German · B1 · Family moment
Learning to ride with confidence in German
Explain helpful cycling techniques with indem clauses. These clauses describe how an action is achieved and often correspond to English “by ...-ing.”
What you'll learn
- Use indem to explain how a cycling technique helps.
- Place the finite verb at the end of the indem clause.
- Give clear, encouraging explanations during bicycle practice.
German phrases for learning to ride with confidence
Du hältst das Gleichgewicht, indem du geradeaus schaust.
You keep your balance by looking straight ahead.
The indem clause explains how to keep your balance. Its verb, schaust, comes last.
Du wirst langsamer, indem du beide Bremsen vorsichtig betätigst.
You slow down by gently pressing both brakes.
Bremsen betätigen means to apply the brakes. Betätigst ends the indem clause.
Ich helfe dir, indem ich den Sattel festhalte.
I help you by holding the saddle.
Festhalte stays together at the end of the indem clause.
Du schützt deinen Kopf, indem du deinen Helm trägst.
You protect your head by wearing your helmet.
Indem introduces the action that provides protection.
Wir schaffen Platz, indem wir die Hütchen auseinanderstellen.
We make space by moving the cones apart.
Auseinanderstellen means to place things farther apart. It stays together at the end of this clause.
Du zeigst an, dass du abbiegen möchtest, indem du einen Arm ausstreckst.
You signal a turn by stretching out one arm.
The indem clause explains how you signal. Ausstreckst comes at its end.
Du wirst besser, indem du jeden Tag ein bisschen übst.
You improve by practising a little each day.
Indem connects improvement with the practice that helps you achieve it.
Ich mache dir Mut, indem ich dich daran erinnere, wie weit du schon gekommen bist.
I encourage you by reminding you how far you have come.
Erinnere closes the core indem clause; the following wie clause gives the content of the reminder.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
das Gleichgewicht
balance
Usually used without a plural in this meaning. Das Gleichgewicht halten means to keep your balance.
die Bremse
brake
Plural: die Bremsen.
der Sattel
saddle
Plural: die Sättel.
der Kopf
head
Plural: die Köpfe.
der Helm
helmet
Plural: die Helme.
das Hütchen
small training cone
Plural: die Hütchen. Used here for cones marking a practice area.
der Arm
arm
Plural: die Arme.
geradeaus
straight ahead
Geradeaus schauen means to look straight ahead.
jemandem Mut machen
to encourage someone
A warm, everyday expression: Ich mache dir Mut means “I encourage you.”
Indem explains how
Use indem to name the method by which something is achieved. The main clause states the action or result; the indem clause answers “How?” Separate the clauses with a comma.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action or result | Main clause | Du hältst das Gleichgewicht. |
| Method | indem + subject + other information + finite verb | indem du geradeaus schaust |
| Complete explanation | Main clause, indem clause. | Du hältst das Gleichgewicht, indem du geradeaus schaust. |
Verb placement in the indem clause
Unlike English “by ...-ing,” an indem clause includes a subject and a finite verb. Put that verb at the end of the clause. Separable verbs stay joined in this position.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple verb | indem du ... übst | Du wirst besser, indem du jeden Tag ein bisschen übst. |
| Separable verb | indem ich ... festhalte | Ich helfe dir, indem ich den Sattel festhalte. |
| Plural subject | indem wir ... auseinanderstellen | Wir schaffen Platz, indem wir die Hütchen auseinanderstellen. |
More examples
Du hältst das Gleichgewicht, indem du geradeaus schaust.
You keep your balance by looking straight ahead.
Looking ahead is the method; keeping your balance is the result.
Ich helfe dir, indem ich den Sattel festhalte.
I help you by holding the saddle.
The indem clause names the parent's helpful action.
Du wirst besser, indem du jeden Tag ein bisschen übst.
You improve by practising a little each day.
Notice the subject du and the final verb übst.