ankommen
to arrive
Verb · B2
Good to know
Besides simply getting somewhere, in everyday talk ankommen also means feeling at home in a new place and knowing you belong there.
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Drei Jahre Berlin, und ich bestelle meinen Kaffee immer noch auf Englisch.
Three years in Berlin, and I still order coffee in English.
Aber gestern hat mich der Barista mit Namen begrüßt, und zum ersten Mal habe ich mich hier angekommen gefühlt.
Yesterday the barista knew my name. For the first time, I felt at home.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own texts?
Yes, bring an article, a work email, a book chapter or something you’ve written. Paste the text, upload a file or add a photo of a page.
Will my own texts have listening exercises too?
Yes, listening checks are prepared for every text you add. As you listen, you fill in missing words from what you’ve just heard. After a full listen, you can take a comprehension quiz.
Can I just listen without the exercises?
Of course, turn off listening checks in the player to hear the text without exercise breaks. You can also adjust the speed: slow it down to catch more, or speed it up when you’re comfortable.
What is shadowing?
You listen to a sentence, then say it out loud, following the rhythm and intonation of the voice you’ve just heard. In Shadow mode, the audio pauses after each sentence to give you time to repeat it.
What happens when I save an unfamiliar word or phrase?
You get a card with its meaning in context, examples and useful notes. The original sentence is saved too, so you can revisit how it was used.
Can I practise the words I save?
Yes, you can practise words from one text or your whole library. You’ll recall meanings, choose answers and fill in missing words in sentences.
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A text about something you actually want to talk or write about: setting goals for the month, reflecting on your day or making small talk with a neighbour. Answer a few questions in the app and get a text based on your answers, at your level.
Can I bring texts from my own ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes, you can add unlimited texts to your library for free this way. Connect your AI assistant using the guide in the app, then ask it to write a text for Reading Lobster. Your assistant writes it using your level and saved words, then automatically adds it to your library with translations. You don’t need to copy it over yourself. Adding audio costs credits separately.
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Can I export my word cards?
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