Learn German with Leo🦁

2023-03-18 19:21:34 Are you curious about the 10 longest German words?

How many letters are in the longest German word and how to read and translate these mile long words?

Check out our latest post to find out the answers to these questions, as well as some interesting facts about German compound words!

Did you know that one German word can be translated by more than 5-6 words of the English language?

Don't miss out on some of the funniest, most informative, and even frightening long German words!

Click on the link below to learn more! Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-17 14:22:33 German Mistakes to Avoid

Just because you're a native speaker doesn't mean you speak perfectly without mistakes! In this post, we'll analyze some popular mistakes Germans make in their speech. Here are some tips to help you speak correctly:

Als vs Wie
Germans often make mistakes with the conjunctions ALS/WIE when comparing. "Ich bin größer WIE du" (I am taller than HOW you are) should be "Ich bin größer ALS du". Use WIE for sentences like "Ich bin genauso groß WIE du" (I am as tall as HOW you are).

Dasselbe vs Das Gleiche
This is the second most common mistake. DASSELBE means physically the same item, while DAS GLEICHE means "the same" with regards to its qualities. Don't end up in awkward situations like saying "Ich will dasselbe Eis!" (I want the same ice cream), when in fact you just want your own ice cream.

Word Order in a Sentence
While word order is important, in colloquial speech, it often doesn't matter where the verb stands. In unprepared speech, it's okay to put the verb closer to the meaning of the sentence rather than at the very end. Check out our article for more tips.

Gehen vs Laufen
Laufen is not only "to run" but also "to go" and is used in colloquial speech much more often than gehen. Learn how to use these verbs correctly and use important constructions like "Ich bin heute bei ihr vorbeigegangen" (I stopped by her house today).

Don't make these mistakes and speak like a native German! For more tips, check out our full article - click the button below. Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-16 12:26:56 Mastering Apologies in German: A Comprehensive Guide on Saying Sorry, Pardon, and Asking for Forgiveness

Apologizing is an essential part of human interaction, and understanding how to say sorry in different languages can be helpful. If you're in Germany and need to apologize, it's crucial to know how to express yourself in the local language. In this post, I'll provide you with a one-stop guide on how to say sorry, ask for forgiveness, and pardon in German.

1. Entschuldigung - Sorry / Excuse me
"Entschuldigung" is a versatile word in German that can be used to mean "sorry," "excuse me," or even "pardon." It's commonly used to get someone's attention, to apologize for a minor mistake or inconvenience, or to ask for forgiveness.

For example:
- Entschuldigung, können Sie mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist? (Excuse me, can you tell me where the train station is?)
- Entschuldigung, ich habe Ihre Tasche aus Versehen genommen. Können Sie mir bitte verzeihen? (Sorry, I accidentally took your bag. Can you please forgive me?)

2. Das tut mir leid - I'm sorry / I feel bad (feeling sympathy)
"Das tut mir leid" is a phrase that expresses sympathy and is used when you're sorry for something that has happened to someone else. It's an appropriate phrase to use when someone has experienced a loss or is going through a difficult time.

For example:
- Das tut mir leid, dass Sie Ihren Job verloren haben. (I feel bad that you lost your job.)

3. Es tut mir leid - I'm sorry (apologizing)
"Es tut mir leid" is a direct apology that expresses regret for something you've done. It's used when you've made a mistake or done something wrong.

For example:
- Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät gekommen bin. (I'm sorry that I was late.)
- Es tut mir leid, dass ich deinen Geburtstag vergessen habe. (I'm sorry that I forgot your birthday.)

4. Entschuldigen Sie bitte - Asking for something / Asking for forgiveness
"Entschuldigen Sie bitte" is a polite way to ask for something or apologize for something you've done. It's commonly used in formal settings or when speaking to someone you don't know well.

For example:
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, könnten Sie mir sagen, wie spät es ist? (Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?)
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, dass ich zu spät gekommen bin. (I'm sorry that I was late.)

When to Use "Sorry" in German Culture

In German culture, apologizing is seen as a sign of humility and respect. It's important to say sorry when you've made a mistake or caused someone else inconvenience. Germans value punctuality and reliability, so being late or canceling plans at the last minute can be seen as rude. Saying sorry in these situations can help to smooth things over and show that you respect the other person's time and effort.

In conclusion, knowing how to say sorry, ask for forgiveness, and pardon in German is an essential skill to have when communicating with locals. By using the phrases mentioned in this article, you'll be able to express yourself effectively and navigate different social situations. Remember, apologizing is not only about saying the right words but also about showing genuine remorse and making amends. Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-14 18:47:21 Feelings and emotions in German

Happiness: To express happiness in German, you can use the word "Glück" or "Freude". For example, "Ich bin glücklich" means "I am happy" and "Ich freue mich" means "I am delighted".

Sadness: To express sadness in German, you can use the word "Traurigkeit". For example, "Ich bin traurig" means "I am sad".

Anger: To express anger in German, you can use the word "Wut". For example, "Ich bin wütend" means "I am angry".

