German · Werkstatt
You describe what is wrong with the car: what to say in German
You describe what is wrong with the car.
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How it's done. Useful words: Geräusch (noise), Bremsen quietschen (brakes squeal), ruckelt (jerks), Warnleuchte (warning light), Motor (engine).Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
THEY SPEAK FIRST
THEY SAY
Guten Tag, was ist das Problem?GOO-tayn tahk, vahs eest dahs proh-BLEM?
Good day, what's the problem?
They might also say:
Guten Tag, was kann ich für Sie tun?
GOO-tayn tahk, vahs kahn eekh fyoor zee toon?
Good day, what can I do for you?
YOU REPLY
Mein Auto macht ein komisches Geräusch beim Bremsen.
Mighn OW-toh mahkht ighn KOH-mee-shes geh-ROYSH bighm BREM-zayn.
My car makes a strange noise when braking.
Or say:Beim Bremsen quietscht etwas. Das ist neu.
Bighm BREM-zayn kweecht EH-tvuhs. Dahs eest noy.
THEY SAY
Seit wann haben Sie das?Zight vahn KHAH-bayn zee dahs?
Since when have you had that?
2
YOU FINISH
Seit etwa einer Woche.
Zight EH-tvuh IGH-nuh VOH-kheh.
For about a week.
THEY SAY
Wir schauen uns das an. Lassen Sie den Wagen hier.Veer SHOW-ayn oons dahs ahn. LAH-sayn zee dayn VAH-gayn kheer.
We'll take a look. Leave the car here.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
Guten
GOO-tayn
adjective
good (in greetings)
Tag
tahk
noun
day
ist
eest
verb
is
Problem
proh-BLEM
noun
problem
Auto
OW-toh
noun
car
macht
mahkht
verb
makes
23 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
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