German A2 Level

108
LEVEL TWO LESSONS

109
Section 2.01 ~ Salzburg, Austria

110
Lesson 2.01 - Einfache Gespräche unter

Freunden
German/Lesson 1
<< Vorwort | Lektion 1 | Lektion 2 >> |
Grammatik 1-1 ~ Introduction to

German grammar
Knowing the parts of speech (how words function
in a sentence) is important for anyone attempting
to learn a second language. English speakers will
find many strong parallels between their language
and German. However, as noted in the
introduction, German grammar signals—how
words indicate their function in a sentence—are
more complex than English, and identifying the
meaning of words in a German sentence is
difficult without understanding these clues or
signals to word function that come from the
grammatical rules. The basic lessons (Level II) of
this textbook are set up to first introduce the parts
of speech, and then bring in the rules that govern
these. Pay particular attention to both word
endings and sentence word order as you
progress in learning the German language.
Following is a short conversation piece

(Gespräch). Play the audio file first, then attempt
to repeat what you hear, reading the spoken parts Auf der Straße
of the conversation. Go back and forth (listening
and then speaking) until the German flows easily from your lips. This may take considerable practice. Refer to the
vocabulary (Vokabeln) below to understand the meaning of the German sentences you are hearing and speaking.
German/Lesson 1 111
Gespräch 1-1 ~ Die Freunde

Heinrich trifft Karl auf der Straße. Heinrich und Karl sind Freunde.
• Heinrich: Guten Tag, Karl. Wie geht es dir?
• Karl: Guten Tag. Danke, es geht mir gut. Und dir?
• Heinrich: Danke, es geht mir gut. Auf Wiedersehen.
• Karl: Auf Wiedersehen!
• Audio: OGG (97KB)
In this conversation we learn several simple greetings exchanged between friends meeting very briefly on the street.
Vokabeln 1-1
This first vocabulary (Vokabeln) may seem a bit long considering you have been presented with only the brief
conversation piece above, but it also contains all of the German words you have encountered up to this point in the
Level II textbook, including words in photo captions and lesson section headers. The layout of the Vokabeln is
explained in the Lesson Layout Guide in the German~English textbook introduction, but the four parts of the
Vokabeln are labeled in this first lesson to reenforce the concept. Note that column 3 may contain (in parentheses)
additional notes about a word in column 1. Also, you can find the greeting phrases that appear in the simple
conversations above (and many others) in Appendix 2, a German-English phrase book.
NOUNS
der Anhang, die Anhänge appendix, appendices (singular and plural)

die Brücke bridge
der Freund, die Freunde friend, friends (singular and plural)
das Gespräch, die Gespräche conversation, conversations
die Grammatik grammar (note irregular stress)
die Lektion lesson (note irregular stress)
die Straße street
das Tor gateway
die Vokabeln word list, vocabulary
das Vorwort foreword, preface (introduction to a book)
SHORT PHRASES
auf der Straße on the street

Auf Wiedersehen Good bye
Es geht mir gut I am fine (lit: 'It goes with me good')
Guten Tag! Good day (greeting)
Und dir? And you? (implied: 'And how are you?')
unter Freunden between friends
Wie geht es dir? How are you (lit: 'How goes it with you?')
Wie geht's? How are you? (casual, but more commonly used)
VERBS
gehen go (geht is "goes")

treffen meet, come upon (trifft is "meets")
OTHER "SMALL" WORDS (adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.)

German/Lesson 1 112
danke thank you; thanks

dir (with or for) you
einfach simple
es it
gut good
mir (with or to) me
und and
wie? how?
• << Lesson Layout Guide
Pronunciation Guide >>
Gespräch 1-2 ~ Die Studenten

Markus ist Student. Er studiert Biologie. Er begegnet Katrin. Sie studiert Mathematik.
Markus und Katrin sind Freunde.
• Markus: Hallo, Katrin! Wohin gehst du?
• Katrin: Ich gehe einkaufen. Der Kühlschrank ist fast leer. Ich brauche Wurst und Käse.
Und du? Wohin gehst du?
• Markus: Zur Uni. Ich habe viel zu tun.
• Katrin: Gut! Dann bis bald. Tschüss.
• Markus: Tschüss, Katrin.
Here again, two friends (college students) meet casually and discuss briefly what each is doing.
Grammatik 1-2 ~ Word Order in Questions

Basic or normal word order in simple German sentences is the same as in English—subject then verb then verb
object:
Ich habe Käse ~ I (subject) have (verb) cheese (verb object = what you "have")
Unlike with English sentence structure, a question sentence in German is formed by reversing subject and verb:
Hast du Käse? ~ Have (verb) you (subject) cheese?
This is called inverted word order. Examples are provided in Gespräch 1-1 and Gespräch 1-2. As another example,
consider the statement: Er studiert Biologie ('He studies biology'). A question statement might be: Was studiert er?
('What studies he?'; although in English, we would usually say: "What is he studying?"). The normal word order of
subject (er or "he") then verb (studiert or "study") is reversed and, in this case, an interrogative (was or "what")
added onto the front replacing the unknown (to the speaker) object (here, "biology"). Additional examples of
questions formed from basic statements illustrate inverted word order:
Wie geht es dir? from Es geht mir gut. ('It goes well with me.')
Wohin geht sie? from Sie geht einkaufen. ('She goes shopping.')
Was ist fast leer? from Der Kühlschrank ist fast leer. ('The fridge is almost empty.')
Was brauche ich? from Ich brauche Wurst und Käse. ('I need sausage and cheese.')
Versteht sie mich? from Sie versteht mich. ('She understands me.')
German/Lesson 1 113
Grammatik 1-3 ~ Introduction to pronouns

A pronoun (Pronomen) is a short word that takes the place of a noun previously mentioned in the sentence,
paragraph, or conversation. A pronoun substitutes for a noun or noun phrase and designates persons or things asked
for, previously specified, or understood from context. A specific pronoun in English as well as German has person,
number, and case. You will be encountering all of the common German pronouns in the next several lessons, so we
will track these as they appear. The following familiar personal pronouns are introduced in this lesson (Lektion 1):
ich – I (1st person, singular, nominative case)

mich – me (1st person, singular, accusative case)
mir – me (1st person singular, dative case)
du – you (2nd person, singular, nominative case)

dich – you (2nd person, singular, accusative case)
dir – you (2nd person singular, dative case)
er – he (3rd person singular, nominative case)

sie – she (3rd person singular, nominative case)
es – it (3rd person singular, nominative case)
Pronoun person describes the relationship of the word to the speaker (that is, 1st person is the speaker; 2nd person is
spoken to; and 3rd person is spoken about). Pronoun number refers to whether the word represents one (singular) or
more than one (plural) person or object. Finally, case indicates how the pronoun is used in a sentence, as will be
explained over the next several lessons. For now, note in the examples you have already encountered, the three cases
of 1st person singular pronouns in German: ich, mich, and mir. In English these are: 'I', 'me', and (to or with) 'me' —
in essence, there are really just two cases in English: subjective ('I') and objective ('me'). You will shortly see that
there are similarities, yet distinct differences, in the cases as used by the English and German languages.
Vokabeln 1-2
NOUNS
die Antwort, die Antworten answer(s) (singular and plural)

die Biologie biology (note irregular stress)
die Freundin, die Freunde (female) friend, friends (compare der Freund)
der Käse cheese
der Kühlschrank refrigerator
die Mathematik mathematics (note irregular stress)
das Pronomen pronoun (note irregular stress)
der Student, die Studentin student, (female) student
die Uni university (a short form of die Universität)
die Übersetzung translation (lit. "over-setting")
die Universität university (note irregular stress)
die Wurst sausage, banger
SHORT PHRASES
Dann bis bald! then until (we) soon (meet again) ("until then")
zu tun to do
VERBS
German/Lesson 1 114
begegnen meet
brauchen need, want, require
einkaufen gehen go shopping
haben have
studieren study
verstehen understand
OTHER "SMALL" WORDS
an to (towards)
bald soon
bis until
dann then
du you
er he
fast almost
hallo hello
ich I
leer empty, vacant
mich me
schön beautiful (in this case, 'nice' or 'fine')
sehr very
sie she
tschüss so long (good bye)
viel much
was? what?
wohin? where?
• << Lesson Layout Guide
Übersetzung 1-1
By referring back to lesson examples, you should be able to write out the following sentences in German. On a piece
of paper, first number and write each English sentence. Then review the lesson above and produce a German
sentence that says the same thing as each English sentence. After all seven lines are translated, follow the Antworten
(answers) link to compare your work with the correct ones. Do not be too concerned at this point if your spelling of
the German verbs do not match the answers. You will learn all about German verb forms in later lessons.
1. Good day, Mark! How are you?
2. Thanks, I am well. And you?
3. Good bye, Henry!
4. Catherine needs cheese.
5. She understands the lesson well.
6. So long, Mark! Until we meet again.
7. Where is he going?
• Antworten >
115
Lesson 2.02 - Fremde und Freunde
German/Lesson 2
<< Lesson 1 | Lektion 2 | Lektion 3 >>
Fremde und Freunde ~ Strangers and Friends
Grammatik 2-1 ~ Introduction to Verbs

A verb is that part of speech that describes an action. Verbs come in an almost bewildering array of tenses, aspects,
and types. For now, we will limit our discussion to verbs used in the present tense — i.e., describing an action
occurring in the present. You should start to recognize that the form a verb takes is related to the subject of that verb:
the verb form must match the person of the subject. This requirement is sometimes evident in English, but always so
in German. Consider the following English and German sentences (the verb is studieren in every case):
I study biology. Ich studiere Biologie.
She studies mathematics. Sie studiert Mathematik.
Today we study German. Heute studieren wir Deutsch. (Note a subject verb reversal)
What are you studying? Was studierst du? (Notice subject verb reversal in question sentence)
Several things are illustrated by these sentence pairs. First, all verbs in German follow the rule just stated that a verb
form must agree with its subject. Starting in Lektion 6 we will learn the verb forms associated with each person in
German. Second, this rule in English applies mostly to the verb 'to be' (e.g., I am, you are, he is, etc.). In some
English verbs, the 3rd person singular form is unique, often taking an 's' or 'es' ending: "I give at the office", but "He
gives at the office" (and "She studies..." above). Finally, some German verbs are best translated with an English 'to
be' verb form added. This is called the progressive form in English ('What are you studying?'), but it does not exist in
German. Thus, a verb like nennen can best be translated as "to name" or "to call". The following example may make
this clearer. In the present tense, the following statements in English:
'They are calling the corporation, "Trans-Global"'
'They name the corporation, "Trans-Global"'
'They call the corporation, "Trans-Global"'
'They do call the corporation, "Trans-Global"'
are all expressed in German in only one way: Sie nennen die Firma, "Trans-Global". And the question statement:
'Do they call the corporation, "Trans-Global"?' becomes, in German: Nennen sie die Firma, "Trans-Global"?
Grammatik 2-2 ~ Pronouns in the Nominative Case

Most of the personal pronouns introduced in Lektion 1 are used as subjects of their verbs. These represent the
nominative case in German (as in English). We will shortly learn three other cases in German: the accusative for
direct objects, the dative for indirect objects, and the genitive for expressing possession. For now, remember that the
singular personal pronouns in English (nominative case) are "I", "you", and "he/she/it" (1st, 2nd, and 3rd persons)
and the nominative case is used as the subject of a verb. In German, these pronouns are rendered as ich, du, and
er/sie/es. In these example sentences, the subject of the verb is underlined:
German/Lesson 2 116
Ich gehe einkaufen. I go shopping.
Er studiert Biologie. He studies biology.
Es geht mir gut. It goes well with me. ( = I am fine).
Wohin gehst du? Where are you going? (Notice subject verb reversal in question sentence)
There are, of course, plural personal pronouns in the English nominative case: "we", "you", and "they"; and in
German, these nominative case pronouns are wir, ihr, and sie. These appear in the following examples (again,
subject underlined):
Wir gehen einkaufen. We go shopping.
Ihr versteht die Frage. You all understand the question.
Ihr habt die Anleitungen. You (all) have the instructions.
Sie verstehen die Arbeit. They understand the work.
In both English and German, the 3rd person singular also has gender. As you will next learn, the 2nd person (person
being addressed) in German has both familiar and polite (formal) forms. Further, it is worth repeating here —
although introduced in Grammatik 2-1 above and to be covered in detail in future lessons — that the verb form
changes when the subject changes. That is, in German the verb form must match the subject of a sentence. Here are
some examples; compare with the previous three example sentences above and note how the verb form changed to
match the sentence subject (subject and verb underlined):
Ich verstehe die Arbeit. I understand the work.
Du gehst einkaufen. You go shopping.
Ich habe alle Antworten. I have all the answers.
Er hat die Anleitungen. He has the instructions.
In the last example, the English verb form ('have') also changed based upon the subject of the sentence.
Gespräch 2-1 ~ Die Geschäftsleute

Herr Schmidt trifft Frau Baumann. Sie sind Geschäftsleute und sie arbeiten an dem
Hauptsitz.
• Herr Schmidt: Guten Tag, Frau Baumann!
• Frau Baumann: Guten Tag, Herr Schmidt!
• Herr Schmidt: Wie geht es Ihnen?
• Frau Baumann: Sehr gut, danke. Und Ihnen?
• Herr Schmidt: Auch gut.
• Frau Baumann: Schön. Haben Sie Herrn Standish schon getroffen?
• Herr Schmidt: Aus England? Nein. Ist er zu Besuch?
• Frau Baumann: Ja. Das ist richtig! Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schmidt!
• Herr Schmidt: Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Baumann!
In this conversation, although the subject matter is basically casual, a more formal form of German is being used
intoning respect between coworkers in an office setting. The polite form is expressed by the pronouns as explained
below (Grammatik 2-3).
German/Lesson 2 117
Vokabeln 2-1
die Anleitungen instructions
das Deutsch German (language) (more common is die deutsche Sprache)
der Fremde foreigner, stranger
die Firma company, firm, business concern
die Frage question
die Geschäftsleute business people (die Leute = people)
der Hauptsitz head office (das Haupt = head or chief)
der Tag day, daytime
aus England from England

Das ist richtig! That is right!
Frau Baumann Ms. Baumann
Herr Schmidt Mr. Schmidt
zu Besuch visiting
arbeiten work
getroffen (have) met (past participle of treffen)
nennen name, call
alle all
an at
Ihnen (with or to) you (polite form)
heute today
ihr you (plural), you all
ja yes
nein no
richtig correct
sie they (note: also "she")
Sie you (polite form)
wir we
• Pronunciation Guide >>
Grammatik 2-3 ~ Familiar and Polite Pronoun Forms

Many pronouns were introduced in Lesson 1. In Grammatik 2-1 and Gespräch 2-1 we have been presented with the
following additional pronouns:
Ihnen – (to) you (2nd person singular, dative case)

ihr – you (2nd person, plural, nominative case)
sie – they (3rd person, plural, nominative case)
Sie – you (2nd person, singular, nominative case)
wir – we (1st person, plural, nominative case)
In the conversations between friends presented in Gespräche 1-1 and 1-2 (Lektion 1) the familiar form of the
personal pronouns (e.g., du, dir) was used. However, German also has a polite or formal form of some of these
personal pronouns. The polite form is used in conversations between strangers and more formal situations, as
illustrated in the Gespräch 2-1: greetings between business associates.
German/Lesson 2 118
The polite form is always first-letter capitalized in German, which can be helpful in differentiating Sie (you) from sie
(she and they); Ihnen (you) from ihnen (them). However, you will soon learn that the form of the verb (see
Grammatik 2-3 below) is most telling, as shown by these example pairs using the verb, haben (have):
Haben Sie eine Zigarette? Do you have a cigarette? (polite form of you)
Sie hat keine Wurst und keinen Käse. She has no sausage and no cheese.
Sie haben viel Arbeit. They have much work (to do).
Haben sie zu viel Arbeit? Do they have too much work?
Because the first letter in a sentence is always capitalized, we cannot determine (without the verb form) whether the
second and third examples begin with sie ('she' or 'they') or with Sie (polite 'you'); a problem that would also exist in
conversation. The fourth example, where subject and verb are reversed in a question, demonstrates the pronoun
'they'; compare it with the polite 'you' in the first example.
It is relatively easy for an English speaker to appreciate how context, especially in conversation, overcomes
confusion considering that English has fewer forms for these pronouns than German. However, this fact does present
some difficulty when learning German, since improper use of a pronoun may just create confusion in speaking or
writing German.
Gespräch 2-2 ~ Die Geschäftsmänner

Herr Schmidt und Herr Standish begegnen sich am Hauptsitz:
Vereinigtes Königreich
von Großbritannien und Nordirland
Bundesrepublik
Deutschland
• Herr Schmidt: Guten Morgen, Herr Standish! Wie geht es Ihnen?
• Herr Standish: Danke sehr, es geht mir gut. Und Ihnen?
• Herr Schmidt: Nicht so gut. Ich bin müde.
• Herr Standish: Wie bitte? Müde? Warum?
• Herr Schmidt: Ich habe so viel Arbeit.
• Herr Standish: Das kann ich verstehen. Zu viel ist zu viel.
• Herr Schmidt: Das ist richtig. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Standish!
• Herr Standish: Auf Wiedersehen, bis morgen.
Vokabeln 2-2
die Bundesrepublik Deutschland Federal Republic of Germany
die Geschäftsmänner businessmen (die Geschäftsleute is preferred)
Großbritannien Great Britain (technically Vereinigtes Königreich
von Großbritannien und Nordirland)
der Morgen morning
die Übersetzung translation
German/Lesson 2 119
bis morgen until tomorrow

Guten Morgen! Good morning (greeting)
nicht so gut not so well
so viel so much
Wie bitte? How is that?
zu viel too much
bis until
kein no (in the sense on "none")
müde tired
nicht not
sich each other
warum ? why ?
Grammatik 2-4 ~ Personal pronoun gender

In both English and German the 3rd person personal pronouns have gender (Grammatik 1-3). However, in English,
the pronoun "it" is used for most inanimate or non-living things. There are a few exceptions: a ship might be referred
to as "she". However, in German, the 3rd person personal pronoun reflects the gender of the noun (antecedent)
referred to by the pronoun. For examples:
Der Kühlschrank ist fast leer. Er ist fast leer. It (masculine) is almost empty.
Ich brauche die Wurst. Ich brauche sie. I need it (feminine).
Das Gespräch ist schwer. Es ist schwer. It (neuter) is difficult.
The following table summarizes these gender relationships:
3rd person pronouns
masculine er he
feminine sie she
neuter es it
Übersetzung 2-1
You may, at this point, try the flash cards developed for Level I German. This set has a few words and concepts not
yet presented in Level II, but for the most part can be very helpful in enhancing your vocabulary. Go to
FlashcardExchange.com [1].
Translate the following sentences into German. Pay attention to whether familiar or polite form of the pronoun is
requested:
1. Good day, Ms. Neumann. How are you? [in polite conversational form]
2. I am well, thank you. And you? [in polite form]
3. I am well, thank you. And you? [in familiar form]
4. Katrin is studying math.
5. They meet each other at the head office.
6. I do understand the instructions.
7. Is she visiting from England?
German/Lesson 2 120
8. How is that? You have too much work? [in polite form]
9. Good bye, Mr. Smith. Until tomorrow morning?
• Antworten >
References
[1] http:/ / www. flashcardexchange. com/ card_set. php?id=248162
121
Lesson 2.03 - Die Zahlen
German/Lesson 3
<< Lesson 2 | Lektion 3 | Lektion 4 >> |
Die Zahlen ~ The Numbers
Lektion 3 ~ Zählen von 1 bis 12

Counting in any language is a valuable skill best learned early on. In German as in English, there are both cardinal
(counting) and ordinal (place or order) numbers, and number formation is similar in that the first twelve numbers are
unique. Above twelve, numbers are formed by combination. For example, 13 is dreizehn and 14 is vierzehn. Higher
numbers will be the subject of later lessons.
Note in the table how ordinals are formed from the cardinals in German by adding te. 'Ten' becomes 'tenth' in
English; zehn become zehnte in German. As in English, there are several nonconforming variants: erste, dritte, and
siebte.
Aussprache
cardinal numbers ordinal numbers
Learning the German words for the numbers provides an excellent opportunity to practice German
one eins 1st erste pronunciations. Following are some helpful hints for English speakers attempting to count in German. A
"dental sound" is made by moving the tongue into the back of the upper teeth—almost as if the word
two zwei 2nd zweite
started with a 't'. A "gutteral sound" comes from deep in the throat. Also, remember, in words of more
three drei 3rd dritte than one syllable, the emphasis is on the first syllable. final consonants are cut off quickly in German, not
drawn out as in many English words. English speakers might call this being curt or brusque with each
four vier 4th vierte
word. eins say 'eyen-zah' but drop the 'ah'; 'z' is between an 's' and 'z' zwei sounds like 'zveye'; the 'w' is
five fünf 5th fünfte between a 'v' and a 'w' drei sounds like "dry", but with dental 'd' and roll the 'r' vier sound is between
"fear" and 'fee-yahr' fünf say 'foon-fah' without the 'ah'; very slight 'r' after the 'ü' sechs sounds like "sex",
six sechs 6th sechste
but with a more dental leading 's' sieben sounds like "see Ben" (use dental 's') acht sounds like 'ahkt'; the
seven sieben 7th siebte 'ch' is guttural neun sounds like "loin" with an 'n' zehn sounds like the name, "Zane", but the 'z' is more
dental elf sounds pretty much like "elf" (the German 'e' is a little higher) zwölf sounds like 'zwolf', but the
eight acht 8th achte
'o' is closer to 'u' in 'up'
nine neun 9th neunte
ten zehn 10th zehnte
eleven elf 11th elfte
twelve zwölf 12th zwölfte
Audio: OGG (385KB)

German/Lesson 3 122
Grammatik 3-1 ~ Telling time (hours)

Knowing the numbers from 1 to 12, you can now begin asking and telling time in German.
Der Uhrturm von Graz
Gespräch 3-1
Zwei Jungen, Heinrich und Karl, sind Freunde. Sie begegnen sich eines Nachmittags.
• Heinrich: Karl. Wie geht's?
• Karl: Hallo!
• Heinrich: Willst du spielen? Ich habe einen Ball.
• Karl: Wie spät ist es?
• Heinrich: Es ist ein Uhr.
• Karl: Dann kann ich bis zwei Uhr spielen.
• Heinrich: Das ist gut. Wir spielen eine Stunde lang!
Asking for the time is accomplished by the sentence: Wie spät ist es? ("How late is it?"). The answer places the hour
in the line Es ist ____ Uhr ("It is __ o'clock"), substituting the correct cardinal value (except ein is used instead of
eins). One could also ask: Wieviel Uhr ist es? (not used very often anymore) or respond Es ist eins or Es ist drei,
etc.—which may be imprecise, unless the time is close to the hour. The following sentences also relate to telling
time:
German/Lesson 3 123
Er fragt nach der Uhrzeit. He asks the time.
Sie begegnen sich eines Nachmittags. They meet each other one afternoon.
Es ist halb vier. It is half past three (3:30).
Es ist Viertel nach zwölf. It is a quarter after twelve (12:15).
Es ist Viertel vor elf. It is a quarter to eleven (10:45).
Es ist drei Viertel elf.* It is a quarter to eleven (10:45).
Es ist fünf vor neun. It is five minutes to (until) nine (08:55).
Es ist fünf Minuten vor neun. It is five minutes to (until) nine (08:55).
Es ist zehn nach elf. It is ten minutes after eleven (11:10).
Es ist zehn Minuten nach elf. It is ten minutes after eleven (11:10).
Es ist acht nach. It is eight minutes after the last full hour (??:08).
Es ist zehn vor. It is ten minutes to (until) the next full hour (??:50).
Es ist drei durch.* It is between three and four (03:??).
Es ist elf Uhr drei It is three minutes after eleven (11:03).
Es ist elf Uhr und drei minuten It is three minutes after eleven (11:03).
* this is only regional - many Germans may not understand

Knowing how to express the quarter, half, and three quarter hours will allow you to give the time more precisely. We
will, of course, revisit this subject. Once you know how to count beyond twelve, the hour's division into 60 minutes
can be expressed. Also, Germans (like most Europeans) utilize what is known in America as "military time" or a
24-hour clock.
Vokabeln 3-1
Also included in the vocabulary for Lesson 3 are the ordinal and cardinal numbers 1 through 12 from Lektion 3
above.
der Ball ball

der Junge, die Jungen boy, boys
das Lernen learning, study
der Nachmittag afternoon
die Stunde hour
die Uhr watch (timepiece); also "o'clock"
der Uhrturm clock tower
die Uhrzeit time, time of day
das Viertel quarter
die Zahl, die Zahlen number, numbers
bis zwei Uhr until two o'clock

das ist gut very well (lit.: "that is good")
eines Nachmittags one (unspecified) afternoon
ich kann... spielen I can play
es ist it is
willst du ...? do you want ...? (familiar form)
German/Lesson 3 124
fragen ask (a question)

spielen play
zählen count
dann then
halb half, halfway to
nach about, after
spät late
vor before, until
zu to
Grammatik 3-2 ~ Introduction to Nouns

A noun is a fundamental part of speech, occurring in sentences in two different ways: as subjects (performers of
action), or objects (recipients of action). As a generality, a noun is the name of a "person, place, or thing". Nouns are
classified into proper nouns (e.g. "Janet"), common nouns (e.g. "girl"), and pronouns (e.g. "she" and "which"). A
proper noun (also called proper name) is a noun which denotes a unique entity. The meaning of a proper noun,
outside of what it references, is frequently arbitrary or irrelevant (for example, someone might be named Tiger Smith
despite being neither a tiger nor a smith). Because of this, they are often not translated between languages, although
they may be transliterated — for example, the German surname "Knödel" becomes "Knoedel" in English, as opposed
to "Dumpling". Proper nouns are capitalized in English and all other languages that use the Latin alphabet; this is one
way to recognize them. However, in German both proper and common nouns are capitalized (as are certain
formal pronouns; see Grammatik 2-3).
Grammatik 3-3 ~ Gender of Nouns

We have seen evidence of word gender in the pronouns we have been enountering; notably 'he', 'she', and 'it' in
English and er, sie, and es in German. Just like many other languages (but not English), German has genders for
nouns as well. Noun gender is indicated by the definite article, which should always be learned as part of the noun.
For this reason, nouns presented in each lesson's Vokabeln include the gender appropriate definite article.
Definite Articles
The definite article (bestimmter Artikel) is equivalent to an English 'the', and the three basic gender forms of definite
articles in German are as follows:
der masculine
die feminine
das neuter
To say 'the book' in German, you would say das Buch, because Buch is a neuter noun. To say 'the man' in German,
you would say der Mann, because Mann is a masculine noun. To say 'the woman' in German, you would say die
Frau, because Frau is a feminine noun.
Noun gender does not always derive from actual gender where gender might be applicable. For example, 'the boy' is
der Junge (masculine); but 'the girl' is das Mädchen (neuter). Also, nouns that have no inherent gender are not
necessarily neuter. From this lesson: 'the watch or time piece' is die Uhr ('feminine').
German/Lesson 3 125
Because German is generally more structured than English, it is important when learning German nouns to always
learn them with their gender correct definite article; and in the Vokabeln nouns are always given with their
associated definite article. That is, you must memorize the word for 'book' in German as das Buch, not simply Buch.
Not just definite articles, but indefinite articles and adjectives have endings that must match the gender of the noun
they precede. Using the wrong gender can alter the meaning of a German sentence, so in forming a proper sentence
with Buch, you will need to know that it is a neuter noun.
Indefinite Articles
in addition to the definite articles—"the" in English and der-words in German—discussed above, both languages
have indefinite articles (unbestimmter Artikel). Indefinite articles precede nouns in the same way that definite
articles do, but convey a general or indefinite sense. These are "a" or "an" in English. Thus, 'the book' or das Buch
refers to a definite or specific book, whereas 'a book' or ein Buch is indefinite about which book is referred to.
Indefinite articles also have gender as shown here:
ein der masculine
eine die feminine
ein das neuter
Here are some examples of indefinite articles (underlined) used in German sentences:
Ich habe einen Ball. I have a ball.
Heute lesen wir ein Buch. Today we read a book.
Markus trifft einen Studenten auf der Straße. Mark meets a student on the street.
Die Geschäftsleute haben eine Antwort. The business people have an answer.
Ein Freund spielt Ball mit ihm. A friend plays ball with him.
Why, you ask, are there words like einen in some sentences above—a spelling that does not appear in the gender
table? The tables for both the definite and indefinite articles above are simplified at this stage, giving only articles in
the nominative case (applied to words that are subjects of verbs). In the very next lesson you will start to address all
the other cases in German. However, the nominative case is the one used to signify the gender of a noun, as in our
Vokabeln.
Vokabeln 3-2
das Buch book
die Frau woman
der Knödel dumpling
das Mädchen (young) girl
der Mann man
lesen read

German/Lesson 3 126
Übersetzung 3-1
Translate the following sentences into German:
1. I am reading until ten o'clock.
2. It is nine thirty.
3. It is a quarter to ten.
4. Cathy is a student at the university.
5. She meets Mark on the street.
6. Henry has a ball.
7. The girl is a friend.
8. Mr. Smith has a question.
• Antworten >
127
Lesson 2.04 - Eine Geschichte über Zürich
German/Lesson 4
<< Lesson 3 | Lektion 4 | Lektion 5 >>
Lesestück 4-1 ~ Eine

Geschichte über Zürich
Zürich ist die größte Stadt
der Schweiz. Sie liegt am
Ausfluss des Zürichsees
und ist die Hauptstadt des
gleichnamigen Kantons,
des Kantons Zürich. Zürich
ist ausgesprochen schön
gelegen, am nördlichen
Ende des Zürichsees—bei
klarem Wetter hat man
eine gute Sicht auf die
Glarner Alpen.
Zürich ist das Zentrum der
schweizer Zürich: am Ausfluss des Zürichsees
Bankenwirtschaft. Neben
den beiden Grossbanken
('Credit Suisse' und 'UBS') haben auch etliche kleinere Bankinstitute ihren Sitz in der Stadt.
Although this short story contains quite a number of impressive German nouns and adjectives, with the aid of
Vokabeln 4-1 following you should have no trouble reading and understanding it. The passage makes considerable
use of the German genitive case (English possessive case), which you have not yet learned. However, a clue
applicable here: translate des as "of the" or "of" and note there are other der-words that also mean "of the".
Vokabeln 4-1
die Alpen Alps
der Ausfluss outlet, effluence (of a lake)
die Bankinstitute banking institutes
die Bankenwirtschaft banking business
das Ende end
die Grossbanken major banks
die Hauptstadt capital city
das Haus house
der Kanton canton (Swiss state)
das Lesestück reading passage
German/Lesson 4 128
die Schweiz Switzerland

die Sicht view
der Sitz office
das Wetter weather
das Zentrum center (centre)
das Zürich Zurich (city and canton in Switzerland)
der Zürichsee Lake Zurich
d.h. (das heißt) i.e. ("that is" in Latin)

