German - Mango Languages

Transcription

Mango Passport™
German
Mango Passport On the Go!
Journey 1 Course Guide
MangoLanguages.com
©2010 MA NGO LA NGUA GES All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Journey 1 Chapter 1: Greetings, Gratitude, Goodbyes
Journey 1 Chapter 2: Do You Speak English?
Journey 1 Chapter 3: What's Your Name?
Journey 1 Chapter 4: Getting Around
Journey 1 Chapter 5: At the Restaurant
Journey 1 Chapter 6: Shopping
Journey 1 Chapter 7: Lodging
Journey 1 Chapter 8: In Case of Emergency
Journey 1 Chapter 9: What Does That Mean?
Journey 1 Chapter 10: It's Not That Bad, Is It?
Vocabulary Review
Phrase Review
Cultural Notes
Grammar Notes
2
3
13
24
36
50
67
83
105
120
139
160
196
247
251
Mango Passport - German
CHAPTER 1: GREETINGS , GRATITUDE, GOODBYES
BEGRÜßUNG, DANK UND VERABSCHIEDUNG
Journey 1 Chapter 1: Greetings, Gratitude, Goodbyes
Conversational Goals
Express Gratitude
Greet People
Make Small Talk with Strangers
Say Goodbye
Grammar Goals
Be Introduced to the Declension of Adjectives
Learn Definite and Indefinite Articles
Learn the Conjugation of Sein, 1st and 2nd (formal) Person
Conversation
English
German
Guten Tag.
Hello.
(GOOten tahk.)
Schönes Wetter heute, nicht wahr?
Beautiful weather today, isn't it?
(SHERnes VETa HOItuh, nisht vah?)
Ja, sehr schön.
Yes, very beautiful.
(ya, zair shern.)
Und ich bin hier im Urlaub.
And I am here on vacation.
(oont ish bin heer im OORlauwp.)
Ach, wirklich? Na dann, einen schönen Urlaub noch!
Oh, really? Well then, have a nice vacation!
(akh, VEERklish? nah dunn, EYEnen SHERnen
OORlauwp nawkh!)
Danke. Auf Wiedersehen.
Thank you. Goodbye.
(DUNKuh. owf VEEduhzayen.)
Wiedersehen.
Bye.
(VEEduhzayen.)
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©2010 MANGO LANGUAGES
All rights reserved.
3
Hello.
Guten Tag.
English
1
German
Hello.
Guten Tag.
(Good day.)
(GOOten tahk.)
der Tag
2
the day
3
good
4
Did you notice that gut becomes gut-en in the phrase Guten Tag? As you learn more German
you will acquire a sensitivity for when and how to make these changes. For now, all you need to do is
notice this change.
5
the morning
6
Good morning.
7
the evening
8
Good evening.
9
10
(dair tahk)
gut
(goot)
der Morgen
(dair MAWgan)
Guten Morgen.
(GOOten MAWgan.)
der Abend
(dair AHbent)
Guten Abend.
(GOOten AHbent.)
You can shorten Guten Tag into just Tag, Guten Morgen into Morgen, and Guten Abend into
'n Abend.
Hello. (in Southern Germany)
Grüß Gott.
(Greet God.)
(grews gott.)
If your name is Scott, don't be surprised when in Southern Germany everybody knows your name
and thinks you're great. People will greet you with "Great Scott" or just "Scott" - at least that's what it
11 sounds like. What they're really saying is Grüß Gott (literally "Greet God")- or the short version 's
Gott - which is the most common form of formal greeting in the South, regardless of the time in the
day.
Hallo.
12 Hello.
(HAHloh.)
Unlike Americans, Germans differentiate in their greetings between people they know well and
people they don't know at all or only in a formal context. As a traveler, you will primarily interact with
13 strangers; therefore you mainly use the formal greetings. Among relatives, young people, and
friends, you can greet each other informally with Hallo or Hi.
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Beautiful weather today.
Schönes Wetter heute.
English
1
2
weather
3
the weather
German
(SHERnes VETa HOItuh.)
Wetter
(VETa)
das Wetter
(dahs VETa)
Was your answer *der Wetter? Yes, you have learned that the "the" translates to der as in der
Tag. But in German, every noun has one of three grammatical genders. You use der for masculine
4
nouns, (der Tag), das for neuter nouns, (das Wetter), and die for feminine nouns (you will learn
one soon). You should always memorize the definite article along with the noun as there are only
few rules to help you recognize the gender.
5
beautiful
6
beautiful weather
7
8
schön
(shern)
schönes Wetter
(SHERnes VETa)
Note that "beautiful" alone means schön. Before a noun as in "beautiful weather" however, schön
has an "-es" in the end. This is because Wetter is a neuter noun (das Wetter).
schöner Tag
beautiful day
(SHERna tahk)
Did you say *schön-es Tag? Almost correct. Remember that you say das Wetter but der Tag,
9
meaning these nouns have different genders. In schön-er Tag, schön has the ending "-er"
because Tag is masculine.
heute
10 today
(HOItuh)
Germans generally do not start a conversation with a stranger unless some outside circumstances
(e.g. the weather, a delayed bus or train) creates a sense of community. Even then, the
11 conversation will only consist of a few comments on the situation. Unlike Americans, Germans don't
ask each other how they are unless they really want to know. If you do ask... be prepared to hear all
about it!
12
isn't it?
nicht wahr?
(not true?)
(nisht vah?)
13 Beautiful weather today, isn't it?
Continued on next page
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English
German
schöner Abend
14 beautiful evening
(SHERna AHbent)
schöner Morgen
15 beautiful morning
(SHERna MAWgan)
ja
16 yes
(ya)
Ja, nicht wahr?
17 Yes, isn't it?
(ya, nisht vah?)
sehr
18 very
(zair)
Ja, sehr schön.
19 Yes, very beautiful.
(ya, zair shern.)
schlecht
20 bad
(shlesht)
sehr schlecht
21 very bad
(zair shlesht)
schlechtes Wetter
22 bad weather
(SHLESHtes VETa)
schlechter Tag
23 bad day
(SHLESHta tahk)
Did you get it right? Remember, because "the weather" is neuter (das Wetter) you say schön-es
24 Wetter and also schlecht-es Wetter. "The day" is masculine (der Tag), so you say schön-er
Tag and schlecht-er Tag.
Schlechtes Wetter heute, nicht wahr?
25 Bad weather today, isn't it?
(SHLESHtes VETa HOItuh, nisht vah?)
Schöner Tag heute, nicht wahr?
26 Beautiful day today, isn't it?
(SHERna tahk HOItuh, nisht vah?)
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I am on vacation.
Ich bin im Urlaub.
English
1
I am on vacation.
2
I
3
to be
4
I am
5
the vacation
6
on vacation
7
you
German
Ich bin im Urlaub.
(ish bin im OORlauwp.)
ich
(ish)
sein
(zine)
ich bin
(ish bin)
der Urlaub
(dair OORlauwp)
im Urlaub
(im OORlauwp)
Sie
(zee)
In German, there is a formal and an informal way to address people, the Sie-form and the du-form.
8
9
As with greetings, you use Sie for people you don't know or only know in a formal context. Du is
used to address family and friends, and children and teenagers up to about age 16. Again, as a
traveler, you will mainly be interacting with strangers, so let's focus on the Sie-form for now.
Sie sind
you are
(zee zint)
Sind Sie?
10 Are you?
(zint zee?)
Sind Sie im Urlaub?
11 Are you on vacation?
(zint zee im OORlauwp?)
hier
12 here
(heer)
Ja, ich bin hier im Urlaub.
13 Yes, I am here on vacation.
(ya, ish bin heer im OORlauwp.)
ach
14 oh
(akh)
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English
German
wirklich
15 really
(VEERklish)
Ach wirklich?
16 Oh really?
(akh VEERklich?)
und
17 and
(oont)
Und Sie?
18 And you?
(oont zee?)
auch
19 too
20
(auwh)
Me too.
Ich auch.
(I too.)
(ish auwh.)
Ich bin auch hier im Urlaub.
21 I am here on vacation, too.
(ish bin auwh heer im OORlauwp.)
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Well then, have a nice vacation.
Na dann, einen schönen Urlaub.
English
1
German
(Well then, a nice vacation.)
(nah dun, EYEnen SHERnen OORlauwp.)
ein Urlaub
2
a vacation
3
nice
4
Schön in German can be used for "nice" as well as "beautiful."
5
a nice vacation
6
well then
7
Did you notice something? You have just learned that "a nice vacation" is ein schöner Urlaub. But
in the context of wishing someone a nice vacation - "Have a nice vacation" - there are different
endings again: Ein-en schön-en Urlaub.
8
a nice evening
9
(EYEn OORlauwp)
schön
(shern)
ein schöner Urlaub
(EYEn SHERna OORlauwp)
na dann
(nah dun)
ein schöner Abend
(EYEn SHERna AHbent)
Well then, have a nice evening!
Na dann, einen schönen Abend!
(Well then, a nice evening!)
(nah dun, EYEnen SHERnen AHbent!)
ein schöner Tag
10 a nice day
(EYEn SHERna tahk)
Einen schönen Tag!
11 Have a nice day!
(EYEnen SHERnen tahk!)
You will also often hear Einen schönen Tag noch, which means just the same but indicates that
12 you caught the other person somewhere in the middle of his/her day, evening or vacation. Noch
literally means "still." So you are literally saying "Have a nice day still." Assume for the following quiz
that the person you are talking to is half way through his/her vacation.
Einen schönen Urlaub noch.
13 Have a nice vacation.
(EYEnen SHERnen OORlauwp nawh.)
14 Say the following assuming that it's the middle of the day.
Einen schönen Tag noch.
15 Have a nice day.
(EYEnen SHERnen tahk nawh.)
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English
German
der Spaß
16 (the) fun
(dair shpahs)
viel
17 much
18
19
(feel)
Have fun.
Viel Spaß.
(Much fun.)
(feel shpahs.)
Have fun on your vacation!
Viel Spaß im Urlaub!
(Much fun on vacation!)
(feel shpahs im OORLauwp!)
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Thank you. Goodbye.
English
German
1
Thank you. Goodbye.
2
Thank you.
3
Goodbye.
4
Thank you very much.
5
You might have said *Danke sehr viel, but Vielen Dank is just a standing expression.
6
Bye.
7
Bye, thank you very much!
8
Goodbye, thank you very much.
9
Bye. (in Southern Germany)
Danke.
(DUNKuh.)
Auf Wiedersehen.
(owf VEEduhzayen.)
Vielen Dank.
(FEELen dunk.)
Tschüs.
(chews.)
Tschüs, vielen Dank!
(chews, FEELen dunk!)
Auf Wiedersehen, vielen Dank.
(owf VEEduhzayen, FEELen dunk.)
Servus.
(ZAIRvoos.)
Tschüs is understood anywhere in Germany as the informal "goodbye". When traveling to Southern
10 Germany, you will want to remember Servus, often pronounced Ser's, as the most common,
informal Bavarian greeting. It can mean both, "hello" and "goodbye".
11
See you later.
Bis später.
(Until later.)
(biss SHPAYta.)
Servus, bis später.
12 Bye, see you later (in Southern Germany).
(ZAIRvoos, biss SHPAYta.)
die Nacht
13 the night
(dee nahkht)
So, here is an example of a feminine noun and the third translation for "the" in German. You have
14 already learned der for masculine nouns as in der Tag, das for neuter nouns as in das Wetter
and now die for feminine nouns as in die Nacht. Der, die, das - all meaning "the."
Gute Nacht.
15 Good night.
(GOOtuh nahkht.)
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English
German
If you said *Guten Nacht, you just missed it by a little. You say Gut-en Abend and Gut-en Tag
16
because Abend and Tag are masculine nouns - remember? It is der Abend and der Tag. But
Nacht is a feminine noun and therefore you say die Nacht and Gut-e Nacht. These endings may
be confusing at first but you will master them soon.
The German culture is more formal than the American culture. You have already learned in this first
chapter that it's important to greet or address people with the right level of formality. Being too
17 informal can be perceived as odd. Germans also tend to be more reserved with people and will not
start up a conversation with just anybody. Don't mistake this initial reserve or stiffness for
unfriendliness - it's simply the result of different cultural norms.
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CHAPTER 2: DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?
SPRECHEN SIE ENGLISCH?
Journey 1 Chapter 2: Do You Speak English?
Ask and Tell What Language Someone Speaks
Ask and Tell Where Someone is From
Get Someone's Attention
Grammar Goals
Learn Negation with Kein and Nicht
Learn Some Regular and Irregular Verbs
Learn the Modal Verbs, Können and Möchten
Recognize Gender Agreement of Articles When Referring to Nationality
Use the Particle Denn
Conversation
English
Excuse me. Do you speak English?
I am sorry. I don't understand English.
Can you speak German?
I speak only a little German.
So where are you from?
I am from America.
German
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee AYNGlish?)
Tut mir leid. Ich verstehe kein Englisch.
(toot meer lite. ish fairSHTAYuh kine AYNGlish.)
Können Sie Deutsch?
(KERnen zee doitsh?)
Ich spreche nur ein bisschen Deutsch.
(ish SHPRAYshuh noor ine BISSyen doitsh.)
Woher sind Sie denn?
(vohHAIR zint zee den?)
Ich bin aus Amerika.
(ish bin ows ahMERikah.)
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I speak English.
Ich spreche Englisch.
English
German
1
I speak English.
2
to speak
3
I speak
4
English
5
you speak
6
Do you speak...?
7
Note that in German you form a question simply by reversing the order of the subject and the verb.
8
Do you speak English?
9
Excuse me.
(ish SHPRAYshuh AYNGlish.)
sprechen
(SHPRAYshen)
ich spreche
(ish SHPRAYshuh)
Englisch
(AYNGlish)
Sie sprechen
(zee SHPRAYshen)
Sprechen Sie...?
(SHPRAYshen zee...?)
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(SHPRAYshen zee AYNGlish?)
Entschuldigung.
(entSHOOLdegohng.)
Deutsch
10 German
(doitsh)
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Deutsch?
11 Excuse me, do you speak German?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee doitsh?)
Ja, ich spreche Deutsch.
12 Yes, I speak German.
(ya, ish SHPRAYshuh doitsh.)
Spanisch
13 Spanish
(SHPAHnish)
auch
14 also
(auwh)
15 You learned in chapter 1 that auch means "too." It can be used for "also" as well.
Ich spreche auch Spanisch.
16 I also speak Spanish.
(ish SHPRAYshuh auwh SHPAHnish.)
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English
German
Most languages in German end in -isch. There is for example Französisch (French), Italienisch
17 (Italian), Türkisch (Turkish), Russisch (Russian), Schwedisch (Swedish), Norwegisch
(Norwegian).
nur
18 only
(noor)
Und Sie? Sprechen Sie nur Deutsch?
19 And you? Do you speak only German?
(oont zee? SHPRAYshen zee noor doitsh?)
ein bisschen
20 a little
(EYEn BISSyen)
Ich spreche auch ein bisschen Spanisch.
21 I also speak a little Spanish.
22
(ish SHPRAYshuh auwh EYEn BISSyen SHPAHnish.)
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie gut Englisch?
Excuse me. Do you speak English well?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee goot
AYNGlish?)
(Excuse me. You speak good English?)
nein
23 no
(nine)
Nein, ich spreche nur ein bisschen Englisch.
24 No, I only speak a little English.
(nine, ish SHPRAYshuh noor EYEn BISSyen
AYNGlish.)
schon
25 already
(shohn)
Sie sprechen schon sehr gut Deutsch.
26 You speak German very well already.
(zee SHPRAYshen shohn zair goot doitsh.)
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I don't understand English.
Ich verstehe kein Englisch.
English
1
(I understand no English.)
(ish fairSHTAYuh kine AYNGlish.)
2
to understand
3
you understand
4
I understand
5
German
verstehen
(fairSHTAYen)
Sie verstehen
(zee fairSHTAYen)
ich verstehe
(ish fairSHTAYuh)
Do you see a pattern? It's easy. For many verbs, the form you use when addressing someone
formally is the same as the basic verb form: sprechen - Sie sprechen, verstehen - Sie
verstehen. If you are talking about yourself, you simply drop the "-n" from the basic form:
sprechen - ich spreche, verstehen - ich verstehe.
Ich verstehe Englisch.
6
I understand English.
7
no
8
"No" can be used in more than one way in English, but German has its own word for each meaning.
"No" in a negation translates to nein. Here, "no" with the meaning of "not any" translates to kein in
German.
9
Do you also understand German?
(ish fairSHTAYuh AYNGlish.)
kein
(kine)
Verstehen Sie auch Deutsch?
(fairSHTAYen zee auwh doitsh?)
Ja, ich verstehe ein bisschen Deutsch.
10 Yes, I understand a little German.
11
(ya, ish fairSHTAYuh EYEn BISSyen doitsh.)
Don't you speak German?
Sprechen Sie kein Deutsch?
(You speak no German?)
(SHPRAYshen zee kine doitsh?)
Tut mir leid.
12 I'm sorry.
(toot meer lite.)
Nein, tut mir leid. Ich verstehe nur Spanisch.
13 No, I'm sorry. I understand only Spanish.
(nine, toot meer lite. ish fairSHTAYuh noor
SHPAHnish.)
14 Did you remember to use nein instead of kein because you were negating the sentence?
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English
German
Ich spreche kein Englisch und verstehe nur ein
I don't speak English and understand only a little
15
Spanish.
(ish SHPRAYshuh kine AYNGlish oont fairSHTAYuh
noor EYEn BISSyen SHPAHnish.)
nicht
16 not
17
bisschen Spanisch.
(nisht)
I don't speak German very well.
Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch.
(I speak not very well German.)
(ish SHPRAYshuh nicht zair goot doitsh.)
So why do you use nicht here and not kein? Well, the difference is that now you aren't talking
about whether you speak or don't speak a language, but rather how well you speak the language.
18
"Not" is nicht in German, and the answer is: Nicht sehr gut (Not very well). You are literally saying
"I speak German not very well." Try again!
19
20
And I don't speak English well.
Und ich spreche nicht gut Englisch.
(And I speak not well English.)
(oont ish SPHPRAYshuh nicht goot AYNGlish.)
Me neither.
Ich auch nicht.
(I too not.)
(ish auwh nicht.)
wir
21 we
(veer)
wir sprechen
22 we speak
(veer SHPRAYshen)
Wir sprechen nur Englisch.
23 We speak only English.
(veer SHPRAYhen noor AYNGlish.)
Wir verstehen.
24 We understand.
(veer fairSHTAYen.)
25 Note that the verb form for wir (we) is always identical as for Sie (the formal "you").
Wir verstehen kein Deutsch.
26 We don't understand German.
(veer fairSHTAYen kine doitsh.)
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I can speak German.
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
English
German
1
I can speak German.
2
can
3
you can
4
I can
5
Did you go by the rule you have just learned about dropping the "-n" from the basic verb form and
said ich könne? Good thinking, but unfortunately, there are many verbs where this rule does not
apply. You will just have to memorize these irregular verb forms.
6
I can speak.
7
8
Note the position of the main verb sprechen at the end of the sentence. In German sentences
with verbs like "can," "have to," "would like to," ect., the main verb always comes at the very end of
the sentence.
9
I can understand German, English, and a little
Spanish.
(ish kun doitsh SHPRAYshen.)
können
(KERNen)
Sie können
(zee KERNen)
ich kann
(ish kun)
Ich kann sprechen.
(ish kun SHPRAYshen.)
Können Sie Deutsch sprechen?
(KERNen zee doitsh SHPRAYshen?)
Ich kann Deutsch, Englisch und ein bisschen
Spanisch verstehen.
(ish kunn doitsh, AYNGlish oont EYEn BISSyen
SHPAHnish fairSHTAYen.)
aber
10 but
(AHbuh)
I understand German, but I can't speak German.
11 (I understand German but I can speak no
Ich verstehe Deutsch, aber ich kann kein
Deutsch sprechen.
(ish fairSHTAYuh doitsh AHbuh ish kun kine doitsh
SHPRAYshen.)
German.)
Ich kann nicht sehr gut Englisch sprechen.
12 I can't speak English very well.
(ish kun nisht zair goot AYNGlish SHPRAYshen.)
Wir können kein Deutsch verstehen.
13 We can't understand German.
(veer KERNen kine doitsh fairSHTAYen.)
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English
German
When you talk about speaking a language in general, the verbs sprechen or verstehen are often
14
omitted when you use the verb können (can). People will simply say Können Sie Deutsch?
literally meaning "Can you German?", Ich kann Englisch (I can English) or Ich kann kein
Deutsch (I can no German).
15
I can't speak German. Can you speak English?
Ich kann kein Deutsch, können Sie Englisch?
(I can no German. Can you English?)
(ish kun kine doitsh, KERNen zee AYNGlish?)
mögen
16 to like
(MERgan)
Sie möchten
17 you would like
(zee MERSHten)
Möchten Sie Englisch sprechen?
18 Would you like to speak English?
19
(MERSHten zee AYNGlish SHPRAYshen?)
Remember, with können (can) and möchten (would like), the main verb is placed at the very
end of the sentence.
lernen
20 to learn
(LAHRnen)
Ich möchte Deutsch und Spanisch lernen.
21 I would like to learn German and Spanish.
(ish MERSHtuh doitsh oont SHPAHnish LAHRnen.)
bitte
22 please
(BItuh)
Können Sie bitte Deutsch sprechen?
23 Can you please speak German?
(KERNen zee BItuh doitsh SHPRAYshen?)
Almost all Germans speak at least some English. Most of them are actually pretty fluent, as it's very
common to start learning English in the 5th grade. Very likely, they will immediately switch to English
24
when they hear your accent. However, if you are persistent and let them know you want to practice
your German, they will gladly help you out and speak German with you.
wir möchten
25 we would like
(veer MERSHten)
Wir möchten Deutsch lernen.
26 We would like to learn German.
(veer MERSHten doitsh LAHRnen.)
And why do you want to learn German? Well, why wouldn't you? It is the most commonly spoken
language in the European Union - above French and English. It is not only spoken in Germany but
also in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and even in Namibia… German is the language of
27
Goethe, Nietzsche, Freud, Kafka, Mozart, Bach, Siemens, Diesel, Einstein, and many other worldwide
appreciated artists, authors and scientists. And with some patience and determination it isn’t that
hard to learn after all.
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19
We are from America.
Wir sind aus Amerika.
English
German
1
2
we are
3
from
4
America
5
from America
6
Excuse me, are you from America, too?
7
Germany
8
No, we are from Germany.
9
Munich
(veer zint ows ahMERikah.)
wir sind
(veer zint)
aus
(ows)
Amerika
(ahMERikah)
aus Amerika
(ows ahMERikah)
Entschuldigung, sind Sie auch aus Amerika?
(entSHOOLdegoong, zint zee auwh ows
ahMERikah?)
Deutschland
(DOITSCHlunt)
Nein, wir sind aus Deutschland.
(nine, veer zint ows DOITSHlunt.)
München
(MEWNshen)
Ich bin aus München.
10 I am from Munich.
(ish bin ows MEWNshen.)
hier
11 here
(heer)
Ich bin von hier.
12 I am from here.
13
(ish bin fon heer.)
Did you say aus hier? You use aus when you say what country or city you are from, but with "here"
or "there," you use von.
Ich bin nicht von hier.
14 I am not from here.
(ish bin nisht fon heer.)
Ich bin nicht aus Deutschland und ich spreche
15
I am not from Germany and I don't speak
German.
kein Deutsch.
(ish bin nisht ows DOITSHlunt oont ish
SHPRAYshuh kine doitsh.)
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English
German
woher
16 where from
(vohHAIR)
Woher sind Sie?
17 Where are you from?
(vohHAIR zint zee?)
The little word denn is particularly used in spoken German. Asking the question Woher sind Sie?
18 without it is correct, too. But denn gives the question a less direct and generally friendlier tone similar to "So,..." in English at the beginning of a question.
19 So, where are you from?
Sind Sie denn aus Deutschland?
20 So, are you from Germany?
(zint zee den ows DOITSHlunt?)
Sprechen Sie denn kein Deutsch?
21 So, don't you speak German?
(SHPRAYshen zee den kine doitsh?)
Wir sind hier im Urlaub und wir sprechen kein
We are here on vacation and we don't speak
22
German.
Deutsch.
(veer zint heer im OORlauwp oont veer
SHPRAYshen kine doitsh.)
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He is American.
Er ist Amerikaner.
English
1
He is American.
2
he
3
he is
4
the American
5
Are you American?
6
the American
7
she
8
9
German
Er ist Amerikaner.
(air ist ahmeriKAHna.)
er
(air)
er ist
(air ist)
der Amerikaner
(dair ahmeriKAHna)
Sind Sie Amerikaner?
(zint zee ahmeriKAHna?)
die Amerikanerin
(dee ahmeriKAHnahrin)
sie
(zee)
Sie, the formal you, is spelled the same way as sie, meaning "she." Sie (she) is only capitalized in
the beginning of the sentence whereas Sie, the formal "you" is always capitalized.
Sie ist Amerikanerin.
She is American.
(zee ist ahmeriKAHnahrin.)
Ich bin Amerikaner.
10 I am American.
(ich bin ahmeriKAHna.)
Ich bin auch Amerikanerin.
11 I am American, too.
(ich bin auwh ahmeriKAHnahrin.)
der Deutsche
12 the German
(dair DOITSHuh)
die Deutsche
13 the German
(dee DOITSHuh)
Here is one of the few rules on genders. Nouns for people follow natural gender. So the noun for a
male person is masculine, the noun for a female person is feminine (careful, there are exceptions).
14 Depending on whether you are talking about a male or a female German, the noun Deutsche can
either be masculine (der Deutsche) or feminine (die Deutsche).
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English
German
Sie ist Deutsche.
15 She is German.
(zee ist DOITSHuh.)
Er ist Deutscher.
16 He is German.
(air ist DOITSHa.)
Did you say *Er ist Deutsche? As you've just learned, the noun Deutsche can either describe a
17
male or a female German, depending on whether the definite article before it is der or die. Now
that der is omitted, you need to add the "-r" in the end to differentiate a male German from a
female German.
Ich bin Deutscher und sie ist auch Deutsche.
18 I am German and she is German, too.
(ich bin DOITSHa oont zee ist auwh DOITSHuh.)
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CHAPTER 3: W HAT'S YOUR NAME?
W IE IST IHR NAME?
Journey 1 Chapter 3: What's Your Name?
Ask Someone's Name
Introduce Yourself and Another Person
Recognize Common German Names
Respond to Introductions
Say That You Are Not Someone or Something
Grammar Goals
Learn Adjectives and Their Declensions
Learn Indefinite Articles and Their Declensions
Learn Pronouns and Their Declensions
Learn Question Formation
Conversation
English
German
Guten Tag. Mein Name ist Huber. Peter Huber.
Hello. My name is Huber, Peter Huber.
(GOOten tahk. mine NAHmuh ist HOOba. PAYta
HOOba.)
Guten Tag, Herr Huber. Ich heiße Birgit Fischer.
Hello, Mr. Huber. My name is Birgit Fischer.
(GOOten tahk, hair HOOba. ish HIGHsuh BEERghit
FISHa.)
Darf ich Ihnen meinen Mann vorstellen? Alexander
May I introduce my husband? Alexander Fischer Peter Huber.
Fischer - Peter Huber.
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen mun FOAshtelen?
ahlexAHNda FISHa - PAYta HOOba.)
Ich freue mich, Sie kennen zu lernen, Frau Fischer,
Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Fischer.
Nice to meet you too.
Herr Fischer.
(ish FROYuh mish, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen, frow
FISHa, hair FISHa.)
Ich mich auch.
(ish mish auwkh.)
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My name is Peter Huber.
Mein Name ist Peter Huber.
English
1
2
the name
3
my
4
my name
5
how
6
your
7
German
(mine NAHmuh ist PAYta HOOba.)
der Name
(dair NAHmuh)
mein
(mine)
mein Name
(mine NAHmuh)
wie
(vee)
Ihr
(eer)
What's your name?
Wie ist Ihr Name?
(How is your name?)
(vee ist eer NAHmuh?)
8
My name is Friedrich.
9
the first name
Mein Name ist Friedrich.
(mine NAHmuh ist FREEdrish.)
der Vorname
(dair FOAnahmuh)
Ist Friedrich Ihr Vorname?
10 Is Friedrich your first name?
(ist FREEdrish eer FOAnahmuh?)
der Nachname
11 the last name
(dair NAHKHnahmuh)
Nein, Friedrich ist mein Nachname.
12 No, Friedrich is my last name.
(nine, FREEdrish ist mine NAHKHnahmuh.)
Mein Vorname ist Walter.
13 My first name is Walter.
(mine FOAnahmuh ist VILEta.)
dein
14 your
(dine)
Wie ist dein Name?
15 What's your name?
(vee ist dine NAHmuh?)
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English
German
ihr
16 her
(eer)
Und wie ist ihr Vorname?
17 And what's her first name?
(oont vee ist eer FOAnahmuh?)
sein
18 his
(zine)
Sein Nachname ist Müller.
19 His last name is Müller.
(zine NAHKHnahmuh ist MEWLah.)
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My name is Birgit Fischer.
Ich heiße Birgit Fischer.
English
1
2
3
4
5
German
(I am called Birgit Fischer.)
(ish HIGHsuh BEERghitt FISHa.)
heißen
to be called
(HIGHsen)
my name is
ich heiße
(I am called)
(ish HIGHsuh)
What's your name?
Wie heißen Sie?
(How are you called?)
(vee HIGHsen zee?)
Our name is also Müller.
Wir heißen auch Müller.
(We are also called Müller.)
(veer HIGHsen auwkh MEWLah.)
6
Germans don't rush into informality the way Americans do. The use of titles and last names is much
more common in Germany, even among people who have known each other for quite a while.
Neighbors who have lived next to each other for decades and have talked over the fence daily will
still address each other with Herr or Frau and the formal "you." Despite this seemingly stiff
formality, their relationship may be every bit as warm and friendly as it could possibly be.
7
you
8
9
10
du
(doo)
your name is
du heißt
(you are called)
(doo highst)
So, what's your name?
Wie heißt du denn?
(So, how are you called?)
(vee highst doo den?)
his name is
er heißt
(he is called)
(air highst)
mit
11 with
12
13
(mit)
What's his last name?
Wie heißt er mit Nachnamen?
(How is he called with last name?)
(vee highst air mit NAHKHnahmen?)
If you said *Wie heißt er mit Nachname? you were pretty close. The "-n" is added because of
the mit before Nachname. Adding these endings will become easier with practice.
MangoLanguages.com
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English
14
German
Her first name is Sabine and her last name is
Krüger.
Sie heißt Sabine mit Vornamen und Krüger mit
(She is called Sabine with first name and Krüger
with last name.)
(zee highst zahBEEnuh mit FOAnahmen oont
KREWgah mit NAHKHnahmen.)
wer
15 who
(vair)
Wer sind Sie?
16 Who are you?
(vair zint zee?)
du bist
17 you are
(doo bist)
Wer bist du?
18 Who are you?
19
Nachnamen.
(vair bist doo?)
Mrs.
Frau
(woman)
(frow)
Sind Sie Frau Schulz?
20 Are you Mrs. Schulz?
(zint zee frow shoolts?)
Herr
21 Mr.
(hair)
Ich bin Herr Wagner.
22 I am Mr. Wagner.
(ish bin hair VAHgnah.)
When meeting new people, you can introduce yourself with either your last name only, with or
without title, or your first and last name. Young people introduce themselves by their first name
23 only. The equivalent to "Miss," Fräulein, is rarely used. It is considered old-fashioned. It's better to
address women generally with the more neutral form Frau regardless of their marital status.
Ich bin nicht Herr Wagner.
24 I am not Mr. Wagner.
(ish bin nisht hair VAHgnah.)
By the way, it is true. Germans love shaking hands. Not only when introducing themselves to new
people but also when meeting with friends, and often as a daily ritual with colleagues at the office,
25 and even within a family. If you are unsure whether a handshake is appropriate, wait for the other
person to extend their hand. But be prepared to shake a lot of hands, particularly when you are
trying to make friends.
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This is my husband.
Das ist mein Mann.
English
1
2
3
German
This is my husband.
Das ist mein Mann.
(This is my man.)
(dahs ist mine mun.)
der Mann
the man
(dair mun)
my husband
mein Mann
(my man)
(mine mun)
das
4
this/that
5
Literally, "this" translates to dies in German and "that" to das. However, in spoken German dies is
not used very often anymore. If you specifically want to distinguish between "this" and "that," you
would more commonly use das hier for "this" and das da or das dort for "that" (literally meaning
"that here" and "that there").
6
Who is that?
7
a man
8
the friend
9
a friend
(dahs)
Wer ist das?
(vair ist dahs?)
ein Mann
(EYEn mun)
der Freund
(dair froynt)
ein Freund
(EYEn froynt)
mein Freund
10 my friend
(mine froynt)
das Kind
11 the child
(dahs kint)
ein Kind
12 a child
(EYEn kint)
mein Kind
13 my child
(mine kint)
die Freundin
14 the friend
(dee FROYNdin)
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English
German
eine Freundin
15 a friend
(EYEnuh FROYNdin)
Did you say *ein Freundin? For masculine and neuter nouns like der Freund and das Kind, the
16
indefinite article "a" is translated as ein. For all feminine nouns like die Freundin you have to add
an "-e" and say ein-e. Likewise, "my" translates to mein for masculine and neuter nouns (mein
Freund, mein Kind) but mein-e for feminine nouns (meine Freundin).
Er ist ein Freund.
17 He is a friend.
(air ist EYEn froynt.)
Das ist mein Freund Karsten.
18 This is my friend Karsten.
(dahs ist mine froynt KAHsten.)
Das ist meine Freundin Monika.
19 This is my friend Monika.
(dahs ist MYnuh FROYNdin MOHneekah.)
Das ist nicht mein Kind.
20 This is not my child.
(dahs ist nisht mine kint.)
der Kollege
21 the colleague
(dair kohLAYguh)
Ist das Herr Meier, Ihr Kollege?
22 Is this Mr. Meier, your colleague?
(ist dahs hair MYa, eer kohLAYguh?)
die Kollegin
23 the colleague
(dee kohLAYghin)
Wie heißt Ihre Kollegin?
24 What's your colleague's name?
(vee highst EEruh kohLAYghin?)
Did you get it right this time? Congratulations! If not, remember that you have to add an "-e" to ein
25 and mein if the noun that follows is feminine. You do the same for dein, Ihr, ihr, and sein before a
feminine noun. For masculine and neuter nouns, you don't need to add the "-e."
die Frau
26 the woman
27
(dee frow)
his wife
seine Frau
(his woman)
(ZYnuh frow)
Das ist nicht seine Frau.
28 This is not his wife.
(dahs ist nisht ZYnuh frow.)
Ist deine Freundin Cordula seine Kollegin?
29 Is your friend Cordula his colleague?
(ist DYnuh FROYNdin KOHRdoolah ZYnuh
kohLAYghin?)
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English
German
Bist du sein Freund aus Amerika?
30 Are you his friend from America?
(bist doo zine froynt ows ahMERikah?)
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May I introduce my husband to you?
Darf ich Ihnen meinen Mann vorstellen?
English
German
1
2
to be allowed to
3
I am allowed to
4
Did you say *Ich dürfe? Dürfen is an irregular verb and does not follow the regular pattern.
5
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen mun FOAshtelen?)
dürfen
(DEWRFen)
ich darf
(ish dahf)
May I?
Darf ich?
(Am I allowed to?)
(dahf ish?)
vorstellen
6
to introduce
7
May I introduce...?
8
May I introduce my husband?
9
You might have made a little mistake here and said *Darf ich mein Mann vorstellen. Well, no
one would really hear this mistake, but just be aware that this is an example of another little ending
"-en." This ending in German is used to mark the direct object in a sentence only if it is masculine
singular. You will see more of this in a moment.
(FOAshtelen)
Darf ich vorstellen...?
(dahf ish FOAshtelen...?)
Darf ich meinen Mann vorstellen?
(dahf ish MYnen mun FOAshtelen?)
Ihnen
10 to you
11
(EEnen)
Ihnen is a form of Sie, the formal "you." Ihnen indicates that in this sentence, "you" is the indirect
object in the sense of "to you."
Darf ich Ihnen meinen Freund Florian vorstellen?
12 May I introduce my friend Florian to you?
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen froynt FLOHreeyan
FOAshtelen?)
dir
13 to you
(DEEa)
Darf ich dir meinen Kollegen Heinz vorstellen?
14 May I introduce my colleague Heinz to you?
(dahf ish DEEa MYnen kohLEEgan hynts
FOAshtelen?)
Remember, the "-en", as in meinen Mann or meinen Freund, marks the direct object if it is
15
masculine and singular. For the same reason, an "-n" is added to the noun like Kollege in meinen
Kollegen. But some masculine words like der Mann or der Freund don't need the extra "-n."
Why? That's easy. Just try it: Mannn and Freundn are impossible to pronounce!
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English
German
Darf ich Ihnen meine Frau vorstellen?
16 May I introduce my wife to you?
(dahf ish EEnen MYnuh frow FOAshtelen?)
Ah, now what? No ending? That's right. Now the feminine nouns are the easy ones. You don't need
17 an extra ending to mark a direct object in a sentence, if it is feminine. Remember, we only need the
special "-en" ending if the direct object is masculine singular.
mir
18 to me
(meer)
Können Sie mir Ihre Kollegin vorstellen?
19 Can you introduce your colleague to me?
(KERnen zee MEEa EEruh kohLEEghin
FOAshtelen?)
Können Sie mir bitte Ihren Kollegen vorstellen?
20 Can you please introduce your colleague to me?
(KERnen zee MEEa BITtuh EEren kohLEEgan
FOAshtelen?)
mich
21 myself
(mish)
Darf ich mich vorstellen?
22 May I introduce myself?
(dahf ish mish FOAshtelen?)
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Nice to meet you.
Ich freue mich, Sie kennen zu lernen.
English
1
German
Nice to meet you.
(I am glad to learn to know you.)
(ish FROYuh mish, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen.)
sich freuen
2
to be glad
3
I am glad
4
Sich freuen is a funny verb in German - it is only complete with sich, meaning "oneself". English
uses only a few verbs in that way, for example "to enjoy oneself." But while "to enjoy" exists on its
own as well, freuen alone does not exist. It is always used as Ich freue mich, or Freuen Sie
(zish FROYen)
Ich freue mich
(ish FROYuh mish)
sich? (the formal way to ask "Are you glad?"). Therefore there is no good literal translation, and it is
easiest to learn it as an expression.
5
6
7
8
9
kennen
to know
(KEHNen)
to get to know
kennen lernen
(to learn to know)
(KENen LAIRnen)
You might have said lernen kennen. But in German you actually say kennen lernen (to know to
learn) or also written together kennenlernen.
Did you notice the zu between kennen and lernen? It means "to," and is needed for correct
grammatical structure in this sentence. It's like the "to" in the English phrase, "get to know."
Nice to meet you.
Schön, Sie kennen zu lernen.
(Nice to learn to know you.)
(shern, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen.)
sehen
10 to see
(ZEEhehn)
Schön, Sie hier zu sehen.
11 Nice to see you here.
(shern, zee heer tsoo ZEEhen.)
ich kenne
12 I know
(ish KENuh)
Ich kenne Sie nicht.
13 I don't know you.
(ish KENuh zee nisht.)
ihn
14 him
(een)
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English
German
Kennen Sie ihn?
15 Do you know him?
(KENen zee een?)
sie
16 her
(zee)
Sehen Sie sie?
17 Do you see her?
(ZEEhen zee zee?)
Ich freue mich, dich hier zu sehen.
18 I am glad to see you here.
(ish FROYuh mish, dish heer tsoo ZEEhen.)
Did you say *Ich freue mich, du hier zu sehen? This example in German is similar to how in
English you would say, "I am glad to see him" and not "*I am glad to see he." In German, we also
19
have to use a separate form of the informal "you" in this sentence, which is dich. For Sie (the
formal "you") and sie (she) there is no separate form in German.
Ich freue mich auch.
20 I am glad, too.
(ish FROYuh mish auwkh.)
Whereas in English you would usually repeat the whole sentence when someone says "I am glad to
21 see you" and say "I am glad to see you, too", in German it is enough to just say Ich freue mich
auch (I am glad, too), or even shorter: Ich mich auch ("me too" or literally "I myself too").
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CHAPTER 4: GETTING AROUND
UNTERWEGS
Journey 1 Chapter 4: Getting Around
Ask for Directions
Get Around Using Public Transportation in Germany
Get Help Finding Places Using a Map
Name Important Places and Facilities Around Town
Understand Directions Given to You
Grammar Goals
Learn the Dative and Accusative Cases of Definite Articles
Learn the Imperative Form of Verbs
Learn the Singular and Plural Forms of Definite Articles
Learn to Form Questions Using the Question Words Wo, Wie, Wohin
Learn to Form Relative Clauses
Conversation
English
German
Entschuldigung. Wo ist das Deutsche Museum,
Excuse me. Where is the German Museum, please? bitte?
(entSHOOLdegoong, voh ist dahs DOITSHuh
mooZAYoom, BITtuh?)
Hm. Do you know where the Isartor is?
Hm. Wissen Sie, wo das Isartor ist?
(hm. VISen zee, voh dahs EEzahtoa ist?)
Das Deutsche Museum ist gleich um die Ecke
The German Museum is right around the corner
from it.
davon.
(dahs DOITSHuh mooZEEoom ist gluysh oomm dee
EKKuh dahFONN.)
Können Sie mir das auf dem Stadtplan zeigen?
Can you show me that on the map?
Yes. It is...here.
Um. And how do I get there?
(KERnen zee meer dahs owf deem SHTUTplahn
TSYgan?)
Ja. Es ist... hier.
(ya. es ist... heer.)
Ähm, und wie komme ich dahin?
(ehm, oont vee KOMMuh ish dahHIN?)
Nehmen Sie die S-Bahn zur Haltestelle "Isartor".
Take the city train to the stop "Isartor."
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn tsoor HULtuhSHTELuh
"EEzahtoa".)
Vielen Dank.
(FEELen dunk.)
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36
Where is the museum?
Wo ist das Museum?
English
German
Wo ist das Museum?
1
2
the museum
3
where
4
Where is...?
5
the post office
6
Hello, where is the post office, please?
7
(voh ist dahs mooZEEoom?)
das Museum
(dahs mooZEEoom)
wo
(voh)
Wo ist...?
(voh ist...?)
die Post
(dee pahst)
Guten Tag, wo ist die Post, bitte?
(GOOten tahk, voh ist dee pahst, BITuh?)
the restroom
die Toilette
(the toilet)
(dee twaLETuh)
8
the lady
9
the ladies
die Dame
(dee DAHMuh)
die Damen
(dee DAHMen)
der Herr
10 the gentleman
(dair hair)
die Herren
11 the gentlemen
(dee HAIHRren)
Did you notice that although we say der Herr, the plural form is die Herren? Whether the noun is
12 masculine, neuter, or feminine, you will always use die for the plural: die Dame, die Damen and
der Herr, die Herren.
13
the men's room
die Herrentoilette
(the gentlemen toilet)
(dee HAIHRrentwaLETuh)
die Damentoilette
14 the ladies' room
(dee DAHMentwaLETuh)
nächste
15 nearest
(NAYstuh)
MangoLanguages.com
37
English
German
Wo ist die nächste Toilette, bitte?
16 Where is the nearest restroom, please?
(voh ist dee NAYstuh twaLETuh, BITuh?)
eine Toilette
17 a restroom
(EYEnuh twaLETuh)
geben
18 to give
(GAYben)
es gibt
19 it gives
20
(es ghibt)
Is there...?
Gibt es...?
(Gives it...?)
(ghibt es...?)
Gibt es hier eine Toilette?
21 Is there a restroom here?
(ghibt es heer EYEnuh twaLETtuh?)
Public restrooms in Germany's cities often have a coin lock. In other restrooms that are open to the
public, for example at the train station, in department stores, and even in a few restaurants, you will
22 find a small dish with change on a table. You are expected to leave a tip anywhere around twenty to
fifty cents. Don't forget, especially when a cranky old attendant who keeps the restroom clean sits
on a chair right next to it.
23
24
the tourist information center
die Touristeninformation
(the tourist information)
(dee tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN)
Entschuldigung, wo ist die Touristeninformation?
Excuse me, where is the tourist information
center?
(entSHOOLdegoong, voh ist dee
tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN?)
eine Touristeninformation
25 a tourist information center
(EYEnuh tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN)
die Nähe
26 the vicinity
(dee NAYhuh)
in
27 in
28
(in)
nearby
in der Nähe
(in the vicinity)
(in dair NAYhuh)
Did you say *in die Nähe? You are right, it is die Nähe, but because die Nähe follows in we
29 change die to der. Don't worry you will get plenty of practice using Mango and soon you will be
used to these peculiarities.
Wo gibt es in der Nähe eine
30
Where is there a tourist information center
nearby?
Touristeninformation?
(voh ghibt es in dair NAYhuh EYEnuh
MangoLanguages.com
38
Do you know where the market place is?
Wissen Sie, wo der Marktplatz ist?
English
German
1
2
to know
(VISen zee, voh dair MAHKTpluts ist?)
wissen
(VISen)
You have already learned that "to know" is kennen in German, as in Ich kenne Ihren Mann (I
know your husband). It is always followed by a direct object (like "your husband"). Wissen is
3
another translation for "to know". You use kennen for concrete persons, places, and things that
you are acquainted or familiar with. Wissen is used for abstract things and ideas you have a
knowledge or an understanding of. Wissen can be used in a relative clause, like "Do you know,
where..."
