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How to Say ‘Are those your kids over there on the playground?’ in German

Sind das Ihre Kinder dort auf dem Spielplatz?

zint dahs EE-re KIN-der dohrt owf dehm SHPEEL-plats

[zint dahs EE-re KIN-der dohrt owf dehm SHPEEL-plats]

🇩🇪 In Germany: At a German playground, chatting with another parent about their kids is one of the easiest openers there is. Keep Sie until they suggest du; many parents switch quickly.

Phrase Breakdown

Sind das Ihre Kinder

zint dahs EE-re KIN-der

Are those your children

This is a polite yes/no question with the verb first. Let your voice rise slightly toward the end.

Example

Sind das Ihre Kinder im Garten?

Are those your children in the garden?

Words in this phrase

Sind

[zint]

are

Form of 'sein' meaning 'are' with 'wir.'

Example

Wir sind heute für Sie da.

We are here for you today.

das

[dahs]

that / this

A common neuter demonstrative or article meaning 'that' or 'this,' depending on context.

Example

Das ist ganz normal.

That is completely normal.

Ihre

[EE-re]

your (formal)

Belonging to or associated with the person or people being spoken to formally.

Example

Ihre Meinung zählt.

Your opinion matters.

Kinder

[KIN-der]

children

Plural noun referring to kids; useful when discussing family-friendly seating.

Example

Für Kinder ist ein ruhiger Bereich oft besser.

For children, a quiet area is often better.

dort auf dem Spielplatz?

dohrt owf dehm SHPEEL-plats

there at the playground?

This adds where the children are. Pronounce it 'SHPEEL-plats' with a rising tone at the end.

Example

Wir treffen uns dort auf dem Spielplatz.

We'll meet there at the playground.

Words in this phrase

dort

[dohrt]

there

At that location or place.

Example

Dort ist ein Baum.

There is a tree.

auf

[owf]

Used to denote a position above something.

Example

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.

The book is on the table.

dem

[dehm]

the

A definite article used before a noun to specify it as something known or unique.

Example

Die Kinder spielen im Garten dem Hauses.

The children play in the garden of the house.

Spielplatz

[SHPEEL-plats]

playground

A public area with swings and slides where children play; masculine noun.

Example

Wir gehen heute auf den Spielplatz.

We are going to the playground today.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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