Glarner Alpen Glarner Alps
man hat... one has...
nach Hause (toward) home (compare: zu Hause = "at home")
anrufen call, telephone

geben (gab, gegeben) give
kommen (kam, gekommen) come
liegen (lag, gelegen) lie (lay, lain)
am (an dem) at the

ausgesprochen markedly
bei in
beiden two
etliche a number of, quite a few, several
gleichnamig same named
größte largest
klar clear
klein small
neben besides
nördlich northern
schweizer of or pertaining to Swiss
Grammatik 4-1 ~ Introduction to adjectives

An adjective is a part of speech which can be thought of as a "describing word"—typically, an adjective modifies a
noun. In both English and German, adjectives come before the noun they describe or modify. In many other
languages (such as French) they usually come after the noun. Here are some examples of adjectives (underlined) you
have already encountered:
German/Lesson 4 129
Ich habe viel Arbeit. I have much work.
Wir haben keinen Käse. We have no cheese.
Bei klarem Wetter hat man eine gute Sicht. In clear weather, one has a good view
Zürich ist die größte Stadt. Zurich is the largest city.
Because nouns are capitalized in German, it is fairly obvious in these sentences where the adjectives occur: just
before the nouns they modify. Note how the endings on German adjectives can change, depending upon the noun
(keinen Käse; klarem Wetter; gute Sicht)—specifically, the gender and case of the noun they are modifying. Before
explaining the basic rules governing adjective endings, you need to have a better understanding of person, gender,
and case in German nouns—concepts that will be explored in the next few lessons.
Finally, realize that the ordinal numbers you learned in Lektion 3 are, in fact, adjectives—subject to the same rules
governing word endings for adjectives.
Wer ist das dritte Mädchen? Who is the third girl?
Wir verstehen nur die erste Lektion. We understand only the first lesson.
Gespräch 4-1 ~ Das neue Mädchen

Markus und Helena sind Freunde.
• Markus: Lena, wer ist das neue Mädchen? Die Brünette dort drüben.
• Helena: Ich glaube, sie heißt 'Karoline'.
• Markus: Sie ist sehr schön.
• Helena: Sie ist hübsch, wenn man kleine Mädchen mit langen dunklen Haaren mag.
• Markus: Ja. Ihre Haare gefallen mir sehr.
• Helena: Markus, du bist ein Ferkel!
This short conversational passage contains more examples of adjectives.
Vokabeln 4-2
die Brünette brunette
die Haare hair(s)
das Mädchen girl
das Ferkel piglet
gefallen appeal to
glauben believe
heißen name, call
mag like, desire, wish
dort there
(dort) drüben over there
dunkel dark
ihr her
hübsch cute
klein short
lang long
neue new
German/Lesson 4 130
wenn if
wer? who?
Grammatik 4-2 ~ Nouns and pronouns in the accusative and dative

As was noted previously when the concept of case was introduced for pronouns (Grammatik 2-2), there are four
cases used in German. Recall that the nominative case in German corresponds to the subjective case in English and
applies to nouns and pronouns used in a sentence as the subject of a verb. Nouns (and pronouns) that are used as
objects of transitive (action) verbs are in the English objective case. If these are direct objects (recipients of the
action of a verb), then these nouns are in the accusative case in German. If indirect objects, then these nouns are in
the dative case in German. Essentially, the English objective case is divided, in German, into an accusative case
used for direct objects and a dative case used for indirect objects.
Pronouns
For comparison with English, recall that the singular personal pronouns (nominative case) are "I", "you", and
"he/she/it" (1st, 2nd, and 3rd persons). The objective case, personal pronouns in English are "me", "you", and
"him/her/it"—and are used for both direct and indirect objects of verbs. For example:
He gives it [the Direct Object] to me [the Indirect Object].
The German accusative case, personal pronouns (singular) are: mich, dich, ihn/sie/es. The German dative case,
personal pronouns (singular) are: mir, dir, ihm/ihr/ihm. Thus, the above English example sentence becomes, in
German:
Er gibt es [the Direct Object] mir [the Indirect Object].
Because mir is a dative pronoun, there is no need in German to use a modifier as in English, where "to" is used as a
signal of an indirect object. The following table summarizes the German pronouns in three cases for both singular
and plural number:
Singular Plural
NOM. ACC. DAT. NOM. ACC. DAT.
1st person ich mich mir wir uns uns
2nd person du (Sie*) dich (Sie*) dir (Ihnen*) ihr (Sie*) euch (Sie*) euch (Ihnen*)
3rd person er, sie, es ihn, sie, es ihm, ihr, ihm sie sie ihnen
* Polite form
Recall from Gespräch 2-1 the "incomplete" sentence Und Ihnen? ('And you?'). Note that the pronoun agrees in case
(here, dative) with the implied sentence — Und wie geht es Ihnen? The same rule is evident in Gespräch 1-1 (Und
dir?). Such agreement is important to convey the correct meaning. Tables giving the German personal pronouns in
all cases can be found in an appendix: Pronoun Tables.
German/Lesson 4 131
Nouns
Nouns do not change their form (spelling) relative to case in German; instead, a preceding article indicates case. You
have learned the nominative case definite and indefinite articles (Grammatik 3-3: der, die, das and ein, eine. ein) for
each of the three noun genders. Now we will learn the accusative (used to signal a direct object) and dative (used to
signal an indirect object) articles. First, the definite articles:
Singular Plural
NOM. ACC. DAT. NOM. ACC. DAT.
Masculine der den dem die die den
Feminine die die der die die den
Neuter das das dem die die den
This table might seem a bit overwhelming (and there is yet one more case in German: the genitive!), but some points
to note can make memorizing much easier. First, as you can see from the table, gender does not really exist for plural
nouns. No matter what the noun gender in its singular number, its plural always has the same set of definite articles:
die, die, den for nominative, accusative, and dative cases. The plural der-words are similar to the feminine singular
der-words, differing only in the dative case. Another point: the dative for both masculine and neuter nouns is the
same: dem. Finally, for feminine, neuter, and plural nouns, there is no change between nominative and accusative
cases. Thus, only for masculine nouns is there a definite article change in the accusative compared with the
nominative.
The following examples demonstrate the use of the definite article in various parts of speech:
Du hast die Wurst und den Käse. You have the sausage and the cheese. (accusative case)
Die Geschäftsleute verstehen die Arbeit The business associates understand the work. (nominative and accusative cases)
Zürich ist die größte Stadt. Zurich is the largest city. (nominative case)
In the last example, you need to know that in both English and German, the noun (or pronoun) that follows the verb
'to be' is a predicate noun, for which the correct case is the nominative. That is why, in English, 'It is I' is
grammatically correct and 'It is me' is simply incorrect.
The indefinite articles are as follows:
Singular
NOM. ACC. DAT.
Masculine ein einen einem
Feminine eine eine einer
Neuter ein ein einem
Of course, there are no plural indefinite articles in German or English (ein means "a". "an", or "one"). It is important
to see that there is a pattern in the case endings added to ein related to the der-words in the definite articles table
above. For example, the dative definite article for masculine nouns is dem—the indefinite article is formed by adding
-em onto ein to get einem. The dative definite article for feminine nouns is der—the indefinite is ein plus -er or einer.
These ending changes will be covered in greater detail in a future lesson. You will see that there are a number of
words (adjectives, for example) whose form relative changes by addition of these endings to signal the case of the
noun they modify. Finally, we can see a pattern relationship between these "endings" and the 3rd person pronouns as
well:
German/Lesson 4 132
NOM. ACC. DAT.
Masculine indef. article ein einen einem
3rd pers. pronoun er ihn ihm
Feminine indef. article eine eine einer
3rd pers. pronoun sie sie ihr
Neuter indef. article ein ein einem
3rd pers. pronoun es es ihm
We could construct a similar table to compare the definite articles to the 3rd person pronouns. And in that case, we
would also see how the plural definite articles (die, die, den) compare with the third person plural pronouns (sie, sie,
ihnen).
Grammatik 4-3 ~ Interrogatives

You have encountered nearly all of the interrogatives commonly used in German (review Grammatik 1-2):
wann when
warum why Warum sind Sie müde?
was what Was ist das?
wer who Wer ist das Mädchen?
wie how Wie geht es dir?
wieviel how much Wieviel Uhr ist es?
wo where Wo ist das Buch?
wohin where (to) Wohin gehst du?
In a question, interrogatives replace the unknown object and establish the class of answer expected.
Was haben Sie? What do you have? (Expected is a 'thing')
Wieviel Arbeit ist zu viel? How much work is too much? (Expected is a 'quantity')
Wann gehst du nach Hause? When do you go home? (Expected is a sense of 'time')
Wo ist der Zürichsee? Where is Lake Zurich? (Expected is a 'place')
Note that the English construction for some of the questions differs from the German in that the former uses the
progressive form of "do".
Übersetzung 4-1
1. They have a good view of the Alps.
2. Lake Zurich is very beautiful.
• Antworten >
133
Review 2.01
German/Lesson 5
<< Lektion 4 | Lektion 5 | Lektion 6 >>
Wiederholung
Lesson 5 is a review (Wiederholung) lesson to summarize the German language lessons presented in Lessons 1
through 4. You should, then, return to Lektion 1 and review (that is, reread) each of the four lessons back up to this
point. For a more advanced course, you might now incorporate each of the advanced lessons into this "review"
process. That is: review Lesson 1, then do Lesson 1A, review Lesson 2, then do Lesson 2A, etc.
Parts of Speech and Word Order

Sentences are composed of parts that perform specific functions. You have been introduced to most (but not all) the
major parts of speech: pronouns/nouns, verbs, and adjectives; and how these are expressed in German compared
with English. Consider the following:
Ich brauche Wurst und Käse
I (pronoun as subject) need (verb) sausage and cheese (nouns as direct objects)
Haben sie zu viel Arbeit?
Have (verb) they (pronoun subject) too much (adjectives) work (noun direct object)?
Word order in a simple sentence follows that used in English. Subject and verb are reversed to form a question. In
English, but not in German, the question sentence could also be stated (and, in fact, occurs more often in the US) as
'Do they have too much work?'
Nouns
Nouns are words that typically occur in sentences as either subjects (performers of some action) or objects
(recipients of some action). Most nouns are the name of either a "person, place, or thing" and, in German, are always
capitalized. Every noun in German has an "assigned" gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), and we learn each noun
with its nominative case, definite article (der, die, das, respectively) in order to also learn that gender. Thus, a
Vokabeln section for nouns is presented thusly:
der Anhang, die Anhänge appendix, appendices (singular and plural)

die Brücke bridge
der Freund, die Freunde friend, friends (singular and plural)
das Gespräch, die Gespräche conversation, conversations
die Grammatik grammar (note irregular stress)
die Lektion lesson (note irregular stress)
die Straße street
134
Section 2.02 ~ Zürich, Switzerland

135
Lesson 2.05 - Die Wohnung
German/Lesson 6
<< Lektion5 | Lektion 6 | Lektion 7 >>
Die Wohnung ~ The Apartment
Gespräch 6-1 ~ Ein Bruder besucht Markus

Markus studiert Biologie an der Universität. Er besucht die Vorlesungen und dann geht er
nach Hause. Er wohnt nicht bei seinen Eltern; er mietet sich eine kleine Wohnung. Sie hat
nur drei Zimmer. Gegen Abend zeigt er sie seinem Bruder.
• Markus: Karl. Herein!
• Karl: Tag, Markus! Mutti grüßt dich.
Karl sieht sich um.
• Karl: Mir gefällt deine Wohnung.
• Markus: Danke. Sie hat drei Zimmer. Es gibt eine Küche, ein Wohnzimmer, und ein Schlafzimmer.
• Karl: Ich habe sie gern!
• Markus:
This incomplete story and conversation introduces terms for items around the house (or
apartment).
Vokabeln 6-1
der Bruder brother
die Eltern parents
die Küche kitchen
das Schlafzimmer bedroom
die Vorlesung class, instruction (at a
university)
die Wohnung apartment, flat
das Wohnzimmer living room
das Zimmer, die Zimmer room(s)
es gibt there is
gegen Abend towards evening
gern haben like (i.e., "to
gladly have")
Herein! Come in!
sich umsehen look around
zeigen show
besuchen visit, attend (classes)
German/Lesson 6 136
grüßen greet
mieten rent
sein his (a possessive

adjective)
Grammatik 6.1 ~ Introduction to verb conjugations

In German, every grammatical person has, or potentially has, its own unique verb form.
Describing the various verb forms is called verb conjugation. This variation in verb form is
certainly one of the things that makes German grammar somewhat difficult for English speakers
to learn. In English, only the 3rd person singular might differ from the verb form used with all of
the other persons (see Grammatik 1-3) and that difference is made by adding an ending of 's' or
'es'. For example: I/you/we/they 'go', but he/she/it 'goes'.
Let us have a closer look at German verbs. Usually, the infinitive form of a verb in German ends
with -en—for examples, consider these verbs you have already learned: gehen ('go'), haben
('have'), and studieren ('study'). In order to "build" the different verb forms (that is, conjugate a
verb), first cut off the '-en' ending from the infinitive. Then append a new ending according to the
grammatical person. For regular verbs it works essentially as follows:
pronoun verb in English:
ich gehe I go
du gehst you go
er/sie/es geht he/she/it goes
wir gehen we go
ihr geht you (pl.) go
sie gehen they go
As you see in this example using the verb gehen, the singular 1st person ends with -e, the 2nd
person with -st and 3rd person (no matter what gender) ends with -t. As for the plural forms, note
that 1st and 3rd person in plural number (see Grammatik 1-3) are built the same way as the
infinitive. Again note that, in English, only the verb form for the 3rd person singular is "unique".
An easy way to remember the regular verb endings is the following mnemonic "Elephants
standing together enjoy trumpeting endlessly".
Seems simple enough. However, realize we are discussing here only the regular verb forms in the
present tense (Präsens). You will learn quite soon that, unfortunately, there are many exceptions
from these simple rules. An important one is the irregular verb sein ('to be') which is irregular in
English as well (I am, you are, he is...).
German/Lesson 6 137
ich bin I am
du bist you are
er/sie/es ist he/she/it is
wir sind we are
ihr seid you (plural) are
sie sind they are
At least 1st and 3rd person plural are the same. Another important verb is haben ('to have'):
ich habe I have
du hast you have
er/sie/es hat he/she/it has
wir haben we have
ihr habt you (plural) have
sie haben they have
You see, it's not too irregular—only the 2nd and 3rd person singular constitute a small exception
since the 'b' has vanished. English is somewhat curious in this respect as well: 'I have', but 'he
has'. Future lessons will introduce you to the many irregular verbs in German. But you should
now recognize what is happening to the verbs in German sentences. They are reflecting the
person and number of their nominative case subjects. Recall these sentences from past lessons
(verbs underlined here):
Danke, es geht mir gut Thanks, it goes well with me
(verb is gehen)
Ich habe viel Arbeit I have much work (verb is
haben)
Ist er zu Besuch? Is he visiting? (verb is sein)
Du bist ein Schwein! You are a pig! (verb is sein)
Wie heißen Sie? What are you called? (verb is
heißen, and pronoun is formal)
Wir spielen eine Stunde lang! We play for one hour! (verb is
spielen)
Sie liegt am Ausfluss des Zürichsees. It lies at the outlet of Lake
Zurich (verb is liegen)
German/Lesson 6 138
Grammatik 6.2 ~ Case in German nouns

Through our discussions on the personal pronouns, you have learned how pronouns have case.
Nouns also have case—and in German, noun case can be expressed by the definite article (der).
Recall this table from Lektion 3:
der masculine
die feminine
das neuter
These der-words reflect noun gender in the nominative case—appropriate whenever a noun is
used as the subject of a sentence. For other cases, the der words change. Expanding the table to
present nominative (NOM.), accusative (ACC.), dative (DAT.), and genitive (GEN.) cases:
NOM. ACC. DAT. GEN.
der den dem des masculine
die die der der feminine
das das dem des neuter
die die den der plural
Note, there are also der-word forms to be used for plural nouns. Fortunately, these are the same,
no matter what the gender of the singular noun. For future reference, you can find the der-words
summarized in Anhänge Drei.
The following examples demonstrate the use of the definitive article in various parts of speech:
Du hast die Wurst und den Käse. You have the sausage and the
cheese.
(accusative case)
Die Geschäftsleute verstehen die Arbeit The business associates
understand the work.
(nominative and accusative
cases)
Sie liegt am Ausfluss des Zürichsees. It lies at the outlet of
(the) Lake Zurich.
(genitive case)
Zürich ist die größte Stadt der Schweiz. Zurich is the largest city
in (of the) Switzerland.
(nominative and genitive
cases)
In the last example, remember that in both English and German, the noun (or pronoun) that
follows the verb 'to be' is a predicate noun, for which the correct case is the nominative. That is
why, in English, 'It is I' is grammatically correct and 'It is me' is incorrect. So consider the
following (and note that case of each definite article is the same as in the last example above):
Zürich ist der Kanton der gleichnamigen Stadt. Zurich is the canton
of the same named city.
German/Lesson 6 139
Grammatik 6.3 ~ Commands

Ruf sie an, bitte! Call her, please.
or Ruf sie bitte an!
Gehen Sie nach Hause! Go home (formal).
Kommt mit! Come with (plural)!
Gib es mir! Give me it!
Notice that in these sentences there are no subjects (except for #2). In German, as in English,
there is a commandative form, a way to demand something using an understood you. In English,
there is only one you-form and one command form. In German, since there are three you's, there
are three ways to command.
If the subject is singular (du), then the verb has no ending. If it is irregular, it takes the du-form,
such as in essen (Iss!) or lesen (Lies!). If there is a plural subject (ihr), then the verb takes the
ihr-form. Nothing else is changed. Most of the time, ihr-commands are used with children, but
that is not always the case. In both of these sentences, the du or ihr is omitted.
Formal is normal. The Sie stays (after the verb) and the verb is in its formal form. Although it is
worded like a question, in written or spoken form, it is easy to tell the difference.
140
Lesson 2.06 - Mathematik
German/Lesson 7
<< Lektion6 | Lektion 7 | Lektion 8 >>
Einfache Mathematik ~ Simple Mathematics
Lernen 7 ~ Zählen von 13 bis 100

Once you have memorized the numbers from 1 to 12 (see Lernen 3), counting higher in German becomes very much
like counting in English. From 13 to 19, add -zehn (10; "-teen" in English) after the cardinal number root:
13 – dreizehn (irregular in English: 'thirteen')
14 – vierzehn
15 – fünfzehn
16 – sechzehn (note that the 's' in sechs is dropped and the 'ch' is pronounced like the 'ch' in ich)
17 – siebzehn (note that the 'en' in sieben is dropped)
18 – achtzehn
19 – neunzehn
Above 19 the counting system is constant: add -zig ("-ty" in English) to the cardinal root. Thus, we get:
20 – zwanzig
21 – einundzwanzig (note: 'one-and-twenty')
22 – zweiundzwanzig (note: 'two-and-twenty')
And the same for 30, 40, 50....etc.
30 – dreißig (this is an exception to the -zig Rule)
40 – vierzig
50 – fünfzig
60 – sechzig
70 – siebzig
80 – achtzig
90 – neunzig
100 – hundert
So, combining these, we get:
34 – vierunddreißig (note: 'four-and-thirty')
143 – hundertdreiundvierzig (note: 'hundred-three-and-forty')
170 – hundertsiebzig
199 – hundertneunundneunzig
It would be excellent practice towards learning these numbers by counting (in German, of course) from 1 to 199—or
counting along any continuous sequence that comes to mind. For example, start with your age and count to 50 (count
down if appropriate).
German/Lesson 7 141
Grammatik 7-1 ~ Math Calculations

The following table presents the symbols used for basic mathematics.
+ plus
- minus
× mal
÷ geteilt/dividiert durch
= ist gleich
> ist größer als
< ist kleiner als
3² drei hoch zwei
We can use these symbols to ask and answer simple problems in mathematics. Some of the examples that follow
include first a question (Frage) and then the answer (Antwort):
Wieviel ist sechs und sieben? How much is 6 and 7?

Sechs und sieben ist dreizehn 6 and 7 is 13
Wieviel ist fünfzig plus achtzehn? How much is 50 + 18?
Fünfzig plus achtzehn ist gleich achtundsechzig 50 + 18 = 68
Wieviel ist siebzig minus zehn? How much is 70 - 10?
Siebzig minus zehn ist gleich sechzig 70 - 10 = 60
Wieviel ist neun durch drei? How much is 9 divided by 3?
Neun durch drei ist gleich drei 9 ÷ 3 = 3
Funf ist größer als zwei 5 > 2
Acht ist kleiner als siebzehn 8 < 17
Vokabeln 7-1
Counting to 199 is also included in the vocabulary for Lektion 7.
die Antwort answer

die Frage question
geteilt/dividiert durch over [math]

größer als greater than
kleiner als smaller than
geteilt/dividiert divided, forked, split

gleich equal, same, even
hoch tall, to the power of [math]
mal times [math]
minus minus
plus plus
wieviel? how much?
142
Lesson 2.07 - Mein, Dein, und Sein
German/Lesson 8
Grammatik 8-1 ~ Colors

yellow: gelb
blue: blau
red: rot
black: schwarz
white: weiß
orange: orange
pink: pink
violet: lila
cyan: türkis
brown: braun
grey: grau
light-grey: hellgrau
dark-grey: dunkelgrau
Grammatik 8-2 ~ Possessive Adjectives, Pronouns, and the Genitive Case

Recall the following from Gespräch 3-1:
Karl: Ja. Und danach bringst du mich auf deinem Motorrad zu meiner Wohnung.
Which translates:
Carl: 'Yes. And after that take me on your motorcycle to my apartment'.
The sentence demonstrates two of the possessive adjectives. These are (singular) 'my', 'your', and 'his/her/its' in
English and mein, dein, and sein/ihr/sein in German. Note that because these are adjectives, the word ending must
reflect the case and gender of the noun being modified (see Grammatik 4-1 above).
In German, the genitive case correspond to the English possessive case or to the objective case proceeded by of to
denote possession. If the possessive is not followed by a noun, it becomes a possessive pronoun. In general,
possessive pronouns are rather rarely used in German (see Pronoun Tables).
German/Lesson 8 143
NOM. ACC. DAT. POSS. ADJ.
I, me ich mich mir mein
you du dich dir dein
he, him er ihn ihm sein
she, her sie sie ihr ihr
it es es ihm sein
we, us wir uns uns unser
you (all) ihr euch euch eurer
they, them sie sie ihnen ihr
you (formal) Sie Sie Ihnen Ihr
The pattern in the case endings of the possessive adjectives is that seen in Lektion 4 for the word ein. We can
generalize these endings as in the following table, where we can express plural endings because other so-called
ein-words do have plurals:
Ein-group Endings
NOM. ACC. DAT.
Masculine -- --en --em
Feminine --e --e --er Neuter -- -- --em
Plural --e --e --en
The small group of words that take these endings (in addition to ein) includes the possessive adjectives and kein
("not any" or "no" in the sense of none).
144
Lesson 2.08 - Einkaufen gehen
German/Lesson 9
Einkaufen gehen ~ Going shopping
Lernen 9 ~ Die Kleidungsstücke (articles of clothing)

German English German plural
die Bluse blouse die Blusen
der Gürtel belt die Gürtel
das Hemd shirt die Hemden
das Kleid dress die Kleider
die Hose pants (US)/trousers die Hosen
der Hut hat die Hüte
die Kleidung clothes (casual) die Kleidungsstücke
die Jeans jeans die Jeans
die Mütze/Haube cap die Mützen
der Pullover pullover die Pullis, die Pullover
der Rock skirt die Röcke
der Schuh shoe die Schuhe
die Shorts shorts die Shorts
die Socke sock die Socken
der Stiefel boot die Stiefel
das T-Shirt T-shirt die T-Shirts
Gespräche 9-1 ~ Katrin macht Besorgungen

Katrin macht Besorgungen—besonders sucht sie neue Schuhe. Sie geht in das Einkaufszentrum.
• Katrin: Entschuldigen Sie. Ich brauche Schuhe. Wo sind sie?
• Verkäufer: Wir haben viele Schuhe. Welche Farbe möchten Sie?
• Katrin: Ein Paar Schuhe in Weiß, bitte.
• Verkäufer: Da drüben.
Katrin probiert ein Paar Schuhe an.
• Verkäufer: Passen sie?
• Katrin: Nein, sie sind zu klein.
• Verkäufer: Möchten Sie diese Schuhe? Diese hier sind größer.
• Katrin: Ja, danke.
Katrin probiert die Schuhe an. Sie passen prima.
• Verkäufer: Sie kosten neununddreißig Euro neunzehn.
• Katrin: Die Schuhe sind billig. Dann kaufe ich sie.
German/Lesson 9 145
Vokabeln 9-1
Included in this vocabulary lesson are the German nouns for various articles of clothing (Lernen 9 above).
die Besorgungen errands

das Einkaufszentrum shopping mall
der Euro €uro
die Farbe color
die Klamotten gear, stuff (things)
das Paar pair, couple
der Preis price
der Verkäufer sales clerk, sales assistant
neununddreißig Euro neunzehn € 39.19
anprobieren try on
brauchen need
kaufen buy
kosten cost
mögen would like
passen fit [clothing]
suchen seek, look for
besonders especially
billig cheap
prima topnotch, super
welche which
2-2 Shopping-related Verbs

There are a lot of verbs that have to do with shopping for clothes. The most prominent are listed below.
anziehen - to put on (clothes)
aussehen - to appear
nehmen - to take
wollen - to want (somewhat impolite)
These verbs are used often, so it is necessary to learn them. Among them are separable verbs, irregular verbs, and
modals.
Separable Verbs
Anprobieren, aussehen and anziehen are separable verbs. It is easy to see this, as they each have a prefix of 'aus' or
'an'. When using the verb as the main verb of a sentence, separate the prefix and put it at the end of the sentence.
When the verb is in infinitive form, leave it just as you see it.
Irregular Verbs
Ausehen and nehmen are the two irregular verbs on this list. Both experience a change in the first 'e' in the du-form
and er/sie/es-form. Du siehst ... aus und er/sie/es sieht ... aus. Du nimmst und er/sie/es nimmt.
Modals
Möchten and wollen are the two modals introduced here. Modals are similar to the helping verbs in English and
cause the other verb to go to the end in the infinitive form. They also have a strange conjugation. Möchten changes
in er/sie/es form to möchte (the same as the ich-form). In fact all modals have the same er/sie/es-form and ich-form.
German/Lesson 9 146
Wollen is like most other modals: it has a different vowel in singular and plural, except when using formal you. Ich
will (not to be confused with future tense), du willst, er/sie/es will, wir wollen, ihr wollt, und sie/Sie wollen.
All of this verb conjugation and more can be found in Reference Table II.
3 Accusative Case
You have already learned the pronouns and articles in the nominative case. Now it is time for the accusative case.
3-1 Example Story 2

You now need more clothes. You drive to a mall and go to the clothing department store.
Du suchst zwei Jeans, drei Hemden und einen Gürtel. Du siehst die Jeans und nimmst zwei. Du kaufst jetzt nur die
Hemden und den Gürtel.
VERKÄUFERIN: Die Gürtel sind da.
DU: Haben Sie auch Gürtel in Braun?
VERKÄUFERIN: Ja, da hinten.
Du nimmst den Gürtel in Braun, aber er ist billig. Du kaufst zwei.
VERKÄUFERIN: Noch etwas?
DU: Ja, ich brauche drei Hemden.
VERKÄUFERIN: Hemden haben wir. Sie sind hier.
Du nimmst ein Hemd in Blau, und zwei in Rot. Du probierst die Hemden, die Jeans, und die Gürtel an. Alles passt.
DU: Was kosten diese Klamotten?
VERKÄUFERIN: Zwei Jeans, drei Hemden, und zwei Gürtel kosten fünfundsechzig Euro.
You give the clerk the money and take the clothing home.
3-2 Accusative Case Articles

Remember that in the nominitive case, the articles are der, die, das, and die, listed in MFNP (masculine, feminine,
neuter, and plural) order. Well, in the accusative case, only the masculine form changes to den. An easy memory
hook is "Der goes to den and the rest stay the same."
The ein-forms undergo the same change. Masculine "ein" goes to "einen" and the rest stay the same.
Nom. Acc. Nom. Acc.
Masc. der den ein einen
Fem. die die eine eine
Neut. das das ein ein
Plur. die die does not exist does not exist

German/Lesson 9 147
3-3 Prices
Two easy words describe prices.
billig - cheap
teuer - expensive
These adjectives are applied to the products you buy, never to the word "Preis". Anyway, you rather say "Das ist
billig/teuer." (meaning the product you buy) than "Der Preis ist niedrig/hoch."
3-4 A DDR Joke

In einem Kaufhaus in der DDR fragt ein Kunde: "Haben sie keine Unterhosen?".
Die Verkäuferin antwortet: "Nein, wir haben keine Badehosen. Im zweiten Stock haben wir keine Unterhosen!"
fragen to ask
DDR Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic, long since reunited with the BRD)
Kaufhaus very big shop
Kunde client
Unterhosen underpants
Badehosen swimming trunks
Im zweiten Stock on the second floor

148
Review 2.02
German/Lesson 10
Wiederholung
Lesson 10 is a review (Wiederholung) lesson to summarize the German language lessons presented in Lessons 6
through 9. You should, as well, return to Lektion 6 and review (that is, completely reread) each of the four lessons
back up to this point. For a more advanced course, you should now incorporate each of the advanced lessons into this
"review" process. That is: review Lesson 6, then do Lesson 6A, review Lesson 7, then do Lesson 7A, etc. If the
advanced lessons have already been completed, then now review lessons in the order 6 -> 6A -> 7 -> 7A -> 8, etc.
Verb Conjugation
You have learned that there is a relationship between the subject of a verb and the form that verb takes in German.
Some verbs follow a predictable regular pattern, while others are less predictable (irregular verbs).
verb: können (can) gehen (go) sein (to be)

pronoun verb I (irreg.) verb II verb III (irregular)
Basicform können gehen sein
ich kann gehe bin
du kannst gehst bist
er/sie/es kann geht ist
wir können gehen sind
ihr könnt geht seid
sie können gehen sind
Sie (formal) können gehen sind
As you can see, any verb uses the same declination for wir, sie and Sie. Also, er/sie/es uses the same declination for
all three genders.
149
Section 2.03 ~ Hannover, Germany

150
Lesson 2.09 - Verbtempus und Wortstellung
German/Lesson 11
<< Lektion 10 | Lektion 11 | Lektion 12 >> |
Ein Treffen in Hannover (WIP)

(Don't be too afraid, it's a lot of text but simple grammar!)
Katja hat sich mit einem Freund, Markus, verabredet, den sie im Chat kennengelernt hat. Sie hat ein Foto von ihm
gesehen, und vielleicht gefällt er ihr ja. Am "Kröpcke", der größten U-Bahnstation in Hannover, steigt sie aus der
U-Bahn. Täglich betreten Hunderte von Menschen diese Station, Schüler, Studenten, Angestellte und Rentner. Sie ist
22, studiert seit 2 Jahren Tiermedizin in Hannover, und ist im Moment ledig.
Sie geht auf die Rolltreppe, betritt die Stufen, und fährt zwei Stockwerke nach oben. Währenddessen schaut sie nach
unten. Ihre U-Bahn hat die Station verlassen. Eine andere U-Bahn hat bereits gehalten, und die Fahrgäste sind
aufgestanden und ausgestiegen. Sie kommt auf der zweiten Ebene an und geht weiter, Richtung Sonnenlicht, in die
Pasarelle. Die Pasarelle führt Richtung Hauptbahnhof, und links und rechts locken die Schaufenster der Geschäfte.
Nach einer Weile hat sie die Rolltreppe erreicht, die zum Hauptbahnhof führt. Nun sieht sie in voller Breite den
Hauptbahnhof von Hannover, und davor einen Sockel mit einer Statue von einem Pferd mit Reiter. Dort hat Markus
schon fünf Minuten gewartet und begrüßt sie, bevor sie sich ins Eiscafe nebenan setzen.
Vokabeln
Katja Female first name
Markus Male first name
sich verabreden to make a date
Chat Internet Chat
kennenlernen to get to know someone
kennengelernt Partizip Perfekt von kennenlernen
das Foto Photographic Picture
sehen to see
gesehen Partizip Perfekt von "sehen"
vielleicht perhaps
gefallen to please someone (with dative)
er gefällt ihr She likes him (he pleases her, literally)
Kröpcke The name of Hanover's biggest subway station
U-Bahn subway
die größte greatest (feminine here)
die Station the station
aussteigen getting off (a train, investment etc.)
täglich daily
betreten to enter
Hunderte hundreds
diese female form of "this"
German/Lesson 11 151
der Schüler, die Schüler(pl) "pupil" (British engl.)

der Student student
der Angestellte Clerk
der Rentner, die Rentner(pl) pensioner
studieren to study
im Moment currently
ledig a person not having a partner
gehen to go
Rolltreppe escalator
die Stufe stair
fahren to drive (often specializing from engl. to travel towards)
währenddessen "during this"
schauen look
ihre her (form for female possessions of a female person)
verlassen to leave
verlassen Partizip Perfekt von "verlassen"
eine andere another (feminine object)
bereits already
der Fahrgast passenger
die Fahrgäste passengers (pl)
aufstehen to stand up
aufgestanden Partizip Perfekt von "aufstehen"
ausgestiegen Partizip Perfekt von "aussteigen"
die Ebene level/plateau
weitergehen to go on
sie geht weiter she goes on
das Sonnenlicht sunlight
die Richtung direction
Richtung Sonnenlicht towards sunlight
die Passarelle passage way
führen lead
Hauptbahnhof central station (in most German cities this is in the city centre)
Richtung Hauptbahnhof in direction of the central station
links left
rechts right
locken tempt (not to confuse with "die Locken" = locks, curls!!)
das Schaufenster display window
die Schaufenster plural of "das Schaufenster"
das Geschäft the shop
die Geschäfte the shops
der Geschäfte of the shops
nach einer Weile After a while
erreichen reach
erreicht Partizip Perfekt von erreichen
die zum Hauptbahnhof führt that leads to the central station
Word Order
Inverted word order occurs under several circumstances, among which are:
• Interrogatives
• Time Expressions
• Subordinating Conjunctions
For interrogatives, a simple statement, "Du hast das Buch." becomes "Hast du das Buch?" when converting it to a
question. The method is simply switching the verb and subject of the sentence.
Time expressions, such as "Nach der Schule" prefacing a sentence cause inverted word order. The formula is "Time
Expression", "Verb", "Subject" and "Rest of sentence." Practically applied, "Every day, I go to school" becomes
"Jeden Tag gehe ich zur Schule."
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Some subordinating conjunctions
are: dass (that), obwohl (although), seit (since), weil (because), and wenn (if, when). The formula for a dependent
clause is "subordinating conjunction" "subject" "rest of clause" "verb" and is offset from the independent clause by a
comma. Here are some examples (the dependent clause is underlined):
Ich kann das Buch nicht kaufen, weil ich kein Geld habe.
Ich kaufe das Buch für dich, da du kein Geld hast.
Wenn unsere Eltern uns besuchen, schenken sie uns Geschenke.
I can't buy the book because I have no money.

