German for Reporting Lost Luggage at the Airport
Learn to say 'My luggage is missing' in German and handle the lost luggage claim process at an airport, with key phrases, a dialogue, and practice.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If your suitcase doesn't arrive on the baggage belt, you need to report it immediately at the airline's lost luggage desk. In German, the key sentence is 'Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.' This lesson teaches you exactly what to say, what questions you'll hear, and how to complete a Verlustmeldung (loss report). You'll learn standard German vocabulary for luggage, claim tags, and delivery, plus polite forms to use with airport staff. The focus is on practical, spoken German for a stressful situation, so you can stay calm and get your bag back.
By the end, you can…
- say 'My luggage is missing' and describe my bag in German.
- understand and answer questions at the lost luggage counter.
- ask about the claim process and delivery of my luggage.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.
My luggage hasn't arrived.
mine guh-PEK ist nikht AN-guh-kom-men
Use this at the lost luggage desk. 'Gepäck' is a neuter noun and takes 'ist' (is).
Ich möchte eine Verlustmeldung machen.
I would like to file a lost luggage report.
ikh MURKH-tuh EYE-nuh fair-LOOST-mel-doong MAKH-en
Polite and formal. 'Verlustmeldung' is the official term for a loss report.
Hier ist mein Gepäckabschnitt.
Here is my baggage claim tag.
heer ist mine guh-PEK-ap-shnit
The 'Gepäckabschnitt' is the sticker with your baggage number. Staff will ask for it.
Mein Koffer ist schwarz und hat ein rotes Band.
My suitcase is black and has a red strap.
mine KOF-fer ist shvarts oont hat ine RO-tes bant
Describe color, size, and any distinctive marks. 'Koffer' is masculine.
Wann wird mein Gepäck geliefert?
When will my luggage be delivered?
van virt mine guh-PEK guh-LEE-fert
Ask this after filing the report. 'Geliefert' means delivered.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To report a missing item, use 'Mein/Meine [noun] ist nicht angekommen.' For luggage, 'Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.' For a suitcase, 'Mein Koffer ist nicht angekommen.' For a bag, 'Meine Tasche ist nicht angekommen.' Note that 'Gepäck' is neuter (mein), 'Koffer' is masculine (mein), and 'Tasche' is feminine (meine). The verb 'ankommen' means 'to arrive'; its perfect form is 'ist angekommen'. You can also say 'Mein Gepäck fehlt' (My luggage is missing), but 'ist nicht angekommen' is more common at airports.
When to use it
Use these phrases immediately at the airline's lost luggage counter, before leaving the baggage claim area. Start with 'Entschuldigung, mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.' Then present your 'Gepäckabschnitt' and passport. Staff may ask: 'Haben Sie einen Gepäckabschnitt?' (Do you have a claim tag?) or 'Wie sieht Ihr Koffer aus?' (What does your suitcase look like?). Answer with color and size: 'Er ist blau und groß.' If you need to file a report, say 'Ich möchte eine Verlustmeldung machen.' Ask for a copy: 'Kann ich eine Kopie bekommen?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.
Excuse me, my luggage hasn't arrived.ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, mine guh-PEK ist nikht AN-guh-kom-menHaben Sie einen Gepäckabschnitt?
Do you have a baggage claim tag?HAH-ben zee EYE-nen guh-PEK-ap-shnitJa, hier ist er. Mein Koffer ist schwarz und hat ein rotes Band.
Yes, here it is. My suitcase is black and has a red strap.yah, heer ist air. mine KOF-fer ist shvarts oont hat ine RO-tes bantDanke. Wir machen eine Verlustmeldung. Ihr Gepäck wird wahrscheinlich morgen geliefert.
Thank you. We'll file a loss report. Your luggage will probably be delivered tomorrow.DAN-kuh. veer MAKH-en EYE-nuh fair-LOOST-mel-doong. eer guh-PEK virt var-SHINE-likh MOR-gen guh-LEE-fertA little context goes a long way
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, lost luggage is handled by the airline's ground staff, often at a central 'Lost & Found' or 'Gepäckermittlung' desk. Politeness matters: always start with 'Entschuldigung' and use 'Sie' with staff. In Austria, you may hear 'Tasche' more than 'Koffer' for a bag, and in Switzerland, 'Gepäck' is standard. Keep your 'Gepäckabschnitt' safe—it's essential for the claim. If you fly with a partner airline, the report is still filed with the operating carrier.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Mein Gepäck ist verloren' (My luggage is lost) when you mean it hasn't arrived.
Try this instead: 'Verloren' means permanently lost. At the airport, use 'Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen' or 'Mein Gepäck fehlt' to say it hasn't arrived yet. For example: 'Mein Koffer ist nicht angekommen.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'My luggage is missing' in German?
Show a sample answer
Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen.
This is the standard phrase. You can also say 'Mein Gepäck fehlt,' but 'ist nicht angekommen' is more common at airports.
2What do you say to file a lost luggage report?
Show a sample answer
Ich möchte eine Verlustmeldung machen.
This polite form with 'möchte' is appropriate. You could also say 'Ich muss eine Verlustmeldung machen' if it's urgent.
3How do you ask when your luggage will be delivered?
Show a sample answer
Wann wird mein Gepäck geliefert?
This uses the passive 'wird geliefert.' Alternatively, 'Wann kommt mein Gepäck?' is simpler but less formal.
At the airport, say 'Mein Gepäck ist nicht angekommen' and present your Gepäckabschnitt. File a Verlustmeldung and ask 'Wann wird mein Gepäck geliefert?' Keep your copy and stay polite with 'Sie'.
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