German · Supermarkt / Kasse
You cannot unlock a trolley outside the supermarket: what to say in German
You cannot release a trolley at the supermarket.
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How it's done. Trolleys in German supermarkets are released with a one-euro coin or a token (Chip): you get it back when you return the trolley to the row.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
YOU START
Entschuldigung, ich bekomme den Einkaufswagen nicht los.
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, eekh beh-KOH-meh dayn IGHN-kowf-svuh-gayn neekht los.
Excuse me, I can't get the trolley loose.
Or say:Entschuldigung, wie funktioniert der Einkaufswagen?
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, vee foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT dehr IGHN-kowf-svuh-gayn?
THEY SAY
Sie brauchen eine Euromünze oder einen Chip. Stecken Sie ihn in das Schloss.Zee BROW-khayn IGH-neh OY-roh-myoon-tseh OH-duh IGH-nayn cheep. SHTEH-kayn zee een een dahs shlos.
You need a one-euro coin or a token. Put it into the lock.
They might also say:
Stecken Sie eine Münze in den Griff. Dann geht er auf.
SHTEH-kayn zee IGH-neh MYOON-tseh een dayn greef. Dahn get ehr owf.
Put a coin into the handle. Then it opens.
2
YOU REPLY
Ich habe keine Münze. Haben Sie einen Chip?
Eekh KHAH-beh KIGH-neh MYOON-tseh. KHAH-bayn zee IGH-nayn cheep?
I don't have a coin. Do you have a token?
THEY SAY
Ja, hier. Sie bekommen die Münze oder den Chip zurück, wenn Sie den Wagen wieder einhängen.Yah, kheer. Zee beh-KOH-mayn dee MYOON-tseh OH-duh dayn cheep tsoo-RYOOK, vayn zee dayn VAH-gayn VEE-duh IGHN-khayn-gayn.
Yes, here. You get the coin or token back when you hook the trolley in again.
3
YOU FINISH
Das ist praktisch. Danke!
Dahs eest PRAHK-teesh. DAHN-keh!
That's practical. Thanks!
THEY SAY
Gern. Viel Spaß beim Einkaufen!Gehrn. Feel shpahs bighm IGHN-kow-fayn!
You're welcome. Enjoy your shopping!
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
bekomme
beh-KOH-meh
verb
I get
Einkaufswagen
IGHN-kowf-svuh-gayn
noun
shopping trolley
nicht
neekht
adverb
not
los
los
adverb
off, leaving
brauchen
BROW-khayn
verb
to need
Euromünze
OY-roh-myoon-tseh
noun
euro coin
34 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?
Können Sie mir das zeigen?
KYOH-nayn zee meer dahs TSIGH-gayn?
Can you show me?
Similar situations
You see an expired product in the supermarket and say soSupermarkt / Kasse · A2 in the app
→At the supermarket checkout they ask about a card and a bagSupermarkt / Kasse · A1 in the app
→Your card is declined and the cashier suggests another waySupermarkt / Kasse · A1 in the app
→You look for a product in a big shopSupermarkt / Kasse · A1 in the app
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