By taking the time to understand how the German language works, you'll be able to speak German naturally, and read and write in German. We know this can be one of the more challenging parts of your course, and we’re here to help! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!
Bis take accusative but what about Bis zum Morgen grauen
In module 20.5 there are some examples of prepositions that take the accusative. But the first example is this: Bis / Bis zum Morgen grauen Until / Until dawn Isn't zum short for zu dem - dative? What is going on here?
3 replies - Last post by sfpugh - August 14, 2017
Does anyone know if there is any underlying logic as to when the esszet is used in German as opposed to the double ss? I find it confusing to remember in the Write It part of Rocket German which way a word is spelled. For example, weiß and wissen. It i...
4 replies - Last post by Graeme -TE1q - August 4, 2017
Das Thema der Ausstellung waren die Höhlenmenschen.
I am puzzled by the grammar in this sentence: Das Thema der Ausstellung waren die Höhlenmenschen. The theme of the exhibition was cavemen. Why "waren" the subject appears to be "das Thema" (singular), or is it "die Höhlenmenschen" (plural).
8 replies - Last post by sfpugh - July 29, 2017
Hallo Matthias, wie war ihr Segelausflug?
Hallo Matthias, wie war ihr Segelausflug? This sentence comes in 19.3. I am pretty sure that Sabine says dein not ihr. Which is right? I notice that later on she uses "du" when speaking to Matthias
0 replies - Last post by sfpugh - July 25, 2017
Deine Mutter darf der Mann trotz ihrer Art nicht beleidigen!
I don't get this sentence from 14.8: Deine Mutter darf der Mann trotz ihrer Art nicht beleidigen! It is translated as: Your mother shouldn't /may not be insulted by the man in spite of her ways! Shouldn't der Man be dative?
3 replies - Last post by sfpugh - April 12, 2017
What's the difference between Fährt er dich zur Schule? and Fährt sie dich in die Schule? The translation appears to be the same (Module 5.5). "Does he/she drive you to school?" Danke :) -Jordan
3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - February 26, 2017
Can someone describe the differences in usage between besichtigen and besuchen? I just want to make sure I use them correctly. Thanks, Jordan
1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - February 10, 2017
In lesson 3.5 Peter möchte länger im Urlaub sein -> Peter wants to be on holidays for longer. Previously möchte has been used for would like. I would like to know why either wollen or will are not used for the verb want.
5 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - January 20, 2017
Could you please kindly help explain using the below ein / eine / einen ? How to use them in the various situation ? ein Taxi eine Pause einen Kaffee / einen Tee Thanks
1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - January 18, 2017
Habe ich viele Fehler gefunden?
Why are all the "it" references in the Neuter (es) when they should clearly be in the Masculine - männlich (er, ihn, oder ihm) or the the Feminine - weiblich (sie oder ihr)? Case in point, in Einheit 3.1, Auf der Autobahn, Paul sagt, "Der BMW ...". Nik ...
4 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - November 18, 2016
Why Warmes "W" is in upper case?
Sentence "Ich will etwas Warmes zu essen" Why is the character "W" in Warmes in upper case ? Thanks.
1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - September 25, 2016
Hi just came across this sentence. "Sind Sie mit dem Hotel zufrieden?" Why is it dem in stead of das? Dunke!
5 replies - Last post by David K - September 4, 2016
3.8 Did you know? The example shows: "Ich weiß viel über amerikanische Geschichte." (I know lots about American history.) However, the explanation says: "...When referring to knowledge about a subject that you know well, or something you ...
6 replies - Last post by David K - August 17, 2016
Is the word order in this clause correct in exercise 10.2
At first I thought this was an error for a (denn) clause which I thought kicked the verb to the end of the sentence. But, as I write this question, i'm almost remembering a rule about independent clauses like this one retaining natural word order? Becau...
0 replies - Last post by David K - August 14, 2016
Is the word order in sentence an error?
I am confused that the second clause is ordered "habe aber." Should the conjunction "aber" come first then followed by the verb which should be in second position? Ich bin in Stuttgart geboren, habe aber die meiste Zeit meines Lebens in Hamburg gelebt...
0 replies - Last post by David K - August 4, 2016
In lesson 2.1 Die Touristeninformation Why do we say ist es instead of es ist. "Ja, aber heute ist es geschlossen" instead of "Ja, aber heute es ist geschlossen" Thanks
1 reply - Last post by David K - August 4, 2016
Is that your suitcase? (polite) Ist das Ihr Koffer? Google translate confirms your answer is correct but this confuses since Der Koffer is masculine the answer implies Der Koffer is in the nominative case in this sentence while to me it seems like it is ...
