German Basic Course 1732 Studios

German · Unit 18

Unit 18: Beim Arzt

Volume 2

At the doctor's

516 lines

Basic Sentences I

  1. 1

    I know you're working on something important just now, but could you spare me a moment of your time just the same?

    IchI know
    weiss,I know
    Siewould you like
    arbeitenwork
    geradejust
    anat, on
    einera (dative)
    dringendenurgent
    Sache,thing
    aberbut
    hättenI'd like to have, I'm interested (in having)
    Siewould you like
    trotzdemin spite of that, nevertheless
    einena walk
    Augenblickthe minute, the moment
    Zeittime
    fürfor
    mich?me (acc)
  2. 2

    Selbstverständlich, --- was gibt's denn?

    Of course. What's up?

  3. 3

    I'd like to know who to go to if we need help from a doctor.

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    We have a hospital nearby, but I don't know any doctors here.

hätten
would have
trotzdem
in spite of that, nevertheless, just the same
Selbstverständlich
self-evident, of course
Hilfe
the help, aid
  1. 5

    It would be best [if] you were to call the Board of Health where you live and ask for the addresses of a few doctors in your section of town.

würden
were to
  1. 6

    Yes, I'll do that soon, for with a family as large as ours there's somebody sick all the time.

  2. 7

    I could recommend our family doctor to you if he didn't live so far away.

denn
for
Augenblicke
any minute, all the time
krank
sick
entfernt
distant, away
  1. 8

    Last year my wife was under the care of an ear doctor in America.

  2. 9

    She had a bad middle ear infection.

  3. 10

    But she's all right now?

  4. 11

    Yes, but I wish she'd have herself examined by a specialist here again.

würde
I wish she would ...
  1. 12

    Who would you suggest?

  2. 13

    There's a well-known ear, nose and throat man who has his office right near you.

  3. 14

    Perhaps your wife could go to his office sometime.

  4. 15

    I know you're working on something important just now, but could you spare me a moment of your time just the same?

  5. 16

    Selbstverständlich, --- was gibt's denn?

    Of course. What's up?

  6. 17

    I'd like to know who to go to if we need help from a doctor.

  7. 18

    We have a hospital nearby, but I don't know any doctors here.

  8. 19

    It would be best [if] you were to call the Board of Health where you live and ask for the addresses of a few doctors in your section of town.

  9. 20

    Yes, I'll do that soon, for with a family as large as ours there's somebody sick all the time.

  10. 21

    I could recommend our family doctor to you if he didn't live so far away.

  11. 22

    Last year my wife was under the care of an ear doctor in America.

  12. 23

    She had a bad middle ear infection.

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    But she's all right now?

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    Yes, but I wish she'd have herself examined by a specialist here again.

  15. 26

    Who would you suggest?

  16. 27

    There's a well-known ear, nose and throat man who has his office right near you.

  17. 28

    Perhaps your wife could go to his office sometime.

würden
would
Nasen-
the nose
Sprechstunde
to the (doctor's) office

Basic Sentences II

  1. 29

    On the telephone

  2. 30

    Dr. Buchner's office.

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    This is Mrs. Evans.

  4. 32

    Sister Ursula, my eight year-old son fell and scraped his knee.

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    It's a pretty large wound.

  2. 34

    If you'd bring the boy right to the office now the doctor could treat him immediately.

  3. 35

    On the telephone

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    Dr. Buchner's office.

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    This is Mrs. Evans.

  6. 38

    Sister Ursula, my eight year-old son fell and scraped his knee.

  7. 39

    It's a pretty large wound.

  8. 40

    If you'd bring the boy right to the office now the doctor could treat him immediately.

Basic Sentences III

  1. 41

    At the doctor's office

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    Please take a seat in the waiting room for a moment.

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    What time is your appointment for?

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    For three o'clock. I hope it's not later than that already.

Wartezimmer
the waiting room
  1. 45

    My watch has stopped (you see).

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    The doctor has a patient with him right now.

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    You'll have to wait a little, I'm afraid.

  4. 48

    Nanu, Herr Evans, -- was für ein Zufall, dass wir uns hier treffen.

    Well, well, Mr. Evans ---what a coincidence, our meeting here!

ist
to stop (running)
Sprechzimmer
the consulting room
Nanu
well, well
  1. 49

    I hope you're not ill!

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    No, I'm waiting for my wife and my son who are with the doctor right now.

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    The boy had a little accident a short time ago.

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    I hope nothing serious.

  1. 53

    Oh no, he fell with his bicycle and injured his knee.

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    We thought it would be a good thing perhaps if he were to get a tetanus shot.

  3. 55

    I hope it doesn't hurt too much!

  4. 56

    And what are you here for?

Ach
oh
gestürzt
to plunge, fall
weh
painful, sore
weh
it hurts
weshalb
for what reason
  1. 57

    On account of my heart.

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    While I was at Bad Nauheim I was fine.

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    But since I've been home again everything I do fatigues me very much.

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    Perhaps you ought to have taken a follow-up treatment instead of going to work again so soon.

Während
while
sollen
ought to have
statt
instead of
  1. 61

    Could be. Well, I'll see what the doctor says.

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    Next one, please.

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    Well then, good-bye, Mr. Evans.

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    I hope the boy will be all right soon!

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    Thank you, I hope you'll be all right too.

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    At the doctor's office

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    Please take a seat in the waiting room for a moment.

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    What time is your appointment for?

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    For three o'clock. I hope it's not later than that already.

  10. 70

    My watch has stopped (you see).

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    The doctor has a patient with him right now.

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    You'll have to wait a little, I'm afraid.

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    Nanu, Herr Evans, -- was für ein Zufall, dass wir uns hier treffen.

    Well, well, Mr. Evans ---what a coincidence, our meeting here!

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    I hope you're not ill!

  15. 75

    No, I'm waiting for my wife and my son who are with the doctor right now.

  16. 76

    The boy had a little accident a short time ago.

  17. 77

    I hope nothing serious.

  18. 78

    Oh no, he fell with his bicycle and injured his knee.

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    We thought it would be a good thing perhaps if he were to get a tetanus shot.

  20. 80

    I hope it doesn't hurt too much!

  21. 81

    And what are you here for?

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    On account of my heart.

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    While I was at Bad Nauheim I was fine.

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    But since I've been home again everything I do fatigues me very much.

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    Perhaps you ought to have taken a follow-up treatment instead of going to work again so soon.

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    Could be. Well, I'll see what the doctor says.

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    Next one, please.

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    Well then, good-bye, Mr. Evans.

