German Basic Course 1732 Studios

German · Unit 3

Unit 3: Stadtbesichtigung

Volume 1

Seeing the city

525 lines

Basic Sentences I

  1. 1

    Shall we go down town ('together') today?

    Wollento want to, to intend to
    wirwe have
    heutetoday
    zusammentogether
    indown town (destination)
    diedown town (destination)
    Stadtdown town (destination)
    fahren?go, ride (in a vehicle)
  2. 2

    Glad to.

  3. 3

    But first I'd like to go to the bank.

zusammen
together
Stadt
down town
Aber
but
vorher
before, first
Bank
to the bank
  1. 4

    I have to get some money.

  2. 5

    Which bank are you going to?

  3. 6

    To the bank on 'Bahnhofstrasse' right next to the Europa Hotel.

  4. 7

    Shall we go down town ('together') today?

  5. 8

    Glad to.

  6. 9

    But first I'd like to go to the bank.

  7. 10

    I have to get some money.

  8. 11

    Which bank are you going to?

  9. 12

    To the bank on 'Bahnhofstrasse' right next to the Europa Hotel.

muss
I have to
Geld
the money
abheben
to withdraw
Bank
to which bank
Bahnhofstrasse
'Bahnhofstrasse'
Bahnhofstrasse
on 'Bahnhofstrasse'
gleich
right, just
neben
next to
Hotel
next to the hotel
Europa
Europa

Basic Sentences II

  1. 13

    Where is the museum actually?

  2. 14

    I'm sorry, I don't know either.

  3. 15

    But there's the doorman.

  4. 16

    We can just ask him.

  5. 17

    Where is the museum actually?

  6. 18

    I'm sorry, I don't know either.

  7. 19

    But there's the doorman.

  8. 20

    We can just ask him.

Museum
the museum
weiss
I know
leider
unfortunately
Portier
the doorman (and clerk in smaller hotels)
mal
just
fragen
to ask

Basic Sentences III

  1. 21

    Can you tell us where the museum is, by any chance?

sagen
to say
  1. 22

    The museum is at the market place, not far from the town hall.

Markt
the market place
Markt
at the market place
weit
far
Rathaus
the town hall
Rathaus
from the town hall
  1. 23

    I can show (it to) you here on the map of the city.

  2. 24

    Oh, that's fine!

auf
on
Stadtplan
on the map of the city
Ausgezeichnet
excellent
  1. 25

    Do you want to go in your car or do you want to take a taxi?

Wagen
the car
Wagen
in you car
Taxe
the taxi
nehmen
to take
  1. 26

    Isn't there a bus that goes there?

  2. 27

    Yes, but the best way to go is by streetcar.

Omnibus
the bus
kein
no, not a
Omnibus
no bus
Doch
yes (in response to a negative statement or question)
besten
best
Strassenbahn
the streetcar
Strassenbahn
by streetcar
  1. 28

    The bus doesn't stop here.

  2. 29

    Where's the streetcar stop?

  3. 30

    Across from the hotel.

hält
he stops
Strassenbahnhaltestelle
the streetcar stop
Hotel
across from the hotel
  1. 31

    Do you know what part of town the American Consulate is in?

  2. 32

    It's right near here. On the corner of Kaiser and Schubert street.

  3. 33

    You can walk there, too.

  4. 34

    Thanks a lot!

Wissen
to know
Gegend
the region
Gegend
in what region
Konsulat
the American Consulate
Dorthin
(to) there
Fuss
on foot
  1. 35

    Can we keep this map of the city?

  2. 36

    Yes, indeed.

  3. 37

    Can you tell us where the museum is, by any chance?

  4. 38

    The museum is at the market place, not far from the town hall.

  5. 39

    I can show (it to) you here on the map of the city.

  6. 40

    Oh, that's fine!

  7. 41

    Do you want to go in your car or do you want to take a taxi?

  8. 42

    Isn't there a bus that goes there?

  9. 43

    Yes, but the best way to go is by streetcar.

  10. 44

    The bus doesn't stop here.

  11. 45

    Where's the streetcar stop?

  12. 46

    Across from the hotel.

  13. 47

    Do you know what part of town the American Consulate is in?

  14. 48

    It's right near here. On the corner of Kaiser and Schubert street.

  15. 49

    You can walk there, too.

  16. 50

    Thanks a lot!

  17. 51

    Can we keep this map of the city?

  18. 52

    Yes, indeed.

behalten
to keep

Basic Sentences IV

  1. 53

    It's really nice weather today.

  2. 54

    Are you going to take a walk to the university with me?

wirklich
really
Wetter
the weather
Wetter
nice weather
Machen
to make, to do
Spaziergang
the walk
Spaziergang
he takes a walk
Universität
the university
Universität
to the university
  1. 55

    That's a good idea.

  2. 56

    It's supposed to be very famous.

  3. 57

    Is it far from here?

  4. 58

    I think it's in the vicinity of the cathedral.

Idee
the idea
Idee
a good idea
soll
she, it is supposed to, she, it is said to
berühmt
famous
sein
to be
Dom
the cathedral
Dom
of the cathedral
  1. 59

    But I can't find it on the map of the city.

  2. 60

    We can just ask the policeman there.

  3. 61

    It's really nice weather today.

  4. 62

    Are you going to take a walk to the university with me?

  5. 63

    That's a good idea.

  6. 64

    It's supposed to be very famous.

  7. 65

    Is it far from here?

  8. 66

    I think it's in the vicinity of the cathedral.

  9. 67

    But I can't find it on the map of the city.

  10. 68

    We can just ask the policeman there.

finden
to find
ja
(unstressed particle calling attention to an obvious fact)

Basic Sentences V

  1. 69

    Officer, we're looking for the university.

  2. 70

    What's the best way to get there?

  3. 71

    Go through the park here.

Wachtmeister
the police sergeant
Wachtmeister
officer
suchen
to look for
dahin
to there
Park
the park
durch
through
Park
through the park
  1. 72

    You'll be there in ten minutes.

  2. 73

    The palace is there in the vicinity too, isn't it?

  3. 74

    Yes, that's right, it's opposite the cathedral.

Minuten
in ten minutes
Schloss
the palace.
stimmt
that's right
gegenüber
opposite the cathedral
  1. 75

    Is the municipal theater on 'Königsplatz'?

  2. 76

    No, it's on the market place.

  3. 77

    And to the left of it is the town hall.

  4. 78

    The museum is on the other side.

