Difference between revisions of "German lesson 4"
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[[Category:German Lessons|4]] | [[Category:German Lessons|4]] | ||
| − | + | #Introduction | |
| − | |||
| − | # | ||
German adjectives, like English ones, usually go in front of the noun they modify: "der gute Mann" (the good man), "das große Haus" (the big house/building), "die schöne Dame" (the pretty lady). Unlike English adjectives, a German adjective in front of a noun has to have an ending (-e in the examples above). Just what that ending will be depends on several factors, including gender (der, die, das) and case (nominative, accusative, dative). But most of the time the ending is an -e or an -en (in the plural). With ein-words, the ending varies according to the modified noun's gender (see below). | German adjectives, like English ones, usually go in front of the noun they modify: "der gute Mann" (the good man), "das große Haus" (the big house/building), "die schöne Dame" (the pretty lady). Unlike English adjectives, a German adjective in front of a noun has to have an ending (-e in the examples above). Just what that ending will be depends on several factors, including gender (der, die, das) and case (nominative, accusative, dative). But most of the time the ending is an -e or an -en (in the plural). With ein-words, the ending varies according to the modified noun's gender (see below). | ||
| Line 37: | Line 35: | ||
| − | + | #When are adjectives declined, and when not? | |
*Adjectives must be declined when: | *Adjectives must be declined when: | ||
| Line 48: | Line 46: | ||
| − | # | + | #Declension of Adjectives(German: Rektion) |
| + | The German term Rektion derives from Latin casus rectus, which is the basic case, the '''Nominative''' form. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Let us examine the topic in the view of syntax logic. It is Rektion that enables a preceding preposition to govern the declension case, thus narrowing the definition of the associated Satzglied. Satzglied is any of the phrase's word groups other than subject and predicate. The following frequently used prepositions are thus listed under the name of the case they demand (i.e. govern). By definition, no preposition governs casus rectus. | ||
| − | + | '''Accusative''': | |
| + | ab, bis, durch, entlang, für, gegen, ohne, um, wider | ||
| − | + | Examples: Er fährt ohne sie. Für Bargeld. Er handelt wider alle Vernunft. | |
| − | + | In addition, die direction-defining prepositions govern the accusative; ''See Dative'' | |
| − | auf | + | '''Dative''': |
| + | an, auf, aus, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen | ||
| + | Note: The dative case is governed only when a locality is defined. Test question: "wo?" (where?). When a direction is being defined, the accusative case is governed. Test question: "wohin?" (whither?) | ||
| − | + | Examples: aus dem Fenster (winken). An die Einfahrt (herfahren). | |
| − | + | '''Genitive''': | |
| + | abseits, anläßlich, anstatt, anstelle, aufgrund, außerhalb, diesseits, infolge, inmitten, innerhalb, jenseits, kraft, mittels, oberhalb, seitens, statt, ungeachtet, unterhalb, unweit, vermittels, während, wegen, zufolge | ||
| − | + | Example: Wegen des Unfalls | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The Germanic word for each case reflects how that case functions in the use of forms of who(wer, wen, wem, wessen): der Werfall (nom.), der Wenfall (acc.), der Wemfall (dat.) and der Wesfall (gen.). | |
| − | + | #The Endings of Declined Adjectives | |
| − | |||
There are three declension systems in German, Type I, stark (strong), Type II, schwach (weak), and Type III, gemischt (mixed). Each system declines in 3 genders and plural. We tabulate here Satzteil examples consisting of, at least, preposition + adjective + noun, which can thus be easily memorized and are of practical use. We indicate the adjective endings by hyphenating them to the word root. Each governing preposition example used is shown in parentheses. | There are three declension systems in German, Type I, stark (strong), Type II, schwach (weak), and Type III, gemischt (mixed). Each system declines in 3 genders and plural. We tabulate here Satzteil examples consisting of, at least, preposition + adjective + noun, which can thus be easily memorized and are of practical use. We indicate the adjective endings by hyphenating them to the word root. Each governing preposition example used is shown in parentheses. | ||
| − | # Declension Types | + | ##Declension Types |
| + | |||
