GermanOneDailyVocab2024-25

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Week 37

Thurs., May 15

der Schüler, – = student, pupil in elementary or secondary education

die Schülerin, -nen
lernen = to learn, to study

der Student (wk. noun), -en = college student

die Studentin, -nen
studieren = to go to college, to major in

Tues., May 13

zum Frühstück/Mittagessen/Abendessen = for breakfast/lunch/dinner
das Klassenzimmer, – = classroom
das Wohnzimmer, – = living room
das Esszimmer, – = dining room
das Schlafzimmer, – = bedroom
der Kaffeetisch, -e = coffee table
der Nachttisch, -e = night stand
der Nachtisch, -e = dessert

das Dessert, -s

Week 36

Fri., May 9

das Frühstück, -e = breakfast

Thurs., May 8

das Abendessen, – = evening meal
das Mittagessen, – = midday meal

Tues., May 6

das Abendbrot, -e = evening meal
besuchen = to visit (This verb is in the textbook, but it is so important that I'm including it here.)

der Besuch = a visit, company

Besuch haben = to have company

der Besucher, – = visitor

die Besucherin, -nen

von . . . bis = from . . . till/to
überall = everywhere, all over
fast = almost (originally encountered on 2025-04-10)
die Gefahr, -en = danger, risk

Tornadogefahr = tornado threat

Week 35

Fri., May 2

der Tee, -s = tea
stickig = stuffy
die Brise, -n = breeze

eine leichte Brise = a light breeze

Thurs., May 1

der Gemüseladen, –̈ = greengrocer (fruit and vegetable store)

der Laden = store
das Gemüse = vegetables

die Tomate, -n = tomato
die Suppe, -n = soup
der Tante-Emma-Laden, –̈ = mom-and-pop-store
die Geschmackssache, -n = a matter of taste

Tues., Apr. 29

das Märchen, –̈ = fairy tale, folktale
der Himmel, – = heaven, sky
bedeckt = overcast, covered, cloudy

die Decke, -n = ceiling; blanket

der Apfel, –̈ = apple
die Kartoffel, -n = potato
Himmel und Erde = "heaven and earth," a traditional dish of apples and potatoes

Week 34

Fri., Apr. 25

Compass Directions

im Norden, Süden, Osten, Westen = in the north, south, east, west

im Nordwesten = in the northwest

Thurs., Apr. 24

der Mond, -e = moon
wechselhaft = changeable, variable

Tues., Apr. 22

das Flugzeug, -e = airplane
der Fahrplan, –̈er = schedule (for busses, trains, subways, streetcars)
es steht (geschrieben) = it "says," it is written
die Linie, -n = line
alle zwölf Minuten = every twelve minutes
-los suffix = -less suffix

wolkenlos = cloudless
freundlos = friendless

die Schauer, -n = (rain) shower

Week 33

Thurs., Apr. 17

Immer mit der Ruhe! = Take it easy! Don't get upset!

Tues., Apr. 15

die Universität, -en = university
gegründet = founded

der Grund, –̈e = ground; reason

der Maler, – = painter
Wie ist das Wetter heute? = How is the weather today?
Die Sonne scheint. = The sun is shining.

Es ist sonnig. = It is sunny.

der Regen, – = rain (noun)

Es regnet. = It's raining.
Es ist regnerisch. = It's rainy.

Es ist heiß, kalt, warm. = It's hot, cold, warm.
der Schnee = snow (noun)

Es schneit. = It's snowing.
der Schneemann, –̈er = snowman

der Wind, -e = wind

Es ist windig. = It's windy.

die Wolke, -n = cloud

Es ist wolkig. = It's cloudy.
Es ist leicht bewölkt. = It is partly cloudy.
Es ist dicht bewölkt. = It is mostly cloudy.

der Nebel = fog, mist

Es ist neblig. = It is foggy/misty.

der Donner = thunder (noun)

Es donnert. = It thunders. There's thunder.

der Blitz = lightning (noun)

Es blitzt. = It lightnings. There's lightning.

