New here? This is lesson 34 of a free 240-lesson German course.
What's allowed in German
Priya puts her backpack on Anton's extra chair at Bäckerei Krause. Renate is already shaking her head from the counter.
The chair is his. He sits on two, and the extra one is not a bag hook.
You'll ask what is allowed here, say when it is not, and find out who to ask.
Keep it short. Renate will not wait through a long polite sentence.
By the end of this lesson
Say what you can and cannot do in a place.
- Darf man hier ___?Are you allowed to ___ here?
- Das ist nicht erlaubt.That's not allowed.
- Das darf man.That's allowed.
- Bitte nicht ___.Please don't ___.
- Ja, natürlich.Yes, of course.
- Wen kann ich fragen?Who can I ask?
Scene — the extra chair
Priya walks in with her backpack still on one shoulder. The extra chair at Anton's table looks free.
She starts to lift the bag toward the seat. His Milchkaffee is still full. He does not get up. Renate looks over from the counter.
Learn — what is allowed
Six short lines cover what is allowed, what is not, and who to ask.
You'll also get a warm yes when the answer is obvious.
Darf man hier ___?
Are you allowed to ___ here?
When to use it: Ask this to check if an action is allowed here.
Learn it as one piece to ask what is allowed.
Das ist nicht erlaubt.
That's not allowed.
When to use it: Say this when something is against the rules here.
Learn it as one piece for a clear no.
Say it: The ch in nicht is the ich sound, not the ach sound.
Das darf man.
That's allowed.
When to use it: Say this when an action is allowed in this place.
Learn it as one piece to say it is allowed.
Bitte nicht ___.
Please don't ___.
When to use it: Use this to ask someone not to do something.
Learn it as one piece when you want a stop.
Ja, natürlich.
Yes, of course.
When to use it: Say this to agree that something is clearly allowed.
Learn it as one piece for a warm, clear yes.
Say it: The ü in natürlich is a rounded ee sound.
Wen kann ich fragen?
Who can I ask?
When to use it: Ask this when you need the right person for a rule.
Learn it as one piece to find the right person.
Say it: Fragen puts the stress on the first syllable.
Story — not that chair
Watch Priya begin to put her backpack on Anton's extra chair. Renate stops her before the bag reaches the seat.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Priya starts to lift her backpack toward Anton's extra chair. Renate looks over from the counter.
RenateBitte nicht den Rucksack auf den Stuhl legen.Please don't put the backpack on the chair.
PriyaDarf man hier den Rucksack auf den Stuhl legen?Are you allowed to put the backpack on the chair here?- RenateDas ist nicht erlaubt.That's not allowed.
- Anton taps the extra chair with a hoof.
AntonDas gehört mir.It's mine.- PriyaTut mir leid.I'm sorry.
- PriyaWen kann ich fragen?Who can I ask?
- RenateFrag Anton.Ask Anton.
- PriyaDarf man hier sitzen?Are you allowed to sit here?
- AntonJa, natürlich.Yes, of course.
- Priya takes the backpack off the chair and sets it by her feet.
- RenateDas darf man.That's allowed.
Practice — yes or not here
Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay tiny, so the yes and the no stay clear.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
German
Das ist nicht erlaubt.Drop the English hereDas darf man.Drop the English hereWen kann ich fragen?Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want to check if an action is allowed in this bakery.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Ask someone not to put a backpack on a chair.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Ja, natürlich.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want to say that this action is allowed here.
Das ____ man.
Pick the reply
Renate says:
Pick the reply
Darf man hier sitzen?
Are you allowed to sit here?
And you reply with:
Build the line
Build the line
Who can I ask?
?
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
That's not allowed.
Das ist nicht ____.
True or false?
True or false?
He is saying the extra chair belongs to him.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You just put your bag on someone's chair. Apologise.
Say it — ask at the table
Now you're Priya at the bakery. Your backpack is in your hands, and you're about to put it on Anton's extra chair. 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.
- RenateBitte nicht den Rucksack auf den Stuhl legen.Please don't put the backpack on the chair.
- AntonDas gehört mir.It's mine.
- Priya (you)Apologise for reaching for his chair with your bag.
Apologise for reaching for his chair with your bag.
Tut mir leid.
I'm sorry
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| German | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Darf man hier ___? | Are you allowed to ___ here? | |
| Das ist nicht erlaubt. | That's not allowed. | |
| Das darf man. | That's allowed. | |
| Bitte nicht ___. | Please don't ___. | |
| Ja, natürlich. | Yes, of course. | |
| Wen kann ich fragen? | Who can I ask? |
Save your progress — it’s free
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want these yes and no lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps the bakery rules ready.
Open Yak Cards