The verb anstellen and its reflexive form sich anstellen have a number of different meanings and uses.
You may have heard anstellen used in the context of the job market, as it means "to hire," "to employ," or "to appoint." You can look at ways to describe different types of employment in this previous lesson.
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
Play Caption
Dann wär ich ja angestellt.
Then I would be an employee.
Caption 23, Nicos Weg: Studium und Beruf
Play Caption
Although einschalten is more common, there are cases when anstellen is used to talk about turning on a device or machine.
Man musste den Ventilator anstellen.
You had to turn on the fan.
Caption 30, Kinder lernen: Wie aus Wind Strom gemacht wird
Play Caption
The verb sich anstellen has a few other meanings. For one, it means to line up or wait in a line.
Im Hintergrund sieht man ein paar von den Linien an denen man sich anstellen muss, um sein Mittagessen zu holen.
In the background, you can see a few of the lines that you have to wait in to get your lunch.
Captions 41-42, Studieren in Deutschland: Campustag KIT
Play Caption
Entschuldigung, Sie müssen sich erst anstellen.
Excuse me, you have to get in line first.
Caption 20, Mein Weg nach Deutschland: Auf Arbeitssuche
Play Caption
Both of these verbs can be used to talk about behavior and, unless otherwise specified, generally imply making a scene or behaving badly.
Und wie hat er sich angestellt?
And how did he do?
Caption 17, Die Toten von Marnow: S1 E1 Zyklop
Play Caption
Ich meine, beziehungsweise, was passiert, wenn irgendjemand irgendeinen Mist mit der Waffe anstellt?
I mean, or rather, what happens if someone does something stupid with the gun?
Captions 48-49, Großstadtrevier: Der Gute Bulle (Teil 1)
Play Caption
Was habt ihr mit meinem Bruder angestellt?
What have you done with my brother?
Caption 2, Oskar - Gehen, wenn es am schönsten ist: Nur die Liebe zählt
Play Caption
The verb anstellen is also used with certain nouns to express the act of undertaking or initiating an action. Examples of this are Nachforschungen anstellen (to conduct investigations), Untersuchungen anstellen (to carry out inquiries), and Vermutungen anstellen (to make speculations).
Wohin damit? -Wie hast du das denn angestellt?
Where should it go? -How did you arrange that then?
Caption 47, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern
Play Caption
Na, aussichtslos... Wir können Nachforschungen anstellen.
Well, hopeless... We can start investigations.
Caption 11, Die Pfefferkörner: Gerüchteküche
Play Caption
Further Learning
Review the conjugations of anstellen. You can also refer to additional examples on Yabla German and build your own sentences.
Generally, any German sentence will be longer than its English translation, simply due to the length of the words and certain verb structures. Today, we have a rare exception of something that can be expressed very succinctly, which is a relationship with today, yesterday, or tomorrow.
The adjective heutig essentially means "pertaining to today." It can be translated as "today's," "current," or even "contemporary."
Bist du bereit für deine heutige mündliche Abfrage?
Are you ready for your oral quiz today?
Caption 3, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Sachsen
Play Caption
Und damit du ein besseres Vokabular fürs „Tratschen“ bekommst, erzähle ich dir jetzt mal etwas über Menschen aus meinem früheren und heutigen Bekanntenkreis.
And to give you better vocabulary for "gossiping," I will now tell you something about people from my previous and current circle of acquaintances.
Captions 13-15, Deutsch mit Eylin: Charakter und Eigenschaften beschreiben
Play Caption
Heutig, modern, wie die Leute sagen würden, ja?
Contemporary, modern, as people would say, yes?
Caption 38, Rheinmain im Blick: Klaus Maria Brandauer liest Goethe
Play Caption
The adjective gestrig means "related to yesterday," and it can also suggest that something is old-fashioned.
Es wird aber nicht mehr ganz so warm wie am gestrigen Sonntag.
But it will not be quite as warm as yesterday, Sunday.
Caption 18, Rheinmain im Blick: Der Frühling ist da
Play Caption
Aber seit dem gestrigen Halbfinale hab ich die Nase voll!
But since yesterday's semi-finals, I have the nose full [idiom: am very disenchanted]!
Caption 23, Konjugation: Das Verb „mögen“
Play Caption
Manchmal habe ich sehr viel aufzuschreiben: einen Traum oder Erlebnisse vom gestrigen Tag.
Sometimes, I have a lot to write down: a dream or experiences from the previous day.
Captions 38-39, Deutsch mit Eylin: Mit der Hand schreiben
Play Caption
And then we come to morgig, which is used to specify a relationship with the next day.
Am morgigen Samstag ist die Musikmesse auch für die breite Öffentlichkeit zugänglich.
Tomorrow, on Saturday, the music trade show is also open to the general public.
Caption 60, Rheinmain im Blick: Musikmesse in Frankfurt
Play Caption
As you will have noticed, it is important to have the proper declension when using these adjectives. In the examples with the preposition an, which here becomes am with a masculine noun (der Tag, der Samstag), the adjective that follows requires an -en ending. This is not the case with the accusative preposition für and feminine noun die Abfrage in the first sentence.
