Frohes neues Jahr! In the past, we have looked at vocabulary related to New Year's Eve and New Year's resolutions in these lessons. The new year is certainly a time when many people make plans, and this is where the noun das Vorhaben and the verb etwas vorhaben also come into play.
When expressing having an intention or a plan to do something, the separable verb etwas vorhaben is used.
Und auch sonst hat Angelique Kerber in diesem Jahr noch einiges vor.
And otherwise, Angelique Kerber also has some more plans for this year.
Caption 26, Angelique Kerber: Fotoshooting mit Porsche
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Was hast du vor?
What are you planning?
Caption 32, Nicos Weg B1: Mein Gehalt?
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Ich schlage also vor, wir schließen Bekanntschaft mit diesen Fremden, und dann sehen wir ja, was sie wirklich vorhaben.
So, I suggest we get acquainted with these strangers, and then we'll see what their intentions really are.
Captions 25-26, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Die Saurier
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Ich hatte schon lange vor, mal ein Video über die Modalverben zu machen.
For a long time, I've been meaning to make a video about the modal verbs.
Captions 2-3, Deutsch mit Eylin: Modalverben
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The noun das Vorhaben has numerous possible translations, including "the plan," "the intention," "the project," "the undertaking." While etwas vorhaben is truly used in everyday conversation, das Vorhaben is a relatively formal noun used, for example, in business or political contexts.
Und das ist eigentlich jetzt die Aufgabe: die Partner jetzt auch so zu strukturieren, dass wir an einem ganz großen Vorhaben gemeinsam arbeiten können.
And that is actually the task now: to structure the partners in such a way that we can work collectively on one very large project.
Captions 17-19, Rhein-Main-TV: 200 Jahre Senckenberg
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Die beiden älteren lachten nur und waren sicher, dass es sein Vorhaben schon bald aufgeben würde.
The two elder [brothers] just laughed and were sure that he would already soon abandon his plans.
Captions 22-23, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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Further Learning
Try creating your own sentences to express your plans for 2026! You'll also find many examples of das Vorhaben and etwas vorhaben used in context on Yabla German.
Since they are nouns, the German word for every animal is either masculine, feminine, or neuter. In this example, you can see that der Bussard is masculine, while die Katze is feminine:
Doch der Mäusebussard auf dem Ast hat die scheue Katze nur aufgeschreckt.
But the common buzzard on the branch has only startled the shy cat.
Caption 22, Alpenseen: Kühle Schönheiten
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In English, only pets and anthropomorphized characters are referred to as "he" or "she," whereas wild animals are generally referred to as "it." This is not the case in German, where the gender is always maintained. You can see this in the following examples, which involve weighing a wild bat (die Fledermaus), the plight of the beaver (der Biber), the nests of the white-throated dipper (die Wasseramsel), and a pet catfish named Ottl.
Jetzt werden wir sie noch wiegen.
Now we're going to weigh it.
Caption 48, Die Alpen von oben: S1 E1 Von den Karawanken nach Graz
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Früher wurde er sehr viel gejagt, denn sein Fell war sehr begehrt.
It used to be hunted a lot because its fur was very much in demand.
Captions 16-17, Für Tierfreunde: Wildtiere in Deutschland
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Ihre Kugelnester baut sie gern auf halber Höhe über dem Wasser.
It likes to build its spherical nests halfway up above the water.
Caption 36, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 1
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Auch wenn der Ottl gleich alt ist wie sein Besitzer, in der Länge hat er ihn mit zwei Meter elf längst überholt.
Even though Ottl is the same age as his owner, he has long since overtaken him with a length of two meters eleven centimeters.
Captions 29-30, Die Alpen von oben: S1 E1 Von den Karawanken nach Graz
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Generally, the third person plural is consistent in both languages:
Sie wehren sich mit ihren starken Zähnen und Krallen.
They defend themselves with their strong teeth and claws.
Caption 46, Deutsch mit Eylin: Unsere 5 Katzen
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The next example is rather unusual. Because the animal in question is das Schweinchen ("the piglet"), the pronoun is es. But because it's a character—one of the three little pigs—"he" is used in English for the purpose of personification.
