Monday, 09:00 · Kaffeesatz GmbH, Berlin
Hamstalk teaches you German one workday at a time: the standup, the bug, the coffee break. Five minutes a lesson, with a hamster cheering you on.
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Each lesson is one moment from the week. Here’s what Monday to Friday looks like.
Everyone says what they’re working on. You know exactly what you’re doing. You just can’t say it. Yet.
Was machst du heute?
What are you doing today?
Heute arbeite ich an der Anmeldung.
Today I’m working on the sign-in.
Hamsti’s tip: Even when you start with heute, the verb still comes second.
The ticket makes no sense, and Jonas looks busy. No sentence will help you more than the one that asks for help.
Jonas, kannst du mir kurz helfen?
Jonas, can you help me for a sec?
Klar! Was ist los?
Sure! What’s up?
Hamsti’s tip: Kurz makes any request smaller and friendlier.
There’s a bug in the sign-up form, and everyone’s looking at you. Describe it clearly, and the logs will do the rest.
Wenn ich auf „Speichern“ klicke, kommt eine Fehlermeldung.
When I click “Save”, an error message appears.
Okay, ich schaue mir die Logs an.
OK, I’ll check the logs.
Hamsti’s tip: Wenn sends the verb to the end of its clause.
Not everything is about work. Small talk is where you stop being the new person and start being a colleague.
Und, wie gefällt dir Berlin?
So, how do you like Berlin?
Sehr gut! Aber die Wohnungssuche ist anstrengend.
Very much! But flat hunting is exhausting.
Hamsti’s tip: Aber joins two ideas without moving the verb.
Lena reviews your code, and her comment is in German. You reply without opening a translator.
Sieht gut aus! Kannst du noch einen Test hinzufügen?
Looks good! Could you add one more test?
Guter Punkt, mache ich.
Good point, will do.
Hamsti’s tip: Kannst du noch … politely asks for one more thing.
Pull request approved. Schönes Wochenende!
Every unit is a week like this one. Your role on the team grows with your German.
New to the team
Ich heiße Sam. Ich bin neu hier.
Part of the team
Gestern habe ich die Tests geschrieben.
Owning a feature
Ich glaube, das Problem liegt im Cache.
Leading the discussion
Ich schlage vor, dass wir zuerst die API stabilisieren.
In German, hamstern means to stockpile. Hamsti stockpiles every word you learn, and its cheeks fill up as your German grows.
Puffs up its cheeks at every right answer
Sulks a little when you slip up
Dozes off if you skip a day
Dances when you finish a lesson
None at all. Your first Monday starts with Hallo.
No. You’ll also order coffee, book appointments and hunt for a flat. The office just gives every lesson a story.
Nope. The team in the story builds software, but the German you learn works just as well outside tech.
Yes. Hamstalk runs in your browser and installs to your home screen like an app.
Longer than a week, honestly. The path goes up to B2, and how fast you climb depends on how often you practise. Official certificates still come from official exams.
Invitation
Daily Standup
Bring your German, even if it’s just Hallo.
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