Chapter 1

Verb Conjugation​

Regular Verbs

A verb describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. German verb conjugation refers to changing the form of a verb to match the subject (e.g. a person). The ending of the verb changes depending on who is doing the action.​

Remove the -en ending:

Leave the stem of the verb "sing" and adjust the "-en" to add the correct ending to the verb according to the person. Memorise these verb endings and practise using them with different subjects (ich, du, er, ...) in order to become comfortable with using verbs in German sentences.

The verb singen (to sing)

1. Remove the -en ending → sing- (verb stem)

2. Add the correct endings:

• ich singe (I sing)

• du singst (you sing)

• er/sie/es singt (he/she/it sings)

• wir singen (we sing)

• ihr singt (you all sing)

• sie/Sie singen (they/you (formal) sing)

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Quick Tip: Learn the verb endings by heart.​​​

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Verb Conjugation​

Irregular Verbs

Conjugating irregular verbs in German can be tricky because their stems often undergo changes, especially in the present tense. Unlike regular verbs, which follow a consistent pattern, irregular verbs tend to have unpredictable changes in their stems. These changes usually happen in the second and third person singular forms (du and er/sie/es).

Example:
The verb sprechen (to speak) is irregular. In the present tense, the conjugation changes like this:

• ich spreche (I speak)

• du sprichst (you speak)

• er/sie/es spricht (he/she/it speaks)

As you can see, the vowel "e" in the stem changes to "i" in the second and third person singular forms.

Another example of an irregular verb with a stem change:

• essen (to eat)

  • ich esse

  • du isst

  • er/sie/es isst

These vowel changes are important and must be memorized for each irregular verb.

Quick Tip:
Focus on the vowel change in the stem when conjugating irregular verbs. In many cases, these changes occur in the second and third person singular forms, and they are key to proper conjugation.​

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​Sentence Structure I​

In German, the position of the verb is crucial to sentence structure. Understanding how to place the verb correctly is essential for both statements and questions.

In declarative sentences (statements), German follows the subject-verb-object structure, much like English:

• Ich wohne in Berlin. (I live in Berlin.)

• Er trinkt Wasser. (He drinks water.)

The verb comes directly after the subject, and the object (if there is one) follows the verb.

In yes/no questions (questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no"), the verb moves to the first position, directly after the question word or subject.

• Wohnst du in Berlin? (Do you live in Berlin?)

• Trinkst du Wasser? (Do you drink water?)

In questions with question words like wer (who), wie (how), or woher (where from), the verb comes second, right after the question word.

• Wo wohnst du? (Where do you live?)

• Wie geht's dir? (How are you?)

• Wer hilft mir? (Who is helping me?)

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Quick Tip: Basic sentences: subject - verb - object; questions: question word - verb - subject.

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Chapter 2

Negation

​"Nicht" means "not" and is used to create negative sentences. Its placement depends on what is being negated.

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1. Before adjectives and adverbs:

   • Ich bin nicht müde. (I am not tired.)

   • Er spricht nicht schnell. (He does not speak fast.)

2. Before prepositional phrases:

   • Ich wohne nicht in Berlin. (I do not live in Berlin.)

3. Before verbs in perfect tense:

   • Ich habe das Buch nicht gelesen. (I have not read the book.)

4. At the end of a sentence to negate the whole statement:

   • Ich gehe heute ins Kino, aber du nicht. (I am going to the cinema today, but you are not.)

 

Quick Tip: Use nicht to negate verbs, adjectives, and specific phrases. Use kein to negate nouns with indefinite articles or no article.

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​Word Formation​

The name of professions changes depending on the gender of the person who holds them. If a man is a teacher, he would be called "der Lehrer," and if a woman is a teacher, she would be called "die Lehrerin." The ending "-in" is added to the noun for feminine professions. This applies to many professions in German.

der Lehrer → die Lehrerin
der Student → die Studentin

For the plural form, "-nen" is added for feminine nouns:
die Lehrerin → die Lehrerinnen
die Studentin → die Studentinnen

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Word Formation with Prefixes and Suffixes

German words often change by adding prefixes (at the beginning) or suffixes (at the end). These small parts can change the meaning of a word.

The prefix "un-" makes a word negative:
glücklich → unglücklich (happy → unhappy)

The suffix "-lich" often forms adjectives:
Woche → wöchentlich (week → weekly)

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Quick Tip: Add "-in" for the feminine profession and use the article "die". Pay attention to small changes in words, as they can affect meaning.

Prepositions​

The word "als" is used when talking about someone's profession or role. It introduces what someone works as.

Example:
– Ich arbeite als Deutschlehrerin. (I work as a German teacher.)
– Er arbeitet als Ingenieur. (He works as an engineer.)

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The word "bei" is used to indicate where someone works, often referring to a company, institution, or employer.

Example:
– Ich arbeite bei GermanMind. (I work at GermanMind.)

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The word "in" is used when talking about locations, especially when saying where someone lives or is staying.

Example:
– Ich wohne in Dublin. (I live in Dublin.)
– Er lebt in Deutschland. (He lives in Germany.)

These small words (prepositions) are important for forming clear and correct sentences in German.

Quick Tip:
– "als" → for professions (Ich arbeite als Lehrer.)
– "bei" → for workplaces (Ich arbeite bei GermanMind.)
– "in" → for places of residence (Ich wohne in Dublin.)​​

Chapter 3

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Sentence Structure II

Ja-Nein Fragen, also known as "yes-no questions", are used to ask for confirmation or clarification. They are formed by placing the verb at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject and then the rest of the sentence. Spielst du Fußball? (Do you play soccer?)​

W-Fragen, also known as "question words", are used to ask for specific information about a subject or an object in a sentence. They are typically formed by placing the question word at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and the subject and the rest of the sentence. Wo wohnst du? (Where do you live?)​

Aussagesätze, or statements, follow the subject-verb-object structure without any interrogative words. They make a statement or express a fact. Ich wohne in Berlin. (I live in Berlin.)