Es hörte seine Pfoten auf dem Dach und durchschaute den Wolf sofort.
He heard his paws on the roof and saw through the [plans of the] Wolf immediately.
Caption 70, Märchen: Sagenhaft Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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Further Learning
You'll find many videos about animals on Yabla German, including the new video about Lipizzaner horses featured above.
From bonfires at Christmas markets to a cozy fireplace, winter in Germany is a time to keep warm! Different types of fires have different translations in German.
Der bereitet jetzt schon mal das Lagerfeuer für uns vor. -Oh, super!
He is now already preparing the bonfire for us. -Oh, super!
Caption 19, Meine Freundin Conni Conni schläft im Kindergarten
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Da waren auch Kinder. Sie naschten Süßigkeiten und spielten vergnügt am Kamin.
There were children as well. They nibbled candy and played happily by the fireplace.
Caption 17, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Das kleine Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern
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Meinen Ofen habe ich auf einhundertachtzig Grad vorgeheizt.
I have preheated my oven to one hundred eighty degrees [Celsius, about three hundred fifty Fahrenheit].
Caption 32, Apfelkuchen: mit Eva
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The word der Ofen refers to a kitchen oven, but it is also short for der Kohleofen ("the coal oven") or der Holzofen ("the wood stove"). As for the wood that is used for the fire, there are a few different words, including das Feuerholz, das Kaminholz, or das Brennholz.
Er lief durch die Wüste und sammelte Feuerholz, um es zu verkaufen.
He was walking through the desert collecting firewood in order to sell it.
Caption 6, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Ali Baba und die 40 Räuber
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The verb used for lighting a fire is the same as lighting a match or candle: anzünden.
Wir haben jedes Jahr im Advent Stollen gegessen und die Kerzen am Adventskranz angezündet.
We ate stollen every year during Advent and lit the candles on the Advent wreath.
Captions 24-25, Nicos Weg: Lieblingsfeste
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Wir benutzen sie, um ein Feuer anzuzünden.
We use them to light a fire.
Caption 29, Deutsch mit Eylin: Denk schnell!
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Two more relevant nouns are der Schornstein ("the chimney") and die Glut, which is a singular word for embers.
Da entdeckte der Wolf den Schornstein.
Then the Wolf discovered the chimney.
Caption 66, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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Absolute Spitze ist das Team „Gut Glut“.
The team "Gut Glut" ["Good Glows" or "Good Embers“] is absolutely great.
Caption 16, Deutscher Grillmeister: Es geht um die Wurst
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Further Learning
You'll find more examples of all of these words used in context on Yabla German.
You may have noticed that the German verb finden doesn't only mean "to find" as in "to locate" or "to retrieve," but also has another meaning:
Und ich finde wirklich, dass sie in dieser Zeit am besten schmecken.
And I really think that they taste best during this time.
Captions 19-20, Deutsch mit Eylin: Gemüse aus Deutschland
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Die meisten Menschen finden Warzenschweine hässlich.
Most people find warthogs ugly.
Caption 28, Deutsch mit Eylin: Adjektive und ihre Gegenteile
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The verbs denken ("to think") and glauben ("to believe") can also be used to express opinions. Then there is the question of the verb meinen. This verb can either be translated as "to mean" in the sense of referring to something, but also in the sense of having an opinion.
Du meinst, die machen Überstunden? -Illegale Überstunden.
You mean that they are working overtime? -Illegal overtime.
Caption 21, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern
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Eins meinte, Stroh wäre das richtige.
One thought that straw would be the right thing.
Caption 26, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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One word for "the opinion" in German is die Meinung. For expressing your opinion with this noun, there are two different constructions to know about:
Was den Nahen-Ost-Friedensprozess anbelangt, so, bin ich der Meinung, dass die Kerry-Initiative eine gute Grundlage ist, um Friedensgespräche wieder in Gang zu bringen.
With regard to the Middle East peace process, well, I am of the opinion that the Kerry initiative is a good basis to restart the peace talks.
Captions 59-61, Angela Merkel: Gemeinsame Pressekonferenz mit Barack Obama
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Mancher Finanzminister der Länder ist der Meinung, das tun wir heute schon.
