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!

Aus vs von

What is the difference between the two? I have seen the words use in sentences like these two “Ich komme aus” and “Ich komme von”.

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

Das ist genug vs Das ist reicht

What is the difference between the two? I assume there are interchangeable but not sure.

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

Wann ist es zu

Is it correct that this is an alternative way to write “Wann ist es geschlossen”? When it is closed.

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

Gern gescheden

I understand that it can be used for “you are welcome”. When is it more appropriate to use “Gern gescheden” instead of “bitte schön”

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

Wie viel kostet das vs wie viel macht das

I understand both sentences mean “how much does that cost”. Is there a specific situation for when it is more better / more appropriate to use the other?

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

Benötigen vs Brauchen

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

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

“Machts gut”

When I was living in Germany, I sometimes heard these words “Machts Gut” when saying goodbye to someone, which I understands mean “take care”. In my mother tongue (Danish), we do not really have a similar word. When would you use “Machts Gut” in German wh...

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

“Umsatz nach Kunde” or “Umsatz bei Kunde”

I was wondering what is the correct way to write “sales by customer”. Is it “Umsatz nach Kunde” or” Umsatz bei Kunde”?

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

“Alles klar” and “Alles Gut”

I have heard these two words often in Germany and Switzerland. What exactly do they mean and in which situations should they be used?

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

“Wand” vs “Mauer”

I was checking these two nouns with the dictionary “https://www.collinsdictionary.com”. I get to the same translation “wall”. Is it fair to conclude that both words are interchangeable?

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

Das Essen vs Das Lebensmittel

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

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

Nie vs Niemals

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

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

Rentner vs Pensioner

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

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

Immer noch vs noch

In one of your lessons, you have the following sentence “Ich bin Paul und immer noch ledig”. I assume this sentence can also be written as “Ich bin Paul und noch ledig”. Is it correct that writing “immer noch” helps emphasize the word still?

3 replies - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 24, 2019

Gucken vs sehen

What is the difference between "Gucken" and Sehen" and in which situation is it correct to used each of them?

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

Da

Is it correct understood that "Da" means both "There" and "Because"?

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

Zuhause vs Haus

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

1 reply - Last post by sfpugh - April 19, 2019

Ledig vs Verfügbar

I just checked these two words with a dictionary, but I get to the same meaning. Are they interchangeable or should one of them be used in a specific situation?

1 reply - Last post by sfpugh - April 19, 2019

Translation for "glatt".

In 21.4     Toll, da kann ich doch glatt ein wenig Italienisch hier lernen. Great, so I can learn a bit of Italian here. Why is there no translation for "glatt"?  Does it mean here something like smoothly or easily?

3 replies - Last post by sfpugh - April 16, 2019

Wie geht es dir / ihnen

I have seen this sentence a couple of times “Wie geht es dir / Ihnen”. One thing I am wondering about is why we are using dative case. I assume it is because you are addressing someone directly?

4 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 16, 2019

Sich

I have seen this word quite often. In what section/lesson is it explained? And how does the word change depending on gender and case?

2 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 16, 2019

Er hat kinderlei Freunde

I have just seen this sentence. When would you use “kinderlei” instead of “Keine”? I have never seen “kinderlei” use in any other situations before.

2 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 16, 2019

Junge Frauen wie sie sind selten

I was playing with Duolingo yesterday and I saw this sentence “Junge Frauen wie sie sind selten” which means “Young women like them are rare”. Is it correct that “wie” also means “like”? I only thought the meaning was how and what.

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 16, 2019

das vs dass

When do you write “Das” and when do you write “Dass”. I am not quite sure when to add the extra “s” to the ending.

2 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 16, 2019

Verb Prefixes Changing Meanings and Other Questions

Hi, A few more quick questions. 1. What is the difference between writing “Fahren” and “Gehen”? Is the difference that “Fahren” is only used for driving?   2. What is the difference between writing “Muss ich sofort bezahlen” and “Muss ich bezahlen”? I ge...

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 3, 2019

Zu lang vs. Zu lange and Other Questions

Hi, A few more questions 1. What is the difference between “Gibt” and “Schenke”? When I translate it gives the same word “give”.   2. When will you be writing either “zu kurz” vs “zu kurzs” and why?   3. When will you be writing either “zu lang” vs “zu l...

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 2, 2019

Mich/Mir, Dich/Dir

Hi, A few more questions. Many thanks beforehand! 1. What is the difference between saying “Ich würde gerne einen Termin abmachen” and “Ich würde gerne einen Termin vereinbaren”. When I translate I get the following “I would like to make an appointment...

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - April 2, 2019

Youtube site that deals with some typical mistakes while learning German

I recently came across the germanskills.com youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NadPxuSlsJf5G8CT5xSGg It has a lot of videos on the difference between words with similar meanings. It is disarmingly low tech and it is all in German, but sh...

0 replies - Last post by sfpugh - April 1, 2019

similar words

please explain difference

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - March 13, 2019

Diese / dieser / dieses

Hi everyone, Anyone who knows when to use diese, dieser and dieses?

1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - March 13, 2019

Difference between "möchte" and "würde"?

