German - Lesson 91 of 158: Hesitation

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Weißt du, ___.

You know, ___.

Meaning: You know, ___.

When to use: Use this informal starter (du form) to gently introduce an idea or example while you think. For formal situations use "Wissen Sie, ___."

Tip: Don't use this in formal settings — switch to "Wissen Sie, ..." for politeness.

Weißt du, ob das Café noch offen ist?

You know, if the café is still open?

Weißt du, ich habe das schon einmal gesehen.

You know, I've seen that before.

Es ist eher ___.

It's more like ___.

Meaning: It's more like ___.

When to use: Use to give an approximation when the exact label isn't right. If a noun follows, remember nominative form: e.g. "Es ist eher ein Problem."

Es ist eher ein Treffpunkt als ein richtiges Restaurant.

It's more like a meeting spot than a real restaurant.

Es ist eher kompliziert, nicht schlecht oder gut.

It's more like complicated, not bad or good.

Oder so was.

Or something like that.

Meaning: Or something like that.

When to use: Add this after an approximate statement to signal uncertainty or a loose example. Casual speech: "oder so was."

Wir brauchen mehr Zeit, oder so was.

We need more time, or something like that.

Er spielt Gitarre, oder so was in der Art.

He plays guitar, or something like that.

Warte, ich meine ___.

Wait, I mean ___.

Meaning: Wait, I mean ___.

When to use: Use this quick self-correction to fix what you just said. Casual and common in spoken German.

Warte, ich meine, wir treffen uns nächsten Donnerstag.

Wait, I mean, we'll meet next Thursday.

Warte, ich meine, das war nicht richtig beschrieben.

Wait, I mean, that wasn't described correctly.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Deciding where to meet

Anna and David using short hesitation chunks while weighing options about a meeting place.

What are Anna and David unsure about?

Anna

Weißt du, ob das Café noch offen ist?

You know, if the café is still open?

David

Ich glaube schon. Es ist eher ein Treffpunkt für Studenten.

I think so. It's more like a hangout for students.

Anna

Hm, oder so was.

Hm, or something like that.

David

Warte, ich meine, der neue Ort ist neben der Bibliothek.

Wait, I mean, the new place is next to the library.

Anna

Okay, dann treffen wir uns dort.

Okay, then we'll meet there.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which German phrase starts a thought like 'You know, ___'?

Which phrase means 'It's more like ___'?

Which phrase adds a casual 'Or something like that'?

Which phrase is a quick self-correction 'Wait, I mean ___'?

I forgot the exact time — Wait, I mean ___ (self-correction).

I forgot the exact time — ___.

It's not a formal meeting; it's more like a casual meetup.

It's not a formal meeting; ___.

She added 'Or something like that' to show uncertainty.

She wasn't sure about the exact style and added, '___' at the end.

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:

Weißt du, ___.

You know, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Es ist eher ___.

It's more like ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Oder so was.

Or something like that.

Say this phrase out loud:

Warte, ich meine ___.

Wait, I mean ___.