German Basic Course, Unit 16: Reisepläne

Basic Sentences I

1
I'm glad to be able to have ('welcome') you [here] at my house before you leave.
EsI'm glad
freutI'm glad
mich,I'm glad
dassthat
ichI
Siewould you like
voryou plan to do
Ihrerher, their (dative)
Abfahrtdeparture
nochstill, yet
beiat my place, home or office
mirat my place, home or office
begrüssenwelcome, say hello
kann.she can
2
Many thanks for your invitation.
3
I was able to put off my departure which was originally set for tomorrow.

mich: I'm glad
die: which
auf: for

4
Are you satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations (which) you were talking about recently?
5
In general, yes; certain difficulties I had anticipated didn't arise at all.

Verhandlungen: the negotiation(s), talks
denen: which
allgemeinen: in general

6
Did you have any time left for [your own] private interests in view of the business obligations you had to carry out?

bei: with, in view of
Interessen: the interest

7
Yes, this time I even had several days at my disposal.
8
And how did you spend them?
9
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place in Kiel every year.

Wochen: two weeks ago
Kiel: Kiel

10
At the same time I visited two of the big shipyards too.
11
Did you go to one of the North Sea bathing beaches also?

Gelegenheit: on the same occasion, at the same time

12
Yes, and from Norderney I made an excursion to Helgoland by steamer.

Norderney: Norderney
Dampfer: the steamer
Helgoland: Helgoland

13
You mentioned ('already') the last time we got together your interest in the most recent history of the island.

14
That's why the reconstruction interested me.

Deshalb: therefore, that's why
mich: it interests me, I am interested in it
Wiederaufbau: the reconstruction

15
And ('but') besides that the fishing industry [did] too, and last but not least the purchase of duty-free liquor.

Ausserdem: besides (that)
zuletzt: last but not least

16
And you surely didn't fail to try the oysters and lobsters there!
17
Of course not. Fresh like that they taste best of all!
18
I'm glad to be able to have ('welcome') you [here] at my house before you leave.
19
Many thanks for your invitation.
20
I was able to put off my departure which was originally set for tomorrow.
21
Are you satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations (which) you were talking about recently?
22
In general, yes; certain difficulties I had anticipated didn't arise at all.
23
Did you have any time left for [your own] private interests in view of the business obligations you had to carry out?
24
Yes, this time I even had several days at my disposal.
25
And how did you spend them?
26
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place in Kiel every year.
27
At the same time I visited two of the big shipyards too.
28
Did you go to one of the North Sea bathing beaches also?
29
Yes, and from Norderney I made an excursion to Helgoland by steamer.
30
You mentioned ('already') the last time we got together your interest in the most recent history of the island.
31
That's why the reconstruction interested me.
32
And ('but') besides that the fishing industry [did] too, and last but not least the purchase of duty-free liquor.
33
And you surely didn't fail to try the oysters and lobsters there!
34
Of course not. Fresh like that they taste best of all!

entgehen: I miss something, fail to do something
Austern: the oyster
Hummern: the lobster
So: like that
frisch: fresh

Basic Sentences II

35
Where will you go from here?
36
Now I have ahead of me the part of the trip that will probably be less attractive.
37
The cities that I now have to visit are (situated) in the Ruhr area.
38
The trip there can be very beautiful.

der: which, that
wohl: probably
reizvoll: attractive
Ruhrgebiet: the Ruhr (area)

39
Could you perhaps make (me) a suggestion [as to] which route I should take?
40
Why don't you first drive through the 'Lüneburger Heide' which is in full bloom now?
41
And then through the 'Weserbergland'.

Heide: the 'Lüneburger Heide'
Weserbergland: the 'Weserbergland' (a region of mountains and hills)

42
Yes, I could fit that into my plans.
43
How do I continue [from there] then?

44
Through the 'Teutoburger Wald', the historical significance of which goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.

Wald: the Teutoburger Wald
dessen: whose, of which

45
I like your suggestion.
46
And how far is it from there to the Ruhr?
47
I'll be glad to show you on the road map.
48
Since I have had a car, I've been traveling this route frequently.

Seitdem: since
öfter: frequently, often

49
If I make it in time I'm going to drive to the Rhine, to Heidelberg and via the Black Forest to Lake Constance also.
50
I never had time enough for that before.
51
Where will you go from here?
52
Now I have ahead of me the part of the trip that will probably be less attractive.
53
The cities that I now have to visit are (situated) in the Ruhr area.
54
The trip there can be very beautiful.
55
Could you perhaps make (me) a suggestion [as to] which route I should take?
56
Why don't you first drive through the 'Lüneburger Heide' which is in full bloom now?
57
And then through the 'Weserbergland'.
58
Yes, I could fit that into my plans.
59
How do I continue [from there] then?
60
Through the 'Teutoburger Wald', the historical significance of which goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.
61
I like your suggestion.
62
And how far is it from there to the Ruhr?
63
I'll be glad to show you on the road map.
64
Since I have had a car, I've been traveling this route frequently.
65
If I make it in time I'm going to drive to the Rhine, to Heidelberg and via the Black Forest to Lake Constance also.
66
I never had time enough for that before.

zeitlich: with regard to time
Rhein: the Rhine
Heidelberg: Heidelberg
Bodensee: Lake Constance
Früher: previously, formerly, before

Relative clauses and relative pronouns, 1 of 2

A clause that refers back to a noun

A relative clause is a clause that refers back to a noun before it. A relative pronoun is the word that introduces a relative clause.

In ein Gepäckträger da, der den Koffer gleich ins Abteil brachte, the clause says which porter. Der refers back to Gepäckträger.

German always uses a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause. English sometimes leaves it out: certain difficulties I had anticipated.

Relative pronouns look like der, das, die

Most relative pronouns have the same form as the specifiers der, das and die.

Each kind of noun has its own column: der-noun, das-noun, die-noun and plural. Each case has its own row.

Five special forms

Five forms differ from the specifiers. They are the dative plural denen and the genitive forms dessen, dessen, deren and deren.

Everything else is der, das, die, den, dem.

Relative pronoun forms

67
Do you know the gentleman she's talking to?
68
Luckily a porter just happened to be standing there who took the suitcases right to the compartment.
69
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place in Kiel every year.
70
Certain difficulties I had anticipated didn't arise at all.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

A. RELATIVE CLAUSES AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS

I

Kennen Sie den Herrn, mit dem sie sich unterhält? (12)
Do you know the gentleman she's talking to?