Wissen Sie...?
4
Do you know...?
5
the market
6
the square
7
the market square
8
Entschuldigung, wissen Sie, wo die Post ist?
Excuse me, do you know where the post office is? (entSHOOLdegoong, VISen zee, voh dee pahst
(VISen zee...?)
der Markt
(dair mahkt)
der Platz
(dair pluts)
der Marktplatz
(dair MAHKTpluts)
ist?)
9
Ich weiß.
I know.
(ish vice.)
Did you go by the rule you learned before for verbs like sprechen (to speak), ich spreche (I
speak), and drop the "-n" at the end and say *ich wisse? This is a good rule to remember, but
10 German has many irregular verbs that don't follow this rule. You already saw one of these;
können (to be able to), ich kann (I can). Wissen is one of those irregular verbs too. So the
correct answer is ich weiß (I know).
Ich weiß, wo die Post ist.
11 I know where the post office is.
12
(ish vice, voh dee pahst ist.)
I don't know.
Ich weiß nicht.
(I know not.)
(ish vice nisht.)
Ich weiß nicht, wo die Toilette ist.
13 I don't know where the restroom is.
(ish vice nisht, voh dee twaLETuh ist.)
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English
German
Wo bin ich?
14 Where am I?
(voh bin ish?)
Ich weiß nicht, wo ich bin.
15 I don't know where I am.
(ish vice nisht, voh ish bin.)
sagen
16 to tell
17
18
(ZAHgan)
Can you tell me...?
Können Sie mir sagen...?
(Can you tell to me...?)
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan...?)
Can you tell me where I am?
Können Sie mir sagen, wo ich hier bin?
(Can you tell to me where I am here?)
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, voh ish heer bin?)
Können Sie mir sagen, wo der Marktplatz ist?
19 Can you tell me where the market square is?
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, voh dair MAHKTpluts
ist?)
zeigen
20 to show
(TSYgan)
Können Sie mir zeigen, wo das ist?
21 Can you show me where that is?
(KERnen zee meer TSYgan, voh dahs ist?)
der Stadtplan
22 the map
(dair SHTUTplahn)
auf
23 on
(owf)
auf dem Stadtplan
24 on the map
(owf dame SHTUTplahn)
Was your answer *auf der Stadtplan? Well, remember how die Nähe became der Nähe after
25 the word in? Masculine and neuter words change as well after words like in (in) or auf (on): both,
der and das change to dem. Therefore you say auf dem Stadtplan.
26 Can you show me that on the map?
TSYgan?)
Können Sie mir auf dem Stadtplan zeigen, wo
27
Can you show me on the map where the
museum is?
das Museum ist?
(KERnen zee meer owf dame SHTUTplahn TSYgan,
voh dahs mooZEEoom ist?)
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It is next to the townhall.
Es ist neben dem Rathaus.
English
1
2
it
3
it is
4
the townhall
5
next to
6
next to the town hall
German
(es ist NAYben dame RAHThouse.)
es
(es)
es ist
(es ist)
das Rathaus
(dahs RAHThouse)
neben
(NAYben)
neben dem Rathaus
(NAYben dame RAHThouse)
Was your answer *neben das Rathaus? Remember how der Stadtplan changed to dem
7
Stadtplan after auf (on)? Both, neuter and masculine nouns undergo the same change when
they follow prepositions like in and auf. So the correct answer is neben dem Rathaus.
8
in front of
9
the train station
vor
(foa)
der Bahnhof
(dair BAHNhohf)
vor dem Bahnhof
10 in front of the train station
(foa dame BAHNhohf)
hinter
11 behind
(HINta)
die Kirche
12 the church
(dee KERshuh)
hinter der Kirche
13 behind the church
(HINta dair KERshuh)
Vor (in front of) and hinter (behind) are two more prepositions like in (in) and auf (on) that trigger
14
a change from die to der for feminine, singular nouns and from das or der to dem for neuter or
masculine, singular nouns. So you have die Kirche but hinter der Kirche, das Museum but
hinter dem Museum, and der Bahnhof but hinter dem Bahnhof.
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English
German
daneben
15 next to it
(dahNAYben)
davor
16 in front of it
(dahFOA)
dahinter
17 behind it
(daHINta)
gleich
18 right
(gluysh)
gleich dahinter
19 right behind it
(gluysh daHINta)
der Taxistand
20 the cabstand
(dair TAKseeshtunt)
Der Taxistand ist gleich vor dem Bahnhof.
21 The cabstand is right in front of the train station.
(dare TAHKsyshtunt ist gluysh foa dame
BAHNhohf.)
rechts
22 on the right
(reshts)
rechts daneben
23 next to it on the right
(reshts dahNAYben)
links
24 on the left
(links)
links davor
25 in front of it on the left
(links daFOA)
Die Herrentoilette ist rechts und die
26
The men's room is on the right and the ladies'
room is right next to it on the left.
Damentoilette ist gleich links daneben.
(dee HAIRrentwaLETuh ist reshts oont dee
DAHMentwaLETuh ist gluysh links daNAYben.)
gegenüber von
27 across from
(gayganEWba fon)
gegenüber vom Museum
28 across from the museum
(gayganEWba fom mooZEEoom)
Another preposition! Did you change the das into dem and said gegenüber von dem
Museum? Good thinking! You are actually correct. Vom is just a contraction of von and dem 29 this is why you say gegenüber vom Museum or gegenüber vom Bahnhof. There are no
contractions for feminine nouns and you would say gegenüber von der Kirche. You will see more
of these contractions soon.
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English
German
Der Taxistand ist gleich gegenüber vom Rathaus.
30 The cabstand is right across from the townhall.
(dair TUKseeshtunt ist gluysh gayganEWba fom
RAHThouse.)
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How far away is that from here?
Wie weit ist das von hier weg?
English
1
2
far
3
how far
4
How far is that?
5
away
6
far away
7
how far away
8
far away from here
9
Is it far from here?
German
(vee vite ist dahs fon heer vek?)
weit
(vite)
wie weit
(vee vite)
Wie weit ist das?
(vee vite ist dahs?)
weg
(vek)
weit weg
(vite vek)
wie weit weg
(vee vite vek)
weit weg von hier
(vite vek fon heer)
Ist es weit von hier?
(ist es vite fon heer?)
Nein, es ist nicht weit weg.
10 No it is not far away.
(nine, es ist nisht vite vek.)
das Schloss
11 the castle
(dahs shlos)
Wie weit weg ist das Schloss Neuschwanstein?
12 How far away is the Neuschwanstein Castle?
(vee vite vek ist dahs shlos noySHVAHNshtine?)
The famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the “fairy-tale castle” of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, is a real
favorite with visitors. A wealth of historical sites, churches, castles, and half-timbered houses awaits
13 you in Germany, testament to a rich history and culture. Besides being very romantic, it is
fascinating to learn about the extraordinary feats of engineering and craftsmanship that lie behind
these monumental buildings. Let your imagination carry you on a journey back in time...
kommen
14 to come
(KAHmen)
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English
German
ich komme
15 I come
(ish KAHmuh)
zu
16 to
(tsoo)
zum Schloss
17 to the castle
(tsoom shlos)
Was your answer *zu das Schloss? Remember, das Schloss is neuter and becomes dem
18
Schloss after a prepositions like auf, in, hinter, vor, gegenüber von and also zu. Zum is a
contraction of zu and dem, just like vom is a contraction of von and dem. Therefore you say zum
Schloss.
19
How do I get to the castle?
Wie komme ich zum Schloss?
(How do I come to the castle?)
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoom shlos?)
Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?
20 How do I get to the train station?
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoom BAHNhohf?)
Wie komme ich zur Kirche?
21 How do I get to the church?
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoor KERshuh?)
Did you say *Wie komme ich zum Kirche? Remember, zum is a contraction of zu and dem,
22
therefore it only works for masculine and neuter nouns, for example zum Schloss or zum
Bahnhof. Kirche is feminine and becomes der Kirche after in, hinter, vor and also zu. So it is
zu der Kirche and in short zur Kirche.
der Hauptbahnhof
23 the main train station
(dair HOWPTbahnhohf)
Wie weit ist es zum Hauptbahnhof?
24 How far is it to the main train station?
(vee vite ist es tsoom HOWPTbahnhohf?)
der Bus
25 the bus
(dair boos)
die Haltestelle
26 the stop
(dee HULtuhSHTELuh)
die Bushaltestelle
27 the bus stop
(dee BOOShulltuhSHTELuh)
Können Sie mir sagen, wie ich zur Bushaltestelle
komme?
28 Can you tell me how I get to the bus stop?
29
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, vee ish tsoor
BOOShulltuhSHTELuh KOHMuh?)
Check out the word order in German. You will often find the main verb at the very end of the
sentence.
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Take the city train.
Nehmen Sie die S-Bahn.
English
German
1
2
the city train
3
to take
4
take [imperative]
5
When you are suggesting something to someone or giving them instructions or directions, the word
order in German is the same as in a question. However, the difference is clearly in the tone!
6
Are you taking the city train?
7
the cab
8
a cab
9
Take a cab.
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn.)
die S-Bahn
(dee ES-bahn)
nehmen
(NAYmen)
nehmen Sie
(NAYmen zee)
Nehmen Sie die S-Bahn?
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn?)
das Taxi
(dahs TAKsee)
ein Taxi
(EYEn TAKsee)
Nehmen Sie ein Taxi.
(NAYmen zee EYEn TAKsee.)
Nehmen Sie den Bus.
10 Take the bus.
(NAYmen zee dane boos.)
If you said *Nehmen Sie der Bus, just remember that for singular masculine objects you need to
add "-en." We saw this before: mein Mann became meinen Mann in Darf ich Ihnen meinen
11 Mann vorstellen? (May I introduce my husband to you?) Therefore, since der Bus (the bus) is the
direct object of this sentence and is masculine singular we say Nehmen Sie den Bus (Take the
bus). For feminine and neuter direct objects like die S-Bahn or ein Taxi, there are no changes.
gehen
12 to go
(GAYhen)
geradeaus
13 straight ahead
(gahrahduhOWS)
Gehen Sie geradeaus.
14 Go straight ahead.
(GAYhen zee gahrahduhOWS.)
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English
German
nach
15 towards
16
(nahkh)
right
nach rechts
(towards right)
(nahkh reshts)
In English, the meaning of the word "right" depends on the context it is used in, for example: "That's
right", "right away", "turn right"... As you have already learned, "right" as "in right behind it",
17 translates to gleich and you would say gleich dahinter. "On the right" is rechts in German, and
"right" as in "turn right" translates to nach rechts.
dann
18 then
19
20
(dunn)
Straight ahead and then right.
Geradeaus und dann nach rechts.
(Straight ahead and then towards right.)
(gahrahduhOWS oont dun nahkh reshts.)
left
nach links
(towards left)
(nahkh links)
Gehen Sie hinter dem Bahnhof nach links.
21 Go left behind the train station.
(GAYhen zee HINta dame BAHNhohf nahkh links.)
Gehen Sie weg!
22 Go away!
(GAYhen zee vek!)
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Where are you going?
Wohin fahren Sie?
English
1
German
Wohin fahren Sie?
(Where do you drive to?)
(VOHhin FAHren zee?)
fahren
2
to drive
3
you drive
4
where to
5
In German, there is no equivalent to the "-ing" verb form. In German, when you are referring to
someone do-ing something in the present moment, you always use the simple present verb form.
6
I drive
7
the car
8
9
(FAHren)
Sie fahren
(zee FAHren)
wohin
(vohHIN)
ich fahre
(ish FAHruh)
das Auto
(dahs OWtoh)
by car
mit dem Auto
(with the car)
(mit dame OWtoh)
I am going by car.
Ich fahre mit dem Auto.
(I drive with the car.)
(ish FAHruh mit dame OWtoh.)
wir fahren
10 we drive
(veer FAHren)
Wir fahren mit der S-Bahn.
11 We are going by city train.
(veer FAHren mit dair ES-bahn.)
Do you have that down already or would you like a little reminder? Okay, just remember der and
12 das become dem, and die changes to der when they follow a preposition like in, auf, vor,
zu, and mit.
Fahren Sie mit dem Bus zum Hauptbahnhof.
13 Go to the main train station by bus.
(FAHren zee mit dame boos tsoom
HOWPTbahnhohf.)
In German, it does not matter whether you are driving the car, bus or train yourself. As long as you
are going somewhere on wheels you use fahren (to drive), even when in English you would use "to
14 go" (gehen) - which in German is only used when you are actually walking somewhere. The same
goes for the vehicle itself. A bus for example does not "go" somewhere. Since it can't "walk" - it
"drives"!
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English
German
er fährt
15 he drives
(air fairt)
Many times when you would say "it" in English, in German you would actually say he or she
depending on whether the noun you are referring to is feminine or masculine. So, since der Bus is
16 a masculine noun, to refer to the bus you use er (he). The city train is feminine - die S-Bahn therefore you would use sie (she). It's kind of fun, isn't it? Sorry guys, das Auto (the car) is a
neuter noun so it remains an "it."
17 In the following slide, imagine that you are referring to der Bus (the bus).
Er fährt zum Marktplatz.
18 It goes to the market square.
(air fairt tsoom MAHKTplahts.)
19 In this next slide, imagine you are talking about die S-Bahn (the city train).
Wohin fährt sie?
20 Where does it go to?
(VOHhin fairt zee?)
Wohin gehen Sie?
21 Where are you going to?
(VOHhin GAYhen zee?)
Ich gehe zur Bushaltestelle.
22 I am going to the bus stop.
(ish GAYhuh tsoor BOOShulltuhSHTELuh.)
Dann nehme ich den Bus zur
23
Then I am taking the bus to the tourist
information center.
Touristeninformation.
(dun NAYmuh ish dane boos tsoor
tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN.)
Most German cities have a very convenient public transport system, and a rather “green concept”.
After cruising the Autobahn, in the cities it is much faster to use the Park&Ride system and get
24 around by bus, city trains, subway (die U-Bahn) or even street car – die Straßenbahn. Make sure
you have a ticket and validate it. There are a lot of people on bicycles too - so watch out for bike
lanes, which have priority to pedestrians. You could even rent a bike and join them!
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CHAPTER 5: AT THE RESTAURANT
IM RESTAURANT
Journey 1 Chapter 5: At the Restaurant
Order Drinks and Meals at a Restaurant
Understand Common Phrases Used at a Restaurant
Understand German Restaurant Etiquette
Grammar Goals
Apply Adjective Declension After the Indefinite Article
Form Questions Using the Question Word Was
Learn the 1st Person Singular and Plural Conjugations of the Verb Haben
Learn to Negate Phrases with Kein, Nicht, and Nichts
Conversation
English
Waitress! The menu, please.
Do you already know what you'd like to drink?
Do you have alcohol-free beer?
Yes, are you ready to order, too?
Hm, what do you recommend?
The goulash soup is excellent.
German
Bedienung! Die Speisekarte, bitte!
(beDEEnoong! dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh, BITuh!)
Wissen Sie schon, was Sie trinken möchten?
(VISen zee shohn, vahs zee TRINKen MERSHten?)
Haben Sie alkoholfreies Bier?
(HAHben zee ahlkohHOHLfryes beer?)
Ja, möchten Sie auch schon bestellen?
(yah, MERSHten zee auwh shohn buhSHTELen?)
Hm, was empfehlen Sie mir?
(hm, vahs empFAYlen zee meer?)
Die Gulaschsuppe ist ausgezeichnet.
(dee GOOlahshzoopuh ist owsguhTSYshnet.)
Okay, dann hätte ich gern die Gulaschsuppe als
Okay, then I'll have the goulash soup as an
appetizer and then the wiener schnitzel.
Vorspeise und dann das Wiener Schnitzel.
(ohKAY, dun HATuh ish gayrn dee GOOlahshzoopuh
ahls FOAshpuyzuh oont dun dahs VEEna SHNITsel.)
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Is there a good restaurant nearby?
Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein gutes Restaurant?
English
1
3
a restaurant
6
7
8
9
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn GOOtes
restohRAHNG?)
(Gives it a good restaurant here in the vicinity?)
the restaurant
5
2
4
German
das Restaurant
(dahs restohRAHNG)
ein Restaurant
(EYEn restohRAHNG)
Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein Restaurant?
Is there a restaurant nearby?
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn
restohRAHNG?)
(Gives it a restaurant here in the vicinity?)
ein gutes Restaurant
a good restaurant
(EYEn GOOtes restohRAHNG)
Gut alone means "good." But as with schön, you have to add an "-es" to it when it stands before a
neuter noun like das Wetter or das Restaurant.
typisch
typical
(TEWpish)
a traditional German restaurant
ein typisch deutsches Restaurant
(a typical German restaurant)
(EYEn TEWpish DOITSHes restohRAHNG)
italienisch
Italian
(eetahlYEEnish)
ein italienisches Restaurant
10 an Italian restaurant
(EYEn eetahlYEEnishes restohRAHNG)
mexikanisch
11 Mexican
(mexyKAHnish)
ein mexikanisches Restaurant
12 a Mexican restaurant
(EYEn mexyKAHnishes restohRAHNG)
For short, Germans call ein italienisches Restaurant simply ein Italiener (an Italian). Then there
is das mexikanische Restaurant - der Mexikaner (the Mexican), and der Grieche neben
13 dem Bahnhof , literally "the Greek next to the train station," and der Inder hinter dem
Marktplatz, (the Indian behind the marketplace), and so on... These short forms for restaurants
are all masculine.
14
a good Italian restaurant
ein guter Italiener
(a good Italian)
(EYEn GOOta eetahlYEEna)
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English
German
Maybe you said *ein gutes Italiener. But because these short forms for restaurants are all
15
masculine and not neuter, the ending of gut is "-er" rather than "-es". Believe it or not, there is a
pretty easy rule: because you say da-s Restaurant, it is ein gute-s Restaurant, and because it
is de-r Italiener, you say ein gute-r Italiener.
16
Gibt es hier in der Nähe einen guten Italiener?
Is there a good Italian restaurant nearby?
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEnen GOOten
eetahlYEEna?)
(Gives it a good Italian here in the vicinity?)
Now that ein guter Italiener is the direct object in the sentence, you already know what to do. Did
you forget? Remember Darf ich meinen Mann vorstellen? You added the "-en" to mark the
17 direct object. You do the same here. Add an "-en" to both ein and gut and you get einen guten
Italiener. The good news is that you only have to remember this for masculine nouns. Direct
objects of neuter and feminine nouns remain unchanged.
die Eisdiele
18 the ice cream shop
(dee ICEdeeluh)
Gibt es eine gute Eisdiele hier?
19 Is there a good ice cream shop here?
(ghibt es EYEnuh GOOtuh ICEdeeluh heer?)
das Café
20 the café
(dahs kahFAY)
Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein schönes Café?
21 Is there a nice café nearby?
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn SHERnes
kahFAY?)
der Biergarten
22 the beer garden
(dair BEERgahten)
Wissen Sie, wo es einen schönen Biergarten gibt?
23 Do you know where there is a nice beer garden?
(VISen zee, voh es EYEnen SHERnen BEERgahten
ghibt?)
Ahhh, the beer garden... synonymous with summer for the locals in Germany. This is the crowded,
outdoor spot where everybody meets at the end of a hot sunny day. This is the place where you can
simply share one of the long wooden tables with friendly strangers, have hearty food, and drink your
24
beer from a 1-liter mug. You can even bring your own food for a picnic as long as you order
something to drink. If you're visiting in summer, don't miss out on this big part of the German
culture.
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Waitress, the menu, please.
Bedienung, die Speisekarte, bitte.
English
German
1
2
the waiter/the waitress
3
the menu
4
Excuse me, the menu, please.
5
Unlike American restaurants, in normal German restaurants you will never find a hostess greeting
you by the door, showing you the way to your table, and handing you a menu right away. In fact, you
are expected to seat yourself wherever you'd like. If they are really busy there, your server may not
see you right away (or simply be less attentive than what you are used to), so don't hesitate to
signal him or her and ask for the menu.
6
the beer
7
one (1)
(beDEEnoong, dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh, BITuh.)
die Bedienung
(dee beDEEnoong)
die Speisekarte
(dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh)
Entschuldigung, die Speisekarte, bitte.
8
(entSHOOLdegoong, dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh,
BITuh.)
das Bier
(dahs beer)
eins (1)
(EYEns (1))
Waiter, one beer, please.
Bedienung, ein Bier, bitte.
(Waiter, a beer, please.)
(beDEEnoong, EYEn beer, BITuh.)
Were you tempted to say *eins Bier? Yes, the number "one" translates to eins in German. But
9
eins is the only number that changes with the gender of the noun. When you order "one beer", you
say ein Bier which is the same as "a beer". For female nouns you say eine instead of eins.
die Cola
10 the cola
(dee KOHlah)
die Cola light
11 the diet cola
12
(dee KUHlah lite)
Waitress, one diet cola, please.
Bedienung, eine Cola light, bitte.
(Waitress, a diet cola, please.)
(beDEEnoong, EYEnuh KUHlah lite, BITuh.)
zwei (2)
13 two (2)
(tsveye (2))
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English
German
Zwei Cola und ein Bier, bitte.
14 Two colas and one beer, please.
(tsveye KUHlah oont EYEn beer, BITuh.)
das Wasser
15 the water
(dahs VAHSa)
Don't wait for the waiter to bring out water for everybody. If you want to drink water, you need to
16 order ein Wasser. Unless you specifically ask for Leitungswasser (tap water) you will probably
get a glass or a bottle of sparkling mineral water, and you will have to pay for it.
drei (3)
17 three (3)
(dhry (3))
Drei Wasser, bitte.
18 Three waters, please.
(dhry VAHSa, BITuh.)
When ordering drinks in German, you don't have to worry about forming plural forms. Even though it
19 is "one beer" and "two beers" in English, in German the drinks are always singular, no matter how
many beers, colas, or waters you order: Ein Bier, zwei Bier, drei Bier...
das Mineralwasser
20 the mineral water
(dahs meenaRAHLvahsa)
noch
21 still
22
(nawkh)
Three more mineral waters, please.
Noch drei Mineralwasser, bitte.
(Still three mineral waters, please.)
(nawkh dhry meenaRAHLvahsa, BITuh.)
die Apfelschorle
23 the apple spritzer
(dee AHPFelshorluh)
Eine Apfelschorle, zwei Bier und ein
24
One apple spritzer, two beers, and one mineral
water, please.
27
(EYEnuh AHPFelshorluh, tsveye beer oont EYEn
minaRAHLvahsa, BITuh.)
die Eiswürfel
25 the ice cubes
26
Mineralwasser, bitte.
(dee ICEvewrfel)
A diet cola with ice, please.
Eine Cola light mit Eiswürfeln, bitte.
(A diet cola with ice cubes, please.)
(EYEnuh KUHlah lite mit ICEvewrfeln, BITuh.)
Germans don't like their soft drinks quite as cold as Americans, and they are typically served without
ice. So, if you want a really cold cola, you need to make sure you ask for ice.
das Glas
28 the glass
(dahs glahs)
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54
English
German
der Wein
29 the wine
30
(dair vine)
A glass of wine, please.
Ein Glas Wein, bitte.
(A glass wine, please.)
(EYEn glahs vine, BITtuh.)
rot
31 red
(roht)
der Rotwein
32 the red wine
(dair ROHTvine)
weiß
33 white
(vice)
der Weißwein
34 the white wine
(dair VICEvine)
der Kaffee
35 the coffee
(dair KAHFay)
der Tee
36 the tea
(dair tee)
oder
37 or
(UHda)
Kaffee oder Tee?
38 Coffee or tea?
(KAHFay UHda tee?)
die Milch
39 the milk
(dee milsh)
Zwei Kaffee mit Milch, bitte.
40 Two coffees with milk, please.
(tsveye KAHFay mit milsh, BITuh.)
So let's review the notes on drinks in a German restaurant: no free water on the table, no ice in the
soft drinks, and no free refills! No free refills on soft drinks, and no free refills on coffee. If you want
41
more, you will have to pay for more. The good news? European coffee is rather strong compared to
American coffee, so you are probably fine with one cup.
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What would you like to order?
Was möchten Sie bestellen?
English
German
1
2
what
3
What would you like?
4
to order
5
Would you like to order already?
6
to drink
7
What would you like to drink?
8
Do you already know what you would like to
drink?
9
to eat
(vahs MERSHten zee buhSHTELen?)
was
(vahs)
Was möchten Sie?
(vahs MERSHten zee?)
bestellen
(buhSHTELen)
Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
(MERSHten zee shohn buhSHTELen?)
trinken
(TRINKen)
Was möchten Sie trinken?
(vahs MERSHten zee TRINKen?)
essen
(ESen)
Was möchten Sie essen?
10 What would you like to eat?
(vahs MERSHten zee ESen?)
empfehlen
11 to recommend
12
(empFEElen)
So, what do you recommend?
Was empfehlen Sie mir denn?
(So, what do you recommend to me?)
(vahs empFEElen zee meer den?)
die Spezialität
13 the specialty
(dee SHPAYtsyahleeTATE)
das Haus
14 the house
(dahs house)
des Hauses
15 of the house
(des HOWzes)
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English
German
Was ist die Spezialität des Hauses?
16 What is the specialty of the house?
(vahs ist dee SHPAYtsyahleeTATE des HOWzes?)
die Hauptspeise
17 the entrée
(dee HOWPTshpuyzuh)
Möchten Sie nur eine Hauptspeise?
18 Would you only like an entrée?
(MERSHten zee noor EYEnuh HOWPTshpuyzuh?)
die Vorspeise
19 the appetizer
(dee FOAshpuyzuh)
als
20 as
(ahlts)
Was möchten Sie als Vorspeise?
21 What would you like as an appetizer?
(vahs MERSHten zee ahls FOAshpuyzuh?)
die Nachspeise
22 the dessert
(dee NAHKHshpuyzuh)
Möchten Sie eine Nachspeise?
23 Would you like a dessert?
(MERSHten zee EYEnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh?)
etwas
24 something
25
(ETvahs)
Would you like anything else to drink?
Möchten Sie noch etwas trinken?
(Would you still like something to drink?)
(MERSHten zee nawkh ETvahs TRINKen?)
In English, when we ask a question or negate a sentence, we have to change "some" to "any." For
26 example, "I want some" becomes, "Do you want any?" and "I don't want any." This is not the case in
German. In German, we just use etwas.
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I would like the Wiener Schnitzel.
Ich hätte gern das Wiener Schnitzel.
English
1
German
(I would gladly have the Viennese Schnitzel.)
(ish HATuh gehrn dahs VEEna SHNITsel.)
2
to have
3
I would have
4
gladly
5
I would gladly have
6
the schnitzel
7
Vienna
8
Viennese
9
the Viennese Schnitzel
haben
(HAHben)
ich hätte
(ish HETuh)
gern
(GAhrn)
ich hätte gern
(ish HETuh gahrn)
das Schnitzel
(dahs SHNITsel)
Wien
(veen)
Wiener
(VEEna)
das Wiener Schnitzel
(dahs VEEna SHNITsel)
die Suppe
10 the soup
(dee ZOOPuh)
wir hätten
11 we would have
12
(veer HETen)
Wir hätten gern eine Suppe als Vorspeise.
We would like a soup as an appetizer.
(veer HETen gehrn EYEnuh ZOOPuh ahls
FOAshpuyzuh.)
(We would gladly have a soup as appetizer.)
die Gulaschsuppe
13 the goulash soup
(dee GOOlahshzooppuh)
Ich nehme die Gulaschsuppe.
14 I will take the goulash soup.
(ish NAYmuh dee GOOlahshzoopuh.)
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English
German
When you order in a restaurant, it is very polite to say Ich hätte gern... (I would gladly have...).
15 You can also say Ich möchte..., meaning "I would like...". Probably the least polite form, but still
very common, is Ich nehme... which is the equivalent to the English "I will take..."
eine Kartoffel
16 a potato
(EYEnuh kahTOFel)
die Kartoffeln
17 the potatoes
(dee kahTOFeln)
mit Kartoffeln
18 with potatoes
(mit kahTOFeln)
der Reis
19 the rice
(dair rice)
Mit Kartoffeln oder mit Reis?
20 With potatoes or with rice?
(mit kahTOFeln UHda mit rice?)
der Schweinebraten
21 the roast pork
(dair SHVUYnuhbrahten)
Ich hätte gern den Schweinebraten mit
22
23
I would like the roast pork with potatoes.
(I would gladly have the roast pork with potatoes.)
Kartoffeln.
(ish HATuh gehrn dane SHVUYnuhbrahten mit
kahTOFeln.)
Did you remember to change der to den and say den Schweinebraten to mark the direct object
in this sentence?
die Zwiebel
24 the onion
(dee TSVEEbel)
die Zwiebeln
25 the onions
(dee TSVEEbeln)
ohne
26 without
(OOnuh)
ohne Zwiebeln
27 without onions
(OOnuh TSVEEbeln)
der Salat
28 the salad
(dair zahLAHT)
Ich möchte einen Salat ohne Zwiebeln.
29 I would like a salad without onions.
(ish MERHStuh EYEnen zahLAHT OOnuh
TSWEEbeln.)
nichts
30 nothing
(nishts)
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English
31
German
I don't want to eat anything.
Ich möchte nichts essen.
(I would like to eat nothing.)
(ish MERSHtuh nishts ESen.)
nur
32 just
33
(noor)
You have learned before that nur means "only." Unlike English, where there are two words with with
similar meanings ("just" and "only"), in German there is only one word for both.
Ich möchte nur etwas trinken.
34 I would just like something to drink.
(ish MERSHtuh NOOa ETvahs TRINKen.)
eine Kleinigkeit
35 a little something
(EYEnuh KLYnishkite)
Ich möchte nur eine Kleinigkeit essen.
36 I would just like a little something to eat.
37
38
39
(ish MERSHtuh NOOa EYEnuh KLYnishkite ESen.)
Do you remember that der changes to den when the direct object is masculine? Well, ein also
changes to become einen. Remember to add the ending "-en" and say einen Salat.
Ich hätte noch gern eine Nachspeise, bitte.
I would like some dessert, please.
(I would gladly still have a dessert, please.)
(ish HATuh nawkh gehrn EYEnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh,
BITuh.)
I don't take any dessert, thank you.
Ich nehme keine Nachspeise, danke.
(I take no dessert, thank you.)
(ish NAEEmuh KUYnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh, DUNKuh.)
40 Did you remember to change kein to keine?
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Do you also have vegetarian dishes?
Haben Sie auch vegetarische Gerichte?
English
German
1
2
the dish
3
the dishes
(HAHben zee auwkh veeguhTAHrishuh
guhRISHtuh?)
das Gericht
(dahs guhRISHT)
die Gerichte
(dee guhRISHtuh)
Did you add the "-en" as you learned for the plural form of Kartoffel and Dame and say *die
4
Gerichten? Unfortunately, not all nouns go by this rule. In fact, there are many different ways to
build the plural form. Adding an "-en" is one way, just adding an "-e" is another. We will keep
practicing the different ways to form plurals as we continue along with this course.
5
vegetarian
6
a vegetarian dish
7
vegetarian dishes
8
9
vegetarisch
(veeguhTAHrish)
ein vegetarisches Gericht
(EYEn veeguhTAHrishes guhRISHT)
vegetarische Gerichte
(veeguhTAHrishuh guhRISHtuh)
Note that when saying the plural form, vegetarische Gerichte without the article, there is no "-s"
on vegetarische.
Haben Sie...?
Do you have...?
(HAHben zee...?)
Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?
10 Do you have vegetarian dishes?
(HAHben zee veeguhTAHrishuh guhRISHtuh?)
alkoholfreies Bier
11 alcohol-free Beer
(ahlkohHOHLfryehs beehr)
12 Do you have alcohol-free beer?
ich habe
13 I have
(ish HAHbuh)
(der) Durst
14 (the) thirst
15
((dair) doohrst)
I am thirsty.
Ich habe Durst.
(I have thirst.)
(ish HAHbuh doohrst.)
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English
German
wir haben
16 we have
(veer HAHben)
(der) Hunger
17 (the) hunger
18
19
((dair) HOONGa)
We are hungry.
Wir haben Hunger.
(We have hunger.)
(veer HAHben HOONGa.)
I am not hungry.
Ich habe keinen Hunger.
(I have no hunger.)
(ish HAHbuh KYnen HOONGa.)
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It tastes excellent.
Es schmeckt ausgezeichnet.
English
1
2
to taste
3
it tastes
4
excellent
5
(es shmekt owsguhTSYshnet.)
schmecken
(SHMEKen)
es schmeckt
(es shmekt)
ausgezeichnet
(owsguhTSYshnet)
Schmeckt es?
(Does it taste?)
(shmekt es?)
Yes, it tastes excellent.
7
It tastes very good, thank you.
9
How is everything?
6
8
German
Ja, es schmeckt ausgezeichnet.
(ya, es shmekt owsguhTSYshnet.)
Es schmeckt sehr gut, danke.
(es shmekt zair goot, DUNKuh.)
The potatoes aren't that good.
Die Kartoffeln schmecken nicht so gut.
(The potatoes taste not so good.)
(dee kahTOFeln SHMEKen nisht zoh goot.)
es hat
it has
(es hut)
geschmeckt
10 tasted
11
12
13
14
(geSHMEKT)
Did you enjoy it?
Hat es geschmeckt?
(Has it tasted?)
(hut es geSHMEKT?)
Yes, it was good.
Ja, es hat gut geschmeckt.
(Yes, it has tasted good.)
(ya, es hut goot gaSHMEKT.)
The roast pork was very good.
Der Schweinebraten hat sehr gut geschmeckt.
(The roast pork has tasted very good.)
(dair SHVAInuhbrahten hut zair goot gaSHMEKT.)
It was excellent.
Es hat ausgezeichnet geschmeckt.
(It has tasted excellent.)
(es hut owsguhTSYshnet gaSHMEKT.)
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Is that together or separate?
Geht das zusammen oder getrennt?
English
1
(Does that go together or separate?)
(gate dahs tsooZUHMen OHda gaTRENT?)
2
Does that go...?
3
together
4
Geht das...?
(gate dahs...?)
zusammen
(tsooZUHMen)
Is that together?
Geht das zusammen?
(Does that go together?)
(gate dahs tsooZUHMen?)
5
separate
6
everything
7
Everything together?
8
to pay
9
I would like to pay, please.
10
German
getrennt
(gaTRENT)
alles
(AHLes)
Alles zusammen?
(AHLes tsooZUHMen?)
zahlen
(TSAHlen)
Ich möchte zahlen, bitte.
(ish MERSHtuh TSAHlen, BITuh.)
Are you paying together or separately?
Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?
(Do you pay together or separate?)
(TSAHlen zee tsooZUHMen OHda gaTRENT?)
wir zahlen
11 we pay
12
(veer TSAHlen)
We are paying separately.
Wir zahlen getrennt.
(We pay separate.)
(veer TSAHlen gaTRENT.)
ich zahle
13 I pay
(ish TSAHluh)
Ich zahle alles zusammen.
14 I am paying everything together.
(ish TSAHluh AHLes tsooZUHMen.)
die Rechnung
15 the check
(dee RESHnoong)
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English
German
Die Rechnung, bitte.
16 The check, please.
(dee RESHnoong, BITuh.)
When you are done eating and are ready to pay, you signal the server and say Die Rechnung,
bitte (The check, please). You can also say Zahlen, bitte, meaning "To pay, please." Your server
17 might bring you the bill that is printed up already. But don't be surprised if they ask you what you
ordered and start adding up your bill right at the table. They are pretty quick at that, and you are
expected to pay right away, so have your wallet ready!
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Enjoy!
Guten Appetit!
English
1
Enjoy!
Guten Appetit!
(Good appetite!)
(GOOten ahpayTEET!)
2
Cheers!
3
Keep the change.
4
German
Prost!
(phrohst!)
Stimmt so.
(shtimt zoh.)
In German restaurants, taxes and service are included in the price, but it is still customary to tip an
additional 10% directly to the waiter. When your server presents you the bill and says for example
Das macht zweiundzwanzig siebzig (Your total is twenty-two seventy), you could hand them 25
Euros and say Stimmt so. You could also give them a fifty and say fünfundzwanzig,
bitte (twenty-five, please), which means they will give you the rest of the change back.
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CHAPTER 6: SHOPPING
BEIM EINKAUFEN
Journey 1 Chapter 6: Shopping
Count up to 99
Deal With German Currency
Negotiate Basic Transactions at Stores
Grammar Goals
Form Questions Using the Question Word Wieviel
Negate Sentences Using the Plural Form of Keine
Practice More Nouns and Articles in Singular and Plural
Use the Statal Passive Geschlossen and Geöffnet
Use the Verbs Kosten Kaufen, Bekommen
Conversation
English
Hello! How much is a postcard?
Seventy cents.
Then I'll take these five postcards.
German
Guten Tag! Wieviel kostet eine Postkarte?
(GOOten tahk! VEEfeel KOStet EYEnuh POSTkahtuh?)
Siebzig Cent.
(ZEEBtsik sent.)
Dann nehme ich die fünf Postkarten hier.
(dun NEEmuh ish dee fewnf POSTkahten heer.)
Das macht dann drei Euro und fünfzig Cent, bitte.
That is three euros and fifty cents, please.
Do you also sell stamps?
(dahs mahkht dun drhy OYroh oont FEWNFtsik sent,
BITuh.)
Verkaufen Sie auch Briefmarken?
(fairCOWfen zee auwkh BREEFmahken?)
Nein, Briefmarken können Sie bei der Post gleich
No, you can buy stamps at the post office right
across the street.
When is the post office open today?
From eight a.m. to six p.m.
gegenüber kaufen.
(nine, BREEFmahken KERHnen zee by dair pohst
gluysh guhgunEWba COWfen.)
Wann ist die Post heute geöffnet?
(vun ist dee pohst HOItuh guhERFnet?)
Von acht bis achtzehn Uhr.
(fon ahkht bis AHKHTtsane OOa)
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How much does that cost?
Wieviel kostet das?
English
1
2
to cost
3
it costs
4
German
Wieviel kostet das?
(VEEfeel KOStet dahs?)
kosten
(KOSten)
es kostet
(es KOStet)
Do you remember heißen and er heißt? In English you add an "-s" for the verb form when you
want to say he, she, or it does something. In German, you drop the "-en" from the basic verb form
and add a "-t" or--if it already ends in a "t"--you will add "-et" for regular verbs: kost-en (to cost)
becomes es kost-et (it costs).
5
that costs
6
how much
7
das kostet
(dahs KOStet)
wieviel
(veeFEEL)
Does that cost anything?
Kostet das etwas?
(Does that cost something?)
(KOStet dahs ETvahs?)
8
How much does a map cost?
9
the ticket
Wieviel kostet ein Stadtplan?
(VEEfeel KOStet EYEn SHTATplahn?)
die Fahrkarte
(dee FAHkahtuh)
Wieviel kostet eine Fahrkarte zum
How much does one ticket to the main train
10
station cost?
Hauptbahnhof?
(VEEfeel KOSSet EYEnuh FAHkahtuh tsoom
HOWPTbahnhohf?)
die Zeitung
11 the newspaper
(dee TSYtoong)
Wieviel kostet die Zeitung?
12 How much does the newspaper cost?
(VEEfeel KOStet dee TSYtoong?)
der Eintritt
13 the entrance fee
(dair EYEntritt)
Wieviel kostet der Eintritt?
14 How much does the entrance fee cost?
(VEEfeel KOStet dair EYEntritt?)
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English
German
die Person
15 the person
16
(dee pairZOHN)
the people
die Personen
(the persons)
(dee pairZOHnen)
vier (4)
17 four (4)
18
(feer (4))
four people
vier Personen
(four persons)
(feer pairZOHnen)
fünf (5)
19 five (5)
(fewnf (5))
für
20 for
(fehwr )
für fünf Personen
21 for five people
(fewr fewnf pairZOHnen)
sechs (6)
22 six (6)
23
(zex (zex))
How much does the entrance fee for six people
cost?
Wieviel kostet der Eintritt für sechs Personen?
(VEEfeel KOStet dair EYEntritt fewr zex
pairZOHnen?)
die Packung
24 the pack
(dee PAHKohng)
die Packungen
25 the packs
(dee PAHKKohngen)
sieben (7)
26 seven (7)
(ZEEben (7))
sieben Packungen
27 seven packs
(ZEEben PAHKKohngen)
der Kaugummi
28 the chewing gum
(dair COWgoomy)
sieben Packungen Kaugummi
29 seven packs of chewing gum
(ZEEben PAHKKohngen COWgoomy)
acht (8)
30 eight (8)
(ahkht (8))
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English
German
31 How much do eight packs of chewing gum cost?
Wieviel kosten acht Packungen Kaugummi?
(VEEfeel KOSten ahkht PAHKohngen COWgoomy?)
Did you say *Wieviel kostet acht Packungen Kaugummi? But you would not say "How much
32 does eight packs of chewing gum cost" either, right? Because acht Packungen is plural, you need
to use the plural form of the verb, which is kosten, just like the basic verb form.
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I am buying a postcard.
Ich kaufe eine Postkarte.
English
1
German
(I buy a postcard.)
(ish COWfuh EYEnuh POSTkahtuh.)
kaufen
2
to buy
3
I buy
4
the postcard
5
Remember that there is no equivalent to the verb form "-ing" in German. You always use the simple
present. Whether it is "I buy" or "I am buying" in English, it is always ich kaufe in German.
6
the postcards
7
nine (9)
8
nine postcards
9
ten (10)
(COWfen)
ich kaufe
(ish COWfuh)
die Postkarte
(dee POSTkahtuh)
die Postkarten
(dee POHSTkahten)
neun (9)
(noyn (9))
neun Postkarten
(noyn POSTkahten)
zehn (10)
(tsane (10))
Ich kaufe zehn Postkarten.
10 I am buying ten postcards.
(ish COWfuh tsane POSTkahten.)
Was möchten Sie kaufen?
11 What would you like to buy?
(vahs MERSHten zee COWfen?)
die Briefmarke
12 the stamp
(dee BREEFmahkuh)
zehn Briefmarken
13 ten stamps
(tsane BREEFmahken)
elf (11)
14 eleven (11)
(elf (11))
Ich möchte elf Postkarten kaufen.
15 I would like to buy eleven postcards.
(ish MERSHtuh elf POSTkahten COWfen.)
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English
German
Wo kann ich Briefmarken kaufen?
16 Where can I buy stamps?
(voh kun ish BREEFmahken COWfen?)
zwölf (12)
17 twelve (12)
18
19
(tsverlf)
to America
nach Amerika
(towards America)
(nahkh ahMERikah)
postcards to America
Postkarten nach Amerika
(postcards towards America)
(POSTkahten nahkh ahMERikah)
Ich möchte zwölf Briefmarken für Postkarten
20
I would like to buy twelve stamps for postcards to
America.
(fairCOWfen)
Wir verkaufen Postkarten.
22 We sell postcards.
24
25
26
27
(ish MERSHtuh tsverlf BREEFmahken fewr
POSTkahten nahkh ahMERikah COWfen.)
verkaufen
21 to sell
23
nach Amerika kaufen.
(veer fairCOWfen POSTkahten.)
these five postcards
die fünf Postkarten hier
(the five postcards here)
(dee fewnf POSTkahten heer)
(Then I take the five postcards here.)
We don't sell stamps here.
Wir verkaufen keine Briefmarken hier.
(We sell no stamps here.)
(veer fairCOWfen KYnuh BREEFmahken heer.)
Did you notice that we added an "-e" to the end of kein? This is because the direct object of the
sentence is plural. The plural for keine does not change, regardless of the gender of the noun.
Would you like to buy anything else?
Möchten Sie noch etwas kaufen?
(Would you still like to buy something?)
(MERSHten zee nawkh ETvahs COWfen?)
suchen
28 to look for
(ZOOkhen)
Suchen Sie etwas?
29 Are you looking for something?
(ZOOkhen zee ETvahs?)
Was suchen Sie denn?
30 So, what are you looking for?
(vahs ZOOkhen zee den?)
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English
German
die Batterie
31 the battery
(dee buttehREE)
die Batterien
32 the batteries
(dee bahtehREEehn)
Ich suche Batterien.
33 I am looking for batteries.
(ish ZOOkhuh buttehREEN.)
Verkaufen Sie Batterien?
34 Do you sell batteries?
(fairCOWfen zee buttehREEN?)
die Speicherkarte
35 the memory card
(dee SHPYhakahtuh)
Ich suche Speicherkarten.
36 I am looking for memory cards.
(ish ZOOkhuh SHPYhakahten.)
Wir verkaufen keine Speicherkarten oder
37
We don't sell any memory cards or batteries.
Batterien.
(We sell no memory cards or batteries.)
(veer fairCOWfen KYne SHPYhakahten OHda
buttehREEN.)
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At the department store you can get everything.
Im Kaufhaus bekommen Sie alles.
English
1
(In the department store you get everything.)
(im COWFhouse buhKAHMen zee AHLes.)
2
to get
3
you get
4
You get everything.
5
the department store
6
7
8
German
bekommen
(buhKOHMen)
Sie bekommen
(zee buhKAHMen)
Sie bekommen alles.
(zee buhKAMen AHLes.)
das Kaufhaus
(dahs COWFhouse)
at the department store
im Kaufhaus
(in the department store)
(im COWFhouse)
If you said in dem Kaufhaus you were close. Im is just another contraction of in and dem, just
like vom (von dem) and zum (zu dem).
You can get everything at the department store.
