The idea
Ausfallen (to fail, stop working) describes a change of state and takes sein in the perfect: ist ausgefallen. Similar verbs: kaputtgehen (ist kaputtgegangen), stehen bleiben. Positions are given with links/rechts plus an or neben with the dative: links am Fenster, neben der Tür. “Ist … gemeldet worden?” is the perfect passive. “Die zuständige Stelle” is a deliberately general term for whichever department handles the issue, such as maintenance (Haustechnik).
Other ways to say it
“Die Leselampe im Gemeinschaftsraum geht nicht mehr.” – Everyday spoken version; gehen means to work here.
“Ich möchte einen Defekt an der Leselampe melden.” – Neutral opening for a call or form to maintenance.
“Im Gemeinschaftsraum ist eine Lampe kaputt, links am Fenster.” – Casual, with the position added at the end.
Examples
- Im Gemeinschaftsraum ist die Leselampe ausgefallen.The reading lamp in the common room has stopped working.
- Ist das Problem bereits gemeldet worden?Has the problem already been reported?
- Dazu finde ich bisher keinen Eintrag.I cannot find an entry about it yet.
- Dann geben Sie die genaue Stelle an.Then specify the exact location.
- Es ist die Lampe links am Fenster.It is the lamp on the left by the window.
- Ich melde diese Beobachtung an die zuständige Stelle.I will report this observation to the responsible contact.
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Watch out
“Im Gemeinschaftsraum hat die Leselampe ausgefallen.” → “Im Gemeinschaftsraum ist die Leselampe ausgefallen.”: Verbs that describe a change of state, like ausfallen, form the perfect with sein. Learners pick haben because most verbs use it, but a lamp does not do something, it changes state.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: The reading lamp in the common room has stopped working.
Show answer or example answer
Im Gemeinschaftsraum ist die Leselampe ausgefallen.
“Im Gemeinschaftsraum” opens, so the auxiliary “ist” is second. The participle “ausgefallen” goes last; ausfallen takes sein because it describes a change of state.
Put the words in order: bisher / Dazu / Eintrag / finde / ich / keinen
Show answer or example answer
Dazu finde ich bisher keinen Eintrag.
“Dazu” means “about this” and refers to the lamp. “Keinen Eintrag” negates the masculine accusative noun; “bisher” means “so far”.
Write this sentence in German: I will report this observation to the responsible contact.
Show answer or example answer
Ich melde diese Beobachtung an die zuständige Stelle.
“Melden an” plus accusative names the recipient: an die zuständige Stelle. “Diese Beobachtung” presents the report as a fact you saw, nothing more.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: The reading lamp in the common room has stopped working.
Im Gemeinschaftsraum ist die Leselampe ausgefallen.
Put the words in order: bisher / Dazu / Eintrag / finde / ich / keinen
Dazu finde ich bisher keinen Eintrag.
Write this sentence in German: I will report this observation to the responsible contact.
Ich melde diese Beobachtung an die zuständige Stelle.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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In the dining room, the light above the second table flickers. Write a short report for maintenance with the room, the exact position and what you observed.