Further Learning
At this point, it's a good idea to make sure you're comfortable with the conjugations of anstellen. You can also refer to additional examples on Yabla German and build your own sentences.
You have likely learned about the phrase Lust (auf etwas) haben, which is used to express interest or being in the mood for something.
Hast du Lust auf eine Partie Schach?
Do you feel like a game of chess?
Caption 12, Deutsch mit Eylin: Satzanfänge
Play Caption
Ich habe so Lust drauf!
I'm really in the mood for it!
Caption 53, Reisen: Ein Tag in Freiburg
Play Caption
Another way to express this is with the colloquial phrase nach etwas sein, with the structure jemandem ist nach etwas, or jemandem ist danach. This sentence uses the dative case to indicate the person experiencing the feeling or mood. The preposition nach is followed by a noun, a nominalized verb, or sometimes an activity.
Ich werde mal ganz kurz ein bisschen gefühlsduselig, weil mir grad so danach ist.
I'm going to get a little touchy-feely for just a bit, because I feel like it right now.
Captions 5-6, Monsters of Liedermaching: Abschiedsrede
Play Caption
Danke, mir ist grad nicht nach Kaffee.
Thanks, I'm not in the mood for coffee right now.
Caption 26, Dreieinhalb Stunden: Weiter nach Ost-Berlin
Play Caption
Further Learning
What do you feel like doing today? You can refer to additional examples on Yabla German and build your own sentences.
Two words you will see translated as "the mood" in German are die Stimmung and die Laune.
Ich bekomme eigentlich jedes Mal richtig gute Laune dadurch.
It actually puts me in a really good mood every time.
Caption 21, Deutsch mit Eylin: Putzen
Play Caption
Ja, das ist nicht einfach, die Leute dann bei Laune zu halten, wenn dann mal drei Wochen nichts rauskommt.
Yes, it's not easy to keep the people happy when for three weeks there are no results.
Caption 39, Ausgrabungen: Auf den Spuren der Dinosaurier
Play Caption
While the adjective launisch means moody, volatile, or cranky in a negative sense, launig is a positive adjective meaning "fun" or "witty." So it's important not to mix the two up.
Ich mein, statt der üblichen launigen nullachtfünfzehn-Kochshow ...
I mean, instead of the usual whimsical zero-eight-fifteen [idiom, generic] cooking show...
Caption 68, Lerchenberg: Du bist, was du isst
Play Caption
A more common way to talk about someone's mood is with the phrases gut gelaunt or schlecht gelaunt.
Sie war meistens gut gelaunt und hatte unheimlich viel Energie.
She was usually in a good mood and had an incredible amount of energy.
Caption 29, Deutsch mit Eylin: Charakter und Eigenschaften beschreiben
Play Caption
Du warst sehr schlecht gelaunt.
You were in a very bad mood.
Caption 26, Deutsch mit Eylin: Haben und Sein
Play Caption
When we are speaking about the atmosphere, feeling, or "vibe" of a place rather than just the mood of an individual person, we may use die Stimmung rather than die Laune. Die Stimmung also means "the tuning."
Manchmal wechselt Sabines Stimmung plötzlich von fröhlich zu traurig.
Sometimes Sabine's mood changes suddenly from happy to sad.
Caption 26, Deutsch mit Eylin: Adjektive und ihre Gegenteile
Play Caption
Ich störe ja nur ungern die gute Stimmung. -Was ist los?
I only reluctantly disrupt the good mood. -What's going on?
Caption 44, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern
Play Caption
Und mittlerweile ist die Stimmung in der Wohnung auch wieder viel, viel besser.
And now the mood in the apartment is also much, much better again.
Caption 5, Die Wohngemeinschaft: Die Verabredung
Play Caption
Further Learning
We will look at more ways of talking about moods next week. For now, you can refer to additional examples on Yabla German.
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
Play Caption
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
Play Caption
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
Play Caption
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
Play Caption
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!
Play Caption
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
Play Caption
Mein spanischer Abschluss ist anerkannt worden.
My qualification from Spain has been accepted.
Caption 21, Nicos Weg: Weiterbildung
Play Caption
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
Play Caption
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.
The three determiners above are generally used in more formal contexts. They come before a noun, and their endings change according to gender, case, and number, just like adjectives.
The determiner sämtlich is quite straightforward and is generally translated as "all," "all of them," or "all available." Here, you can see it used with plural nouns, which requires the addition of an -e, and one masculine singular noun, which requires -er.
Er schöpft sämtliche Transportmöglichkeiten aus.
He exhausts all transportation options.
Caption 32, Wilde Schweiz: Sommer - Part 4
Play Caption
Aber als es im Palast erschien, zog es sämtliche Blicke auf sich.
But when she appeared in the palace, she caught everyone's attention.
Caption 1, Märchenstunde: Das Aschenputtel
Play Caption
Auch Fouls und sämtlicher Körperkontakt sind beim Ultimate nicht erlaubt.
