Lesson 51 · German A1-2

Setting Up Utilities

Strom, Internet und mehr anmelden

After the apartment (Lesson 8) and the Anmeldung (Lesson 9), setting up electricity and internet is one of the last practical steps of a real move - and one this course hasn't covered yet. It reuses anmelden (Lesson 9) in a new, very literal context: signing up for a service.

Today's win: sign up for electricity and internet, and understand a basic utility bill.

Core utility nouns

der Stromelectricitydas Internetinternet
der Anbieterproviderder Vertragcontract
die Rechnungbillder Zählermeter

Signing up

Ich möchte Strom anmelden. (I'd like to sign up for electricity.)
Wie lange läuft der Vertrag? (How long does the contract run?)
Wann kann das Internet installiert werden? (When can the internet be installed?)

Reading the meter and bill

Wie ist der Zählerstand? (What's the meter reading?)
Die Rechnung kommt monatlich. (The bill comes monthly.)

You'll often be asked for the Zählerstand (meter reading) when you move in - worth photographing your meter on day one so you have the number ready.

Canceling a contract (useful vocabulary even before you need it)

Ich möchte den Vertrag kündigen. (I'd like to cancel the contract.)
Try it out loud: role-play calling a provider to sign up for internet - state what you want, ask how long the contract runs, and ask when it can be installed.

Quick recall check

1. "I'd like to sign up for electricity." - Ich möchte Strom ______.

Show answer
anmelden

2. What's the German word for "meter reading"?

Show answer
Zählerstand

3. "I'd like to cancel the contract." - Ich möchte den Vertrag ______.

Show answer
kündigen

4. What's the article for "Rechnung" (bill)?

Show answer
die

5. What's the German word for "provider"?

Show answer
Anbieter

Primary source

Vocabulary cross-checked against the "Wohnen" topic in the Deutsch Online A1 course glossary.

Have a real utility contract or bill you're trying to read? Ask your teaching agent to go through it with you.

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