German Language Rules

8/9/2019 German Language Rules

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NEGATION

Often, words and phrases need to be negated. This is done using kein and nicht.

Kein-negates a word. Similar to no. It is used and conjugated like ein.

Er hat drei Kinder. He has three children.Er hat keine Kinder. He has no children.

Ich habe keine Idee. I have no idea.

Nicht always negates a verb. It appears either behind the direct object (here placedbefore the indirect object) or before short adverbs/adverbial phrases.

Nicht-negates a clause or full sentence. Similar to not.

Ich werfe den Mll nicht in den Rhein. I will not throw the rubbish in the Rhein.

Er hilft nicht gerne. He wont help.

Ich spreche nicht Franzsisch. I dont speak French.

Kein is always used with a noun and nicht with a verb.

Kein and nicht.

Ich mache eine Reise. Ich mache keine Reise.

Ich reise nach Hamburg. Ich reise nicht nach Hamburg.

Another form of negation is through the use ofungern. It means to dislike and isthe opposite of gern, meaning to like. It appears like nicht after the verb.

Nicht, ungern and kein.Ich jogge nicht am Sonntag, aber amSamstag.

I cant jog on Sunday, but on Saturday.

Ich jogge ungern. I prefer not to jog (but maybe I will).

Ich bin keinen Jogger. I am not a jogger.

PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions

Accusative Dative Accusative and dative

durch- through, by (durchs) aus- out, from auf- on, to (aufs- dat)*

fr- for (frs) bei- with (beim) an- on, at/against, to (ans- dat)*

gegen- about, against nach- after in- in, into (ins- dat)*

um- around, at (ums) seit- since hinter- behind

ohne- without von- from, of, by (vom) vor- in front, before, ago

zu- to (zum & zur) zwischen- between

mit- with neben- beside

ber- over, about

unter- under, near

All the forms in (...) are short forms, e.g. durchs = durch das, frs = fr das, beim =

bei dem. These are used in spoken language.

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Correct written language does include some of these short forms. In many cases youhave to use the long form, for example, in written language you should not use ans,but an das.

Genitive prepositionsausserhalb- outside of anstatt- instead of

innerhalb- inside of whrend- during, while

trotz- in spite of wegen- because of

PERSONAL PRONOUNS

Personal, reflexive and possessive are the three types of pronoun.

Personal pronouns

Nominative Accusative Dative Genitive

ich mich mir mein

du dich dir dein

ihr euch euch euer

wir uns uns unser

er ihn ihm sein

sie sie ihr ihr

es es ihm sein

sie (plural) sie ihnen ihr

Sie (polite) Sie Ihnen Ihr

Notice how the personal pronouns change according to the case.

Case. Noun.

Nominative Der Mann

Dative Dem Mann

Genitive Des Mann

Accusative Den Mann

REPLACING A DIRECT OBJECT WITH A RELATIVE PRONOUN

Often, the direct object of the main clause is replaced by a relative pronoun.

Relative pronouns

Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural

Nominative der die das die

Accusative den die das die

Dative dem der dem denen

Gentive dessen deren dessen deren

When replacing a direct object with a relative pronoun the direct object switchesplaces with the indirect object, no longer appearing in the final position.

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Replacing a noun with a pronoun

Ich gebe der Frau das Frhstck. I give the woman thebreakfast.

Ich gebe es der Frau. I give it to the woman.

Ich gebe es ihr. I give it to her.

Notice how the indirect object/pronoun remains dative and the direct object/pronounremains accusative.

It is important to remember which nouns are the direct and indirect objects andsubject of a sentence, and so their case, when replacing them.

Das Zimmermdchen kam kurz darauf und brachte die gewnschte Siefe. Als siesie mir gab, fragte sie: Welche Zimmernummer, bitte?

Er warf einen mitleidigen Blick auf meinem Koffer. Als er ihn nahm, fragte er:Welche Zimmernummer mein Herr?

When there is a main and subordinate clause the relative pronoun appears after theconjunction in the subordinate clause. The main verb of the subordinate clause takesthe final position, either in the infinitive (when a modal is used) or in the perfect tense.

Main clause. Subordinate clause.

Wir haben eine Bahncard, mit derwirdurch ganz Deutschland fahren knnen.

We have a railcard, with it we can travel through the whole of Germany.

Notice how the modal verb takes the final position, after the main verb.

Sometimes, the article is dropped completely. For example:

Mchest du in der Zukunft Harfe spielen? No article

Mchest du in der Zukunft eine Harfe kaufen? Article

When replacing a noun with a personal pronoun use the correspondingthird personpronoun.

