Langenscheidt Basic German Vocabulary PDF

Preview

Summary

-l L L I I. Abbreviations AE amerikan. Englisch American English Akk. Akkusativ accusative Adj. Adjektiv adjective Adv. Adverb adverb BE brit. Englisch British English dem. demonstrativ demonstrative f feminin feminin Gen. Genitiv genitive indekl. indeklinabel indeclinable Komp. Komparation comparit...

Description

-l

L L

I.

I

Abbreviations AE Akk. Adj. Adv. BE dem. f Gen. indekl. Komp. Konj. Mod.v. m n (german column) n (engl. column)

F! PI. Pron. Prap. sg. V

Vh. V/refl. v/t. EP.

amerikan. Englisch Akkusativ Adjektiv Adverb brit. Englisch demonstrativ feminin Genitiv indeklinabel Komparation Konjunktion Modalverb maskulin neutrum Nomen Person Plu'ral Pronomen Praposition Singular Verb intransitivesVerb reflexives Verb transitives Verb reziprok

Pronunciation see p. 419

American English accusative adjective adverb British English demonstrative feminin genitive indeclinable comparition conjunction modal verb masculine neuter noun person plural pronoun preposition singular verb intransitive verb reflexive Verb transitive verb reciprocal

LANGENSCHEIDT

Basic German Vocabulary A Learner’s Dictionary divided into subject categories with example sentences

Edited by the German as a Foreign Language Department

LANGENSCHEIDT BERLIN

. MUNICH.

VIENNA. ZURICH . NEW YORK

Translation: Carol L. & Charles J. James

The spelling in Basic German Vocabulary corresponds to the Orthography Reform of 1998.

0 1991 Langenscheidt KG, Berlin and Munich All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publishers. Printed in Germany. ISBN 3-468-49 400-9

Contents

Who needs a “Basic Vocabulary”? ........................... Why a “Basic Vocabulary”? ................................. Why a bilingual “Basic Vocabulary”? ......................... Whythesewords? ....................................... How is the “Basic Vocabulary” arranged?...................... “Langenscheidt’s Basic German Vocabulary” and “Workbook” . . . . . How to work with the “Basic Vocabulary”? ..................... Notes ..................................................

VII VII VII Vlll Vlll IX X XI

Topical Concepts I 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8

3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.1 1

The Human Being ...............................

TheBody ......................................... Appearance ...................................... MindandReason .................................. Character ........................................ Pleasant and Neutral Emotions ....................... Negative Emotions ................................. Health and Illness (See also: Doctor and Hospital 5.9). . . . . . LifeandDeath .....................................

Actions and Activities

...........................

The Senses and Body Functions ...................... Hygiene and Cleanliness ............................ Doing ........................................... Movement and Rest ................................ Moving of Objects and Beings ........................ GivingandTaking .................................. Handling Objects and Beings ......................... Learning and Knowledge (See also: School and Education 8.4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 1 5 7 12 15 18 23 26 30 30 34 37 43 49 51 55 76

Language and Speech Intentions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85 General ......................................... . 85 Speech ......................................... . 87 Writing and Reading ............................... . 91 Information ...................................... . 93 Expressing Opinions............................... . 96 Acceptance and Rejection .......................... 100 Certainity and Doubt ............................... . 105 Positive Evaluation and Neutrality..................... 112 Negative Evaluation ............................... 118 Wish. Request. Order .............................. 120 Courtesy Formulas. Exclamations. ConversationalFillers . . . 124

. . . .

................................

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9

Identification ...................................... Family and Relatives ................................ SocialTies ........................................ Professions ....................................... Social Position .................................... Positive and Neutral Social Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Negative Social Behavior ............................ Contacts and Events................................ Fate and Coincidence ...............................

126 126 128 134 135 140 140 145 147 151

5

Every Day Life...................................

155 155 160 163 168 173 176 181 183 186

Business and Administration.....................

190 190 191 201 207 215 219 222

The Arts and Fields of Interest....................

229 229 234 236 239 241

Public Life ......................................

245 245 255 260 264

4

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9

6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7

7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5

8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4

Man and Society

HouseandApartment............................... Furnishings ....................................... Bask Commodities ................................ Clothing and Jewelry ............................... Meals, Restaurant .................................. Groceries. Food ................................... Fruits and Vegetables ............................... Drinking and Smoking............................... DoctorandHospital ................................

General .......................................... Storesandshopping ............................... MoneyandProperty ................................ Work ............................................ Postoffice.Telephone ............................... Authorities. Police .................................. Law .............................................

Theater. Film. FineArts .............................. Music ........................................... Media ........................................... Leisure Activities ................................... Sports ...........................................