I am buying the book for you, as you have no money.
When our parents visit us, they give us presents.
153
Lesson 2.10 - Undeveloped
German/Lesson 12
<< Lektion 11 | Lektion 12
Ein Treffen in Hannover (WIP)

(Don't be afraid. There is a lot of text, but not much grammar.)
Katja hat sich mit einem Freund, Markus, verabredet, den sie im Chat kennengelernt hat. Sie hat ein Foto von ihm
gesehen, und vielleicht gefällt er ihr ja. Am "Kröpcke", der größten U-Bahnstation in Hannover, steigt sie aus der
U-Bahn. Täglich betreten Hunderte von Menschen diese Station, Schüler, Studenten, Angestellte und Rentner. Sie ist
22, studiert seit 2 Jahren Tiermedizin in Hannover, und ist im Moment ledig. Sie geht auf die Rolltreppe, betritt die
Stufen, und fährt zwei Stockwerke nach oben. Währenddessen schaut sie nach unten. Ihre U-Bahn hat die Station
verlassen. Eine andere U-Bahn hat bereits gehalten, und die Fahrgäste sind aufgestanden und ausgestiegen. Sie
kommt auf der zweiten Ebene an und geht weiter, Richtung Sonnenlicht, in die Pasarelle. Die Pasarelle führt
Richtung Hauptbahnhof, und links und rechts locken die Schaufenster der Geschäfte. Nach einer Weile hat sie die
Rolltreppe erreicht, die zum Hauptbahnhof führt. Nun sieht sie in voller Breite den Hauptbahnhof von Hannover,
und davor einen Sockel mit einer Statue von einem Pferd mit Reiter. Dort hat Markus schon fünf Minuten gewartet
und begrüßt sie, bevor sie sich ins Eiscafe nebenan setzen.
Vokabeln
Katja Female first name
Markus Male first name
sich verabreden to make a date
Chat Internet Chat
kennenlernen to get to know someone
kennengelernt Partizip Perfekt von kennenlernen
das Foto Photographic Picture
sehen to see
gesehen Partizip Perfekt von "sehen"
vielleicht perhaps
gefallen to please someone (with dative)
er gefällt ihr She likes him (he pleases her, literally)
Kröpcke The name of Hanover's biggest subway station
U-Bahn subway
die größte greatest (feminine here)
die Station the station
aussteigen getting off (a train, investment etc.)
täglich daily
betreten to enter
Hunderte hundreds
diese female form of "this"
der Schüler, die Schüler(pl) "pupil" (British engl.)

der Student student
der Angestellte Clerk
der Rentner, die Rentner(pl) pensioner
studieren to study
im Moment currently
ledig a person not having a partner
gehen to go
Rolltreppe escalator
die Stufe stair
fahren to drive (often specializing from engl. to travel towards)
währenddessen "during this"
schauen look
ihre her (form for female possessions of a female person)
verlassen to leave
verlassen Partizip Perfekt von "verlassen"
eine andere another (feminine object)
bereits already
der Fahrgast passenger
die Fahrgäste passengers (pl)
aufstehen to stand up
aufgestanden Partizip Perfekt von "aufstehen"
ausgestiegen Partizip Perfekt von "aussteigen"
die Ebene level/plateau
weitergehen to go on
sie geht weiter she goes on
das Sonnenlicht sunlight
die Richtung direction
Richtung Sonnenlicht towards sunlight
die Passarelle passage way
führen lead
Hauptbahnhof central station (in most German cities this is in the city centre)
Richtung Hauptbahnhof in direction of the central station
links left
rechts right
locken tempt (not to confuse with "die Locken" = locks, curls!!)
das Schaufenster display window
die Schaufenster plural of "das Schaufenster"
das Geschäft the shop
die Geschäfte the shops
der Geschäfte of the shops
nach einer Weile After a while
erreichen reach
erreicht Partizip Perfekt von erreichen
die zum Hauptbahnhof führt that leads to the central station
Inverted word order occurs under several circumstances, among which are:
• Interrogatives
• Time Expressions
• Subordinating Conjunctions
For interrogatives, a simple statement, "Du hast das Buch." becomes "Hast du das Buch?" when converting it to a
question. The method is simply switching the verb and subject of the sentence.
Time expressions, such as "Nach der Schule" prefacing a sentence cause inverted word order. The formula is "Time
Expression", "Verb", "Subject" and "Rest of sentence." Practically applied, "Every day, I go to school" becomes
"Jeden Tag gehe ich zur Schule."
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Some subordinating conjunctions
are: dass (that), obwohl (although), seit (since), weil (because), and wenn (if, when). The formula for a dependent
clause is "subordinating conjunction" "subject" "rest of clause" "verb" and is offset from the independent clause by a
comma. Here are some examples (the dependent clause is underlined):
Ich kann das Buch nicht kaufen, weil ich kein Geld habe. I can't buy the book because I have no money.
Ich kaufe das Buch für dich, da du kein Geld hast. I am buying the book for you, as you have no money.
Wenn unsere Eltern uns besuchen, schenken sie uns Geschenke. When our parents visit us, they give us presents.
156

157

158
Review 2.03
159
LEVEL THREE LESSONS

160
Section 3.01 ~ Bonn, Germany

161
Lesson 3.01 - Markus

162
Lesson 3.02 - Gespräche unter

Geschäftsmännern
German/Level III/Gespräche Unter

Geschäftsmännern
Lektion 1 | Lektion 2 | Lektion 3 | Lektion 4 | Lektion 5 | Lektion 6 | Lektion 7 | Lektion 8 | Lektion 9 | Lektion 10 | Lektion 11 | Lektion 12
Lektion Zwei für Fortgeschrittene
Gespräch 2-3 ~ Katrin geht einkaufen

Katrin geht einkaufen. Sie braucht Wurst und Käse, aber sie findet viele leckere
Lebensmittel in dem Delikatessengeschäft.
• Katrin: Hallo. Ich brauche Käse.
• Verkäufer: Ich habe einen leckeren Schmelzkäse. Er heißt 'Brimsen'.
• Katrin: Nein. Ich suche Hartkäse. Haben Sie einen 'Jarlsberg'?
• Verkäufer: Nein. Aber ich habe einen guten Schweizer Käse. Er schmeckt ähnlich.
• Katrin: OK. Verkaufen Sie den stückweise?
• Verkäufer: Ja. Ein Stück?
• Katrin: Bitte. Und haben Sie Wurst?
• Verkäufer: Ja gewiss. Wir haben viele Wurstsorten.
• Katrin: Ich suche Würstchen.
• Verkäufer: Ich habe 'Nürnberger Schweinswürste'.
• Katrin: Das ist gut.
Vokabeln 2-3
das Delikatessengeschäft Deli, Delicatessen (das Geschäft = business)
der Hartkäse hard cheese
das Lebensmittel, die Lebensmittel food, foods
der Schmelzkäse soft cheese
die Schweinswurst pork sausage
der Schweizerkäse Emmenthaler cheese, Swiss cheese
das Stück piece
der Verkäufer sales clerk
das Würstchen small sausage
die Wurstsorten types of sausage
Bitte If you please

Nürnberger Schweinswürste a type of small, pork sausage (pl.)
finden find
heißen call, name

German/Level III/Gespräche Unter Geschäftsmännern 163
schmecken taste
suchen seek, look for
verkaufen sell (compare with einkaufen & der Verkäufer)
ähnlich similar
ein a, an, any, one
lecker tasty, delicious
nicht not
stückweise piecemeal, by the piece (compare with das Stück)
Grammatik 2-5 ~ Word Formation

As in any language, many words in German are constructed from other smaller words that provide similar meaning,
although the connections can sometimes be obscured by the passage of time. Construction of new words from word
combinations is especially prevalent with German nouns, and understanding word roots can therefore be helpful in
learning new words. As an example, consider the phrase Auf Wiedersehen — the standard translation into English
being 'Good bye', although it means literally 'upon reunion' (in essence, "until we meet again"). The noun, das
Wiedersehen, consists of wieder, 'once again' (or 're-' as a prefix), and sehen or 'see'.
The noun die Geschäftsleute provides a direct example of a compounded noun: the first part of each deriving from
das Geschäft ('business') and the second part from die Leute ('people'). The gender of a compound noun follows the
base or last noun.
There are other examples in the this lesson, but these may not be immediately obvious unless you already have a
good command of German words. However, you should train yourself to view new words in terms of the meanings
of their component parts. Consider all of the various words used in this lesson to describe types of cheeses: der
Hartkäse, der Schmelzkäse, der Schweizerkäse; or nouns and verbs related to buying and selling (Kaufen und
Verkaufen).
Grammatik 2-6 ~ Personal Pronouns: nominative case

Here are the personal pronouns in the nominative case:
Singular Plural
1st person ich I wir we
2nd person du (Sie*) you ihr (Sie*) you
3rd person er, sie, es he, she, it sie (all genders) they
• Polite form.
The nominative case is that of the subject of a verb. The pronoun subject of these sentences is underlined in the
German and the English:
Es geht mir gut. It goes well (for) me.
Das kann ich verstehen. That I can understand.
Du bist ein Schwein! You are a pig!
Und können Sie mir sagen...? And can you tell (to) me...?
This last sentence is an example from Gespräch 2-3 using the polite form of 'you'. Whether singular or plural must
be established by context. This next sentence translates with sie as 'they':
Und können sie mir sagen...? And can they tell me...?
And this one, with sie as 'she':
Und kann sie mir sagen...? And can she tell me...?
as evidenced by the form taken by the verb 'can' (können). Other uses of the nominative case in German will be
explored in future lessons. Tables of the pronouns in all cases are summarized in the grammar appendix: Pronoun
Tables.
NOTE: An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object in English or German. A pronoun following an
intransitive verb such as 'to be' is called a predicate pronoun and should be in the nominative case. In English 'It is I'
is correct; 'It is me' is incorrect.
Grammatik 2-7 ~ More on verb forms

Just as English sometimes adds the verb "to be", forming the progressive, note also in Grammatik 2-2 (in both
question sentence examples) that English also may insert the verb 'to do' (called the emphatic form), especially
useful when forming a question. This is not done in German:
Haben Sie zu viel Arbeit? becomes in English: . Do you have too much work? (Notice polite form of 'you' here)
Hast du jede Wurst? becomes in English: Do you have every sausage?
Hat Helena zehn Finger? becomes in English: Does Helena have ten fingers?
Again, in the present tense, the English sentences:

'I write a letter.'
'I do write a letter.'
are all, in German: Ich schreibe einen Brief.
'I am writing a letter.'
means: Ich schreibe gerade einen Brief.
Vokabeln 2-4
der Brief letter
das Einkaufen shopping
der Finger, die Finger finger, fingers
das Kaufen buying (use of the verb form is preferred)
das Schwein pig (compare with die Schweinswurst)
das Verkaufen selling
können can
schreiben write
jede any
zehn ten
Andere Wörter 2A
Using these additional vocabulary words, you should be able to restate Gespräch 2-2 above, altering the meaning (or
time of day) of the conversation.
der Abend evening
Guten Abend! Good Evening (greeting)

morgen früh tomorrow morning
zu wenig too little
abend evening
abends evenings
falsch false, wrong
morgen tomorrow
morgens in the morning
schlecht bad
Übersetzung 2-2
Write these sentences in German. Pay attention to the additional words presented in Andere Wörter 2A:
1. Good evening Catherine.Where are you going?
2. I'm looking for a good Swiss cheese.
3. That is wrong! Too little is too little.
• Antworten >
166
Lesson 3.03 - Mach dir keine Sorgen!
German/Level III/Mach Dir Keine Sorgen!

Lektion Drei für Fortgeschrittene
Gespräch 3-3 ~ Mach dir keine Sorgen!

Beim Ballspielen macht Karl sich Sorgen um die Uhrzeit.
• Karl: Wie spät ist es jetzt?
• Heinrich: Es ist erst halb eins.
• Karl: Kannst du mir bitte sagen, wenn es Viertel vor zwei ist?
• Heinrich: Warum?
• Karl: Dann muss ich nach Hause gehen.
• Heinrich: Und jetzt ist es schon ein Uhr einunddreißig.
• Karl: Du bist komisch! Hier, ich kicke dir den Ball zu.
• Heinrich: Ja. Dann kann ich ihn dir zurückkicken.
• Karl: Ja. Und danach bringst du mich auf deinem Motorrad zu meiner Wohnung.
Vokabeln 3-3
das Ballspiel ball game
die Minute minute
das Motorrad motorcycle
die Sorge, die Sorgen problem(s), worry(-ies)
das Viertel quarter, one-fourth
die Woche week
die Wohnung apartment
mach dir keine Sorgen! do not worry!

nach Hause gehen go home
kicken kick
zurückkicken kick back, return kick
beim when, while (usually, "at the")

danach after that
dein your
erst only
halb half
jetzt now
komisch comical, funny
mein my
schon already
German/Level III/Mach Dir Keine Sorgen! 167
zurück back
warum why (interrogative)
Grammatik 3-5 ~ Numbers
Gender of Ordinals
Ordinal numbers are adjectives, and therefore have forms for each of the three genders in German. The forms are
derived from the feminine form (as introduced in the beginning of Lesson 3) by adding an 'r' (masculine) or an 's'
(neuter). Thus: erste (feminine), erster (masculine), and erstes (neuter). Examples:
~ erster Mann ('first man'); letzter Mann ('last man'); siebter Himmel (7th heaven)
~ zehnte Frau ('tenth woman'); zweite Woche ('second week')
~ drittes Mädchen ('third girl')
Grammatik 3-6 ~ Expressions of Time
Idioms used in Telling Time

As in English, there are a number of idiomatic phrases associated with giving or telling time. For example, note that
the half hour is given as approaching the next hour. The German preposition, um, is used to mean "at" a given time.
Es ist halb elf. It is half past ten (10:30).
Er kommt um sieben Uhr. He is coming at seven o'clock.
Sie kommt immer ungefähr um acht Uhr. She always comes around eight o'clock.
Wir essen gegen sieben Uhr. We eat about seven o'clock.
Sie gehen nach Hause auf eine Stunde. They go home for an hour.
It is a quarter past nine

Es ist viertel zehn1
1
This idiom (Es ist viertel zehn) is used especially in the southern parts of Germany, but is becoming popular
among young Germans throughout the Country.
Periods of the Day

There are a number of adverbial phrases used in German to denote time periods during the day. Common ones are
listed here:
am Morgen in the morning; also as morgens2 or des Morgens
am Mittag at noon, midday; also as mittags or des Mittags2
am Nachmittag in the afternoon; also as nachmittags or des Nachmittags2
am Abend in the evening; also as abends or des Abends2
am Tage in the daytime
in der Nacht at night
gegen Abend towards evening
gegen Morgen towards morning

2
Forms like morgens and des Nachmittags would tend to be used to indicate customary or habitual actions, as
in this sense:
Morgens spiele ich. = In the morning I (usually) play.
However, these forms aren't used much anymore.
Additional Notes
The first sentence in Gespräch 3-3 uses Beim Ballspielen in the sense of "during the ball game" or "while playing
ball". Beim is a contraction of bei dem or "at the". However, das Ballspiel is a noun that represents an action
("playing with a ball"), so it is correct to use beim in the sense intended here. It is not the most beautiful way of
saying this—but is correct. With the infinitive of a verb you can use beim too: Beim Spielen means "while playing".
This form is more common in modern German language.
Vokabeln 3-4
der Abend evening
der Himmel heaven
der Mittag noon, noontime
der Morgen, die Morgen morning(s)
der Nachmittag afternoon
die Nacht night
der Tag, die Tage day(s)
abreisen depart (from a trip)
auf for (duration), after

gegen towards, about, approximately
letzt(er) last
ungefähr (at) about, approximately
Note that morgen does not change in plural; thus, Die Morgen = "the mornings". It is uncommon to use it in plural,
unless as a measure of land Vier Morgen Land = "four 'morgens of land". For a plural use of "mornings", it is better
to substitute die Vormittage.
Andere Wörter 3A
Using these additional vocabulary words, you may be able to restate Gespräch 3-3 above, altering the meaning (or
time of day) of the conversation.
die Hälfte half

die Viertelstunde quarter of an hour

Übersetzung 3-2
1. I am always at home in the morning.
• Antworten >
170
Section 3.02 ~ Innsbruck, Austria

171
Lesson 3.04 - Die Geschäftsleute
German/Level III/Die Geschäftsleute

Lektion Vier für Fortgeschrittene
Gespräch 4-2 ~ Die Geschäftsleute

Herr Schmidt und Herr Standish, als sie sich am Hauptsitz endlich begegnen. Frau Baumann
ist auch da.
• Herr Schmidt: Guten Morgen, Herr Standish! Darf ich mich vorstellen: mein Name ist Schmidt, Johann
Schmidt.
• Herr Standish: Es freut mich sehr, Sie kennen zu lernen. Ich heiße Miles Standish.
• Herr Schmidt: Ich glaube, dass Sie Frau Baumann schon kennen.
• Herr Standish: Ja, gewiss. Wie geht es Ihnen, Frau Baumann?
• Frau Baumann: Danke, es geht mir gut.
• Herr Schmidt: Verstehe ich es richtig, dass Sie gestern ankamen und morgen ins Wiener Büro reisen müssen?
• Herr Standish: Ja, am Montag fuhr ich mit dem Schnellzug durch den Ärmelkanaltunnel. Wenn ich meine
Arbeit abgeschlossen habe, werde ich am Donnerstag nach Zürich und Wien reisen.
• Herr Schmidt: Sehr gut. Bitte sprechen Sie vor Ende der Woche noch mit Frau Kaufmann.
• Frau Baumann: Sie arbeitet in der Geschäftsbibliothek.
• Herr Schmidt: Das ist richtig. Die Bibliothek.
• Herr Standish: Ich werde es sofort tun.
• Herr Schmidt: Alles klar.
• Frau Baumann: Später werden wir eine Versammlung in der Buchhaltung abhalten.
• Herr Standish: Sehr gut. Auf Wiedersehen Frau Baumann. Auf Wiedersehen Herr Schmidt.
• Herr Schmidt: Auf Wiedersehen.
Vokabeln 4-3
der Ärmelkanaltunnel Chunnel (England-France channel tunnel)
die Arbeit work
die Bibliothek library
die Buchhaltung accounting office
das Büro office
der Donnerstag Thursday
die Geschäftsbibliothek company (business) library
der Montag Monday
der Name name
der Schnellzug express train
das Sehen vision
die Versammlung meeting
das Wien Vienna (Austria)
German/Level III/Die Geschäftsleute 172
das Wiedersehen reunion

die Woche week
das Zürich Zurich
alles klar all right, everything clear

am Montag on Monday
dann wenn at such time when
Darf ich... ? May I... ?
Es freut mich sehr It gives me pleasure
Guten Morgen! Good morning! (greeting)
Ja, gewiss certainly, of course
vor Ende der Woche before the end of the week
Wiener Büro Vienna branch office
abhalten hold
abschließen complete
ankommen (kam an,
angekommen) arrive
fahren ride
geben give
kennen lernen meet, make acquaintance
müssen must (aux.)
reisen travel
sehen see, look
tun do, accomplish
sich vorstellen introduce
werden will
würde would
bitte please
da there
durch through, by means of
endlich finally
gestern yesterday
nach to, towards
natürlich of course
mich myself (reflexive)
mit with
schnell fast, quick, rapid
sofort directly, forthwith
wieder again, once again

Grammatik 4-4 ~ Personal Pronouns: Accusative Case

Here are the personal pronouns in the accusative case:
Singular Plural
1st person mich me uns us
2nd person dich (Sie*) you euch (Sie*) you
3rd person ihn, sie, es him, her, it sie (all genders) them
*Polite form.
The accusative case is that of the object of a verb. Only transitive verbs take direct objects. The pronoun (and noun
in two cases) object in each of these sentences is underlined in the German and the English:
Können Sie mich verstehen? Can you understand me?

Ich kann Sie verstehen. I can understand you.
Ich kann sie verstehen I can understand (her or them).
Ich kann ihn dir zurück kicken! I can kick it back to you!
Note the order of the pronouns in this last sentence. If the direct object (here: ihn) is a personal pronoun, it precedes
the dative (dir); if it were a noun, the dative would precede it, as in these sentences:
Hier, ich kicke dir den Ball zu. Here, I kick the ball to you.
Darf ich Ihnen meine Freundin vorstellen? May I introduce my friend to you?
Other uses of the accusative case in German will be explored in future lessons. Tables of the personal pronouns in all
cases are summarized in Pronoun Tables.
Grammatik 4-5 ~ Personal Pronouns in the Dative Case

Here are the personal pronouns in the dative case:
Singular Plural
1st person mir me uns us
2nd person dir (Ihnen*) you euch (Ihnen*) you
3rd person ihm, ihr, ihm him, her, it ihnen (all genders) them
*Polite form.
The dative case is that of the indirect object of a verb. The pronoun indirect object of these sentences is underlined
in the German and the English:
Es geht mir gut It goes (for) me well

Wie geht es dir? How goes it (for or with) you
Und können Sie mir sagen...? And can you tell me...?
Karl gibt ihm den Ball Karl gave him the ball.
Wie geht es Ihnen? How goes it (with) you? (How are you?)
This last sentence is an example from Gespräch 1-2 using the polite form of 'you'. Whether singular or plural must be
established by context. This next sentence translates with ihnen as 'them':
Wie geht es ihnen? How goes it with them? (How are they?)
The meaning of ihnen (or Ihnen) would have to come from context in a conversation.
Another use of the dative case in German is after these prepositions: aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu. You will be
introduced to the meanings of these prepositions over many future lessons rather than all at once, because some have
many meanings in English. Indeed, because each language associates specific prepositions with many common
sayings (and these often do not correspond in German and English), these "little" words can be troublesome for
students. Nonetheless, you should memorize now the list of prepositions above to always remember their association
with the dative case. Tables of the pronouns in all cases are summarized in Appendix 2.
Word order in a German sentence with an indirect object depends upon whether that direct object is a pronoun or a
noun. If the direct object is a noun, the dative precedes the accusative; if the direct object is a personal pronoun, the
accusative precedes the dative:
Ich gebe dem Jungen den Ball. I give the boy the ball.
Ich gebe ihm den Ball. I give him the ball.
Ich gebe ihn ihm. I give it to him.
Ich gebe ihn dem Jungen. I give it to the boy.
English sentence structure is similar.

175
Lesson 3.05 - Der Engländer in Österreich
German/Level III/Der Engländer in Österreich

Lektion Fünf
Rathaus von St. Pölten
Gespräch 5-2 ~ Der Engländer in Österreich
Republik Österreich
Wenn er auf den Kontinent fährt, wandert Herr Standish gern. Heute früh fährt er in die Stadt St. Pölten in
Niederösterreich. Er spricht mit einer fremden Frau:
• Herr Standish: Entschuldigen Sie bitte. Wo ist hier ein Hotel?
• Die Frau: Gleich dort drüben. Das ist das Hotel "Zur Post".
• Herr Standish: Gibt es ein Restaurant darin?
• Die Frau: Ja gewiss! Ein Restaurant mit einfacher Küche, besonders zum Abendessen. Aber ich könnte Ihnen ein
anderes Restaurant empfehlen. Es heißt 'Alt-Wien', und es gibt dort das beste Frühstück. Das Restaurant ist links
neben dem Hotel, um die Ecke.
• Herr Standish: Danke sehr. Und können Sie mir sagen, wo das Rathaus von St. Pölten ist?
German/Level III/Der Engländer in Österreich 176
• Die Frau: Wie bitte?

• Herr Standish: Wie komme ich zum Rathaus?
• Die Frau: Rechts um die Ecke und dann immer geradeaus – ungefähr ein Kilometer.
• Herr Standish: Danke sehr.
• Die Frau: Bitte sehr. Wiedersehen.
• Herr Standish: Auf Wiedersehen.
Vokabeln 5A
das Abendessen supper (evening meal)
[das] Österreich Austria
die Ecke corner
das Frühstück breakfast
das Hotel hotel
der Kilometer kilometer
die Küche cooking, cuisine
der Kontinent continent (Europe)
[das] Niederösterreich (federal state of) Lower Austria
das Rathaus city hall
das Restaurant restaurant
die Stadt city
Bitte sehr You're welcome

Entschuldigen Sie Pardon me, excuse me
Es gibt dort... There is there...
Gibt es...? Is there..?
Guten Tag good day (parting)
immer geradeaus straight on ahead
können Sie could you (polite form)
Wie bitte? Pardon me? (polite "come again?")
empfehlen recommend
fahren travel
kommen come, go, get
wandern wander
sagen say, tell
sprechen speak
anderer, andere, anderes other

besonders especially
bitte please
das that
dann then
darin therein
ein a (indefinite article)
eins one (cardinal number)
fremd unknown
gern gladly
gleich just, right (correct), right here, same
heute früh this morning

hier here (in this place)
ich I (personal pronoun)
links left (direction)
neben next to
rechts right (direction)
ungefähr approximately
von of (Rathaus von St. Pölten = St. Polten City Hall)
wie how (interrogative)
wo where (interrogative)
zu to (zum = contraction of zu dem)
Andere Wörter 4A
der Bahnhof train station
der Flughafen airport
die Polizeiwache police station
die Post post office
genau exact(ly)
heute today
Lesestück 5-1 ~ Eine Geschichte über St. Pölten
Karte: St. Pölten in Österreich

Niederösterreich ist sowohl flächenmäßig als auch nach Einwohnern das größte der neun österreichischen
Bundesländer. Sankt Pölten ist die Landeshauptstadt von Niederösterreich. Der Name St. Pölten geht auf den
heiligen Hippolytos zurück, nach dem die Stadt benannt wurde.
Die Altstadt befindet sich dort, wo vom 2. bis zum 4. Jahrhundert die Römerstadt Aelium Cetium stand. 799 wurde
der Ort als "Treisma" erwähnt. Das Marktrecht erhielt St. Pölten um 1050, zur Stadt erhoben wurde es 1159. Bis
1494 stand St. Pölten im Besitz des Bistums Passau, dann wurde es landesfürstliches Eigentum. Bereits 771 findet
sich ein Benediktinerkloster, ab 1081 gab es Augustiner-Chorherren, 1784 wurde deren Kollegiatsstift aufgehoben,
das Gebäude dient seit 1785 als Bischofssitz. Zur Landeshauptstadt von Niederösterreich wurde St. Pölten mit
Landtagsbeschluss vom 10. Juli 1986, seit 1997 ist es Sitz der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung.
Luftbild von St. Pölten
Vokabeln 5B
Die Altstadt old town
Der Augustiner Augustinian
Der Besitz possession, holding
Das Bistum diocese
Der Bischofssitz bishop's see (a seat of a bishop's authority)
Die Bundesländer federal states
Die Chorherren men's choir
Das Eigentum proprietorship
Die Einwohner inhabitants
Das Gebäude premises
Die Geschichte history
Das Jahrhundert century
Das Kloster monastery, friary
Das Kollegiatsstift monastery college
Die Landeshauptstadt regional or state capital city
Die Landesregierung provincial (state) government
Der Landtagsbeschluss day of jurisdictional reorganization
Das Marktrecht right to hold markets
Der Name name
Der Ort place, spot, city
Die Römerstadt Roman town
Der Sitz official place
Bistum Passau a dioecian region in Bavaria

sowohl... als auch both... and
zurück auf goes back to
aufheben (hob auf, aufgehoben) merged in (or turned into?)

befinden sich situated, located
(befand sich, haben sich befunden)
finden sich* found (located)
benennen (benannte, benannt) call (as to label)
erhalten (erhielt, erhalten) receive
erheben (erhob, erhoben) arise, raise
erwähnen (erwähnte, erwähnt) mention
stehen (stand, gestanden) stand (stood, stood)
werden (wurde, [ist]geworden) become
ab from
auf up
bereits already
bis until, by, up to
flächenmäßig (no direct translation) ~ when measured in surface
heilig holy
landesfürstlich baronial or princely (holdings)
nach in terms of
um around
(* one short form of anfinden: findet sich (an); in colloquial language you can cut the "an"; but in THIS special case
it is the short form of "(be)findet sich (dort)")
• Read more about St. Pölten [1] at the German Wikipedia (source of article above).
References
[1] http:/ / de. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ St. _Pölten
180
Lesson 3.06 - Tour de France
German/Level III/Tour de France

Lernen 7-2 ~ Tour de France

(aus Wikipedia, der freien Enzyklopädie)
Die Tour de France ist eines der berühmtesten und wichtigsten sportlichen Großereignisse überhaupt. Seit 1903 wird
die Tour alljährlich - mit Ausnahme der Zeit des Ersten und Zweiten Weltkriegs - drei Wochen lang im Juli
ausgetragen und führt dabei in wechselnder Streckenführung quer durch Frankreich und das nahe Ausland.
Eine Tour de France der Frauen (grande boucle féminine) mit deutlich kürzeren Etappen wird seit 1984 gefahren. Sie
steht medial völlig im Schatten ihres männlichen Pendants.
Vokabeln 7A
die Ausnahme exception
die Enzyklopädie encyclopedia
der Erste Weltkrieg WW I
das Großereignis major event
der Juli July
das Radrennen bicycle race
die Welt world
die Woche, die Wochen week, weeks
die Zeit time, period
der Zweite Weltkrieg WW II
(bei weitem) berühmteste among the most widely renowned, the most popular
alljährlich every year

bei among (one of)
berühmteste most celebrated, most renowned
frei, freien (Akkusativ) free
seit since
sportlich athletic
überhaupt altogether, generally
während during
drei Wochen lang three weeks lasting
weit broad, wide
wichtig important

181
Section 3.03 ~ Bavaria, Germany

182

183

184

185
LEVEL FOUR LESSONS

186
Section 01 ~ Kiel, Germany

187
Section 02 ~ Schaan, Liechtenstein

188
Section 03 ~ Schaffhausen, Switzerland

189
GRAMMAR
190
Adjectives and Adverbs
German/Grammar/Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Most adjectives are stand-alone words; however, present and past
participles can also be used as adjectives. Numbers are also adjectives, though they do not decline.
Adjectives may be either predicate or attributive. Predicate adjectives are adjectives connected to a noun through a
verb known as a copula. Those verbs in German are sein (to be), werden (to become), and bleiben (to remain). Other
verbs, such as machen and lassen impart a predicate adjective onto an accusative object. Predicate adjectives are
never inflected.
Ich bin noch ledig. (I am still single.)

