German Basic Course 1732 Studios

German · Unit 4

Unit 4: Im Konsulat

Volume 1

Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visitor's visa for America.

479 lines

Basic Sentences I

  1. 1

    Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visitor's visa for America.

    HerrMr.
    KöhlerKöhler
    willI intend, I plan
    einone year
    Besuchsvisumvisitor's visa
    nachto, toward
    AmerikaAmerica
    beantragen.apply for
Besuchsvisum
the visitor's visa
beantragen
to apply (for something)
  1. 2

    In the consulate he meets an old acquaintance, Mr. Allen.

  2. 3

    Hello, Mr. Allen.

  3. 4

    I'm glad I ran into you ('Good that I just [happen to] meet you').

  4. 5

    Hello, Mr. Köhler.

dass
that
  1. 6

    What's new with you? ('What is there that is new')

  2. 7

    I hear you're planning to go to America.

  3. 8

    Yes; can you tell me where I can apply for a visa?

  4. 9

    Of course; we can go right to my colleague Bill Jones.

  5. 10

    He's a vice consul in the visa section.

  6. 11

    Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visitor's visa for America.

  7. 12

    In the consulate he meets an old acquaintance, Mr. Allen.

  8. 13

    Hello, Mr. Allen.

  9. 14

    I'm glad I ran into you ('Good that I just [happen to] meet you').

  10. 15

    Hello, Mr. Köhler.

  11. 16

    What's new with you? ('What is there that is new')

  12. 17

    I hear you're planning to go to America.

  13. 18

    Yes; can you tell me where I can apply for a visa?

  14. 19

    Of course; we can go right to my colleague Bill Jones.

  15. 20

    He's a vice consul in the visa section.

Neues
that which is new
sagen
to say, to tell
mal
right
Vizekonsul
the vice consul
Vizekonsul
a vice consul
Visa-Abteilung
the visa section

Basic Sentences II

  1. 21

    Mr. Allen introduces the gentlemen [to each other].

  2. 22

    May I introduce you gentlemen? Mr. Köhler - Mr. Jones.

  3. 23

    What can I do for you, Mr. Köhler?

  4. 24

    I want to get a visa.

vor
he introduces
bekannt
acquainted
machen
to make acquainted, to introduce
bekannt
he introduces them (to each other)
tun
to do
  1. 25

    Are you planning to emigrate or go on a visit?

  2. 26

    I'm going on business.

  3. 27

    How long do you intend to stay?

auswandern
to emigrate
Besuch
on a visit
Geschäftsreise
the business trip
Geschäftsreise
he takes a business trip
  1. 28

    Approximately four to six weeks.

  2. 29

    You are German, aren't you?

Ungefähr
approximately, about
bis
to, up to, until
Wochen
weeks
Deutscher
(a) German
  1. 30

    Yes, I'm a German citizen.

  2. 31

    Do you have an identification card?

  3. 32

    Here's my passport.

Staatsangehöriger
a national, a citizen
Ausweis
the identification card or paper
  1. 33

    Please fill out this form.

  2. 34

    Your application will then be processed right away.

  3. 35

    Thank you very much.

  4. 36

    Mr. Allen introduces the gentlemen [to each other].

  5. 37

    May I introduce you gentlemen? Mr. Köhler - Mr. Jones.

  6. 38

    What can I do for you, Mr. Köhler?

  7. 39

    I want to get a visa.

  8. 40

    Are you planning to emigrate or go on a visit?

  9. 41

    I'm going on business.

  10. 42

    How long do you intend to stay?

  11. 43

    Approximately four to six weeks.

  12. 44

    You are German, aren't you?

  13. 45

    Yes, I'm a German citizen.

  14. 46

    Do you have an identification card?

  15. 47

    Here's my passport.

  16. 48

    Please fill out this form.

  17. 49

    Your application will then be processed right away.

  18. 50

    Thank you very much.

aus
he fills out
Formular
the form
Antrag
the application
wird
he, it will be
gleich
right away
bearbeitet
processed

Basic Sentences III

  1. 51

    Do you like it in Bremen, Mr. Allen?

  2. 52

    Yes, I'm very glad to be here.

  3. 53

    Only my wife can't get used to the climate.

  4. 54

    She'd rather live in Bavaria, and our son [would] too.

hier
I like being here, I'm glad to be here
Klima
the climate
sich
he gets accustomed
lieber
rather, more preferable
Bayern
Bavaria
Sohn
the son
  1. 55

    I can understand that.

  2. 56

    Aren't you [originally] from Bremen, Mr. Köhler?

  3. 57

    No, my [original] home town is Berlin.

  4. 58

    Do you like it in Bremen, Mr. Allen?

  5. 59

    Yes, I'm very glad to be here.

  6. 60

    Only my wife can't get used to the climate.

  7. 61

    She'd rather live in Bavaria, and our son [would] too.

  8. 62

    I can understand that.

  9. 63

    Aren't you [originally] from Bremen, Mr. Köhler?

  10. 64

    No, my [original] home town is Berlin.

Bremer
the man from Bremen
Bremer
a man from Bremen
Heimatstadt
the home town, town where one grew up

Basic Sentences IV

  1. 65

    At the restaurant.

  2. 66

    What would you like to drink, beer or wine?

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    I don't care for wine.

  4. 68

    I'd like a glass of Pilsner and you?

gern
I like (to drink)
  1. 69

    I prefer Würzburger to Pilsner.

  2. 70

    I like Löwenbräu best.

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    But unfortunately they don't have it here.

  4. 72

    At the restaurant.

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    What would you like to drink, beer or wine?

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    I don't care for wine.

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    I'd like a glass of Pilsner and you?

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    I prefer Würzburger to Pilsner.

