This week saw the introduction of an exciting new nature series on German Yabla. Alpenseen: Kühle Schönheiten is a beautifully filmed documentary about wildlife deep in the icy lakes of the Alps. If the summer heat is starting to get to you, cool down with this video and learn the German names of some very curious plants and animals while you're at it:
Die Alpen haben vielfältige Gesichter.
The Alps have many faces.
Luchse und Steinböcke gehören dazu...
Lynxes and ibexes are part of this...
Captions 2-3, Alpenseen - Kühle Schönheiten
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Wenn Gemsen mit scharfen Hufen
When chamois with sharp hooves
Pflanzentriebe, Moose und Flechten freischarren,
scratch up plant shoots, moss and lichen,
müssen sie aufpassen.
they must be careful.
Captions 23-24, Alpenseen - Kühle Schönheiten
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Auch die Bergmolche zieht es hier oben später zum Wasser
Even the alpine newts take to the water later up here
als ihre Artgenossen im Tiefland.
than their species counterparts in the lowlands.
Captions 41-42, Alpenseen - Kühle Schönheiten
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Doch daneben existiert noch eine andere Welt.
But next to it exists yet another world.
Sie liegt verborgen unterm Eis...
It lies hidden beneath the ice...
Captions 5-6, Alpenseen - Kühle Schönheiten
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So chill out with Yabla German when the heat gets be too much, and bleibt cool beim Deutschlernen!
Germany is one of the most advanced countries in world in terms of environmentally-friendly energy. Chancellor Angela Merkel announced in 2011 that all German nuclear power plants will be closed by 2022 as part of a plan to gain a competitive edge worldwide in renewable energy.
This week's new video, Green-Region-Konferenz zur Nachhaltigkeit, uses a number of energy-related terms (below in bold text) that can give you a good jump start in improving your environmental vocabulary.
Eine Energie-Effizienz-Revolution soll her.
An energy-efficiency revolution should happen.
Caption 6, Rhein-Main-TV - Green-Region-Konferenz zur Nachhaltigkeit
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Um die Klimaschutzziele in Deutschland zu erreichen...
In order to achieve the climate protection targets in Germany...
Caption 22, Rhein-Main-TV - Green-Region-Konferenz zur Nachhaltigkeit
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Rund um Darmstadt bedeutet das vor allem
Around Darmstadt, that means, above all,
den Ausbau der Windkraft
the expansion of wind power
sowie mehr Geothermie-Anlagen und Biomasse-Kraftwerke.
and more geothermal plants and biomass power plants.
Captions 25-26, Rhein-Main-TV - Green-Region-Konferenz zur Nachhaltigkeit
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Further Learning
Watch the complete video above and add any new German terms to your vocabulary learning list. The Urban Climate website of the University of Freiburg has created an extensive German-English glossary of environmental protection terms. See if you can find some of these words used in context in Yabla German videos.
English has quite a few idioms using the word "foot," and the German language also "puts its best foot forward" in this regard!
Some German foot expressions are very similar to English:
Ich nehm' mein Herz und leg's dir zu Füßen.
I'll take my heart and lay it at your feet.
Caption 3, Deutsche Musik - Chris und Croissant
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Sometimes, a German expression is close to English, but with a spin of its own:
Er war von Kopf bis Fuß grün angezogen.
He was dressed in green from head to foot [idiom: completely].
Caption 23, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Ein Topf voll Gold
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The above expression is very similar, of course, to the English "from head to toe." Most German idiomatic expressions with the word Fuß are quite different, however:
Und die Besucher müssen wirklich gut zu Fuß sein.
And the visitors must be really good to foot [idiom: agile].
Captions 18-19, Internationale Automobilausstellung - IAA in Frankfurt öffnet die Pforten
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The English foot idiom that comes closest is "light on their feet." At Yabla, we translate idioms literally (word for word), and then add a dictionary-style definition for clarity.
Be careful you don't "put your foot in it" though, as some expressions sound similar to English, but have a completely different meaning:
Was Henne gesagt hat, hat ja eigentlich auch Hand und Fuß.
But I think what Henne has said also actually has a hand and a foot [idiom: makes sense].
Caption 48, Luxuslärm - Interview
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If you recall the English saying "to wait on someone hand and foot," you might falsely interpret the German to mean that Henne was being servile, when in fact she was making sense!