Trotz des Streites bleiben wir verheiratet. (Despite the argument we remain married.)
Ich werde böse. (I am getting angry.)
Die alte Milch wird dich krank machen. (The old milk will make you sick.)
Attributive adjectives precede the noun that they are describing, and are always declined. Learning the adjective
endings is a central part to the study of German. The adjective endings are frequently one of the hardest topics for
new students to learn. It is best to commit the declension tables to memory, while attempting to speak independently.
Proper use of adjective endings, especially in speaking, will come with repeated use. They are described in the next
part of this chapter.
Adjective Endings
Forms
This section will make use of the mnemonic Oklahoma, which denotes the fields of nominative masculine;
nominative neuter; accusative neuter; nominative feminine; and accusative feminine, which resemble the state of
Oklahoma in the tables used below. The concept is used to describe endings in two declension tables: the weak
adjective declension, and the indefinite-article/ein-word declension.
The endings of attributive adjectives can be divided into two groups: strong endings and weak endings.
Strong Adjective Declension

Case Masculine Neuter Feminine Plural
Nominative -er -es -e -e
Accusative -en -es -e -e
Dative -em -em -er -en
Genitive -en -en -er -er
The strong adjective endings are nearly the same as the der-word endings, with the exceptions of masculine and
neuter adjectives in the genitive case (marked in bold).
German/Grammar/Adjectives and Adverbs 191
Note the shape of the state Oklahoma
Weak Adjective Declension

Nominative -e -e -e -en
Accusative -en -e -e -en
Dative -en -en -en -en
Genitive -en -en -en -en
Make note of the region, Oklahoma, in the nominative and accusitive cases, for weak endings.
The use of a weak or a strong adjective ending depends on what precedes it:
Choice of Adjective Ending

Preceding Article Choice of Ending
Definite Article, der-words Weak Ending
Indefinite Article, ein-words Within Oklahoma, Strong Ending
Outside Oklahoma, Weak Ending
No article Strong Ending
The principle guiding adjective endings is that a noun, when possible, should have a primary case ending. Definite
articles and der-words always provide a primary case ending. Indefinite articles and ein-words provide primary case
endings outside of Oklahoma. Sometimes nouns have no article, in which case adjectives provide the primary case
ending.
Forms in Context of Articles

This terminology - strong and weak endings - is confusing for many students. As the student develops, he or she will
develop an ear for case endings, and will recognize when a noun has and has not received a case ending.
Nonetheless, it is worth providing the three declension tables that result from this principle.
Adjective Declension following a Definite Article or der-word

the large man the small book the quiet cat the red apples
Nominative der große Mann das kleine Buch die ruhige Katze die roten Äpfel
Accusative den großen Mann
Dative dem großen Mann dem kleinen Buch der ruhigen Katze den roten Äpfeln
Genitive des großen Mannes des kleinen Buches der roten Äpfel
Adjectives following a definite article or der-word always have a weak ending. Within Oklahoma, that is "-e", and
outside of Oklahoma, that is "-en". Also dies.., jed.., manch.., welch.., solch.. and all.. get the same ending as in the
table above.
Adjective Declension following an Indefinite Article or ein-word

a large man a small book a quiet cat no red apples
Nominative ein großer Mann ein kleines Buch eine ruhige Katze keine roten Äpfel
Accusative einen großen Mann
Dative einem großen Mann einem kleinen Buch einer ruhigen Katze keinen roten Äpfeln
Genitive eines großen Mannes eines kleinen Buches keiner roten Äpfel
Note how, within Oklahoma, adjectives take strong endings, and outside Oklahoma, they take weak endings. This is
because indefinite articles provide primary endings only outside of Oklahoma. Also mein.., dein.., sein.., ihr..,
unser.., euer.. and Ihr.. get the same ending as in the table above.
Adjective Declension with no preceding article

Nominative großer Mann kleines Buch ruhige Katze rote Äpfel
Accusative großen Mann
Dative großem Mann kleinem Buch ruhiger Katze roten Äpfeln
Genitive großen Mannes kleinen Buches roter Äpfel
Forms of nouns without articles are rare compared to those with definite and indefinite articles; however, one must
still know the strong declension. Note that the strong adjective declension is almost the same as the der-word
endings, with the exceptions of masculine and neuter in the genitive case (in bold).
Adverbs
Adverbs based on adjectives are one of the simplest parts of German grammar. Any adjective can be used as an
adverb simply by placing its uninflected form within the sentence, usually towards the end.
Das Ehepaar ging gestern fröhlich spazieren.

(The married couple went for a walk joyfully yesterday.)
Other adverbs have no adjectival equivalent. Many of these express time.
Damals (at that time)

Ich bin gestern dort gewesen. (I was there yesterday)
Morgens bin ich normalerweise im Büro. (I am normally in the office in the morning.)
Adverbs can also be based on participles (past and present). These are less common.
Er betrachtete mich bedrohlich. (He looked at me threateningly.)
Some adverbs are formed by adding -weise to adjectives and nouns in the plural form, and mean "regarding", "with
respect to", or "-wise" in English. Construction of new adverbs of this sort is usually frowned upon.
Adverbs based on prepositions

Much of the material in this section will be explained in greater detail in the chapter on prepositions.
German has a complex system of adverbs based on prepositions, which are used to indicate direction of motion,
location, time, and other concepts. English also possesses such a system, though it is used less. Consider the
following sentences in English:
1) Could you take the garbage out?

2) Come over this evening if you get the chance.
3) You should just give up.
4) I will look you up in the phone book.
5) The contract, and the conditions contained therein, is hereby declared null and
void. (Legalese)
In both English and German, prepositions and particles derived from prepositions are treated as adverbs. In many
cases, these prepositional adverbs are associated with specific verbs.
In the first two examples, the italicized prepositions are used as adverbs of motion; in the first example, the word
"out" indicates the direction "out of the apartment"; in the second case, "over" not only means means the direction
"towards", but also implies visitation of a residence.
The third and fourth examples correspond to separable-prefix verbs in German. The word "up" is integral to the
verb, which would have a different meaning without the adverb. "To give up", whose infinitive in German would be
"to up-give", means "to quit", in sharp contrast to "to give". In the fourth example, it is not even possible to "look
someone", whereas it is possible to "look someone up," or "look a candidate's resume over". (English even has
inseparable prepositional prefix verbs; compare "to look s.o. over" to "to overlook s.o." Many of these verbs have
been replaced by verbs based on Latin and Greek.)
The adverbs in the fifth example correspond to da-, wo-, hin- and her- compounds in German. Such compounds are
often used in legal texts in English. In such compounds, the object of the preposition is replaced with the words
"there" or "here", compounded with the preposition. "Therein" simply means "in it".
The German system of adverbs based on prepositions is considerably more rigorous, and forms the basis of a large
part of the language's morphology. "To catch on" means "to begin" in English; In German, the primary word for "to
begin" is literally "to catch on" (anfangen), from which the equivalent noun, der Anfang (the beginning) is derived.
A remnant of this in English can be found when describe a child's upbringing.

As in English, prepositional adverbs in German to varying degrees alter the meaning of their associated verb.
Separable-prefix verbs. This topic is better explored in the chapter on verbs. Separable prefixes are themselves
adverbs. As in English, many of them are integral to the meaning of the verb. Fangen means "to catch," whereas
anfangen means "to begin".
Most prepositional adverbs are treated as part of the root word in the infinitive, and are used as such in the
construction of participles. However, not all possible separable-prefix verbs are lexical; "vorbeikommen" (to come
over), "vorbeibringen" (to bring over), and so on, may not all be listed in a dictionary. It is better to learn "vorbei" as
an adverb implying visitation.
The German prefix in is of note. It has two adverbial forms. As in it describes location; when describing movement,
it becomes ein. Thus, for example, darin means "in there", whereas darein means "in(to) there". Another example is
the word, einleiten, to introduce.
Hin- and her-. Prepositional adverbs of motion are usually based on hin-, implying motion or direction away from
the speaker, and her-, implying motion or direction towards the speaker. Hin and her are themselves stand-alone
adverbs meaning the same thing, and describe less-specific motion or direction. (One example in which hin is an
integral separable prefix is the verb hinrichten, which means "to execute.) Not all verbs formed from hin- and her-
compounds are lexical. Some examples of hin- and her- compounds are:
herab (down, down from)

hinein (in, inside)
hinaus (out, out of, onto)
darüber hinaus (furthermore, above all)
dahin (in the direction/towards of known location)
Mastery of hin- and her- requires considerable effort from the student.
Da- compounds are also adverbs, corresponding to "there-" compounds in English. They replace specific
prepositional objects. Although are used principally in legal texts and therefore sound formal in English, they are
often employed in written and spoken German and are convenient replacements for long and complicated
prepositional phrases. Their comprehension and active use are essential in German. Da- compounds are formed by
adding da- before the preposition, with an "r" inserted before prepositions starting with a vowel. There are
exceptions to this, and da- compounds are given a fuller treatment in the chapter on prepositions.
Hier- and dort- compounds also exist in German, though they are used less frequently. As in English, they are
considered formal, and are used primarily in academic and legal texts. They are best memorized as vocabulary.
hierhin und dorthin - hither and thither
()
(discussion)
Grammar
Adjectives and Adverbs • Alphabet • Cases • Nouns • Prepositions and Postpositions • Pronouns • Sentences • Verbs
() German – Lessons: Level I • Level II • Level III • Level IV • Level V (discussion)
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195
Articles
196
Nouns
German/Grammar/Nouns
What Is a Noun?
A word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or idea; part of speech. It can serve as the subject
or object of a verb. For example a table or a computer. Nouns start with a capital letter in written language.
Plurals
German, unlike English, has more than one way to make nouns plural, and plural form, like gender, must be
memorized with every noun.
There are twelve different ways to form plurals in German. They are formed by affixes at the end of the word, and
the umlaut of the vowel of the stem. They are - (changing nothing); -¨; -e; -ë; -n; -¨n; -en; -ën; -er; -ër; -nen (to
feminine suffix -in); -s (mainly with English loan-words); adding "foreign" endings (mainly Latin words); and
changing suffixes (mainly Latin words).
When German nouns are used in the plural, their gender becomes irrelevant. The plural can almost be thought of as a
gender on its own. In the plural, the definite article is always "die" when using the nominative and accusative cases.
When using the dative case, "den" is the definite article of all plurals. All plurals not ending in -n or -s affix an -n.
The definite article of the plural in the genitive case is "der".
Examples
Nominative: Die alten Männer spielen Schach. The old men are playing chess.
Accusative: Ich sah die alten Männer beim Schachspielen. I saw the old men as they played chess.
Dative: Ich spielte mit den alten Männern Schach. I played chess with the old men.
Genitive: Das Schachspiel der alten Männer war nicht sehr spannend. The old men's chess game was not very
exciting.
Suffixes
Although gender and plural form are often arbitrary, there exist certain suffixes whose gender and plural form are
regular. They are mainly feminine.
-ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ion, and -tät
These are all feminine endings, which are pluralized by -en.
• Diskussion(en)
Discussion(s)
• Universtät(en)
University(ies)
-unft
This endings is feminine and is pluralized by changing the stem vowel and adding -e
• Unterkunft
Lodging
German/Grammar/Nouns 197
• Unterkünfte
Lodgings
-ik
This ending often doesn't have a plural. When it does however, you add '-en
• Technik(en)
Technique(s)
Other
When verb infinitives transform into nouns, they do not have a plural form.
• das Sprechen
Language
Many masculine nouns are formed by verbal stems without a suffix. Many of these receive an umlaut in their plural
form.
Gender
German, like many other languages, gives each noun a gender: Masculine, Feminine, and Neuter. Plural nouns also
act differently not only with the verb of the sentence, but the article preceding it.
The way any particular word is classified may not be logical.
Examples:
das Mädchen the girl (neuter)

die Person the person (feminine - even when talking about a man)
However, not all German Nouns are randomly allocated a gender. The following notes will apply to most nouns but
not all.
A note on Mädchen:
This is derived from the diminutive form of Maid (old, rarely used) - Maidchen. Grammatically it is neuter, but when
referenced, nowadays the logical feminine gender takes over: Das Mädchen und ihr Hund. (Das Mädchen und sein
Hund would be used in German slang but is rare and shouldn't be used.)
Masculine
There are far more masculine nouns than of either of the other genders. The masculine nominative definite article is
der.
Semantic Groups Which Are Masculine

days z.B. der Montag
times of the day z.B. der Morgen
months z.B. der August
seasons z.B. der Sommer
male persons* z.B. der Mann, der König
male animals z.B. der Löwe, der Hahn, der Ochse
alcohol** z.B. der Wein, der Likör, der Alkohol, der Champagner
car*** z.B. der Wagen, der Opel, der Mercedes, der BMW
* With, of course, the exception of die Person which remains feminine even when talking about a man.
** However, it is das Bier, die Spirituose(because of the ending "-ose"), das Pils(because it is a beer), das
Methanol(because it is a scientific term of a substance)

*** Excepting "das Auto".
Words with Certain Endings

These rules apply always
-ismus: der Kommunismus, der Anglizismus, der Terrorismus

-ling: der Lehrling (apprentice), der Liebling (darling), der Schmetterling (butterfly)
-or: der Motor
-ant: der Elefant
The following groups of nouns are usually (but not always) masculine
Nouns ending in -el: der Vogel
Nouns ending in -er: der Hamster
Nouns ending in -en: der Kuchen (but not infinitives used as nouns. They are neuter: das Rauchen, das Lachen)
Nouns ending in -aum:
Examples:
Baum, Traum, Schaum, Raum, Saum, Flaum
Nouns ending in -ang:
Examples:
Drang, Fang, Gang, Hang, Klang, Rang, Anfang, Empfang, Gesang, Tang
Nouns ending in -und:
Examples:
Bund, Grund, Schund, Hund, Fund, Schwund, Schlund, Mund
Exceptions:
neuter: Pfund
Nouns ending in -all:
Examples:
Ball, Fall, Krawall, Drall, Hall, Wall, Aufprall, Kristall, Knall, Schall, Zufall, Abfall, Vorfall, Schwall
Exceptions:
neuter: All, Metall, Intervall
feminine: Nachtigall
Feminine
The feminine Gender article is die. It is used in the nominative and accusative singular case. It is also used to
indicate nominative and accusative plural for nouns of any gender.
e.g. die Katze — Feminine
—or—
die Katzen — feminine plural
die Männer - masculine plural
die Mädchen - neuter plural
Semantic Groups
Female persons and animals are usually feminine (very few exceptions).
Examples:
die Frau (woman)

die Schwester (sister)
die Mutter (mother)
To change a male designation to feminine, you often use the ending -in.
der Lehrer - die Lehrerin (teacher)

der Kaiser - die Kaiserin (emperor and empress)
der König - die Königin (king and queen)
der Arzt - die Ärztin (doctor)
der Löwe - die Löwin
Exceptions
das Mädchen (girl)

das Kind (child)
das Fräulein (old fashioned for Miss)
A lot of plants and trees are also feminine

Examples:
die Buche (beech)

die Eiche (oak)
die Rose (rose)
die Tulpe (tulip)
die Nelke (carnation)
Exceptions:
das Veilchen (violet), der Farn (fern) ...
Words With Certain Endings

The following rules always apply.
German words:
-heit: die Gesundheit (health), die Wahrheit (truth)

-keit: die Möglichkeit (possibility)
-schaft: die Wirtschaft, die Freundschaft
-ei: die Türkei, die Mongolei, die Bäckerei*
Words derived from verbs with the ending -ung:

die Beobachtung (observation; v: beobachen), die Verfolgung (persecution; v: verfolgen)
Words derived from verbs (mostly irregular verbs), ending in -t:

die Handschrift (hand writing (n), derived from "schreiben),
die Fahrt (journey, trip or ride, derived from fahren)
Exceptions
* das Ei (egg) has nothing to do with the ending -ei.
Das Ei is neuter, including all words derived from:

z.B. das Spiegelei, das Rührei, das Vogelei (different types of eggs)
Foreign words: Words with the endings given below are always stressed on the last syllable.
-enz: die Intelligenz (intelligence), die Konsequenz (consequence)

-i.e.: die Philosophie (philosophy), die Melodie (melody)
-ik: die Musik (music), die Politik (politics)
-ion: die Nation, die Qualifikation (qualification)
-ur: die Kultur (culture)
-tät:
Examples:
Universität, Majestät, Lokalität, Pietät, Integrität, Qualität, Aktivität, Priorität, Nationalität, Kapazität
-age:
Examples:
Garage, Montage, Etage, Spionage, Persiflage, Blamage
The following rule applies often.
-e: die Lampe (lamp), die Karte (card, map)
Exceptions:
semantic reasons: der Junge (boy), der Franzose (French man), der Löwe (Lion)
others: der Käse (cheese)
Neuter
The neutral Gender article is das for the nominative and accusative case.
Semantic Groups
names of colors: das Blau, das Rot, das Gelb, das Hellgrün, das Dunkelbraun
Words With Certain Endings

This rule applies always:
diminutive endings -lein and -chen:

das Mädchen (girl), das Häuschen (little house), das Büchlein (little book)
This rules apply often:

ending -um if the word has Latin origin: : das Zentrum, das Museum
ending -ment: das Parlament (parliament), das Fundament (base, basis), das Element (element)
Words that end with -em and are stressed on the last syllable:
Examples:
Problem, Theorem, System, Extrem
Foreign words that end with -ett and are stressed on the last syllable:
Examples:
Tablett, Etikett, Korsett, Parkett, Kabarett, Ballett
Words that end with -ma:
Examples:
Thema, Trauma, Drama, Dilemma, Prisma, Schema, Koma, Klima, Komma, Karma, Lama, Dogma, Paradigma
Exceptions:
feminine: Firma
Words that end with -o:
Examples:
Auto, Radio, Video, Kino, Kilo, Büro, Sakko, Solo, Storno, Bistro, Manko, Banjo, Tempo, Motto, Fresko, Embargo,
Esperanto, Studio, Ghetto, Foto, Echo, Piano, Cello, Kasino
Exceptions:
masculine: Tango, Fango, Espresso, Embryo
Foreign words that end with -om:
Examples:
Syndrom, Palindrom, Phantom, Polynom, Binom, Monom, Atom, Axiom, Genom, Symptom, Diplom, Kondom,
Chromosom
Words With Certain Beginnings

Nouns that begin with Ge- are often neuter.
Examples: Gedicht, Gericht, Gesicht, Gewicht, Geheimnis, Gebirge, Geschirr, Gedächtnis, Gebiet, Gespenst,
Gewissen, Gesetz, Getränk, Gewand, Gewitter, Geschenk, Gespräch, Gebäude, Gehäuse, Gemüse, Geschäft,
Getreide, Gerücht, Gewerbe
Exceptions:
masculine: Gedanke, Genuss, Geschmack, Gewinn, Geruch
feminine: Gewalt, Gestalt, Geschichte, Gemeinde, Gefahr
Nouns Derived From Certain Verbclasses

Verbs used as noun (roughly corresponding to the gerund)
das Rauchen (Smoking), das Lesen (Reading)
Tips For Learning

As most German articles can not be attributed to certain rule, it is best to always learn the article when learning the
noun. You may think of the article as necessary information belonging to every noun. You avoid a lot of
looking-up-time that way.
Looking Up Gender in Dictionaries

Most dictionaries do not give the article. Instead, you find different sets of abbreviations which tell you to which
class the noun in question belongs.
The most common sets of abbreviations are:
r, e, and s.
r: der, masculine;
e: die, feminine;
s: das, neuter.
The abbreviations of this type are usually given before the noun.
m, f, and n.
m: masculine;
f: feminine;
n: neuter.
The abbreviations of this type are usually given after the noun.
m, w, and s.
m: männlich, masculine;
w: weiblich, feminine;
s: sächlich, neuter.
The abbreviations of this type are usually given after the noun.
Contents
• Adjectival Nouns
• Weak Nouns
• Mixed Nouns
()
(discussion)
Grammar

203
Gender
204
Plurals
205
Adjectival Nouns
206
Weak Nouns
207
Mixed Nouns
208
Pronouns
German/Grammar/Pronouns
German Pronouns Declined
Nominative Accusative Dative Genitive Possessive Pronoun
Singular
I ich mich mir meiner mein-
You (informal singular) du dich dir deiner dein-
He er ihn ihm seiner sein-
It es es ihm seiner sein-
She sie sie ihr ihrer ihr-
Plural
We (us) wir uns uns unser unser-
You (informal plural) ihr euch euch euer euer- (shortened to eur- for "eure")
They sie sie ihnen ihrer ihr-
You (formal - singular or plural) Sie Sie Ihnen Ihrer Ihr-
Note: The possessive is not a case of the personal pronoun, rather it's a pronoun itself. This table shows the
possessive pronoun's stem, which is declined as an ein-word (like the indefinite article).
The genitive case indicates possession or association, and is equivalent to, and replaces, the English word "of". "Des"
and "der" (do not confuse with masculine singular nominative) mean "of the"; "eines" and "einer" mean "of a/an";
and, "der Sohn guten Weins" means "the son of good wine" (no article, M, Gen strong adj). Strict replacement of the
genitive case with the word "of" maintains the word-order of the German nominal phrase: possessed - possessor (in
genitive). The genitive case also replaces "'s" in English, though reversing the word-order (in English: possessor's
possessed). German itself also uses an "s" (though without the apostrophe) to indicate possession, in the same word
order as English. It is used mainly with proper nouns, such as "Goethes Heimat", as well as for compounding words.
Standard genitive constructions are used with nouns and modifiers of nouns such as articles and adjectives, and the
inflection they receive implies possession. The first noun may be in any case and may occur in any part of the
sentence; the second noun, which possesses the first noun, immediately follows the first noun, and is in the genitive
case. The noun in the genitive case need not have any modifiers - e.g., Heimat Goethes, Heimat Katerina, which
mean the homeland of Goethe and Katerina, respectively - though such constructions can be cumbersome and
ambiguous.
Proper treatment of the genitive case, including all of the declensions, is found in another part of this book.
German pronouns have genitive forms, but they are used only rarely nowadays, mostly in archaic or formal German.
In many cases, a preposition can be added to allow a different case to be used.
Ich erinnere mich ihrer. (I remember her)

Also possible: Ich erinnere mich an sie.
German/Grammar/Pronouns 209
Wir gedachten seiner. (We thought of him)

Also possible: Wir dachten an ihn.
Herr, erbarme dich unser! (Lord, have mercy upon us)

Also possible: Herr, erbarme dich über uns.
The possessive pronouns (mein-, dein-, unser-, etc.) are almost identical in form to the genitive pronouns and but
they directly modify their attribute and could be conceived of as adjectives, though they decline differently.
Alternatively, one could think of possessive pronouns, e.g., "mein-", as replacing the phrase, "of me". Directly
translated, "mein-" means "my" in English.
Examples:
I want the teacher's book. Let's rewrite this as: I want the book of the teacher.
-Ich will das Buch des Lehrers (der Lehrerin).
--The genitive case here is masculine (feminine) singular, inflecting the definite article (des/der) as well as the noun
(Lehrer (+s), but not Lehrerin, which doesn't change because it is feminine).
Without his friend's car, we cannot go home.

-Ohne den Wagen seines Freundes können wir nicht nach Hause fahren.
--Here, two possessive relationships are mentioned. The car belongs to the friend, and the friend belongs to "him".
For illustrative purposes, one could conceivably re-write the prepositional phrase as "without the car (accusitive
case) of the friend of him". German's rendering is far less awkward.
The wall of the building is old and brown.

-Die Wand des Gebäudes ist alt und braun.
--As in the first example, the genitive case here is in the masculine singular, and inflects the definite article and the
noun (M,N add +s/+es in the genitive case).
Comparison of Pronouns to other Parts of Speech

Despite the difficulty many people have in learning German declensions, case-endings in German correspond to each
other to a considerable degree. Specifically, the pronouns bear an obvious resemblance to their parent direct articles.
Learning the corresponding 3rd-person declensions side-by-side allows some people to comprehend the declension
pattern more easily.
As discussed above, possessive pronouns replace the genitive case for pronouns. In this table, they will be placed
where the genitive case is, so that their similiarities to other parts of speech that actually are in the genitive case can
become clear.
German is very rigorous in its use of gender, and will use the pronoun corresponding to the gender of the referential
noun, regardless of whether the noun being referenced is a person (unlike English, which uses "it" for everything not
a person or other entities (animals, ships) in certain contexts). Der Liberalismus will be referred to as "er", or "he",
whereas "das Mädchen" would be "es", or "it". Many English speakers have trouble with this, especially in spoken
language. Mastery is nonetheless possible with a proper understanding of German declension and a considerable
amount of practice.
Side-by-side Declension of Definite Articles, der-word Endings, 3rd-Person Pronouns (and

possessives), Strong Adjective Endings, and Interrogative Pronouns, to illustrate their
similarities
Gender and Definite der-word Pronoun Strong Adjective Endings Interrogative Pronouns, sometimes also
Case Article Endings (possessive) used as relative pronouns
Masculine
Nominative der -er er -er wer (who?)
Accusative den -en ihn -en wen (whom?)
Dative dem -em ihm -em wem (to/for whom?)
Genitive des + s -es (sein-) -en (M,N strong adjective endings (wessen) (whose? - form similar to
(corresponding "s") in genitive case do not fit pattern) masculine, genitive relative pronoun).
N.B.(1)
Neuter
Nominative das -es es -es was (what?)
Accusative das -es es -es was (what?)
Dative dem -em ihm -em
Genitive des + s -es (sein-) -en (M,N strong adjective endings

(corresponding "s") in genitive case do not fit pattern)
Feminine
Nominative die -e sie -e
Accusative die -e sie -e
Dative der -er ihr -er
Genitive der -er (ihr-) -er
Plural
Nominative die -e sie -e
Accusative die -e sie -e
Dative den + n -en ihnen N.B.(2) -en
Genitive der -er (ihr-) -er
N.B.(1) The use of "wessen" is considered old-fashioned, though most Germans would find it endearing to hear a
non-native speaker use the word. One is encouraged to use the "gehören + dativ (wem?)" construction, which means
"to belong to s.o. (whom?)".
N.B.(2) The dative plural. Except for words whose plural form adds an "-s" (mainly loan-words), and words whose
plural form already ends in "-n"/"-en", all nouns add an "-n/-en" in the dative plural. Like the s's added to masculine
and neuter nouns in the genitive, this is a remnant from when German inflected all of its nouns, which other
languages based on declension, such as Russian and Latin, retain. Sometimes one will notice an "-e" after masculine
and neuter nouns in the dative case, such as the dedication on the Reichstag building - "Dem deutschen Volke", "for
the German People".
This nominal declension is reflected in the dative plural pronoun (to/for them), "ihnen", instead of "ihn" (masculine,
accusitive). For example,
Helga: Können Sie bitte meinen Brüdern helfen?

Olga: Natürlich, aber ich kann ihnen leider nur nach zwei Tagen helfen.
Helga: Unsere Leben gehen trotzdem weiter.
Make a point of studying and getting used to the dative plural.
()
(discussion)
Grammar

212
Sentences
German/Grammar/Sentences
Sentence Structure in Main clauses
Here is the ultimate syntax guide for a main clause. German allows a considerable amount of syntactical freedom as
parts of speech are indicated through case, rather than syntax. Nonetheless, there are conventions to follow,
especially ones that reduce the ambiguity of pronouns.
Word-Order in the Main Clause

First Position Anything Used for emphasis. Sometimes people will even put a past participle or some
other verb in the first position. You shouldn't do that until you know what you
are doing. The first position is often used for the subject (Nominative), however.
Second Conjugated Verb "habe", "muss", "arbeitete"

Position
Mittelfeld Nominative Pronoun "ich"
Reflexive Pronoun "mich", "uns"
Accusative Pronoun A "dich"
Dative Pronoun D "dir", "mir"
(Temporal Expressions) Expressions of time, especially short temporal adverbs, are often placed here.
Nominative Noun "die Katze"
Dative Noun D "meiner Mutter"
Accusative Noun A = ADDA "meinen Vater"
Prepositional Phrases Time, Manner, Place
Adverbs, Predicate Adjectives Time, Manner Place
Verbal negation using "nicht" see section on negation for proper treatment of this topic
Final Position Separable Prefixes "Ich fange damit an!"

