Buttertongue: Speak German like a native - Step 3 (B1-I)

Let’s concentrate on the conjugation

The conjugation of verbs is very important, so we are going to practice it more in this lesson. To concentrate on the conjugation itself, we are going to have a look at it in the present tense. If you are used to the change of the ending of the verbs, it is recommended that you practice the conjugation of various verbs by yourselves.

The future and the past (present perfect)

From lesson 46 to 48 are about present, future, past, present perfect, past perfect tenses. Moreover, we are going to learn the conjugation of verbs with those tenses. We have actually learned those once in the previous lessons. The tense and the conjugation are crucial in making sentences. As such, we are doing a review about that.

The past tense that expresses the past

In this lesson we are going to learn the past tense. Speaking of past tense, we have learned the three forms of verbs, 'present-past-perfect' in lesson 36. We have also learned the past tense of the verbs ‘sein’ and ‘haben’ in lesson 33. In this lesson, we only focus on the past tense and the form of common verbs in it.

Especially difficult vowels to pronounce

In this lesson we are going the study some vowels that are especially difficult to distinguish and pronounce. You might not feel that it is so difficult if you see a series of German vowels, but it is difficult to pronounce properly.

Declension of adjectives depending on the indefinite article

Declension of adjectives depending on the definite article

In lesson 50, we have learned the adjectives with indefinite articles. As an extension of that, we are going to learn the declension of adjectives with definite articles in this lesson. Please review the definite articles before getting started just as you did in lesson 50.

An adjective before a noun without article.

In this lesson we are going to learn the adjectives that come before a noun without an article. Moreover, we learn everything about the declension of adjectives by having a review on lesson 50 and 51.

We have a lot to learn about ‘zu Infintiv’

The word 'Infinitiv' from ‘zu Infinitiv’ stands for the infinitive verbs that are in 'an undecided form'. The person or the tense has not been decided. It means 'infinitive with to' in English.

‘Dass’ refers to 'that' in English

You know the subordinate clause ‘that’ is used as a conjunction in English. In German, ‘dass’ performs the same role. Normally, the subject of a ‘dass’ sentence is different from the subject of a main clause (Hauptsatz). But they can also be the same in certain situations.

Relative pronouns follow the gender of the antecedent, and get their case from the subordinate clause

In this lesson we are going to learn the relative pronoun. It is more complicated than the English one.

A relative pronoun follows the gender of its antecedent. It means that it also follows whether it is singular or plural. There is no gender in plural. The case is determined by its function in the subordinate clause.

Reflexive pronouns and German

There are quite lots of verbs that need reflexive pronouns (Reflexivpronomen). This might be because of the unique characteristics of the language. German always likes to express 'whom(Akkusativ)'or 'to whom(Dativ)' properly. For instance, in a direct translation, 'Ich wasche mir die Hände', is ‘I wash myself the hands’. As such, you need a sense of what is natural to understand why they used ‘myself’ even if it feels like it is unnecessary to use it. It might take some time to understand as an English speaker.

Separable, inseparable verbs

Today we are going to learn the separable verbs. 'Trennbar' means 'separable'. In a declarative sentence, a part of the verb is separated and goes to the end of the sentence. If the verb is put to the back just as in the subordinate clause, the verb is not separated.

The irregular verbs you need to memorize by speaking out loud

Again, here are some irregular verbs you have to memorize. As you know, the conjugation of irregular verbs is <'-en'(infinitive, present) → '-t'(past tense) → 'ge-t'(perfect tense)>. Unfortunately, verbs do not always follow this pattern.

Passive and active

German and English are relatives in language, so if you understand the passive in English, it will be easy to learn the passive in German.

It’s lesson 60 already!

This is the last lesson of 'Schritt 3'. Those who have learned 'Schritt 1' and 'Schritt 2' might already have noticed what lesson 60 is about. Let’s have a review of some important things we have learned through the lessons.