Stadttheater
the municipal theater
Königsplatz
the 'Königsplatz'
Königsplatz
on 'Königsplatz'
Seite
the side
Seite
on the other side
  1. 79

    Thanks a lot.

  2. 80

    You're welcome.

  3. 81

    Officer, we're looking for the university.

  4. 82

    What's the best way to get there?

  5. 83

    Go through the park here.

  6. 84

    You'll be there in ten minutes.

  7. 85

    The palace is there in the vicinity too, isn't it?

  8. 86

    Yes, that's right, it's opposite the cathedral.

  9. 87

    Is the municipal theater on 'Königsplatz'?

  10. 88

    No, it's on the market place.

  11. 89

    And to the left of it is the town hall.

  12. 90

    The museum is on the other side.

  13. 91

    Thanks a lot.

  14. 92

    You're welcome.

Basic Sentences VI

  1. 93

    I hope there's a restaurant near here.

  2. 94

    Why, are you thirsty?

  3. 95

    Yes, I'd like (to drink) a glass of beer.

Hoffentlich
I hope
Restaurant
a restaurant
Warum
why
Durst
the thirst
Durst
I'm thirsty
Glas
the glass
Bier
a glass of beer
trinken
to drink
  1. 96

    And I'm hungry too.

  2. 97

    So am I, as a matter of fact.

  3. 98

    Which restaurant shall we go to?

  4. 99

    We can go to the 'Hofbräuhaus'.

Hunger
the hunger
Hunger
I'm hungry
Hofbräuhaus
to the 'Hofbräuhaus'
  1. 100

    Or shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

  2. 101

    Can you park there too?

  3. 102

    Yes, there's a big parking lot next to it.

  4. 103

    I hope there's a restaurant near here.

  5. 104

    Why, are you thirsty?

  6. 105

    Yes, I'd like (to drink) a glass of beer.

  7. 106

    And I'm hungry too.

  8. 107

    So am I, as a matter of fact.

  9. 108

    Which restaurant shall we go to?

  10. 109

    We can go to the 'Hofbräuhaus'.

  11. 110

    Or shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

  12. 111

    Can you park there too?

  13. 112

    Yes, there's a big parking lot next to it.

Ratskeller
the 'Ratskeller'
parken
to park
Parkplatz
the parking lot
Parkplatz
a big parking lot
daneben
next to it

Basic Sentences VII

  1. 113

    Here are the numbers from thirteen to twenty.

  2. 114

    thirteen - fourteen - fifteen - sixteen

  3. 115

    seventeen - eighteen - nineteen - twenty

  4. 116

    How much is seven and eight?

Zahlen
the numbers
dreizehn
thirteen
zwanzig
twenty
  1. 117

    How much is eleven and five?

  2. 118

    How much is nine and nine?

  3. 119

    How much is six and eight?

  4. 120

    Nine and five is fourteen, isn't it?

  1. 121

    Say in German: 18, 9, 12, 19, 13, 20, 14, 8, 15.

  2. 122

    How much is eight and three and seven?

  3. 123

    How much is ten and four and five?

  4. 124

    How much is four and eleven and two?

  5. 125

    Here are the numbers from thirteen to twenty.

  6. 126

    thirteen - fourteen - fifteen - sixteen

  7. 127

    seventeen - eighteen - nineteen - twenty

  8. 128

    How much is seven and eight?

  9. 129

    How much is eleven and five?

  10. 130

    How much is nine and nine?

  11. 131

    How much is six and eight?

  12. 132

    Nine and five is fourteen, isn't it?

  13. 133

    Say in German: 18, 9, 12, 19, 13, 20, 14, 8, 15.

  14. 134

    How much is eight and three and seven?

  15. 135

    How much is ten and four and five?

  16. 136

    How much is four and eleven and two?

Notes on Pronunciation: German b, d, g and p, t, k

  1. 137

    Bahnhof - danke - gut

    Practice A: b, d, g

  2. 138

    aber - oder - sagen

    Practice A: b, d, g

  3. 139

    Pass - Taxe - kann

    Practice A: p, t, k

  4. 140

    Mappe - bitte - Ecke

    Practice A: p, t, k

  5. 141

    ist - Bank

    Practice A: final

Notes on Pronunciation: Long Vowels and Diphthongs

  1. 142

    Frau - Front - Friede

    Practice 1: fr

  2. 143

    treffen - Tropfen - Traum

    Practice 1: tr

  3. 144

    Preis - Probe - prima

    Practice 1: pr

  4. 145

    Kraft - Kreis - Krieg

    Practice 1: kr

  5. 146

    schreibe - Schramme - Schritt

    Practice 1: schr

  6. 147

    Strasse - streben - Strom

    Practice 1: str

  7. 148

    sprechen - springen - Sprung

    Practice 1: spr

  8. 149

    drei - dringen - Adresse - bedrohen

    Practice 2: dr, br, gr

  9. 150

    braun - bringen - Gebrauch - verbrennen

    Practice 2: br

  10. 151

    grau - Greis - begraben - ergriffen

    Practice 2: gr

  1. 152

    Bahre - Zigarre - Ehre - ihre

    Practice 3: r after vowels

  2. 153

    Maria - beraten - erreichen - gerieben

    Practice 3: r after vowels

  3. 154

    Rat - reich - Rind - roh

    Practice 3: r initially

  4. 155

    Lied - lesen - leider - Lack

    Practice 4: l

  5. 156

    Loch - lösen - lud - lügen

    Practice 4: l

  6. 157

    beleben - Geleit - gelogen - beluden

    Practice 4: l

  7. 158

    viel - Ziel - fehl - Mehl

    Practice 5: l after vowels

  8. 159

    hohl - wohl - Pfuhl - Stuhl

    Practice 5: l after vowels

  9. 160

    Wahl - Zahl - Maul - Gaul

    Practice 5: l after vowels

  10. 161

    viele - fehle - hole - Suhle

    Practice 5: l between vowels

  1. 162

    Aale - male - kühle - fühle

    Practice 5: l between vowels

  2. 163

    Wille - balle - helle - solle

    Practice 6: -lle

  3. 164

    will - Ball - hell - soll

    Practice 6: -ll

  4. 165

    wild - bald - hält - Sold

    Practice 6: -ld, -lt

Introduction to Units 3 - 9

Words that go with a noun

These two good suitcases can be put together in one order only. The German diese zwei guten Koffer also has one order.

The noun is Koffer. The other three words are noun modifiers, of three kinds.