  9. 77

    I like Löwenbräu best.

  10. 78

    But unfortunately they don't have it here.

lieber
I like (to drink) better
als
than
liebsten
I like (to drink) best

Basic Sentences V

  1. 79

    Is there a cigar store near by?

  2. 80

    I don't have any tobacco left.

  3. 81

    There's one next door here.

  4. 82

    But I have some cigars.

Zigarrengeschäft
the cigar store
Tabak
the tobacco
mehr
more
nebenan
next door
eins
one (referring to das-noun)
  1. 83

    May I offer you one?

  2. 84

    No, thank you.

  3. 85

    I only smoke a pipe.

  4. 86

    Is there a cigar store near by?

  5. 87

    I don't have any tobacco left.

  6. 88

    There's one next door here.

  7. 89

    But I have some cigars.

  8. 90

    May I offer you one?

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    No, thank you.

  10. 92

    I only smoke a pipe.

anbieten
to offer
Pfeife
the pipe
Pfeife
a pipe

Basic Sentences VI

  1. 93

    Why don't you come and see us next Sunday, Mr. Köhler? ('Just come to our house next Sunday, Mr. Köhler.')

  2. 94

    We live in a new building on the outskirts of town now.

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    Sunday is not such a good day for me.

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    I already have an engagement.

Sonntag
the Sunday
nächsten
next
Sonntag
(on) next Sunday
mal
just
uns
to us, to our house
Neubau
the new building
Rande
on the outskirts
Stadt
of the town
mir
it suits me, it's convenient for me
Sonntag
on Sunday
Verabredung
the engagement
  1. 97

    That's too bad; is Saturday any better for you? ('Is it any more convenient for you on Saturday?')

Schade
too bad
Sonnabend
the Saturday
besser
better
  1. 98

    Yes, I'd be glad to come then.

  2. 99

    Shall we say at four o'clock? Is that all right with you?

  3. 100

    Fine.

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    Our address is 4 Schiller Street.

da
then
wir
shall we say, let us say
Uhr
at 4 o'clock
recht
it's all right with me
  1. 102

    Please give my regards to Mrs. Allen.

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    Thank you, I will. And please remember me to Mrs. Köhler, too.

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    Til Saturday then. ('Well then, until Saturday!')

  4. 105

    My husband works at the consulate general.

  5. 106

    Why don't you come and see us next Sunday, Mr. Köhler? ('Just come to our house next Sunday, Mr. Köhler.')

  6. 107

    We live in a new building on the outskirts of town now.

  7. 108

    Sunday is not such a good day for me.

  8. 109

    I already have an engagement.

  9. 110

    That's too bad; is Saturday any better for you? ('Is it any more convenient for you on Saturday?')

  10. 111

    Yes, I'd be glad to come then.

  11. 112

    Shall we say at four o'clock? Is that all right with you?

  12. 113

    Fine.

  13. 114

    Our address is 4 Schiller Street.

  14. 115

    Please give my regards to Mrs. Allen.

  15. 116

    Thank you, I will. And please remember me to Mrs. Köhler, too.

  16. 117

    Til Saturday then. ('Well then, until Saturday!')

  17. 118

    My husband works at the consulate general.

Grüssen
to greet
Sie
give my regards to
mich
remember me
Mann
the man, husband
Mann
my husband (subject)
Generalkonsulat
the consulate general

Basic Sentences VII

  1. 119

    Let's count:

  2. 120

    twenty-one - twenty-two - twenty-three - twenty-four - twenty-five

  3. 121

    twenty-six - twenty-seven - twenty-eight - twenty-nine - thirty

  4. 122

    thirty-one - thirty-two - and so forth - forty - forty-one - etc. - fifty

  1. 123

    How much is 20 and 30?

  2. 124

    20 and 30 is 50.

  3. 125

    How much is 18 and 25?

  4. 126

    33 and 15?

  1. 127

    17 and 19?

  2. 128

    14 and 8 and 23?

  3. 129

    31 and 16?

  4. 130

    Say these numbers: 37, 49, 28, 13, 22, 41, 24.

  5. 131

    Let's count:

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    twenty-one - twenty-two - twenty-three - twenty-four - twenty-five

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    twenty-six - twenty-seven - twenty-eight - twenty-nine - thirty

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    thirty-one - thirty-two - and so forth - forty - forty-one - etc. - fifty

  9. 135

    How much is 20 and 30?

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    20 and 30 is 50.

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    How much is 18 and 25?

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    33 and 15?

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    17 and 19?

  14. 140

    14 and 8 and 23?

  15. 141

    31 and 16?

  16. 142

    Say these numbers: 37, 49, 28, 13, 22, 41, 24.

