Tell me in German

Author: Zhang Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Based on Pinyin-based phonetic notation, enabling you to quickly master practical and concise daily expressions. Multiple expressions for practical sentences make appropriate usage easy. Example sentences are categorized by occasion and function, making them highly accessible. Engaging background introductions provide insights into rich multinational cultures. Related audio cassettes, meticulously recorded by German experts, feature authentic and standard pronunciation, facilitating imitation and learning. Even if Chinese friends don’t speak a word of German, or German friends don’t understand a word of Chinese, this book allows mutual communication with just a quick glance!
This book is divided into three sections:
Common Sentences: Based on different life scenarios, this book is divided into 23 chapters. Essential sentences and typical sentence structures for each scenario are listed. Each sentence is phonetically notated. Pinyin-based pronunciation is primarily used, with special symbols marked for sounds not found in standard Pinyin. These symbols are marked with an asterisk () in the pronunciation chart. If you can read Pinyin, you can easily speak German. Sometimes, incorrect stress or intonation may sound unnatural, but speaking slowly can still convey your message clearly. The accompanying audio cassette can help compensate for any shortcomings. Many sentences can be used as standard templates for vocabulary substitution or to create new sentences freely—grammar mistakes don’t matter. All you need is a bit of courage and creativity!
Vocabulary: The glossary helps you quickly find substitute words. You can also use the listed key verbs to construct new sentences. In addition to spoken vocabulary, each scenario often includes essential terms encountered in reading that are crucial to understand, such as train schedules. I have carefully selected the most important terms for inclusion.
Cultural Knowledge: Basic cultural knowledge can help newcomers quickly adapt to their environment, reduce mistakes caused by ignorance, minimize misunderstandings in interpersonal interactions, and avoid unnecessary detours. Germany and China belong to different cultural spheres, with significant differences in lifestyles, values, and customs. Without fundamental knowledge, you may find everything difficult, experience strong unfamiliarity, feel lost, which we can call "culture shock" (Kulturschock). The cultural knowledge selected in this book introduces basic German life aspects and customs, with many chapters adopting a more guide-oriented nature. Key terms are accompanied by their German equivalents, eliminating the need for searching and allowing for immediate application through imitation.