Learn German with Leo🦁

2022-10-28 16:58:34 ​​ Halloween in Germany

Helloween as a phenomenon came to Germany in the 90s of the last century along the beaten path: through movies and cartoons. The Germans gradually got used to the existence of such an unusual celebration, and then began to organize it in their own country.

By the way: the American phrase “Trick or treat” is translated into “Süsses oder Saures”.

Traditions and national features of the celebration of All Saints' Day in Germany, as well as mystical places in Berlin, where you should go in a costume - in our article! Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-27 14:30:39 20 useful idioms and common expressions

es glückt - life (things) are getting better
das lässt schön - things are getting better
schon gut - okay, so be it... (agreeing to smth)
an und für sich - by itself
lass dir das gesagt sein - let it be known to you...

das hat gerade noch gefehlt - that was just missing
weiße Mäuse sehen - to get drunk
es ist zum Lachen und zum Weinen zugleich - both laughter and sin
du kannst von Glück sagen - you got off easy (lucky)

Gluck auf den Weg! - happy journey!
Gluck ab! - Happy flight!
Ich wünsche dir viel Erfolg - good luck to you!
sieh oben - see above (usually abbreviated s. o.)
sieh unten - see below (respectively s. u.)

lass dir's gut schmecken - bon appetit
hier ist etwas nicht in Ordnung - something is wrong here...
der ist in Ordnung = one can rely on, one can trust (someone)
zur Not kann man es noch sehen lassen - well, that's all right
er hat ein Auge auf sie geworfen - he had his eye on her (he liked her)
Auge um Auge, Zahn um Zahn - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-26 12:08:12 ​​​​ Zoomania

Today we will watch one of the funniest moments from the cartoon "Zootopia" or "Zoomania" in German.

(DE) Nick: Flash is der schnellste Sachbearbeiter, wenn das eilig ist - gibt er gar.
(EN) Flash - the fastest clerk, if it's urgent - he will definitely do it.

(DE) Judy: Das hoffe ich. Das ist ein Wettlauf mit der Zeit und jede Minute zählt. Was? Das sind alles... Faultiere?! Sie haben doch gesagt, dass wir schnell gehen!
(EN) I hope so. It's a race against time and every minute counts. What?! Are they all... Sloths?! You said we're leaving quickly!

(DE) Nick: Wie jetzt? Nur weil er ein Faultier ist, kann er nicht schnell sein? Ich hab gedacht in Zoomania kann jeder alles sein. Flash! Flash! Blitzschnell and Fesch! Kumpel, schön dich zu sehen!
(EN) So what? Does being sloth mean he can't be fast? I thought anyone in Zootopia could be anyone. Flash! Flash! Lightning and daring! Dude, good to see you!

(DE) Flash: Schön dich zu sehen.
(EN) Good to see you.

(DE) Nick: Hey, Flash, darf ich meine Freundin vorstellen. Er... Ich habe dein Name vergessen.
(EN) Hey Flash, I want to introduce my friend to you. Um... I forgot your name.

(DE) Judy: Offizier Judy Hopper, ZPD. Wie geht's?
(EN) Officer Judy Hopper, Zootopia police. How are you?

(DE) Flash: Es geht mir einfach...
(EN) Everything is just in my...

(DE) Judy: Gut?
(EN) Are you okay?

(DE) Flash: ...So gut wie es halt geht. Was cann ich tun...
(EN) ...Order as much as possible. What can I do...

(DE) Judy: Ich würde...
(EN) I would like to...

(DE) Flash: fur euch?
(EN) For you?

(DE) Judy: Nun, ich würde gerne ein Kennzeichen... Nu-un, ich würde gerne ein Kennzeichen überprüfen lassen. Haben wir es sehr sehr eilig.
(EN) Well, I would like a license plate... Well, I would like to check the license plate. We are in a very, very rush.

(DE) Flash: Sicher. Und das Kennzeichen laute...
(EN) Of course. And the license plate...

(DE) Judy: 29THD03.

(DE) Flach: Zwei... Neun...
(EN) Two... Nine...

(DE) Judy: THD03.

(DE) Flash: T...

(DE) Judy: HD03.

(DE) Flash: H...

(DE) Judy: D03.

(DE) Flash: D...

(DE) Judy: Aha, Null, drei.
(EN) Yeah, zero, three.

(DE) Flash: Null...
(EN) Zero...

(DE) Judy: Dre-ei!
(EN) Three-and!

Is learning German with a textbook boring for you?

Perhaps a movie course would spark your interest? Check out the Rapunzel: movie course! Not only will you learn grammar and vocabulary, but also improve your listening comprehension! Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-24 10:50:30 ​​ Writing a letter in German

Do Germans write letters in the 21st century? What types of personal letters are there? What are the rules for writing a letter in German?

