In this workshop you will practice responding to an invitation in German. You will learn how to accept warmly, decline politely, ask for the time, and confirm a plan. The recorded phrases give you natural models for each move. You will use them in guided exchanges, a listening choice, and a recall task where you play both roles.
Accepting an invitation
When someone invites you, a friendly acceptance keeps the conversation moving. The recorded line «Klar, klingt lustig!» means "Sure, sounds fun!" and works as a relaxed yes. The recorded line «Ja, gerne!» means "Yes, gladly!" and sounds warmer or more enthusiastic. Both are suitable when you want to say yes. After accepting, you often need to know the time, so you can ask a short follow-up question. In the recorded exchange, the accepting speaker asks for the time right away. Listen to the model and repeat it aloud, keeping your voice friendly and interested.
Declining politely
You do not always have to say yes. A polite no protects the relationship and leaves the door open for another time. The recorded line «Ich kann nicht, aber danke!» means "I can't, but thanks!" and is a simple, friendly refusal. The recorded line «Tut mir leid, ich habe schon was vor.» means "Sorry, I already have plans." and gives a brief reason without over-explaining. Use one of these when you cannot accept. Keep your tone warm so the other person hears that you appreciate the invitation. You can also add a short thanks, but the recorded lines already include a polite element.
Asking for the time and confirming
After you accept, you often need to know when. In the recorded dialogue, the accepting speaker asks a short question about the time. The inviting speaker answers with a specific time and checks whether that works. The accepting speaker then confirms with enthusiasm and a closing phrase. This sequence is useful: accept, ask when, hear the time, confirm. Practice the rhythm of the exchange so your confirmation sounds natural. The recorded lines give you the exact phrases to use at each step.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Klar, klingt lustig!
Sure, sounds fun!
klahr, klingt LUStikh
Ja, gerne!
Yes, gladly! / Yes, I'd love to!
yah, GEHR-nuh
Ich kann nicht, aber danke!
I can't, but thanks!
ikh kahn nikht, AH-ber DAHN-kuh
Tut mir leid, ich habe schon was vor.
Sorry, I already have plans.
toot meer lyt, ikh HAH-buh shohn vahs fohr
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Hey, hast du Lust, heute Abend ins Kino zu gehen?
Hey, do you feel like going to the cinema tonight?Klar, klingt lustig! Wann denn?
Sure, sounds fun! When?Um acht. Passt das?
At eight. Does that work?Ja, gerne! Bis dann!
Yes, gladly! See you then!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: accept and ask for the time
You are speaker B. Speaker A invites you to the cinema tonight. You want to accept and find out the time. Use the recorded lines to build your reply.
Your task: Read speaker A's invitation aloud: «Hey, hast du Lust, heute Abend ins Kino zu gehen?». Then respond with an acceptance and a question about the time. Use the recorded line «Klar, klingt lustig! Wann denn?» as your model. After that, speaker A says the time and checks it: «Um acht. Passt das?». Confirm with the recorded line «Ja, gerne! Bis dann!».
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You hear an invitation and need to choose a suitable reply. Read the invitation and the three options. Only one option fits the situation described.
Your task: Invitation: «Hey, hast du Lust, heute Abend ins Kino zu gehen?». You cannot go because you already have plans. Which recorded line is the best reply? Option 1: «Klar, klingt lustig!». Option 2: «Tut mir leid, ich habe schon was vor.». Option 3: «Ja, gerne!». Choose one and say it aloud.
Recall and role swap: rebuild the dialogue
Work with a partner or use audio. One person is speaker A, the other is speaker B. The dialogue has four turns: invitation, acceptance with a time question, time answer with a check, and confirmation.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, rebuild the dialogue in order. Speaker A starts with the invitation. Speaker B accepts and asks for the time. Speaker A gives the time and checks it. Speaker B confirms. Use the recorded lines as your target. After one full round, swap roles and repeat.
Common questions
Can I use «Klar, klingt lustig!» and «Ja, gerne!» interchangeably?
Both are acceptances. «Klar, klingt lustig!» means "Sure, sounds fun!" and sounds relaxed. «Ja, gerne!» means "Yes, gladly!" and sounds warmer or more enthusiastic. Choose based on how you feel, but both are suitable when you want to say yes.
What if I need to decline but still want to be polite?
Use «Ich kann nicht, aber danke!» or «Tut mir leid, ich habe schon was vor.». «Ich kann nicht, aber danke!» means "I can't, but thanks!" and is a simple refusal with thanks. «Tut mir leid, ich habe schon was vor.» means "Sorry, I already have plans." and gives a brief reason. Both keep your tone polite without over-explaining.
Sources and further reading
- german: accept decline invitationsChecked September 2026
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