A specifier is a word like der, dieser or welcher: the, this, which. Diese is a specifier, zwei a numeral, guten an adjective.

Numerals from zwei up never have an ending. Specifiers and adjectives have endings, and each kind has its own pattern.

A der-type specifier has the endings of der. An ein-type specifier has the endings of ein. The two patterns are mostly alike.

  1. 166

    these two good suitcases

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

A. Introduction to Units 3 - 9

I. Noun Modifiers

diese zwei guten Koffer
these two good suitcases

1. The four words 'good', 'these', 'suitcases', and 'two' can only be put together in one way so as to make of them a single phrase: 'these two good suitcases'. This is also true of the German equivalents of these words: they can only appear as diese zwei guten Koffer.

2. The phrase diese zwei guten Koffer is composed of a NOUN (Koffer) and three different kinds of Noun Modifiers: a SPECIFIER (diese), a NUMERAL (zwei), and an ADJECTIVE (guten).

3. Outline Classification of Noun Modifiers

NOUN MODIFIERS: SPECIFIERS (der-TYPE, ein-TYPE), NUMERALS, ADJECTIVES

4. A three-fold treatment of German noun-modifiers is forced upon us by the facts of the German language, since these three groups of words exhibit different formal patterns - that is, different patterns of endings.

a. The formal pattern of the NUMERALS is very simple: the numbers from zwei 'two' on up never have any endings. (Fractions and numbers like 'fourth' and 'seventh' will be dealt with later.)

b. The formal patterns of the ADJECTIVES will be treated in Units 6 - 9. Adjectives are descriptive words (red, white, blue, tall, dark, handsome) which have superlative and comparative forms (reddest, whitest, taller, darker).

c. The formal patterns of the SPECIFIERS compel us to divide them into two sub-classes: the der-TYPE SPECIFIERS (specifiers which have the same pattern of endings as der 'the') and the ein-TYPE SPECIFIERS (specifiers which have the same pattern of endings as ein 'a'.) The formal patterns of the two subgroups are alike for the most part, but there are a couple of differences, so we are forced to deal with them separately.

der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher, 1 of 3

The word for the has cases

English the has one form. In German the word for the, and every other specifier, has a nominative, an accusative and a dative form.

The form depends on the class of the noun and on the case. In Der Ober kennt den Portier, der is nominative and den is accusative. The waiter knows the doorman.

Der Portier kennt den Ober means the doorman knows the waiter.

Dieser, meaning this, and welcher, meaning which, have the same pattern as der.

What to look at in the tables

The pattern chart gives only the last letter of each form. Its columns are der-nouns, das-nouns, die-nouns and plural nouns. Its rows are the three cases.

The letters match the pronouns: der and er, das and es, den and ihn, dem and ihm. Dieses and welches end like das. Diesen and welchen end like den.

In the dative plural, the noun adds -n if its plural does not already end in n: die Koffer, den Koffern.

Forms from one row fit the same place in a sentence: Ich sehe den Bahnhof und das Rathaus und die Bank und die Koffer.

der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher

  1. 167

    He knows him.

  2. 168

    The waiter knows the doorman.

  3. 169

    The doorman knows the waiter.

  4. 170

    The Ratskeller is supposed to be very famous.

  5. 171

    We're looking for the cathedral.

  6. 172

    Next to the cathedral is the university.

  7. 173

    The museum is at the market place.

  8. 174

    We're looking for the museum.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

B. der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher

I. Forms

Er kennt ihn.
He knows him.

Der Ober kennt den Portier.
The waiter knows the doorman.

Der Portier kennt den Ober.
The doorman knows the waiter.

Der Ratskeller soll sehr berühmt sein.
The Ratskeller is supposed to be very famous.

Wir suchen den Dom.
We're looking for the cathedral.

Neben dem Dom ist die Universität.
Next to the cathedral is the university.

Das Museum ist am Markt.
The museum is at the market place.

Wir suchen das Museum.
We're looking for the museum.

Neben dem Museum ist das Stadttheater.
Next to the museum is the municipal theater.

Die Stadt ist nicht weit von hier.
The city's not far from here.

Wir suchen die Stadt.
We're looking for the city.

Das Rathaus ist in der Stadt.
The town hall is in the city.

Die Koffer sind da drüben.
The suitcases are over there.

Wir suchen die Koffer.
We're looking for the suitcases.

Das ist in den Koffern.
That's in the suitcases.

Ich sehe den Bahnhof und das Rathaus und die Bank und die Koffer.
I see the station and the town hall and the bank and the suitcases.

1. In German, not only the pronouns, but also the word for 'the' and all other Specifiers have Nominative, Accusative, and Dative forms. This is entirely different from English, where the word 'the' has no form but 'the'.

2. By abstracting from these sentences the underscored forms, we can set up the following table of the various forms of the German word for 'the':

before der-Nouns / das-Nouns / die-Nouns / Plural Nouns
NOMINATIVE forms: der, das, die, die
ACCUSATIVE forms: den, das, die, die
DATIVE forms: dem, dem, der, den (-n)

3. Note: The symbol (-n) signifies that the noun itself, in the DATIVE PLURAL form, adds an -n, if the noun's general plural form does not already end in -n: Nominative Plural die Koffer, Dative Plural den Koffern.

4. Here are similar tables of the forms of dieser 'this' and welcher 'which' with der-nouns, das-nouns, die-nouns and plural nouns and with the pronouns which replace them, as noted in Unit 2.

Nominative: dieser Koffer, welcher Koffer, er / dieses Hotel, welches Hotel, es / diese Bank, welche Bank, sie / diese Zigarren, welche Zigarren, sie
Accusative: diesen Koffer, welchen Koffer, ihn / dieses Hotel, welches Hotel, es / diese Bank, welche Bank, sie / diese Zigarren, welche Zigarren, sie
Dative: diesem Koffer, welchem Koffer, ihm / diesem Hotel, welchem Hotel, ihm / dieser Bank, welcher Bank, ihr / diesen Zigarren, welchen Zigarren, ihnen

5. In Unit 1 your attention was directed to the correspondence of the final sounds in the pairs der-er, das-es, die-sie, and die-sie. If we now make more extensive comparisons of the same sort --das-es-dieses-welches and den-ihn-diesen-welchen-- we begin to see that a relatively simple pattern underlies the profusion of forms. It can be summed up in the following PATTERN CHART:

Pattern Chart 1
Nom. R S E E
Acc. N S E E
Dat. M M R N (-n)

6. Important Note: Pattern Charts are not to be used in the classroom. They are presented for two reasons only: to call to your attention the fact that there is a pattern for whatever part of the language may be concerned, and to display that pattern as clearly and simply as possible. Study the chart at home if you find it helpful, but do not try to use it in class. Your purpose is to learn to speak German, not to learn to look it up in a book.