4 replies - Last post by David K - August 2, 2016
Guten Tag! Ich habe eine frage, bitte.... What is the difference between using "nicht" and "ken"? Can they be used interchangeable? Example: Ich bin nicht müde --could you use "kein" here? I understand that kein can be used when there is an inde...
6 replies - Last post by David K - July 30, 2016
Is "Der" "that" in this sentence?
Hi there, in this particular sentence, is "der" supposed to translate as "that" because it seems to me that it does. I've noticed in other sentences it does seem to translate as "that" which is confusing to me Ich wohne leider nicht am Meer, aber die Gege...
2 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - July 22, 2016
How do you say "a table (m) for two" in German? ein Tisch für zwei Personen eine Tisch für zwei Personen einer Tisch für zwei Personen einem Tisch für zwei Personen In the lesson it is: "einen tisch fur zwei personen". So, what's the cor...
3 replies - Last post by errant-italian-knight - July 15, 2016
Many examples show to to ask "would you like" but how do you ask a question in the past tense, for example, "did you like going to the movie with ...."
1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - July 14, 2016
"Im Mund hat alles gejuckt und meine Zunge ist angeschwollen" (I had an itchy sensation in my mouth and my tongue was swelling) Can someone please help me out with getting a grip with sentences like these? I can't seem to understand the "hat"in sentences...
2 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - July 13, 2016
"ab" and "nach"in this sentence
An der großen Kreuzung biegen Sie dann nach rechts ab. In this sentence, what does the "ab"mean? I don't think it is meant to split off Oh by the way, while we're at it, what is "nach"there for as well? I know "nach"can mean "turn" but I thought "biegen...
5 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - June 22, 2016
In the sentence Ich will etwas Warmes zu trinken, why is Warmes capitalized? I thought warm was an adjective and 'twas is a pronoun. Doesn't warm modify something?
0 replies - Last post by ksfarmer - June 7, 2016
While going through 1.2, Nik mentioned that we can learn more about the uses of die, der, and das by looking at the written resources or something like that. I have looked and maybe I'm just missing it, but does anywhere know where that resource is?
2 replies - Last post by marieg-rocket languages - June 3, 2016
Hi all If anyone fancies some humour in their lessons check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/comedy there are some humorous videos of Henning Wehn giving some german lessons also lots of other info and language courses mike
1 reply - Last post by errant-italian-knight - April 19, 2016
Hi, please tell me the purpose of "an" at the end of sentences such as....Ich rufe morgen an According to GT, "an"means to, at, on, by I'm wondering if it's a filler or just a German quirk that we just have to accept
7 replies - Last post by Fred-C14 - April 14, 2016
Lesson 2.2 the word Glaube on google translate means believe. Believe is briefly mentioned as well in the lesson. So why not write: Ich glaube nicht as I don't believe instead of I don't think so?
4 replies - Last post by Fred-C14 - March 31, 2016
Can someone please explain what the two words "noch' and "nach" really mean. I've looked them up in Google Translate and obviously found them in sentences in our program but I still don't get it. It seems to me that sometimes they are added and don't need...
5 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 7, 2016
Please help me make sense of this
Kannst du mich mit nach Hause nehmen? (can you give me a lift home) This sentence to me literally is "Can you me with to house take"...Now how do they get "Can you give me a lift home? out of that?
3 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - February 14, 2016
Difference between deine and ihre?
Haben Sie Ihren Schlüssel? (do you have your key). When is it appropriate to use deine or deinem. I thought deine or deinem might go there instead of ihren but I'm all confused I know I've covered it somewhere in this program but I'm too lazy to look.
2 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - February 9, 2016
Deine Haare sind kürzer als vorher "your hair is shorter than before" Please help me with this one. Now, why isn't the "ist" there instead of the sind? Is it acceptable to have the "ist" there instead of the "sind"?
2 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - January 30, 2016
The work "steht" in this particular joke
I recently read a joke in German....Eine Ärztin geht zum Essen. Sie bemerkt das der Kellner ständig seinen Kopf krazt. Sie fragt: “Haben Sie Juckreiz?” Der Kellner antwortet: “Wenn es nicht auf der Speisekarte steht haben wir es nicht The joke is ok I g...