das Gewitter, – = (thunder)storm
das Thermometer, – = thermometer
der Grad = degree(s)
die Temperatur, -en = temperature

die Höchsttemperatur = high temperature
die Tieftemperatur = low temperature

Week 32

Thurs., Apr. 10

fast = almost
die Haube = bonnet; car hood
das Lamm = lamb
die Osterglocke/die Gelbe Narzisse = daffodil
das Palmkätzchen = pussy willow
der Korb = basket
das Ei = egg
das Kreuz = cross

die Kreuzung = crossing, intersection

die Schokolade = chocolate (originally appeared on Feb. 6)
die Lilie = lily
das Kaninchen = rabbit, bunny (originally appeared on Sept. 19)
der Osterhase (wk. noun) = Easter Hare
der Sonnenaufgang = sunrise

der Sonnenuntergang = sunset

das Küken = chick

Mon., Apr. 7

bekommen = to receive

Week 31

Fri., Apr. 4

Know These Words for Next Week's Test (not all are new)

froh = happy
früh = early
schon = already
schnell = fast, quickly (originally encountered on Dec. 10)
langsam = slow(ly)
manchmal = sometimes

einmal = once, one time
jedes Mal = every time

der Spaß = fun

Das macht Spaß. = That is fun.
Ich habe (keinen) Spaß. = I have (no) fun.

Thurs., Apr. 3

röntgen = to x-ray

Tues., Apr. 1

das Riesenrad, –̈er = Ferris wheel
das Rad der Fortuna = wheel of fortune
das Einzelkind, -er = only child
geben (stem change: du gibst, er gibt) = to give

es gibt = there is, there are
aufgeben (stem change and separable) = to give up

Week 30

Fri., Mar. 28

das Rad, –̈er = bicycle (short for Fahrrad); wheel (the original meaning)

Thurs., Mar. 27

der Rat = advice
die Ratte, -n = rat
Wie kommst du zur Schule? = How do you come to school?

Ich komme _____.
mit dem Auto = by car
mit dem Bus = by bus
mit dem Rad (Fahrrad) = by bike
mit der U-Bahn = by subway
mit dem Moped = by moped
zu Fuß = on foot, by foot
These words came up in passing:

das Schiff, -e = ship
das Boot, -e = boat
das Ufo, -s = UFO
die Rakete, -n = rocket

langweilig = boring
der Schlauberger, – = know-it-all, smarty-pants, smart aleck

Tues., Mar. 25

das Rathaus, –̈er = city hall, town hall
der Ratskeller, – = rathskeller (restaurant/bar in a basement, originally in the city hall)
schon = already, although sometimes not translated
früh = early
recht (or Recht) haben = to be right/correct

Week 29

Fri., Mar. 14

das Eis, Eissorten ("kinds or ice cream" used as the plural, otherwise "none") = ice cream
der Kellner, – = waiter

die Kellnerin, -nen = waitress
der Keller, – = basement, cellar

Thurs., Mar. 13

spinnen = to spin; to be crazy
die Vanille = vanilla
die Erdbeere, -n = strawberry
müssen (modal: muss) = to have to
gefallen (stem change: gefällt) = to please (only commonly used with these two forms)
rauchen = to smoke

Tues., Mar. 11

(das) Schneewittchen = Snow White
der vergiftete Apfel = the poisoned apple
(das) Aschenputtel = Cinderella
der Richter, – = judge
vorhaben (sep.) = to have plans

Week 28

Fri., Mar. 7

das Brot = bread
der Zucker = cake
das Märchen, – = fairy tale
der Vogel, –̈e = bird
das Brotkrümel, – = breadcrumb

Thurs., Mar. 6

der Kuchen, – = cake
die Flasche, -n = bottle
der Wein, -e (kinds of wine) = wine
(das) Rotkäppchen = Little Red Riding Hood
der Wolf, –̈e = wolf
fressen (stem change: du/er frisst) = to eat (used for animals and slobs)
der Jäger, – = hunter
schneiden = to cut
der Stein, -e = stone
(der) Karneval = Carnival, ≈ Mardi Gras
(der) Rosenmontag = Shrove Monday (the Monday before Ash Wednesday)
(der) Fasching, (die) Fastnacht = Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday)
(der) Aschermittwoch = Ash Wednesday

Tues., Mar. 4

der Ausgang, –̈e = exit

Week 27

Fri., Feb. 28

die kommende Sprache = the coming language

das tanzende Mädchen = the dancing girl

Das geht nicht. = That won't do/work.

