Keeping a conversation going in German involves knowing how to ask questions, express interest, and smoothly change topics. This page provides the key vocabulary and phrases you need to keep the dialogue flowing naturally.
Asking Follow-up Questions
Follow-up questions help you dig deeper and show that you’re interested in what the other person is saying. They often start with question words like was (what), warum (why), wie (how), and wer (who).
| German Question | English Question |
|---|---|
| Was hast du danach gemacht? | What did you do after that? |
| Warum hast du das gemacht? | Why did you do that? |
| Wie war dein Tag? | How was your day? |
| Wer war dabei? | Who was there? |
| Wo bist du gewesen? | Where have you been? |
| Wann geht es weiter? | When does it continue? |
| Mit wem hast du gesprochen? | Whom did you speak with? |
| Wie findest du das? | What do you think about that? |
| Gibt es noch mehr? | Is there more? |
| Kannst du das näher erklären? | Can you explain that in more detail? |
Showing Interest
These phrases help you show that you’re actively listening and interested in the conversation. They can also encourage the other person to keep talking.
| German Phrase | English Phrase |
|---|---|
| Das klingt interessant. | That sounds interesting. |
| Wirklich? Erzähl mir mehr! | Really? Tell me more! |
| Oh, das wusste ich nicht. | Oh, I didn’t know that. |
| Das ist ja spannend! | That’s really exciting! |
| Wirklich? Und was dann? | Really? And what then? |
| Ich verstehe, erzähl weiter. | I understand, go on. |
| Das überrascht mich! | That surprises me! |
| Großartig! Wie ging es weiter? | Great! How did it continue? |
| Wirklich schön erzählt! | Really nicely told! |
| Das habe ich nicht erwartet. | I didn’t expect that. |
Changing Topics Smoothly
Sometimes you need to move the conversation to a new topic without being rude. These phrases help you do that politely.
| German Phrase | English Phrase |
|---|---|
| Übrigens, hast du schon ...? | By the way, have you already ...? |
| Apropos, was hältst du von ...? | Speaking of which, what do you think about ...? |
| Das erinnert mich an ... | That reminds me of ... |
| Lass uns mal über ... sprechen. | Let’s talk about ... for a bit. |
| Noch etwas anderes: ... | Something else: ... |
| Übrigens, etwas Neues ist passiert ... | By the way, something new happened ... |
| Was meinst du zu ...? | What do you think about ...? |
| Bevor ich es vergesse: ... | Before I forget: ... |
| Sollen wir das Thema wechseln? | Shall we change the topic? |
| Ich wollte dich noch fragen ... | I wanted to ask you ... |
Confirming and Clarifying
It’s important to confirm what you’ve heard and ask for clarification if something isn’t clear. These phrases help keep your understanding accurate.
| German Phrase | English Phrase |
|---|---|
| Meinst du damit ...? | Do you mean ...? |
| Habe ich das richtig verstanden? | Did I understand that correctly? |
| Kannst du das noch einmal sagen? | Can you say that again? |
| Was genau meinst du? | What exactly do you mean? |
| Stimmt das so? | Is that correct? |
| Könntest du das bitte wiederholen? | Could you please repeat that? |
| Also, du meinst, dass ...? | So, you mean that ...? |
| Kannst du ein Beispiel geben? | Can you give an example? |
| Wie war das gemeint? | What was meant by that? |
| Soll ich das zusammenfassen? | Should I summarize this? |
What does 'Meinst du damit ...?' mean in English?
Do you mean ...?
'Meinst du damit ...?' translates to 'Do you mean ...?' and is used to confirm or clarify something just said.
Expressing Agreement and Encouragement
These phrases show that you agree or encourage the other person to continue. They help create a positive and supportive conversation atmosphere.
| German Phrase | English Phrase |
|---|---|
| Genau! | Exactly! |
| Da stimme ich zu. | I agree with that. |
| Das sehe ich auch so. | I see it the same way. |
| Weiter so! | Keep it up! |
| Absolut richtig! | Absolutely right! |
| Genau, erzähl weiter. | Exactly, keep going. |
| Das klingt gut. | That sounds good. |
| Toll, mach weiter! | Great, keep going! |
| Ich bin ganz deiner Meinung. | I completely agree with you. |
| Ja, das ist wichtig. | Yes, that’s important. |
What does 'Weiter so!' mean in English?
Keep it up!
'Weiter so!' means 'Keep it up!' and is used to encourage someone to continue their good work or story.
Wrap-Up
By using these questions and phrases, you can keep German conversations flowing naturally and comfortably. Remember, the key is to show interest, be polite, and listen actively. Practice these expressions, and you’ll be able to carry on conversations with confidence!
Happy chatting!
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Question: What did you do after that?
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
