Explain a problem, describe earlier attempts and agree on an appointment.
Use formal Sie and make clear, polite requests.
A fictional flat and repair appointment. Practise requesting help and agreeing on details; this does not contact a landlord or provide tenancy advice.
This is a fictional practice situation. The dialogue below follows one example path; interactive practice lets you choose other meanings, complete the grammar and listen to German audio.
Describe a problem that is still continuing.
Property manager
Guten Tag. Was funktioniert in Ihrer Wohnung nicht richtig?
Hello. What is not working properly in your flat?
One possible reply
Seit Montag funktioniert die Heizung nicht richtig.
Seit describes a situation that began in the past and continues now. German uses the present tense for the ongoing problem.
Read the grammar guideExplain what you had tried before calling.
Property manager
Hatten Sie das Problem schon vorher bemerkt?
Had you noticed the problem before?
One possible reply
Bevor ich anrief, hatte ich Ihnen eine Nachricht geschickt.
Use hatte plus Partizip II for an earlier completed action before the call. The auxiliary is haben in all these examples.
Read the grammar guideExplain why further help is needed despite an earlier attempt.
Property manager
Vielleicht hat sich das Problem inzwischen erledigt?
Perhaps the problem has resolved itself in the meantime?
One possible reply
Obwohl ich Ihnen schon geschrieben habe, besteht das Problem weiterhin.
Obwohl introduces a contrast and puts the finite verb at the end of its clause. The main clause then begins with its finite verb.
Read the grammar guideRequest the professional work you need.
Property manager
Was soll bei dem Termin gemacht werden?
What should be done at the appointment?
One possible reply
Das Problem muss untersucht werden.
A modal passive ends with Partizip II plus werden. The affected object is the subject of the request.
Read the grammar guideOffer a time when you could be at home.
Property manager
Wann könnten Sie jemanden in die Wohnung lassen?
When could you let someone into the flat?
One possible reply
Am Montagvormittag könnte ich zu Hause bleiben.
Könnte and wäre make an offer hypothetical or polite. After a modal such as könnte, leave the main verb in the infinitive.
Read the grammar guideAsk for the appointment details in writing.
Property manager
Ich suche einen passenden Termin und melde mich noch einmal.
I will find a suitable appointment and contact you again.
One possible reply
Bitte schicken Sie mir eine Bestätigung, damit ich meinen Tag planen kann.
A purpose clause with a finite verb uses damit. The verb goes last, even when another verb is an infinitive.
Read the grammar guideGut, ich bestätige Ihnen den Termin schriftlich. Vielen Dank für Ihren Anruf.
All right, I will confirm the appointment in writing. Thank you for calling.