Spät im Supermarkt
Lea kauft nach einem langen Bürotag Milch, Brot und Tomaten, gibt eine Pfandflasche ab und genießt den frischen Duft des Regens.
Today's learning
- 1-minute story
- Native narration
- 9 useful words
- 4 comprehension questions
- A2 German
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.
Your German story — tap highlighted words when you need help
Nach einem langen Bürotag betritt Lea gegen acht Uhr den um die Ecke, weil der fast leer ist. Sie braucht Milch, und frisches Brot und möchte auch eine kleine Packung Tomaten für den Salat morgen finden. An der Kasse fragt sie höflich, ob sie die zurückgeben kann, die sie in ihrer Tasche hat. Die erklärt mit einem freundlichen Lächeln, wie die Maschine den druckt. Draußen riecht es nach frischem Regen, und Lea nickt zufrieden, weil ihr Einkauf trotz des Stresses schnell erledigt ist. Am Ende reicht ein einfacher Satz, den man laut mitsprechen kann.
Show full English translation
After a long day at the office, Lea steps into the corner supermarket around eight because the fridge is nearly empty. She needs milk, yogurt, and fresh bread, and she also wants to find a small pack of tomatoes for tomorrow's salad. At the checkout, she politely asks if she can return the deposit bottle she has in her bag. The cashier explains with a friendly smile how the machine prints the deposit voucher. Outside, it smells of fresh rain, and Lea nods contentedly because her shopping is done quickly despite the stress. In the end, one simple sentence is enough to practice aloud.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A2 German Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Why does Lea go to the supermarket so late?
Correct: Because the fridge is almost empty
Lea goes shopping late because her fridge is almost empty. This is a common reason to go shopping late.
2. What does she politely ask at the checkout?
Correct: If she can return a deposit bottle
In Germany, it is common to return deposit bottles. Lea politely asks if she can do so.
3. How does the short shopping trip end?
Correct: Lea nods contentedly because everything was done quickly
Lea is satisfied because despite the stress, she completed her shopping quickly.
4. Was hat Lea in ihrer Tasche?
Correct: Eine Pfandflasche
Lea hat eine Pfandflasche in ihrer Tasche, die sie an der Kasse zurückgeben möchte.
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Patterns to reuse
How to say you want or need something
Sie braucht Milch, Joghurt und frisches Brot und möchte auch eine kleine Packung Tomaten finden.
She needs milk, yogurt, and fresh bread, and also wants to find a small pack of tomatoes.
Use 'brauchen' for need, and 'möchte' for would like/want.
Ich brauche ... und möchte ...
- Ich brauche Brot und möchte Käse kaufen.
- Wir brauchen Tomaten und möchten einen Apfel nehmen.
This pattern helps you order or shop for things in any store.
How to politely ask if you can do something
ob sie die Pfandflasche zurückgeben kann
if she can return the deposit bottle
Use 'kann ich...' or 'können Sie...' at the start.
Kann ich ... zurückgeben?
- Kann ich das bezahlen?
- Kann ich hier sitzen?
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Use this pattern to politely check what is possible or allowed in shops, cafés, or offices.
Expressing reasons with 'weil'
weil der Kühlschrank fast leer ist
because the fridge is nearly empty
'Weil' introduces a reason, pushing the verb to the end.
weil ... ist/sind/war/etc.
- weil es regnet
- weil ich müde bin
- weil der Laden schließt
Use 'weil' to give your reason for doing something, in shops or daily life.
Translator's Note
"This story captures a typical German shopping experience, highlighting cultural practices like returning deposit bottles."
Story complete
You just understood 100 German words.
- 9 new expressions
- 2 grammar patterns
- A2 level unlocked
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