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• Spielst du Fußball? (Do you play soccer?)

• Kommst du morgen zur Party? (Are you coming to the party tomorrow?)

• Wie heißt du? (What is your name?)

• Wann beginnt der Film? (When does the movie start?)

• Ich gehe ins Kino. (I am going to the cinema.)

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Quick Tip: In Yes-No questions (Ja-Nein-Fragen), the verb comes first, followed by the subject, and then the rest of the sentence. This word order is used to ask for confirmation or clarification. For example: "Spielst du Fußball?" (Do you play soccer?).

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​Ja - Nein - Doch - Particles ​

"Ja" means "yes" and is used to confirm something or to give a positive answer to a question.

Hast du Hunger? (Are you hungry?)  - Ja, ich habe Hunger. (Yes, I am hungry.)

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"Nein" means "no" and is used to negate something or to give a negative answer to a question.

Kannst du schwimmen? (Can you swim?) - Nein, ich kann nicht schwimmen. (No, I cannot swim.)

"Doch" is used to contradict a negative statement, to emphasise something that was previously stated, or to express surprise or disagreement.

Du kannst nicht schwimmen, oder? (You can't swim, right?) - Doch, ich kann schwimmen. (Actually, I can swim.)

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Quick Tip: “Ja”: used for confirmations;

                 “Nein”: used for negations;

                 “Doch”: used for contradiction of negative statements​​

Possessive Articles ​

Possessive Articles are used to indicate ownership or possession of something and agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they are referring to.​

Masc.: Ist das dein Hund? (Is that your dog?)

Neutr.: Das ist mein Buch. (This is my book.)

Fem.: Kennst du meine Schwester? (Do you know my sister?)

Pl.: Kennst du meine Schwestern? (Do you know my sisters?)

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Masc.: Ist das dein Bruder? (Is that your brother?)

Neutr.: Das ist mein Auto. (This is my car.)

Fem.: Kennst du meine Mutter? (Do you know my mother?)

Pl.: Kennst du meine Freunde? (Do you know my friends?)

 

"Mein/meine" and "dein/deine" are declined to match the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify.

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Quick Tip: In German, possessive pronouns share the same endings as indefinite articles. This means the endings change based on the gender, case, and number of the noun they modify, just like how the indefinite articles (ein, eine) change. For example, in the nominative case, you would use "mein" (my) for masculine singular nouns, "meine" for feminine singular and plural nouns, and "mein" for neuter singular nouns.​​

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​Chapter 4

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Definite articles and personal pronouns

Definite articles are used to refer to a specific person, thing, or concept, and are equivalent to the English word "the". The definite articles are: der (masculine), die (feminine), and das (neuter). 

Personal pronouns replace nouns in sentences and must match the gender and whether the noun is singular or plural.​​

Basic rules for using the definite articles in German:

• Masculine nouns: If a noun is masculine (e.g. der Mann - the man), use the definite article "der".

• Feminine nouns: If a noun is feminine (e.g. die Frau - the woman), use the definite article "die".

• Neuter nouns: If a noun is neuter (e.g. das Haus - the house), use the definite article "das".

It's important to note that the gender of a noun in German is not always predictable.

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Quick Tip: Definite Articles in German are "der" (masculine), "die" (feminine), and "das" (neuter). You can replace them with "er," "sie," "es," and "sie" (plural) to refer to something specific.

 

 

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Indefinite articles​

In German, there are the indefinite articles: ein (masculine and neuter) and eine (feminine). Indefinite articles are used to refer to a non-specific person, thing, or concept, and are equivalent to the English word "a" or "an".

Basic rules for using the indefinite articles in German:

• Masculine nouns: If a noun is masculine (e.g. ein Mann - a man), then you use the indefinite article "ein".

• Feminine nouns: If a noun is feminine (e.g. eine Frau - a woman), then you use the indefinite article "eine".

• Neuter nouns: If a noun is neuter (e.g. ein Haus - a house), then you use the indefinite article "ein".​​

"Keine" is a word used to express negation or absence of something, and it is the negative form of "eine" (a/an) or "ein" (a/an) depending on the gender of the noun. "Keine" is used with feminine and plural nouns, while "kein" is used with masculine and neuter nouns.

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Quick Tip: Indefinite Articles in German are "ein" (masculine and neuter) and "eine" (feminine). They refer to something non-specific.

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Chapter 5

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Plural articles

German has three ways to show plurals: die (the), keine (not any), and Nullartikel/no article.

• "Die" is used for all plural nouns regardless of the noun's gender. Ich mag die Nachbarn. (I like the neighbours.)

• "Keine" is used to show the negative form of a/an or any for plural nouns. Er isst keine Erdnüsse. (He doesn't eat peanuts.)

• "Nullartikel" is used for abstract and mass nouns. Hans liebt kleine Hunde. (Hans loves small dogs.)

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• Die (the):

  • Die Hunde spielen im Garten. (The dogs are playing in the garden.)

  • Die Bücher sind interessant. (The books are interesting.)

• Keine (not any):

  • Ich habe keine Freunde hier. (I don’t have any friends here.)

  • Wir haben keine Äpfel mehr. (We don’t have any apples left.)

• Nullartikel (no article):

  • Kinder spielen oft draußen. (Children often play outside.)

  • Vögel fliegen im Himmel. (Birds fly in the sky.)

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Quick Tip: There are three different ways to show plurals: "die" (used for all plural nouns), "keine" (used in the negative form of "a/an" or "any"), and "Nullartikel" (used for abstract and mass nouns). 

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Singular and plural​

There are several different ways to form the plural, such as adding "-e" or "-en" to the end of the word, or using the "-s" or "-er" endings.
Some plural forms in German require an Umlaut, a change to the vowel sound, which can make the word sound quite different in the plural form.

 

Singular: das Buch (the book)

Plural: die Bücher (the books)

 

Singular: das Kind (the child)
Plural: die Kinder (the children)

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Singular: der Mann (the man)
Plural: die Männer (the men)

 

Singular: die Frau (the woman)
Plural: die Frauen (the women)

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It's important to note that there are some irregular plural forms in German that don't follow these patterns; these will need to be learned individually.

 

Quick Tip: Memorise plural forms, including irregulars! 

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Chapter 6

 

Grammar Case: Accusative​

The accusative case in German is used to indicate the direct object of a verb, the noun that is receiving the action of the verb. To indicate the accusative case, the masculine article "der" (masculine) changes to "den". The remaining articles don't change.
 

Verbs such as "haben" (to have), "brauchen" (to need), and "kaufen" (to buy) often take direct objects in the accusative case:

• Ich habe den Kaffee. (I have the coffee.)

• Ich brauche den Stift. (I need the pen.)

• Ich kaufe einen Kuchen. (I buy a cake.)

• Er braucht einen Stift. (He needs a pen.)

• Hans hat einen Hund. (Hans has a dog.)

• Anne kauft ein Kleid. (Anne buys a dress.)

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Quick Tip: In the accusative case, only the masculine definite article changes: der becomes den. For feminine (die), neuter (das), and plural nouns (die), the article stays the same. So, remember: der (masculine) changes to den, but the other articles remain unchanged.

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Chapter 7

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Modalverb: Können (can, be able to)​

1. "Können" is used to express what someone is able to do.

• Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. (I can speak German.)

• Kannst du schwimmen? (Can you swim?)

2. "Können" can also be used to express what is possible.

• Es kann heute regnen. (It can rain today.)

• Wir können ins Kino gehen. (We can go to the cinema.)

3. "Können" can be used to ask for permission to do something.

• Kann ich bitte zur Toilette gehen? (Can I please go to the bathroom?)

• Kann ich das Fenster öffnen? (Can I open the window?)

 

"Können" has irregular conjugations in the present tense.​

In a main clause, the modal verb "können" is positioned in the second position of the sentence, and it is conjugated according to the subject. The full verb then appears in the final position of the sentence in the infinitive form (unconjugated).

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Quick Tip: “Können” is used to express ability, possibility, and permission.

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​Chapter 8

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Prepositions "Am", "Um"​

​"Am": In German, the preposition "am" is a contraction of the preposition "an" (meaning "on" or "at") and the definite article "dem" (in the dative case). It is specifically used to indicate specific days of the week or dates.

• Am Montag gehe ich zum Deutschkurs. (On Monday, I'm going to the German class.)

• Ich treffe meine Freunde am 10. Mai. (I'm meeting my friends on May 10th.)

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"Um": The preposition "um" is used to indicate specific times, such as hours or minutes. It is followed by the time in the 24-hour format (hour and minute).

• Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)

• Der Zug fährt um 15:45 Uhr ab. (The train departs at 3:45 p.m.)

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Quick Tip: “Am” + days of the week/dates, “um” + times; 

• Am Montag um 9 Uhr habe ich einen Termin. (On Monday at 9 o'clock, I have an appointment.)

• Am 5. Mai um 18 Uhr fliegen wir nach Berlin. (On May 5th at 6 o'clock, we are flying to Berlin.)

• Am Samstag um Mitternacht gehe ich ins Bett. (On Saturday at midnight, I go to bed.​​​​

Verb position

In a simple German sentence, the verb usually comes second. The subject can be placed before or after the verb, depending on emphasis or information structure. The word order can vary in German, but the basic SVO (subject-verb-object) order is generally followed.​

"Gestern habe ich Deutsch gelernt" and "Ich habe gestern Deutsch gelernt": The sentences demonstrate that, although the subject can be placed before or after the verb in German, the conjugated verb typically retains its position as the second element in a simple main sentence.

 

In the sentence "Gestern habe ich Deutsch gelernt" (Yesterday, I learned German), the verb "habe" (have) is in second position, the subject is on position three. The direct object "Deutsch" (German) appears after the verb.
In "Ich habe gestern Deutsch gelernt", the subject "Ich" is placed before the conjugated verb "habe" in the first position. The adverb of time "gestern" (yesterday) follows as additional information, while the main verb "gelernt" (learned) is placed at the end of the sentence.

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Quick Tip: The subject-verb-object structure is common in German, but be prepared for other flexible structures.​

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Chapter 9

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Modalverb: Möchten (would like)​​

"Möchten" is the conditional form of the full verb "mögen" (to like).

• "Mögen" is a full verb used to express a general preference or liking for something. Ich mag Schokolade. (I like chocolate.)

• "Möchten" is a modal verb derived from "mögen" and requires another verb to show the action. It is used to make polite requests or express specific wishes. Ich möchte ein Eis essen. (I would like to eat an ice cream.)

 

Sentence structure with "möchten" : Subject + "möchte" + rest of the sentence + infinitive verb (full verb in the basic form)

• Ich möchte tanzen. (I would like to dance.)

• Er möchte Deutsch lernen. (He would like to learn German.)

• Sie möchte schwimmen. (She would like to swim.)

• Wir möchten ins Kino gehen. (We would like to go to the cinema.)

• Du möchtest ein Buch lesen. (You would like to read a book.)

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Quick Tip: “Möchten“ is used to express preference, politeness, and wishes.​

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Word formation​

To create compound nouns like "Schokoladenkuchen" (chocolate cake), combine the base forms of the two nouns. The modifying noun (Schokolade) generally comes before the main noun (Kuchen) to indicate the type or quality of the object. The gender is dictated by the second noun.

The linking element "n" or "s" is added based on the gender of the first noun: "n" for feminine or plural, "s" for masculine or neuter. Not every compound noun requires a linking element.

 

• Handschuh (glove)

Hand (hand) + Schuh (shoe)
"Hand" is feminine, and "Schuh" is masculine, so no linking element is needed. The article is determined by "Schuh" (masculine): der Handschuh.

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• Staubsauger (vacuum cleaner)

Staub (dust) + Sauger (sucker)
"Staub" is masculine, so no linking element is needed. The article is determined by "Sauger" (masculine): der Staubsauger.

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Quick Tip: Articles are determined by the last noun.​​

Chapter 10

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Separable Verbs

German separable verbs consist of a prefix and a main verb, with the prefix being separated from the main verb in certain sentence structures. These separable verbs are often used in everyday German.​

German separable verbs are verbs that are combined with a prefix to create a new meaning. The separable verb "anrufen" (to call) consists of the prefix "an" and the main verb "rufen" (to shout); the separable verb "aufstehen" (to get up), which is formed by the prefix "auf" and the main verb "stehen" (to stand). In English, it can be understood as "to get up" or "to rise."

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To use separable verbs in German sentences:

Aussage/Statement: Verb in position 2, and prefix at the end. Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 am.)

W-Frage/Question with question word: Question word, verb in position 2, and prefix at the end. Wann stehst du morgen auf? (When do you get up tomorrow?)

Ja-/Nein-Frage/Yes/No question: Verb in position 1, and prefix at the end. Stellst du die Musik an? (Do you turn on the music?)

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Quick Tip: Keep the prefix and main verb separated in the sentence; the prefix is placed at the end of the sentence.

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Chapter 11

 

Prepositions "von", "bis", "ab"​

The prepositions "von" and "bis" are used to indicate a range of time. The preposition "ab" is used to express starting from a particular time.

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"Von ... bis ..." (From ... to/until ...): Start the sentence with "Von" followed by a specific starting time or date. Use "bis" followed by the ending time or date. "Mein Deutschkurs findet von 9 Uhr bis 10 Uhr statt." (My German course takes place from 9 am to 10 am.)

"Ab ..." (From ... onwards): "Ab" is used followed by a specific starting time or date. "Ab 9 Uhr bin ich in meinem Deutschkurs." (From 9 am (onwards) I'm in my German class.)

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von (from) - indicating a range of time:

Ich arbeite von 9 Uhr bis 17 Uhr. (I work from 9 AM to 5 PM.)

bis (until) - indicating a range of time:

Die Veranstaltung dauert bis nächste Woche. (The event lasts until next week.)

ab (from, starting at) - expressing the starting point in time:

Der Kurs beginnt ab Montag. (The course starts from Monday.)

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Quick Tip: “Von” (+ specific starting time or date) “bis” (+ ending time or date) = from...to...; “Ab” (+ specific starting time or date) = from...onwards​​​

Present Perfect with haben​​

"Haben" is used with most verbs in German, especially those that describe actions that don't involve movement or a change of state. You will typically use "haben" with:

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1. Transitive verbs (verbs that require a direct object):

   • Ich habe das Buch gelesen. (I have read the book.)

   • Er hat den Apfel gegessen. (He has eaten the apple.)
      

2. Verbs that describe actions, states, or feelings:

   • Sie hat den Film gesehen. (She has seen the movie.)

   • Wir haben viel gelernt. (We have learned a lot.)
      

3. Verbs that describe mental or emotional states:

   • Ich habe Angst. (I am scared.)

   • Er hat einen Traum gehabt. (He has had a dream.)
      

4. Verbs that indicate activities or processes that are not associated with a change of state or motion:

   • Wir haben gearbeitet. (We have worked.)

   • Du hast gelächelt. (You have smiled.)
      

Quick Tip: Use "haben" for most verbs, especially with actions, mental processes, emotions, and when there is no movement or change of state. The past participle of the verb will often start with "ge-" and end in "-t" for regular verbs. Irregular verbs will have their own unique past participle forms.​​​

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Chapter 12

Present Perfect with sein​​

"Sein" is used with verbs that describe movement or a change of state. This auxiliary verb is used with a specific set of verbs, including those related to motion, direction, and changes in condition. Here's when to use "sein":

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1. Verbs of motion or direction (movement from one place to another):

   • Ich bin nach Hause gegangen. (I have gone home.)

   • Er ist in den Park gelaufen. (He has run to the park.)
      

2. Verbs that indicate a change of state or condition:

   • Sie ist krank geworden. (She has become ill.)

   • Er ist älter geworden. (He has gotten older.)
      

3. Separable verbs with motion or change of state (the "ge-" prefix goes between the prefix and the verb stem):

   • Ich bin um 15 Uhr angekommen. (I arrived at 3 pm.)

   • Wir sind weggefahren. (We have left.)
      

4. Verbs that imply a transition or a completion of a state or action:

   • Die Kinder sind eingeschlafen. (The children have fallen asleep.)

   • Ich bin ins Kino gegangen. (I have gone to the cinema.)
      

Quick Tip: Use "sein" with verbs related to motion or change of state. Be sure to memorize the past participles of these verbs, as they often have irregular forms. The past participles with "sein" typically begin with "ge-" and end with "-en" for irregular verbs, and they usually do not follow the same pattern as regular verbs.​

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​Preposition "im"​

The temporal preposition "im" in German is used to indicate a specific point in time, usually referring to a month or a season.

It is a contraction of the preposition "in" and the definite article "dem" (in + dem = im).

When referring to a specific month: "Wir treffen uns im März." (We will meet in March.)

When referring to a season: "Im Sommer gehe ich gerne schwimmen." (I like to go swimming in summer.)

"Im" is followed by the specific time period (month or season) to indicate when an action takes place, and is used with masculine and neuter nouns, whereas "in der" is used with feminine nouns. For example, "in der Woche" (during the week) or "im Jahr" (during the year).

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• Im Januar gehe ich in den Urlaub. (I am going on vacation in January.)

• Im Sommer fahren wir immer ans Meer. (In the summer, we always go to the sea.)

• Im Dezember ist es in Deutschland oft sehr kalt. (In December, it is often very cold in Germany.)

• Im Frühling blühen die Blumen. (In the spring, the flowers bloom.)

• Im Herbst fallen die Blätter von den Bäumen. (In the autumn, the leaves fall from the trees.)

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Quick Tip: Use "im" for specific points in time, like months or seasons, with masculine and neuter nouns in German. Use “in der”for feminine nouns.

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Chapter 13

 

Local Prepositions​

Local prepositions are used to describe a location or position. The most important local prepositions in German are:​

in: Das Café ist in der Bibliothek. (The café is in the library.)

an: Das Auto steht an der Ampel. (The car is at the traffic lights.)

auf: Die Kinder sind auf dem Spielplatz. (The children are on the playground.)

über: Die Lampe ist über dem Sofa. (The lamp is above the sofa.)

unter: Der Hund ist unter dem Tisch. (The dog is underneath the table.)

vor: Die Schule ist vor dem Park. (The school is in front of the park.)

hinter: Die Bank ist hinter der Bibliothek. (The bank is behind the library.)

neben: Das Restaurant ist neben dem Café. (The restaurant is next to the café.)

zwischen: Die Bibliothek liegt zwischen der Universität und dem Dom. (The library is between the university and the cathedral.)

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Quick Tip: "an" signifies proximity to or contact with the surface of an object while "auf" indicates being on top of something.

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Dative prepositions​

When local prepositions are used to describe a position or location, they are followed by the dative case. In the dative case, all articles change.​

When the prepositions "in" and "an" are combined with the dative article "dem" a contraction occurs. This means that a shortened form of the combined words is used:​

in + dem = im

Der Dom ist im Zentrum. (The cathedrale is in the centre.)​

an + dem = am

Ich warte am Bahnhof. (I'm waiting at the train station.)

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• Im Park spielen viele Kinder. (Many children are playing in the park.)

• Ich bin im Büro. (I am in the office.)

• Wir treffen uns am Montag. (We will meet on Monday.)

• Er arbeitet am Computer. (He is working on the computer.)

• Im Supermarkt gibt es viele Angebote. (There are many offers in the supermarket.)
   

Quick Tip: Use the dative case after Local Prepositions, and remember that all articles change in dative.​​​

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Chapter 14

 

Possessive -s​

In German, you can indicate possession by adding "-s" to the end of the possessor's name or noun. This is comparable to English where the possessive "'s" is used (e.g., "Otto's house").

For example:​​

• Marias Auto ist rot. (Maria's car is red.)

• Peters Haus ist sehr groß. (Peter's house is very big.)

• Lizas Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (Liza's book is on the table.)

• Jans Fahrrad ist neu. (Jan's bicycle is new.)

• Klaus' Hund ist sehr freundlich. (Klaus' dog is very friendly.)

• Annas Katze schläft auf dem Sofa. (Anna's cat is sleeping on the sofa.)

• Tims Fußball liegt im Garten. (Tim's football is in the garden.)

• Sarahs Hunde spielen im Park. (Sarah's dogs are playing in the park.)

​

This is also called the Genitive case for proper nouns and it is common in spoken and informal written German. It's used primarily for singular nouns and names, both masculine and feminine.​

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Quick Tip: In German, possession is shown by adding "-s" directly to the end of the noun without using an apostrophe, unlike in English, where you would typically use "'s" to indicate possession. For example, "Anna's Katze" becomes "Annas Katze" in German. This rule applies to most singular nouns, including names.

Possessive articles sein/ihr​​

In German, the possessive articles "sein" (his/its) and "ihr" (her/their) are used to indicate possession or ownership, just like "his," "her," "its," and "their" in English. These possessive articles agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify, which means they change based on the noun they refer to.

• "sein" is used when referring to something belonging to a masculine or neuter singular subject.

• "ihr" is used when referring to something belonging to a feminine singular subject or to a plural subject (both for "her" and "their").

For example:

• Masculine: Das ist sein Auto. (That is his car.)

• Feminine: Das ist ihr Buch. (That is her book.)

• Neuter: Das ist sein Haus. (That is its house.)

• Plural: Das sind ihre Freunde. (Those are their friends.)

Just like definite articles (der, die, das), possessive articles in German change according to the case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive). The endings of these possessive articles will change based on the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify.

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Quick Tip: Pay attention to the endings! Possessive articles change just like the definite articles (der, die, das), and you need to memorize these changes based on the gender, number, and case of the noun. For example, "sein" changes to "seine" in the nominative feminine singular, and "ihr" changes to "ihre" in the nominative plural.

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Chapter 15

 

Dative verbs ​

Some verbs require the use of the Dative case for their objects, meaning the noun or pronoun that follows these verbs is in the Dative case. This can be different from English, where the same verbs might not require an indirect object or might use a prepositional phrase. Some common German verbs that require the Dative case are:

helfen (to help): Ich helfe meinem Freund. (I help my friend.)

danken (to thank): Er dankt der Lehrerin. (He thanks the teacher.)

gefallen (to please, to like): Das Buch gefällt dem Mann. (The man likes the book.)

gehören (to belong to): Das Auto gehört meiner Mutter. (The car belongs to my mother.)

glauben (to believe): Ich glaube dir. (I believe you.)

folgen (to follow): Sie folgt ihrem Freund. (She follows her friend.)

antworten (to answer): Er antwortet der Frage. (He answers the question.)

verzeihen (to forgive): Wir verzeihen dir. (We forgive you.)

begegnen (to meet): Ich bin gestern einem alten Freund begegnet. (I met an old friend yesterday.)

