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!

letter

i didn't found any types of letter

2 replies - Last post by libbylos - January 14, 2013

Schicken vs. Verschicken

Can you clarify the difference between the verbs "schicken" and "verschicken." I understand they both mean "to send." In lesson 5.2 Nik explains you would use "verschicken" when sending a person or a thing and &qu...

11 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - January 8, 2013

Pronunciation Help

Hi, I've been practicing how to say the word "green" in German but I just can't seem to be able to say it correctly. It sounds like something between an "oo" and an "ee". How do I pronounce it? Also, the "r" in t...

3 replies - Last post by Byron-K21 - December 6, 2012

Missing an "etwas"?; using "auch"?

Hi! 1) could you tell me if the word "etwas" is missing intentionally from the sentence in lesson 7.3...Sandra's line, second last to the end. It is there in the English translation and I"m puzzled as to why it is missing in the German. C...

1 reply - Last post by Michele-G - November 29, 2012

Idiom

People in England use the expression "Mutton done up as lamb" to say that someone is trying (not very successfully) to look younger than they are by dressing inappropriately for their age. Is there a German equivalent?

5 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - October 29, 2012

Language and Culture Lessons

I have been doing several of the audio lessons and like how they explain what each word means and the proper word order. I've ventured out to the Language and Culture Lessons now. I believe 1.7 is 'Talking About People' and has phrases where they teach ho...

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - September 29, 2012

Help translating Desiderate

Desiderata is one of my favourite poems and I love the line "It is still a beautiful world". I wanted to know what the german translation of this line would be. I translated it to: Ist es dennoch eine schöne welt. I wondered if anyone could confirm this...

3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - May 21, 2012

"Ich möchte bitte einen Tisch für zwei Personen bestellen

In Quiz 4.3.1, one of the questions is: How do you say "a table (m) for two" in German? with the possible answers being ein Tisch für zwei Personen eine Tisch für zwei Personen einer Tisch für zwei Personen einem Tisch für zwei Personen ...

2 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - April 29, 2012

Extra Vocab tab in course

Where can I find the pronunciation for all the extra vocab. in the lessons?

1 reply - Last post by Rocket-Languages - April 10, 2012

to catch up

Hello! I'm playing a game on-line with a German player and I was losing 500-300. Now I've caught up and the score is 500-500. How do I say the following: I've caught up with you! I was losing but now I'm catching up! Please do not answer this if you ...

2 replies - Last post by Cristian-Montes-de-Oca - April 4, 2012

Teething Issues

Hello, I'm fairly new at this and I'm having a few confusing moments. Firstly, the word schon seems to be used quite a lot, sometimes for "already" and sometimes for "pretty". Is this correct, or am I confusing completely different words? Similarly, h...

3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 27, 2012

incorrect 4.3 Quiz answer ref. Handynummer

In the question below from Quiz 4.3, is asks for the masculine form. But when I did so, i.e. der Handynummer, I was told it was incorrect and should be "die Handynummer", which is feminine. What is the German word for "cell phone number&q...

2 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 22, 2012

Mostly sunny

How do you say, "The weather is very nice and mostly sunny" in German? Is it: "Das Wetter ist sehr schön und meist sonnig" oder Is it: "Das Wetter ist sehr schön und meistens sonnigen" Or something else...

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 22, 2012

Shopping

How do you say- "I'm just looking, thanks." This is a useful phrase when you enter a store in Germany but don't want to buy anything and the shop clerk comes over to you asking if you need help.

3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - March 22, 2012

MegaGerman question

I give up - I've been trying to figure out what he says when I click the wrong answer. My ear hears "fush", but I can't find anything like that in my dictionary. What is he saying?!?!? Thanks

7 replies - Last post by Allen-H - November 30, 2011

dictionary

No matter how good a program is it may be a good idea to get a hard copy dictionary. Just wondering if someone might have a recommendation. Perhaps some books are better than others. Was also looking for a german hard copy periodical or mag which might ...

9 replies - Last post by mxyloreda - November 13, 2011

einzuholen & einholen

What is the difference between einzuholen and einholen? Dank, Ralph

2 replies - Last post by Ralph-D1 - May 12, 2011

Stop? halten - anhalten

Is there a difference in the meaning of halten and anhalten? eg. Der Bus hält nur an, wenn man vorher auf dem Knopf gedrückt hat. versus Hält der Bus vor dem Kino?