Further Learning
Learn some more expressions about other parts of the body here, and go to Yabla German and see how the word Fuß is used in different contexts.
This week's new video, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Wichtelmänner, uses the prepositional phrase mit (etwas) umgehen:
Sie war keine Schneiderin,
She was not a seamstress,
konnte aber gut mit Nadel und Faden umgehen.
but could manage well with a needle and thread.
Caption 70, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Wichtelmänner
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The word umgehen on its own usually means to avoid, to circumvent, or to get around something, but when you put it with an adjective and the preposition mit, its meaning is broadened to mean how something is handled, dealt with, or treated. Here are a couple more examples from Yabla videos:
Ich werde dir beibringen, wie du damit umgehen kannst.
I will teach you how you can deal with that.
Caption 18, Lektionen - Morgen
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Da muss man sehr sauber arbeiten,
[There] you must work very cleanly,
muss sehr pfleglich mit seinen Grundstoffen umgehen.
[you] must handle your basic materials very carefully.
Captions 67-68, Whesskey - Whiskey aus Hessen
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Further Learning
Go to this link on Yabla German and see how the word umgehen is used in different contexts.
Idiomatic expressions can be difficult, because even if you know what all of the words mean, it can sometimes be nearly impossible to understand what the phrase means. Just think about how some standard English idioms sound if you try to understand them literally: "It's raining cats and dogs," or "Don't spill the beans." Neither cats, nor dogs, nor beans have anything to do with what is really being expressed! This week's new Yabla video, the film trailer from "Frau Müller muss weg!," contains a number of colorful German idioms:
Das ist die Realität. Aus die Maus.
That is the reality. The mouse is out [idiom, it's over and done].
Caption 2, Filmtrailer - Frau Müller muss weg!
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Although German idioms often don’t have a direct English equivalent, a more literal translation might be: “The game is up."
Fassen Sie sich gefälligst an Ihre eigenen Nasen.
Kindly grab your own noses [idiom, mind your own concerns], please.
Caption 15, Filmtrailer - Frau Müller muss weg!
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The English idioms "keep your nose out of my business" and "mind your own business" have similar meanings.
Wenn's um Konflikte geht,
Whenever it's about conflicts,
wird das hier immer unterirdisch.
it always ends up underground [idiom, things become abysmal] here.
Caption 21, Filmtrailer - Frau Müller muss weg!
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Yabla German always provides you with a direct word-for-word translation as well as the direct meaning of the phrase to help you better understand these idiomatic expressions.
With summer just around the corner, it's time to dust off the grills and get ready for some delicious food. Although you may not be vegetarian or vegan yourself, you probably know somebody who is.
Die Eltern vom Nachbarn,
The parents of our neighbor,
die grillten allerdings auch Sojawürstchen.
though, they also grilled small soy wursts.
Caption 26, Konjugation - Das Verb „grillen“
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So don't forget to pick up a few veggie wursts before your next grilling party, and be sure to get some advice from some vegetarian friends as to which veggie sausages taste better, and which ones taste... wurst!
Ich bin Vegetarier, also außer Fisch, den ess' ich natürlich.
I'm vegetarian, well, except fish, I eat that, of course.
Caption 27, Thomas D - Ärgernisse
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So although eating fish may actually disqualify you as a vegetarian, a lot of people are trying to be more conscientious about what they eat, and buying some non-endangered fish for the grill might even be a healthier option for some meat eaters.
Enjoy the summer with some delicious and ecologically correct grilling!
Summer is soon approaching, and with the arrival of June, the wedding season (die Hochzeitsaison) will be in full swing. So whether it's a friend's wedding or maybe even your own, beware: you're going to need to expand your vocabulary if there is any German involved!
No one is going to get married if a marriage proposal doesn't happen first:
Der Fluch ist gebrochen! Ich möchte dich heiraten.
The curse is broken! I want to marry you.
Die Prinzessin nahm seinen Heiratsantrag sofort an.
The Princess accepted his marriage proposal immediately.
Captions 86-88, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Der Froschkönig
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Nor would a groom (der Bräutigam) be complete without a bride, at least in a traditional wedding!
So sieht eine Massai-Braut aus.
That is what a Masai bride looks like.