7. Remember also that substitution of nouns and pronouns operates horizontally on the chart. For example, from the Accusative-form line: Ich sehe den Bahnhof und das Rathaus und die Bank und die Koffer.

8. There are half a dozen more der-type specifiers, all of which exhibit the pattern of Chart 1 above. They are of less frequent occurrence than the three here introduced, and will be pointed out to you as they turn up in later units.

der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher, 2 of 3

Pattern Chart 1

  1. 175

    Next to the museum is the municipal theater.

  2. 176

    The city's not far from here.

  3. 177

    We're looking for the city.

  4. 178

    The town hall is in the city.

  5. 179

    The suitcases are over there.

  6. 180

    We're looking for the suitcases.

  7. 181

    That's in the suitcases.

  8. 182

    I see the station and the town hall and the bank and the suitcases.

der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher, 3 of 3

Pointing and choosing

Der spoken without emphasis means the. Spoken with emphasis, it means that. Without a noun it means that one, often followed by da: Wir können den da fragen.

Dieser marks a contrast: this one, as opposed to that other one. When nothing is contrasted, the pointing word das means both this and that.

Welcher is used mostly in questions. Without a noun it means which one.

A specifier without its noun has the same form as if the noun were there: Ich spreche mit dem.

Der with emphasis and without a noun points. For people, politeness limits it as it limits pointing with the hand. In giving directions, both are normal.

  1. 183

    We can ask the policeman.

  2. 184

    We can ask that policeman there.

  3. 185

    We can ask that one there.

  4. 186

    I have this glass; he has that one.

  5. 187

    I'm going on this bus, not that (other) one.

  6. 188

    This is the street. / That's the street.

  7. 189

    Which policeman can we ask?

  8. 190

    Which one is he talking to?

  9. 191

    I'm talking to that man.

  10. 192

    I'm talking to this woman (not to that other one).

  11. 193

    Which one (man) are you talking to?

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

B. der-Type Specifiers: der, dieser, welcher

II. Uses

Wir können den Polizisten fragen.
We can ask the policeman.

Wir können den Polizisten dort fragen.
We can ask that policeman there.

Wir können den da fragen.
We can ask that one there.

Ich habe dieses Glas, er hat das da.
I have this glass; he has that one.

Ich fahre mit diesem Omnibus nicht mit dem da.
I'm going on this bus, not that (other) one.

Das ist die Strasse.
This is the street. / That's the street.

Welchen Polizisten können wir fragen?
Which policeman can we ask?

Mit welchem spricht er?
Which one is he talking to?

Ich spreche mit dem.
I'm talking to that man.

Ich spreche mit dieser.
I'm talking to this woman (not to that other one).

Mit welchem sprechen Sie?
Which one (man) are you talking to?

1. Der means 'the' when unstressed, but means 'that' when stressed. Without a noun it means 'that one', and is often followed by da 'there'.

2. Dieser is used primarily for contrastive purposes. It doesn't just mean 'close to me' as the English this does, but rather 'the one I'm indicating now as opposed to that other one'.

3. When there is no contrast, but only a pointing indication, the pointing-word das is equivalent to both this and that.

4. Welcher is used primarily in questions. When used without a noun, it means 'which one?'.

5. Whenever one of the der-type specifiers is used without a noun, the form of the specifier is exactly the same as if the noun were there.

Note: The stressed der-type specifier has a definite pointing implication. The conventions of polite behavior set certain limitations on the pointing gesture, particularly as applied to persons. In general the same limitations are observed in the use of the der-type specifier without a noun. There are certainly situations where both the pointing gesture and the stressed der-type specifier are not only appropriate but necessary, as in giving directions for instance. However, indiscriminate use is avoided.

Nouns

Nouns that change with the case

Pronouns and specifiers change with the case. A few nouns change too.

Four nouns have one form for the nominative and another for the accusative and dative: der Herr, den Herrn, dem Herrn. The others are Diplomat, Beamte and Polizist.

In Herr Becker trifft Herrn und Frau Allen, Herr is the subject and Herrn is the object.

Nouns

  1. 194

    Mr. Becker meets Mr. and Mrs. Allen in Munich.

  2. 195

    There's the policeman.

  3. 196

    I'll just ask the policeman there.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

C. NOUNS

Herr Becker trifft Herrn und Frau Allen in München.
Mr. Becker meets Mr. and Mrs. Allen in Munich.

Dort ist der Polizist.
There's the policeman.

Ich will den Polizisten dort mal fragen.
I'll just ask the policeman there.

I. We have noted that German distinguishes der-nouns, das-nouns and die-nouns and furthermore Nominative forms, Accusative forms and Dative forms. The distinctions occur in the pronouns and in the specifiers.

II. Some German NOUNS also show distinctions in form.

Four nouns which we have encountered up to this point have distinctive Nominative and non-Nominative forms. They are listed below for reference:

Nominative form: der Herr, der Diplomat, der Beamte, der Polizist
Accusative form: den Herrn, den Diplomaten, den Beamten, den Polizisten
Dative form: dem Herrn, dem Diplomaten, dem Beamten, dem Polizisten

Prepositional phrases, 1 of 2

Prepositions that take the dative

After mit, a specifier is dative, like a pronoun: mit dem Portier, mit der Frau. Mit, bei, von and zu are always followed by the dative. They are dative prepositions.

A contraction is two words written as one. Bei dem often becomes beim, von dem vom, zu dem zum and zu der zur.

Gegenüber can stand before or after the dative. It stands after a pronoun: mir gegenüber. It often goes with von: gegenüber vom Hotel.

A preposition that takes the accusative

A few prepositions are always followed by the accusative. Durch is the only one so far: durch den Park.

Durch das often becomes the contraction durchs.

  1. 197

    I'm talking to him.

  2. 198

    I'm talking to the doorman.

  3. 199

    I'm talking to the woman.

  4. 200

    I'm talking to the parents of Mr. Keller.

  5. 201

    You can go on the streetcar too.

  6. 202

    At the passport inspection and at the customs office.

  7. 203

    To the right of the cathedral is the museum.

