My First Weekend in Germany: Sharing Plans and a Lot of “Nein”

Okay, so here I am, almost a month into living in Munich. It’s… intense. Amazing, overwhelming, confusing, but mostly amazing. The biggest challenge isn’t the language, though that’s definitely a struggle, it’s really connecting with people. I’ve moved here for work, a really good opportunity, but honestly, feeling settled comes down to having people to share things with. That’s why I wanted to talk about something that’s been really important: figuring out how to talk about weekend plans in German.

The First Conversation: Sarah and “Was machst du am Wochenende?”

Last Saturday, I met up with Sarah, a colleague I’d been chatting with at work. I really wanted to seem friendly and open, so I asked her, “Sarah, was machst du am Wochenende?” (Sarah, what are you doing this weekend?).

She looked a little surprised. “Ähm… nicht viel,” she said, which I quickly realized means “not much.” I tried to follow up, wanting to suggest something, but my German tripped me up. I blurted out, “Ich gehe ins Kino!” (I’m going to the cinema!).

She frowned slightly. “Das ist nett, aber… warum alleine?” (That’s nice, but… why alone?)

Oh dear. I felt my face turn red. I’d completely forgotten the cultural awkwardness of offering a single person an activity. Apparently, suggesting something alone isn’t quite the norm. It took a few awkward explanations and her gently suggesting we grab a ‘Bier’ (beer) at a local ‘Platz’ (square) to realize that. She explained that usually people invite others, or do things in groups. It was a really good, honest lesson in social customs.

Learning the Phrases: Beyond “Was machst du?”

I realized I needed to move beyond just asking “Was machst du am Wochenende?” It’s fine, but it doesn’t really invite a response. Here are some useful phrases I’ve picked up:

• “Ich würde gern mit Freunden etwas unternehmen.” (I’d like to do something with friends.) – Useful when you want to express your desire for a group activity.
• “Hast du Lust, mit mir [Aktivität] zu machen?” (Do you feel like doing [activity] with me?) – This is much more inviting! For example, “Hast du Lust, mit mir ins Schwimmbad zu machen?” (Do you feel like doing [activity] with me?) – Swimming pool.
• “Ich gehe vielleicht ins Restaurant.” (I might go to a restaurant.) – It’s polite to offer a simpler option if someone doesn’t want to hang out.
• “Ich bin noch am Überlegen.” (I’m still thinking about it.) – This is your graceful escape route if you’re not ready to commit.

My Most Embarrassing Weekend Plan (and How I Fixed It)

Last week, emboldened (perhaps a little too much), I told my flatmates, Markus and Lena, that I was planning on going “wandern” (hiking) in the Bavarian Alps. I pictured us all, rugged and adventurous, conquering a mountain.

It quickly became clear that my idea of “wandern” was significantly different from theirs. Markus and Lena wanted a serious hike – multiple hours, proper hiking boots, a packed lunch. I, meanwhile, was picturing a leisurely stroll with a coffee and a croissant.

We ended up laughing about it, and they suggested a shorter, easier trail. “Es ist doch egal,” Lena said (It doesn’t matter), “Wir müssen es uns schön machen!” (We need to make it nice!). That’s when I realized that sometimes, a bit of flexibility is key, especially when you’re still figuring things out.

Past Experiences & Sharing Stories

I’ve found that talking about past weekends is a fantastic way to build connections. Even small things are important. I told Markus about a disastrous attempt to bake a ‘Kuchen’ (cake) – it collapsed! He told me about a time he tried to learn to play the ‘Gitarre’ (guitar) and it sounded awful. Sharing these slightly embarrassing moments makes us feel more relatable and less intimidating.

• A useful phrase for this: “Ich erinnere mich noch…” (I still remember…) followed by a short story. For example, “Ich erinnere mich noch, als ich versucht habe, Pizza selbst zu machen.” (I still remember when I tried to make pizza myself).

Vocabulary Recap: Quick & Useful

Here’s a little list to help you start:

• Wochenende – Weekend
• Was machst du? – What are you doing?
• Bier – Beer
• Platz – Square (public place)
• Kino – Cinema
• Restaurant – Restaurant
• Wandern – Hiking
• Kuchen – Cake
• Gitarre – Guitar
• Ich bin noch am Überlegen. – I’m still thinking about it.

I’m still making mistakes, I’m sure, but I’m learning. And honestly, I think the biggest thing is just taking the initiative. Next weekend, I’m going to try inviting Sarah and Markus to my flat for a simple ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’. Wish me luck! Ich hoffe, es klappt! (I hope it works out!)