February 2012
2 posts
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January 2012
9 posts
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The German word "Ferien"
I’ve gotten several questions on formspring about the word “Ferien” (vacation; holiday). People were wondering what the singular of “die Ferien” is, since they could only find the plural version.
That’s because “die Ferien” is always plural.
If you want to use it in the singular you will have to add another noun like “der Tag” -> der...
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The usage of "eben" Part 2
“eben” can also be used in the sense of exactly or precisely.
Example:
Eben daran hatte ich nie gedacht! -> That’s the only thing I hadn’t thought of!
As an adverb of time, eben means “just now”. In this case, “gerade” is an alternative.
Example:
Ich bin gerade / eben angekommen. -> I’ve arrived just now.
As an adjective,...
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The usage of "eben" Part 1
“eben” usually expresses confirmation that something else is the case or that there’s no alternative.
Examples:
Ich kann nichts machen. Ich bin eben so! -> I can’t help it. That’s (just) how I am!
(Dann) geh eben früh schlafen! -> Well, just go to sleep early!
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"Scheiße bauen" (reg.)
You will hear sentences like the following often in colloquial German - especially among young people:
“Ich hab gestern voll Scheiße gebaut.”
“Als ich jung war, habe ich viel Scheiße gebaut.”
”Scheiße bauen” (lit: to build shit) is a regular verb.
It means “to make mistakes”. Very often it refers to stuff done in the past like “I took...
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The usage of "doch" Part 4
You can also add “doch” to emphasize the urgency of a wish!
Example: Wenn ich doch Millionär wäre! -> If only I was a millionaire!
…. As you can see, doch has many faces! It’s a frequent word and it’s probably one of the most difficult ones, too. You may find it hard to use it right at first but with a growing understanding and feeling for German, you’ll...
December 2011
17 posts
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The usage of "doch" Part 3
“doch” is also used a lot in commands. Sometimes it adds a note of impatience/urgency (by adding “immer” or “endlich” you can make it more clear), sometimes it makes the command sound more like an encouragement (by adding “mal” or “ruhig” you can make it more clear)!
Examples:
Reg dich doch nicht (immer) so auf! -> For heaven’s...
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Who would like to come to the blackboard...
… and guess….
What are “Spitzbuben”?
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Wort des Jahres 2011
Every year, the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (society of German language) announces the “word of the year”.
Today, 2011’s word was presented: STRESSTEST (masc.) I guess there’s no translation needed ;)
Usually, it’s a term that can be found in medical science. However, since this year Germany’s politicians have been under some serious stress (for various...
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The usage of "doch" Part 2
Sometimes, “doch” can turn a statement into a question. A positive answer is expected then. In those cases, “doch” is the equivalent of a following “oder?” or “nicht wahr?”.
Examples:
Du kommst doch morgen (, oder/nicht wahr)? = You’re coming over tomorrow (, aren’t you)?
Ich kann dich doch anrufen (, oder/nicht wahr)? = I can give you...
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The usage of "doch" Part 1
I bet you’ve already stumbled upon the little German word “doch” and didn’t know how to translate it. Am I right? Well… the English language doesn’t really have an equivalent for it. That’s why it gives people a hard time. And that’s why I’d like to try and tell you more about its usage. I’m splitting the posts into different parts,...
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Listening comprehension #8: Der 150. Geburtstag...
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November 2011
14 posts
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Who would like to come to the blackboard...
… and guess…
What do the letters “FKK” stand for?
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Listening comprehension #7: Gefahr durch Cholera
...
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Answers to yesterday's exercise
Yesterday I asked you to put the sentences in the correct order. Sometimes there was more than one way to do it. However I highlighted the most common and neutral way to do it:
1. Mein Bruder ist im September geboren. / Im September ist mein Bruder geboren.
2. Die Familie Müller wohnt auf dem Land. / Auf dem Land wohnt die Familie Müller.
3. Die Schüler schreiben in der Schule einen Test in...
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Who would like to come to the blackboard...
… and get the sentences in the correct order…
1. mein Bruder / geboren / im September / im / ist
2. dem Land / wohnt / die Familie Müller / auf
3. schreiben / in / der Schule / einen / die Schüler / Test / in / Deutsch
4. möchte / ich / Urlaub / so / fahren / gern / in / den
5. auf / du / freust / dich / schon / Weihnachten / auf / ?
6. kommst / wann / besuchen / du / mich /...
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The German verb "kaufen"
Good news, folks - the verb “kaufen” is regular! Yay!
conjugation present tense:
ich kaufe, du kaufst, er/sie/es kauft, wir kaufen, ihr kauft, sie kaufen
conjugation past tense: ich kaufte, du kauftest etc.
past participle: gekauft
By adding certain prefixes, you can specify or change the meaning:
1. verkaufen = (to) sell
2. einkaufen = (to) shop
Frequently used for...
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Listening comprehension #6: HALLOWEEN
unheimliche...
October 2011
17 posts
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Answers to yesterday's exercise
These are the correct articles for clothes:
1. DAS Hemd
2. DIE Hose
3. DER Pullover
4. DER Schuh
5. DIE Mütze
6. DIE Jacke
7. DER Mantel
8. DAS Kleid
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Who would like to come to the blackboard..
… and fill in the correct direct articles…
1. …………. Hemd
2. …………. Hose
3. …………. Pullover
4. …………. Schuh
5. …………. Mütze
6. …………. Jacke
7. …………. Mantel
8. …………. Kleid
…?
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The German verb "finden"
This verb has two main meanings:
1. finden = (to) find
as in: Ich versuche meine Schlüssel zu finden. I’m trying to find my keys.
2. finden = (to) find / (to) like
as in: Ich finde dich attraktiv. I find you attractive.
Wie findest du meine neue Frisur? How do you like my new haircut?
It is regular in the present tense but irregular in the past tense (ich fand, du fandest…)....
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The German verb "sehen"
sehen = (to) see
It’s an irregular verb. Here’s how you conjugate it:
ich sehe, du siehst, er/sie/es sieht, wir sehen, ihr seht, sie sehen (present tense)
ich sah, du sahst, er/sie/es sah, wir sahen, ihr saht, sie sahen (past tense)
gesehen (past participle)
There are a bunch of prefixes that you can add and specify or change the meaning:
1. ansehen = to look at
2. wegsehen = to...
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Answers to yesterday's exercise
Here are the correct direct articles for furniture:
1. DIE Lampe
2. DER Tisch
3. DER Stuhl
4. DAS Sofa
5. DER Schrank
6. DER Teppich
7. DAS Regal