Zum Glück stand gerade ein Gepäckträger da, der den Koffer gleich ins Abteil brachte. (14)
Luckily a porter just happened to be standing there who took the suitcases right to the compartment.

Ich fuhr vor zwei Wochen zur Segelregatta, die jedes Jahr in Kiel stattfindet. (16)
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place in Kiel every year.

Gewisse Schwierigkeiten, mit denen ich gerechnet hatte, sind garnicht eingetreten. (16)
Certain difficulties I had anticipated didn't arise at all.

Clauses and clause word order were discussed in Unit 10. Some common CLAUSE INTRODUCERS were noted there, and additional ones have been added in the intervening units. From Unit 12 on some sentences have occurred containing clauses introduced by the words der, das, die, etc. Note the following examples:

Notice that in these sentences the clauses all refer back or 'relate' to a specific preceding noun. They are called RELATIVE CLAUSES and the words which introduce them are called RELATIVE PRONOUNS. Note that RELATIVE CLAUSES are always introduced by RELATIVE PRONOUNS in German. A RELATIVE PRONOUN does not always appear in English, however.

A. RELATIVE CLAUSES AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS

II.1. Relative pronoun forms

Most RELATIVE PRONOUNS are identical in form with the specifiers der, das, die, etc. There are a few special forms however. Here is a complete table:

Referring to: der-words; das-words; die-words; plural words
Nominative forms: der; das; die; die
Accusative forms: den; das; die; die
Dative forms: dem; dem; der; denen
Genitive forms: dessen; dessen; deren; deren

The five places in the table where the RELATIVE PRONOUNS have special forms have been underlined.

Demonstrative pronouns

Two things decide the form

Two things decide the form of a relative pronoun. The noun it replaces decides the column. Its job in its own clause decides the case.

In den Herrn, mit dem sie sich unterhält, Herr is a der-noun. Dem is in the der column. It is dative because it follows mit.

In ein Gepäckträger, der den Koffer gleich ins Abteil brachte, der is the subject of its clause. So it is nominative.

Whose, and the clause as two sentences

Each relative clause can be written as a separate sentence, with the noun in place of the pronoun. Durch das wir später reisten becomes Wir reisten später durch das Ruhrgebiet.

Das is accusative because it follows durch. Ruhrgebiet is a das-noun.

Dessen and deren show possession. Dessen is for a der-noun or a das-noun. Deren is for a die-noun or a plural.

In die Konferenz, deren Ergebnis heute abend in der Zeitung stehen wird, deren stands for der Konferenz.

A noun, or an adjective and a noun, follows the genitive pronoun. A preposition can come before it: von deren jüngster Tochter.

A stressed der, das or die

A demonstrative is a pointing word. A demonstrative pronoun is a stressed der, das or die that points back at a noun.

Gut, fangen wir mit dem Teppich an. Den legen wir in die Mitte des Zimmers. Den points back at Teppich.

Its form depends on the kind of noun it points to and on its job in its own sentence. This is the same rule as for relative pronouns.

Demonstratives use the relative forms

The forms of the demonstrative pronouns are exactly the forms of the relative pronouns. That includes denen, dessen and deren.

Der Page brachte das Gepäck von Herrn Schmidt auf dessen Zimmer. Dessen points back at Herrn Schmidt.

English often uses an unstressed pronoun here, or repeats the noun. It may say the latter.

Which one changes the word order

A relative pronoun is always followed by clause word order. The finite verb comes last.

A demonstrative pronoun does not change the word order. In Die schreibe ich nicht gern mit der Hand, schreibe stays in second place.

71
Do you know what part of town the American Consulate is in? It's right near here.
72
I have to write some business letters. I don't like to write them in longhand.
73
Gut, fangen wir mit dem Teppich an. Den legen wir in die Mitte des Zimmers. (7)
Good, let's begin with the rug. We'll lay it in the middle of the room.
74
There was an article about that in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine" recently. Yes, but it wasn't very complete.
75
Are you familiar with the stores in the 'Ludwigstrasse'? Yes, I've often shopped in those stores.
76
The bellhop brought Mr. Schmidt's luggage up to the latter's room.
77
That's Mr. and Mrs. Schumann. Isn't their son the one that works at the Ministry of Economic Affairs?
78
You know Mrs. Schulze, don't you? It was her daughter who studied at an American university for two years.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

A. RELATIVE CLAUSES AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS

II.2

The form of the RELATIVE PRONOUN depends on two factors: the kind of noun it refers back to, or replaces, and its function in the clause it introduces. Thus in paragraph I. example a) above dem refers back to, or replaces a der-word (Herr); it has the dative form following the preposition mit. In example b) der also replaces a der-word (Gepäckträger); it has the nominative form as subject of the clause it introduces.

In example c) die replaces a die-word (Segelregatta) and has the nominative form as subject of the clause. In example d) denen replaces the plural word Schwierigkeiten and has the dative form following the preposition mit.

A. RELATIVE CLAUSES AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS

II.3

In the additional examples below note how the RELATIVE PRONOUNS relate to the words they replace and how they function in the clauses they introduce. To give a clearer picture of these relationships each clause has been written as a separate sentence on the right.

a) Fahren Sie dann durch den Teutoburger Wald, dessen historische Bedeutung auf die Schlacht im Jahre 9 n.Chr. zurückgeht.
Die historische Bedeutung des Teutoburger Waldes geht auf die Schlacht im Jahre 9 n. Chr. zurück.

b) Im Ruhrgebiet, durch das wir später reisten, wollten wir einige Industriestädte besuchen.
Wir reisten später durch das Ruhrgebiet.

c) Die Konferenz, deren Ergebnis heute abend in der Zeitung stehen wird, fand in der Kongresshalle statt.
Das Ergebnis der Konferenz wird heute abend in der Zeitung stehen.

d) Die Zeitung, in der der Artikel über die Verhandlungen mit Bonn stand, kann ich nicht mehr finden.
Der Artikel über die Verhandlungen mit Bonn stand in der Zeitung.

e) Die ausländischen Architekten, deren Arbeit ein wichtiger Beitrag zur Internationalen Bauausstellung ist, werden morgen auf einem Empfang im Rathaus vorgestellt.
Die Arbeit der ausländischen Architekten ist ein wichtiger Beitrag zur Internationalen Bauausstellung.

f) Neumanns, von deren jüngster Tochter ich heute einen Brief bekam, sind noch in Amerika.
Ich bekam heute einen Brief von Neumanns jüngster Tochter.

