The nouns der Grad and das Grad in German and "the degree" in English have several overlapping and context-dependent meanings.
First of all, we generally use das Grad to talk about temperatures. Below you can see it used with both a more formal noun (betragen) and a more simple phrase with sein. In some contexts, the verb haben can also be used.
Dort beträgt die Temperatur konstant vier Grad Celsius.
The temperature there is a constant four degrees Celsius.
Caption 28, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
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Es sind dreißig Grad und du möchtest auf Deutsch sagen, dass dir warm ist.
It's thirty degrees [Celsius] and you want to say in German that you feel warm.
Captions 13-15, Deutsch mit Giada: Typische Missverständnisse auf Deutsch
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In den Tiefen des Schmalen Luzin hat das Wasser noch eine Temperatur von vier Grad Celsius.
In the depths of the Schmaler Luzin lake, the water still has a temperature of four degrees Celsius.
Captions 22-23, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
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Then, of course, degrees are a unit of measurement for angles in geometry, and this holds true in German as well.
Wenn Gabel und Messer in zirka dreißig Grad voneinander liegen, bedeutet das, dass man grade eine kleine Essenspause macht.
When the fork and knife are about thirty degrees apart, it means that you're taking a little break from eating.
Captions 38-39, Deutsch mit Eylin: Tischsitten
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Neu ist auch der Traumzeit-Dome, ein multimediales Dreihundertsechzig-Grad-Kino.
The Dreamtime Dome is also new— a multimedia three-hundred-and-sixty-degree cinema.
Captions 16-17, Deutsche Welle: Hin und weg Best of Europa-Park!
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In German, der Grad also can refer to an academic degree (ein akademischer Grad). But there are a few other ways of talking about this that are more common: der Titel and der Abschluss.
Und Sie tun hier so, als hätten Sie einen Doktortitel?
And you are pretending to have a doctorate here?
Caption 20, Das Lügenbüro: Die Bewerbung
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Mein spanischer Abschluss ist anerkannt worden.
My qualification from Spain has been accepted.
Caption 21, Nicos Weg: Weiterbildung
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Finally, der Grad can also describe extent or intensity, the degree to which something occurs or is the case.
Omikron ist nicht nur deutlich ansteckender als Delta, sondern umgeht bis zu einem bestimmten Grad den Impfschutz.
Omicron is not only significantly more contagious than Delta, but bypasses vaccine protection to a certain degree.
Captions 22-23, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: Corona-Varianten mit Alina
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Further Learning
Look for more examples with der Grad and das Grad, being careful to not be confused by the word grad with a lowercase g. This is the colloquial form of the adverb gerade and found in abundance on Yabla German.
You know the German word frei, but this is rarely used to describe the price of items or services. However, there are many words for this.
You can talk about something being kostenfrei, which is essentially synonymous with kostenlos.
Der Eintritt ist für die Kinder kostenfrei.
The admission is free for children.
Caption 45, Theaterstück über gesunde Ernährung: Henrietta in Fructonia
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Ab März ist der öffentliche Nahverkehr kostenlos.
Public transport is going to be free starting in March.
Caption 30, Deutsch mit Eylin: Satzanfänge
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Ich möchte mich noch einmal sehr bedanken, dass die Anzeige kostenlos abgedruckt wird.
I would like to thank you very much once again for publishing the ad free of charge.
Captions 19-20, Nicos Weg B1: In der Redaktion
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You might also see the word gratis, which comes from Latin.
Wer sein Busticket gegen einen Diesel eintauscht, erhält einen Duftbaum gratis.
Anyone who exchanges their bus ticket for a diesel car will receive a tree-shaped air freshener for free.
Captions 9-10, extra 3: Öffentlicher Personennahverkehr (ÖPNV)
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The word umsonst has two different meanings. It can be translated as "free of charge," but also as "without reason" or "in vain."
Dass Sie nicht denken, dass in Berlin dann alles umsonst ist.
So that you don't then think that everything is free in Berlin.
Caption 41, Jonathan Johnson: Nahöstliches Essen in Berlin
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Der Freizeitpark heißt nicht umsonst Europa-Park.
The theme park is not called Europa-Park without reason.
Caption 19, Deutsche Welle: Hin und weg Best of Europa-Park!