Also fouls and all physical contact are not permitted in Ultimate [Frisbee].
Caption 14, Frisbee Karlsruher: Weihnachtsturnier
Play Caption
The determiner jeglich means "any," "of any kind," or "every." The -e ending is required for the two feminine nouns here:
Doch jegliche mangelnde Körpergröße macht der Buckelwal durch seine Wendigkeit und Lebhaftigkeit wieder wett.
But the humpback whale makes up for any lack of size with its agility and liveliness.
Captions 16-17, Evolution: Meeresbewohner
Play Caption
Die Tanks sind allerdings schwer zu reinigen, sodass sie für jegliche Art von Bakterien eine pure Freude sind.
However, the tanks are difficult to clean, making them a pure joy for any kind of bacteria.
Captions 8-9, Galileo: Die fünf spannendsten Geheimnisse rund ums Fliegen
Play Caption
Finally, etlich means "a number of," "several," or "quite a few." Again, we see an -e added for the plural nouns in the examples.
Nach so schönen Bildern, ähm, hab' ich jetzt auch mal ein paar Profis gefunden, die schon etliche Male gesprungen sind.
After such beautiful images, er, I have now found a few professionals who have already jumped quite a few times.
Captions 19-20, Abenteuer und Sport: Fallschirmspringen
Play Caption
In Deutschland leben etwa achttausend Halsbandsittiche, dazu kommen noch etliche Alexandersittiche.
About eight thousand Ring-necked Parakeets live in Germany, in addition, a number of Alexandrine Parakeets.
Captions 4-5, Freilebende Papageien Überwintern in Wiesbaden
Play Caption
Further Learning
Try to create your own sentences with these determiners, or look for additional examples on Yabla German.
The German verb bauen means "to build" or "to contruct" and is generally used for physical structures, though not exclusively.
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
Play Caption
Verbs that consist of bauen and a prefix follow a similar pattern. The verb aufbauen, for example, can refer to setting something up, but also restructuring something. Note the phrase neu aufbauen as well, as this means "to restructure" or "to reestablish."
Alles hängt zusammen und muss verbessert oder gar ganz neu aufgebaut werden.
Everything is connected and must be improved or even completely rebuilt.
Caption 15, 30 Jahre: Menschen für Menschen
Play Caption
Emma würde sehr gerne mit ihren Freunden nächste Woche auf dem Kirchenbasar einen Flohmarktstand aufbauen.
Emma would very much like to set up a flea market stand with her friends at the church bazaar next week.
Captions 41-42, Die Pfefferkörner: Endspurt
Play Caption
When a building is renovated or something is physically converted or modified, the verb umbauen is often used:
Damit der A dreihundertachtzig überhaupt in Frankfurt landen kann, musste die Fraport AG so einiges umbauen.
In order for the A three hundred and eighty to even be able to land in Frankfurt, Fraport AG had to rebuild quite a few things.
Captions 38-39, Rund um den Flughafen: Der neue Airbus A-380
Play Caption
The verb einbauen is generally translated as "to install":
Ne, wenn man hier Magnete einbauen würde, so dass das Dodomobil leicht über dem Boden schwebt, dann wäre da keine Reibung.
Right, if you were to install magnets here, so that the Dodomobile gently floats above the ground, then there would be no friction.
Captions 69-71, Das 1. Newtonsche Gesetz: erklärt am Beispiel des Dodomobils
Play Caption
The verb nachbauen has the connotation of copying something:
Das sind Menschen, die einfach das Original im Kleinen nachbauen möchten.
These are people who simply would like to reconstruct the original on a small scale.
Caption 5, Modelleisenbahner: Mehr als nur ein Hobby
Play Caption
The verb anbauen refers to agriculture and the act of planting, growing, or cultivating.
Außerdem sollen Lebensmittel ökologisch angebaut werden.
In addition, food should be organically grown.
Caption 25, Erklärvideos: Nachhaltigkeit einfach erklärt
Play Caption
And finally, the verb abbauen means to dismantle, dissolved, or reduce. When something is biologisch abbaubar, it means it's biodegradable.
Das ist auch hundert Prozent ökologisch abbaubar.
That's also one hundred percent biodegradable.
Caption 26, Lerchenberg: Du bist, was du isst
Play Caption
Further Learning
Try to create your own sentences with these verbs, or look for additional examples on Yabla German.
Following up on last week's lesson on accusative contractions, we will now look at dative contractions. Unlike accusative contractions, which are generally possible with neuter nouns, dative contractions tend to occur before both neuter and masculine nouns. Some dative contractions are used constantly in the German language, even as part of formal writing:
Die Bilder vom Kirchturm landeten am nächsten Tag in den „Tagesthemen“.
The images of the church tower landed on "Tagesthemen" the next day.
Caption 11, 30 Jahre Mauerfall Deutschland: 30 Jahre nach dem Fall der Berliner Mauer
Play Caption
Innsbruck ist die Landeshauptstadt vom Bundesland Tirol.
Innsbruck is the capital of the state of Tyrol.
