Learn Hardcore German: Beim Laufen sprechen wir leise miteinander und genießen die Gegend. - While walking we talk quietly with each other and enjoy the area.

beim is a contraction of bei dem; bei governs the dative. Laufen is a verb used as a noun (a nominalized infinitive), so it’s capitalized and is neuter: das Laufen → dative dem Laufen. The phrase means “during/while running.”

Why is it sprechen wir and not wir sprechen after Beim Laufen?

German main clauses follow the verb-second (V2) rule. The fronted phrase Beim Laufen takes the first position, so the finite verb (sprechen) must be second, and the subject (wir) comes after it.

Do I need a comma after Beim Laufen?

No. A fronted prepositional phrase doesn’t require a comma. You add a comma after a subordinate clause, e.g., Während wir laufen, sprechen wir …

Is genießen an infinitive here? Where did the subject go?

It looks like an infinitive, but it’s actually the finite present form for wir (which matches the infinitive in spelling). The subject wir is shared and omitted in the second part. You can also say: … und wir genießen die Gegend. Don’t say: … und genießen wir die Gegend (unless it’s a yes/no question).

Why is there no comma before und?

Because this is one main clause with a compound predicate (sprechen … und genießen …). If you repeat the subject (… und wir genießen …), you may insert a comma for readability, but it’s not required.

What case is used in beim Laufen?

Dative, because bei takes the dative: bei dem Laufen → beim Laufen. The genitive appears with während: während des Laufens.

Could I say Während wir laufen instead of Beim Laufen?

Yes. Während wir laufen, … is a subordinate clause (slightly more formal than beim Laufen). Während des Laufens is even more formal. Avoid am Laufen here (that means “in operation”).

Does laufen mean “to run” or “to walk”?

In standard German, laufen = “to run.” gehen = “to walk.” In some regions, laufen can colloquially mean “to walk,” but don’t rely on that in standard usage.

What’s the difference between miteinander, zusammen, and gemeinsam?

miteinander = “with each other” (reciprocal), idiomatic with verbs of communication: miteinander sprechen.
zusammen/gemeinsam = “together/jointly,” more general for doing things together. Zusammen sprechen sounds odd; prefer miteinander sprechen.

Can I swap the order of leise and miteinander?

Yes: Wir sprechen leise miteinander (more natural) and Wir sprechen miteinander leise (possible, slightly different emphasis). Both are acceptable.

What does die Gegend mean, and what case is it in?

die Gegend = “the area/region/surroundings.” Here it’s the direct object of genießen, so it’s accusative singular (feminine). Roughly: “we enjoy the area (we’re in).”

How does genießen work (case, past tense, separability, spelling)?

It’s transitive and takes the accusative: etw. genießen.
Perfekt: haben genossen (irregular).
Not separable; the initial ge- is part of the verb stem, not a prefix.
Spelling: ß after a long vowel; in Switzerland you’ll see geniessen.

Why is Beim capitalized?

Only because it starts the sentence. Otherwise beim is lowercase.

Is leise sprechen the same as flüstern?

Not exactly. leise sprechen = speak quietly/softly. flüstern = whisper (much quieter and with a different manner of articulation).

Where would I put nicht if I want to negate leise?

Place it before what you negate: Wir sprechen nicht leise miteinander (we don’t speak quietly). To negate the reciprocity: Wir sprechen nicht miteinander (we don’t speak with each other).

Is German expressing the English “are speaking/are enjoying” here?

Yes. German present tense (sprechen, genießen) covers both simple and continuous meanings in English, so context supplies “are.”