Thurs., Feb. 27

zu Hause = (at the subject's own) home

Tues., Feb. 25

nach = to one's own home, to geographical locations

nach Hause = (going to the subject's own) home, homeward
nach Norden = to the north

zu = to other's homes, most buildings

zu Paul = to Paul's house
zur Schule = to school
zum Supermarkt = to the supermarket

Summary of "Where" in German

woher = where from (origin, starting place)
wo = where (location)
wohin = where to (destination)

Wohin gehst du? = Where are you going?

können = to be able to, to know how to, can

Week 26

Fri., Feb. 21

der Schaffner, – =conductor
Alles einsteigen! = All aboard!
Ihre Fahrkarte bitte. = Your ticket, please.
Können Sie das Fenster bitte zumachen? = Can you please close the window?
Es zieht. = There's a draft.

Week 25

Fri., Feb. 14

After so many days out, it seemed like a good idea to add the summary of school questions from Feb. 14:

Was brauchst du alles für die Schule?

• Ich brauche einen Bleistift, einen Rechner und eine Schultasche.

Was hat dein Klassenzimmer?

• Mein Klassenzimmer hat eine Tür, zwei Fenster, viele Bücher und keine Tafel.

Was für Fächer hast du?

• Ich habe Deutsch, Englisch, Mathe, Geschichte, Bio, Sport, Musik und Kunst.

Sprichst du Deutsch?

• Ja, ich spreche Deutsch.

Kannst du Deutsch?

• Ich kann ein wenig Deutsch.

Was ist dein Lieblingsfach?

Chemie ist mein Lieblingsfach. Mein Lieblingsfach ist Chemie.

Wann/Um wie viel Uhr hast du Geschichte?

• Um neun Uhr.

Was machst du gern? lieber? am liebsten?

• Ich zeichne gern. Ich male lieber. Ich spiele am liebsten Musik.

der Großraumwagen, – = open-air (train) car
der Esswagen, – = dining car
der Schlafwagen, – = sleeping car
(un)höflich = polite
schade = too bad
natürlich = natural(ly)
die Briefmarke, -n = stamp
die Münze, -n = coin

Tues., Feb. 11

erster Klasse = first class
zweiter Klasse = second class
einfach = one-way; simple
hin und zurück = round trip
(die) Sozialkunde, no plural = social studies
(die) Geschichte = history; story
(die) Erdkunde = geography
(die) Politologie/Politikwissenschaft = political science
(die) Psychologie = psychology
(die) Soziologie = sociology
Wann hast du Geschichte? = When do you have history?

Um neun Uhr. = At nine o'clock.

die Kunst, –̈e = art

(das) Zeichnen = drawing
(das) Malen = painting (as an art, not house painting)
(die) Musik = music
(das) Orchester = orchestra
(das) Chor = choir

Ich zeichne gern. = I like to draw. Ich male lieber. Ich spiele am liebsten Musik.
(die) Hauswirtschaftslehre = home economics (now family and consumer science in America)

(das) Kochen = cooking
(das) Nähen = sewing

(das) Werken = industrial arts

Technisches Zeichen = drafting
(die) Informatik = computer class

(der) Sport = sports, physical education

(das) Schwimmen = swimming

Week 24

Thurs., Feb. 6

der Zug, –̈e = train

mit dem Zug fahren = to travel by train
fahren (stem change: er fährt) = to go, drive, ride, travel

die Fahrkarte, -n = ticket
das Schulfach, –̈er = school subject
die Fremdsprache, -n = foreign language
(das) Deutsch = German

Sprichst du Deutsch?

Ja, ich spreche Deutsch. = Yes, I speak German.

Kannst du Deutsch? = Do you know German?

Ich kann ein wenig Deutsch. = I know a little German

(das) Englisch = English
(das) Französisch = French
(das) Latein = Latin
(die) Gebärdensprache = sign language
(das) Altgriechisch = Ancient Greek
(die) Mathe(matik) = math(ematics)
(die) Algebra = algebra
(die) Geometrie = geometry
Findest du Mathe schwer? = Do you think math is difficult?

Nein, Mathe is leicht. = No, math is easy.

die Naturwissenschaft, -en = (natural) science
(die) Biologie (Bio) = biology
(die) Chemie = chemistry

Chemie ist mein Lieblingsfach. = Chemistry is my favorite subject.

