German Vocab

Not sure of the correct German word to use? Want another example of how to use an German expression in context? Perhaps you would like to know more about regional differences. This is the place for you! 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!

Gender in plural

I have two questions:Questions 1: Ich habe einen Freund / Ich habe eine Freund When you use these two words they can both be understood in two ways. One is that you have a normal regular friend and the other is that you are in a relationship with this per...

3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 31, 2021

beschließen v entscheiden

According to the Leo dictionary, beschließen and  entscheiden both mean to decide but is there a difference in meaning/ use? Although entscheiden doesn't appear in the course, Entscheidung does.

6 replies - Last post by RexV - May 25, 2021

Finden

Hi, I have just seen this sentence: “Im Bundes-Staat Florida gab es eine große Veranstaltung mit 20.000 Menschen. Sie finden: Trump ist ein guter Präsident. Sie haben laut gejubelt, als Trump gesagt hat: Ich kandidiere noch einmal” Is it in German norma...

3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 24, 2021

Vorhaben vs Projekt

I often see these two words “Vorhaben” and “Projekt” when I read German news. After checking the two words with various dictionaries, I have reach the conclusion, that the two words to some extent are very exchangeable, however, Vorhaben is mainly used wh...

4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 24, 2021

Böse vs. Schlecht

I have noticed that there is some overlap in how these two words “Böse" and "Schlecht” can be used e.g. when checking with https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/boese.Forexample, I can see that “Böse” can be used to describe that something is “bad” e.g. “b...

2 replies - Last post by RexV - May 18, 2021

Keine Ursache = You're welcome

Hi,  I have seen that one of the meanings for "Keine Ursache" is "You're welcome". Is this word fully interchangeable with "Bitte Schön"? Best, Rex

6 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 13, 2021

die Bundeswehr vs. die Armee

Included in lesson 23.7 is the word “die Bundeswehr” with the translation “Army”. It appears that another translation for this German word is “Armed Forces”.  I have referenced a number of sources for clarification because the meaning of Armed Forces incl...

2 replies - Last post by PaulS108 - April 30, 2021

Lesson 6.8

In lesson 6.8, “Ich kann Deutsch” is translated as “I know German”.  I would have expected that “Ich wei´ß Deutsch" or even ”Ich kenne Deutsch" for a beginner could be used. For an English speaker “I can German” is difficult to remember. Is “Ich wei´ß...”...

5 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 30, 2021

German word "live" in Unit 11.2

“Ich fühle mich heute nicht so wohl und ihr werdet live dabei sein, wenn ich zu meinem Arzt gehe.”“I don't feel very well today and you will be there when I go to my doctor.”I understand most of this sentence, but have searched for the meaning of the Germ...

5 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - March 4, 2021

du Armer vs du Arme pronunciation

In lesson 11.1, at about 22min 15sec, Sandra & Matthias relate the difference in the words Armer and Arme depending on whether we are addressing a man or a woman.They repeat these several times, but I confess I can hear very little difference. Du Arme is ...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 4, 2021

Words used at a Grocery Store

Let's say you're in a grocery store about to check out and you need to put your groceries on this black surface that moves items towards the cashier.What do you call it in German?https://i.imgur.com/py1YPr0l.jpg

4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 2, 2021

Lesson 10.2 Der Besuch

In this lesson the phrase der Besuch is translated as the visitor (masc).My English-German dictionary translates it as the visit, and that the visitor is der Besucher or die Besucherin (fem).Is that correct?

9 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - December 14, 2020

How is hierher different from hier?

In lesson 10.1 Bank AccountThe sentence “Nein, ich bin gerade erst hierher gezogen.  No, I just moved here.” is introduced.  I don't recall hierher ever being introduced or used in any previous lesson so I was expecting some kind of explanation as to why ...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 18, 2020

More blank gaps in the lessons

The next lesson I went to was lesson 11.5 Adverbs.The same thing is happening here with missing paragraphs.  One starts with:"You wouldn't mix up adverbs….The second starts with“To check again we would ask…”Once again there is a peculiar font that doesn't...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 27, 2020

Rocket German At the airport Lesson 2.3

The whole of Level 1 has been redone and I'm going through it as before. However I've noticed that in the lesson 2.3  "At the Airport", in the "Write it" questionnaire at the bottom it asks for german (as usual) to be typed in.  However, Rocket German ans...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - September 14, 2020

Use of "so" in German

In lesson 15.3, we are presented with the sentence: German: Und ich bin gespannt, was Matthias so zu erzählt hat. English: And I'm curious about what Matthias has to say. What function does the word "so" play in this sentence? I assume that it would be p...

