In German, we can speak about choices with the verbs wählen and auswählen, and the related nouns die Wahl and die Auswahl. 

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The word die Wahl can mean "the choice," but it can also mean "the election" or "the vote," depending on the context.

Mir scheint, Maestro, Sie sollten in der Wahl Ihrer Worte etwas vorsichtiger sein.

It seems to me, Maestro, that you should be a little more careful in your choice of words.

Caption 85, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Planet Omega

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Der Kunde hat die Wahl: Freiland-, Bio- oder reguläres Fleisch.

The customer has the choice: free-range, organic, or regular meat.

Caption 9, Berlin: Die beste Auswahl an Hamburgern

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Ab welchem Alter darf man in Deutschland an der Wahl zum Deutschen Bundestag teilnehmen?

Starting at what age are you allowed to participate in parliamentary elections in Germany?

Caption 14, Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Einbürgerungstest

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The noun die Auswahl, however, does not have a political connotation. It refers to a selection or range of options, rather than simply a choice.

Bei der Auswahl der Stoffe ist 's jetzt schon mal wichtig von den Trachtstoffen her, dass es Naturmaterialien sind,

When selecting the fabrics, it is indeed important for the traditional costume fabrics that they are natural materials

Captions 16-18, Die Alpen von oben: Vom Königssee ins Isartal

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Ich selber habe aber eine große Auswahl an Schrauben und Dübeln.

But I myself have a large selection of screws and fasteners.

Caption 22, Deutsch mit Eylin: Werkzeuge

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Was für mich persönlich sehr wichtig ist, ist, dass es hier eine Auswahl an vegetarischen und veganen Gerichten gibt.

What is very important for me personally is that there is a selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes here.

Captions 43-44, Studieren in Deutschland Campustag KIT

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As you can maybe guess, the verb wählen means "to choose" or "to vote," while auswählen means "to choose" or "to select." 

Further Learning

You'll find many examples with die Wahl and die Auswahl, as well as wählen and auswählen on Yabla German.

Today we'll look at the verbs constructions daran haften and für etwas/jemanden haften, as well as verhaften and the noun die Haft. 

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The verb an etwas haften or an etwas haften bleiben generally means to physically stick, cling, or adhere to something. In these examples, it's used to describe cookie dough and also in a metaphorical sense:

... und die Arbeitsoberfläche ein bisschen mit Mehl ausgestreut, damit der Teig nicht daran haften bleibt.

...and sprinkled the work surface with a little flour so that the dough doesn't stick to it.

Captions 35-36, Weihnachtsplätzchen backen mit Paula

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Es haftet besser im Kopf. Es bleibt hängen.

It sticks better in your head. It gets stuck [in your mind].

Caption 38, Rheinmain im Blick: Gedenken an KZ-Außenlager in Frankfurt

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On the other hand, für etwas haften relates to a less physical sticking: to be liable or responsible for something. 

Wer haftet, wenn ein Auto beschädigt wird, weil es zu weit in die Straße ragt?

Who is liable if a car is damaged because it protrudes too far into the street?

Caption 57, Richter Alexander: Hold Richtig parken

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It's important to distinguish between the verbs haften and verhaften, as jemanden verhaften means to arrest or detain someone. 

Zu einem demokratischen Rechtsstaat gehört es nicht, dass... Menschen von einer Privatpolizei ohne Grund verhaftet werden.

It is not part of a democratic constitutional state that... people can be arrested by a private police force without reason.

Captions 26-27, Bundesrepublik: Deutschland Einbürgerungstest

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Sie sind verhaftet wegen Drogenbesitzes.

You're under arrest for drug possession.

Caption 35, Die Pfefferkörner: Alles auf Anfang

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Considering this verb, it makes sense that die Haft is the noun for imprisonment, detention, or custody. 

Was machen Sie denn hier? Ich denke, Sie sind in Untersuchungshaft?

What are you doing here? I thought you were in custody?

Caption 35, Großstadtrevier: Nicht mit mir

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Further Learning
Watch one of the many crime and detective series on Yabla German, such as Großstadtrevier, and you'll likely spot more examples with verhaften and die Haft. 

Just as you should generally memorize the article (der, die, or das) along with each German noun that you learn, it is a good idea to pay attention to which preposition follows any given verb. This may sometimes match the English preposition — for example, Danke für das Essen and "Thank you for the food." However, there are many examples in which the preposition will not be what you would expect based on your knowledge of English. Here are some common examples:

The verb warten ("to wait") is followed by the preposition auf rather than the preposition für. The verb vorbereiten ("to prepare") may be followed by für when it refers to preparing something for a person, such as a meal. However, it is followed by auf in the context of preparing for an event.

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Jetzt warte ich auf den nächsten Gang.

Now I am waiting for the next course.

Caption 28, Abendessen - mit Marko

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Ja, und bis dahin werde ich mich auf das Studium vorbereiten.

Yes, and until then I'll be preparing myself for my studies.

Caption 24, Konstantin - ein Freiwilliger in Israel

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In English, we say "I'm interested in politics." In German, the preposition für is used with the reflexive verb sich interessieren. 

Also, ich interessiere mich grade sehr für das Thema Bachelorarbeit.

Well, I'm very interested in the topic of my Bachelor's thesis at the moment.

Caption 49, Geoökologie - Cettina interviewt Sarah

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While you congratulate someone on something in English, the German verb gratulieren requires the preposition zu and the dative case. 

Einer der Träume ist sicher

One of the dreams is certainly

Frauen und Herren bei Weltmeisterschaften zum WM-Titel zu gratulieren.

to congratulate the women and the men at the World Championships on the World Championship title.

Captions 51-52, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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In English we have sympathy for someone, whereas in German the preposition mit is used. 

Der Jäger hatte Mitleid mit ihr und Schneewittchen lief in den Wald hinein.

The Hunter had sympathy for her and Snow White ran into the forest.

Caption 32, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Schneewittchen

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In another instance where the preposition is not what you would necessarily expect, the German verb for "to participate in" is an etwas teilnehmen.

Ab welchem Alter darf man in Deutschland an der Wahl zum Deutschen Bundestag teilnehmen?

Starting at what age are you allowed to participate in parliamentary elections in Germany?

Caption 14, Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Einbürgerungstest

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Further Learning
We will be back with more verb/preposition false friends from time to time and point out common examples to be aware of. In the meantime, you can look at this previous newsletter, which also mentioned this tricky topic. However, the best way to get used to these inconsistencies is by watching videos on Yabla German! As you do, you will take note of phrases that employ a given verb with its correct preposition, which you can then implement when you speak.