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    I hope the boy will be all right soon!

  30. 90

    Thank you, I hope you'll be all right too.

Besserung
the improvement
Besserung
get well soon!

Basic Sentences IV

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    Please sit down, Mr. Lange. What brings you to me?

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    I'm still having trouble with my heart, doctor, I'm afraid, in spite of the treatment [at Bad Nauheim] and the medicine, which I've been taking regularly.

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    Are you having pains?

Medikamente
the medicine
regelmässig
regular(ly)
Schmerzen
the pain
  1. 94

    No, but after the slightest exertion I get severe palpitations, and I also get dizzy easily.

Herzklopfen
(the) palpitations (pl)
leicht
easy, easily
schwindlig
dizzy
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    Well, let's just take your blood pressure.

  2. 96

    Mm, yes, it is a little too high still.

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    I suggest that you drink something else instead of that strong coffee.

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    Such as?? ('And that would be ... ?')

Blutdruck
the blood pressure
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    Fruit juice, for example (instance).

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    It wouldn't hurt a bit either if you'd stick to your diet.

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    Shall I keep on taking the pills you prescribed for me the last time?

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    Yes; then in addition to the tablets [you are to] take fifteen drops three times a day of something I'll give you a prescription for now.

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    Please sit down, Mr. Lange. What brings you to me?

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    I'm still having trouble with my heart, doctor, I'm afraid, in spite of the treatment [at Bad Nauheim] and the medicine, which I've been taking regularly.

  7. 105

    Are you having pains?

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    No, but after the slightest exertion I get severe palpitations, and I also get dizzy easily.

  9. 107

    Well, let's just take your blood pressure.

  10. 108

    Mm, yes, it is a little too high still.

  11. 109

    I suggest that you drink something else instead of that strong coffee.

  12. 110

    Such as?? ('And that would be ... ?')

  13. 111

    Fruit juice, for example (instance).

  14. 112

    It wouldn't hurt a bit either if you'd stick to your diet.

  15. 113

    Shall I keep on taking the pills you prescribed for me the last time?

  16. 114

    Yes; then in addition to the tablets [you are to] take fifteen drops three times a day of something I'll give you a prescription for now.

Tabletten
the pill, tablet
je
each, every time, in every case
Tropfen
the drop

Verbs. The unreal or subjunctive - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde, 1 of 2

Forms for what is not real

The subjunctive is the set of verb forms for situations that are not real. Another name for these forms is the unreal.

Four forms are common: hätte, könnte, wäre and würde. They are equivalent to English would and could.

They express a polite request or suggestion. They express a wish that may not come true. They express something that depends on a condition.

The four unreal verbs

Hätte, könnte, wäre and würde are the unreal forms of haben, können, sein and werden.

As in the past tense, ich and er share one form. Wir and sie share one form.

The er-form ends in e and the wir-form in en: könnte, könnten. The du-form ends in st and the ihr-form in t: könntest, könntet.

These are the most common unreal forms in German.

Unreal forms for polite requests

A major use of the unreal is the polite request or suggestion. All four forms are used, with or without gern or bitte.

Hätte or würde plus gern works like möchte. Ich hätte gern einen leichten Anzug: I'm interested in a light-weight suit.

Vielleicht könnte Ihre Frau mal zu ihm in die Sprechstunde gehen is a polite suggestion: perhaps your wife could go to his office sometime.

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    I'd like steak with fried potatoes.

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    Could you spare me a moment of your time?

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    Das grosse Bild könnten wir über das Sofa hängen. (7)

    We could hang the big picture over the sofa.

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    Could we go with you in your car?

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    Yes, that would be nice.

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    It would be best if you were to call the Board of Health.

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    I wish she'd have herself examined by a specialist.

  8. 122

    Would you please fill out this registration blank?

  9. 123

    If you'd bring the boy right to the office now the doctor could treat him immediately.

  10. 124

    I'm interested in a light-weight suit.

  11. 125

    Now I'd like to see the Congress Hall too.

  12. 126

    Would you please have these suits pressed?

  13. 127

    Perhaps your wife could go to his office sometime.

  14. 128

    Who would you suggest?

  15. 129

    Und das wäre ... ?

    And that would be ... ?

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

I

Ich hätte gern Rumpsteak mit Röstkartoffeln. (10)
I'd like steak with fried potatoes.

Hätten Sie einen Augenblick Zeit für mich? (18)
Could you spare me a moment of your time?

Das grosse Bild könnten wir über das Sofa hängen. (7)
We could hang the big picture over the sofa.

Könnten wir in eurem Wagen mitfahren? (11)
Could we go with you in your car?

Ja, das wäre nett. (12)
Yes, that would be nice.

Am besten wäre es, Sie würden das Gesundheitsamt anrufen. (18)
It would be best if you were to call the Board of Health.

Ich wünschte, sie würde sich von einem Facharzt untersuchen lassen. (18)
I wish she'd have herself examined by a specialist.

Würden Sie bitte diesen Meldeschein ausfüllen? (14)
Would you please fill out this registration blank?

Wenn Sie den Jungen jetzt gleich in die Sprechstunde bringen würden, könnte ihn Herr Doktor sofort behandeln. (18)
If you'd bring the boy right to the office now the doctor could treat him immediately.

The forms hätte (or hätten), könnte(n), wäre(n) and würde(n) have occurred at various places in our units to date.

Notice that these verb forms are equivalent to "would" or "could" forms or phrases in English. They indicate 1) something desired but not yet achieved, as a polite request or suggestion, or 2) something which may not be achieved, as a wish, or 3) something possible or hypothetical which depends for its achievement on the fulfillment of an additional factor or condition. In other words they indicate UNREAL situations. For this reason they are frequently called UNREAL forms. You will also hear them referred to as SUBJUNCTIVE forms.
A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

II

Hätte, könnte, wäre and würde are UNREAL forms of the irregular verbs haben, können, sein and werden. The complete inventory of UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE forms for these four verbs is given below. As in the Past Tense, ich- and er-forms are identical, likewise wir- and sie-forms.

er-form: hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

wir-form: hätten, könnten, wären, würden

du-form: hättest, könntest, wärest, würdest

ihr-form: hättet, könntet, wäret, würdet

These are the most common and most frequent UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE forms you will encounter in German. (Note that in rapid and informal speech the second vowel of wäre, wären, wärest and wäret is often not pronounced.)
A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

III.1

Ich hätte gern einen leichten Anzug.
I'm interested in a light-weight suit.