Pronoun Translation Gender

es it neutral

er it masculinesie it feminine

Der, die or das are only used when greater emphasis is required. For example, ifsomeone was pointing at something.

ARTICLES

Articles: 1-4 are declined as definite articles, 5-9 as indefinite articles and 10-14aspluralarticles.

1) dieser 8) ein bisschen- a little2) jeder- each 9) andere- other

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3) mancher- many 10) einige- some

4) welcher 11) mehrere- several

5) kein- no 12) alle- all, every

6) solch ein- such a 13) viele- many

7) was fr ein- what a 14) wenige- few

All of these articles change their ending according to the gender of the word theyproceed and case of the sentence they appear in. For example, dieser, diesen,diesem, dieses.

ADJECTIVAL ENDINGS

CASE MASCULINE FEMININE NEUTRAL PLURAL

Nom-definite dergute die groe das kleine die roten

Indefinite ein guter eine groe ein kleines

No article guter groe kleines roteAcc-definite den guten die groe das kleine die roten

Indefinite einen guten eine groe ein kleines

No article guten groe kleines rote

Dat-definite dem guten dergroen dem kleinen den roten

Indefinite einem guten einer groen einem kleinen

No article gutem groer kleinem roten

Gen-definite des guten dergroen des kleinen derroten

Indefinite eines guten einer groen eines kleinen

No article guten groer kleinen roter

The table shows nominative, accusative, dative, then genitive.

1) The article definite/indefinite.2) Adjective ending with that article. (Plural shows only definite ending.)3) Adjective ending with no article.

Masculine Feminine Neutral Plural

Case 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

Nom der -e -er die -e -e das -e -es die -en -e

ein -er eine -e ein -es

Acc den -en -en die -e -e das -e -es die -en -eeinen -en eine -e ein -es

Dat dem -en -em der -en -er dem -en -em den -en -en

einem -en einer -en einem -en

Gen des -en -en der -en -er des -en -en der -en -er

eines -en einer -en eines -en

All adjectives preceded by articles end with en, save-

All genders in the nominative case, plus the feminine and neutral accusativecases. Here adjectives with the definite article end in e. Adjectives with the

indefinite article end with the last letter of the definite article.

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All adjectives preceded by no article take the last letter of the definite article, save-

In the masculine and neutral genitive case the adjective takes en.

Noun and adjective with the indefinite article.

Case. Masculine. Feminine. Neutral.Nominative. ein guterMann eine gute Frau ein gutes Mdchen

Accusative einen guten Mann eine gute Frau ein gutes Mdchen

Dative. einem guten Mann einer guten Frau einem guten Mdchen

Genitive. eines guten Mann einer guten Frau eines guten Mdchen

Noun and adjective with the definite article.

Case. Masculine. Feminine. Neutral.

Nominative. der gute Mann die gute Frau das gute Mdchen

Accusative den guten Mann die gute Frau das gute Mdchen

Dative. dem guten Mann der guten Frau dem guten MdchenGenitive. des guten Mann der guten Frau des guten Mdchen

Noun and adjective with no article.


Nominative. (der) guterMann (die) gute Frau (das) gutes Mdchen

Accusative (den) guten Mann (die) gute Frau (das) gutes Mdchen

Dative. (dem) gutem Mann (der) guterFrau (dem) gutem Mdchen

Genitive. (des) guten Mann (der) guterFrau (des) guten Mdchen

Plural nouns and adjective with definite article.


Nominative. die guten Mnner die guten Frauen die guten Mdchen

Accusative die guten Mnner die guten Frauen die guten Mdchen

Dative. den guten Mnner den guten Frauen den guten Mdchen

Genitive. der guten Mnner der guten Frauen der guten Mdchen

Plural nouns and adjective with no article.


Nominative. (die) gute Mnner (die) gute Frauen (die) gute Mdchen

Accusative (die) gute Mnner (die) gute Frauen (die) gute Mdchen

Dative. (den) guten Mnner (den) guten Frauen (den) guten MdchenGenitive. (der) guterMnner (der) guterFrauen (der) guterMdchen

In most cases the adjectival ending of plurals will be -en, however, when there is noarticle it is almost always -e. For example:

In den letzen zwei Jahre habe ich viele/fnf deutsche Leute kennengelernt.

Die deutschen Leute helfen mir mit meinem Deutsch.

