My First Month in Berlin: Mastering the Art of ‘Was machst du?’

Okay, deep breath. Moving to Berlin was… a lot. The sheer size of everything, the pace of life, the way people just talk – it was overwhelming at first. I’d spent months studying German, crammed vocab lists, and practiced my pronunciation until my tongue felt like it was fighting itself. But nothing really prepared me for actually using it, especially when it came to the simplest things like talking about my daily routine. That’s where things got… interesting.

The Initial Confusion: ‘Wie’ vs. ‘Was’

The first week was a blur of “Entschuldigung,” “Ich verstehe nicht,” and feeling desperately embarrassed. I kept getting “Wie” and “Was” confused. Seriously, it’s a huge difference! “Wie” is “How,” and “Was” is “What.” I’d be standing in the supermarket, trying to ask for milk, and I’d blurt out, “Wie viel Milch haben Sie?” (How much milk do you have?) and the poor woman behind the counter would stare at me like I’d grown a second head.

Later, after a few gentle corrections from my roommate, Sarah, I finally understood. “Was machst du am Morgen?” (What do you do in the morning?) – that’s the key to understanding routines. I’d been trying to ask ‘How’ about it the entire time!

A Typical Morning (My Version)

Let’s talk about my mornings. They’re… chaotic. I wake up around 8:00 Uhr, usually to the sound of the S-Bahn (the subway). “Guten Morgen!” I say to Sarah, and she’ll usually just grunt and say, “Schon wach?” (Already awake?).

My routine goes something like this:

• Ich stehe auf (I get up) – 8:03 Uhr, usually.
• Ich gehe ins Badezimmer (I go to the bathroom) – “Wie lange duschst du?” (How long do you shower?) – I accidentally asked this to a guy brushing his teeth! Mortifying.
• Ich mache das Frühstück (I make breakfast) – I try to make Haferbrei (oatmeal) – it’s proving to be a challenge. Yesterday, it looked like wallpaper paste.
• Ich lese die Zeitung (I read the newspaper) – “Die Bild” is… an experience. It’s sensationalist, but it’s how most people get their news.

I’d try to say to Sarah, “Ich mache Haferbrei und lese die Zeitung.” (I’m making oatmeal and reading the newspaper.) She’d reply with a distracted, “Okay,” and continue scrolling through her phone. It’s funny, though, because I know I sound incredibly basic.

Talking About Dinner: ‘Was kochen wir?’

Dinner is another tricky area. My attempts at initiating conversation about it usually end in awkward silence.

Last night, I wanted to know what Sarah was planning to cook. I asked, “Was kochen wir heute Abend?” (What are we cooking tonight?).

She looked at me blankly and said, “Ich weiß nicht. Vielleicht Pasta?” (I don’t know. Maybe pasta?).

I wanted to be polite and helpful, so I offered, “Ich kann helfen!” (I can help!). She just smiled and said, “Okay, vielleicht schneidest du die Tomaten.” (Okay, maybe you cut the tomatoes.)

It’s amazing how a simple question can feel so loaded. There’s an unspoken pressure to contribute, to actually do something.

Common Mistakes and How I’m Learning

I’ve learned a few things quickly. Firstly, Germans are very direct. Don’t beat around the bush. Secondly, they value efficiency. Rambling explanations are considered rude. And thirdly, it’s okay to make mistakes! Everyone, even native speakers, make them.

I’m starting to build up a little confidence. I still stumble over sentences, and my pronunciation isn’t perfect (seriously, please tell me if I’m butchering the ‘ch’ sound!), but I’m getting better.

Today, I managed to ask a barista at my local coffee shop, “Was kostet ein Cappuccino?” (How much is a cappuccino?) without completely embarrassing myself. It was a small victory, but a really good one.

My goal now is to just keep practicing. “Was machst du?” I’m going to keep asking, and hopefully, eventually, I’ll actually understand the answers. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll master the art of not confusing “Wie” and “Was.” Wish me luck!