In a) above dessen refers to Wald, a der-word; it has the genitive form indicating a possessive relationship to the noun following it. In b) das refers to Ruhrgebiet, a das-word; it has the accusative form following the preposition durch. In c) deren refers to Konferenz, a die-word and is also genitive indicating a possessive relationship to the following noun. In d) der refers to Zeitung, a die-word, and has the dative form indicating "place where" after the preposition in. In e) deren refers to Architekten, a plural word, and is genitive indicating possession. In f) the genitive plural relative pronoun deren likewise indicates possession and replaces the plural form Neumanns in the relative clause. Genitive relative pronouns indicating a possessive relationship may be followed either by a noun (c and e) or by an adjective-noun sequence (a and f) whose form is determined by its function in the clause. They may also occur, just as in English, between a preposition and its object (f).

B. DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS

I

Wissen Sie, in welcher Gegend das amerikanische Konsulat ist? Das ist hier ganz in der Nähe. (3)
Do you know what part of town the American Consulate is in? It's right near here.

Ich muss einige Geschäftsbriefe schreiben. Die schreibe ich nicht gern mit der Hand. (5)
I have to write some business letters. I don't like to write them in longhand.

Gut, fangen wir mit dem Teppich an. Den legen wir in die Mitte des Zimmers. (7)
Good, let's begin with the rug. We'll lay it in the middle of the room.

Darüber stand neulich bereits ein Artikel in der "Frankfurter Allgemeinen". Ja, aber der war nicht sehr ausführlich. (13)
There was an article about that in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine" recently. Yes, but it wasn't very complete.

In Unit 3 we noted that der, das and die when stressed serve to point out things or people. We have had several examples of this use:

These stressed pointing words are called DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS. Note that their form, as with the RELATIVE PRONOUNS, depends on the kind of noun they refer back to, whether a der-, das-, die- or plural word, and on their function in the sentence in which they occur.

B. DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS

II

Kennen Sie die Geschäfte in der Ludwigstrasse? Ja, in denen habe ich schon öfter gekauft.
Are you familiar with the stores in the 'Ludwigstrasse'? Yes, I've often shopped in those stores.

Der Page brachte das Gepäck von Herrn Schmidt auf dessen Zimmer.
The bellhop brought Mr. Schmidt's luggage up to the latter's room.

Das sind Herr und Frau Schumann. Arbeitet deren Sohn nicht im Wirtschaftsministerium?
That's Mr. and Mrs. Schumann. Isn't their son the one that works at the Ministry of Economic Affairs?

Sie kennen doch Frau Schulze, nicht wahr? Deren Tochter hat zwei Jahre in Amerika studiert.
You know Mrs. Schulze, don't you? It was her daughter who studied at an American university for two years.

The forms of the DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS are exactly the same as the forms of the RELATIVE PRONOUNS. Here are some more examples illustrating the forms that are new to you:

Notice that English does not always use a DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN where one occurs in German. We often use an unstressed personal pronoun or, with some additional emphasis, repeat the noun. If there is danger of confusion we sometimes say "the latter" or, with very strong stress, use a phrase such as those illustrated in examples c) and d).

B. DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS

III

Remember that RELATIVE PRONOUNS are always followed by CLAUSE WORD ORDER, whereas DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS as such do not affect word order.

Time expressions, 1 of 2

Mal as a noun

Mal is a das-noun that means time, as in this time or the last time. It can stand alone as a separate word.

Dieses Mal means this time. Das letzte Mal means the last time. The plural is Male: mehrere Male, several times.

Time words such as zweimal are different. They join -mal to a numeral as one word.

Three compounds in mal

Three common time expressions join -mal to the word before it.

Diesmal means this time. Jedesmal means every time. Ein paarmal means a couple of times.

Mal followed by a clause

A time expression with Mal or -mal can be followed by a clause. The clause begins with dass, wenn or als.

German always has this conjunction. English usually leaves it out: Das ist das erste Mal, dass ich ihn ohne seine Frau sehe.

The time expression sometimes comes before the clause, as in Jedesmal, wenn wir nach Hamburg fahren. Sometimes it stands inside the clause: Als ich das letzte Mal eine Reifenpanne hatte.

Vor means ago

Vor also means before. It has a second meaning, ago.

Vor with a dative phrase for an amount of time means ago. Vor zwei Wochen is two weeks ago. Vor einer Stunde is an hour ago.

79
This time I even had several days at my disposal.
80
That was the last time!
81
Next time I'll come earlier.
82
I've driven through the Lüneburger Heide several times already.
83
This time we didn't have any trouble.
84
He comes fifteen minutes late every time.
85
I've already traveled this route a couple of times.
86
The last time we were in Munich we could only stay two days.
87
This is the first time I've seen him without his wife.
88
Every time we take a trip to Hamburg it rains.
89
The next time we take a trip to Berlin we definitely want to go to the opera.
90
The last time I had a flat tire there was no gas station nearby.
91
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta.
92
Ten years ago the traffic in the streets was not as heavy (severe) as [it is] now.
93
An hour ago he was sitting with me in my office.
94
I saw her a few days ago.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

I.1. Further compounds in -mal and the noun das Mal

Dieses Mal standen mir sogar mehrere Tage zur Verfügung.
This time I even had several days at my disposal.

Das war das letzte Mal!
That was the last time!

Nächstes Mal werde ich früher kommen.
Next time I'll come earlier.

Ich bin schon mehrere Male durch die Lüneburger Heide gefahren.
I've driven through the Lüneburger Heide several times already.

In Unit 13 we noted several time words ending in -mal, most of them compounds with the numerals. A number of time expressions occur with the word Mal as a separate element, not compounded. We have had one example in this Unit:

Here are a few other examples:

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

I.2

Diesmal hatten wir keine Schwierigkeiten.
This time we didn't have any trouble.

Er kommt jedesmal fünfzehn Minuten zu spät.
He comes fifteen minutes late every time.

