My Adventures in German: Talking About Entertainment (and Finding My Opinion!)

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin. It’s… intense. The culture shock hits you in waves, especially when you try to actually talk to people. I thought I was pretty good at English, but German is a whole different beast. One of the biggest hurdles has been just knowing what to say, especially when it comes to something as personal as my tastes in movies and music. I realized early on that just saying “I like this” wasn’t cutting it. Germans, it turns out, really want to know why you like something. And that’s where things got tricky.

The “Finde ich…” Problem

The first few times I tried to express my opinion, I stumbled. I’d say, “Ich mag Das Boot,” and they’d look at me with this polite, slightly confused expression. Then they’d launch into a long explanation of its historical significance, which, while fascinating, wasn’t exactly a response to my enjoyment. It was then I realised I needed to use “finden”.

“Finden” is tricky. It’s not just “think” or “feel.” It’s about forming an opinion, a judgment. I kept hearing people use it in conversations like this:

“Hast du das neue Taylor Swift Album gehört?” (Have you heard Taylor Swift’s new album?)

“Ja, ein bisschen. Ich finde es ziemlich gut.” (Yes, a little. I find it pretty good.)

See? I didn’t just say I liked it. I was stating my opinion – I found it good.

Movie Night with Lena

Last week, I met up with Lena, a colleague I’d started chatting with at work. We decided to have a Filmabend (movie night). I was excited, but also a little nervous. I wanted to be able to really connect with her.

We were watching a German film, Toni Erdmann, and I was completely captivated. It’s ridiculous, heartfelt, and brilliantly acted. I wanted to tell Lena how much I was enjoying it.

“Es ist wirklich toll, oder?” (Isn’t it really great?) I asked, a little hesitantly.

Lena nodded, but then said, “Ich finde es… intensiv. Aber manchmal ist es zu dramatisch, nicht wahr?” (I find it… intense. But sometimes it’s too dramatic, don’t you think?)

I realized I hadn’t explained why I thought it was great. I blurted out, “Ja, ich finde es toll, weil es zeigt, wie schwierig die Beziehung zwischen Vater und Tochter sein kann!” (Yes, I find it great because it shows how difficult the relationship between a father and daughter can be!).

Lena’s face lit up. “Ah, jetzt verstehe ich! Das ist eine gute Erklärung!” (Ah, now I understand! That’s a good explanation!)

It felt amazing to actually articulate my opinion, and even better that she understood.

Music Discussions – A Little More Sensitive

Talking about music was even harder. It felt… personal. I love Indie Rock, particularly bands like The National. Trying to describe my taste felt awkward.

I was at a Wirtshaus (tavern) with some friends, and they asked me about my music.

“Was hörst du denn so?” (What kind of music do you listen to?)

I started to say, “Ich mag The National, they’re really… melancholic and atmospheric…” but then I trailed off, suddenly feeling self-conscious. One of my friends, Markus, gently said, “Findest du them melancholic?” (Do you find them melancholic?)

It shifted the conversation. I explained why I connected with their music—the lyrics, the instrumentation, the overall mood. “Ich finde, dass ihre Musik mich sehr berührt,” (I find that their music really touches me.) It was a much more natural and comfortable way to express myself.

Common Phrases and Mistakes

Here are a few phrases I’ve found really helpful:

• “Ich finde, dass…” (I find that…) – This is your go-to for opinions.
• “Ich finde es…” (I find it… – To describe things you like or dislike)
• “Findest du das auch?” (Do you find that too?) – Great for agreeing or disagreeing with someone’s opinion.
• “Ich finde es schade,” (I find it a shame) – When expressing disappointment.

I’ve also made some hilarious mistakes! I once tried to say I disliked a particularly cheesy German pop song, and I accidentally said, “Ich finde es… wunderschön!” (I find it… beautiful!) My friends nearly choked on their beer. It’s important to be aware of the nuances of the language and not be afraid to ask for clarification.

Moving Forward

Learning to express my opinions in German has been a real challenge, but a rewarding one. It’s not just about translating words; it’s about understanding the underlying intention behind the conversation. I’m still making mistakes, definitely, but I’m getting better at articulating my tastes and, more importantly, understanding the perspectives of others. And honestly, that’s what this whole immersion experience is about – building connections and finding common ground, one opinion, and one finde ich at a time.