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A while back, we sent out a lesson about the difference between raten and beraten. Now it's time to expand this to a number of different verbs that contain raten as a root, including erraten, verraten, and geraten.
The verb erraten simply means "to guess."
Heute erraten wir Meerestiere.
Today we're going to be guessing sea creatures.
Caption 4, Ratespiel: Meerestiere
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Könnt ihr erraten, in welchen Land ich mich befinde?
Can you guess which country I'm in?
Caption 3, Yabla reist: durch Europa Genua und Portofino
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The verb geraten is a bit more complex. It is often used in phrases such as in Panik geraten, which you can see below. Depending on the phrase you might think of it as "to get into," but not in a physical sense. It's more like "to become" or "to end up" in a certain way.
Die gute alte Kaffeemaschine ist dabei etwas aus der Mode geraten.
The good old coffee machine has to some extent gone out of style in the process.
Caption 12, Eva zeigt uns: wie man Kaffee kocht
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Wenn Menschen das Wort „Hai“ hören, geraten sie schnell in Panik.
When people hear the word "shark," they quickly panic.
Captions 10-11, Die Top Ten: Die 12 freundlichsten Meerestiere der Welt
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The verb verraten means "to reveal" or "to give away." The phrase jemanden verraten means "to betray someone."
Und sie verraten etwas über die Persönlichkeit eines Menschen.
And they reveal something about the personality of a human being.
Caption 42, Deutsch mit Eylin: Mehr Geheimnisse über Hände
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Warte, Matteo! Warte, warte, warte, nicht gleich alles verraten.
Wait, Matteo! Wait, wait, wait, don't reveal it all now.
Caption 3, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt
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Und wir dürfen den anderen niemals verraten, niemals!
And we must never betray the other, never!
Caption 20, Heidi Freunde: für immer
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Further Learning
On Yabla German, you'll find more phrases with geraten, such as in Schwierigkeiten geraten, außer Kontrolle geraten, and in Schulden geraten. Have a look!
The phrase Angst haben refers to being scared.
„Ich habe Angst, Frederick“, rief er.
"I am scared, Frederick," he called.
Caption 14, Piggeldy und Frederick: Das Kahnfahren
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What's interesting is that there are two prepositions that are commonly used with this phrase. When we use vor with Angst haben, it's a matter of being afraid of something or someone.
Angst muss man vor ihnen keine haben.
You don't have to be scared of them.
Caption 3, Abenteuer Nordsee: Unter Riesenhaien und Tintenfischen
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Sie hat Angst vor der Prüfung, weil ihre Muttersprache nicht Deutsch ist.
She is afraid of the exam because her native language isn't German.
Caption 24, Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Einbürgerungstest
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But it's also possible to use um with Angst haben, and this has different nuances. It can actually be used to describe being afraid on someone's behalf, or being afraid "for" something rather than "of" something.
Der Weltmeister bekam wohl langsam aber sicher Angst um mich.
The world champion was slowly but surely getting scared for me.
Caption 39, Rheinmain im Blick: Sportreporter als Judoka
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Auf dem Nachhauseweg verirrte er sich in einem furchtbaren Schneesturm und hatte Angst um sein Leben.
On the way home, he lost his way in a terrible snowstorm and feared for his life.
Captions 19-20, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Die Schöne und das Biest
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Further Learning
Try to create your own sentences with Angst haben and both prepositions. Many examples can be found on Yabla German.
This week, we will look at more words that only differ by an umlaut.
As you know, the plural version of some nouns is formed with an umlaut. An example of this is die Mutter ("the mother") and die Mütter ("the mothers").
So, jetzt wollen wir mal andere Mütter fragen, was es für sie bedeutet, Mutter zu sein.
So, now we want to ask other mothers what it means to them to be a mother.
Captions 16-17, Cettina: interviewt Mütter
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However, some words take on a completely different meaning when an umlaut is added to one of the vowels. One classic example is schön ("pretty," "nice") and schon ("already," "indeed").
Immer wieder schön, dich wiederzusehen.
Always nice to see you again.
Caption 1, AnnenMayKantereit 3. Stock
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One difference in pronunciation that might take some practice is between schwul and schwül. The adjective schwül means "humid."
Da diese Abkürzung für lesbisch, schwul, bisexuell, transsexuell und queer steht.
Because this abbreviation stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.
Caption 4, LGBTQ Gendern
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Whereas die Küchen is the plural of "kitchen," der Kuchen means "cake."
Heute möchte ich mit euch einen Kuchen backen.
Today I would like to bake a cake with you.
Caption 2, Apfelkuchen: mit Eva
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The noun der Müll means "the garbage." Without an umlaut, der Mull refers to muslin or gauze.
Wir haben fünfhundert Tüten Müll gesammelt.
We've collected five hundred bags of garbage.
Caption 9, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt
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Further Learning
A few more words you can look up are die Schranke vs. die Schränke, der Bär vs. die Bar or das Bar, and die Bürger vs. der Burger. Stuck on pronunciation? Listen to the words pronounced by native speakers in videos on Yabla German.