(die) Physik = physics
(die) Geologie = geology, earth science

Tues., Feb. 4

sonst noch alles = everything else
das Fremdenverkehrsamt, –̈er = tourist information office

der Fremde, -n = stranger, foreigner
der Verkehr = traffic
das Amt, –̈er = office

das Fach, –̈er = school subject
der Stundenplan, –̈e = class schedule
Was für Fächer hast du? = What classes do you have?

Ich habe ___. = I have (then list your classes).

(der) Amor = Cupid
der Bogen = bow; arch

der Regenbogen = rainbow

der Pfeil = arrow
das Herz = heart
die Blumen (plur.) = flowers

der Blumenstrauß = bouquet of flowers

die Süßigkeiten (plur.) = candy, sweets

die Schokolade = chocolate

die Karte = card
der Ring = ring

ringen = to wrestle

das Geschenk = present, gift
der Diamant (wk. noun) = diamond
die Hochzeit = wedding
der Kuss = kiss

Week 23

Fri., Jan. 31

niesen = to sneeze
das Fragezeichen, – = question mark
die Gitarre, -n = guitar

Thurs., Jan. 30

die Eule = owl (originally encountered on Oct. 22)
der Spiegel, – = mirror
der Luftballon, -s = toy balloon
die Wasserflasche, -n = water bottle
unser = our
der Regalbetreuer, – = stock clerk

Tues., Jan. 28

die Freizeit, -en = free time
das Stück, -e = piece

ein Stück Papier = a piece of paper (no "of" in German)

Week 22

Fri., Jan. 24

der Wiener Schnitzel = breaded veal cutlet
das Kalbfleisch, no plur. = veal

das Kalb, –̈er = calf
das Rindfleisch, no plur. = beef
das Schweinefleisch, no plur. = pork
das Putenfleisch, no plur. = turkey meat

das Mittagessen, – = midday meal, lunch
das Abendessen, – = evening meal

Wed., Jan. 22

das Dreieck, -e = triangle

dreieckig = triangular

das Viereck, -e = square

das Quadrat, -e

rund = round
pikant = spicy
süß = sweet

Week 21

Fri., Jan. 17

bleiben = to stay
werden = to become
hungrig = hungry

Wed., Jan. 15

die Wohnung, -en = apartment
der Tierpark, -s = zoo

der Zoo, -s = zoo
der Tiergarten, –̈ = zoo

das Zebra, -s = zebra
die Giraffe, -n = giraffe
der Elefant (wk. noun) -en = elephant
die Weißwandtafel, -n = whiteboard

das Whiteboard, -s

der Schrank, –̈e = cabinet
der Aktenschrank, –̈e = file cabinet

die Akte, -n = file

der Bücherschrank, –̈e = bookcase
das Bücherregal, -e = bookshelf
der Papierkorb, –̈er = wastebasket
der Computer, – = computer
die Landkarte, -n = map (of the world, a country, a state)
die Uhr, -en = clock; o'clock; watch

Mon., Jan. 13

das Buch, –̈er = book
der Spitzer, – = pencil sharpener
der Farbstift, -e = colored pencil
das Fenster, – = window
die Tür, -en = door
der Stuhl, –̈e = chair
der Schreibtisch, -e = desk
der Tisch, -e = table
die Tafel, -n = blackboard, chalkboard

Week 19

Fri., Jan. 3

die Schulsachen (plur.) = school supplies
Was brauchst du alles für die Schule? = What all do you need for school?
der Taschenrechner, – = (pocket) calculator
der Radiergummi, -s = eraser
das Wörterbuch, –̈er = dictionary
der Bleistift, -e = pencil
das Heft, -e = notebook
der Kuli, -s = pen
die Schultasche, -n = book bag

Week 18

Mon., Dec. 16

Fröhliche Weihnachten! = Merry Christmas!

Week 17

Fri., Dec. 13

stehen = to stand
vorhanden = available, at hand
das Pferd, -e = horse

Thurs., Dec. 12

sprechen = to speak

Tues., Dec. 10

die Sekunde, -n = second (of time)
der Weg, -e = way

auf dem Weg = on the way

schnell = fast, quick(ly)
die Zeit, -en = time
verwenden = to use
gebraucht = used (goods)
kaufen = to buy

verkaufen = to sell

die Tasche, -n = bag; pocket
der Zustand, –̈e = condition
rosa = pink
das Fahrrad, –̈er = bike, bicycle
die Schreibmaschine, -n = typewriter