All Remaining
Verbs
Past Participles (conjugated verb should be "Ich habe heute nicht gearbeitet."
either "haben" od. "sein)
Infinitives Used with modal verb as conjugated verb. "Du sollst das nicht tun."
Used with modal-like verbs (sehen, hören, helfen, lassen) "Ich höre dich atmen."
Extended verb phrases: three verbs in sentence Build Inwards
Translating a hypothetical English sentence with three verbs into German, the
first English verb - the conjugated verb - would be in the second position in the
German sentence. The second verb will be on the outside of the verb-phrase, at
the end of the German sentence. The third verb will be immediately before that.
Subj . 1 . [Mittelfeld] . 3 . 2.
"Ich habe (1) seit dem Unfall nicht arbeiten (3) können (2)." "I have (1) not been
able (2) to work (3) since the accident."
German/Grammar/Sentences 213
Nachfeld The stuff you forgot to say, or that you just This position is also used for comparisons. See below.
thought of after saying your verb. This
happens to both native-speakers and those
learning the language. However, try to avoid it.
This is the officially-sanctioned syntax of a main clause. However, German syntax is not written in stone. One has
considerable latitude in the way one constructs one's sentence. Before fleshing out the topic, here are some rules,
conventions, and words of advice:
1) In terms of being placed in proper syntax, the pronouns are the most important, for they are the ones most liable to
ambiguity ("sie" = which person, what part of speech, which case? Put it in its correct position).
2) It is not possible for a sentence to include all of the listed items, but it is still good to be able to reproduce that
schema from memory.
3) You must be able to recognize an element of a sentence. For example, you must not split something like, "mit
einem Buch", for that is a prepositional phrase, i.e., one and only one sentence element. Many other sentence
elements are, however, only one word. You get a lot better at this as time goes on.
4) Two good mnemonics. Number one: pronouns before nouns. always. even if it feels weird to put both your
accusative and dative objects before your subject (a noun), you must get used to it. It doesn't happen very often,
though.
5) The second one is "ADDA" (i.e., NOT DAAD, the Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst). ADDA describes,
first, the pronouns (Accusative, then Dative), and then the nouns (Dative, then Accusative). ADDA. think ABBA,
but with D's instead of B's.
6) The first position is usually your subject, but can also draw attention to something you want to discuss.
7) As will be explained below, prepositional phrases and adverbs follow the "Time, Manner, Place" format.
8) Beyond reducing/eliminating ambiguity, you actually do have a fair amount of freedom. "Time, Manner, Place" is
more a suggestion than a commandment, and most German textbooks tell you to learn the schema laid out above, but
then to speak and write your sentences with items in ascending order of importance. Put the important stuff at the
end. Then you get to your verb, which gives all of the words in the sentence meaning, resulting in a crescendo of
emotion and understanding. Or not. But you see how that might work.
9) If you speak enough, your verbs start going to the right places. It will seem perfectly natural that the verb is in the
second position, and that the other verbs are at the end. Getting used to subordinate clauses takes more time, but
eventually your words go to the right place. Don't worry about making mistakes, but also try not to forget which verb
you have waiting in your head until the sentence ends.
10) Banish the terms, "subject", "direct object", and "indirect object" from your head. Get used to explaining things
in terms of "nominative", "accusative", "dative", and "genitive". Same goes for "linking-" and "helping-verbs". Start
talking about modal verbs, and modal-like verbs.
In general, you have to learn how to talk about grammar to be able to study German successfully.
11) If you can do the declensions in your head, you can do the syntax in your head. Syntax is easier.
Position of the Verb
Clauses with one verb part - Sätze mit nur einem Verbteil
In a main clause (Hauptsatz), the conjugated verb is in second position.
Clauses with one verb part

First Position (I) (II) Mittelfeld Punctuation
1. Er geht nach Hause .
2. Heute Abend fahre ich mit dem Auto nach Köln .
3. Im Park machte er einen langen Spaziergang .
Second position does not equal second word, as you can see above. However, there is only one group of words
allowed before the conjugated verb. Such groups of words are called "phrases". While you can put very long phrases
in front of the conjugated verb you mustn't use two. Therefore the sentence "Heute Abend ich fahre mit dem Auto
nach Köln" is wrong. This is a big difference between English and German syntax.
Clauses with two verb parts - Sätze mit zwei Verbteilen
Clauses with two verb parts

First Position (I) (II) Mittelfeld Second Verb Punctuation
4. Der Junge zieht den Mantel an .
5. Der Junge hat den Mantel angezogen .
6. Schüler müssen Hausaufgaben machen .
7. Gestern hat sein Vater ein fantastisches Essen gekocht .
8. Ein fantastisches Essen hat sein Vater gestern gekocht .
Sometimes you have to use more than one verb part in a clause. This is true for Perfekt forms, separable verbs,
modals etc. Only one of these verbs is conjugated. The conjugated verb stays in second position, the other part goes
to the end.
Clauses with three verb parts - Sätze mit drei Verbteilen
Clauses with one verb part

First Position II Mittelfeld Third Verb Second Verb Punctuation
9. Ich werde das morgen nicht machen können .
10. Du hast mich nicht besuchen dürfen .
11. Ich kann dir deinen Wagen übermorgen umsetzen helfen .
Sometimes there are even three verbs in a sentence. These usually involve modals and perfect tenses. The conjugated
verb is in the second position. The remaining two verbs are at the end of the clause, building inwards that is to mean,
what would be the second verb in English is placed at the end, and what would be the third verb is placed before the
second verb.
Order of phrases - Reihenfolge der Satzglieder

In English, you need the position of phrases to determine whether a noun phrase is a subject or an object. In German
the cases tell you which role is assigned to a certain noun phrase. Therefore, the word order is less strict.
First Position - erste Position

In neutral sentences the subject is most likely in the first position (Examples 1, 4, 5, 6).
However, you can put everything there you want to stress. This is very common with phrases about time or place
(Examples 2, 3, 7). English speakers need to remember that the first position is restricted to exactly one phrase.
You can even put objects in first position (Example 8). You do it mostly, if you want to emphasize the object or if
you have to repeat the sentence because your partner has not understood this particular part of it.
If the subject is not in first position, it goes directly after the conjugated verb (Examples 2, 3, 7, 8), unless preceded
by a reflexive pronoun or an accusative or dative pronoun.
Order of Phrases in the Middle of the clause - Reihenfolge der Satzglieder im Mittelfeld
Introduction
In the middle of the sentence - the part between the two parts of the verb - verb order is quite flexible.
Often the word order for a neutral sentence can be described like this:
1. Time
2. Objects
3. Manner
4. Place
The mnemonic is "STOMP" where S is for subject. However, when looking at wild German sentences you will find
structures that do not follow this principles but are nonetheless correct. This is very frequent in spoken language.
Mostly the deviation from the neutral structure is caused by a special focus. While they are not wrong, it would be
inappropriate to use them all the time. Therefore it is best to learn the principles described here. If you have mastered
them and can use them without thinking about it, you can try some of the deviations.
Time
Time seems to be a very important concept for German speaking people. It is mostly mentioned very early in the
sentence, either at the very beginning in the first position which means that the subject goes directly after the
conjugated verb (i.e.: Gestern war ich im Kino) or early in the middle field (i.e.: Ich war gestern im Kino). The
sentence "Ich war im Kino gestern" is not exactly wrong, but it would sound weird in most situations. It could be
used though in a casual conversation when putting special emphasis on "im Kino", but it's not the regular sentence
pattern.
Order of Objects
The order of objects is different for nouns and pronouns. Pronouns always come before nouns, and reflexive
pronouns come before everything except nominative pronouns. ADDA, mentioned above, is a good way to
remember the prescribed order of cases for pronouns and then nouns. As can contain only two objects, here are the
three possible combinations deriving from ADDA:
Two pronouns: accusative before dative (AD)
I II Acc. Dat.
Ich habe sie ihm gegeben.
Ich gab sie ihm .
One noun, one pronoun: The pronoun goes first, regardless of the case
I II Pronoun Noun
Ich habe ihm die Kleider gegeben.
Ich gab sie dem Jungen .
Two nouns: dative before accusative (DA)
I II Dat. Acc.
Ich habe dem Jungen die Kleider gegeben.
Ich gab dem Jungen die Kleider .
Manner
This includes adverbs and prepositional phrases describing how, why, and by what methods the event of the sentence
has taken place.
Place
This includes adverbs and prepositional phrases describing location and direction
Satzglieder im Nachfeld
In German grammar the term Nachfeld is used to describe parts of the sentence that come after the second part of the
verb. The Nachfeld is neglected in most learner's grammars. It is mostly used in spoken language, when people add
something to a sentence as an afterthought or with special emphasis. In written language it is important for
comparisons. You put them almost exclusively in the nachfeld.
Consider the example Peter verdient mehr Geld als Paul (Peter earns more money than Paul). Now try to convert
the sentence to the perfect. If you follow the normal sentence structure rules you would have to write: Peter hat
mehr Geld als Paul verdient, but this is almost never done. The sentence best accepted by a majority of German
speakers is: Peter hat mehr Geld verdient als Paul. The comparison is put after' the past participle.
Note that the two items being compared must be in the same case. Du verdienst mehr Geld als ich. This is also
correct grammar in English, though it is now almost obsolete among native English speakers.
Syntax of Interrogatives and Imperatives

I am putting this up here for the sake of completion.
Interrogatives
Interrogatives (questions) change word order in the first two fields or so. There are two kinds. In a question based
on a verb, the conjugated verb comes first. Following that is the same string of pronouns first and nouns thereafter
(and other sentence elements and finally the remaining verbs) that was detailed above. The main difference between
questions and statements is that the freedom of the first position is eliminated; the item you wanted to emphasize
must now find a different position in the sentence. The ascending-order-of-importance convention still holds.
Example:
Q: Hast du schon "Fargo" gesehen?

A: "Fargo" habe ich noch nicht gesehen.
The second kind of question involves a question word or wo-compound, which always comes at the beginning, and
is immediately followed by the conjugated verb. They are then followed by the remaining parts of the sentence in the
order outlined above. Be mindful of the case of the question word, and make sure never to use a wo-compound when
referring to a person.
Q: Warum hast du "Fargo" nie gesehen? (Why have you never seen "Fargo"?)
A: Ich hatte keine Lust. (I had no interest.)
Q: Wem hast du geholfen? (Wem = "whom?" in the dative case.) (Whom have you helped?)
A: Ich habe meiner Mutter geholfen. (I have helped my mother.)
Q: Bei wem hast du dich beworben? (From whom have you applied [for a job]?)
A: Beim Geschäft meines Onkels habe ich mich beworben. (I applied at my uncle's business.)
Q: Worum hast du dich beworben? (For what did you apply?)

A: Um eine Stelle habe ich mich beworben! Bist du verrückt? (I applied for a job!
Are you insane?)
And so on.
Imperatives
Imperatives (commands) also slightly alter the aforementioned main-clause sentence structure. Imperatives are
formed in several ways:
Geh', bitte! (Please go, informal)

Gehen Sie, bitte! (Please go, formal)
Gehen wir, bitte! (Let's go! Within a group)
This sequence - verb in imperative form, perhaps followed by the person to whom it is directed in the nominative
case (depending on the kind of imperative used, however) - is then followed by all of the other elements of the
sentence, in the aforementioned order.
German-speakers, like English-speakers and the speakers of many other languages, consider the use of the
imperative mood to be rude, and, as in English, use a conditional or subjunctive construction to convey requests.
This will be dealt with in a different section of this book.
Both of these syntaxes are very easy to master once you understand main-clause syntax.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Before moving on to subordinate and relative clauses, we must address coordinating conjunctions and parallel
clauses. A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction that connects two clauses that are able to stand alone, i.e., two
main clauses.
Here are some examples in English:
I am here and I am glad to see you.

You are grateful for this job, or you are a spoiled brat.
Commas are generally optional in English, whereas they used more often in German.
Here are the common coordinating conjunctions one would find in German:
German English
aber but, nevertheless, however

denn for, because (rarely used in spoken German; not to be confused with weil)
oder or
sondern but rather
und and
As coordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses, they do not affect word-order in the two clauses. The
first clause is often separated from the second with a comma - especially if it is a long or complicated clause - after
which follows the coordinating conjunction and the second clause.
Here are some examples in German:
Ich hasse und ich liebe, und ich weiß nicht warum. (Odi et amo - Catullus)
Ich bin nicht jung, aber ich bin froh.
There are two more constructions to be aware of: entweder/oder and weder/noch, which correspond to "either/or"
and "neither/nor", respectively.
Entweder bist du mit uns gemeinsam, oder du bist unser Feind.
Entweder/oder and weder/noch can also be employed to contrast two items as well as clauses. Note how "entweder"
functions as an adverb.
English speakers should take note of the difference between aber and sondern, both of which can be translated
directly as "but". Aber means "however". Sondern means "rather". Many other languages make this distinction.
Coordinating conjunctions are rather straightforward, and the number of coordinating conjunctions is few.
Dependent Clauses: Subordinate and Relative Clauses
Introduction
Subordinate and relative clauses introduce information regarding the main clause that needs to be expressed as a
separate clause. They are collectively called "dependent clauses" because they are unable to stand by themselves as
independent clauses. Usually, subordinate and relative clauses occupy a part of the main clause that was not fully
explained; subordinate clauses tend to fulfill more abstract missing sentence elements than relative clauses do. Here
are a few examples in English:
Subordinate Clauses:
I know that you are unhappy.

We came because it was your birthday.
We came because we knew that you were having a rough time.
This last example has two subordinate clauses: because we knew and that you were having a rough time.
Subordinate clauses are usually set off by a subordinating conjunction, such as that, because, when, if, and so on. In
English, it is sometimes possible to omit the subordinating conjunction, specifically that, resulting in sentences such
as, "I know you are unhappy," which is perfectly acceptable in English. Such an option does not exist in German.
Relative Clauses:
I know the person to whom you were talking (who you were talking to).
God helps those who help themselves.
You are the person that got hit by the fly-ball at the game on Saturday.
Relative clauses relate one element of a clause to another clause by way of a relative pronoun. The system of relative
pronouns in German is considerably more extensive than that of English.
In German, both subordinate clauses and relative clauses affect syntax, in most cases by moving the conjugated verb
to the end of the clause. Both subordinate clauses and relative clauses are set off by a comma in German, which can
frequently be omitted in English. We should now examine the two types of clauses in greater detail, and then return
to their syntax.
Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses are always set off by a comma, and begin with a subordinating conjunction. Here is a list of all
subordinating conjunctions in German. Note how all of them answer a question presumably introduced in the main
clause:
Subordinating Conjunctions
German English
als as, when
bevor before
bis until
da as, since (because)
damit so that, with it
dass that
ehe before
falls in case
indem while; "by [do]ing..." See below.
nachdem after
ob whether
obgleich although
obschon although
obwohl although
seit/seitdem since (time)
sobald as soon as
sodass / so dass so that
solang(e) as long as
trotzdem despite the fact that
während while, whereas
weil because
wenn if, when, whenever
Furthermore, all interrogative (question) words, such as wie, wann, wer, and wo, and wo-compounds, may be used as
subordinating conjunctions. For example:
Ich weiß nicht, wohin er gegangen ist. (I don't know where he went.)
Ich weiß nicht, wie das Fest sich entwickelt hat. (I don't know how the party turned out)
Ich weiß nicht, warum er dir so böse ist. (I don't know why he is so mad at you.)
Subordinate clauses provide information missing in the main clause. Consider the previous two examples. In both
cases, the subordinate clause answered the question, "what?", or what would have been the accusitive object. Other
subordinate clauses provide information that would otherwise have been provided by one of the several parts of
speech.
Er hat mich geschlagen, als meine Frau im Klo war. (He hit me when my wife was in the bathroom.)
In this example, the subordinate clause, set off by the conjunction, "als", answers the question, "when?", which
would otherwise be answered adverbially.
The syntax regarding subordinate clauses will be discussed later. At this point, a property of subordinate clauses that
is not altogether shared with relative clauses should be pointed out. Subordinate clauses are themselves parts of
speech for the main clause, and to a limited extent can be treated as such. Consider the following two sentences,
which are equivalent:
Ich darf in Kanada bleiben, solange wir noch verheiratet sind.

Solange wir noch verheiratet sind, darf ich in Kanada bleiben.
Note how, in the second sentence, the subordinate clause occupied the first position, immediately followed by the
conjugated verb. In reality, the use of subordinate clauses as parts of speech integrated into the main clause is
limited; they are, for aesthetic reasons, restricted to the first position and to following the main clause. At both times
they are set off from the main clause by a comma.
Indem..., ist x passiert. This subordinating conjunction accomplishes the same functions as the English construction,
"by [do]ing something..., x happened."
Indem er die Tür offen gelassen hat, hat er auch die Räuber ins Haus eingelassen.
By leaving the door open, he let the robbers into the house.
By requiring a subject in the clause, the German construction is less susceptible to ambiguity than English is;
consider the sentence, "by leaving the door open, the robbers were able to enter the house," which is lacking an agent
for the door being left open, even though such a construction is common in spoken English.
This section must make note of the differences between the words, als, wenn, and wann, all of which can mean
"when" in English.
Als refers to a single event or condition in the past, usually expressed using the preterite tense.
Als du mich anriefst, war ich noch nicht zu Hause. (When you called me, I was not yet home.)
Wann is the interrogative word for "when". It's use as a subordinating conjunction is limited to indirect questions and
immediate temporal events.
Ich weiß nicht, wann er nach Hause kommen wird.
Wenn is the most versatile of the three, and has several other meanings beyond its temporal meaning. In the temporal
space wenn describes, events are less recognized, or focuses on a condition, rather than an event.
Finally, "wenn" has one other principal function. It also means, "if", and is used in conditional and subjunctive
statements.
Wenn ich einmal reich wär', ... (If i were ever rich...)
We will return to syntax later.
Relative Clauses
In many ways, a relative clause is a lengthy description of an item in the main clause. Minimally, a relative clause
takes a part of speech from the main clause, known as the antecedent and uses it in the dependent clause. What
connects the two is a relative pronoun. As should already be published in this book, the following declension table is
provided:
Relative Pronoun - Declension Summary

Nominative der das die die
Accusative den das die die
Dative dem dem der denen
Genitive dessen deren dessen deren
Relative pronouns are similar to the definite article, with the exceptions of the dative plural and the genitive case
being marked in bold.
Note that the distinctions between "that" and "which"; and "that" and "who" in English do not exist in German,
where everything is described with a standard set of relative pronouns with no regard to how integral the qualities
described in the relative clause are to the antecedent.
As relative clauses take one item from the main clause and use it in some way in a dependent clause, it is important
to consider how relative pronouns work to avoid confusion. All words in German possess gender, number (singular
or plural), and case. The main clause, as it relates to the antecedent, determines the gender and number of the
relative pronoun; the relative clause determines its case.
In order to use relative clauses successfully, it is critical that this point be understood. Gender and number are
"inherent" to the antecedent; no grammatical agent could conceivably change those properties. The relative
pronoun's case is determined by its role in the relative clause, i.e., how it relates to the other parts of speech in the
clause. Consider the following examples, all based on "the man", who is masculine and singular, and apparently not
well-liked.
Case of Relative Pronoun Example
Nominative Der Mann, der nach Hause allein ging, ...
The man, who went home alone, ...
Accusitive Der Mann, den mein Freund während der Hochzeit schlug, ...
The man, whom my friend punched at the wedding, ...
Dative Der Mann, dem meine Mutter kein Weihnachtsgeschenk gegeben hat, ...
The man, to whom my mother didn't give a Christmas present, ...
Genitive Der Mann, dessen Tochter arbeitslos ist, ...
The man, whose daughter is unemployed, ...
In each of these examples, the gender and number of the relative pronoun were determined by the antecedent, while
the case of the relative pronoun was determined by its role in the relative clause. Note particularly the genitive
example, wherein the relative pronoun, meaning whose, modified a feminine noun, without his gender being
affected.
Whenever you construct a relative clause, be mindful of this rule. Don't confuse yourself with its complexity,
especially regarding the genitive case. As discussed in the chapter on personal pronouns, the word "whose", as well
as other possessive pronouns such as "my", "your", and so forth, is a pronoun and not an adjective. The pronoun
always expresses the characteristics of its antecedent, viz., gender and number.
Relative pronouns offered within prepositional phrases are perfectly acceptable:
Der Mann, mit dem meine Mutter wieder gestritten hat, ...
The man, with whom my mother argued again, ...
However, if the antecedent is not a person, and the relative pronoun falls within a prepositional phrase, a
wo-compound is frequently substituted:
Das Flugzeug, worin ich nach Seattle geflogen bin, war fast kaputt.
The airplane, in which I flew to Seattle, was almost broken.
Relative clauses almost invariably follow the item that they are modifying or the main clause as a whole (with the
gender and number of the relative pronoun indicating - to some extent - which potential antecedent it is referring to).
Very rarely do they precede the main clause. Exceptions to this come in the form of aphorisms and proverbs:
Der (oder Wer) heute abend ruhig einschläft, bekommt morgen Eiskrem und Keks.
(He who goes to bed quietly tonight will get ice-cream and cookies tomorrow
- something a mother might say to her children.)
This usage is relatively unimportant.

One final property of relative clauses should be discussed. Relative clauses in some way describe their antecedent.
The rules governing attributes in German are considerably more flexible than in English, because the German case
system reduces ambiguity. This allows the German speaker to turn a relative clause into an extended attribute, which
is essentially a long adjective. Compare the following two sentences, which are equivalent:
Der Mann, der jede Woche auf Dienstreise nach Seattle fährt, ist krank.
The man, who drives to Seattle every week on business, is sick.
Der jede Woche nach Seattle auf Dienstreise fahrende Mann ist krank.
The to-Seattle-every-week-on-business driving man is sick.
Such a construction is ludicrious in English, but not-uncommon in German. The experienced reader of German will,
with practice, be able to read through such an item without difficulty.
It would be best to review what we have learned about subordinate and relative pronouns before discussing their
syntax. Dependent clauses - both subordinating and relative clauses - modify or in some other way describe the
antecedent clause upon which they are based. Subordinating clauses provide a variety of ways in which new
information can relate to the main clause, many of which are adverbial in nature (e.g., "weil/because", but not
"dass/that", which, in the examples above, replaced the accusitive object). Relative clauses modify and describe
entities already mentioned in the main clause. Generally speaking, only subordinate clauses have the ability to
occupy the first position in a main clause.
Format:
Main clause, subordinating conjunction + subordinate clause.

Subordinating conjunction + subordinate clause, conjugated verb + main clause.
Main clause including antecedent, relative pronoun based on antecedent + relative clause.
Syntax of Dependent Clauses

Subordinate and relative clauses have similar syntax. Indeed, neglecting the verbs, they have a syntax similar to main
clauses. Recall the syntax described at the beginning of this chapter. That syntax will form the basis of the Mittelfeld
in dependent clauses.
Syntax of Dependent Clauses

Field Items Examples
Comma All dependent clauses are set off with a comma unless occupying the first position of a ,
main clause
Conjunction For subordinate clauses, this is the subordinating conjunction. For relative clauses, "dass", "weil", "obwohl", "denen"
this is the relative pronoun.
Mittelfeld The Mittelfeld of a dependent clause follows the same syntax as the Mittelfeld of the
main clause.
Nominative Pronoun "ich", "wir"
Reflexive Pronoun "mich", "uns"
Nominative Noun "die Katze"
Accusitive Noun A = ADDA "meinen Vater"
Adverbs, Predicate Adjectives Time, Manner, Place
Verbs Verbs will be dealt with in greater detail below. They are very complicated.
Number of Verbs Placement of Verbs (always at end of

clause}
One (conjugated) At end of Clause
Two (conjugated - modal/-like or auxiliary; infinitive) Build inwards. Infinitive, then conjugated
verb
Three
Modal/-like is conjugated 3.2.1. Build inwards.
Modal/-like is not conjugated (likely the second verb) Conjugated verb (1); infinitive verb (3);
modal verb (2)
Once again, no dependent clause will contain each of these elements. But understanding the position of pronouns is
critical. The same conventions listed under the main clause schema apply.
Verbs in Dependent Clauses

The way the verbs are arranged depends on the number of verbs in the verb-phrase, and the presence of a modal
verb.
Dependent Clauses with One Verb
This is the simplest case. Such a clause has one verb, conjugated based on the person and number of the subject of
the sentence. This conjugated verb is placed at the end of the clause.
Subordinate Clause Du weißt, dass ich dich liebe. (You know that I love you.)
Relative Clause Er ist ein Mann, der oft Berlin besucht. (He is a man who often visits Berlin.)
Dependent Clauses with Two Verbs

A clause with two verbs has one conjugated verb and one verb in the infinitive. Such examples are clauses in a
perfect tense (wherein the conjugated verb is the auxiliary verb, either "haben" or "sein"), the future tense
("werden"), ones with modal verbs, and ones with modal-like verbs (sehen, hören, helfen, lassen).
In a main clause, the conjugated verb will be in the second position, and the infinitive verb will be at the end of the
clause.
In a dependent clause, both verbs will be at the end of the clause, with the conjugated verb last. This supports the
principle of "building inwards".
Subordinate Du weißt, dass ich dich nicht lieben kann. (You know that I cannot love you.)
Clause
Relative Clause Er ist ein Mann, der nach seiner absolvierten Prüfung Berlin besuchen wird. (He is a man who will visit Berlin after his
graduation exam.)
Dependent Clauses with Three Verbs

Sentences with three verbs typically involve a modal verb, whose presence complicates matters terribly. Let us think
of some examples in English.
1) I am not able to help you move your car. - können - helfen - bewegen
2) I will be able to go to the store with you. - werden - können - gehen
3) I have not been able to afford that. (haben + "sich (dat) etw. leisten können" = to be able to afford sth.)
4) I have not been able to reach you over the phone. - haben - können - erreichen
And so on. The problem is, after you've learned how to put your verb at the end of the sentence in a main clause, and
after you've learned how to "build inwards" in dependent clauses, and after you've pulled your hair out, night after
night, sitting in a cafe in Seattle declining relative pronouns, German grammar throws yet another rule at you, this
one so pointless and downright counter-productive, and it seems like German grammar is simply making fun of you
at this point, that you leap out of your seat, scream "woo hoo!", and then get back to work.
The modal verb (or the modal-like verb) has to be at the end of the verb phrase, regardless of whether it has been
conjugated. In cases where it has not, the conjugated verb moves to the beginning of the verb phrase. Let's look at
our examples above.
Du weißt, dass...
1) ...ich dir dein Auto nicht bewegen helfen kann. This one is straightforward, because the modal verb is the
conjugated verb, allowing the clause to follow the "build inwards" principle.
2) ...ich zum Markt mit dir nicht werde gehen können. The modal verb must come last. No semantic or logical reason
for this.
3) ...ich mir das nicht habe leisten können. The modal verb must come last. Note here that the modal verb does not
form a past participle when it has main verb to modify.
4) ...ich dich am Telefon nicht habe erreichen können. Note the somewhat sensible placement of "nicht".
And so...
Verb-order in Dependent Clauses

Number of Verbs Placement of Verbs (always at end of clause}
One (conjugated) At end of Clause
Two (conjugated - modal/-like or auxiliary; infinitive) Build inwards. Infinitive, then conjugated verb
Three
Modal/-like is conjugated 3.2.1. Build inwards.
Modal/-like is not conjugated (likely the second verb) Conjugated verb (1); infinitive verb (3); modal verb (2)
Infinitive Clauses
The reader is already familiar with several types of German verbs that require other verbs; these verbs are modal
verbs (können, dürfen, wollen, etc.); modal-like verbs (sehen, hören, helfen, lassen); auxilliary verbs (sein, haben),
used for the perfect tenses; and werden, used for future and passive constructions. Another verb that can take another
verb without forming an infinitive clause is bleiben (e.g., stehenbleiben, to remain standing). These verbs never form
infinitive clauses, and the verbs that are used with them go at the end of the sentence.
Infinitive clauses are another kind of clause found in German, and are equivalent to infinitive clauses in English.
Consider the following examples in English:
I am here (in order) to help you clean your house.

The car is ready to be driven.
I work to be able to afford my car.
Infinitive clauses are formed after verbs that do not regularly take other verbs. They indicate purpose, intent, and
meaning of the action in the main clause. As such, infinitive clauses have no subject, or no nouns in the nominative
case. Here are the above examples in German:
Ich bin hier, um dir dein Haus putzen zu helfen.

Das Auto ist bereit, gefahren zu werden.
Ich arbeite, um mir ein Auto leisten zu können.
Infinitive clauses are usually found after a main clause, though it is possible for them to occupy the first position of a
main clause. They are always set off by a comma.
Of particular interest is the construction, "um...zu..."", which corresponds to the English construction, "in order to...".
Um is placed at the beginning of the clause, after which follows a standard infinitive clause. Whereas "in order" is
frequently omitted from English infinitive clauses of this sort, "um" is always included such clauses in German.
The Mittelfeld follows the standard syntax of main clauses, though without nominative nouns and pronouns. At any
rate, infinitive tend to be rather short.
Verbs (in the infinitive form) always come at the end, immediately preceded by the word zu. In the case of
separable-prefix verbs, such a verb is written as one word, with the word zu between the prefix and the main verb;
e.g. anzuschlagen, auszugehen, abzunehmen, and so forth.
The syntax of infinitive clauses can thus be summarized as follows:
Syntax of Infinitive Clauses

Position Contents Examples
Introduction Comma or Capital Letter (beginning of sentence) "," "Um"
Mittelfeld Reflexive Pronoun "mich", "uns"
(Temporal Expressions) Expressions of time, especially short temporal adverbs, are

often placed here.
Accusitive Noun A = ADDA "meinen Vater"
Adverbs, Predicate Adjectives Time, Manner Place
Infinitive Verb Verbs with no separable prefix zu + Infinitive; e.g., "zu gehen"
Phrase
Verbs with separable prefix prefix-zu-infinitive, written as one word; e.g., "anzufangen"
End Either a period to end the sentence, or a comma to introduce ","; "."
the main clause
()
(discussion)
Grammar

227
Verbs
German/Grammar/Verbs
Verbs
German verbs can be classified as weak or as strong. Weak verbs are very regular in their forms, whereas strong
verbs change the stem vowel.
Weak:
kaufen, kaufte, gekauft
Strong:
singen, sang, gesungen
With its Anglo-Saxon origin, this notion is also present in English.
flip, flipped, flipped

sing, sang, sung
Some German verbs have weak and strong forms. This may depend on meaning:
Der Botschafter wurde nach Berlin gesandt.

Der Süddeutsche Rundfunk sendete ein Konzert aus dem Gasteig.
Or on transitive vs. intransitive use:
Das Hemd hing auf der Wäscheleine.

