How to Ask for an Audio Guide in German (and Understand Rental)
Learn to ask 'Do you have an audio guide in Spanish?' in German, understand rental terms, and distinguish audio guides from guided tours.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you visit a museum or landmark in a German-speaking country, you may want an audio guide in your language. This lesson teaches you how to ask for one, specify the language, and understand whether it is free or rented. You will also learn to distinguish an audio guide from a guided tour, so you can choose the right option. We focus on polite, standard German used in everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether an audio guide is available in a specific language.
- understand and respond to questions about renting an audio guide.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf Spanisch?
Do you have an audio guide in Spanish?
HAH-ben zee AY-nen OW-dee-oh-gyd owf SHPAH-nish?
Use this polite question at a ticket counter or information desk. 'Sie' is formal 'you'.
Gibt es einen Audioguide auf Spanisch?
Is there an audio guide in Spanish?
gipt es AY-nen OW-dee-oh-gyd owf SHPAH-nish?
Alternative to 'Haben Sie...'. 'Gibt es' means 'is there' and is very common.
Ist der Audioguide kostenlos?
Is the audio guide free of charge?
ist dair OW-dee-oh-gyd KOS-ten-lohs?
Ask this to find out if there is a fee. 'Kostenlos' means free.
Wie viel kostet die Ausleihe?
How much does the rental cost?
vee feel KOS-tet dee OWS-ly-uh?
'Ausleihe' means rental. Use this when the audio guide is not free.
Ich möchte einen Audioguide ausleihen.
I would like to rent an audio guide.
ikh MERKH-tuh AY-nen OW-dee-oh-gyd OWS-ly-en.
Use this to state your intention to rent. 'Möchte' is a polite way to say 'would like'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for an audio guide in a specific language, use: 'Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf [language]?' or 'Gibt es einen Audioguide auf [language]?' The word 'einen' is the accusative masculine form of 'ein' because 'Audioguide' is masculine. For example: 'Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf Englisch?' (Do you have an audio guide in English?) or 'Gibt es einen Audioguide auf Französisch?' (Is there an audio guide in French?).
When to use it
Use these questions at museums, castles, or tourist information desks. If you want to know about rental, ask 'Ist der Audioguide kostenlos?' or 'Wie viel kostet die Ausleihe?'. To rent one, say 'Ich möchte einen Audioguide ausleihen.' Remember that an audio guide is not a guided tour. A guided tour is 'eine Führung'. If you want a guided tour, ask 'Gibt es eine Führung auf Spanisch?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, haben Sie einen Audioguide auf Spanisch?
Hello, do you have an audio guide in Spanish?GOO-ten tahk, HAH-ben zee AY-nen OW-dee-oh-gyd owf SHPAH-nish?Ja, wir haben einen Audioguide auf Spanisch. Er kostet fünf Euro.
Yes, we have an audio guide in Spanish. It costs five euros.yah, veer HAH-ben AY-nen OW-dee-oh-gyd owf SHPAH-nish. air KOS-tet fewnf OY-roh.Kann ich den Audioguide hier ausleihen?
Can I rent the audio guide here?kan ikh dane OW-dee-oh-gyd heer OWS-ly-en?Ja, Sie können ihn an der Kasse ausleihen. Sie brauchen einen Ausweis.
Yes, you can rent it at the ticket counter. You need an ID.yah, zee KER-nen een ahn dair KAS-suh OWS-ly-en. zee BROW-khen AY-nen OWS-vys.A little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, 'Audioguide' is the common term, though some places say 'Audioführer'. Rental often requires a deposit or ID, and fees vary. A guided tour ('Führung') is led by a person and may be included or cost extra. Always ask if the audio guide is available in your language before paying.
One thing to watch for
Using 'für' instead of 'auf' when specifying the language, e.g., 'Haben Sie einen Audioguide für Spanisch?'
Try this instead: In German, you say 'auf Spanisch' (literally 'on Spanish') to mean 'in Spanish'. For example: 'Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf Spanisch?' is correct. 'Für Spanisch' would mean 'for Spanish' and is not used in this context.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Do you have an audio guide in Spanish?' using the formal 'you'?
Show a sample answer
Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf Spanisch?
'Haben Sie' is the formal way to ask 'do you have'. 'Einen Audioguide' is correct because 'Audioguide' is masculine and in the accusative case. 'Auf Spanisch' means 'in Spanish'.
2What does 'Ausleihe' mean?
Show a sample answer
Rental
'Ausleihe' refers to the act of renting something. In the context of audio guides, it means you pay to borrow it for a period. The verb is 'ausleihen' (to rent/borrow).
3How would you ask if the audio guide is free?
Show a sample answer
Ist der Audioguide kostenlos?
This question uses 'ist' (is) and 'kostenlos' (free of charge). Alternatively, you could ask 'Kostet der Audioguide etwas?' (Does the audio guide cost anything?).
To ask for an audio guide in a specific language, use 'Haben Sie einen Audioguide auf [language]?' Remember that 'auf' is used for languages, and 'Ausleihe' means rental. Distinguish it from a guided tour ('Führung').
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