Lektionsüberblick

Now that you can talk more specifically about your home’s interior, let’s look at how to talk about your home’s surroundings, including building and landmarks. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to 1) talk about a typical city,  2) talk about the location of your apartment and the university, and 3) explain how to get to the university from your apartment.

1) Die typische Stadt

There is much to see and do in the downtown area of a city (die Innenstadt). Many German towns also have an old town (die Altstadt). Here are some other places you might see. The first list is full of cognates (words that are similar in both English and German).

Now for words that might require a little more practice…

2) Meine Wohnungslage

Do you live across the street from a supermarket? Do you live nearby a university? You’ll need to know some new words to express these types of relationships. Look at the sentences and pictures below. Then practice. Be sure to click through to each question.

Barbara sagt: “Ich wohne einem Restaurant gegenüber.”

Anja und Dirk sagen: “Wir wohnen in der Nähe von der Uni.”

Karl sagt: “Ich wohne neben dem Bach.”

3) Wegbeschreibungen

Some people are good with giving and following directions to new places. Others might find this challenging in any language. But knowing the words and phrases is always the first step. Read and listen to these flashcards, then practice using your new words and phrases.

In addition to telling someone how to go from A to B, you may also want to say how you go from A to B. In the following text, you will read (and hear) how Sebi describes their way to the university. They will answer the questions: Sebi, wo wohnst du und wie kommst du zur Uni?

Sebi sagt: Ich wohne in einem kleinen Zimmer in einem Studierendenwohnheim. Die Universität ist in der Nähe davon. Ich komme aus meinem Wohnheim und biege nach rechts ab.  Ich gehe die Straße entlang zum Park. Ich gehe durch den Park und dann über die Brücke. Ich biege nach links ab und die Universität ist direkt vor mir. 

Let’s practice. Be sure to click through to each question.