone else shaped those shoes, with their feet, over years.
Franzi: Vintage shoes are really in right now.
Ben: Vintage is a lovely word. And underwear, if anyone ever considers that –
Franzi: Nobody considers that.
Ben: You'd be surprised what ends up at flea markets.
Franzi: Okay, so what do you buy second-hand?
Ben: Books. Vinyl. Old cameras. Things you don't wear on your body.
Part 4 - Write ✍️
Writing Practice (this step is easy to skip, but it’s where real progress happens)
Answer ONE of these:
Was kaufst du gerne auf einem Flohmarkt?
Warum sind Flohmärkte trotz Online-Shopping noch beliebt?
Was war dein bester oder ungewöhnlichster Flohmarkt-Fund?
👉 Reply to this email or comment below.
Part 5 - Speak 🗣️
Spoken Conversation Practice (This is the part that gets you speaking more naturally, faster.)
Have a short 3–5 minute conversation with your favorite AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.).
Follow today’s topic
Or choose your own
Ask the AI for corrections and feedback afterwards
AI isn't a substitute for real conversations with people, but it's a great way to practise when no conversation partner is available.
Gehst du gerne auf den Flohmarkt? 🛍️
If you enjoyed today's lesson… send it to someone who can walk into a Flohmarkt and come home with three lamps, an old chair, and a “rare” porcelain duck. 😂
And remember: if you’re interested in joining my A1, A2, B1 or B2 group classes starting 2 November, comment “GWM” or reply to this email and I’ll send you the details. 🇩🇪
LG
Marwan