Week 16

Fri., Dec. 6

wünschen = to wish
der Stiefel, – = boot
die Süßigkeiten (plur.) = candy

Thurs., Dec. 5

der Wein = wine
der Bär (wk. noun), -en = bear
der Löwe (wk. noun), -n = lion
das Denkmal, –̈er = monument

das Monument, -e

zu Hause = at (one's own) home
nach Hause = to (one's own) home

Tues., Dec. 3

die Kleinigkeit, -en = trivial matter; a snack
die Größe, -n = size

Week 15

Tues., Nov. 27

der Geldautomat, -en = ATM
der Blumentautomat, -en = flower vending machine

Week 14

Fri., Nov. 22

das Gift, -e = poison

der vergiftete Apfel = the poisoned apple in the Snow White story

Thurs., Nov. 21

Entschuldigung = Excuse me.
Es tut mir leid. = I'm sorry. (used for true apologies)

Also common, "Sorry."

Tues., Nov. 19

der Fluss, –̈e = river
die Zeit, -en = time
rüberkommen (sep.) = to come over
gegen sieben = around seven, sevenish
na gut = well, okay; very well then

Week 13

Fri., Nov. 15

Ways to Say the Exact Clock Time

Punkt zwölf = twelve o'clock on the dot
Schlag zwölf = on the stroke of twelve

Thurs., Nov. 14

Time Phrases

um: used with clock times only

um acht Uhr achtundzwanzig = at 8:28

NOTE: The German time in numerals is written 8.28.

am: used with days of the week and most times of day

am Donnerstag = on Thursday
am Morgen, Nachmittag, Abend = in the morning, afternoon, evening

im: used with months, seasons, and years

im August = in August
im Winter = in winter
im Jahre 2024 = in (the year) 2024

NOTE: Jahre in this instance is not plural unlike "drei Jahre alt" = three years old

der Mittag = midday, noon
die Mitternacht = midnight

Tues., Nov. 12

weiß = white
grün = green
braun = brown
"links gehen, rechts stehen" = walk on the left side of the escalator, stand on the right
der Tag, -e = day
die Woche, -n = week

die Tage der Woche = the days of the week

Montag (Mo.) = Monday
Dienstag (Di.) = Tuesday
Mittwoch (Mi.) = Wednesday
Donnerstag (Do.) = Thursday
Freitag (Fr.) = Friday
Sonnabend (North)/Samstag (everywhere else) (Sa.) = Saturday
Sonntag (So.) = Sunday

das Wochenende, -n = weekend

"Schönes Wochenende!" = "Have a nice weekend!"
"Gleichfalls." = "Likewise."

Wie viel Uhr ist es? = Wie spät ist es? = What time is it?
Es ist acht (Uhr). = It is eight (o'clock).
Es ist ein Uhr. = It is one o'clock.

Es ist eins. = It is one.

halb = half, but in telling time, we countdown to the next hour

halb zehn = nine thirty

Viertel = fourth, quarter
nach = after, past

Viertel nach zehn = quarter past ten

vor = before, till

Viertel vor elf = quarter till eleven

Week 12

Fri., Nov. 8

Ich muss draußen bleiben. = I have to remain/stay outside. (sign on businesses to indicate no dogs allowed)
Some Numbers Not in the Book

5,4 (spoken fünf Komma vier) = 5.4
eine Million = one million (written 1.000.000)
eine Milliarde = one billion (written 1.000.000.000)
eine Trillion = one trillion (written 1.000.000.000.000)

Thurs., Nov. 7

Erste Hilfe = first aid
Thanksgiving vocab

das Erntedankfest = Thanksgiving
die Ernte = harvest
die Freiheit der Religion, die Religionsfreiheit = freedom of religion
der Truthahn = turkey

mit Füllung = with stuffing

das Kartoffelpüree = mashed potatoes
die Soße = gravy
der Mais = corn

der Maiskolben = corncob

der Football = football
der Aufzug = parade
der Besuch = company (visitors)
die Familie = family
der Pilger = pilgrim
der Indianer = American Indian

der Indier = Indian (person from India)

lecker = delicious

Mon., Nov. 4

doch = (oh,) yes(, it is) (occurs after a negative assertion to contradict it)

"Heute ist nicht Freitag." "Doch!" = "Today isn't Friday." "Oh, yes it is."