7 replies - Last post by sfpugh - August 20, 2020

Austrian Meatloaf

Hi, I'm up to the Level 3 course and noticed in lesson 18.7 (German foods) that the Austrian word for Meatloaf "der Faschierter Braten" has been accidentally typed in it's description as meatballs in english.  Just an oversight in proofreading I think, ot...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - August 4, 2020

gross vs. groß

I have encountered the German spelling 'gross' a number of times in the course. In both the internet and the Farlex online German dictionary and thesaurus, the spelling shown is 'groß'. As this course uses the Eszett where appropriate, I'm curious why you...

5 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - July 8, 2020

leben vs wohnen

In lesson 10.1 we have the sentences  "Ich werde hier für ein halbes Jahr leben" "I will live here for half a year" and "Ich werde hier für ein Jahr leben und arbeiten" "I will live  and work here for a year". I was under the impression that leben means ...

2 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - May 19, 2020

Nur noch in Lesson 5.3

I have a question about something in Level One Lesson 5.3.  The sentence Wir haben diese leider nur noch in Größe 36. is translated as Unfortunately, we only have this one left, in size 36. In other words:  "We only have this ONE; it is size 36. But ...

3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 13, 2020

Wollen vs möchten

In Level 1 Lesson 5.6, "I don't want to come along" is translated as "Ich möchte nicht mitkommen."  Wouldn't that more correctly be "Ich will nicht mitkommen"? Wouldn't "Ich möchte nicht mitkommen" be more like "I wouldn't like to come along," or less st...

2 replies - Last post by RobertD50 - May 11, 2020

Alle vs allem

What is the difference between these two words and in which situations should each of them be used? When I check with a dictionary I get to the same result “All”.

11 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 28, 2020

2.7 viel vs viele use?

In 2.7 it says to use "viel" with things you can't count, and "viele" with things you can count.  Then it recommends to memorize "Wie viel kostet das?"  But, I can count money, so doesn't that contradict what the lesson says?

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 5, 2020

Kennen vs wissen for locations

I'm having trouble discerning wissen vs kennen for the location of a place.  The materials include examples: Wisst ihr, wo der Bahnof ist? and Ihr kennt den Weg zum Restaurant, oder? One uses wissen, & one uses kennen.  Locations/directions seem like th...

5 replies - Last post by RobertD50 - March 26, 2020

aber liegt denn schon irgendwo Schnee

This phrase is from Lesson 7.1, and translates as "but is there snow anywhere?". The discussion doesn't really mention "denn schon" which I think means something like "then already". Is it one of those "filler" expressions that can take various meanings...

3 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - March 20, 2020

nächste - next or nearest?

I notice in grammar lesson 6.6 (superlatives) that nächste is the superlative of nah, and here it is translated as nearest or closest. There is also an example sentence Die nächste Haltestelle ist Alexanderplatz, translated as The nearest station is Alexa...

0 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - March 11, 2020

So, what does “sehenswürdigkeiten” really mean?

In lesson 2.1, the word “Sehenswürdigkeiten” was introduced.  Nik took great pains to break down the word and explained the various parts.  The definition was “attractions”; sights worthy of being seen.  When the word reappears in lesson 4.3, it is define...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - January 13, 2020

Use of hören / anhören / zuhören

I am totally confused regarding the use of the verb "to listen" in German: hören, anhören, and zuhören. In translation examples, I found the following: 1) I'm listening to the music. = Ich höre die Musik. 2) I'm listening to the concert. = Ich höre mir da...

4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 18, 2019

Use of the word Salat

I am currently learning new vocabulary regarding foods, and the word Salat is confusing to me. The words salad and lettuce in English appear to be the same in German, i.e. Salat. So how would I order in a restaurant "a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and l...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 19, 2019

Why should I use fahren instead of gehen?

The last lesson I completed translated the sentence "I have to get to the conference room" as "Ich muss zum Konferenzraum fahren". It's not clear to me why the word "fahren" is used instead of "gehen". Is it OK to also use "gehen"? Does substituting one w...