Caption 50, Rat für nachhaltige Entwicklung - Mode gegen Armut
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And after the wedding comes the feast:
Es war gleichzeitig auch das Hochzeitsmahl für das junge Paar.
It was at the same time the wedding feast for the young couple.
Caption 91, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Dornröschen
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Further Learning
Look up the meaning of any marriage-related words on this list that you may not be familiar with, and see if you can find some of them used in context on Yabla:
das Bankett, das Hochzeitskleid, die Brautjungfer, der Brautschleier, das Ehepaar, der Ehering, das Eheversprechen, der Festsaal, die Feier, der Fotograf, der Gast, das Geschenk, die Heirat, die Heiratsurkunde, die Hochzeit, der Hochzeitsempfang, der Hochzeitskuchen, der Hochzeitsmarsch, die Hochzeitsreise, die Kirche, die Kirchglocken, das Konfetti, die Liebe, der Priester, die Rede, das Ringkissen, der Schmuck, die Trauung, der Trauzeuge, die Verbindung, der Zeuge
In the latest installment of the Pfefferkörner television series, Themba is angry because he feels that the soccer match has been fixed, and he says:
Ich lass' mich jedenfalls für so was nicht benutzen.
In any case, I won't let myself be used for something like that.
Caption 22, Die Pfefferkörner - Eigentor
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The English verb "to use" can be defined as "exploiting someone to one's own advantage," and the German verb benutzen can be utilized in a similar context. The more direct German verb for "exploit" is ausbeuten, in its adjectival form ausgebeutet:
Mittelfristig will ich, dass wir eine vernünftige Infrastruktur kriegen,
Mid-term, I want us to get a sensible infrastructure
in der wir weniger ausgebeutet werden.
in which we'll be exploited less.
Captions 28-29, Rhein-Main-TV aktuell - Occupy Frankfurt
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So let's hope that instead of being used (benutzt) or exploited (ausgebeutet) that we all are properly appreciated (geschätzt) for what we are:
Das wird vor allem von den jüngeren Gästen geschätzt.
This is especially appreciated by the younger guests.
Caption 41, Reiseland Deutschland - Vielfalt im Herzen Europas
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Most commonly spoken German prepositions take the accusative or dative case (the genitive case is used more often in the written form). Some prepositions, such as bis, durch, für, gegen, je, ohne, um and wider, take only the accusative case. Others, like aus, außer, bei, gegenüber, mit, nach, seit, von and zu, take only the dative case.
There are, however, certain prepositions that can take either the accusative or the dative case, depending on the context: an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor and zwischen. Even experienced German speakers can get it wrong sometimes, so although you've probably learned this before, this may be a good time to review these two-way (or dual) prepositions.
The general rule to remember: if the preposition is dealing with "where" something is in a static sense, it takes the dative case; if it is dealing with motion or destination ("where to" or "what about") in an active sense, then it takes the accusative case.
Der Spiegel hängt an der Wand.
The mirror is hanging on the wall.
Caption 39, Deutschkurs in Tübingen - Mehr Wechselpräpositionen
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Since the wall is where the mirror is statically hanging, the feminine noun die Wand takes the dative case in this context.
Sie geh'n an die Arbeit wieder.
They're going to work again. [They're going back to work.]
Caption 29, Der Struwwelpeter - Hans Guck-in-die-Luft
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Since work is where they are actively going to, the feminine noun die Arbeit takes the accusative case. Note that the word wieder above has an unusual placement in the sentence; this is because it is part of an old-fashioned poem and needed to rhyme!
Wie war eigentlich das Konzert auf dem Mond?
How was the concert on the moon?
Caption 8, Undertube - Peer erzählt einen Witz
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Since where they statically are is on the moon, the masculine noun der Mond takes the dative case.
Wir gehen auf die Straßen.
We're going on the streets.
Caption 34, Blumio - Rappen für gute Unterhaltung
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Since their destination is actively towards the streets, the plural feminine noun die Straßen takes the accusative case.
Further Learning
Look on Yabla German for other examples of the two-way prepositions an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor and zwischen and discover the different contexts in which they take the dative or the accusative case.
Although Easter has been a predominantly Christian holiday in Germany for the last millennia, a number of originally pagan-based traditions still survive. Let's talk about some German Easter traditions and find some examples of the words in other contexts on Yabla.
