German · Beginner (A1) · Chapter 11 of 12
Hobbies and free time
Hobbys und Freizeit
Talk about hobbies and sports in German, say how often you do things and what you can, must and want to do, and invite a friend.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- Talk about hobbies and sports
- Say what you can, must and want to do
- Say how often you do something
- Invite someone and answer an invitation
Listen
In Hanover, Leon meets his neighbour Clara on the stairs. Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Leon
Hallo, Clara! Hast du am Wochenende Zeit?
Hi, Clara. Are you free at the weekend?
Clara
Am Samstag nicht, da muss ich arbeiten. Aber am Sonntag habe ich Zeit.
Not on Saturday, I have to work then. But on Sunday I'm free.
Leon
Wir spielen am Sonntag Fußball im Park. Kommst du mit?
We're playing football in the park on Sunday. Do you want to come along?
Clara
Ich kann nicht so gut Fußball spielen.
I'm not very good at football.
Leon
Das macht nichts. Wir spielen auch nicht so gut.
That doesn't matter. We're not that good either.
Clara
Okay, dann komme ich gern mit. Wann spielt ihr?
OK, then I'd like to come. When are you playing?
Leon
Um elf Uhr. Wir spielen jeden Sonntag.
At eleven o'clock. We play every Sunday.
Clara
Super. Bis Sonntag!
Great. See you on Sunday.
Understand
Modal verbs: können, müssen, wollen
means “can”. It's a modal verb: it needs a second verb, and that second verb goes to the end of the sentence in its basic form, the infinitive: (must, to have to) and (to want to) work the same way, and so does (would like) from chapter 3.
Modal verbs are irregular: and / / have the same form (, , , ), so / / has no -t ending, and , and change their vowel in the singular. Sound tip: the ö in is short, like in : “e” as in “bed” with rounded lips.
(I have to work) is a friendly reason for saying no. … is fine for plans, but when you ask for something, … is more polite.
| Person | (can) | (must) | (want to) | (would like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| / / | ||||
| / |
- Ich kann nicht kommen.I can't come.
- Am Samstag muss ich arbeiten.On Saturday I have to work.
- Wir wollen Fußball spielen.We want to play football.
How often?
Words that say how often usually come right after the verb: For “every”, use with masculine words like days (, ), with feminine words () and with neuter words ().
| German | English |
|---|---|
| always | |
| often | |
| sometimes | |
| rarely | |
| never | |
| every day | |
| once a week | |
| twice a week |
Inviting and answering
To invite someone, ask if they have time or feel like doing something. uses (to come along), a separable verb like . To say no politely, say sorry and give a short reason.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Are you free on Saturday? | |
| Do you feel like it? | |
| Are you coming along? | |
| Yes, I'd love to. | |
| Sorry, I can't. | |
| I have to work then. | |
| Unfortunately I don't have time. |
More in the grammar: Modal verbs: können, müssen, wollen … · The German alphabet and pronunciation · Word order
New words
- die Zeittime · feminine, plural: ; = to be free
- müssenmust, to have to · , ,
- spielento play
- der Fußballfootball, soccer; a football · masculine, plural:
- der Parkpark · masculine, plural:
- mitkommento come along · separable:
- könnencan, to be able to · , ,
- Das macht nichts.That doesn't matter. / Never mind.
- jeden Sonntagevery Sunday
- schwimmento swim · = to go swimming
- die Gitarreguitar · feminine, plural:
- Hast du Lust?Do you feel like it? / Do you fancy it?
- Tut mir leid.I'm sorry.
- leiderunfortunately
Practise
1.A friend invites you, but you're busy. What do you say?
2.Complete with the right form of .
Can you play the guitar?
3.Complete the separable verb .
Are you coming along?
4.Complete with the right form of .
Unfortunately I have to work on Saturday.
5.Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.Can you swim well?
6.Match how often.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
Hast du am Samstag Zeit?
Are you free on Saturday?
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.