Notes on Pronunciation: The German ich-sound

  1. 143

    ich - mich - weich - Pech

    Practice 1: ich

  2. 144

    König - wenig - wichtig - endlich

    Practice 1: ich

  3. 145

    Milch - welch - solch - durch

    Practice 1: ich

  4. 146

    leicht - nicht - echt - recht

    Practice 1: ich

  5. 147

    sicher - siechte - Küche - Tücher

    Practice 2: ich

  6. 148

    Fächer - nächste - Löcher - höchste

    Practice 2: ich

  7. 149

    weichen - gezeichnet - Seuche - leuchte

    Practice 2: ich

  8. 150

    München - Häschen - Rippchen - Söckchen

    Practice 2: ich

Notes on Pronunciation: Long Vowels and Diphthongs

  1. 151

    doch - auch - nach - Tuch - Bruch

    Practice 3: ach

  2. 152

    Docht - taucht - macht - sucht - Sucht

    Practice 3: ach

  3. 153

    kochen - fauchen - lachen - buchen

    Practice 3: ach

  4. 154

    Tochter - hauchte - dachte - suchte - Buchten

    Practice 3: ach

  5. 155

    Nacht - Nächte

    Practice 4: Nacht / Nächte

  6. 156

    schwach - Schwäche

    Practice 4: schwach / Schwäche

  7. 157

    auch - euch

    Practice 4: auch / euch

  8. 158

    fauchte - feuchte

    Practice 4: fauchte / feuchte

  9. 159

    Loch - Löcher

    Practice 4: Loch / Löcher

  10. 160

    Tochter - Töchter

    Practice 4: Tochter / Töchter

  1. 161

    Buch - Bücher

    Practice 4: Buch / Bücher

  2. 162

    Sucht - süchtig

    Practice 4: Sucht / süchtig

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser, 1 of 5

Mein and the words like it

A possessive word says who owns something. The possessives here are mein, my, sein, his, ihr, her or their, Ihr, your, and unser, our.

These words, with ein and kein, are the ein-type specifiers. Their form changes with the case and with the noun after them: der-noun, das-noun, die-noun or plural.

In the nominative: mein Pass, mein Hotel, meine Frau, meine Eltern.

Ein occurs only in the singular. All the other ein-type specifiers have a full set of forms.

Where the ending is missing

Most forms end in the same sound as the der-type specifier: meinen and diesen, meinem and diesem, unsere and diese.

Three forms have no ending. They are the nominative with a der-noun, and the nominative and accusative with a das-noun: mein Pass, mein Hotel.

With a der-noun the accusative has an ending: Ich habe meinen Tabak hier.

In the pattern chart a dash marks a form with no ending. A letter gives the last sound of the ending: N in meinen, M in meinem.

  1. 163

    Here's my passport.

  2. 164

    I have my tobacco here.

  3. 165

    I'm going in my car.

  4. 166

    That's my hotel.

  5. 167

    Do you have my luggage?

  6. 168

    He lives at my hotel.

  7. 169

    My home town is Berlin.

  8. 170

    She knows my wife.

  9. 171

    They come from my home town.

  10. 172

    My parents come from New York.

  11. 173

    I have my cigarettes here.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

A. ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser

I. Forms

Hier ist mein Pass.
Here's my passport.

Ich habe meinen Tabak hier.
I have my tobacco here.

Ich fahre mit meinem Wagen.
I'm going in my car.

Das ist mein Hotel.
That's my hotel.

Haben Sie mein Gepäck?
Do you have my luggage?

Er wohnt in meinem Hotel.
He lives at my hotel.

Meine Heimatstadt ist Berlin.
My home town is Berlin.

Sie kennt meine Frau.
She knows my wife.

Sie kommen aus meiner Heimatstadt.
They come from my home town.

Meine Eltern kommen aus New York.
My parents come from New York.

Ich habe meine Zigaretten hier.
I have my cigarettes here.

Er wohnt in der Nähe von meinen Eltern.
He lives near my parents.

Haben Sie einen Ausweis?
Do you have an identification card?

Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein Zigarrengeschäft?
Is there a cigar store near here?

Ihr Antrag wird dann gleich bearbeitet.
Your application will then be processed right away.

Unsere Adresse ist Schillerstrasse 4.
Our address is 4 Schiller Street.

Herr Allen stellt seinem Kollegen Bill Jones Herrn Meyer vor.
Mr. Allen introduces Mr. Meyer to his colleague Bill Jones.

Meine Frau hat ihren Pass noch nicht.
My wife doesn't have her passport yet.

Ich kenne diesen Mann.
I know this man.

Ich kenne ihren Mann.
I know her husband.

Wohnt er in diesem Hotel?
Does he live in this hotel?

Wohnt er in meinem Hotel?
Does he live in my hotel?

Welche Bank ist das?
Which bank is that?

Unsere Bank ist neben dem Konsulat.
Our bank is next to the consulate.

Dieser Autobus fährt nach Schwabing.
This bus goes to Schwabing.

Heute fährt kein Autobus nach Schwabing.
There's no bus going to Schwabing today.

Unser Autobus fährt nach Schwabing.
Our bus goes to Schwabing.

Das ist das Hotel.
That's the hotel.

Ist das Ihr Hotel?
Is that your hotel?

Nein, das ist mein Hotel.
No, that's my hotel.

Ich möchte heute das Visum beantragen.
I'd like to apply for the visa today.

Ich möchte heute mein Visum beantragen.
I'd like to apply for my visa today.

Möchte sie heute ihr Visum beantragen?
Would she like to apply for her visa today?

1. With der-nouns: Hier ist mein Pass. Ich habe meinen Tabak hier. Ich fahre mit meinem Wagen. With das-nouns: Das ist mein Hotel. Haben Sie mein Gepäck? Er wohnt in meinem Hotel. With die-nouns: Meine Heimatstadt ist Berlin. Sie kennt meine Frau. Sie kommen aus meiner Heimatstadt. With plural nouns: Meine Eltern kommen aus New York. Ich habe meine Zigaretten hier. Er wohnt in der Nähe von meinen Eltern.

2. By abstracting the underscored forms of the word mein from the German sentences above we can set up the following table:

before der-nouns / das-nouns / die-nouns / plural nouns
NOMINATIVE forms: mein, mein, meine, meine
ACCUSATIVE forms: meinen, mein, meine, meine
DATIVE forms: meinem, meinem, meiner, meinen (-n)

3. The ein-type specifiers include the words ein 'a, an, one' and its negative converse kein 'not a, not an, not any, not one, no' as well as the possessive words mein 'my', sein 'his', ihr 'her, their', Ihr 'your' (the capital is a convention of the writing system), and unser 'our'. Two other possessive words will be introduced in Unit 11.