Sie bekommen alles im Kaufhaus.
(zee buhKAHMen AHLes im COWFhouse.)
You can play with the sentence structure a little bit here. In German, even more than in English, we
use the word order to emphasize certain words. Here, im Kaufhaus (at the department store) is
9
emphasized because it is at the beginning of the sentence. If you say Alles bekommen Sie im
Kaufhaus (You can get everything at the department store), the stress would be on alles
(everything).
bei
10 by
11
12
(by)
at the post office
bei der Post
(by the post office)
(by dair pohst)
Imagine that for this next slide you are trying to stress that it is the stamps you get at the post
office while, for example, you can get postcards anywhere else.
Briefmarken bekommen Sie bei der Post.
13 You can get stamps at the post office.
(BREEFmahken buhKAHMen zee by dair pohst.)
der Kiosk
14 the kiosk
(dair KEEyosk)
an
15 at
(ahn)
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English
German
am Kiosk
16 at the kiosk
(am KEEyosk)
17 Did you get the contraction right? An dem Kiosk becomes am Kiosk.
18 For the following slide emphasize "the tickets."
Die Fahrkarten bekommen Sie am Kiosk neben
19
You can get the tickets at the kiosk next to the
train station.
dem Bahnhof.
(dee FAHkahten buhKAHMen zee am KEEyosk
NEEben dame BAHNhohf.)
die Buchhandlung
20 the book store
(dee BOOKHhundlong)
Bekomme ich Postkarten auch in der
21
Can I also get postcards at the bookstore across
from here?
(dahs souvaNEEa)
die Souvenirs
23 the souvenirs
(dee souvaNEEas)
Where can I get souvenirs?
Wo bekomme ich Souvenirs?
(Where do I get souvenirs?)
(voh buhKAHMuh ish souvaNEEas?)
Kleidung
25 clothes
26
(buhKAHMuh ish POSTkahten auwkh in dair
BOOKHhundlong gaygenEWba fon heer?)
das Souvenir
22 the souvenir
24
Buchhandlung gegenüber von hier?
(KLYdong)
And where can I get clothes?
Und wo bekomme ich Kleidung?
(And where do I get clothes?)
(oont voh buhKAHMuh ish KLYdong?)
der Supermarkt
27 the supermarket
(dair ZOOpamahkt)
Lebensmittel
28 groceries
(LAYbensmitel)
29 To answer the next question, try to stress where you get the groceries.
Im Supermarkt neben dem Bahnhof bekommen
30
You can get groceries at the supermarket next to Sie Lebensmittel.
the train station.
(im ZOOpamahkt NAYben dame BAHNhohf
buhKAHMen zee LAYbensmitel.)
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English
German
One thing about shopping in a German supermarket. Expect the checkout lines to be long - and no,
three is not a crowd in Germany, so don't wait for a new checkout counter to be opened, just
31 because the line starts on the other side of the store. Forget about chit-chatting with the cashier
once it is your turn - you need to focus and bag your own groceries. Quickly! Plastic bags aren't
free. You have to either buy them, or - like most Germans do - bring your own bags.
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The supermarket is open from 7 o'clock a.m. till 8 o'clock p.m.
Der Supermarkt ist von 7 Uhr bis 20 Uhr geöffnet.
English
German
1
The supermarket is open from 7 o'clock a.m. till 8 Der Supermarkt ist von 7 Uhr bis 20 Uhr
o'clock p.m.
geöffnet.
2
opened
3
to be opened
4
(The supermarket is opened from 7 o'clock till 20
o'clock.)
geöffnet
(guhERFnet)
geöffnet sein
(guhERFnet zine)
The supermarket is open.
Der Supermarkt ist geöffnet.
(The supermarket is opened.)
(dair ZOOpamahkt ist guhERFnet.)
5
o'clock
6
7 (seven) o'clock a.m.
7
till
8
twenty (20)
9
(dair ZOOpamahkt ist fon ZEEben OOa biss
TSVUNtsik OOa guhERFnet.)
Uhr
(OOa)
7 (sieben) Uhr
(7 (ZEEben) OOa)
bis
(biss)
zwanzig (20)
(TSVUNtsik (20))
8 (eight) o'clock p.m.
20 (zwanzig) Uhr
(20 (twenty) o'clock)
(20 (TSVUNtsik) OOa)
7 (sieben) Uhr bis 20 (zwanzig) Uhr
10 7 (seven) o'clock a.m. till 8 (eight) o'clock p.m.
(7 (ZEEben) OOa bis 20 (TSVUNtsik) OOa)
Germans are said to be very punctual and precise. So, does it surprise you that it is common in
11 Germany to use military time? Eight o'clock p.m. is often referred to as zwanzig Uhr (literally
"twenty o'clock") in German.
12
13
14
15
thirteen (13)
dreizehn (13)
(three ten)
(DRHYtsane (13))
fourteen (14)
vierzehn (14)
(four ten)
(FERtsane (14))
fifteen (15)
fünfzehn (15)
(five ten)
(FEUNFtsane (15))
See, the numbers from dreizehn to neunzehn are easy. There are two slight exceptions:
"sixteen" is sechzehn and not sechszehn and "seventeen" is siebzehn instead of siebenzehn.
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English
German
16
The department store is open from 9 o'clock
a.m. till 7 o'clock p.m.
17
The post office is only open till 6 o'clock p.m.
today.
Das Kaufhaus ist von 9 Uhr bis 19 Uhr geöffnet.
(dahs COWFhouse ist fon noyn OOa biss
NOYNtsane OOa guhERFnet.)
Die Post ist heute nur bis 18 Uhr geöffnet.
(dee pahst ist HOItuh noor biss AHKHTtsane OOa
guhERFnet.)
das Geschäft
18 the store
(dahs guhSHEFT)
die Geschäfte
19 the stores
(dee guhSHEFTuh)
Did you say *die Geschäften? Remember, not all plural forms end in "-en." Just pay attention to
20 these forms when you see them. And don't worry, soon you will find that you use them
automatically without even thinking about it!
wann
21 when
(van)
Wann sind die Geschäfte geöffnet?
22 When are the stores open?
(van zint dee guhSHEFTuh guhERFnet?)
Montag
23 Monday
(MOHNtahk)
24 Since der Tag (the day) is masculine, all days of the week are masculine as well.
Dienstag
25 Tuesday
(DEENStahk)
Mittwoch
26 Wednesday
(MITvokh)
Donnerstag
27 Thursday
(DOHNAstahk)
Freitag
28 Friday
29
(FRHYtahk)
Monday through Friday
Montag bis Freitag
(Monday till Friday)
(MOHNtahk bis FRHYtahk)
alle
30 all
(AHLuh)
alle Geschäfte
31 all stores
(AHLuh guhSHEFTuh)
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English
German
Alle Geschäfte sind Montag bis Freitag von 8 Uhr
All stores are open Monday through Friday from
32
8 o'clock a.m. till 8 o'clock p.m.
(AHLuh guhSHEFTuh zint MOHNtahk biss FRHYtahk
fon ahkt OOa biss TSVUNtsik OOa guhERFnet.)
geschlossen
33 closed
(guhSHLOSen)
geschlossen sein
34 to be closed
(guhSHLOSen zine)
Es ist geschlossen.
35 It is closed.
(es ist guhSHLOSen.)
Samstag
36 Saturday
37
bis 20 Uhr geöffnet.
(ZUMStahk)
on Saturday
am Samstag
(at the Saturday)
(ahm ZUMStahk)
die Bank
38 the bank
(dee bunk)
Wann ist die Bank geschlossen?
39 When is the bank closed?
(vun ist dee bunk geSHLOSen?)
Die Bank ist am Samstag geschlossen.
40 The bank is closed on Saturday.
(dee bunk ist ahm ZUMStahk guhSHLOSen.)
die Supermärkte
41 the supermarkets
(dee ZOOpamairktuh)
alle Supermärkte
42 all supermarkets
(AHLuh ZOOpamairktuh)
Sonntag
43 Sunday
(ZOHNtahk)
Am Sonntag sind in Deutschland alle
On Sunday, all supermarkets are closed in
44
Germany.
Supermärkte geschlossen.
(ahm ZONNtahk zint in DOITSHlunt AHLuh
ZOOpamairktuh guhSHLOSen.)
Store hours in Germany have expanded in the last few years, but most stores are still closed on
45 Sundays. Some bakeries and flower shops open for a few hours on Sunday morning, and food
marts at gas stations are open 24/7.
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The T-shirt costs 8.90 €.
Das T-Shirt kostet 8,90 €.
English
German
1
2
the T-shirt
3
the euro
4
8 € (eight euros)
5
In German, there is no separate plural form for Euro, Dollar, or Cent.
6
the cent
7
ninety (90)
8
0.90 € (ninety cents)
9
In numerical expressions like prices, German uses a comma where English uses a decimal point.
(dahs TEEshert KOStet ahkht OYroh oont
NOYNtsik sent.)
das T-Shirt
(dahs TEEshert)
der Euro
(dair OYroh)
8 € (acht Euro)
(8 € (ahkht OYroh))
der Cent
(dair sent)
neunzig (90)
(NOYNtsik (90))
0,90 € (neunzig Cent)
(0,90 € (NOYNtsik sent))
vierzig (40)
10 forty (40)
(FURtsik (40))
fünfzig (50)
11 fifty (50)
(FEWNFtsik (50))
dreißig (30)
12 thirty (30)
(DRHYsic (30))
Did you say *dreizig? Close, but for easier pronunciation you say dreißig. Otherwise, counting by
13 tens in German is pretty straight forward--with the exception of zwanzig (twenty). Take the number
and add a -zig, just like you added -zehn for the "teens."
Zwei T-Shirts kosten 17,80 €.
14 Two t-shirts cost 17.80 €.
(tsveye TEEsherts KOSTen ZEEBtsane OYroh oont
AHKHtsik sent.)
der Pullover
15 the sweater
(dair poolOHva)
Der Pullover kostet 16,50 €.
16 The sweater costs 16.50 €.
(dair poolOHva KOStet ZESHtsane OYroh oont
FEWNFtsik sent.)
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English
17
18
German
twenty-one (21)
einundzwanzig (21)
(one and twenty)
(EYEnoontTSVUNtsik (21))
thirty-two (32)
zweiunddreißig (32)
(two and thirty)
(TSVEYEoontDRHYsik (32))
Both in English and in German, the small part of the number comes before the big part for numbers
thirteen through nineteen. In German, this pattern stays consistent for the numbers up to 99:
19 small part, big part. For "Ninety-nine" you say "nine and ninety" (neunundneunzig), for "seventyfive" you say "five and seventy" (fünfundsiebzig), and so on.
die Hose
20 the pants
21
(dee HOOzuh)
Watch out--die Hose is singular even though in English, "the pants" is plural. If you have two pairs
of pants, you say zwei Hosen.
Kostet die Hose wirklich 85 €?
22 Do the pants really cost 85 €?
(KOStet dee HOHzuh VEERklish
FEWNFoontAHKHtsik OYroh?)
der Schuh
23 the shoe
(dair shoo)
die Schuhe
24 the shoes
(dee SHOOuh)
die Socke
25 the sock
(dee ZOKuh)
die Socken
26 the socks
(dee ZOKen)
Die Schuhe und die Socken kosten zusammen
27 The shoes and the socks together cost 69.95 €.
69,95 €.
(dee SHOOuh oont dee ZOKen KOSten
tsooZUHMen NOYNoontZESHtsik OYroh oont
FEWNFoontNOYNtsik sent.)
Tennis shoes are not commonly worn as daily shoes. If you wear your white socks and tennis shoes,
you will stand out as an American tourist. Is it a widely spread cliché, or an accurate observation?
28 Either way, if you want to blend in with the Germans, buy dark socks, or wear no socks, and any nonsport shoes. However, you don't have to go so far as to wear dark socks in sandals or Birkenstocks-which is just another cliché of course...but yeah, some Germans actually do that.
machen
29 to make
(MAHKHen)
es macht
30 it makes
(es mahkht)
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English
31
German
your total is
das macht zusammen
(that makes together)
(dahs mahkht tsooZAMen)
Das macht zusammen 27,89 €.
32 Your total is 27.89 €.
(dahs mahkht tsooZAMen ZEEbenoontTSVUNtsik
OYroh oont NOYNoontAHKHtsik sent.)
What you see is what you pay - sales tax is always included in the displayed price on any item, in any
33 store, as well as on the menu in a restaurant. So you can add up what you owe without thinking
about the extra tax.
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CHAPTER 7: LODGING
UNTERKUNFT
Journey 1 Chapter 7: Lodging
Ask / Tell Whether One Can Use Something
Choose a Payment Method and Handle Currency With Ease
Deal With Large Numbers and Ordinal Numbers
Make Reservations at a Hotel, Check In and Pay
Grammar Goals
Learn How to Form Comparatives
Learn the 3rd Person Singular Form of Haben
Recognize the Past Perfect Form of Haben
Use Adjectives Following the Definite or Indefinite Article
Use Kein and Nicht for Negation
Conversation
English
German
Guten Tag. Ich habe hier ein Zimmer reserviert.
Hello. I have a reservation here.
(GOOten tahk. ish HAHbuh heer EYEn TSIMa
rayzairVEERT.)
Wie ist Ihr Name?
What is your name?
Schuster.
Schuster.
(SHOOsta)
Ah ja, Herr Schuster, Sie haben ein Einzelzimmer
Oh yes, Mr. Schuster, you have a single room with
a bath.
mit Bad.
(ah ya, hair SHOOsta, zee HAHben EYEn
EYEntselTSIMa mit baht.)
Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel - Zimmer Nummer
Here is your room key - room number 314 on the
third floor.
314 im dritten Stock.
Thank you very much. When is breakfast served,
please?
Vielen Dank. Wann gibt es Frühstück, bitte?
From 7 to 9 o'clock.
(HEEa ist eer TSIMaSHLEWsel - TSIMa NOOMa
DHRYhoondatFEERtsane im DHRITen shtok.)
(FEElen dunk. vuhn ghibt es FREWshtewk, BITuh?)
Von 7 bis 9 Uhr.
(fon ZEEben bis noyn OOa.)
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English
German
Und das Schwimmbad können Sie bis 10 Uhr
And you can use the swimming pool till 10 o'clock
in the evening.
abends benutzen.
(oont dahs SHVIMbaht KEHRnen zee bis tsane OOa
AHbents buhNOOTsen.)
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Do you have a room with a shower?
Haben Sie ein Zimmer mit Dusche?
English
1
2
the room
3
a room
4
Do you have a room?
5
the shower
6
with a shower
7
the bath
8
with a bath
9
Do you have a room with a bath?
German
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa mit DOOshuh?)
das Zimmer
(dahs TSIMa)
ein Zimmer
( EYEn TSIMa)
Haben Sie ein Zimmer?
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa?)
die Dusche
(dee DOOshuh)
mit Dusche
(mit DOOshuh)
das Bad
(dahs baht)
mit Bad
(mit baht)
Haben Sie ein Zimmer mit Bad?
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa mit baht?)
der Balkon
10 the balcony
(dair bahlKOHN)
Haben Sie auch ein Zimmer mit Balkon?
11 Do you also have a room with a balcony?
(HAHben zee auwkh EYEn TSIMa mit bahlKONG?)
das Einzelzimmer
12 the single room
(dahs EYEntselTSIMa)
ein Einzelzimmer mit Balkon
13 a single room with a balcony
(EYEn EYEntselTSIMa mit bahlKOHN)
die Aussicht
14 the view
(dee OWSzisht)
das Doppelzimmer
15 the double room
(dahs DOPelTSIMa)
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English
German
Haben Sie ein Doppelzimmer mit Aussicht?
16 Do you have a double room with a view?
(HAHben zee EYEn DOPelTSIMa mit OWSzisht?)
die Zimmer
17 the rooms
(dee TSIMa)
alle Zimmer
18 all rooms
(AHLuh TSIMa)
die Klimaanlage
19 the air conditioning
(dee KLEEmahunLAHguh)
Haben alle Zimmer Klimaanlage?
20 Do all rooms have air conditioning?
(HAHben AHLuh TSIMa KLEEmahunLAHguh?)
das Frühstück
21 the breakfast
(dahs FREWshtewk)
ein Zimmer mit Frühstück
22 a room with breakfast
(EYEn TSIMa mit FREWshtewk)
frei
23 free
24
(fhry)
Do you have a room available?
Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei?
(Do you have a room free?)
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa fhry?)
mehr
25 more
26
(maihr)
No, we don't have any more rooms available.
Nein, wir haben keine Zimmer mehr frei.
(No, we have no more rooms free.)
(nine, veer HAHben KYnuh TSIMa maihr fry.)
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I would like to reserve a room.
Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren.
English
German
1
2
to reserve
3
I would like to reserve.
4
the days
5
the nights
6
for four days and three nights
7
I would like to reserve a single room for three
nights.
8
from Sunday through Wednesday
9
I would like to reserve two rooms from Sunday
through Wednesday.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEn TSIMa rehzairVEEhren.)
reservieren
(rehzairVEEhren)
Ich möchte reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh rehzairVEEhren.)
die Tage
(dee TAHguh)
die Nächte
(dee NEHshtuh)
für vier Tage und drei Nächte
(fehwr feer TAHguh oont dhry NEHshtuh)
Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer für drei Nächte
reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEn EYENtselTSIMa fehwr dhry
NAYshtuh rehzairVEEren.)
von Sonntag bis Mittwoch
(fon ZOHNtahk bis MITvokh)
Ich möchte von Sonntag bis Mittwoch zwei
Zimmer reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh fon ZOHNtahk bis MITvokh tsveye
TSIMMa rehzairVEEren.)
das Wochenende
10 the weekend
(dahs VOKHenENduh)
Kann ich für das Wochenende ein Einzelzimmer
11
Can I reserve a single room with a bath for the
weekend?
mit Bad reservieren?
(kun ish fehwr dahs VOKHenENduh EYEn
EYEntselTSIMa mit baht rehzairVEEren?)
reserviert
12 reserved
13
(rayzairVEERT)
Do you have a reservation?
Haben Sie reserviert?
(Have you reserved?)
(HAHben zee rehzairVEERT?)
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English
German
ich habe reserviert
14 I have reserved
(ish HAHbuh rehzairVEERT)
Ich habe hier ein Zimmer reserviert.
15 I have reserved a room here.
(ish HAHbuh heer EYEn TSIMa rehzairVEERT.)
Ich habe von Dienstag bis Donnerstag ein
16
I have reserved a double room from Tuesday
through Thursday.
Doppelzimmer reserviert.
(ish HAHbuh fon DEENStahk biss DOHNAstahk
EYEn DOPelTSIMa rehzairVEERT.)
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The hotel has reasonable weekly rates.
Das Hotel hat günstige Preise pro Woche.
English
1
(dahs hohTEL haht GEWNSteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh
VOKHuh.)
(The hotel has reasonable prices per week.)
the hotel
3
the hotel has
4
the price
5
the prices
6
reasonable
7
reasonable prices
9
2
8
German
das Hotel
(dahs hohTEL)
das Hotel hat
(dahs hohTEL haht)
der Preis
(dair price)
die Preise
(dee PRHYzuh)
günstig
(GEWNstic)
günstige Preise
(GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh)
Did you notice the "-e" at the end of günstig? Preise is plural, and when we don't have die, das,
or der, the ending for adjectives before plural nouns is "-e": günstige Preise.
die Woche
the week
(dee VOKHuh)
pro
10 per
(prhoh)
pro Woche
11 per week
12
(prhoh VOKHuh)
reasonable weekly rates
günstige Preise pro Woche
(reasonable prices per week)
(GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh VOKHuh)
pro Tag
13 per day
14
(prhoh tahk)
Das Hotel hat günstige Preise pro Tag.
The hotel has reasonable daily rates.
(dahs hohTEL haht GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh
tahk.)
(The hotel has reasonable prices per day.)
pro Nacht
15 per night
(prhoh nahkht)
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English
German
die Pension
16 the bed and breakfast
(dee panzYOHN)
Die Pension am Bahnhof hat günstige Preise pro
17
The bed and breakfast at the train station has
reasonable nightly rates.
Nacht.
(dee panzYOHN ahm BAHNhohf haht
GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh nahkht.)
ein günstiger Preis
18 a reasonable price
(EYEn GEWNsteega price)
Do you remember why you have to add the "-er" to günstig? You say die Eisdiele and eine gute
19
Eisdiele, das Restaurant, and ein gutes Restaurant, and der Italiener and ein guter
Italiener. Because der Preis (the price) is masculine, you add the "-er" to the adjective before the
noun.
eine günstige Pension
20 a reasonable bed and breakfast
(EYEnuh GEWNsteeguh panzYOHN)
Ich suche ein günstiges Hotel.
21 I am looking for a reasonable hotel.
(ish ZOOKHuh EYEn GEWNsteegas hohTEL.)
22 Did you remember to change günstig to günstiges because das Hotel is a neuter noun?
billig
23 cheap
(BILikh)
ein billiges Hotel
24 a cheap hotel
(EYEn BILEEgas hohTEL)
Ein billiges Hotel (a cheap hotel)--how does that sound? Do you suspect dark rooms with overly
25
soft mattresses and less-than-clean bathrooms? Well, it is the same in German. Billig (cheap)
may have the connotation of lesser quality. So, to be safe, günstig, rather than billig, is what you
want to be going for.
teuer
26 expensive
(TOYa)
zu
27 too
28
(tsoo)
That room is too expensive for me.
Das Zimmer ist mir zu teuer.
(That room is to me too expensive.)
(das TSIMa ist MEEa tsoo TOYa.)
29 The room with a balcony is too expensive for me.
Das Zimmer mit Balkon ist mir zu teuer.
(dahs TSIMa mit bahlKOHN ist MEEa tsoo TOYa.)
billiger
30 cheaper
(BILEEga)
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English
German
This should look familiar. To say that something is more than something else, like "cheaper" or
"nicer," you just add an "-er" in English, right? This is true except for longer words like "expensive"
31 where you have to say "more expensive." In German, you only add an "-er": billig (cheap) becomes
billiger (cheaper), schön (nice) becomes schöner (nicer). And, since Germans love long words,
there is no exception for those: you always add the "-er."
Die Pension ist billiger.
32 The bed and breakfast is cheaper.
(dee panzYOHN ist BILEEga.)
Die Zimmer ohne Aussicht sind 3 € billiger pro
33
The rooms without view are 3 € cheaper per
night.
Nacht.
(dee TSIMa OHnuh OWSzisht zint drhy OYroh
BILEEga proh nahkht.)
teurer
34 more expensive
35
(TOYrha)
Your answer was probably *teuerer, but there is really no difference. It's just that teuer already
ends in an "-er," so the "-e" in the middle is just left out for easier pronunciation.
Das Hotel neben dem Rathaus ist ein bisschen
36
The hotel next to the townhall is a little more
expensive.
teurer.
(dahs hohTEL NAYben dame RAHThouse ist EYEn
BISyen TOYrha.)
günstiger
37 more reasonable
(GEWNsteega)
Das Hotel ist günstiger.
38 The hotel is more reasonable.
(dahs hohTEL ist GEWNsteega.)
Depending on the context, günstig can mean "reasonably priced," "favorable," "beneficial," or
"convenient." You can use it to describe a good deal, favorable conditions, a convenient location of
39 something, and so on. Günstiger does not necessarily mean billiger (cheaper). Günstig may
take more things into account, like price, location, and amenities. Based on all these factors, you
can decide if one hotel is günstiger than another.
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Your room number is 137.
Ihre Zimmernummer ist 137.
English
German
1
2
the number
3
the room number
4
your room number
5
thirty-seven (37)
6
hundred
7
one hundred (100)
8
one hundred thirty-seven (137)
9
two hundred (200)
(EEruh TSIMaNOOMah ist
EYEnhoondatZEEbenoontDRHYsik.)
die Nummer
(dee NOOMah)
die Zimmernummer
(dee TSIMaNOOMah)
Ihre Zimmernummer
(EErhuh TSIMaNOOMah)
siebenunddreißig (37)
(ZEEbenoontDRHYsick (37))
hundert
(HOONdat)
einhundert (100)
(EYEnhoondat (100))
einhundertsiebenunddreißig (137)
(EYEnhoondatZEEbenoontDRHYsik (137))
zweihundert (200)
(TSVEYEhoondat (200))
The numbers from 100 to 999 are no big deal once you know your numbers from 1 to 99. For the
10 hundreds, you simply take the number and add hundert (hundred), just like in English. "Five
hundred" is fünfhundert; "six hundred" is sechshundert; and so on.
dreihundertsechsundfünfzig (356)
11 three hundred fifty-six (356)
(DRHYhoondatZEXoontFEWNFtsik (356))
neunhundertneunundneunzig (999)
12 nine hundred ninety-nine (999)
(NOYNhoondatNOYNoontNOYNtsik (999))
13 Your room number is 521.
FEWNFhoondatEYEnoontTSVUNtsik.)
der Schlüssel
14 the key
(dair SHLEUsel)
der Zimmerschlüssel
15 the room key
(dair TSIMaSCHLEsel)
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English
German
Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel.
16 Here is your room key.
(heer ist eer TSIMahSCHLEUsel.)
Hier ist der Schlüssel für Zimmer Nummer 316.
17 Here is the key for room number 316.
(heer ist dair SCHLEWsel fehwr TSIMah NOOMa
DRHYhoondatZESHtsane.)
Zimmer Nummer 172 hat Balkon und Aussicht.
(TSIMah NOOMah
EYEnhoondatTSVEYEoontZEEBtsik haht bahlKOHN
oont OWSzisht.)
18 Room number 172 has a balcony and a view.
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Your room is on the first floor.
Ihr Zimmer ist im ersten Stock.
English
German
1
2
First off, there is one curious thing about the system for numbering floors, which might cause some
confusion. In Europe, what Americans call the "first" floor is only referred to as the ground floor,
indicated by the number zero (null). A European "first" floor is the first floor above the ground floor.
(eer TSIMah ist im AIRHsten shtok.)
So if you are told your room is im ersten Stock (literally "in the first floor"), it means that you are
actually one level above, which in America would be "on the second floor."
3
the floor
4
first (1st)
5
the first floor
der Stock
(dair shtok)
erste (1.)
(AIRstuh)
der erste Stock
(dair AIRHstuh shtok)
Did you say *der erst-er Stock? If der, die, or das is present, indicating the gender of the noun,
no further ending of "-es" or "-er" is needed. If the noun is singular, all adjectives after der, die, or
6
das end in "-e", regardless of the gender of the noun. You say ein gut-er Italiener but der gut-e
Italiener. Ein günstig-es Hotel but das günstig-e Hotel. And also erst-er Stock but der
erst-e Stock.
7
on the first floor
im ersten Stock
(in the first floor)
(im AIRHsten shtok)
Did you remember that der changes to dem after a preposition like in (in)? And did you also
remember that the contraction of in and dem is im? Congratulations! Now what did you do with
8
erste? Nothing? Add an "-m" and say erst-em? Well, actually, it is erst-en, but if there already is
an article with the ending "-em," either ein-em or d-em (and contractions like im count, too), all
other words after it and before the noun have the ending "-en."
9
Ihr Zimmer
your room
(eer TSIMah)
zweite (2.)
10 second (2nd)
(TSVEYEtuh)
dritte (3.)
11 third (3rd)
(DRIHTuh)
Erste (first), dritte (third), and siebte (seventh) are the only exceptions for forming ordinal
12
numbers. All other ordinal numbers follow the pattern of adding a "-te" to the number as in zweite. It's just like adding a "-th" in English. Although "seventh" does have an additional form,
siebente, that follows the rule, this form is not as common as siebte.
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English
German
vierte (4.)
13 fourth (4th)
(FEERtuh)
fünfte (5.)
14 fifth (5th)
(FEWNFtuh)
der vierte Stock
15 the fourth floor
(dair FEERtuh shtok)
im fünften Stock
16 on the fifth floor
(im FEWNFten shtok)
Ihr Zimmer ist im dritten Stock.
17 Your room is on the third floor.
(eer TSIMah ist im DREHTen shtok.)
Zimmer Nummer 248 ist im sechsten Stock.
(TSIMah NOOMah
TSVEYEhoondatAKHToontFEERtsik ist im ZEXten
shtok.)
18 Room number 248 is on the sixth floor.
der Aufzug
19 the elevator
(dair OWFtsook)
Nehmen Sie den Aufzug.
20 Take the elevator.
(NAYmen zee dane OWFtsook.)
das Erdgeschoss
21 the ground floor
(dahs EERDguhshos)
Kann ich ein Zimmer im Erdgeschoss
bekommen?
22 Can I get a room on the ground floor?
23
(kun ish EYEn TSIMah im AIRDguhshos
buhKOHMen?)
On the elevator, the first floor is indicated by the letter "E" for Erdgeschoss or by a zero (Null),
instead of the number one that you might expect.
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You can check out till 11 o'clock in the morning.
Sie können bis 11 Uhr vormittags auschecken.
English
German
1
(zee KERnen bis elf OOa FOAmitahks
OWSchecken.)
Did you notice that the second verb, "to check out" (auschecken) came at the end of the
2
sentence? When you have modal verbs, or verbs that support the main verb, like können (can),
the second verb will be placed at the end of the sentence. So, literally you are saying, "You can till
11 o'clock in the morning check out."
3
to check out
4
You can check out.
5
in the morning
6
In German, you can either use military time or the English 12-hour-format. Whereas in English,
everything before noon is "in the morning," Germans differentiate. Vormittags means some point
before noon, usually referring to a time between 9 and 12. However, if you specifically say
morgens, it usually means before 10 o'clock.
7
11 (eleven) o'clock a.m.
8
till 11 (eleven) o'clock in the morning
9
afternoons
auschecken
(OWSchecken)
Sie können auschecken.
(zee KERHnen OWSchecken.)
vormittags
(FOAmitahks)
11 (elf) Uhr vormittags
(11 (elf) OOa FOAmitahks)
bis 11 (elf) Uhr vormittags
(bis 11 (elf) OOa FOAmitahks)
nachmittags
(NAHKHmitahks)
4 (vier) Uhr nachmittags
10 4 (four) o'clock in the afternoon
(4 (feer) OOa NAHKHmitahks)
von 10 (zehn) Uhr vormittags bis 3 (drei) Uhr
11
from 10 (ten) o'clock in the morning till 3 (three)
o'clock in the afternoon
(fonn 10 (tsane) OOa FOAmitahks bis 3 (drhy) OOa
NAHKHmitahks)
zwischen
12 between
13
nachmittags
(TSVISHen)
Breakfast is served between 7 and 9 o'clock in
the morning.
Frühstück gibt es zwischen 7 und 9 Uhr morgens.
(FREWshtewk ghibt es TSVISHen ZEEben oont
noyn OOa MOAgans.)
(There is breakfast between 7 and 9 o'clock in
the mornings.)
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English
German
mittags
14 at lunchtime
15
(MITahks)
Is there anything to eat at lunchtime?
Gibt es mittags etwas zu essen?
(Is there something to eat at lunchtime?)
(ghibt es MITahks ETvahs tsoo ESen?)
das Mittagessen
16 the lunch
17
(dahs MITahkESen)
Nein, Sie bekommen im Hotel kein Mittagessen.
No, you can't get lunch at the hotel.
(nine, zee buhKOHMen im hohTEL kine
MITahkESen.)
(No, you get no lunch in the hotel.)
das Abendessen
18 the dinner
(dahs AHbentESen)
abends
19 in the evening
(AHbents)
Abendessen gibt es zwischen 6 und 8 Uhr
20
Dinner is served between 6 and 8 o'clock in the
evening.
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abends.
(AHbentESen ghibt es TSVISHen zex oont ahkht
OOa AHbents.)
Can I use the swimming pool?
Kann ich das Schwimmbad benutzen?
English
1
2
to use
3
Can I use...?
4
the swimming pool
German
(kun ish dahs SHVIMbaht buhNOOTsen?)
benutzen
(buhNOOTsen)
Kann ich... benutzen?
(kun ish... buhNOOTsen?)
das Schwimmbad
(dahs SHVIMbaht)
Kann ich das Schwimmbad auch abends
5
Can I use the swimming pool in the evening, too?
benutzen?
(kun ish dahs SHVIMbaht auwkh AHbents
buhNOOTsen?)
Sie können das Schwimmbad mittags zwischen
6
You can not use the swimming pool at lunchtime
between 12 and 1 o'clock.
7
the Internet
8
Would you like to use the Internet?
9
the gym
(zee KERnen dahs SHVIMbaht MITahks TSVISHen
tsverlf oont EYEn OOa nisht buhNOOTsen.)
das Internet
(dahs INtanet)
Möchten Sie das Internet benutzen?
(MERSHten zee dahs INtanet buhNOOTsen?)
der Fitnessraum
(dair FITnessrhoum)
Wann kann ich den Fitnessraum benutzen?
10 When can I use the gym?
11
12 und 1 Uhr nicht benutzen.
(vun kun ish dane FITnesrhoum buhNOOTsen?)
Just a little reminder if you missed it: Der becomes den because der Fitnessraum (the gym) is
the masculine direct object in this sentence.
Sie können den Fitnessraum von 6 Uhr morgens
You can use the gym from 6 o'clock in the
12
morning till 10 o'clock in the evening.
bis 10 Uhr abends benutzen.
(zee KERnen dane FITnesrhaom fon sex OOa
MOAgans bis tsane OOa AHbents buhNOOTsen.)
die Waschmaschine
13 the washing machine
(dee VAHSHmahSHEnuh)
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English
German
Sie können die Waschmaschine im ersten Stock
You can use the washing machine on the first
14
floor.
benutzen.
(zee KERHnen dee VAHSHmahSHEnuh im AIRsten
shtok buhNOOTsen.)
Kann ich den Aufzug benutzen?
15 Can I use the elevator?
(kun ish dane OWFtsook buhNOOTsen?)
müssen
16 to have to
(MEWSen)
Sie müssen
17 you have to
(zee MEWSen)
das Feuer
18 the fire
(dahs FOYah)
die Treppe
19 the stairs
20
(dee TREHPuh)
Bei Feuer müssen Sie die Treppe benutzen.
If there is a fire you have to use the stairs.
(by FOYah MEWSen zee dee TREHPuh
buhNOOTsen.)
(By fire you have to use the stairs.)
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Are you paying with a credit card or with a check?
Zahlen Sie mit Kreditkarte oder mit Scheck?
English
German
1
2
the credit card
3
the check
4
Credit card or check?
5
Are you paying with a credit card?
6
Are you paying with a check?
7
cash
8
to pay cash
9
How would you like to pay?
die Kreditkarte
(dee kruhDEETkahtuh)
der Scheck
(dair shek)
Kreditkarte oder Scheck?
(kruhDEETkahtuh OHdah shek?)
Zahlen Sie mit Kreditkarte?
(TSAHlen zee mit krayDEETkahtuh?)
Zahlen Sie mit Scheck?
(TSAHlen zee mit shek?)
bar
(bah)
bar zahlen
(bah TSAHlen)
Wie möchten Sie zahlen?
(vee MERSHten zee TSAHlen?)
Zahlen Sie bar oder mit Kreditkarte?
10 Are you paying cash or with a credit card?
(TSAHlen zee bah OHdah mit kruhDEETkahtuh?)
die Schecks
11 the checks
12
(dee sheks)
You have seen plural forms with "-e" and "-en" so far, but this one is easy: you just add an "-s" like
you would in English.
Nehmen Sie auch Schecks?
13 Do you take checks, too?
(NAYmen zee auwkh sheks?)
das Geld
14 the money
15
(TSAHlen zee mit krayDEETkahtuh OHdah mit
shek?)
(dahs ghelt)
the cash
das Bargeld
(the cash money)
(dahs BAHghelt)
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English
16
17
German
Do you take cash?
Nehmen Sie Bargeld?
(Do you take cash money?)
(NAYmen zee BAHghelt?)
Where can I get cash?
Wo bekomme ich Bargeld?
(Where do I get cash money?)
(voh buhKOHMuh ish BAHghelt?)
der Geldautomat
18 the ATM
(dair GHELTowtohMAHT)
Sie können am Geldautomaten an der Bank
Bargeld bekommen.
19 You can get cash at the ATM at the bank.
(zee KERHnen ahm GHELTowtohMAHTen ahn dair
bahnk BAHghelt buhKOHMen.)
brauchen
20 to need
21
(BROWkhen)
Do you need cash?
Brauchen Sie Bargeld?
(Do you need cash money?)
(BROWkhen zee BAHghelt?)
klein
22 small
23
(khline)
the change
das Kleingeld
(the small-money)
(dahs KHLINEghelt)
Ich brauche Kleingeld.
24 I need change.
(ish BROWkhuh KHLINEghelt.)
der Schein
25 the bill
(dair shine)
ein 10 € (zehn Euro)-Schein
26 a 10 € (ten euro) bill
(EYEn 10 OYroh (tsane OYroh)-shine)
die Scheine
27 the bills
(dee SHYnuh)
Hier sind zehn 100 €-Scheine.
28 Here are ten 100 € bills.
(heer zint tsane EYEnhoondat OYroh-SHYnuh.)
tausend
29 thousand
(TAUWzent)
eintausend (1000)
30 one thousand (1,000)
(EYEntaowzent)
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English
German
zweitausend (2000)
31 two thousand (2,000)
(TSVEYEtaowzent)
Again, German numbers just as they are in English: you add -tausend (thousand) to the number,
like dreitausend (three thousand) and fünftausend (five thousand). Did you notice that in
32 German, commas and periods are used differently? Remember that Germans use a comma to
indicate the cents in a price whereas Americans would use a decimal point. And they use a period
to indicate thousands.
neuntausendsiebenhundertdreiundzwanzig Euro
33
nine thousand seven hundred twenty-three
euros and eighty-six cents (9,723.86 €)
und sechsundachtzig Cent (9723,86 €)
(NOYNtaowzentZEEbenhoondatDRHYoontTSVUNtsik
OYroh oont ZEXoontAHKHtsik sent)
I am paying 1,000 € with a credit card and 200
34
€ cash.
35 your credit card
Ich zahle 1000 € mit Kreditkarte und 200 € bar.
(ish TSAHluh EYEntaowzent OYroh mit
kruhDEETkahtuh oont TSVEYEhoondat OYroh bah.)
Ihre Kreditkarte
(EEruh kruhDEETkahtuh)
1267 € auf Ihre Kreditkarte?
36 1,267 € on your credit card?
37 over
38
(EYEntaowzentTSVEYEhoondatZEEbenoontSESHtsik
OYroh owf EEruh kruhDEETkahtuh?)
über
(EUbuh)
a check for 300 € (three hundred euros)
ein Scheck über 300 € (dreihundert Euro)
(a check over 300 € (three hundred euros))
(EYEn shek EUbuh 300 € (DRHYhoondat OYroh))
Hier ist ein Scheck über 3579 €.
39 Here is a check for 3,579 €.
(heer ist EYEn shek EWbuh
DRHYtaowzentFEWNFhoondatNOYNoontZEEBtsik
OYroh.)
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The TV doesn't work.
Der Fernseher funktioniert nicht.
English
1
(The TV doesn't function.)
(dair FAIRNzair FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
2
the TV
3
to function
4
German
der Fernseher
(dair FAIRNzair)
funktionieren
(FOONKTSyohnEERen)
The TV works.
Der Fernseher funktioniert.
(The TV functions.)
(dair FAIRNzair FOONKTSyohnEERT.)
Die Dusche funktioniert nicht.
5
The shower doesn't work.
6
the connection
7
the Internet connection
8
The Internet connection doesn't work.
9
the telephone
(dee DOOshuh FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
der Anschluss
(dair AHNshlos)
der Internetanschluss
(dair INtahnetAHNschlos)
Der Internetanschluss funktioniert nicht.
10
(dair INtahnetAHNschlos FOONKTSyohnEERT
nisht.)
das Telefon
(dahs tayleFOHN)
The telephone doesn't work either.
Das Telefon funktioniert auch nicht.
(The telephone doesn't function, too.)
(dahs tayleFOHN FOONKTSyohnEERT auwkh nisht.)
die Spülung
11 the flush
(dee SHPEWloong)
Die Spülung in Zimmer 117 funktioniert nicht.
12
The toilet won't flush in room 117.
(dee SHPEWloong in TSIMah
EYEnhoondatZEEBtsane FOONKTSyohnEERT
nisht.)
(The flush doesn't function in room 117.)
kaputt
13 broken
(kahPUT)
Die Klimaanlage ist kaputt.
14 The air conditioning is broken.
(dee KLEEmaahnLAHguh ist kahPUT.)
Der Fernseher ist auch kaputt.
15 The TV is broken, too.
(dair FAIRNzair ist auwkh kahPUT.)
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English
German
das Papier
16 the paper
(dahs pahPEER)
das Toilettenpapier
17 the toilet paper
(dahs toyLETenpahPEER)
kein Toilettenpapier
18 no toilet paper
(kine toyLETenpahPEER)
kein Internetanschluss
19 no Internet connection
(kine INtanetAHNschlos)
keine Klimaanlage
20 no air conditioning
21
(KYnuh KLEEmahnLAHguh)
Remember that kein and keine works just like ein and eine. Before masculine and neuter nouns
you say ein and kein, before feminine nouns you say eine and keine.
Ich habe kein Toilettenpapier in Zimmer 57.
22 I have no toilet paper in room 57.
(ish HAHbuh kine toyLETenpahPEER in TSIMah
ZEEbenoontFEWNFtsik.)
Mein Zimmer hat keine Klimaanlage.
23 My room has no air conditioning.
(mine TSIMah hut KYnuh KLEEmahnLAHguh.)
Ich habe keinen Internetanschluss.
24 I have no Internet connection.
25
(ish HAHbuh KYnen INtanetAHNshlos.)
Did you get the ending right? Kein before a singular, masculine direct object, like der
Internetanschluss, receives the ending "-en."
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CHAPTER 8: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
IM NOTFALL
Journey 1 Chapter 8: In Case of Emergency
Accept / Decline Help
Ask / Tell What Trouble One is In
Ask for / Offer Help
Gain Knowledge of Emergency Services
Grammar Goals
Prepositions Zu and In
Present Perfect With Haben or Sein
Statal Passive
The Modal Verb Müssen
Verbs Followed By The Accusative
Conversation
English
I had a car accident.
Are you injured?
No, I only have a headache.
And I have lost my driver's license.
Do you need a doctor?
No, I will take a pain killer.
German
Ich hatte einen Autounfall.
(ish HUTuh EYEnen OWtohOONfahl.)
Sind Sie verletzt?
(zint zee fairLETST?)
Nein, ich habe nur Kopfweh.
(nine, ish HAHbuh NOOa KOPFvay.)
Und ich habe meinen Führerschein verloren.
(oont ish HAHbuh MYnen FEWRashine fairLOHren.)
Brauchen Sie einen Arzt?
(BROWkhen zee EYEnen ahtst?)
Nein, ich nehme eine Schmerztablette.
(nine, ish NAYmuh EYEnuh SHMAIRTStahBLETuh.)
Sie müssen bei der Polizei melden, dass Sie Ihren
You have to report to the police that you have lost
your driver's license.
Yes, thank you for your help!
Führerschein verloren haben.
(zee MEWSen by dair pohleeTSIGH MELden, dahss
zee EEren FEWRashine fairLOHren HAHben.)
Ja, vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe!
(ya, FEELen dunk fewr EEruh HILLfuh!)
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There has been an accident.
Da ist ein Unfall passiert.
English
1
(An accident is happened there.)
(da ist EYEn OONfahl pahSEEat.)
2
the accident
3
an accident
4
there
5
There is an accident.
6
to happen
7
happened
8
9
German
der Unfall
(dair OONfahl)
ein Unfall
(EYEn OONfahl)
da
(dah)
Da ist ein Unfall.
(dah ist EYEn OONfahl.)
passieren
(pahSEEren)
passiert
(pahSEEat)
has happened
ist passiert
(is happened)
(ist pahSEEat)
Achtung!
Watch out!
(AHKHtoong!)
Achtung, da ist ein Unfall passiert.
10 Watch out, there has been an accident.
11
(AHKHtoong, dah ist EYEn OONfahl pahSEEat.)
What happened there?
Was ist da passiert?
(What has happened there?)
(vahs ist dah pahSEEat?)
If you see a crowd of people and you want to know what's going on, you can either ask Was ist da
12 passiert? (What happened there?), or the more general Was ist da los? (meaning "What's going
on there?" or "What's the trouble there?").
Sie hatten
13 you had
(zee HUTen)
Hatten Sie einen Unfall?
14 Did you have an accident?
(HUTen zee EYEnen OONfahl?)
der Autounfall
15 the car accident
(dair OWtohOONfahl)
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English
German
ich hatte
16 I had
(ish HUTuh)
17 I had a car accident.
18
19
I am okay.
Mir ist nichts passiert.
(Nothing has happened to me.)
(MEEah ist nishts pahSEEat.)
No harm done!
Nichts passiert!
(Nothing happened!)
(nishts pahSEEat!)
zum Glück
20 fortunately
(tsoom gleuk)
Zum Glück ist nichts passiert.
21 Fortunately, nothing has happened.
(tsoom gleuk ist nishts pahSEEat.)
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I have a toothache.
Ich habe Zahnschmerzen.
English
1
I have a toothache.
2
the pain
3
the pains
4
5
6
German
(ish HAHbuh TSAHNshmairtsen.)
der Schmerz
(dair shmairts)
die Schmerzen
(dee SHMAIRtsen)
I am in pain.
Ich habe Schmerzen.
(I have pains.)