Jetzt würde ich noch gern die Kongresshalle sehen.
Now I'd like to see the Congress Hall too.

Würden Sie bitte diese beiden Anzüge aufbügeln lassen?
Would you please have these suits pressed?

Vielleicht könnte Ihre Frau mal zu ihm in die Sprechstunde gehen.
Perhaps your wife could go to his office sometime.

Wen würden Sie vorschlagen?
Who would you suggest?

Und das wäre ... ?
And that would be ... ?

We have noted that UNREAL forms express basically three types of situations: 1) a polite request or suggestion, 2) a wish which the speaker may not expect to be fulfilled, or 3) a possible or hypothetical action or state which is dependent or contingent upon another action or state.

1) The following are additional examples of questions, requests and suggestions we have encountered containing UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE forms:

The use of hätte and würde plus gern in requests is very much like the use of möchte discussed in Unit 4. However, all four UNREAL forms - hätte, könnte, wäre and würde - frequently occur in sentences of this type, with or without an additional modifier like gern or bitte. A major function of the UNREAL is thus as a politeness formula.

Verbs. The unreal or subjunctive - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde, 2 of 2

Unreal forms for wishes

An unreal wish is a wish that the speaker may not expect to come true. Wünschte or wünschten introduces it.

Any unreal form can occur in the wish. Ich wünschte, er wäre hier: I wish he were here.

Wir wünschten, er würde mehr Zeit für uns haben has würde with an infinitive.

Unreal forms with a condition

A conditional sentence is a sentence in which one possible action or state depends on another. The condition is a clause that begins with wenn.

Es würde nichts schaden, wenn Sie Ihre Diät einhalten würden: it wouldn't hurt a bit if you would stick to your diet.

Both clauses have an unreal form. The first says what would happen. The wenn-clause gives the condition.

A condition left unsaid

A conditional sentence can be incomplete. The wenn-clause may be understood and not spoken.

Ja, das wäre nett has no wenn-clause. It can be understood as the longer Es wäre nett, wenn Sie für mich auch eine Karte besorgen würden.

Würde with any infinitive

Würde plus any infinitive makes an unreal verb phrase. Würde haben means the same as hätte. Würde können means könnte. Würde sein means wäre.

Es wäre nett, Sie dort zu treffen. Es würde nett sein, Sie dort zu treffen. Both mean it would be nice to meet you there.

English has almost no special unreal forms. It uses would, could or a past tense. Were, as in I wish he were here, is one of the few.

  1. 130

    I wish that you could stay longer.

  2. 131

    I wish he were here.

  3. 132

    We wish he had more time for us.

  4. 133

    It would be a good thing perhaps if he were to get a tetanus shot.

  5. 134

    It wouldn't hurt a bit if you would stick to your diet.

  6. 135

    May I get you a ticket too?

  7. 136

    Yes, that would be nice.

  8. 137

    It would be nice if you would get me a ticket too.

  9. 138

    It would be nice to meet you there.

  10. 139

    It would be nice to meet you there.

  11. 140

    Would you have time to see me tomorrow at one o'clock?

  12. 141

    Would you have time to see me tomorrow at one o'clock?

  13. 142

    Buying the new car would be no problem if we had more money.

  14. 143

    Buying the new car would be no problem if we had more money.

  15. 144

    I would be able to talk to him tomorrow if he were here at ten o'clock.

  16. 145

    I could talk to him tomorrow if he were to be here at ten o'clock.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

III.2

Ich wünschte, dass du länger bleiben könntest.
I wish that you could stay longer.

Ich wünschte, er wäre hier.
I wish he were here.

Wir wünschten, er würde mehr Zeit für uns haben.
We wish he had more time for us.

2) Only one example of a wish (paragraph I,f) has occurred in the basic sentences so far. Any UNREAL form may occur in a wish sentence however.

Note that the special forms wünschte or wünschten introduce a wish which the speaker may not expect to be fulfilled. This type of wish sentence can be called an UNREAL WISH.
A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

III.3

Es wäre vielleicht gut, wenn er eine Tetanusspritze bekommen würde.
It would be a good thing perhaps if he were to get a tetanus shot.

Es würde nichts schaden, wenn Sie Ihre Diät einhalten würden.
It wouldn't hurt a bit if you would stick to your diet.

3) Here are two additional examples from the basic sentences in which UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE forms indicate that a possible state or action is contingent upon or conditioned by another possible state or action.

The contingency or condition is given in a clause beginning with wenn. These sentences are called CONDITIONAL SENTENCES.
A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

IV

Darf ich für Sie auch eine Karte besorgen?
May I get you a ticket too?

Ja, das wäre nett.
Yes, that would be nice.

Es wäre nett, wenn Sie für mich auch eine Karte besorgen würden.
It would be nice if you would get me a ticket too.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES may or may not be complete. The condition, that is, the wenn-clause, may be implied but not expressed.

The second sentence here may be thought of as actually equivalent to:
A. VERBS. THE UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE - hätte, könnte, wäre, würde

V

Es würde nett sein, Sie dort zu treffen.
It would be nice to meet you there.

Es wäre nett, Sie dort zu treffen.
It would be nice to meet you there.

Würden Sie morgen um ein Uhr Zeit für mich haben?
Would you have time to see me tomorrow at one o'clock?

Hätten Sie morgen um ein Uhr Zeit für mich?
Would you have time to see me tomorrow at one o'clock?

Es würde kein Problem sein, das neue Auto zu kaufen, wenn wir mehr Geld hätten.
Buying the new car would be no problem if we had more money.

Es wäre kein Problem, das neue Auto zu kaufen, wenn wir mehr Geld hätten.
Buying the new car would be no problem if we had more money.

Ich würde morgen mit ihm sprechen können, wenn er um zehn Uhr hier wäre.
I would be able to talk to him tomorrow if he were here at ten o'clock.

Ich könnte morgen mit ihm sprechen, wenn er um zehn Uhr hier sein würde.
I could talk to him tomorrow if he were to be here at ten o'clock.

Forms of würde may occur with any infinitive to form an UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE verb phrase. The phrases würde ... haben, würde ... können and würde ... sein thus occur in German in addition to the special forms hätte, könnte and wäre.

Notice that the phrases with würde in German are everywhere equivalent to the special UNREAL forms. In English we have almost no special UNREAL or SUBJUNCTIVE forms. In politeness formulas or in conditional sentences we normally use a phrase with "would" or "could" or a past tense form of the verb. The form "were" and the phrase "were to" do occur, especially in formal style, with a singular as well as a plural subject and may thus be thought of as "subjunctive" in English, but there are very few such distinctive forms.

