German A1.11 Listening Practice: Put Time First And Keep The Verb Second
German A1 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for put time first and keep the verb second.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A1.11
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
21 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Begin a present statement with a simple time expression while maintaining German main-clause order.
Use heute at the start of a main clause, keep the finite verb in the second position, and place the subject after it.
New pattern
heute as a time expression in a time-first V2 clause, with the finite verb before the subject
Practice aloud after listening
Heute lerne ich. Heute wohnen wir hier.
Today I am learning. Today we live here.
A short German listening chapter with transcript.
Lead with the time, then place the action immediately after it before naming who does it.
Read while you listen.
1. Hanna · Teacher
Welcome back! I'm Hanna, your guide today. When you start a German sentence with a time word like 'heute', remember: the verb stays in position two, and the subject flips right after it. Let's listen to a quick conversation between Felix and Clara.
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2. Felix · Native Speaker 1
Hallo Clara! Was machst du?
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3. Clara · Native Speaker 2
Heute lerne ich.
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4. Felix · Native Speaker 1
Wohnt Lisa hier?
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5. Clara · Native Speaker 2
Heute wohnt sie hier.
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6. Felix · Native Speaker 1
Heute lernen wir!
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7. Hanna · Teacher
Let's break that down sentence by sentence. First, Felix said: Hallo Clara! Was machst du? That means: Hello Clara! What are you doing?
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8. Lukas · Student
Is 'was machst du' the standard way to ask what someone is doing?
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9. Hanna · Teacher
Yes, 'was' means 'what' and 'machst' comes from 'machen', which means 'to do'.
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10. Hanna · Teacher
Next, Clara replied: Heute lerne ich. This means: Today I am learning.
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11. Lukas · Student
So because 'heute' comes first, 'ich' has to go after the verb 'lerne'?
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12. Hanna · Teacher
Exactly, Lukas. The verb 'lerne' must stay second, so 'ich' moves behind it.
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13. Hanna · Teacher
Then Felix asked: Wohnt Lisa hier? That means: Does Lisa live here?
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14. Lukas · Student
Why is the verb 'wohnt' first here?
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15. Hanna · Teacher
In a simple yes-no question, the verb moves to the very first position.
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16. Hanna · Teacher
Clara answered: Heute wohnt sie hier. Meaning: Today she lives here.
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17. Lukas · Student
So 'sie' comes third because 'heute' is position one and 'wohnt' is position two?
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18. Hanna · Teacher
Spot on! The verb 'wohnt' keeps position two, pushing 'sie' to position three.
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19. Hanna · Teacher
Finally, Felix said: Heute lernen wir! This means: Today we learn!
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20. Lukas · Student
So with 'wir', the verb 'lernen' still sits in second position after 'heute'?
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21. Hanna · Teacher
Exactly. Whatever subject you use, keep your verb in second position whenever time comes first!
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