German - Making Plans

Lesson 152 of 158

Learner making plans in German: suggesting activities and confirming times.

Goal: Everyday ways to suggest and confirm plans in German

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

Welcome — ready to plan something in German? This short lesson helps you suggest activities and check if they work. Have fun practicing aloud!

Level A1: In this lesson you’ll learn common German phrases for making plans like suggestions (Wollen wir... / Sollen wir...), casual ideas (Lass uns...), and quick confirmations (Klappt das? / Das klappt. / Das klappt leider nicht.). This CEFR-aligned mini-lesson focuses on hearing, repeating, and using these ready-to-use phrases in short conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use common German frames for suggesting actions (Wollen wir…, Sollen wir…, Lass uns …).
  • Ask if a plan will work and confirm or decline politely (Klappt das?, Das klappt., Das klappt leider nicht.).
  • Practice saying each phrase aloud and using them in a short real-world mini-dialogue.
Two friends planning a meet-up in German, practicing phrases like 'Wollen wir…?' and 'Klappt das?'.

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.

Klappt das?

Will that work?

Meaning: Will that work?

When to use: Ask if a time, place, or plan is okay for the other person.

Tip: Avoid using a literal 'Funktioniert das?' all the time; 'Klappt das?' is very natural in spoken German.

Treffen wir uns um 18 Uhr. Klappt das?
Let's meet at 6. Will that work?
Ich schicke die Unterlagen am Montag. Klappt das für dich?
I'll send the documents on Monday. Will that work for you?

Das klappt.

That works / That will work.

Meaning: That works / That will work.

When to use: Confirm that a proposed plan or time is fine.

Wir sehen uns am Freitag? — Ja, das klappt.
See you Friday? — Yes, that works.
Kommst du um 14 Uhr? — Das klappt für mich.
Are you coming at 2 PM? — That works for me.

Das klappt leider nicht.

Unfortunately, that won't work.

Meaning: Unfortunately, that won't work.

When to use: Politely say a suggested time or plan is not possible.

Tip: Be careful not to sound too abrupt; adding a brief reason (z. B. 'ich habe schon etwas') keeps it polite.

Klappt ein Treffen morgen? — Das klappt leider nicht.
Does meeting tomorrow work? — Unfortunately, that won't work.
Kannst du um 9? — Das klappt leider nicht, ich habe einen Termin.
Can you at 9? — Unfortunately that won't work, I have an appointment.

Sollen wir ___?

Should we ___?

Meaning: Should we ___?

When to use: Make a gentle suggestion about doing something together; the blank holds a verb phrase.

Sollen wir morgen Kaffee trinken?
Should we drink coffee tomorrow?
Sollen wir das Meeting verschieben?
Should we postpone the meeting?

Wollen wir ___?

Do we want to ___? / Shall we ___?

Meaning: Shall we ___? / Do we want to ___?

When to use: Suggest an action informally or check the other person's preference.

Wollen wir spazieren gehen?
Shall we go for a walk?
Wollen wir heute Abend essen gehen?
Shall we go out to eat tonight?

Lass uns ___.

Let's ___.

Meaning: Let's ___.

When to use: Offer a casual suggestion; put the verb in the blank as the infinitive.

Tip: Remember the verb stays in the infinitive (e.g., 'Lass uns gehen', not 'Lass uns geht').

Lass uns ins Kino gehen.
Let's go to the cinema.
Lass uns morgen früh treffen.
Let's meet tomorrow morning.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David plan a coffee meet-up and check if the time works.

Anna and David check a plan and respond with 'Das klappt.' and 'Das klappt leider nicht.' during a short conversation.

Do Anna and David agree on the plan?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Wollen wir um 15 Uhr Kaffee trinken?

Shall we have coffee at 3 PM?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Klappt das um 15 Uhr?

Will that work at 3 PM?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Das klappt.

That works.

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Super. Sollen wir im Café gegenüber treffen?

Great. Should we meet at the café across the street?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Lass uns um 15:05 dort sein.

Let's be there at 3:05.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

What does 'Klappt das?' mean?

Which German phrase politely says something won't work?

How do you suggest doing something together in a casual way?

Which phrase would you use to make a straightforward suggestion?

Our meeting is at 10 a.m. — That works.

Our meeting is at 10 a.m. — ___ (meaning: That works).

Wollen wir spazieren gehen?

You want to suggest a walk: ___? (meaning: Shall we go for a walk?)

Das klappt leider nicht.

You can't meet Tuesday. How do you say 'Unfortunately, that won't work.'? ___

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:

Klappt das?

Will that work?

Say this phrase out loud:

Das klappt.

That works.

Say this phrase out loud:

Das klappt leider nicht.

Unfortunately, that won't work.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sollen wir ___?

Should we ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Wollen wir ___?

Shall we ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Lass uns ___.

Let's ___.