  8. 204

    I'm going to the bank on 'Bahnhofstrasse'.

  9. 205

    Shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

  10. 206

    Across from the hotel.

  11. 207

    It's opposite the cathedral.

  12. 208

    Across from me.

  13. 209

    Across from that.

  14. 210

    Go through the park here.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

D. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

I. Dative Prepositions

Ich spreche mit ihm.
I'm talking to him.

Ich spreche mit dem Portier.
I'm talking to the doorman.

Ich spreche mit der Frau.
I'm talking to the woman.

Ich spreche mit den Eltern von Herrn Keller.
I'm talking to the parents of Mr. Keller.

Sie können auch mit der Strassenbahn fahren.
You can go on the streetcar too.

Bei der Passkontrolle und beim Zoll.
At the passport inspection and at the customs office.

Rechts vom Dom ist das Museum.
To the right of the cathedral is the museum.

Ich gehe zu der Bank in der Bahnhofstrasse.
I'm going to the bank on 'Bahnhofstrasse'.

Wollen wir zum Ratskeller fahren?
Shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

Gegenüber vom Hotel.
Across from the hotel.

Es steht dem Dom gegenüber.
It's opposite the cathedral.

Mir gegenüber.
Across from me.

Dem gegenüber.
Across from that.

1. Like pronouns, specifiers which follow mit are in the Dative form. We can refer to mit and other prepositions which are always followed by Dative forms as DATIVE PREPOSITIONS.

2. The prepositions bei, von and zu are also Dative Prepositions. Notice the following contractions:

bei dem often becomes beim
von dem often becomes vom
zu dem often becomes zum
zu der often becomes zur

3. The preposition gegenüber is sometimes followed and sometimes preceded by the specifier in the Dative form. It is generally preceded by the pronoun and by the specifier standing alone without a noun. It often occurs together with the preposition von.
D. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

II. Accusative Prepositions

Gehen Sie hier durch den Park.
Go through the park here.

1. A few prepositions are always and invariably followed by Accusative forms. We will refer to these prepositions as ACCUSATIVE PREPOSITIONS. The only one we've come across so far is durch.

2. Contraction: durch das often becomes durchs

Prepositional phrases, 2 of 2

Where something is, where it is going

The prepositions an, auf and in can take either the dative or the accusative. The case changes the meaning.

The dative says where someone or something is: Er ist auf der Strasse.

The accusative says where someone or something ends up after moving: Er geht auf die Strasse.

The same holds for an: an der Ecke is at the corner, an die Ecke is to the corner.

Prepositions sorted by case

The list sorts the prepositions into three groups. Each entry gives the German word and its English meaning, such as mit, with.

Durch takes the accusative. Aus, bei, mit, nach, von, zu and gegenüber take the dative.

An, auf, in and neben take either case. With the accusative, auf means onto. With the dative, auf means on.

Pronouns after prepositions

After a preposition, a pronoun for a person is the regular pronoun: mit ihm, mit ihr.

For a thing, every pronoun becomes da. It goes in front of the preposition and joins it as one word: davon, daneben.

If the preposition begins with a vowel, the form is dar: darauf, daran, daraus.

Links davon ist das Rathaus means the town hall is to the left of it.

  1. 211

    It (the consulate) is on the corner of Kaiser and Schubert Street.

  2. 212

    Go to the corner of Kaiser and Schubert Street.

  3. 213

    He's in ('on') the street.

  4. 214

    He's going into ('onto') the street.

  5. 215

    He's in the hotel.

  6. 216

    He's going into the hotel.

  7. 217

    through the park

  8. 218

    by streetcar

  9. 219

    across from the hotel

  10. 220

    To the left of it is the town hall.

  11. 221

    Right next to it is a big parking lot.

  12. 222

    I often ride home with him.

  13. 223

    I often speak English with her.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

D. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

III. Two-way Prepositions

Es ist an der Ecke Kaiser- und Schubertstrasse.
It (the consulate) is on the corner of Kaiser and Schubert Street.

Gehen Sie an die Ecke Kaiser- und Schubertstrasse.
Go to the corner of Kaiser and Schubert Street.

Er ist auf der Strasse.
He's in ('on') the street.

Er geht auf die Strasse.
He's going into ('onto') the street.

Er ist im Hotel.
He's in the hotel.

Er geht ins Hotel.
He's going into the hotel.

1. The prepositions an, auf, and in are followed by either a Dative form or an Accusative form, with the following difference in meaning: After a Two-way Preposition

(1) a Dative form tells where some one or something is to be found;

Er ist auf der Strasse. He is to be found upon the street; that's where he is located.

(2) an Accusative form tells where some one or something (now in motion) is going to end up.

Er geht auf die Strasse. He is walking, and when he has finished walking he will be upon the street.
D. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

IV. Summary of prepositions

durch den Park
through the park

mit der Strassenbahn
by streetcar

gegenüber vom Hotel
across from the hotel

We have now encountered nearly half the prepositions which are of common occurrence in German. The following summary lists them by categories.

1. Accusative Prepositions
durch 'through' (always followed by Accusative forms)

2. Dative Prepositions
aus 'out of, from'; bei 'at'; mit 'with'; nach 'toward, to'; von 'from, of'; zu 'to' (always followed by Dative forms)
gegenüber 'opposite, across from' (always preceded or followed by Dative forms)

3. Two-way Prepositions
an 'to'; auf 'onto'; in 'into'; neben 'up next to' (followed by Accusative forms)
an 'at, on'; auf 'on, upon'; in 'in'; neben 'next to, beside' (followed by Dative forms)
D. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

V. Special Pronoun Form with Prepositions

Links davon ist das Rathaus.
To the left of it is the town hall.

Daneben ist ein grosser Parkplatz.
Right next to it is a big parking lot.

Ich fahre oft mit ihm nach Hause.
I often ride home with him.

Ich spreche oft englisch mit ihr.
I often speak English with her.

When a pronoun in a prepositional phrase refers to a human being, the regular pronoun forms are used; but when a pronoun in a prepositional phrase refers to an inanimate object, the form da- is used for all pronouns. It is put in front of the preposition, and in the writing system is made part of a single word with the preposition (daneben, davon). If the preposition begins with vowel, the pronoun form is dar- (darauf, daran, daraus).

Verbs, 1 of 2

More verbs with no ending

An irregular verb has forms outside the usual pattern. Some have no ending, and some change the stem vowel.