Part of learning the proper spelling of German words is memorizing any umlauts that they might contain. This is particularly important because certain words are identical except for the presence or absence of an umlaut. Let's have a look today at several verbs that need to be distinguished from one another.
Whereas the verb drücken means "to press" or "to hug," drucken means "to print."
Hey, Max, wir drucken es aus und hängen es ans schwarze Brett.
Hey, Max, we'll print it out and hang it on the blackboard.
Caption 25, Die Pfefferkörner: Gerüchteküche
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An Luzies Kamera muss man nur den Knopf hier drücken, und dann ist Ruhe.
On Luzie's camera, you just have to press the button here and then it's quiet.
Caption 26, Peppa Wutz: Einkaufen und mehr
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Similarly, rücken and rucken are also two different verbs, though they both refer to movement. While rücken means to move, approach, or advance, rucken without an umlaut means to jerk or move violently.
Der Hochzeitstag rückte näher und sie beschlossen, einen langen Spaziergang draußen im Wald zu unternehmen.
The wedding day was approaching and they decided to take a long walk outside in the woods.
Captions 7-8, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Jorinde und Joringel
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The verb lauten is used when you talk about how things are worded, spelled, or stated, whereas the verb läuten means "to chime" or "to ring," and refers to the sound of bells.
Natürlich. Wie lautet Ihre E-Mail-Adresse?
Of course. What is your email address?
Caption 64, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Dann verstecken sich alle in ihrem Zimmer, bis das Glöckchen läutet.
Then everyone hides in their room until the little bell rings.
Captions 30-31, Weihnachtsinterviews: Cettina in Linkenheim
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The verb füttern is used when you feed an animal or a small child. The verb futtern refers to eating food rather than giving someone food, and suggests a lack of manners or restraint in eating, similar to the English expression "pigging out."
Die Meisen lassen sich von uns sogar aus der Hand füttern.
The titmice can even be fed from our hands.
Caption 32, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 2
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Sie schafft Platz zu Hause und erfreut die Fans, die bald Burger unter der Bassgitarre futtern können.
She makes room at home and pleases the fans, who will soon be able to scarf down burgers under the bass guitar.
Captions 8-9, Christina Stürmer: ist reif fürs Museum
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The verbs zahlen and zählen may be the most frequently used verbs in this list.
Wollen wir die Lösegeldforderung nicht abwarten und zahlen?
Don't we want to wait for the ransom demand and pay?
Caption 42, Die Pfefferkörner: Das Wunderkind
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Sie zählen die Stimmen nach dem Ende der Wahl.
They count the votes after the end of the election.
Caption 30, Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Einbürgerungstest
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Further Learning
You'll find many more examples of these verbs on Yabla German.
The words speziell and besonders can be used as adjectives or adverbs, and are often translated as "particular," "particularly," "special," "specially," or "especially."
When speziell is used as an adjective, it reflects a uniqueness or particularity. As an adverb, it conveys a sense of specificity or purpose, and may be used when referring to something designed for a particular function or context.
Und Klingonisch ist dafür schon sehr, sehr speziell.
And Klingon is therefore indeed very, very, special.
Caption 24, Klingonisch-Kurs: Außerirdisch sprechen lernen
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Mehr als eintausend Tanks mit radioaktivem Wasser sollen mit einer speziellen Filteranlage entleert werden.
More than a thousand tanks of radioactive water are to be emptied using a special filtration system.
Captions 36-37, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten Die Inflation verlangsamt sich
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Ihre Gehirne haben speziell entwickelte Bereiche, in denen sie lernen, Probleme zu lösen und zu kommunizieren.
Their brains have specially developed areas in which they learn to solve problems and to communicate.
Captions 64-65, Die Top Ten: Die 12 freundlichsten Meerestiere der Welt
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The word besonders refers to something that stands out or is remarkable compared to the norm. It is often used to emphasize a quality or characteristic.
Was ist so besonders an der Stadt?
What's so special about the city?
Caption 46, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Hessen
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Der Mensch pflegt mit dem kalifornischen Seelöwen eine ganz besondere Beziehung.
Humankind maintains a very special relationship with the Californian sea lion.
Caption 74, Evolution: Die Küsten
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Heute hab ich ein ganz besonders leckeres Gericht für euch rausgesucht.
Today, I have picked out a particularly delicious dish for you.
Caption 4, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Nordrhein-Westfalen
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Further Learning
You'll find many more examples of these words on Yabla German, and you can practice creating your own sentences that use them as an adjective or an adverb.
In German, allein and alleine both mean "alone." Essentially, they are variants of the same word. While the two terms are interchangeable in many contexts, allein should be used in more formal or literary contexts, whereas alleine is more for everyday speech. Both words describe the state of being alone in a physical or emotional sense.
Here, the first example is from the lyrics of a song, whereas the second example is from a dialogue between friends:
Im Regen stehen wir niemals allein.
In the rain we never stand alone.
Caption 7, Andreas Bourani: Auf uns
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Sam, du kannst nicht alleine einkaufen gehen!
Sam, you can't go shopping alone!