Adjectival endings occur when an adjective appears before the noun. For example:

Article Adjective Noun

Das rote Buch.

Article Noun Adjective

Das Buch ist rot. 5


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The adjectival ending depends on 1) the case and 2) the gender of the noun. For

example:

Ich habe den (film in German is masculine) neuen Harry Potter nicht gesehen.

Adj with ending Translation Adj without ending Translation

Ein netterMann A nice man Der mann ist nett The man is niceEine nette Frau A nice woman Die frau ist nett The woman is nice

Ein nettes Kind A nice child Das kind ist nett The child is nice

Often, verbs with past participles become adjectives. They also obey the same rule.For example:

Article Verb with adjectival ending Noun Translation

Das gekochte Ei. The cooked egg.

When verbs are used in the passive voice they take on adjectival endings. For

example:

Article Verb with adjectival ending Noun

Das erschienene Buch.

The published book. (The action is over.)

The adjectival present participle is formed by adding d to the infinitive form of theverb before the adjective ending. For example:

Verb Adjective

Passen - to fit Passend - fittingHervorragen - to stand out Hervorrangend - outstanding

This appears to create an infinitive form, however infinitives are verbs and thisconstruction is only used with adjectives in the present tense.

Such present participles are only used with the active voice andat specific points intime.

Article Adjective Noun

Das weinende Kind.

The crying child.Der laufender Mann.

Nominative der neue Harry Potter Film

Genitive des neuen Harry Potter Films

Dative dem neuen Harry Potter Film

Accusative) den neuen Harry Potter Film

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The running man.

Adjectives are preceded with the verb sein when there is a personal pronoun.

Deutsch- adjectives English

Er ist nebelig (sein neblig). It is foggy.Es ist windig (sein windig). It is windy.

One does not use sein with a verb, unless the prefect tense is sought.

Deutsch- verbs English

Er regnet. It is raining (Literal- It rains).

Er schneit. It is snowing (Literal- It snows).

The verb regnen means to rain, whereas the adjective windig needs sein to

make to be windy.

Although Er regnet translates into English as continuous, suggesting it is anadjectival phrase, in German there is no continuous. Er regent describes an action,and so, in German, it is not an adjective.

Er ist windig, however, is an adjectival phrase since it describes the world, theenvironment. Windig- windy, is not an action.

An adjectival phrase would be, Der laufender Mann- the running man, sincelaufender is describing a noun.

Adjectives describe nouns andadverbs describe actions. Unlike adjectives,adverbs have no endings.

Adjectival Adverbial

Das ist eine gute Idee- That is a goodidea.

Er kocht gut- He cooks well.

An adjective must always be followed by a noun. For example.

Adjective with noun- correct. Adjective without noun- incorrect.

Heute war ein schnerTag. Heute war schne.

An adverb must similarly be followed by a verb.

Adverb with verb- correct. Adverb without verb- incorrect.

Meine Mtter kann sehr gut kochen. Meine Mtter kann sehr gut.

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Adjectives can also be comparative and superlative. The comparative is created by

adding the ending er. The superlative is formed with am sten.

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If there is already an e at the end, just add r in the comparative form.

Stem Comparative Superlative

leise- quiet leiser am leisesten

Adjectives with stems ending in el and er drop the e in the comparative form.


dunkel- dark dunkler am dunkelsten

Adjectives with stems ending in d, s, , sch, t, x, z add an extra e in thesuperlative.


hei- hot heier am heiesten

One syllable adjectives often take an umlaut in the comparative and superlative.


lang lnger am lngsten

alt lter amltesten

gro gr er am gr ten

Here are some irregular forms:


oft- often fter am meistenviel- much mehr am meisten

gut- good besser am besten

hoch- high hher am hchsten

nah(e)- near nher am nchsten

gern- to like lieber- to prefer am liebsten- best of all

Statement.

Deutsch English

Er ist alt. He is old.

When comparing two items to emphasise how equal they are use the phrase sowie.

Deutsch English

Er ist so alt wie ich. He is as old as I am.

Similar to.

Deutsch English

Er ist alt wie meinen Vater. He is old like my father.

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When comparing two unequal qualities use als.

Deutsch English

Er ist lterals ich. He is older than I am.

Superlative.

Deutsch English

Er ist der am ltesten. He is the eldest.

MAIN AND RELATIVE CLAUSES

When joining two sentences together one uses conjunctions. Whether two mainclauses or a main and relative clause are connected is governed by conjunction.

Simple conjunctions connect two main clauses. Main clauses make sense on theirown and require no further information.