Sie hängte das Hemd auf die Wäscheleine.
Separable Verbs
Sometimes you will run into verbs such as anrufen, aufräumen, mitkommen. These verbs are examples of Separable
Prefix Verbs. When you see these kinds of verbs, it will have a preposition prefix followed by a verb. These verbs
separate when they are the main verb of a sentence.
EXAMPLES:
I am calling the butcher. Ich rufe den Metzger an.
I am trying on the boots. Ich probiere die Stiefel an.
German/Grammar/Verbs 228
Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive Verbs are verbs involving the reflexive pronoun "sich" and its conjugations that reflect, or refer back, to
the performer of the action. There are only accusative and dative reflexive pronouns.
Accusative reflexive pronouns are used when there is no direct object. Dative reflexive pronouns are used when a
direct object is present. However, when using a direct object, the possessive is not used.
Examples:
Accusative: Ich verletze mich. I injure myself.
Dative: Ich verletze mir die Hand. I injure my hand.
Accusative: Er hat sich verbrannt. He burned himself.
Dative: Er hat sich den Daumen verbrannt. He burned his thumb.
Reflexiv Pronommen
Akkusativ (Wenfall) Dativ (Wemfall)
1st sg. mich mir
2nd sg. (informal) dich dir
1st pl. uns "
2nd pl. (informal) euch "
2nd sg. or pl. formal; 3rd. sich "
Notice that all reflexives are the same as the Akkusativ and Dativ Pronoun Declensions — except for 3rd Person and
2nd sg./pl. Person formal (man/sie/Sie), in which case all reflexives are sich.
Modals
Dürfen
Dürfen means to be allowed/permitted, may.
Present Past Conjunctive II
ich darf (I am allowed to) durfte dürfte
du darfst (You are allowed to) durftest dürftest
er/sie/es darf (He/She/It is allowed to) durfte dürfte
wir dürfen (We are allowed to) durften dürften
ihr dürft (You (plural) are allowed to) durftet dürftet
sie/Sie dürfen (They are allowed to/You (formal) are allowed to) durften dürften
Examples:
Darf ich einen Freund zum Fest bringen? May I bring a friend to the party.
Man darf hier nicht rauchen. One is not allowed to smoke here.
Niemand durfte die Stadt verlassen. No one was allowed to leave the city.
Können
können means 'to be able, capable'. It is cognate with the English word 'can'/'could'.
ich kann (I can) konnte könnte
du kannst (You can) konntest könntest
er/sie/es kann (He/She/It can) konnte könnte
wir können (We can) konnten könnten
ihr könnt (You can) konntet könntet
sie/Sie können (They can) konnten könnten
Examples:
Ich kann das nicht tun. I can't do it.

Wir konnten sie nicht erreichen. We could not reach them.
Mögen
mögen expresses a pleasure, or desire. In the present tense, it is used transitively with people or food. e.g. 'Ich mag
dich' 'I like you' or 'Ich mag Erdbeeren' 'I like strawberries'. The subjunctive (of the past) expresses preference to
perform the action of a subordinate clause 'Ich möchte nach Frankreich reisen' I would like to travel to France'.
'mögen' is cognate with the English verb 'may'/'might'.
ich mag (I would like to) mochte möchte (I would like to)
du magst (You like to) mochtest möchtest (You would like to)
er/sie/es mag (He/She/It likes to) mochte möchte (He/She/It would like to)
wir mögen (We like to) mochten möchten (We would like to)
ihr mögt (You like to) mochtet möchtet (You would like to)
sie/Sie mögen (They like to) mochten möchten (They would like to)
Example:
Ich möchte nach Deutschland reisen. I would like to travel to Germany.
(There is also a present subjunctive möge, which is very formal:

Der König sagte: "Er möge eintreten." - The king said: "He may enter.")
Müssen
müssen expresses something forced on you. It is etymologically related to 'must'.
ich muss gehen (I must/have to go) musste (I had to) müsste
du musst musstest müsstest
er/sie/es muss musste müsste
wir müssen mussten müssten
ihr müsst musstet müsstet
sie/Sie müssen mussten müssten
Examples:
Ich muss nicht arbeiten. ~ Ich brauche nicht zu arbeiten. I don't have to work.
Ich darf nicht arbeiten. I must not work.
Note that the negative nicht müssen is not the English must not, but rather need not or don't have/need to. must
not translates to nicht dürfen.
There are however some northern German uses like:
Du musst das nicht tun meaning Du solltest das nicht tun.
Sollen
sollen expresses an obligation or duty. It is etymologically related to 'shall'.
Present Past
ich soll schwimmen (I am to swim) sollte (I was to)
du sollst solltest
er/sie/es soll sollte
wir sollen sollten
ihr sollt solltet
sie/Sie sollen sollten
Wollen
wollen means to want.
Present Past
ich will rennen (I want to run) wollte
du willst wolltest
er/sie/es will wollte
wir wollen wollten
ihr wollt wolltet
sie/Sie wollen wollten

Use in Perfect (and Pluperfect) Tense

Although all these modals have a normal perfect:
gedurft gekonnt gemocht gemusst gesollt
in connection with other verbs, the infinitive form is used:
Ich habe das tun dürfen - können - mögen - müssen - sollen.
Wrong:
Ich habe das tun gedurft - gekonnt - gemocht - gemusst - gesollt.
It holds also for the verbs sehen and hören:
Ich habe ihn kommen sehen - hören.
Use of modal verbs as full verbs

Modal verbs can be used as full verbs indicating motion.
Er muss nach Berlin He must go to Berlin.
Present Tense
Use
The Present Tense is used for..
• The Present Tense (="das Präsens") is used to describe situations that are happening and aren't the past.
• For Ongoing Action, like I'm swimming in the pool now
• Everyday Truths, like The moon and stars will come at night.
• Future meaning, if explicitly stated, like I will run tomorrow morning
• Actions started in the past and still going on in the present I've been cleaning the house all day
Progressive Forms
There is a present progressive tense in colloquial spoken German. Its use is optional.
Here is one example:
Ich bin am Fahren. (I am at the driving) I'm driving.
The person to say this would be driving during the time they say this and they would continue to drive after stating
this for some time.
You nominalize the verb ("fahren" (driving) becomes "das Fahren") and add a "am". You can also do this with forms
of the past.
Als er kam war ich gerade am Abwaschen. (When he arrived i was at "the dishwashing") I was washing the dishes
when he arrived.
So the verb "sein" (to be) includes the information what tense he was doing what he did in.
Here the progressive meaning is also emphasized with the word "gerade" meaning something like: I was JUST
ABOUT to wash the dishes(not the same though because it means he is already doing it and not about to start).
Perfect Tense
The Perfect Tense or das Perfekt of verbs is used to talk about things in the past which have already happened. It is
sometimes referred to as "Present Perfect Tense". This can cause confusion. While the formation is similar, the
meaning and usage differs.
Formation
As in English, the perfect tense consists of two parts. An auxiliary (Hilfsverb) and a past participle (Partizip Perfekt).
Compare the examples given below with their English translations.
Er hat gelacht.
He has laughed.
Sie ist gekommen
She has come.
Die Kinder haben gegessen.
The children have eaten.
Past participle for regular verbs

The general rule is simple:
verb prefix + 3rd-person sing. participle(er/sie/es)
lachen (laugh) ge + (er/sie/es) lacht gelacht
kaufen (buy) ge + (er/sie/es) kauft gekauft
mähen (mow) ge + (er/sie/es) mäht gemäht
There are some groups of regular verbs that slightly differ from that pattern.
Some verbs drop the prefix ge-. Like the other regular verbs they end in -t. These are:
1. Verbs with unseparable prefixes (be-, ent-, er-, empf-, ge-, ver-, miss-, zer-)
Examples:
verb past participle
besuchen (visit) besucht
entfernen (remove) entfernt
erreichen (achieve) erreicht
gehören (belong) gehört
verstecken (hide) versteckt
missverstehen (misunderstand) missverstanden
2. Verbs ending in -ieren

Examples:
kopieren (copy) kopiert
polieren (polish) poliert
3. Another group is formed by verbs with separable prefixes

With separable verbs, the prefix ge is placed between the prefix and the rest of the verb.
Examples:
verb sep. pref.+ ge + 3rd-person sg. = past participle
aufmachen (open) auf + ge + macht = aufgemacht
abstellen (put down) ab + ge + stellt = abgestellt
Separable and inseparable verbs are distinguished by the stressed syllable:
über'setzen (to translate) über'setzt
'übersetzen (to ferry across) 'übergesetzt
Er hat das Buch ins Chinesische übersetzt.

Der Fährmann hat den Passagier übergesetzt (über den Fluss gesetzt).
Past Participle for Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs always end in -en. The vowel can be different from the one in present tense. Look at some
examples:
infinitive 3rd-person sg. past participle
gehen (go) geht gegangen
essen (eat) isst gegessen
schreiben (write) schreibt geschrieben
trinken (drink) trinkt getrunken
schlafen (sleep) schläft geschlafen
nehmen (take) nimmt genommen
You have to learn these forms by heart. How you can obtain the necessary information and how you should learn
them is described in section tips for learning below.
Note that irregular verbs can be combined with the same prefixes as described above. The same rules regarding the
prefix ge- apply. Therefore the forms for schreiben, verschreiben and aufschreiben are geschrieben, verschrieben
and aufgeschrieben respectively.
Which verbs are irregular

A lot of verbs that are irregular in English are irregular in German, too. Unfortunately, this is not always true. It is
most likely when the German and the English verb are related (i.e. look similar).
Examples:
see: irregular sehen: irregular

buy: irregular kaufen: regular
get: irregular bekommen: irregular ;-)
Regular verbs are much more frequent than irregular ones, but a lot of the irregular verbs are used very frequently,
for instance haben, sein, gehen, kommen etc.
When in doubt whether a verb is irregular or not, it is best to look it up in a dictionary (See below).
Haben or sein as auxiliaries

Whether a verb is irregular or not does not influence the choice of auxiliary.
Most verbs take haben as auxiliary.
A) Verbs which take an accusative object (transitive verbs)
B) Reflexive verbs always take haben as auxiliary.
Examples A:
trinken: Er hat ein Bier getrunken.

lesen: Sie hat ein Buch gelesen
kochen Sie haben gestern Spaghetti gekocht.
Examples B:
sich freuen Ich habe mich gefreut

sich kämmen Er hat sich gekämmt
sich ärgern Wir haben uns schon lange nicht mehr so geärgert.
The auxiliary sein is taken by verbs that describe

C) the relocation from one place to another or
D) the change of a state
and with
E) sein (be) and bleiben (stay)
Note: none of the verbs from groups C-E is combined with an accusative object.
Examples C: relocation verbs
verb aux. irregular sentence with perfect tense

kommen (come) sein yes Ich bin gekommen.
reisen (travel) sein no Wir sind schon dreimal nach China gereist.
fahren (drive) sein yes Ich bin mit dem Auto nach Kalifornien gefahren.
begegnen (meet) sein no Er ist ihm gestern begegnet.
gehen (go) sein yes Du bist gegangen.
starten (take off) sein yes Das Flugzeug ist gestartet.
In southern German (mostly Bavarian) use, also stehen, sitzen und schwimmen are treated like a (non-)movement:
Ich bin gestanden - gesessen - geschwommen. High German is: Ich habe gestanden - gesessen - geschwommen.
Aber: Ich habe den See durchschwommen.
Examples D: change of state verbs
verb aux. irr. sentence with perfect tense

aufstehen (get up) sein yes Ich bin heute früh aufgestanden.
einschlafen (fall asleep) sein yes Die Kinder sind endlich eingeschlafen.
verblühen (whither) sein no Die Blumen sind schon verblüht
Examples E: sein and bleiben
Er ist nicht lange geblieben. He didn't stay long.

Er ist immer nett gewesen. He has always been nice.
Exceptions to the rules Some of the verbs from group A can be used with an object in accusative case. In this case,
they take haben as auxiliary.
Compare:
Ich bin nach Kalifornien gefahren. I drove to California.
Ich bin mit dem Auto nach Kalifornien gefahren. I drove to California by car (literally: with the car)
Ich habe das Auto (Akk.) nach Kalifornien gefahren. I drove the car to California.
The same applies to fliegen (fly), starten and reiten (ride a horse).
Usage
Unlike in English the difference in meaning between Perfekt and Präteritum is rather small. The main difference
between those two forms lies in usage. Perfekt is mostly used in spoken language, while Präteritum is mostly
reserved for written texts. However, the modals, the verbs haben and sein and the expression es gibt are almost
exclusively used in Präteritum - even when speaking. One reason might be the frequency of those verbs, the other
reason is most likely the very complex perfect forms for modals.
(This is in southern German use; in northern German, you'll hear the preterite also in spoken language.)
On the other hand, the perfect tense is used in writing too. The more oral the text is, the more perfect tense you will
find (for example in personal letters etc.). If an action has happened very recently, it tends to be in perfect tense too.
Look at the following conversation and concentrate on the distribution of Präteritum and Perfekt.
(1) Anna: Hallo Peter. Wo warst du denn? Ich habe dich schon lange nicht mehr gesehen.
(2) Peter: Hallo Anna. Ich war die letzen zwei Wochen im Urlaub.
(3) Anna: So? Wo warst du denn genau?
(4) Peter: Auf der Insel Elba, in einem fantastischen Hotel. Es gab jeden Abend ein Büffet und man konnte essen, so
viel man wollte!
(5) Anna (lacht): Ich glaube dir sofort, dass dir das gefallen hat. Du hast aber nicht nur gegessen, oder? Was hast
du denn den ganzen Tag gemacht?
(6) Peter (lacht auch): Nein, natürlich nicht. Ich bin viel geschwommen, ich habe mir die Insel angeguckt und am
Abend bin ich immer zum Tanzen in eine Disco gegangen.
(7) Anna: Aha... Und? Hast du jemanden kennen gelernt?
(8) Peter (grinst): Kein Kommentar.
Vocablary to help you understand the text:
der Urlaub, -e vacation

genau exactly, precisely
die Insel, -n island

das Büffet, -s buffet
gefallen like
angucken to look at (colloquial)
kennen lernen get to know
grinsen grin
Used forms to talk about past events
Präteritum Perfekt
du warst (1/3) habe gesehen (1)
ich war (2) es hat gefallen (5)
es gab (4) du hast gegessen (5)
konnte (4) du hast gemacht (5)
wollte (4) ich bin geschwommen (6)
ich habe angeguckt (6)
ich bin gegangen (6)
du hast kennen gelernt
How to find the forms in a dictionary

Unless you have a special dictionary for learners, not all the forms will be spelled out. Regular forms are often
omitted. The same goes for the auxiliary haben. If no forms are indicated, you may assume that the verb is regular
and has the verb haben as an auxiliary. However, if you find the abbreviation itr or i. (for intransitive) behind the
verb, the auxiliary is often sein. Intransitve verbs don't have an accusative object and these are often used with sein,
while transitive verbs (tr. or t.) are always conjugated with haben.
Sometimes not even the forms of irregular verbs are given in the lexicon entry. Irregular verbs are often indicated by
irr. for irregular or a similar abbreviation. In that case, look for a list of irregular verb forms in the index of your
dictionary.
To find the past participle of separable verbs you often have to cut the prefix and look for the base form of the verb.
If you look for aufstehen (get up), you probably find your answer in the entry of stehen. Remember: The prefix ge
goes in between the prefix of the separable verb and the verb itself: auf + ge + standen.
When working online, you might consider using Canoo [1]. Enter an arbitrary form of the word you are interested in
into the mask. Hit enter. On the results page, choose the link Flexion behind the appropriate entry (or inflection in the
English version). You will get a table of all possible verb forms.
Tips for learning

Irregular forms are just that - irregular. Therefore you have to learn them by heart. By learning four forms, you can
construct every verb form for a given verb.
The forms you should know are:
Infinitiv Präsens Präteritum Hilfsverb + Partizip Perfekt

infinitiv 3rd person preterite auxiliary + past participle
gehen geht ging ist + gegangen
nehmen nimmt nahm hat + genommen
fahren fährt fuhr ist + gefahren
lesen liest las hat + gelesen
essen isst aß hat + gegessen
kommen kommt kam ist + gekommen
bleiben bleibt blieb ist + geblieben

sein ist war ist + gewesen
anfangen fängt ... an fing ... an hat + angefangen
...
All forms - besides the infinitive of course - should be in 3rd-person singular.

A good way to learn those forms is to put them on small cards. On one side you write the infinitive and probably a
sentence to illustrate the usage of the verb. On the backside you put the rest of the forms and - if needed - a
translation of the verb. When learning, you look at the infinitve and try to remember the forms and the meaning. You
can easily verify your hypothesis by flipping the card.
If you encounter a verb you want to learn, look it up in a dictionary. If it is irregular, learn the verb together with its
defining forms. Like that, you spare yourself a lot of trouble later on.
Sentence Structure
The perfect tense consists of two verb forms: an auxiliary and a past participle. Together they form the so called
predicate. The predicate consists of all verb parts in one clause.
The sentence structure in perfect behaves as with every two parts predicate (modals plus infinitive, separable verbs
etc.)
Main Clauses
In a main clause (Hauptsatz), the conjugated verb (the auxiliary in this case) is in the second position and the past
participle stands at the end of the clause.
First Position (I) (II)

1) Sein Vater hat gestern ein fantastisches Essen gekocht.
2) Gestern hat sein Vater ein fantastisches Essen gekocht.
Both: Yesterday, his father cooked a fantastic meal.
3) Ein fantastisches Essen hat sein Vater gestern gekocht.*
It was a fantastic meal that his father cooked yesterday.
* The third example is correct, although not very frequent. You might use it if you want to stress what exactly his father has prepared or if you
have to repeat the sentence because your partner has not understood this particular part of it.
Second position does not equal second word, as you can see above. However, there is only one group of words
allowed before the conjugated verb (the auxiliary in this case). Such groups of words are called "phrases". While you
can put very long phrases in front of the conjugated verb, you must not use two. Therefore the sentence "Gestern sein
Vater hat ein fantastisches Essen gekocht" is wrong.
Subordinated Clauses
Subordinated clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction. Well known conjunctions of this kind are
weil dass wenn.
*In spoken language weil is often used like und or aber, which means that it is followed by a main clause. However, after weil, speakers often
pause for a little while. There is no pause after either und or aber.
Weil + main clause is not allowed in written language. Therefore you may say: Ich gehe, weil - (little pause) - ich bin müde. But you wouldn't use
it in a letter. At least not yet.
The correct conjunction for a main clause is denn, which is rarely used in spoken language.
In subordinated clauses the conjugated verb, i.e. the auxiliary, stands at the very end of the sentence. The past
participle stands directly in front of it. For example:
conj. aux. participle aux.

Ich weiß, dass du das gemacht hast.
Ich glaube dir, weil du bisher noch nie gelogen hast.
Ich glaube dir, denn du hast bisher noch nie gelogen.
Ich gehe, wenn du gegangen bist.
Past tense
Regular verbs
Regular (or better, weak) verbs take the ending -te. The person endings are added afterwards. Note that the forms for
1st- and 3rd-person singular are the same.
lernen
ich lernte
du lerntest
er/sie/es lernte
wir lernten
ihr lerntet
sie/Sie lernten
If the stem of a verb (infinitive minus -en) ends in -t (arbeit-en), -d (end-en) or consonant plus m or n (öffn-en,
rechn-en) you add an -e before the preterite endings.
arbeiten
ich arbeitete
du arbeitetest
er/sie/es arbeitete
wir arbeiteten
ihr arbeitetet
sie/Sie arbeiteten
Irregular verbs
Without -te
The strong verbs belong to this group. The endings are easy to memorize. It is harder to know which vowel to use.
The rule mentioned above for t/d, double-consonant + n/m applies also for irregular verbs.
fahren stehen
ich fuhr stand
du fuhrst stand(e)st
er/sie/es fuhr stand
wir fuhren standen
ihr fuhrt standet
sie/Sie fuhren standen
gehen, ging, gegangen

stehen, stand, gestanden
With -te
Few irregular verbs take the -te ending. Examples are: nennen, rennen, kennen, bringen, denken and the irregular
modals (können, dürfen and müssen).
nennen
ich nannte
du nanntest
er/sie/es nannte
wir nannten
ihr nanntet
sie/Sie nannten
Future Tense
Talking about future with the present tense

German uses the Present Tense to talk about the future whenever it is clear to both speaker and listener that the
future is meant. In the dialogue example:
Wenn du zu Hause bleibst, kommen wir dich besuchen.

If you stay at home, we shall come and visit you.
The whole conversation is about the future, so there is no need to indicate it again in the tense of the verb.
Some more examples:
Ich schreibe den Brief heute Abend.

I will write the letter this evening.
Wir gehen nächstes Jahr nach Spanien.

We will go to Spain next year.
Futur I
Where the meaning would not otherwise be clear, and in more formal language, e.g. to express an intention, German
talks about the future tense by using werden plus the infinitive at the end of the clause. The forms of werden are:
ich werde
du wirst
er/sie/es/man wird
wir werden
ihr werdet
sie/Sie werden
Examples:
Ich werde ein Haus bauen.

I shall build a house. (an intention)
Wir werden sehen.

We will see.
The future can also express some inescapable fate:
Sie werden alle umkommen.

They will all perish.
Future II
If the sentence is speculative, "sein" or "haben" is added to the verb and Futur II is formed:
Sie werden angekommen sein.

literally "they will have arrived" - meaning "(I gather) they have arrived (by now)"
Sie werden es gemacht haben.

"they will have done it"
Normally, you use Futur II when speaking about something that should have happened already, but you are not sure
or you can't prove it.
()
(discussion)
Grammar

References
[1] http:/ / www. canoo. net
242
APPENDICES
243
A.01 - Das Alphabet
German/Appendices/Alphabet
Appendices
Alphabet
Vocabulary
Phrasebook
Resources
Names
German History
Nations of the World
False Friends
Numbers
Keyboard Layout
() German (discussion)
Lessons: Level I • Level II • Level III

The Alphabet
The German alphabet, like English, consists of 26 basic letters. However, there are also combined letters and three
umlauted forms (an umlaut is the pair of dots placed over certain vowels; in German, Umlaut describes the dotted
letter, not just the dots.). The following table includes a listing of all these letters and a guide to their pronunciation.
As in English, letter sounds can differ depending upon where within a word the letter occurs. The first pronunciation
given below (second column) is that in English of the letter (or combination) itself. Reading down this column and
pronouncing the "English" words will recite the alphabet auf Deutsch ("in German"). Note that letter order is exactly
the same as in English, but pronunciation is not for many of the letters. In the list of pronunciation notes, no entry
means essentially "pronounced as in English".
German/Appendices/Alphabet 244
Pronunciation: The alphabet — Das Alphabet
A (a) /ɑː/ Long 'a' as 'a' in 'father' (ah).
B (be) /beː/ Pronounced like 'p' when at the end of a word
C (ce) /tseː/ See combination letter forms; without a following 'h': before 'e', 'i', 'y', 'ä', 'ö' like the German letter 'z' else like 'k'
D (de) /deː/ Pronounced like 't' when at the end of a word; slightly more "dental"
E (e) /eː/ Long 'e' as 'a' in 'late' (ay) without(!) the (y). Short 'e' as 'e' in 'pet'. In unstressed syllables like 'a' in 'about' or 'e' in 'garden'
F (ef) /ɛf/
G (ge) /geː/ Pronounced like 'g' in 'get'; pronounced like 'k' when at the end of a word; pronounced like 'ich'-sound (see below) in the suffix
'-ig' at the end of words
H (ha) /hɑː/ like 'h' in 'house' only at the beginning of words or a syllable before 'a', 'i', 'o', 'u', 'y', 'ä', 'ö', 'ü' (only if these vowels don't belong
to a suffix), else silent
I (i) /iː/ Long 'i' as 'e' in 'seen' (ee); short 'i' as 'i' in 'pit'
J (jot) /jot/ Pronounced like 'y' in 'yard'
K (ka) /kɑː/
L (el) /ɛl/ Slightly more "dental"
M (em) /ɛm/
N (en) /ɛn/ Slightly more "dental"; before 'a', 'i', 'o', 'u', 'y', 'ä', 'ö', 'ü' (only if these vowels don't belong to a suffix)
O (o) /oː/ Long 'o' as 'o' in 'open' (oh), there is no movement in the sound as in the English equivalent. Short 'o' as 'o' in 'pot'
P (pe) /peː/
Q (ku) /kuː/ Pronounced like 'k'; only occurs in the combination 'qu', which is pronounced like 'kv' not like 'kw'
R (er) /ɛʀ/ trilled with the front or back of the tongue, depending on area (see below)
S (es) /ɛs/ In Germany, pronounced like 'z'; pronounced like 's' in 'sound' when at the end of a word, after consonants (except 'l', 'm', 'n', ng')
and before consonants; in Austria, pronounced like 'z' only when it appears between two vowels, pronounced like 's' otherwise.
Pronounced like 'sh' in the beginning of a word before 'p' or 't'
T (te) /teː/ Slightly more "dental"
U (u) /uː/ Long 'u' as 'oo' in 'moon' (oo); short 'u' as 'u' in 'put'
V (vau) /fɑʊ/ Pronounced like 'f' when at the end of a word and in a few but often used words (in most cases of Germanic origin), in general at
the beginning of German geographical and family names. In all other cases like 'v'
W (ve) /veː/ Pronounced like 'v'
X (iks) /ɪks/ Pronounced like 'ks'
Y (üpsilon) Pronounced like 'ü' (see below), except in words of English origin, where it is pronounced like in English
/ʏpsɪlon/
Z (zet) /tsɛt/ Pronounced like 'ts'

Unique German Letters
Umlaut Letters
• Umlauts were originally written as 'ae', 'oe', and 'ue'.
Pronunciation: Umlauts — Umlaute
Ä (ä) Long ä pronounced similar to 'ai' in 'air'

//
Ö (ö) No English equivalent sound (see below); somewhat similar to vowel in 'jerk', 'turn', or 'third', but it is critical to note that there is no "r"
// sound that is pronounced in conjunction with the ö.
Ü (ü) No English equivalent sound (see below)

//
The ss-Ligature, ß
Pronunciation: ß-ligature — Eszet

(missing file: , how to upload audio)
ß (es-zet or scharfes es) // Pronounced like 's' in 'set' or 'c' in 'nice'; see below for uses.
Combined Letters
Pronunciation: Combined letters — Buchstabenkombinationen

(missing file: , how to upload audio)
ch (ce-ha) // Pronounced various ways (see Konsonanten sounds below)
ck (ce-ka) //
tz (te-zet) //
ie (i-e) //
ei (e-i) // Pronounced like the 'ie' in 'tie' or simply the personal 'I'
eu (e-u) // Pronounced like the 'oi' in the English word 'oil'
äu (ä-u) // Pronounced like the 'oi' in the English word 'oil'
au (a-u) // Pronounced as a short 'ow' such as when experiencing pain
dt (de-te) //
st (es-te) // Pronounced like English 'sh' followed by 't'
sp (es-pe) // Pronounced like English 'sh' followed by 'p'
sch (es-ce-ha) Pronounced like English 'sh'

//
tsch, zsch, Pronounced like English 'ch'

tzsch
ph (pe-ha) // Pronounced like 'f'. Often used in the old orthography, now nearly always replaced: old: Photographie new:
Fotografie
pf (pe-ef) // Difficult pronunciation for non-speakers. Both letters are pronounced.
qu (ku-u) //
...
• Audio: OGG (305KB) ~ Das Alphabet oder Das ABC

• Audio: OGG (114KB) ~ Die Umlaute
Deutsche Aussprache ~ German Pronunciation Guide
Vokale ~ Vowels
German vowels are either long or short, but never drawled as in some English dialects. A simple method of
recognizing whether a vowel is likely to be long or short in a German word is called the Rule of double consonants.
If a vowel is followed by a single consonant — as in haben (have), dir (you, dat.), Peter (Peter), and schon (already)
— the vowel sound is usually long. If there are two or more consonants following the vowel — as in falsch (false),
elf (eleven), immer (always), and noch (still) — the vowel sound is usually short. There are some German words
that are exceptions to the double consonant rule: bin, bis, das, es, hat, and was all have short vowel sounds. It is also
the case that the silent 'h' does not count as a consonant and the preceding vowel is always long. Ihnen is an example.
This "rule" is applied to the use of 'ss' vs. 'ß' (see below), in that 'ß' is treated as 'hs'. Thus, the vowel before 'ß' in der
Fuß (foot) is long, while that before 'ss' in das Fass (cask) is short.
• au – 'Ah-oo' is pronounced like 'ow' in English 'cow'. German examples are blau (blue) and auch (also see below
under ach ~ unique German sounds).
• äu – 'Ah-umlaut-oo' is pronounced like the German eu (ay-oo; see next). In written and printed German, 'ae' can
be an acceptable substitute for 'ä' if the latter is unavailable.
• eu – 'Ay-oo' is pronounced like 'oi' in English word 'oil'. German examples are neun (nine) and heute (today).
• ie and ei – 'Ee-ay' has exactly the same sound as a German long 'i'; that is, like the 'ee' in 'seen'. 'Ay-ee' is
pronounced like the 'ei' in 'height'. Note that this appears to be the opposite for these two vowel combinations in
English, where the rule is that the first vowel is long and the second is silent. Consider this word: 'die' — in
German it is pronounced 'dee', in English like 'dye'. The word mein in German is the English 'mine'. In effect, 'ie'
follows the same rule as in English, with the first vowel long (ee in German) and the second vowel silent; 'ei' is
the equivalent sound in German to the English long 'i' as in 'mine'.
Konsonanten ~ Consonants
Most German consonants are pronounced similar to the way they are in English, with exceptions noted in column 3
above. Details of certain consonant sounds and uses are discussed further here:
• ch – Pronounced like 'k' in many words of Greek origin like Christ or Charakter, but like 'sh' in words of French
origin, and 'tch' in words of English origin. The German sechs (six) is pronounced very much similar to the
English 'sex', but with a voiced 's' (so it's more like 'zex'). See also the discussion of "ich-sound" below. The
pronunciation of words with an initial 'ch' followed by a vowel, as in China or Chemie varies: in High German the
"ich-sound" is the standard pronunciation, but in South German dialect and Austrian German 'k' is preferred.
• d, t, l, and n – These letters are pronounced similarly in English and German. However, in pronouncing these
letters, the German extends his tongue up to the back of the base of the teeth, creating a more dental sound. As
noted above, 'd' is a 'dental d' except at the end of a word, where it becomes a 'dental t'.
• sch – in German 'Ess-tsay-hah' is pronounced like 'sh', not 'sk' as in English. German word example: Schüler
(student).
• sp and st – Where the combinations 'ess-pay' or 'ess-tay' appear at the beginning of a word, the 'ess' sound
becomes an 'sh' sound. German examples are spielen (play) and spät (late). An interesting "exception" is a word
like Bleistift (pencil), where the inside 'sti' is pronounced 'shti' — however, this is a compound word from Blei
(lead) and Stift (pen). Some local dialects however pronounce all occurrences "sharp" (with an 'ess' sound --
typical for North German dialects, especially near Hamburg) or "soft" (with an 'sh' sound -- typical for the
Swabian dialect).
• ß – The former ligature (of 'ss' or 'sz'), 'ess-tset' is widely used in German, but its use is somewhat more restricted
in very modern German (always pronounced like 's' in 'sound'). 'ß' is used for the sound 's' in cases where 'ss' or 's'
can't be used: this is especially after long vowels and diphthongs (cf. the English usage of 'c' like in 'vice' or
'grocery'). Thus, the vowel before 'ß' in der Fuß (foot) is long, while that before 'ss' in das Fass (cask) is short. 'ß'
appears after diphthongs ('au', 'ei', 'eu') because they are long. In written and printed German, 'ss' can be an
acceptable substitute for 'ß' if the letter is unavailable. The Greek letter, β, is not to be used as a substitute for 'ß'.
Note that in Switzerland, 'ß' is always written as 'ss'.
German Sounds not found in English