Caption 18, 48 h in Innsbruck: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
Play Caption
Was sagst du beim Arzt am Empfang zuerst?
What do you say first at the doctor's reception?
Caption 47, Deutsch für Anfänger: #8 Beim Arzt
Play Caption
Im Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie in Mainz wird seit über hundertsiebzig Jahren geforscht.
At the Leibniz Center for Archaeology in Mainz research has been conducted for over one hundred and seventy years.
Captions 1-2, Archäologie: Der Fund der Frankfurter Silberinschrift
Play Caption
A few contractions are more colloquial. For the two examples below, you might also say or write vor dem ("in front of the") or unter dem ("under the"):
Und wie fühlst du dich so kurz vorm Sprung?
How do you feel right before the jump?
Caption 41, Abenteuer und Sport: Fallschirmspringen
Play Caption
Sie liegt verborgen unterm Eis... inmitten fantastischer Höhlen.
It lies hidden beneath the ice... amidst fantastic caves.
Caption 6, Alpenseen: Kühle Schönheiten
Play Caption
Finally, the preposition zu, which is always followed by the dative case, can form dative contractions before any noun, whether it's masculine, feminine, or neuter.
Sabine geht nicht zur Party.
Sabine isn't going to the party.
Caption 36, Deutsch mit Eylin: Verneinungen
Play Caption
Wie komme ich von hier zum Hauptbahnhof?
"How do I get from here to the main train station?
Caption 66, Deutsch mit Eylin: Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel in Hamburg
Play Caption
Further Learning
Using masculine nouns and dative or two-way prepositions, create your own sentences, or look for additional examples of contractions in use on Yabla German.
In German, accusative contractions occur when certain accusative prepositions combine with the neuter definite article das to create a single, shortened word. This is used primarily in spoken language, though sometimes in informal written language as well. Because we at Yabla strive to always transcribe native speakers' words as accurately as possible, you'll see these contractions often.
Let's look at examples with some of the prepositions that always take the accusative case. These include bis, durch, für, gegen, je, ohne, um, and wider, but only a few of them work in a contraction:
Rötlich-violette Schwaden ziehen durchs Wasser, das hier fast frei von Sauerstoff ist.
Reddish-violet vapors move through the water, which here is almost oxygen-free.
Caption 8, Alpenseen: Kühle Schönheiten
Play Caption
Also, vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen.
So, many thanks for watching.
Caption 42, 48 h in Innsbruck: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
Play Caption
Wenn der Schutzmann ums Eck kommt, nimmt der Ede Reißaus.
When the lawman comes around the corner, Ede runs away.
Caption 2, Großstadtrevier: Nicht mit mir
Play Caption
And now for some two-way prepositions, presented here in accusative examples:
Denn das ist unsre Chance aufs Glück.
Since this is our chance for happiness.
Caption 11, Beatrice Egli: Wir leben laut
Play Caption
Wir gehen ins Kino, OK?
We're going to the movies, OK?
Caption 63, Die Pfefferkörner: Abi um jeden Preis
Play Caption
Stellen Sie die Lieferung vors Café, ich komm gleich rüber.
Leave the delivery in front of the café, I'll be right over.
Caption 32, Die Pfefferkörner: Das Wunderkind
Play Caption
Jetzt geht's ans nächste Hindernis direkt an den Kicker.
Now I'll go to the next obstacler, directly to the slope.
Caption 29, 48 h in Innsbruck: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
Play Caption
Und es ist wirklich sensationell, mit über vierzig Knoten übers Wasser zu fliegen,
And it's really sensational to fly across the water at more than forty knots
Caption 14, Die Insel Fehmarn: Speedsurfen auf Fehmarn
Play Caption
Further Learning
Using neuter nouns and prepositions, create your own sentences, or look for additional examples of contractions in use on Yabla German.
In German, there are common verbs that you will hear in relation to pain and injury, but also certain colloquial expressions.
Ist jemand verletzt?
Is anyone injured?
Caption 35, Deutsch für Anfänger: #10 Notfall
Play Caption
Wer städtisches Recht verletzt hatte, flüchtete zum Domnapf.
Anyone who had violated municipal laws fled to the Domnapf.
Caption 40, Jenny zeigt uns: den Speyerer Dom
Play Caption
When the focus is really on the pain, the best verb to use is weh tun (the spelling wehtun is also accepted).
Es tut weh. -Der Arzt schaut sich das gleich an.
It hurts. -The doctor will examine it in just a moment.
Caption 13, Nicos Weg: Beim Arzt
Play Caption
Sie tun mir weh!
You're hurting me!
Caption 2, Die Pfefferkörner: Abi um jeden Preis
Play Caption
With the verb schaden, the emphasis is really on damage. Below you can also see that the German counterpart of the common English phrase "It can't hurt" utilizes schaden.
Doch ist für Experten wie Schmolz noch völlig offen, ob die Papageien den heimischen Vogelarten schaden.
But indeed, for experts, like Schmolz, it still remains an open question, whether or not the parrots are damaging the native bird species.