Simple conjunctions.

und- and trotz- despite, in spite of

aber- but trotzdem- nevertheless

oder- or anschlieend- afterwards

dann- then deshalb / deswegen- therefore

(je)doch- however entweder- either

danach- after that

While all da forms (dann, danach, dafr, damit, dabei) are simple conjunctions, theyreverse the word order. As does also and deshalb. For example:

...dann spiele ich... and not... dann ich spiele...

...deshalb bin ich...

Often, dann does not appear in a sentence, though its use is implied. For example:

Wenn die Frauen Kirche fertig ist, (dann) denke ich, dass der Platz schner wre.

Also, when the object (here: die Frauen Kirche) starts a sentence, the object (here:

ich) appears after the verb. Another example is:

Das Auto gefllt mir.

Main clause. Main clause.

Ich liebe Hamburg und ich liebe Manchester.

Mein Franzsisch ist nicht so gut, aber mein Deutsch ist besser.

Tante Unice las ein Buch und Onkel Peter spielte Schach.

Tante Unice hat ein Buch gelesen nd Onkel Peter hat Schach gespielt.

Entweder gehen wir heute ins Kino, order wir gehen in der Stadt spazieren.

Ich habe ein neues Auto und ich habe eine kleiner Wohnung.Ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch sprechen, aber ich verbessere mich jeden Tag.

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Howeversubordinate conjunctions create a subordinate clause.

Subordinate conjunctions.

weil- because ob- whether

denn- because bevor- beforedass- that seit, seitdem- since

wenn- if, when, whenever als- when, as

falls - if nachdem- after

obwohl- although

Some conjunctions are both simple and subordinate.

Simple and subordinate conjunctions.

whrend- during wie- how, like

also- so wo- wherewie- as, like, how warum- why

was - what mit- with

If a clause starts with one of the following conjunctions it becomes subordinate,creating a subordinate clause. If it is used within a clause, it remains simple.

Conjunction Main Clause Sub/dependent Clause.

Wo as a subordinate conjunction. Wissen Sie, wo der Bahnhof ist?

Wo as a simple conjunction. Wo ist der Bahnhof? ---

Was as a subordinate conjunction. Ich wei nicht, was ich sagen mchte.

When a subordinate conjunction is used, the conjugated verb in the second ordependent clause is placed in the final position.

(The conjugated verb is also known as the flexive or finitive verb.)

Main clause. Dependent clause.

Es freut mich, dass ich in einer freundlichen Familie bin.

Mir geht es fantastisch, weil mein Leben so schn ist.

Ich wrde gern nach Deutschlandreisen,

weil ich das Land mit seinen Menschenmag.

Ich wrde lieber nach Deutschland alsnach Spanien fahren,

weil ich Deutsch sprechen kann.

Er spricht gut Deutsch, weil erin Hamburg gelebt hatte.

Ich helfe dir, weil du mein Freund bist.

Ich frage mich, warum ich dir helfen soll.

Ich stehe so frh auf, weil ich um acht Uhr einen Deutschkurshabe.

Ich muss mein Vokabelbuch in meineTasche nehmen,

weil ich es (sonst) verlieren knnte.

Lea hilft mir mit meinen Hausaufgaben, weil es schwierig fr mich ist.

Ich beverzuge es den ganzen TagDeutsch zu sprechen,

obwohl es mich mde machen kann.

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Ich lerne mein deutschen Wrte, wenn ich Zeit habe.

Christina hat mich gefragt, ob ich ihr helfen kann.

Ich habe gegessen, bevorich hier gekommen bin.

Er sagt, dass die Leute faul sind.

Ich habe ein Auto gesehen, das einen Tuer gebraucht.

(Note: In the last two examples, dass and das are used. In the first case dass doesnot refer to an object, while in the second case das refers to das Auto. When thatrefers to an object it must reflect the gender and case of the noun.)

The clause order can also be reversed.

Dependent clause Main clause

Weil ich Deutsch sprechen kann, ich wrde lieber nach Deutschland alsnach Spanien fahren.

Below, three clauses are connected. (Note: in German Familie is singular.)

Mein Deutsch ist schon besser, weil mein Deutschfamilie so freundlich ist, und(weil) sie mit mir spricht.

Here, three clauses have been connected. The first clause is the main clause. It isfollowed by two subordinate clauses. Although the third clause appears to be a mainclause (since it is connected using und) it is still dependent on the first clause. It isstill explaining why. Weil (in parenthesis) is suggested. It is therefore a subordinate

clause.

