First Phrases

Winter home problems · Deutsch

Winter home problems phrases in German: 15 phrases

Tell the landlord or agency that the heating, hot water or power has failed, report a leak, frozen pipe, damp or a window that will not close, ask them to send someone, book a plumber or electrician, ask when they can come, the cost and an invoice, and say it is urgent. Short, natural phrases for when something breaks at home in winter.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" with the landlord ("Vermieter"), the property manager ("Hausverwaltung") and tradespeople. A plumber is "Klempner" or "Installateur", an electrician "Elektriker", the heating "Heizung" (a gas boiler is often called "Therme"). The "Hausmeister" can be the first contact in a big building. Phrases only: this card says nothing about who has to pay or fix what.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Die Heizung funktioniert nicht.
    Say it like: dee HY-tsoong foonk-tsyoh-NEERT nikht
    The heating isn't working.
    Register: Add "seit gestern" (since yesterday).
  2. 02Neutral
    Wir haben kein warmes Wasser.
    Say it like: veer HAH-ben kyn VAR-mes VAS-ser
    We have no hot water.
    Register: Say "Ich habe" if you live alone.
  3. 03Neutral
    Der Heizkörper ist undicht.
    Say it like: dair HYTS-kur-per ist OON-dikht
    The radiator is leaking.
    Register: Also "Der Heizkörper tropft" (is dripping).
  4. 04Neutral
    Die Heizung zeigt eine Fehlermeldung an.
    Say it like: dee HY-tsoong tsykt Y-neh FAY-ler-mel-doong ahn
    The heating shows an error message.
    Register: Read out the code: "Es steht F 28 da."
  5. 05Neutral
    Bei uns ist der Strom ausgefallen.
    Say it like: by oons ist dair shtrohm OWS-geh-fal-len
    The power has gone out here.
    Register: Also "Wir haben einen Stromausfall".
  6. 06Neutral
    Ein Rohr ist eingefroren.
    Say it like: yn rohr ist YN-geh-froh-ren
    A pipe has frozen.
    Register: Also "Eine Leitung ist eingefroren".
  7. 07Neutral
    Da ist Schimmel an der Wand, und es ist feucht.
    Say it like: dah ist SHIM-mel ahn dair vant oont ess ist foykht
    There is mould on the wall, and it is damp.
    Register: "Schimmel" is mould, "Feuchtigkeit" damp.
  8. 08Neutral
    Das Fenster schließt nicht richtig.
    Say it like: dahs FENS-ter shleest nikht RIKH-tikh
    The window doesn't close properly.
    Register: Add "und es zieht" (and there is a draught).
  9. 09Polite
    Könnten Sie bitte jemanden vorbeischicken?
    Say it like: KUN-ten zee BIT-teh YAY-mahn-den for-BY-shik-ken
    Could you please send someone round?
    Register: Use it with the landlord or the property manager.
  10. 10Polite
    Ich möchte einen Termin mit einem Klempner oder Elektriker vereinbaren.
    Say it like: ikh MURKH-teh Y-nen ter-MEEN mit Y-nem KLEMP-ner OH-der eh-LEK-trik-er fer-YN-bah-ren
    I'd like to book an appointment with a plumber or an electrician.
    Register: "Einen Termin vereinbaren" = to arrange an appointment.
  11. 11Polite
    Wann könnten die Handwerker kommen?
    Say it like: van KUN-ten dee HANT-ver-ker KOM-men
    When could the tradespeople come?
    Register: "Handwerker" = tradespeople. Add "heute" (today) or "morgen" (tomorrow).
  12. 12Neutral
    Was wird das ungefähr kosten?
    Say it like: vas virt dahs OON-geh-fair KOS-ten
    Roughly what will that cost?
    Register: Also "Können Sie mir einen Kostenvoranschlag geben?" (can you give me a quote?).
  13. 13Polite
    Könnte ich bitte eine Rechnung bekommen?
    Say it like: KUN-teh ikh BIT-teh Y-neh REKH-noong beh-KOM-men
    Could I have an invoice, please?
    Register: "Rechnung" is an invoice, "Quittung" a receipt.
  14. 14Neutral
    Das ist dringend.
    Say it like: dahs ist DRIN-gent
    It's urgent.
    Register: Add "bitte" to keep it polite.
  15. 15Neutral
    Ich habe ein kleines Kind, und es ist sehr kalt.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh yn KLY-nes kint oont ess ist zair kalt
    I have a small child and it's very cold.
    Register: For a baby: "ein Baby".

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Quick answers

How do you say the heating isn't working in German?

Say: "Die Heizung funktioniert nicht." (The heating isn't working.)

Should I use informal or formal German with a landlord or tradesperson?

Use "Sie" with the landlord ("Vermieter"), the property manager ("Hausverwaltung") and tradespeople. A plumber is "Klempner" or "Installateur", an electrician "Elektriker", the heating "Heizung" (a gas boiler is often called "Therme"). The "Hausmeister" can be the first contact in a big building. Phrases only: this card says nothing about who has to pay or fix what.

How do I ask someone to come and fix it in German?

Say: "Könnten Sie bitte jemanden vorbeischicken?" (Could you please send someone round?)

How do I ask when they can come and how much it costs in German?

Try: "Wann könnten die Handwerker kommen?" (When could the tradespeople come?) and "Was wird das ungefähr kosten?" (Roughly what will that cost?)

Winter home phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

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