German for Beginners: Suggesting Activities with "Lass uns" and "Wie wäre es mit"
Learn to propose ideas in German using "Lass uns ..." and "Wie wäre es mit ...?", with beginner-friendly examples for movies, walks, coffee, and more.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to suggest something to do in German, for example a movie or a walk. The focus is on ideas, not on organizing times, tickets, or meeting points. You will use two very common patterns: "Lass uns ..." (let's ...) and "Wie wäre es mit ...?" (How about ...?). Both are standard in everyday German, and you can use them with friends, family, and classmates.
By the end, you can…
- suggest an activity in German using "Lass uns ..."
- ask "How about ...?" in German using "Wie wäre es mit ...?"
- name a few simple free-time activities in German
- respond positively or negatively to a suggestion
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Lass uns einen Film anschauen.
Let's watch a movie.
LAHS uns AY-nen film AHN-shau-en
Use with one person you address as du. "Einen Film" is the accusative form of "ein Film" because it is the direct object.
Lass uns spazieren gehen.
Let's go for a walk.
LAHS uns shpah-TSEE-ren GAY-en
A relaxed, common suggestion. "Spazieren gehen" is a fixed phrase meaning to go for a walk.
Wie wäre es mit einem Kaffee?
How about a coffee?
vee VEH-reh es mit AY-nem KAH-feh
"Wie wäre es mit ...?" is followed by the dative case. "Ein Kaffee" becomes "einem Kaffee" here.
Wir könnten ins Kino gehen.
We could go to the cinema.
veer KURN-ten ins KEE-noh GAY-en
"Könnten" is the polite, tentative form of "können". "Ins Kino" is short for "in das Kino".
Hast du Lust, etwas zu machen?
Do you feel like doing something?
hahst doo lust ET-vas tsoo MA-khen
A friendly way to invite an idea without naming one. "Lust haben" means to feel like doing something.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
"Lass uns" works like English "let's". It is followed by the infinitive at the end or directly after it: "Lass uns einen Film anschauen." You can also say "Lass uns ins Kino gehen." For more than one person, use "Lasst uns" when you address several people informally: "Lasst uns einen Film anschauen." The polite form for strangers or older people is "Lassen Sie uns ...", for example "Lassen Sie uns einen Kaffee trinken." The second pattern, "Wie wäre es mit ...?", is followed by a noun in the dative: "Wie wäre es mit einem Spaziergang?" or "Wie wäre es mit einem Film?"
When to use it
Use "Lass uns ..." with friends, family, and people you call du. It sounds direct and friendly. Use "Wie wäre es mit ...?" when you want to sound a little softer or more tentative, especially if you are not sure the other person will agree. For example, "Wie wäre es mit einem Spaziergang?" is gentler than "Lass uns spazieren gehen." If you are talking to a group, "Lasst uns ..." is natural. In formal situations, use "Lassen Sie uns ..." or "Wie wäre es mit ...?" with Sie. These phrases suggest an idea; they do not arrange a time or place.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hast du heute Abend Zeit?
Do you have time this evening?hahst doo HOY-teh AH-bent tsytJa, warum?
Yes, why?yah, vah-ROOMLass uns einen Film anschauen.
Let's watch a movie.LAHS uns AY-nen film AHN-shau-enGute Idee! Oder wie wäre es mit einem Spaziergang?
Good idea! Or how about a walk?GOO-teh ee-DEH! OH-der vee VEH-reh es mit AY-nem shpah-TSEE-ren-gahngA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, suggestions among friends are often direct but still polite. "Lass uns ..." is normal and not rude. "Wie wäre es mit ...?" is a good choice when you want to leave the decision open. In Austria and parts of southern Germany, you may hear "Wollen wir ...?" (Do we want to ...?) as a common suggestion, for example "Wollen wir ins Kino gehen?" This is standard and friendly, not pushy.
One thing to watch for
Using "Lass uns" with a noun only, as in "Lass uns ein Film."
Try this instead: "Lass uns" needs a verb, usually an infinitive. Say "Lass uns einen Film anschauen." If you want to use a noun, use "Wie wäre es mit ...?": "Wie wäre es mit einem Film?"
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say "Let's go for a walk" in German?
Show a sample answer
Lass uns spazieren gehen.
"Lass uns" plus the infinitive "spazieren gehen" expresses the suggestion. "Lass uns einen Spaziergang machen" is also correct and common.
2How do you say "How about a coffee?" in German?
Show a sample answer
Wie wäre es mit einem Kaffee?
"Wie wäre es mit ...?" takes the dative, so "ein Kaffee" becomes "einem Kaffee". "Wie wäre es mit einem Kaffee?" is the standard form.
3You are talking to two friends. How do you say "Let's watch a movie"?
Show a sample answer
Lasst uns einen Film anschauen.
For several people you address informally, use "Lasst uns" instead of "Lass uns". "Lass uns" would address only one person.
Use "Lass uns" plus a verb to suggest an activity with friends, and "Wie wäre es mit ...?" plus a dative noun for a softer idea. Keep the focus on the idea, not the planning.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s German into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr