Hallo!

Zum Aufwärmen machen wir unseren Tagesminiplausch und eine Wiederholung.

Wiederholung

In the previous lesson, you learned characteristics that describe how a person is, specifically words that are cognates (similar to English). You also learned how you can add the prefix -un to make some adjectives the opposite. Let’s review what you have learned.

Lektionsüberblick

In this lesson, we will build on our work with characteristics (Eigenschaften) by introducing words that can indicate opposites. The ability to use a word like nicht (not) to make something it’s opposite can basically double your vocabulary. In the end, you will be able to 1) learn opposites of characteristics through the negation “nicht” and 2) name contrasting characteristics that describe yourself.

1) Character opposites with “nicht”

In the previous lesson, you learned that many adjectives can be negated by adding -un in front of them (e.g. pünktlich vs. unpünktlich). This happens in English too, right? (e.g. happy vs. unhappy). Similarly, English negates adjectives by placing the word “not” in front of them. Complete the activity below to see how German is similar.

Now let’s try it out.

2) Talking about contrasting characteristics

A key feature of many Märchen (fairy tales) are figures with diametrically opposed characteristics. Reading familiar Märchen in German can help you learn pairs of opposite adjectives (words that describe things).

Read below an excerpt in English of Aschenputtel, one of the fairy tales adapted by the famous Brothers Grimm. In the excerpt, look for examples of adjectives that describe the characters in the story. Then read through the 1857 German original. Can you find the matching German adjectives?

Now let’s see how we can use little words like and and but to build sentences and to add contrast. Be sure to click through to each question in the question set.

Interested in the rest of the tale? Check out the full story.

Österreich im Blickpunkt: Die Linzer Grottenbahn

Die Linzer Grottenbahn ist eine touristische Märchenwelt in einem der Befestigungstürme in Linz. Ein elektrisch angetriebener Zug in Drachengestalt namens Lenzibald fährt durch den äußeren Ring des historischen Wehrturms.

Auf der Fahrt kann man verschiedene Szenen aus bekannten Märchen sehen. Am Ende der Fahrt geht man durch eine bunte Festbeleuchtung.

The Grotto Railway in Linz is a touristy fairy tale world in one of the fortification towers in Linz. An electrically operated train in the form of a dragon named Lenzibald moves through the outer ring of the historical defense tower. The ride takes the visitors past a variety of scenes from well-known fairy tales. At the end of the ride goes through a colorfully illuminated tunnel.

 

Zum Schluß

In this lesson, you learned 1) opposites of characteristics through the negation “nicht” and 2) contrasting characteristics that describe yourself. If you are feeling unsure about any part of the expanded introduction, go back to that section and review.

Wie bist du? Look at all of the characteristics you have been introduced to and have learned in this and the last lesson. Write sentences describing yourself, Ich bin… and Ich bin nicht…. Practice using the positive form (e.g. ordentlich), the un– form (e.g. unordentlich), and the nicht-form (e.g. nicht ordentlich), depending on whether the word applies to you, or not. Are there other adjectives that could better describe you? Look them and then run them by your instructor. You do not want to ascribe a characteristic incorrectly to yourself.

When you are ready, record yourself in your audio journal.

 

*As you conclude this lesson, don’t forget to check Canvas!*

 

Media Attributions

• Cinderella by the Brothers Grimm in English (unnamed translator) adapted with small changes to more closely match the original German from The Project Gutenberg is under the Public Domain.
• Aschenputtel by the Brothers Grimm adapted from Wikimedia Commons is under the Public Domain.