Government and Politics............................. Warand Peace .................................... Church and Religion ................................ SchoolandEducation...............................

v 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6

10 10.1 10.2

11

Environment ....................................

269 269 271 274 279 283 284

.......................

288 288 292

Travel and Traffic ................................

296 296 301 304 308

City.Town. Village .................................. Landscape ....................................... Nature: General.................................... Animals .......................................... Plants ........................................... Weather and Climate ...............................

Technology and Materials

Technology ....................................... Materials .........................................

11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4

Travel ............................................ Street Traffic ...................................... Vehicles .......................................... Rail. Plane. Ship ...................................

12

Countries and People

12.1 12.2

........................... 311 Geographical Names ............................... 312 Nationalities. Inhabitants. Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

General Concepts Time ...........................................

13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.6.1 13.6.2 13.6.3 13.6.4 13.6.5 13.5.6

Division of the Year ................................. The Names of the Months ............................ Weekdays ........................................ TimesofDay ...................................... ClockTime ....................................... Other Concepts of Time ............................. Nouns ........................................... Verbs ............................................ Adjectives ........................................ Adverbs .......................................... Prepositions ...................................... Conjunctions ......................................

316 316 318 318 319 320 321 321 323 326 328 333 334

14

Spatial Concepts................................

335 335 338 340 346

13

14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4

Nouns ........................................... Adjectives ........................................ Adverbs .......................................... Prepositions ......................................

VI Quantity and Measure ...........................

15.1 15.2 15.3

Concepts of Quantity ............................... Cardinal Numbers.................................. Measurementsand Weights ..........................

348 348 354 355

16

Order and Reference ............................

358 358 366

15

16.1 16.2

Order, Division..................................... Ordinal Numbers...................................

17

Ways and Methods, Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368

17.1 17.2

WaysandMethods ................................. Degree. Comparison ................................

368 369

18

Colors ..........................................

374

19

Forms ..........................................

375

20

Cause and Effect ................................

377

21

Condition and Change...........................

381

Structure Words 22

Pronouns .......................................

22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6

383 383 Personal Pronouns ................................. Reflexive Pronouns ................................. 382 Possessive Adjectives............................... 387 DemonstrativeAdjectives ............................ 387 Question Pronouns, Relative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388 Indefinite Pronouns................................. 389

23

Conjunctions ...................................

391

24

Adverbs ........................................

394

Index

.................................................

396

Pronunciation .........................................

419

VII Who needs a “Basic Vocabulary”? Any student learning a foreign language must master a certain vocabulary base before he or she can communicate or read in that language. Acquisition of that base vocabulary requires study, often outside of the classroom setting. Langenscheidt’s Basic German Vocabulary is designed to facilitate the acquisition of that core vocabulary in the easiest and most efficient manner possible. It is meant for use by beginning learners with no previous knowledgeof the German language, by more advanced students as a review and for test preparation, and by anyone as preparation for pleasure or business travel into a German-speaking country. Those who have successfully worked through Langenscheidt’s Basic German Vocabulary will have the necessary knowledge to function and communicate in all everyday situations in German.

Why a “BasicVocabulary”? The German Language, like any other language, is comprised of millions of words, yet 50 YO of normal spoken and written texts are comprised of only 66 words. Students rightfully ask, which words do I have to learn in order to carry on an everyday conversation or read a text written for the average German speaker? The magic answer is usually 2,000 words, i.e., a student who has mastered the basic 2,000 core vocabulary words has learnedthe most important words used in 80% of all written and oral communication. Langenscheidt’s “Basic German Vocabulary” contains two times 2,000 words.The core 2,000 words are followed by a second group of the 2,000 next most frequently used words which comprise afurther 5 YO-10 YOof all written and oral communication. The division of the thematically-organized entries into two groups, “1 -2,000” and “2,001 -4,000”, identifies for the learner those words which should be learned immediately and those which can be reserved for second level learning. Once they have mastered the first 2,000 words, students have the option of increasing their vocabulary over a wide subject range, or concentrating on specific areas of interest, such as law, economics, etc.

Why a bilingual “Basic Vocabulary”? The use of the target language to teach the language is the norm in most programs today. Usually a new word is explained in simple German and illustrated with practical examples. The practical teaching situation, however, requires flexibility in using the native language, especially when difficult concepts need to be clarified.

Vlll Therefore, many monolingual textbooks have bilingual vocabulary lists or glossaries. Because it is meant to be used independently by the learner to study and review outside class, a text like the Basic Vocabulary must be 100% bilingual. It is not meant to, and should not, replace a regular GermanEnglish/English-German dictionary where a learner can find many more words and definitions, nor a comprehensive grammar text. The Basic Vocabulary is only meant to serve as a supplement for study and learning.

