German · A1 · Family moment
Our Reading Break in German
Use these gentle German phrases to make reading together calm and cosy. Use “Lass uns …” for shared activities and “bitte” to soften instructions.
What you'll learn
- Suggest reading activities with “let’s”.
- Give gentle instructions to one child.
- Recognise the command forms “lies”, “mach” and “hör”.
German phrases for our reading break
Lass uns ein Buch aussuchen.
Let's choose a book.
“Lass uns” introduces a shared activity. Put “aussuchen” (choose) at the end.
Setzen wir uns hierhin.
Let's sit here.
Another way to say “let’s”: start with the verb, then “wir”. “Uns” belongs to “sich setzen” (sit down).
Lass uns zusammen lesen.
Let's read together.
“Zusammen” means “together”.
Lass uns eine Pause machen.
Let's take a break.
German uses “eine Pause machen” for “take a break”.
Mach bitte das Buch auf.
Open the book, please.
“Aufmachen” means “open”. In this command, “auf” goes at the end.
Lies bitte langsam.
Read slowly, please.
“Lies” is the special command form of “lesen” for one child.
Versuch es bitte noch einmal.
Try again, please.
“Noch einmal” means “again” or “one more time”. “Es” means “it” here.
Hör bitte zu.
Listen, please.
“Zuhören” means “listen”. In this command, “zu” goes at the end.
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
das Buch
the book
Learn the noun with its article, “das”.
aussuchen
to choose
Useful when picking a book together.
hierhin
here; to this spot
Points to the place where you want to sit down.
zusammen
together
Use it for activities you share.
eine Pause machen
to take a break
Literally, “to make a break”.
langsam
slowly
Describes a gentle reading pace.
bitte
please
Softens an instruction, especially with a warm tone.
noch einmal
again; one more time
Useful for encouraging another try.
Suggesting activities with “let’s”
When speaking to one child, use “Lass uns” plus an infinitive at the end. You can also make a shared suggestion by placing the verb before “wir”.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lass uns | Lass uns + other words + infinitive. | Lass uns zusammen lesen. |
| Verb + wir | Verb + wir + other words. | Setzen wir uns hierhin. |
Gentle commands to one child
Use the informal singular command form without “du” (you). Add “bitte” and use a calm voice. Many commands use the verb stem, but “lesen” changes to “lies”.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Regular command | versuchen → Versuch … | Versuch es bitte noch einmal. |
| Irregular command | lesen → Lies … | Lies bitte langsam. |
Separable verbs
Some verbs have a detachable first part. In a direct command, that part moves to the end. After “Lass uns”, the infinitive stays together.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Open | aufmachen → Mach … auf. | Mach bitte das Buch auf. |
| Listen | zuhören → Hör … zu. | Hör bitte zu. |
| Choose together | Lass uns … aussuchen. | Lass uns ein Buch aussuchen. |
More examples
Lass uns hier zusammen lesen.
Let's read together here.
“Hier” tells us where; “zusammen” tells us we are doing it together.
Lies bitte noch einmal.
Read again, please.
A gentle request to repeat the reading.
Bitte mach das Buch auf.
Please open the book.
“Bitte” can also go at the beginning.