German for Beginners: Giving Instructions with First, Then, Next, Finally
Learn to sequence instructions in German with zuerst, dann, danach and zum Schluss, including verb-second word order and polite imperative forms.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you give instructions in German, the order of steps matters as much as the actions themselves. This lesson teaches you four sequencing words — zuerst, dann, danach and zum Schluss — and shows how they work with polite imperative forms. You will also learn the key word-order rule: when a sequencing word starts the sentence, the verb comes immediately after it. By the end, you can walk someone through a simple task step by step.
By the end, you can…
- put four instruction steps in the correct German order using zuerst, dann, danach and zum Schluss.
- build a German instruction sentence with the verb in second position after a sequencing word.
- give a short set of polite instructions for a everyday task, such as making coffee or doing homework.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Zuerst räumen wir die Küche auf.
First, we tidy up the kitchen.
TSOO-erst ROY-men veer dee KUECH-uh OWF
Zuerst introduces the first step. The verb räumen comes right after it; the subject wir follows.
Dann kochen wir das Wasser.
Then we boil the water.
dahn KOKH-en veer dahs VAS-ser
Dann marks the second step. It is the most common general 'then' in spoken German.
Danach schneiden wir das Gemüse.
After that, we cut the vegetables.
dah-NAHKH SHNY-den veer dahs guh-MUE-zuh
Danach means 'after that' and is slightly more precise than dann about sequence.
Zum Schluss gießen wir das Wasser ein.
Finally, we pour in the water.
tsoom shloos GEE-sen veer dahs VAS-ser ine
Zum Schluss means 'finally' or 'to finish'. Use it for the last step only.
Bitte warten Sie einen Moment.
Please wait a moment.
BIT-tuh VAR-ten zee EYE-nen mo-MENT
A polite instruction using the Sie form. Bitte softens the command.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
German instruction sentences follow a strict verb-second rule. When a sequencing word starts the sentence, the verb comes next, then the subject: Zuerst räumen wir die Küche auf. Dann kochen wir das Wasser. Danach schneiden wir das Gemüse. Zum Schluss gießen wir das Wasser ein. If you start with the subject instead, the order changes: Wir räumen zuerst die Küche auf. Both are correct, but the sequencing word at the front makes the order of steps very clear.
When to use it
Use zuerst for the very first step, dann for a general next step, danach when you want to stress 'after that', and zum Schluss for the final step. In everyday spoken German, dann is the most frequent. Zum Schluss is common in recipes, craft instructions and presentations. For polite commands to a stranger or a superior, use the Sie form: Bitte warten Sie einen Moment. For friends, family or children, use the du form: Warte bitte einen Moment. In southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, you may also hear als Erstes instead of zuerst, and zum Schluss is understood everywhere.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Wie mache ich einen Kaffee?
How do I make a coffee?vee MAKH-uh ikh EYE-nen KAF-fehZuerst füllen Sie Wasser in den Kocher.
First, fill the kettle with water.TSOO-erst FUEL-len zee VAS-ser in dane KOKH-erUnd dann?
And then?unt dahnDann geben Sie Kaffee in die Tasse. Danach gießen Sie das heiße Wasser ein. Zum Schluss rühren Sie um.
Then put coffee in the cup. After that, pour in the hot water. Finally, stir it.dahn GAY-ben zee KAF-feh in dee TAS-suh. dah-NAHKH GEE-sen zee dahs HYE-suh VAS-ser ine. tsoom shloos RUER-en zee oomA little context goes a long way
German instructions often sound more direct than English ones. A bare imperative such as Warte! can seem abrupt, so adding bitte is normal and polite: Warte bitte einen Moment. With strangers, officials or in shops, use the Sie form: Warten Sie bitte einen Moment. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear als Erstes for 'first' and zum Schluss is standard everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Putting the subject before the verb after a sequencing word: Dann wir kochen das Wasser.
Try this instead: After a sequencing word, the verb must come second: Dann kochen wir das Wasser. The subject follows the verb. The same pattern applies to Zuerst, Danach and Zum Schluss: Zum Schluss gießen wir das Wasser ein.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Put the words in order: wir / zuerst / die Küche / aufräumen.
Show a sample answer
Zuerst räumen wir die Küche auf.
Zuerst starts the sentence, so the verb räumen comes next, then the subject wir. The separable prefix auf- goes to the end.
2Which word means 'finally' in a set of instructions?
Show a sample answer
Zum Schluss.
Zum Schluss marks the last step. Danach means 'after that' and dann means 'then', so they are not the final marker.
3Make this polite for a stranger: Warte einen Moment.
Show a sample answer
Warten Sie bitte einen Moment.
Use the Sie imperative Warten Sie and add bitte. Warten Sie einen Moment is also correct without bitte, though it sounds more direct.
Start each instruction step with zuerst, dann, danach or zum Schluss, and remember: the verb comes immediately after the sequencing word.
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