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German Phrase

Lies die Fehlermeldung genau.

/liːs diː ˈfeːlɐˌmɛldʊŋ ɡəˈnaʊ̯/
Meaning"Read the error message carefully."
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Meaning

The sentence tells the listener to read the error message carefully, implying that the solution or the cause of a problem can be found by paying close attention to the details shown in the message.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when troubleshooting software, guiding a colleague through a technical issue, or teaching someone how to interpret system messages. It works well in informal settings; switch to the formal form for business or customer‑service contexts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

LiesdieFehlermeldunggenau

1

Imperative (du) of lesen

For the second‑person singular informal imperative, drop the infinitive ending -en and add -s: lesen → Lies.

2

Definite article (accusative, feminine)

Fehlermeldung is a feminine noun; in the accusative case the article is die.

3

Fehlermeldung (noun)

A compound noun (Fehler + Meldung) meaning ‘error message’; gender is feminine (die Fehlermeldung).

4

genau (adverb)

Used as an adverb meaning ‘exactly, carefully’; it modifies the verb and does not change form.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich verstehe nicht, warum das Programm abstürzt.

I don’t understand why the program is crashing.

Lies die Fehlermeldung genau.

Read the error message carefully.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Liest die Fehlermeldung genau.

    ‘Liest’ is third‑person singular present tense; the correct imperative for ‘du’ is ‘Lies’.

  • Lies der Fehlermeldung genau.

    ‘Fehlermeldung’ is feminine; the accusative article must be ‘die’, not ‘der’.

  • Lies die Fehlermeldung genaue.

    ‘genau’ is an adverb here, not an adjective; it stays unchanged.

↔Alternatives

  • Lies die Fehlermeldung aufmerksam.

    Read the error message attentively.

  • Sieh dir die Fehlermeldung genau an.

    Take a close look at the error message.

  • Bitte prüfe die Fehlermeldung sorgfältig.

    Please check the error message carefully.

de

Cultural Tip

German technical communication values precision. Using ‘genau’ signals that the listener should not skim but examine every detail. The informal imperative ‘Lies’ is common among peers; in a formal or customer‑facing situation you would say ‘Lesen Sie die Fehlermeldung genau.’