Diese Strecke bin ich schon ein paarmal gefahren.
I've already traveled this route a couple of times.

The following, frequently occurring compounds in -mal have not been encountered in the basic sentences: diesmal, ein paarmal, jedesmal.

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

I.3

Das letzte Mal, als wir in München waren, konnten wir nur zwei Tage bleiben.
The last time we were in Munich we could only stay two days.

Das ist das erste Mal, dass ich ihn ohne seine Frau sehe.
This is the first time I've seen him without his wife.

Jedesmal, wenn wir nach Hamburg fahren, regnet es.
Every time we take a trip to Hamburg it rains.

Das nächste Mal, wenn wir nach Berlin fahren, wollen wir unbedingt in die Oper gehen.
The next time we take a trip to Berlin we definitely want to go to the opera.

Als ich das letzte Mal eine Reifenpanne hatte, war keine Tankstelle in der Nähe.
The last time I had a flat tire there was no gas station nearby.

Time expressions with Mal or -mal also occur with clauses introduced by dass, wenn or als.

Note that the clause introducer always occurs in German, although it is usually omitted in English. The time expression sometimes precedes the clause, sometimes occurs within it.

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

II.1. The preposition vor "ago"

Ich fuhr vor zwei Wochen zur Segelregatta.
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta.

Vor zehn Jahren war der Verkehr auf den Strassen nicht so stark wie jetzt.
Ten years ago the traffic in the streets was not as heavy (severe) as [it is] now.

Vor einer Stunde sass er bei mir im Büro.
An hour ago he was sitting with me in my office.

Ich habe sie vor einigen Tagen gesehen.
I saw her a few days ago.

We have already encountered the preposition vor meaning "before". In this unit it occurs with a new meaning:

Vor plus a dative phrase referring to extent of time has the meaning "ago". Note these additional examples:

Time expressions, 2 of 2

Seitdem and the present tense

Seit with a present tense verb says that a past time continues into the present. Seitdem does the same, but it is a conjunction that introduces a clause.

With seitdem, the verb in each clause is present. Seitdem wir in München wohnen, gehen wir jeden Monat ins Theater.

English uses a perfect here: since we've been living in Munich.

Seit with the past or the perfect

Seit and seitdem can also go with the past tense or the perfect.

Then the sentence reports events that did or did not happen in a period. The period begins in the past and reaches the present.

Seit ihrem letzten Besuch hat sie uns nicht mehr angerufen: she hasn't called us since her last visit.

The period is what matters in the present. The events do not have to be.

Present or perfect with seit

Sometimes seit or seitdem can go with a present tense verb or with a perfect. Both say that the time continues and may go on.

Hier hat es seit Tagen geregnet and Hier regnet es seit Tagen mean the same.

Another word or a following statement can set a cut-off point. Then only the perfect is used: Hier hat es seit Tagen geregnet, aber heute scheint die Sonne wieder.

Seitdem with mixed tenses

A sentence with seitdem often has two tenses: a present in one clause, and a past or a perfect in the other.

Wir sind erst einmal im Museum gewesen, seitdem wir hier wohnen has a perfect and then a present.

Seitdem er einen Artikel über zollfreie Spirituosen las, will er nach Helgoland fahren has a past and then a present.

95
Since I have had a car, I have been traveling this route frequently.
96
Since we've been living in Munich we've been going to the theater every month.
97
She hasn't called us since her last visit.
98
Ich war seit 1936 nicht mehr in der Lüneburger Heide.
I haven't (once) been in the 'Lüneburger Heide' since 1936.
99
Since last month he has only called us twice.
100
Since they began to rebuild the buildings many difficulties have arisen.
101
He's been calling me up every day since last Saturday.
102
He's been calling me up every day since last Saturday.
103
It's been raining here for days, and it's still raining today.
104
It's been raining here for days, and it's still raining today.
105
It's been raining here for days, but today the sun is shining again.
106
We've only been in the museum once since we've been living here.
107
Ever since he read an article on duty-free alcoholic beverages he has been wanting to go to Helgoland.
108
Since I received these orders I haven't had any time for my own private interests.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

III.1. The words seit and seitdem "since"

Seitdem ich einen Wagen habe, fahre ich diese Strecke öfter.
Since I have had a car, I have been traveling this route frequently.

Seitdem wir in München wohnen, gehen wir jeden Monat ins Theater.
Since we've been living in Munich we've been going to the theater every month.

In Unit 12 we noted that past time continuing in the present can be indicated by a present tense form of the verb together with the word seit and an adverb or dative phrase. In this unit we have encountered the word seitdem as a clause introducer, or subordinating conjunction:

Seitdem, like seit, together with present tense forms of the verb signals past time continuing in the present, both in the clause it introduces and in the main clause. Here is another example:

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

III.2

Seit ihrem letzten Besuch hat sie uns nicht mehr angerufen.
She hasn't called us since her last visit.

Ich war seit 1936 nicht mehr in der Lüneburger Heide.
I haven't (once) been in the 'Lüneburger Heide' since 1936.

Seit vorigem Monat hat er uns erst zweimal angerufen.
Since last month he has only called us twice.

Seitdem man angefangen hat, die Gebäude wiederaufzubauen, sind viele Schwierigkeiten eingetreten.
Since they began to rebuild the buildings many difficulties have arisen.

Both seit and seitdem may occur in sentences with forms of the past tense or perfect phrase, however:

Notice that in these examples reference is to a specific event, or events, which did or did not occur within a period of time beginning in the past and continuing up to the present. In this case it is the period of time, whose beginning point is established by the phrase with seit or the clause with seitdem, which has continuing relevance in the present, not necessarily the action or event.

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

III.3

Seit letztem Sonnabend ruft er mich jeden Tag an.
He's been calling me up every day since last Saturday.

Seit letztem Sonnabend hat er mich jeden Tag angerufen.
He's been calling me up every day since last Saturday.

Hier hat es seit Tagen geregnet, und heute regnet es immer noch.
It's been raining here for days, and it's still raining today.

Hier regnet es seit Tagen, und heute regnet es immer noch.
It's been raining here for days, and it's still raining today.

Hier hat es seit Tagen geregnet, aber heute scheint die Sonne wieder.
It's been raining here for days, but today the sun is shining again.

