The idea
For things and topics, German replaces über + pronoun with a da-compound: darüber, not über das. For people, keep the preposition: über ihn. Placing darüber first stresses the topic. “Lass uns …” (let us) is the friendly du form for suggestions. Sich unterhalten über means to chat about; the question form is worüber. “Schon gut” means “it is fine”.
Other ways to say it
“Das ist mir gerade zu persönlich.” – Clear but kind; mir is dative.
“Können wir ein anderes Mal darüber reden?” – Postpones the topic instead of closing it.
Examples
- Darüber möchte ich heute lieber nicht sprechen.I would rather not talk about that today.
- Entschuldige, ich wollte nicht aufdringlich sein.Sorry; I did not mean to be intrusive.
- Schon gut, lass uns das Thema wechseln.It is all right; let us change the subject.
- Worüber würdest du dich lieber unterhalten?What would you rather talk about?
- Erzähl mir doch von deinem neuen Hobby.Tell me about your new hobby.
- Gern, damit habe ich letzte Woche angefangen.Gladly; I started it last week.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
“Über das möchte ich heute nicht sprechen.” → “Darüber möchte ich heute nicht sprechen.”: When a preposition refers to a thing or topic, German uses a da-compound: da + über = darüber. Über das sounds clumsy and is avoided in standard German.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: I would rather not talk about that today.
Show answer or example answer
Darüber möchte ich heute lieber nicht sprechen.
“Darüber” opens the sentence for focus; “möchte” is second, “lieber nicht” softens, and “sprechen” ends it.
Put the words in order: das / gut / lass / Schon / Thema / uns / wechseln
Show answer or example answer
Schon gut, lass uns das Thema wechseln.
“Schon gut” calms the friend; “lass uns” plus infinitive “wechseln” is a joint suggestion in the du form.
Write this sentence in German: Gladly; I started it last week.
Show answer or example answer
Gern, damit habe ich letzte Woche angefangen.
“Gern” accepts the topic; “damit” refers to the hobby, and “angefangen” is the perfect of anfangen mit.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: I would rather not talk about that today.
Darüber möchte ich heute lieber nicht sprechen.
Put the words in order: das / gut / lass / Schon / Thema / uns / wechseln
Schon gut, lass uns das Thema wechseln.
Write this sentence in German: Gladly; I started it last week.
Gern, damit habe ich letzte Woche angefangen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write a short dialogue in which you kindly decline a question about salary or family plans and steer the talk to another topic.