Week 11

Fri., Nov. 1

zurück = back
wieder = again

Thurs., Oct. 31

die Gesundheit = health
warum = why
Roots for Compass Directions

Nord = north
Süd = south
Ost = east
West = west

Tues., Oct. 29

der Zwilling, -e = twin

der Zwillingsbruder, –̈ = twin brother
die Zwillingsschwester, -n = twin sister

Was für eine Familie hast du? (informal)/haben Sie? (formal) = What kind of family do you have?
Ich habe _____.

einen (this is the required masculine form) Vater = a father
eine (this is the required feminine form) Mutter = a mother

NOTE: The first two are the most important for answering the family question.

ein (this is the required neuter form) Kind = a child
keine (this is the required plural form, which looks like feminine, but it isn't) Geschwister = no siblings

Week 10

Fri., Oct. 25

die Zugspitze = Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain)
der Geburtstag, -e = birthday
optimistisch = optimistic
pessimistisch = pessimistic
die Chance, -n = chance

Infinitive: haben = to have
Person	Singular	Plural
1st	ich habe = I have	wir haben = we have
2nd	du hast = you have	ihr habt = you have
3rd	er, sie, es hat = he (she, it) has	sie haben = they have
formal	Sie haben = you have

Thurs., Oct. 24

was für = what kind of

Tues., Oct. 22

die Eltern (plural only) = parents
der Vater, die Väter = father
der Vati, -s = dad
die Mutter, die Mütter = mother
die Mutti, -s = mom
die Großeltern (plural only) = grandparents
der Großvater, die Großväter = grandfather
der Opa, -s = grandpa
die Großmutter, die Großmütter = grandmother
die Oma, -s = grandma
das Kind, -er = child
der Sohn, –̈e = son
die Tochter, die Töchter = daughter
der Enkel, – (means plural identical in form to singular) = grandson
die Enkelin, -nen = granddaughter

Masculine is the default gender of the German language. For people, there is generally a masculine form first that is transformed into a feminine form by the addition of -in. That form is always pluralized by doubling the -n- and adding -en (-nen).

der Lehrer, – = male teacher (but the plural Lehrer refers to teachers as the entire group, both males and females)

die Lehrerin, -nen ) female teacher (the plural would mean all the teachers were females)

die Geschwister (normally plural only) = siblings
der Bruder, die Brüder = brother
die Schwester, -n = sister
Halloween Vocab

der Kürbis = pumpkin

die Kürbislaterne = jack o'lantern

das Spukhaus = haunted house
die Fledermaus = bat
der Cowboy = cowboy
die Hexe = witch
der Pirat = pirate
der Vampir = vampire
der Clown = clown
das Gespenst = ghost
die schwarze Katze = black cat
die Eule = owl
der Teufel = devil

Week 9

Fri., Oct. 18

die Familie, -n = family
die Verwandten (generally plural) = relatives
der Cousin, -s = male cousin

der Vetter, -n = male cousin

die Cousine (Kusine), -n = female cousin
der Onkel, – (means plural identical in form to singular) = uncle
die Tante, -n = aunt
der Neffe, -n (weak noun) = nephew
die Nichte, -n = niece
Stief- = step (relative, not a stair)
Halb- = half
geschieden = divorced
verstorben = deceased
verheiratet = married
verlobt = engaged
ledig = single
mütterlicherseits = on the mother's side, maternal
väterlicherseits = on the father's side, paternal
das Tier, -e = animal
das Haustier, -e = pet

Thurs., Oct. 17

der Döner, – = doner kebab
das Wappen, – = coat of arms
How to Do the Date in German

den 18. Oktober = October 18th

spelled all the way out "den achtzehten Oktober"

add -ten to the base number

den 20. Oktober = October 20th

spelled all the way out "den zwanzigsten Oktober"

add -sten to the base number for numbers 20+

Germans Don't Use "of" in the Following

den achtzehten Oktober = the eighteenth of October
eine Flasche Wasser = a bottle of water
ein Stück Pizza = a piece of pizza

How to Start a Letter

Lieber Robert because der is the masculine word for the
Liebe Tina because die is the feminine word for the

How to Close a Letter

Mit freundlichen Grüßen = With friendly greetings
Dein Karl = Yours, Karl (like mein Freund)
Deine Steffi = Yours, Steffi (like meine Freundin)

Tues., Oct. 15

richtig oder falsch? = true or false? right or wrong

Week 8

Fri., Oct. 11

die Donau = the Danube river
das Krümelmonster™ = Cookie Monster™
der/die Bekannte, -n = acquaintance