In a few cases seit or seitdem may occur either with a present tense or a perfect phrase:

Without further qualification by other elements of the sentence or by a following statement, both verb forms may imply exactly the same thing, the continuation of past time in the present with the expectation of continuation beyond the present. To this extent they are interchangeable. Where other sentence elements or following statements imply a cut-off point, however, only the perfect phrase is used:

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS

III.4

Wir sind erst einmal im Museum gewesen, seitdem wir hier wohnen.
We've only been in the museum once since we've been living here.

Seitdem er einen Artikel über zollfreie Spirituosen las, will er nach Helgoland fahren.
Ever since he read an article on duty-free alcoholic beverages he has been wanting to go to Helgoland.

Seitdem ich diese Aufträge bekommen habe, habe ich keine Zeit mehr für private Interessen.
Since I received these orders I haven't had any time for my own private interests.

Very frequently both present and past tense or perfect phrase forms of the verb occur in sentences with seitdem.

Prepositions - special uses of an, auf, zu, 1 of 3

Prepositions that do not match

German and English prepositions often do not match.

Where English says for, German often uses its word for to. Where English says in or at, German often uses its word for on.

An with water

An is used for a location or a destination on or by a body of water.

Bremen liegt an der Weser is a location: Bremen is on the Weser. Fahre ich noch an den Rhein is a destination: I'm going to drive to the Rhine.

English says on or to.

An with a letter

An names the person or place that a written message goes to.

Schreiben Sie an die Botschaft. Er schrieb einen langen Brief an den Generalkonsul.

English says to.

Words that go with an

Some verbs, adjectives and nouns are used with an.

Meine Frau kann sich nicht an das Klima gewöhnen. Sie erwähnten Ihr Interesse an der Geschichte der Insel.

English uses other prepositions: used to the climate, interest in the history.

Auf with a map or picture

Auf is used for a location on the surface of a map or a picture.

Ich kann die Universität auf dem Stadtplan nicht finden. Ich zeige es Ihnen auf der Autokarte.

English says on or in.

109
Last summer we were on the Baltic.
110
If I make it in time I'm going to drive to the Rhine.
111
Bremen is situated on the Weser.
112
Are you going to the North Sea this year?
113
First a (letter) to the Employment Office and then one to the Chamber of Commerce.
114
Write to the Embassy.
115
He wrote a long letter to the Consul General.
116
Where is the report to the Qualitz Company?
117
My wife can't get used to the climate.
118
Numerous foreign architects participated in the project.
119
The 'Tiergarten' is a park that borders on the zoo.
120
You mentioned your interest in the history of the island.
121
I can't find the university on the map of the city.
122
The trees still can be seen in old pictures.
123
I'll show you on the road map.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

The use of prepositions is often complicated by the fact that there are many situations in which German and English prepositions do not correspond exactly. In English we often say "for" when Germans say "to"; we often say "in" or "at" when Germans say "on". In this and the next several units we will examine some of these situations.

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

I.1. Note the following special uses of the preposition an

Letzten Sommer waren wir an der Ostsee.
Last summer we were on the Baltic.

Wenn ich es zeitlich schaffe, fahre ich noch an den Rhein.
If I make it in time I'm going to drive to the Rhine.

Bremen liegt an der Weser.
Bremen is situated on the Weser.

Fahren Sie dieses Jahr an die Nordsee?
Are you going to the North Sea this year?

In referring to a location or destination on or by a body of water:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

I.2

Zuerst einen (Brief) an das Arbeitsamt und dann einen an die Handelskammer.
First a (letter) to the Employment Office and then one to the Chamber of Commerce.

Schreiben Sie an die Botschaft.
Write to the Embassy.

Er schrieb einen langen Brief an den Generalkonsul.
He wrote a long letter to the Consul General.

Wo ist der Bericht an die Qualitz G.m.b.H.?
Where is the report to the Qualitz Company?

To indicate the addressee or specific destination of a written communication:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

I.3

Meine Frau kann sich nicht an das Klima gewöhnen.
My wife can't get used to the climate.

An dem Projekt waren zahlreiche ausländische Architekten beteiligt.
Numerous foreign architects participated in the project.

Der Tiergarten ist ein Park, der an den Zoo grenzt.
The 'Tiergarten' is a park that borders on the zoo.

Sie erwähnten Ihr Interesse an der Geschichte der Insel.
You mentioned your interest in the history of the island.

In conjunction with particular adjective, verb or noun forms:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

II.1. Here are some special uses of the preposition auf

Ich kann die Universität auf dem Stadtplan nicht finden.
I can't find the university on the map of the city.

Die Bäume sind noch auf alten Bildern zu sehen.
The trees still can be seen in old pictures.

Ich zeige es Ihnen auf der Autokarte.
I'll show you on the road map.

To refer to a location on the surface of a map or picture:

Prepositions - special uses of an, auf, zu, 2 of 3

Auf with a gathering

Auf is used for certain meetings and social gatherings.

Das war auf einer Gesellschaft. Ich habe sie auf einem Empfang beim Generalkonsul kennengelernt.

English says at.

Words that go with auf

Some verbs, adjectives and nouns are used with auf.

Ich freue mich schon auf die Alpen. Jetzt habe ich noch Appetit auf ein Stück Kuchen.

English says looking forward to the Alps, and room for a piece of cake.

Zu with food and drink

Zu is used for food or drink that goes with other food or drink.

Ich möchte ein Stück Kuchen zum Kaffee. Ich esse auch Röstkartoffeln zum Rumpsteak.

English says with.

Zu with a planned meeting

Zu is used for a planned or coming meeting or undertaking.

Er erwartet Sie um fünf Uhr zu einer Besprechung. Sie treffen sich zu einer kleinen Autofahrt.

English says for.

124
That was at a party.
125
I met her at a reception at the Consul General's.
126
At the conference the union secretary spoke about his plans to visit various industrial cities in the Ruhr.
127
I'm looking forward to the Alps.
128
Now I still have room for a piece of cake.
129
My departure was originally set for tomorrow.
130
The historical significance of the 'Teutoburger Wald' goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.
131
And we have tea with it.
132
Are you going to have beer with the meal?
133
I'd like a piece of cake with my coffee.
134
I'm going to have fried potatoes with the steak too.
135
He's expecting you at five o'clock for a conference.
136
Were you at the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the conference?
137
They meet for (the purpose of) a little drive.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

II.2

Das war auf einer Gesellschaft.
That was at a party.

