Day 133: Grandad's Speeding Letter
In his allotment in Gera, Siegfried (A) waves a letter at his grandson Jonathan (B), a student who has come to help him in the garden.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense. Point at (or tap) a German word to see what it means.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native German, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio recordings are on the way. For now, each lesson is the dialogue with its English translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day · point at a word to see its meaning
-
A
Da, lies mal! Den Bescheid habe ich gestern zugeschickt bekommen: 60 Euro plus Gebühren, weil ich bei Ronneburg 88 statt 70 gefahren bin.
Here, read this! I got the notice sent to me yesterday: 60 euros plus fees, because I was doing 88 instead of 70 near Ronneburg.
-
B
„Bezüglich der Ihnen zur Last gelegten Ordnungswidrigkeit“, wie das schon klingt. Seit wann gilt da denn 70, Opa?
'With regard to the regulatory offence with which you are charged': listen to that. Since when has the limit been 70 there, Grandad?
-
A
Seit dem Frühjahr, „angesichts der vielen Wildunfälle“, wie es so schön heißt. Dabei habe ich in fünfzig Jahren nicht ein einziges Reh erwischt!
Since the spring, 'in view of the many accidents involving deer', as they so nicely put it. And in fifty years I've never hit a single deer!
-
B
Dafür hat dich jetzt der Blitzer erwischt. Ehrlich gesagt bräuchten wir so ein Tempolimit viel dringender auf der Autobahn.
Instead, the speed camera's got you now. To be honest, we need a speed limit like that far more urgently on the Autobahn.
-
A
Fang du nicht auch noch damit an. Freie Fahrt für freie Bürger, dafür sind wir neunundachtzig auf die Straße gegangen!
Don't you start on that as well. Free roads for free citizens: that's what we took to the streets for in '89!
-
B
Neunundachtzig ging es um Reisefreiheit, nicht um Tempo 200. Hinsichtlich des Klimas ist die Rechnung eindeutig: Tempo 120 würde laut Umweltbundesamt jährlich mehrere Millionen Tonnen CO2 sparen.
In '89 it was about the freedom to travel, not doing 200. As far as the climate goes, the sums are clear: according to the Federal Environment Agency, a limit of 120 would save several million tonnes of CO2 a year.
-
A
Du klingst wie deine Oma. Na gut, in der DDR galt auf der Autobahn Tempo 100, und mein Trabi schaffte sowieso kaum mehr.
You sound like your grandma. All right, in the GDR the limit on the Autobahn was 100, and my Trabi could barely manage more anyway.
-
B
Siehst du! Die Hälfte vom Bußgeld bekommst du von mir überwiesen, wenn du ab heute auf der Autobahn freiwillig 120 fährst.
See? I'll transfer you half the fine if from today you stick to 120 on the Autobahn of your own accord.
-
A
Dreißig Euro für meine Freiheit, ein echtes Schnäppchen. Abgemacht, aber deiner Oma erzählst du nichts von dem Bescheid.
Thirty euros for my freedom, what a bargain. It's a deal, but you don't say a word to your grandma about the notice.
Your progress is saved in this browser only, with no sign-up. The course page and the menu show where you left off. Well done! Next up: Day 134: Grandad's New Lens
If this free course has helped you in your German journey, please consider supporting the project. It's a one-person effort, and even small contributions help keep it running and free for everyone.