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After we sent out our lesson on verbs containing raten as a root, one of our subscribers asked for a more specific clarification of the difference between raten and erraten, which are both often translated as "to guess." The difference is actually quite subtle.
The verb raten simply means "to guess," and it doesn't matter how likely the person is to know the correct answer.
Rate mal, was das für eine Blüte ist.
Guess what kind of flower that is.
Caption 18, Deutsch mit Eylin: Mein Bücherregal und Präpositionen
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Wer kann raten, was da drin ist?
Who can guess what's in here?
Caption 6, Peppa Wutz: Einkaufen und mehr
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Bei dem Spiel „Teekesselchen“ stellt man ein Wort vor, mit verschiedenen Bedeutungen, und die anderen Spieler müssen raten.
In the game "Teapot," you present a word with various meanings, and the other players have to guess.
Captions 14-16, Teekesselchen: Wörter mit mehreren Bedeutungen
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The verb erraten has this meaning as well, but it may imply guessing the correct answer. So, sometimes its meaning is not just "to guess," but "to guess correctly."
Könnt ihr erraten, in welchem 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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Ziel des Spiels ist es, zu erraten, wohin die Maus läuft.
The object of the game is to guess where the mouse will run to.
Caption 5, Mittelalterlicher Markt: Mäuseroulette
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You might also see raten or zu etwas raten in its other meaning of "to advise" or "to suggest." You will not see erraten used in this sense. Note that raten in this context is a verb that is followed by the dative case.
Experten raten im Gegensatz zum Gesetzgeber zu mindestens vier Millimeter.
In contrast to legislators, experts advise at least four millimeters.
Caption 25, Winterreifen: Wenn der erste Schnee naht
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Auch für dieses Verb rate ich dir, die Konjugation auswendig zu lernen.
For this verb, too, I advise you to memorize the conjugation.
Captions 38-39, Deutsch mit Eylin: Machen vs. tun
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Further Learning
Practice using raten ("to advise"), raten ("to guess"), and erraten ("to guess correctly") with help from examples you find on Yabla German.
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.
Depending on the preposition, the verb bestehen can have very different meanings. Without a preposition, you'll need to pay attention to the context.
You might see bestehen translated simply as "to be." Generally, bestehen used in this context implies a long time involved, so "to exist" and "to persist" might be better translations.
Es besteht der Anfangsverdacht der Vorteilsnahme gegen den früheren niedersächsischen CDU-Ministerpräsidenten.
There is an initial suspicion of taking bribes being brought against the previous CDU [Christian Democratic Union] Minister President of Lower Saxony.
Captions 31-32, Bundespräsident Wulff tritt zurück: Kredit- und Medienaffäre
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Offenbar besteht aber bei vielen Menschen eine große Sehnsucht nach diesem alten Wissen.
Apparently, however, there is a great longing among many people for this ancient knowledge.
Captions 28-29, Deutsch mit Eylin: Die vier Elemente
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Es besteht die Möglichkeit, jedes Board vorher zu testen... damit Probe zu fahren.
There is the option of testing each board beforehand... to test-ride it.
Caption 41, Longboardin:g mit Lassrollen
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The verb bestehen can also be used to describe passing a test or exam.
Hat Claire den Test bestanden?
Did Claire pass the test?
Caption 39, Galileo: So hart ist der Job im Callcenter
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The construction auf etwas bestehen can best be translated as "to insist."
Wieso nicht will? Ich bestehe darauf!
Why should they not want to? I insist!
Caption 75, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Planet Omega
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The construction aus etwas bestehen is used to describe what something is comprised of or consists of.
Genau! Die Freie Hansestadt Bremen besteht aber aus zwei Großstädten.
Exactly! The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen consists of two large cities.
Caption 18, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Bremen
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Further Learning
You'll find more examples of bestehen used in different contexts on Yabla German.
The English noun "the order" has a lot of different meanings. You can place an order in a restaurant, give an order, put things in an order, and you can instil or restore order.
In German, there are separate words for all of these nouns. For example, the verb for ordering in a restaurant is bestellen and the corresponding noun is die Bestellung.
Hallo. -Guten Tag. Ihre Bestellung. Zahlen Sie zusammen oder getrennt?
Hello. -Hello. Your order. Will you pay together or split the bill?
Caption 3, Nicos Weg: Zahlen, bitte!
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When we talk about putting something in a specific order, the noun is die Reihenfolge.
Ihr könnt nach den neuesten Videos, den ältesten Videos, in alphabetischer Reihenfolge oder nach den schwierigsten oder einfachsten Videos filtern.
You can filter by the newest videos, the oldest videos, in alphabetical order, or by the most difficult or easiest videos.
Captions 29-31, Yabla: Videos filtern
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An order in the sense of a command is der Befehl in German.
Ich verstehe nur, dass ich den Befehl habe, hier niemanden passieren zu lassen, Herr Oberst.
I only understand that I have the order to not let anyone pass through here, Colonel.
Caption 51, Die Stunde der Offiziere: Dokudrama über den 20. Juli 1944
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The word der Auftrag has a number of other possible translations, including "the commission," "the task," or "the duty." But it can also imply an order.
Das GEOMAR-Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung rechnet mit einem entsprechenden Auftrag, mit der Suche im Meer zu beginnen.
The GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research expects, with a corresponding order, to begin the search in the sea.
Captions 3-4, Mini-U-Boot: Verschwundene Boeing
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When we talk about things being in order or keeping things in order, the noun die Ordnung is used. The phrase in Ordnung often simply means that everything is fine. But in all the cases above, the word die Ordnung is actually a false friend!
Und ich liebe es auch, Ordnung zu halten auf meinem Schreibtisch.
And I also love keeping order on my desk.
Caption 69, Deutsch mit Eylin: Dinge auf meinem Schreibtisch
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Und alles scheint in Ordnung zu sein.
And everything seems to be in order.
Caption 65, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
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Der bedeutet so viel: „Es ist alles in Ordnung.“
It means, more or less, "Everything is fine."
Caption 27, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 1
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Further Learning
You'll find more examples of all of these words used in context on Yabla German.
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.
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