Ich habe sie auf einem Empfang beim Generalkonsul kennengelernt.
I met her at a reception at the Consul General's.

Auf der Konferenz sprach der Gewerkschaftssekretär über seine Pläne, verschiedene Industriestädte im Ruhrgebiet zu besuchen.
At the conference the union secretary spoke about his plans to visit various industrial cities in the Ruhr.

To refer to certain meetings and social gatherings:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

II.3

Ich freue mich schon auf die Alpen.
I'm looking forward to the Alps.

Jetzt habe ich noch Appetit auf ein Stück Kuchen.
Now I still have room for a piece of cake.

Meine Abreise war zuerst auf morgen festgelegt.
My departure was originally set for tomorrow.

Die historische Bedeutung des Teutoburger Waldes geht auf die Schlacht im Jahre 9 n. Chr. zurück.
The historical significance of the 'Teutoburger Wald' goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.

In conjunction with particular adjective, verb or noun forms:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

III.1. Note the following special uses of the preposition zu

Und dazu trinken wir Tee.
And we have tea with it.

Trinken Sie Bier zum Essen?
Are you going to have beer with the meal?

Ich möchte ein Stück Kuchen zum Kaffee.
I'd like a piece of cake with my coffee.

Ich esse auch Röstkartoffeln zum Rumpsteak.
I'm going to have fried potatoes with the steak too.

To denote the accompaniment of food and drink:

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

III.2

Er erwartet Sie um fünf Uhr zu einer Besprechung.
He's expecting you at five o'clock for a conference.

Waren Sie im Wirtschaftsministerium zur Konferenz?
Were you at the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the conference?

Sie treffen sich zu einer kleinen Autofahrt.
They meet for (the purpose of) a little drive.

To refer to a planned or impending meeting or other undertaking

Prepositions - special uses of an, auf, zu, 3 of 3

Words that go with zu

Some adjectives, nouns and verbs are used with zu.

Ich hatte keine Gelegenheit zu einem Gespräch mit ihm: no opportunity for a conversation. Früher reichte mir die Zeit nie dazu aus: never time enough for that.

English often says for. Amerikas Beitrag zur Internationalen Bauausstellung is America's contribution to the exhibition.

138
We'll have the best opportunity for that afterward during the concert.
139
I had no opportunity for a conversation with him.
140
I never had time enough for that before.
141
Do you have time for a cup of coffee?
142
That was America's contribution to the International Architectural Exhibition.
143
Do you feel like ('have the desire for') a walk through the forest?

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 16, Notes on Grammar

D. PREPOSITIONS - SPECIAL USES OF an, auf, zu

III.3

Dazu haben wir nachher während des Konzerts die beste Gelegenheit.
We'll have the best opportunity for that afterward during the concert.

Ich hatte keine Gelegenheit zu einem Gespräch mit ihm.
I had no opportunity for a conversation with him.

Früher reichte mir die Zeit nie dazu aus.
I never had time enough for that before.

Haben Sie Zeit zu einer Tasse Kaffee?
Do you have time for a cup of coffee?

Das war Amerikas Beitrag zur Internationalen Bauausstellung.
That was America's contribution to the International Architectural Exhibition.

Haben Sie Lust zu einem Spaziergang durch den Wald?
Do you feel like ('have the desire for') a walk through the forest?

In conjunction with particular adjective, noun or verb forms

Substitution Drill

144
Those are the pictures the Kellers liked so much.
145
That is the restaurant that belongs to Mr. Meyer.
146
Is that the material you bought yourself?

147
Is that the material you bought yourself?
148
The newspaper you asked me for is lying on your desk.
149
The gentleman this house belongs to is in Berlin at present.

150
The gentleman this house belongs to is in Berlin at present.
151
The dentist my parents sold the house to lives on Gartenstrasse.
152
The store he works in is on Goethestrasse.

153
The store he works in is on Goethestrasse.
154
That is the gentleman whose son is studying in America.
155
I was able to postpone the departure, which had been set for tomorrow.

156
Mr. Schmidt talked about the film he liked so much.
157
Have you already read the business letter that is lying on your desk?
158
I met the professor we wrote to recently at the art exhibition.

159
I met the professor we wrote to recently at the art exhibition.
160
The day before yesterday I met the consul general you introduced me to at the reception.
161
He is just greeting the couple we sold our house to.

162
He is just greeting the couple we sold our house to.
163
The orders I had counted on I did not get.
164
Yesterday I saw the Congress Hall, whose significance is known to most Berliners.
165
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place there every year.

166
Two weeks ago I went to the sailing regatta that takes place there every year.
167
Get in touch with the desk clerk who gave you the form.
168
What was in the report you mentioned?
169
This house belongs to a lady I know.

170
This house belongs to a lady I know.
171
I have written a couple of times to the gentleman I translated the article for.
172
Are you satisfied with the negotiations you spoke of recently?

173
Are you satisfied with the negotiations you spoke of recently?
174
Show the picture to the gentleman we sold the other pictures to.
175
The book belongs to my friend, with whom I was at the theater yesterday.

176
The book belongs to my friend, with whom I was at the theater yesterday.
177
He introduced me to the gentleman whose lecture we had heard.
178
The car belongs to Mr. Schmidt, in whose store my son works.
179
He is a good friend of my brother, who lives in Washington.

180
He is a good friend of my brother, who lives in Washington.
181
Do you know the address of the lady we met in town on Sunday?
182
Here is the suitcase of the lady we reserved the room for.

183
Here is the suitcase of the lady we reserved the room for.
184
Here is a letter from the consul we were in Germany with last year.
185
Is that a report by the professor whose lecture we heard recently?
186
Where is the letter from the American whose proposal we were just talking about?

187
Do you like the suit? I bought it yesterday.
188
Do you see the building over there? That's the one I spoke of recently.

Variation Drill

189
He was able to put off his departure which was originally set for tomorrow.
190
Did you have any time left for [your own] private interests in view of the business obligations you had to carry out?
191
Do you know the telephone number of the (woman) teacher I was supposed to get a theater ticket for?

192
Do you know the telephone number of the (woman) teacher I was supposed to get a theater ticket for?
193
We drove through the 'Teutoburger Wald', the historical significance of which goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.
194
Is the gentleman you're translating the article for an American?
195
There were foreigners too on the excursion I spoke of today.