Therefore if und is used after weil it connects two subordinate clauses. Alone itconnects two main clauses.

A main clause can also be split in two parts with the relative clause contained withinit.

German English

Das Zimmer ist mbliert. The room is furnished.

Sie mietet das Zimmer fr einige Geld. She rents the room for little money.

Main clause Relative clause Main clause continued

Das Zimmer, das sie fr einige Geld mietet, ist mbliert.

The room that she rents for little money is furnished.


Der Baum, den ich gepflatzt habe, blmt.

Above, der Baum is nominative as it is the only noun in this clause, however, in therelative clause der Baum becomes the accusative den as ich is the new

nominative subject.

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Mein Freund, mit dem ich ins Kino gegangen bin, ist krank.

In the relative clause above, mein Freund becomes the dative dem.

COMMAS

Commas are used in German not to express pauses in speech, but the division ofclauses. For example:

Der Nachbar, der mir, als ich meine neue Wohnung bekommen habe, geholfen hat,verlor seine Schwester, zu der er sehr nah war.

When subordinate conjunctions are used verbs with separable prefixes are reunitedin conjugated form at the end of the dependent clause.

The following English sentences are literal translations to illustrate the use ofsubordinate conjunctions and commas in German:

Er will, dass wir aussteigen = He wants that we get outEr sagt, dass er austeigt = He says that he gets outEr ist froh, weil wir aussteigen = He is glad because we get outEr war froh, als wir ausstiegen = He was glad when we got out

Since German comma rules are complicated and numerous most German speakersuse commas intuitively.

IF CONSTRUCTION

When wenn or falls opens a sentence the following clause must begin with dann.The verb, and not the article, then follows in the second position. Sometimes dannis dropped, but it is always implied.


Wenn du Englisch spricht, (dann) verstehe ich dich.

When also opens a sentence or clause, the verb also takes the second position.


Ich habe viele e-mails, also muss ich es jeden Zeit benutzen.

UMAND ZU

In many conversations one wants to say, I did in order to German always usesum (in order) and zu (to).

First clause. Second clause.

Perfect. Ich bin heute nach Berlin gefahren, um mein Freund zu besuchen.

Past. Ich warin Berlin, um mein Freund zu besuchen.

Question. Wann ist ein gutes Wochenende, um dich zu besuchen?

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Even if the opening of the sentence is in the perfect or past tense, the verb in thesecond clause always appears in the infinitive preceeded by zu.

Whenever two verbs appear in one sentence, the first is inflected according to the

pronoun or object and the second appears in the infinitive form, preceeded by zu.

First clause. Second clause.

Ich versuche jeden Tag, zu lesen.

Ich liebe jeden Tag, zu schwimmen.

Ich hoffe jeden Tag, zu reisen.

In the dative case zu changes before a noun.

DativePronoun

Conjunction

Creates

Translation

dem zu zum to the

der zu zu die to the

dem zu zum to the

NOUN GENDERS

The rules listed are based on the ending of the nouns. However, as always, there areexceptions.

Masculine:

Males, male professions and male animals: der Sohn, der Arzt, der Hund.

Seasons, months and days of the week:der Sommer. der Mai, der Montag.

Weatherexpressions: der Wind.

Points of the compass: der Norden.

Rocks and minerals: der Diamant, der Quartz.

Types of car: der BMW.

Rivers outside Germany: der Ganges.

Monetary units: der Dollar.

Mountains and mountain ranges: der Mount Everest, der Himalaja.

Plant-based drinks: der Saft.

Alcoholic drinks: der Wein (except das Bier).

-erendings: der Fehler.

-ling endings: der Liebling.

-ant endings: der Konsonant.

-ich endings: der Teppich.

-ig endings: der Essig.

-orendings: der Motor.

-us endings: der Rythmus.

-ast endings: der Kontrast.

-ismus endings: Sozialismus.

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Nouns derived from a verb that have dropped the ending: der Anruf (fromanrufen).

Feminine:

Females, female professions and female animals: die Tochter, der Lehrerin,die Kuh.

Types of aeroplanes and motor-bikes: die Boeing, die Honda.

Names of ships: die Bismarck.

Rivers inside Germany:die Elbe.

Names of numerals: die Tausend.

-ei endings: die Baeckerei.

-heit and -keit endings: die Moeglichkeit.

-schaft endings: die Wissenschaft.

-ung endings: die Zeitung.

-t endings: die Universitt. -ie endings: die Familie.

