My First Month in Munich: Tackling “Wie” and “Was” – Describing Routines

Okay, so things are… overwhelming. Seriously. Moving to Munich from London was a huge step, and while I absolutely love the city – the beer gardens, the mountains, the ridiculously efficient public transport – I’m also realizing how much I didn’t actually know. I thought I’d mastered German, but suddenly, every conversation feels like an uphill battle, especially when it comes to the simplest things: talking about what I do every day. It’s not just about ordering a coffee, it’s about explaining that I do.

The Initial Confusion – “Wie” vs. “Was”

The first few weeks, I kept getting it completely wrong. I’d say things like “Ich mache jeden Tag arbeiten” (I work every day) and everyone would stare at me. Turns out, “arbeiten” means to work a job, not to do things in general. That’s where “wie” and “was” come in. “Was” is “what,” and “wie” is “how.” It’s a ridiculously simple difference, but my brain just wasn’t processing it.

I remember trying to tell my colleague, Klaus, what I did after work. I blurted out, “Ich was die Wohnung!” (I clean the apartment!) He looked so confused. Finally, he patiently explained, “Nein, nein. Du putzt die Wohnung” (No, no. You clean the apartment). The difference is subtle, but crucial!

Building My Vocabulary – Daily Routine Essentials

So, I’ve started building a little phrasebook specifically for describing my routines. It’s embarrassing, I know, but it’s helping. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

• Ich stehe auf: (I get up) – This is a super common one.
• Ich frühstücke: (I have breakfast) – I’ve been trying to master the different types of breakfast – “Ein Stück Brot mit Marmelade” (A piece of bread with jam) is a surprisingly popular choice!
• Ich gehe ins Fitnessstudio: (I go to the gym) – I’m trying to be healthy, you know?
• Ich lese: (I read) – I’m devouring German novels, though I mostly understand them with Google Translate.
• Ich koche: (I cook) – I’m attempting to make “Spätzle” (a type of German pasta) – so far, it’s been… experimental.
• Ich schaue fern: (I watch TV) – A guilty pleasure.

Real-Life Conversations – Practice Makes… Less Confused?

Yesterday, I was talking to my landlord, Herr Schmidt, about my morning. I wanted to tell him I usually make coffee and then read the newspaper. I started with, “Ich mache Kaffee und… was?” He immediately stopped me. “Nein, nein! Du trinkst Kaffee!” (No, no! You drink coffee!). It was a small thing, but it highlighted just how much I was relying on English structures.

Later, I practiced with a friend, Sarah, who’s been living in Munich for five years. We were chatting about our weekends, and I finally felt a little more confident. “Am Samstag gehe ich zum Markt” (On Saturday I go to the market). “Das ist toll!” she said, “What else do you do?” I explained my routine, focusing on using “wie” and “was” correctly. It felt amazing to finally articulate myself clearly.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

I’ve also realized that I tend to over-explain. Germans, I’m learning, appreciate brevity. Instead of saying, “Ich gehe nach Hause, um meine Wohnung zu putzen,” (I go home to clean my apartment), I need to just say, “Ich putze die Wohnung” (I clean the apartment). It sounds much more natural.

Another mistake I keep making is using the correct prepositions. “Ich bin in der Küche” (I am in the kitchen) is correct. “Ich bin at der Küche” is… not. Seriously!

My Progress – Small Steps, Big Wins

It’s still a work in progress, obviously. I still stumble over words and sometimes use the wrong verb tense. But I’m starting to feel more comfortable. I’m noticing that people are more patient with me, and I’m starting to understand them better too. And that’s the most important thing.

My goal is to keep practicing, keep making mistakes, and keep learning. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll actually be able to confidently say, “Ich habe einen normalen Tag” (I have a normal day) without feeling completely flustered. Ich glaube es! (I believe it!)