By taking the time to understand how the German language works, you'll be able to speak German naturally, and read and write in German. We know this can be one of the more challenging parts of your course, and we’re here to help! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!
Hi AllIn lesson 4.9 the lesson gives specifics of which prepositions take the Accusative. Is there a lesson on Dative as specific as that? I see there are some in level 3, but is the a more comprehsive one?As always, thamksMaxie
5 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 10, 2023
Hello everyone, I've come across this sentence in lesson 9.4. I am wondering why it is “Es ist ein großer schwarzer Koffer…” and not “Er ist ein großer schwarzer Koffer…”. Is “es” here not a pronoun, and if not, what is it?
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - February 28, 2023
Hi allI use Coffee Break German. It is a subscription, but podcasts are free. Have just done Season 1 lesson 17. There they introduce Dative for the first time, with only 3 prepositions, so not overwhelming, but it gives you an understanding of Dative wit...
6 replies - Last post by gottahaveajava - February 24, 2023
Hi AllWas doing a revision on “Going Skiing”Noticed that with “neben” goes “dem”Knew it had something to do with the cases. Made a comment this wekk on Dative in the forum. Having listened to a podcast on Coffee Break made the connection with neben and da...
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - February 22, 2023
hallo alle ZusammenIn this sentence. Nicht viel. Ich war kurz in der Stadt. I know the der is dative, but why?has this got something to do with kurz as in time?As no explanation in the lessonDankeMaxie
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - February 2, 2023
Am so confused, againIn lesson 6.5 Der kleinere Mann ist mein Freund Michael.And the next sentence tooI can find no explanation for adjectives ending in re. er yes, in the lesson on adjectives in the nominative and accusative. Could someone please refer m...
7 replies - Last post by Maxie - January 28, 2023
What is the difference between geschlossen & schließen?
What is the difference between geschlossen & schließen? Can i say the door is close (schließen) & the door is closed (geschlossen) in german? would it mean the same thing?
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 28, 2022
I was doing an exercise in Survivla Kit level 2. Medical German. Was wondering how I was going to keep all the gender words in my memory. Further down the line I realized that because adjectives change at times due to gender and case, one can work out the...
5 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 27, 2022
All the fun of the fair. Play the part
HiI am not sure if I am missing something, once again.The sentence “Ich hab leider nur einen Zehneuroschein.”Is it meant to be hab or is this an error?Thanks Maxie
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 28, 2022
Hallo Zusammen There must be a logical explanation. Dieser Jahrezeit. I understood “er to be a masculine ending. Also understood that all compound words take on the gender of the last word. in other words ”Die Zeit" Probably something to do with the pesky...
14 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 28, 2022
In lesson 9.1Ich war mit einer Freundin im Kino. If it is a girl friend why is it not eine Freundin.Oh my am I ever going to understand the finer intricasies of German grammar.Sebongela
15 replies - Last post by gottahaveajava - November 17, 2022
Lesson 19.4 contains the sentence ‘Das Thema waren die Hoelenmenschen’. Why is it ‘waren’ and not ‘war’?
1 reply - Last post by sfpugh - October 19, 2022
1) I found this English to German translation that has me confused about when to use articles and prepositions.The movie theater is on the right.Das Kino ist rechts.In English ‘right’ is a noun describing a place.In German ‘rechts’ is an adverb.I’m not su...
2 replies - Last post by Tyler. - August 20, 2022
Conjugation of the infinitive "Regen"
I am currently in lesson 1.9 and am learning to properly conjugate verbs. All was going well until I noticed something that stumped me; the sentence “Es regnet.” From the rules that were given, the verb “Regen” when used with the pronoun “Es” would seemin...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - August 15, 2022
Hello AllIf anyone is finding some issues with understanding the Grammar explanations on Rocket and want more clarity I have found some books that are really good, with lots of exercises for practice.Some of them are by an author Ed Swick (Quite a few by ...
0 replies - Last post by Maxie - July 18, 2022
HiIn lesson 4.9 Auf is decribed as : of, to ,in (language)Could someone give me an example when "Auf is used with language. Thanks Sebongela
2 replies - Last post by Maxie - June 1, 2022
HalloAnother grammar question. When Nominative was explained “Sein” was mentioned as an equal sign. In lesson 6.5 When 2 things are being compared and “ist” is present is this why the things being compared are both in the nominative. EG. Die Couch and der...