4. Remember that ein occurs only in the singular, but all other ein-type specifiers have a complete set of forms.

with der-nouns / das-nouns / die-nouns / plural nouns
Nominative: ein, ein, eine, -- / Accusative: einen, ein, eine, -- / Dative: einem, einem, einer, --
Nominative: kein, kein, keine, keine / Accusative: keinen, kein, keine, keine / Dative: keinem, keinem, keiner, keinen (-n)
Nominative: sein, sein, seine, seine / Accusative: seinen, sein, seine, seine / Dative: seinem, seinem, seiner, seinen (-n)
Nominative: ihr, ihr, ihre, ihre / Accusative: ihren, ihr, ihre, ihre / Dative: ihrem, ihrem, ihrer, ihren (-n)
Nominative: unser, unser, unsere, unsere / Accusative: unseren, unser, unsere, unsere / Dative: unserem, unserem, unserer, unseren (-n)

5. Compare the underlined forms in the following pairs of sentences: Ich kenne diesen Mann. Ich kenne ihren Mann. Wohnt er in diesem Hotel? Wohnt er in meinem Hotel? Welche Bank ist das? Unsere Bank ist neben dem Konsulat.

In Units 1 and 3 we mentioned the correspondence of final sounds in der-type specifiers and the various forms of the pronouns er, es and sie. In the above sentences we see the pattern continued with the ein-type specifiers. In most cases the similarity can be traced through both types of specifiers and the pronouns: keinen-diesen-ihn-den, ihrem-welchem-ihm-dem, unsere-diese-welche, for instance.

6. Compare the underlined forms in the following sentences: Dieser Autobus fährt nach Schwabing. Heute fährt kein Autobus nach Schwabing. Unser Autobus fährt nach Schwabing. Das ist das Hotel. Ist das Ihr Hotel? Nein, das ist mein Hotel. Ich möchte heute das Visum beantragen. Ich möchte heute mein Visum beantragen. Möchte sie heute ihr Visum beantragen?

Note that there is no consistent similarity of final sounds in the underlined forms above. The patterns observed in paragraph 5 do not show up in dieser-kein-unser and das-mein-Ihr. There is then a form of the ein-type specifiers in which the final sound, or ending, found in the der-type specifiers and personal pronouns is lacking. This endingless form occurs as the Nominative form with der-nouns and as the Nominative and Accusative form with das-nouns. The pattern for ein-type specifiers can be summed up in the following pattern chart:

Pattern Chart 2
Nominative - - E E
Accusative N - E E
Dative M M R N (-n)

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser, 2 of 5

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser

  1. 174

    He lives near my parents.

  2. 175

    Do you have an identification card?

  3. 176

    Is there a cigar store near here?

  4. 177

    Your application will then be processed right away.

  5. 178

    Our address is 4 Schiller Street.

  6. 179

    Mr. Allen introduces Mr. Meyer to his colleague Bill Jones.

  7. 180

    My wife doesn't have her passport yet.

  8. 181

    I know this man.

  9. 182

    I know her husband.

  10. 183

    Does he live in this hotel?

  11. 184

    Does he live in my hotel?

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser, 3 of 5

Pattern Chart 2

  1. 185

    Which bank is that?

  2. 186

    Our bank is next to the consulate.

  3. 187

    This bus goes to Schwabing.

  4. 188

    There's no bus going to Schwabing today.

  5. 189

    Our bus goes to Schwabing.

  6. 190

    That's the hotel.

  7. 191

    Is that your hotel?

  8. 192

    No, that's my hotel.

  9. 193

    I'd like to apply for the visa today.

  10. 194

    I'd like to apply for my visa today.

  11. 195

    Would she like to apply for her visa today?

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser, 4 of 5

A, one, and no

Stress is extra force on a word when it is said. Ein without stress means a or an. With a little stress it means one.

Negation is the way of saying not. Kein means not a, not any or no.

English can negate the verb: I don't have an identification card. Or it can negate the noun: I have no identification card. In such statements German negates the noun: Ich habe keinen Ausweis.

An ein-type specifier can also stand without a noun. It then means one, not one, mine, his, hers, theirs, yours or ours.

  1. 196

    He's filling out a form.

  2. 197

    Just fill out one form.

  3. 198

    Does one have to fill out one or two forms?

  4. 199

    I haven't any identification card.

  5. 200

    He isn't German. He's no German.

  6. 201

    Don't you have a visa? Have you no visa?

  7. 202

    We don't know any Americans here. We know no Americans here.

  8. 203

    I have some cigars. May I offer you one?

  9. 204

    Do you have your car here? No, don't you have yours here either?

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

A. ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser

II. Uses

Er füllt ein Formular aus.
He's filling out a form.

Füllen Sie nur ein Formular aus!
Just fill out one form.

Muss man ein oder zwei Formulare ausfüllen?
Does one have to fill out one or two forms?

Ich habe keinen Ausweis.
I haven't any identification card.

Er ist kein Deutscher.
He isn't German. He's no German.

Haben Sie kein Visum?
Don't you have a visa? Have you no visa?

Wir kennen hier keine Amerikaner.
We don't know any Americans here. We know no Americans here.

Ich habe Zigarren. Darf ich Ihnen eine anbieten?
I have some cigars. May I offer you one?

Haben Sie Ihren Wagen hier? Nein, haben Sie Ihren auch nicht hier?
Do you have your car here? No, don't you have yours here either?

We have already noted that the ein-type specifiers include ein and kein and the possessives.

1. ein means 'a, an' when unstressed. With slightly increased stress it means 'one'.

2. kein means 'not a, not an, not any, not one, no'. In English we have an option in many negative statements:

I don't have an identification card. I haven't any identification card. (Negation of verb)
I have no identification card. (Negation of noun)

In German there is no equivalent option. In such statements the noun is always negated.