=Type I, Strong Declension= | =Type I, Strong Declension= | ||
| Line 178: | Line 181: | ||
| + | =Type III, Mixed Declension= | ||
| + | {| border="0" width="100%" | ||
| + | |- align="left" style="background:#006699; color:white" | ||
| + | |width="10%"|<big>''Case''</big> | ||
| + | |width="20%"|<big>''Masculine''</big> | ||
| + | |width="20%"|<big>''Feminine''</big> | ||
| + | |width="20%"|<big>''Neuter''</big> | ||
| + | |width="30%"|<big>''Plural''</big> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |- align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" | ||
| + | | Nom. | ||
| + | | kein bunt'''er''' Stoff | ||
| + | | keine warm'''e''' Speise | ||
| + | | kein hart'''es''' Metall | ||
| + | | keine hart'''en''' Metalle | ||
| + | |- align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" | ||
| + | | Acc. | ||
| + | | (für) keinen bunt'''en''' Stoff | ||
| + | | (für) keine warm'''e''' Speise | ||
| + | | (für) kein hart'''es''' Metall | ||
| + | | (für) keine hart'''en''' Metalle | ||
| + | |- align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" | ||
| + | | Dat. | ||
| + | | (aus) keinem bunt'''en''' Stoff | ||
| + | | (aus) keiner warm'''en''' Speise | ||
| + | | (aus) keinem hart'''en''' Metall | ||
| + | | (aus) keinen hart'''en''' Metallen | ||
| + | |- align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" | ||
| + | | Gen. | ||
| + | | (statt) keines bunt'''en''' Stoffs | ||
| + | | (statt) keiner warm'''en''' Speise | ||
| + | | (statt) keines hart'''en''' Metalls | ||
| + | | (statt) keiner hart'''en''' Metalle | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Usage, where hyphen is placeholder for a possible ending, | ||
| + | |||
| + | * After an indefinite article (ein, eine, ein); | ||
| + | * After kein, keine, kein; | ||
| + | * After the possessive pronouns (e.g. mein-, dein-, sein-, ihr-, unser-, euer-). | ||
| − | + | Examples: | |
| − | + | * Vor keinem auch noch so großen Hindernis hat er sich gescheut. (Dat.,Neutr.) | |
| − | + | * Außerhalb seiner Bürozeit kann man ihn nicht erreichen. (Gen.,Fem.) | |
| − | + | * Durch seine lange Bürozeit ist er sehr unter Streß. (Akk. sein, Akk. Fem.) | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ##Parallel Declension | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | When several equivalent attributive adjectives are used, they are declined in ''parallel''. That is sharing of the same ending and comma separator. Examples: | |
| − | + | ein breiter, tiefer Graben | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | eines breiten, überaus tiefen Grabens | |
| + | |||
| + | auf bestem, holzfreiem, hochglänzendem Papier (on the best grade of pulp free, high gloss, paper) | ||
| + | |||
| + | eine große, nervige und ruhige Hand (a big, sensory, steady, hand) | ||
| + | |||
| + | nach langem, außerordentlich schwerem Leiden. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The last example illustrates the important distinction that an attribute (außerordentlich/extraordinary) of an adjective (schwer/heavy) carries, when compared to adjectives of equal weight. Some distinct differences in sense follow, such as, for example: | ||
| + | ein guter, brauchbarer Bericht(a good and usefull report); versus ein gut brauchbarer Bericht(a well usefull report); | ||
| + | a report that is useable and good; versus a report well usable (in the sense of suitable). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note the separation between parallel adjectives, by comma or conjunction. However, these commas, and any conjunction, are omitted when the attributes are to indicate a joint concept with the noun, such as in dunkles bayrisches Bier. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Watch the subtle distinctions! Liegt hinter mancher, alten Burg noch ein Goldschatz begraben? An manch alter Burg sind wir vorbei gekommen (manch being the attribute of alter Burg, meaning several old castles). | ||
Latest revision as of 16:43, 4 January 2007
- Introduction
German adjectives, like English ones, usually go in front of the noun they modify: "der gute Mann" (the good man), "das große Haus" (the big house/building), "die schöne Dame" (the pretty lady). Unlike English adjectives, a German adjective in front of a noun has to have an ending (-e in the examples above). Just what that ending will be depends on several factors, including gender (der, die, das) and case (nominative, accusative, dative). But most of the time the ending is an -e or an -en (in the plural). With ein-words, the ending varies according to the modified noun's gender (see below).