Prepositions - ausser, statt, trotz, wegen

Ausser takes the dative

The preposition ausser is followed by the dative.

Ausser diesen Tabletten means in addition to these tablets. Diesen is dative.

Three more prepositions with the genitive

Statt, trotz and wegen are followed by the genitive. They mean instead of, in spite of and on account of.

Wegen can also stand after its noun. Wegen meines Herzens and meines Herzens wegen mean the same.

With während, these are the most common prepositions with the genitive.

  1. 146

    Ausser diesen Tabletten nehmen Sie täglich dreimal je fünfzehn Tropfen ...

    In addition to these tablets take fifteen drops three times a day ...

  2. 147

    I suggest that you drink something else instead of that strong coffee!

  3. 148

    I'm still having trouble with my heart, in spite of the treatment and the medicine.

  4. 149

    On account of my heart.

  5. 150

    I am here on account of my heart.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

B. PREPOSITIONS - ausser, statt, trotz, wegen

I

Ausser diesen Tabletten nehmen Sie täglich dreimal je fünfzehn Tropfen ...
In addition to these tablets take fifteen drops three times a day ...

The preposition ausser is followed by a DATIVE form:
B. PREPOSITIONS - ausser, statt, trotz, wegen

II

Ich schlage vor, dass Sie statt des starken Kaffees lieber etwas anderes trinken!
I suggest that you drink something else instead of that strong coffee!

Ich habe immer noch Herzbeschwerden, trotz der Kur und der Medikamente.
I'm still having trouble with my heart, in spite of the treatment and the medicine.

Wegen meines Herzens.
On account of my heart.

Ich bin meines Herzens wegen hier.
I am here on account of my heart.

The prepositions statt, trotz and wegen are followed by GENITIVE forms:

It should be noted that the preposition wegen may also be preceded by the GENITIVE form associated with it:

Together with während, noted earlier, these are the most common prepositions with the GENITIVE in German.

Verbs and prepositions, 1 of 3

More verbs with fixed prepositions

More verbs go with one preposition. Denken an is to think of. Hoffen auf is to hope for. Sprechen über is to talk about.

The English meaning can differ much from the meanings of the verb and the preposition apart.

After an, auf, über and unter the case is fixed for each pair, with no rule. Learn it with the pair.

The preposition always has an object. A pronoun for a person keeps its normal form: Ich denke an sie. For a thing or an idea, da- or dar- joins the preposition: Ich denke daran.

  1. 151

    to work on

  2. 152

    to think of, bear in mind

  3. 153

    to rent out to

  4. 154

    to hope for

  5. 155

    to listen to, pay heed to

  6. 156

    to count on

  7. 157

    to switch over to

  8. 158

    to inquire after, ask for, ask about

  9. 159

    to inquire about, ask about

  10. 160

    to advise on, exchange views on

  11. 161

    to be happy about

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

C. VERBS AND PREPOSITIONS

I

arbeiten an (dative)
to work on

denken an (accusative)
to think of, bear in mind

vermieten an (accusative)
to rent out to

hoffen auf (accusative)
to hope for

hören auf (accusative)
to listen to, pay heed to

rechnen auf (accusative)
to count on

umschalten auf (accusative)
to switch over to

fragen nach (dative)
to inquire after, ask for, ask about

sich erkundigen nach (dative)
to inquire about, ask about

beraten über (accusative)
to advise on, exchange views on

sich freuen über (accusative)
to be happy about

denken über (accusative)
to think of, have an opinion about

schreiben über (accusative)
to write about

sprechen über (accusative)
to talk about

verstehen unter (dative)
to mean by

sich vorstellen unter (dative)
to think of as being, to think ... is ...

denken von (dative)
to think of

sprechen von (dative)
to speak of, talk about

führen zu (dative)
to lead to

Ich denke an sie.
I'll be thinking of her (them).

Ich denke daran.
I'll bear that in mind.

We discussed verbs and prepositions in Units 16 and 17 and reviewed those that had occurred up to that point as VERB-PREPOSITION COMPLEXES. Many of the verbs and prepositions we have encountered separately up to now also function as verb-preposition complexes. The most common of these additional combinations are listed as follows:

Note again that the English equivalents of these verb-preposition complexes sometimes differ considerably from the meanings of the verbs and prepositions separately. The occurrence of dative or accusative forms after the prepositions an, auf, über and unter is quite arbitrarily fixed and must be learned for each combination. In verb-preposition complexes the preposition always has an object. Remember that when the object is a pronoun referring to a human being regular pronoun forms are used, but when the object is a pronoun referring to something inanimate or abstract the special combining forms da- or dar- are used.

Verbs and prepositions, 2 of 3

  1. 162

    to think of, have an opinion about

  2. 163

    to write about

  3. 164

    to talk about

  4. 165

    to mean by

  5. 166

    to think of as being, to think ... is ...

  6. 167

    to think of

  7. 168

    to speak of, talk about

  8. 169

    to lead to

  9. 170

    I'll be thinking of her (them).

  10. 171

    I'll bear that in mind.

Verbs and prepositions, 3 of 3

A clause after the preposition

The object of the preposition can also be a clause or an infinitive phrase.

Then the preposition always joins da- or dar-. This form points ahead to the clause or the phrase and stands in for it.

Sie rechnet damit, dass wir nächstes Jahr nach England kommen. Damit points ahead to the clause with dass.

English often uses a form in -ing here: she's counting on our coming to England.

  1. 172

    He's thinking of going to Germany in the fall.

  2. 173

    She's counting on our coming to England next year.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

C. VERBS AND PREPOSITIONS

II

Er denkt daran, im Herbst nach Deutschland zu fahren.
He's thinking of going to Germany in the fall.

Sie rechnet damit, dass wir nächstes Jahr nach England kommen.
She's counting on our coming to England next year.

Verb-preposition complexes also occur with dependent clauses or infinitive phrases.

In this construction the preposition is always combined with the special pronoun forms da- or dar-. They anticipate the dependent clause or infinitive phrase and replace it as object of the preposition. Notice that in English the preposition is often followed by the -ing form of the verb.

Conjunctions - denn

Denn joins equal parts

Denn is a sentence connector, like aber, oder, sondern and und. These five are the common ones.

Normal word order follows denn.

Ja, das werde ich bald tun, denn bei unserer grossen Familie ist alle Augenblicke einer krank. Here denn means for, and ist comes second after it.