1 reply - Last post by dpritchett - March 4, 2010

Das

I think I am confused. It seems I have seen DAS as being, The, they, that. Is that correct or do I need to do some review. Thanks!

1 reply - Last post by mikeguy - July 4, 2010

Quiz 7.4.1 Schmerzen

In the question: What is the word for "pain"(M)? there is a problem. When I chose (M) der Schmerzen, it was marked INCORRECT. The dictionary entry reads: der Schmerz and pl. der Schmerzen. What is the correct answer to the question: What is the word for...

1 reply - Last post by Davida-S - March 26, 2011

Unter, unten and darunter

What's the difference between unter, unten and darunter and when do I use each perspectively? Many thanks.

1 reply - Last post by Kyle-T - March 31, 2011

beide/sowohl?

what is the difference between beide and sowohl if any? I know both are supposed mean "both" but are they interchangable? Examples in sentences would be helpful. Any information is much appreciated, thank you.

1 reply - Last post by Prussian-Turtle - March 22, 2011

"Just Looking"

Is there a polite expression to tell a helpful store clerk that you are just browsing and don't want help? We've learned all sorts of ways a store clerk may ask if they can help us, and numerous ways to communicate that we need or want something. But, su...

3 replies - Last post by Mitschuler - February 9, 2011

I need help with "sich"

I often hear a "word" in German sentences, the word is "sich". I do not have a total understanding of what this means and how it is used. I have a dictionary and can read the "definitions", but I don't quite get it. thx.

1 reply - Last post by Prussian-Turtle - January 22, 2011

Aircraft "hanger"

What is the German word or phrase for an "Aircraft Hanger" thanks

1 reply - Last post by Clifton-P - November 27, 2010

spoken German

hi, i would like to tell you that over a period of 2 years learning German, i have learnt to write sound gramatically correct German but i make a lot of mistakes when i speak the same esp.with the articles and the cases. :lol: Kindly advise as to how i ...

1 reply - Last post by Mags - September 29, 2010

Verb Conjugations??

I have only finished lesson 1.5 and am taking it rather easy so that I absorb all that is included in each lesson. I only wish I had had a resource like this when I tackled Spanish. Unlike Spanish I know no one who actually speaks German, so I have little...

1 reply - Last post by pancho - September 25, 2010

Ich habe einen schlampenschlepper.

Der schlampenschlepper is my favorite German word and I use it every day. By now all of my friends, not just the foreign exchange student from Germany, know this and refer to my car as such. I think you (Paul Weber or anyone who is making these lessons) s...

1 reply - Last post by Bambi - July 30, 2010

bitte

May the word "bitte" be used at the start and /or at the conclusion of a sentence? i.e. In engish we might say: Please pass the butter or we might say: Pass the butter please. Danke

4 replies - Last post by walleyenorth - February 3, 2010

Lesson 3.6 - Friend

I worked thru lesson 3.6 and am curious about friends. There is an example of a best girlfriend (Freundin) and a best boyfriend (Freund), is there a general word in german for a friend or is it always specific to the gender as in the example? Thanks, W...

2 replies - Last post by walleyenorth - February 3, 2010

Lesson 3.4

I can't make out Paul's translation of "Which tram goes to the Konigsplatz?" in Lesson 3.4 I am missing what comes between "Welche Straßenbahn" and "Königsplatz?' Vielen Dank!

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - January 21, 2010

To try

I see there are two words for "try" (versuchen or probieren). Is there a rule as to when each is used or can I use either in any given situation? For example, "Soll ich versuchen" can this also be "Soll ich probieren"?

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - December 11, 2009

Looking for the meaning

I do not know how to spell these two words (phrases???) but I am in Germany and I hear people say it all the time.... Phoenetic spelling.... andesklah and motside What the heck do they mean? Thanks, MIKEC

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - November 18, 2009

schon

What does this word actually mean and when/how do I use it properly?

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - October 14, 2009

Newspaper clippings\ call center

Hello! How would you say the following phrases in German? "Thanks for the newspaper clippings. They were very useful for studying German!" "I work in a call center for Airways Cargo."

