German - Quick Reactions

Lesson 147 of 158

Friendly learners practicing short German reactions like 'Wirklich?' and 'Wie bitte?' in a casual conversation.

Goal: Short German responses for everyday chat

Free German lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome — quick lesson for busy learners! This bite-sized session helps you notice and use short German reactions people use in everyday conversation. Have fun and repeat aloud.

Level A1: In Lesson 147 you'll practice six common short reactions in German — things like Aha., Wirklich?, Wie bitte? and questions to check plans (Geht das so?, Passt das so?). This CEFR-aligned mini-lesson gives listening, quick practice, and speaking prompts so you can react naturally in simple conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and respond with six short German reactions (A1).
  • Ask someone to repeat themselves politely and show simple surprise.
  • Check if plans or suggestions are okay using Geht das so? and Passt das so?.
Two people planning a weekend and using quick German responses to confirm details, useful for A1 learners.

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.

Aha

Uh-huh / I see.

Meaning: Uh-huh / I see.

When to use: Can show understanding; tone matters because it can also sound skeptical.

Tip: Watch your tone: Aha can sound skeptical if you say it sharply.

Aha, jetzt verstehe ich.
Aha, now I understand.
Aha. Du bist also Lehrer?
Aha. So you are a teacher?

Wirklich?

Really?

Meaning: Really?

When to use: Neutral expression of surprise or to check information.

Wirklich? Du bist gestern geblieben?
Really? You stayed yesterday?
Wirklich? Das ist eine gute Nachricht!
Really? That's good news!

Echt?

Really? / For real?

Meaning: Really? / For real?

When to use: Casual spoken alternative to Wirklich?, used with friends.

Tip: Echt? is casual — avoid it in very formal situations.

Echt? Du hast die Prüfung bestanden?
Really? You passed the exam?
Echt? Das freut mich!
Really? I'm happy for that!

Wie bitte?

Pardon? / What was that?

Meaning: Pardon? / What was that?

When to use: Polite short way to ask someone to repeat something you didn't hear.

Tip: Don't say it too sharply; it should sound polite when asking someone to repeat.

Wie bitte? Ich habe das nicht gehört.
Pardon? I didn't hear that.
Wie bitte? Kannst du das wiederholen?
Pardon? Can you repeat that?

Geht das so?

Is this okay like this?

Meaning: Is this okay like this?

When to use: Used to check if something is acceptable or correct.

Ich habe das Formular ausgefüllt. Geht das so?
I filled out the form. Is this okay like this?
Ich habe die Präsentation vorbereitet. Geht das so für dich?
I prepared the presentation. Is this okay with you?

Passt das so?

Is that okay / Does that work?

Meaning: Is that okay / Does that work?

When to use: Very common spoken check; also used when paying or finishing a task.

Treffen wir uns um 18 Uhr. Passt das so?
Let's meet at 6 pm. Does that work?
Ich zahle jetzt. Passt das so?
I'll pay now. Is that okay?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna tells David about concert plans; David asks for repetition and reacts with surprise and checks the plan.

Anna and David talk about concert plans and use short German phrases to ask, confirm, and show surprise.

What are Anna and David discussing?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Ich habe Karten fürs Konzert nächsten Samstag.

I have tickets for the concert next Saturday.

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Wie bitte?

Pardon?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Nächsten Samstag, 20 Uhr.

Next Saturday, 8 pm.

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Wirklich? Aha.

Really? I see.

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Ja, echt. Geht das so für dich?

Yes, really. Is that okay for you?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Passt das so? Ja, passt.

Does that work? Yes, it works.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'Pardon? / What was that?'

Which phrase is a casual spoken alternative to 'Wirklich?'

Which phrase asks 'Is this okay like this?'

Which phrase often shows understanding but can sound skeptical depending on tone?

I didn't hear you clearly — Pardon?

I didn't hear you clearly — ___?

You got tickets for the concert? Really!

You got tickets for the concert? ___!

We can meet on Saturday at 6 — Does that work?

We can meet on Saturday at 6 — ___?

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.

Say this phrase out loud:

Aha

Uh-huh / I see.

Say this phrase out loud:

Wirklich?

Really?

Say this phrase out loud:

Echt?

Really? / For real?

Say this phrase out loud:

Wie bitte?

Pardon? / What was that?

Say this phrase out loud:

Geht das so?

Is this okay like this?

Say this phrase out loud:

Passt das so?

Is that okay / Does that work?