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Quick Tip: Some German verbs always take the dative case. Common ones include:

• helfen (to help): Ich helfe meinem Bruder. (I help my brother.)

• danken (to thank): Wir danken der Lehrerin. (We thank the teacher.)

• gehören (to belong): Das gehört mir. (That belongs to me.)​​​​​

​

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Dative pronouns​

It's important to use the correct form of the Dative pronoun based on the person and formality. The Dative pronouns correspond to "me," "you," "him," "her," "us," "you" (plural), and "them" in English, but their forms change based on the case.

Here are some examples using Dative pronouns:

• Mir (me)

  • Er hilft mir. (He helps me.)

• Dir (you, informal singular)

  • Ich gebe dir das Buch. (I give you the book.)

• Ihm (him/it)

  • Wir zeigen ihm den Weg. (We show him the way.)

• Ihr (her)

  • Sie erzählt ihr eine Geschichte. (She tells her a story.)

• Uns (us)

  • Kannst du uns helfen? (Can you help us?)

• Euch (you, informal plural)

  • Ich danke euch für eure Hilfe. (I thank you for your help.)

• Ihnen (you, formal singular or plural)

  • Ich gebe Ihnen das Buch. (I give you the book.)

• Ihnen (them)

  • Wir schicken ihnen eine E-Mail. (We send them an email.)
     

Quick Tip: In Dative sentences, make sure to use the correct pronoun form based on the subject and the level of formality!

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Chapter 16

​

Temporal prepositions

​Temporal prepositions are used to describe the timing or duration of an event. Four common temporal prepositions are "vor", "nach", "in" and "für". Each has specific uses related to expressing time:

Vor (Before, Ago): is used to indicate a point in time before another event or to express how long ago something happened:

• Vor dem Essen wasche ich mir die Hände. (Before eating, I wash my hands.)

• Ich habe ihn vor einer Woche getroffen. (I met him a week ago.)​

Nach (After): is used to indicate a point in time following another event. It is the opposite of vor when used to indicate a sequence of events.

• Nach dem Essen gehe ich spazieren. (After eating, I go for a walk.)

• Nach der Schule mache ich meine Hausaufgaben. (After school, I do my homework.)​

In (In, Within): is used to indicate a future point in time (in a specified amount of time) or to express that something will happen within a certain time frame.

• In einer Woche fahre ich nach Berlin. (In a week, I am going to Berlin.)

• Das Projekt muss in einem Monat fertig sein. (The project must be finished within a month.)​

Für (For): is used to indicate a duration of time. It describes how long something lasts or will last.

• Ich bleibe für einen Monat. (I am staying for a month.)

• Wir sind für drei Tage in Berlin. (We are in Berlin for three days.)

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Quick Tip: Temporal prepositions show when something happens. Use "am" for days/dates, "um" for exact times, and "im" for months/seasons! Common ones include:

• am (on): Am Montag habe ich Deutschkurs. (On Monday, I have German class.)

• um (at): Der Kurs beginnt um 18 Uhr. (The class starts at 6 PM.)

• im (in): Im Winter ist es kalt. (In winter, it's cold.)​​

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​Chapter 17

​​

Prepositions​

​In German, the prepositions mit (with) and ohne (without) are used to show whether something is included or not.

Using mit (with)

The preposition mit is always followed by the dative case.

• Examples:

  • Ich trinke Kaffee mit Milch.
    (I drink coffee with milk.)

  • Er geht mit seinem Freund ins Kino.
    (He is going to the cinema with his friend.)​

Using ohne (without)

The preposition ohne is always followed by the accusative case.

• Examples:

  • Ich trinke Tee ohne Zucker.
    (I drink tea without sugar.)

  • Wir kochen ohne ihre Hilfe.  

                (We cook without her help.)

​

Quick Tip: There is no "mit die" and no "ohne der".

• "Mit" always uses the dative case, so you say mit dem, mit der, or mit den (not mit die).

• "Ohne" always uses the accusative case, so you say ohne den, ohne die, or ohne das (not ohne der).

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Modal verb "wollen"​

"Wollen" is the German verb that means "to want" or "to wish". As a modal verb, it is used to express desires, intentions, or wishes. In German, modal verbs, including wollen, always combine with another verb in its infinitive form. The modal verb modifies the meaning of the main verb.In basic sentences, wollen comes second, and the infinitive verb goes at the end. The infinitive verb stays in its basic form and is not conjugated.

• Er will ein neues Auto kaufen. (He wants to buy a new car.)

  • Er (subject) + will (conjugated) + ein neues Auto (a new car - direct object) + kaufen (infinitive verb "to buy").

• Wir wollen ein Restaurant eröffnen. (We want to open a restaurant.)

  • Wir (subject) + wollen (conjugated) + ein Restaurant (a restaurant - direct object) + eröffnen (infinitive verb "to open").​

Negative Form:

To say "don’t want", add "nicht" after wollen.

• Ich will nicht gehen. (I don’t want to go.)

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Quick Tip: To form sentences with "wollen," use the structure: Subject + conjugated form of "wollen" + verb in the infinitive at the end. This structure helps express desires or intentions in German. For example, "Ich will ins Kino gehen" means "I want to go to the cinema."​

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Chapter 18

​

Modal verb "sollen"

 

The verb sollen means "should" or "ought to" in English. It is used to give advice, suggestions, or express what someone is expected to do.

Sollen is used with another verb in its infinitive form, and it shows that something is expected or recommended.

• Du sollst mehr Wasser trinken. (You should drink more water.)

• Er soll seine Hausaufgaben machen. (He should do his homework.)

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Negative Form:

To say "should not", add "nicht" after sollen.

• Du sollst nicht so viel Zucker essen. (You should not eat so much sugar.)

​

Quick Tip: Use the structure: Subject + sollen (conjugated) + verb (infinitive).

