which is the right way?

Cat O – Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:52:31 -0600

On the lesson 4.4 I have found that I don't really know how to pronounce correctly. They talk about trokenen (dried) but at the quiz is spelled different. Something similar happened on lesson 4.3 with ein and einen which one is the correct one?
Thanks

P.S. also during the conversations audio they have skipped pronouncing a couple of words... why is that?

Shannon S – Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:01:11 -0600

Hi Cat...Here's my guess: I think it's a matter of grammar. In both cases "trocken" is describing a quality of the masculine word "Weisswein". In the quiz, all that appears is the sentence fragment "ein Glas trockener Weisswein". They probably should have written "Das ist ein Glas trockener Weisswein". "Trocken" has to agree gramatically with "Weisswein" (nominative case) so it becomes "trockener". In the conversation, Nic is answering a question about what she wants to drink. She answers with a sentence fragment and leaves out "Ich möchte"....."Ein Glas Weisswein" is the direct object of what she wants so the word modifying "Weisswein" needs to be accusative also. Thus "trochenen Weisswein". That's what I think, anyway.

Cat O – Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:52:46 -0600

thanks a lot for your answer, and yes I guess I had to go further the lessons to find out about ein and einen. I think you are right it has to do with the nominative and accusative as well on the verb... it was a little confusing, actually it still is and I have gone through all the lessons of the basic course... I guess I will have to keep going to figure that one out, but I think you are right!

Shannon S – Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:09:27 -0600

I've just finished 4.8 and while I know R-G is trying to give us a feel for how the language is spoken I wish there were a few more grammar explanations. I like to know why I'm doing/saying something. Have you tried searching for German language on YouTube? there are lots of good resources there.

Paul Weber – Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:10:19 -0500

Hello Cat O,

The three indefinite articles "ein", "eine" and "ein" are being used depending on the gender of the word you use them with. Also the articles change depending on the cases. The grammar chapters 6.1-6.4 give more info on cases.

If the question is "was ist das?" you use the nominative case "Das ist ein Glas trockener Weisswein" or "das ist ein trockener Weisswein". "Weisswein" is male gender and "trocken" is an attribute describing "Weisswein". if "trocken" would describe "Glas" the sentense would be:"Das ist ein trockenes Glas Weisswein" trockenes because Glas is neutral gender. A dry glas white vine doesn't make sense but I hope this example helps you.

Was darf es sein or was möchtest du trinken? You use the accusative form ending -en for trocken. "Einen trockenen Weisswein".

Gruss

Paul

which is the right way?

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