German A2.30 Listening Practice: Give A Reason With Weil
German A2 listening practice with audio, transcript, key phrases, and a speaking challenge for give a reason with weil.
Podcast listening is in beta while creation and discussion tools are refined. This published chapter includes its complete segmented audio and transcript.
Level
A2.30
Audio
Segmented audio
Transcript
16 segments
What to notice while you listen
What you'll understand
Give a short reason for a familiar decision or action.
Attach one weil clause built from known words to a familiar main clause and place the finite verb at the end of the reason clause.
New pattern
weil plus a finite subordinate clause whose finite verb comes at the end
Practice aloud after listening
Ich arbeite heute nicht, weil ich müde bin.
I am not working today because I am tired.
A short German listening chapter with transcript.
Add a reason after weil and hold the finite verb until the end of that reason.
Read while you listen.
1. Hanna · Teacher
Welcome to today's episode! Today we are learning how to give a reason in German using the word 'weil', which means 'because'. Pay attention to where the verb goes when 'weil' introduces a clause. Let's listen to a short conversation between Felix and Clara.
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2. Clara · Native Speaker 2
Hallo Felix, kommst du heute Abend mit ins Restaurant?
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3. Felix · Native Speaker 1
Ich kann heute nicht kommen, weil ich arbeite.
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4. Clara · Native Speaker 2
Schade, bleibst du lieber zu Hause?
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5. Felix · Native Speaker 1
Ja, ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.
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6. Clara · Native Speaker 2
Das verstehe ich, weil du morgen früh arbeiten musst.
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7. Hanna · Teacher
Let's break down those key sentences! First, Felix said: 'Ich kann heute nicht kommen, weil ich arbeite.' This means 'I cannot come today because I am working.' Notice how 'weil' pushes the verb 'arbeite' to the very end of the reason clause.
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8. Lukas · Student
So whenever I start a reason clause with 'weil', the conjugated verb always gets kicked to the end?
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9. Hanna · Teacher
That's exactly right! Instead of saying 'weil ich arbeite heute', German structure requires 'weil ich arbeite'.
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10. Hanna · Teacher
Next, Felix explained: 'Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.' He is staying home because he is tired.
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11. Lukas · Student
In 'weil ich müde bin', why is 'bin' at the end instead of right after 'ich'?
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12. Hanna · Teacher
Because 'bin' is the finite verb of the clause, and 'weil' always demands that the finite verb close out the clause.
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13. Hanna · Teacher
Finally, Clara said: '...weil du morgen früh arbeiten musst.' This includes both an infinitive, 'arbeiten', and a modal verb, 'musst'.
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14. Lukas · Student
What order do the verbs go in when there's a modal verb involved?
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15. Hanna · Teacher
The main verb 'arbeiten' stays directly before the final conjugated modal verb 'musst', so 'arbeiten musst' ends the sentence.
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16. Hanna · Teacher
Fantastic job! Remember, whenever you give a reason with 'weil', send that finite verb straight to the end. See you next time!
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