Caption 3, Extr@: Teil 02
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A common use of allein/alleine implies that something is insufficient. And the phrase von alleine or von sich alleine implies an independent occurrence, something happening naturally or on its own.
Das ist auch schön, aber das alleine hilft noch nicht.
That is also nice, but that alone still does not help.
Caption 44, Angela Merkel: beim Nachhaltigkeitsrat
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Aber alles andere ist von ganz alleine gekommen.
But everything else came naturally.
Caption 24, Deutsch mit Eylin: Tischsitten
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It's important to note that allein/alleine does not necessarily mean that someone is lonely. The word for lonely or solitary is einsam.
Einsamkeit: Keiner spricht mit Franziska, sie fühlt sich einsam.
Loneliness: Nobody talks to Franziska; she feels lonely.
Captions 39-41, Deutsch mit Eylin: Emotionen
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Und ich will für dich da sein wenn du einsam bist.
And I want to be there for you when you are lonely.
Captions 14-15, LOTTE: Dann soll das Liebe sein
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Der Auerhahn legt auf einsame, unterholzreiche Wälder wert.
The wood grouse places value on solitary forests rich with undergrowth.
Caption 41, Die letzten Paradiese Schätze der Natur: Südtirol
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Further Learning
You'll find many more examples of these words on Yabla German.
In the past, we've looked at how lassen expresses "to let" and "to leave," and how lassen is used in combination with other verbs. But there are also many verbs that use lassen as a root.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but instead a number of examples that are very common. Let's go alphabetically, starting with (jemanden) entlassen, which can refer to releasing someone from an obligation, but also is a polite way of talking about firing someone from a job.
Eigentlich hätt ich ihn entlassen müssen.
Actually, I should have fired him.
Caption 53, Großstadtrevier: Nicht mit mir
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The verb (etwas) hinterlassen means "to leave (something) behind."
Aber wenigstens hat dieser Vollidiot eine Spur hinterlassen.
But at least the complete idiot left behind a trace.
Caption 59, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt
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The verb loslassen means "to let go," either physically or emotionally.
Trotzdem weiß sie, dass sie ihre Kinder auch irgendwann loslassen muss.
But she knows that she must someday let go of her children.
Caption 43, Tapetenwechsel: Barbara Becker mag es aufgeräumt
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The verb nachlassen refers to something abating, fading, easing, or relenting.
Deswegen hat's in den letzten Wochen bisschen nachgelassen... in den letzten Jahren.
That's why it's declined a little over the past few weeks... over the past few years.
Caption 15, Formel-1-Rennfahrer: Timo Glock
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The verb (etwas) veranlassen means "to arrange (something)."
Ja, das können wir für Sie veranlassen.
Yes, we can arrange that for you.
Caption 74, Galileo: So hart ist der Job im Callcenter
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One essential verb is verlassen, which is different from lassen in that it specifically means "to leave" in the sense of departing from a place or abandoning someone or something. It also requires a direct object.
Ich möchte Sie bitten, dann die Fähre zu verlassen.
I would like to ask you to then leave the ferry.
Caption 19, Die Pfefferkörner: Abschied tut weh
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Ich will ihn auch gar nicht verlassen.
I really don't want to leave him.
Caption 69, Die Pfefferkörner: Abschied tut weh
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And finally, we come to zulassen, which means "to permit" or "to allow."
Aber Theresa, wir können nicht zulassen, dass die beiden gewinnen.
But Theresa, we can't let the two of them win.
Captions 23-24, Heidi Schatzdiebe
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Einundsechzig Komma fünf Millionen Kfz sind in Deutschland zugelassen.
Sixty-one point five million motor vehicles are registered in Germany.
Caption 2, Richter Alexander Hold: Richtig parken
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Further Learning
You can find examples of these verbs, as well as others that have the root lassen, on Yabla German. One additional expression you can look up is sich auf jemanden verlassen.
In learning the German language, there are two verbs that are needed by every beginner and sound extremely similar to English: lernen and studieren. However, as is often the case, the usage of these verbs is not identical to how "to learn" and "to study" are used in English.
The verb lernen means to acquire new information just like it does in English.
Wir haben eigentlich viel gelernt von unserem Papa.
We actually learned a lot from our dad.
Caption 92, 3nach9 Ehrlich Brothers: Show-Magier
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Ja, ich habe auch selbst viel Neues darüber gelernt.
Yes, I have learned a lot of new things about it myself.
Caption 8, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Mecklenburg Vorpommern
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However, the verb lernen also refers to studying for a class or preparing for an exam. When you do your German homework, you don't say Ich studiere Deutsch, but instead Ich lerne Deutsch.
Zwinge dich nicht dazu, stundenlang am Schreibtisch zu sitzen und zu lernen.
Don't force yourself to sit at a desk and study for hours.
Captions 58-59, Deutsch für Anfänger: Sprachlerntipps
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Ich habe gerade für die nächste Geschichtsarbeit gelernt.
I was just studying for the next history paper.