Hi there! What is the difference between "ich möchte gerne" and "ich würde gerne" and when should / could each of them be used?

3 replies - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 7, 2019

20.2 Und auch sonst möchte ich nicht in diesem Saustall leben.

From 20.2 Und auch sonst möchte ich nicht in diesem Saustall leben. Besides, I dislike living in such a mess. Wouldn't a more accurate translation be "Besides, I dislike living in this mess." Is there a better way translate "in such a mess" into German?

4 replies - Last post by sfpugh - February 7, 2019

201.1 sich eine leichten Komödie anzusehen.

From 201.1 sich eine leichten Komödie anzusehen. to watch a light comedy. What is the difference between ansehen and sich ansehen? If sich is left out, does the meaning change?

2 replies - Last post by sfpugh - January 29, 2019

New Badge Announcement

For every click on the mouse I get an announcement of a new badge. Can you please fix it as it has stopped me using Rocket German completely Regards  Ron

2 replies - Last post by Leah-Rocket-German-Tutor - January 28, 2019

Add to vocabulary

Should I add words I already know to vocabulary or only those I need to work on.

2 replies - Last post by Dean V - October 30, 2018

Question on "werden immer"

In lesson 3.5, there are several examples using the verb, werden, such as:   Wir werden immer älter. We are getting older. But isn't "Wir werden" = we will  immer = always Obviously, these phrases aren't literal translations to English, but can s...

3 replies - Last post by ToddS12 - October 15, 2018

Why is "Dir" sometimes used in the Accusative?

Hallo Leute, I am confused as to why the phrase, "Can I help you" is Kann Ich Dir helfen?  and not Kann Ich Dich helfen? Help!

3 replies - Last post by RobertR34 - August 28, 2018

Flashcards download for iPhone?

I spend 2 hours on a plane every week.  No internet = no Rocket. Is there a Rocket flashcard app or similar that I can use when offline

1 reply - Last post by sfpugh - February 26, 2018

überreden, überzeugen, bekehren

überreden, überzeugen, bekehren seem to have somewhat similar meanings - Persuade, convince, convert. I wonder if Lucia could help with when to use them.

5 replies - Last post by sfpugh - February 5, 2018

Vorschlag v Antrag

Vorschlag and Antrag appear to have similar meanings - proposal or proposition so could you explain their different uses? In the course Antrag was used for a marriage proposal and Vorschag was a proposal by the government.

2 replies - Last post by sfpugh - November 24, 2017

How much vocab do we need to learn?

We can't learn a language without knowing words.  So how many words do I need to know, say, to "learn" German?  Someone out there might know whether German is the same as English in this respect. The average English dictionary contains about 500,000 word...

1 reply - Last post by sfpugh - September 19, 2017

see you then?

Level 2 survival phrases contains: Bis bald See you then Surely the translation should be "See you soon" Wouldn't "See you then" be "Bis dann"

6 replies - Last post by sfpugh - September 19, 2017

meaning of unterstehen unit 12.5

I have been reviewing unit 12.5 and unterstehen is given as meaning to dare. The Langenscheidt and Collins dictionaries give the meaning as to shelter or be subordinate to. They also give a reflexive form sich unterstehen meaning to dare. Surely this ex...

2 replies - Last post by sfpugh - September 19, 2017

a gleich question

this sentence appears in 11.2 Mir geht es nicht so gut, aber darüber werden wir ja gleich sprechen. I'm not so good, but we are indeed talking about the same thing. I am worried about the translation of gleich. It doesn't make sense to me to translate i...

4 replies - Last post by sfpugh - September 15, 2017

meaning of läuten

The following phrase appears in 23.1: Ich habe da so etwas läuten gehört. I've heard some rumors. In this phrase  läuten appears to mean "rumours" but the Leo dictionary  give no hint of this meaning, we have  läuten: to ring, chime, sound etc or Das  L...

3 replies - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - July 17, 2017

Possible error in module 18 -Hobbies

In the Hobbies survival kit it gives der Reifen as wheel, surely it is tyre not wheel

1 reply - Last post by Lucia - Rocket Languages Tutor - July 10, 2017

meaning of läuten

The following appears in 23:1 At the Office Ich habe da so etwas läuten gehört. I've heard some rumors. I can't find any dictionary that translates  läuten as "rumours" only as ring or chime. Is this a mistake or a colloquial usage which isn't in the di...

0 replies - Last post by sfpugh - June 20, 2017

German special characters on the forum

Hello, is it possible to get the german special characters on the forum as is possible in the "write it" tests.

0 replies - Last post by sfpugh - June 16, 2017

Possible error in module 15.5

There is a possible error in module 15.5: Weights & measures Die Leiber is given as loaves. However der Leib / die Leiber is body/ bodies according to the Leo dictionary. Der Laib / die Laibe is actually loaf/loaves

0 replies - Last post by sfpugh - May 2, 2017

inconsistent use of ß in 14.2

I have noticed that the "ß" is used inconsistently in level 2 14.2. Grosse, Grossmutter and Sosse all appear. Does this reflect actual German or is it a mistake? in the dictionary the are all spelt with ß.

5 replies - Last post by sfpugh - April 12, 2017

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