German · C1 · Family moment
Checking a first payslip together in German
Help your teenager check a first payslip calmly and precisely. Use continuative wobei clauses to acknowledge what seems right while adding a reservation, a limit or a practical next step.
What you'll learn
- Use wobei to qualify a preceding statement without dismissing it.
- Place the finite verb at the end of a wobei clause.
- Recognise that continuative wobei comments on the preceding proposition rather than describing a simultaneous action.
- Discuss deductions and follow-up enquiries in a neutral, supportive tone.
German phrases for checking a first payslip together
Der Gesamtbetrag sieht plausibel aus, wobei ein Abzug noch erklärt werden muss.
The total looks plausible, although one deduction still needs explaining.
The wobei clause limits the positive assessment: the total seems reasonable, but a detail remains unresolved.
Deine Stunden stimmen, wobei die Schulung zu fehlen scheint.
Your hours match, though the training session seems to be missing.
The qualification flags a possible omission rather than making an accusation. The finite verb scheint comes last.
Der Stundenlohn ist gestiegen, wobei der neue Satz erst ab nächsten Monat gilt.
The rate has increased, although it only applies from next month.
The wobei clause limits when the increase applies.
Du kannst wegen des Betrags nachfragen, wobei ich die Formulierung neutral halten würde.
You can query the amount, though I would keep the wording neutral.
The added comment qualifies the advice by recommending a neutral tone. The finite verb würde comes last.
Die Führungskraft war hilfsbereit, wobei das die Unstimmigkeit nicht ausräumt.
The manager was helpful, although that does not settle the discrepancy.
Das refers back to the manager being helpful; the qualification explains why that is not enough.
Ich schaue es mir gern an, wobei du die Anfrage selbst abschicken solltest.
I am happy to check it, though you should send the enquiry yourself.
The wobei clause adds a boundary to the offer of help while supporting your teenager's independence.
Die Zahlung ist pünktlich eingegangen, wobei Pünktlichkeit keine Garantie für Richtigkeit ist.
The payment arrived promptly, though punctuality does not guarantee accuracy.
The qualification blocks an unwarranted conclusion: payment on time does not necessarily mean correct payment.
Die Erklärung ist nachvollziehbar, wobei wir noch eine schriftliche Bestätigung brauchen.
The explanation makes sense, although we still need written confirmation.
The wobei clause acknowledges the explanation while identifying what is still needed.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
die Lohnabrechnung
payslip; pay statement
Plural: die Lohnabrechnungen.
der Gesamtbetrag
total amount
Plural: die Gesamtbeträge.
der Abzug
deduction
Plural: die Abzüge. Here, an amount taken off earnings.
die Schulung
training session; training course
Plural: die Schulungen.
der Stundenlohn
hourly wage; hourly rate
Plural: die Stundenlöhne.
der Satz
rate
Plural: die Sätze. Here, the amount paid per hour.
die Führungskraft
manager
Plural: die Führungskräfte. Gender-neutral term for a person with management responsibilities.
die Unstimmigkeit
discrepancy
Plural: die Unstimmigkeiten. A neutral term for something that does not match.
die Anfrage
enquiry
Plural: die Anfragen.
die Bestätigung
confirmation
Plural: die Bestätigungen. Schriftliche Bestätigung means written confirmation.
Continuative wobei: adding a qualification
After a complete statement, wobei can introduce a supplementary comment meaning roughly 'though' or 'with the qualification that'. It refers back to the preceding proposition, not to a single noun. The added clause may limit the statement, correct a possible inference or attach a reservation.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation | Statement, wobei + qualifying comment. | Der Gesamtbetrag sieht plausibel aus, wobei ein Abzug noch erklärt werden muss. |
| Limit on applicability | Statement, wobei + limit. | Der Stundenlohn ist gestiegen, wobei der neue Satz erst ab nächsten Monat gilt. |
| Reference to the preceding proposition | Statement, wobei das + comment on that situation. | Die Führungskraft war hilfsbereit, wobei das die Unstimmigkeit nicht ausräumt. |
Comma and clause-final verb
Separate the supplementary wobei clause with a comma and use subordinate-clause word order: the finite verb goes at the end. In the verb groups shown here, it follows the infinitive or other non-finite forms.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single finite verb | wobei + subject + … + finite verb | …, wobei wir noch eine schriftliche Bestätigung brauchen. |
| Infinitive with finite verb | wobei + subject + … + infinitive + finite verb | …, wobei du die Anfrage selbst abschicken solltest. |
| Longer verb group | wobei + subject + … + erklärt werden muss | …, wobei ein Abzug noch erklärt werden muss. |
Qualification, not simultaneous action
Wobei can also describe something happening during another action. In this unit, it instead adds a reservation about what has just been said. Ask whether the clause means 'though there is this qualification' or 'while doing that'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Continuative: a reservation | wobei ≈ though / with the qualification that | Ich prüfe die Abrechnung gern, wobei du die Anfrage selbst abschicken solltest. |
| Simultaneous action: contrast only | wobei ≈ while doing that | Ich prüfe die Abrechnung, wobei ich mir Notizen mache. |
More examples
Die Abrechnung wirkt übersichtlich, wobei der Abzug für die Arbeitskleidung unklar bleibt.
The payslip looks clearly laid out, though the deduction for work clothes remains unclear.
Acknowledge a positive feature before identifying the unresolved point; bleibt is clause-final.
Du kannst nach einer Aufschlüsselung fragen, wobei ein sachlicher Ton wichtig ist.
You can ask for a breakdown, though a matter-of-fact tone is important.
The wobei clause qualifies the advice rather than describing an action happening at the same time.
Die Stunden sind vollständig erfasst, wobei wir den Stundenlohn noch prüfen müssen.
All the hours have been recorded, though we still need to check the hourly rate.
The positive finding stands, but the supplementary clause limits how much has been verified.