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176
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25 answers
How can I better learn noun genders?
One of the things that I really liked about German, as I was studying it in college, was the very orderly grammar, which actually helped me to understand my native English better.
As a non-native speaker, one of the hardest things for me to do is…
kmm
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98
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9 answers
Is there a reason why Germany (Deutschland) is called so many different things in other European languages?
Excuse me if this is off-topic.
When I'm learning other languages, I usually (99% of the time) find that "England" is either the same or very similar in the other language. However, I know at least five different names now for Germany in the other…
victoriah
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92
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4 answers
How rude is "Quatsch!"?
I've seen Quatsch! translated as Bullshit, which I was fine with as I had only heard it used among friends. Today, a university teacher used the Q-word in response to a student's serious suggestion in a somewhat professional setting.
How rude is…
Tim
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89
votes
41 answers
Simple but interesting German literature
This question is present as a matter of historical interest. While you are encouraged to help maintain its answers, please understand that "big list" questions are not generally allowed on German Language and Usage and will be closed per the…
Tim
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86
votes
8 answers
How to use "doch"
I know "doch" is used to contradict a negative statement:
A: Das ist nicht wahr.
B: Doch!
It's a great word for this usage and some languages really lack this word.
But, I found it hard to use "doch" in sentence, when it can be removed without…
user508
83
votes
10 answers
Difference between "weil" and "denn"
Both mean because.
I know that denn does not change the sentence structure of the subordinate clause, but weil does, i.e. pushing the verb to the end.
Other than that, is there a difference between the two? Are there situations where weil is…
elssar
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81
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3 answers
When to use "gern" vs. "gerne"
What is the difference between "gern" and "gerne"? When should each be used?
An example I used in a previous question was:
Ich esse gern Pizza
is that better or worse than:
Ich esse gerne Pizza
Is there a difference in meaning?
Matt Fenwick
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81
votes
17 answers
What’s the difference between “Ich habe dich lieb” and “Ich liebe dich”?
What’s the difference between Ich habe dich lieb and Ich liebe dich?
Both are defined as “I love you” in many dictionaries, as I’ve checked.
user508
79
votes
11 answers
What is the Origin of Reading Tens from Right to Left?
Latin languages, as well as English, speak numbers from left to right, in the same direction in which they are written, e.g. forty-two, quarante-deux, but in German, you write from left to right but speak numbers from right to left, in the opposite…
Jonas
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78
votes
14 answers
How can a native English speaker know when it is appropriate to use the polite (Sie) or the familiar (Du)?
In a language such as English, where there are no "built-in" (so to say) polite and familiar forms, what are some simple tips or guidelines for when to use the polite or the familiar forms? Are there significant differences in written text, such as…
Glen Wheeler
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78
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8 answers
What is the correct way to denote a quotation in German?
In English, quoted texts are normally written in speech marks, "like this," or occasionally 'like this.'
However on this site I have seen people writing German quotes like »this« and „this.“
Which form is correct?
Im Englischen werden normalerweise…
Twelve47
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77
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8 answers
What is the difference in usage between “vielen Dank” and “Danke schön”?
I know that they are both essentially polite and mean Thanks a lot, Many thanks etc. but I’ve always wondered if there is a specific difference between the two.
Is there a specific context or situation where one is clearly more appropriate to use…
CraigTP
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68
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5 answers
When to use Perfekt and Präteritum?
What’s the guideline as to when to use Perfekt and Präteritum?
I was always taught that the simplest rule is Präteritum (mostly) for written forms, and Perfekt is most common in spoken language.
But I’ve also come across explanations paying more…
Karol J. Piczak
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9 answers
Where can I find a parsable list of German words?
I'm looking for a list of German words in a digital format that is simple and easy to parse by a computer. It should encompass almost all words, but it doesn't matter whether inflections are included. Acronyms and proper names are not interesting,…
Tim
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63
votes
9 answers
Wonach richtet sich das Geschlecht eines Anglizismus?
Wenn ich das Geschlecht eines Anglizismus bestimmen muss, orientiere ich mich an drei Gegebenheiten:
Hat das Wort ein echtes Geschlecht (the mare, die Stute)?
Welches Geschlecht hat die Übersetzung im Deutschen
Nach welchem Geschlecht klingt das…
user unknown
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