Caption 62, Der kleine Nick: Nachmittag bei Adalbert
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So, when is studieren used? You will generally hear it when the act of studying at an institution, like a college or university, is being discussed. If you talk about your major, where you went to school, or when you were enrolled, you will use studieren.
Was studierst du hier an der Universität in Karlsruhe? Ich studiere Geoökologie.
What do you study here at the university in Karlsruhe? I study geoecology.
Captions 8-9, Geoökologie Cettina interviewt Sarah
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Nein, ich habe schon in Spanien zwei Semester Jura studiert.
No, I already studied law in Spain for two semesters.
Caption 7, Nicos Weg: Am Bankautomaten
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Further Learning
You can find more examples of the difference between how these two verbs are used on Yabla German. But also try writing your own sentences: Where have you studied? What subjects have you studied? What did you learn? What are you studying for right now?
The German terms stundenlang, monatelang, tagelang, wochenlang, and jahrelang are used to express durations of time in a descriptive manner.
Stundenlang translates to "for hours" or even "for hours on end," indicating an extended period spent on an activity and often emphasizing the intensity or monotony of the experience. This word can either be used as an adverb or as an adjective, in which case it needs to be altered to reflect the noun that follows.
Stundenlang ritt er umher, um den Weg nach Hause zu finden.
For hours, he rode around searching for the way home.
Caption 19, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Hans mein Igel
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Und ich hätte wirklich stundenlang dir zuhören können.
And I really could have listened to you for hours.
Caption 42, The Voice of Germany: Isabel Nolte singt „Als ich fortging“
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Zurzeit muss man entweder eine stundenlange Zugfahrt in Kauf nehmen oder man fliegt.
Currently, you either have to put up with an hours-long train ride, or you fly.
Captions 22-23, DW-Nachrichten: Der Traum vom Hyperloop
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The word tagelang highlights a continuous action or state over several days, and is also often used in narratives to depict persistence or exhaustion.
Tagelang fuhren sie bergauf, bergab über die holprigen Straßen.
For days, they rode uphill, downhill over the bumpy roads.
Caption 44, Märchen - Sagenhaft: König Drosselbart
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Ich könnte tagelang von dir erzählen.
I could talk about you for days.
Caption 16, Xavier Naidoo Ich kenne nichts (das so schön ist wie du)
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The word wochenlang is also used as an adverb of time or an adjective that describes something that lasts weeks.
Das "Face" ist wochenlang beobachtet und perfekt gecheckt worden.
The face has been studied and checked perfectly for weeks.
Caption 15, Wintersport: Engadin Snow 2009
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Man kann auch von Menschen, die wochenlang unterwegs waren, die Deutschland als ihr Ziel ausgeben, etwas Geduld erwarten.
You can also expect, from people who were traveling for weeks, who identify Germany as their goal, some patience.
Captions 10-11, rheinmaintv: De Maizière führt Gespräch über potenzielle Sicherheitsgefahr
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In these last two examples, you can see monatelang used as an adverb and jahrelang used as an adjective:
Du kannst ja jetzt auch nicht monatelang im Prinzip ständig am Limit trainieren, du brauchst auch wieder eine Regeneration und so.
You also can't—for months on end now—be pushing yourself to the limit when training, simply as a matter of principle. You also need a period of regeneration, and so on.
Captions 52-54, Angelique Kerber: Ihre tennisfreie Zeit
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Da ist Technik dabei und die jahrelange Erfahrung und Tricks.
Technical [assistance] is there and the long years of experience and tricks of the trade.
Caption 55, Selbst versucht: Gepäckabfertigung bei Fraport
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Further Learning
You can find more examples of these words used in context on Yabla German. Also, try writing your own sentences.
The German verb greifen means "to grab" or "to reach." It is a regular verb, and the object that follows will generally take the accusative, though the phrase nach etwas greifen will require the dative.
Nur noch wenige Menschen greifen zum Rechen, um Laub zu entfernen.
Only a few people still reach for the rake to remove leaves.
Captions 56-57, Deutsch mit Eylin Herbst in Hamburg
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Die ganze Welt greift nach dem goldenen Pokal
The whole world is reaching for the golden cup
Caption 19, Sportfreunde Stiller: '54, '74, '90, 2006
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... welche es den Elefanten ermöglicht, Nahrung aus bis zu sieben Metern Höhe zu greifen.
...which enables the elephants to grab food from a height of up to seven meters.
Captions 26-27, Evolution An Land: Part 2
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Also, greifen is the root of a number of verbs. Let's have a look at zugreifen, angreifen, eingreifen, ergreifen, and begreifen.
Darf man da mal probieren? -Ja, bitte. Greifen Sie zu.
Can I try it? -Yes, please. Help yourself.
Caption 83, Großstadtrevier: St. Pauli rettet HSV
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Im Gegensatz zu manchen Haien greifen Orcas Menschen normalerweise nicht an.
Unlike some sharks, orcas do not usually attack humans.
Captions 30-31, Die Top Ten: Die 12 freundlichsten Meerestiere der Welt
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Aber nach einer Weile haben wir mitgekriegt, dass die Volkspolizei und die Kampfgruppen... die haben nicht eingegriffen. Die haben uns laufen lassen.