(isch HAHbuh SHMAIRtsen.)
der Zahn
the tooth
(dair TSAHN)
the toothache
die Zahnschmerzen
(the tooth pains)
(dee TSAHNshmairtsen)
stark
7
strong
8
"Strong" and "strongly" are the same in German: stark. However, don't forget that you do have to
adjust the ending of an adjective to match the gender and number of the noun.
9
strong pains
(shtahk)
starke Schmerzen
(SHTAHkuh SHMAIRtsen)
The plural ending for adjectives, when there is no definite article present, is "-e", regardless of the
10 gender of the noun. Remember, you added an "-e" to kein as well when saying keine ZImmer (no
rooms) or keine Speicherkarten (no memory cards).
leicht
11 light
(lyesht)
leichte Schmerzen
12 light pains
(LYSHtuh SHMAIRtsen)
Ich habe starke Schmerzen.
13 I have strong pains.
14
(ish HAHbuh SHTAHkuh SHMAIRtsen.)
Where does it hurt?
Wo haben Sie Schmerzen?
(Where do you have pains?)
(voh HAHben zee SHMAIRtsen?)
der Kopf
15 the head
(dair kopf)
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English
16
German
I have a bad headache.
Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen.
(I have strong head pains.)
(ish HAHbuh SHTAHkuh KOPFshmairtsen.)
der Bauch
17 the belly
(dair bauwkh)
Haben Sie Bauchschmerzen?
18 Do you have a bellyache?
(HAHben zee BAUWKHshmairtsen?)
der Hals
19 the throat
20
(der halts)
I have a sore throat.
Ich habe Halsschmerzen.
(I have throat pains.)
(isch HAHbuh HALTSshmairtsen.)
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I have injured my foot.
Ich bin am Fuß verletzt.
English
1
(I am injured at the foot.)
(ish bin ahm foos fairLETST.)
2
injured
3
to be injured
4
I am injured.
5
the foot
6
verletzt
(fairLETST)
verletzt sein
(fairLETST zine)
Ich bin verletzt.
(ish bin fairLETST.)
der Fuß
(dair foos)
on the foot
am Fuß
(at the foot)
(ahm foos)
7
Help!
8
Help, I am injured.
9
Where are you injured?
10
German
Hilfe!
(HILLfuh!)
Hilfe, ich bin verletzt.
(HILLfuh, ish bin fairLETST.)
Wo sind Sie verletzt?
(voh zint zee fairLETST?)
I have injured my head.
Ich bin am Kopf verletzt.
(I am injured at the head.)
(ish bin ahm kopf fairLETST.)
das Bein
11 the leg
(dahs bine)
Sind Sie auch am Bein verletzt?
12 Have you also injured your leg?
(zint zee auwkh ahm binr fairLETST?)
der Arm
13 the arm
(dair ahm)
Nein, ich bin nur am Arm verletzt.
14 No, I have only injured my arm.
(nine, ish bin NOOah ahm ahrm fairLETST.)
jemand
15 someone
(YAYmunt)
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English
16
German
Is anyone injured?
Ist jemand verletzt?
(Is someone injured?)
(ist YAYmunt fairLETST?)
Achtung, hier ist jemand verletzt.
17 Watch out, someone is injured here.
(AHKHtoong, heer ist YAYmunt fairLETST.)
niemand
18 noone
(NEEmunt)
Zum Glück ist niemand verletzt.
19 Fortunately, noone is injured.
(tsoom gleuk ist NEEmunt fairLETST.)
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Call an ambulance.
Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen.
English
German
1
Call an ambulance.
2
to call
3
you call
4
Call...!
5
the ambulance
6
an ambulance
7
Surely, your vacation will be glorious. But it is good to be prepared, so here is one number to
remember: dial 112 to call an ambulance, the police, or the fire department. For the police you can
also dial 110. You can call from any German cell phone, landline, or pay phone without worrying
about coins or a phone card--this call is always free!
8
the police
9
Please, call the police.
(ROOfen zee EYEnen KRUNKenVAHgan.)
rufen
(ROOfen)
Sie rufen
(zee ROOfen)
Rufen Sie...!
(ROOfen zee...!)
der Krankenwagen
(dair KRUNKenVAHgan)
ein Krankenwagen
(EYEn KRUNKenVAHgan)
die Polizei
(dee pohleeTSIGH)
Bitte, rufen Sie die Polizei.
(BITtuh, ROOfen zee dee pohleeTSIGH.)
der Arzt
10 the doctor
(dair ahtst)
schnell
11 quick
(shnel)
Schnell, rufen Sie einen Arzt.
12 Quick, call a doctor.
(shnel, ROOfen zee EYEnen ahtst.)
die Feuerwehr
13 the fire department
(dee FOYavair)
Feuer! Rufen Sie die Feuerwehr.
14 Fire! Call the fire department.
(FOYah! ROOfen zee dee FOYavair.)
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English
German
The looks and sound of the German police car, ambulance, or fire engine are different from the
American emergency vehicles. The siren is less piercing than in America. Police cars are green and
15 silver, not black and white. The ambulance looks similar, usually white and red. And the fire
engines, yes, they are red as well. The emergency lights for all emergency vehicles are blue. That's
why they say to watch out for Blaulicht (blue light) on the road.
brauchen
16 to need
(BROWkhen)
Brauchen Sie Hilfe?
17 Do you need help?
(BROWkhen zee HILLfuh?)
Nein, danke, ich brauche keine Hilfe.
18 No, thank you, I don't need any help.
(nine, DUNKuh, ish BROWkhuh KYnuh HILLfuh.)
Ich brauche einen Arzt.
19 I need a doctor.
(ish BROWkhe EYEnen ahtst.)
die Tablette
20 the pill
(dee tahBLETuh)
eine Schmerztablette
21 a pain pill
(EYEnuh SHMAIRTStahBLETuh)
Ich brauche eine Schmerztablette.
22 I need a pain pill.
(ish BROWkhuh EYEnuh SHMAIRTStahBLETuh.)
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I can not find my passport.
Ich kann meinen Pass nicht finden
English
1
2
to find
3
I can find
4
I can not find
5
the passport
6
my passport
7
my car key
8
I can not find my car key.
9
the wallet
German
(ish kun MYnen pahs nisht FINden.)
finden
(FINden)
ich kann finden
(ish kun FINden)
ich kann nicht finden
(ish kun nisht FINden)
der Pass
(dair pahs)
mein Pass
(mine pahs)
mein Autoschlüssel
(mine OWtohSCHLEWsel)
Ich kann meinen Autoschlüssel nicht finden.
(ish kun MYnen OWtohSCHLEWsel nisht FINden.)
der Geldbeutel
(dair GHELTboytel)
Wo ist mein Geldbeutel?
10 Where is my wallet?
(voh ist mine GHELTboytel?)
Ich kann meinen Geldbeutel nicht finden.
11 I can not find my wallet.
(ish kun MYnen GHELTboytel nisht FINden.)
verlieren
12 to lose
(fairLEEren)
verloren
13 lost
(fairLOHren)
ich habe verloren
14 I have lost
(ish HAHbuh fairLOHren)
die Schlüssel
15 the keys
(dee SHLEWsel)
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English
German
meine Schlüssel
16 my keys
(MYnuh SHLEWsel)
Ich habe meine Schlüssel verloren.
17 I have lost my keys.
(ish HAHbuh MYnuh SHLEWsel fairLOHren.)
die Handtasche
18 the purse
(dee HUNTtahshuh)
Ihre Handtasche
19 your purse
(EEruh HUNTtahshuh)
Wo ist Ihre Handtasche?
20 Where is your purse?
(voh ist EEruh HUNTtahshuh?)
Ich habe meine Handtasche verloren.
21 I have lost my purse.
(ish HAHbuh MYnuh HUNTtahshuh fairLOHren.)
der Führerschein
22 the driver's licence
(dair FEWRashine)
Haben Sie Ihren Führerschein auch verloren?
23 Have you lost your driver's license, too?
(HAHben zee EEren FEWRashine auwkh
fairLOHren?)
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Someone has stolen my camera.
Jemand hat meinen Fotoapparat gestohlen.
English
German
1
2
to steal
3
stolen
4
someone has stolen
5
the camera
6
my camera
7
Someone has stolen my passport.
8
Help, someone has stolen my purse.
9
Has someone stolen your money?
(YAYmunt hut MYnen FOHtohahpahRAHT
guhSHTOHlen.)
stehlen
(SHTAYlen)
gestohlen
(guhSHTOHlen)
jemand hat gestohlen
(YAYmunt hut guhSHTOHlen)
der Fotoapparat
(dair FOHtohahpahRAHT)
mein Fotoapparat
(mine FOHtohahpahRAHT)
Jemand hat meinen Pass gestohlen.
(YAYmunt hut MYnen pahs guhSHTOHlen.)
Hilfe, jemand hat meine Handtasche gestohlen.
(HILLfuh, YAYmunt hut MYnuh HUNTtahshuh
guhSHTOHlen.)
Hat jemand Ihr Geld gestohlen?
(hut YAYmunt eer ghelt guhSHTOHlen?)
der Dieb
10 the thief
(dair deep)
Da ist der Dieb.
11 There is the thief.
(dah ist dair deep.)
Haltet den Dieb!
12 Stop thief!
(HALtet dane deep!)
der Rucksack
13 the backpack
(dair ROOHKzahk)
Haltet den Dieb! Er hat meinen Rucksack
gestohlen.
14 Stop thief! He has stolen my backpack.
(HALtet dane deep! air hut MYnen ROOHKzahk
guhSHTOHlen.)
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I have to go to the embassy.
Ich muss zur Botschaft gehen.
English
1
2
I have to
3
German
(ish moos tsoor BOHTshaft GAYhen.)
ich muss
(ish moos)
Did you say *ich müsse? Müssen (to have to) is another irregular verb and "I have to" is ich
muss.
4
I have to go.
5
the embassy
6
to the embassy
Ich muss gehen.
(ish moos GAYhen.)
die Botschaft
(dee BOHTshaft)
zur Botschaft
(tsoor BOHTshaft)
Did you get it right? It is just as in Wie komme ich zur Kirche? Botschaft (embassy) is the
7
direct object of this sentence here. Die Botschaft is feminine, and for feminine direct objects, die
changes to der. Zu and der become zur, so "to the embassy" is zur Botschaft. For male and
neuter direct objects, der and das become dem, and zu dem becomes zum.
8
you have to
9
immediately
Sie müssen
(zee MEWSen)
sofort
(zohFOAT)
Sie müssen sofort zur Polizei gehen.
10 You have to go to the police immediately.
(zee MEWSen zohFOAT tsoor pohleeTSIGH
GAYhen.)
Wir müssen sofort zum Arzt gehen.
11 We have to go to the doctor immediately.
(veer MEWSen zohFOAT tsoom ahtst GAYhen.)
die Apotheke
12 the pharmacy
(dee ahpohTAYkuh)
Ich muss zur Apotheke gehen.
13 I have to go to the pharmacy.
(ish moos tsoor ahpohTAYkuh GAYhen.)
das Fundbüro
14 the lost-and-found office
(dahs FOONTbewROH)
Gehen Sie zum Fundbüro.
15 Go to the lost-and-found office.
(GAYhen zee tsoom FOONTbewROH.)
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English
German
das Krankenhaus
16 the hospital
(dahs KRUNKenhouse)
Sie müssen ins Krankenhaus gehen.
17 You have to go to the hospital.
(zee MEWSen ins KRUNKenhouse GAYhen.)
Did you say Sie müssen zum Krankenhaus gehen? Pretty good, and--in a different context-18 even correct. But zum Krankenhaus gehen means you would go and wait outside, or you are
going just to visit someone. If you are injured or sick, Germans like to emphasize that you are going
into the hospital, and--like it or not--you might have to stay. So, let's look at this.
in
19 into
20
(in)
In, in German, has two different meanings depending on the context and the changes made to the
following object. It can mean "in" or "into."
ins Krankenhaus
21 into the hospital
(ins KRUNKenhouse)
When in has the meaning "in," you have already learned that die changes to der and der and
22
das change to dem. This is how in dem Kaufhaus becomes im Kaufhaus. However, if
in means into, das and die don't change! "Into the hospital" is in das Krankenhaus. And in das
becomes ins.
der Diebstahl
23 the theft
(dair DEEPshtahl)
melden
24 to report
(MELden)
Ich möchte einen Diebstahl melden.
25 I would like to report a theft.
26
(ish MERSHtuh EYEnen DEEPshtahl MELden.)
Sie müssen den Diebstahl bei der Polizei melden.
You have to report the theft to the police.
(zee MEWSen dane DEEPshtahl by dair
pohleeTSIGH MELden.)
(You have to report the theft by the police.)
dass
27 that
(dahss)
Ich muss bei der Botschaft melden, dass ich
28
I have to report to the embassy that I have lost
my passport.
meinen Pass verloren habe.
(ish moos by dair BOHTshuft MELden, dahs ish
MYnen pahs fairLOHren HAHbuh.)
Look at the word order in German. Note that here the most important information concerning what
happened to your passport--the verb--comes at the very end. As you are speaking the sentence,
29
you could still theoretically change your mind to say that you have forged, sold, or eaten your
passport.
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English
German
Sie müssen melden, dass jemand Ihre
You have to report that someone has stolen your Handtasche gestohlen hat.
30
purse.
(zee MEWSen MELden, dahs YAYmunt EEruh
HUNTtahshuh guhSHTOHlen hut.)
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CHAPTER 9: W HAT DOES THAT MEAN?
W AS BEDEUTET DAS ?
Journey 1 Chapter 9: What Does That Mean?
Approach Someone With a Question
Communicate One's Ability to Understand Something
Inquire About Do's And Don'ts
Inquire About the Meaning of a Word or Phrase
Request to Repeat, Slow Down, or Speak Up
Grammar Goals
Form Relative Clauses with Was, Wie, Dass
Learn the Verbs Heißen and Bedeuten
Recognize the Separable Verbs Aussprechen and Aufschreiben
Use the Impersonal Pronoun Man
Use the Present Perfect Verb Tense
Conversation
English
German
Entschuldigung, ich habe eine kurze Frage.
Excuse me, I have a quick question.
(entSHOOLdegoong, ish HAHbuh EYEnuh KOORtsuh
FRAHga.)
Können Sie mir sagen, was dort auf dem Schild
Can you tell me what it says on the sign over
there?
I don't understand that.
steht?
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, vahs dort owf dame shilt
shtayt?)
Ich verstehe das nicht.
(ish fairSHTAYuh dahs nisht.)
Welches Schild? Ach, da... Da steht: "Baden
Which sign? Ah, there... It says: "Baden verboten."
Hm. And what does that mean?
verboten."
(VELSHes shilt? akh, dah... dah shtayt: "BAHden
fairBOHten.")
Hm. Und was bedeutet das?
(hm. oont vahs buhDOYtet dahs?)
Es bedeutet, dass man hier nicht schwimmen darf.
It means that you are not allowed to swim here.
I see. And why not?
No idea.
(es buhDOYtet , dahss munn heer nisht SHVIMMen
dahf.)
Ach so. Und warum nicht?
(akh zoh. oont vahROOMM nisht?)
Keine Ahnung.
(KUYnuh AHnoong.)
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121
I have a quick question.
Ich habe eine kurze Frage.
English
1
(I have a short question.)
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh KOORtsuh FRAHguh.)
2
the question
3
a question
4
short
5
German
die Frage
(dee FRAHguh)
eine Frage
(EYEnuh FRAHguh)
kurz
(koorts)
a quick question
eine kurze Frage
(a short question)
(EYEnuh KOORtsuh FFAHguh)
6
the request
7
I have a request.
8
the problem
9
I have a problem.
die Bitte
(dee BITtuh)
Ich habe eine Bitte.
(is HAHbuh EYEnuh BITtuh)
das Problem
(dahs prohBLAME)
Ich habe ein Problem.
(ish HAHbuh EYEn prohBLAME.)
die Zeit
10 the time
(dee tsite)
Haben Sie Zeit?
11 Do you have time?
(HAHben zee tsite?)
der Moment
12 the moment
(dair mohMENT)
ein Moment
13 a moment
14
(EYEn mohMENT)
Do you have a moment?
Haben Sie einen Moment Zeit?
(Do you have a moment time?)
(HAHben zee EYEnen mohMENT tsite?)
jetzt
15 now
(yetst)
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English
German
Ich habe jetzt keine Zeit.
16 I don't have time now.
(ish HAHbuh jetst KUYnuh tsite.)
die Idee
17 the idea
(dee eeDAY)
Ich habe eine Idee.
18 I have an idea.
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh eeDAY.)
die Ahnung
19 the hunch
20
(dee AHnoong)
I have no idea.
Ich habe keine Ahnung.
(I have no hunch.)
(ish HAHbuh KUYnuh AHnoong.)
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What does that sign over there mean?
Was bedeutet das Schild dort?
English
German
1
2
to mean
3
the sign
4
The sign means...
5
What does that sign mean?
6
over there
7
the sign over there
8
on the sign
9
to stand
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs shilt dort?)
bedeuten
(buhDOYten)
das Schild
(dahs shilt)
Das Schild bedeutet...
(dahs shilt buhDOYtet...)
Was bedeutet das Schild?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs shilt?)
dort
(dort)
das Schild dort
(dahs shilt dort)
auf dem Schild
(owf dame shilt)
stehen
(SHTAYen)
steht
10 stands
11
(shtayt)
What does the sign say?
Was steht auf dem Schild?
(What stands on the sign?)
(vahs shtayt owf dame shilt?)
Was bedeutet das?
12 What does that mean?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs?)
verboten
13 prohibited
(fairBOHten)
das Wort
14 the word
(dahs vhort)
Was bedeutet das Wort „verboten"?
15 What does the word "verboten" mean?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs vhort "fairBOHten"?)
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English
German
Verboten (prohibited) is an important word to know in German. Rasen betreten verboten may
seem to be a harsh way to tell people to "Keep off the lawn," but that's how Germans are:
16 unambiguous and direct. Even though Germans sometimes complain about their "restrictive
society," you will be amazed how much is actually allowed. Dogs in restaurants, drinking beer on the
subway, sunbathing topless in public--all are allowed, of course.
Verstehen Sie, was das bedeutet?
17 Do you understand what that means?
(fairSHTAYen zee, vahs dahs buhDOYtet?)
Ich habe keine Ahnung, was das bedeutet.
18 I have no idea what that means.
(ish HAHbuh KYnuh AHnoong, vahs dahs
buhDOYtet.)
erklären
19 to explain
(airKLAIRHen)
Können Sie mir das erklären?
20 Can you explain that to me?
(KERnen zee MEEah dahs airKLAIRHen?)
Können Sie mir erklären, was das Wort auf dem
21
Can you explain to me, what that word on the
sign means?
Schild bedeutet?
(KERnen zee MEEah airKLAIRHen, vahs dahs vhort
owf dame shilt buhDOYtet?)
welches
22 which
(VELSHes)
"Which" translates to welch-es only when referring to a neuter word, like das Schild (the sign) or
23 das Wort (the word). If you were asking "Which man?" it would be Welch-er Mann? and "Which
woman?" translates to Welch-e Frau? The plural form is also welch-e.
Welches Schild?
24 Which sign?
(VELSHes shilt?)
Welches Wort?
25 Which word?
26
(VELSHes vhort?)
in English
auf Englisch
(on English)
(owf AYNGlish)
Was bedeutet das auf Englisch?
27 What does that mean in English?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs owf AYNGlish?)
auf Deutsch
28 in German
29
(owf doitsh)
What is that in German?
Wie heißt das auf Deutsch?
(How is that called on German?)
(vee highst dahs owf doitsh?)
Können Sie mir sagen, wie das Wort auf Deutsch
heißt?
30 Can you tell me what that word is in German?
(KERnen zee MEEa ZAHgan, vee dahs vort owf
doitsh highst?)
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126
English
German
Ich weiß nicht, wie das auf Deutsch heißt.
31 I don't know what that is called in German.
(ish vice nisht, vee dahs owf doitsh highst.)
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One is not allowed to swim here.
Man darf hier nicht schwimmen.
English
1
2
to swim
3
one
4
One is allowed.
5
One is allowed to swim.
6
One is allowed to swim here.
7
One is not allowed to swim.
8
why
9
Why not?
German
(muhn dahf heer nisht SHVIMen.)
schwimmen
(SHVIMMen)
man
(munn)
Man darf.
(muhn dahf.)
Man darf schwimmen.
(muhn dahf SHVIMen.)
Man darf hier schwimmen.
(muhn dahf heer SHVIMen.)
Man darf nicht schwimmen.
(muhn dahf nisht SHVIMen.)
warum
(vahROOMM)
Warum nicht?
(vahRHOOM nisht?)
Ach so.
10 I see.
(akh zoh.)
11 I see. And why not?
Warum darf man hier nicht schwimmen?
12 Why isn't one allowed to swim here?
(vahRHOOM dahf muhn heer nisht SCHVIMen?)
rauchen
13 to smoke
14
(ROUKHen)
No smoking.
Rauchen verboten.
(Smoking prohibited.)
(ROUKHen fairBOHten.)
Man darf hier nicht rauchen.
15 One is not allowed to smoke here.
(muhn dahf heer nisht ROUKHen.)
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128
English
German
parken
16 to park
(PAHken)
Darf man hier parken?
17 Is one allowed to park here?
(dahf muhn heer PAHken?)
Auf dem Schild steht, dass man hier nicht parken
18
19
It says on the sign that one is not allowed to park
here.
darf.
Is one allowed to do that?
Darf man das?
(Is one allowed that?)
(dahf muhn dahs?)
sagen
20 to say
21
(ZAHgan)
You probably noticed that sagen means both "to tell" and "to say". So while you have two words to
choose from in English, it's easy in German: you just use sagen.
man sagt
22 one says
(mun zahkt)
Wie sagt man das auf Deutsch?
23 How does one say that in German?
(vee zahkt muhn dahs owf doitsh?)
so
24 so
25
(owf dame shilt shtayt, dahs muhn heer nisht
PAHken dahf.)
(zoh)
Is that how you say that?
Sagt man das so?
(Does one say that so?)
(zahkt muhn dahs zoh?)
machen
26 to do
(MAHKHen)
27 Depending on the context, machen can either mean "to do" or "to make."
Wie macht man das in Deutschland?
28 How does one do that in Germany?
(vee mahkht muhn dahs in DOITSHluhnt?)
man spricht
29 one speaks
(muhn shprisht)
30 Note that you don't say *man sprecht, but that the -e changes to an -i.
aussprechen
31 to pronounce
(owsSHPRAYshen)
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129
English
German
man spricht aus
32 one pronounces
(muhn shprisht ows)
Did you say *man ausspricht? Aussprechen is one of those separable verbs in German. Well,
33
you already know the word sprechen (to speak). Add the prefix aus- and the verb has a whole new
meaning: "to pronounce." It is one word in its basic form, but becomes two words when you add a
subject: ich spreche aus, Sie sprechen aus, man spricht aus, and so on.
Wie spricht man das Wort aus?
34 How does one pronounce that word?
(vee shprisht muhnn dahs vhort ows?)
richtig
35 correct
(RISHtik)
Wie spricht man das Wort richtig aus?
36 How does one pronounce that word correctly?
(vee shprisht muhn dahs vhort RISHtik ows?)
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Please, speak more slowly.
Bitte sprechen Sie langsamer.
English
1
2
Please, speak.
3
slow
4
Please, speak slowly.
5
more slowly
6
More slowly, please!
7
Please, speak a little more slowly.
German
(BITuh SHPRAYshen zee LAHNGzahmah.)
Bitte, sprechen Sie.
(BITtuh, SHPRAYshen zee.)
langsam
(LAHNGzahm)
Bitte sprechen Sie langsam.
(BITuh SHPRAYshen zee LAHNGzahm.)
langsamer
(LAHNGzahmah)
Langsamer, bitte!
(LAHNGzahmah, BITuh!)
Bitte sprechen Sie ein bisschen langsamer.
(BITtuh SPRAYshen zee EYEn BISyen
LAHNGzahmah.)
Ich habe eine Bitte - können Sie langsamer
sprechen?
8
I have a request - can you speak more slowly?
9
Fast or quick, there is only one word for it in German: schnell.
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh BITuh - KEHRHnen zee
LAHNGzahmah SPRAYshen?)
Ich habe ein Problem - Sie sprechen ein bisschen
zu schnell.
10 I have a problem - you speak a little too fast.
(ish HAHbuh EYEn prohBLAME - zee SPRAYshen
EYEn BISyen tsoo shnel.)
11 For the following slide, imagine that you did not understand what someone was saying.
12
Excuse me?
Wie bitte?
(How please?)
(vee BITtuh?)
So in English, "excuse me" has more than one meaning and can be used in many different
situations. In German you say Entschuldigung to get someone's attention. To apologize for
13 something, you would say either Tut mir leid or Entschuldigung. But to indicate that you did not
understand something, you politely say Wie bitte? (How please?). Less polite, but common, is to
say Was? (What?)... or the universal "Huh?"
hören
14 to hear
(HERehn)
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131
English
German
Wie bitte? Ich kann Sie nicht hören.
15 Excuse me? I can't hear you.
(vee BITtuh? ish kuhn zee nisht HERehn.)
Ich kann Sie nicht verstehen.
16 I can't understand you.
(ish kuhn zee nisht fairSHTAYen.)
laut
17 loud
(lout)
lauter
18 louder
(LOUTah)
Sprechen Sie bitte lauter.
19 Please, speak more loudly.
(SHPRAYshen zee BITtuh LOUTah.)
wiederholen
20 to repeat
(veedaHOHlehn)
Bitte wiederholen Sie das.
21 Please, repeat that.
(BITtuh veedaHOHlehn zee dahs.)
Wie bitte? Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
22 Excuse me? Can you repeat that, please?
(vee BITtuh? KERnehn zee dahs BITtuh
veedaHOHlehn?)
aufschreiben
23 to write down
(OWFshraibehn)
die Adresse
24 the address
25
(dee ahDRESuh)
Can you write down the address for me, please?
(Can you write down the address to me, please?)
(KEHRnehn zee meer dee ahDRESuh
OWFshraibehn, BITtuh?)
die Telefonnummer
26 the telephone number
27
Können Sie mir die Adresse aufschreiben, bitte?
(dee taylayFOHNnoomah)
Schreiben Sie mir Ihre Telefonnummer auf, bitte?
Will you write down your telephone number for
me, please?
(SHRYbehn zee meer EEruh taylayFOHNnoomah
owf, BITtuh?)
Did you get that right? Aufschreiben is a separable verb, just like aussprechen, consisting of
28 schreiben (to write) and auf (on). So in German, you don't write your number "down." Instead,
you literally write it "on" something, like a piece of paper.
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I did not hear you.
Ich habe Sie nicht gehört.
English
1
German
I did not hear you.
(I have not heard you.)
(ish HAHbuh zee neesht guhHERT.)
gehört
2
heard
3
I have heard.
4
Spoken German does not usually use the past tense form "I heard" even when it is called for in
English. In German, you almost always say ich habe gehört for "I have heard" or "I heard." The
German past tense form "I heard" is preferred in written language.
5
I have heard you.
6
said
7
I have said...
8
Just as in the English example "I have heard" or "I have said," in spoken German the past tense
consists of two parts for most verbs: a form of "to have" and a past tense form of the main verb.
You get this form by simply putting a ge- in front of basic verb and substitute the ending "-en" with a
(guhHERT)
Ich habe gehört.
(ish HAHbuh guhHERT.)
Ich habe Sie gehört.
(ish HAHbuh zee guhHERT.)
gesagt
(guhZAHKT)
Ich habe gesagt...
(ish HAHbuh guhZAHKT...)
"-t": hören - gehört and sagen - gesagt.
9
What did you say?
Was haben Sie gesagt?
(What have you said?)
(vahs HAHbehn zee guhZAHKT?)
er hat
10 he has
11
12
(air hut)
He did not say anything.
Er hat nichts gesagt.
(He has said nothing.)
(air hut neeshts guhZAHKT.)
Ich habe nicht gehört, was sie gesagt hat.
I did not hear what she said.
(ish HAHbuh neesht guhHERT, vahs zee guhZAHKT
hut.)
(I have not heard what she has said.)
einmal
13 once
(EYEnmahl)
zweimal
14 twice
(TSVEYEmahl)
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English
German
dreimal
15 three times
(DRYmahl)
fragen
16 to ask
(FRAHgehn)
gefragt
17 asked
(guhFRAHKT)
Wir haben schon zweimal gefragt.
18 We have already asked twice.
(veer HAHbehn shohn TSVEYEmahl guhFRAHKT.)
Er hat es schon dreimal wiederholt.
19 He has already repeated it three times.
(air hut es shohn DRYmahl veedahHOHLT.)
gemacht
20 did
21
22
(guhMAHKHT)
We have not done anything today.
Wir haben heute nichts gemacht.
(We have done nothing today.)
(veer HAHbehn HOItuh neeshts guhMAHKHT.)
Never mind.
Macht nichts.
(Makes nothing.)
(mahkht nishts.)
gelernt
23 learned
24
(guhLAIRNT)
a lot
viel
(much)
(feel)
Sie haben schon viel gelernt.
25 You have already learned a lot.
(zee HAHbehn shohn feel guhLAIRNT.)
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I have not read it.
Ich habe es nicht gelesen.
English
German
1
I have not read it.
2
to read
3
read
4
Did you say *ge-les-t? Good, you remembered the rule. But in some cases, the main verbs have
the ending "-en", which makes them even easier to remember if you know their basic form: It is
lesen and ge-lesen.
5
I have read.
6
I have read it.
7
(ish HAHbuh es neesht guhLAYzehn.)
lesen
(LAYzehn)
gelesen
(guhLAYzehn)
Ich habe gelesen.
(ish HAHbuh guhLAYzehn.)
Ich habe es gelesen.
(ish HAHbuh es guhLAYzehn.)
Did you not read the sign?
Haben Sie das Schild nicht gelesen?
(Have you not read the sign?)
(HAHben zee dahs shilt guhLAYzehn?)
8
seen
9
Have you seen that?
gesehen
(guhZAYhehn)
Haben Sie das gesehen?
(HAHbehn zee dahs guhZAYhehn?)
Ich habe es nicht gesehen.
10 I have not seen it.
(ish HAHbuh es neesht guhZAYhehn.)
vergessen
11 to forget
(fairGUESSehn)
vergessen
12 forgotten
(fairGUESSehn)
13 Here, the verb form in the past tense doesn't change at all from its basic form.
14
I forgot it.
Ich habe es vergessen.
(I have forgotten it.)
(ish HAHbuh es fairGUESSehn.)
das Brandenburger Tor
15 the Brandenburg Gate
(dahs BRUHNdehnBOORgah toa)
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English
German
Das Brandenburger Tor (The Brandenburg Gate) in Berlin, built from 1788 to 1791, was
commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace. Ironically, this former city gate was later
16 incorporated into the Berlin Wall during the years of Communist government. Since the fall of the
Berlin Wall (1989), the Brandenburg gate--probably the most well-known landmark in Germany's
capital--stands as a symbol of the reunification of the formerly divided country.
Haben Sie schon das Brandenburger Tor in Berlin
17
Have you already seen the Brandenburg Gate in
Berlin?
(HAHbehn zee shohn dahs BRUHNdehnBOORgah
toa in bairLEEN guhZAYhehn?)
der Kölner Dom
18 the Cologne Cathedral
19
gesehen?
(dair KEHRLnah dohm)
so far
bis jetzt
(till now)
(bis yetst)
Bis jetzt haben wir nur den Kölner Dom gesehen.
20 So far we have only seen the Cologne Cathedral.
(bis yetst HAHbehn veer noor dane KEHRLnah
dohm guhZAYhen.)
Der Kölner Dom (The Cologne Cathedral) is a renowned example of Gothic architecture and the
21 most famous landmark in Cologne--one of the oldest cities in Germany. The Cathedral was
completed in 1880 after 600 years of construction (with interruptions). With its two 515 ft tall towers,
it is one of the world's largest churches.
Und das Schloss Neuschwanstein? Das muss
22
And the Neuschwanstein Castle? One has to
have seen that.
man gesehen haben!
(oont dahs shlos noySHVAHNshtine? dahs moos
muhn guhZAYhen HAHbehn.)
Wir haben schon viel gesehen und gehört.
23 We have already seen and heard a lot.
(veer HAHbehn shohn feel guhZAYhen oont
guhHERT.)
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He spoke too quietly.
Er hat zu leise gesprochen.
English
1
German
(He has spoken too quietly.)
(air hut tsoo LYzuh guhSHPROKHen.)
gesprochen
2
spoken
3
Which one did you go with, *gesprecht or *gesprechen? Well, it is neither. Sprechen does not
follow the regular pattern of past tense formation. Just memorize the past tense forms when you
come across them. There is no other way to know. And don't worry, people in Germany will
understand you, even if you don't get it right the first time.
4
He has spoken.
5
quiet
6
7
8
9
(guhSHPROKHen)
Er hat gesprochen.
(air hut guhSHPROKHen.)
leise
(LYzuh)
He spoke quietly.
Er hat leise gesprochen.
(He has spoken quietly.)
(air hut LYzuh guhSHPROKHen.)
zu leise
too quiet
(tsoo LYzuh)
He also spoke too fast.
Er hat auch zu schnell gesprochen.
(He has also spoken too fast.)
(air hut auwkh tsoo shnel guhSHPROKHen.)
verstanden
understood
(fairSHTUNden)
And then there are the past tense verbs that don't even begin with ge-. Those are the verbs that
already have a prefix like ver-stehen (to understand) which gives the verb a whole new meaning,
10 just like in English. The past tense of stehen (to stand) is gestanden (stood), and of ver-stehen
(under-stand) it is verstanden (under-stood). You will need to memorize these forms as well.
Verstanden?
Ich habe verstanden.
11 I have understood.
(ish HAHbuh fairSHTUNden.)
klar
12 clear
13
(klah)
All right!
Alles klar!
(Everything clear!)
(AHLes klah!)
Alles klar, ich habe verstanden.
14 All right, I have understood.
(AHLes klah, ish HAHbuh fairSHTUNden.)
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English
15
16
17
German
Is everything all right?
Alles klar?
(Everything clear?)
(AHLes klah?)
I did not understand you.
Ich habe Sie nicht verstanden.
(I have not understood you.)
(ish HAHbuh zee nisht fairSHTUNden.)
I did not understand that correctly.
Ich habe das nicht richtig verstanden.
(I have not understood that correctly.)
(ish HAHbuh dahs nisht RISHtik fairSHTUNden.)
missverstehen
18 to misunderstand
(MISfairSHTAYen)
Sie haben da etwas missverstanden.
19 You have misunderstood something there.
(zee HAHben dah ETvahs MISfairSHTUNden.)
falsch
20 wrong
(fahlsh)
Das bedeutet, dass Sie es falsch verstanden
That means that you have not understood it
21 correctly.
haben.
(That means that you have understood it wrong.)
(dahs buhDOYtet, dahs zee es fahlsh
fairSHTUNden HAHben.)
helfen
22 to help
(HELLfen)
geholfen
23 helped
(guhHOHLfen)
Vielen Dank, Sie haben mir sehr geholfen.
24 Thank you very much, you have helped me a lot.
(FEElen dunk, zee HAHben MEEah zair
guhHOHLfen.)
Did you say *Sie haben mich sehr viel geholfen? Even though you don't say "Help to me" in
25 English, it is literally how you say it in German: Helfen Sie mir. And instead of sehr viel (very
much), you simply say sehr (very): Sie haben mir sehr geholfen.
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CHAPTER 10: IT'S NOT THAT BAD, IS IT?
ALLES GAR NICHT SO SCHLIMM, ODER?
Journey 1 Chapter 10: It's Not That Bad, Is It?
Add Some Flavor to Your Speech and Sound Like a Native
Become a Master-Builder of the German Language
Break the Ice With Ease
Recognize Some True and Some False German Friends
Grammar Goals
Use
Use
Use
Use
Particles and Learn Their Function
the Imperative Verb Form
the Present Perfect, Simple Past Verb Form
the Question Words Welche, Welcher, Welches
Use Nicht, Nichts, and Kein for Negation
Conversation
English
German
Sagen Sie mal, wie war eigentlich Ihr Deutschkurs?
So, tell me, how was your German class?
Not that bad at all, was it?
No, German is not that difficult at all.
Well, that's what I have said all along.
(ZAHgahn zee mahl, vee vah EYEghehntlish eer
DOITSHkoors?)
Gar nicht so schlimm, oder?
(gah nisht zoh shlim, OHdah?)
Nein, Deutsch ist gar nicht so schwer.
(nine, doitsh ist gah nisht zoh shvair.)
Naja, das habe ich ja gleich gesagt.
(nahYAH, dahs HAHbuh ish yah gluysh guhZAHKT.)
Die Sprache ist manchmal eben ein bisschen
The language is just a little complicated
sometimes, but actually pretty logical.
kompliziert aber eigentlich ganz logisch.
(dee SHPRAHKHuh ist MUNSHmahl AYben EYEn
BISSyen kompleetSEEat AHbuh EYEghentlish gahns
LOHghish. )
Konnten Sie denn vor dem Kurs noch gar kein
So, you didn't speak any German at all before the
class?
Deutsch?
(KONten zee dehn foa dame koors nawkh gah kine
doitsh?)
Doch. Ein paar Wörter habe ich natürlich schon
gekannt: „Autobahn“, „Gesundheit“ und „Guten
Yes, I did. Of course I did know a few words:
"Autobahn", "Gesundheit", and "Guten Tag."
Tag“.
(dawkh. EYEn pah VERtah HAHbuh ish nahTEWlish
guhKUHNT: "OWtohbahn", "guhZOONThite" oont
"GOOten tahk". )
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140
English
German
Manche Wörter sehen genau aus wie englische
Some words look exactly like English words but
have a completely different meaning.
Why, that is funny.
Wörter aber haben eine ganz andere Bedeutung.
(MUNSHuh VERtah ZAYhen guhNOW ows vee
AYNGlishuh VERtah AHbuh HAHben EYEnuh gahns
AHNdairuh buhDOYtoong.)
Das ist ja lustig.
(dahs ist ya LOOStik.)
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Wait for me, will you?
Warten Sie mal auf mich!
English
German
1
2
to wait
3
Wait!
4
... will you?
5
Wait, will you?
6
to wait for
7
me
8
Wait for me!
9
This little word mal here makes requests or suggestions less blunt. Mal might be best translated
with something like "just", "...,will you?", or "shall we?", or not at all. It is probably the most over-used
word in German. For the following slides, the English translation is not literal but tries - if at all
possible - to match the speaker's tone. Try to make suggestions or requests - using mal in all of
the following day-to-day lines of conversations.
(VAHten zee mahl owf mish!)
warten
(VAHten)
Warten Sie!
(VAHten zee!)
mal
(mahl)
Warten Sie mal!
(VAHten zee mahl!)
warten auf
(VAHten owf)
mich
(mish)
Warten Sie auf mich!
(VAHten zee owf mish!)
Warten wir mal.
10 Let's wait, shall we?
(VAHten veer mahl.)
versuchen
11 to try
(fairZOOKHen)
Versuchen wir das mal!
12 Let's try this, shall we?
(fairZOOKHen veer dahs mahl!)
Helfen Sie mir mal!
13 Help me, will you?
(HELLfen zee MEEah mahl!)
Machen Sie das mal.
14 Do that, will you?
(MAHKHen zee dahs mahl.)
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English
German
Kommen Sie mal.
15 Come, will you?
(KOMen zee mahl.)
Sprechen Sie mal ein bisschen langsamer.
16 Speak a little more slowly, will you?
(SPRAYshen zee mahl EYEn BISyen
LAHNGzahmah.)
Erklären Sie mir das mal.
17 Explain that to me, will you?
(airKLAIRen zee MEEah dahs mahl.)
Sagen Sie mal...
18 Tell me...
(ZAHgan zee mahl...)
Ich kenne ihn.
19 I know him.
(ish KENuh een.)
Sagen Sie mal, kenne ich Sie nicht?
20 Tell me, don't I know you?
(ZAHgan zee mahl, KENuh ish zee nisht?)
Mal sehen.
21 We'll see.
(mahl ZAYhen.)
Mal is one of about 30 particles in German - little words that slightly shift the tone of a sentence.
There's no precise translation for these words. They reflect the speaker's attitude and send a
22 message of how a question or statement is to be received by the other person. In this chapter you
will learn the most important particles. Using them in your conversations helps you sound like a
native speaker. Once you know how and when to use these particles, you will have a good grasp on
the German colloquial.
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German is not that difficult at all.
Deutsch ist gar nicht so schwer.
English
1
2
difficult
3
not difficult
4
German is not difficult.
5
6
German
(doitsh ist gah nisht zoh shvair.)
schwer
(shvair)
nicht schwer
(nisht shvair)
Deutsch ist nicht schwer.
(doitsh ist nisht shvair.)
not that difficult
nicht so schwer
(not so difficult)
(nisht zoh shvair)
gar nicht
not at all
(gah nisht)
Gar is usually used to intensify nicht (not), nichts (nothing) and kein (no). It has the same
7
meaning as the English "at all" and you would say gar nicht (not at all), gar nichts (nothing at all),
and gar kein (no... at all).
8
not difficult at all
9
awful
gar nicht schwer
(gah nisht shvair)
schlimm
(shlim)
war
10 was
(vah)
Es war schlimm.
11 It was awful.
12
(es vah schlim.)
It was not that bad at all, was it?
Es war gar nicht so schlimm, oder?
(It was not so awful at all, or?)
(es vah gah nisht zoh shlim, OHdah?)
Remember when you learned to say "Nice weather, isn't it?" In German, you said, "Schönes
13 Wetter, nicht wahr?" (Nice weather, not true?). But even more common in colloquial German is:
Schönes Wetter, oder? (Nice weather, or?)
14
not anymore
nicht mehr
(not more)
(nisht mair)
gar nicht mehr
15 not at all anymore
(gah nisht mair)
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English
German
Ich weiß gar nicht mehr, wo mein Hotel ist.
16 I don't know at all anymore where my hotel is.
(ish vice gah nisht mair, voh mine hohTELL ist.)
müde
17 tired
(MEWduh)
Ich bin gar nicht müde.
18 I am not tired at all.
(ish bin gah nisht MEWduh.)
gar nichts
19 nothing at all
20
(gah nishts)
I didn't see anything at all.
Ich habe gar nichts gesehen.
(I have seen nothing at all.)
(ish HAHbuh gah nishts guhZAYhen.)
Essen Sie gar nichts?
21 Don't you eat anything at all?
(EHSen zee gah nishts?)
kein Hunger
22 no hunger
23
(kine HOONGah)
I am not hungry at all.
Ich habe gar keinen Hunger.
(I have no hunger at all.)
(ish HAHbuh gah KYnen HOONGah.)
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Actually, everything is pretty logical.
Eigentlich ist alles ganz logisch.
English
1
2
logical
3
Everything is logical.
4
pretty
5
Everything is pretty logical.
6
actually
German
(EYEghentlish ist AHLes gahns LOHghish.)
logisch
(LOHghish)
Alles ist logisch.
(AHLes ist LOHghish.)
ganz
(gahns)
Alles ist ganz logisch.
(AHLes ist gahns LOHghish.)
eigentlich
(EYEghehntlish)
When used in sentences, the closest translation for eigentlich is "actually," or "strictly speaking." It
7
can also be used to moderate refusals, in the sense of "not really." Just like denn or the English
"So...", it makes questions sound more casual or can smooth over the fact that you just asked a
question more or less out of the blue.
8
easy
9
It is actually pretty easy.
leicht
(lyesht)
Es ist eigentlich ganz leicht.
(es ist EYEghentlish gahns lyesht.)
kompliziert
10 complicated
(kompleetSEEat)
die Sprache
11 the language
(dee SHPRAHKHuh)
Die Sprache ist eigentlich nicht kompliziert.
12 The language is actually not complicated.
(dee SHPRAHKHuh ist EYEghentlish nisht
kompleetSEEat.)
beruflich
13 professional
(buhROOFlish)
Was machen Sie eigentlich beruflich?
14 So, what do you do professionally?
(vahs MAHKHen zee EYEghentlish buhROOFlish?)
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146
English
German
reisen
15 to travel
16
(RYEzen)
So, do you like to travel?
Reisen Sie eigentlich gern?
(So, do you gladly travel?)
(RYEzen zee EYEghentlish gayrn?)
die Musik
17 the music
18
(dee mooZEEK)
Welche Musik hören Sie eigentlich gern?
So, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
(VELSHuh mooZEEK HERen zee EYEghentlish
gayrn?)
(So, which music do you gladly hear?)
verheiratet
19 married
(fairHIGHrahtet)
Sind Sie eigentlich verheiratet?
20 So, are you married?
(zint zee EYEghentlish fairHIGHrahtet?)
Lust haben
21 to feel like
(loost HAHben)
Haben Sie Lust...?
22 Do you feel like...?
(HAHben zee loost...?)
irgendwann mal
23 someday
24
(erghentVAHN mahl)
to go out to eat
essen gehen
(to go eat)
(EHSen GAYen)
Haben Sie eigentlich Lust, irgendwann mal mit
So, do you feel like going out to eat with me
25
someday?
26
mir essen zu gehen?
(HAHben zee EYEghentlish loost, erghentVAHN
mahl mit meer EHSen tsoo GAYen?)
No, not really.
Nein, eigentlich nicht.
(No, actually not.)
(nine, EYEghentlish nisht.)
Nein, ich habe eigentlich keine Lust.
27 No, I don't actually feel like it.
(nine, ish HAHbuh EYEghentlish KYnuh loost.)
