In this workshop you practise a short, realistic conversation at a hotel or apartment. You will report a problem in the room, add a second problem, and understand the reply about when someone will come. The native lines are short, so you can focus on clear pronunciation and on keeping the right order: problem first, then reply, then follow-up. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Report one problem clearly
Start with a simple statement about what is not working. The line «Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.» means that the air conditioning is not working. The line «Es gibt kein warmes Wasser.» means that there is no hot water. The line «Die Heizung ist kaputt.» means that the heating is broken. These are complete problem statements, so you do not need to add extra words. Say the line slowly, then repeat it at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and even. If you want to ask about the repair, use «Wann können Sie das reparieren?», which means "When can you repair it?" This question asks for a time, so listen for a time in the answer.
Put the problem and the reply together
A short exchange has a clear order. First the guest reports a problem, then the staff member responds, then the guest can add another problem. In «Guten Tag. Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.» the guest says hello and reports that the air conditioning is not working. In «Das tut mir leid. Wir schicken heute jemanden.» the staff member says they are sorry and that someone will be sent today. In «Danke. Und es gibt auch kein warmes Wasser.» the guest thanks the staff member and adds that there is also no hot water. In «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.» the staff member says that the technician will come today between two and four. Notice that the second problem comes after the first reply, not before it. When you practise, keep that order: problem, reply, added problem, new reply.
Understand the time in the reply
The reply in «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.» gives a day and a time window. It says the technician will come today between two and four. This is the information you need if you asked «Wann können Sie das reparieren?». Listen for the day word and the two numbers. Do not repeat the whole reply back unless you want to confirm it. A short thank-you is enough. If you play the staff role, say the reply clearly and slowly, especially the numbers. If you play the guest role, listen for the day and the time window, then decide whether you need to stay in the room.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.
The air conditioning isn't working.
dee klee-mah-AHN-lah-guh foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT nisht
Es gibt kein warmes Wasser.
There is no hot water.
es geept kine VAR-mes VAS-ser
Die Heizung ist kaputt.
The heating is broken.
dee HY-tsoong ist kah-POOT
Wann können Sie das reparieren?
When can you repair it?
van KUR-nen zee das ray-pah-REE-ren
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Guten Tag. Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.
Hello. The air conditioning isn't working.Das tut mir leid. Wir schicken heute jemanden.
I'm sorry about that. We'll send someone today.Danke. Und es gibt auch kein warmes Wasser.
Thank you. And there is also no hot water.Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.
Okay, the technician will come today between two and four.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: report and respond
You are a guest in a hotel room. You notice that the air conditioning is not working. A staff member is at the reception desk. Work with the audio or with a partner.
Your task: Guest: say hello and report the air conditioning problem using «Guten Tag. Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.». Staff: respond with an apology and say that someone will be sent today using «Das tut mir leid. Wir schicken heute jemanden.». Then Guest: thank the staff member and add the hot water problem using «Danke. Und es gibt auch kein warmes Wasser.». Staff: give the day and time window using «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.».
Reply comprehension: choose the matching answer
You hear a staff reply. Read the three choices and choose the one that matches the recording. The reply is «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.».
Your task: Which statement matches the reply? A) The technician will come today between two and four. B) The air conditioning is not working. C) There is no hot water. Choose A, B, or C, then say the matching line aloud.
Recall with correct roles
Cover the lines. You will rebuild the short exchange from memory. One learner can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment.
Your task: Say the four steps in order without looking: guest greeting and air conditioning problem, staff apology and same-day visit, guest thanks and hot water problem, staff day and time window. Use the recordings as your model: «Guten Tag. Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.», «Das tut mir leid. Wir schicken heute jemanden.», «Danke. Und es gibt auch kein warmes Wasser.», «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.».
Common questions
Can I use one problem line alone, such as the air conditioning line?
Yes. The line «Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht.» is a complete problem statement and works on its own. You can also use «Es gibt kein warmes Wasser.» for the hot water problem or «Die Heizung ist kaputt.» for the heating problem. If you want to ask about the repair time, add «Wann können Sie das reparieren?» after your problem statement.
What should I listen for in the staff reply?
Listen for the day and the time window. In «Okay, der Techniker kommt heute zwischen zwei und vier.» the staff member says the technician will come today between two and four. That is the answer to the question in «Wann können Sie das reparieren?». You do not need to repeat the whole reply; a short thank-you is enough.
Sources and further reading
- german: report a problem in the roomChecked September 2026
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