  1. 174

    Yes, I'll do that soon, for with a family as large as ours there's somebody sick all the time.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

D. CONJUNCTIONS - denn

Ja, das werde ich bald tun, denn bei unserer grossen Familie ist alle Augenblicke einer krank.
Yes, I'll do that soon, for with a family as large as ours there's somebody sick all the time.

In this unit we have encountered the conjunction denn.

Denn is a sentence connector, or co-ordinating conjunction, followed by normal word order. With aber, oder, sondern and und it completes the group of common co-ordinating conjunctions.

The indefinite relative pronoun - was

Was after alles, das, etwas and nichts

Was is a relative pronoun too. Its relative clause refers back to one of the indefinite words alles, das, etwas and nichts.

Nichts, was er sagte, war richtig: nothing he said was right. Das ist etwas, was ich wirklich sehr empfehlen kann.

After a preposition, was becomes wo- or wor-, as the question word was does. Das war alles, woran sie gedacht hatte.

  1. 175

    Since I've been home again everything I do fatigues me very much.

  2. 176

    Nothing (that) he said was right.

  3. 177

    That is something (that) I can recommend very highly.

  4. 178

    What he wrote was very good.

  5. 179

    That was all that she was thinking of.

  6. 180

    That's something you can be happy about.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 18, Notes on Grammar

E. THE INDEFINITE RELATIVE PRONOUN - was

Seitdem ich zu Hause bin, strengt mich alles, was ich tue, sehr an.
Since I've been home again everything I do fatigues me very much.

Nichts, was er sagte, war richtig.
Nothing (that) he said was right.

Das ist etwas, was ich wirklich sehr empfehlen kann.
That is something (that) I can recommend very highly.

Das, was er schrieb, war sehr gut.
What he wrote was very good.

Das war alles, woran sie gedacht hatte.
That was all that she was thinking of.

Das ist etwas, worüber man sich freuen kann.
That's something you can be happy about.

In this unit we have encountered a new type of relative clause, introduced by the pronoun was.

The INDEFINITE RELATIVE PRONOUN was introduces relative clauses referring back to the indefinite words alles, das, etwas and nichts.

Like the question-word was it has the special combining form wo- or wor- after prepositions.

Substitution Drill

  1. 181

    I can recommend this doctor to you highly.

  2. 182

    Mr. Lange still has trouble in spite of the treatment.

  1. 183

    Mr. Lange still has trouble in spite of the treatment.

  2. 184

    Drink something else instead of the coffee.

  3. 185

    I saw Mr. Evans at the hospital.

  4. 186

    He has his office near you.

  1. 187

    He has his office near you.

  2. 188

    She was at the doctor's because of her heart.

  3. 189

    I am here on account of my heart.

  1. 190

    I am here on account of my heart.

  2. 191

    He has an appointment for three o'clock.

  3. 192

    That's all I drink.

  1. 193

    That's all I drink.

  2. 194

    I suggest that you drink something else.

  3. 195

    Would you suggest calling a specialist?

  4. 196

    It would be best if you called the Board of Health.

  1. 197

    It would be best if you called the Board of Health.

  2. 198

    I wish she would have herself examined by a specialist.

  3. 199

    It would be good if he got a tetanus shot.

Variation Drill

  1. 200

    It would be [a] good [thing] if he were to get a tetanus shot.

  2. 201

    It would be better to go to a specialist.

  3. 202

    If it were not so late I'd call him up.

  4. 203

    Would you have a moment's time for me tomorrow if I were to come to your office?

  1. 204

    Would you have a moment's time for me tomorrow if I were to come to your office?

  2. 205

    If he didn't already have a dictionary he'd buy this one.

  3. 206

    I wish she'd have herself examined by a specialist.

  4. 207

    It wouldn't hurt a bit if you were to stick to your diet.

  1. 208

    It wouldn't hurt a bit if you were to stick to your diet.

  2. 209

    Can I go to your family doctor when we need medical assistance?

  3. 210

    This is a trip we could take next month.

  4. 211

    If you could take me down town with you I'd get to the bank before one.

  5. 212

    If we were to go to Germany in the course of this year we could bring a Volkswagen [back] with us.

  1. 213

    If we were to go to Germany in the course of this year we could bring a Volkswagen [back] with us.

  2. 214

    I'd have time to come this evening if I could go home from the office earlier.

  3. 215

    I could show you exactly where the place is if I had a road map.

  4. 216

    She would certainly be glad if her brother had a different job.

  1. 217

    She would certainly be glad if her brother had a different job.

  2. 218

    Everything I do fatigues me very much.

  3. 219

    That is something I didn't think of.

  4. 220

    We're already thinking of designing a new project.

  1. 221

    We're already thinking of designing a new project.

  2. 222

    In these negotiations you have to reckon with [the fact] that difficulties arise.

  3. 223

    You ought to have taken a second treatment instead of going to work again so soon.

Vocabulary Drill

  1. 224

    You'll have to take some pills too in addition to the drops.

  2. 225

    Besides this form you'll have to fill out two others in addition.

  3. 226

    We ordered a picture, too, besides the two books.

  4. 227

    In addition to the shipyard the fishing industry interests me too.

  5. 228

    Aside from me there was no one there.

  6. 229

    Our family doctor suggested drinking fruit juices to me instead of all that coffee.

  7. 230

    Instead of the pills my father has to take drops now.

  8. 231

    I'm planning to buy a tape recorder instead of a record player.

  9. 232

    Waiter, we'd like to have steak instead of the calf's liver.

  1. 233

    We got to Italy in spite of the damaged car.

  2. 234

    In spite of the bad weather he walked to the office today.

  3. 235

    My wife still isn't well in spite of the treatment [at the resort].

  4. 236

    They weren't satisfied with the result(s) despite all the negotiations.

  5. 237

    Our boy is going to school again already in spite of the wound on his knee.

  6. 238

    Because of my middle ear infection I was not allowed to go swimming for a long time.

  7. 239

    We weren't able to go to the mountains because of the bad weather.

  8. 240

    You (fam sg) must call the plumber about the faucet before the day is over ('today still').

  9. 241

    My brother will have to put off his departure because of an urgent matter.

  1. 242

    Mr. Becker went to Bad Nauheim for treatment on account of his heart trouble.

  2. 243

    My wife has now finally been to a specialist for an examination ('had herself examined by a specialist').

  3. 244

    Dr. Buchner examined my heart.

  4. 245

    At customs all my luggage was examined.

  5. 246

    After the accident the policemen examined the car.

  6. 247

    Before he began to work at the shipyard he had to be examined by the doctor.

