The au sound as in Haus in German

1. 1
   Haus/haʊ̯s/

   housenoun

   A building where people live.
2. 2
   Kaufhaus/ˈkaʊ̯fhaʊ̯s/

   department storenoun

   A large store with many departments.
3. 3
   Hausnummer/ˈhaʊ̯snʊmɐ/

   house numbernoun

   The number a house has on its street.
4. 4
   kaufen/ˈkaʊ̯fən/

   to buyverb

   To get something for money.
5. 5
   brauchen/ˈbʁaʊ̯xən/

   to needverb

   To need something.
6. 6
   schauen/ˈʃaʊ̯ən/

   to lookverb

   To direct your eyes at something.
7. 7
   laufen/ˈlaʊ̯fən/

   to walkverb

   To move from place to place on foot.
8. 8
   Auswahl/ˈaʊ̯svaːl/

   selectionnoun

   The goods a store offers.
9. 9
   Ausgang/ˈaʊ̯sɡaŋ/

   exitnoun

   The door you go out through.
10. 10
    sauber/ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/

    cleanadjective

    Without dirt or stains.

The sentences

1. Das Geschäft ist im nächsten Haus links.

   The shop is in the next building on the left.

2. Entschuldigung, wo ist hier das nächste Kaufhaus?

   Excuse me, where is the nearest department store?

3. Welche Hausnummer hat das Kaufhaus in dieser Straße?

   What's the street number of the department store on this street?

4. Wo kann ich hier eine Zahnbürste kaufen?

   Where can I buy a toothbrush around here?

5. Wir brauchen noch Sonnencreme für die Reise.

   We still need sunscreen for the trip.

6. Können Sie bitte schauen, ob Sie das noch haben?

   Could you please check whether you still have this?

7. Kann ich zum Kaufhaus laufen, oder ist es weit?

   Can I walk to the department store, or is it far?

8. Sie haben hier wirklich eine große Auswahl.

   You really have a big selection here.

9. Entschuldigung, wo ist hier der Ausgang?

   Excuse me, where is the exit?

10. Die Toiletten im Kaufhaus sind zum Glück sauber.

    Luckily, the restrooms in the department store are clean.

Pronunciation

• Kaufhaus/ˈkaʊ̯fhaʊ̯s/

  The stress is on Kauf, not on haus.

• Hausnummer/ˈhaʊ̯snʊmɐ/

  The u in nummer is short, as in Mutter.

• brauchen/ˈbʁaʊ̯xən/

  The ch after au is the back sound, as in Bach.

• Ausgang/ˈaʊ̯sɡaŋ/

  The ng at the end sounds like in lang, with no audible g.

• sauber/ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/

  The ending -er sounds like a short a, not like a clear r.

Good to know

Kaufhaus

A Kaufhaus sells many kinds of goods under one roof, spread over several floors: clothing, household items and drugstore products. In smaller towns it is often in the pedestrian zone.

Ladenschluss

Shops in Germany usually close in the early evening, and department stores often around 8 p.m. Most shops are closed on Sundays, and exact hours vary by state and town.

Pfand

On many drink bottles and cans you pay a deposit, called Pfand, which you get back when you return them at a supermarket. It usually appears as a separate amount on the receipt.

Kartenzahlung

Paying by card is normal in department stores, but smaller shops often still take only cash. If in doubt, ask beforehand whether you can pay by card.

Questions

How do you ask where the nearest department store is in German?

You can say "Entschuldigung, wo ist hier das nächste Kaufhaus?" A Kaufhaus is a large store with many departments.

How do you ask where the exit is in German?

Say "Entschuldigung, wo ist hier der Ausgang?" Der Ausgang is the door you go out through.

How do you say you need something in German?

Use the verb brauchen, as in "Wir brauchen noch Sonnencreme für die Reise." It means to need something.