My First German Phone: A Berlin Adventure

Okay, so this is a little embarrassing to admit, but I’m still struggling with German. I moved to Berlin about six months ago for a job as a freelance translator – mostly online, which is great – and honestly, every day feels like a new lesson. It’s not just the grammar, it’s… everything. The speed of conversation, the subtle changes in meaning, even just figuring out what people really mean.

Hello, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

The other day, I was chatting with Sarah, who I met at the Kiez (neighborhood) market in Kreuzberg, and she was talking about her phone. She said, “Hallo, hast du schon mal das Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge gesehen? Ja, klar! Ich habe eins. Ein 32 GB Modell.” (Hello, have you ever seen the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge? Yeah, of course! I have one. A 32 GB model.) Oh, cool! “Wie findest du das Gerät so?” (How do you like the device?) It’s really nice, but sometimes I find the user interface a little complicated.

I just… I don’t always get it. The camera is really good, though. But I also have a few problems with the updates. Have you ever tried to update the software? “Ja, ich habe versucht, aber es hat nicht funktioniert.” (Yes, I tried, but it didn’t work.) I saw the URL for the Amazon product too, I think I could take a look. [Read More I just checked it out! The reviews are good, but the price is a little high. “Stimmt, aber es ist ein tolles Gerät.” (That’s right, but it’s a great device.)

Edge Panels and Overpriced Phones

Then she started talking about the “Edge-Panels.” “Hast du schon mal die Edge-Panels ausprobiert?” (Have you ever tried the Edge panels?) Yes, of course! “Es ist wirklich praktisch, um Benachrichtigungen zu sehen.” (It’s really practical to see notifications.) I find it a bit over-priced for a smartphone, but I like the design. “Ich finde, es ist ein bisschen überteuert für ein Smartphone, aber ich mag das Design.” (I think it’s a little overpriced for a smartphone, but I like the design.) I get what you mean. “Ich verstehe, was du meinst.” (I understand what you mean.) But the performance is still good. “Aber die Leistung ist trotzdem gut.” (But the performance is still good.) “Ja, ich denke, es ist ein guter Trade-off.” (Yes, I think it’s a good trade-off.)

Maybe I should take a closer look at the device when I need to replace my old smartphone. “Vielleicht sollte ich mir das Gerät genauer ansehen, wenn ich mein altes Smartphone austauschen muss.” (Maybe I should take a closer look at the device when I need to replace my old smartphone.) That would be a good idea!

A Good Device, Maybe?

“Es ist ein sehr gutes Smartphone,” she said. (It’s a very good smartphone.) “Ja, das denke ich auch.” (Yes, I think so too.)

I’m still learning, of course. I accidentally asked a Bäckerei (bakery) worker for “ein Käse-Brot” (a cheese bread – I meant a Brötchen (roll)) yesterday! It was embarrassing, but he just laughed and said, “Ach, keine Sorge! (Oh, don’t worry!)” It’s like, I’m making so many little mistakes.

But honestly, even with the awkward moments, it’s good to have a phone. It helps me order Pizza (pizza) from that great place near my apartment – Pizza Napoli – and navigate Berlin with Google Maps. I’m still figuring things out, but at least I have a little bit of technology to help me along.