The relationship people have with work evolves throughout their lives, and our relationship with work as a society is also currently seeing some changes.
First of all, there is the type of employment: full-time or part-time? Employed, self-employed, or freelance?
Die meisten Leute, die bei einem Arbeitgeber angestellt sind, werden für diese Arbeit am Ende des Monats bezahlt.
Most people who are employed by an employer are paid for this work at the end of the month.
Captions 4-5, Eva erklärt: Bankkonten
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Und bin selbstständig und habe also diese Probleme nicht mehr.
And I'm self-employed and don't have these problems anymore.
Caption 43, TUDYKA: Interview mit Uschi
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Für die Wirtschaft, die großen Unternehmen genau wie die kleinen Betriebe, für Geschäfte, Restaurants, Freiberufler . . .
For the economy, for large companies as well as small businesses, for shops, restaurants, freelancers ...
Captions 44-45, Coronavirus: Fernsehansprache von Angela Merkel
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Wollen Sie Teilzeit oder Vollzeit arbeiten?
Do you want to work part-time or full-time?
Caption 20, Nicos Weg: Bewerbungsgespräch
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People work in offices, factories, institutions, businesses, and any number of other places. And of course, we can't forget working from home, the word for which has been adopted into the German language.
Nun, wenn Sie morgen früh um neun Uhr ins Büro kommen könnten, können wir Sie direkt einarbeiten.
So, if you come to the office tomorrow at nine a.m., we can train you right away.
Captions 29-30, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Ich arbeite fünfzehn Stunden in der Woche und, äh, habe auch ein Homeoffice.
I work fifteen hours a week and, uh, have a home office too.
Caption 13, Finanzassistentin: Sarah interviewt Cettina
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In German, you can talk about der Job, die Arbeit, die Stelle, der Beruf, or die Karriere. These words may reflect different levels of dedication and permanence.
Mein eigentlicher Beruf ist Buchhändlerin, aber seit ich in Berlin lebe, arbeite ich als Kellnerin und Barista in Cafés.
My actual occupation is book dealer, but since I've lived in Berlin, I've worked as a waitress and barista in cafés.
Captions 15-16, Berlin: Judith und die „Brezel Bar“
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Further Learning
How would you describe your job or the career of someone you know? Find the right words in examples from Yabla German and then write up a few sentences of your own.
As defined in Wikipedia, a separable verb is a verb that is composed of a core verb and a separable particle. In some sentence positions, the core verb and the particle appear in one word, while in others the core verb and the particle are separated.
The word ein in German can be the particle of a separable verb, or the indefinite article "a" or "an." It is sometimes difficult to see in a sentence which one it is. It will help you to distinguish ein- as a prefix particle of a separable verb if you learn some of the separable verbs starting with ein-.
Many German verbs start with the particle ein. This is because in English, you may "drill into a wall," and "into" is a preposition. But in German, the "into" is part of the verb: "to drill" is bohren, but "to drill into" is einbohren. Thus there are hundreds of verbs starting with ein-, but let's concentrate today on the more common ones. The present tense is shown additionally for examples that aren't in their "separated" form.
Er atmete tief ein und spielte eine einzige Note.
He took a deep breath and played a single note.
Caption 38, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Der Rattenfänger von Hameln
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Ne, wenn man hier Magnete einbauen würde...
Right, if you were to install magnets here...
Caption 69, Das 1. Newtonsche Gesetz - erklärt am Beispiel des Dodomobils
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Present tense: Man baut die Magnete ein.
Sollen wir nächste Woche ein Meeting einberufen?
Should we call a meeting for next week?
Caption 10, Berufsleben - Probleme mit Mitarbeitern
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Present tense: Wir berufen ein Meeting ein.
Du bildest dir doch wohl nicht ein, dass du da hingehst?
Surely you don't actually imagine that you're going there?
Caption 21, Märchenstunde - Das Aschenputtel
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Der zeigt, dass das Eis elastisch ist
It shows that the ice is elastic
und nicht plötzlich einbrechen kann.
and can't suddenly collapse.
Captions 43-44, Unterwegs mit Cettina - Schlittschuhlaufen
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Present tense: Das Eis bricht nicht plötzlich ein.
Further Learning
Go to Yabla German and read these three lessons about separable verbs in German. Then see if you can find some Yabla videos that use the following verbs with the ein- particle: einarbeiten, einbilden, einchecken, einkaufen, einkommen, einladen, einloggen, einpacken, einreisen, einschlafen, einstellen, einstufen, eintippen, einwandern, einzahlen.
It has truly been a year of ups and downs, to the extent that it takes a pretty advanced vocabulary to describe what we're feeling sometimes. This week, we'd like to provide a list of some adjectives that are used to express both positive and negative emotions.
The adjective aufgeregt in German describes a mixture of "excited" and "nervous," like before you do a presentation or go on a roller coaster. On the other hand, gespannt is used to describe a type of excitement more linked to curiosity or looking forward to something. Besorgt could be translated as "worried" or "concerned."
Gleich geht's los, ein bisschen aufgeregt bin ich schon.
It will start momentarily, I am certainly a little bit nervous.
Caption 3, Deutsche Welle - Hin und weg - Best of Europa-Park!