Ja, das ist eigentlich eine sehr gute Idee.
28 Yes, that is actually a very good idea.
(ya, dahs ist EYEghentlish EYEnuh zair GOOtuh
eeDAY.)
tanzen
29 to dance
(TUNtsen)
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147
English
30
German
tonight
heute Abend
(today evening)
(HOItuh AHbent)
Eigentlich möchte ich heute Abend tanzen
gehen.
31 Actually, I would like to go dance tonight.
(EYEghentlish MERSHtuh ish HOItuh AHbent
TUNtsen GAYen.)
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We did know that.
Das haben wir ja gewusst.
English
1
German
We did know that.
(Yes we have known that.)
(dahs HAHben veer ya guhVOOST.)
gewusst
2
known
3
Did you say gewissen or gewisst? You probably could not have guessed gewusst (known). So
just pay attention to these irregular verb forms in the past tense and try to memorize them as best
as you can.
4
5
(guhVOOST)
We knew that.
Das haben wir gewusst.
(We have known that.)
(dahs HAHben veer guhVOOST.)
You already know the word ja as the affirmative answer to a question. As a particle in a sentence, ja
is used to confirm something or express that something goes without saying. Also, the speaker
assumes that the other person already knows and agrees with what he or she is saying. In a
different context ja can indicate the speaker's surprise or relief: Das ist ja schön (Why, that's
beautiful) or Da ist er ja! (Ah, there he is!). Try to use ja in the following slides.
6
after all
7
After all, you did know that.
8
9
10
schließlich
(SHLEESlish)
Sie haben das ja schließlich gewusst.
(zee HAHben dahs ya SHLEESlish guhVOOST.)
After all, you did see the sign.
Sie haben das Schild ja schließlich gesehen.
(After all, you have seen the sign.)
(zee HAHben dahs shilt ya SHLEESlish guhZAYen.)
Naja,...
Well,...
(nahYA,...)
Well, one did see that well.
Naja, das hat man ja gut gesehen.
(Well, one has seen that well.)
(nahYA, dahs hut mun ya goot guhZAYhen.)
Das ist ja das Problem.
11 That's what the problem is.
(dahs ist ya dahs prohBLAME.)
Da ist ja das Schloss schon!
12 Why, there is the castle already!
(dah ist ya dahs shlos shohn!)
es ging
13 it went
14
(es ghing)
Why, that was quick.
Das ging ja schnell.
(Why, that went quick.)
(dahs ghing ya shnel.)
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English
German
lustig
15 funny
(LOOStick)
Das ist ja lustig!
16 Why, that is funny.
(dahs ist ya LOOStik!)
eben
17 just
18
19
(AYben)
The particle eben is best translated with the English "just." It is used to confirm a self-evident truth,
wo es "eben" keine Alternative gibt (where there is "just" no alternative).
That's just how it is.
Das ist eben so.
(That's just so.)
(dahs ist AYben zoh.)
Reisen ist eben teuer.
20 Traveling is just expensive.
(RYzen ist AYben TOYah.)
manchmal
21 sometimes
(MUNSHmahl)
das Pech
22 the bad luck
(dahs pesh)
Manchmal hat man eben Pech.
23 Sometimes, one just has bad luck.
24
(MUNSHmahl hut muhn AYben pesh.)
One just can't do anything about it.
Da kann man eben nichts machen.
(One just can't do anything there.)
(dah kun mun AYben nishts MAHKHen.)
ich habe gehabt
25 I have had
26
27
28
(ish HAHbuh guhHAHPT)
I had bad luck.
Ich habe Pech gehabt.
(I have had bad luck.)
(ish HAHbuh pesh guhHAHPT.)
He had bad luck.
Er hat Pech gehabt.
(He has had bad luck.)
(air hut pesh guhHAHPT.)
Tough luck!
Pech gehabt!
(Had bad luck!)
(pesh guhHAHPT!)
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I still would like to keep learning German.
Ich möchte noch weiter Deutsch lernen.
English
1
2
3
4
5
German
(ish MERSHtuh nawkh VYtah doitsh LAIRnen.)
further
weiter
(farther)
(VYtah)
While in English, technically, "farther" refers to "a greater distance" and "further" to "a greater
extent," Germans don't make that difference here at all. They use weiter for both.
to keep learning
weiter lernen
(to learn further)
(VYtah LAIRnen)
Ich möchte noch weiter lernen.
I still would like to keep learning.
(ish MERSHtuh nawkh VYtah LAIRnen.)
The word schon can have different meanings. One of them is “already,” as in Das haben Sie
schon gelernt. (You have already learned that), if the speaker's emphasis is on the word gelernt.
6
However, if the speaker stresses the word schon in the same sentence, it means "You did learn
that." - reacting to a real or imagined doubt on the part of the listener. Try to use schon wherever
you can in the following slides.
7
I still would like to keep learning German (despite
any doubts).
8
I do feel like it.
9
on the contrary (when asked a negative
question)
Ich möchte schon noch weiter Deutsch lernen.
(ish MERSHtuh shohn nawkh VYtah doitsh
LAIRnen.)
Ich habe schon Lust.
(ish HAHbuh shohn loost.)
doch
(dawkh)
You already know how to answer questions with a simple ja (yes) and nein (no). But there is a third
10
option in German. While in English, you have to counter a negative question like Haben Sie das
Schild nicht gesehen? (Didn't you see the sign?) with "Yes, I did", there is an elegant one-word
solution in German: doch. English - with its many words - has no single word with this meaning.
11
Doch, ich habe das Schild schon gesehen.
Yes, I did see the sign.
(On the contrary, I have already seen the sign.)
Doch, ich habe schon Lust.
12 Yes, I do feel like it.
(dawkh, ish HAHbuh shohn loost.)
Doch, eigentlich schon.
13 Yes, I do, actually.
14
(dawkh, ish HAHbuh dahs shilt shohn
guhZAYhen.)
(dawkh, EYEghentlish shohn.)
Similar to schon the word doch can convey emphasis and also impatience in a reaction to
someone else's doubt or disagreement.
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151
English
German
Das hat er doch gesagt.
15 He did say that.
(dahs hut air dawkh guhZAHKT.)
Das haben wir doch gewusst.
16 We did know that.
(dahs HAHben veer dawkh guhVOOST.)
Kommen Sie doch mal!
17 Do come, will you?
18
(KOMen zee dawkh mahl!)
Do go to Berlin!
Fahren Sie doch nach Berlin!
(Do drive towards Berlin!)
(FAHren zee dawkh nahkh bairLEEN!)
The difference between the ja und doch as particles is similar to their use when answering a
question. When you say Das haben wir ja gewusst. (We did know that.), you assume that the
19 other person is already agreeing with you and you are just stating the obvious. The underlying
assumption when saying Das haben wir doch gewusst., meaning "(But) we did know that." is
that the other person disagrees with you.
aber
20 but
(AHbuh)
Aber ich war doch schon in Berlin.
21 But I have been to Berlin already.
(AHbuh ish vah dawkh shohn in bairLEEN.)
Aber wir fahren doch noch weiter.
22 But we will still keep driving.
(AHbuh veer FAHren dawkh nawkh VYtah.)
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Which words did you know already?
Welche Wörter haben Sie schon gekannt?
English
1
German
(Which words have you already known?)
(VELSHuh VERtah HAHben zee shohn guhKUHNT?)
die Wörter
2
the words
3
You have not seen this yet, a plural with the ending "-er". Also note the vowel change from o to ö.
(dee VERtah)
Did you say wissen? Or did you remember when to use kennen and when to use wissen for the
4
English word to know? Wissen is used for the knowledge of something abstract as in Haben Sie
gewusst, dass...? (Did you know that...?) Kennen is used in the context of knowing people,
places and things, including words.
5
known
6
Which words?
7
gekannt
(guhKUHNT)
Welche Wörter?
(VELSHuh VERtah?)
Which words did you know?
Welche Wörter haben Sie gekannt?
(Which words have you known?)
(VELSHuh VERtah HAHben zee guhKUHNT?)
8
the class
9
the German class
der Kurs
(dair koors)
der Deutschkurs
(dair DOITSHkoors)
vor
10 before
(foa)
11 Vor in German can mean "in front of" as well as "before."
vor dem Deutschkurs
12 before the German class
13
14
(foa dame DOITSHkoors)
Do you know how to speak German?
(Can you German?)
Did you know how to...?
Konnten Sie...?
(Could you...?)
(KONten zee...?)
When talking about the past in colloquial German you usually use have + the verb. But you will hear
15 some simple past forms and should know how to use them. Some of these forms are for example
ich hatte (I had), ich war (I was), ich konnte (I could).
MangoLanguages.com
153
English
16
17
German
Did you already know how to speak German?
Konnten Sie schon Deutsch?
(Could you already German?)
(KONten zee shohn doitsh?)
Did you already know how to speak German
before the class?
Konnten Sie vor dem Kurs schon Deutsch?
(KONten zee foa dame koors shohn doitsh?)
ein paar
18 a few
19
(EYEn pahr)
Ja, ich habe schon ein paar Wörter gekannt.
Yes, I already knew a few words.
(ya, ish HAHbuh shohn EYEn pahr VERtah
guhKUHNT.)
(Yes, I have already known a few words.)
gleich
20 the same
(gluysh)
das gleiche Wort
21 the same word
(dahs GLUYSHuh vort)
ähnlich
22 similar
(AYNlish)
ein ähnliches Wort
23 a similar word
(EYEn AYNlishes vort)
Did you remember? You only need an "-e" as an ending on gleich when the definite article is
24 present to indicate the gender: das gleiche Wort (the same word). If not, you need to add an "es": ein ähnliches Wort (a similar word).
viele
25 many
(FEELuh)
Viele Wörter sind gleich oder ähnlich.
26 Many words are the same or similar.
(FEELuh VERtah zint gluysh OHdah AYNlish.)
das Aspirin
27 the aspirin
(dahs AHSpeereen)
Aspirin ist das gleiche Wort auf Deutsch und auf
Aspirin is the same word in German and in
28
English.
Englisch.
(AHSpeereen ist dahs GLUYSHuh vort owf doitsh
oont owf AYNGlish.)
fast
29 almost
(fast)
fast gleich
30 almost the same
(fast gluysh)
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English
German
schreiben
31 to write
32
(SHRUYbehn)
That is almost spelled the same.
Das schreibt man fast gleich.
(One almost writes that the same.)
(dahs shrypt muhn fast gluysh.)
der Schnaps
33 the schnapps
34
(dair shnups)
"Schnapps" is almost spelled the same in
German and in English.
„Schnaps“ schreibt man auf Deutsch und auf
("Schnapps" one almost writes the same in
German and in English.)
("shnups" shrypt muhn owf doitsh oont owf
AYNGlish fast gluysh.)
Englisch fast gleich.
You have probably already used quite a few words in German before this course. Dachshund for
example, is a German word, as is Aspirin and Kindergarten (literally "children's garden"). The
35 word noodle is German in origin: die Nudel. Maybe you have already said Gesundheit many
times when someone was sneezing - without realizing that it is the German word for "health." But
there is one word you have definitely known and probably dreamt about all along, haven't you? The
Autobahn.
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Some words have a completely different meaning.
Manche Wörter haben eine ganz andere Bedeutung.
English
German
Manche Wörter haben eine ganz andere
1
Some words have a completely different
meaning.
2
a meaning
3
other
4
5
Bedeutung.
(MUNSHuh VERtah HAHben EYEnuh gahns
eine Bedeutung
(EYEnuh buhDOYtoong)
andere
(AHNdairuh)
a different meaning
eine andere Bedeutung
(another meaning)
(EYEnuh AHNdairuh buhDOYtoong)
ganz
completely
(gahns)
You have just learned that ganz means "pretty" as in Die Grammatik ist ganz logisch. (The
6
grammar is pretty logical). In German - depending on the context - ganz can also have the
meaning of "completely."
7
a completely different meaning
8
some
9
some words
eine ganz andere Bedeutung
(EYEnuh guns AHNdairuh buhDOYtoong)
manche
(MUNSHuh)
manche Wörter
(MUNSHuh VERtah)
Mist!
10 Darn it!
(mist!)
11 Literally, Mist translates to the not so nice sounding word "dung."
das Gift
12 the poison
(dahs gift)
Achtung, Gift!
13 Watch out, poison!
(AHKHtoong, gift!)
der Sekt
14 the sparkling wine
(dair zekt)
Trinken Sie gern Sekt?
15 Do you like to drink sparkling wine?
(TREENKen zee gayrn zekt?)
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English
German
das Handy
16 the cell phone
(dahs HANdy)
17 For the following slide, try to sound like a native and give the question a less blunt tone using mal.
Kann ich mal Ihr Handy benutzen?
18 So, can I use your cell phone?
(kuhn ish mahl eer HANdy buhNOOTsen?)
der Smoking
19 the tuxedo
(dair SMOHking)
Beware of "false friends" in the German language – words that look and sound the same as an
English word, but have a strikingly different meaning. When a German speaker calls out Mist! he is
not announcing unfavorable weather conditions. In Germany, you are welcome to sit in any non20
smoking section with a Smoking. If someone asks you if you like Sekt, he is not inquiring about
your religious philosophy. And while a Handy often comes in handy, a German Gift, isn’t anything
you would want to take.
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Did you see the soccer world championship qualification game?
Haben Sie das Fußballweltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel gesehen?
English
1
German
Haben Sie das
Did you see the soccer world
championship qualification game?
Fußballweltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel gesehen?
(HAHben zee dahs
FOOSbahlVELTmystashuftskvahleefeekahtsYOHNSshpeel
guhZAYen?)
(Have you seen the soccer world
championship qualification game?)
das Spiel
2
the game
3
the qualification
4
the qualification game
5
the championship
6
the world
7
the world champion ship
8
the world championship qualification game
9
soccer
(dahs shpeel)
die Qualifikation
(dee kvahleefeekahtsYOHN)
das Qualifikationsspiel
(dahs kvahleefeekahtsYOHNSshpeel)
die Meisterschaft
(dee MYstashuft)
die Welt
(dee velt)
die Weltmeisterschaft
(dee VELTmystashuft)
das Weltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel
(dahs VELTmystashuftskvahleefeekahtsYOHNSshpeel)
Fußball
(FOOSbahl)
Fußball (soccer) is the Germans’ pride and joy, undoubtedly their most favorite leisure activity - on
10 the field or in front of the TV. Germany’s soccer team has won the World Cup and European
Championship several times. Germans are every bit as enthusiastic about soccer as Americans are
about football or baseball.
11 the soccer world championship
12
the soccer world championship
qualification game
die Fußballweltmeisterschaft
(dee FOOSbahlVELTmystashuft)
das Fußballweltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel
(dahs
FOOSbahlVELTmystashuftskvahleefeekahtsYOHNSshpeel)
Phew! You have just managed to put together one of the longest German words. However, the
rules for word formations in German allow for unlimited addition of new elements - its like playing
dominos. If you encounter a very long German word, don't be intimidated. Start all the way to the
13 right, that's what it's all about - in this case das Spiel (the game). Then go further to the left - it is
das Qualifikationsspiel (the qualification game), and so on. The whole word always takes the
gender of the word furthest to the right.
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English
German
die Torte
14 the torte
(dee TAHtuh)
die Kirsche
15 the cherry
(dee KEERSHuh)
die Kirschtorte
16 the cherry torte
(dee KEERSHtahtuh)
der Wald
17 the forest
(dair valt)
schwarz
18 black
(shvahrts)
der Schwarzwald
19 the Black Forest
(dair SHVAHRTSvalt)
die Schwarzwälderkirschtorte
20 the Black Forest Cherry Torte
(dee SHVAHRTSveldahKEERSHtahtuh)
Ich möchte eine Schwarzwälderkirschtorte, bitte.
21 I would like a Black Forest Cherry Torte, please.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEnuh
SHVAHRTSveldahKEERSHtahtuh, BITtuh.)
Congratulations! You have just mastered one of the most complicated looking aspects of the
German language and can now start building German words on your own - it's like playing domino.
22 In the past chapters, you have learned about the different endings of words, the genders of nouns,
different verb forms. And even if you still make some mistakes, you are now perfectly capable of
communicating with German locals in any situation you may find yourself in as a traveler.
You have also heard about the main differences in the German and American culture and may think
Germans are a curious lot. How do you blend in with people who think you need to exercise to wear
tennis shoes, and whose idea of a good evening out includes discussing politics and personal
23 finances? You just may not be able yet to picture yourself formally shaking hands with Herr und
Frau Meier, who you’ve just met on a bike tour along the river – in the nude. But that you need to
go and see for yourself!
What else is left to say? That most German beer bottles don't come with screw tops. And that despite the ever-lasting myth of no speed limit on the Autobahn - local and conditional limits do
24 exist for over half of its total length. As for the rest, there is a recommended maximum speed of
130 km/h (80 mph). So, slow down a little and enjoy the beautiful countryside! Viel Spaß im
Urlaub!
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159
Vocabulary Review
English
(the) fun
(the) hunger
(the) thirst
... will you?
America
Bye.
Bye. (in Southern Germany)
Cheers!
Darn it!
German
der Spaß
(dair shpahs)
(der) Hunger
((dair) HOONGa)
(der) Durst
((dair) doohrst)
mal
(mahl)
Amerika
(ahMERikah)
Tschüs.
(chews.)
Servus.
(ZAIRvoos.)
Prost!
(phrohst!)
Mist!
(mist!)
Did you know how to...?
Konnten Sie...?
(Could you...?)
(KONten zee...?)
Do you speak...?
English
Sprechen Sie...?
(SHPRAYshen zee...?)
Englisch
(AYNGlish)
Enjoy!
Guten Appetit!
(Good appetite!)
(GOOten ahpayTEET!)
Excuse me.
Friday
Entschuldigung.
(entSHOOLdegohng.)
Freitag
(FRHYtahk)
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160
English
German
Germany
Goodbye.
Hello.
German
Deutsch
(doitsh)
Deutschland
(DOITSCHlunt)
Auf Wiedersehen.
(owf VEEduhzayen.)
Hallo.
(HAHloh.)
Hello. (in Southern Germany)
Grüß Gott.
(Greet God.)
(grews gott.)
Help!
I
I am
I am glad
I have had
I see.
I speak
I would have
I'm sorry.
Italian
Keep the change.
Hilfe!
(HILLfuh!)
ich
(ish)
ich bin
(ish bin)
Ich freue mich
(ish FROYuh mish)
ich habe gehabt
(ish HAHbuh guhHAHPT)
Ach so.
(akh zoh.)
ich spreche
(ish SHPRAYshuh)
ich hätte
(ish HETuh)
Tut mir leid.
(toot meer lite.)
italienisch
(eetahlYEEnish)
Stimmt so.
(shtimt zoh.)
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161
English
Mexican
Monday
Mr.
German
mexikanisch
(mexyKAHnish)
Montag
(MOHNtahk)
Herr
(hair)
Mrs.
Frau
(woman)
(frow)
Munich
Saturday
München
(MEWNshen)
Samstag
(ZUMStahk)
See you later.
Bis später.
(Until later.)
(biss SHPAYta.)
Spanish
Stop thief!
Sunday
Thank you.
Thursday
Tuesday
Vienna
Viennese
Spanisch
(SHPAHnish)
Haltet den Dieb!
(HALtet dane deep!)
Sonntag
(ZOHNtahk)
Vielen Dank.
(FEELen dunk.)
Danke.
(DUNKuh.)
Donnerstag
(DOHNAstahk)
Dienstag
(DEENStahk)
Wien
(veen)
Wiener
(VEEna)
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162
English
Watch out!
We'll see.
Wednesday
Well,...
a few
a little
a little something
German
Achtung!
(AHKHtoong!)
Mal sehen.
(mahl ZAYhen.)
Mittwoch
(MITvokh)
Naja,...
(nahYA,...)
ein paar
(EYEn pahr)
ein bisschen
(EYEn BISSyen)
eine Kleinigkeit
(EYEnuh KLYnishkite)
a lot
viel
(much)
(feel)
a meaning
a potato
a vacation
across from
actually
after all
afternoons
alcohol-free Beer
eine Bedeutung
(EYEnuh buhDOYtoong)
eine Kartoffel
(EYEnuh kahTOFel)
ein Urlaub
(EYEn OORlauwp)
gegenüber von
(gayganEWba fon)
eigentlich
(EYEghehntlish)
schließlich
(SHLEESlish)
nachmittags
(NAHKHmitahks)
alkoholfreies Bier
(ahlkohHOHLfryehs beehr)
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163
English
all
all supermarkets
almost
already
also
and
as
asked
at
at lunchtime
away
awful
bad
beautiful
beautiful weather
before
German
alle
(AHLuh)
alle Supermärkte
(AHLuh ZOOpamairktuh)
fast
(fast)
schon
(shohn)
auch
(auwh)
und
(oont)
als
(ahlts)
gefragt
(guhFRAHKT)
an
(ahn)
mittags
(MITahks)
weg
(vek)
schlimm
(shlim)
schlecht
(shlesht)
schön
(shern)
schönes Wetter
(SHERnes VETa)
vor
(foa)
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164
English
behind
behind it
between
black
broken
but
but
by
can
cash
cheap
cheaper
clear
closed
clothes
completely
German
hinter
(HINta)
dahinter
(daHINta)
zwischen
(TSVISHen)
schwarz
(shvahrts)
kaputt
(kahPUT)
aber
(AHbuh)
aber
(AHbuh)
bei
(by)
können
(KERNen)
bar
(bah)
billig
(BILikh)
billiger
(BILEEga)
klar
(klah)
geschlossen
(guhSHLOSen)
Kleidung
(KLYdong)
ganz
(gahns)
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165
English
complicated
correct
did
difficult
easy
eight (8)
eleven (11)
everything
excellent
expensive
far
first (1st)
five (5)
for
forgotten
fortunately
German
kompliziert
(kompleetSEEat)
richtig
(RISHtik)
gemacht
(guhMAHKHT)
schwer
(shvair)
leicht
(lyesht)
acht (8)
(ahkht (8))
elf (11)
(elf (11))
alles
(AHLes)
ausgezeichnet
(owsguhTSYshnet)
teuer
(TOYa)
weit
(vite)
erste (1.)
(AIRstuh)
fünf (5)
(fewnf (5))
für
(fehwr )
vergessen
(fairGUESSehn)
zum Glück
(tsoom gleuk)
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166
English
four (4)
free
from
funny
German
vier (4)
(feer (4))
frei
(fhry)
aus
(ows)
lustig
(LOOStick)
further
weiter
(farther)
(VYtah)
gladly
good
groceries
happened
he
he drives
he is
heard
helped
her
her
gern
(GAhrn)
gut
(goot)
Lebensmittel
(LAYbensmitel)
passiert
(pahSEEat)
er
(air)
er fährt
(air fairt)
er ist
(air ist)
gehört
(guhHERT)
geholfen
(guhHOHLfen)
sie
(zee)
ihr
(eer)
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167
English
here
here
him
his
German
hier
(heer)
hier
(heer)
ihn
(een)
sein
(zine)
his name is
er heißt
(he is called)
(air highst)
how
how much
hundred
immediately
in
in front of
in front of it
in the evening
in the morning
injured
into
wie
(vee)
wieviel
(veeFEEL)
hundert
(HOONdat)
sofort
(zohFOAT)
in
(in)
vor
(foa)
davor
(dahFOA)
abends
(AHbents)
vormittags
(FOAmitahks)
verletzt
(fairLETST)
in
(in)
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168
English
German
isn't it?
nicht wahr?
(not true?)
(nisht vah?)
it
it gives
it went
just
just
known
known
learned
light
logical
lost
loud
louder
many
married
es
(es)
es gibt
(es ghibt)
es ging
(es ghing)
eben
(AYben)
nur
(noor)
gekannt
(guhKUHNT)
gewusst
(guhVOOST)
gelernt
(guhLAIRNT)
leicht
(lyesht)
logisch
(LOHghish)
verloren
(fairLOHren)
laut
(lout)
lauter
(LOUTah)
viele
(FEELuh)
verheiratet
(fairHIGHrahtet)
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169
English
me
more
more expensive
more reasonable
more slowly
much
my
myself
nearest
next to
next to it
nice
nine (9)
ninety (90)
no
no
German
mich
(mish)
mehr
(maihr)
teurer
(TOYrha)
günstiger
(GEWNsteega)
langsamer
(LAHNGzahmah)
viel
(feel)
mein
(mine)
mich
(mish)
nächste
(NAYstuh)
neben
(NAYben)
daneben
(dahNAYben)
schön
(shern)
neun (9)
(noyn (9))
neunzig (90)
(NOYNtsik (90))
nein
(nine)
kein
(kine)
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170
English
German
niemand
noone
(NEEmunt)
nicht
not
(nisht)
gar nicht
not at all
(gah nisht)
nichts
nothing
(nishts)
jetzt
now
(yetst)
Uhr
o'clock
(OOa)
des Hauses
of the house
(des HOWzes)
ach
oh
(akh)
auf
on
(owf)
on the contrary (when asked a negative question)
on the left
on the right
on vacation
once
one
one (1)
doch
(dawkh)
links
(links)
rechts
(reshts)
im Urlaub
(im OORlauwp)
einmal
(EYEnmahl)
man
(munn)
eins (1)
(EYEns (1))
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171
English
only
opened
or
other
over
over there
per
please
pretty
professional
prohibited
quick
quiet
read
really
reasonable
German
nur
(noor)
geöffnet
(guhERFnet)
oder
(UHda)
andere
(AHNdairuh)
über
(EUbuh)
dort
(dort)
pro
(prhoh)
bitte
(BItuh)
ganz
(gahns)
beruflich
(buhROOFlish)
verboten
(fairBOHten)
schnell
(shnel)
leise
(LYzuh)
gelesen
(guhLAYzehn)
wirklich
(VEERklish)
günstig
(GEWNstic)
MangoLanguages.com
172
English
red
reserved
right
said
second (2nd)
seen
separate
seven (7)
she
short
similar
six (6)
slow
small
so
soccer
German
rot
(roht)
reserviert
(rayzairVEERT)
gleich
(gluysh)
gesagt
(guhZAHKT)
zweite (2.)
(TSVEYEtuh)
gesehen
(guhZAYhehn)
getrennt
(gaTRENT)
sieben (7)
(ZEEben (7))
sie
(zee)
kurz
(koorts)
ähnlich
(AYNlish)
sechs (6)
(zex (zex))
langsam
(LAHNGzahm)
klein
(khline)
so
(zoh)
Fußball
(FOOSbahl)
MangoLanguages.com
173
English
some
someday
someone
something
sometimes
spoken
stands
still
stolen
straight ahead
strong
take [imperative]
tasted
ten (10)
that
the ATM
German
manche
(MUNSHuh)
irgendwann mal
(erghentVAHN mahl)
jemand
(YAYmunt)
etwas
(ETvahs)
manchmal
(MUNSHmahl)
gesprochen
(guhSHPROKHen)
steht
(shtayt)
noch
(nawkh)
gestohlen
(guhSHTOHlen)
geradeaus
(gahrahduhOWS)
stark
(shtahk)
nehmen Sie
(NAYmen zee)
geschmeckt
(geSHMEKT)
zehn (10)
(tsane (10))
dass
(dahss)
der Geldautomat
(dair GHELTowtohMAHT)
MangoLanguages.com
174
English
the American
the American
the Brandenburg Gate
the Cologne Cathedral
the German
the German
the Internet
the T-shirt
the TV
the accident
the address
the air conditioning
the ambulance
the appetizer
the apple spritzer
the arm
German
der Amerikaner
(dair ahmeriKAHna)
die Amerikanerin
(dee ahmeriKAHnahrin)
das Brandenburger Tor
(dahs BRUHNdehnBOORgah toa)
der Kölner Dom
(dair KEHRLnah dohm)
die Deutsche
(dee DOITSHuh)
der Deutsche
(dair DOITSHuh)
das Internet
(dahs INtanet)
das T-Shirt
(dahs TEEshert)
der Fernseher
(dair FAIRNzair)
der Unfall
(dair OONfahl)
die Adresse
(dee ahDRESuh)
die Klimaanlage
(dee KLEEmahunLAHguh)
der Krankenwagen
(dair KRUNKenVAHgan)
die Vorspeise
(dee FOAshpuyzuh)
die Apfelschorle
(dee AHPFelshorluh)
der Arm
(dair ahm)
MangoLanguages.com
175
English
the aspirin
the backpack
the bad luck
the balcony
the bank
the bath
the batteries
the battery
the bed and breakfast
the beer
the beer garden
the belly
the bill
the bills
the book store
the breakfast
German
das Aspirin
(dahs AHSpeereen)
der Rucksack
(dair ROOHKzahk)
das Pech
(dahs pesh)
der Balkon
(dair bahlKOHN)
die Bank
(dee bunk)
das Bad
(dahs baht)
die Batterien
(dee bahtehREEehn)
die Batterie
(dee buttehREE)
die Pension
(dee panzYOHN)
das Bier
(dahs beer)
der Biergarten
(dair BEERgahten)
der Bauch
(dair bauwkh)
der Schein
(dair shine)
die Scheine
(dee SHYnuh)
die Buchhandlung
(dee BOOKHhundlong)
das Frühstück
(dahs FREWshtewk)
MangoLanguages.com
176
English
the bus
the cab
the cabstand
the café
the camera
the car
the castle
the cell phone
the cent
the championship
the check
the check
the checks
the cherry
the chewing gum
the child
German
der Bus
(dair boos)
das Taxi
(dahs TAKsee)
der Taxistand
(dair TAKseeshtunt)
das Café
(dahs kahFAY)
der Fotoapparat
(dair FOHtohahpahRAHT)
das Auto
(dahs OWtoh)
das Schloss
(dahs shlos)
das Handy
(dahs HANdy)
der Cent
(dair sent)
die Meisterschaft
(dee MYstashuft)
die Rechnung
(dee RESHnoong)
der Scheck
(dair shek)
die Schecks
(dee sheks)
die Kirsche
(dee KEERSHuh)
der Kaugummi
(dair COWgoomy)
das Kind
(dahs kint)
MangoLanguages.com
177
English
the church
the city train
the class
the coffee
the cola
the colleague
the colleague
the connection
the credit card
the day
the days
the department store
the dessert
the diet cola
the dinner
the dish
German
die Kirche
(dee KERshuh)
die S-Bahn
(dee ES-bahn)
der Kurs
(dair koors)
der Kaffee
(dair KAHFay)
die Cola
(dee KOHlah)
der Kollege
(dair kohLAYguh)
die Kollegin
(dee kohLAYghin)
der Anschluss
(dair AHNshlos)
die Kreditkarte
(dee kruhDEETkahtuh)
der Tag
(dair tahk)
die Tage
(dee TAHguh)
das Kaufhaus
(dahs COWFhouse)
die Nachspeise
(dee NAHKHshpuyzuh)
die Cola light
(dee KUHlah lite)
das Abendessen
(dahs AHbentESen)
das Gericht
(dahs guhRISHT)
MangoLanguages.com
178
English
the doctor
the double room
the driver's licence
the elevator
the embassy
the entrance fee
the entrée
the euro
the evening
the fire
the fire department
the first name
the floor
the flush
the foot
the forest
German
der Arzt
(dair ahtst)
das Doppelzimmer
(dahs DOPelTSIMa)
der Führerschein
(dair FEWRashine)
der Aufzug
(dair OWFtsook)
die Botschaft
(dee BOHTshaft)
der Eintritt
(dair EYEntritt)
die Hauptspeise
(dee HOWPTshpuyzuh)
der Euro
(dair OYroh)
der Abend
(dair AHbent)
das Feuer
(dahs FOYah)
die Feuerwehr
(dee FOYavair)
der Vorname
(dair FOAnahmuh)
der Stock
(dair shtok)
die Spülung
(dee SHPEWloong)
der Fuß
(dair foos)
der Wald
(dair valt)
MangoLanguages.com
179
English
the friend
the friend
the game
the gentleman
the glass
the goulash soup
the ground floor
the gym
the head
the hospital
the hotel
the house
the hunch
the ice cream shop
the ice cubes
the idea
German
der Freund
(dair froynt)
die Freundin
(dee FROYNdin)
das Spiel
(dahs shpeel)
der Herr
(dair hair)
das Glas
(dahs glahs)
die Gulaschsuppe
(dee GOOlahshzooppuh)
das Erdgeschoss
(dahs EERDguhshos)
der Fitnessraum
(dair FITnessrhoum)
der Kopf
(dair kopf)
das Krankenhaus
(dahs KRUNKenhouse)
das Hotel
(dahs hohTEL)
das Haus
(dahs house)
die Ahnung
(dee AHnoong)
die Eisdiele
(dee ICEdeeluh)
die Eiswürfel
(dee ICEvewrfel)
die Idee
(dee eeDAY)
MangoLanguages.com
180
English
the key
the kiosk
the ladies
the lady
the language
the last name
the leg
the lost-and-found office
the lunch
the main train station
the man
the map
the market
the memory card
the menu
the milk
German
der Schlüssel
(dair SHLEUsel)
der Kiosk
(dair KEEyosk)
die Damen
(dee DAHMen)
die Dame
(dee DAHMuh)
die Sprache
(dee SHPRAHKHuh)
der Nachname
(dair NAHKHnahmuh)
das Bein
(dahs bine)
das Fundbüro
(dahs FOONTbewROH)
das Mittagessen
(dahs MITahkESen)
der Hauptbahnhof
(dair HOWPTbahnhohf)
der Mann
(dair mun)
der Stadtplan
(dair SHTUTplahn)
der Markt
(dair mahkt)
die Speicherkarte
(dee SHPYhakahtuh)
die Speisekarte
(dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh)
die Milch
(dee milsh)
MangoLanguages.com
181
English
the mineral water
the moment
the money
the morning
the museum
the music
the name
the newspaper
the night
the nights
the number
the onion
the pack
the pain
the pants
the paper
German
das Mineralwasser
(dahs meenaRAHLvahsa)
der Moment
(dair mohMENT)
das Geld
(dahs ghelt)
der Morgen
(dair MAWgan)
das Museum
(dahs mooZEEoom)
die Musik
(dee mooZEEK)
der Name
(dair NAHmuh)
die Zeitung
(dee TSYtoong)
die Nacht
(dee nahkht)
die Nächte
(dee NEHshtuh)
die Nummer
(dee NOOMah)
die Zwiebel
(dee TSVEEbel)
die Packung
(dee PAHKohng)
der Schmerz
(dair shmairts)
die Hose
(dee HOOzuh)
das Papier
(dahs pahPEER)
MangoLanguages.com
182
English
the passport
the person
the pharmacy
the pill
the poison
the police
the post office
the postcard
the price
the prices
the problem
the purse
the qualification
the question
the request
the restaurant
German
der Pass
(dair pahs)
die Person
(dee pairZOHN)
die Apotheke
(dee ahpohTAYkuh)
die Tablette
(dee tahBLETuh)
das Gift
(dahs gift)
die Polizei
(dee pohleeTSIGH)
die Post
(dee pahst)
die Postkarte
(dee POSTkahtuh)
der Preis
(dair price)
die Preise
(dee PRHYzuh)
das Problem
(dahs prohBLAME)
die Handtasche
(dee HUNTtahshuh)
die Qualifikation
(dee kvahleefeekahtsYOHN)
die Frage
(dee FRAHguh)
die Bitte
(dee BITtuh)
das Restaurant
(dahs restohRAHNG)
MangoLanguages.com
183
English
German
the restroom
die Toilette
(the toilet)
(dee twaLETuh)
the rice
the roast pork
the room
the rooms
the salad
the same
the schnapps
the schnitzel
the shoe
the shoes
the shower
the sign
the single room
the sock
the soup
der Reis
(dair rice)
der Schweinebraten
(dair SHVUYnuhbrahten)
das Zimmer
(dahs TSIMa)
die Zimmer
(dee TSIMa)
der Salat
(dair zahLAHT)
gleich
(gluysh)
der Schnaps
(dair shnups)
das Schnitzel
(dahs SHNITsel)
der Schuh
(dair shoo)
die Schuhe
(dee SHOOuh)
die Dusche
(dee DOOshuh)
das Schild
(dahs shilt)
das Einzelzimmer
(dahs EYEntselTSIMa)
die Socke
(dee ZOKuh)
die Suppe
(dee ZOOPuh)
MangoLanguages.com
184
English
the souvenir
the souvenirs
the sparkling wine
the specialty
the square
the stairs
the stamp
the stop
the store
the supermarket
the supermarkets
the sweater
the swimming pool
the tea
the telephone
the theft
German
das Souvenir
(dahs souvaNEEa)
die Souvenirs
(dee souvaNEEas)
der Sekt
(dair zekt)
die Spezialität
(dee SHPAYtsyahleeTATE)
der Platz
(dair pluts)
die Treppe
(dee TREHPuh)
die Briefmarke
(dee BREEFmahkuh)
die Haltestelle
(dee HULtuhSHTELuh)
das Geschäft
(dahs guhSHEFT)
der Supermarkt
(dair ZOOpamahkt)
die Supermärkte
(dee ZOOpamairktuh)
der Pullover
(dair poolOHva)
das Schwimmbad
(dahs SHVIMbaht)
der Tee
(dair tee)
das Telefon
(dahs tayleFOHN)
der Diebstahl
(dair DEEPshtahl)
MangoLanguages.com
185
English
the thief
the throat
the ticket
the time
the tooth
the torte
German
der Dieb
(dair deep)
der Hals
(der halts)
die Fahrkarte
(dee FAHkahtuh)
die Zeit
(dee tsite)
der Zahn
(dair TSAHN)
die Torte
(dee TAHtuh)
the tourist information center
die Touristeninformation
(the tourist information)
(dee tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN)
the townhall
the train station
the tuxedo
the vacation
the vicinity
the view
the waiter/the waitress
the wallet
the washing machine
das Rathaus
(dahs RAHThouse)
der Bahnhof
(dair BAHNhohf)
der Smoking
(dair SMOHking)
der Urlaub
(dair OORlauwp)
die Nähe
(dee NAYhuh)
die Aussicht
(dee OWSzisht)
die Bedienung
(dee beDEEnoong)
der Geldbeutel
(dair GHELTboytel)
die Waschmaschine
(dee VAHSHmahSHEnuh)
MangoLanguages.com
186
English
the water
the week
the weekend
the wine
the word
the world
then
there
third (3rd)
German
das Wasser
(dahs VAHSa)
die Woche
(dee VOKHuh)
das Wochenende
(dahs VOKHenENduh)
der Wein
(dair vine)
das Wort
(dahs vhort)
die Welt
(dee velt)
dann
(dunn)
da
(dah)
dritte (3.)
(DRIHTuh)
thirteen (13)
dreizehn (13)
(three ten)
(DRHYtsane (13))
this/that
thousand
three (3)
three times
till
tired
das
(dahs)
tausend
(TAUWzent)
drei (3)
(dhry (3))
dreimal
(DRYmahl)
bis
(biss)
müde
(MEWduh)
MangoLanguages.com
187
English
to
to ask
to be
to be allowed to
to be called
to be glad
to buy
to call
to check out
to come
to cost
to dance
to do
to drink
to drive
to eat
German
zu
(tsoo)
fragen
(FRAHgehn)
sein
(zine)
dürfen
(DEWRFen)
heißen
(HIGHsen)
sich freuen
(zish FROYen)
kaufen
(COWfen)
rufen
(ROOfen)
auschecken
(OWSchecken)
kommen
(KAHmen)
kosten
(KOSten)
tanzen
(TUNtsen)
machen
(MAHKHen)
trinken
(TRINKen)
fahren
(FAHren)
essen
(ESen)
MangoLanguages.com
188
English
to explain
to feel like
to find
to forget
to function
to get
to give
to go
to happen
to have
to have to
to hear
to help
to introduce
to know
to know
German
erklären
(airKLAIRHen)
Lust haben
(loost HAHben)
finden
(FINden)
vergessen
(fairGUESSehn)
funktionieren
(FOONKTSyohnEERen)
bekommen
(buhKOHMen)
geben
(GAYben)
gehen
(GAYhen)
passieren
(pahSEEren)
haben
(HAHben)
müssen
(MEWSen)
hören
(HERehn)
helfen
(HELLfen)
vorstellen
(FOAshtelen)
wissen
(VISen)
kennen
(KEHNen)
MangoLanguages.com
189
English
to learn
to like
to look for
to lose
to make
to me
to mean
to misunderstand
to need
to need
to order
to park
to pay
to pronounce
to read
to recommend
German
lernen
(LAHRnen)
mögen
(MERgan)
suchen
(ZOOkhen)
verlieren
(fairLEEren)
machen
(MAHKHen)
mir
(meer)
bedeuten
(buhDOYten)
missverstehen
(MISfairSHTAYen)
brauchen
(BROWkhen)
brauchen
(BROWkhen)
bestellen
(buhSHTELen)
parken
(PAHken)
zahlen
(TSAHlen)
aussprechen
(owsSHPRAYshen)
lesen
(LAYzehn)
empfehlen
(empFEElen)
MangoLanguages.com
190
English
to repeat
to report
to reserve
to say
to see
to sell
to show
to smoke
to speak
to stand
to steal
to swim
to take
to taste
to tell
to travel
German
wiederholen
(veedaHOHlehn)
melden
(MELden)
reservieren
(rehzairVEEhren)
sagen
(ZAHgan)
sehen
(ZEEhehn)
verkaufen
(fairCOWfen)
zeigen
(TSYgan)
rauchen
(ROUKHen)
sprechen
(SHPRAYshen)
stehen
(SHTAYen)
stehlen
(SHTAYlen)
schwimmen
(SHVIMMen)
nehmen
(NAYmen)
schmecken
(SHMEKen)
sagen
(ZAHgan)
reisen
(RYEzen)
MangoLanguages.com
191
English
to try
to understand
to use
to wait
to wait for
to write
to write down
to you
to you
today
together
too
too
towards
twelve (12)
twenty (20)
German
versuchen
(fairZOOKHen)
verstehen
(fairSHTAYen)
benutzen
(buhNOOTsen)
warten
(VAHten)
warten auf
(VAHten owf)
schreiben
(SHRUYbehn)
aufschreiben
(OWFshraibehn)
Ihnen
(EEnen)
dir
(DEEa)
heute
(HOItuh)
zusammen
(tsooZUHMen)
auch
(auwh)
zu
(tsoo)
nach
(nahkh)
zwölf (12)
(tsverlf)
zwanzig (20)
(TSVUNtsik (20))
MangoLanguages.com
192
English
twice
two (2)
typical
understood
vegetarian
very
was
we
we speak
weather
well then
what
when
where
where from
where to
German
zweimal
(TSVEYEmahl)
zwei (2)
(tsveye (2))
typisch
(TEWpish)
verstanden
(fairSHTUNden)
vegetarisch
(veeguhTAHrish)
sehr
(zair)
war
(vah)
wir
(veer)
wir sprechen
(veer SHPRAYshen)
Wetter
(VETa)
na dann
(nah dun)
was
(vahs)
wann
(van)
wo
(voh)
woher
(vohHAIR)
wohin
(vohHIN)
MangoLanguages.com
193
English
which
white
who
why
with
without
wrong
yes
you
you
you are
you are
you had
you speak
you would like
your
German
welches
(VELSHes)
weiß
(vice)
wer
(vair)
warum
(vahROOMM)
mit
(mit)
ohne
(OOnuh)
falsch
(fahlsh)
ja
(ya)
du
(doo)
Sie
(zee)
Sie sind
(zee zint)
du bist
(doo bist)
Sie hatten
(zee HUTen)
Sie sprechen
(zee SHPRAYshen)
Sie möchten
(zee MERSHten)
dein
(dine)
MangoLanguages.com
194
English
your
German
Ihr
(eer)
your name is
du heißt
(you are called)
(doo highst)
MangoLanguages.com
195
Phrase Review
English
German
Guten Tag.
Hello.
(GOOten tahk.)
Beautiful weather today, isn't it?
Ja, sehr schön.
Yes, very beautiful.
(ya, zair shern.)
Und ich bin hier im Urlaub.
And I am here on vacation.
(oont ish bin heer im OORlauwp.)
Ach, wirklich? Na dann, einen schönen Urlaub noch!
Oh, really? Well then, have a nice vacation!
Thank you. Goodbye.
Bye.
Yes, isn't it?
Bad weather today, isn't it?
Beautiful day today, isn't it?
I am on vacation.
Are you on vacation?
(akh, VEERklish? nah dunn, EYEnen SHERnen
OORlauwp nawkh!)
Wiedersehen.
(VEEduhzayen.)
(SHERnes VETa HOItuh.)
Ja, nicht wahr?
(ya, nisht vah?)
Schlechtes Wetter heute, nicht wahr?
(SHLESHtes VETa HOItuh, nisht vah?)
Schöner Tag heute, nicht wahr?
(SHERna tahk HOItuh, nisht vah?)
Ich bin im Urlaub.
(ish bin im OORlauwp.)
Sind Sie im Urlaub?
(zint zee im OORlauwp?)
MangoLanguages.com
196
English
German
Ja, ich bin hier im Urlaub.
Yes, I am here on vacation.
(ya, ish bin heer im OORlauwp.)
Ich bin auch hier im Urlaub.
I am here on vacation, too.
(ish bin auwh heer im OORlauwp.)
(Well then, a nice vacation.)
(nah dun, EYEnen SHERnen OORlauwp.)
ein schöner Urlaub
a nice vacation
(EYEn SHERna OORlauwp)
ein schöner Abend
a nice evening
(EYEn SHERna AHbent)
Well then, have a nice evening!
Na dann, einen schönen Abend!
