Making a complaint (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Making a complaint
Making complaints is an essential skill when travelling in German-speaking countries. You need to express dissatisfaction clearly and politely whilst using appropriate vocabulary and grammar structures.
Essential complaint vocabulary
Understanding key words helps you identify problems and express your concerns effectively.
Learning Strategy: Group vocabulary by theme (hotel, restaurant, transport) and practice with the specific scenarios you're most likely to encounter. Focus on adjectives that describe problems as these appear frequently in complaint situations.
| German | English | German | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koffer (m) | suitcase | langsam | slow |
| Manager (m) / Managerin (f) | manager | laut | loud |
| Messer (nt) | knife | leider | unfortunately |
| Teller (m) | plate | schmutzig | dirty |
| WLAN (nt) | Wi-Fi | sofort | immediately |
| German | English | German | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| frisch | fresh | zufrieden | content |
| hell | bright / light | funktionieren | to work |
| kalt | cold | riechen | to smell |
| kaputt | broken | sich beschweren (über) | to complain (about) |
Example sentences in context
Context Practice: Using Complaint Vocabulary
Present tense examples:
- Der Manager ist nicht hier. (The manager is not here.)
- Das WLAN funktioniert nicht. (The Wi-Fi doesn't work.)
- Mein Messer ist schmutzig. (My knife is dirty.)
Past tense examples:
- Das Essen war kalt. (The food was cold.)
- Der Service war langsam. (The service was slow.)
Key grammar: Expressing duration with "seit"
The word seit combined with the present tense expresses how long something has been happening. This structure is crucial for making effective complaints about ongoing problems.
Critical Grammar Rules for "seit":
- Seit + present tense = "have/has been doing something for..."
- Seit is always followed by the dative case
- Use this to emphasise how long a problem has persisted
- Common mistake: Don't use past tense with "seit" - always use present tense in German even though English uses perfect tense
How it works
Worked Example: "Seit" Structure
Structure examples:
- Seit einer halben Stunde = for half an hour
- Seit einer Stunde = for one hour
- Seit zwei Tagen = for two days
Complete sentences:
- Ich warte seit einer halben Stunde. (I've been waiting for half an hour.)
- Das Problem besteht seit zwei Tagen. (The problem has existed for two days.)
Pronunciation tip: "Seit" is pronounced like the English word "sight".
Common complaint scenarios
When making complaints, you'll typically encounter these situations. Learning the specific vocabulary for each scenario helps you communicate more effectively.
Hotel complaints
Hotels often generate complaints about facilities and services. Key areas include:
- Room conditions: Das Zimmer ist schmutzig (The room is dirty)
- Missing amenities: Es gibt keinen Platz für Koffer (There's no room for suitcases)
- Facilities: Das Schwimmbad ist geschlossen (The pool is closed)
Hotel Complaint Strategy: When complaining at hotels, always ask for the manager (Manager/Managerin) and be specific about what action you want - room change, refund, or repair service.
Restaurant complaints
Restaurant complaints typically focus on food quality and service:
- Food problems: Das Fleisch ist kalt (The meat is cold)
- Service issues: Der Service ist langsam (The service is slow)
- Equipment: Das Glas ist schmutzig (The glass is dirty)
- Waiting times: Ich warte seit einer Stunde (I've been waiting for an hour)
Translation practice
Translation Exercise: Complaint Scenarios
German to English:
- Ich habe Fisch bestellt, aber Sie haben mir Fleisch gebracht.
- Mein Glas ist schmutzig und der Service ist sehr langsam.
English to German:
- I ordered fresh fish but the food is cold.
- I want to speak to the manager immediately.
Answers:
- I ordered fish, but you brought me meat.
- My glass is dirty and the service is very slow.
- Ich habe frischen Fisch bestellt, aber das Essen ist kalt.
- Ich will sofort mit dem Manager sprechen.
Exam tips
These strategies will help you succeed in different types of exam questions involving complaints.
Reading comprehension
- Look for cognates (words similar to English) like "Manager" and "Hotel"
- Identify negative words like "nicht" and "kein" to understand complaints
- Pay attention to adjectives describing problems (schmutzig, kalt, kaputt)
Reading Tip: Complaint texts often follow predictable patterns - problem description, duration (with "seit"), and desired action. Use this structure to predict content even if you don't understand every word.
Listening exercises
- Focus on tone of voice - complaints often sound frustrated or firm
- Listen for time expressions with "seit" to understand duration
- Identify key complaint vocabulary from your revision
Writing and speaking
- Use polite phrases even when complaining
- Include specific details about the problem
- Mention how long the problem has existed using "seit"
- State what action you want (speaking to manager, refund, etc.)
Writing Strategy: Always balance politeness with firmness. Start with "Entschuldigung" (excuse me) and use "bitte" (please) but be clear about the problem and your expectations.
Dictation tips
- If you hear unfamiliar words, use your knowledge of German spelling patterns
- Context clues help you work out missing words
- Practice writing numbers and time expressions as these often appear in complaints
Key Points to Remember:
- Seit + present tense expresses duration of ongoing situations - always followed by dative case
- Learn complaint vocabulary in themed groups (hotel, restaurant, transport) for better retention
- Polite but firm tone is essential when making complaints in German-speaking countries
- Time expressions strengthen your complaint by showing how long problems have persisted
- Practice listening to complaint scenarios as they frequently appear in GCSE exams