  7. 248

    In this moist climate our children get sick easily.

  8. 249

    How long has Mrs. Allen been sick now?

  9. 250

    If Mr. Keller were not ill he would go to the industrial exposition with us.

  1. 251

    At the plant two colleagues of mine were [out] sick last week.

  2. 252

    Can you recommend a good doctor to me?

  3. 253

    What kind of a tape recorder would you recommend to me?

  4. 254

    The waiter recommended ordering ('to order') lobster (to us).

  5. 255

    This book store has been highly ('very') recommended to me.

  6. 256

    Our doctor even recommends drinking strong coffee to me.

  7. 257

    Has the medicine which I prescribed (for you) been of any help to you yet?

  8. 258

    Has the medicine which I prescribed (for you) been of any help to you yet?

  9. 259

    Did the specialist prescribe (a) different medicine for you?

  1. 260

    You (fam sg) must take ten drops of this medicine three times a day.

  2. 261

    Dr. Meyer prescribed a completely new preparation for me.

  3. 262

    My wife forgot to take her medicine this morning.

  4. 263

    You were supposed to take the drops I prescribed for you not just twice, but five times a day.

  5. 264

    Could you give me another prescription for this medicine?

  6. 265

    Now I don't remember which drops he prescribed for my heart and which for my ear.

  7. 266

    You've (fam sg) got to get the doctor to give you a prescription for the pills again.

  8. 267

    I got quite dizzy from the medicine you prescribed for me.

  9. 268

    Take two tablets three times a day.

  1. 269

    You must come for this treatment twice a week for a half an hour.

  2. 270

    Can you give me ten cigars each from these two boxes?

  3. 271

    He wanted to have one print each made from the negatives.

  4. 272

    Didn't you want to have an enlargement of each of your pictures?

  5. 273

    I have an appointment with the dentist next Monday.

  6. 274

    Mrs. Wilson was given an appointment for treatment at the hospital.

  7. 275

    Mr. Allen had to go back to the doctor because of his high blood pressure.

  8. 276

    I have an appointment with my daughter's teacher today.

  9. 277

    He had an appointment at her office at three o'clock.

  1. 278

    If I didn't have an appointment with the doctor I'd go down town with you (fam pl).

  2. 279

    Weren't you (fam sg) supposed to go Dr. Buchner's office (during office hours) today?

  3. 280

    When does your (fam pl) dentist have office hours?

  4. 281

    When Dr. Meyer goes on vacation his patients have to go to Dr. Keller's office.

  5. 282

    Dr. Wilhelmy doesn't have office hours on Saturdays.

  6. 283

    We like strong tea.

  7. 284

    We didn't leave until noon because it was raining hard in the morning.

  8. 285

    The sun is too strong now to sit [out] in the yard.

  9. 286

    He was having severe pain(s) when we took him to the hospital.

  1. 287

    Isn't the beer in Germany stronger than in America?

  2. 288

    It was no easy job to translate this article.

  3. 289

    Plumbing is no easy trade either.

  4. 290

    To get a workman nowadays is not so easy.

  5. 291

    On hikes in the mountains I get dizzy easily.

  6. 292

    His car was slightly damaged as a result of the accident.

  7. 293

    Did you injure your knee skiing?

  8. 294

    When Miss Schulze fell off her bicycle she hurt her hand.

  9. 295

    Where did he hurt himself?

  1. 296

    In the accident fortunately no one was hurt.

  2. 297

    Words, too, can hurt.

  3. 298

    Can it harm the boy to go swimming with his injured knee?

  4. 299

    Would it hurt my wife if she were to take short walks every day?

  5. 300

    I'm afraid this [line of] work would hurt your health.

  6. 301

    It will definitely be harmful to you if you continue to smoke so much.

  7. 302

    The long drive was very tiring for us.

  8. 303

    If swimming tires you out so very much you'll have to go to the doctor.

  9. 304

    The business trip was very much of a strain for Mr. Becker.

  1. 305

    The treatment was quite a strain for the patient.

  2. 306

    If you (fam sg) stick to your diet you'll be better soon.

  3. 307

    We only have two weeks leave and have for that reason to stick to the plan for our trip exactly.

  4. 308

    Dr. Keller can't keep the appointment with Mr. Bauer unfortunately.

  5. 309

    When you go to the dentist you have to stick to the appointed ('fixed') time exactly.

  6. 310

    Do you know where this street leads to?

  7. 311

    A colleague of my husband took us through the exposition.

  8. 312

    What's that going to lead to?

  9. 313

    What led to this result?

  1. 314

    Are you working on a terribly important matter?

  2. 315

    I heard he's working on a new novel.

  3. 316

    The plumber was working on the faucet for two hours.

  4. 317

    How long will he still be working on it?

  5. 318

    What are you thinking of?

  6. 319

    Do you (fam sg) still think of Charlotte Zacharias sometime?

  7. 320

    He was already thinking of repairing the radio himself.

  8. 321

    Remember to bring the road map along.

  9. 322

    I rented the apartment to Mrs. Martha Kaufmann.

  1. 323

    Mrs. Zacharias doesn't want to rent the room to the union official.

  2. 324

    My Aunt Charlotte has now rented her house to the Red Cross nurses.

  3. 325

    The house was rented to a doctor.

  4. 326

    One always hopes for better times.

  5. 327

    The children were hoping for a school outing.

  6. 328

    For a long time he hoped for a check from home.

  7. 329

    We're looking for the suits to be very cheap in the summer clearance sale.

  8. 330

    The children don't always obey their mother.

  9. 331

    Listen to me!

  1. 332

    Dora never did what her Aunt Bertha said.

  2. 333

    He didn't listen to [what] the doctor [said].

  3. 334

    The operator didn't switch over to the right department.

  4. 335

    Why didn't she switch the call over to my extension? (' ... to my phone?')

  5. 336

    I'm just switching the record player over to the tape recorder.

  6. 337

    You can always count on me.

  7. 338

    Better not count on these people.

  8. 339

    We can't count on his carrying out his business obligations in this short time.

  9. 340

    He's counting on being able to work at the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

  1. 341

    How much leave can I expect [to accrue] in a year?

  2. 342

    We're counting on better weather.

  3. 343

    I hadn't been expecting you, Mr. Schmidt.

  4. 344

    We are expecting to be able to look over the shipyard on Saturday.

  5. 345

    Does he expect to be able to carry out all the business obligations before the trip still?

  6. 346

    Did you ask him for the address of the Board of Health?

  7. 347

    Was Mr. Koch looking for me?