Although largely supplanted by the Easter Bunny (Osterhase), some regions still imagine different animals delivering the eggs. In parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, the eggs are still brought by the Easter Fox (Osterfuchs). Parts of Saxony have the tradition of the Easter Rooster (Osterhahn), and Thuringia still has the Easter Stork (Osterstorch).
Oder die meisten denken, es wär' irgendwie Hase oder Fuchs.
Or most of them think it's somehow rabbit or fox.
Caption 12, Queensberry - gegen Pelz
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In much the same way as the pagan tradition of the decorated tree came to be associated with Christmas, the Easter Egg Tree (Ostereierbaum) is also a popular tradition still in Germany and Scandinavia. Branches are gathered from outside and decorated with colored eggs.
Da hat der für Eier keine Zeit!
He has no time for eggs there!
Caption 56, Welt-Pi-Tag - Unser Leben mit der Kreiszahl
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A favorite cake made during the Easter Holidays is called the "Easter Lamb," or Osterlamm, and is baked in the shape of a reclining lamb.
Die ist ihnen nachgelaufen wie ein Lamm.
She ran after them like a lamb.
Caption 20, Für Tierfreunde - Przewalski-Wildpferde
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Easter is also a convenient way to remember in German when to put on or remove the snow tires from your car:
Von O. bis O., also von Oktober bis Ostern,
From O. to O. [E.], so from October to Easter
sollte man mit Winterreifen fahren.
you should drive with winter tires.
Captions 4-5, Winterreifen - Wenn der erste Schnee naht
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Außerdem steht das Osterfest kurz bevor.
Aside from that, the Easter celebration is approaching.
Caption 4, Papst Franziskus - Der neue Papst hat viel zu tun
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Happy Easter holidays to all of you from all of us at Yabla!
Further Learning
Look on Yabla German for other examples of some of the bold-faced words above being used in different contexts.
The German accusative preposition für is often translated to the English preposition "for":
Hier gibt es viele verschiedene Sachen
Here there are many different things
für die Familie und für die Kinder zu sehen.
for the family and for the children to see.
Caption 8, Berlin - Domäne Dahlem
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However, the English preposition "for" may also be translated to German as aus:
Aber aus irgendeinem Grund wollte Pandora im Haus bleiben.
But for some reason Pandora wanted to stay in the house.
Captions 33-34, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Büchse der Pandora
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Or as zum:
Fast jedes Ei, das zum Verkauf in Supermärkten gedacht ist,
Almost every egg that is intended for sale in supermarkets
muss mit einem Zahlencode gekennzeichnet sein.
must be marked with a number code.
[Kennzeichnung von Hühnereiern]
[Identification of chicken eggs]
Captions 9-10, Bioeier - Wie funktioniert der Erzeugercode?
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Or as seit:
Und seit wie lange schon? -Seit sechzehn Jahren.
And for how long already? -For sixteen years.
Caption 6, Frisbee - Karlsruher Weihnachtsturnier
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Remember too that foreign words in general may be translated differently according to context. Just because "for" translates to seit in the above example does not mean that seit always translates back to "for":
Aber seit ich in Berlin lebe, arbeite ich als Kellnerin und Barista in Cafés.
But since I've lived in Berlin, I've worked as a waitress and barista in cafés.
Caption 16, Berlin - Judith und die „Brezel Bar“
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Further Learning
Search on Yabla German for the English word "for" to see examples of how this preposition can be translated to German in different contexts.
German speakers sometimes make the mistake of using wie (as, like, how) instead of als (than), an error that is a bit puzzling for native English speakers. It is hard for us to imagine saying, for example: "I am taller as you" instead of "I am taller than you," but in German this is a fairly common error. The following Yabla English translations reflect the corrections to als:
Also wir geben hier mehr her
So we deliver more here
wie [sic, als] die Lufthansa da in der... in der Businessclass.
than Lufthansa there in the… in the business class.
Captions 45-46, Fluglinien - Niki Air
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... wie [sic, als] wenn man einfach sagt:
... than if you simply say to them:
„Kuck mal, ich hab' dir 'nen ganz gesunden Salat gemacht“.
"Look, I have made you a very healthy salad".
Captions 32-33, Kochhaus Berlin - Kochen mit Kindern
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The German als should be used like the English "than" when showing contrast, as a function word to indicate an inequality between two things:
Ich sage immer, eher mehr Selbstvertrauen als Talent.
