A "demonym" is a noun that is used to denote the natives or inhabitants of a particular country, state, city, or region. In German, demonyms for countries have masculine and feminine forms. These can be quite difficult to predict, but they mostly follow one of two patterns when it comes to the endings. The first is an -er ending for the masculine noun and an -erin ending for the feminine counterpart.

Die Australierin gehört zu den Hauptdarstellerinnen in dem Thriller, der quer durch Europa führt.

The Australian is among the leading female actors in the thriller, which leads them across Europe.

Captions 18-19, Cate Blanchett: dreht auf Fehmarn

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Doch es ist die einunddreißig-jährige Schweizerin Karolin Steffen, die kurze Zeit später die Führung übernimmt und das Renngeschehen bestimmt.

But it is the thirty-one year old Swiss Karolin Steffen, who a short time later takes over the lead and controls the race.

Captions 33-34, Knallharte Sportler: Ironman in Frankfurt

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More examples include der Algerier, die Algerierin (a person from Algeria); der Amerikaner, die Amerikanerin (USA); der Argentinier, die Argentinierin (Argentina); der Ägypter, die Ägypterin (Egypt); der Bolivianer, die Bolivianerin (Bolivia); der Brasilianer, die Brasilianerin (Brazil); der Inder, die Inderin (India); der Indonesier, die Indonesierin (Indonesia); der Iraner, die Iranerin (Iran); der Iraker, die Irakerin (Iraq); der Italiener, die Italienerin (Italy); der Kanadier, die Kanadierin (Canada); der Koreaner, die Koreanerin (Korea); der Kubaner, die Kubanerin (Cuba); der Kolumbianer, die Kolumbianerin (Colombia); der Mexikaner, die Mexikanerin (Mexico); der Neuseeländer, die Neuseeländerin (New Zealand); der Norweger, die Norwegerin (Norway); der Österreicher, die Österreicherin (Austria); der Philippiner, die Philippinerin (Philippines); der Syrer, die Syrerin; der Südafrikaner, die Südafrikanerin (South Africa); der Spanier, die Spanierin (Spain); der Venezolaner, die Venezolanerin (Venezuela).

Other demonyms simply end with -e for the masculine noun and -in for the feminine noun. It's important to note that a German person is der Deutsche (male) or die Deutsche (female), making it an exception. 

Oh nein, lieber doch nicht. Die Briten fahren doch auf der anderen Straßenseite.

Oh no, better not after all. The British drive on the other side of the street after all.

Caption 20, Jenny: Reiseziele

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A few more examples with the simple -e or -in ending are der Däne, die Dänin (a person from Denmark); der Franzose, die Französin (France); der Grieche, die Griechin (Greece); der Pole, die Polin (Poland); der Portugiese, die Portugiesin (Portugal); der Russe, die Russin (Russia); der Schwede, die Schwedin (Sweden); der Tscheche, die Tschechin (Czech Republic); der Türke, die Türkin (Turkey).

There are two things to note about demonyns. One is that they are used in German much more often than in English, where it's more common to use an adjective to describe nationality ("the Australian actress" rather than "the Australian").

The other note is that in order to promote gender inclusivity, words like die SpanierInnen or die Spanier:innen (combining masculine and feminine forms) are now often used in German to explicitly include both men and women. This shift reflects broader changes in German language usage toward gender-inclusive language. Otherwise, you may see forms like these to denote particular groups of men and/or women: 

Denn viele Spanier sprechen sehr schnell.

Because many Spanish people speak very fast.

Caption 18, Deutsch mit Eylin: Telefonieren

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Davon gibt es deutschlandweit nur eine, da hier einige ostasiatische Einwohner und Einwohnerinnen, vor allem Japaner und Japanerinnen leben.

There is only one of these in Germany since there are some East Asian residents, mainly Japanese, living here.

Captions 29-31, Yabla reist durch Europa: Düsseldorf

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Die Japanerinnen, die Brasilianerinnen, die Amerikanerinnen sind extrem stark, auch die Skandinavierinnen,

The Japanese, the Brazilians, the Americans are extremely strong, also the Scandinavians,

Captions 21-23, Frauenfußball-WM: Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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...wo Migranten, Türken, Griechen, Marokkaner, Afrikaner mit Deutschen zusammen feiern.

... where immigrants—Turks, Greeks, Moroccans, Africans—celebrate together with Germans.

Caption 42, Integration von Nationalitäten: Hessen miteinander

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Further Learning
Why not see if you can memorize the lists above? You will find additional examples on Yabla German. 

Let's discuss two German verbs today: fallen and gefallen. 

The verb fallen can be variously translated as "to fall," "to drop," "to decline," "to decrease" or "to sink" (as in prices decrease or sink), "to slip" (as in standards slip), and even "to score" (as when a goal is scored in football). 