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Imperative Tense​

The formal imperative in German is used when speaking politely to one person or a group. To form it, use the verb in the infinitive form and place "Sie" after it. Make sure you use "Sie" for formal situations (e.g., with strangers, teachers, or in business settings). The verb stays in the infinitive form.

• Kommen Sie bitte hier! (Please come here!)

• Hören Sie gut zu! (Listen carefully!)

 

Negative Formal Imperative:

To say "don't do something", add "nicht" after the verb.

• Kommen Sie nicht zu spät! (Don’t come too late!)

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Quick Tip: ​​​For the formal imperative in German, simply use "Sie" (the formal "you") followed by the verb in its infinitive form. This construction is used when addressing someone you don't know well, or when speaking to someone in a respectful, formal manner. Unlike the informal imperative, which uses "du" or "ihr," the formal imperative is always polite and used in situations such as business settings, with strangers, or with authority figures.

• Gehen Sie geradeaus. (Go straight ahead.)

• Kommen Sie bitte. (Please come.)

• Hören Sie gut zu. (Listen carefully.)

Remember, with the formal imperative, the "Sie" always remains capitalized, showing respect and formality in the conversation.

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​Chapter 19

​

Present and Past tense​

​In German, we use sein (to be) and haben (to have) a lot. They are irregular verbs, so their forms change depending on the subject and the tense.

​

In the present tense (Präsens), we use it to talk about now.

Ich bin müde (I am tired) and ich habe Hunger (I am hungry).

Ich bin traurig. (I am sad.)

Ich habe Durst. (I am thirsty.)

Ich bin krank. (I am sick.)

Ich habe Glück. (I am lucky.)

Ich bin hungrig. (I am hungry.)

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In the past tense (Präteritum), we talk about things that happened before.

Ich war müde (I was tired) and Ich hatte Hunger (I was hungry).

Ich war traurig. (I was sad.)

Ich hatte Durst. (I was thirsty.)

Ich war krank. (I was sick.)

Ich hatte Glück. (I was lucky.)

Ich war hungrig. (I was hungry.)

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Quick Tip: sein means "to be" and haben means "to have". Practise these forms because you will use them every day!

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Non-separable verbs​

Some verbs in German are called non-separable verbs (nicht trennbare Verben). These verbs have prefixes like be-, emp-, ent-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, zer-. When we use these verbs in the perfect tense, we use haben (most of the time) as the helping verb and we do not add ge- to the main verb because the prefix stays the same.

Ich habe besucht. (I visited.) → from besuchen (to visit)
Er hat erklärt. (He explained.) → from erklären (to explain)
Wir haben verloren. (We lost.) → from verlieren (to lose).

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Quick Tip: Non-separable verbs always keep their prefix, and you don’t add ge-. Look for the prefixes to know if a verb is non-separable.

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Chapter 20

 

Imperative​

In German, the imperative is used to give commands or make requests. There are different forms depending on whether you're speaking to one person (du) or more than one person (ihr).

For du (informal singular), the imperative form is usually the same as the verb stem without any ending. For example:

• Geh! (Go!)

• Komm! (Come!)

 

For ihr (informal plural), the imperative form is the same as the ihr form of the present tense. For example:

• Geht! (Go! - plural)

• Kommt! (Come! - plural)

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Quick Tip: The verb stem is used for du commands. For ihr commands, use the same form as in the present tense.

 

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Personal Pronouns in the Accusative Case ​

In German, personal pronouns are used to replace nouns and help avoid repetition. When a personal pronoun acts as a direct object in a sentence, it changes form in the accusative case. These changes occur for the pronouns "ich" (I), "du" (you), "er" (he), "sie" (she), "es" (it), "wir" (we), "ihr" (you all), and "sie" (they).

• ich → mich (me)

• du → dich (you - informal singular)

• er → ihn (him)

• sie → sie (her)

• es → es (it)

• wir → uns (us)

• ihr → euch (you all)

• sie → sie (them)

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Ich sehe dich. (I see you.)

Er hört mich. (He hears me.)

Wir treffen uns später. (We will meet later.)

Sie liebt ihn. (She loves him.)

Ich kaufe es. (I am buying it.)

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Quick Tip: In the accusative case, personal pronouns replace the direct object and change form, while the verb remains conjugated based on the subject.​​​

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Chapter 21

 

Modal verb dürfen / müssen

The modal verb "dürfen" is used to indicate whether someone has permission to do something. Du darfst Hans besuchen. (You are allowed to visit Hans.)

​

"Dürfen" is frequently used in polite questions. Darf ich dir etwas zu trinken bringen? (May I get you something to drink?)

When combined with "dürfen" and "nicht", it expresses that doing something is forbidden: Du darfst Lisa nicht besuchen. (You are not allowed to visit Lisa.)

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"Müssen"

The modal verb "müssen" is employed to convey that something is important or necessary. Du musst deine

Hausaufgaben machen. (You must do your homework.)

​

The modal verb (müssen/dürfen) is positioned in the second position of the sentence, the full verb is placed at the end of the sentence. (Du darfst hier nicht rauchen!)​

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Quick Tip: "Dürfen" expresses permission, polite questions, and negation of permission. "Müssen" isused to indicate importance or necessity.

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​Chapter 22

Comparative ​

In German, adjectives can be used in three forms: positive, comparative, and superlative. The comparative is used to compare two things, and it is typically formed by adding the suffix -er to the adjective. The superlative is used to describe the highest degree of something, and it is formed with the suffix -st or -est. Some adjectives may also undergo an umlaut change in the comparative and superlative forms.