(Well then, a nice evening!)
(nah dun, EYEnen SHERnen AHbent!)
ein schöner Tag
a nice day
(EYEn SHERna tahk)
Einen schönen Tag!
Have a nice day!
(EYEnen SHERnen tahk!)
Einen schönen Urlaub noch.
Have a nice vacation.
(EYEnen SHERnen OORlauwp nawh.)
Einen schönen Tag noch.
Have a nice day.
(EYEnen SHERnen tahk nawh.)
Have fun on your vacation!
Viel Spaß im Urlaub!
(Much fun on vacation!)
(feel shpahs im OORLauwp!)
Thank you. Goodbye.
Tschüs, vielen Dank!
Bye, thank you very much!
(chews, FEELen dunk!)
Auf Wiedersehen, vielen Dank.
Goodbye, thank you very much.
(owf VEEduhzayen, FEELen dunk.)
Bye, see you later (in Southern Germany).
Servus, bis später.
(ZAIRvoos, biss SHPAYta.)
MangoLanguages.com
197
English
Excuse me. Do you speak English?
I am sorry. I don't understand English.
I speak only a little German.
So where are you from?
I am from America.
I speak English.
Do you speak English?
Excuse me, do you speak German?
Yes, I speak German.
I also speak Spanish.
And you? Do you speak only German?
I also speak a little Spanish.
Excuse me. Do you speak English well?
(Excuse me. You speak good English?)
No, I only speak a little English.
German
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee AYNGlish?)
Tut mir leid. Ich verstehe kein Englisch.
(toot meer lite. ish fairSHTAYuh kine AYNGlish.)
Ich spreche nur ein bisschen Deutsch.
(ish SHPRAYshuh noor ine BISSyen doitsh.)
Ich bin aus Amerika.
(ish bin ows ahMERikah.)
(ish SHPRAYshuh AYNGlish.)
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(SHPRAYshen zee AYNGlish?)
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Deutsch?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee doitsh?)
Ja, ich spreche Deutsch.
(ya, ish SHPRAYshuh doitsh.)
Ich spreche auch Spanisch.
(ish SHPRAYshuh auwh SHPAHnish.)
Und Sie? Sprechen Sie nur Deutsch?
(oont zee? SHPRAYshen zee noor doitsh?)
Ich spreche auch ein bisschen Spanisch.
(ish SHPRAYshuh auwh EYEn BISSyen SHPAHnish.)
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie gut Englisch?
(entSHOOLdegoong, SHPRAYshen zee goot
AYNGlish?)
Nein, ich spreche nur ein bisschen Englisch.
(nine, ish SHPRAYshuh noor EYEn BISSyen AYNGlish.)
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Sie sprechen schon sehr gut Deutsch.
You speak German very well already.
(zee SHPRAYshen shohn zair goot doitsh.)
(I understand no English.)
(ish fairSHTAYuh kine AYNGlish.)
Ich verstehe Englisch.
I understand English.
(ish fairSHTAYuh AYNGlish.)
Verstehen Sie auch Deutsch?
Do you also understand German?
(fairSHTAYen zee auwh doitsh?)
Ja, ich verstehe ein bisschen Deutsch.
Yes, I understand a little German.
(ya, ish fairSHTAYuh EYEn BISSyen doitsh.)
Don't you speak German?
Sprechen Sie kein Deutsch?
(You speak no German?)
(SHPRAYshen zee kine doitsh?)
Nein, tut mir leid. Ich verstehe nur Spanisch.
No, I'm sorry. I understand only Spanish.
(nine, toot meer lite. ish fairSHTAYuh noor
SHPAHnish.)
Ich spreche kein Englisch und verstehe nur ein
I don't speak English and understand only a little
Spanish.
bisschen Spanisch.
I don't speak German very well.
Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch.
(I speak not very well German.)
(ish SHPRAYshuh nicht zair goot doitsh.)
And I don't speak English well.
Und ich spreche nicht gut Englisch.
(And I speak not well English.)
(oont ish SPHPRAYshuh nicht goot AYNGlish.)
Me neither.
Ich auch nicht.
(I too not.)
(ish auwh nicht.)
We speak only English.
We don't understand German.
I can speak German.
(ish SHPRAYshuh kine AYNGlish oont fairSHTAYuh
noor EYEn BISSyen SHPAHnish.)
Wir sprechen nur Englisch.
(veer SHPRAYhen noor AYNGlish.)
Wir verstehen kein Deutsch.
(veer fairSHTAYen kine doitsh.)
(ish kun doitsh SHPRAYshen.)
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Ich kann sprechen.
I can speak.
(ish kun SHPRAYshen.)
Können Sie Deutsch sprechen?
(KERNen zee doitsh SHPRAYshen?)
Ich kann Deutsch, Englisch und ein bisschen
I can understand German, English, and a little
Spanish.
Spanisch verstehen.
(ish kunn doitsh, AYNGlish oont EYEn BISSyen
SHPAHnish fairSHTAYen.)
Ich verstehe Deutsch, aber ich kann kein Deutsch
I understand German, but I can't speak German.
(I understand German but I can speak no German.)
sprechen.
(ish fairSHTAYuh doitsh AHbuh ish kun kine doitsh
SHPRAYshen.)
Ich kann nicht sehr gut Englisch sprechen.
I can't speak English very well.
(ish kun nisht zair goot AYNGlish SHPRAYshen.)
Wir können kein Deutsch verstehen.
We can't understand German.
(veer KERNen kine doitsh fairSHTAYen.)
I can't speak German. Can you speak English?
Ich kann kein Deutsch, können Sie Englisch?
(I can no German. Can you English?)
(ish kun kine doitsh, KERNen zee AYNGlish?)
Möchten Sie Englisch sprechen?
Would you like to speak English?
(MERSHten zee AYNGlish SHPRAYshen?)
I would like to learn German and Spanish.
Can you please speak German?
We would like to learn German.
Excuse me, are you from America, too?
No, we are from Germany.
Ich möchte Deutsch und Spanisch lernen.
(ish MERSHtuh doitsh oont SHPAHnish LAHRnen.)
Können Sie bitte Deutsch sprechen?
(KERNen zee BItuh doitsh SHPRAYshen?)
Wir möchten Deutsch lernen.
(veer MERSHten doitsh LAHRnen.)
(veer zint ows ahMERikah.)
Entschuldigung, sind Sie auch aus Amerika?
(entSHOOLdegoong, zint zee auwh ows ahMERikah?)
Nein, wir sind aus Deutschland.
(nine, veer zint ows DOITSHlunt.)
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Ich bin aus München.
I am from Munich.
(ish bin ows MEWNshen.)
Ich bin von hier.
I am from here.
(ish bin fon heer.)
Ich bin nicht von hier.
I am not from here.
(ish bin nisht fon heer.)
Ich bin nicht aus Deutschland und ich spreche kein
I am not from Germany and I don't speak German.
Deutsch.
(ish bin nisht ows DOITSHlunt oont ish SHPRAYshuh
kine doitsh.)
Woher sind Sie?
Where are you from?
(vohHAIR zint zee?)
Sind Sie denn aus Deutschland?
So, are you from Germany?
(zint zee den ows DOITSHlunt?)
Sprechen Sie denn kein Deutsch?
So, don't you speak German?
(SHPRAYshen zee den kine doitsh?)
Wir sind hier im Urlaub und wir sprechen kein
We are here on vacation and we don't speak
German.
He is American.
Are you American?
She is American.
I am American.
I am American, too.
She is German.
Deutsch.
(veer zint heer im OORlauwp oont veer SHPRAYshen
kine doitsh.)
Er ist Amerikaner.
(air ist ahmeriKAHna.)
Sind Sie Amerikaner?
(zint zee ahmeriKAHna?)
Sie ist Amerikanerin.
(zee ist ahmeriKAHnahrin.)
Ich bin Amerikaner.
(ich bin ahmeriKAHna.)
Ich bin auch Amerikanerin.
(ich bin auwh ahmeriKAHnahrin.)
Sie ist Deutsche.
(zee ist DOITSHuh.)
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Er ist Deutscher.
He is German.
(air ist DOITSHa.)
Ich bin Deutscher und sie ist auch Deutsche.
I am German and she is German, too.
(ich bin DOITSHa oont zee ist auwh DOITSHuh.)
Guten Tag. Mein Name ist Huber. Peter Huber.
Hello. My name is Huber, Peter Huber.
(GOOten tahk. mine NAHmuh ist HOOba. PAYta
HOOba.)
Guten Tag, Herr Huber. Ich heiße Birgit Fischer.
Hello, Mr. Huber. My name is Birgit Fischer.
(GOOten tahk, hair HOOba. ish HIGHsuh BEERghit
FISHa.)
Darf ich Ihnen meinen Mann vorstellen? Alexander
May I introduce my husband? Alexander Fischer Peter Huber.
Fischer - Peter Huber.
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen mun FOAshtelen?
ahlexAHNda FISHa - PAYta HOOba.)
Ich freue mich, Sie kennen zu lernen, Frau Fischer,
Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Fischer.
Nice to meet you too.
Herr Fischer.
(ish FROYuh mish, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen, frow
FISHa, hair FISHa.)
Ich mich auch.
(ish mish auwkh.)
(mine NAHmuh ist PAYta HOOba.)
What's your name?
Wie ist Ihr Name?
(How is your name?)
My name is Friedrich.
Is Friedrich your first name?
No, Friedrich is my last name.
My first name is Walter.
What's your name?
Mein Name ist Friedrich.
(mine NAHmuh ist FREEdrish.)
Ist Friedrich Ihr Vorname?
(ist FREEdrish eer FOAnahmuh?)
Nein, Friedrich ist mein Nachname.
(nine, FREEdrish ist mine NAHKHnahmuh.)
Mein Vorname ist Walter.
(mine FOAnahmuh ist VILEta.)
Wie ist dein Name?
(vee ist dine NAHmuh?)
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Und wie ist ihr Vorname?
And what's her first name?
(oont vee ist eer FOAnahmuh?)
Sein Nachname ist Müller.
His last name is Müller.
(zine NAHKHnahmuh ist MEWLah.)
(I am called Birgit Fischer.)
(ish HIGHsuh BEERghitt FISHa.)
What's your name?
Wie heißen Sie?
(How are you called?)
(vee HIGHsen zee?)
Our name is also Müller.
Wir heißen auch Müller.
(We are also called Müller.)
(veer HIGHsen auwkh MEWLah.)
So, what's your name?
Wie heißt du denn?
(So, how are you called?)
(vee highst doo den?)
What's his last name?
Wie heißt er mit Nachnamen?
(How is he called with last name?)
(vee highst air mit NAHKHnahmen?)
Her first name is Sabine and her last name is
Krüger.
Sie heißt Sabine mit Vornamen und Krüger mit
(She is called Sabine with first name and Krüger with
last name.)
(zee highst zahBEEnuh mit FOAnahmen oont
KREWgah mit NAHKHnahmen.)
Who are you?
Who are you?
Are you Mrs. Schulz?
I am Mr. Wagner.
I am not Mr. Wagner.
Nachnamen.
Wer sind Sie?
(vair zint zee?)
Wer bist du?
(vair bist doo?)
Sind Sie Frau Schulz?
(zint zee frow shoolts?)
Ich bin Herr Wagner.
(ish bin hair VAHgnah.)
Ich bin nicht Herr Wagner.
(ish bin nisht hair VAHgnah.)
This is my husband.
Das ist mein Mann.
(This is my man.)
(dahs ist mine mun.)
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Wer ist das?
Who is that?
(vair ist dahs?)
Er ist ein Freund.
He is a friend.
(air ist EYEn froynt.)
Das ist mein Freund Karsten.
This is my friend Karsten.
(dahs ist mine froynt KAHsten.)
Das ist meine Freundin Monika.
This is my friend Monika.
(dahs ist MYnuh FROYNdin MOHneekah.)
Das ist nicht mein Kind.
This is not my child.
(dahs ist nisht mine kint.)
Ist das Herr Meier, Ihr Kollege?
Is this Mr. Meier, your colleague?
(ist dahs hair MYa, eer kohLAYguh?)
Wie heißt Ihre Kollegin?
What's your colleague's name?
(vee highst EEruh kohLAYghin?)
Das ist nicht seine Frau.
This is not his wife.
(dahs ist nisht ZYnuh frow.)
Ist deine Freundin Cordula seine Kollegin?
Is your friend Cordula his colleague?
(ist DYnuh FROYNdin KOHRdoolah ZYnuh
kohLAYghin?)
Bist du sein Freund aus Amerika?
Are you his friend from America?
(bist doo zine froynt ows ahMERikah?)
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen mun FOAshtelen?)
Darf ich vorstellen...?
May I introduce...?
(dahf ish FOAshtelen...?)
Darf ich meinen Mann vorstellen?
May I introduce my husband?
(dahf ish MYnen mun FOAshtelen?)
Darf ich Ihnen meinen Freund Florian vorstellen?
May I introduce my friend Florian to you?
(dahf ish EEnen MYnen froynt FLOHreeyan
FOAshtelen?)
Darf ich dir meinen Kollegen Heinz vorstellen?
May I introduce my colleague Heinz to you?
(dahf ish DEEa MYnen kohLEEgan hynts
FOAshtelen?)
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Darf ich Ihnen meine Frau vorstellen?
May I introduce my wife to you?
(dahf ish EEnen MYnuh frow FOAshtelen?)
Can you introduce your colleague to me?
Können Sie mir Ihre Kollegin vorstellen?
(KERnen zee MEEa EEruh kohLEEghin FOAshtelen?)
Können Sie mir bitte Ihren Kollegen vorstellen?
Can you please introduce your colleague to me?
May I introduce myself?
(KERnen zee MEEa BITtuh EEren kohLEEgan
FOAshtelen?)
Darf ich mich vorstellen?
(dahf ish mish FOAshtelen?)
Nice to meet you.
(I am glad to learn to know you.)
(ish FROYuh mish, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen.)
Nice to meet you.
Schön, Sie kennen zu lernen.
(Nice to learn to know you.)
(shern, zee KENen tsoo LAIRnen.)
Nice to see you here.
I don't know you.
Do you know him?
Do you see her?
I am glad to see you here.
I am glad, too.
Schön, Sie hier zu sehen.
(shern, zee heer tsoo ZEEhen.)
Ich kenne Sie nicht.
(ish KENuh zee nisht.)
Kennen Sie ihn?
(KENen zee een?)
Sehen Sie sie?
(ZEEhen zee zee?)
Ich freue mich, dich hier zu sehen.
(ish FROYuh mish, dish heer tsoo ZEEhen.)
Ich freue mich auch.
(ish FROYuh mish auwkh.)
Entschuldigung. Wo ist das Deutsche Museum,
Excuse me. Where is the German Museum, please? bitte?
(entSHOOLdegoong, voh ist dahs DOITSHuh
mooZAYoom, BITtuh?)
Hm. Do you know where the Isartor is?
Hm. Wissen Sie, wo das Isartor ist?
(hm. VISen zee, voh dahs EEzahtoa ist?)
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Das Deutsche Museum ist gleich um die Ecke
The German Museum is right around the corner
from it.
davon.
(dahs DOITSHuh mooZEEoom ist gluysh oomm dee
EKKuh dahFONN.)
Can you show me that on the map?
TSYgan?)
Ja. Es ist... hier.
Yes. It is...here.
(ya. es ist... heer.)
Ähm, und wie komme ich dahin?
Um. And how do I get there?
(ehm, oont vee KOMMuh ish dahHIN?)
Nehmen Sie die S-Bahn zur Haltestelle "Isartor".
Take the city train to the stop "Isartor."
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn tsoor HULtuhSHTELuh
"EEzahtoa".)
Vielen Dank.
(FEELen dunk.)
Wo ist das Museum?
(voh ist dahs mooZEEoom?)
Guten Tag, wo ist die Post, bitte?
Hello, where is the post office, please?
(GOOten tahk, voh ist dee pahst, BITuh?)
Wo ist die nächste Toilette, bitte?
Where is the nearest restroom, please?
(voh ist dee NAYstuh twaLETuh, BITuh?)
Gibt es hier eine Toilette?
Is there a restroom here?
(ghibt es heer EYEnuh twaLETtuh?)
Entschuldigung, wo ist die Touristeninformation?
Excuse me, where is the tourist information center? (entSHOOLdegoong, voh ist dee
nearby
in der Nähe
(in the vicinity)
(in dair NAYhuh)
Wo gibt es in der Nähe eine Touristeninformation?
Where is there a tourist information center nearby?
(voh ghibt es in dair NAYhuh EYEnuh
(VISen zee, voh dair MAHKTpluts ist?)
Excuse me, do you know where the post office is?
Entschuldigung, wissen Sie, wo die Post ist?
(entSHOOLdegoong, VISen zee, voh dee pahst ist?)
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Ich weiß, wo die Post ist.
I know where the post office is.
(ish vice, voh dee pahst ist.)
I don't know.
Ich weiß nicht.
(I know not.)
(ish vice nisht.)
Ich weiß nicht, wo die Toilette ist.
I don't know where the restroom is.
(ish vice nisht, voh dee twaLETuh ist.)
Wo bin ich?
Where am I?
(voh bin ish?)
Ich weiß nicht, wo ich bin.
I don't know where I am.
(ish vice nisht, voh ish bin.)
Can you tell me...?
Können Sie mir sagen...?
(Can you tell to me...?)
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan...?)
Can you tell me where I am?
Können Sie mir sagen, wo ich hier bin?
(Can you tell to me where I am here?)
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, voh ish heer bin?)
Können Sie mir sagen, wo der Marktplatz ist?
Can you tell me where the market square is?
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, voh dair MAHKTpluts
ist?)
Können Sie mir zeigen, wo das ist?
Can you show me where that is?
(KERnen zee meer TSYgan, voh dahs ist?)
auf dem Stadtplan
on the map
(owf dame SHTUTplahn)
Können Sie mir auf dem Stadtplan zeigen, wo das
Can you show me on the map where the museum
is?
next to the town hall
in front of the train station
Museum ist?
(KERnen zee meer owf dame SHTUTplahn TSYgan,
voh dahs mooZEEoom ist?)
(es ist NAYben dame RAHThouse.)
neben dem Rathaus
(NAYben dame RAHThouse)
vor dem Bahnhof
(foa dame BAHNhohf)
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hinter der Kirche
behind the church
(HINta dair KERshuh)
The cabstand is right in front of the train station.
Der Taxistand ist gleich vor dem Bahnhof.
(dare TAHKsyshtunt ist gluysh foa dame BAHNhohf.)
Die Herrentoilette ist rechts und die Damentoilette
The men's room is on the right and the ladies'
room is right next to it on the left.
ist gleich links daneben.
(dee HAIRrentwaLETuh ist reshts oont dee
DAHMentwaLETuh ist gluysh links daNAYben.)
gegenüber vom Museum
across from the museum
(gayganEWba fom mooZEEoom)
Der Taxistand ist gleich gegenüber vom Rathaus.
The cabstand is right across from the townhall.
(dair TUKseeshtunt ist gluysh gayganEWba fom
RAHThouse.)
(vee vite ist dahs fon heer vek?)
Wie weit ist das?
How far is that?
(vee vite ist dahs?)
wie weit weg
how far away
(vee vite vek)
weit weg von hier
far away from here
(vite vek fon heer)
Ist es weit von hier?
Is it far from here?
(ist es vite fon heer?)
Nein, es ist nicht weit weg.
No it is not far away.
(nine, es ist nisht vite vek.)
How far away is the Neuschwanstein Castle?
Wie weit weg ist das Schloss Neuschwanstein?
(vee vite vek ist dahs shlos noySHVAHNshtine?)
How do I get to the castle?
Wie komme ich zum Schloss?
(How do I come to the castle?)
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoom shlos?)
How do I get to the train station?
Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoom BAHNhohf?)
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Wie komme ich zur Kirche?
How do I get to the church?
(vee KOHMuh ish tsoor KERshuh?)
Wie weit ist es zum Hauptbahnhof?
How far is it to the main train station?
(vee vite ist es tsoom HOWPTbahnhohf?)
Können Sie mir sagen, wie ich zur Bushaltestelle
Can you tell me how I get to the bus stop?
Are you taking the city train?
Take a cab.
Take the bus.
Go straight ahead.
komme?
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, vee ish tsoor
BOOShulltuhSHTELuh KOHMuh?)
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn.)
Nehmen Sie die S-Bahn?
(NAYmen zee dee ES-bahn?)
Nehmen Sie ein Taxi.
(NAYmen zee EYEn TAKsee.)
Nehmen Sie den Bus.
(NAYmen zee dane boos.)
Gehen Sie geradeaus.
(GAYhen zee gahrahduhOWS.)
Straight ahead and then right.
Geradeaus und dann nach rechts.
(Straight ahead and then towards right.)
(gahrahduhOWS oont dun nahkh reshts.)
Go left behind the train station.
Go away!
Gehen Sie hinter dem Bahnhof nach links.
(GAYhen zee HINta dame BAHNhohf nahkh links.)
Gehen Sie weg!
(GAYhen zee vek!)
Wohin fahren Sie?
(Where do you drive to?)
(VOHhin FAHren zee?)
by car
mit dem Auto
(with the car)
(mit dame OWtoh)
I am going by car.
Ich fahre mit dem Auto.
(I drive with the car.)
(ish FAHruh mit dame OWtoh.)
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Wir fahren mit der S-Bahn.
We are going by city train.
(veer FAHren mit dair ES-bahn.)
Fahren Sie mit dem Bus zum Hauptbahnhof.
Go to the main train station by bus.
(FAHren zee mit dame boos tsoom
HOWPTbahnhohf.)
Er fährt zum Marktplatz.
It goes to the market square.
(air fairt tsoom MAHKTplahts.)
Wohin fährt sie?
Where does it go to?
(VOHhin fairt zee?)
Wohin gehen Sie?
Where are you going to?
(VOHhin GAYhen zee?)
Ich gehe zur Bushaltestelle.
I am going to the bus stop.
(ish GAYhuh tsoor BOOShulltuhSHTELuh.)
Then I am taking the bus to the tourist information
center.
Dann nehme ich den Bus zur Touristeninformation.
(dun NAYmuh ish dane boos tsoor
tooRISteninfoamahtsYOHN.)
Bedienung! Die Speisekarte, bitte!
Waitress! The menu, please.
(beDEEnoong! dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh, BITuh!)
Do you already know what you'd like to drink?
Do you have alcohol-free beer?
Ja, möchten Sie auch schon bestellen?
Yes, are you ready to order, too?
(yah, MERSHten zee auwh shohn buhSHTELen?)
Hm, was empfehlen Sie mir?
Hm, what do you recommend?
(hm, vahs empFAYlen zee meer?)
Die Gulaschsuppe ist ausgezeichnet.
The goulash soup is excellent.
(dee GOOlahshzoopuh ist owsguhTSYshnet.)
Okay, dann hätte ich gern die Gulaschsuppe als
Okay, then I'll have the goulash soup as an
appetizer and then the wiener schnitzel.
Vorspeise und dann das Wiener Schnitzel.
(ohKAY, dun HATuh ish gayrn dee GOOlahshzoopuh
ahls FOAshpuyzuh oont dun dahs VEEna SHNITsel.)
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(Gives it a good restaurant here in the vicinity?)
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn GOOtes
restohRAHNG?)
Is there a restaurant nearby?
Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein Restaurant?
(Gives it a restaurant here in the vicinity?)
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn restohRAHNG?)
ein gutes Restaurant
a good restaurant
(EYEn GOOtes restohRAHNG)
a traditional German restaurant
ein typisch deutsches Restaurant
(a typical German restaurant)
(EYEn TEWpish DOITSHes restohRAHNG)
ein italienisches Restaurant
an Italian restaurant
(EYEn eetahlYEEnishes restohRAHNG)
ein mexikanisches Restaurant
a Mexican restaurant
(EYEn mexyKAHnishes restohRAHNG)
a good Italian restaurant
ein guter Italiener
(a good Italian)
(EYEn GOOta eetahlYEEna)
Is there a good Italian restaurant nearby?
(Gives it a good Italian here in the vicinity?)
Gibt es hier in der Nähe einen guten Italiener?
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEnen GOOten
eetahlYEEna?)
Gibt es eine gute Eisdiele hier?
Is there a good ice cream shop here?
(ghibt es EYEnuh GOOtuh ICEdeeluh heer?)
Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein schönes Café?
Is there a nice café nearby?
(ghibt es heer in dair NAYhuh EYEn SHERnes
kahFAY?)
Wissen Sie, wo es einen schönen Biergarten gibt?
Do you know where there is a nice beer garden?
Excuse me, the menu, please.
(VISen zee, voh es EYEnen SHERnen BEERgahten
ghibt?)
(beDEEnoong, dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh, BITuh.)
Entschuldigung, die Speisekarte, bitte.
(entSHOOLdegoong, dee SHPUYzuhkahtuh, BITuh.)
Waiter, one beer, please.
Bedienung, ein Bier, bitte.
(Waiter, a beer, please.)
(beDEEnoong, EYEn beer, BITuh.)
Waitress, one diet cola, please.
Bedienung, eine Cola light, bitte.
(Waitress, a diet cola, please.)
(beDEEnoong, EYEnuh KUHlah lite, BITuh.)
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Zwei Cola und ein Bier, bitte.
Two colas and one beer, please.
(tsveye KUHlah oont EYEn beer, BITuh.)
Drei Wasser, bitte.
Three waters, please.
(dhry VAHSa, BITuh.)
Three more mineral waters, please.
Noch drei Mineralwasser, bitte.
(Still three mineral waters, please.)
(nawkh dhry meenaRAHLvahsa, BITuh.)
Eine Apfelschorle, zwei Bier und ein Mineralwasser,
One apple spritzer, two beers, and one mineral
water, please.
bitte.
A diet cola with ice, please.
Eine Cola light mit Eiswürfeln, bitte.
(A diet cola with ice cubes, please.)
(EYEnuh KUHlah lite mit ICEvewrfeln, BITuh.)
A glass of wine, please.
Ein Glas Wein, bitte.
(A glass wine, please.)
(EYEn glahs vine, BITtuh.)
Coffee or tea?
Two coffees with milk, please.
What would you like?
Would you like to order already?
What would you like to drink?
What would you like to eat?
(EYEnuh AHPFelshorluh, tsveye beer oont EYEn
minaRAHLvahsa, BITuh.)
Kaffee oder Tee?
(KAHFay UHda tee?)
Zwei Kaffee mit Milch, bitte.
(tsveye KAHFay mit milsh, BITuh.)
(vahs MERSHten zee buhSHTELen?)
Was möchten Sie?
(vahs MERSHten zee?)
Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
(MERSHten zee shohn buhSHTELen?)
Was möchten Sie trinken?
(vahs MERSHten zee TRINKen?)
Was möchten Sie essen?
(vahs MERSHten zee ESen?)
So, what do you recommend?
Was empfehlen Sie mir denn?
(So, what do you recommend to me?)
(vahs empFEElen zee meer den?)
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Was ist die Spezialität des Hauses?
What is the specialty of the house?
(vahs ist dee SHPAYtsyahleeTATE des HOWzes?)
Möchten Sie nur eine Hauptspeise?
Would you only like an entrée?
(MERSHten zee noor EYEnuh HOWPTshpuyzuh?)
Was möchten Sie als Vorspeise?
What would you like as an appetizer?
(vahs MERSHten zee ahls FOAshpuyzuh?)
Möchten Sie eine Nachspeise?
Would you like a dessert?
(MERSHten zee EYEnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh?)
Would you like anything else to drink?
Möchten Sie noch etwas trinken?
(Would you still like something to drink?)
(MERSHten zee nawkh ETvahs TRINKen?)
(I would gladly have the Viennese Schnitzel.)
(ish HATuh gehrn dahs VEEna SHNITsel.)
ich hätte gern
I would gladly have
(ish HETuh gahrn)
das Wiener Schnitzel
the Viennese Schnitzel
(dahs VEEna SHNITsel)
Wir hätten gern eine Suppe als Vorspeise.
We would like a soup as an appetizer.
(We would gladly have a soup as appetizer.)
Ich nehme die Gulaschsuppe.
I will take the goulash soup.
(ish NAYmuh dee GOOlahshzoopuh.)
Mit Kartoffeln oder mit Reis?
With potatoes or with rice?
(mit kahTOFeln UHda mit rice?)
Ich hätte gern den Schweinebraten mit Kartoffeln.
I would like the roast pork with potatoes.
(I would gladly have the roast pork with potatoes.)
I would like a salad without onions.
(veer HETen gehrn EYEnuh ZOOPuh ahls
FOAshpuyzuh.)
(ish HATuh gehrn dane SHVUYnuhbrahten mit
kahTOFeln.)
Ich möchte einen Salat ohne Zwiebeln.
(ish MERHStuh EYEnen zahLAHT OOnuh TSWEEbeln.)
I don't want to eat anything.
Ich möchte nichts essen.
(I would like to eat nothing.)
(ish MERSHtuh nishts ESen.)
I would just like something to drink.
Ich möchte nur etwas trinken.
(ish MERSHtuh NOOa ETvahs TRINKen.)
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Ich möchte nur eine Kleinigkeit essen.
I would just like a little something to eat.
(ish MERSHtuh NOOa EYEnuh KLYnishkite ESen.)
Ich hätte noch gern eine Nachspeise, bitte.
I would like some dessert, please.
(I would gladly still have a dessert, please.)
(ish HATuh nawkh gehrn EYEnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh,
BITuh.)
I don't take any dessert, thank you.
Ich nehme keine Nachspeise, danke.
(I take no dessert, thank you.)
(ish NAEEmuh KUYnuh NAHKHshpuyzuh, DUNKuh.)
a vegetarian dish
Do you have vegetarian dishes?
(HAHben zee auwkh veeguhTAHrishuh guhRISHtuh?)
ein vegetarisches Gericht
(EYEn veeguhTAHrishes guhRISHT)
Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?
(HAHben zee veeguhTAHrishuh guhRISHtuh?)
I am thirsty.
Ich habe Durst.
(I have thirst.)
(ish HAHbuh doohrst.)
We are hungry.
Wir haben Hunger.
(We have hunger.)
(veer HAHben HOONGa.)
I am not hungry.
Ich habe keinen Hunger.
(I have no hunger.)
(ish HAHbuh KYnen HOONGa.)
Yes, it tastes excellent.
It tastes very good, thank you.
(es shmekt owsguhTSYshnet.)
Ja, es schmeckt ausgezeichnet.
(ya, es shmekt owsguhTSYshnet.)
Es schmeckt sehr gut, danke.
(es shmekt zair goot, DUNKuh.)
The potatoes aren't that good.
Die Kartoffeln schmecken nicht so gut.
(The potatoes taste not so good.)
(dee kahTOFeln SHMEKen nisht zoh goot.)
Did you enjoy it?
Hat es geschmeckt?
(Has it tasted?)
(hut es geSHMEKT?)
Yes, it was good.
Ja, es hat gut geschmeckt.
(Yes, it has tasted good.)
(ya, es hut goot gaSHMEKT.)
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The roast pork was very good.
Der Schweinebraten hat sehr gut geschmeckt.
(The roast pork has tasted very good.)
(dair SHVAInuhbrahten hut zair goot gaSHMEKT.)
It was excellent.
Es hat ausgezeichnet geschmeckt.
(It has tasted excellent.)
(es hut owsguhTSYshnet gaSHMEKT.)
(Does that go together or separate?)
(gate dahs tsooZUHMen OHda gaTRENT?)
Is that together?
Geht das zusammen?
(Does that go together?)
(gate dahs tsooZUHMen?)
Ich möchte zahlen, bitte.
I would like to pay, please.
(ish MERSHtuh TSAHlen, BITuh.)
Are you paying together or separately?
Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?
(Do you pay together or separate?)
(TSAHlen zee tsooZUHMen OHda gaTRENT?)
We are paying separately.
Wir zahlen getrennt.
(We pay separate.)
(veer TSAHlen gaTRENT.)
Ich zahle alles zusammen.
I am paying everything together.
(ish TSAHluh AHLes tsooZUHMen.)
Die Rechnung, bitte.
The check, please.
(dee RESHnoong, BITuh.)
Guten Tag! Wieviel kostet eine Postkarte?
Hello! How much is a postcard?
(GOOten tahk! VEEfeel KOStet EYEnuh POSTkahtuh?)
Siebzig Cent.
Seventy cents.
(ZEEBtsik sent.)
Das macht dann drei Euro und fünfzig Cent, bitte.
That is three euros and fifty cents, please.
Do you also sell stamps?
(dahs mahkht dun drhy OYroh oont FEWNFtsik sent,
BITuh.)
Verkaufen Sie auch Briefmarken?
(fairCOWfen zee auwkh BREEFmahken?)
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Nein, Briefmarken können Sie bei der Post gleich
No, you can buy stamps at the post office right
across the street.
gegenüber kaufen.
(nine, BREEFmahken KERHnen zee by dair pohst
gluysh guhgunEWba COWfen.)
Wann ist die Post heute geöffnet?
When is the post office open today?
(vun ist dee pohst HOItuh guhERFnet?)
Von acht bis achtzehn Uhr.
From eight a.m. to six p.m.
(fon ahkht bis AHKHTtsane OOa)
Wieviel kostet das?
(VEEfeel KOStet dahs?)
Does that cost anything?
Kostet das etwas?
(Does that cost something?)
(KOStet dahs ETvahs?)
Wieviel kostet ein Stadtplan?
How much does a map cost?
(VEEfeel KOStet EYEn SHTATplahn?)
Wieviel kostet eine Fahrkarte zum Hauptbahnhof?
How much does one ticket to the main train station
(VEEfeel KOSSet EYEnuh FAHkahtuh tsoom
cost?
HOWPTbahnhohf?)
Wieviel kostet die Zeitung?
How much does the newspaper cost?
(VEEfeel KOStet dee TSYtoong?)
Wieviel kostet der Eintritt?
How much does the entrance fee cost?
(VEEfeel KOStet dair EYEntritt?)
für fünf Personen
for five people
(fewr fewnf pairZOHnen)
How much does the entrance fee for six people
cost?
Wieviel kostet der Eintritt für sechs Personen?
(VEEfeel KOStet dair EYEntritt fewr zex pairZOHnen?)
sieben Packungen Kaugummi
seven packs of chewing gum
(ZEEben PAHKKohngen COWgoomy)
How much do eight packs of chewing gum cost?
Wieviel kosten acht Packungen Kaugummi?
(VEEfeel KOSten ahkht PAHKohngen COWgoomy?)
(I buy a postcard.)
(ish COWfuh EYEnuh POSTkahtuh.)
I am buying ten postcards.
Ich kaufe zehn Postkarten.
(ish COWfuh tsane POSTkahten.)
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Was möchten Sie kaufen?
What would you like to buy?
(vahs MERSHten zee COWfen?)
Ich möchte elf Postkarten kaufen.
I would like to buy eleven postcards.
(ish MERSHtuh elf POSTkahten COWfen.)
Wo kann ich Briefmarken kaufen?
Where can I buy stamps?
(voh kun ish BREEFmahken COWfen?)
postcards to America
Postkarten nach Amerika
(postcards towards America)
(POSTkahten nahkh ahMERikah)
Ich möchte zwölf Briefmarken für Postkarten nach
I would like to buy twelve stamps for postcards to
America.
We sell postcards.
Amerika kaufen.
(ish MERSHtuh tsverlf BREEFmahken fewr
POSTkahten nahkh ahMERikah COWfen.)
Wir verkaufen Postkarten.
(veer fairCOWfen POSTkahten.)
these five postcards
die fünf Postkarten hier
(the five postcards here)
(dee fewnf POSTkahten heer)
We don't sell stamps here.
Wir verkaufen keine Briefmarken hier.
(We sell no stamps here.)
(veer fairCOWfen KYnuh BREEFmahken heer.)
Would you like to buy anything else?
Möchten Sie noch etwas kaufen?
(Would you still like to buy something?)
(MERSHten zee nawkh ETvahs COWfen?)
Are you looking for something?
So, what are you looking for?
I am looking for batteries.
Do you sell batteries?
I am looking for memory cards.
Suchen Sie etwas?
(ZOOkhen zee ETvahs?)
Was suchen Sie denn?
(vahs ZOOkhen zee den?)
Ich suche Batterien.
(ish ZOOkhuh buttehREEN.)
Verkaufen Sie Batterien?
(fairCOWfen zee buttehREEN?)
Ich suche Speicherkarten.
(ish ZOOkhuh SHPYhakahten.)
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We don't sell any memory cards or batteries.
Wir verkaufen keine Speicherkarten oder Batterien.
(We sell no memory cards or batteries.)
(veer fairCOWfen KYne SHPYhakahten OHda
buttehREEN.)
(In the department store you get everything.)
(im COWFhouse buhKAHMen zee AHLes.)
Sie bekommen alles.
You get everything.
(zee buhKAMen AHLes.)
You can get everything at the department store.
Sie bekommen alles im Kaufhaus.
(zee buhKAHMen AHLes im COWFhouse.)
at the post office
bei der Post
(by the post office)
(by dair pohst)
Briefmarken bekommen Sie bei der Post.
You can get stamps at the post office.
(BREEFmahken buhKAHMen zee by dair pohst.)
Die Fahrkarten bekommen Sie am Kiosk neben
You can get the tickets at the kiosk next to the
train station.
dem Bahnhof.
(dee FAHkahten buhKAHMen zee am KEEyosk
NEEben dame BAHNhohf.)
Bekomme ich Postkarten auch in der
Can I also get postcards at the bookstore across
from here?
Buchhandlung gegenüber von hier?
Where can I get souvenirs?
Wo bekomme ich Souvenirs?
(Where do I get souvenirs?)
(voh buhKAHMuh ish souvaNEEas?)
And where can I get clothes?
Und wo bekomme ich Kleidung?
(And where do I get clothes?)
(oont voh buhKAHMuh ish KLYdong?)
(buhKAHMuh ish POSTkahten auwkh in dair
BOOKHhundlong gaygenEWba fon heer?)
Im Supermarkt neben dem Bahnhof bekommen
You can get groceries at the supermarket next to
the train station.
Sie Lebensmittel.
The supermarket is open from 7 o'clock a.m. till 8
o'clock p.m.
Der Supermarkt ist von 7 Uhr bis 20 Uhr geöffnet.
(im ZOOpamahkt NAYben dame BAHNhohf
buhKAHMen zee LAYbensmitel.)
(The supermarket is opened from 7 o'clock till 20
o'clock.)
(dair ZOOpamahkt ist fon ZEEben OOa biss
TSVUNtsik OOa guhERFnet.)
The supermarket is open.
Der Supermarkt ist geöffnet.
(The supermarket is opened.)
(dair ZOOpamahkt ist guhERFnet.)
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7 (sieben) Uhr
7 (seven) o'clock a.m.
(7 (ZEEben) OOa)
8 (eight) o'clock p.m.
20 (zwanzig) Uhr
(20 (twenty) o'clock)
(20 (TSVUNtsik) OOa)
7 (sieben) Uhr bis 20 (zwanzig) Uhr
7 (seven) o'clock a.m. till 8 (eight) o'clock p.m.
(7 (ZEEben) OOa bis 20 (TSVUNtsik) OOa)
Das Kaufhaus ist von 9 Uhr bis 19 Uhr geöffnet.
The department store is open from 9 o'clock a.m.
till 7 o'clock p.m.
(dahs COWFhouse ist fon noyn OOa biss NOYNtsane
OOa guhERFnet.)
Die Post ist heute nur bis 18 Uhr geöffnet.
The post office is only open till 6 o'clock p.m. today.
(dee pahst ist HOItuh noor biss AHKHTtsane OOa
guhERFnet.)
Wann sind die Geschäfte geöffnet?
When are the stores open?
(van zint dee guhSHEFTuh guhERFnet?)
Monday through Friday
Montag bis Freitag
(Monday till Friday)
(MOHNtahk bis FRHYtahk)
Alle Geschäfte sind Montag bis Freitag von 8 Uhr
All stores are open Monday through Friday from 8
o'clock a.m. till 8 o'clock p.m.
bis 20 Uhr geöffnet.
(AHLuh guhSHEFTuh zint MOHNtahk biss FRHYtahk
fon ahkt OOa biss TSVUNtsik OOa guhERFnet.)
Es ist geschlossen.
It is closed.
(es ist guhSHLOSen.)
Wann ist die Bank geschlossen?
When is the bank closed?
(vun ist dee bunk geSHLOSen?)
Die Bank ist am Samstag geschlossen.
The bank is closed on Saturday.
(dee bunk ist ahm ZUMStahk guhSHLOSen.)
Am Sonntag sind in Deutschland alle Supermärkte
On Sunday, all supermarkets are closed in
Germany.
geschlossen.
(ahm ZONNtahk zint in DOITSHlunt AHLuh
ZOOpamairktuh guhSHLOSen.)
8 € (eight euros)
(dahs TEEshert KOStet ahkht OYroh oont NOYNtsik
sent.)
8 € (acht Euro)
(8 € (ahkht OYroh))
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0,90 € (neunzig Cent)
0.90 € (ninety cents)
(0,90 € (NOYNtsik sent))
Zwei T-Shirts kosten 17,80 €.
Two t-shirts cost 17.80 €.
(tsveye TEEsherts KOSTen ZEEBtsane OYroh oont
AHKHtsik sent.)
Der Pullover kostet 16,50 €.
The sweater costs 16.50 €.
(dair poolOHva KOStet ZESHtsane OYroh oont
FEWNFtsik sent.)
Kostet die Hose wirklich 85 €?
Do the pants really cost 85 €?
(KOStet dee HOHzuh VEERklish FEWNFoontAHKHtsik
OYroh?)
Die Schuhe und die Socken kosten zusammen
The shoes and the socks together cost 69.95 €.
69,95 €.
(dee SHOOuh oont dee ZOKen KOSten tsooZUHMen
NOYNoontZESHtsik OYroh oont FEWNFoontNOYNtsik
sent.)
your total is
das macht zusammen
(that makes together)
(dahs mahkht tsooZAMen)
Das macht zusammen 27,89 €.
Your total is 27.89 €.
(dahs mahkht tsooZAMen ZEEbenoontTSVUNtsik
OYroh oont NOYNoontAHKHtsik sent.)
Guten Tag. Ich habe hier ein Zimmer reserviert.
Hello. I have a reservation here.
(GOOten tahk. ish HAHbuh heer EYEn TSIMa
rayzairVEERT.)
Wie ist Ihr Name?
What is your name?
Schuster.
Schuster.
(SHOOsta)
Ah ja, Herr Schuster, Sie haben ein Einzelzimmer
Oh yes, Mr. Schuster, you have a single room with
a bath.
mit Bad.
(ah ya, hair SHOOsta, zee HAHben EYEn
EYEntselTSIMa mit baht.)
Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel - Zimmer Nummer
Here is your room key - room number 314 on the
third floor.
314 im dritten Stock.
Thank you very much. When is breakfast served,
please?
Vielen Dank. Wann gibt es Frühstück, bitte?
(HEEa ist eer TSIMaSHLEWsel - TSIMa NOOMa
DHRYhoondatFEERtsane im DHRITen shtok.)
(FEElen dunk. vuhn ghibt es FREWshtewk, BITuh?)
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Von 7 bis 9 Uhr.
From 7 to 9 o'clock.
(fon ZEEben bis noyn OOa.)
Und das Schwimmbad können Sie bis 10 Uhr
And you can use the swimming pool till 10 o'clock
in the evening.
abends benutzen.
(oont dahs SHVIMbaht KEHRnen zee bis tsane OOa
AHbents buhNOOTsen.)
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa mit DOOshuh?)
Haben Sie ein Zimmer?
Do you have a room?
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa?)
Haben Sie ein Zimmer mit Bad?
Do you have a room with a bath?
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa mit baht?)
Do you also have a room with a balcony?
Haben Sie auch ein Zimmer mit Balkon?
(HAHben zee auwkh EYEn TSIMa mit bahlKONG?)
ein Einzelzimmer mit Balkon
a single room with a balcony
(EYEn EYEntselTSIMa mit bahlKOHN)
Haben Sie ein Doppelzimmer mit Aussicht?
Do you have a double room with a view?
(HAHben zee EYEn DOPelTSIMa mit OWSzisht?)
Haben alle Zimmer Klimaanlage?
Do all rooms have air conditioning?
(HAHben AHLuh TSIMa KLEEmahunLAHguh?)
ein Zimmer mit Frühstück
a room with breakfast
(EYEn TSIMa mit FREWshtewk)
Do you have a room available?
Haben Sie ein Zimmer frei?
(Do you have a room free?)
(HAHben zee EYEn TSIMa fhry?)
No, we don't have any more rooms available.
Nein, wir haben keine Zimmer mehr frei.
(No, we have no more rooms free.)
(nine, veer HAHben KYnuh TSIMa maihr fry.)
I would like to reserve.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEn TSIMa rehzairVEEhren.)
Ich möchte reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh rehzairVEEhren.)
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für vier Tage und drei Nächte
for four days and three nights
(fehwr feer TAHguh oont dhry NEHshtuh)
Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer für drei Nächte
I would like to reserve a single room for three
nights.
reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEn EYENtselTSIMa fehwr dhry
NAYshtuh rehzairVEEren.)
von Sonntag bis Mittwoch
from Sunday through Wednesday
(fon ZOHNtahk bis MITvokh)
Ich möchte von Sonntag bis Mittwoch zwei Zimmer
I would like to reserve two rooms from Sunday
through Wednesday.
reservieren.
(ish MERSHtuh fon ZOHNtahk bis MITvokh tsveye
TSIMMa rehzairVEEren.)