Look at the following table for the adjective endings in the nominative (subject) case:
With definite article (der, die, das) - Nominative case
der neue Wagen - the new car
die schöne Stadt - the beautiful city
das alte Auto - the old car
die neuen Bücher - the new books
With indefinite article (eine, kein, mein) - Nom. case
ein neuer Wagen - a new car
eine schöne Stadt - a beautiful city
ein altes Auto - an old car
keine neuen Bücher - no new books
Note that with ein-words, since the article may not tell us the gender of the following noun, the adjective ending often does this instead (-es = das, -er = der; see above).
As in English, a German adjective can also come after the verb (predicate adjective): "Das Haus ist groß." (The house is large.) In such cases the adjective will have NO ending.
- When are adjectives declined, and when not?
- Adjectives must be declined when:
- used as noun attribute before a noun: ein wichtiges Gespräch (an important conversation).
- used as noun: das Schwarze (the black) That is a 'substantiviertes Adjektiv' (adjective used as noun).
- Adjectives remain undeclined when:
- used as phrase adjective - that is either as predicative: Sie ist gut (She's good). Das ist falsch (That's wrong), or adverbially: Sie arbeitet schwer (She's working hard).
- as attribute of an adjective or adverb: Ein grässlich kalter Wind (A disgusting cold wind).
- Declension of Adjectives(German: Rektion)
The German term Rektion derives from Latin casus rectus, which is the basic case, the Nominative form.
Let us examine the topic in the view of syntax logic. It is Rektion that enables a preceding preposition to govern the declension case, thus narrowing the definition of the associated Satzglied. Satzglied is any of the phrase's word groups other than subject and predicate. The following frequently used prepositions are thus listed under the name of the case they demand (i.e. govern). By definition, no preposition governs casus rectus.
Accusative: ab, bis, durch, entlang, für, gegen, ohne, um, wider
Examples: Er fährt ohne sie. Für Bargeld. Er handelt wider alle Vernunft.
In addition, die direction-defining prepositions govern the accusative; See Dative
Dative: an, auf, aus, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen Note: The dative case is governed only when a locality is defined. Test question: "wo?" (where?). When a direction is being defined, the accusative case is governed. Test question: "wohin?" (whither?)
Examples: aus dem Fenster (winken). An die Einfahrt (herfahren).
Genitive: abseits, anläßlich, anstatt, anstelle, aufgrund, außerhalb, diesseits, infolge, inmitten, innerhalb, jenseits, kraft, mittels, oberhalb, seitens, statt, ungeachtet, unterhalb, unweit, vermittels, während, wegen, zufolge
Example: Wegen des Unfalls
The Germanic word for each case reflects how that case functions in the use of forms of who(wer, wen, wem, wessen): der Werfall (nom.), der Wenfall (acc.), der Wemfall (dat.) and der Wesfall (gen.).
- The Endings of Declined Adjectives
There are three declension systems in German, Type I, stark (strong), Type II, schwach (weak), and Type III, gemischt (mixed). Each system declines in 3 genders and plural. We tabulate here Satzteil examples consisting of, at least, preposition + adjective + noun, which can thus be easily memorized and are of practical use. We indicate the adjective endings by hyphenating them to the word root. Each governing preposition example used is shown in parentheses.
- Declension Types
Type I, Strong Declension
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
| Nom. | roter Wein | warme Speise | hartes Metall | harte Metalle |
| Acc. | (für) roten Wein | (für) warme Speise | (für) hartes Metall | (für) harte Metalle |
| Dat. | (aus) rotem Wein | (aus) warmer Speise | (aus) hartem Metall | (aus) harten Metallen |
| Gen. | (statt) roten Weins | (statt) warmer Speise | (statt) harten Metalls | (statt) harter Metalle |
Usage, where hyphen is placeholder for a possible ending or construct,
- Where no article is used (e.g. frisches Brot; roter Wein);
- After manch-, solch-, viel-, welch-; (all declined like dieser - see demonstrative pronouns)
- After wenig-, mehrer-, all-; (each declined in parallel - see below: Parallel Declension)
- After etwas, mehr;
- After endingless number adjectives (e.g. für zwei kleine Katzen);
- After personal pronouns other than mir, dir, ihm.
Examples:
- Ich altes Kamel; du kleiner Junge.