Captions 19-20, Freilebende Papageien: Überwintern in Wiesbaden
Play Caption
Ein wenig neugierig zu sein kann manchmal gar nicht schaden.
Sometimes, indeed, it can't hurt to be a little curious.
Caption 88, Märchen: Sagenhaft Der Zauberlehrling
Play Caption
Just as die Verletzung means "the injury" and der Schaden means "the damage," der Schmerz is the main German word for pain. Like weh tun, the verb schmerzen is typically used to describe physical pain.
Da Lisas Fuß am Abend immer noch sehr schmerzte, entschlossen wir uns, die Nacht an diesem schönen Platz [entschlossen, Infinitiv: entschließen] unter Bäumen zu verbringen.
Since Lisa's foot still hurt a lot in the evening, we decided to spend the night in that beautiful place [decided, infinitive: to decide] under some trees.
Captions 11-13, Deutsch mit Eylin: Urlaub im Präteritum
Play Caption
Further Learning
You'll find many examples like this on Yabla German.
While watching videos on Yabla German, you may have noticed a particular type of sentence in which the English translation doesn't line up with the German, such as:
Wenn der Kopf wehtut oder die Glieder schmerzen, bekommt man dort auch Schmerzmittel mit Wirkstoffen wie Ibuprofen oder Paracetamol.
When your head hurts or your limbs hurt, you also can get pain medication with active ingredients such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Captions 25-26, Eva erklärt: Gesundheit
Play Caption
When referring to parts of the body, clothing, or personal items, it's much less common to use a personal pronoun such as mein or dein ("my" or "your") in German. Many sentences simply employ the definite object (der, die, or das) or rely on a dative structure, and the ownership is simply implied.
Denn es kann guttun, den Kreislauf etwas anzuregen.
Because it can do you good to stimulate your circulation.
Caption 38, Deutsch mit Eylin: Erkältungszeit
Play Caption
Es ist ganz wichtig, dass wir die Hände gut waschen.
It is very important that we wash our hands well.
Caption 11, Bundesamt für Gesundheit: Coronavirus und Schulen
Play Caption
The examples above contain general statements, and it would be possible to write "one" or "you" in English. But often it is about something specific and personal:
Ja, jedenfalls hab ich jetzt einen Riesenkarton Filzgleiter unterm Bett.
Yes, at any rate, I now have a giant box of felt pads under my bed.
Caption 62, Tatortreiniger: Rebellen
Play Caption
Hast es im Kopf schon so oft durchgespielt.
You've already gone through it in your head so many times.
Caption 4, Max Giesinger: Nie stärker als jetzt
Play Caption
Lassen Sie dann die Knie und die Hände in der gleichen Position.
Then leave your knees and hands in the same position.
Caption 66, Die Schmerzspezialisten: Effektive Rückenübungen gegen Schmerzen im unteren Rücken
Play Caption
Further Learning
You'll find many examples like this on Yabla German.
Quite often, nouns that end in -fall are closely connected with the related verb ending in fallen. But as we know from last week's lesson, many of those verbs have little to do with physically falling—and the same goes for their respective nouns. What might help is knowing that the noun der Fall itself can be translated not only as "the fall," but as "the case," "the situation," "the instance," or "the circumstances."
Just last week, Eylin released a video about what to do when there is an emergency, or ein Notfall.
Im Notfall zählt bekanntlich jede Minute.
In an accident, it is well-known that every minute counts.
Caption 15, Sicherheit im Straßenverkehr: Versicherer entwickeln automatischen Notruf für alle Autos
Play Caption
The noun der Unfall is very important to know in this context, as it means "the accident." The noun der Vorfall means "the incident," and may also be relevant.
Die Straße ist gesperrt, weil ein Unfall passiert ist.
The road is closed because an accident has occurred.
Caption 5, Deutsch mit Eylin: Konjunktionen
Play Caption
Erich Gomolka wird rund eine halbe Stunde nach dem Vorfall in eine Klinik gebracht.
About half an hour after the incident, Erich Gomolka is brought to a clinic.
Captions 65-66, Lebensretter: Lotta und Oskar retten ihren Opa
Play Caption
Here you can see that many nouns refer to a specific type of occurrence or event, but not all!
Erste Untersuchungen ergaben, dass der Ausfall des U-Boots auf eine Implosion zurückzuführen war.
Initial investigations revealed that the failure of the submarine was due to an implosion.
Captions 48-49, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: Der deutsch-französische Freundschaftspass
Play Caption
In Deutschland wird, wie in vielen anderen Ländern auch, als Teil der Recyclingpolitik der Abfall getrennt.
In Germany, like in many other countries, waste is separated as part of the recycling policy.
Captions 3-4, Eva erklärt Mülltrennung
Play Caption
Das soll der Regelfall sein.
That should be the norm.
Caption 25, Umweltbewusstes Wohnen: Zu Besuch in einem Wiener Passivhaus
Play Caption
Doch welche Versicherung zahlt im Schadensfall?
But which insurance pays the damages?
