German Vocabulary

German Vocabulary: Let’s Explore the Germanic Language

For centuries, German, also known as Deutch, has been one of the main languages spoken throughout Europe. It is the official language of not only Germany but also of Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. It is one of the top ten most spoken languages in the world with approximately 90 million native speakers and an estimated 150–200 million of people who speak it as a second language.

German is both a fascinating and complex language with many interesting aspects. Let’s explore some of the key features of this language, starting with its vocabulary.Snapshot of MacBook sitting on Desk in Office
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A Unique Vocabulary

The vocabulary of German is both vast and utterly unique as it is a part of the Indo-European language family. The majority of German words are derived from Latin, but its conjugations, prefixes, and suffixes are quite different from other languages that derive from Latin. German also contains some words from the English, Dutch, and French languages.

In addition to the usual words, German has many more that have been developed over the centuries. This is due to the German language being very innovative and ever evolving. There are hundreds of invented words throughout the language, stemming from the main noun, verb, and adjective forms. German is able to express thoughts differently with these words than other languages could.

Interestingly, German has also been heavily influenced by Jewish and Slavic languages as well. German also maintains many old words that were used centuries ago, with modern-day usage. All of these interesting facts prove that German is a complex and unique language.

Conjugation

German has a wide range of conjugations, that can make it quite tricky to master. The conjugations of German verbs change according to their gender, which is either masculine, feminine, or neuter. This can be difficult for English speakers to wrap their heads around but with practice, it can be grasped quickly.

In terms of nouns, each one has to have its article given with it. The article is either Der, Die, or Das depending on the gender of the noun and the case it is being used in the sentence. Pronouns also must have an article in front of them, which can make sentences difficult to construct.

Overall, it can take some serious patience to learn all of German’s conjugations and elements, but it is possible even for complete beginners. After sunrise the sun started defrosting the land, an amazing vieuw, every minute the circle around the trees was getting bigger.
Pascal van de Vendel @ Unsplash

Forms Of Address

German also has a unique system of addressing each other in different contexts. For example, in a formal setting, you would use Sie as the pronoun for you. Whereas if you are talking to a close family member or friend, you would use a more informal choice - du for “you”.

The type of person being addressed also influences the choice of words. For example, if someone is speaking to a woman they use the feminine form of the word. If someone is speaking to a man they would use the masculine form of the word.

Revolutionizing Your Vocabulary

If you want to extend your German vocabulary to new heights, you’re in luck. The internet is full of online courses and resources that can help you become a master of the German language.

There are great books and websites that detail the different aspects of the language. All of these great resources are in-depth with detail and can provide hours upon hours worth of material on the language. Plus, with all the amazing resources available, it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a beginner course or deep dive into the language.

What’s Next?

Now you know more about the complexity and clarity of the German language. What will you do with it? Will you explore the cultural aspects of the German language or start learning some of the basics?

No matter what you do, German would be a great place to start as it has been increasing in popularity as not only a foreign language but as a central language in Europe as well.

So, what’s next?

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