German A1
Part 1
The alphabet : [here]
The personal pronouns:
Notice that in german we have the formal way which is what you use with people that you don't know/boss/teacher etc! And the informal which you use with friends/family/kids..etc.
ich = I wir = we
du = You (informal) ihr= you guys (informal)
Sie = You (formal) sie = They.
er = He
sie = she
The verb to be in german: Sein
I am -> ich bin we are -> wir sind
You are -> du bist You guys are -> ihr seid
He/she/it is -> er/sie/es ist They are -> sie sind.
Sie (formal) sind.
Ex: Ich bin Marie -> I am Marie!
The verb to have in german: Haben
I have -> ich habe we have -> wir haben
You have -> du hast you guys have -> ihr habt
He/she/it has -> er/sie/es hat they have -> sie haben
Sie (formal) haben.
Ex: Er hat ein Auto -> He has a car.
Articles :
Definite articles:
In English we have only one definite article which is 'the' we use it to all nouns whether if the noun is masculine or feminine, singular or plural. But in german we have 3 definite articles for the singular nouns : Der, die and das and one definite article for the plural: die
Der :
Definite article used for singular masculine people and professions.
Ex: Der Mann (the man) , Der Arzt (the doctor)
Some tips to figure out when the word is singular masculine:
1. Months of the year are masculine.
2. Days of the week
3. Seasons
4. Directions
5. Most words that have the following endings:
-el -ich -ig -us -eich -ant -or -ner -ling -er
Ex: Der
6. Words that have the ending -ismus.
7. The following countries: Lebanon, Irak , Iran, suden
Note: The previous endings are just a way to help you memorize the article BUT there are always exceptions so the best way to know the article is to learn each word along with its right article by heart.
So instead of memorizing that 'Elefant' means elephant you can go like this: Der Elefant = the elephant
Die :
Definite article for singular feminine people and professions.
Ex: Die Mutter (the mother)
Some tips to figure out when the word is S.F:
1. Cardinal numbers : Die zwie
2. The words that have the following endings:
-heit -keit -schaft -ung
3. New words that entered the german language and end with :
-ur -ade -age -anz -enz -ik -ion -tät
4. Most words that end with: -e -ei -ie -in
5. The following countries: Türkei, Schweiz, Slowakai.
Das :
When the word is neutral we use DAS!
Das Gold (the gold)
Tips to figure out when the word is neutral:
1. Names of hotels and restaurants.
2. Most nouns starting with -Ge
3. When an infinitive used as a noun: Das Essen (The food)
4. Colors!
5. Words ending with:
-chen -lein -um -ment -nis