- Durch wenigen, guten Ruf besitzt er kein Vertrauen. (Akk. of wenig, Akk., Maskulinum)
- Wegen solches guten Rufs besitzt er das Vertrauen. (Gen. of solch, Gen., Mask.)
- Aufgrund wenigen, anfänglichen Versagens hat man nun neu begonnen. (Gen., Neutr., parallel)
Type II, Weak Declension
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
| Nom. | der bunte Stoff | die alte Burg | das kleine Kind | die kleinen Kinder |
| Acc. | (für) den bunten Stoff | (für) die alte Burg | (für) das kleine Kind | (für) die kleinen Kinder |
| Dat. | (aus) dem bunten Stoff | (aus) der alten Burg | (aus) dem kleinen Kind | (aus) den kleinen Kindern |
| Gen. | (statt) des bunten Stoffs | (statt) der alten Burg | (statt) des kleinen Kinds | (statt) der kleinen Kinder |
Usage, where hyphen is placeholder for the required ending,
- After a definite article (der, die, das);
- After derselb-, derjenig-, dies-, jed-, jedwed-, jeglich-, jen-, all; (all of these are declined like dieser - see demonstrative pronouns)
- After the personal pronouns mir, dir, ihm, and after the adjectives arm, alt.
Examples:
- Mit allem deinen Geld .... (Dativ of all, Dat.Neuter of all dein).
- Das wäre jedem schnellen Verkehr zuwider. (Dativ of jed, Dat.Mask of jed schnell)
- Hinter mancher voreiligen Handlung steht wohl Gedankenlosigkeit. (Dat.Fem.)
- Für alt begehrte Ware schaut man nicht so sehr auf den Preis. (Akk., Fem., alt=attribute)
- Für alte, begehrte Ware schaut man nicht so sehr auf den Preis. (Akk., Fem., parallel)
Type III, Mixed Declension
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
| Nom. | kein bunter Stoff | keine warme Speise | kein hartes Metall | keine harten Metalle |
| Acc. | (für) keinen bunten Stoff | (für) keine warme Speise | (für) kein hartes Metall | (für) keine harten Metalle |
| Dat. | (aus) keinem bunten Stoff | (aus) keiner warmen Speise | (aus) keinem harten Metall | (aus) keinen harten Metallen |
| Gen. | (statt) keines bunten Stoffs | (statt) keiner warmen Speise | (statt) keines harten Metalls | (statt) keiner harten Metalle |
Usage, where hyphen is placeholder for a possible ending,
- After an indefinite article (ein, eine, ein);
- After kein, keine, kein;
- After the possessive pronouns (e.g. mein-, dein-, sein-, ihr-, unser-, euer-).
Examples:
- Vor keinem auch noch so großen Hindernis hat er sich gescheut. (Dat.,Neutr.)
- Außerhalb seiner Bürozeit kann man ihn nicht erreichen. (Gen.,Fem.)
- Durch seine lange Bürozeit ist er sehr unter Streß. (Akk. sein, Akk. Fem.)
- Parallel Declension
When several equivalent attributive adjectives are used, they are declined in parallel. That is sharing of the same ending and comma separator. Examples:
ein breiter, tiefer Graben
eines breiten, überaus tiefen Grabens
auf bestem, holzfreiem, hochglänzendem Papier (on the best grade of pulp free, high gloss, paper)
eine große, nervige und ruhige Hand (a big, sensory, steady, hand)
nach langem, außerordentlich schwerem Leiden.
The last example illustrates the important distinction that an attribute (außerordentlich/extraordinary) of an adjective (schwer/heavy) carries, when compared to adjectives of equal weight. Some distinct differences in sense follow, such as, for example: ein guter, brauchbarer Bericht(a good and usefull report); versus ein gut brauchbarer Bericht(a well usefull report); a report that is useable and good; versus a report well usable (in the sense of suitable).
Note the separation between parallel adjectives, by comma or conjunction. However, these commas, and any conjunction, are omitted when the attributes are to indicate a joint concept with the noun, such as in dunkles bayrisches Bier.
Watch the subtle distinctions! Liegt hinter mancher, alten Burg noch ein Goldschatz begraben? An manch alter Burg sind wir vorbei gekommen (manch being the attribute of alter Burg, meaning several old castles).