3. Any of the ein-type specifiers - like the der-type specifiers (noted in Unit 3) - can also occur without a following noun, and here they have the meanings 'one, not one, not any, mine, his, hers, theirs, yours, ours'.

ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser, 5 of 5

Forms that stand alone

Most ein-type specifiers have the same form with a noun and without one.

The forms with no ending are different. They add an ending when they stand alone: Ihr Stadtplan becomes Ihrer, and ein Zigarrengeschäft becomes eins.

Das ist Ihrer means That's yours. Hier nebenan ist eins means There's one next door here.

This happens only with der-nouns and das-nouns.

Which ending is added

The added ending is the ending of the der-type specifier.

With a der-noun it is -er, as in dieser: einer, keiner, meiner, unserer.

With a das-noun it is -es, as in dieses: unseres. A specifier of one syllable adds only -s: eins, keins, meins, ihrs.

Special ein-type specifier forms

  1. 205

    Is there a cigar store near here?

  2. 206

    There's one next door here.

  3. 207

    Is that your map of the city or mine?

  4. 208

    That's yours.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

A. ein-Type Specifiers: ein, kein, mein, sein, ihr, Ihr, unser

III. Special ein-type specifier forms

Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein Zigarrengeschäft?
Is there a cigar store near here?

Hier nebenan ist eins.
There's one next door here.

Ist das Ihr Stadtplan oder meiner?
Is that your map of the city or mine?

Das ist Ihrer.
That's yours.

1. MOST ein-type specifiers have the same form when their noun is understood as they do when it is present, as can be seen in the sentences above. Note the following examples, however:

The endingless ein-type specifier forms add an ending when they stand alone: Ihr Stadtplan - Ihrer; ein Zigarrengeschäft - eins. You will note that the endings added are those of the corresponding der-type specifier forms, except that the ending -s is added directly to the stem of the monosyllabic ein-type specifiers: kein-s, for instance, as compared with unser-es, dies-es and welch-es.

2. These special ein-type specifier forms occur only with der- and das-nouns and can be listed as follows:

With der-nouns: einer, keiner, meiner, seiner, ihrer, Ihrer, unserer
With das-nouns: eins, keins, meins, seins, ihrs, Ihrs, unseres

Verb Phrases and Word Order

A verb in two parts

Word order is the order in which the words of a sentence stand.

A verb phrase can be a finite verb and an infinitive. It can also be a finite verb and an accented adverb. An accented adverb is a stressed word, such as vor, aus or ab, that goes with the verb.

The second part of the verb phrase comes at the end of the sentence: Herr Allen stellt die Herren vor.

A verb phrase can have three parts: Ich muss Geld abheben. The accented adverb and the infinitive are written as one word.

  1. 209

    Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visitor's visa for America.

  2. 210

    Mr. Allen introduces the gentlemen to each other.

  3. 211

    Please fill out this form.

  4. 212

    I have to get some money.

  5. 213

    Mr. Köhler is just getting some money from the bank.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

B. Verb Phrases and Word Order

Herr Köhler will ein Besuchsvisum nach Amerika beantragen.
Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visitor's visa for America.

Herr Allen stellt die Herren vor.
Mr. Allen introduces the gentlemen to each other.

Füllen Sie bitte dieses Formular aus.
Please fill out this form.

Ich muss Geld abheben.
I have to get some money.

Herr Köhler hebt gerade Geld von der Bank ab.
Mr. Köhler is just getting some money from the bank.

I. We have already spoken about verb phrases which are composed of a FINITE verb form and an INFINITIVE form. They have also occurred in this unit. Now look at the following examples: In these sentences another kind of verb phrase occurs of a FINITE verb (stellt, füllen, hebt) and an ACCENTED ADVERB (vor, aus, ab). In one of the above sentences we have a three-part verb phrase consisting of a FINITE verb (muss), ACCENTED ADVERB (ab-), and INFINITIVE (-heben). Notice that in the writing system, the accented adverb and the infinitive are written as one unit (abheben).

II. You will have seen that in the above sentences, as in earlier examples, the second part of the verb phrase comes at the end of the sentence. We can now summarize our observations about word order in verb phrases up to this point in the following patterns:

1. FINITE VERB ... INFINITIVE (will ... beantragen)
2. FINITE VERB ... ACCENTED ADVERB (stellt ... vor)
3. FINITE VERB ... ACCENTED ADVERB plus INFINITIVE (muss ... abheben)

The words gern, lieber, am liebsten, 1 of 2

Gern

Gern alone gives polite and willing agreement to a suggestion, command or question: Sehr gern. Gerne means the same.

With a finite verb, gern shows pleasure in the action: Er trinkt gern Bier. He likes beer. This is the usual way to say that a person likes doing something.

Möchte or möchten with an infinitive makes a polite request: Ich möchte ein Visum haben. Gern may or may not be there: Ich möchte gern Zigarren haben.

  1. 214

    Don't you want to come along? I'd be very glad to.

  2. 215

    Can you give me his address? Gladly.

  3. 216

    Shall we go down town today? Glad to.

  4. 217

    Can we keep this map of the city? Yes, indeed.

  5. 218

    I'm very glad to be here.

  6. 219

    I don't like to drink wine.

  7. 220

    I'd be glad to come then.

  8. 221

    Do you enjoy going to the movies?

  9. 222

    He likes (to drink) beer.

  10. 223

    I'd like to have some cigars.

  11. 224

    What would you like to eat?

  12. 225

    First I'd like to go to the bank.

  13. 226

    I want to get a visa.

  14. 227

    Would you like to go to the movies?

