German Phrases For Dummies

Paulina Christensen, PhD, and Anne Fox are veteran language teachers.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Conventions Used in This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 3Icons Used in This Book 3Where to Go from Here 4Chapter 1: I Say It How? Speaking German 5The German You Know 5Friendly allies (perfect cognates) 5Kissing cousins (near cognates) 7False friends 9Lenders and borrowers 11Mouthing Off: Basic Pronunciation 13Pronouncing vowels 14Pronouncing umlauts 15Pronouncing diphthongs 16Pronouncing consonants 17Identifying a new letter: ß 18Pronouncing combinations of consonants 19Using Popular Expressions 21Chapter 2: Grammar on a Diet: Just the Basics 23Looking at the Types of Words 23Nouns 23Adjectives 25Verbs 26Adverbs 27Figuring Out Simple Sentence Construction 27Arranging words in the right order 27Independent clauses: Putting the verb in second place 28Dependent clauses: Pushing the verb to the end 28Forming questions 29The Tenses: Present, Past, and Future 30Looking at the present 30Talking about the past: Using the perfect tense 31Writing about the past: Using simple past tense 36Talking about the future 37Getting Funky: Reflexive and Separable Verbs 38Right back at you: Reflexive verbs 38Knowing when to separate your verbs 40Putting the Language in the Right Case 41Nominative case 41Accusative case 42Dative case 42Genitive case 42Why all these cases matter 42Getting Formal or Informal 48Chapter 3: Numerical Gumbo: Counting of All Kinds 491, 2, 3: Cardinal Numbers 49The First, Second, Third, and So On 51Telling Time 53Telling time the “old-fashioned” way: From 1 to 12 54Using the 24-hour routine: 0 to 24 55Times of the day 56Monday, Tuesday: Weekdays 56Using the Calendar and Dates 58Covering the units of the calendar 58The basic names of the months 59Describing events in specific months 59Naming specific times in the months 60Keeping track of dates 60Money, Money, Money 62Changing currency 63Heading to the ATM 64Chapter 4: Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk 67Hello! Greetings and Introductions 67Saying hello and good-bye 68Asking “How are you?” 68Replying to “How are you?” 69Introducing yourself and others 70So Where Are You From? 72Asking people where they come from 73Understanding nationalities 74What Languages Do You Speak? 76Talking about Yourself 78Describing your work 78Giving out your address and phone number 80Talking about Your Family 81Talking about the Weather 84Chapter 5: Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (or Meal!) 85Is It Time to Eat Yet? 85Setting the Table 87Going Out to a Restaurant 87Distinguishing places to eat 88Making reservations 89Arriving and being seated 91Deciphering the menu 92Placing your order 96Replying to “How did you like the food?” 97Getting the Check 97Chapter 6: Shop ’til You Drop 99Heading Out on the Town 99Getting around the store 100Browsing with style 102Getting assistance 102Shopping politely 103Shopping for Clothes 104Color me German 105Trying it on 107Hitting the Markets 109Finding what you need 110Asking for amounts 111Paying the Bill 113Chapter 7: Making Leisure a Top Priority 115Figuring Out What You Want to Do 115Going to the movies 116Going to the museum 118Bringing down the (opera) house 118How Was the Show? Talking about Entertainment 120Going to a Party 122Talking about Hobbies and Interests 124Playing Sports 125Exploring the Outdoors 127Getting out and going 127Things to see along the way 127Going to the mountains 128Going to the country 130Going to the sea 130Chapter 8: When You Gotta Work 131Phoning Made Simple 131Asking for your party 132Making the connection 132Leaving messages 133Saying good-bye 134Making Appointments 136Sending a Letter, Fax, or E-Mail 137Sending a letter or postcard 138Sending a fax or an e-mail 140Getting Around at the Office 140Mastering your desk and supplies 141Elsewhere in the office 142Chapter 9: Getting Around: Transportation 143On the Move: Types of Transportation 143At the airport 144At the train station 146Catching the bus 148Getting a taxi 150Renting a car 150Dealing with Passports, Visas, and Customs 152Your passport and visa 152Going through immigration 153Going through customs 154Asking for Help with Directions 155Going Here and There 156Asking “How Do I Get There?” 157Describing a Position or Location 157Going Right, Left, North, South, East, and West 159Getting on the Move 160Driving Around in German 161Chapter 10: Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head 165Scoping Out a Hotel 165Reserving Rooms 166Checking In: Names, Addresses, and Room Numbers 168How long are you staying? 168Filling out the registration form 169Understanding the key game 170Asking about amenities and facilities 170Checking Out and Paying the Bill 173Asking for your bill 173Parting shots at the hotel 173Chapter 11: Dealing with Emergencies 175Asking for Help with Accidents 175Shouting for help 175Reporting a problem 176Asking for English-speaking help 176Going to the Doctor or Hospital 177Describing what ails you 178Announcing any special conditions 178Getting an examination 179Specifying parts of the body 180Getting the diagnosis 181Getting treatment 182Talking to the Police 183Describing what was stolen 184Answering questions from the police 185Protecting your rights abroad 186Chapter 12: Ten Favorite German Expressions 187Alles klar! 187Geht in Ordnung 187Kein Problem 188Guten Appetit! 188Deine Sorgen möchte ich haben! 188Das darf doch wohl nicht wahr sein! 188Mir reicht’s! 189Wie schön! 189Genau 189Stimmt’s? 189Chapter 13: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local 191Das ist ja toll! 191Ruf mich an! / Rufen Sie mich an! 191Was ist los? 192Keine Ahnung 192Gehen wir! 192Nicht zu fassen! 192Du hast Recht! / Sie haben Recht! 192Auf keinen Fall! 193Nicht schlecht! 193Das ist mir (völlig) egal 193Index 195