3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - October 9, 2009

JFK Gaffe

Hallo... The quote from John Kennedy ( Ich bin ein Berliner ) is generally translated as, I am a jelly doughnut. I realize the crowd understood what he meant, but could you please tell me the correct form he should have used. Ich bin Berliner...??? Danke

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - August 31, 2009

Lieblich - lesson 4.4

The word given for sweet, as in sweet wine, is Lieblich. My translator says the meaning is delightfully. Please clarify. Thank you. Harold

3 replies - Last post by Paul-Weber - July 30, 2009

List of words

The lessons all seem to use words that are not included in the Conversation in German. Is there a complete listng of all of the words used in the audos?

1 reply - Last post by Paul-Weber - June 24, 2009

German for "creamer"

Each morning, I ask my sister a question in German, and see if she understand me. (Even though she does not understand much German. I would like to ask her tomorrow if she would like coffer with creamer. I know this much, "Möchest du Kaffe mit ___...

2 replies - Last post by ChrisB - June 9, 2009

Lesson 2.1, Extra Words

I sometimes have trouble with the extra words Nik & Paul use that are not in the written transcript. For instance, in lesson 2.1, after talking about "heute ist es geschlossen", today it is closed; they give another phrase, for today it is ...

1 reply - Last post by Bassoonist1 - June 7, 2009

Help with Umlauts

Would like some help in understanding the Umlauts. Before the NEW site was setup,it seemed to me that there was a place you could go to and check on the Vocabulary and hopefully it would be a way to learn by hearing Paul & Nik using the different Uml...

5 replies - Last post by Eric1 - May 24, 2009

directions

In lesson 1.2 Directions/ Nach dem Weg Fragen, driving down the street is mentioned. However, it is not shown how to say one needs to drive "up" the street. Thanks for your help!

1 reply - Last post by leo1 - April 3, 2009

using "auch"

Hi, sorry, that last example isn't a good one, because I notice that in the English version the sentence reads in 7.1...."that I also really like." However, in 7.3 instead, Mattias says, "...haben wir uns auch verkleidet." This is wh...

1 reply - Last post by Ashen - March 1, 2009

How do you say mix-up in German?

Hallo Nathalie! Wie geht's? Mir geht's gut. I'm writing a letter to Amazon.de about a mix-up in my order.I need to say the following : "There was a mix-up in my order. I received the wrong book. You sent me the Deutsch 2000 Lehrbuch 2 instead of the...

1 reply - Last post by mxyloreda - November 13, 2008

Spelling Help

Does anyone know how to spell the word GRO-BOFF-SKI ? My old girlfriend used to call me this when she got mad at me and I think it means inconsiderate idiot but I don't know exactly how to spell it so I cannot look it up. I tried to do the best phonetic...

1 reply - Last post by stiedemann - November 12, 2008

Correct forms of address

Recently an elderly woman entered the bookstore where I work and asked about a specific title. I could tell from her slight accent that she was a native German speaker. Without thinking, I asked her woher kommst du? Later I thought a native speaker mig...

1 reply - Last post by stephenc - November 10, 2008

A Term of Endearment?

I ran across a German child's book in a bookstore recently and bought it. There's a term in the book that I just can't quite grasp the meaning of. Here is an exerpt: "Die Tauben-Oma stellt den Teller mit den Pfannkuchen auf den Tisch und setzt sich...

1 reply - Last post by Leon - October 17, 2008

One German phrase which appears to have two different meanin

Nathalie Many months ago you kindly did me a translation of the English Police caution. As follows "Sie müssen nichts sagen, aber es kann Ihrer Verteidigung schaden, wenn Sie etwas nicht erwähnen wenn Sie gefragt werden, auf das Sie später vor Gerich...

1 reply - Last post by Ken1 - September 30, 2008

Query on lesson 3.3

Query on lesson 3.3 Der is used for Strassenbahn “Ich möchte so gerne mit __der__ Strassenbahn fahren. Geht das?” But this is a feminine word, shouldn’t it be a 'Die' word, Or have I missed something again? (As usual) :?

1 reply - Last post by Ken1 - September 30, 2008

'Gebrauchen' and 'benutzen'

Hallo Nathalie, I am here for the first time and really enjoying 'Raketenartiges Deutsch'! Please explain the difference between 'gebrauchen' and 'benutzen' and when does one use the one or the other. Vielen Dank, Bennie

1 reply - Last post by bccwil - July 8, 2008

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