-ik endings: die Politik.

-urendings: die Natur.

-ion endings: die Funktion.

-in endings: die Freundin.

-a endings: die Pizza.

-anz and -enz endings: die Eleganz.

-sis endings: die Basis.

Nouns that have a -t at the end and are derived from a verb: die Fahrt (from

fahren). Most nouns ending in -e: die Reise.

Neuter:

Young persons and young animals: das Kind, das Lamm.

Metals and chemical elements: das Gold, das Zinn.

Scientific units: das Atom.

Letters of the alphabet and musical notes: das Ypsilon, das Cis.

Colours, languages and English -ing forms: das Blau, das Spanisch, das

Meeting. Names of hotels, cafes, restaurants and cinemas: das Hilton, das Roxy etc.

Continents, countries, provinces and towns: das England, das Hamburg etc.

-chen and -lien endings: das Mdchen.

-ment endings: das Dokument.

-um endings: das Museum.

-ma endings: das Drama.

-tel endings: das Viertel.

-it endings: das Dynamit.

-il endings: das Ventil.

Nouns derived from a verb that appear the infinitive: das Essen.

Most nouns with the prefix -ge: das Gesprch.

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Compound nouns take the gender of the last noun: der Fahrplan.

ORDINAL NUMBERS

Irregular ordinal numbers.eins - 1 elf - 11 einundzwanzig - 21 ------------------- (ein)hundert

sechs - 6 sechzehn - 16 sechsundzwanzig - 26 sechzig - 60 sechshundert

sieben - 7 siebzehn - 17 siebenundzwanzig - 27 siebzig - 70 siebenhundert

Write the numbers one to twelve as words, thereafter write numbers in ordinal form.

CARDINAL NUMBERS

Cardinal numbers are formed by adding -t to the cardinal numbers 1 to 19 and byadding -st to 20 and above. Those endings are then followed by following nounsadjectival endings. Note: there are irregularities with erste, dritte, siebte and achte.

All cardinal numbers take the male form, unless referring to a female or neutralobject.

eins one, (ein a) einmal once, erste first.zwei two, zweimal twice, zweite second.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

All times of the day and months are masculine, save for die Nacht. They are allexpressed using the dative am (an plus dem), save for an der Nacht. Theiradjectival ending is therefore -en.

-t + adjectival ending = 1 19-st + adjectival ending = 20

German. English.

Am Morgen In the morning.

Am Vormittag Before lunch/late morning.

Am Mittag Noon/midday.

Am Nachmittag In the afternoon.

Am Abend In the evening.

An derNacht In the night.

Am Ersten April On the first of April.

Am Zwanzigsten Mai On the twentieth of May.

Am achtizigerJahre. In the eighties.

Am ziebzigerJahre. In the seventies.

Article. Cardinal. Object.

Der dritte Mann

Die dritte FrauDas dritte Mdchen.

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Der zwlfte Dezember 2005. The twelfth December, 2005

(Note: In the final example the dative am is not used, so the number has thenominative -e adjectival ending. Moreover, the previous two examples take theadjectival ending -er, because, while dative, Jahr is feminine.

DativePronoun

Conjunction

Creates

Translation

dem an am on the

der an an der on the

dem an am on the

Um is also used to express the time.

German.

Um 13.30 Uhr treffen wir.

Um wie viel Uhr?

What makes the expression Guten Tag dative is the root of the phrase, which usesthe dative verb, wnschen.

Original expression.

Ich wnsche Ihnen einen guten Tag.

Ich wnsche Ihnen eine gute Nacht.

PLURALS

Most German nouns are made into plural by adding -e, or -en and occasionally -s.Often the vowel takes on an umlaut. There is no rule for this, however, with familiarityone can know if an umlaut is necessary by the sound of the noun.

In addition, some male nouns can become cross-gender group plurals. For example:

Der Teilnehmer- the (male) participant / the participants.Die Teilnehmerin- the (female) participant.

Normally an ending would be added to create the plural, however, derTeilnehmerbecomes die Teilnehmer to create the plural. The male form takes prominence.

If the group is female only the plural is die Teilnehmerinnen. An extra -n is added atthe end before the usual plural -en.

Feminine words ending in -heit, -keit, -ungusually take -en for the plural ending.

ACCOUNTABLE

An object is accountable when it can be counted. For example.

Viele Flasche: many bottles = accountable.

16


17/17

Viel Geld: much money = unnaccountable/refers to a mass.

17

Documents

German Language Rules