2 replies - Last post by Maxie - May 17, 2022
I am struggling to make sense of when to use “ist es” and “es ist” in module 2.1 Can someone help me? Because just when I think I have understood when to use “ist es” and when to use “es ist”, I mess up :(
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - May 2, 2022
Hello, Why does the sentence ends with “zu tun” instead of “zu tut” “Er sucht etwas zu tun” Thank you and regards,Tina
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 25, 2022
HalloIn lesson 1.7 “Ich muss zum hotel. ”Why does it take a dative case as in zu and dem.? Or have I got this completely mixed up. Is das Hotel an indirect object then. I thought it would be a direct object. Talk about getting in a twist about this thanks...
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 14, 2022
What is the difference between reservieren and reservierung?
What is the difference between reservieren and reservierung? I'm a bit confuse on the usage.
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 12, 2022
HalloJust watched a video on YouTube. “ My German Teacher” Explaining when to use which one. Basically a beginners level, but he explains it simply (That is if it can be simple) Made some things less murky in my mind. My motto "All little bits help. Have ...
0 replies - Last post by Maxie - April 7, 2022
Oh my word, just looked at the grammar lesson on Adjectives in Nominative and accusative. Frankly just puts me into panic mode. In many ways am just tempted to look at grammar lessons as speaking practice and vocabulary, as keeping track of it when there ...
9 replies - Last post by sfpugh - March 28, 2022
“Bis zum Morgen grauen” is a funny phrase to demonstrate the preposition “bis” as Accusative, given that the ending on “zum” is clearly not Accusative. i know that “bis” is most often accompanied by another preposition ("bis zu", “bis auf”) or is used di...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - March 28, 2022
HiDU lasst (") mich hier. You leave me here. If one changes the tone into an accusatory voice is this the way you would say You left me here. As in anger or abandonment.DankeSebongelaBeen wondering about this for a while, as in English it would work.
2 replies - Last post by Maxie - March 7, 2022
possesive adjectives in the Accusative
I am looking for the lesson on Possessive Adjectives in the Accusative. Is there one? I use Babbel and their explanations aren't adequate and I'm sure Rocket has covered it, just can't find it.ThanksSebongela
5 replies - Last post by Maxie - March 1, 2022
The following two sentences seem to be very similar:Die Häuser sind hier alle so prachtvoll verziert.The houses here are all so beautifully decorated.andJedes Gebäude hier hat so viel Geschichte.Each building here has so much history. In the first sentenc...
15 replies - Last post by sfpugh - February 24, 2022
prepositions that take accusative
Trying to remember the prepositions that take the Accusative. Have used a mnemonic for the first six. Now will tackle the next ones that sometimes take the AccusativeFur (")OhneBis Makes FobGegenUmdurch Makes Gudhope this will help me remember Do...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - February 24, 2022
Sie sind in der Stadt lesson 1.7
HiI so frustrated by the grammar. Frankly why even bother! Call it a language course and then tell you to use text books would be more appropriate. I get that der Stadt has something to do with cases, but then there should be a note stating that Stadt is ...
17 replies - Last post by gottahaveajava - February 1, 2022
manche deutsche(n) Gruppen ? 15.1
“Ich mag U2 total gerne und auch manche deutsche Gruppen"I would have thought that, with “manche” being a “der” equivalent, that it should be “deutschen” and not “deutsche” .
8 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - January 20, 2022
Lesson 3.1 Extra Vocab - Now I see it
Very new to German. Lesson 3.1 is using the expression, “Now I see it.” to offer a lesson on how “it” changes with gender. In the sentence, “it” is referring to das Auto (neuter) so in German the expression is"Jetzt sehe ich esThey then ask how you woul...
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - January 17, 2022
seinen or seine Schlüssel accusative plural? Module 13.5
The sentence is: Thomas hat gestern seinen Schlüssel verloren. The translation is: Thomas lost his keys yesterday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------Shouldn't the translation be? Thomas lost his key yesterday. Or sh...
4 replies - Last post by gottahaveajava - December 15, 2021
From Module 13.3 Business Call"Es geht um eine große Werbekampagne für eines meiner Produkte"with preposition “für,” isn't it always supposed to be followed by the accusative? “Eines” is genitive. What am I missing?Thanks.
4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 9, 2021
Hi AllI have been using a grammar book. Easy German step by step. McGraw Hill, Ed Swick. So far so good, seems to have clear consice explanations and good practice. If your local library has a copy have a look. Sebongela.