196
There were foreigners too on the excursion I spoke of today.
197
You surely didn't fail to try the oysters and lobsters.
198
We've been driving to the 'Lüneburger Heide' quite often since we've had a car.
199
Since he was not able to put off his business obligations he had no time left for the trip to Helgoland.

200
Since he was not able to put off his business obligations he had no time left for the trip to Helgoland.
201
The last time she called us up she wanted money.
202
The last time I went for this medicine I had to wait at the pharmacy for half an hour.
203
If I make it in time I'm going to drive to the Rhine also.

Vocabulary Drill

204
I'm glad the meeting is not going to be put off again.
205
He's been putting off the conference for days now.
206
We'll have to delay the trip unfortunately since difficulties have arisen which we hadn't reckoned with.
207
If I can carry out my plan to drive to the sailing regatta I'll put off my return [home] for a while yet.
208
I had not been counting on an invitation to this reception.
209
I'm counting on a visit from you ('your visit') when you come to Germany.
210
This outcome of the talks [is one] I hadn't really anticipated.
211
We're planning on his leaving in the fall.
212
On [the island of] Helgoland the reconstruction of the island interested me particularly.

213
I am very much interested in the lecture you're going to give tomorrow.
214
I am planning to go to Kiel since I'm interested in the shipyards there.
215
He has always been very much interested in the history of Germany.
216
I don't want to miss this opportunity.
217
Unfortunately he had to forego the sailing regatta this time.
218
Don't fail (fam sg) to try lobster(s) and oysters on [the island of] Helgoland.
219
I wouldn't like to miss the excursion to the 'Teutoburger Wald'.
220
Did you try the fresh lobster(s) on [the island of] Helgoland?
221
Do just try this wine; it tastes superb ('excellent').

222
I'll have to try the beer you like so well too sometime.
223
We want to try the Danish cheese you showed me at the store.
224
I hope I'll [be able to] manage to drive to Kiel before the week is over.
225
Unfortunately I didn't manage to visit Helgoland.
226
Unfortunately we didn't manage [to do] the errand at the pharmacy.
227
Mr. Becker just managed to get to the architectural exposition.
228
The meal was excellent.
229
Oysters and lobster(s) taste best at the seashore.
230
Do you like the wine?

231
I don't like trout without melted butter.
232
Three years ago I took a look at a few of the large shipyards.
233
He moved to the Ruhr a year ago.
234
The outcome of the talks was in the paper some days ago already.
235
He was going to give me the money three days ago now!
236
In view of the difficulties which have now arisen I'll certainly have to delay my trip.
237
In view of all the work I have I can't do that too.
238
In the face of all the telephone calls he gets every day he has little time to take care of his work.
239
What with all the plans you already have I hope you won't forget to take a brief look at the countryside ('region') too.

240
The children go down to the lake every afternoon.
241
We were on the Baltic [seacoast] last year.
242
Friends of ours go to the North Sea [coast] every summer.
243
Do you plan to go to the Rhine again this year?
244
Have you written to the embassy in Bonn yet?
245
Where is the letter to the Beckers?
246
I passed on the answer to the consul by telephone.
247
Have you written the letter to the Chamber of Commerce yet?
248
I can't find the shipyard on the map of the city.

249
There's no stamp on this letter yet.
250
He still had his old address on the invitation.
251
He always looks very much older in (the) pictures.
252
The Consul General is at a conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
253
She was at the reception at the Landrat's.
254
At the shipyard new difficulties have arisen.
255
He'll be at the party at Mrs. Köhler's tomorrow.
256
In the evening we mostly have tea with dinner.
257
Would you like mashed or fried potatoes with the calves' liver?

258
Bring us melted butter with the trout, please.
259
Would you (fam sg) like to have beer or wine to drink with the steak?
260
Unfortunately I had no opportunity for a visit with the Schneiders.
261
Do you have time for a brief conference?
262
Did you have an opportunity to ride ('for riding') on your vacation?
263
He gave me the money to purchase ('for the purchase of') the liquor.

Translation Drill 1

264
Mr. Becker was glad to be able to have Mr. Dawson over to his house before the latter's departure (still).
265
Mr. Dawson expressed his thanks for the invitation.
266
He said that he was able to put off his departure which was actually set for the next day.
267
In general he was satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations he had spoken of recently to Mr. Becker.
268
Certain difficulties he had anticipated had not arisen.
269
With all the business obligations he had to carry out he still had time for personal interests too.
270
He even had several free days at his disposal.
271
Becker wanted to know how Dawson had spent his ('the') free days.
272
Dawson had gone to Kiel.
273
He was very glad to be able to see the sailing regatta which takes place there every year.
274
Also he looked at two of the large shipyards that are in Kiel.
275
After that he had visited a few North Sea bathing places.
276
From the island [of] Norderney, which he also visited, he made an excursion to Helgoland by steamer.

Translation Drill 2

277
The last time they got together Dawson had (already) mentioned his interest in the most recent history of Helgoland.
278
The rebuilding of this famous island had interested him particularly for that reason.
279
Besides the fishing industry there interested him.
280
And last but not least the purchase of many things [did] too that are duty-free in ('on') Helgoland.
281
Now he has ahead of him the part of the trip which will be less attractive.
282
He has to visit some cities which are located in the Ruhr.
283
Becker tells him that the trip to the Ruhr can be very beautiful.
284
Dawson asks if Becker could make him a suggestion as to ('for') the route he is to take.
285
Becker's suggestion is a trip through the 'Lüneburger Heide' and the 'Weserbergland'.
286
This is a tour that Dawson could fit into his plans.
287
He is also interested, however, in how he is to continue from there.
288
He could drive through the 'Teutoburger Wald' says Becker.
289
That is an area which has historical significance for the Germans as a result of the battle in 9 A.D.

Translation Drill 3

290
Dawson is pleased with Becker's suggestion.
291
He's now interested further, however [in] how far it is from there to the Ruhr.
292
Becker shows him on the road map which he (just) has with him.
293
Since he has had a car himself he has been traveling this route frequently.
294
Dawson also wants to drive to the Rhine, to Heidelberg, and through the Black Forest to Lake Constance if he can make it in time.
295
For unfortunately he never had time for that previously.