Seven verbs share one irregular pattern: the forms for ich and er have no ending. Darf, kann, muss and will are known already. Soll and weiss are new. Mag is rare.

The form for wir ends in -en: dürfen, können, mögen, müssen, sollen, wollen, wissen.

Sollen means to be supposed to. Wissen means to know a fact.

Two verbs that change the vowel

Two more irregular verbs change the stem vowel in the er-form: halte, hält, halten and behalte, behält, behalten.

Halten means to stop. Behalten means to keep.

Verbs

  1. 224

    He doesn't stop here.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

E. VERBS

Er hält hier nicht.
He doesn't stop here.

Er behält den Stadtplan.
He keeps the map of the city.

I. Two verbs have occurred in Unit 3 which are similar to the four irregular verbs dürfen, können, müssen and wollen, which have already been encountered. They are sollen 'to be supposed to' and wissen 'to know (a fact)'. These six verbs occur very frequently in German, and together with one other verb (mögen), occurring very infrequently in the Present, make up the complete list of verbs following this particular irregular pattern. For reference purposes all seven verbs are reproduced below:

ich-form, er-form: darf, kann, mag, muss, soll, will, weiss
wir-form: dürfen, können, mögen, müssen, sollen, wollen, wissen

II. There are two other new irregular verbs in this Unit:

'stop': ich-form halte, er-form hält, wir-form halten
'keep': ich-form behalte, er-form behält, wir-form behalten

Verbs, 2 of 2

  1. 225

    He keeps the map of the city.

Word order

Where the verb goes

In a verb phrase, the infinitive is at the end. The finite verb is the other form, with the ending that fits the subject.

In a statement or a question with a question word, the finite verb is the second element.

The first element can be a pronoun, a noun with its specifier, or a pointing word. It can also be an adverb, a preposition and its noun, or a question word.

Das weiss ich leider nicht: das is first, weiss second. In zehn Minuten sind Sie da: in zehn Minuten is one element, and sind is second.

In a question without a question word, and in a command, the finite verb is first: Gehen Sie hier durch den Park.

  1. 226

    I can show it to you here on the map of the city.

  2. 227

    She's not coming today.

  3. 228

    The museum is on the market place.

  4. 229

    I'm sorry I don't know that.

  5. 230

    There's the doorman.

  6. 231

    You'll be there in ten minutes.

  7. 232

    Where is the streetcar stop?

  8. 233

    Isn't there a bus that goes there?

  9. 234

    Go through the park here.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 3, Notes on Grammar

F. WORD ORDER

Ich kann es Ihnen hier auf dem Stadtplan zeigen.
I can show it to you here on the map of the city.

Sie kommt heute nicht.
She's not coming today.

Das Museum ist am Markt.
The museum is on the market place.

Das weiss ich leider nicht.
I'm sorry I don't know that.

Dort ist der Portier.
There's the doorman.

In zehn Minuten sind Sie da.
You'll be there in ten minutes.

Wo ist die Strassenbahnhaltestelle?
Where is the streetcar stop?

Fährt denn kein Omnibus dahin?
Isn't there a bus that goes there?

Gehen Sie hier durch den Park.
Go through the park here.

I. In unit 2 we observed that the second part of VERB PHRASES, the INFINITIVE form of the verb, occurs at the end of the sentence. The other part of Verb Phrases, the verb form that has the personal ending, is seen to occur at or near the beginning of the sentence. It is called the FINITE verb form.

II. Observe the position of the FINITE verb form in the following sentences: a) Sie kommt heute nicht. b) Das Museum ist am Markt. c) Das weiss ich leider nicht. d) Dort ist der Portier. e) In zehn Minuten sind Sie da. f) Wo ist die Strassenbahnhaltestelle?

You will note that the FINITE verb form is always the SECOND ELEMENT of the sentence in the above examples. It can be preceded by: a) a pronoun; b) a noun and its specifier; c) a specifier or pointing word; d) an adverb indicating the time, location or manner in which something occurs or exists; e) a preposition and its object; f) a question word.

III. In QUESTIONS without question words and in COMMANDS the FINITE verb form is the FIRST ELEMENT.

Substitution Drill

  1. 235

    Here is the doorman.

  1. 236

    Here is the doorman.

  1. 237

    Here is the doorman.

  1. 238

    Here is the doorman.

  2. 239

    I'm looking for the 'Königsplatz'.

  1. 240

    I'm looking for the 'Königsplatz'.

  1. 241

    I'm looking for the 'Königsplatz'.

  1. 242

    I'm looking for the 'Königsplatz'.

  2. 243

    I'm talking about the American.

  1. 244

    I'm talking about the American.

  1. 245

    I'm talking about the American.

  1. 246

    I'm talking about the American.

  2. 247

    Do you know where the town hall is?

  1. 248

    I can't find the cathedral.

  2. 249

    She has to withdraw money.

  1. 250

    She has to withdraw money.

  2. 251

    I'm thirsty.

  3. 252

    I can show it to you.

  1. 253

    I can show it to you.

  2. 254

    I'm sorry I don't know that.

  3. 255

    He's drinking a glass of beer.

  4. 256

    Perhaps he can give us a map of the city.

  1. 257

    Perhaps he can give us a map of the city.

  2. 258

    First I'd like to go to the bank.

  3. 259

    The stop is over there. It's over there.

  1. 260

    The stop is over there. It's over there.

  2. 261

    I'm driving to the bank on 'Bahnhofstrasse'.

  3. 262

    Do you have the map of the city there?

  1. 263

    Do you have the map of the city there?

  2. 264

    Which movie theater are we going to?

  3. 265

    The café is supposed to be very famous.

  1. 266

    The café is supposed to be very famous.

  2. 267

    We can drive to the 'Ratskeller'.

  3. 268

    We're looking for the park.

  1. 269

    We're looking for the park.

  2. 270

    Where is the station? That one is right near here.

  1. 271

    Where is the station? That one is right near here.

  2. 272

    You can go by bus.

  3. 273

    He's in the 'Ratskeller'.

  4. 274

    Which restaurant shall we go to?

  1. 275

    Which restaurant shall we go to?

  2. 276

    There's the policeman. We can ask that one.

  3. 277

    Which bank are you going to?

  1. 278

    Which bank are you going to?

  2. 279

    I'm going through the park.

  3. 280

    First I'd like to go to the bank.

  4. 281

    We can ask the doorman.

  1. 282

    We can ask the doorman.

  2. 283

    The bank is next to the hotel.

  1. 284

    Can we keep the map of the city?