I always say, rather more confidence than talent.
Caption 22, Cassandra Steen - Interview
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Wobei man hier eher vom Fallen als vom Fliegen sprechen muss.
Although in this case it would be more accurate to speak of falling rather than of flying.
Caption 5, Abenteuer und Sport - Fallschirmspringen
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Whereas wie is used to relate things that are similar in some way, or to give an example:
Wir haben ein Programm
We have a program
mit Ikonen der Musikgeschichte wie Foreigner oder den Simple Minds
with icons of music history like Foreigner or the Simple Minds
Captions 7-8, Das Tollwood-Festival - BAP und Clueso in der Musik-Arena
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Da sind die besten Firmen der Welt dabei wie Siemens und andere.
The best companies in the world are there, like Siemens and others.
Caption 40, Berlins regierender Bürgermeister - Pläne für 2014
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Further Learning:
Search on Yabla German for the words als and wie to find more of the ways these expressions are used in context.
English adjectives for being sure or certain about something are often interchangeable, but German expressions like bestimmt, gewiss, and sicher are more specific to the particular context in which they are used. Let's take a look at all three.
Bestimmt can mean either "definitely"
Du machst Filme und die Leute sagen „Das wird bestimmt so“,
You make films and the people say, "It will definitely be like this",
Caption 34, Berlinale - Schauspieler Jürgen Vogel
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or in the nominalized noun something specific or in particular:
Wenn du mal was Bestimmtes vorhaben würdest...
If you were up to something specific...
Caption 12, Wahlspots - Szenen einer Ehe
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Gewiss can mean "certain" in the standard sense
Die Unterstützung des Schirmherrn
The support of the patron
ist den Fußballfrauen also gewiss.
for the women's soccer [team] is certain.
Captions 13-14, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball
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or as a suggestion of vagueness or uncertainty, a "certain something":
Aber ein gewisser Druck bleibt trotzdem.
But a certain [amount of] pressure remains nevertheless.
Caption 23, Cro - mit „Melodie“ an Chartspitze
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Sicher can mean "certain"
Ich bin mir sicher, es wird klappen.
I am sure it will work out.
Caption 49, German Intro - Jenny
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but in other contexts it means "safe":
Es is' 'n sicherer Standplatz.
It is a safe location.
Caption 36, Für Tierfreunde - Falknerei Feldberg
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The words bestimmt, gewiss, and sicherlich can be used interchangeably when meaning "of course" or "certainly": Sicherlich / Bestimmt / Gewiss werden wir die Deutschprüfung bestehen. (We will certainly pass the German test.)
Further Learning
Search for some uses of bestimmt, gewiss, and sicher (sicherlich too) on Yabla German to learn about the ways some of these expressions are used in context.
If a German noun ends in an "e," it's usually feminine, but there are also masculine nouns that end with "e" that require special "n" or "-en" endings in all singular non-nominative cases. To complicate things further, there are also masculine nouns not ending in "e" that require the special endings too!
Basically, the n-declination only occurs with masculine nouns, never with feminine or neuter nouns, and only a small percentage of masculine nouns are weak. Besides the rule of masculine nouns ending with -e, there is no hard and fast rule to classify them — they just have to be learned! It's helpful to know that many are professions, animals, and nationalities. Here are a few examples of weak masculine nouns to remember that you will commonly encounter in everyday usage.
Der Junge is a weak masculine noun, which you know because of the masculine der and the -e ending. Note that the -e ending changes to -en:
Der Zauberer sah zu dem zitternden Jungen hinab.
The Sorcerer looked down at the trembling Boy.
Caption 80, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Der Zauberlehrling
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However, der Nachbar is also a weak masculine noun, despite the -r ending. Note that the -r ending changes to -rn:
Du könntest einfach zum Nachbarn gehen.
You could simply go to the neighbor.
Caption 25, Fine - sucht einen Hammer
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Der Student is a very common weak masculine noun that takes the -en ending in non-nominative singular
Ich hab' 'nen spanischen Studenten eingestellt.
I've hired a Spanish student.
Caption 22, Barbara Schöneberger - Bambi-Verleihung backstage
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Der Herr is a weak masculine noun when it's translated as "lord"
Sofort rannte er zu seinem Herrn.
Immediately, he ran to his lord.
