The word nämlich has a clarifying or elaborating function in German and can be used in a wider variety of contexts than the English word "namely." While "namely" is rather dry and formal in English, nämlich is used a lot in everyday speech.

banner2 PLACEHOLDER

First of all, nämlich can be used to "name" or specify something or someone, introducing additional information. Depending on the context, it can be translated as "namely," "that is," "actually," "in fact," or "specifically."

Im Hintergrund sehen Sie hinter den Bäumen versteckt den Ursprung von Karlsruhe, nämlich das Karlsruher Schloss.

In the background you see, hidden behind the trees, the beginnings of Karlsruhe, namely Karlsruhe Palace.

Captions 6-7, Architektur: der Stadt Karlsruhe

 Play Caption

Die Markgröninger leben ihre Tradition. Schafe sind nämlich allgegenwärtig auf dem charmanten Volksfest.

The residents of Markgröningen live their tradition. In fact, sheep are a constance presence at the charming folk festival.

Captions 22-23, Barfuß unter Schafen: Schäferwettrennen

 Play Caption

Und genau das ist, was wir jetzt brauchen, nämlich Auftritte.

And that's exactly what we need now, that is, performances.

Caption 21, Band-Interviews: The Dufrenes

 Play Caption

The word nämlich can also have the function of providing a reason, equivalent to the English word "because" or the phrase "after all." 

Das muss auch genau auf meinem Ohr liegen, wenn ich die Maske anziehe, sonst verstehe ich nämlich nichts.

It must also rest right on my ear when I put on the mask, because otherwise I won't understand anything.

Captions 57-58, Abenteuer Nordsee: Unter Riesenhaien und Tintenfischen

 Play Caption

Ich habe morgen nämlich meinen ersten Arbeitstag in einer Kindertagesstätte.

That's because tomorrow I have my first day at work at a children's daycare center.

Captions 3-4, Deutsch mit Alina: Alltag in der Kita

 Play Caption

Since nämlich can also be used to direct someone's attention to something specific, other possible translations include "you see" or "the thing is."

Das klingt nämlich viel freundlicher, als wenn du mit „Ja“ antwortest.

You see, that sounds much friendlier than if you answer "Yes."

Captions 17-18, Deutsch für Anfänger #1: Die ersten Worte

 Play Caption

Beginnend mit dem Mittelalter wurde nämlich massiv abgeholzt.

You see, beginning in the Middle Ages, there was massive deforestation.

Caption 19, Deutsch mit Eylin Bäume - Part 1

 Play Caption

Further Learning
You'll find many examples of nämlich used in different contexts on Yabla German. When you see it, pay particular attention to its position in the sentence. 

The verb dienen translates as "to serve." But like in English, there are many contexts for this verb that don't have to do with relationships between people. Very often, dienen is used to describe how something serves a certain purpose:

Sie dienen dazu, in Häusern böse Geister zu vertreiben.

They serve to drive evil spirits out of houses.

Caption 27, Cettina erklärt: Pfingsten

 Play Caption

Sie dienen vielen Tieren als Futter.

They serve as fodder for many animals.

Caption 50, Deutsch mit Eylin: Bäume

 Play Caption

banner5 PLACEHOLDER

The verb bedienen is related, but actually has a couple of different meanings. It can relate to waiting tables, though the actual act of serving food, whether at home or in a restaurant, is servieren. The reflexive verb sich bedienen means "to help oneself." Below, you'll see the formal and informal versions:

Dann bedienen Sie sich einfach. Komm! -Komm!

Then just help yourself. Come on! -Come on!

Caption 24, Großstadtrevier: Von Monstern und Mördern

 Play Caption

Viel Spaß! Da hinten steht was zu Trinken. Bedient euch. -Ja.

Have fun! There's stuff to drink back there. Help yourselves. -Yeah.

Caption 52, Die Pfefferkörner: Alles auf Anfang

 Play Caption

The noun die Selbstbedienung, a word that you might find at a café or gas station, means "self-service." But this doesn't necessarily mean you can help yourself!

An important meaning of bedienen is "to operate," as in to operate a device or machine. A user's manual is called die Bedienungsanleitung.

Wenn ihr diesen Wendehammer richtig bedient, könnt ihr die Mauer einreißen.

If you operate this turning area correctly, you can break down the wall.

Captions 73-74, Es war einmal … Entdecker und Erfinder: Archimedes

 Play Caption

Further Learning
You'll find many examples of these nouns and verbs used in context on German Yabla. Just do a quick search!

Today's lesson is about materials used for building and construction. Some of these are associated with modern construction, while others have been around for thousands of years!

Deine Schuhe waren wie aus Beton.

Your shoes were like they were made of concrete.

Caption 5, Emilio: Roter Sand

 Play Caption

Hätte es nicht einfacher Gips auch getan?

Wouldn't plaster of paris have done?

Caption 63, Tatortreiniger: Currywurst

 Play Caption

Hier laufen die enormen Mengen an Sand, Zement, Stahl und Kies ein.

Here is where the enormous quantities of sand, cement, steel, and gravel arrive.

Caption 10, Die Insel Fehmarn: So wird der Fehmarnbelt-Tunnel gebaut

 Play Caption

Im Jahre vierzehnhundertzweiundsiebzig haben die Menschen die Brücke aus Stein gebaut.

In fourteen seventy-two, the people built the bridge out of stone.

Captions 25-26, Bundesländer und ihre Rezepte: Thüringen

 Play Caption

banner PLACEHOLDER

Other nouns to know are der Backstein and der Mauerziegel ("the brick") and die Rigipsplatte ("the Sheetrock").

There are many kinds of wood that are used for different purposes. When we talk about lumber, we use the name of the tree followed by -holz, sometimes adding an "n" in between. 

Eichenholz ist sehr fest und wertvoll. Es ist ein Holz zur Herstellung von Möbeln und Parkettböden.

Oak wood is very strong and valuable. It is a wood for making furniture and parquet floors.

Captions 47-48, Deutsch mit Eylin: Bäume

 Play Caption

Other examples are das Buchenholz ("the beech wood"), das Birkenholz ("the birch wood"), das Kiefernholz ("the pine wood"), and das Ahornholz ("the maplewood"). 

Further Learning
What is the building you are living in made of? Create a few sentences and search for more examples on German Yabla.