But after a while, we realized that the People's Police and the Combat Groups... they weren't intervening. They were letting us walk.
Captions 6-8, 30 Jahre Mauerfall Deutschland 30 Jahre nach dem Fall der Berliner Mauer - Part 2
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Manchmal muss man eine Gelegenheit ergreifen.
Sometimes you have to seize an opportunity.
Caption 25, Nicos Weg A2: Auf Wohnungssuche
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Das ist schwer zu begreifen.
That is difficult to comprehend.
Caption 6, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern
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Further Learning
Make flashcards to memorize the meaning of each of these verbs. You can find more examples of them used in context on Yabla German.
In German, there are several different ways to talk about avoiding something or someone.
The verb that is used most often is probably vermeiden. You can use it to describe avoiding a situation or something you have to do.
So vermeidest du am leichtesten eine peinliche Situation,
That's the easiest way for you to avoid an embarrassing situation
Caption 62, Deutsch mit Eylin: Tischsitten
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Der Schreiadler vermeidet die Konfrontation.
The lesser spotted eagle avoids confrontation.
Caption 16, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
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Habe das einmal sieben, habe ich lang vermieden.
For a long time, I avoided the seven times table.
Caption 83, Nena: Das 1x1 mit den Hits von NENA
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The verb meiden is similar, but generally used to describe staying away from something or someone, rather than an active effort to avoid doing something.
Selbst Murmeltiere meiden diese Gegend.
Even marmots avoid this area.
Caption 17, Die letzten Paradiese - Schätze der Natur: Südtirol
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The verb ausweichen is used when it comes to physically avoiding something in the sense of dodging it.
Wildwasserkajaks sind extrem wendig, um den vielen Hindernissen im Fluss rasch ausweichen zu können.
Whitewater kayaks are extremely maneuverable so that they can quickly dodge the many obstacles in the river.
Captions 41-42, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 2
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When it comes to avoiding a person, there is also the phrase (jemandem) aus dem Weg gehen.
Ich geh dir aus dem Weg, will dich ignorieren.
I avoid you, I want to ignore you.
Caption 7, LOTTE: Schau mich nicht so an
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Further Learning
Use each of these verbs in a sentence, or look up more examples with vermeiden on Yabla German.
The words "whoever" and "whatever" are pronouns that can refer to anyone or anything without specification. Their German equivalents also have a particular form in which the pronoun/determiner is combined with auch immer, or sometimes just immer.
Erstens: Holt alle Informationen über die Einwohner ein, wer auch immer sie sein mögen.
First: Gather all the information about the inhabitants, whoever they may be.
Captions 7-8, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Die Saurier
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Wer auch immer sie fertigmachen will, taucht früher oder später bei ihr auf.
Whoever wants to finish her off, they'll show up sooner or later with her.
Caption 3, Die Pfefferkörner: Gerüchteküche
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Also, wer immer nur von Freiheit redet, muss verstehen ...
So, whoever only always talks about freedom, must understand...
Caption 46, Holocaust-Gedenktag Gespräch mit jüdischen Schülern
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Sometimes the German word was can be used when talking about something that is not actually determined, and is translated as "whatever." However, sentences like this next one require was auch immer in order to emphasize that there are many choices possible.
Also, was auch immer ihr tut, ihr dürft diese Büchse niemals öffnen!
So whatever you do, you may never open this box!
Caption 28, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Die Büchse der Pandora
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Jeder kann glauben, was er möchte.
Everyone can believe in whatever they want.
Caption 21, Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Einbürgerungstest
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The adverb "however" as in "in whatever way" or "regardless of how" is wie auch immer or wie immer in German. Of course, wie immer often means "as always."
Na ja, wie auch immer, also, wie Sie das mit der Kerze hingekriegt haben, das war... fantastisch.
Well, anyway, so, however you did that with the candle, that was... fantastic.
Caption 13, Weihnachtsmann gesucht: Bist du verliebt?
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Genießt euren Kaffee, wie auch immer ihr den zubereitet,
Enjoy your coffee, regardless of how you make it,
Caption 39, Eva zeigt uns: wie man Kaffee kocht
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Generally, wann immer and wann auch immer are interchangeable. These are used to talk about a time that can't (yet) be determined.
Auch die rosigen Hausschweine dürfen aus ihrem Stall, wann immer sie wollen.
Even the rosy domestic pigs are allowed to leave their stable whenever they want.
Caption 3, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 1
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Und vor allem, sprich so viel und wann immer du kannst.
And above all, talk as much and whenever you can.
Caption 36, Deutsch mit Eylin: Die 4 Fälle
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Further Learning
You will find many more instances of the words above used in context on Yabla German.
In this lesson for beginners, we'll look at what are often also called "question words." Actually, they are mostly either interrogative pronouns/interrogative adverbs or relative pronouns/relative adverbs, depending on the usage.
Let's begin with the word was and look at how it can be used in both interrogative and declarative sentences. In addition to meaning "what," was can also be translated in certain sentences as "something," "anything," or "that which."