  2. 285

    Shall we take a walk to the palace?

  3. 286

    How do you like this city?

  1. 287

    Do you know this street?

  2. 288

    This park is very beautiful.

  3. 289

    Does this bus go to 'Königsplatz'?

  1. 290

    Does this bus go to 'Königsplatz'?

  2. 291

    She's in the café, don't you see her?

  3. 292

    The official visits the Foreign Service Officer.

  4. 293

    We live not far from this park.

  1. 294

    We live not far from this park.

Variation Drill

  1. 295

    Which bus goes to Schwabing?

  2. 296

    This bus goes to Schwabing.

  3. 297

    Ask this policeman!

  4. 298

    Which park are you looking for?

  1. 299

    Which park are you looking for?

  2. 300

    Do you live on this street?

  3. 301

    Which restaurant are you eating at?

  1. 302

    Which restaurant are you eating at?

  2. 303

    Are you driving through 'Bahnhofstrasse'?

  3. 304

    We're going by taxi.

  4. 305

    He'll change the money for me.

  1. 306

    He'll change the money for me.

  2. 307

    Who is he showing the city to?

  3. 308

    Show Mr. Becker the museum!

  4. 309

    The passport belongs to the Foreign Service Officer.

  1. 310

    He's giving me the map of the city. He can give me the map of the city.

  2. 311

    Where does this streetcar go to? Where is this streetcar supposed to be going to?

  3. 312

    I'm driving down town today. Today I'm driving down town.

  1. 313

    I'm driving down town today. Today I'm driving down town.

Vocabulary Drill

  1. 314

    I eat in this restaurant.

  2. 315

    He works in the consulate.

  3. 316

    We live on ('in') this street.

  4. 317

    He's in the cathedral just now.

  5. 318

    The bank is on ('in the') Schubertstrasse.

  6. 319

    Are Mr. and Mrs. Allen at ('in') the movies?

  7. 320

    He lives in the Europa Hotel.

  8. 321

    We're going to the movies.

  9. 322

    Are you driving down town today?

  1. 323

    What theater are you going to?

  2. 324

    Shall we go to the park?

  3. 325

    Mr. Köhler is going into the hotel.

  4. 326

    I'd like to go to the café.

  5. 327

    I'd like to go to the bank.

  6. 328

    What bank are you going to?

  7. 329

    Shall we take a walk to the cathedral?

  8. 330

    We can drive to the 'Ratskeller'.

  9. 331

    What's the best way to get to the airport?

  1. 332

    She's just driving to the embassy.

  2. 333

    Is the 'Ratskeller' next to the town hall?

  3. 334

    The bank is next to the hotel.

  4. 335

    The stop is next to the consulate.

  5. 336

    Is the parking lot next to the bank?

  6. 337

    They live next (door) to us.

  7. 338

    Which restaurant is next to the university?

  8. 339

    The town hall is at the market place.

  9. 340

    The streetcar stop is over there at the corner.

  1. 341

    This bus stops at the market place.

  2. 342

    Is the 'Ratskeller' at the market place too?

  3. 343

    The policeman is there on the corner.

  4. 344

    The museum is not far from the town hall.

  5. 345

    The museum is in the vicinity of the university.

  6. 346

    To the right of the cathedral is the embassy.

  7. 347

    Across from this hotel is the parking lot.

  8. 348

    To the left of the bank is the municipal theater.

  9. 349

    The bus stops across from the café.

  1. 350

    I can show it to you on the map of the city.

  2. 351

    The streetcar stops on the other side of the street.

  3. 352

    I can't find the university on the map of the city.

  4. 353

    The car is in ('on') the parking lot.

  5. 354

    The policeman is on the other side of the street.

  6. 355

    You can go on the bus.

  7. 356

    Are you going by streetcar or in your car?

  8. 357

    Which bus is he going on?

  9. 358

    I want to go by taxi.

  1. 359

    He's going in his car today.

  2. 360

    The bus goes through the park.

  3. 361

    We're going through the park now.

  4. 362

    Drive through 'Ludwigstrasse'.

  5. 363

    You can walk through the park.

  6. 364

    Shall we drive through town?

  7. 365

    The beer is supposed to be very good here.

  8. 366

    The palace is supposed to be very famous.

  9. 367

    The stop is supposed to be not far from here.

  1. 368

    Isn't the station supposed to be here in the vicinity?

  2. 369

    The hotel is supposed to be very good.

  3. 370

    They're supposed to be very nice.

  4. 371

    Shall we go to the movies now?

  5. 372

    Shall we take a walk?

  6. 373

    Shall we have a glass of beer?

  7. 374

    Shall we ask the officer?

  8. 375

    Shall we take a taxi?

  9. 376

    You can talk to the policeman.

  1. 377

    He'd like to go to the theater with us.

  2. 378

    I'm going down town with Mr. Köhler today.

  3. 379

    He's just talking to the officer.

  4. 380

    I'm going to the movies with this lady today.

  5. 381

    Which waiter is he (just) talking to?

  6. 382

    She's just looking for the suitcase.

  7. 383

    What are you looking for?

  8. 384

    He's looking for the passport.

  9. 385

    Are you looking for the parking lot?

  1. 386

    I'm looking for Miss Schneider's address.

  2. 387

    Let's ask the doorman. ('Why don't we ask...?')

  3. 388

    Ask the policeman please.

  4. 389

    He's asking the waiter.

  5. 390

    I'm going to ask the (police) officer.

  6. 391

    Can't you ask Mrs. Kunze?

  7. 392

    What would you like to drink?

  8. 393

    He's drinking a glass of beer.

  9. 394

    Are you having coffee or tea?

  1. 395

    I like ('to drink') wine.

  2. 396

    Would you like some water to drink?

  3. 397

    You can park over there.

  4. 398

    I'll park in the parking lot on 'Schubertstrasse'

  5. 399

    He parks on the other side of the street.

  6. 400

    I very often park in this parking lot.

  7. 401

    Can one park here on the street?

  8. 402

    Is this where the bus stops? ('Does the bus stop here?')

  9. 403

    Where does the streetcar stop?

  1. 404

    I'll stop across from the hotel.

  2. 405

    Stop at the embassy please.

  3. 406

    The bus is supposed to stop at this corner.

Translation Drill 1

  1. 407

    It's nice weather today.

  2. 408

    Mr. Allen and Mr. Jones are planning to go down town together.

  3. 409

    First Mr. Allen would like to get some money.