1. schnell (fast)

   schneller (faster)

   am schnellsten (the fastest)

2. alt (old)

   älter (older)

   am ältesten (the oldest)

3. gut (good)

   besser (better)

   am besten (the best)

4. hoch (high)

   höher (higher)

   am höchsten (the highest)

5. klug (smart)

   klüger (smarter)

   ​am klügsten (the smartest)

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Quick Tip: For most adjectives, the comparative form is made by adding -er, and the superlative is formed with -st. Watch out for irregular forms and umlaut changes, especially with adjectives like "gut" (besser, am besten) or "hoch" (höher, am höchsten).

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Comparison​

To indicate that two living beings or things possess the same trait, you can use "(genau) so + basic form of the adjective + wie":

• Hans kocht (genau) so gut wie Heidi.
  (Hans cooks (just) as well as Heidi.)

This structure compares two things or people, indicating that they are equal in a certain way.

When two creatures or things differ in a certain trait, you should use the comparative form of the adjective + "als":

• Klaus kocht besser als Paul.
  (Klaus cooks better than Paul.)
   

This structure shows that one thing or person has a higher degree of the quality than another.

1. Hans spielt genauso schnell wie Thomas.
   (Hans plays just as fast as Thomas.)

2. Anna ist genauso nett wie Klaus.
   (Anna is just as nice as Klaus.)

3. Der Apfel schmeckt besser als die Birne.
   (The apple tastes better than the pear.)

4. Mein Hund läuft schneller als mein Kater.
   (My dog runs faster than my cat.)

5. Sie spricht genauso gut Deutsch wie ihr Bruder.
   (She speaks German just as well as her brother.)
    

Quick Tip:
Use "so + adjective + wie" to compare things that are equal in some way. Use the comparative form of the adjective + als to compare differences in degree or quality between two things.​​

Chapter 23

​

Word Formation "-los"​

Adjectives ending in "-los" are used to describe someone or something that lacks a particular trait or does not possess something. When the adjective is derived from a noun (e.g., "Gefühl" – feeling), it is common to add the "-los" ending to indicate the absence of that quality or thing.

​

• freundlich – unfreundlich (friendly – unfriendly)

• hilfsbereit – hilflos (helpful – helpless)

• ruhig – unruhig (calm – restless)

• geduldig – ungeduldig (patient – impatient)

• ​freundlich (friendly) – unfreundlich (unfriendly)

• höflich (polite) – unhöflich (impolite)

• zuverlässig – unzuverlässig (reliable – unreliable)

• gefühlvoll – gefühllos (sentimental – emotionless)

• verständnisvoll – verständnislos (sympathetic – unsympathetic)

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Quick Tip: The "-los" ending often conveys a negative meaning, suggesting the absence or lack of the characteristic described by the root noun. Use adjectives with the suffix -los to indicate absence or negation of certain traits.​​

Conjuction "denn"​

The question "Warum?" (Why?) can be answered in two ways: either with "weil" + a subordinate clause (conjugated verb at the end), or with "denn" + a main clause (conjugated verb in the second position, subject, ...).​​​

Compare the following examples:

- Nico möchte nicht studieren, weil er lieber arbeiten möchte. (Nico doesn't want to study because he​ would rather work.)​

- Nico möchte nicht studieren, denn er möchte lieber arbeiten. (Nico doesn't want to study because he would rather work.)

 

It's important to note that a main clause with "denn" is never placed at the beginning of the complete sentence:

- Ich lerne Deutsch, denn ich will in Berlin studieren. (I'm learning German because I want to study in Berlin.)

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Quick Tip: Use "denn" to connect two main clauses, following the regular word order with the verb in second position.

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Chapter 24

​

Subjunctive II "Würde"​

The Subjunctive II with würde is a simple and common way to express hypothetical situations, wishes, or polite requests. It is formed by using würde (the conjugated form of "werden") and the infinitive of the main verb.

• Subject + würde + infinitive of the verb.

1. Ich würde gehen. (I would go.)

2. Du würdest essen. (You would eat.)

3. Er würde schlafen. (He would sleep.)

4. Wir würden lernen. (We would learn.)

5. Sie würden spielen. (They would play.)

Expressing wishes:

Ich würde gerne einen Kaffee trinken. (I would like to drink a coffee.)

Making polite requests:

Würdest du mir bitte helfen? (Would you please help me?)

Talking about hypothetical situations:

Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich reisen. (If I had more time, I would travel.)

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Quick Tip: The subjunctive II is used to describe unreal situations, wishes, and dreams.

To use würde, just add it before the main verb in the infinitive form. This construction is much simpler than other forms of the Subjunctive II and is ideal for beginners.

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Ordinal numbers​

Ordinal numbers are used for dates, titles (e.g., of kings), enumerations, or sequences. They are declined, and their endings correspond to the adjective endings, depending on the article and gender of the noun. Ordinal numbers in German are written with a period: 1. Oktober (1st October)

Ordinal numbers from 1 to 19 are formed by adding the suffix "-te" to the number word, with the exceptions of "eins," "drei," "sieben," and "acht."​​

- Die erste, zweite Klasse (The first, second grade)

- Der siebte, achte Tag (The seventh, eigth day)

 

Ordinal numbers from 20 upwards are formed by adding the suffix "-ste" to the basic numbers, with no expections to this rule.

- Die zwanzigste Etage (The twentieth floor)

- Der einundzwanzigste Stock (The twenty-first floor)

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Quick Tip: Use ordinal numbers for dates, titles, enumerations, or sequences. Remember to write them with a period.​​

Question word "wann"

​

"Wann" is used to ask questions about time or specific points in time. It is equivalent to the English word "when".

Here are a few examples of how tu use "wann" in German:

1. Wann kommst du? (When are you coming?)

2. Wann fängt der Film an? (When does the movie start?)

3. Weißt du, wann der Zug fährt? (Do you know when the train departs?)

"Wann" is typically used at the beginning of a question, just like "when" in English. 

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Quick Tip: "Wann" is used to ask questions about time or specific points in time.​