Was machst du denn noch in deiner Freizeit? Joggst du gerne?
What else do you do in your spare time then? Do you like to go jogging?
Caption 8, Nicos Weg: Was macht dir Spaß?
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Und was man dabei auch bemerkt hat, ist, dass da kaum Eis ist...
And what you've also noticed is that there's hardly any ice...
Caption 29, WWF Deutschland Klimawandel hautnah:Was sind die Auswirkungen?
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The word wer may look like the English word "where," but it means "who" in German. Here is an example used in a question and also in a very common structure in which it means "anyone who" or "whoever."
Wer friert uns diesen Moment ein?
Who will freeze this moment in time for us?
Caption 2, Andreas Bourani: Auf uns
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Wer unnötige Begegnungen vermeidet, hilft allen, die sich in den Krankenhäusern um täglich mehr Fälle kümmern müssen.
Those who avoid unnecessary social interaction will help all of those in the hospitals who are having to take care of more cases every day.
Captions 49-50, Coronavirus: Fernsehansprache von Angela Merkel
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The word wer serves as a pronoun and is therefore different in the accusative and dative cases. Whereas many people rarely use "whom" in English, the words wen and wem are not optional in German!
Weißt du, wen ich gestern getroffen habe?
Do you know who I ran into yesterday?
Caption 9, Deutsch mit Eylin: Menschen beschreiben
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Mit wem willst du denn Valentinstag feiern?
Who do you want to celebrate Valentine's Day with?
Caption 32, Nicos Weg: Feste und Feiertage
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The German word for "where" is wo. You may have already learned the variations woher and wohin in order to ask people where they are from and where they are going.
Sag mir doch zuerst einmal, wo das Bundesland liegt.
First of all, tell me where the state is located.
Caption 14, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Nordrhein-Westfalen
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Wohin muss man in Deutschland zuerst gehen, wenn man heiraten möchte?
Where do you first have to go in Germany if you want to get married?
Caption 3, Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Einbürgerungstest
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Not to be confused with wenn, which can also mean "if," wann is the interrogative adverb for "when." It refers solely to time and not to probability. You can find a lesson on the difference here.
Wann kommt der nächste Bus?
When is the next bus coming?
Caption 23, Deutsch mit Eylin: Fragewörter
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The word wie has several meanings, because in addition to "how" it also can be translated as "such as" or "like."
Hier Daniel Müller am Apparat. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
Daniel Müller speaking. How can I help you?
Caption 54, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Ich liebe meine Freunde und wie wir miteinander sind.
I love my friends and how we are together.
Caption 12, AnnenMayKantereit: Ozean
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And finally we come to warum. Note that even though the word darum exists, it is only rarely translated as "because!" That would be too easy.
Warum ist denn hier nicht abgeschlossen?
Why isn't this locked here?
Caption 1, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt
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Further Learning
Next week we will look at how to say "whatever," "however," "whoever," and "whenever" in German. For now, notice how these question words are integrated into various sentences on Yabla German and watch Eylin's video Deutsch mit Eylin: Fragewörter.
Fügen is a verb that means "to join," "to fit," or "to add." In its reflexive form, sich fügen, it means "to comply" or "to submit." You will often see it with a prefix, and that is what we want to talk about today. Here are three particularly common verbs:
Es gibt drei weitere Wörter, die du einfügen kannst.
There are three more words that you can insert.
Caption 52, Deutsch mit Eylin: Höflich sprechen, Konjunktiv 2 benutzen
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Als Nächstes können wir die Nudeln und den Blumenkohl hinzufügen.
Next, we can add the pasta and the cauliflower.
Caption 29, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Niedersachsen
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Zudem verfügen sie über einen ausgezeichneten Geruchssinn.
They also have an excellent sense of smell.
Caption 55, Evolution: Meeresbewohner
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There is also the related expression zur Verfügung stehen ("to be available"). The noun die Geringfügigkeit, on the other hand, refers to insignificance.
Der Computer steht Ihnen zur Verfügung.
The computer is available to you.
Caption 24, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Und wenn es nur um fiese E-Mails geht, dann wird es bei Gericht wegen Geringfügigkeit abgelehnt.
And if it's only about nasty emails, then it will be rejected in court because of insignificance.
Captions 20-21, Die Pfefferkörner: Gerüchteküche
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The verb (sich) fügen should not be confused with fugen, which is more of a technical verb used in construction and craftsmanship. It most often refers to creating or filling joints between tiles, bricks, or other building materials. It is rarely used with a prefix or in its reflexive form. If you can remember that die Fuge (without an umlaut) means "the gap" or "the joint," this can perhaps help you to not get the verbs mixed up.
Die Fliesen müssen noch gefugt werden.
The tiles still need to be grouted.
Der Tischler fugte die Holzbretter perfekt ineinander.
The carpenter joined the wooden boards perfectly.
Interestingly, the other meaning of die Fuge is a type of musical composition featuring a main melody that is imitated and joined by additional melodies that are woven together. As you may have guessed, this is known as a "fugue" in English.
Further Learning
You will find many more versions of the words above used in context on Yabla German.