Kann ich für das Wochenende ein Einzelzimmer mit
Can I reserve a single room with a bath for the
weekend?
Bad reservieren?
Do you have a reservation?
Haben Sie reserviert?
(Have you reserved?)
(HAHben zee rehzairVEERT?)
(kun ish fehwr dahs VOKHenENduh EYEn
EYEntselTSIMa mit baht rehzairVEEren?)
ich habe reserviert
I have reserved
(ish HAHbuh rehzairVEERT)
Ich habe hier ein Zimmer reserviert.
I have reserved a room here.
(ish HAHbuh heer EYEn TSIMa rehzairVEERT.)
Ich habe von Dienstag bis Donnerstag ein
I have reserved a double room from Tuesday
through Thursday.
Doppelzimmer reserviert.
(ish HAHbuh fon DEENStahk biss DOHNAstahk EYEn
DOPelTSIMa rehzairVEERT.)
(The hotel has reasonable prices per week.)
(dahs hohTEL haht GEWNSteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh
VOKHuh.)
das Hotel hat
the hotel has
(dahs hohTEL haht)
reasonable weekly rates
günstige Preise pro Woche
(reasonable prices per week)
(GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh VOKHuh)
Das Hotel hat günstige Preise pro Tag.
The hotel has reasonable daily rates.
(The hotel has reasonable prices per day.)
(dahs hohTEL haht GEWNsteeguh PRHYzuh prhoh
tahk.)
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Die Pension am Bahnhof hat günstige Preise pro
The bed and breakfast at the train station has
reasonable nightly rates.
Nacht.
(dee panzYOHN ahm BAHNhohf haht GEWNsteeguh
PRHYzuh prhoh nahkht.)
ein günstiger Preis
a reasonable price
(EYEn GEWNsteega price)
eine günstige Pension
a reasonable bed and breakfast
(EYEnuh GEWNsteeguh panzYOHN)
Ich suche ein günstiges Hotel.
I am looking for a reasonable hotel.
(ish ZOOKHuh EYEn GEWNsteegas hohTEL.)
ein billiges Hotel
a cheap hotel
(EYEn BILEEgas hohTEL)
That room is too expensive for me.
Das Zimmer ist mir zu teuer.
(That room is to me too expensive.)
(das TSIMa ist MEEa tsoo TOYa.)
The room with a balcony is too expensive for me.
Das Zimmer mit Balkon ist mir zu teuer.
(dahs TSIMa mit bahlKOHN ist MEEa tsoo TOYa.)
Die Pension ist billiger.
The bed and breakfast is cheaper.
(dee panzYOHN ist BILEEga.)
Die Zimmer ohne Aussicht sind 3 € billiger pro
The rooms without view are 3 € cheaper per night.
Nacht.
(dee TSIMa OHnuh OWSzisht zint drhy OYroh BILEEga
proh nahkht.)
Das Hotel neben dem Rathaus ist ein bisschen
The hotel next to the townhall is a little more
expensive.
The hotel is more reasonable.
teurer.
(dahs hohTEL NAYben dame RAHThouse ist EYEn
BISyen TOYrha.)
Das Hotel ist günstiger.
(dahs hohTEL ist GEWNsteega.)
EYEnhoondatZEEbenoontDRHYsik.)
Here is your room key.
FEWNFhoondatEYEnoontTSVUNtsik.)
Hier ist Ihr Zimmerschlüssel.
(heer ist eer TSIMahSCHLEUsel.)
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Hier ist der Schlüssel für Zimmer Nummer 316.
Here is the key for room number 316.
(heer ist dair SCHLEWsel fehwr TSIMah NOOMa
DRHYhoondatZESHtsane.)
Zimmer Nummer 172 hat Balkon und Aussicht.
Room number 172 has a balcony and a view.
(TSIMah NOOMah EYEnhoondatTSVEYEoontZEEBtsik
haht bahlKOHN oont OWSzisht.)
(eer TSIMah ist im AIRHsten shtok.)
der erste Stock
the first floor
(dair AIRHstuh shtok)
on the first floor
im ersten Stock
(in the first floor)
(im AIRHsten shtok)
der vierte Stock
the fourth floor
(dair FEERtuh shtok)
im fünften Stock
on the fifth floor
(im FEWNFten shtok)
Ihr Zimmer ist im dritten Stock.
Your room is on the third floor.
(eer TSIMah ist im DREHTen shtok.)
Zimmer Nummer 248 ist im sechsten Stock.
Room number 248 is on the sixth floor.
(TSIMah NOOMah TSVEYEhoondatAKHToontFEERtsik
ist im ZEXten shtok.)
Nehmen Sie den Aufzug.
Take the elevator.
(NAYmen zee dane OWFtsook.)
Kann ich ein Zimmer im Erdgeschoss bekommen?
Can I get a room on the ground floor?
(kun ish EYEn TSIMah im AIRDguhshos buhKOHMen?)
You can check out.
11 (eleven) o'clock a.m.
till 11 (eleven) o'clock in the morning
(zee KERnen bis elf OOa FOAmitahks OWSchecken.)
Sie können auschecken.
(zee KERHnen OWSchecken.)
11 (elf) Uhr vormittags
(11 (elf) OOa FOAmitahks)
bis 11 (elf) Uhr vormittags
(bis 11 (elf) OOa FOAmitahks)
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4 (vier) Uhr nachmittags
4 (four) o'clock in the afternoon
(4 (feer) OOa NAHKHmitahks)
von 10 (zehn) Uhr vormittags bis 3 (drei) Uhr
from 10 (ten) o'clock in the morning till 3 (three)
o'clock in the afternoon
nachmittags
Breakfast is served between 7 and 9 o'clock in the
morning.
Frühstück gibt es zwischen 7 und 9 Uhr morgens.
(fonn 10 (tsane) OOa FOAmitahks bis 3 (drhy) OOa
NAHKHmitahks)
(There is breakfast between 7 and 9 o'clock in the
mornings.)
(FREWshtewk ghibt es TSVISHen ZEEben oont noyn
OOa MOAgans.)
Is there anything to eat at lunchtime?
Gibt es mittags etwas zu essen?
(Is there something to eat at lunchtime?)
(ghibt es MITahks ETvahs tsoo ESen?)
No, you can't get lunch at the hotel.
Nein, Sie bekommen im Hotel kein Mittagessen.
(No, you get no lunch in the hotel.)
(nine, zee buhKOHMen im hohTEL kine MITahkESen.)
Abendessen gibt es zwischen 6 und 8 Uhr abends.
Dinner is served between 6 and 8 o'clock in the
evening.
(AHbentESen ghibt es TSVISHen zex oont ahkht OOa
AHbents.)
(kun ish dahs SHVIMbaht buhNOOTsen?)
Kann ich... benutzen?
Can I use...?
(kun ish... buhNOOTsen?)
Kann ich das Schwimmbad auch abends benutzen?
Can I use the swimming pool in the evening, too?
(kun ish dahs SHVIMbaht auwkh AHbents
buhNOOTsen?)
Sie können das Schwimmbad mittags zwischen 12
You can not use the swimming pool at lunchtime
between 12 and 1 o'clock.
und 1 Uhr nicht benutzen.
(zee KERnen dahs SHVIMbaht MITahks TSVISHen
tsverlf oont EYEn OOa nisht buhNOOTsen.)
Möchten Sie das Internet benutzen?
Would you like to use the Internet?
(MERSHten zee dahs INtanet buhNOOTsen?)
Wann kann ich den Fitnessraum benutzen?
When can I use the gym?
(vun kun ish dane FITnesrhoum buhNOOTsen?)
Sie können den Fitnessraum von 6 Uhr morgens
You can use the gym from 6 o'clock in the morning
till 10 o'clock in the evening.
bis 10 Uhr abends benutzen.
(zee KERnen dane FITnesrhaom fon sex OOa
MOAgans bis tsane OOa AHbents buhNOOTsen.)
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Sie können die Waschmaschine im ersten Stock
You can use the washing machine on the first floor.
benutzen.
(zee KERHnen dee VAHSHmahSHEnuh im AIRsten
shtok buhNOOTsen.)
Kann ich den Aufzug benutzen?
Can I use the elevator?
(kun ish dane OWFtsook buhNOOTsen?)
If there is a fire you have to use the stairs.
Bei Feuer müssen Sie die Treppe benutzen.
(By fire you have to use the stairs.)
(by FOYah MEWSen zee dee TREHPuh buhNOOTsen.)
(TSAHlen zee mit krayDEETkahtuh OHdah mit shek?)
Kreditkarte oder Scheck?
Credit card or check?
(kruhDEETkahtuh OHdah shek?)
Zahlen Sie mit Kreditkarte?
Are you paying with a credit card?
(TSAHlen zee mit krayDEETkahtuh?)
Zahlen Sie mit Scheck?
Are you paying with a check?
(TSAHlen zee mit shek?)
Wie möchten Sie zahlen?
How would you like to pay?
(vee MERSHten zee TSAHlen?)
Are you paying cash or with a credit card?
Zahlen Sie bar oder mit Kreditkarte?
(TSAHlen zee bah OHdah mit kruhDEETkahtuh?)
Nehmen Sie auch Schecks?
Do you take checks, too?
(NAYmen zee auwkh sheks?)
Do you take cash?
Nehmen Sie Bargeld?
(Do you take cash money?)
(NAYmen zee BAHghelt?)
Where can I get cash?
Wo bekomme ich Bargeld?
(Where do I get cash money?)
(voh buhKOHMuh ish BAHghelt?)
Sie können am Geldautomaten an der Bank
You can get cash at the ATM at the bank.
Bargeld bekommen.
Do you need cash?
Brauchen Sie Bargeld?
(Do you need cash money?)
(BROWkhen zee BAHghelt?)
(zee KERHnen ahm GHELTowtohMAHTen ahn dair
bahnk BAHghelt buhKOHMen.)
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Ich brauche Kleingeld.
I need change.
(ish BROWkhuh KHLINEghelt.)
ein 10 € (zehn Euro)-Schein
a 10 € (ten euro) bill
(EYEn 10 OYroh (tsane OYroh)-shine)
Hier sind zehn 100 €-Scheine.
Here are ten 100 € bills.
(heer zint tsane EYEnhoondat OYroh-SHYnuh.)
neuntausendsiebenhundertdreiundzwanzig Euro
nine thousand seven hundred twenty-three euros
and eighty-six cents (9,723.86 €)
I am paying 1,000 € with a credit card and 200 €
cash.
und sechsundachtzig Cent (9723,86 €)
(NOYNtaowzentZEEbenhoondatDRHYoontTSVUNtsik
OYroh oont ZEXoontAHKHtsik sent)
Ich zahle 1000 € mit Kreditkarte und 200 € bar.
(ish TSAHluh EYEntaowzent OYroh mit
kruhDEETkahtuh oont TSVEYEhoondat OYroh bah.)
1267 € auf Ihre Kreditkarte?
1,267 € on your credit card?
(EYEntaowzentTSVEYEhoondatZEEbenoontSESHtsik
OYroh owf EEruh kruhDEETkahtuh?)
a check for 300 € (three hundred euros)
ein Scheck über 300 € (dreihundert Euro)
(a check over 300 € (three hundred euros))
(EYEn shek EUbuh 300 € (DRHYhoondat OYroh))
Hier ist ein Scheck über 3579 €.
Here is a check for 3,579 €.
(heer ist EYEn shek EWbuh
DRHYtaowzentFEWNFhoondatNOYNoontZEEBtsik
OYroh.)
(The TV doesn't function.)
(dair FAIRNzair FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
The TV works.
Der Fernseher funktioniert.
(The TV functions.)
(dair FAIRNzair FOONKTSyohnEERT.)
The shower doesn't work.
The Internet connection doesn't work.
Die Dusche funktioniert nicht.
(dee DOOshuh FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
Der Internetanschluss funktioniert nicht.
(dair INtahnetAHNschlos FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
The telephone doesn't work either.
Das Telefon funktioniert auch nicht.
(The telephone doesn't function, too.)
(dahs tayleFOHN FOONKTSyohnEERT auwkh nisht.)
The toilet won't flush in room 117.
(The flush doesn't function in room 117.)
Die Spülung in Zimmer 117 funktioniert nicht.
(dee SHPEWloong in TSIMah
EYEnhoondatZEEBtsane FOONKTSyohnEERT nisht.)
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Die Klimaanlage ist kaputt.
The air conditioning is broken.
(dee KLEEmaahnLAHguh ist kahPUT.)
Der Fernseher ist auch kaputt.
The TV is broken, too.
(dair FAIRNzair ist auwkh kahPUT.)
Ich habe kein Toilettenpapier in Zimmer 57.
I have no toilet paper in room 57.
(ish HAHbuh kine toyLETenpahPEER in TSIMah
ZEEbenoontFEWNFtsik.)
Mein Zimmer hat keine Klimaanlage.
My room has no air conditioning.
(mine TSIMah hut KYnuh KLEEmahnLAHguh.)
Ich habe keinen Internetanschluss.
I have no Internet connection.
(ish HAHbuh KYnen INtanetAHNshlos.)
I had a car accident.
Sind Sie verletzt?
Are you injured?
(zint zee fairLETST?)
Nein, ich habe nur Kopfweh.
No, I only have a headache.
(nine, ish HAHbuh NOOa KOPFvay.)
Und ich habe meinen Führerschein verloren.
And I have lost my driver's license.
(oont ish HAHbuh MYnen FEWRashine fairLOHren.)
Brauchen Sie einen Arzt?
Do you need a doctor?
(BROWkhen zee EYEnen ahtst?)
Nein, ich nehme eine Schmerztablette.
No, I will take a pain killer.
(nine, ish NAYmuh EYEnuh SHMAIRTStahBLETuh.)
Sie müssen bei der Polizei melden, dass Sie Ihren
You have to report to the police that you have lost
your driver's license.
Yes, thank you for your help!
Führerschein verloren haben.
(zee MEWSen by dair pohleeTSIGH MELden, dahss
zee EEren FEWRashine fairLOHren HAHben.)
Ja, vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe!
(ya, FEELen dunk fewr EEruh HILLfuh!)
(An accident is happened there.)
(da ist EYEn OONfahl pahSEEat.)
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There is an accident.
Watch out, there has been an accident.
German
Da ist ein Unfall.
(dah ist EYEn OONfahl.)
Achtung, da ist ein Unfall passiert.
(AHKHtoong, dah ist EYEn OONfahl pahSEEat.)
What happened there?
Was ist da passiert?
(What has happened there?)
(vahs ist dah pahSEEat?)
Did you have an accident?
Hatten Sie einen Unfall?
(HUTen zee EYEnen OONfahl?)
I am okay.
Mir ist nichts passiert.
(Nothing has happened to me.)
(MEEah ist nishts pahSEEat.)
Fortunately, nothing has happened.
I have a toothache.
Zum Glück ist nichts passiert.
(tsoom gleuk ist nishts pahSEEat.)
(ish HAHbuh TSAHNshmairtsen.)
I am in pain.
Ich habe Schmerzen.
(I have pains.)
(isch HAHbuh SHMAIRtsen.)
I have strong pains.
Ich habe starke Schmerzen.
(ish HAHbuh SHTAHkuh SHMAIRtsen.)
Where does it hurt?
Wo haben Sie Schmerzen?
(Where do you have pains?)
(voh HAHben zee SHMAIRtsen?)
I have a bad headache.
Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen.
(I have strong head pains.)
(ish HAHbuh SHTAHkuh KOPFshmairtsen.)
Do you have a bellyache?
Haben Sie Bauchschmerzen?
(HAHben zee BAUWKHshmairtsen?)
I have a sore throat.
Ich habe Halsschmerzen.
(I have throat pains.)
(isch HAHbuh HALTSshmairtsen.)
(I am injured at the foot.)
(ish bin ahm foos fairLETST.)
I am injured.
Ich bin verletzt.
(ish bin fairLETST.)
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Help, I am injured.
Where are you injured?
German
Hilfe, ich bin verletzt.
(HILLfuh, ish bin fairLETST.)
Wo sind Sie verletzt?
(voh zint zee fairLETST?)
I have injured my head.
Ich bin am Kopf verletzt.
(I am injured at the head.)
(ish bin ahm kopf fairLETST.)
Have you also injured your leg?
No, I have only injured my arm.
Sind Sie auch am Bein verletzt?
(zint zee auwkh ahm binr fairLETST?)
Nein, ich bin nur am Arm verletzt.
(nine, ish bin NOOah ahm ahrm fairLETST.)
Is anyone injured?
Ist jemand verletzt?
(Is someone injured?)
(ist YAYmunt fairLETST?)
Watch out, someone is injured here.
Fortunately, noone is injured.
Call an ambulance.
Please, call the police.
Quick, call a doctor.
Fire! Call the fire department.
Do you need help?
No, thank you, I don't need any help.
I need a doctor.
Achtung, hier ist jemand verletzt.
(AHKHtoong, heer ist YAYmunt fairLETST.)
Zum Glück ist niemand verletzt.
(tsoom gleuk ist NEEmunt fairLETST.)
(ROOfen zee EYEnen KRUNKenVAHgan.)
Bitte, rufen Sie die Polizei.
(BITtuh, ROOfen zee dee pohleeTSIGH.)
Schnell, rufen Sie einen Arzt.
(shnel, ROOfen zee EYEnen ahtst.)
Feuer! Rufen Sie die Feuerwehr.
(FOYah! ROOfen zee dee FOYavair.)
Brauchen Sie Hilfe?
(BROWkhen zee HILLfuh?)
Nein, danke, ich brauche keine Hilfe.
(nine, DUNKuh, ish BROWkhuh KYnuh HILLfuh.)
Ich brauche einen Arzt.
(ish BROWkhe EYEnen ahtst.)
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I need a pain pill.
I can find
I can not find
I can not find my car key.
Where is my wallet?
I can not find my wallet.
I have lost
I have lost my keys.
Where is your purse?
I have lost my purse.
Have you lost your driver's license, too?
German
Ich brauche eine Schmerztablette.
(ish BROWkhuh EYEnuh SHMAIRTStahBLETuh.)
(ish kun MYnen pahs nisht FINden.)
ich kann finden
(ish kun FINden)
ich kann nicht finden
(ish kun nisht FINden)
Ich kann meinen Autoschlüssel nicht finden.
(ish kun MYnen OWtohSCHLEWsel nisht FINden.)
Wo ist mein Geldbeutel?
(voh ist mine GHELTboytel?)
Ich kann meinen Geldbeutel nicht finden.
(ish kun MYnen GHELTboytel nisht FINden.)
ich habe verloren
(ish HAHbuh fairLOHren)
Ich habe meine Schlüssel verloren.
(ish HAHbuh MYnuh SHLEWsel fairLOHren.)
Wo ist Ihre Handtasche?
(voh ist EEruh HUNTtahshuh?)
Ich habe meine Handtasche verloren.
(ish HAHbuh MYnuh HUNTtahshuh fairLOHren.)
Haben Sie Ihren Führerschein auch verloren?
(HAHben zee EEren FEWRashine auwkh fairLOHren?)
someone has stolen
Someone has stolen my passport.
(YAYmunt hut MYnen FOHtohahpahRAHT
guhSHTOHlen.)
jemand hat gestohlen
(YAYmunt hut guhSHTOHlen)
Jemand hat meinen Pass gestohlen.
(YAYmunt hut MYnen pahs guhSHTOHlen.)
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Hilfe, jemand hat meine Handtasche gestohlen.
Help, someone has stolen my purse.
(HILLfuh, YAYmunt hut MYnuh HUNTtahshuh
guhSHTOHlen.)
Hat jemand Ihr Geld gestohlen?
Has someone stolen your money?
(hut YAYmunt eer ghelt guhSHTOHlen?)
Da ist der Dieb.
There is the thief.
(dah ist dair deep.)
Haltet den Dieb! Er hat meinen Rucksack
gestohlen.
Stop thief! He has stolen my backpack.
(HALtet dane deep! air hut MYnen ROOHKzahk
guhSHTOHlen.)
(ish moos tsoor BOHTshaft GAYhen.)
Ich muss gehen.
I have to go.
(ish moos GAYhen.)
Sie müssen sofort zur Polizei gehen.
You have to go to the police immediately.
(zee MEWSen zohFOAT tsoor pohleeTSIGH GAYhen.)
Wir müssen sofort zum Arzt gehen.
We have to go to the doctor immediately.
(veer MEWSen zohFOAT tsoom ahtst GAYhen.)
Ich muss zur Apotheke gehen.
I have to go to the pharmacy.
(ish moos tsoor ahpohTAYkuh GAYhen.)
Gehen Sie zum Fundbüro.
Go to the lost-and-found office.
(GAYhen zee tsoom FOONTbewROH.)
Sie müssen ins Krankenhaus gehen.
You have to go to the hospital.
(zee MEWSen ins KRUNKenhouse GAYhen.)
Ich möchte einen Diebstahl melden.
I would like to report a theft.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEnen DEEPshtahl MELden.)
Sie müssen den Diebstahl bei der Polizei melden.
You have to report the theft to the police.
(zee MEWSen dane DEEPshtahl by dair pohleeTSIGH
MELden.)
(You have to report the theft by the police.)
Ich muss bei der Botschaft melden, dass ich
I have to report to the embassy that I have lost my
passport.
meinen Pass verloren habe.
(ish moos by dair BOHTshuft MELden, dahs ish
MYnen pahs fairLOHren HAHbuh.)
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Sie müssen melden, dass jemand Ihre Handtasche
You have to report that someone has stolen your
purse.
gestohlen hat.
(zee MEWSen MELden, dahs YAYmunt EEruh
HUNTtahshuh guhSHTOHlen hut.)
Entschuldigung, ich habe eine kurze Frage.
Excuse me, I have a quick question.
(entSHOOLdegoong, ish HAHbuh EYEnuh KOORtsuh
FRAHga.)
Können Sie mir sagen, was dort auf dem Schild
Can you tell me what it says on the sign over
there?
steht?
(KERnen zee meer ZAHgan, vahs dort owf dame shilt
shtayt?)
Ich verstehe das nicht.
I don't understand that.
(ish fairSHTAYuh dahs nisht.)
Welches Schild? Ach, da... Da steht: "Baden
Which sign? Ah, there... It says: "Baden verboten."
verboten."
(VELSHes shilt? akh, dah... dah shtayt: "BAHden
fairBOHten.")
Hm. Und was bedeutet das?
Hm. And what does that mean?
(hm. oont vahs buhDOYtet dahs?)
Es bedeutet, dass man hier nicht schwimmen darf.
It means that you are not allowed to swim here.
I see. And why not?
No idea.
(es buhDOYtet , dahss munn heer nisht SHVIMMen
dahf.)
Keine Ahnung.
(KUYnuh AHnoong.)
(I have a short question.)
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh KOORtsuh FRAHguh.)
a quick question
eine kurze Frage
(a short question)
(EYEnuh KOORtsuh FFAHguh)
I have a request.
I have a problem.
Do you have time?
Ich habe eine Bitte.
(is HAHbuh EYEnuh BITtuh)
Ich habe ein Problem.
(ish HAHbuh EYEn prohBLAME.)
Haben Sie Zeit?
(HAHben zee tsite?)
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Do you have a moment?
Haben Sie einen Moment Zeit?
(Do you have a moment time?)
(HAHben zee EYEnen mohMENT tsite?)
I don't have time now.
I have an idea.
Ich habe jetzt keine Zeit.
(ish HAHbuh jetst KUYnuh tsite.)
Ich habe eine Idee.
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh eeDAY.)
I have no idea.
Ich habe keine Ahnung.
(I have no hunch.)
(ish HAHbuh KUYnuh AHnoong.)
The sign means...
What does that sign mean?
the sign over there
on the sign
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs shilt dort?)
Das Schild bedeutet...
(dahs shilt buhDOYtet...)
Was bedeutet das Schild?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs shilt?)
das Schild dort
(dahs shilt dort)
auf dem Schild
(owf dame shilt)
What does the sign say?
Was steht auf dem Schild?
(What stands on the sign?)
(vahs shtayt owf dame shilt?)
What does that mean?
What does the word "verboten" mean?
Do you understand what that means?
Was bedeutet das?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs?)
Was bedeutet das Wort „verboten"?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs vhort "fairBOHten"?)
Verstehen Sie, was das bedeutet?
(fairSHTAYen zee, vahs dahs buhDOYtet?)
Ich habe keine Ahnung, was das bedeutet.
I have no idea what that means.
Can you explain that to me?
(ish HAHbuh KYnuh AHnoong, vahs dahs
buhDOYtet.)
Können Sie mir das erklären?
(KERnen zee MEEah dahs airKLAIRHen?)
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Können Sie mir erklären, was das Wort auf dem
Can you explain to me, what that word on the sign
means?
Schild bedeutet?
(KERnen zee MEEah airKLAIRHen, vahs dahs vhort
owf dame shilt buhDOYtet?)
Was bedeutet das auf Englisch?
What does that mean in English?
(vahs buhDOYtet dahs owf AYNGlish?)
What is that in German?
Wie heißt das auf Deutsch?
(How is that called on German?)
(vee highst dahs owf doitsh?)
Können Sie mir sagen, wie das Wort auf Deutsch
Can you tell me what that word is in German?
I don't know what that is called in German.
heißt?
(KERnen zee MEEa ZAHgan, vee dahs vort owf
doitsh highst?)
Ich weiß nicht, wie das auf Deutsch heißt.
(ish vice nisht, vee dahs owf doitsh highst.)
(muhn dahf heer nisht SHVIMen.)
Man darf schwimmen.
One is allowed to swim.
(muhn dahf SHVIMen.)
Man darf hier schwimmen.
One is allowed to swim here.
(muhn dahf heer SHVIMen.)
Man darf nicht schwimmen.
One is not allowed to swim.
(muhn dahf nisht SHVIMen.)
Warum darf man hier nicht schwimmen?
Why isn't one allowed to swim here?
(vahRHOOM dahf muhn heer nisht SCHVIMen?)
Man darf hier nicht rauchen.
One is not allowed to smoke here.
(muhn dahf heer nisht ROUKHen.)
Darf man hier parken?
Is one allowed to park here?
(dahf muhn heer PAHken?)
Auf dem Schild steht, dass man hier nicht parken
It says on the sign that one is not allowed to park
here.
darf.
Is one allowed to do that?
Darf man das?
(Is one allowed that?)
(dahf muhn dahs?)
(owf dame shilt shtayt, dahs muhn heer nisht
PAHken dahf.)
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Wie sagt man das auf Deutsch?
How does one say that in German?
(vee zahkt muhn dahs owf doitsh?)
Is that how you say that?
Sagt man das so?
(Does one say that so?)
(zahkt muhn dahs zoh?)
Wie macht man das in Deutschland?
How does one do that in Germany?
(vee mahkht muhn dahs in DOITSHluhnt?)
man spricht aus
one pronounces
(muhn shprisht ows)
Wie spricht man das Wort aus?
How does one pronounce that word?
(vee shprisht muhnn dahs vhort ows?)
How does one pronounce that word correctly?
Wie spricht man das Wort richtig aus?
(vee shprisht muhn dahs vhort RISHtik ows?)
(BITuh SHPRAYshen zee LAHNGzahmah.)
Bitte, sprechen Sie.
Please, speak.
(BITtuh, SHPRAYshen zee.)
Bitte sprechen Sie langsam.
Please, speak slowly.
(BITuh SHPRAYshen zee LAHNGzahm.)
Bitte sprechen Sie ein bisschen langsamer.
Please, speak a little more slowly.
(BITtuh SPRAYshen zee EYEn BISyen LAHNGzahmah.)
Ich habe eine Bitte - können Sie langsamer
I have a request - can you speak more slowly?
sprechen?
(ish HAHbuh EYEnuh BITuh - KEHRHnen zee
LAHNGzahmah SPRAYshen?)
Ich habe ein Problem - Sie sprechen ein bisschen
I have a problem - you speak a little too fast.
Excuse me? I can't hear you.
I can't understand you.
zu schnell.
(ish HAHbuh EYEn prohBLAME - zee SPRAYshen EYEn
BISyen tsoo shnel.)
Wie bitte? Ich kann Sie nicht hören.
(vee BITtuh? ish kuhn zee nisht HERehn.)
Ich kann Sie nicht verstehen.
(ish kuhn zee nisht fairSHTAYen.)
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Sprechen Sie bitte lauter.
Please, speak more loudly.
(SHPRAYshen zee BITtuh LOUTah.)
Bitte wiederholen Sie das.
Please, repeat that.
(BITtuh veedaHOHlehn zee dahs.)
Wie bitte? Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
Excuse me? Can you repeat that, please?
Can you write down the address for me, please?
(Can you write down the address to me, please?)
Will you write down your telephone number for me,
please?
(vee BITtuh? KERnehn zee dahs BITtuh
veedaHOHlehn?)
Können Sie mir die Adresse aufschreiben, bitte?
(KEHRnehn zee meer dee ahDRESuh OWFshraibehn,
BITtuh?)
Schreiben Sie mir Ihre Telefonnummer auf, bitte?
(SHRYbehn zee meer EEruh taylayFOHNnoomah owf,
BITtuh?)
I did not hear you.
(I have not heard you.)
(ish HAHbuh zee neesht guhHERT.)
I have heard.
I have heard you.
I have said...
Ich habe gehört.
(ish HAHbuh guhHERT.)
Ich habe Sie gehört.
(ish HAHbuh zee guhHERT.)
Ich habe gesagt...
(ish HAHbuh guhZAHKT...)
What did you say?
Was haben Sie gesagt?
(What have you said?)
(vahs HAHbehn zee guhZAHKT?)
He did not say anything.
Er hat nichts gesagt.
(He has said nothing.)
(air hut neeshts guhZAHKT.)
I did not hear what she said.
(I have not heard what she has said.)
We have already asked twice.
He has already repeated it three times.
Ich habe nicht gehört, was sie gesagt hat.
(ish HAHbuh neesht guhHERT, vahs zee guhZAHKT
hut.)
Wir haben schon zweimal gefragt.
(veer HAHbehn shohn TSVEYEmahl guhFRAHKT.)
Er hat es schon dreimal wiederholt.
(air hut es shohn DRYmahl veedahHOHLT.)
We have not done anything today.
Wir haben heute nichts gemacht.
(We have done nothing today.)
(veer HAHbehn HOItuh neeshts guhMAHKHT.)
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Sie haben schon viel gelernt.
You have already learned a lot.
(zee HAHbehn shohn feel guhLAIRNT.)
I have not read it.
(ish HAHbuh es neesht guhLAYzehn.)
Ich habe gelesen.
I have read.
(ish HAHbuh guhLAYzehn.)
Ich habe es gelesen.
I have read it.
(ish HAHbuh es guhLAYzehn.)
Did you not read the sign?
Haben Sie das Schild nicht gelesen?
(Have you not read the sign?)
(HAHben zee dahs shilt guhLAYzehn?)
Haben Sie das gesehen?
Have you seen that?
(HAHbehn zee dahs guhZAYhehn?)
Ich habe es nicht gesehen.
I have not seen it.
(ish HAHbuh es neesht guhZAYhehn.)
I forgot it.
Ich habe es vergessen.
(I have forgotten it.)
(ish HAHbuh es fairGUESSehn.)
Haben Sie schon das Brandenburger Tor in Berlin
Have you already seen the Brandenburg Gate in
Berlin?
gesehen?
(HAHbehn zee shohn dahs BRUHNdehnBOORgah toa
in bairLEEN guhZAYhehn?)
Bis jetzt haben wir nur den Kölner Dom gesehen.
So far we have only seen the Cologne Cathedral.
(bis yetst HAHbehn veer noor dane KEHRLnah dohm
guhZAYhen.)
Und das Schloss Neuschwanstein? Das muss man
And the Neuschwanstein Castle? One has to have
seen that.
gesehen haben!
(oont dahs shlos noySHVAHNshtine? dahs moos
muhn guhZAYhen HAHbehn.)
Wir haben schon viel gesehen und gehört.
We have already seen and heard a lot.
(veer HAHbehn shohn feel guhZAYhen oont
guhHERT.)
(He has spoken too quietly.)
(air hut tsoo LYzuh guhSHPROKHen.)
He has spoken.
Er hat gesprochen.
(air hut guhSHPROKHen.)
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He spoke quietly.
Er hat leise gesprochen.
(He has spoken quietly.)
(air hut LYzuh guhSHPROKHen.)
He also spoke too fast.
Er hat auch zu schnell gesprochen.
(He has also spoken too fast.)
(air hut auwkh tsoo shnel guhSHPROKHen.)
Ich habe verstanden.
I have understood.
(ish HAHbuh fairSHTUNden.)
Alles klar, ich habe verstanden.
All right, I have understood.
(AHLes klah, ish HAHbuh fairSHTUNden.)
I did not understand you.
Ich habe Sie nicht verstanden.
(I have not understood you.)
(ish HAHbuh zee nisht fairSHTUNden.)
I did not understand that correctly.
Ich habe das nicht richtig verstanden.
(I have not understood that correctly.)
(ish HAHbuh dahs nisht RISHtik fairSHTUNden.)
You have misunderstood something there.
That means that you have not understood it
correctly.
(That means that you have understood it wrong.)
Thank you very much, you have helped me a lot.
Sie haben da etwas missverstanden.
(zee HAHben dah ETvahs MISfairSHTUNden.)
Das bedeutet, dass Sie es falsch verstanden
haben.
(dahs buhDOYtet, dahs zee es fahlsh fairSHTUNden
HAHben.)
Vielen Dank, Sie haben mir sehr geholfen.
(FEElen dunk, zee HAHben MEEah zair guhHOHLfen.)
Sagen Sie mal, wie war eigentlich Ihr Deutschkurs?
So, tell me, how was your German class?
Not that bad at all, was it?
No, German is not that difficult at all.
Well, that's what I have said all along.
(ZAHgahn zee mahl, vee vah EYEghehntlish eer
DOITSHkoors?)
Gar nicht so schlimm, oder?
(gah nisht zoh shlim, OHdah?)
Nein, Deutsch ist gar nicht so schwer.
(nine, doitsh ist gah nisht zoh shvair.)
Naja, das habe ich ja gleich gesagt.
(nahYAH, dahs HAHbuh ish yah gluysh guhZAHKT.)
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Die Sprache ist manchmal eben ein bisschen
kompliziert aber eigentlich ganz logisch.
The language is just a little complicated
sometimes, but actually pretty logical.
(dee SHPRAHKHuh ist MUNSHmahl AYben EYEn
BISSyen kompleetSEEat AHbuh EYEghentlish gahns
LOHghish. )
Konnten Sie denn vor dem Kurs noch gar kein
So, you didn't speak any German at all before the
class?
Deutsch?
(KONten zee dehn foa dame koors nawkh gah kine
doitsh?)
Doch. Ein paar Wörter habe ich natürlich schon
gekannt: „Autobahn“, „Gesundheit“ und „Guten
Yes, I did. Of course I did know a few words:
"Autobahn", "Gesundheit", and "Guten Tag."
Tag“.
(dawkh. EYEn pah VERtah HAHbuh ish nahTEWlish
guhKUHNT: "OWtohbahn", "guhZOONThite" oont
"GOOten tahk". )
Manche Wörter sehen genau aus wie englische
Some words look exactly like English words but
have a completely different meaning.
Why, that is funny.
Wait, will you?
Wait for me!
Let's wait, shall we?
Let's try this, shall we?
Help me, will you?
Do that, will you?
Come, will you?
Wörter aber haben eine ganz andere Bedeutung.
(MUNSHuh VERtah ZAYhen guhNOW ows vee
AYNGlishuh VERtah AHbuh HAHben EYEnuh gahns
Das ist ja lustig.
(dahs ist ya LOOStik.)
(VAHten zee mahl owf mish!)
Warten Sie mal!
(VAHten zee mahl!)
Warten Sie auf mich!
(VAHten zee owf mish!)
Warten wir mal.
(VAHten veer mahl.)
Versuchen wir das mal!
(fairZOOKHen veer dahs mahl!)
Helfen Sie mir mal!
(HELLfen zee MEEah mahl!)
Machen Sie das mal.
(MAHKHen zee dahs mahl.)
Kommen Sie mal.
(KOMen zee mahl.)
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Sprechen Sie mal ein bisschen langsamer.
Speak a little more slowly, will you?
(SPRAYshen zee mahl EYEn BISyen LAHNGzahmah.)
Erklären Sie mir das mal.
Explain that to me, will you?
(airKLAIRen zee MEEah dahs mahl.)
Sagen Sie mal...
Tell me...
(ZAHgan zee mahl...)
Ich kenne ihn.
I know him.
(ish KENuh een.)
Sagen Sie mal, kenne ich Sie nicht?
Tell me, don't I know you?
(ZAHgan zee mahl, KENuh ish zee nisht?)
(doitsh ist gah nisht zoh shvair.)
Deutsch ist nicht schwer.
German is not difficult.
(doitsh ist nisht shvair.)
not that difficult
nicht so schwer
(not so difficult)
(nisht zoh shvair)
gar nicht schwer
not difficult at all
(gah nisht shvair)
Es war schlimm.
It was awful.
(es vah schlim.)
It was not that bad at all, was it?
Es war gar nicht so schlimm, oder?
(It was not so awful at all, or?)
(es vah gah nisht zoh shlim, OHdah?)
gar nicht mehr
not at all anymore
(gah nisht mair)
I don't know at all anymore where my hotel is.
I am not tired at all.
Ich weiß gar nicht mehr, wo mein Hotel ist.
(ish vice gah nisht mair, voh mine hohTELL ist.)
Ich bin gar nicht müde.
(ish bin gah nisht MEWduh.)
I didn't see anything at all.
Ich habe gar nichts gesehen.
(I have seen nothing at all.)
(ish HAHbuh gah nishts guhZAYhen.)
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Essen Sie gar nichts?
Don't you eat anything at all?
(EHSen zee gah nishts?)
I am not hungry at all.
Ich habe gar keinen Hunger.
(I have no hunger at all.)
(ish HAHbuh gah KYnen HOONGah.)
(EYEghentlish ist AHLes gahns LOHghish.)
Alles ist logisch.
Everything is logical.
(AHLes ist LOHghish.)
Alles ist ganz logisch.
Everything is pretty logical.
(AHLes ist gahns LOHghish.)
Es ist eigentlich ganz leicht.
It is actually pretty easy.
(es ist EYEghentlish gahns lyesht.)
Die Sprache ist eigentlich nicht kompliziert.
The language is actually not complicated.
(dee SHPRAHKHuh ist EYEghentlish nisht
kompleetSEEat.)
Was machen Sie eigentlich beruflich?
So, what do you do professionally?
(vahs MAHKHen zee EYEghentlish buhROOFlish?)
So, do you like to travel?
Reisen Sie eigentlich gern?
(So, do you gladly travel?)
(RYEzen zee EYEghentlish gayrn?)
So, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Welche Musik hören Sie eigentlich gern?
(So, which music do you gladly hear?)
(VELSHuh mooZEEK HERen zee EYEghentlish gayrn?)
Sind Sie eigentlich verheiratet?
So, are you married?
(zint zee EYEghentlish fairHIGHrahtet?)
Haben Sie Lust...?
Do you feel like...?
(HAHben zee loost...?)
Haben Sie eigentlich Lust, irgendwann mal mit mir
So, do you feel like going out to eat with me
someday?
essen zu gehen?
No, not really.
Nein, eigentlich nicht.
(No, actually not.)
(nine, EYEghentlish nisht.)
(HAHben zee EYEghentlish loost, erghentVAHN mahl
mit meer EHSen tsoo GAYen?)
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Nein, ich habe eigentlich keine Lust.
No, I don't actually feel like it.
(nine, ish HAHbuh EYEghentlish KYnuh loost.)
Ja, das ist eigentlich eine sehr gute Idee.
Yes, that is actually a very good idea.
(ya, dahs ist EYEghentlish EYEnuh zair GOOtuh
eeDAY.)
Eigentlich möchte ich heute Abend tanzen gehen.
Actually, I would like to go dance tonight.
(EYEghentlish MERSHtuh ish HOItuh AHbent TUNtsen
GAYen.)
We did know that.
(Yes we have known that.)
(dahs HAHben veer ya guhVOOST.)
We knew that.
Das haben wir gewusst.
(We have known that.)
(dahs HAHben veer guhVOOST.)
After all, you did know that.
Sie haben das ja schließlich gewusst.
(zee HAHben dahs ya SHLEESlish guhVOOST.)
After all, you did see the sign.
Sie haben das Schild ja schließlich gesehen.
(After all, you have seen the sign.)
(zee HAHben dahs shilt ya SHLEESlish guhZAYen.)
Well, one did see that well.
Naja, das hat man ja gut gesehen.
(Well, one has seen that well.)
(nahYA, dahs hut mun ya goot guhZAYhen.)
That's what the problem is.
Why, there is the castle already!
Das ist ja das Problem.
(dahs ist ya dahs prohBLAME.)
Da ist ja das Schloss schon!
(dah ist ya dahs shlos shohn!)
Why, that was quick.
Das ging ja schnell.
(Why, that went quick.)
(dahs ghing ya shnel.)
Why, that is funny.
Das ist ja lustig!
(dahs ist ya LOOStik!)
That's just how it is.
Das ist eben so.
(That's just so.)
(dahs ist AYben zoh.)
Traveling is just expensive.
Sometimes, one just has bad luck.
Reisen ist eben teuer.
(RYzen ist AYben TOYah.)
Manchmal hat man eben Pech.
(MUNSHmahl hut muhn AYben pesh.)
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One just can't do anything about it.
Da kann man eben nichts machen.
(One just can't do anything there.)
(dah kun mun AYben nishts MAHKHen.)
I had bad luck.
Ich habe Pech gehabt.
(I have had bad luck.)
(ish HAHbuh pesh guhHAHPT.)
He had bad luck.
Er hat Pech gehabt.
(He has had bad luck.)
(air hut pesh guhHAHPT.)
(ish MERSHtuh nawkh VYtah doitsh LAIRnen.)
Ich möchte noch weiter lernen.
I still would like to keep learning.
(ish MERSHtuh nawkh VYtah LAIRnen.)
I still would like to keep learning German (despite
any doubts).
Ich möchte schon noch weiter Deutsch lernen.
(ish MERSHtuh shohn nawkh VYtah doitsh LAIRnen.)
Ich habe schon Lust.
I do feel like it.
(ish HAHbuh shohn loost.)
Yes, I did see the sign.
Doch, ich habe das Schild schon gesehen.
(On the contrary, I have already seen the sign.)
(dawkh, ish HAHbuh dahs shilt shohn guhZAYhen.)
Yes, I do feel like it.
Yes, I do, actually.
He did say that.
We did know that.
Do come, will you?
Doch, ich habe schon Lust.
(dawkh, ish HAHbuh shohn loost.)
Doch, eigentlich schon.
(dawkh, EYEghentlish shohn.)
Das hat er doch gesagt.
(dahs hut air dawkh guhZAHKT.)
Das haben wir doch gewusst.
(dahs HAHben veer dawkh guhVOOST.)
Kommen Sie doch mal!
(KOMen zee dawkh mahl!)
Do go to Berlin!
Fahren Sie doch nach Berlin!
(Do drive towards Berlin!)
(FAHren zee dawkh nahkh bairLEEN!)
But I have been to Berlin already.
Aber ich war doch schon in Berlin.
(AHbuh ish vah dawkh shohn in bairLEEN.)
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Aber wir fahren doch noch weiter.
But we will still keep driving.
(AHbuh veer FAHren dawkh nawkh VYtah.)
(Which words have you already known?)
(VELSHuh VERtah HAHben zee shohn guhKUHNT?)
Which words did you know?
Welche Wörter haben Sie gekannt?
(Which words have you known?)
(VELSHuh VERtah HAHben zee guhKUHNT?)
vor dem Deutschkurs
before the German class
(foa dame DOITSHkoors)
Do you know how to speak German?
(Can you German?)
Did you already know how to speak German?
Konnten Sie schon Deutsch?
(Could you already German?)
(KONten zee shohn doitsh?)
Did you already know how to speak German before
the class?
Konnten Sie vor dem Kurs schon Deutsch?
(KONten zee foa dame koors shohn doitsh?)
Ja, ich habe schon ein paar Wörter gekannt.
Yes, I already knew a few words.
(ya, ish HAHbuh shohn EYEn pahr VERtah
guhKUHNT.)
(Yes, I have already known a few words.)
das gleiche Wort
the same word
(dahs GLUYSHuh vort)
ein ähnliches Wort
a similar word
(EYEn AYNlishes vort)
Viele Wörter sind gleich oder ähnlich.
Many words are the same or similar.
(FEELuh VERtah zint gluysh OHdah AYNlish.)
Aspirin ist das gleiche Wort auf Deutsch und auf
Aspirin is the same word in German and in English.
Englisch.
That is almost spelled the same.
Das schreibt man fast gleich.
(One almost writes that the same.)
(dahs shrypt muhn fast gluysh.)
"Schnapps" is almost spelled the same in German
and in English.
„Schnaps“ schreibt man auf Deutsch und auf
("Schnapps" one almost writes the same in German
and in English.)
("shnups" shrypt muhn owf doitsh oont owf AYNGlish
fast gluysh.)
(AHSpeereen ist dahs GLUYSHuh vort owf doitsh
oont owf AYNGlish.)
Englisch fast gleich.
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English
Some words have a completely different
meaning.
German
Manche Wörter haben eine ganz andere Bedeutung.
(MUNSHuh VERtah HAHben EYEnuh gahns AHNdairuh
buhDOYtoong.)
a different meaning
eine andere Bedeutung
(another meaning)
(EYEnuh AHNdairuh buhDOYtoong)
a completely different meaning
Do you like to drink sparkling wine?
