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The problem → the benefit → the solution

I need German for work.

The benefit Communicate more confidently with colleagues, customers and in meetings.

You do not need every business term. Start with the situations you actually face and learn the German with the highest practical value first.

Find my work situation Try the B1 mini lesson

Step 1

What do you need to do in German?

Choose the communication task first. Grammar and vocabulary come afterwards — only when they help you do that task.

Explain a problem is now available as a complete B1 Practice Pack. The other work situations will follow.

Step 2

Choose your level.

The communication goal stays the same. The language becomes more precise and flexible as your level increases.

B1 example: Wir haben ein Problem mit der Lieferung, weil sie noch nicht angekommen ist. Ich rufe beim Lieferanten an und frage nach.

Step 3

What do you want to strengthen?

These are three ways into the same communication task. They are not three separate courses.

Your B1 goal

Explain a problem, say what caused it and tell your colleague what you are going to do about it.

This lesson uses a small set of high-impact language instead of a long list of business vocabulary.

1

Learn what matters

12 high-impact chunks

These sentence patterns are useful across deliveries, software, invoices, customers, documents, appointments and many other workplace problems.

Wir haben ein Problem mit …We have a problem with …
Das Problem ist, dass …The problem is that …
… funktioniert nicht richtig.… isn't working properly.
… ist noch nicht angekommen.… hasn't arrived yet.
Wir warten noch auf …We're still waiting for …
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, warum …I'm not sure why …
Ich glaube, dass …I think that …
Das liegt wahrscheinlich daran, dass …That's probably because …
Wir müssen …We need to …
Ich kümmere mich darum.I'll take care of it.
Ich frage noch einmal nach.I'll follow up / ask again.
Ich gebe dir Bescheid.I'll let you know.
Why these first? They are frequent, flexible and reusable.
2

Understand

Only the grammar you need for this task

Pattern 1

ein Problem mit + Dativ

Wir haben ein Problem mit der Lieferung.

You do not need the entire dative system here. For this chunk, learn the decision: mit → dative.

mit der Lieferungmit dem Kundenmit der Softwaremit den Dokumenten
Pattern 2

dass → Verb am Ende

Die Lieferung kommt zu spät.

→ Das Problem ist, dass die Lieferung zu spät kommt.

The job of dass here is to connect your problem statement to the explanation.

Pattern 3

deshalb → Folge

Der Kunde wartet, deshalb rufe ich den Lieferanten an.

Think: problem → deshalb → action.

ExplorerExplorer · Need a quick dative refresher?

Optional: open this only if the dative is slowing you down. Then return to the main task.

High-frequency dative prepositions

mit · nach · aus · zu · von · bei · seit

Dative articles

der → dem · die → der · das → dem · plural → den + -n

Direct vs. indirect object

Quick logic: the indirect recipient is often dative; the thing affected is often accusative — but prepositions can decide the case first.

3

Practise

Build the language yourself

Check

Exercise 1 — Make the decision

B1

Use mit · dass · auf · deshalb.

  1. Wir haben ein Problem ___ der Lieferung.
  2. Das Problem ist, ___ die Ware noch nicht angekommen ist.
  3. Wir warten noch ___ die Rechnung.
  4. Der Kunde wartet schon, ___ rufe ich den Lieferanten an.
Compare

Exercise 2 — Build a useful sentence

B1

Use the prompt. Build one or two sentences. More than one answer is possible.

invoice / missing
customer / waiting
documents / not arrive
4

Retrieve

Take the full sentence away

Now you see only the situation. Try to speak before you reveal the example.

Prompt

delivery · late · customer waiting

Explain the situation in 2–3 sentences.

Prompt

software · login · not working · IT

Explain the situation in 2–3 sentences.

5

Use it

Speak for 20–30 seconds

Your colleague asks:

„Was ist mit der Lieferung?“

Answer without reading a complete model sentence. Try to include:

Das Problem ist, dass …Ich glaube, dass …Deshalb …Ich gebe dir Bescheid.
6

See your progress

Upgrade the same message

Basic

Die Lieferung ist spät.

Better B1

Die Lieferung ist noch nicht angekommen.

Stronger B1

Das Problem ist, dass die Lieferung noch nicht angekommen ist.

More natural

Wir warten noch auf die Lieferung. Ich frage beim Lieferanten nach und gebe dir Bescheid.

7

Mini challenge

Can you do it without a script?

1customer · invoice · wrong amount
2meeting · colleague · late
3software · login · not working

Don't try to speak perfectly.

What you just tried

Free mini lesson

  • Clear communication goal
  • High-impact chunks
  • Focused grammar
  • Guided practice
  • Speaking challenge

This lets you experience the ConfiGerman method before buying anything.

Complete practice

German at Work — Explain a Problem

B1 Practice Pack

  • 12 core chunks + workplace vocabulary
  • Grammar you actually need
  • Sentence-building drills
  • Retrieval training
  • Speaking prompts & mini-dialogues
  • Answer key + model answers
  • Grammar Cheat Sheet
  • Shadow Reading practice
Get the Practice Pack EN/DE →

Support language: English / German.

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