Caption 19, Kfz-Diebstahl: Kriminelle klauen weniger, aber teurere Autos
Play Caption
Das ist doch toll, dass aus Zufall so was entstehen kann! -Absolut, ja.
It's great that something like that can happen by chance! -Absolutely, yes.
Caption 54, Deutsch mit Paula: In der Physiotherapie-Praxis
Play Caption
Further Learning
In addition to finding words on Yabla German, you can look up two more nouns: der Rückfall and der Überfall.
One of our past lessons looks at the verbs fallen and gefallen. But what about einfallen, befallen, ausfallen, auffallen...? Of course, many verbs with fallen, such as hinfallen or herunterfallen, relate to dropping or falling. But today, we're looking at the verbs with unrelated meanings, from A to Z.
To refer to an event being canceled or someone being absent, we use the verb ausfallen.
Die wird die nächsten drei Wochen ausfallen.
She will be absent for the next three weeks.
Caption 47, Die Pfefferkörnerz: Abi um jeden Preis
Play Caption
The verb befallen refers to being afflicted by something. Durchfallen refers to failing an exam or at a task.
Vor allem Kinder werden häufig von den kleinen Blutsaugern befallen.
Children in particular are often infested with the little bloodsuckers.
Caption 3, Rhein-Main-TV: Tipps zur Läusebekämpfung
Play Caption
Sie ist in fast allen Prüfungen des Trainerkurses durchgefallen.
She failed almost all of the exams in the trainer course.
Caption 73, Yabla Gerichtshof: Das verzogene Hündchen
Play Caption
Although the verb einfallen can be used to refer to a physical fall, it's often heard in a construction that means "to occur to someone."
Aber was mir gerade noch einfällt, ist, dass die größten Inseln Deutschlands, Rügen und Usedom, zu Mecklenburg-Vorpommern gehören.
But what occurs to me right now is that Germany's largest islands, Rügen and Usedom, belong to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Captions 31-33, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Mecklenburg Vorpommern
Play Caption
The verbs leichtfallen and schwerfallen refer to something being easy or difficult for a person.
Falls dir das schwerfällt, kannst du sie zum Beispiel auf einen Zettel schreiben.
If this is difficult for you, you can, for example, write them on a piece of paper.
Captions 33-34, Deutsch mit Eylin: Haben und Sein
Play Caption
And finally, as described in the fairytale "The Gingerbread Man," the verb zerfallen means "to disintegrate."
Er blieb stehen, denn er wusste, dass er im Wasser zerfallen würde.
He stopped, knowing that he would disintegrate in the water.
Caption 21, Märchenstunde: Der Lebkuchenmann
Play Caption
Further Learning
Next week, we'll look at nouns that end with -fall. For now, you can look up these words and others ending with fallen on Yabla German.
There are a number of different ways to say "upside down" in German. As an adverb, you might have seen kopfüber.
Das weiß ich. Und sie hängen kopfüber, wenn sie schlafen.
I know that. And they hang upside down when they sleep.
Caption 41, Meine Freundin Conni: Conni schläft im Kindergarten
Play Caption
Der arme Soldat lag kopfüber im Rinnstein, als es anfing zu regnen.
The poor soldier lay upside down in the gutter as it started to rain.
Caption 32, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Der standhafte Zinnsoldat
Play Caption
The verbal idiom to know is (etwas) auf den Kopf stellen.
Ich hab alles verändert und auf den Kopf gestellt.
I've changed everything and turned it upside down.
Caption 16, Christina Stürmer: Ein halbes Leben
Play Caption
Und steh ich kopf, drehst du mich wieder um
And when I'm upside down, you turn me right side up
Caption 19, Wincent Weiss: Wer wenn nicht wir
Play Caption
For the phrase "inside out," the context matters. A shirt being worn inside out by accident is verkehrt herum or auf links. But the English idiom of "turning inside out" when looking for something and thereby causing a big mess is better translated as umkrempeln.
Ich glaube, der würde sich in seiner eigenen Halle nicht mehr auskennen, weil die Halle ist einmal komplett umgekrempelt.
I believe, he wouldn't know his way around his own halls, because the hall has been completely turned inside out.
Captions 48-49, Rhein-Main-Ferien: Technische Sammlung Hochhut
Play Caption
The word "backwards" is, however, quite simple, as rückwärts is the most common translation by far.
Warum die Zeit vergeht, sich niemals rückwärts dreht.
Why time goes by, never turns backwards.
Caption 5, Es war einmal … Entdecker und Erfinder: Archimedes
Play Caption
Der Athlet springt rücklings ab und dreht sich danach ebenfalls rückwärts.
The athlete jumps off backwards and afterwards likewise rotates backwards.
Caption 16, Olympische Spiele: Wasserspringen
Play Caption
Further Learning
You can find more examples on Yabla German.
In German, das Mittel is a singular neuter noun that can mean "the means,” “the medium,” “the aid," or “the instrument." It refers to a single tool, method, or medicine used to achieve a goal, solve a problem, or cure a condition. For example, das Mittel gegen Kopfschmerzen means the remedy for treating headaches.