Why these words? Langenscheidt’s Basic Vocabulary selects the most important words for a student to learn and use. The Basic Vocabulary is based on evaluation of numerous lists of basic German vocabulary published in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries.All the important sources of information on word frequency in written and spoken German were considered. An exact source list would go beyond the purpose of this introduction.For those interested, we mention here the vocabulary statistics of Kaeding, Meier, Ortmann, the Mannheimer Korpus 1 and 2, the Bonner Zeitungskorpus and the minimum vocabulary lists prepared by the Council of Europe, vocabulary for the “Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache” (Certificate of German as a Foreign Language),the “Deutscher Volkshochschulverband” (GermanAdult EducationAssociation) and the Goethe Institute. The choice of words was not based only on frequency. Factors such as how familiar and useful a word is in everyday conversation were also considered. Langenscheidt’s experience in producing dictionaries and teaching materials also helped. The critical choice of example sentences was made by native speakers on an outside of our regular staff.

How is the “Basic Vocaljulary” arranged? Words and expressions in Langenscheidt‘s Basic Vocabulary German are arranged by topic, not simply in alphabetical order. Educational research indicates that trying to learn words alphabetically is not effective. Similarities in orthography lead to confusion and spelling errors. Most importantly, words are very difficult to learn without context and topic. Alphabetical arrangement can become an obstacle to correct use in a specific thematic situation. Learning basic words in subject areas is easier and more effective. The contextual relationships among words and the physical proximity of words on the page encourage the development of associations in memory. For all these reasons, we emphasize learning in subject areas.

IX In addition to the thematic presentation, all entries are presented contextually, i.e., sample sentences accompany each basic word and its pronunciation. The presentation of the basic word in sentences is important because the learner sees the word used correctly.The danger of using the word later in the wrong context will disappear. Example sentences often can be used word-for-word because they are taken from common everyday speech an represent frequently used idiomatic expressions. In the Workbook to the Basic Vocabulary there are further examples of usage. In each of the sample sentences, care has been taken so that the vocabulary used, as far as possible, does not include any words beyond those found in the basic vocabulary.

“Langenscheidt’sBasic German Vocabulary” and “Workbook” The Workbook accompanies the Basic Vocabulary. It is left up to the learner whether to study only with the Basic Vocabulary or to do further exercicesfor vocabulary building. For a quick and certain expansion of the vocabulary, we recommend the use of the workbook as well as the text. Systematic work with the two volumes creates a certain confidence in vocabulary building which helps the acquisition of new words. Although gender information and irregularverb forms are given next to the basic word, the text and Workbook are not meant to replace, but rather supplement, the use of a dictionary and grammar book. In some cases a word has various meanings which are clarified in the sample sentences. For example:

FuOball rfu:sbal] m, -(e)s, kein PI. FuBball ist bei uns die beliebteste Sportart.

football, soccer n Football is the most popular sport in our country. (footballas a game)

but

FuOball m, -(e)s, FuBballe Die FuBballe sind aus Leder.

football, soccer ball n Footballs are made of leather. (football as an object)

Naturally a vocabulary list cannot present all the meanings and uses of a word in all circumstances. For example, there are seldom-used forms of verbs that learners will not find here because they are not necessary for acquiring a basic knowledge of the language. There are also very few technical words included; only the common meanings of words are given.

Frequency of use and usefulness of the word determined inclusion into the Basic Vocabulary. Likewise, the Basic Vocabulary includes only a handful of the many compound words so common in German. But a solid knowledge of basic vocabulary should enable a learner to understand and build a wider vocabulary of compound words.

How to Work with the “Basic Vocabulary”? Here are nine suggestions for working with the material: 1. Learn the words in the “1-2,000’’ “2,001 -4,000” group later.

group first. Do those in the

2. Take advantage of the arrangement by subject area. Don’t work on a page-by-page basis, but try to cover one topic at a time (e.g., “Money”). The words of a subject area contain associations which aid memorization. Use the designations of subject areas as learning aids. 3. Work through the individual categories one by one, first covering those whose topics most appeal to you. Always review each category already covered after working on a new category. 4. Set up your own learning system. Learn the amount of material that best suits you. Read an item (the main word in bold print with its example sentences) and memorize the category the word belongs in. Go through eight to ten words this way. Then cover the left column and repeat aloud the covered words. If you wish, also read aloud the sample sentence. Check your progress by uncovering the left column. Work through your “set” this way. Make a mark in the left margin next to the words you haven’t memorized yet and work on just those words. For the final check of each “set”, speak and write every word again. 5. Vary your study habits: Cover the right column instead of the left, and work as described in suggestion 4 above. Only learn the example sent...