2 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - January 30, 2016
In lesson 6.9 know it test The question asked to say in German is: I don’t want to come along" The answer given is: Ich möchte nicht mit kommen. Shoulden't the correct answer be: Ich Will nicht mit Kommen. Which is correct? I say ich will nicht m...
1 reply - Last post by Byron-K21 - January 29, 2016
Why are these phrases in dative?: Der frau gefallt das Hotel; Dem Mann gefallt das Hotel. Normally they are in nominative because in both of them, der Frau and dem Mann are subjects of the action gefallen.
3 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - January 4, 2016
Dropping the indefinite article.
Hi. My German is largely self taught so, although it seems to work OK(ish) in Germany, I know that the grammar is a mess. I have bought Rocket German to try and add some structure. So far I have been knocking through the Beginners course at...
1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - September 14, 2015
This example in the lesson seems like an exception to the TMP rule. 6. Der Mann vorliest den Kindern jeden Abend ein Buch. It seems to me, based on the rule, that it should be "Der Mann vorliest jeden Abend den Kindern ein Buch". Please explain. thanks...
6 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - August 28, 2015
Hi, in lesson 7.7 there is the phrase "Ich muss heute nicht zur Arbeit gehen." which translates to "I don't have to go to work today". Now if I hadn't seen the English trans, I would have read it as "I must not go to work today." The meanings are differen...
3 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - August 2, 2015
HI there I've been looking at lesson 12.8 on tenses (past, present, future)--and it says, that I already learned how to conjugate the tenses in 12.7 and 12.8, but I'm in 12.8 and there are no conjugations. I can somewhat see the pattern here of using the ...
0 replies - Last post by Elizabeth--234 - July 18, 2015
Sie brauchen etwas zu essen; can mean You need or they need. How can I distinguish the meaning ?
2 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - June 21, 2015
Hello there. Can you please tell me why es becomes it in the translation es weiss= it knows. ...
3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - June 16, 2015
Hi , Could someone please explain me why we use accusative in the following question? Was macht dich glücklich ? ( What makes you happy) When we ask someone (a friend) what are you doing today we ask "was machst du heute?" Similary why can't I say "Wa...
3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - June 2, 2015
Koffer is masculine so Sandy asks if you can describe him. Why does Matthias answer with," Es ist etc." Shouldn't the answer start with " Er ist etc."?
2 replies - Last post by bikeophile - May 24, 2015
The accusative case This case is the second most frequently used case. It shows the direct object in a sentence. The direct objects is the object or person suffering from the subjects action which is expressed in the verb. The direct object usually an...
2 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - May 16, 2015
Ihr (Pronomen im Nominativ und Dativ)
Hello, I'm having trouble with the search engine at the top of the Rocket Languages system. It doesn't seem to find ihr in lesson 1.6, so thank you for the forum here and the link: http://members.rocketlanguages.com/your-community/german-vocab/ihr-ache/ ...
1 reply - Last post by Byron-K21 - May 16, 2015
Two questions on "Ich will etwas warmes zu Trinken.&quo
Hi Nathalie, In the transcript for lesson 1.2 Kaffee trinken, there is the sentence"Ich will etwas warmes zu Trinken.". I've got a couple of questions. Firstly, is "Trinken" definitely meant to be capitalised? It looks like a ver...
9 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - May 16, 2015
When do you use nächste; and when do you use nächsten? Also, why does an change die to der?
6 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - April 27, 2015
Can anyone tell me why 'denn' is used in one of the sentences below and 'dann' is used in the other? I had read that 'denn' is equivalent to 'then' in English while 'dann' was equivalent to 'than' but 'then' would seem to be the correct Englis...
2 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - April 19, 2015
Shortened Forms of Prepositions
Hallo Bis zum Morgen grauen - Until Dawn This should be the accusative following the preposition "bis". der Morgan goes to den Morgen then why has zum been used which is the shortened form of zu dem. Should the phrase not correctly be: Bis zu den Morge...
2 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - April 6, 2015
Hello: in the grammar section 7.2, the table for __[color=darkblue:q1gu7nk8]euer[/color:q1gu7nk8]__ shows the Neuter nominative and accusative to be __[color=darkblue:q1gu7nk8]eures[/color:q1gu7nk8]__. Is this correct? It doesn't seem to follow the pat...
4 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 18, 2015