The idea
Many German sports clubs, dance schools, music schools and choirs offer a Schnupperstunde or Probetraining: one or a few sessions to see whether the activity suits you. These are often free or cheap, but not always, so ask. Joining a Verein usually means filling in a membership form (Mitgliedsantrag) and paying a regular membership fee (Mitgliedsbeitrag); some clubs have notice periods for leaving, which you should check before signing. Grammar: “reinschnuppern” is the colloquial short form of “hineinschnuppern”, literally to sniff your way in; “schnuppern” means to sniff.
Other ways to say it
“Kann ich erst mal ein Probetraining machen?” – Common in sports clubs; casual “erst mal”.
“Kostet die Schnupperstunde etwas?” – Direct and neutral question about cost.
“Muss ich nach dem Probetraining gleich Mitglied werden?” – Asks whether a trial leads straight to membership.
Examples
- Was bedeutet bei eurem Angebot erst einmal reinschnuppern?What does trying it out first mean in your offer?
- Du kannst dir zunächst eine unserer Gruppenstunden ansehen.You can first observe one of our group sessions.
- Ist damit schon eine feste Teilnahme vereinbart?Does that already agree to regular participation?
- Das besprechen wir bei uns erst nach dem Besuch.In our group, we discuss that only after the visit.
- Dann frage ich vorher auch nach möglichen Kosten.Then I will also ask about any possible costs beforehand.
- Gut, kläre die konkreten Bedingungen statt nur das lockere Wort.Good; clarify the specific conditions rather than just the casual expression.
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Watch out
“Kann ich eine Probetraining machen?” → “Kann ich ein Probetraining machen?”: Compound nouns take the gender of their last part. “Das Training” is neuter, so “das Probetraining” needs the neuter article “ein”, even though “die Probe” is feminine.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: What does trying it out first mean in your offer?
Show answer or example answer
Was bedeutet bei eurem Angebot erst einmal reinschnuppern?
“Was bedeutet …?” asks for a meaning; the colloquial phrase “erst einmal reinschnuppern” is quoted at the end. “Bei eurem Angebot” is dative neuter.
Put the words in order: damit / eine / feste / Ist / schon / Teilnahme / vereinbart
Show answer or example answer
Ist damit schon eine feste Teilnahme vereinbart?
“Ist … vereinbart” is a state passive: the question is whether an agreement already exists. “Damit” means “by that”, referring to the trial visit.
Write this sentence in German: Good; clarify the specific conditions rather than just the casual expression.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, kläre die konkreten Bedingungen statt nur das lockere Wort.
“Kläre” is the du imperative. “Statt” links two accusative objects, “die konkreten Bedingungen” and “das lockere Wort”, contrasting facts with loose wording.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: What does trying it out first mean in your offer?
Was bedeutet bei eurem Angebot erst einmal reinschnuppern?
Put the words in order: damit / eine / feste / Ist / schon / Teilnahme / vereinbart
Ist damit schon eine feste Teilnahme vereinbart?
Write this sentence in German: Good; clarify the specific conditions rather than just the casual expression.
Gut, kläre die konkreten Bedingungen statt nur das lockere Wort.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Choose a sports club or choir near you. Write an email asking whether you can attend a trial session, whether it costs anything and what happens afterwards.