Quick, friendly practice for everyday talk. Repeat aloud, listen, and try the speaking prompts to build confidence.
Level A1: In this short lesson (146) you'll learn common German replies for uncertainty and agreement — phrases like "Ich komme nicht mit," "Ich habe keine Ahnung," "Genau," and "Vielleicht." We'll practice hearing them in a mini conversation, do quick quizzes, and you'll speak each phrase out loud. (CEFR-aligned, beginner-friendly.)
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Recognize and use basic German replies to say you don't know, aren't sure, or agree.
Practice short responses for everyday situations (A1).
Be able to say each phrase aloud and choose the right reply in simple conversations.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
Ich komme nicht mit.
I can't follow.
Meaning: I can't follow.
When to use: Say this when someone speaks too quickly or the explanation is confusing and you can't keep up.
Tip: Don't drop 'mit' — saying only 'Ich komme nicht' changes the meaning.
Entschuldigung, ich komme nicht mit. Kannst du das langsamer erklären?
I can't follow. Can you explain that more slowly?
In der Diskussion komme ich nicht mit; es geht sehr schnell.
I can't follow the discussion; it's going very fast.
Ich bin mir nicht sicher.
I'm not sure.
Meaning: I'm not sure.
When to use: Use this reflexive phrase when you are uncertain about a fact or decision.
Tip: Beginners sometimes omit 'mir' — the correct form is 'Ich bin mir nicht sicher.'
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob der Bus pünktlich ist.
I'm not sure if the bus is on time.
Bei dieser Antwort bin ich mir nicht sicher.
I'm not sure about this answer.
Ich weiß es nicht.
I don't know.
Meaning: I don't know.
When to use: A simple, neutral way to say you don't have the information.
Was kostet das? — Ich weiß es nicht.
What's the price? — I don't know.
Warum ist er spät? Ich weiß es nicht.
Why is he late? I don't know.
Ich habe keine Ahnung.
I have no idea.
Meaning: I have no idea.
When to use: A casual, stronger way to say you don't know — common in spoken German.
Tip: Don't overuse in very formal situations — it's more casual than 'Ich weiß es nicht.'
Wie funktioniert das? Ich habe keine Ahnung.
How does this work? I have no idea.
Wer hat die Aufgabe? Ich habe keine Ahnung.
Who has the task? I have no idea.
Ich glaube schon.
I think so.
Meaning: I think so.
When to use: Short reply when you are fairly sure about something.
Ist das offen? — Ich glaube schon.
Is it open? — I think so.
Er kommt morgen? Ich glaube schon.
He's coming tomorrow? I think so.
Ich glaube nicht.
I don't think so.
Meaning: I don't think so.
When to use: A softer negative reply when you disagree or expect something is not true.
Funktioniert das ohne Probleme? — Ich glaube nicht.
Will it work without problems? — I don't think so.
Sie hat Zeit heute? Ich glaube nicht.
Does she have time today? I don't think so.
Genau
Exactly / That's right.
Meaning: Exactly / That's right.
When to use: Use to agree or confirm that something is correct.
Genau, das ist die richtige Antwort.
Exactly, that's the right answer.
Du meinst also 3 Uhr? — Genau.
So you mean 3 o'clock? — Exactly.
Stimmt
True / That's right.
Meaning: True / That's right.
When to use: Short agreement; useful in many spoken situations.
Stimmt, das habe ich vergessen.
True, I forgot that.
Das ist teuer. — Ja, stimmt.
That's expensive. — Yes, that's right.
Das stimmt nicht.
That's not true / That's not right.
Meaning: That's not true / That's not right.
When to use: Use for direct disagreement; to be softer, add 'Ich glaube' before it.
Das stimmt nicht; die Informationen sind falsch.
That's not true; the information is wrong.
Er sagt, er war da, aber das stimmt nicht.
He says he was there, but that's not true.
Vielleicht.
Maybe.
Meaning: Maybe.
When to use: Short reply when something is possible but not certain.
Vielleicht kommen wir später.
Maybe we'll come later.
Wird es regnen? — Vielleicht.
Will it rain? — Maybe.
Wahrscheinlich.
Probably.
Meaning: Probably.
When to use: Use for guesses, predictions, or likely outcomes.
Wahrscheinlich dauert es eine Stunde.
It will probably take an hour.
Er ist wahrscheinlich schon weg.
He has probably already left.
Es kommt darauf an.
It depends.
Meaning: It depends.
When to use: Use when the answer changes depending on the situation.
Kommst du morgen? — Es kommt darauf an, ob ich frei habe.
Are you coming tomorrow? — It depends if I'm free.
Wie lange dauert es? — Es kommt darauf an.
How long will it take? — It depends.
Ach so
Oh, I see.
Meaning: Oh, I see.
When to use: A common, short reaction when you suddenly understand something.
Ich habe den Bus verpasst. — Ach so.
I missed the bus. — Oh, I see.
Ach so — jetzt verstehe ich.
Oh, I see — now I understand.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David figure out a confusing plan.
What problem does David mention at first?
Anna
Hast du den Plan verstanden?
Did you understand the plan?
David
Ich komme nicht mit. Kannst du ihn erklären?
I can't follow. Can you explain it?
Anna
Es kommt darauf an. Zuerst Punkt eins, dann Punkt zwei.
It depends. First point one, then point two.
David
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich Zeit habe.
I'm not sure if I have time.
Anna
Dann vielleicht später?
Then maybe later?
David
Ich glaube schon. Ach so — jetzt verstehe ich.
I think so. Oh, I see — now I understand.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
How do you say 'I have no idea.' in German?
Which German phrase means 'Exactly'?
Which phrase best translates as 'It depends'?
How do you say 'I don't think so' in German?
The lesson is very fast. I can't follow.
Die Lektion ist sehr schnell. Ich ___.
Who has the key? — I have no idea.
Wer hat den Schlüssel? — ___
This information is false. — That's not true.
Diese Information ist falsch. — ___.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