Jetzt will ich ausdrücken. Das ist für mich das Mittel, ähm.... meine Stimmung auszudrücken.
Now I want to express. This is, for me, the means, um... to express my mood.
Captions 16-17, Malerei: Katharina Kuczinski
Play Caption
Das ist das wirksamste Mittel, das wir zur Zeit gegen die Pandemie haben.
This is the most effective means that we currently have against the pandemic.
Captions 60-61, Angela Merkel: Kanzlerin appelliert an die Bürgerinnen und Bürger
Play Caption
There are also many, many compound nouns with das Mittel. Here are a few common examples:
Man sollte am besten regionale und saisonale Produkte kaufen, damit Lebensmittel nicht erst um die ganze Welt transportiert werden müssen,
It is best to buy regional and seasonal products so that food does not have to be transported all over the world
Captions 15-16, Deutsch mit Paula: Nachhaltigkeit
Play Caption
Die meisten Nahrungsmittel bekommt man in bester Bioqualität.
You can get most foods in the best organic quality.
Caption 10, Deutsch mit Eylin: Rund ums Kochen
Play Caption
Ein Zahlungsmittel. -Ähm... -Geld ist ein Zahlungsmittel.
A means of payment. -Um... -Money is a means of payment.
Caption 47, Deutschkurs in Blaubeuren: Der Relativsatz
Play Caption
Äh... ja, ähm... Hier, Putzmittel.
Uh... yes, um... here, cleaning supplies.
Caption 29, Tatortreiniger: Currywurst
Play Caption
Allerdings, je nach Waschmittel, können manche hartnäckigen Flecken nur bei höheren Temperaturen rausgehen.
However, depending on the detergent, some stubborn stains may only go away at higher temperatures.
Captions 21-22, Umweltschutz: Energie und Geld beim Waschen sparen
Play Caption
Also. -Hm, brauchst aber auch Spülmittel.
Well. -Hm, but you also need detergent.
Caption 65, Geoökologie: Cettina interviewt Sarah
Play Caption
The noun das Mittel is also often used in its plural form (die Mittel) and then may refer to means or resources in a broader sense, often referring to financial resources or funds.
Kofinanziert mit Mitteln des Europäischen Integrationsfonds
Co-financed with funding from the European Integration Fund
Caption 62, Mein Weg nach Deutschland: Auf Arbeitssuche
Play Caption
Further Learning
In addition to finding more examples on Yabla German, check out this massive list of compound nouns with das Mittel.
Both of the words above mean "both," but it's important to use them in the correct contexts and with the correct grammar.
The word beide is plural and often refers to people. It can be used as a pronoun...
Beide sind jetzt vier Stunden und sieben Minuten unterwegs.
Both have now been traveling for four hours and seven minutes.
Caption 31, Galileo Zug vs. Flugzeug: Von München nach Berlin
Play Caption
Beide haben sich entsprechend dazu geäußert.
Both have commented on it.
Caption 49, Archäologie: Der Fund der Frankfurter Silberinschrift
Play Caption
or as a determiner:
Gut, wenn das jetzt beide Spieler wirklich genauso machen, dann kommt so ein furchtbar langweiliges, symmetrisches Brett dabei raus.
OK, if both players really do the same thing, then you end up with a terribly boring, symmetrical board.
Captions 18-19, Schach: Regeln, Strategie und Taktik
Play Caption
The phrase wir beide can be translated as "we both," but also "the two of us."
Und ja, wir beide werden uns nie wieder sehen.
And yes, the two of us will never see each other again.
Caption 19, Cro: Bye Bye
Play Caption
Here are a few more examples with beide as a determiner in sentences that don't refer to people:
Und das gilt für beide Seiten gleichermaßen.
And that applies to both sides equally.
Caption 25, Brexit-Votum: Merkel warnt vor Spaltung Europas
Play Caption
Beide Sätze sind im Perfekt.
Both sentences are in the perfect tense.
Caption 22, Deutsch mit Eylin: Das Perfekt
Play Caption
Although beides refers to two things, it is grammatically singular and neuter, and takes the third person singular form. And it should not be used to refer to people, nor as a determiner. In the sentences below, beides refers to two words, two tasks, and two continents respectively.
Weißt du, „Möhre“, „Karotte“, das ist beides richtig. -Mhm.
You know, "carrot," "carrot," both are correct. -Mm-hm.
Caption 23, Mein Weg nach Deutschland: Bei der Arbeit
Play Caption
Mit Emotionen oder technischen Problemen umgehen: Man muss beides können.
Dealing with emotions or technical problems: You have to be able to do both.
Captions 8-9, Galileo: So hart ist der Job im Callcenter
Play Caption
Und es ist beides total unterschiedlich, aber super...
And both are totally different but great...
Caption 44, Anna: Am Strand in Mexiko
Play Caption
Further Learning
You can find more examples with beide and beides on Yabla German.
In German, the verb einrichten and the noun die Einrichtung are closely related, but used in different ways. Their translations are generally context-dependent.