Today we will learn how to write a personal letter in German for different situations in life. Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-22 12:01:25 ​​ EXPRESSIONS WITH THE VERB GEHEN

auf die Reise gehen - to go on a trip
ins Ausland gehen - to move abroad
auf den Markt gehen - to go to the market
zu Fuß gehen - to walk
zur Seite gehen - to step aside
zur Arbeit gehen - to go to work
zu Ende gehen - to go to the end

eigene wege gehen - to go your own way
nach Hause gehen - to go home
durch die Straßen gehen - to walk the streets
durch viele Hände gehen - go through many hands
j-m durch die Lappen gehen - to slip away from someone
auf die Nerven gehen - to get on someones nerves

Save and remember! Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-21 17:36:59 ​​ Man

Today we will analyze the indefinite personal pronoun man and look at its main meanings

Man denotes persons unknown to the speaker. For example:
Man hat mir das Buch geschenkt. - Someone gifted me a book.
Note that man is the subject in this case. The predicate in this case is expressed by the verb in the 3rd person singular.

In combination with the modal verb man is translated as part of an impersonal sentence:
Man darf hier nicht rauchen. - You can't smoke here.

In combination with Konjunktiv (in the present form), man forms the “should…” construction:
Man nehme 1 Kilogramm Äpfel. - Should take 1 kilogram of apples.

Was ist schwerer: ein Kilo Federn oder ein Kilo Eisen? Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-20 10:08:11 ​​ Fließend-falsch-Sprechender. Or as I call it "Incorrigible B1".
⠀
These are people who can express thoughts relatively freely in German, but make many mistakes in speech.
⠀
Suppose a person enters a language environment, and he needs to somehow communicate there. He gets out as best he can.
⠀
At some point, he reaches a level where he speaks with errors, but is understandable to others. And here comes the choice:
⠀
1. Eliminate mistakes and increase speech literacy.
⠀
2. To leave it as is - they still understand.
⠀
As you know, repeated action becomes a habit. And for those who follow path number 2, clumsy German is automated.
⠀
I saw several interviews on YouTube with late settlers who have been living in Germany for 15-20 years. I understood well what they were saying. But their German was so weird that the kick was just...
⠀
There was no word order, there were no articles and endings
⠀
Strong verbs changed as weak ones, haben / sein in Perfekt were placed at random, it is not clear on what principles the prepositions were chosen ...
⠀
I think that we can make 1-2 small mistakes in five sentences. But if we have 1-2 errors in EACH sentence, then such a speech sounds extremely ugly.
⠀
It's certainly better to be "Incorrigible B1" than not to speak at all. But as I said above, such speech becomes a habit and is automated. It's getting harder and harder to relearn every year.
⠀
The outcome is known: 10+ years in Germany, I speak fluently, but it is not clear how.
⠀
What do you think about this? Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-18 15:44:58 ​​ Der Pate

A scene from The Godfather that has become the basis for countless parodies. The famous phrase "You come to me without respect" in various variations has become almost winged. Today we will watch the famous scene in German:

(DE) Don Corleone: Warum gehst du zur Polizei? Warum kommst du nicht gleich zu mir?
(EN) Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me right away?

(DE) Bonosera: Was verlangen Sie von mir? Sagen Sie was es ist, aber tun Sie worum ich Sie biete.
(EN) What do you want from me? Tell me, but do what I ask you.

(DE) Don Corleone: Was soll ich tun? Das kann ich nicht tun.
(EN) What should I do? I can not do it.

(DE) Bonosera: Ich gebe Ihnen dafür was Sie verlangen.
(EN) I will give you what you ask.

(DE) Don Corleone: Wir beide kennen uns schon viele Jahre, aber heute kommst du zum ersten Mal zu mir um Rat oder um Hilfe. Ich kann mich nicht daran errinern, wann du mich das letzte Mal in dein Haus zu einer Tasse Kaffee eingeladen hast. Und dabei meine Frau ist Parentante deines einziges Kindes. Aber lass uns ganz offen sein: du hast nie Wert gelegt auf meine Freundschaft. Du... hast gefürchtet, in meiner Schuld zu sein.
(EN) We have known each other for many years, but today is the first time you come to me for advice or help. I can't remember the last time you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee. Even though my wife is the godmother of your only child. But let's be honest: you never appreciated my friendship. You... You were afraid to be in my debt.

(DE) Bonosera: Ich wollte nur keine Unannehmlichkeiten haben.
(EN) I didn't want problems.