Wed., Oct. 9

The Three Words for "You"

du = you (informal singular)
ihr = you (informal plural)
Sie = your (formal, both singular and plural)

der Rhein = the Rhine river
aber = but (in the sense of "however" to contrast what has come before)

Week 7

Fri., Oct. 4

die Wiedervereinigung = reunification (of Germany occurred on Oct. 3, 1990)
kennen = to be acquainted with, to know
Ballett tanzen = to dance ballet
lesen = to read

Thurs., Oct. 3

der Tag der deutschen Einheit = Day of German Unity
das Paternoster = the Lord's Prayer

the name of a type of elevator that rotates constantly up and down and around

abwesend = absent
anwesend = present
Macht die Bücher auf! = Open your books.

Macht die Bücher zu! = Close your books.

Tues., Oct. 1

die Luftbrücke = the Berlin Airlift
der Kalte Krieg = the Cold War
der Vorname = first name
der Nachname = last name
Was machst du? = What are you doing? What do you do?

Was machst du gern? = What do you like to do?

Was spielst du (gern)? = What do you (like to) play?
Spielst du _____? = Do you play _____?

Musik = music
ein Instrument = an instrument
Fußball = soccer
Karten = cards

Some Musical Instruments

Posaune = trombone
Gitarre = guitar
Violine = violin
Trompete = trumpet
Saxophon (Saxofon) = saxophone

Week 6

Fri., Sept. 27

die Deutsche Demokratische Republik = German Democratic Republic

the political name of East Germany after WWII

Thurs., Sept. 26

die Bundesrepublik Deutschland = Federal Republic of Germany

the political name of both Germany today and of West Germany after WWII

Tues., Sept. 24

Kristallnacht = Crystal Night, a night of terror against Jewish people in Germany on Nov. 9, 1938
genau = exact(ly)

wo genau? = where exactly?

Wo wohnst du? (addressed to a friend, young person) = Where do you live?
Wo wohnen Sie? (addressed to an adult) = Where do you live?
Answers to „wo“. Ich wohne ___.

in Missouri = in Missouri
in St. Louis = in St. Louis
in der Stadt = in the city, in town

St. Louis ist eine Stadt in Missouri. = St. Louis is a city in Missouri.

auf dem Lande = in the country
nicht weit von hier = not far from here
(gleich) um die Ecke = (right/just) around the corner
neben dem Café = next to the cafe (coffee house)
hinter dem Park = behind the park
gegenüber (von) dem Kaufhaus = opposite/across from the department store
da/dort = there

da drüben (or dort drüben) = over there

zehn Minuten von hier = ten minutes from here

die Polizei = police
zu Fuß = on foot
mit dem Rad/mit dem Auto/mit dem Schulbus = by bike/car/school bus

die Schule = school

die Meile = mile (Germans are aware of this as a term, but measure distances in kilometers)

Week 5

Thurs., Sept. 19

plus, und = plus, and (for addition)
minus = minus
The German gender system for nouns is more complicated than in English:

Gender	Definite (the)/Indefinite (a/an)
Masculine	der/ein Junge
Feminine	die/eine Freundin
Neuter	das/ein Mädchen

Tues., Sept.17

am allerältesten = oldest of all
Wie alt ist eine andere Person? = How old is a different person?
Wie ist deine (informal)/Ihre (formal) Telefonnummer? = What is your phone number?

Meine Telefonnummer ist _____. = My telephone number is _____.
das Telefon = telephone
das Handy = cellphone
das Smartphone = smartphone
die Vorwahl = area code

Week 4

Fri., Sept. 13

Wie alt sind Sie? (formal) = How old are you?
die Mutter = mother
der Opa = grandpa
das Baby = baby

Das Baby is ein Jahr alt.
Das Baby ist eins.

meine beste Freundin = my best friend (a female)
(genau)so alt wie = (just) as old as
neununddreißig = 39
siebzig = 70

Thurs., Sept. 12

sondern = but rather (used to correct a negative assertion)
Wie alt bist du? (addressed to a friend, young person) = How old are you?

Wie alt ist er/sie? = How old is s/he?

Ich bin ___ (Jahre alt). = I am ___ (years old).
alt, älter, am ältesten = old, older, oldest

älter als = older than

jung, jünger, am jüngsten = young, younger, youngest

jünger als = younger than

Das stimmt (nicht). = That's (not) right/correct.