The verb einrichten means to set up, furnish, install, or establish something. You would use this verb for arranging furniture in your living room, setting up an account, or establishing an organization.
Man kann nicht einfach so überall einen Zebrastreifen einrichten.
You can't just put a crosswalk anywhere.
Caption 25, Realer Irrsinn: Kein Zebrastreifen in Springe
Play Caption
Am liebsten zieht sie sich in ihre Privatgemächer zurück, wo sie sich ein eigenes Fitness-Studio einrichten lässt.
She prefers to retreat to her private chambers, where she has her own fitness studio set up.
Captions 24-25, Terra X: Sisi von Österreich
Play Caption
Millionen skurriler Gespensterkrebse haben sich zwischen den Seescheiden eingerichtet.
Millions of strange skeleton shrimp have established themselves among the sea squirts.
Caption 15, Abenteuer Nordsee: Unter Riesenhaien und Tintenfischen
Play Caption
Ich habe schon ein neues Passwort und einen neuen Benutzernamen für Sie eingerichtet.
I have already set up a new password and a new user name for you.
Caption 25, Berufsleben: das Vorstellungsgespräch
Play Caption
The feminine noun die Einrichtung refers to the result or object of this action, such as the furnishings of a home, the equipment in a lab, or even an institution or facility like a hospital or school.
Die Volkshochschule in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist eine Einrichtung... zur Weiterbildung.
The adult education center in the Federal Republic of Germany is a facility... for continuing education.
Captions 22-23, Bundesrepublik: Deutschland Einbürgerungstest
Play Caption
Glamping ist „glamorous camping", äh, Zeltromantik und Zeltatmosphäre verbunden mit einem gewissen Chic der Einrichtung
"Glamping" is "glamorous camping," uh, tent romance and a tent atmosphere combined with a certain chicness of the furnishings
Captions 8-10, Glamping: Camping mit Stil
Play Caption
Ich weiß es nicht mehr, aber feste Adresse und feste Einrichtung.
I don't know, but it's an established address and established venue.
Caption 39, Das Tollwood-Festival: BAP und Clueso in der Musik-Arena
Play Caption
Ein fester Teil der Einrichtung ist die Erinnerungsstätte Notaufnahmelager Marienfelde.
An integral part of the facility is the Marienfelde Transit Camp Memorial Center.
Caption 20, Flüchtlingskrise: Besuch in ehemaligem DDR-Notaufnahmelager
Play Caption
Thus, while einrichten describes the process of making something ready or functional, die Einrichtung names the setup, equipment, or organization itself.
Further Learning
You can find more examples of these words on Yabla German.
Last week, we examined the nouns and verbs for certain noises that are produced in nature and by animals. Now we're going to follow this up with words for sounds produced by humans and machines, though not exclusively.
The verb klirren is often used for metal objects that are colliding. The noun is das Klirren.
Auch wenn kein Schwert mehr klirrt ...
Even if no sword clangs anymore...
Caption 77, Jacob rezitiert: Mascha Kaléko
Play Caption
Last week, we looked at das Summen, which is one type of hum that humans and bees are capable of. But for a constant, low mechanical sound, das Brummen may be more appropriate.
Hörst du das Brummen im Hintergrund?
Do you hear the hum in the background?
Caption 51, Deutsch mit Eylin: Umzug nach Ottensen
Play Caption
There are so many words for various types of loud and abrupt sounds:
Plötzlich gab es einen Knall und Piggeldy sauste senkrecht in die Luft.
Suddenly, there was a bang and Piggeldy sprang directly up into the air.
Caption 31, Piggeldy und Frederick: Autofahren
Play Caption
Bums, und sie fielen auf der anderen Seite hinunter.
Thud, and they fell down the other side.
Caption 22, Piggeldy und Frederick: Der Mond
Play Caption
Immer ein Pochen bis zum Hals bei dir, bei dir.
Always a pounding up to the neck with you, with you.
Caption 2, LOTTE: Schau mich nicht so an
Play Caption
Es folgte ein vorsichtiges Klopfen an der Tür.
It was followed by a gentle knock at the door.
Caption 40, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Der Froschkönig
Play Caption
The human voice is capable of a vast range of sounds, which are used here to anthropomorphize the wind.
Und der, wenn er wild wird, uns Sand in die Augen weht und uns vorwärts schiebt und singt und klagt und heult und ächzt und stöhnt und braust und brüllt."
And the one that, when he becomes wild, blows sand into our eyes and pushes us forward and sings and moans and howls and groans and sighs and blusters and bellows.
Captions 17-19, Piggeldy und Frederick Der Wind
Play Caption
Und auch am Silbenende wird es zischend ausgesprochen.
And at the end of a syllable, too, it is pronounced with a hissing sound.
Caption 26, Deutsch mit Eylin: S und Z - Part 2
Play Caption
Further Learning
You can find more examples of these words on Yabla German and even look up a few more, such as das Klacken and das Knirschen.
Spanish
French
Italian
Chinese
English
English 
Español
Français
Italiano
Português
Deutsch