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

C. The words gern, lieber, am liebsten

I. gern

Wollen Sie nicht mitkommen? Sehr gern.
Don't you want to come along? I'd be very glad to.

Können Sie mir seine Adresse geben? Gerne.
Can you give me his address? Gladly.

Wollen wir heute zusammen in die Stadt fahren? Gerne.
Shall we go down town today? Glad to.

Können wir diesen Stadtplan behalten? Aber gerne.
Can we keep this map of the city? Yes, indeed.

Ich bin sehr gern hier.
I'm very glad to be here.

Wein trinke ich nicht gern.
I don't like to drink wine.

Da komme ich gern.
I'd be glad to come then.

Gehen Sie gern ins Kino?
Do you enjoy going to the movies?

Er trinkt gern Bier.
He likes (to drink) beer.

Ich möchte gern Zigarren haben.
I'd like to have some cigars.

Was möchten Sie essen?
What would you like to eat?

Vorher möchte ich noch zur Bank gehen.
First I'd like to go to the bank.

Ich möchte ein Visum haben.
I want to get a visa.

Möchten Sie gern ins Kino gehen?
Would you like to go to the movies?

We have encountered the word gern several times now. It occurs by itself, with an inflected verb form, and as a part of the verb phrase with möchte(n). Let us examine these occurrences more closely.

1. By itself gern signifies polite and willing acquiescence in a suggestion, command or question. Note that in these examples the alternate form gerne frequently occurs, varying freely with gern.

2. With an inflected verb form gern signifies pleasure in or enjoyment of the action or state expressed. As well as expressing acquiescence in a specific suggestion, command or question this is the usual way to say you like doing something in German, describing general attitudes or habits.

3. The verb phrase with möchte(n) expresses a polite request or question. The word gern may or may not occur with it. Note that this is everywhere equivalent to the English courtesy formula "would like", and the request expressed is limited and specific.

The words gern, lieber, am liebsten, 2 of 2

Lieber and am liebsten

Lieber and am liebsten never stand alone. They go with a finite verb or with möchte or möchten.

With a finite verb, lieber means liking better and am liebsten means liking best: Ich trinke lieber Würzburger als Pilsner. Am liebsten trinke ich ja Löwenbräu.

With möchte or möchten they state a preference in a request: Ich möchte lieber Zigarren haben. I'd rather have some cigars.

  1. 228

    I like Würzburger better than Pilsner.

  2. 229

    I like Löwenbräu best of course.

  3. 230

    He likes cigars better than a pipe.

  4. 231

    I enjoy going to the theater best of all.

  5. 232

    I'd rather have some cigars.

  6. 233

    What would you most like to eat?

  7. 234

    Would you rather have wine or beer to drink?

  8. 235

    He'd like nothing better than to go to Germany.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 4, Notes on Grammar

C. The words gern, lieber, am liebsten

II. lieber and am liebsten

Ich trinke lieber Würzburger als Pilsner.
I like Würzburger better than Pilsner.

Am liebsten trinke ich ja Löwenbräu.
I like Löwenbräu best of course.

Er raucht lieber Zigarren als Pfeife.
He likes cigars better than a pipe.

Ich gehe am liebsten ins Theater.
I enjoy going to the theater best of all.

Ich möchte lieber Zigarren haben.
I'd rather have some cigars.

Was möchten Sie am liebsten essen?
What would you most like to eat?

Möchten Sie lieber Wein oder Bier trinken?
Would you rather have wine or beer to drink?

Er möchte am liebsten nach Deutschland fahren.
He'd like nothing better than to go to Germany.

The words lieber and am liebsten do not occur alone but only with an inflected verb form or as part of the verb phrase with möchte(n).

1. With an inflected verb form lieber and am liebsten express preference or increasing degrees of pleasure or enjoyment.

2. As part of the verb phrase with möchte(n) the words lieber and am liebsten express preference or intensification in a specific request or question.

Substitution Drill

  1. 236

    That's my suitcase.

  1. 237

    That's my suitcase.

  2. 238

    Those are my cigarettes.

  1. 239

    Those are my cigarettes.

  2. 240

    I don't know any American in this city.

  1. 241

    I don't know any American in this city.

  2. 242

    He lives near an airport.

  1. 243

    He lives near an airport.

  1. 244

    He lives near an airport.

  2. 245

    Is that our suitcase?

  1. 246

    Is that our suitcase?

  1. 247

    Is that our suitcase?

  2. 248

    I can't find your suitcase.

  1. 249

    I can't find your suitcase.

  1. 250

    I can't find your suitcase.

  2. 251

    Here is a suitcase. There is one too.

  1. 252

    Here is a suitcase. There is one too.

  2. 253

    Do you already have a hotel, or don't you have one yet?

  3. 254

    Is that his suitcase? No, it's ours.

  4. 255

    Is that your hotel or ours?

  1. 256

    Does Mr. Müller have a suitcase? No, he doesn't have one.

  2. 257

    That's his luggage. Where is yours?

  1. 258

    That's his luggage. Where is yours?

  2. 259

    Which passport is he talking about? About his.

  1. 260

    Which passport is he talking about? About his.

  2. 261

    Where is my money?

  1. 262

    Where is my money?

  2. 263

    Here is our taxi.

  3. 264

    She has no cigarettes.

  1. 265

    She has no cigarettes.

  2. 266

    He knows my wife.

  3. 267

    I'll ask a policeman.

  1. 268

    I'll ask a policeman.

  2. 269

    He works in a hotel.

  3. 270

    He lives in a new building.

  1. 271

    He lives in a new building.

  2. 272

    She's talking to a gentleman.

  3. 273

    He wants to get a visa.

  1. 274

    We want to go to my colleague.

  2. 275

    He meets an acquaintance.