  4. 410

    He goes to the bank by taxi.

  5. 411

    The bank is next to the Europa Hotel.

  6. 412

    Then he rides back to the hotel.

  7. 413

    The hotel is on Ludwigstrasse.

  8. 414

    Later Mr. Allen and Mr. Jones are planning to go to the museum.

  9. 415

    Unfortunately they don't know where it is.

  10. 416

    They ask the doorman.

  11. 417

    The doorman shows them the museum on the map of the city.

  12. 418

    It's near the town hall, on the market place.

  13. 419

    They would like to keep the map.

Translation Drill 2

  1. 420

    The doorman gives them the map of the city.

  2. 421

    Do you want to go by bus or by streetcar, asks the doorman.

  3. 422

    Mr. Allen and Mr. Jones want to go by streetcar.

  4. 423

    The stop is opposite the hotel.

  5. 424

    They also want to go to the consulate.

  6. 425

    The consulate is near the station, says the doorman.

  7. 426

    They can walk there too.

  8. 427

    Later they plan to take a walk to the university.

  9. 428

    They don't know where the university is.

  10. 429

    Mr. Allen looks for it on the map of the city.

  11. 430

    He can't find it however.

  12. 431

    It's supposed to be next to the cathedral.

  13. 432

    On the corner on the other side of the street there's a policeman.

Translation Drill 3

  1. 433

    They ask the policeman.

  2. 434

    He says the cathedral is on 'Königsplatz'.

  3. 435

    In ten minutes they can be there.

  4. 436

    They take a walk through the park.

  5. 437

    Near the cathedral is the palace, too.

  6. 438

    To the left of the palace is the university.

  7. 439

    Opposite the university is the municipal theater.

  8. 440

    Where's the 'Ratskeller', asks Mr. Jones.

  9. 441

    The 'Ratskeller' is next to the town hall on the market place, says the policeman.

  10. 442

    The streetcar stop is in front of the university.

  11. 443

    They can take the streetcar to the market place.

  12. 444

    In the evening Mr. Allen would like to go to a restaurant.

  13. 445

    He's thirsty and would like to drink a glass of wine.

Translation Drill 4

  1. 446

    Mr. Jones will be glad to come along.

  2. 447

    He's hungry.

  3. 448

    Mr. Jones asks: "Where shall we eat, at the 'Ratskeller' or at the 'Hofbräuhaus'?"

  4. 449

    They drive to the 'Ratskeller' in their car.

  5. 450

    They can park there too.

Response Drill 1

  1. 451

    Where do Mr. Köhler and Mr. Becker want to go?

  2. 452

    They want to go into town.

  3. 453

    Where does Herr Becker want to go first?

  4. 454

    He still wants to go to the bank.

  5. 455

    Which bank does he go to?

  6. 456

    He is going to the bank on Bahnhofstrasse.

  7. 457

    What does he want to do there?

  8. 458

    He has to withdraw some money.

  9. 459

    Does Mr. Becker know where the museum is?

  10. 460

    No, unfortunately he doesn't know.

  11. 461

    Do they have a city map?

  12. 462

    No, they don't have a city map.

  13. 463

    Whom do they ask?

  14. 464

    They ask the doorman.

  15. 465

    What does the porter give them?

  16. 466

    The porter gives them a city map.

  17. 467

    Does Herr Köhler have a car?

  18. 468

    Yes, Mr. Köhler has a car.

  19. 469

    Are they driving into town?

  20. 470

    No, they take the streetcar downtown.

  21. 471

    Where is the streetcar stop?

  22. 472

    The streetcar stop is across from the hotel.

  23. 473

    Where does the bus stop?

  24. 474

    The bus doesn't stop here.

  25. 475

    What part of town is the museum in?

  26. 476

    The museum is on the market place.

Response Drill 2

  1. 477

    What is the best way for them to get to the consulate?

  2. 478

    You can walk there.

  3. 479

    What is the weather like?

  4. 480

    The weather is nice.

  5. 481

    Where else do they want to take a walk?

  6. 482

    They want to take another walk to the university.

  7. 483

    Where is the university?

  8. 484

    The university is on Königsplatz.

  9. 485

    Where is the cathedral supposed to be?

  10. 486

    The cathedral is near the university.

  11. 487

    Whom do they ask where the university is?

  12. 488

    They ask the policeman.

  13. 489

    Are they taking the bus to the university?

  14. 490

    No, they walk there.

  15. 491

    Where is the municipal theater?

  16. 492

    The municipal theater is next to city hall.

  17. 493

    Where do Mr. Köhler and Mr. Becker want to go in the evening?

  18. 494

    They want to go to a restaurant.

  19. 495

    Do they want to eat something there?

  20. 496

    They want to eat and drink something there.

  21. 497

    Is the Ratskeller near the hotel?

  22. 498

    No, the Ratskeller is next to the city hall.

  23. 499

    How are they getting there?

  24. 500

    They drive there in their car.

  25. 501

    Where do they park the car?

  26. 502

    They park the car in the parking lot.

Conversation Practice 1

  1. 503

    Good afternoon, Herr Köhler. Where are you going?

  2. 504

    I have to go to the bank and withdraw some money.

  3. 505

    The weather is so beautiful today. Are you walking?

  4. 506

    Yes, the bank is very close by.

  5. 507

    May I come along?

  6. 508

    With pleasure!

Conversation Practice 2

  1. 509

    Excuse me, officer, can you tell me where the university is?

  2. 510

    The university is on Ludwigstrasse.

  3. 511

    What's the best way to get there?

  4. 512

    Take the bus. It stops here at the corner. You'll be there in ten minutes.

  5. 513

    Thanks a lot.

Conversation Practice 3

  1. 514

    Are you familiar with Munich yet?

  2. 515

    Yes, but not very well.

  3. 516

    I'd like to go to the museum. It's supposed to be very famous. Would you like to come along?

  4. 517

    Gladly. Do you have the car here?

  5. 518

    Yes, it's in the parking lot. The theater is also near the museum.

  6. 519

    Good, and can you show me the Hofbräuhaus too?

  7. 520

    Why, of course!

Conversation Practice 4

  1. 521

    What are you planning to do now, Herr Allen?

  2. 522

    I'd like to go out to eat. Isn't the Hofbräuhaus near here?

  3. 523

    No, but the Ratskeller isn't far from here.

  4. 524

    I hope the food there is good. I'm hungry.

  5. 525

    Yes, it's actually very good. I often eat there.

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.
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.