Response Drill 1

296
Why was Mr. Becker pleased?
297
He was pleased because he could welcome Herr Dawson to his home.
298
What did Herr Dawson thank him for?
299
He thanked Mr. Becker for the invitation.
300
When was Mr. Dawson scheduled to leave?
301
It was scheduled for the following day.
302
And why won't he leave the next day?
303
Because he was able to postpone his departure.
304
Which result was Mr. Dawson satisfied with?
305
With the outcome of the negotiations he recently discussed with Herr Becker.
306
Were there difficulties in these negotiations?
307
Generally, no; certain difficulties he had expected did not arise.
308
What did Mr. Becker want to know then?
309
Whether Herr Dawson had any time left for personal interests amid all the business assignments he had to carry out.
310
What did Dawson answer?
311
That this time he even had several days at his disposal.
312
How did he spend those days?
313
Two weeks ago he went to the sailing regatta held in Kiel every year.
314
What else did he visit in Kiel?
315
He toured two of the large shipyards.
316
Which islands did he visit?
317
He was on the island of Norderney and took a steamer excursion from there to Heligoland.
318
When had the two gentlemen already spoken about Helgoland?
319
At their last meeting.
320
What had Mr. Dawson mentioned at the time?
321
His interest in the island's recent history.

Response Drill 2

322
What interested him on the island when he was there?
323
He was interested in the reconstruction, the fishing industry, and buying duty-free liquor.
324
What did he make sure not to miss?
325
He certainly did not miss the chance to try the oysters and lobsters.
326
Why not?
327
Because they taste best when they are that fresh.
328
Which part of the trip does Mr. Dawson still have ahead of him?
329
Now he has the part of the trip ahead of him that will probably be less appealing.
330
Why? Where does he have to go?
331
He still has to visit various cities in the Ruhr region.
332
What does Mr. Becker say about the trip there?
333
He says that it can be very beautiful.
334
What does Herr Dawson want to know from Herrn Becker about this trip?
335
He wants to know whether Mr. Becker can suggest which route he should take.
336
What does Mr. Becker suggest to him?
337
Herr Dawson should first drive through the Lüneburg Heath, which is now in bloom, and then through the Weser Hills.
338
How can Herr Dawson fit that into his plans?
339
This time he has several days at his disposal.
340
Where should he go first from the Weser Uplands?
341
He should drive to the Teutoburg Forest.
342
When was there a battle there?
343
In the year AD 9.
344
What can be traced back to this battle?
345
The historical significance of the Teutoburg Forest.
346
How does Herr Dawson like Herrn Becker's suggestion?
347
He likes it very much.

Response Drill 3

348
What else does Mr. Dawson want to ask Mr. Becker?
349
He wants to know how far it is from the Teutoburg Forest to the Ruhr area.
350
Does Herr Becker tell him?
351
No, he shows it to him on the road map.
352
How does Mr. Becker know this route so well?
353
Since he has had a car, he has driven it more often.
354
What does Herr Dawson want to do?
355
If he still has enough time, he wants to go to the Rhine, then to Heidelberg, and through the Black Forest to Lake Constance.
356
Why had he never done that before?
357
Previously, he never had enough time for it.

Narrative

358
Mr. Keller had arranged to meet on Sunday morning with a few acquaintances with whom he had had business dealings during the previous week.
359
They planned to drive from Hanover to Kassel on the autobahn to see the "Documenta."
360
Mr. Keller picked up the American couple, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce, first, and then his friend Bergmann, who lives a little outside Hanover.
361
They all agreed that they had well and truly earned this outing after the protracted negotiations.
362
When they reached the entrance to the autobahn, they saw a few young people standing there who wanted a ride.
363
Mrs. Bruce was surprised that girls hitchhike in Germany too, but Mr. Bergmann explained to her: "You can see that quite often.
364
I pick someone up now and then when I have a long distance to drive." Mr. Keller also said that only recently he had given a ride to a female student who wanted to go to Frankfurt.
365
"In the event of an accident, you are presumably responsible for your passengers, aren't you?" asked Mr. Bruce.
366
"Yes, one really ought to have them sign a statement saying that the passenger assumes full responsibility for himself.
367
I myself have insurance that covers all kinds of accidents."
368
That brought up the subject of insurance, and for a while the American couple and the two Germans discussed the differences between the American and German insurance systems.
369
In Göttingen hielten sie vor dem Ratskeller an, assen dort etwas und machten dann eine kurze Rundfahrt durch die Stadt, auf der sie die Universität mit den dazugehörigen Gebäuden, das neue Fridtjof-Nansen-Studentenheim, die Hauptgeschäftsstrasse, den Markt und einige alte Kirchen sahen.
In Göttingen they stopped in front of the Ratskeller, had something to eat there, and then took a short drive around the city, during which they saw the university and its associated buildings, the new Fridtjof Nansen student residence, the main shopping street, the marketplace, and several old churches.
370
Then they continued on the autobahn to Kassel.

Situations

371
A man who emigrated from Germany only recently is sitting at your table in a restaurant in Washington.
372
He asks you what the English words "lobster" and "oyster" are in German.
373
You tell him and also translate the names of other dishes on the menu for him.
374
Then he asks you what the fishing industry is like in America and you tell him where the oysters here are freshest and the lobsters biggest.
375
You ask a German which stretches of the Autobahn are especially beautiful.
376
He shows you German road maps on which you can easily find these stretches.
377
You want to drive from northern Germany to Austria and then to the Swiss side of the Bodensee.
378
The German makes a suggestion to you about the best way to go.

379
You take an excursion on a steamer from Norderney to Helgoland.
380
You talk with a gentleman who is sitting next to you.
381
You tell him that the fishing industry interests you and that you have already read a lot about Helgoland.
382
The gentleman introduces himself to you and tells you that he was in America a short time ago.
383
He was in Washington too and saw a sailing regatta on the Potomac there.
384
You ask him where you can see a regatta in Germany and he tells you that for that it is best to go to the North Sea or the Baltic.
385
Then the gentleman asks you whether you know that you can get everything duty free on Helgoland.
386
You have heard about that and you are also planning to get a few things there.
387
You are talking with a diplomat from an embassy about buying liquor.
388
He asks you about the import regulations for liquor going to America.
389
You ask him why that interests him, since he can buy it duty free at his embassy after all.