Caption 47, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Der gestiefelte Kater
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and in its more common form as the honorific "Mr." or "Mister"
Das war eine Idee von Herrn Singer.
That was an idea of Mister Singer's.
Caption 35, Modedesignerin Nina Hollein - Floria Prinzessin von Hessen
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Further Learning
Here are some examples of weak masculine nouns requiring the -n or -en endings in non-nominative singular (all of them have the masculine article der): Architekt, Astronaut, Bär, Bauer, Diplomat, Elefant, Emigrant, Held, Idiot, Kamerad, Kandidat, Kapitalist, Kommunist, Kunde, Löwe, Mensch, Neffe, Pilot, Präsident, Rabe, Russe, Schimpanse, Schwede, and Soziologe. See if you can find some examples of them in context with -n or -en endings on Yabla German. For more reading about this topic, check out the article Tricky Masculine Nouns in German.
The English preposition "for" and the German accusative preposition für are not only similarly spelled, but are often interchangeable too — the problem arises in cases where they are not. Let's first take a look at some examples where "for" can be directly translated as für. If something is intended for someone:
Was kann ich für dich tun?
What can I do for you?
Caption 2, Berlin - Judith und die „Brezel Bar“
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When indicating quantity or money:
Für Geld machen Sie alles?
For money you'll do anything?
Caption 62, Klebt, schmeckt, macht dick - Die Süßigkeitenmesse
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For stating a length or period of time:
Stattdessen wird sie in einen tiefen Schlaf fallen für viele Jahre.
Instead, she will fall into a deep sleep for many years.
Caption 30, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Dornröschen
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Some English expressions with "for" also use für when translated to German: für nichts or für umsonst (for nothing); für immer (for always or forever); für nächstes Mal (for next time).
On the other hand, the English "for" may also be translated as aus, seit, or zu, with expressions like "for some reason" (aus irgendeinem Grund), "for a long time" (seit langem), and "for sale" (zum Verkauf):
Aber aus irgendeinem Grund wollte Pandora im Haus bleiben.
But for some reason Pandora wanted to stay in the house.
Captions 33-34, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Büchse der Pandora
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Er ist Ungar und spielt schon seit langem mit uns zusammen.
He is Hungarian and plays with us for a long time already.
Captions 24-25, Deutsche Bands - Cabanossi
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Fast jedes Ei, das zum Verkauf in Supermärkten gedacht ist...
Almost every egg that is intended for sale in supermarkets...
Caption 9, Bioeier - Wie funktioniert der Erzeugercode?
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It's important to remember that prepositions are not always directly translatable; just because "for" is translated as zu in one case does not mean that zu is always translated into English as "for."
Further Learning:
Imagine a typical use of the word "for" in an English sentence, then translate it into German and search Yabla German for a similar expression to see how it is translated there. Did you get it right?
Since most of us are probably pretty broke after holiday expenses, here are some money expressions in German that are good to know!
Ich hätte zweihundert Schlösser und wär' nie mehr pleite [Umgangssprache].
I would have two hundred castles and would never again be broke.
Caption 19, Rio Reiser - König von Deutschland
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The word pleite is slang, but if you are seriously pleite, you wind up thus:
Jetzt sind wir bankrott,
Now we are bankrupt,
obwohl, äh, wir zehn Jahre lang [Geld] gespart haben.
even though, uh, we've saved money for ten years.
Caption 2, Deutschkurs in Tübingen - Weil oder obwohl?
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The holidays aren't getting cheaper every year, that's for sure. At some point they always start costing money (ins Geld gehen):
Sollte es länger dauern,
Should it take longer,
dann geht es aber auch irgendwann mal ins Geld.
then at some point, however, it will also start costing money.
Captions 28-29, Endlich glücklich - Liebe im Netz
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And on this, we can all agree:
Zeit ist Geld und Geld ist gut.
Time is money and money is good.
Caption 9, Jan Wittmer - Leben für den Lebenslauf
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Not forgetting, of course, that:
Geld allein ist nicht alles.
Money alone isn't everything.
Caption 62, Für Tierfreunde - Tierheim Nied
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Since after all, the holidays should remind us not to forget that love is the most important thing of all!
Zeigt die Liebe allen Wesen, die da atmen.
Show the love to all beings that breathe there.