Tues., Sept. 10

von = from, of, but used as a part of family names for members of the nobility
Wie ist sein Name? = What is his name?

Sein Name ist _____. = His name is _____.

Wie ist ihr Name? = What is her name?

Ihr Name ist _____. = Her name is _____.

der Freund = friend (male), boyfriend, male romantic partner, but in the plural (Freunde) this becomes the generic word for "friends"
der Lehrer = teacher (male), but when used as the plural this becomes the generic word for "teachers"

die Lehrerin = teacher (female)

Week 3

Fri., Sept. 6

Österreich = Austria
die Schweiz = Switzerland

aus der Schweiz = from Switzerland

Wer ist das? = Who is that?
er = he
sie = she
Kommt er/sie aus Deutschland? = Does s/he come from Germany?
ja = yes
nein = no (but this a strong response to a question)
nee = this is an informal form of "no"
Woher kommt er/sie? = Where does s/he come from?

Er/Sie kommt aus _____. = He/She comes from _____.

Woher kommen Sie? = Where do you come from? (formal)

Wed., Sept. 4

Danke = thanks, thank you
Und dir? = And (how are) you? (informal)

Und Ihnen? = And (how are) you? (formal)

Das ist schade. = That's too bad./That's a shame.
Woher kommst du? = Where do you come from? (informal)

Ich komme aus _____. = I come from _____.
Aus _____. = From _____.

In German you do need to say at least "from X" and not just the name of the place, as is typical in English.

Week 2

Thurs., Aug. 29

doppel = double

	Maskulinum	Femininum	Neutrum	Plural
Nominativ	der	die	das	die
Nominativ	ein	eine	ein	keine

der Bleistift = pencil
die Tasse = cup
der Stuhl = chair
der Schreibtisch = desk
das Mädchen = girl

Tues., Aug. 27

das Krümelmonster™ = Cookie Monster™
(der) Grobi™ = Grover™
Wie heißen Sie? = What is your name? (addressed to an adult)
Wie ist Ihr Name? = What is your name? (addressed to an adult)
Wie geht es dir? = How is it going? (addressed to a friend, relative, or child)
Wie geht's? = How's it going? (a less formal question)
Wie geht es Ihnen? = How is it going? (addressed to one or more adults)
Es geht mir ___. = It's going ___ for me. (a standard way to answer how you are doing)

Mir geht's ___. = another way to answer the same thing

when things are going great

sehr gut = very well
super = super
prima = great
toll = great
ausgezeichnet = excellent(ly)

when things are going well

gut = well, good

when things are just average

soso = so-so
so lala = so-so
es geht = it's going (How's it going? It's going.)
ganz gut = rather well, fairly well

when things are going poorly

schlecht = bad(ly)
nicht so gut = not so well

when things are going horribly

sehr schlecht = very badly
miserabel = miserably

müde = tired

Week 1

Fri., Aug. 23

die Nordsee = the North Sea
Tschüs = an informal goodbye

bis morgen = until tomorrow
bis später = until later
bis dann = until then
bis bald = until soon
Montag = until Monday

Tschau = a goodbye from Italy now used everywhere
Wie heißt du? = What is your name? (addressed to a young person)

Ich heiße ___. = My name is ___.

Wie ist dein Name? = What is your name? (addressed to a young person)

Mein Name ist ___. = My name is ___.

Thurs., Aug. 22

Mittwoch = Wednesday
Donnerstag = Thursday
Freitag = Friday
Sonnabend = Saturday
Wochenende = weekend
Ostdeutschland = East Germany
Grüß Gott = standard Southern greeting (repeated from 2024-08-20)

Grüß dich = a more casual version of the South German greeting, hi

Auf Wiederschauen = a standard goodbye in South German area (repeated from 2024-08-20)

Wiederschauen = a more casual version, bye

Servus = a greeting/goodbye used in South Germany and Austria
Grüezi = a Swiss German greeting
Moin = a North German greeting used all day, although it means "morning."
Hallo = a phone greeting, but also used elsewhere
Guten Morgen = Good morning

Morgen = morning, a more casual form

Guten Abend = Good evening
Gute Nacht = Good night (used with friends and family when planning to go to bed)
Auf Wiederhören = a goodbye for the telephone