This week's lesson is dedicated to something simple and essential: vocabulary related to shoes.
First of all, some essential verbs:
Ich ziehe mir die Schuhe an.
I'm putting my shoes on.
Caption 64, Deutsch mit Eylin: Reflexive Verben und Pronomen
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Peppa, willst du die Schuhe nicht doch lieber ausziehen?
Peppa, wouldn't you rather take off your shoes?
Caption 39, Peppa Wutz: Einkaufen und mehr
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Anfangs wurde der Schuh von sämtlichen Prinzessinnen des Landes anprobiert.
First, the slipper was tried on by all the princesses in the land.
Caption 28, Märchenstunde: Das Aschenputtel
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Here are a number of different types of shoes, and some distinguishing characteristics:
Straßenschuhe, Tanzschuhe, Reitstiefel oder Pantoletten für einen Besuch bei der Königin ...
Street shoes, dance shoes, riding boots or slippers for a visit with the queen...
Caption 46, Märchen: Sagenhaft Die Wichtelmänner
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Und fast immer hatte sie Stiefel mit hohen Absätzen an.
And almost always, she wore boots with high heels.
Caption 19, Deutsch mit Eylin: Menschen beschreiben
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Note: a low boot or ankle boot might be referred to as die Stiefelette.
... mit ihrem eleganten Stolzierschritt, als ob sie Stöckelschuhe anhätte.
...with her elegant strut, as if she were wearing stiletto heels.
Caption 9, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 2
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Ich geh noch schnell nach Haus und hol meine Turnschuhe.
I'll go home real quick and get my sneakers.
Caption 27, Janoschs Traumstunde: Der Wettlauf zwischen Hase und Igel
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Du hast Schuhgröße sechsunddreißig, aber bei Sandalen eher siebenunddreißig.
You wear shoe size thirty-six, but with sandals, more like thirty-seven.
Captions 27-28, extra 3: Dr. Likeys Social-Media-Land
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Further Learning
Here are a few more words to learn: die Schnürsenkel (the shoelaces), die Halbschuhe (the low shoe), die Badelatschen (the flip flops), die Wanderschuhe (the hiking shoes), die Lederschuhe (the leather shoes), and die Laufschuhe (the running shoes). You can see the words above used in context on Yabla German.
To continue our series of lessons on adjectives, which has included those ending in -bar, -sam, and -los, we will today look at adjectives that end with -end. These adjectives will generally be related to verbs and are often used to describe ongoing actions or states.
Ich will ihn lebend haben!
I want him alive!
Caption 37, Es war einmal … Entdecker und Erfinder: Archimedes
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Ausschlaggebend für die perfekte Umsetzung der Geschichte war auch die Wahl der Drehorte.
Crucial to the perfect implementation of the story was also the choice of film locations.
Caption 34, Hell: Science-Fiction-Kinotipp
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Just as many adjectives ending with -bar often have English equivalents ending with "-ible" or "-able," adjectives ending with -end are most likely to have an English equivalent ending with -ing. Like all adjectives, adjectives ending with -end require the appropriate ending for the gender of the noun they precede, and will of course need to take the case into account.
. . . und der Nachwelt eine bleibende Erinnerung an die charakteristischen Häuser der Schwarzwälder Kulturlandschaft geben.
... and, for posterity, give a lasting memory of the characteristic buildings of the Black Forest cultural landscape.
Captions 11-12, Der Schwarzwald: Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof in Gutach
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Es wird kalt, sehr kalt und wärmende Kleidung oder ein Feuerchen wird die Neandertaler nicht mehr schützen.
It's getting cold, very cold, and warming clothes or a little fire will no longer protect the Neanderthals.
Captions 13-15, Es war einmal... der Mensch: Der Neandertaler
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In einer Düsseldorfer Klinik können jetzt werdende Eltern ihren Nachwuchs im Fortuna Düsseldorf Kreißsaal zur Welt bringen.
In a Düsseldorf clinic expectant parents can now bring their progeny into the world in the Fortuna Düsseldorf [soccer team] delivery room.
Captions 5-6, Fortuna Düsseldorf: Kreißsaal für Fußballfans
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Mit einer fliegenden Kaffeetasse wird er es versuchen.
He will try it with a flying coffee cup.
Caption 37, Playmobil: Skispringen mit Familie Hauser
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Vielleicht fällt es dir auch schon auf, dass es an treffenden Beschreibungen von Geschmacksrichtungen fehlt.
Maybe you have already noticed that there is a lack of accurate descriptions for flavors.
Captions 26-27, Deutsch mit Eylin: Geschmack beschreiben
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Further Learning
In addition to finding more adjectives like these on Yabla German, see if you can figure out what the following expressions mean: der alleinerziehende Vater, die anfallenden Kosten, der laufende Prozess, die anwesenden Gäste, eine hervorragende Idee, and das fehlende Puzzleteil.
We have gone through the Vorgangspassiv in both the present tense, and in the present perfect and past tenses. This week, we are going to look at another passive voice structure called the Zustandspassiv. This is often a bit confusing for English speakers, but the best way to explain the difference between these two is that the Vorgangspassiv focuses on the action, and the Zustandspassiv focuses on the resulting state. The word der Zustand means "the state" or "the condition," after all.