Tiredness: To express tiredness in German, you can use the word "Müdigkeit". For example, "Ich bin müde" means "I am tired".

Confusion: To express confusion in German, you can use the word "Verwirrung". For example, "Ich bin verwirrt" means "I am confused".

Excitement: To express excitement in German, you can use the word "Aufregung". For example, "Ich bin aufgeregt" means "I am excited".

Disappointment: To express disappointment in German, you can use the word "Enttäuschung". For example, "Ich bin enttäuscht" means "I am disappointed".

Love: To express love in German, you can use the word "Liebe". For example, "Ich liebe dich" means "I love you".

Sickness: To express sickness in German, you can use the word "Krankheit". For example, "Ich bin krank" means "I am sick".

That's it for today's post! I hope you found these expressions useful. Don't forget to practice using them in your daily conversations to improve your German skills. Bis bald! Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-13 16:18:23 “You’re Welcome” in German: 13 Ways to Accept Gratitude

You wouldn’t leave someone hanging after they graciously say “Danke,” would you?

In any language, German included, it’s important to learn not just how to give thanks, but also how to properly accept gratitude.

A simple “you’re welcome” can carry more weight than you think, especially to whoever is showing their appreciation to you.

Here are 13 kind ways to acknowledge thanks in German:

Bitte – You’re welcome
Bitte schön / Bitte sehr — You’re very welcome
Gern geschehen / Gerne — My pleasure
Aber gerne doch — But of course
Nichts zu danken — It was nothing
Kein Problem — No problem
Keine Ursache — No problem / worries
Nicht dafür — Don’t mention it
Passt schon — It’s okay
War mir ein Vergnügen — It was my pleasure
Na klar — Sure
Jederzeit wieder — Anytime
Segne es Gott — God bless you Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-12 11:00:08 Learning to express yourself beautifully and correctly. Some useful German vocabulary.

🗨 German phrases used at the beginning of a letter or dialogue.

Ich hoffe ... = I hope ...

Ich schreibe, um zu sagen ... = I write to say ...

Ich freue mich wirklich darauf zu ... = I am really glad ...

Ich bin sehr dankbar für Ihre Hilfe = I am very grateful for your help ...

Ich interessiere mich für … or mich interessiert... = I am interested in…

Es kümmert mich nicht, es ist mir egal = I don't care (that) ...

🗨 German phrases that show your opinion.

Ich nehme an ... = I suppose ...

Meiner Ansicht nach ... = From my point of view ...

Meiner Meinung nach ... = In my opinion ...

Ich bin überzeugt ... = I am convinced ...

Ich bin (mir) sicher = I'm sure

Persönlich glaube ich ... = Personally, I think ...

Viele Menschen glauben ... = Many people think ...

Soweit ich mich erinnere ... = As far as I remember ...

Aus meiner Sicht ... = From my point of view ...

Zugegebenermaßen = As recognized

🗨 Introductory words and phrases in German that indicate your opposite opinion.

Jedoch = However

Trotz unserer ... = Despite our ...

Im Gegensatz dazu ... = In contrast ...

Auf der anderen Seite ... = On the other hand ...

Im Vergleich zu den anderen ... = Compared to others ...

.. unterscheidet sich deutlich von ... = .. clearly different from ...

🗨More introductory words and phrases in German.

Definitiv = Definitely

Kein Wunder ... = No wonder ...

In der Tat, (ist er) ... = In essence, (he is) ...

Es überrascht nicht, (dass) ... = No wonder (what) ...

Wie wäre es damit ... = How about ...

Im Laufe der letzten 2 Tage… = During the last two days

Während der letzten 2 Tage = In the last two days ...

Abgesehen von den negativen Auswirkungen ... = In addition to the negative impact that ...

Einer der Beste (der Sport ist) ... = One of the merits (of sport is)

Dies kann nur geschehen, weil (die Studenten) ... = It can happen simply because (students) ...

🗨 Phrases used at the end of a dialogue or letter.

... insgesamt. =… In total.

Es wird geschätzt ... = it is valued...

Wenn es nicht mehr ... = If it's not anymore ...

Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen. = Summarizing.

Ergänzend ……. = Complementary…

Abschließend ... = In conclusion ... Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-11 08:58:07 Express gratitude in German!

Today we will review how to express gratitude in German

Officially Germans use a short adjective “grateful” - zu Dank verpflichtet sein:

I am very (so deeply, extremely) grateful to you! Ich bin Ihnen sehr zu Dank (so zu Dank, zu tiefem Dank, zu äußerstem Dank) verpflichtet!

How grateful to you! Ich bin Ihnen zutiefst dankbar!

For example:

You have done a lot for me. I am deeply grateful to you. - Sie haben sehr viel für mich getan. Ich bin Ihnen zu tiefem Dank verpflichtet.

The same can be expressed in a complex sentence indicating the causal justification of gratitude:

I thank you for ... Ich bin Ihnen für noun. in Akk. (zu Dank verpflichtet)

I am grateful to you that ... Ich bin Ihnen dankbar (zu Dank verpflichtet) dafür, dass ... / Ich bin Ihnen dankbar (zu Dank verpflichtet), weil ...

