Thursday, 17 September 2026

Thursday the 17th of September, 2026

A famous bridge in  Venice

Welcome back to English Warmups.  Please translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions. 

Hallo, wie geht es Ihnen?

Gut, danke.

Haben Sie die Neuigkeiten aus Venedig gehört?

Sind es gute oder schlechte Nachrichten?

In gewisser Weise sind es gute Nachrichten.

Erzählen Sie mir.

Das Wasser in den Kanälen ist sehr klar geworden.

Tatsächlich!

Es sind wieder viele Fische zu sehen.

Genau wie in alten Zeiten.

Wann waren Sie zuletzt in Venedig?

Letztes Jahr.

Wir hatten eine wunderbare Zeit.

Meine Frau und ich lieben Venedig sehr.

Wir haben uns dort kennen gelernt.

Es war Liebe auf den ersten Blick.

Ich hatte sehr viel Glück.

Ich trug eine Maske.

Meine Frau auch!

Fahren Sie oft nach Venedig?

Nur zum Karneval.

Meine Frau sagt, ich sehe mit einer Maske besser aus.

Hello, how are you?    I'm fine, thank you.  Have you heard the news from Venice?

Is it good news or bad news?   In a way, it's good news.    Tell me about it.

The water in the canals has become very clear.    Really!    You can see lots of fish again.

Just like in the old days.   When was the last time you were in Venice?   Last year.

We had a wonderful time.   My wife and I love Venice very much.  We met there.

It was love at first sight.    I was very lucky.  I was wearing a mask.    So was my wife!

Do you often go to Venice?   Only for Carnival.   My wife says I look better with a mask on. 





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The Bartons Chapter 27 - An Early Start

To turn in means to go to bed.     To bump into someone means to meet someone by chance.  Its the early bird that catches the worm means that people who arrive first or act quickly get the best chances. Gormless means stupid and dull.  The Sharpest tool in the box is someone who is not very clever.

„To turn in“ bedeutet, ins Bett zu gehen.     „To bump into someone“ bedeutet, jemanden zufällig zu treffen.  „The early bird catches the worm“ bedeutet, dass diejenigen, die als Erste da sind oder schnell handeln, die besten Chancen haben. „Gormless“ bedeutet dumm und langweilig.  „The Sharpest tool in the box“ ist jemand, der nicht besonders intelligent ist.

An Early Start

Ken - Well, Dave, we'd better turn in early tonight,  we've got an early start in the morning.  We want to be at the market at 6.

Jean - Does that mean you want an early breakfast?

Ken - No thanks, darling. We're going to the Greasy Spoon for breakfast. Their breakfasts are brilliant. 

Dave - And, the Greasy Spoon is a great place for meeting old friends. One never knows who one's going  to bump into.

Jean - But, why are you going so early?

Ken - We want to buy some Guernsey cows.

Jean - But, why can't you go later?

Ken - As they say, Jean, it's the early bird that catches the worm.  

Jean - Well, I was talking to Mrs. Brown at the WI, and she said that her husband said one can go to the market at any time and still get a good bargain.

Ken - I know George Brown.  He's the most gormless person I know. And, I'm sure he's never bought anything at the market.

Dave - And, I know their son Clarence.  Clarence Brown. He was in my class at school.  We used to call him simple Clarence.  And, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.

Ken - Well, as they say, father like son.  It's always the same.

Dave - A quick drink to finish the day?

Jean - A good idea.  I think we deserve one.

Ken - Cheers everyone.  Here's to tomorrow!

Questions -  Why must Ken and Dave turn in early?  Where are Ken and Dave going in the morning?  Will Jean be cooking an early breakfast?   Where are Ken and Dave taking breakfast?  What is the Greasy  Spoon famous for?  Why are Ken and Dave going to the market?  Why is it good to be an early bird?  Who is gormless?   Was Clarence Brown the brightest tool in the box?  Who is the most gormless person you know?





 

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