Here is a classic example of this difference:
Vorgangspassiv: Die Tür wird geschlossen. (The door is being closed.)
Zustandspassiv: Die Tür ist geschlossen. (The door is closed.)
The Zustandspassiv is also called the sein-passiv because it involves sein as an auxiliary verb rather than werden:
conjugation of sein (present tense) + past participle
This means that the participle looks and functions like an adjective. Here are more examples:
So, das Gericht ist jetzt fertig gekocht.
So, the dish is now cooked.
Caption 69, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Rheinland-Pfalz
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In the Vorgangspassiv, we would say Das Gericht wird jetzt gekocht, which would mean that the food is still being prepared. With sein, this sentence in the Zustandspassiv tells us that the food is ready!
Sie sind lang und dünn und sie sind aus Holz gemacht.
They are long and thin and they are made of wood.
Captions 27-28, Deutsch mit Eylin: Denk schnell!
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Für mich ist hier gar nichts geklärt.
For me, nothing is cleared up here.
Caption 14, Heidi: Ein schlechter Tausch
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If we take the Zustandspassiv into the past tense, we have the same structure featuring sein in the preterite:
conjugation of sein (past tense) + past participle
Und das war auch sehr schön gemacht mit den ganzen Stationen.
And that was done very nicely with all of the stations.
Caption 69, Erstes Frankfurter „Schuljahr der Nachhaltigkeit“: Abschlussfeier
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Der Schuster sah verwundert auf, denn er wusste, das Fenster war geschlossen.
The Shoemaker looked up in surprise, for he knew that the window was closed.
Caption 14, Märchen: Sagenhaft Die Wichtelmänner
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Da war ich noch nicht geboren.
I wasn't born yet.
Caption 17, Nicos Weg: Heimat
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As we often experience with the perfect tense, the Zustandspassiv im Perfekt is best translated with the English simple past tense. Here is the structure and one example:
conjugation of sein (past tense) + past participle + gewesen
Ja, ich... das ist nicht geplant gewesen, ne?
Yes, I... that was not planned, right?
Caption 6, Moses Pelham: Solo-Album
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Further Learning
Write a few simple sentences in different tenses, and then transform them using the Vorgangspassiv and Zustandspassiv. You can find more examples of these structures on Yabla German.
Last week, we talked about how the Vorgangspassiv in the present tense is formed using a conjugation of werden + infinitive and answers the question "What is done/will be done to [X]?". In order to answer the question "What has been/was done to [X]?" we need the perfect or past tense of the Vorgangspassiv.
The Vorgangspassiv im Perfekt is used to talk about an action that began in the past, but may not yet be finished. Just like the passive voice in the present tense, the focus is removed from the subject of the sentence and placed instead on the object, the action, or other details. It is formed thusly:
conjugation of sein + past participle + worden
Das ist vielfach versucht worden.
That has been tried numerous times.
Caption 70, Angela Merkel: beim Nachhaltigkeitsrat
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Schau mal: In diesem Satz ist kein einziges Wort dekliniert worden.
Take a look: In this sentence, not a single word has been declined.
Caption 20, Deutsch mit Eylin: Die 4 Fälle
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Guten Tag. Ist vielleicht was für mich abgegeben worden?
Hello. Has something been dropped off for me?
Caption 6, Die Pfefferkörner: Gerüchteküche
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Rund fünfhundert Figuren sind in der Ausstellung verbaut worden.
About five hundred figurines have been used to build the exhibition.
Caption 3, 500 000 Legosteine: Lübecker Museum zeigt Hansegeschichte
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For actions that are finished, we use the Vorgangspassiv im Präteritum. It has a slightly less complicated structure:
conjugation of werden + past participle
Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg wurde Berlin in vier Sektoren unterteilt.
After the Second World War, Berlin was divided into four sectors.
Caption 1, Berlin: der alte amerikanische Sektor
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Aber die wurde in Hamburg leider 1978 abgeschafft.
But unfortunately, they were eliminated in Hamburg in 1978.
Caption 17, Deutsch mit Eylin: Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel in Hamburg
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Und auch das Fehlen von Dienstgeräten für Lehrkräfte wurde bemängelt.
And the lack of service equipment for teaching staff was also criticized.
Caption 16, DPA Deutsche Presse-Agentur: Schüler sollen günstiges Internet bekommen
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Die Kunstshow wurde von Konzeptkünstler Ottmar Hörl aus Nürnberg entwickelt.
The art show was developed by conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl from Nuremberg.
Caption 6, „Mini-Marxe“: In Trier
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In this last example, the subject of the sentence (Konzeptkünstler Ottmar Hörl) is mentioned using von, but the passive voice serves to keep the focus of the sentence equally on the art show itself.
Further Learning
We'll be back next week with a lesson on the Zustandspassiv. In the meantime, practice building sentences using theVorgangspassiv in all three tenses! You can find more examples of these structures on Yabla German.
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