German for Elementary Learners: Discussing an Upcoming Trip to Japan
Learn to talk about a big, long trip in German: say 'I'm going to Japan next month,' share a simple itinerary, and contrast it with weekend plans.
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In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about an upcoming trip in German, specifically a bigger and longer journey than a weekend plan. You will practice saying where you are going, when, and what you will do there. We focus on the structure 'Ich fahre ...' (I am going/traveling) and 'Ich werde ...' (I will), and how to share a simple itinerary. You will also learn to distinguish between a weekend trip (ein Wochenendausflug) and a longer trip (eine Reise). By the end, you can confidently tell someone about your upcoming trip to Japan next month.
By the end, you can…
- say where I am going on a big trip and when, using 'Ich fahre ...' and time expressions like 'nächsten Monat'.
- share a simple itinerary in German, listing at least two activities using 'Ich werde ...' or 'Ich besuche ...'.
- distinguish between a weekend plan and a longer trip by using appropriate vocabulary like 'Wochenendausflug' vs. 'Reise'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan.
I'm going to Japan next month.
ikh FAH-ruh NAYKS-ten MOH-naht nakh yah-PAHN
Use 'fahren' for travel by vehicle or generally going on a trip. 'Nach' is used with countries without articles, like Japan.
Die Reise dauert zwei Wochen.
The trip lasts two weeks.
dee RY-zuh DOW-ert tsvai VOKH-en
Use 'dauern' to say how long something lasts. 'Reise' refers to a longer trip, not a weekend outing.
Ich werde in Tokio bleiben.
I will stay in Tokyo.
ikh VAIR-duh in TOH-kee-oh BLAI-ben
The future tense with 'werden' + infinitive is common for plans. 'Bleiben' means to stay.
Ich besuche den Senso-ji-Tempel.
I am visiting the Senso-ji Temple.
ikh buh-ZOO-khuh den ZEN-zoh-jee TEM-pel
Use 'besuchen' for visiting places or people. 'Den' is the accusative masculine article, used here because 'Tempel' is masculine.
Das ist ein Wochenendausflug, keine große Reise.
That is a weekend trip, not a big journey.
dahs ist ain VOKH-en-ent-ows-flook, KAI-nuh GROH-suh RY-zuh
Contrast a short weekend trip with a longer journey. 'Wochenendausflug' is a compound noun: Wochenende + Ausflug.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about an upcoming trip, use 'Ich fahre' + time expression + 'nach' + country/city. For example: 'Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan.' For a longer stay, use 'Ich werde' + infinitive: 'Ich werde zwei Wochen bleiben.' To list itinerary items, use 'Ich besuche' + accusative: 'Ich besuche den Tempel.' Note that 'nach' is used for most countries and cities without articles, but some countries like die Schweiz (Switzerland) or die Türkei (Turkey) require 'in' + accusative: 'Ich fahre in die Schweiz.'
When to use it
Use these patterns when you want to share travel plans that are bigger and longer than a weekend plan. For a weekend plan, you might say 'Ich gehe am Samstag ins Kino' (I'm going to the cinema on Saturday). For a big trip, you say 'Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan' and add details like 'Ich werde drei Städte besuchen' (I will visit three cities). Use 'werden' for future intentions, especially when you want to emphasize what you will do. In casual conversation, the present tense with a time word is also common: 'Ich fahre morgen nach Berlin.' Both are correct; 'werden' often sounds more planned.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Hallo! Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan.
Hello! I'm going to Japan next month.hah-LOH! ikh FAH-ruh NAYKS-ten MOH-naht nakh yah-PAHNWow, das ist eine große Reise! Wie lange bleibst du?
Wow, that's a big trip! How long are you staying?vow, dahs ist AI-nuh GROH-suh RY-zuh! vee LAHNG-uh BLAIPST dooZwei Wochen. Ich werde in Tokio und Kyoto sein. Ich besuche viele Tempel.
Two weeks. I will be in Tokyo and Kyoto. I am visiting many temples.tsvai VOKH-en. ikh VAIR-duh in TOH-kee-oh unt KYOH-toh zain. ikh buh-ZOO-khuh FEE-luh TEM-pelDas klingt toll! Mein letzter Wochenendausflug war nur zwei Tage.
That sounds great! My last weekend trip was only two days.dahs klingt tol! main LETS-ter VOKH-en-ent-ows-flook vahr noor tsvai TAH-guhA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it's common to distinguish between a 'Reise' (a longer journey, often abroad) and a 'Wochenendausflug' (a short weekend trip). When talking about future plans, using the present tense with a time expression ('Ich fahre morgen') is very common in everyday speech, while 'werden' is more formal or emphasizes intention. Regional differences: In Austria and Switzerland, 'fahren' is used similarly, but in Swiss German, the future tense with 'werden' is less common; people often use the present tense. Also, 'nach' is standard for countries without articles, but in Austria, you might hear 'auf' for some destinations like 'auf Urlaub' (on vacation). Always listen to context.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich fahre nach Japan nächsten Monat' with wrong word order, or using 'Ich gehe nach Japan' for a long trip.
Try this instead: The correct order is 'Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan.' Time expressions usually come before the destination. Also, use 'fahren' or 'reisen' for longer trips, not 'gehen' (which implies walking). For example: 'Ich reise nächsten Monat nach Japan.' 'Gehen' is fine for short distances: 'Ich gehe zum Bahnhof.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm going to Japan next month' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich fahre nächsten Monat nach Japan.
This uses 'fahren' for travel, 'nächsten Monat' for next month, and 'nach' with Japan. Alternative: 'Ich reise nächsten Monat nach Japan' is also correct.
2What is the difference between 'Wochenendausflug' and 'Reise'?
Show a sample answer
A 'Wochenendausflug' is a short weekend trip, while a 'Reise' is a longer journey, often abroad.
This distinction helps you choose the right word. For example, a trip to Japan is a 'Reise', not a 'Wochenendausflug'.
3Translate: 'I will stay in Tokyo for two weeks.'
Show a sample answer
Ich werde zwei Wochen in Tokio bleiben.
This uses 'werden' + infinitive 'bleiben' for future. Alternative: 'Ich bleibe zwei Wochen in Tokio' with present tense is also common.
Use 'Ich fahre ... nach ...' for upcoming trips, add time expressions like 'nächsten Monat', and use 'werden' + infinitive for longer plans. Remember to contrast short weekend trips with bigger journeys using 'Wochenendausflug' and 'Reise'.
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