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Another word that means "without money," "unpaid," or "free of charge" is unentgeltlich, which is generally used in writing or more formal contexts.
Further Learning
You can find all of these words on Yabla German. Also, check out our lesson on various words for "cheap" or "inexpensive" in German.
Frohes neues Jahr! Now that we're a week into 2025, there is one phrase related to the new year that we would like to review. This is sich etwas vornehmen, and it means "to undertake something," "to take something on," or "to resolve to do something." It is often used in relation with—you guessed it—New Year's resolutions!
The verb vornehmen without the reflexive sich has other meanings, so it's important to include it. You'll notice the phrase translated in even more ways to address the context of each sentence:
... und in der wir uns auch vornehmen, andere Möglichkeiten auszuschöpfen.
... and in which we also intend to exhaust other options.
Caption 54, Coronavirus: Kommentar zu Angela Merkels Rede
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Nehmt ihr euch bitte den Bereich vor, dann kucken wir hier.
You please attend to that area, and we'll look over here.
Caption 9, Großstadtrevier Nicht mit mir - Part 3
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You can see that sich vornehmen is a separable verb. It's also a strong verb with a participle ending in -en.
Der Blue Fire, die spektakulärste Achterbahn im Europa-Park, da habe ich mir ja was vorgenommen.
The Blue Fire, the most spectacular roller coaster at Europa-Park, I really took something on there.
Captions 1-2, Deutsche Welle: Hin und weg Best of Europa-Park!
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Ja, natürlich. Wir haben uns heute eigentlich vorgenommen zu siegen.
Yes, of course. We actually set out to win today.
Caption 49, Fußball: U21-Nationalmannschaft
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Da hast du dir aber was vorgenommen! -Da hast... hast dir was vorgenommen.
You have indeed taken something on here! -You have... have taken something on here.
Caption 19, Dieter Kränzlein Bildhauer - Part 2
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Further Learning
You can read more about expressing New Year's resolutions and watch related videos on Yabla German.
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!
The adverbs ansonsten and sonst in German are most often found in contexts where they can be translated as "else" or "otherwise." You will find that they are generally quite interchangeable, though sonst has a wider range of applications and is used more often in casual conversation.
Ich kann zwar ein wenig Eislaufen,
I can ice-skate a little bit,
aber ansonsten bin ich auch da eher Zuschauer
but otherwise I'm also more likely the viewer
vorm Fernseher ...
in front of the television...
Caption 46, Deutsche Sporthilfe - Ball des Sports
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Ansonsten finde ich Schauspielerei wahnsinnig interessant.
Otherwise, I find acting incredibly interesting.
Caption 56, Bürger Lars Dietrich - Schlecht Englisch kann ich gut
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Hier werden sie Tieren begegnen,
Here they will encounter animals
die sonst nirgendwo in der Deutschen Bucht leben.
that live nowhere else in the German Bight.
Caption 20, Abenteuer Nordsee - Unter Riesenhaien und Tintenfischen
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Brauchst du sonst noch irgendwas? Duschgel oder so?
Do you need anything else? Shower gel or something?
Caption 33, Die Wohngemeinschaft - Besuch
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Und sonst so? Was geht heute Abend?
And otherwise? What's going on tonight?
Caption 22, AnnenMayKantereit - Es geht mir gut
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The last sentence is an example in which ansonsten would sound quite odd due to the colloquial nature of the sentence.
More importantly, you don't want to confuse ansonsten and sonst with the adjective umsonst, which can mean "for free," "for nothing," or "without reason," depending on the context. Take a look:
Dass Sie nicht denken, dass in Berlin dann alles umsonst ist.
So that you don't think that in Berlin then everything is free.
Caption 41, Jonathan Johnson - Nahöstliches Essen in Berlin
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Der Freizeitpark heißt nicht umsonst Europa-Park.
The theme park is not called Europa-Park without reason.
Caption 19, Deutsche Welle - Hin und weg - Best of Europa-Park!
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Du bist für mich geboren, ich lebe nicht umsonst
You were born for me, I'm not living for nothing
Caption 4, Marius Müller-Westernhagen - Weil Ich Dich Liebe
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Further Learning
Along with umsonst, you can learn about other adjectives that are used to describe how expensive or cheap something is in this previous newsletter. There are many more examples of ansonsten and sonst used in sentences on Yabla German — just do a search on the homepage!
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