DTZ Ratgeber

DTZ Speaking Part 2: Image Description – Structure, Phrases, Typical Mistakes

Von PreparaioAktualisiert am July 11, 2026

The second part of the oral DTZ Prüfung seems intimidating to many participants: you get a photo and are supposed to “just talk.” This is precisely why the Bildbeschreibung is a part where many points are lost – not because of a lack of German, but because of a lack of structure.

This article shows you a clear four-step structure, provides you with concrete Redemittel, and explains the most common mistakes that make the difference between A2 and B1.

Inhalt

What is required in Part 2

You will receive a photo depicting an everyday situation – for example, a family shopping, people in a doctor's office, a scene at work, or on a playground. The task has two parts: first, you describe the picture, and then you discuss a thematically related aspect from your own life or country of origin.

A coherent monologue of about 3 minutes is expected. You speak freely; the Prüfenden will only intervene if you completely stop speaking or completely miss the topic. Your task is to fill the speaking time – without getting lost in details.

The Four-Step Structure

This structure fits any photo and gives you a reliable framework to follow:

Introduction: What does the picture generally show? (1–2 sentences)
Description: Who is visible? Where? What is happening? (several sentences, calmly and orderly)
Assumption/Interpretation: Why are the people doing this? How do they feel? (Modal verbs, Konjunktiv)
Personal connection: How is it for you/in your country/in your family? (personal experience)

Redemittel: Introduction

A few well-learned sentences are enough for the introduction. It's important that you start immediately instead of hesitating.

„Auf dem Foto sehe ich …“ (In the photo, I see …)
„Das Bild zeigt eine Szene / eine Situation in …“ (The picture shows a scene / a situation in …)
„Im Vordergrund erkennt man …, im Hintergrund sieht man …“ (In the foreground, one can recognize …, in the background, one sees …)
„Das Foto ist wahrscheinlich in einem/einer … aufgenommen.“ (The photo was probably taken in a …)

Redemittel: Description

The description phase is about people, location, actions, and objects. Stick to a sequence – e.g., first people, then action, then surroundings – so your speech doesn't jump around.

„Links / rechts / in der Mitte sieht man …“ (On the left / right / in the middle, one sees …)
„Eine Frau / ein Mann / ein Kind steht … / sitzt … / hält …“ (A woman / a man / a child is standing … / sitting … / holding …)
„Sie tragen …“, „Sie schauen … an.“ (They are wearing …, They are looking at …)
„Neben ihnen befindet sich …“, „Auf dem Tisch liegt …“ (Next to them is …, On the table lies …)

Redemittel: Assumption and Interpretation

From here on, it becomes B1-relevant: The Prüfenden want to see that you can go beyond mere description and make assumptions. Use modal verbs and expressions of assumption.

„Ich vermute, dass …“, „Es sieht so aus, als ob …“ (I assume that …, It looks as if …)
„Die Frau könnte / dürfte … sein.“ (The woman could / might be …)
„Vielleicht wollen sie gerade …“ (Perhaps they just want to …)
„Wahrscheinlich fühlt sich das Kind …“ (The child probably feels …)

Redemittel: Personal Connection

The last step opens the conversation: Briefly explain how you know the topic from your everyday life or your country of origin. Two to three sentences are enough, but they should be concrete – not “it's different in our country,” but a small example.

„In meiner Familie ist das ähnlich / anders. Zum Beispiel …“ (In my family, it's similar / different. For example …)
„In meinem Heimatland …“ (In my home country …)
„Ich selbst mache das oft so: …“ (I often do it like this myself: …)
„Meiner Meinung nach ist es wichtig, dass …“ (In my opinion, it is important that …)

Typical Mistakes that Prevent B1

Only describing, not interpreting – without assumptions, you remain at A2.
Too short an answer – stopping after 40 seconds means you leave points on the table.
Word searching with long pauses – better to use a simpler word and keep speaking.
Listing without connection – “Woman. Child. Table. Flower.” sounds like a vocabulary list, not a speech.
No personal connection – the last step is often forgotten and definitely costs points.

How to Practice Effectively

Find everyday photos (e.g., from a magazine or a photo website) and describe them aloud, with a stopwatch. Three minutes are longer than you think – that's precisely the point where you need to practice filling the speaking time.

Record yourself and listen to the recording. Pay attention to long pauses, word searching, and whether you go through all four steps. A second ear – a learning partner, teacher, or AI-powered feedback – recognizes patterns that you might miss yourself.

Important: Don't practice dozens of different formulations. Five to seven Redemittel per phase, securely automated, are worth more than a long list that you can't recall during the Prüfung.

Häufige Fragen

How long should I speak in Part 2?

The goal is about 3 minutes of coherent monologue. Shorter seems incomplete, significantly longer is rarely necessary.

Am I allowed to take notes?

Yes, during the short preparation time before the oral Prüfung, you can jot down keywords and use them in Part 2. However, reading entire sentences appears unnatural.

What if I don't know the word for something in the picture?

Describe it instead of searching. “The thing you use to …” or “something similar to …” is better than a 20-second pause for thought.

Does my interpretation have to be correct?

No. The Prüfenden evaluate your linguistic performance, not whether your assumption is accurate. It's important that it is linguistically marked as an assumption (“vielleicht”, “ich vermute”).