  3. 276

    My wife can't get used to the climate.

  1. 277

    My wife can't get used to the climate.

  2. 278

    I have no tobacco.

  3. 279

    Is there a cigar store near here?

  1. 280

    Is there a cigar store near here?

  2. 281

    What can I do for you?

  3. 282

    He offers her a cigarette.

  1. 283

    I like to smoke.

  2. 284

    You are German, aren't you?

  3. 285

    Sunday is very convenient for me.

  1. 286

    Sunday is very convenient for me.

  2. 287

    He doesn't like the restaurant on Ludwigstrasse.

  3. 288

    He can't get used to the climate.

  1. 289

    He can't get used to the climate.

Variation Drill

  1. 290

    He wants to apply for a visa.

  2. 291

    He's emigrating to America. He's planning to emigrate to America.

  3. 292

    Are you (originally) from Bremen?

  1. 293

    Are you (originally) from Bremen?

  2. 294

    He doesn't like (to drink) wine.

  3. 295

    He likes wine better than beer.

  4. 296

    He likes cigarettes the best.

  1. 297

    He likes cigarettes the best.

  2. 298

    Where do you come from?

  3. 299

    Do you like to go to the theater?

  1. 300

    Do you like to go to the theater?

  2. 301

    We would like to drive down town.

  3. 302

    I'd rather walk.

  1. 303

    I'd like most to take a walk through the park.

Vocabulary Drill

  1. 304

    We're staying here approximately two weeks.

  2. 305

    I've got about three Marks on me.

  3. 306

    He's coming in about four weeks.

  4. 307

    It costs approximately ten Marks.

  5. 308

    I'm staying until three o'clock.

  6. 309

    We're going to stay six to eight weeks in Germany.

  7. 310

    He's going for a visit to America for two or three weeks.

  8. 311

    He's at the consulate from nine until one.

  9. 312

    His visit is not convenient for me today.

  1. 313

    It'll be very convenient for my wife today.

  2. 314

    Sunday at four o'clock is fine for us.

  3. 315

    It's not convenient for him today.

  4. 316

    Is it convenient for your son on Tuesday?

  5. 317

    What time are you coming?

  6. 318

    I'm meeting her at eight o'clock at the café

  7. 319

    We eat at seven.

  8. 320

    The bus goes at ten o'clock.

  9. 321

    Is that all right with you?

  1. 322

    I hope it's all right with your wife too.

  2. 323

    That's all right with us.

  3. 324

    Isn't that all right with the consul?

  4. 325

    I think it's all right with him.

  5. 326

    Give my regards to your wife.

  6. 327

    Please give my regards to your son.

  7. 328

    Please give my regards to your parents.

  8. 329

    Give my regards to Mr. Becker, please.

  9. 330

    I don't have any tobacco left.

  1. 331

    We don't have any more milk today.

  2. 332

    Unfortunately I don't have any money left.

  3. 333

    There isn't any more wine here.

  4. 334

    I don't have any cigarettes left either.

  5. 335

    I hear you're planning to go to Germany.

  6. 336

    Will I hear from you again?

  7. 337

    I hear he's coming on Tuesday for a visit.

  8. 338

    We hear from him often.

  9. 339

    They take a walk through the park.

  1. 340

    Let's just take a walk now.

  2. 341

    Would you like to take a walk with us?

  3. 342

    He's going to America on business. ('... taking a business trip ...')

  4. 343

    They're just taking a trip through Germany.

  5. 344

    What can I do for you?

  6. 345

    Can you go down town for me?

  7. 346

    He's willing to fill out the form for us.

  8. 347

    Please withdraw the money for me.

  9. 348

    We're doing that for our son.

  1. 349

    I don't have any tobacco with me.

  2. 350

    My suitcases are at the customs office.

  3. 351

    He's staying with us (at our house) for six weeks.

  4. 352

    He lives with his parents (at their house).

  5. 353

    I work at the embassy.

  6. 354

    You can apply for the visa at the consulate in Frankfurt.

  7. 355

    Too bad; I don't have any tobacco left.

  8. 356

    Too bad; there's no cigar store around here.

  9. 357

    Too bad, but it's not convenient for me on Sunday.

  1. 358

    Too bad; we can only stay here four weeks.

  2. 359

    He comes from Germany.

  3. 360

    They're just coming out of the restaurant.

  4. 361

    Will you be coming out of the movies at four or at five o'clock?

  5. 362

    I think we'll be coming out of the theater at ten o'clock.

  6. 363

    She comes from Berlin.

Translation Drill 1

  1. 364

    Mr. Köhler is a German.

  2. 365

    He's planning to go to America.

  3. 366

    He's obliged to go on business.

  4. 367

    He goes to the consulate.

  5. 368

    There he applies for a visa.

  6. 369

    At the consulate he meets an acquaintance.

  7. 370

    This (person) is called John Allen.

  8. 371

    He asks him, where the visa section is.

  9. 372

    Mr. Allen accompanies him to his colleague, Mr. Jones.

  10. 373

    Mr. Jones is a vice-consul in the visa section.

  11. 374

    Mr. Allen introduces the gentlemen to each other.

  12. 375

    Does Mr. Köhler want to emigrate?

  13. 376

    How long does he intend to stay?

Translation Drill 2

  1. 377

    Does he have an identification card?

  2. 378

    Mr. Köhler shows him his passport.

  3. 379

    Mr. Jones gives him a form ( ... a questionnaire).

  4. 380

    Mr. Köhler has to fill that out.

  5. 381

    Mr. Allen and Mr. Köhler then talk together.

  6. 382

    Mr. Allen likes it a lot in Bremen.

  7. 383

    His wife doesn't like the climate however.

  8. 384

    She and their son would rather live in Bavaria.