  8. 348

    The plant manager asked the secretary for Mr. Qualitz' report.

  9. 349

    What shall I tell him if he asks for you?

  1. 350

    Have you inquired about that at the Board of Health yet? (fam sg)

  2. 351

    Dr. Zacharias inquired about the new patient.

  3. 352

    I'll ask about the trains.

  4. 353

    Have you asked about a specialist yet? (fam sg)

  5. 354

    Please inquire about it (fam sg).

  6. 355

    One can think as one likes about it.

  7. 356

    I'm glad you have the same opinion of this student as I do.

  8. 357

    What is your opinion about this?

  9. 358

    What do people in Germany think about the negotiations?

  1. 359

    We were all happy over Paula's visit.

  2. 360

    My son is very happy about the new bicycle.

  3. 361

    We're happy for every letter we get from him.

  4. 362

    I was very glad [to have] her picture.

  5. 363

    The German author Emil Ludwig also wrote about Lincoln.

  6. 364

    What are you writing about?

  7. 365

    What did he write about me?

  8. 366

    Thomas Mann wrote about his home town [of] Lübeck in this novel.

  9. 367

    We were just discussing him.

  1. 368

    Charlotte doesn't like to talk about it.

  2. 369

    Professor Nordpol spoke about the German economy.

  3. 370

    Mrs. Wiegand has been talking for a whole hour about what all went wrong on the trip to Italy.

  4. 371

    At the hardware store they usually mean a tool when they speak of an "Engländer".

  5. 372

    By a follow-up treatment one means the recuperation period ('time') after a treatment at a health resort.

  6. 373

    What do you mean by a follow-up treatment?

  7. 374

    I mean something else when I say (or hear) that.

  8. 375

    What do you think a 'Landrat' is?

  9. 376

    I can't imagine what that is.

  1. 377

    I didn't think a health resort was going to be like this.

  2. 378

    What do you think a 'Nachkur' is?

  3. 379

    No, your name didn't come up.

  4. 380

    What were you talking about?

  5. 381

    He's always talking about himself.

  6. 382

    He mentioned that he was planning to drive to the Weserbergland.

  7. 383

    What will that lead to?

  8. 384

    The discussion led to a long parley.

  9. 385

    Our negotiations produced no result.

  10. 386

    His many business obligations led to his having to put off his trip.

Translation Drill 1

  1. 387

    Mr. Koch was just working on an urgent matter.

  2. 388

    However he had a moment's time nevertheless to talk to his colleague Thomas.

  3. 389

    Mr. Thomas wanted to know who to go to when he needs help from a doctor.

  4. 390

    He doesn't live far from a hospital, but he doesn't know any doctors in town.

  5. 391

    Mr. Koch suggested (to him) calling the Board of Health where he lives.

  6. 392

    There he would be able to ask for the addresses of a few doctors in his section of town.

  7. 393

    Thomas was planning to do that soon, for with a family as large as his there's pretty often someone sick.

  8. 394

    Koch would recommend his family doctor to him if his office weren't so far away.

  9. 395

    Mrs. Thomas was under the care of an ear doctor in America last year.

  10. 396

    She had a bad middle ear infection, but she's all right now.

  11. 397

    Nevertheless her husband would like her to have herself examined again by a specialist in Germany.

  12. 398

    Koch was able to recommend a good ear, nose and throat man to him.

  13. 399

    Thomas inquired at the doctor's about his office hours.

Translation Drill 2

  1. 400

    The telephone rang at Dr. Buchner's office.

  2. 401

    Sister Ursula answered.

  3. 402

    Mrs. Evans, who was calling about her son was on the wire.

  4. 403

    He had fallen and scraped his knee, and the wound was pretty big.

  5. 404

    The nurse suggested that Mrs. Evans come right to the office with him.

  6. 405

    Dr. Buchner would treat him immediately.

  7. 406

    Mr. Lange had an appointment with Dr. Buchner at three o'clock.

  8. 407

    Sister Ursula asked him to take a seat in the waiting room and wait a bit, for there was still a patient in the consulting room.

  9. 408

    When Lange came into the waiting room he saw Evans sitting there.

  10. 409

    Evans was not sick, but was waiting for his wife and son.

  11. 410

    His son had had an accident; he had fallen with his bicycle.

  12. 411

    He had injured his knee.

  13. 412

    Would it be [a] good [thing] if he were to get a tetanus shot?

Translation Drill 3

  1. 413

    "I hope the boy is not having too much pain," said Lange.

  2. 414

    Lange was there on account of his heart.

  3. 415

    Instead of taking a follow-up treatment he had started to work again already.

  4. 416

    Everything he did was tiring him [out] very much.

  5. 417

    The nurse now asked Mr. Lange into the consulting room, and Evans wished him a speedy recovery.

  6. 418

    After Dr. Buchner had said hello to Lange he asked about his complaints.

  7. 419

    Lange was still having trouble with his heart in spite of the treatment at the resort.

  8. 420

    He was taking the medicine regularly that the doctor had prescribed for him.

  9. 421

    After the slightest exertion however he got severe palpitations and got dizzy easily.

  10. 422

    After Dr. Buchner had measured his blood pressure he said:" It is a bit too high still."

  11. 423

    He suggested drinking fruit juice instead of coffee to him.

  12. 424

    It wouldn't hurt a bit if he were to stick to his diet exactly, said Dr. Buchner.

  13. 425

    Then the doctor prescribed another medicine for him in addition.

Translation Drill 4

  1. 426

    He had to take fifteen drops of it three times a day.

  2. 427

    He did not get a prescription for the pills.

Response Drill 1

  1. 428

    What was Herr Koch working on?

  2. 429

    He was working on an urgent matter.

  3. 430

    Could Mr. Thomas still speak with him for a moment?

  4. 431

    Yes, Herr Koch naturally has time for him.

  5. 432

    What did Herr Thomas want to know?

  6. 433

    He wanted to know whom he could contact to get medical help.

  7. 434

    What did Mr. Koch suggest to him?

  8. 435

    He suggested that he call the public health office where he lives.

  9. 436

    What was Herr Thomas supposed to ask the public health office about?

  10. 437

    For the addresses of some doctors in his district.

  11. 438

    Why did he want to call there soon?

  12. 439

    Because in his large family someone is getting sick all the time.

  13. 440

    Why didn't Herr Koch recommend his family doctor?

  14. 441

    His family doctor's office is too far away.

  15. 442

    Who treated Mrs. Thomas last year?

