Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
Foolish Assumptions 3
Icons Used in This Book 3
Where to Go from Here 4
Chapter 1: I Say It How? Speaking German 5
The German You Know 5
Friendly allies (perfect cognates) 5
Kissing cousins (near cognates) 7
False friends 9
Lenders and borrowers 11
Mouthing Off: Basic Pronunciation 13
Pronouncing vowels 14
Pronouncing umlauts 15
Pronouncing diphthongs 16
Pronouncing consonants 17
Identifying a new letter: ß 18
Pronouncing combinations of consonants 19
Using Popular Expressions 21
Chapter 2: Grammar on a Diet: Just the Basics 23
Looking at the Types of Words 23
Nouns 23
Adjectives 25
Verbs 26
Adverbs 27
Figuring Out Simple Sentence Construction 27
Arranging words in the right order 27
Independent clauses: Putting the verb in second place 28
Dependent clauses: Pushing the verb to the end 28
Forming questions 29
The Tenses: Present, Past, and Future 30
Looking at the present 30
Talking about the past: Using the perfect tense 31
Writing about the past: Using simple past tense 36
Talking about the future 37
Getting Funky: Reflexive and Separable Verbs 38
Right back at you: Reflexive verbs 38
Knowing when to separate your verbs 40
Putting the Language in the Right Case 41
Nominative case 41
Accusative case 42
Dative case 42
Genitive case 42
Why all these cases matter 42
Getting Formal or Informal 48
Chapter 3: Numerical Gumbo: Counting of All Kinds 49
1, 2, 3: Cardinal Numbers 49
The First, Second, Third, and So On 51
Telling Time 53
Telling time the “old-fashioned” way: From 1 to 12 54
Using the 24-hour routine: 0 to 24 55
Times of the day 56
Monday, Tuesday: Weekdays 56
Using the Calendar and Dates 58
Covering the units of the calendar 58
The basic names of the months 59
Describing events in specific months 59
Naming specific times in the months 60
Keeping track of dates 60
Money, Money, Money 62
Changing currency 63
Heading to the ATM 64
Chapter 4: Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk 67
Hello! Greetings and Introductions 67
Saying hello and good-bye 68
Asking “How are you?” 68
Replying to “How are you?” 69
Introducing yourself and others 70
So Where Are You From? 72
Asking people where they come from 73
Understanding nationalities 74
What Languages Do You Speak? 76
Talking about Yourself 78
Describing your work 78
Giving out your address and phone number 80
Talking about Your Family 81
Talking about the Weather 84
Chapter 5: Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (or Meal!) 85
Is It Time to Eat Yet? 85
Setting the Table 87
Going Out to a Restaurant 87
Distinguishing places to eat 88
Making reservations 89
Arriving and being seated 91
Deciphering the menu 92
Placing your order 96
Replying to “How did you like the food?” 97
Getting the Check 97
Chapter 6: Shop ’til You Drop 99
Heading Out on the Town 99
Getting around the store 100
Browsing with style 102
Getting assistance 102
Shopping politely 103
Shopping for Clothes 104
Color me German 105
Trying it on 107
Hitting the Markets 109
Finding what you need 110
Asking for amounts 111
Paying the Bill 113
Chapter 7: Making Leisure a Top Priority 115
Figuring Out What You Want to Do 115
Going to the movies 116
Going to the museum 118
Bringing down the (opera) house 118
How Was the Show? Talking about Entertainment 120
Going to a Party 122
Talking about Hobbies and Interests 124
Playing Sports 125
Exploring the Outdoors 127
Getting out and going 127
Things to see along the way 127
Going to the mountains 128
Going to the country 130
Going to the sea 130
Chapter 8: When You Gotta Work 131
Phoning Made Simple 131
Asking for your party 132
Making the connection 132
Leaving messages 133
Saying good-bye 134
Making Appointments 136
Sending a Letter, Fax, or E-Mail 137
Sending a letter or postcard 138
Sending a fax or an e-mail 140
Getting Around at the Office 140
Mastering your desk and supplies 141
Elsewhere in the office 142
Chapter 9: Getting Around: Transportation 143
On the Move: Types of Transportation 143
At the airport 144
At the train station 146
Catching the bus 148
Getting a taxi 150
Renting a car 150
Dealing with Passports, Visas, and Customs 152
Your passport and visa 152
Going through immigration 153
Going through customs 154
Asking for Help with Directions 155
Going Here and There 156
Asking “How Do I Get There?” 157
Describing a Position or Location 157
Going Right, Left, North, South, East, and West 159
Getting on the Move 160
Driving Around in German 161
Chapter 10: Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head 165
Scoping Out a Hotel 165
Reserving Rooms 166
Checking In: Names, Addresses, and Room Numbers 168
How long are you staying? 168
Filling out the registration form 169
Understanding the key game 170
Asking about amenities and facilities 170
Checking Out and Paying the Bill 173
Asking for your bill 173
Parting shots at the hotel 173
Chapter 11: Dealing with Emergencies 175
Asking for Help with Accidents 175
Shouting for help 175
Reporting a problem 176
Asking for English-speaking help 176
Going to the Doctor or Hospital 177
Describing what ails you 178
Announcing any special conditions 178
Getting an examination 179
Specifying parts of the body 180
Getting the diagnosis 181
Getting treatment 182
Talking to the Police 183
Describing what was stolen 184
Answering questions from the police 185
Protecting your rights abroad 186
Chapter 12: Ten Favorite German Expressions 187
Alles klar! 187
Geht in Ordnung 187
Kein Problem 188
Guten Appetit! 188
Deine Sorgen mochte ich haben! 188
Das darf doch wohl nicht wahr sein! 188
Mir reicht’s! 189
Wie schon! 189
Genau 189
Stimmt’s? 189
Chapter 13: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local 191
Das ist ja toll! 191
Ruf mich an! / Rufen Sie mich an! 191
Was ist los? 192
Keine Ahnung 192
Gehen wir! 192
Nicht zu fassen! 192
Du hast Recht! / Sie haben Recht! 192
Auf keinen Fall! 193
Nicht schlecht! 193
Das ist mir (vollig) egal 193
Index 195