4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 11, 2019

Wie lange wird es Ihrer Meinung nach dauern

Hi,  I have seen this sentence "Wie lange wird es Ihrer Meinung nach dauern" which I understand means "How long do you think it will take?". Why do we add "nach" in this sentence? Is this because the actual translation is more like "How long will it afte...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 29, 2019

Ich habe mir eine schlimme Erkältung eingefangen

Hi,  I have just seen this sentence. "Ich habe mir eine schlimme Erkältung eingefangen" When I check the word "eingefangen" I can see that it means "to catch". Is it correct that the direct translation would be something like "I have catch myself a ver...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 24, 2019

Tatsächlich

Hi,  I have just seen this sentence in a book with translation: "Du hast tatsächlich recht" "You are right indeed" When I check the word "Tatsächlich" it seems like the more correct translation would be "actual" and "actually" instead. So, would a more ...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 24, 2019

Heurigen

Hi, I have just seen this sentence: "In Österreich sind im heurigen Mai weniger Menschen arbeitslos gewesen als im Mai 2018" I understand that "heurigen" means this years and is written "heurig" in its basic form. When should you add "en" to the end?

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 24, 2019

Warum "mit" hier"?

Hi,  I have just seen this sentence; “Sie entscheiden mit über die Politik in Europa“ From this article: https://www.nachrichtenleicht.de/von-der-leyen-gewaehlt.2042.de.html?dram:article_id=454191 Why is ”mit” added into the sentence? I assume the inte...

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

Denk vs Denken

Hi, I have seen this sentence: "Ja, denk ich auch". When should you write "denk" instead of "denken"?

2 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

Kriegen

Hi I have just seen this sentence. "Exzellenz-Universitäten kriegen vom Bund und von den Ländern zusätzliches Geld: zwischen 10 und 28 Millionen Euro pro Jahr. Davon können sie teure Forschungs-Projekte bezahlen“ I understand than that “kriegen” means so...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

Lieber vs Eher

Hi, I have just seen this sentence with the following translation: "Er würde eher zu Hause bleiben, als nach Hamburg zu fahren" "He would rather stay at home than go to Hamburg" Can I replace the word "eher" with "lieber"? if not, in which situations s...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

kümmern sich

Hi,  Is there a section where you put focus on / explain the word "kümmern sich"? I have seen it quite often and see that it can be used to express the following: 1. To take care of someone / something 2. To look after someone / something 3. To care for...

1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

Deshalb and deswegen

When I translated both words I get the same meaning = Therefore / hence / thus. Therefore, when would you write “deshalb” and when would you write “deswegen”?

6 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - October 22, 2019

Es steht mir nicht vs Es passt mir nicht

Hi,  I have seen this sentence "Es steht mir nicht" which I understand means "It doesnt suit me". Is this expression more common than "Es passt mir nicht"? Best, Rex

2 replies - Last post by RexV - October 17, 2019

“Sehr geerhte” vs “Sehr verehrten”

Hi When should you write “Sehr geerhte” vs “Sehr verehrten”? And do you use both for speaking and writing?

1 reply - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - September 24, 2019

Gute Nacht. Träum was Schönes

Hi, I have seen this sentence “Gute Nacht. Träum was Schönes“. Is this a common way to say sweet dreams?

1 reply - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - September 24, 2019

Gut aus“ vs “prima aus”

Hi, When is it better to use either “Gut aus“ vs “prima aus”? When talking about how something look?

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - September 24, 2019

Nehmen vs vornehmen vs einnehmen vs annehmen vs Übernehmen

I have been checking what the different words mean with “https://www.collinsdictionary.com”, as they all appear to be very similar. Nehmen: Meaning: To take, to handle Vornehmen: Meaning: To take, to make, to undertake Einnehmen: Meaning: To take up, earn...

5 replies - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - September 10, 2019

usage of 'auf'

Hi .  'auf' is used as 'for' as in 'auf ein Taxi '.  As well as 'on' as in 'auf dem Weg' .  How do we know when to use it correctly in the sentence? Thanks !

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - September 4, 2019

Jawohl

I understand this word means the following: 1. Yes, sir 2. Yes, I will do 3. Understood 4. Affirmative 5. Yup 6. Yes Questions Is this used even used in practice or is it mainly used in military circles?

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - August 21, 2019

Einige vs Manche

I have just seen these two sentences: “Einige Mitarbeiter sind hier nicht glucklich” “Manche Menschen haben einen sechsten Sinn” I know that “einige” and “manche” in both sentences mean “some”. Am I 100% correct if I say that both words are interchangeable?

5 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - August 21, 2019

Absagen vs stornieren vs annulieren vs aufheben vs kündigen

I have been checking what the different words mean with “https://www.collinsdictionary.com” plus “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3rzXLMWWaE”. Absagen: Meaning: to cancel, to call off, to revoke Stornieren: Meaning: to cancel, to reverse Annullieren: Mea...

3 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - August 21, 2019

Warum gehst du nicht ans Telefon

I just saw this sentence which means “Why are you not answering the phone”. Is this a common way to write this? Personally, I would write “Warum antwortest du nicht dein Telefon”.

6 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - August 8, 2019

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