Telling landlord hot water is broken: Explaining the problem
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Key Phrases
Ich habe ein Problem.
I have a problem.
Was ist denn los?
What's wrong?
Ich rufe gleich den Handwerker an.
I'll call the repairman right away.
Skills You'll Learn
Describe a problem in the apartment.
Ein Problem in der Wohnung beschreiben.
Ask for details about what is wrong.
Nachfragen, was genau los ist.
Respond politely and say action will be taken.
Höflich reagieren und sagen, dass man sich darum kümmert.
Lesson Roleplay
Imagine you are calling or speaking to your landlord or building manager because the hot water in your apartment is not working, and you need to explain the problem clearly and politely.
Guten Tag. Ich habe ein Problem in der Wohnung.
Good day. I have a problem in the apartment.
Guten Tag, Emily . Was ist denn los?
Good day, Emily. What’s wrong?
Das warme Wasser ist kaputt.
The hot water is not working.
Oh nein. Seit wann ist das so?
Oh no. How long has it been like that?
Seit heute Morgen kommt nur kaltes Wasser.
Since this morning, only cold water has been coming out.
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Guten
GOO-ten
Good
Tag
tahk
Day
Guten Tag.
GOO-ten tahk
Good day.
🇩🇪 [Guten Tag] is polite and a bit formal. Fine for a landlord, Hausverwaltung, or an older neighbour; with younger neighbours, [Hallo] is often more natural.
See breakdown →Ich habe
ikh HAH-buh
I have
Ein Problem
ine proh-BLEHM
A problem
Ich habe ein Problem.
ikh HAH-buh ine proh-BLEHM
I have a problem.
In der
in dare
In the
💬 After [in], German changes the article depending on whether you mean location or movement. [In der Küche] means you're in the kitchen; compare [in die Küche] for going into the kitchen.
See breakdown →Wohnung
VOH-noong
Apartment / flat
In der Wohnung
in dare VOH-noong
In the apartment
💬 After [in], German changes the article depending on whether you mean location or movement. [In der Wohnung] means inside the flat; compare [in die Wohnung] for into the flat.
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