New here? This is lesson 158 of a free 240-lesson German course.
Project updates in German
Priya sits at the loft table with Jonas. He wants a short update on the recycling-app feature: what is done, what is still running, and what is blocked.
She keeps it plain. No long story or deadline negotiation.
By the end, you'll mark work as done, in progress, or blocked, and say what comes next.
Jonas drinks his coffee and waits for the percent.
By the end of this lesson
Give a short progress update: done, in progress, or blocked.
- Der Entwurf ist fertig.The draft is done.
- Die Tests laufen noch.The tests are still running.
- Wir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen.We're blocked because the data is missing.
- Aktuell sind wir bei achtzig Prozent.We're at about eighty percent right now.
- Als Nächstes kommt die Demo.Next up is the demo.
- Bis Freitag sollte es stehen.It should be ready by Friday.
Scene — the loft table
The co-working loft by the canal is quiet. Priya and Jonas sit at a long desk with laptops and a blank whiteboard.
Jonas has a coffee mug. He wants the update in plain words: done, still testing, or blocked.
Learn — done, running, blocked
Six lines cover a short project update: done, still running, blocked, a percent, the next step, and a likely Friday date.
You will keep the verb last after weil.
Der Entwurf ist fertig.
The draft is done.
When to use it: Say this when a piece of work is finished.
Fertig here means the draft is ready, not still open.
Say it: Entwurf puts the stress on the second syllable.
Die Tests laufen noch.
The tests are still running.
When to use it: Say this when testing has started but is not done.
Noch keeps the work in progress, not finished.
Wir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen.
We're blocked because the data is missing.
When to use it: Say this when missing data stops the team.
After weil, the verb comes last in that clause.
Aktuell sind wir bei achtzig Prozent.
We're at about eighty percent right now.
When to use it: Give a percent when someone asks how far you are.
The verb stays second even when Aktuell comes first.
Say it: Achtzig uses the ach sound, made further back.
Als Nächstes kommt die Demo.
Next up is the demo.
When to use it: Say this to name the next step in the work.
Als Nächstes points to what comes after this step.
Say it: Nächstes has the ich-ch, like a soft hiss.
Bis Freitag sollte es stehen.
It should be ready by Friday.
When to use it: Give a likely ready date, not a hard promise.
Sollte here means you expect it, not that it is certain.
Say it: Sollte rounds the lips for the ö sound.
Story — the short update
Watch Priya give Jonas a short update at the loft table. He drinks his coffee and stays with the facts.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Laptops are open. Jonas sets his mug down and looks at Priya.
JonasAlles klar?All good?
PriyaJa. Der Entwurf ist fertig.Yes. The draft is done.- JonasGut. Und die Tests?Good. And the tests?
- PriyaDie Tests laufen noch.The tests are still running.
- Jonas nods and drinks his coffee.
- JonasUnd sonst?And otherwise?
- PriyaWir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen.We're blocked because the data is missing.
- JonasWie weit seid ihr?How far along are you?
- PriyaAktuell sind wir bei achtzig Prozent.We're at about eighty percent right now.
- JonasKlappt das?Will that work?
- PriyaBis Freitag sollte es stehen.It should be ready by Friday.
- JonasUnd als Nächstes?And next?
- PriyaAls Nächstes kommt die Demo.Next up is the demo.
- JonasViel Erfolg.Good luck with it.
- PriyaDanke.Thanks.
Practice — status lines
Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the standup round moves fast.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
German
Der Entwurf ist fertig.Drop the English hereDie Tests laufen noch.Drop the English hereWir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen.Drop the English hereEnglish
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
We're blocked because the data is missing.
Wir sind blockiert, ____ die Daten fehlen.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Die Tests laufen noch.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
We're at about eighty percent right now.
Aktuell sind wir bei ____ Prozent.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You sit down with Jonas and check in before the update.
Swap the word
Swap the word
Name the next step in the work after the tests.
Als Nächstes kommt die ____.
Pick the reply
Jonas says:
Pick the reply
Klappt das?
Will that work?
And you reply with:
True or false?
True or false?
This means the work is already done.
What do you say?
What do you say?
The update is over. Wish your teammate luck with the rest.
Say it — give the update
Now you're Priya at the loft table with Jonas. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- JonasAlles klar?All good?
- Priya (you)Tell him the draft is done.
Tell him the draft is done.
Der Entwurf ist fertig.
The draft is done.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| German | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Der Entwurf ist fertig. | The draft is done. | |
| Die Tests laufen noch. | The tests are still running. | |
| Wir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen. | We're blocked because the data is missing. | |
| Aktuell sind wir bei achtzig Prozent. | We're at about eighty percent right now. | |
| Als Nächstes kommt die Demo. | Next up is the demo. | |
| Bis Freitag sollte es stehen. | It should be ready by Friday. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these updates handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your status lines ready for the next standup.
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