Some state finance ministers are of the opinion that we are already doing that today.
Captions 15-16, Angela Merkel: beim Nachhaltigkeitsrat
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Es hat aber meiner Meinung nach natürlich auch sogar einen Forschungscharakter.
But in my opinion it also of course has a research character.
Caption 39, Für Tierfreunde: Przewalski-Wildpferde
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Ihrer Meinung nach ist der Beluga-Wal der wahre Gewinner.
In their opinion, the beluga whale is the real winner.
Caption 57, Die Top Ten: Die 12 freundlichsten Meerestiere der Welt
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Another noun that can be used similarly is die Ansicht, which can also mean "the perspective" or "the point of view." Here are a few more examples:
Und ich bin der Ansicht, dass das die neuen Volkslieder der neuen Generation sind.
And I am of the opinion that these are the new folk songs of the new generation.
Captions 12-13, Heino Neue Volkslieder
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Das Geld ist meiner Ansicht nach nicht verloren.
In my opinion, the money isn't lost yet.
Caption 29, Finanzkrise Die Lehman-Pleite
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Further Learning
Using the verbs and phrases above, build some sentences that express your opinions about food, politics, languages, movies... whatever you want! And, as always, you can find further examples on Yabla German.
Both fürchten and befürchten mean "to be afraid" in some sense, and although it's a bit confusing at first, have no fear! Let's first take a look at some of the differences, starting with fürchten:
Es war richtig gewesen, den Wolf zu fürchten,
It had been right to fear the Wolf,
und richtig sich deshalb ein Steinhaus zu bauen.
and therefore right to build a stone house.
Captions 80-81, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Die drei kleinen Schweinchen
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Denn ihn fürchten sie: den Adler.
For it is the one they fear: the eagle.
Caption 19, Die letzten Paradiese - Die Schönheit der Alpen 2
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The verb fürchten is usually translated as "to fear" and can be used to describe the state of having real fear, of being truly afraid of something like a dangerous animal. But it can also be used to show fear of a situation:
Viele Demonstranten fürchten,
Many demonstrators fear
dass Minderheiten in den USA nun kein Gehör mehr finden.
that minorities in the USA will now no longer be heard.
Captions 41-42, Tagesschau - Amtseinführung von Donald Trump
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The verb fürchten is also often used reflexively:
Ich trag' mein Licht und fürcht' mich nicht...
I'm carrying my light and have no fear...
Caption 3, Sankt Martin - Das Laternenlied
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Therefore, ich fürchte mich is another way of saying ich habe Angst or "I am afraid," and afraid in a serious way.
The verb befürchten, on the other hand, is never used reflexively and is generally used in situations where you're not literally afraid or having serious fears, but rather in situations where you are merely worried about something.
Sie befürchtete, dass ihr Herr noch immer in Gefahr war.
She was afraid that her lord was still in danger.
Caption 71, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Ali Baba und die 40 Räuber
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This could also have been translated that "she was worried" about her lord.
Es ist, wie ich befürchtet hatte.
It is as I had feared.
Caption 10, Oskar - Gehen, wenn es am schönsten ist - Nur vier Wochen
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So even though befürchten is translated here as "to fear," it could equally have been translated as "to expect" with the implied connotation of expecting a negative development.
Unfortunately, sometimes even native German speakers use fürchten (to fear) as a way of exaggerating a circumstance where befürchten (to be worried about) would be more appropriate, and also vice versa. The German Duden dictionary, the standard for the German language, is quite clear on its definitions of the two words, however. To reiterate: fürchten should generally be used to express real, direct fears, and befürchten in milder situations to express worry.
Further Learning
Translate these Duden definitions of fürchten and befürchten, then go to Yabla German and find some more examples of videos using these verbs.
1. vor jemandem, etwas Angst haben; Unangenehmes ahnen, befürchten
2. Furcht empfinden, Angst haben
3. sich vor der Prüfung fürchten
4. vor jemandem Ehrfurcht haben
befürchten (only one definition):
(etwas Unangenehmes, was vielleicht eintrete könnte) aufgrund bestimmter Anzeichen oder intuitiv erwarten, kommen sehen.
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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