Caption 18, Cosma Shiva Hagen - So trägt man Pelz
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Further Learning:
Do a search on Yabla German for financial expressions in English and see in what context they are used in German. For a bit of cheer, see what kind of expressions a search for die Liebe brings up. Happy New Year from all of us at Yabla!
Ich hoffe, euch hat's Spaß gemacht,
I hope it's been fun
und wünsche euch frohe Weihnachten!
and I wish you a merry Christmas!
Captions 71-72, Frohe Weihnachten - der Christbaum
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Beyond "merry Christmas" there are a number of other ways to give season's greetings as well, for instance your Christmas could be schön:
Dann wünsch' ich euch schöne Weihnachten.
In which case I wish you [plural] a wonderful Christmas.
Caption 84, Weihnachtsinterviews - Cettina in Linkenheim
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Let's not neglect the period before Christmas, which in German is the same word as in English:
Der Advent, das ist die Zeit vor Weihnachten.
Advent, that is the time before Christmas.
Caption 3, Weihnachtsmärkte - mit Eva
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And if we're going to make it through all the Christmas shopping, we'd better have some Stollen to see us through:
Das ist der Christstollen.
This is the Christstollen.
Der wird auch Weihnachtsstollen genannt.
It is also called Christmas stollen [fruit cake].
Captions 22-23, Weihnachtsessen - mit Eva
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If you don't have your Christmas tree yet, you might have to go diving for one!
Nasse Weihnachten:
Wet Christmas:
Der Tannenbaum steht fast vier Meter tief unter Wasser.
The Christmas tree stands nearly four meters deep under water.
Caption 1, Weihnachten geht baden - Tannenbaum unter Wasser
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Further Learning:
Do a search on Yabla German for typical Christmas words and get into the Christmas spirit while improving your German at the same time. Happy holidays!
The Swiss have it easy: they completely eliminated the ß (eszett or "sharp s") some years ago, but since we are teaching Standard German at Yabla, we should learn a few general rules about which words use s, ss, and ß.
1. Single s
There are no words in German that begin with ss or ß, so that rule is easy. A single s will usually come after the letters l, m, n and r when a vowel follows the s, with words such as: der Balsam (the balm), die Bremse (the brake), and sparsam (economical):
Das ist sehr sparsam!
This is very economical!
Caption 38, Der Trabi - Das Kultauto aus dem Osten
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A single s will usually come before the letter p, with words such as raspeln (to grate), lispeln (to lisp), and die Knospe (the bud):
Knospen, Blätter oder, Früchte von Platanen zum Beispiel...
Buds, leaves or, fruit from the plane trees, for example...
Caption 26, Freilebende Papageien - Überwintern in Wiesbaden
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In most cases, only a single s will come before the letter t, with words such as die Liste (the list), pusten (slang: to blow), and prusten (to puff):
Dann will ich husten und will prusten
Then I'll huff and I'll puff
und euer Haus zusammenpusten!
and I'll blow your house down!
Caption 50, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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2. Double s
The double s is usually written only after a short vowel, with words such as das Schloss (the castle), ein bisschen (a little bit), and passend (fitting):
Eigentlich hätte es gar keine passendere Rolle für sie geben können.
Actually, there couldn't at all have been a more fitting role for her.
Caption 16, Christina Aguilera und Cher - in Deutschland
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3. Eszett: ß
The ß is usually used after a long vowel or double-vowel combination (dipthong), in words such as die Straße (the street), der Meißel (the chisel), and stoßen (to bump, to repel):
Gut, und die stoßen sich ab.
Good and they repel one another.
Caption 35, Das 1. Newtonsche Gesetz - erklärt am Beispiel des Dodomobils
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4. Verbs that vary between ss and ß
Just to make it more complicated, there are some verbs that are written with ß in the infinitive, but switch to ss when conjugated — and vice versa too! For instance the verb vergessen (to forget) uses the letter ss in the infinitive and present tenses (ich vergesse, I forget), but switches to the ß in the past (preterite) tense:
Belle gewann das Biest so lieb,
Belle became so fond of the Beast
dass sie seine äußere Erscheinung darüber völlig vergaß.
that she fully forgot about his outward appearance.
Captions 61-62, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Schöne und das Biest
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Further Learning:
Do a search on Yabla German and see if you can find some more examples of verbs that vary between ß and ss in their infinitives and their conjugations.
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