Something is broken in the flat in German

1. 1
   kaputt/kaˈpʊt/

   brokenadjective

   Damaged and no longer usable.
2. 2
   tropfen/ˈtʁɔpfən/

   to dripverb

   To lose water in small drops.
3. 3
   Wasserhahn/ˈvasɐhaːn/

   tapnoun

   A valve that lets water run out.
4. 4

   Abflussdrain

5. 5

   verstopftblocked

6. 6

   Rohrbruchburst pipe

7. 7

   Sicherungfuse

8. 8

   Glühbirnelight bulb

9. 9

   austauschento replace

10. 10

    Klempnerplumber

The sentences3 of 10

1. Die Heizung im Schlafzimmer ist seit gestern kaputt.

   The heating in the bedroom has been broken since yesterday.

2. Der Wasserhahn im Bad hört nicht auf zu tropfen.

   The bathroom tap won't stop dripping.

3. Können Sie den Wasserhahn in der Küche reparieren lassen?

   Could you have the kitchen tap repaired?

Pronunciation

• kaputt/kaˈpʊt/

  The stress is on the second syllable: ka-PUTT.

• tropfen/ˈtʁɔpfən/

  The pf is a single sound: p and f said quickly together, as in Apfel.

• Wasserhahn/ˈvasɐhaːn/

  The a in -hahn is long, as in Bahn.

Good to know

Vermieter

You usually report damage first to the landlord or the property management, mostly by phone or email. It is best to also send a short written message, so the report is on record.

Hausverwaltung

In many apartment buildings the contact is not the owner but a property management company. Its number is often in the rental contract or in the stairwell.

Notdienst

For a burst pipe or a power cut in the evening or at the weekend, there are emergency services run by tradespeople. Ask the landlord first who should hire the tradesman.

Sicherungskasten

The fuses are usually in a box in the flat, in the hallway or in the cellar. Ask the landlord if you cannot find it.