Essential German Vocabulary: Teach Yourself

Lisa Kahlen

• Publisher: Teach Yourself
• Year: 2010
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• eBook ISBN:
  9781444130867
• Subtopic: German Language
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Is this the right course for me?
Essential German Vocabulary is the course for you if you need help with your study of German. This fully revised edition of our best-selling course now comes with free downloadable audio support containing hints on how to learn vocabulary effectively.Unlike a phrasebook or a dictionary, Essential German Vocabulary will take your existing knowledge and build on it systematically and organically, so that you will increase your vocabulary and at the same time expand your range of expression.At the beginning of the book there is a section to help you with your pronunciation, followed by a short and simple grammar summary.The main part of the book is arranged in topics, such as 'Work', 'Travel and Accommodation' and 'Food and Drink', and concentrates on the vital and most current words and expressions, listing those which you might already know and then extending the coverage to teach you those you probably do not know.Finally, the downloadable audio recording will give you hints on how to increase your vocabulary effortlessly.This is an ideal companion if you are a language student or if you are wanting a systematic, easy-to-use tool to increase the range of your vocabulary and improve your ability to express yourself in a wide variety of situations, either on holiday or on a business trip.
Learn effortlessly with a new, easy-to-read page design and interactive features: Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.End-of-unit summaries and online tests
Summaries and tests to help you consolidate and keep track of your progress.Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the culture and history of Germany.

1

Personal matters

1.1 Titles, greetings, introducing yourself and others and making arrangements

Core vocabulary

Insight

It would be worthwhile initially to take some time to familiarize yourself with the following words in connection with greetings and introducing yourself, as they are either Anglicisms or words which are similar in English and German. This will help you to build up your vocabulary faster. By being aware of which Anglicisms are used you will be able to communicate in as up-to-date a manner as possible.

Doctor der Doktor/die Doktorin, professor der Professor/die Professorin, hello hallo, bye bye, hi hi (these last three are used a lot by young people), morning der Morgen, night die Nacht, my mein, colleague der Kollege/die Kollegin, widowed verwitwet, single single, daughter Tochter, son Sohn, name Name.

Titles

Mr	Herr
Mrs	Frau
Miss	Fräulein
Dr	Dr. Doktor/in
Prof	Prof. Professor/in
Earl	Graf/Gräfin
Baron/ess	Baron/in

Insight

Fräulein is an old-fashioned word and is hardly used any more. Most women prefer to be called Frau instead of Fräulein regardless of their marital status. Fräulein is only used to indicate marital status.

Addressing somebody with their title is important in Germany. If someone has a doctorial title (medical or academic) it is usual to address them as Herr Doktor/Frau Doktor with or without the surname: Guten Tag, Herr Doktor; Guten Tag, Herr Doktor Meier; Guten Tag, Frau Doktor Meier.

At present both female and male titles can be used for female job titles, academic or medical professions: Frau Rechtsanwältin (+ surname), Frau Rechtsanwalt (+ surname). Guten Tag, Frau Rechtsanwältin (Meier), Guten Tag, Frau Rechtsanwalt.

Professor:	Herr Professor (+ surname),
Frau	Professor/in (+ surname).
Doctor (medical or academic):	Herr Doktor, Frau Doktor/Frau Doktorin.
Judge:	Herr Richter/Frau Richter/in.
Mayor:	Herr/Frau Bürgermeister/in.
Member of parliament:	Frau Abgeordnete/Herr Abgeordneter.

When addressing nobility Herr or Frau is dropped: Guten Tag Baronin Meier, Guten Tag Graf Meier.

Insight

Married people may have a doubl...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Credits
• Meet the author
• Only got a minute?
• Only got five minutes?
• Only got ten minutes?
• Introduction
• Toolbox
• 1 Personal matters
• 2 Family
• 3 Work
• 4 Education
• 5 At home
• 6 Entertaining, food and drink
• 7 In town
• 8 In the country
• 9 Hobbies and sports
• 10 Clothing
• 11 Travel
• 12 Tourism
• 13 The body and health
• 14 The world
• 15 Government and society
• 16 The media
• Copyright