There are sounds in the German language that have no real equivalent in the English language. These are discussed
here.
• r – German language has two pronunciations for r: The more common is similiar to the French r, a guttural sound
resembling a fractionated g, as found in Arabic ‫ ﻍ‬or some pronunciations of modern Greek γ, as well as modern
Hebrew ‫( ר‬the modern sound was affected by German). The second pronounciation is a "rolled" r as in Spanish or
Scots. Its use is limited to Switzerland and parts of Southern Germany.
• ö (oh-umlaut) – The word "umlaut" means "change in sound" and an umlauted 'o' changes to a sound with no
equivalent in English. An easy way to get this sound is to think of it as the 'u' in the British word 'murder'.
Commonly, the 'long ö' is made by first sounding 'oo' as in moon, then pursing the lips as if to whistle, and
changing the sound to 'a' as in 'late'. An example word is schön (beautiful). The 'short ö' sound is made by first
sounding 'oo', pursing the lips, and changing the sound to 'e' as in 'pet. A 'short ö' sounds actually very similar to
the 'i' in 'sir'. An example word is zwölf (twelve). If you have problems pronouncing ö, do not replace it by "o" but
by "e" (as in elf) like in many German dialects. In written and printed German, 'oe' can be an acceptable substitute
for 'ö' if the latter is unavailable.
• ü (oo-umlaut) – As with 'ö', 'oo-umlaut' is a rounded vowel sound with no real English equivalent. The 'long ü' is
made by first sounding 'oo' as in moon, then pursing the lips as if to whistle, and changing the sound to 'ee' as in
'seen'. A simpler approach is to simply shape your lips as if you were to whistle, and then put some voice. An
example word is früh. The 'short ü' sound is made by first sounding 'oo', pursing the lips, and changing the sound
to 'i' as in 'pit. An example word is fünf (five). If you have problems pronouncing ü, do not replace it by "u" but by
"i" (as in fish) like in many German dialects. In written and printed German, 'ue' can be an acceptable substitute
for 'ü' if the latter is unavailable.
• ach – The letter combination 'ch' as in auch (also) is called the "ach-sound" and resembles a throat-clearing
(guttural) sound. It is used after 'a', 'o', 'u', and 'au'. It is pronounced somewhat like "och" in Loch Ness (lock, not
loke) in its original form. The Hebrew letter ‫ ח‬and the Arabic letter ‫ ﺥ‬as well as continental Spanish j are
pronounced the same as the "ach-sound".
• ich – The "ich-sound" in German is also somewhat guttural, like a more forceful 'h' in English "hue", "huge".
Another approach is to say "sh" while (almost) touching the palpatine not with the tip but with the middle of your
tongue. In the word richtig ("correct") both the 'ich' and the final 'ig' have this sound. It is used after 'e', 'i', 'y', 'ä',
'ö', 'ü', 'ei', 'eu', 'äu', after consonant-letters and sometimes at the beginning of words (especially before 'e', 'i', 'y',
'ä', 'ö'). If you have problems pronouncing ich, replace with the sound of 'hue' or by 'sh' but never by a hard 'k'
(never "ick")! In some parts of Germany "ich", as well as the final 'ig', is pronounced "ish". In Austria and some
local dialects of Germany the final 'ig' (as in "richtig") is simply pronounced as in English "dig".
Audio: OGG (37KB) ~ ach, auch, ich, richtig
Syllable Stress
The general rule in German is that words are stressed on the first syllable. However, there are exceptions. Almost all
exceptions are of Latin, French, or Greek origin. Mostly these are words stressed on the last syllable, as shown by
the following:
Vo=`kal Kon=so=`nant Lek=ti=òn
These words (not stressed on the first syllable) appear in the (Level II and III) lesson vocabularies as Vokal, Lektion
(in some regions: Lektion), etc.
Words starting in common prefixes (ge-, be-, ver-, etc.) stress the syllable following said prefix. Examples are
Gemüse, Beamte, and Vereinigung.
Links
For very advanced Readers:
• w:de:Vokal#Vokale_im_Deutschen
• w:de:ß
() Appendices (discussion)
Alphabet • Vocabulary • Phrasebook • Resources • Names • German History • Nations of the World • False Friends • Numbers • Keyboard Layout

249
A.02 - Phrase Book
German/Appendices/Phrasebook
Appendices
Alphabet
Vocabulary
Phrasebook
Resources
Names
German History
False Friends
Numbers
Keyboard Layout

German Phrases
Greetings
Hallo! Hello!
Guten Tag! Good day!
Tag! Good day!
Guten Morgen! Good morning!
Guten Abend! Good evening!
Gute Nacht! Good night!
Wie geht es Ihnen? How are you (formal)? How are you doing?
Wie geht's How are you (informal)
Es geht mir gut I'm doing fine, I'm well
Prima!, Großartig! Great!
Spitze! Super!
Gut! Good!
Sehr gut! Very good!
Toll! Terrific!
Ganz gut Pretty good
So lala OK
Es geht so Going ok
German/Appendices/Phrasebook 250
Nicht gut Not well

Schlecht Bad
Sehr schlecht Very bad
Miserabel Miserable
Und Ihnen? And you (formal)?
Auf Wiedersehen! Good bye!

Wiedersehen! Bye!
Tschüss! See you!
Tschau! Ciao! (Italian for 'see you')
Bis später! Later! (until later)
Bis dann! Later! (until whenever)
Wiederhören (hear) again (used over the phone)
Note: How are you? is not a typical query in German greeting etiquette as it is in English, where the standard
answer is I'm Fine. A German speaker will consider this to be an earnest question, and you may receive an
honest answer that is longer than you expected.
Note: Wiedersehen directly translates as "to see again".
Gespräche (conversations)
Danke (sehr)! Thanks, thank you
Danke schön! Thanks a lot!
Bitte? Please?
Bitte (sehr)! You're welcome! (comes after danke)
Entschuldigung! Excuse me!
Vielen Dank Much thanks
Gern geschehen You are welcome
Verstehen (understanding)
Sprechen Sie bitte etwas langsamer. Please, speak somewhat slower.
Bitte sprechen Sie langsamer. Please speak more slowly.
Können Sie mich verstehen? Can you understand me?
Ich verstehe Sie nicht. I don't understand you.
Ich weiß nicht. I don't know
Was haben Sie gesagt? What was that? What have you said?
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? Can you say that again, please!
Ich spreche kein deutsch. I don't speak German (literally: I speak no German)
Ich spreche nur ein bisschen deutsch. I speak only a little German
Ich spreche nur wenig deutsch. I speak a little German
Ich spreche nur ein paar Wörter auf deutsch. I only speak a few words of German.
Sprechen Sie deutsch? Do you speak German?
Sprechen Sie englisch? Do you speak English?
Positionen (Locations)
Wo ist die Apotheke? Where is the drug store?
Wo ist das Geschäft? Where is the shop?
Wissen Sie, wo der Flughafen ist? Do you know where the airport is?
Wie gelangt man zur Bowlingbahn? How do you get to the bowling alley?
More commonly used is: (few people say "gelangt")
Wie kommt man zur… How does one get to…? (for feminine words)
Wie kommt man zur Apotheke? How does one get to the chemist / pharmacy?
Wie kommt man zum… How does one get to…? (for neuter or masculine words)
Wie kommt man zum Flughafen? How does one get to the airport?
Gehen Sie nach links. Go left

Gehen Sie nach rechts. Go right
Common phrases
Translation Phrase IPA Pronunciation Sound
German Deutsch /dɔɪ̯ʧ/ (doytsh) (listen)
hello Hallo /ˈhaloː/ (HAH-loh) (listen)
good-bye auf Wiedersehen /aʊ̯f ˈviːdɐzeːn/ (owf VEE-der-zayn) (listen)
please bitte /ˈbɪtə/ (BIT-tuh) (listen)
you’re welcome bitte schön /ˈbɪtə ʃøːn/ (BIT-tuh shurn)
thank you danke /ˈdaŋkə/ (DAHNG-kuh) (listen)
that one das da /das da/ (duss dah) (listen)
how much? wie viel? /vi fiːl/ (vee feel) (listen)
English Englisch /ˈʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (ANG-lish) (listen)
yes ja /jaː/ (yah) (listen)
no nein /naɪ̯n/ (nine) (listen)
I need help Ich brauche Hilfe /ʔiç ˈbʁaʊ̯χə ˈhɪlfə/ (ish BROW-khuh HEEL-fuh)
excuse me Entschuldigen Sie /ʔɛntˈʃʊldɪgən ziː/ (ent-SHOOL-dee-gen zee)
pardon me verzeihen Sie /fɐˈʦaɪ̯ən ziː/ (fair-TSEYE-en zee)
I am sick ich bin krank /ʔɪç bɪn kʁaŋk/ (ish bin krunk)
where’s the Wo ist die Toilette? /voː ʔɪst diː toːˈlɛtə/ (vo ist dee toe-LET-tuh) (listen)
bathroom?
generic toast prosit /ˈpʁoziːt/ (PRO-zeet) (listen)

prost /pʁoːst/ (proast) (listen)
Do you speak Sprechen Sie Englisch? /ˈʃpʁɛçən ziː ˈʔɛŋlɪʃ/ (SHPRE-shen zee ANG-lish) (listen)
English?
I don’t speak Ich spreche kein Deutsch /ʔɪç ˈʃprɛçə kaɪ̯n dɔɪ̯ʧ/ (ish SHPRE-shuh kine doytsh)
German
I don’t understand Ich verstehe nicht. /ʔɪç fɐˈʃteːə nɪçt/ (ish fair-SHTAY-uh nisht) (listen)
Sorry Entschuldigung /ʔɛntˈʃʊldɪgʊŋ/ (ent-SHOOL-dee-gung) (listen)

I don’t know Ich weiß nicht /ʔɪç vaɪ̯s nɪçt/ (ish vice nisht)
Happy birthday Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum /ˈhɛɐ̯ʦlɪçən ˈglʏkvʊnʃ ʦʊm (HAIRTS-lee-shen GLUKE-voonsh tsoom (listen)
Geburtstag gəˈbʊɐ̯ʦtaːk/ ge-BOORTS-tahk)

253
A.03 - Grammar Reference Table I
German/Appendices/Grammar I
Beginning German | Basic German | Intermediate German
Der-word Case for German Nouns

Case
Gender Nominativ Genitiv Dativ Akkusativ
masculine der des dem den
feminine die der der die
neuter das des dem das
plural* die der den die
* The same regardless of singular noun gender
Personal Pronoun Tables: nominative, genitive, dative & accusative cases
Nominative case personal pronouns

The nominative case is used as the subject of a verb.
Singular Plural
1st person ich I wir we
2nd person du (Sie*) you ihr (Sie*) you
3rd person er, sie, es he, she, it sie they
*Polite form.
Genitive case personal pronouns

The genitive case corresponds to the possessive case in English or to the English objective case preceded by 'of' and
denoting possession. The use of genitive personal pronouns is very rare in German and many Germans are unable to
use them correctly.
German/Appendices/Grammar I 254
Singular Plural
1st person meiner my unser our
2nd person deiner (Ihrer*) your eurer (Ihrer*) your
3rd person seiner, ihrer, seiner his, her, its ihrer their
*Polite form.
Examples:
Ich erbarme mich eurer. ~ I take pity on you(rs).
meiner unbedeutenden Meinung nach. ~ in my humble opinion (IMHO)
Dative case personal pronouns

The personal pronouns in the dative case are used as indirect objects of verbs and after the prepositions aus, außer,
bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu.
Singular Plural
1st person mir me uns us
2nd person dir (Ihnen*) you euch (Ihnen*) you
3rd person ihm, ihr, ihm him, her, it ihnen them
*Polite form.
Accusative case personal pronouns

The personal pronouns in the accusative case are used as direct objects of transitve verbs and after the prepositions
durch, für, gegen, ohne, um.
Singular Plural
1st person mich me uns us
2nd person dich (Sie*) you euch (Sie*) you
3rd person ihn, sie, es him, her, it sie them
* Polite form.
255
A.04 - Grammar Reference Table II
German/Appendices/Grammar II
<< Beginning German | Basic German | Intermediate German
Conjugating 'to be'

Ich bin groß. I am tall.
Du bist sehr groß. You are very tall.
Sie ist klein. She is short.
Sie sind groß. They are tall.
In these cases, we use the correct form of sein for each situation. Please notice the final two sentences both use 'Sie',
and we must look at the verb to determine the difference between 'she' and 'they'.
In German, the English infinitive 'to be' is translated as sein.
This is the table of the forms of 'sein', with rough English translations. Note that in English, there are only three
forms (am, is, are) while German has five (bin, bist, ist, sind, seid).
Also, the verb conjugation of the two you-formals are always the exact same.
German
sein
Person Singular Pronoun Verb Form Plural Pronoun Verb Form
1st ich bin wir sind
2nd du bist ihr seid
3rd er / sie / es ist sie sind
Fml. Sie sind Sie sind
English
to be
1st I am we are
2nd you are y'all are
3rd he / she / it is they are
Fml. you (formal) are y'all (formal) are

German/Appendices/Grammar II 256
Conjugating Normal Verbs

Er spielt Volleyball. He plays volleyball.
Ich mache Hausaufgaben. I do my homework.
Wir kommen aus München. We come from Munich.
Was machst du? What are you doing?
In these sentences, different verbs and endings are used. Note that the verb is always in second position.
When conjugating normal verbs, use the endings shown below (a memory hook is the "best ten" endings). Note that
in normal verbs, such as spielen and machen, ihr-form and er/sie/es-form are the same and the wir-form, sie
(pl)-form and the formal are all the same as the infinitive.
-en
1st ich -e wir -en
2nd du -st ihr -t
3rd er / sie / es -t sie -en
Fml. Sie -en Sie -en
spielen - to play
1st ich spiele wir spielen
2nd du spielst ihr spielt
3rd er / sie / es spielt sie spielen
Fml. Sie spielen Sie spielen
machen - to make/do
1st ich mache wir machen
2nd du machst ihr macht
3rd er / sie / es macht sie machen
Fml. Sie machen Sie machen
Conjugating Irregular Verbs

Ich habe keine Zeit. I have no time.
Gib mir das Buch! Give me the book.
Sie wandert gern. She likes to hike.
Er liest einen Roman. He is reading a novel.
In each of these sentences, we use an irregular verb. Irregularity occurs in the ich-form or the du-form and
er/sie/es-forms. There are three types of irregularity.
E in the first syllable

One form of irregularity occurs sometimes when the verb contains an 'e' in the first syllable. The change is simple:
the du-form and er/sie/es forms both change the 'e' to an 'i.e.' or an 'i'. Two common examples are shown. Note that
the er/sie/es-form and ihr-form are no longer the same.
sehen - to see
1st ich sehe wir sehen
2nd du siehst ihr seht
3rd er / sie / es sieht sie sehen
Fml. Sie sehen Sie sehen
geben - to give
1st ich gebe wir geben
2nd du gibst ihr gebt
3rd er / sie / es gibt sie geben
Fml. Sie geben Sie geben
Haben
A similar, yet different, change occurs in the verb "haben". As in the irregularity above, the du-form and
er/sie/es-form change.
haben - to have
1st ich habe wir haben
2nd du hast ihr habt
3rd er / sie / es hat sie haben
Fml. Sie haben Sie haben
Verbs ending in Consonant-N

Some verbs change the ich-form for obvious reasons. "Wandern" and "basteln" are two examples. Both drop the first
e in the ich-form. wandern - to hike
1st ich wandre wir wandern
2nd du wanderst ihr wandert
3rd er / sie / es wandert sie wandern
Fml. Sie wanderen Sie wanderen
basteln - to build
1st ich bastle wir basteln
2nd du bastelst ihr bastelt
3rd er / sie / es bastelt sie basteln
Fml. Sie basteln Sie basteln
Conjugating Modals
Ich will ins Kino gehen. I want to go to the movies.
Dürfen wir hier essen? May we eat here?
Was kann ich für dich tun? What can I do for you?
Er mag Romane lesen. He likes to read books.
Modals are a new kind of verb. They are the equivalent to helping verbs in English. There are seven basic modals:
können (can), mögen (like), dürfen (may), wollen (want), sollen (should), müssen (must), and möchten (would like).
Möchten isn't technically a modal, but it acts like one in most aspects.
Modals are conjugated very differently. The ich-form and er/sie/es-form are always alike and singular has a different
verb in the first syllable (except in sollen and möchten). Below are the conjugations of the six basic modals and
möchten.
können - can
1st ich kann wir können
2nd du kannst ihr könnt
3rd er / sie / es kann sie können
Fml. Sie können Sie können
mögen - like
1st ich mag wir mögen
2nd du magst ihr mögt
3rd er / sie / es mag sie mögen
Fml. Sie mögen Sie mögen
dürfen - may
1st ich darf wir dürfen
2nd du darfst ihr dürft
3rd er / sie / es darf sie dürfen
Fml. Sie dürfen Sie dürfen
wollen - want
1st ich will wir wollen
2nd du willst ihr wollt
3rd er / sie / es will sie wollen
Fml. Sie wollen Sie wollen
sollen - should
1st ich soll wir sollen
2nd du sollst ihr sollt
3rd er / sie / es soll sie sollen
Fml. Sie sollen Sie sollen
müssen - must
1st ich muss wir müssen
2nd du musst ihr müsst
3rd er / sie / es muss sie müssen
Fml. Sie müssen Sie müssen
möchten - would like

1st ich möchte wir möchten
2nd du möchtest ihr möchtet
3rd er / sie / es möchte sie möchten
Fml. Sie möchten Sie möchten
Separable Verbs
Du siehst schön aus! You look good!
Ich muss mein Zimmer aufräumen.
I have to clean my room.
Komm mit! Come with!
Probier diese Jeans an! Try these jeans on.
Some verbs in German are separable: they have a prefix that can be separated from the base. When the verb is used
with a modal, it regains the prefix at the end of the sentence. When it is the main verb of the sentence, the prefix is
moved to the end of the sentence.
An "example" in English would be the word "intake". When it is used as a verb, it becomes "take ... in". When it is
used as an adjective or a noun, it becomes "intake" again.
Two easy examples of separable verbs are aussehen and mitkommen. Note that aussehen is also irregular.
aussehen - to appear
1st ich sehe aus wir sehen aus
2nd du siehst aus ihr seht aus
3rd er / sie / es sieht aus sie sehen aus
Fml. Sie sehen aus Sie sehen aus
mitkommen - to come along/with

1st ich komme mit wir kommen mit
2nd du kommst mit ihr kommt mit
3rd er / sie / es kommt mit sie kommen mit
Fml. Sie kommen mit Sie kommen mit

261
A.05 - Webseiten and other resources
German/Appendices/Resources
Appendices
Alphabet
Vocabulary
Phrasebook
Resources
Names
German History
False Friends
Numbers
Keyboard Layout

Appendix 3 ~ Online Resources for German Language Students
Lists and directories to online resources

• bab.la [1] - Language Portal | Online Quizzes | Learn Languages
• German Flashcards [2] - Flashcards with audiofiles and dictionary
• www.deutschlern.net [3] - E-learning platform for beginning, intermediate and advanced students and teachers of
German. Exercises based on authentic texts train reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Monitor
function for teachers. Free of charge, requires free login.
• Learn German Online [4] - Free German lessons online.
• Learn German for free [5] - Free German language lessons.
• Deutsch als Fremdsprache [6] - Useful links for German language learners. Site in German.
• German Language and Culture Resources [7] - Materials and resources for learning the German language and
about German-speaking culture.
• Free Online German Tutorial [8] - at ielanguages.com
• Free resources for language students [9] - Practice speaking German with audio forums.
• Learn-German [10] - Learn German quickly with our German tips, advice, and links.
• Mango [11] - Mango Languages has free German Lessons for English speakers.
• lernsoware.de [12] Wiki German lessons online
German/Appendices/Resources 262
Über die deutsche Sprache - about German

• Ethnologue report for German [13]
• Verein Deutsche Sprache [14]
Online Wörterbücher - Dictionary

• Free Online Dictionary [15] - Languages of the world
Deutsch-Englisch (German-English)
• Wiktionary - English [16]
• Wiktionary - German [17]
• bab.la German-English [18] - Translations, synonyms, grammar, voice output, regional and colloquial expressions.
• dicologos [19] really this is a multilanguage dictionary with ofer 7.000.000 lemmas in several languages.
• Babylon [20] Babylon Online Dictionary
• LEO [21] - with audiofiles of most of the words and vocabulary trainer.
• Dict.cc [22]
• Pons [23] - Dictionary with vocabulary trainer.
• Ding [24] - Ding is a Dictionary lookup program for the X window system (Linux, Unix - not for Mac or MS
Windows). It comes with a German-English Dictionary with approximately 180,000 entries.r.
Nur Deutsch - German only

• DWDS- Das digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache [25] - German only dictionary for advanced learners.
• Deutsche Wörterbücher von Wahrig [26] - Orthography and foreign words
• Redensartenindex [27] - German idioms and proverbs with explanations
Slideshows with pictures and pronuciations

[28]
Language courses German at the time of insertion there is only one file about fruit - I will try to add new ones
every week-end.
Deutsche Grammatik und Rechtschreibung- German Grammar and Spelling

• Canoo [1] - extensive database about inflection and word formation
• German Grammar Resource [8] - Free German grammar lessons
• Free online German course [29] - new orthography, grammar, exercises, tests, example sentences, jokes, learning
tips
Aussprache - Pronunciation
• A Guide to German Pronunciation [30] - Pronunciation course for beginners.
Blogs
• Deutschlernblog [31] Tips for learning German. Site entirely in German.
• DaF-Blog [32] On German language and how to learn it. Parts of the Site are in English, but most of it in German.
• Deutsch-Happen [33] small, bite-sized snaps of German language for the advancing learner
Podcasts
from learners
• Speaken Sie Deutsch? [34]: Podcast from Canadian Hugh Gordon (Rss-Feed [35]).
for learners
• Guter Umgang [36]: German language learning blog about colloquial German (RSS-Feed [37]).
• Let's speak German [38]: Jokes, poems, tonguetwisters and more in German (RSS-Feed [39]).
• Podcasts of Deutsche Welle [40]: Nachrichten, Top-Thema, Stichwort, Sprachbar and Alltagsdeutsch are
specifically made for language learners. Most of the texts can be found on the pages Deutsch im Fokus [41]
(Sprachbar, Stichwort and Alltagsdeutsch) and Didaktuelles [42] (Nachrichten and Top-Thema).
Tandem
Tandem by E-Mail [43]
The Mixxer [44] Tandem via Skype [45]
References
[1] http:/ / en. bab. la
[2] http:/ / www. german-flashcards. com/
[3] http:/ / www. deutschlern. net
[4] http:/ / learngerman. elanguageschool. net
[5] http:/ / www. populearn. com/ german/
[6] http:/ / www. cornelia. siteware. ch/ daf. html
[7] http:/ / www. vistawide. com/ german
[8] http:/ / www. ielanguages. com/ German. html
[9] http:/ / loquela-education. net
[10] http:/ / learn-german. bravehost. com
[11] http:/ / www. trymango. com
[12] http:/ / lernsoware. de
[13] http:/ / www. ethnologue. com/ show_language. asp?code=GER
[14] http:/ / www. vds-ev. de
[15] http:/ / www. free-dictionary-translation. com
[16] http:/ / en. wiktionary. org
[17] http:/ / de. wiktionary. org
[18] http:/ / en. bab. la/ dictionary/ german-english
[19] http:/ / www. dicologos. org
[20] http:/ / online. babylon. com/ combo/ index. html
[21] http:/ / dict. leo. org/
[22] http:/ / dict. cc/
[23] http:/ / www. pons. de/
[24] http:/ / www-user. tu-chemnitz. de/ ~fri/ ding/
[25] http:/ / www. dwds. de/ cgi-bin/ dwds/ test/ query. cgi?wdg=1
[26] http:/ / www20. wissen. de/ xt/ default. do?MENUNAME=PS_W_S_Deutsche_Woerterbuecher
[27] http:/ / www. redensarten-index. de/ suche. php
[28] http:/ / commons. wikimedia. org/ wiki/ Category:Language_courses-German

[29] http:/ / www. deutsch-lernen. com
[30] http:/ / userweb. port. ac. uk/ ~joyce1/ abinitio/ pronounce/
[31] http:/ / www. deutschlern. net/ blog/
[32] http:/ / www. cornelia. siteware. ch/ blog/ wordpress/
[33] http:/ / deutschhappen. blogspot. com/
[34] http:/ / speakensiedeutsch. blogspot. com/
[35] http:/ / feeds. feedburner. com/ SpeakenSieDeutsch
[36] http:/ / www. deutschlern. net/
[37] http:/ / www. deutschlern. net/ podcast-deutsch-lernen-mit-umgangssprache
[38] http:/ / learninggerman. mschubertberlin. de/ podblog/ index. php
[39] http:/ / learninggerman. mschubertberlin. de/ podblog/ rss. php
[40] http:/ / www. dw-world. de/ dw/ 0,2142,9540,00. html
[43] http:/ / www. slf. ruhr-uni-bochum. de/
[44] http:/ / www. language-exchanges. org
[45] http:/ / www. skype. com
265
A.07 - Namen
German/Appendices/Names
Appendices
Alphabet
Vocabulary
Phrasebook
Resources
Names
German History
False Friends
Numbers
Keyboard Layout

Names
This is a list of common, modern German names. Please add to it.
First Names
German names have undergone a drastic change in the last 60 years. Older, "typical" German names like Hans,
Fritz, Heinrich, Karl or Wilhelm are now uncommon in contemporary Germany. Today many parents give their
children names like (ten most popular names 2005):
Boys Girls
1. Alexander 1. Marie
2. Maximilian 2. Sophie/Sofie
3. Leon 3. Maria
4. Lukas/Lucas 4. Anna, Anne
5. Luca 5. Leonie
6. Paul 6. Lena
7. Jonas 7. Emily
8. Felix 8. Lea/Leah
9. Tim 9. Julia
10. David 10. Laura
(Source: Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache [1])

German/Appendices/Names 266
Typical for young people

Boy's names pet names
Alexander Alex
André, Andreas Andi
Axel -
Christian, Christoph Chris
David
Dennis, Denis
Edvin Eddy
Fabian
Felix
Finn, Fynn
Florian Flo, Flori
Jan
Jonas
Julian, Julius Juli, Jule
Kevin
Lars
Leo, Leon
Luka, Luca, Lucas, Lukas Luki
Manuel Manu, Mani
Matthias Matt, Matti
Max, Maximilian Maxi
Michael Micha, Michi
Moritz
Niko, Nick, Nikolas, Niklas, Nicolas
Noah
Patrick Pat
Paul
Philipp Phil
Robin
Sebastian Sebi, Seb, Sebbe, Basti
Simon Simi
Stefan, Stephan, Steffen Steff
Sven Svenni
Tim Timmi
Tobias Tobi
Tom Tommi
Yannick, Yannik
older names:
• Alfi, Alfred
• Adolf
• Albert, Bert, Kunibert
• Anton
• Achim, Joachim
• Adam
• Aaron
• Armin
• Björn
• Bernard
• Bennedikt
• Bruno
• Bodo
• Boris
• Berthold
• Benjamin
• Clemens
• Carlo, Karlo, Karl
• Carsten
• Dieter, Dietrich
• Daniel
• Domian, Damian
• Detlev
• Dirk
• Erik
• Erwin
• Emil
• Eberhard
• Eckart
• Edmund
• Ernst
• Ewald
• Franz, Frank
• Fritz
• Fridolin
• Fred, Frederik
• Friedrich, Friedhelm
• Falko
• Gustav
• Gerhardt
• Gert
• Günther
• Gregor
• Gunnar
• Hans, Hans-Jürgen, Hannes
• Harald
• Heinz
• Heinrich, Heiner
• Hugo
• Hektor
• Helge
• Heiko
• Hartmut
• Herbert
• Holger
• Ingo, Ingolf
• Jürgen, Jörg
• Jens
• Janosch
• Jakob
• Johann
• Karl
• Klaus
• Knut
• Kurt
• Konrad
• Kaspar
• Ludwig
• Leif
• Manfred
• Malte
• Norbert
• Nils
• Olaf
• Oliver
• Otto, Ottfried
• Paul
• Peter
• Rudi, Rüdiger, Rudolph
• Roman
• Robert
• Rex
• Reinhard, Rainer, Reiner
• Sören
• Siegfried
• Sönke
• Thomas
• Till
• Torsten
• Ulf
• Ulli
• Uwe
• Udo
• Viktor
• Werner
• Wolfgang, Wolf, Welf
• Wilhelm, Willi
Girls' Names
young ones:
• Anna, Anne, Annika
• Amelie
• Angelina
• Bianca
• Christina, Christine
• Daniela
• Elea
• Eva
• Elisa
• Emma
• Emely, Emily
• Franziska
• Finja
• Hannah, Hanna
• Isabell, Isabelle
• Julia, Jule, Juliane
• Jana
• Janine, Janina
• Johanna
• Jasmin
• Klara
• Katharina
• Kim
• Kira
• Lena
• Lara
• Luise, Luisa
• Lea
• Lina
• Larissa
• Lisa
• Lina
• Leonie
• Liv
• Maike, Meike, Mareike
• Melissa
• Merle
• Mercedes
• Marie
• Maja
• Marlene, Marleen
• Martina
• Nina
• Nicole
• Nora
• Petra
• Paula
• Pia
• Ronja
• Svenja
• Sarah
• Sofie, Sophie, Sophia
• Samantha
• Stella
• Susie
• Tabea
• Tamara
• Vivien
• Vanessa
older ones:
• Angela
• Anita
• Andschana
• Antonia
• Birgit
• Brigitte
• Berta
• Christa, Christel
• Doris
• Diana
• Fanny
• Frieda
• Gerta
• Gisela
• Gutrun
• Hannelore
• Helga
• Heidi, Heide
• Inga, Inge
• Iris
• Ilse
• Ingrid
• Josephine
• Karin, Karen
• Linda
• Lydia
• Marta
• Monika
• Nadja
• Olivia
• Roswitha
• Renate
• Susanne
• Sabine
• Sissi
• Simone
• Silke
• Tina, Tine
• Ursula
• Ulla
• Vera
• Veronika
• Winnifried
• Wanda
• Wilhelma
Last Names
The 51. most popular last names in Germany:
1. Müller
2. Schmidt
3. Schneider
4. Fischer
5. Meyer
6. Weber
7. Wagner
8. Becker
9. Schulz
10. Hoffmann
11. Schäfer
12. Koch
13. Bauer
14. Richter
15. Klein
16. Wolf
17. Schröder
18. Neumann
19. Schwarz
20. Zimmermann
21. Braun
22. Krüger
23. Hofmann
24. Hartmann
25. Lange
26. Schmitt
27. Werner
28. Schmitz
29. Krause
30. Meier
31. Lehmann
32. Schmid
33. Schulze
34. Maier
35. Köhler
36. Herrmann
37. König
38. Walter
39. Mayer
40. Huber
41. Kaiser
42. Fuchs
43. Peters
44. Lang
45. Scholz
46. Möller
47. Weiß
48. Jung
49. Hahn
50. Schubert
51. Zächer
References
[1] http:/ / gfds. de/ index. php?id=63
273
A.08 - False Friends
German/Appendices/False friends
Appendices
Alphabet
Vocabulary
Phrasebook
Resources
Names
German History
False Friends
Numbers
Keyboard Layout

There are some words which are spelled the same in English and in German, but have completely different
meanings. Even though the words are spelled the same, they are usually pronounced completely differently. It can
sometimes be dangerous to use these words (for both native English speakers and native German speakers.) Think of
that, next time someone wants to give you a " Gift" or opens a door and says " After you!"
Note: This list contains some items of etymological [1] interest. For example, the transformation of the consonant 't'
in German to 'd' in English in word pairs like Bart->Beard, Bett->Bed, Gut->Good, Hart->Hard, Rot->Red, and
Not->Need.
Word
German meaning (in English)
Englische Bedeutung (auf Deutsch)
After
Anus
Später, Nachher
also
thus
auch
German/Appendices/False friends 274
Angel
Fishing Rod
Engel
Apart
Striking
Abgesondert, Abseits
Arm
Poor
Arm
Art
Kind, sort, species
Kunst, Künstlichkeit
Ass
Ace
Esel, Dumpfbacke, Knallkopf, Arsch (vulg.)
Bad
Bath
Schlecht, Schlimm
Bagger
Excavator
Angesteller im Supermarkt der die Einkäufe in Tüten packt
bald
Soon
Unbehaart, Kahlköpfig
bang
Afraid
Knall, Krach, Schall
bar
in Cash, Pure
Stab (see also: Stab), Kneipe
Bart
Beard
Name eines Mannes
bat
asked politely, requested (past tense)
Fledermaus
Beet
Flower bed
Zuckerruebe, rote Ruebe
bitten
to ask politely, request
gebissen
blank
Shiny, Shining
Unbeschriftet, Unausgefüllt
Blech
Sheet metal
Ausdruck des Ekels
bog
to Twist, Form, Bend (past tense)
Sumpf, Torfmoor
Brand
Fire
Markenprodukt
Brilliant, brillant
Diamond, prächtig, herrlich
Blendend, Geistvoll
Bug
Front of a boat or plane
Laus, Insekt, Störung
Danke
Thanks
Feucht
dick
Thick
Schnüffler, Schwanz, der steife Penis
Elf
Eleven, (coll. soccer team)
Elfe, Kobold
falls
If, in case
Wasserfälle
Fang, fang
Catch, to catch, to capture (imperative)
Reißzahn
fatal
Unfortunate
Verhängnisvoll, Unheilvoll, Tödlich
fast
Almost, Nearly
Schnell
fasten
Fast
Befestigen
Fee
Fairy
Preise, Gebühr
Fell
Coat (animal)
fällen
fern
Far away, Distant
Farnkraut
First
Ridge
Zuerst
flog
Flew
Peitschen, Auspeitschen
fort
Away, Off, Gone
Festung, Kastell
Funk
Radio
Drückeberger, Musik von 1970's
Gang
Walk, Gait, Way
Gruppe, Bande, Trupp

Gift
Poison
Gabe, Geschenk
Grab
Grave
Aufgreifen, Ergreifen
Grad
Degree (temperature)
einen akademischen Grad erlangen
grub
dug (past tense)
Futter
gut
Good
Darm (Schnecke und Kette)
Hack
ground meal, hash
Heib, Kerbe, Zerhacken
half
Helped (past tense)
Halb
Handy
Cell Phone
Praktisch, Passend, Handlich
Hang
Slope, Inclination
Hängen, Henken
Happen
Bit, Morsel
Zufällig Geschehen, Vorkommen, Passieren
hart
Hard
Hirsch
Heck
Back of a car, boat or plane
Was zum Teufel? (What the Heck?)