  16. 443

    Last year in America, she was treated by an ear specialist for a severe middle-ear infection.

  17. 444

    What else did Herr Thomas say about it?

  18. 445

    It would be advisable for her to be examined by a specialist again.

  19. 446

    Was it a problem to find a specialist?

  20. 447

    No, because a well-known ear, nose, and throat specialist has his practice near his home.

  21. 448

    Where did the telephone ring, and who answered?

  22. 449

    The telephone rang at Dr. Buchner's office, and Nurse Ursula answered.

  23. 450

    Why did Mrs. Evans call Dr. Buchner?

  24. 451

    Because of her son, who had scraped his knee.

  25. 452

    When did she bring him to the doctor's office?

  26. 453

    Right away, so that Dr. Buchner could treat him immediately.

Response Drill 2

  1. 454

    What time was Mr. Lange's appointment with Dr. Buchner?

  2. 455

    For three o'clock.

  3. 456

    What did Herr Lange say to the nurse?

  4. 457

    I hope I am not too late; my watch has stopped.

  5. 458

    Why did he first have to take a seat in the waiting room?

  6. 459

    Dr. Buchner still had a patient in the examination room.

  7. 460

    Whom did he meet in the waiting room?

  8. 461

    He met Mr. Evans there.

  9. 462

    Who was Mr. Evans waiting for?

  10. 463

    He was waiting for his wife and son, who were in the examination room.

  11. 464

    Why was the boy there?

  12. 465

    He had had an accident and had a large wound on his knee.

  13. 466

    What kind of accident did he have?

  14. 467

    He had fallen off his bicycle.

  15. 468

    What kind of shot was the boy supposed to get?

  16. 469

    He was to get a tetanus shot.

  17. 470

    Why did Mr. Lange want to speak to Dr. Buchner?

  18. 471

    Because of his heart.

  19. 472

    How was he doing in Bad Nauheim, and how is he doing now?

  20. 473

    He felt well in Bad Nauheim, but afterward everything he did tired him greatly.

  21. 474

    What else should he have done?

  22. 475

    He should have had a follow-up course of treatment.

  23. 476

    Whom did Schwester Ursula ask to come into the examination room next?

  24. 477

    Mr. Lange; he was next.

  25. 478

    What symptoms did he have?

  26. 479

    Heart trouble. He experienced severe palpitations and easily became dizzy after the slightest exertion.

Response Drill 3

  1. 480

    What did Dr. Buchner tell Herrn Lange after measuring his blood pressure?

  2. 481

    "Your blood pressure is still a little too high."

  3. 482

    What was Mr. Lange supposed to drink instead of coffee?

  4. 483

    He was supposed to drink fruit juice instead of coffee.

  5. 484

    What else did Dr. Buchner suggest to him?

  6. 485

    To stick to his diet.

  7. 486

    How often must Mr. Lange take the medicine Dr. Buchner prescribed for him?

  8. 487

    He has to take fifteen drops of the medicine three times a day.

  9. 488

    What does he have to take besides the medicine?

  10. 489

    The pills that Dr. Buchner had prescribed for him last time.

Narrative

  1. 490

    I Zitate und Sprichworte Die Arznei macht kranke, die Mathematik traurige und die Theologie sündhafte Leute. -- Martin Luther

    I Quotations and Proverbs Medicine makes people ill, mathematics makes them sad, and theology makes them sinful. -- Martin Luther

  2. 491

    Arzt, hilf dir selber. -- Luk. 4, 23

    Physician, heal thyself. -- Luke 4:23

  3. 492

    Der Arzt sieht den Menschen in seiner ganzen Schwäche, der Advokat in seiner ganzen Schlechtigkeit und der Priester in seiner ganzen Dummheit. -- Schopenhauer

    The physician sees mankind in all its weakness, the lawyer in all its wickedness, and the priest in all its stupidity. -- Schopenhauer

  4. 493

    Here lies a doctor, Dr. Frumm,

  5. 494

    Und die er heilte, ringsherum. -- Grabinschrift

    And those he cured lie all around him. -- Epitaph

  6. 495

    Which doctor I have?

  7. 496

    Frage lieber, welcher Arzt mich hat. -- H. Osmin

    Better ask which doctor has me. -- H. Osmin

  8. 497

    Die Gesunden bedürfen des Arztes nicht, sondern die Kranken. -- Luk. 5, 31

    Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. -- Luke 5:31

  9. 498

    Ein neuer Doktor, ein neuer Kirchhof. -- Sprichwort

    A new doctor, a new graveyard. -- Proverb

  10. 499

    The spirit of medicine is easy to grasp;

  11. 500

    You study the great and little world through and through,

  12. 501

    Um es am Ende gehn zu lassen, Wie's Gott gefällt. -- Mephistopheles zum Studenten in Goethes 'Faust'.

    Only to let things go in the end As God pleases. -- Mephistopheles to the Student in Goethe's 'Faust.'

  13. 502

    II From a Doctor's Love Song

  14. 503

    As many cells as the tissues of my long body contain,

  15. 504

    As many muscle fibers as my mortal flesh can be divided into,

  16. 505

    As many tiny blood vessels as run through me from head to foot,

  17. 506

    As many corpuscles as glow with hot red blood within them,

  18. 507

    As many times as trichinae encyst themselves in a hundred pounds of meat:

  19. 508

    Soviel mal, du schlanke Palme, lieb' ich dich, o Josephine! -- Hermann Iseke (1856-1907)

    That many times, you slender palm, do I love you, O Josephine! -- Hermann Iseke (1856–1907)

Situations

  1. 509

    A friend calls you to tell you that he is sick in bed and does not know a doctor in his neighborhood.

  2. 510

    What would you say to him or do for him?

  3. 511

    If you came to Germany as a diplomat without bringing any furniture along, what would you buy there?

  4. 512

    Think over what you could afford if you had very little money, what you would like best to buy in addition if you could borrow money from the bank, and so on.

  5. 513

    Where would you go if you had a lot of time and money?

  6. 514

    What countries and cities interest you especially and in which country would you like best to work?

  7. 515

    Talk about it with one of your colleagues.

  8. 516

    What restaurants (or theaters, movie houses, cafes, and so on) in our city could you recommend to a man who has a lot of enterprise and would like to get to know everything that is especially interesting here.

The particulars

The course
Foreign Service Institute, German Basic Course, Washington, 1961. Public domain. The teaching pages, the glosses and the narration of lines the tape lacks are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The app
The course on your phone, with the drills, your place kept and the audio offline.
App StoreGoogle Play
The book
New Poems, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.