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Im Herbst sind die Blätter rot und orange.

In autumn, the leaves are red and orange.

Im Winter fallen sie herunter.

In winter, they fall down.

Captions 44-45, Deutsch mit Eylin - Pronomen

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OK, jetzt gebe ich euch andere Verben,

OK, now I'll give you other verbs

die in diese Kategorie fallen, ja?

that fall into this category, yes?

Caption 1, Deutschkurs in Tübingen - Verben der 2. Kategorie

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Doch wenn dann immer mehr Tore fallen...

Indeed, if then more and more goals are scored...

Caption 32, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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Bevor wir fallen, fallen wir lieber auf

Before we fall, we prefer to be noticed

Caption 23, Heino - Neue Volkslieder

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Note that the second instance of fallen in this last example is actually part of the separable verb auffallen, "to be noticed."

The verb gefallen may be translated, according to context, as "to oblige," "to delight," "to be pleasing," "to appeal" (to someone), "to be to (someone's) liking," or "to meet with (someone's) approval." 

Wir hoffen, euch hat dieses Video gefallen

We hope you enjoyed this video

und ihr hattet Spaß beim Zuschauen.

and had fun watching.

Gebt uns doch einen Daumen nach oben, wenn's euch gefallen hat.

Give us a thumbs up if you liked it.

Captions 75-76, Playmobil - Skispringen mit Familie Hauser

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Das gefällt mir richtig, richtig gut.

I really, really like it.

Caption 5, Auto-Bild-TV - Tops & Flops der IAA

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„Der Film gefällt dem Zuschauer“. -Super.

"The viewer likes the film." -Super.

Caption 6, Deutschkurs in Tübingen - Verben der 3. Kategorie

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Note that the subject of gefallen is dative: Mir gefällt der Film or Der Film gefällt mir. It would be an easy mistake to misunderstand the last one to mean "the film likes me!" 

You also have to be careful not to mix up the verb gefallen — a past participle of fallen — with the noun der Gefallen ("a favor"). There is also the adjective gefallen, which is from the verb fallen and may be translated as "fell down" or in a military sense "to be killed in action," in the same euphemistic sense that a soldier "falls" in battle. 

Further Learning
Go to Yabla German and read the related lessons Falling, dropping, and slipping and The verb gelingen. Then watch the Yabla video Deutschkurs in Tübingen, where the teacher and students go in-depth into the verb gefallen.

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

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

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Jetzt warte ich auf den nächsten Gang.

Now I am waiting for the next course.

Caption 28, Abendessen - mit Marko

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

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

Caption 24, Konstantin - ein Freiwilliger in Israel

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

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

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

Caption 49, Geoökologie - Cettina interviewt Sarah

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

Einer der Träume ist sicher

One of the dreams is certainly

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

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

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

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

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

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

Caption 32, Märchen - Sagenhaft - Schneewittchen

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

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

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

Caption 14, Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Einbürgerungstest

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

English adjectives for being sure or certain about something are often interchangeable, but German expressions like bestimmt, gewiss, and sicher are more specific to the particular context in which they are used. Let's take a look at all three.

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Bestimmt can mean either "definitely"

Du machst Filme und die Leute sagen „Das wird bestimmt so“,

You make films and the people say, "It will definitely be like this",

Caption 34, Berlinale - Schauspieler Jürgen Vogel

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or in the nominalized noun something specific or in particular:

Wenn du mal was Bestimmtes vorhaben würdest...

If you were up to something specific...

Caption 12, Wahlspots - Szenen einer Ehe

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Gewiss can mean "certain" in the standard sense

Die Unterstützung des Schirmherrn

The support of the patron

ist den Fußballfrauen also gewiss.

for the women's soccer [team] is certain.

Captions 13-14, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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or as a suggestion of vagueness or uncertainty, a "certain something":

Aber ein gewisser Druck bleibt trotzdem.

But a certain [amount of] pressure remains nevertheless.

Caption 23, Cro - mit „Melodie“ an Chartspitze

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Sicher can mean "certain"

Ich bin mir sicher, es wird klappen.

I am sure it will work out.

Caption 49, German Intro - Jenny

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but in other contexts it means "safe":

Es is' 'n sicherer Standplatz.

It is a safe location.

Caption 36, Für Tierfreunde - Falknerei Feldberg

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The words bestimmt, gewiss, and sicherlich can be used interchangeably when meaning "of course" or "certainly": Sicherlich / Bestimmt / Gewiss werden wir die Deutschprüfung bestehen. (We will certainly pass the German test.)

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

Further Learning
Search for some uses of bestimmt, gewiss, and sicher (sicherlich too) on Yabla German to learn about the ways some of these expressions are used in context.