Held
Hero
Gehalten
hell
Bright
Hölle
Herd
Cooker, Oven, Range
Herde
Hose
Pants
Schlauch
Hub, hub
Throw, Lob, Swing (see also: Lob), (past tense of) to lift
Wickelkern, Nabe
Hummer
Lobster
Jemand der summt
Hut
Hat
Hütte
Kind
child
Art, Sorte
Labor
Laboratory
Arbeit
Lack
Varnish
Knappheit, Mangel
lag
Lay
zurueckbleiben, zoegern
Last
Load, Burden, Weight
Zuletzt
Lied
Song
Gelogen
links
Left
Verknüpfung, Verbindungen
List
Cunning
Schlagseite
Lob
Praise
Werf, Hub (see also: Hub)
log
Lied
Block, Klotz
Lot
Plumb (line)
Pazille, die Menge, die Masse
Lust
To feel like doing something, desire (this can has the English meaning, depending on the situation)
Sinnliche Begierde
Made
Maggot
Hergestellt, Gemacht
Maul
Mouth (animal)
der Schlegel, Beschädigen, Durchprügeln
Mist
Manure, Trash
leichter Nebel
Not
distress, need
Nicht
Note
Grade (in school), musical note
bemerken, aufschreiben, kleiner Brief

nun
Now
die Schwester (im Kloster), Nonne
Pest
Plague
Nervensäge
Rang
Rank
Geklingelt, Geklungen
Rad
Wheel
Ausdruck der Bewunderung (wie Geil)
Rat
Advice
die Ratte
Regal
Shelves
Majestätisch, Königlich, Hoheitsvoll
Rind
Beef, Cattle
Schwarte, Schale
Rock
Skirt
Stein, Fels
Roman
Novel
der Römer
Rot
Red
Verrotten, Verwesung
Sage
History, Myth
Weise, Klug, Gescheit
See
Lake
Siehe
Sense
Scythe
Wahrnehmung, Bedeutung, Verstand, Sinn
Silvester
New Year's Eve
Name eines Mannes
Speck
Bacon
Fleck
Spur
Trace, Tracks, Lane
Schiffsschnabel, Sporn, Ansporn (see also: Spore)
Stab
Rod, Pole, Baton, Bar (see also: Bar)
Erstechen
Stare
Starlings
anstarren
stark
Strong
Völlig, Gänzlich
Stern
Star
Ernst, das Heck
Tag
Day
Markierstelle, Kennzeichnung
Tang
Seaweed
Amerikanisches Orangengetränk
Taste
Key (as in keyboard)
Kostprobe, Geschmackssinn
toll
Great! Super!
Zollabgabe, Straßenbenutzungsgebühr
Tod
Death, Dead
Name eines Mannes
Ton
Clay, a Sound
die Tonne
Tot
Dead
kleines Kind, kleiner Knirps
Wade
calf (of the leg)
waten
Wand
Wall
der Zauberstab
war
Was (see also: Was)
Krieg
was
What?
wurde/war (see also: War)
Welt
World
Quaddel, Beule
Wetter
Weather
Nasser
wider
Against, Contrary to
Weiter, Breiter
will
Wants
Wille
Although not spelled identically in both languages, beginners are often confused by the similarity of the German
"bekommen" and English "to become".
bekommen => to receive, to get
werden => to become
References
[1] http:/ / en. wiktionary. org/ wiki/ etymology
284
A.09 - Level I Vocabulary
German/Level I/Vocabulary
<< Beginning German | Basic German | Intermediate German
Appendix 9 ~ Vocabulary for Level One
Wie heißt du?
Subject Pronouns in Nominative Case
I Ich
We Wir
You Du
Sie (formal)
You All Ihr
Sie (formal)
He Er
She Sie
It Es
They Sie
Verbs
To Have
Have Habe (1st Person, Singular)

Hast (2nd Person, Singular)
Haben (1st & 3rd Person, Plural)
Habt (2nd Person, Plural)
Has Hat
To Be
Am Bin
Are Bist (1st Person, Singular)
Sind (1st & 3rd Person, Plural)
Seid (2nd Person, Plural)
Is Ist
German/Level I/Vocabulary 285
Greeting & Goodbyes
Hello! Hallo!
Servus! (used in Bavaria and Austria)
Moin! or Moin Moin! (used in northern Germany)
Grüezi! (used in Switzerland)
Good morning! Guten Morgen! or Morgen!
Good day! Guten Tag! or Tag!
Good evening! Guten Abend! or N'Abend!
Grüß Gott! (used in southern Germany, Austria and South Tyrol)
Goodbye! Auf Wiedersehen! or Wiedersehen
Bye! Tschüss! or Tschau!
Servus! (used in Bavaria, Austria)
Later! Bis später! or Bis dann!
Good night! Gute Nacht!
How You Are
Good Gut
Super! Spitze!
Great! Prima!
Very good! Sehr gut!
Bad Schlecht
Miserable Miserabel
Interrogative Adverbs
Who Wer
What Was
Where Wo
When Wann
Why Warum
How Wie
Genders
Boy Der Junge

Girl Das Mädchen
Man Der Herr
Woman Die Frau
Boys Die Jungen
Girls Die Mädchen
Men Die Männer
Women Die Frauen
Freizeit
Sports & Activities
Sport(s) Sport
Interests Hobbys/Interessant
Soccer Fußball
USA Football Amerikan Football
Volleyball Volleyball
Basketball Basketball
Tennis Tennis
Baseball Baseball
9-pin Bowling Kegeln
Chess Schach
Board Game Das Brettspiel
Game Das Spiel
Homework Hausaufgaben
Television Fernsehen
Movie Der Film, Filme
Conjunctions
And Und
But Aber
Or Oder
Verbs
To Have haben
To Be sein
To Be Called heißen
To Play spielen
To Do/Make machen
To Read lesen
To Watch schauen
To See sehen
To Work arbeiten
To Write schreiben
To Swim schwimmen
Numbers
One Eins
Two Zwei
Three Drei
Four Vier
Five Fünf
Six Sechs
Seven Sieben
Eight Acht
Nine Neun
Ten Zehn
Eleven Elf
Twelve Zwölf
Thirteen Dreizehn
Fourteen Vierzehn
Fifteen Fünfzehn
Sixteen Sechzehn
Seventeen Siebzehn
Eighteen Achtzehn
Nineteen Neunzehn
Twenty Zwanzig
Thirty Dreißig
Forty Vierzig
Fifty Fünfzig
Sixty Sechzig
Seventy Siebzig
Eighty Achtzig
Ninety Neunzig
Hundred Hundert
Thousand Tausend
How to Read Time
After Nach
Till Vor
Quarter Viertel
Half Before Halb
Times in the Day
Day Tag
Today Heute
Tomorrow Morgen
Yesterday Gestern
Early Morning Morgen (use morgen früh for tomorrow morning)
Morning Vormittag
Afternoon Nachmittag
Evening Abend
Night Nacht
Noon Mittag
Midnight Mitternacht
Days
Monday Montag
Tuesday Dienstag
Wednesday Mittwoch
Thursday Donnerstag
Friday Freitag
Saturday Samstag or Sonnabend
Sunday Sonntag
Months
January Januar
Jänner (used in Austria)
February Februar
March März
April April
May Mai
June Juni
Juno (in spoken word only)
July Juli
Julei (in spoken word only)
August August
September September
October Oktober
November November
December Dezember
Seasons
Spring Frühling
Summer Sommer
Autumn Herbst
Winter Winter
Time
Time Die Zeit

Free Time Die Freizeit
Always Immer
Often Oft
Sometimes Manchmal
Seldom Selten
Never Nie
Only Nur
Essen
Subject Pronouns in the Accusative Case
Me Mich
Us Uns
You Dich
You All Euch
Him Ihn
Her Sie
It Es
Them Sie
Food
Appetizers Vorspeisen
Salad Der Salat
Bread Das Brot
Breadstick Die Scheibe Brot
Main Dishes Hauptgerichte
Sausage Die Wurst
Sausages Die Würste
Bratwurst Die Bratwurst
Hot Dog Das Hot Dog
Pizza Die Pizza
Pizzas Die Pizzen
Hamburger Der Hamburger
Hamburgers Die Hamburger
With Mit (ignore article)
Without Ohne (ignore article)
Tomatoes Tomaten
Lettuce Der Salat
Cheese Der Käse
Pickles Die Gewürzgurken
Onions Die Zwiebeln
Ketchup Der Ketchup
Mustard Der Senf
Chicken Das Hähnchen
Chickens Die Hähnchen
Seafood Die Meeresfrüchte (plural)
Fish Der Fisch
Sides Die Beilage (singular), die Beilagen (plural)
Soup Die Suppe
Soups Die Suppen
Noodle Soup Die Nudelsuppe
French Fries Die Pommes frites (plural)
Fries Die Fritten (Informal and plural)
Pasta Die Pasta or Die Nudeln
Potato Die Kartoffel

Potatoes Die Kartoffeln
Corn Mais
Bean Die Bohne
Beans Die Bohnen
Desserts Nachspeisen
Gâteau Die (Sahne-)Torte
Strudel Der Strudel
Apple strudel Apfelstrudel
Cake Der Kuchen
Piece of Cake Das Stück Kuchen
Pie Die Pastete
Piece of Pie Das Stück Pastete
Apple Pie Die Apfelpastete
Ice Cream Das Eis
Pudding Der Pudding
Cookie Der Keks
Cookies Die Kekse
Fruit Das Obst
The Meal Das Essen
Lunch Mittagessen
Dinner Abendessen
Hunger Der Hunger
Thirst Der Durst
Verbs
To Eat Essen
To Drink Trinken
To Receive Bekommen
To Want Wollen
Would Like Möchten
Polite Conversation
Danke Thank you

Bitte Please & You're Welcome
Dankeschön Thank you very much
Danke sehr Thanks a lot
Kein Problem! No problem
Regional Foods
Chinese Food Chinesisch Essen

Japanese Food Japanisch Essen
American Food Amerikanisch Essen
Mexican Food Mexikanisch Essen
Arabic Food Arabisch Essen
Italian Food Italienisch Essen

Indian Food Indisch Essen
French Food Französich Essen
Greek Food Griechisch Essen
Prepositions in the Accusative Case
Durch Through
Für For
Gegen Against
Ohne Without
Um At, Around
Tastes
Delicious Lecker
Tasty Schmackhaft
Juicy Saftig
Crunchy Knackig
Crispy Knusprig
Spicy Würzig
Stale Fade
Fad (used in Austria)
Salty Salzig
Sweet Süß
Bitter Bitter
Sour Sauer
Creamy Cremig
Hot Heiß
Burnt Angebrannt
Cold Kalt
Disgusting Schrecklich
Paying at a Restaurant
To Pay Zahlen
The Bill Die Rechnung
Waiter Der Ober
Kleidung
Shopping
Babywear Die Babyartikel (plural)

Children's Wear Die Kinderbekleidung
Clearance Sale Der Räumungsverkauf
Closed Geschlossen
Clothing Die Kleidung
Computer Section Der Computershop

Cosmetics Die Kosmetik
Customer Der Kunde
Customer Service Der Kundendienst
Electrical Appliance Das Elektrogerät
Escalator Die Rolltreppe
Fashion Die Mode
Furniture Das Möbel (no plural)
Gift Der Geschenkartikel
Good Value (Adj.) Preiswert
Groceries Die Lebensmittel (plural)
Jewellery Damenschuhe (plural)
Leather Goods Die Lederwaren (plural)
Open Geöffnet
Opening Hours Die Öffnungszeiten (plural)
Present Das Geschenk
Reduced Reduziert
Sales Receipt Der Kassenbon
Souvenir Das Andenken
Special Offer Das Sonderangebot
Sports Goods Sportartikel (plural)
Stationery Schreibwaren (plural)
Summer Sale Der Sommerschlussverkauf (abbr. SSV)
Video Store Die Videothek
Winter Sale Der Winterschlussverkauf (abbr. WSV)
Shopping 2
Department Store Warenhaus

Retail Store Einzelhandelsgeschäft
The Mall Einkaufszentrum
Boutique Boutique
Store Geschäft
Manager Manager
Employee Angestellter
Sales Clerk Verkäufer
Cashier Kassierer
Dressing Room Umkleidekabine
Men's Section Männerabteilung
Women's Section Frauenabteilung
First Floor Erstes Stockwerk
Menswear Männerkleidung
Second Floor Zweiter Stock
Womenswear Frauenkleidung
Third Floor Dritte Stock
Kids Section Kinderabteilung
Fourth Floor Vierter Stock
Electronics Elektronik
Kitchenware Küchenbedarf
Fifth Floor Fünfter Stock
Lighting Beleuchtung
Bedding Bettwäsche
Toys Spielwaren
Six Floor Sechster Stock
Food Lebensmittel
Items to Buy
Electronics Elektronik
Television Fernsehen
Digital Camera Digitalkamera
Telephone Telefon
Cell phone Mobiltelefon, Handy
Computer Computer, Rechner
Speakers Lautsprecher
DVDs DVD
CDs CD
DVD Player DVD-Player
CD Player CD-Player
Bedding Bettwäsche
Blankets Decken
Pillow Kopfkissen
Pillow Case Kopfkissenbezug
Sheets Blätter
Bed Skirt Bett-Rock
Money
Price Preis
Note Der Schein
Coin Die Münze
1 Euro Coin Das Eurostück
2 Euro Coin Das Zweieurostück
5 Euro Note Der Fünfeuroschein
10 Euro Note Der Zehneuroschein
100 Euro Note Der Hunderteuroschein
1 Cent Coin Das Centstück
2 Cent Coin Das Zweicentstück
5 Cent Coin Das Fünfcentstück
10 Cent Coin Das Zehncentstück
20 Cent Coin Das Zwanzigcentstück
50 Cent Coin Das Fünfcentstück
Clothes
Skirt Der Rock

Pullover Der Pullover
Scarf Das Tuch
Coat Der Mantel
Shirt Das Hemd
Sweater Der Pullover
Necktie Der Schlips
Jacket Die Jacke
Pants Die Hose
Hat Der Hut
Shoe Der Schuh
Sock Die Socke
Glove Der Handschuh
Blouse Die Bluse
Sizes
Size Die Größe

Color Die Farbe
Cotton Die Baumwolle
Leather Das Leder
Rayon Die Kuntseide
Small Klein
Medium Mittel
Large Groß
Extra-Large Extragroß
Words That Describe
Cheap Billig
Expensive Teuer
Pretty Schön
Ugly Hässlich
Soft Weich
New Neu
Broad Breit
Wide Weit
Tight Eng
Comfortable Bequem
Colors
Red Rot
Blue Blau
Green Grün
Orange Orange
Violet Veilchen
Yellow Gelb
Brown Braun
Indigo Indigo
Gray Grau
Black Schwarz
White Weiß
Verbs
To Look Aussehen
To Try On Anprobieren
To Put On Anziehen
To Take Nehmen
To Buy Kaufen
To Have On/Wear Anhaben or Tragen
Volk und Familie
Family
Sohn Son
Tochter Daughter
Vater Father
Mutter Mother
Großvater Grandfather
Großmutter Grandmother
Opa Grandpa
Oma Grandma
Schwester Sister
Bruder Brother
Geschwister Brothers & Sisters
Enkel Grandson
Enkelin Granddaughter
Frau Wife
Mann Husband
Schwiegervater Father-in-Law
Schwiegertochter Daughter-in-Law
Schwager Brother-in-Law
Schwägerin Sister-in-Law
Schwiegermutter Mother-in-Law
Schwiegersohn Son-in-Law
Onkel Uncle
Tante Aunt
Geschenk Present
Schule
Verbs
Nimmt To Take Away

Lesen To Read
Schreiben To Write
Studieren To Study
Lernen To Learn
Zeichnen To Paint
Classes
Deutsch German
Englisch English
Russisch Russian
Französisch French
Latein Latin
Mathematik Mathematics
Sport PE or Gym
Kunst or Zeichnen Arts
Musik Music
Geschichte History
Biologie Biology
Geografie Geography
Religion RE or Religion
Chemie Chemistry
Physik Physics
Informatik Computer Science
School Supplies and Ect.
der Radiergummi Eraser/Rubber

der Bleistift Pencil
der Kuli/Kugelschreiber Pen
das Fach Subject
die Klasse Class
der Lehrer Teacher (male)
die Lehrerin Teacher (female)
die Schule School
der Schüler Student (High/Secondary School and Lower)
der Student Student (College/University)
die Stunde/Schulstunde Lesson
die Pause Break
die Schultasche Backpack
Die Fete
Gifts
das Spiel Game

das Videospiel Video Game
Parties
der Spaß Fun

die Feier PartyFormal
die Party Party
die Musik Music
die Torte Cake
das Fass Keg
das Bier Beer
der Schnaps Hard Liquor
der Wein Wine
der Weißwein White Wine
der Rotwein Red Wine
Feiern To Party
Trinken Drinking
Saufen To Get Drunk
sich Erbrechen To Throw Up
Kotzen To Puke (slang)
Tanzen To Dance
der Geburtstag Birthday
Weihnachten Christmas
Ostern Easter
das Jubiläum Anniversary
Privileg und Verantwortung
Careers
Work Arbeit
Doctor Arzt
Buniness Man Geschäftsmann
Buniness Woman Geschäftsfrau
Teacher Lehrer
Police Officer Polizeibeamte
Fireman Feuerwehrmann
Actor Schauspieler
Artist Künstler
Author Schriftsteller
Bank Clerk Bankangestellter
Car Mechanic Automechaniker
Chemist Chemiker
Civil Servant Beamter

Engineer Ingenieur
Farmer Landwirt
Hairdresser Friseur
Journalist Journalist
Lawyer Rechtsanwalt
Lecturer Dozent
Nurse Krankenpfleger
Pensioner Rentner
Photographer Fotograf
Politician Politiker
Postman Briefträger
Professor Professor
Salesperson Verkäufer
Secretary Sekretär
Student Student
Taxi Driver Taxifahrer
Waiter Kellner
Tasks
Cleaning Reinigung
Cooking Kochen
Homework Hausaufgaben
Tasks Aufgaben
Locations
Germany Deutschland
Hamburg Hamburg
Berlin Berlin
Frankfurt Frankfurt
Colonge Köln
Munich München
Wetter
Weather
Weather Wetter
Rain Regen
Snow Schnee
Snow Showers Schneesch
Showers Schauer
Thunder Donner
Storm Sturm
Thunderstorm Gewitter
Cloudy Bewölkt
Overcast Bedeckt
Hail Hagel
Drizzle Nieseln
Thaw Tauen
Frost Frost
Transportion
Car Auto
Train Zug
Trainstation Bahnhof
Airplane Flugzeug
Boat Boot
Highway Landstraße
Road Straße
Article Sources and Contributors 300
Article Sources and Contributors

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German/Level I/Freizeit Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2304569 Contributors: Adrignola, Baryonic Being, Bielenberg, Bpogi92, CQuinton, Christoph, DavidCary,
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Guido, Guido.Bockamp, Herbythyme, Janno, Joghurt, Martin Kraus, MasterSheep, Mastercpp, Neet, RaveDog, SamE, Schneelocke, Shdwninja8, Sma, Thamane, TheSun, Thomas G. Graf,
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German/Level I/Volk und Familie Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2248431 Contributors: Acerperi, Adrignola, Avicennasis, Az1568, Cheonhajangsa, Fitchguy20, German
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German/Level I/Schule Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066153 Contributors: Adrignola, Aleron235, Alsocal, Avicennasis, Boit, German Men92, Martin Kraus,
MasterSheep, MichaelFrey, Omnipaedista, Rappo, Recent Runes, Shdwninja8, Thamane, 30 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Review 2 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2350968 Contributors: Avicennasis, German Men92, Gronau, Martin Kraus, 3 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Das Fest Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2254898 Contributors: Adrignola, Carolinet, Collingwood, Derbeth, EricNau, German Men92, Martin Kraus,
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German/Level I/Privileg und Verantwortung Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1883577 Contributors: EricNau, German Men92, J36miles, Martin Kraus, Rappo, 6
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German/Level I/Wetter Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2157891 Contributors: Avicennasis, EricNau, German Men92, Julie22193, Martin Kraus, MasterSheep, RaveDog,
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German/Level I/Review 3 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066154 Contributors: Avicennasis, German Men92, Martin Kraus, Sotakeit, 1 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Zu Hause Essen Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2151381 Contributors: German Men92, Hagindaz, J36miles, Martin Kraus, Sloyment
German/Level I/Filme Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2074179 Contributors: German Men92, J36miles, Martin Kraus, 1 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Das Haus Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1981418 Contributors: German Men92, J36miles, Jomegat, Julie22193, Martin Kraus, 2 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Review 4 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1873900 Contributors: Martin Kraus
German/Lesson 1 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2017993 Contributors: Adrignola, Derbeth, Dragontamer, Dysprosia, Etothex, Fitchguy20, German Men92, Hansm, Jguk,
Marshman, Nerd, Patrick, Sundance Raphael, Swift, Thomas Arnhold, ThomasStrohmann, Vulture, 38 anonymous edits
German/Lesson 2 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066164 Contributors: Adrignola, Avicennasis, Dysprosia, El, Fitchguy20, Floflei6, German Men92, Guanaco,
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Messi, Sblive, ThomasStrohmann, Vulture, Xeon, 15 anonymous edits
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Emsworth, Marshman, MartinR, Messi, SamE, Sundance Raphael, Swift, ThomasStrohmann, Vulture, 30 anonymous edits
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German/Lesson 6 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066162 Contributors: Adrignola, Avicennasis, Dorfl, Fitchguy20, German Men92, Grigri72, Jguk, Marshman, 21
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German/Lesson 7 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2239964 Contributors: Adrignola, Fitchguy20, Jguk, Marshman, MartinR, SamE, Thomas Arnhold, 6 anonymous edits
German/Lesson 8 Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1709653 Contributors: Adrignola, Jguk, Marshman, 3 anonymous edits
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German/Level III/Gespräche Unter Geschäftsmännern Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2116253 Contributors: Adrignola, German Men92, Janno, Jguk, Marshman,
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German/Level III/Mach Dir Keine Sorgen! Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1967861 Contributors: Adrignola, Delfman, Floflei6, German Men92, Guido, Jguk,
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German/Level III/Die Geschäftsleute Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2247215 Contributors: Adrignola, DickHuuhn, German Men92, Jguk, Marshman, MrPalpatine,
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German/Level III/Der Engländer in Österreich Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1709709 Contributors: Adrignola, German Men92, Iamunknown, Jguk, Marshman,
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German/Grammar/Nouns Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2362129 Contributors: Adrignola, Ananth126, Avicennasis, Boit, Cost, Demoeconomist, German Men92,
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German/Grammar/Verbs Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2224430 Contributors: Adrignola, Apesteilen, Avicennasis, Drusus 0, German Men92, Jguk, Neet, Rcmc2020,
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German/Appendices/Grammar II Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066180 Contributors: Adrignola, Avicennasis, Dysprosia, Esenco, Etothex, German Men92, Jguk,
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German/Appendices/Resources Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=1910830 Contributors: Cost, German Men92, Gn wendy, Hagindaz, Marshman, SabineCretella,
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German/Appendices/Names Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2305207 Contributors: Adrignola, Cspurrier, German Men92, Guido, Hagindaz, Katharos24, Marshman,
SamE, 40 anonymous edits
German/Appendices/False friends Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2204834 Contributors: Adrignola, Avicennasis, Buncic, Dragontamer, Feeela, German Men92,
Hagindaz, John Gunther, Orangehatbrune, Stuckinkiel, Webaware, 13 anonymous edits
German/Level I/Vocabulary Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?oldid=2066152 Contributors: Adrignola, Avicennasis, German Men92, Jguk, 4 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 302
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:50%.svg Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=File:50%.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Siebrand
Image:25%.svg Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=File:25%.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Karl Wick
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Image:Handshake (Workshop Cologne '06).jpeg Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=File:Handshake_(Workshop_Cologne_'06).jpeg License: Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Contributors: Amada44, Dbenbenn, Tobias Wolter, 2 anonymous edits
File:Flags of the United States and the United Kingdom.svg Source: http://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flags_of_the_United_States_and_the_United_Kingdom.svg License:
Public Domain Contributors: Editor at Large
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German A2 Level

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108

LEVEL TWO LESSONS

Section 2.01 ~ Salzburg, Austria

Lesson 2.01 - Einfache Gespräche unter

Grammatik 1-1 ~ Introduction to

Following is a short conversation piece

Gespräch 1-1 ~ Die Freunde

der Anhang, die Anhänge appendix, appendices (singular and plural)

auf der Straße on the street

gehen go (geht is "goes")

OTHER "SMALL" WORDS (adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.)

danke thank you; thanks

• << Lesson Layout Guide

Pronunciation Guide >>

Gespräch 1-2 ~ Die Studenten

Grammatik 1-2 ~ Word Order in Questions

Grammatik 1-3 ~ Introduction to pronouns

ich – I (1st person, singular, nominative case)

du – you (2nd person, singular, nominative case)

er – he (3rd person singular, nominative case)

die Antwort, die Antworten answer(s) (singular and plural)

OTHER "SMALL" WORDS

• << Lesson Layout Guide

Pronunciation Guide >>

Lesson 2.02 - Fremde und Freunde

Fremde und Freunde ~ Strangers and Friends

Grammatik 2-1 ~ Introduction to Verbs

I study biology. Ich studiere Biologie.

She studies mathematics. Sie studiert Mathematik.

Grammatik 2-2 ~ Pronouns in the Nominative Case

Ich gehe einkaufen. I go shopping.

Er studiert Biologie. He studies biology.

Es geht mir gut. It goes well with me. ( = I am fine).

Wir gehen einkaufen. We go shopping.

Ihr versteht die Frage. You all understand the question.

Ihr habt die Anleitungen. You (all) have the instructions.

Sie verstehen die Arbeit. They understand the work.

Ich verstehe die Arbeit. I understand the work.

Du gehst einkaufen. You go shopping.

Ich habe alle Antworten. I have all the answers.

Er hat die Anleitungen. He has the instructions.

Gespräch 2-1 ~ Die Geschäftsleute

aus England from England

• Pronunciation Guide >>

Grammatik 2-3 ~ Familiar and Polite Pronoun Forms

Ihnen – (to) you (2nd person singular, dative case)

Haben sie zu viel Arbeit? Do they have too much work?

Gespräch 2-2 ~ Die Geschäftsmänner

bis morgen until tomorrow

• Pronunciation Guide >>

Grammatik 2-4 ~ Personal pronoun gender

Ich brauche die Wurst. Ich brauche sie. I need it (feminine).

Das Gespräch ist schwer. Es ist schwer. It (neuter) is difficult.

The following table summarizes these gender relationships:

3rd person pronouns

feminine sie she

Lesson 2.03 - Die Zahlen

Die Zahlen ~ The Numbers

Lektion 3 ~ Zählen von 1 bis 12

ten zehn 10th zehnte

eleven elf 11th elfte

twelve zwölf 12th zwölfte

Audio: OGG (385KB)