  9. 385

    Mr. Köhler can well understand that.

  10. 386

    He is not originally from Bremen.

  11. 387

    His home town is Berlin.

  12. 388

    Mr. Allen and Mr. Köhler would just like to get something to drink.

  13. 389

    Mr. Allen doesn't like wine.

Translation Drill 3

  1. 390

    He prefers Pilsner beer.

  2. 391

    Mr. Köhler however likes Würzburger better.

  3. 392

    Unfortunately there's no Löwenbräu [to be had] at this restaurant.

  4. 393

    Mr. Allen likes Löwenbräu best.

  5. 394

    Mr. Köhler likes to smoke a pipe.

  6. 395

    Unfortunately he doesn't have any tobacco left.

  7. 396

    He's looking for a cigar store.

  8. 397

    There's one next to the restaurant.

  9. 398

    Mr. Allen offers him a cigar.

  10. 399

    However Mr. Köhler doesn't smoke ('any') cigars.

  11. 400

    The Allens live in a new building on the outskirts of town.

  12. 401

    Their address is 4 Schiller Street.

  13. 402

    Mr. Köhler is supposed to visit them on Sunday afternoon at four.

Translation Drill 4

  1. 403

    Unfortunately Sunday is not convenient for him, however.

  2. 404

    He already has an engagement.

  3. 405

    Saturday is more convenient for him.

Response Drill 1

  1. 406

    Why is Herr Köhler going to the consulate general?

  2. 407

    Mr. Köhler wants to apply for a visa.

  3. 408

    Where does he want to go?

  4. 409

    He's planning to go to America.

  5. 410

    Whom does he meet at the consulate?

  6. 411

    At the consulate he meets an acquaintance, Herrn Allen.

  7. 412

    Where does Mr. Jones work?

  8. 413

    Mr. Jones works in the Visa Section.

  9. 414

    Why does Herr Köhler have to go to America?

  10. 415

    He's obliged to go on business.

  11. 416

    How long does he want to stay there?

  12. 417

    He wants to stay there for about four to six weeks.

  13. 418

    Is Mr. Köhler German?

  14. 419

    Yes, he is a German citizen.

  15. 420

    What does Herr Köhler have to fill out?

  16. 421

    He has to fill out a form.

  17. 422

    How does Mr. Allen like Bremen?

  18. 423

    He likes Bremen very much.

  19. 424

    Why doesn't his wife like it there very much?

  20. 425

    His wife cannot get used to the climate.

  21. 426

    Where would she rather live?

  22. 427

    She would rather live in Bavaria.

  23. 428

    Is Bremen Herr Köhler's hometown?

  24. 429

    No, his hometown is Berlin.

  25. 430

    What kind of beer does Mr. Allen like to drink?

  26. 431

    Herr Allen likes to drink Pilsner.

Response Drill 2

  1. 432

    Which beer does Herr Köhler prefer?

  2. 433

    He prefers Würzburger beer.

  3. 434

    Why doesn't Mr. Allen drink Löwenbräu?

  4. 435

    This restaurant does not have Löwenbräu.

  5. 436

    What does Herr Köhler smoke?

  6. 437

    He smokes a pipe.

  7. 438

    Why is Mr. Köhler looking for a cigar store?

  8. 439

    He has no tobacco left.

  9. 440

    Where is there a cigar shop?

  10. 441

    There's one next to the restaurant.

  11. 442

    What does Mr. Allen offer Mr. Köhler?

  12. 443

    He offers him a cigar.

  13. 444

    Whom is Herr Köhler supposed to visit?

  14. 445

    Herr Köhler is supposed to visit Herrn Allen.

  15. 446

    Where do the Allens live?

  16. 447

    The Allens live in a new building.

  17. 448

    Why is Sunday not convenient for Herr Köhler?

  18. 449

    Herr Köhler has an appointment on Sunday.

  19. 450

    Would Monday suit him better?

  20. 451

    No, Saturday suits him better.

  21. 452

    What time is he supposed to come?

  22. 453

    He is supposed to come at four o'clock.

  23. 454

    What street do the Allens live on?

  24. 455

    The Allens live on Schillerstrasse.

Conversation Practice 1

  1. 456

    What would you like to drink, beer or wine?

  2. 457

    I think I'd rather have coffee now.

  3. 458

    Oh, don't you like beer?

  4. 459

    Yes, I like beer very much, and I like wine even better. But right now I'd prefer coffee.

Conversation Practice 2

  1. 460

    Won't you come visit us sometime, Herr Meyer?

  2. 461

    I'd be glad to. Would Friday suit you?

  3. 462

    Unfortunately, that doesn't work for us; we're going to the theater. But couldn't you come on Saturday?

  4. 463

    I already have an appointment then.

  5. 464

    Then let's say Sunday. Is that all right with you?

  6. 465

    Yes, that works well for me.

Conversation Practice 3

  1. 466

    By the way, do you know Herr Jones?

  2. 467

    Yes. He works at the consulate general too, doesn't he?

  3. 468

    He's in the Visa Section now.

  4. 469

    Isn't his wife German?

  5. 470

    No, she is American.

  6. 471

    How much longer is Herr Jones staying in Bremen?

  7. 472

    Unfortunately, only four more weeks.

  8. 473

    Please give him my regards.

Conversation Practice 4

  1. 474

    I don't have any cigarettes with me. Is there a tobacco shop nearby?

  2. 475

    Yes, over there on the other side of the street. But may I offer you a cigar?

  3. 476

    Thank you very much. I don't care for cigars.

  4. 477

    Don't you smoke a pipe either?

  5. 478

    Yes, but I prefer smoking cigarettes. And you?

  6. 479

    I prefer cigars.

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.