German - Checking Understanding

Lesson 97 of 158

Goal: Phrases to check and clear up confusion

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

Welcome — ready to tidy up any confusion? In this short lesson we'll practice three handy German phrases for checking understanding in conversations.

Level A2: This lesson focuses on three neutral, polite ways to check understanding: asking what exactly is unclear, inviting someone to say if they're unsure, and checking whether an explanation answered a question. CEFR-aligned and practical — lesson 97 gives you quick, repeatable phrases to use in real chats.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

Recognize and use three A2-level phrases for checking understanding.
Practice hearing and repeating the phrases in a short dialogue.
Use the phrases in short speaking and quiz exercises to build confidence.

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.

Was genau ist unklar?

What part is not clear?

Meaning: What part is not clear?

When to use: Use this direct-but-helpful question when you want the other person to name the exact point they don't understand.

Tip: Sometimes learners use a too-vague question like 'Ist etwas unklar?' which may not invite specifics.

Was genau ist unklar an der Aufgabe?

Which part of the task is unclear?

Wenn du mir sagst, was genau ist unklar, kann ich helfen.

If you tell me what exactly is unclear, I can help.

Gibt es etwas, bei dem du dir unsicher bist?

Is there anything you are not sure about?

Meaning: Is there anything you are not sure about?

When to use: Use this natural invitation after explaining something, to let the listener point out any uncertainty.

Gibt es etwas, bei dem du dir unsicher bist, zum Thema Grammatik?

Is there anything you're unsure about regarding grammar?

Gibt es etwas, bei dem du dir unsicher bist, frag mich gern.

If there's anything you're unsure about, feel free to ask me.

Beantwortet das deine Frage?

Does that answer your question?

Meaning: Does that answer your question?

When to use: Say this after giving an explanation or example to check if the listener's question has been resolved.

Beantwortet das deine Frage, oder soll ich ein Beispiel geben?

Does that answer your question, or should I give an example?

Habe ich das gut erklärt? Beantwortet das deine Frage?

Did I explain that well? Does that answer your question?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna helps David with a task and checks what he understands.

Anna and David talking in German, using phrases to ask about understanding.

Who asks whether something is unclear?

Anna

Ich erkläre die Schritte: zuerst A, dann B, dann C.

I explain the steps: first A, then B, then C.

David

Ich verstehe den letzten Teil nicht ganz.

I don't fully understand the last part.

Anna

Gibt es etwas, bei dem du dir unsicher bist?

Is there anything you are not sure about?

David

Ja, die Wortstellung bei Schritt C.

Yes, the word order in step C.

Anna

Was genau ist unklar?

What part is not clear?

David

Wie ich das Verb im Satz positionieren soll.

How I should position the verb in the sentence.

Anna

Okay, so: [Erklärung]. Beantwortet das deine Frage?

Okay, so: [explanation]. Does that answer your question?

David

Ja, das hilft, danke!

Yes, that helps, thanks!

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'Is there anything you are not sure about?'

Which phrase asks the listener to name the specific unclear point?

After explaining, which phrase checks whether the explanation solved the listener's question?

Which phrase is best to invite general doubts after a lesson?

I explained that. Does that answer your question?

Ich habe das erklärt. ___

The teacher says: Is there anything you are not sure about? at the end of the explanation.

Der Lehrer sagt: ___ zum Abschluss der Erklärung.

The colleague looks confused. I ask: What part is not clear?

Der Kollege schaut verwirrt. Ich frage: ___

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:

Was genau ist unklar?

What part is not clear?

Say this phrase out loud:

Gibt es etwas, bei dem du dir unsicher bist?

Is there anything you are not sure about?

Say this phrase out loud:

Beantwortet das deine Frage?

Does that answer your question?