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German · A2 Bilingual Reader Daily Life Professional German

Die Neue Kollegin

Mira starts a new job and finds confidence through a small team project.

Illustration for the A2 story "Die Neue Kollegin": Mira starts a new job and finds confidence through a small team project.
Length
161 words
Reading time
~2 min
Vocabulary
9 terms
Comprehension
3 questions
Warm-up

Pre-Reading Vocabulary

Review these key words and phrasing examples before you begin reading.

nervös
nervous
"Sie war nervös, weil sie niemanden kannte."
der Schreibtisch
the desk
"Der Schreibtisch — Mira begann am Montag ihre neue Arbeit in einer kleinen, lebhaften Designagentur"
Agentur
the agency
"Mira begann am Montag ihre neue Arbeit in einer kleinen, lebhaften Designagentur. Sie war nervös, weil sie niemanden …"

Your German story — tap highlighted words when you need help

2 min read
Native narration · pick a speed

Mira begann am Montag ihre neue Arbeit in einer kleinen, lebhaften Designagentur. Sie war , weil sie niemanden kannte und die Luft nach frischem Kaffee roch. Ihr Schreibtisch stand neben dem Fenster, und auf dem Bildschirm lag ein Zettel: „Willkommen, Mira!“ Am Vormittag zeigte ihr Kollege Ben ihr das Büro, die Küche und den gemütlichen Besprechungsraum. Ihr Schreibtisch stand neben dem Fenster, und auf dem Bildschirm lag ein Zettel: „Willkommen, Mira!“ Am Vormittag zeigte ihr Kollege Ben ihr das Büro, die Küche und den gemütlichen Besprechungsraum. Danach bekam Mira ihre erste Aufgabe: Ideen für ein Plakat zu sammeln. Zuerst wusste sie nicht, was sie sagen sollte, während die Uhr leise tickte. Aber Ben fragte nach ihrer Meinung, und Mira erklärte eine einfache Idee mit hellen Farben. Das Team fand den Vorschlag gut und nickte zustimmend. Am Ende des Tages war Mira müde, aber auf sich. Sie hatte gelernt, dass ein neuer Anfang nicht perfekt sein muss, um gut zu werden.

Show full English translation

Mira started her new job at a small, bustling design agency on Monday. She was nervous because she didn't know anyone, and the air smelled of fresh coffee. Her desk was next to the window, and on the screen was a note: "Welcome, Mira!" In the morning, her colleague Ben showed her the office, the kitchen, and the cozy meeting room. After that, Mira received her first task: to gather ideas for a poster. At first, she didn't know what to say as the clock ticked softly. But Ben asked for her opinion, and Mira explained a simple idea with bright colors. The team liked the suggestion and nodded in agreement. At the end of the day, Mira was tired but proud of herself. She had learned that a new beginning doesn't have to be perfect to be good.

Reading Comprehension Exercise

A2 German Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. Warum war Mira nervös am ersten Tag?

2. Was war Miras erste Aufgabe?

3. Wie reagierte das Team auf Miras Vorschlag?

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Notebook

Patterns to reuse

Saying what you didn't know how to do

sie wusste nicht, was sie sagen sollte

she didn't know what to say

Useful for when you're unsure what to do or say.

Ich wusste nicht, was ich [tun] sollte.

  • Ich wusste nicht, was ich schreiben sollte.
  • Ich wusste nicht, was ich fragen sollte.
  • Ich wusste nicht, was ich machen sollte.

Use this pattern to say you didn't know what action to take in the past.

Expressing what you have learned

Sie hatte gelernt, dass ein neuer Anfang nicht perfekt sein muss, um gut zu werden.

She had learned that a new beginning doesn't have to be perfect to be good.

Swap in other realizations or lessons.

Ich habe gelernt, dass [etwas] nicht [Adjektiv] sein muss, um [etwas] zu sein.

  • Ich habe gelernt, dass Deutsch nicht schwer sein muss, um Spaß zu machen.
  • Ich habe gelernt, dass jeder Fehler machen darf.
  • Ich habe gelernt, dass Fragen stellen hilft.

Use this structure to share personal insights or lessons from an experience.

Saying you received your first task

Danach bekam Mira ihre erste Aufgabe

After that, Mira received her first task

Good for talking about getting started on something at work or school.

Ich habe meine erste [Aufgabe/Projekt/Frage] bekommen.

  • Ich habe mein erstes Projekt bekommen.
  • Ich habe meine erste Frage bekommen.
  • Ich habe meine erste Einladung bekommen.

This pattern helps describe the beginning of a new activity or responsibility.

Expressing pride in yourself

Mira war müde, aber stolz auf sich.

Mira was tired but proud of herself.

Use for talking about what you accomplished.

Ich bin stolz auf [mich/dich/uns].

  • Ich bin stolz auf mich.
  • Ich bin stolz auf dich.
  • Wir sind stolz auf uns.

Use this pattern to express pride in yourself or others.

Insight

Translator's Note

"This story captures the essence of starting anew in a professional setting, emphasizing the emotional journey of overcoming initial nerves."

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