Has anyone ever had the audacity to doubt you, despite your obvious inborn genius and natural talents? The best response to such outrageous treatment is, of course, to put the disbelievers firmly in their place, and this is best accomplished through modifiers that express certainty, ways of emphasizing that there can simply be no doubt: you are the greatest, and they are just going to have to live with the fact.

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

Former German president Christian Wulff may have been forced to resign in a 2012 scandal, but nobody ever doubted his support for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup:

Die Unterstützung des Schirmherrn aus dem Schloss Bellevue

The support of the patron from Bellevue Castle

ist also gewiss.

is certain.

Captions 13-14, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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As to life after the resignation, Wulff may be facing difficulties similar to those of an animal shelter in Nied:

Die Zeiten werden rauer, so viel steht fest.

The times are getting rougher, that is for sure.

Caption 48, Für Tierfreunde - Tierheim Nied

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Though Wulff's smile is still looking good, there's always room for improvement, as suggested by Diane and Franca:

Wenn ich weniger Schokolade essen würde,

If I ate less chocolate,

wäre mein Zahnarzt bestimmt zufriedener mit mir.

my dentist would certainly be happier with me.

Captions 30-31, Konjugation - Das Verb „essen“

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And were Wulff to be accused of smuggling a polar bear into the Frankfurt Zoo, he would surely respond:

Doch wie Sie sicherlich wissen,

But as you surely know,

gibt's im Frankfurter Zoo keine Eisbären.

there aren't any polar bears in the Frankfurt Zoo.

Caption 11, Umfragen - Zootiere im Winter

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BANNER PLACEHOLDER

Further Learning:

Gewiss, feststehen, bestimmt, and sicherlich are just a few examples of the many ways of expressing certainty in German. Go the the aforementioned interview with former German president Christian Wulff on Yabla and see if you can find other examples of Mr. Wulff expressing certainty. As the old saying goes, Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall.

Did you know that the Beatles, owing in part to the time they spent in Hamburg at the start of their career, released a version of "She Loves You” in German? Its title is „Sie liebt dich“.

The German noun and verb for love (Liebe, lieben) are used with more variety of meaning than “love” in English. So, liebe (dear) Yabla subscribers, let’s see all of the different ways we can make love work for us in German!

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As illustrated above, the adjective liebe/lieber (dear) is used as an informal form of address. We see this usage in the following Yabla video, starting at the very top: with God.

Du lieber Gott, welchen Weg müssten die denn abends zurücklegen,

Dear God, which way would they have to travel in the evening,

wenn Köln Gulu wäre?

if Cologne were Gulu [a city in Uganda]?

Caption 47, World Vision - Wolfgang Niedecken

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Working our way down from God to tattoo exhibitions, we find: 

Liebe Zuschauer, es fand eine Tattoo-Ausstellung in Frankfurt im Hotel "Roomers" statt.

Dear viewers, a tattoo exhibition took place in Frankfurt at the Hotel Roomers.

Caption 1, Tätowierungen - Tattoo-Ausstellung

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If you would prefer your Liebe to mean more than merely "dear," listen to how Thomas uses a variation of the root word (lieb) to mean “rather” or “preferably”:

Aber ich glaube, ich nehm' mir lieber ein Taxi.

But I believe I'd rather take a taxi.

Caption 49, Melanie und Thomas - treffen sich

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This can work to express superlative preferences as well: 

Am liebsten vermutlich eine Sendung...

Most preferably, presumably, a broadcast...

Caption 54, Frauenfußball-WM - Der Bundespräsident am Ball

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If you prefer popularity to love, add the be- prefix for a refreshing change of meaning:

Orangensaft ist sehr beliebt in Deutschland.

Orange juice is very popular in Germany.

Caption 12, Jenny beim Frühstück - Teil 1

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Add -haber to lieb to stir up some enthusiasm:

Machst du ja auch Auftragswerke für Kunden oder für Interessent'... äh, Kunstliebhaber?

You also indeed do commissions for customers or for those interested... uh, art enthusiasts?

Caption 2, Lokalhelden - Art House

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Liebhaber can also mean “lover” in the more intimate sense:

Tristan und Isolde waren Liebhaber.

Tristan and Isolda were lovers.

And in the end, it is best to make love, even while preparing for war:

In zwei Sekunden Frieden stiften, Liebe machen und Feind vergiften...

In two seconds make peace, make love, and poison the enemy...

Caption 3, Andreas Bourani - Alles nur in meinem Kopf

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BANNER PLACEHOLDER

So you see that in German, the word for “love” (Liebe) is the basis for a number of different expressions ranging from “dear” to “preferably” to “enthusiast” to the actual object of one’s desire.