Day 95: The Card in Dad's Wallet
On a walk along the Neckar in Heidelberg, Michael (A) notices that his son Malte (B), a medical student, has gone quiet.
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
Seit der Alten Brücke hast du kein Wort gesagt. Worüber grübelst du, Malte?
You haven't said a word since the Old Bridge. What are you brooding over, Malte?
-
B
Wir hatten heute Organspende im Ethikseminar, und ich habe selbst keinen Ausweis. Kann man das nicht einfach der Familie überlassen?
We did organ donation in our ethics seminar today, and I haven't got a donor card myself. Can't you just leave it to your family?
-
A
Man sollte selbst entscheiden, es sei denn, man will seiner Familie im schlimmsten Moment auch das noch zumuten.
You ought to decide for yourself, unless you want to put your family through that as well, at the worst possible moment.
-
B
Du klingst, als hättest du das längst abgewogen. Warum war das bei uns nie Thema?
You sound as if you weighed it all up long ago. Why did we never talk about it at home?
-
A
Weil es nichts zu sagen gab. Hier, mein Organspendeausweis, der hat in dreißig Jahren schon vier Portemonnaies überlebt.
Because there was nothing to say. Here, my donor card, it's outlived four wallets in thirty years.
-
B
Unterschrieben im März 1996, Ja zu allen Organen. Deine Organe sind seitdem aber auch dreißig Jahre älter geworden, Papa.
Signed in March 1996, yes to every organ. But your organs have got thirty years older since then too, Dad.
-
A
Eine Altersgrenze für Spender gibt es nicht, das solltest ausgerechnet du wissen. Und sonst gilt: Man nehme einen Stift, kreuze an, unterschreibe.
There's no age limit for donors, you of all people should know that. Otherwise the rule is: take one pen, tick, sign.
-
B
Stift und Ausweis habe ich dabei, die liegen seit Wochen im Rucksack. Ich brauchte wohl nur jemanden, der mir seinen zeigt.
I've got a pen and a card with me, they've been in my rucksack for weeks. I suppose I just needed someone to show me theirs.
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 96: Her Savings Book and an ETF
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.