(DE) Don Corleone: Ja, ich weiß. Fur dich war Amerika das Paradies. Dein Geschäft geht gut, die Polizei ist da um dich zu beschützen. Außerdem gibt es Gerichte, wo zu dich ein Freund wie mich? Aber... Jetzt kommst du zu mir und sagst: Don Corleone, verschafft mir die Gerechtigkeit. Aber du zeigt mir keinen Respekt, bietest nicht etwa Freundschaft. Du sagst nicht einmal Pate zu mir. Nein, stattdessen kommst du am Hochzeitstag meiner Tochter in mein Haus und bittest mich einen Mord zu begehen - für Geld.
(EN) Yes, I know. For you, America was heaven. Your business is going well, the police are protecting you. As a last resort, there is a court, why do you need a friend like me? But... Now you come to me and say, "Don Corleone, deliver justice." But you don't show me any respect, you don't offer me friendship. You don't even call me godfather. No, instead you come to my house on my daughter's wedding day and ask me to commit murder - for money.

(DE) Bonosera: Ich bietest Sie um Gerechtigkeit.
(EN) I demanded justice.


(DE) Don Corleone: Das ist keine Gerechtigkeit, deine Tochter lebt.
(EN) This is not justice, your daughter is alive.

(DE) Bonosera: Dann lassen Sie diese Schweine fühlen, was sie verbrochen haben. Wie viel soll ich bezahlen?
(EN) Then make these pigs feel what they did wrong. How much should I pay? Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-18 08:23:11 ​​​​ TOP 15 verbs with their prepositions

If you still don't know how to approach a long list of verbs with their prepositions or can't find an effective method for memorizing them, this post is for you!

Today we have prepared a selection of the most commonly used verbs with their prepositions that will help you diversify your speech, as well as move a step forward in this difficult topic.

antworten auf + Akkusativ - to answer something

Ich habe noch nicht auf ihren Brief geantwortet.
I have not yet answered her letter.

beginnen mit + Dativ - start something

Der Unterricht beginnt um neun Uhr.
The lesson starts at nine o'clock.

bitten (Akkusativ) um + Akkusativ - to ask someone for something

Er bittet sie um ein Glas Wasser.
He asked her for a glass of water.

danken (Dativ) fur + Akkusativ - to thank someone for something

Ich danke Ihnen fur Ihren Commentar.
I thank you for your comment.

sich entscheiden fur + Akkusativ - decide on something

Ich habe mich für diese Reise entscheiden.
I decided on this trip.

erzählen (Dativ) von + Dativ - to tell someone about something

Erzähl uns doch ein bisschen was von eurem Urlaub.
Tell us a little more about your holiday.

fragen (Akkusativ) nach + Dativ / über + Akkusativ - to ask someone about something

Studenten fragen den Professor nach dem Thema (über das Thema) der Vorlesung.
Students ask the teacher about the topic of the lecture.

gratulieren (Dativ) zu + Dativ - to congratulate someone on something

Ich gratulière dir zum Feiertag!
Happy holiday to you!

helfen (Dativ) bei + Dativ - to help someone with something (or something)

Ich brauche keine Hilfe bei meinen Hausaufgaben.
I don't need help with my homework.

hoffen auf + Akkusativ - to hope for something

Sie hofft auf ein gutes Ergebnis.
She hopes for a good result.

sich interessieren fur + Akkusativ - to be interested in something

Ich interessiere mich fur deutche Sprache.
I'm interested in German.

lachen über + Akkusativ - to laugh at something (or someone)

Wir haben immer über seine Witze gelacht.
We always laughed at his jokes.

klagen über + Akkusativ - to complain about something

Er klagtüber Kopfschmerzen.
He complains of headaches.

sich kümmern um + Akkusativ - to take care of someone

Ich kümmere mich um die Kinder.
I take care of children

teilnehmen an + Dativ - to take part in something

Ich nahm am Wettbewerb teil.
I entered the competition.

Are German Verbs a nightmare for you? Is your wish to finally master them once and forever?

Especially for these situations, I’ve created “100+ verbs with their prepositions” – your key into the world of German verbs with their prepositions! Check the link below! Öffnen / Wie

2022-10-17 18:34:33 Stehen and its prefixes

If you add prefixes to the verb stehen ("stand"), you get a whole series of verbs with different meanings. Let's see some of them!

aufstehen - to get up
Dieser Traum lässt mich jeden Tag aufstehen - This dream makes me get up in the morning.

bestehen - to consist, to exist, to insist
Woraus sollte ein gesundes Frühstück bestehen? What should a healthy breakfast consist of?

entstehen - to arise, to appear
Diese Probleme entstehen jedoch nicht allein in Köln - These problems, however, do not only arise in Cologne.

gestehen - to confess
Und ich dachte, heute Abend ist der perfekte Anlass, es euch zu gestehen - And I thought that tonight is a great opportunity to confess.

verstehen - understand
Es gibt Dinge, die kannst du nicht verstehen - There are things you cannot understand. Öffnen / Wie