Languages Around the World

Vocabulary

apple: der Apfel (Äpfel)
everything: alles
pencil: der Bleistift
there is/are: es gibt
to help: helfen (e-->i)
to give: geben (e-->i)
to meet: treffen (e-->i)
to take: nehmen (e-->i)

Strong Verbs

There are roughly 200 German strong verbs, and their du and er/sie/es forms are irregular compared to the other verb forms. Some also change in the ich form, but not as often. Because nehmen has the lengthening h, its irregular forms changes to i like other strong verbs, but also the h is deleted and the m is doubled so she takes is sie nimmt not sie nihmt.

Accusative Case

This case is used for direct objects (as well as special uses). Unlike in other languages, the adjectives/articles represent cases, not the nouns. Es gibt always takes the accusative.

Accusative Case of Articles

Only masculine changes.

der-->den/einen
die-->die/eine
das-->das/ein
die-->die/keine

Imperatives/Commands

The du form of commands is usually just the present tense minus the -st so take the woman! is Nimm die Frau! (still using accusative case). If you are using the sie form (you all do...) then you write Sie after the verb, so you all take the women! is infinitive+Sie= Nehmen Sie die Frau! The ihr form is the conjugated verb in that form so the command would be Nehmt die Frau!

Example Sentences

Today there are no suitcases.
Heute gibt es keine Koffer.

We aren't giving any money.
Wir geben kein Geld.

Are you taking the tree?
Nimmst du den Baum?