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 9, 2021
Have been doing the Nominative and Accusative cases, but looked at level 2 Dative case. In level one I found it really helpful that the words in question were in bold. Noticed in Dative they were not. I think it would be really helpful and easier if they ...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - December 9, 2021
Guten MorgenAm beginning to realize how important it is to learn the gender of nouns. If you don't know them, then using the different correct form when using the different cases is not so simple.In one of my other courses came across “der Kaarte”, but Le...
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - November 16, 2021
In an early lession, there is the extra vocabulary:“Er trifft sie am Flughafen”.Yet, I don't see anyplace in levels 1, 2, or 3 where the “am” is really explained in context. The extra vocab section doesn't seem to offer grammar explanations.I'm assuiming ...
4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - September 7, 2021
In Lesson 14.7 (German Cases part 2) there is a sentenceIch kaufe ein Buch für meinen Bruder - I buy a book for my brother.I think this is to provide an example of how für takes the accusative.(Different prepositions take different cases. A bit like Latin...
5 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - August 23, 2021
This sentence appears in Lesson 10.2:Am besten schauen sie in die Samstagszeitung."In die Samstagszeitung" appears to be using the accusative. Why isn't it dative (in der Samstagszeitung)? There doesn't seem to be a "change in state" or "movement toward...
11 replies - Last post by gottahaveajava - August 19, 2021
Am intrigued as to why these have different genders. Does anyone know why, or is it just an idiosyncrasy?
4 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - August 9, 2021
Placement of the conjunction "aber" in a conjoining sentence
I am aware that the word “aber” is a coordinate conjunction that does not influence the word order of a sentence, (that is, it does not send the verb to the end of a sentence). However, the word “aber” itself does not always appear in the same position wi...
8 replies - Last post by HugoM5 - August 9, 2021
Use of the german word (Scwierig)
Can I use the word Schwierig in the phrase.Deutsch ist ein schwierige Sprache. Please correct me in this sentence.
2 replies - Last post by HugoM5 - August 9, 2021
I hope that I'm not violating any rules here by enquiring about something that was not specifically covered in this course; however, owing to the fact that my question pertains to level A2/B1 level German, I will stick my neck out!The verb “werden” is one...
4 replies - Last post by HugoM5 - August 9, 2021
in die Schule or in der Schule (Lesson 14.4)
Lesson 14.4 has the sentence Wir sind zusammen in die Grundschule gegangen. We went to primary school together.After going through the grammar lesson on the dative case I half expected it to be in der Grundschule…Can I assume that the accusative is used h...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - August 2, 2021
Flexibility in word order using "gespannt"
In lesson 23.4, we are presented with the following sentence:“Ja, ich bin schon sehr gespannt, vor allem auf die Zeremonie in der Kirche.”If I wanted to shorten this sentence and simply say, “I'm very curious regarding the ceremony in the church”, I could...
1 reply - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 25, 2021
Lesson 13.2: position of definite article?
One of the lines in the conversation is:“…dass ich die für Ihre Stelle erforderlichen Kenntnisse und Qualifikationen habe.” which is translated as:“…that I have the necessary skills and qualifications for this position.”Does the word “die” in this contex...
2 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - April 19, 2021
Lesson 12.4: Query re "ein Danke"
There is a sentence “Und das ohne je ein Danke zu hören.” which is translated as “Without ever getting thanked for it”.A literal translation looks like “And that without ever hearing a thanks” (or “a thank you”).I just wondered, as I thought “a thank you...
3 replies - Last post by Julia-Rocket-German-Tutor - April 6, 2021
15.3 Ich erinnere mich gerne daran, wie ich mit meiner Oma im Garten gespielt habe.
From 15.3Ich erinnere mich gerne daran, wie ich mit meiner Oma im Garten gespielt habe.I remember happily how I played with my grandmother in the garden.This is a question about daran in this sentence.In my general reading, I have noticed that da words of...
4 replies - Last post by sfpugh - March 25, 2021
Example of German genitive in lesson 12.7 incorrect?
In this lesson we have the sentence Sarah’s Hochzeitsanzeige wurde vor zwei Wochen veröffentlicht. which meansSarah's wedding notice was published two weeks ago.In English, of course the apostrophe + s denotes possession, but I thought that in the German ...
2 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - March 18, 2021
I am trying to understand when small words & interjections at the start of a sentence get ignored with regard to the "verb comes second" rule.In this sentence it gets ignored. You say:"Hey, du siehst ja nicht gerade sehr fröhlich aus!"...instead of "Hey,...
4 replies - Last post by RobertD50 - February 25, 2021