Lesson 86 · German A1-2

At the Hardware Store

Im Baumarkt

Setting up a German apartment often means a Baumarkt trip - German apartments famously come unfurnished, sometimes without even light fixtures or a kitchen (Lesson 8's Wohnung reality). This vocabulary set gets you through basic DIY shopping.

Today's win: ask for basic hardware items and describe a simple home repair need.

Core vocabulary

der Baumarkthardware/DIY storedie Glühbirnelightbulb
der Schraubenzieherscrewdriverder Nagelnail
die Lampelamp/light fixturedas Werkzeugtool(s)

Asking for items

Wo finde ich Glühbirnen? (Where do I find lightbulbs?)
Ich brauche einen Schraubenzieher. (I need a screwdriver.)
Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe? (Do you have that in a different size?)

Describing a repair need

Die Lampe funktioniert nicht. (reusing Lesson 59)
Ich muss ein Regal aufbauen. (I need to assemble a shelf. - müssen, Lesson 49)
Try it out loud: describe one thing you'd need to buy or fix when moving into an unfurnished German apartment.

Quick recall check

1. "Where do I find lightbulbs?" - Wo ______ ich Glühbirnen?

Show answer
finde

2. What's the German word for "screwdriver"?

Show answer
Schraubenzieher

3. "I need to assemble a shelf." - Ich ______ ein Regal aufbauen.

Show answer
muss

4. What's the article for "Lampe" (lamp)?

Show answer
die

5. What's the German word for "tool(s)"?

Show answer
Werkzeug

Primary source

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

Setting up an unfurnished apartment and need specific vocabulary? Ask your teaching agent.