For example:

- I am very grateful to you for the provided help. - Ich bin Ihnen sehr dankbar für die erwiesene Hilfe.

- I am very grateful to you for reading my article. - Ich bin Ihnen sehr zu Dank verpflichtet, weil Sie meinen Artikel gelesen haben.

Statements with the word “grateful” - dankbar sein, are applicable in a formal communication environment. Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-09 21:11:06 HOW DO YOU DEFINE AN ADJECTIVE?
Let's learn the basic endings:

- lich:
freundlich - friendly
sportlich - sporty
glücklich - happy

- isch:
fantastisch - fantastic
exotisch - exotic
optimistisch - optimistic

- sch:
falsch - wrong, mistaken
hübsch - beautiful, pretty, nice

- ig:
richtig - right
dreckig - dirty
lustig - funny, amusing

- lig:
billig - cheap, inexpensive, primitive
langweilig - boring
heilig - holy

- bar:
wunderbar - wonderful
furchtbar - horrible
genießbar - edible

- los:
sinnlos - meaningless
bewusstlos - unconscious
arbeitslos - unemployed

- haft:
ekelhaft - nasty, disgusting
zauberhaft - charming
dauerhaft - durable, solid

- sam:
langsam - slow
seltsam - strange
sparsam - economical, thrifty

- voll:
wertvoll - precious
sinnvoll - expedient, sensible
qualvoll - painful

- reich:
hilfreich - useful
zahlreich - numerous
kalorienreich - calorific

- ant:
interessant - interesting
elegant - elegant
riskant - risky

- al:
fatal - fatal
total - total

- ell:
offiziell - official
originell - original
visuell - visual

- iv:
aggressiv - aggressive
intensiv - intense
kreativ - creative

- ös:
seriös - serious
nervös - nervous
religiös - religious

- ern:
modern - modern
nüchtern - sober

- end:
spannend - exciting, intense
passend - fit
fließend - fluent, flowing Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-04 14:50:16 35 beautiful words about feelings and emotions

der Enthusiasmus - enthusiasm

das Entzücken - excitement

das Interesse - interest

die Erleichterung - relief

die Langweile - boredom

die Unruhe - anxiety

die Erregung - excitement

das Missvergnügen - dissatisfaction

die Unzufriedenheit - unhappiness

die Traurigkeit - sadness

das Leiden - suffering

der Kummer - sorrow

das Unglück - misfortune

die Angst - fear

die Wut - anger

die Empörung - resentment

die Geduld - patience

die Selbstbeherrschung - self-control

die Festigkeit - firmness

die Tapferkeit - courage

die Willensstärke - willpower

die Entschlossenheit - determination

die Sicherheit - confidence

die Schwäche - weakness

die Schwankung - hesitation

der Zweifel - doubt

die Feigheit - cowardice

der Verdacht - suspicion

der Unglaube - disbelief

das Misstrauen - distrust

die Intoleranz - intolerance

die Höflichkeit - politeness.

der Takt - tact

die Liebenswürdigkeit - courtesy

die Manierlichkeit - good manners Öffnen / Wie

2023-03-01 13:18:04 German idioms and their translations

Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen. - Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Alles zu seiner Zeit. - All things have their time.

Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden. - Time is the best healer.

Ohne Fleiß kein Preis. - You won't catch fish out of the pond without hard work. (Without diligence there is no reward.)

Jeder hat sein Päckchen zu tragen. - Everyone has his own concerns.

Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold. - A word is silver, silence is gold.

Die Katze lässt das Mausen nicht. - All you feed a wolf, he still looks into the woods.

Das Ei will klüger sein als die Henne. - The eggs do not teach the hen. (The egg wants to be smarter than the hen.)

Viele Köpfe, viele Sinne. - As many heads, as many minds.

Freunde in der Not gehen hundert auf ein Lot. - Friends in need go a hundred to a lot.

Durch Schaden wird man klug. - One learns from mistakes.

Man lernt nie aus! - We learn for a lifetime!

Eine Schwalbe macht noch keinen Sommer. - One swallow does not make a spring.

Es ist noch kein Meister vom Himmel gefallen. - Gods do not burn pots.

Wer andern eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein. - Do not dig a hole for others, you will fall into it yourself.

Man muss die Menschen nehmen, wie sie sind. - A man must be accepted as he is.

Man soll nie die Bärenhaut verkaufen, bevor man den Bären erlegt hat. - Without killing the bear, do not sell the skins.

Liebe macht blind. - Love is blind. / Love is evil, you'll love a goat.

Ende gut, alles gut. - All's well that ends well.

Morgenstunde hat Gold im Munde. - The early hour has gold in its mouth. / He who rises early, God gives to him.

Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall. - Arrogance comes before the fall.

In einer rauher Schale steckt oft ein guter (süßer) Kern. - Beneath the rough rind there is often sweet fruit. / The tree is crooked, but the apples are sweet. Öffnen / Wie