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Whoever, whatever, whenever, however

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. 

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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.

More German Verbs for "Assume"

In a previous lesson, we saw examples of the verb annehmen and the verb / preposition combination davon ausgehen translated as "to assume." These are among the most common words for "assume," but let's take a look today at some more German verbs that can also be translated as "assume."

 

Ja, vorausgesetzt, Sie unterschreiben dieses Schuldbekenntnis.

Yes, assuming you sign this confession.

Caption 24, Marga Engel schlägt zurück; Der Engel von Leipzig

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The separable verb voraussetzen is also commonly translated as "to provide," in the sense of fulfilling a condition.

 

Es wird allerdings auch behauptet oder vermutet.

However, it is also claimed or assumed.

Caption 8, Es war einmal... der Mensch: Der Neandertaler

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The verb vermuten is also often translated as "to suspect," "to presume," or "to expect."

 

Trifft ein Goalgetter mal nicht das Tor, wird ihm sehr schnell eine Formkrise unterstellt.

If a goal-getter doesn't make a goal, a lack of form is very quickly assumed.

Caption 7, Fußball und die Frauenwelt: Der Goalgetter

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The verb unterstellen may also be translated as "to imply," depending upon the context.

 

All of the verbs above deal with the definition of "to assume" as "to take for granted or as true." But there are also definitions of "to assume" that mean "to place oneself in," or "to feign," or "to take over" something such as a debt or responsibility.

 

Deshalb bin ich der Ansicht, dass Kapitän Dickie, der sehr erfahren ist, das Kommando übernehmen soll.

Therefore, I am of the opinion that Captain Dickie, who is very experienced, should assume command.

Captions 26-27, Es war einmal... der Weltraum: Die Saurier

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Du sollst hier auch mal ein bisschen Verantwortung übernehmen.

You should also for once assume a little responsibility.

Caption 21, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern

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The verb übernehmen may also be translated as "to take over."

 

Tourismus spielt hier und in vielen anderen Ländern eine immer wichtigere Rolle.

Here and in many other countries, tourism is assuming an increasingly important role.

Caption 5, WissensWerte: Tourismus und Nachhaltigkeit

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The verb spielen is often translated in this context as "playing" a role, however "assuming" a role may be an equally valid option.

 

The verbs anmaßen and mutmaßen are occasionally translated as "to assume," but often anmaßen is more accurately translated as "to presume," and mutmaßen as "to conjecture" or "to speculate."

 

Further Learning
Go to Yabla German and search for the verbs above to see the various German translations in a real-world context.