So, can I use your cell phone?
Did you see the soccer world championship
qualification game?
(Have you seen the soccer world championship
qualification game?)
eine ganz andere Bedeutung
(EYEnuh guns AHNdairuh buhDOYtoong)
Trinken Sie gern Sekt?
(TREENKen zee gayrn zekt?)
Kann ich mal Ihr Handy benutzen?
(kuhn ish mahl eer HANdy buhNOOTsen?)
Haben Sie das
Fußballweltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel gesehen?
(HAHben zee dahs
FOOSbahlVELTmystashuftskvahleefeekahtsYOHNSshpeel
guhZAYen?)
Ich möchte eine Schwarzwälderkirschtorte, bitte.
I would like a Black Forest Cherry Torte, please.
(ish MERSHtuh EYEnuh SHVAHRTSveldahKEERSHtahtuh,
BITtuh.)
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Cultural Notes
If your name is Scott, don't be surprised when in Southern Germany everybody knows your name and
thinks you're great. People will greet you with "Great Scott" or just "Scott" - at least that's what it sounds
like. What they're really saying is Grüß Gott (literally "Greet God")- or the short version 's Gott - which
is the most common form of formal greeting in the South, regardless of the time in the day.
Unlike Americans, Germans differentiate in their greetings between people they know well and people
they don't know at all or only in a formal context. As a traveler, you will primarily interact with strangers;
therefore you mainly use the formal greetings. Among relatives, young people, and friends, you can
greet each other informally with Hallo or Hi.
Germans generally do not start a conversation with a stranger unless some outside circumstances (e.g.
the weather, a delayed bus or train) creates a sense of community. Even then, the conversation will only
consist of a few comments on the situation. Unlike Americans, Germans don't ask each other how they
are unless they really want to know. If you do ask... be prepared to hear all about it!
In German, there is a formal and an informal way to address people, the Sie-form and the du-form. As
with greetings, you use Sie for people you don't know or only know in a formal context. Du is used to
address family and friends, and children and teenagers up to about age 16. Again, as a traveler, you will
mainly be interacting with strangers, so let's focus on the Sie-form for now.
Tschüs is understood anywhere in Germany as the informal "goodbye". When traveling to Southern
Germany, you will want to remember Servus, often pronounced Ser's, as the most common, informal
Bavarian greeting. It can mean both, "hello" and "goodbye".
The German culture is more formal than the American culture. You have already learned in this first
chapter that it's important to greet or address people with the right level of formality. Being too informal
can be perceived as odd. Germans also tend to be more reserved with people and will not start up a
conversation with just anybody. Don't mistake this initial reserve or stiffness for unfriendliness - it's
simply the result of different cultural norms.
Almost all Germans speak at least some English. Most of them are actually pretty fluent, as it's very
common to start learning English in the 5th grade. Very likely, they will immediately switch to English
when they hear your accent. However, if you are persistent and let them know you want to practice your
German, they will gladly help you out and speak German with you.
And why do you want to learn German? Well, why wouldn't you? It is the most commonly spoken
language in the European Union - above French and English. It is not only spoken in Germany but also in
Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and even in Namibia… German is the language of Goethe,
Nietzsche, Freud, Kafka, Mozart, Bach, Siemens, Diesel, Einstein, and many other worldwide appreciated
artists, authors and scientists. And with some patience and determination it isn’t that hard to learn after
all.
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Germans don't rush into informality the way Americans do. The use of titles and last names is much
more common in Germany, even among people who have known each other for quite a while. Neighbors
who have lived next to each other for decades and have talked over the fence daily will still address each
other with Herr or Frau and the formal "you." Despite this seemingly stiff formality, their relationship
may be every bit as warm and friendly as it could possibly be.
When meeting new people, you can introduce yourself with either your last name only, with or without
title, or your first and last name. Young people introduce themselves by their first name only. The
equivalent to "Miss," Fräulein, is rarely used. It is considered old-fashioned. It's better to address
women generally with the more neutral form Frau regardless of their marital status.
By the way, it is true. Germans love shaking hands. Not only when introducing themselves to new
people but also when meeting with friends, and often as a daily ritual with colleagues at the office, and
even within a family. If you are unsure whether a handshake is appropriate, wait for the other person to
extend their hand. But be prepared to shake a lot of hands, particularly when you are trying to make
friends.
Public restrooms in Germany's cities often have a coin lock. In other restrooms that are open to the
public, for example at the train station, in department stores, and even in a few restaurants, you will find
a small dish with change on a table. You are expected to leave a tip anywhere around twenty to fifty
cents. Don't forget, especially when a cranky old attendant who keeps the restroom clean sits on a chair
right next to it.
The famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the “fairy-tale castle” of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, is a real favorite
with visitors. A wealth of historical sites, churches, castles, and half-timbered houses awaits you in
Germany, testament to a rich history and culture. Besides being very romantic, it is fascinating to learn
about the extraordinary feats of engineering and craftsmanship that lie behind these monumental
buildings. Let your imagination carry you on a journey back in time...
Most German cities have a very convenient public transport system, and a rather “green concept”.
After cruising the Autobahn, in the cities it is much faster to use the Park&Ride system and get around
by bus, city trains, subway (die U-Bahn) or even street car – die Straßenbahn. Make sure you have a
ticket and validate it. There are a lot of people on bicycles too - so watch out for bike lanes, which have
priority to pedestrians. You could even rent a bike and join them!
Unlike American restaurants, in normal German restaurants you will never find a hostess greeting you by
the door, showing you the way to your table, and handing you a menu right away. In fact, you are
expected to seat yourself wherever you'd like. If they are really busy there, your server may not see you
right away (or simply be less attentive than what you are used to), so don't hesitate to signal him or her
and ask for the menu.
Don't wait for the waiter to bring out water for everybody. If you want to drink water, you need to order
ein Wasser. Unless you specifically ask for Leitungswasser (tap water) you will probably get a glass
or a bottle of sparkling mineral water, and you will have to pay for it.
Germans don't like their soft drinks quite as cold as Americans, and they are typically served without ice.
So, if you want a really cold cola, you need to make sure you ask for ice.
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So let's review the notes on drinks in a German restaurant: no free water on the table, no ice in the soft
drinks, and no free refills! No free refills on soft drinks, and no free refills on coffee. If you want more,
you will have to pay for more. The good news? European coffee is rather strong compared to American
coffee, so you are probably fine with one cup.
When you are done eating and are ready to pay, you signal the server and say Die Rechnung, bitte
(The check, please). You can also say Zahlen, bitte, meaning "To pay, please." Your server might
bring you the bill that is printed up already. But don't be surprised if they ask you what you ordered and
start adding up your bill right at the table. They are pretty quick at that, and you are expected to pay
right away, so have your wallet ready!
In German restaurants, taxes and service are included in the price, but it is still customary to tip an
additional 10% directly to the waiter. When your server presents you the bill and says for example Das
macht zweiundzwanzig siebzig (Your total is twenty-two seventy), you could hand them 25 Euros
and say Stimmt so. You could also give them a fifty and say fünfundzwanzig, bitte (twenty-five,
please), which means they will give you the rest of the change back.
One thing about shopping in a German supermarket. Expect the checkout lines to be long - and no,
three is not a crowd in Germany, so don't wait for a new checkout counter to be opened, just because
the line starts on the other side of the store. Forget about chit-chatting with the cashier once it is your
turn - you need to focus and bag your own groceries. Quickly! Plastic bags aren't free. You have to
either buy them, or - like most Germans do - bring your own bags.
Germans are said to be very punctual and precise. So, does it surprise you that it is common in
Germany to use military time? Eight o'clock p.m. is often referred to as zwanzig Uhr (literally "twenty
o'clock") in German.
Store hours in Germany have expanded in the last few years, but most stores are still closed on
Sundays. Some bakeries and flower shops open for a few hours on Sunday morning, and food marts at
gas stations are open 24/7.
In numerical expressions like prices, German uses a comma where English uses a decimal point.
Tennis shoes are not commonly worn as daily shoes. If you wear your white socks and tennis shoes, you
will stand out as an American tourist. Is it a widely spread cliché, or an accurate observation? Either
way, if you want to blend in with the Germans, buy dark socks, or wear no socks, and any non-sport
shoes. However, you don't have to go so far as to wear dark socks in sandals or Birkenstocks--which is
just another cliché of course...but yeah, some Germans actually do that.
What you see is what you pay - sales tax is always included in the displayed price on any item, in any
store, as well as on the menu in a restaurant. So you can add up what you owe without thinking about
the extra tax.
On the elevator, the first floor is indicated by the letter "E" for Erdgeschoss or by a zero (Null), instead
of the number one that you might expect.
Surely, your vacation will be glorious. But it is good to be prepared, so here is one number to
remember: dial 112 to call an ambulance, the police, or the fire department. For the police you can also
dial 110. You can call from any German cell phone, landline, or pay phone without worrying about coins
or a phone card--this call is always free!
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The looks and sound of the German police car, ambulance, or fire engine are different from the American
emergency vehicles. The siren is less piercing than in America. Police cars are green and silver, not
black and white. The ambulance looks similar, usually white and red. And the fire engines, yes, they are
red as well. The emergency lights for all emergency vehicles are blue. That's why they say to watch out
for Blaulicht (blue light) on the road.
Verboten (prohibited) is an important word to know in German. Rasen betreten verboten may
seem to be a harsh way to tell people to "Keep off the lawn," but that's how Germans are: unambiguous
and direct. Even though Germans sometimes complain about their "restrictive society," you will be
amazed how much is actually allowed. Dogs in restaurants, drinking beer on the subway, sunbathing
topless in public--all are allowed, of course.
Das Brandenburger Tor (The Brandenburg Gate) in Berlin, built from 1788 to 1791, was
commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace. Ironically, this former city gate was later
incorporated into the Berlin Wall during the years of Communist government. Since the fall of the Berlin
Wall (1989), the Brandenburg gate--probably the most well-known landmark in Germany's capital--stands
as a symbol of the reunification of the formerly divided country.
Der Kölner Dom (The Cologne Cathedral) is a renowned example of Gothic architecture and the most
famous landmark in Cologne--one of the oldest cities in Germany. The Cathedral was completed in 1880
after 600 years of construction (with interruptions). With its two 515 ft tall towers, it is one of the world's
largest churches.
You have also heard about the main differences in the German and American culture and may think
Germans are a curious lot. How do you blend in with people who think you need to exercise to wear
tennis shoes, and whose idea of a good evening out includes discussing politics and personal finances?
You just may not be able yet to picture yourself formally shaking hands with Herr und Frau Meier, who
you’ve just met on a bike tour along the river – in the nude. But that you need to go and see for
yourself!
What else is left to say? That most German beer bottles don't come with screw tops. And that - despite
the ever-lasting myth of no speed limit on the Autobahn - local and conditional limits do exist for over
half of its total length. As for the rest, there is a recommended maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph).
So, slow down a little and enjoy the beautiful countryside! Viel Spaß im Urlaub!
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Grammar Notes
Did you notice that gut becomes gut-en in the phrase Guten Tag? As you learn more German you will
acquire a sensitivity for when and how to make these changes. For now, all you need to do is notice this
change.
You can shorten Guten Tag into just Tag, Guten Morgen into Morgen, and Guten Abend into 'n
Abend.
Was your answer *der Wetter? Yes, you have learned that the "the" translates to der as in der Tag.
But in German, every noun has one of three grammatical genders. You use der for masculine nouns,
(der Tag), das for neuter nouns, (das Wetter), and die for feminine nouns (you will learn one soon).
You should always memorize the definite article along with the noun as there are only few rules to help
you recognize the gender.
Note that "beautiful" alone means schön. Before a noun as in "beautiful weather" however, schön has
an "-es" in the end. This is because Wetter is a neuter noun (das Wetter).
Did you say *schön-es Tag? Almost correct. Remember that you say das Wetter but der Tag,
meaning these nouns have different genders. In schön-er Tag, schön has the ending "-er" because
Tag is masculine.
Did you get it right? Remember, because "the weather" is neuter (das Wetter) you say schön-es
Wetter and also schlecht-es Wetter. "The day" is masculine (der Tag), so you say schön-er Tag
and schlecht-er Tag.
Schön in German can be used for "nice" as well as "beautiful."
Did you notice something? You have just learned that "a nice vacation" is ein schöner Urlaub. But in
the context of wishing someone a nice vacation - "Have a nice vacation" - there are different endings
again: Ein-en schön-en Urlaub.
You will also often hear Einen schönen Tag noch, which means just the same but indicates that you
caught the other person somewhere in the middle of his/her day, evening or vacation. Noch literally
means "still." So you are literally saying "Have a nice day still." Assume for the following quiz that the
person you are talking to is half way through his/her vacation.
Say the following assuming that it's the middle of the day.
You might have said *Danke sehr viel, but Vielen Dank is just a standing expression.
So, here is an example of a feminine noun and the third translation for "the" in German. You have
already learned der for masculine nouns as in der Tag, das for neuter nouns as in das Wetter and
now die for feminine nouns as in die Nacht. Der, die, das - all meaning "the."
If you said *Guten Nacht, you just missed it by a little. You say Gut-en Abend and Gut-en Tag
because Abend and Tag are masculine nouns - remember? It is der Abend and der Tag. But
Nacht is a feminine noun and therefore you say die Nacht and Gut-e Nacht. These endings may be
confusing at first but you will master them soon.
Note that in German you form a question simply by reversing the order of the subject and the verb.
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You learned in chapter 1 that auch means "too." It can be used for "also" as well.
Most languages in German end in -isch. There is for example Französisch (French), Italienisch
(Italian), Türkisch (Turkish), Russisch (Russian), Schwedisch (Swedish), Norwegisch (Norwegian).
Do you see a pattern? It's easy. For many verbs, the form you use when addressing someone formally
is the same as the basic verb form: sprechen - Sie sprechen, verstehen - Sie verstehen. If you
are talking about yourself, you simply drop the "-n" from the basic form: sprechen - ich spreche,
verstehen - ich verstehe.
"No" can be used in more than one way in English, but German has its own word for each meaning. "No"
in a negation translates to nein. Here, "no" with the meaning of "not any" translates to kein in German.
Did you remember to use nein instead of kein because you were negating the sentence?
So why do you use nicht here and not kein? Well, the difference is that now you aren't talking about
whether you speak or don't speak a language, but rather how well you speak the language. "Not" is
nicht in German, and the answer is: Nicht sehr gut (Not very well). You are literally saying "I speak
German not very well." Try again!
Note that the verb form for wir (we) is always identical as for Sie (the formal "you").
Did you go by the rule you have just learned about dropping the "-n" from the basic verb form and said
ich könne? Good thinking, but unfortunately, there are many verbs where this rule does not apply. You
will just have to memorize these irregular verb forms.
Note the position of the main verb sprechen at the end of the sentence. In German sentences with
verbs like "can," "have to," "would like to," ect., the main verb always comes at the very end of the
sentence.
When you talk about speaking a language in general, the verbs sprechen or verstehen are often
omitted when you use the verb können (can). People will simply say Können Sie Deutsch? literally
meaning "Can you German?", Ich kann Englisch (I can English) or Ich kann kein Deutsch (I can no
German).
Remember, with können (can) and möchten (would like), the main verb is placed at the very end of the
sentence.
Did you say aus hier? You use aus when you say what country or city you are from, but with "here" or
"there," you use von.
The little word denn is particularly used in spoken German. Asking the question Woher sind Sie?
without it is correct, too. But denn gives the question a less direct and generally friendlier tone - similar
to "So,..." in English at the beginning of a question.
Sie, the formal you, is spelled the same way as sie, meaning "she." Sie (she) is only capitalized in the
beginning of the sentence whereas Sie, the formal "you" is always capitalized.
Here is one of the few rules on genders. Nouns for people follow natural gender. So the noun for a male
person is masculine, the noun for a female person is feminine (careful, there are exceptions).
Depending on whether you are talking about a male or a female German, the noun Deutsche can either
be masculine (der Deutsche) or feminine (die Deutsche).
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Did you say *Er ist Deutsche? As you've just learned, the noun Deutsche can either describe a male
or a female German, depending on whether the definite article before it is der or die. Now that der is
omitted, you need to add the "-r" in the end to differentiate a male German from a female German.
If you said *Wie heißt er mit Nachname? you were pretty close. The "-n" is added because of the
mit before Nachname. Adding these endings will become easier with practice.
Literally, "this" translates to dies in German and "that" to das. However, in spoken German dies is not
used very often anymore. If you specifically want to distinguish between "this" and "that," you would
more commonly use das hier for "this" and das da or das dort for "that" (literally meaning "that here"
and "that there").
Did you say *ein Freundin? For masculine and neuter nouns like der Freund and das Kind, the
indefinite article "a" is translated as ein. For all feminine nouns like die Freundin you have to add an "e" and say ein-e. Likewise, "my" translates to mein for masculine and neuter nouns (mein Freund,
mein Kind) but mein-e for feminine nouns (meine Freundin).
Did you get it right this time? Congratulations! If not, remember that you have to add an "-e" to ein and
mein if the noun that follows is feminine. You do the same for dein, Ihr, ihr, and sein before a feminine
noun. For masculine and neuter nouns, you don't need to add the "-e."
Did you say *Ich dürfe? Dürfen is an irregular verb and does not follow the regular pattern.
You might have made a little mistake here and said *Darf ich mein Mann vorstellen. Well, no one
would really hear this mistake, but just be aware that this is an example of another little ending "-en."
This ending in German is used to mark the direct object in a sentence only if it is masculine singular. You
will see more of this in a moment.
Ihnen is a form of Sie, the formal "you." Ihnen indicates that in this sentence, "you" is the indirect
object in the sense of "to you."
Remember, the "-en", as in meinen Mann or meinen Freund, marks the direct object if it is
masculine and singular. For the same reason, an "-n" is added to the noun like Kollege in meinen
Kollegen. But some masculine words like der Mann or der Freund don't need the extra "-n." Why?
That's easy. Just try it: Mannn and Freundn are impossible to pronounce!
Ah, now what? No ending? That's right. Now the feminine nouns are the easy ones. You don't need an
extra ending to mark a direct object in a sentence, if it is feminine. Remember, we only need the special
"-en" ending if the direct object is masculine singular.
Sich freuen is a funny verb in German - it is only complete with sich, meaning "oneself". English uses
only a few verbs in that way, for example "to enjoy oneself." But while "to enjoy" exists on its own as well,
freuen alone does not exist. It is always used as Ich freue mich, or Freuen Sie sich? (the formal
way to ask "Are you glad?"). Therefore there is no good literal translation, and it is easiest to learn it as
an expression.
You might have said lernen kennen. But in German you actually say kennen lernen (to know to
learn) or also written together kennenlernen.
Did you notice the zu between kennen and lernen? It means "to," and is needed for correct
grammatical structure in this sentence. It's like the "to" in the English phrase, "get to know."
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Did you say *Ich freue mich, du hier zu sehen? This example in German is similar to how in English
you would say, "I am glad to see him" and not "*I am glad to see he." In German, we also have to use a
separate form of the informal "you" in this sentence, which is dich. For Sie (the formal "you") and sie
(she) there is no separate form in German.
Whereas in English you would usually repeat the whole sentence when someone says "I am glad to see
you" and say "I am glad to see you, too", in German it is enough to just say Ich freue mich auch (I am
glad, too), or even shorter: Ich mich auch ("me too" or literally "I myself too").
Did you notice that although we say der Herr, the plural form is die Herren? Whether the noun is
masculine, neuter, or feminine, you will always use die for the plural: die Dame, die Damen and der
Herr, die Herren.
Did you say *in die Nähe? You are right, it is die Nähe, but because die Nähe follows in we change
die to der. Don't worry you will get plenty of practice using Mango and soon you will be used to these
peculiarities.
You have already learned that "to know" is kennen in German, as in Ich kenne Ihren Mann (I know
your husband). It is always followed by a direct object (like "your husband"). Wissen is another
translation for "to know". You use kennen for concrete persons, places, and things that you are
acquainted or familiar with. Wissen is used for abstract things and ideas you have a knowledge or an
understanding of. Wissen can be used in a relative clause, like "Do you know, where..."
Did you go by the rule you learned before for verbs like sprechen (to speak), ich spreche (I speak),
and drop the "-n" at the end and say *ich wisse? This is a good rule to remember, but German has
many irregular verbs that don't follow this rule. You already saw one of these; können (to be able to),
ich kann (I can). Wissen is one of those irregular verbs too. So the correct answer is ich weiß (I
know).
Was your answer *auf der Stadtplan? Well, remember how die Nähe became der Nähe after the
word in? Masculine and neuter words change as well after words like in (in) or auf (on): both, der and
das change to dem. Therefore you say auf dem Stadtplan.
Was your answer *neben das Rathaus? Remember how der Stadtplan changed to dem
Stadtplan after auf (on)? Both, neuter and masculine nouns undergo the same change when they
follow prepositions like in and auf. So the correct answer is neben dem Rathaus.
Vor (in front of) and hinter (behind) are two more prepositions like in (in) and auf (on) that trigger a
change from die to der for feminine, singular nouns and from das or der to dem for neuter or
masculine, singular nouns. So you have die Kirche but hinter der Kirche, das Museum but hinter
dem Museum, and der Bahnhof but hinter dem Bahnhof.
Another preposition! Did you change the das into dem and said gegenüber von dem Museum?
Good thinking! You are actually correct. Vom is just a contraction of von and dem - this is why you say
gegenüber vom Museum or gegenüber vom Bahnhof. There are no contractions for feminine
nouns and you would say gegenüber von der Kirche. You will see more of these contractions soon.
Was your answer *zu das Schloss? Remember, das Schloss is neuter and becomes dem Schloss
after a prepositions like auf, in, hinter, vor, gegenüber von and also zu. Zum is a contraction of
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zu and dem, just like vom is a contraction of von and dem. Therefore you say zum Schloss.
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Did you say *Wie komme ich zum Kirche? Remember, zum is a contraction of zu and dem,
therefore it only works for masculine and neuter nouns, for example zum Schloss or zum Bahnhof.
Kirche is feminine and becomes der Kirche after in, hinter, vor and also zu. So it is zu der Kirche
and in short zur Kirche.
Check out the word order in German. You will often find the main verb at the very end of the sentence.
When you are suggesting something to someone or giving them instructions or directions, the word
order in German is the same as in a question. However, the difference is clearly in the tone!
If you said *Nehmen Sie der Bus, just remember that for singular masculine objects you need to add
"-en." We saw this before: mein Mann became meinen Mann in Darf ich Ihnen meinen Mann
vorstellen? (May I introduce my husband to you?) Therefore, since der Bus (the bus) is the direct
object of this sentence and is masculine singular we say Nehmen Sie den Bus (Take the bus). For
feminine and neuter direct objects like die S-Bahn or ein Taxi, there are no changes.
In English, the meaning of the word "right" depends on the context it is used in, for example: "That's
right", "right away", "turn right"... As you have already learned, "right" as "in right behind it", translates to
gleich and you would say gleich dahinter. "On the right" is rechts in German, and "right" as in "turn
right" translates to nach rechts.
In German, there is no equivalent to the "-ing" verb form. In German, when you are referring to someone
do-ing something in the present moment, you always use the simple present verb form.
Do you have that down already or would you like a little reminder? Okay, just remember der and das
become dem, and die changes to der when they follow a preposition like in, auf, vor, zu, and mit.
In German, it does not matter whether you are driving the car, bus or train yourself. As long as you are
going somewhere on wheels you use fahren (to drive), even when in English you would use "to go"
(gehen) - which in German is only used when you are actually walking somewhere. The same goes for
the vehicle itself. A bus for example does not "go" somewhere. Since it can't "walk" - it "drives"!
Many times when you would say "it" in English, in German you would actually say he or she depending on
whether the noun you are referring to is feminine or masculine. So, since der Bus is a masculine noun,
to refer to the bus you use er (he). The city train is feminine - die S-Bahn - therefore you would use sie
(she). It's kind of fun, isn't it? Sorry guys, das Auto (the car) is a neuter noun so it remains an "it."
In the following slide, imagine that you are referring to der Bus (the bus).
In this next slide, imagine you are talking about die S-Bahn (the city train).
Gut alone means "good." But as with schön, you have to add an "-es" to it when it stands before a
neuter noun like das Wetter or das Restaurant.
For short, Germans call ein italienisches Restaurant simply ein Italiener (an Italian). Then there is
das mexikanische Restaurant - der Mexikaner (the Mexican), and der Grieche neben dem
Bahnhof , literally "the Greek next to the train station," and der Inder hinter dem Marktplatz, (the
Indian behind the marketplace), and so on... These short forms for restaurants are all masculine.
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Maybe you said *ein gutes Italiener. But because these short forms for restaurants are all masculine
and not neuter, the ending of gut is "-er" rather than "-es". Believe it or not, there is a pretty easy rule:
because you say da-s Restaurant, it is ein gute-s Restaurant, and because it is de-r Italiener, you
say ein gute-r Italiener.
Now that ein guter Italiener is the direct object in the sentence, you already know what to do. Did you
forget? Remember Darf ich meinen Mann vorstellen? You added the "-en" to mark the direct
object. You do the same here. Add an "-en" to both ein and gut and you get einen guten Italiener.
The good news is that you only have to remember this for masculine nouns. Direct objects of neuter and
feminine nouns remain unchanged.
Ahhh, the beer garden... synonymous with summer for the locals in Germany. This is the crowded,
outdoor spot where everybody meets at the end of a hot sunny day. This is the place where you can
simply share one of the long wooden tables with friendly strangers, have hearty food, and drink your beer
from a 1-liter mug. You can even bring your own food for a picnic as long as you order something to
drink. If you're visiting in summer, don't miss out on this big part of the German culture.
Were you tempted to say *eins Bier? Yes, the number "one" translates to eins in German. But eins is
the only number that changes with the gender of the noun. When you order "one beer", you say ein
Bier which is the same as "a beer". For female nouns you say eine instead of eins.
When ordering drinks in German, you don't have to worry about forming plural forms. Even though it is
"one beer" and "two beers" in English, in German the drinks are always singular, no matter how many
beers, colas, or waters you order: Ein Bier, zwei Bier, drei Bier...
In English, when we ask a question or negate a sentence, we have to change "some" to "any." For
example, "I want some" becomes, "Do you want any?" and "I don't want any." This is not the case in
German. In German, we just use etwas.
When you order in a restaurant, it is very polite to say Ich hätte gern... (I would gladly have...). You
can also say Ich möchte..., meaning "I would like...". Probably the least polite form, but still very
common, is Ich nehme... which is the equivalent to the English "I will take..."
Did you remember to change der to den and say den Schweinebraten to mark the direct object in
this sentence?
You have learned before that nur means "only." Unlike English, where there are two words with with
similar meanings ("just" and "only"), in German there is only one word for both.
Do you remember that der changes to den when the direct object is masculine? Well, ein also changes
to become einen. Remember to add the ending "-en" and say einen Salat.
Did you remember to change kein to keine?
Did you add the "-en" as you learned for the plural form of Kartoffel and Dame and say *die
Gerichten? Unfortunately, not all nouns go by this rule. In fact, there are many different ways to build
the plural form. Adding an "-en" is one way, just adding an "-e" is another. We will keep practicing the
different ways to form plurals as we continue along with this course.
Note that when saying the plural form, vegetarische Gerichte without the article, there is no "-s" on
vegetarische.
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Do you remember heißen and er heißt? In English you add an "-s" for the verb form when you want to
say he, she, or it does something. In German, you drop the "-en" from the basic verb form and add a "-t"
or--if it already ends in a "t"--you will add "-et" for regular verbs: kost-en (to cost) becomes es kost-et
(it costs).
Did you say *Wieviel kostet acht Packungen Kaugummi? But you would not say "How much does
eight packs of chewing gum cost" either, right? Because acht Packungen is plural, you need to use
the plural form of the verb, which is kosten, just like the basic verb form.
Remember that there is no equivalent to the verb form "-ing" in German. You always use the simple
present. Whether it is "I buy" or "I am buying" in English, it is always ich kaufe in German.
Did you notice that we added an "-e" to the end of kein? This is because the direct object of the
sentence is plural. The plural for keine does not change, regardless of the gender of the noun.
If you said in dem Kaufhaus you were close. Im is just another contraction of in and dem, just like
vom (von dem) and zum (zu dem).
You can play with the sentence structure a little bit here. In German, even more than in English, we use
the word order to emphasize certain words. Here, im Kaufhaus (at the department store) is
emphasized because it is at the beginning of the sentence. If you say Alles bekommen Sie im
Kaufhaus (You can get everything at the department store), the stress would be on alles (everything).
Imagine that for this next slide you are trying to stress that it is the stamps you get at the post office
while, for example, you can get postcards anywhere else.
Did you get the contraction right? An dem Kiosk becomes am Kiosk.
For the following slide emphasize "the tickets."
To answer the next question, try to stress where you get the groceries.
See, the numbers from dreizehn to neunzehn are easy. There are two slight exceptions: "sixteen" is
sechzehn and not sechszehn and "seventeen" is siebzehn instead of siebenzehn.
Did you say *die Geschäften? Remember, not all plural forms end in "-en." Just pay attention to these
forms when you see them. And don't worry, soon you will find that you use them automatically without
even thinking about it!
Since der Tag (the day) is masculine, all days of the week are masculine as well.
In German, there is no separate plural form for Euro, Dollar, or Cent.
Did you say *dreizig? Close, but for easier pronunciation you say dreißig. Otherwise, counting by tens
in German is pretty straight forward--with the exception of zwanzig (twenty). Take the number and add
a -zig, just like you added -zehn for the "teens."
Both in English and in German, the small part of the number comes before the big part for numbers
thirteen through nineteen. In German, this pattern stays consistent for the numbers up to 99: small
part, big part. For "Ninety-nine" you say "nine and ninety" (neunundneunzig), for "seventy-five" you
say "five and seventy" (fünfundsiebzig), and so on.
Watch out--die Hose is singular even though in English, "the pants" is plural. If you have two pairs of
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pants, you say zwei Hosen.
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Did you notice the "-e" at the end of günstig? Preise is plural, and when we don't have die, das, or
der, the ending for adjectives before plural nouns is "-e": günstige Preise.
Do you remember why you have to add the "-er" to günstig? You say die Eisdiele and eine gute
Eisdiele, das Restaurant, and ein gutes Restaurant, and der Italiener and ein guter Italiener.
Because der Preis (the price) is masculine, you add the "-er" to the adjective before the noun.
Did you remember to change günstig to günstiges because das Hotel is a neuter noun?
Ein billiges Hotel (a cheap hotel)--how does that sound? Do you suspect dark rooms with overly soft
mattresses and less-than-clean bathrooms? Well, it is the same in German. Billig (cheap) may have
the connotation of lesser quality. So, to be safe, günstig, rather than billig, is what you want to be
going for.
This should look familiar. To say that something is more than something else, like "cheaper" or "nicer,"
you just add an "-er" in English, right? This is true except for longer words like "expensive" where you
have to say "more expensive." In German, you only add an "-er": billig (cheap) becomes billiger
(cheaper), schön (nice) becomes schöner (nicer). And, since Germans love long words, there is no
exception for those: you always add the "-er."
Your answer was probably *teuerer, but there is really no difference. It's just that teuer already ends in
an "-er," so the "-e" in the middle is just left out for easier pronunciation.
Depending on the context, günstig can mean "reasonably priced," "favorable," "beneficial," or
"convenient." You can use it to describe a good deal, favorable conditions, a convenient location of
something, and so on. Günstiger does not necessarily mean billiger (cheaper). Günstig may take
more things into account, like price, location, and amenities. Based on all these factors, you can decide
if one hotel is günstiger than another.
The numbers from 100 to 999 are no big deal once you know your numbers from 1 to 99. For the
hundreds, you simply take the number and add hundert (hundred), just like in English. "Five hundred" is
fünfhundert; "six hundred" is sechshundert; and so on.
First off, there is one curious thing about the system for numbering floors, which might cause some
confusion. In Europe, what Americans call the "first" floor is only referred to as the ground floor, indicated
by the number zero (null). A European "first" floor is the first floor above the ground floor. So if you are
told your room is im ersten Stock (literally "in the first floor"), it means that you are actually one level
above, which in America would be "on the second floor."
Did you say *der erst-er Stock? If der, die, or das is present, indicating the gender of the noun, no
further ending of "-es" or "-er" is needed. If the noun is singular, all adjectives after der, die, or das end
in "-e", regardless of the gender of the noun. You say ein gut-er Italiener but der gut-e Italiener.
Ein günstig-es Hotel but das günstig-e Hotel. And also erst-er Stock but der erst-e Stock.
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Did you remember that der changes to dem after a preposition like in (in)? And did you also
remember that the contraction of in and dem is im? Congratulations! Now what did you do with
erste? Nothing? Add an "-m" and say erst-em? Well, actually, it is erst-en, but if there already is an
article with the ending "-em," either ein-em or d-em (and contractions like im count, too), all other
words after it and before the noun have the ending "-en."
Erste (first), dritte (third), and siebte (seventh) are the only exceptions for forming ordinal numbers.
All other ordinal numbers follow the pattern of adding a "-te" to the number as in zwei-te. It's just like
adding a "-th" in English. Although "seventh" does have an additional form, siebente, that follows the
rule, this form is not as common as siebte.
Did you notice that the second verb, "to check out" (auschecken) came at the end of the sentence?
When you have modal verbs, or verbs that support the main verb, like können (can), the second verb
will be placed at the end of the sentence. So, literally you are saying, "You can till 11 o'clock in the
morning check out."
In German, you can either use military time or the English 12-hour-format. Whereas in English,
everything before noon is "in the morning," Germans differentiate. Vormittags means some point
before noon, usually referring to a time between 9 and 12. However, if you specifically say morgens, it
usually means before 10 o'clock.
Just a little reminder if you missed it: Der becomes den because der Fitnessraum (the gym) is the
masculine direct object in this sentence.
You have seen plural forms with "-e" and "-en" so far, but this one is easy: you just add an "-s" like you
would in English.
Again, German numbers just as they are in English: you add -tausend (thousand) to the number, like
dreitausend (three thousand) and fünftausend (five thousand). Did you notice that in German,
commas and periods are used differently? Remember that Germans use a comma to indicate the cents
in a price whereas Americans would use a decimal point. And they use a period to indicate thousands.
Remember that kein and keine works just like ein and eine. Before masculine and neuter nouns you
say ein and kein, before feminine nouns you say eine and keine.
Did you get the ending right? Kein before a singular, masculine direct object, like der
Internetanschluss, receives the ending "-en."
If you see a crowd of people and you want to know what's going on, you can either ask Was ist da
passiert? (What happened there?), or the more general Was ist da los? (meaning "What's going on
there?" or "What's the trouble there?").
"Strong" and "strongly" are the same in German: stark. However, don't forget that you do have to
adjust the ending of an adjective to match the gender and number of the noun.
The plural ending for adjectives, when there is no definite article present, is "-e", regardless of the gender
of the noun. Remember, you added an "-e" to kein as well when saying keine ZImmer (no rooms) or
keine Speicherkarten (no memory cards).
Did you say *ich müsse? Müssen (to have to) is another irregular verb and "I have to" is ich muss.
Did you get it right? It is just as in Wie komme ich zur Kirche? Botschaft (embassy) is the direct
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object of this sentence here. Die Botschaft is feminine, and for feminine direct objects, die changes
to der. Zu and der become zur, so "to the embassy" is zur Botschaft. For male and neuter direct
objects, der and das become dem, and zu dem becomes zum.
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Did you say Sie müssen zum Krankenhaus gehen? Pretty good, and--in a different context--even
correct. But zum Krankenhaus gehen means you would go and wait outside, or you are going just to
visit someone. If you are injured or sick, Germans like to emphasize that you are going into the hospital,
and--like it or not--you might have to stay. So, let's look at this.
In, in German, has two different meanings depending on the context and the changes made to the
following object. It can mean "in" or "into."
When in has the meaning "in," you have already learned that die changes to der and der and
das change to dem. This is how in dem Kaufhaus becomes im Kaufhaus. However, if in means
into, das and die don't change! "Into the hospital" is in das Krankenhaus. And in das becomes ins.
Look at the word order in German. Note that here the most important information concerning what
happened to your passport--the verb--comes at the very end. As you are speaking the sentence, you
could still theoretically change your mind to say that you have forged, sold, or eaten your passport.
"Which" translates to welch-es only when referring to a neuter word, like das Schild (the sign) or das
Wort (the word). If you were asking "Which man?" it would be Welch-er Mann? and "Which woman?"
translates to Welch-e Frau? The plural form is also welch-e.
You probably noticed that sagen means both "to tell" and "to say". So while you have two words to
choose from in English, it's easy in German: you just use sagen.
Depending on the context, machen can either mean "to do" or "to make."
Note that you don't say *man sprecht, but that the -e changes to an -i.
Did you say *man ausspricht? Aussprechen is one of those separable verbs in German. Well, you
already know the word sprechen (to speak). Add the prefix aus- and the verb has a whole new
meaning: "to pronounce." It is one word in its basic form, but becomes two words when you add a
subject: ich spreche aus, Sie sprechen aus, man spricht aus, and so on.
Fast or quick, there is only one word for it in German: schnell.
For the following slide, imagine that you did not understand what someone was saying.
So in English, "excuse me" has more than one meaning and can be used in many different situations. In
German you say Entschuldigung to get someone's attention. To apologize for something, you would
say either Tut mir leid or Entschuldigung. But to indicate that you did not understand something,
you politely say Wie bitte? (How please?). Less polite, but common, is to say Was? (What?)... or the
universal "Huh?"
Did you get that right? Aufschreiben is a separable verb, just like aussprechen, consisting of
schreiben (to write) and auf (on). So in German, you don't write your number "down." Instead, you
literally write it "on" something, like a piece of paper.
Spoken German does not usually use the past tense form "I heard" even when it is called for in English.
In German, you almost always say ich habe gehört for "I have heard" or "I heard." The German past
tense form "I heard" is preferred in written language.
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Just as in the English example "I have heard" or "I have said," in spoken German the past tense consists
of two parts for most verbs: a form of "to have" and a past tense form of the main verb. You get this
form by simply putting a ge- in front of basic verb and substitute the ending "-en" with a "-t": hören gehört and sagen - gesagt.
Did you say *ge-les-t? Good, you remembered the rule. But in some cases, the main verbs have the
ending "-en", which makes them even easier to remember if you know their basic form: It is lesen and
ge-lesen.
Here, the verb form in the past tense doesn't change at all from its basic form.
Which one did you go with, *gesprecht or *gesprechen? Well, it is neither. Sprechen does not follow
the regular pattern of past tense formation. Just memorize the past tense forms when you come across
them. There is no other way to know. And don't worry, people in Germany will understand you, even if
you don't get it right the first time.
And then there are the past tense verbs that don't even begin with ge-. Those are the verbs that
already have a prefix like ver-stehen (to understand) which gives the verb a whole new meaning, just
like in English. The past tense of stehen (to stand) is gestanden (stood), and of ver-stehen (understand) it is verstanden (under-stood). You will need to memorize these forms as well. Verstanden?
Did you say *Sie haben mich sehr viel geholfen? Even though you don't say "Help to me" in
English, it is literally how you say it in German: Helfen Sie mir. And instead of sehr viel (very much),
you simply say sehr (very): Sie haben mir sehr geholfen.
This little word mal here makes requests or suggestions less blunt. Mal might be best translated with
something like "just", "...,will you?", or "shall we?", or not at all. It is probably the most over-used word in
German. For the following slides, the English translation is not literal but tries - if at all possible - to
match the speaker's tone. Try to make suggestions or requests - using mal in all of the following day-today lines of conversations.
Mal is one of about 30 particles in German - little words that slightly shift the tone of a sentence.
There's no precise translation for these words. They reflect the speaker's attitude and send a message of
how a question or statement is to be received by the other person. In this chapter you will learn the
most important particles. Using them in your conversations helps you sound like a native speaker.
Once you know how and when to use these particles, you will have a good grasp on the German
colloquial.
Gar is usually used to intensify nicht (not), nichts (nothing) and kein (no). It has the same meaning as
the English "at all" and you would say gar nicht (not at all), gar nichts (nothing at all), and gar kein
(no... at all).
Remember when you learned to say "Nice weather, isn't it?" In German, you said, "Schönes Wetter,
nicht wahr?" (Nice weather, not true?). But even more common in colloquial German is: Schönes
Wetter, oder? (Nice weather, or?)
When used in sentences, the closest translation for eigentlich is "actually," or "strictly speaking." It can
also be used to moderate refusals, in the sense of "not really." Just like denn or the English "So...", it
makes questions sound more casual or can smooth over the fact that you just asked a question more or
less out of the blue.
Did you say gewissen or gewisst? You probably could not have guessed gewusst (known). So just
pay attention to these irregular verb forms in the past tense and try to memorize them as best as you
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pay attention to these irregular verb forms in the past tense and try to memorize them as best as you
can.
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You already know the word ja as the affirmative answer to a question. As a particle in a sentence, ja is
used to confirm something or express that something goes without saying. Also, the speaker assumes
that the other person already knows and agrees with what he or she is saying. In a different context ja
can indicate the speaker's surprise or relief: Das ist ja schön (Why, that's beautiful) or Da ist er ja!
(Ah, there he is!). Try to use ja in the following slides.
The particle eben is best translated with the English "just." It is used to confirm a self-evident truth, wo
es "eben" keine Alternative gibt (where there is "just" no alternative).
While in English, technically, "farther" refers to "a greater distance" and "further" to "a greater extent,"
Germans don't make that difference here at all. They use weiter for both.
The word schon can have different meanings. One of them is “already,” as in Das haben Sie schon
gelernt. (You have already learned that), if the speaker's emphasis is on the word gelernt. However, if
the speaker stresses the word schon in the same sentence, it means "You did learn that." - reacting to
a real or imagined doubt on the part of the listener. Try to use schon wherever you can in the following
slides.
You already know how to answer questions with a simple ja (yes) and nein (no). But there is a third
option in German. While in English, you have to counter a negative question like Haben Sie das
Schild nicht gesehen? (Didn't you see the sign?) with "Yes, I did", there is an elegant one-word
solution in German: doch. English - with its many words - has no single word with this meaning.
Similar to schon the word doch can convey emphasis and also impatience in a reaction to someone
else's doubt or disagreement.
The difference between the ja und doch as particles is similar to their use when answering a question.
When you say Das haben wir ja gewusst. (We did know that.), you assume that the other person is
already agreeing with you and you are just stating the obvious. The underlying assumption when saying
Das haben wir doch gewusst., meaning "(But) we did know that." is that the other person disagrees
with you.
You have not seen this yet, a plural with the ending "-er". Also note the vowel change from o to ö.
Did you say wissen? Or did you remember when to use kennen and when to use wissen for the
English word to know? Wissen is used for the knowledge of something abstract as in Haben Sie
gewusst, dass...? (Did you know that...?) Kennen is used in the context of knowing people, places
and things, including words.
Vor in German can mean "in front of" as well as "before."
When talking about the past in colloquial German you usually use have + the verb. But you will hear
some simple past forms and should know how to use them. Some of these forms are for example ich
hatte (I had), ich war (I was), ich konnte (I could).
Did you remember? You only need an "-e" as an ending on gleich when the definite article is present to
indicate the gender: das gleiche Wort (the same word). If not, you need to add an "-es": ein
ähnliches Wort (a similar word).
You have probably already used quite a few words in German before this course. Dachshund for
example, is a German word, as is Aspirin and Kindergarten (literally "children's garden"). The word
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noodle is German in origin: die Nudel. Maybe you have already said Gesundheit many times when
someone was sneezing - without realizing that it is the German word for "health." But there is one word
you have definitely known and probably dreamt about all along, haven't you? The Autobahn.
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You have just learned that ganz means "pretty" as in Die Grammatik ist ganz logisch. (The
grammar is pretty logical). In German - depending on the context - ganz can also have the meaning of
"completely."
Literally, Mist translates to the not so nice sounding word "dung."
For the following slide, try to sound like a native and give the question a less blunt tone using mal.
Beware of "false friends" in the German language – words that look and sound the same as an English
word, but have a strikingly different meaning. When a German speaker calls out Mist! he is not
announcing unfavorable weather conditions. In Germany, you are welcome to sit in any non-smoking
section with a Smoking. If someone asks you if you like Sekt, he is not inquiring about your religious
philosophy. And while a Handy often comes in handy, a German Gift, isn’t anything you would want to
take.
Fußball (soccer) is the Germans’ pride and joy, undoubtedly their most favorite leisure activity - on the
field or in front of the TV. Germany’s soccer team has won the World Cup and European Championship
several times. Germans are every bit as enthusiastic about soccer as Americans are about football or
baseball.
Phew! You have just managed to put together one of the longest German words. However, the rules for
word formations in German allow for unlimited addition of new elements - its like playing dominos. If you
encounter a very long German word, don't be intimidated. Start all the way to the right, that's what it's
all about - in this case das Spiel (the game). Then go further to the left - it is das
Qualifikationsspiel (the qualification game), and so on. The whole word always takes the gender of
the word furthest to the right.
Congratulations! You have just mastered one of the most complicated looking aspects of the German
language and can now start building German words on your own - it's like playing domino. In the past
chapters, you have learned about the different endings of words, the genders of nouns, different verb
forms. And even if you still make some mistakes, you are now perfectly capable of communicating with
German locals in any situation you may find yourself in as a traveler.
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German - Mango Languages

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