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Ich bin mal gespannt, wie es klappt. Ich hoffe, es gefällt euch.
I am excited to see how it will go. I hope you like it.
Caption 41, Eva Croissant - Interview
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Ich bin ein bisschen besorgt, ob ich es zu der Wohnung von den beiden schaffe.
I'm a little bit worried as to whether I'll be able to make it to their apartment.
Caption 21, Die Wohngemeinschaft - Besuch
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When something turns out well, your reaction may range from zufrieden ("pleased," "satisfied") to erstaunt ("astonished"), depending on whether the outcome was expected or not.
Ich bin sehr zufrieden. Für diese gute Leistung geb ich dir eine Eins.
I'm very satisfied. I'll give you a "one" for this good performance.
Caption 51, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte - Bayern
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Eine Freundin von mir war schon einmal in der Hauptstadt Oslo und sie war begeistert.
A friend of mine was already in the capital, Oslo, once and she was thrilled.
Caption 11, Jenny - Reiseziele
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Die Menschen waren erstaunt über das, was sie sahen.
The people were astonished at what they saw.
Caption 63, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Des Kaisers neue Kleider
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Of course, many of us have had our share of difficult experiences this year and had to face their corresponding emotions:
Ich war total gestresst, weil mein Chef im Büro mich so genervt hat.
I was totally stressed out because my boss was really getting on my nerves at the office.
Caption 19, Konjugation - Das Verb „brauchen“
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Müde und erschöpft stand er schließlich vor ihrer Tür.
Tired and exhausted, he finally stood in front of their door.
Caption 20, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die Büchse der Pandora
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Die Leute wären genauso enttäuscht und genauso deprimiert.
People would be just as disappointed and depressed.
Caption 55, Böhmermann - Wie geht man als Satiriker mit Rechtspopulismus um?
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Na ja, also, der Junge ist einfach schlichtweg überfordert mit dem Projekt.
Well... well, the boy is just completely overwhelmed by the project.
Caption 8, Mama arbeitet wieder - Die Trennung
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Völlig überwältigt stellt sie sich den vielen Fernsehkameras.
Completely overwhelmed, she faced the many television cameras.
Caption 41, Miss Germany 2011 - Auf High Heels zur Krone
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The hope is, of course, that we can generally find a balance and remain optimistic as the year comes to an end.
Ich versuche, optimistisch zu bleiben,
I am trying to stay optimistic,
aber ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich die Stelle nicht bekommen habe.
but I have the feeling that I didn't get the job.
Captions 4-5, Berufsleben - das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Wart ihr sehr aufgeregt oder wart ihr ganz entspannt?
Were you very nervous or were you totally relaxed?
Caption 37, Modedesignerin Nina Hollein - Floria Prinzessin von Hessen
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Further Learning
There are many more adjectives you can look up on Yabla German, of course. You can start with erleichtert, froh, verärgert, verzweifelt, wütend, verängstigt, and zuversichtlich. Since adjectives and adverbs can often be identical in German, do not be surprised if you encounter these words being used as adverbs as well — it's a 2 for 1 deal!
Since we devoted one lesson to expressions of frustration, let's look at how enthusiasm is expressed in German as well and take a look at some positive adjectives.
„Ich muss sagen: überwältigend!“ -„Ausgezeichnet! Ausgezeichnet, finde ich!“
"I must say, overwhelming!" -"Brilliant! Brilliant, I think!"
Caption 54, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Des Kaisers neue Kleider
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Ausgezeichnet is also the participle of the verb auszeichnen, which means to award or distinguish.
Mit dem Architekturpreis Green Building wurden in Frankfurt kürzlich acht Gebäude ausgezeichnet.
Eight buildings in Frankfurt were recently awarded the Green Building architecture prize.
Caption 1, Umweltbewusstes Wohnen - Architekturpreis Green Building
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Many of these adjectives don't have a fixed translation ("outstanding," "awesome"), but are instead best translated with the positive adjective that fits in the context.
Es ist wirklich großartig, von Ihnen zu hören.
It is really great to hear from you.
Caption 20, Berufsleben - das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Das ist natürlich auch toll, wenn man 'ne gemeinsame Sache hat.
Of course, it's also great when you have something in common.
Caption 8, 2raumwohnung - Liebe mit Musik am Laufen halten
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Das klingt hervorragend.
That sounds amazing.
Caption 42, Berufsleben - Probleme mit Mitarbeitern
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Of course, the adjectives super, fantastisch, and exzellent will sound quite familiar to anyone who speaks English. Also easy to recognize is the adjective wunderbar:
Und da ist dann der Balkon. -Ah, mit Balkon, wunderbar.
And there then is the balcony. -Ah, with a balcony, wonderful.
Caption 43, Fine - sucht eine Wohnung
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Another adjective you may come across, especially with younger Germans, is geil. Yes, this does indeed also have a meaning that is not appropriate in most conversations! But it is a common, albeit slang, term for "awesome" or "fantastic" as well.
Und wie war's? -Geil, wie immer. -Was speziell?
And how was it? -Awesome, as always. -What especially?
Caption 10, Abenteuer und Sport - Fallschirmspringen
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Further Learning
All of these adjectives and more can be found on Yabla German. Pay attention to adjective declension any time they precede a noun.
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