Year 10 - German
Kleider machen Leute: definite and indefinite articles, extended speaking
People and lifestyle: das Schulleben
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit revisits separable verbs in present and perfect tenses, adjective agreement and use of time, manner, place adverbs. It introduces nouns and adjectives with prepositions, the preposition and adverb 'bis', superlative prenominal adjectives and abstract nouns, for example 'das Gute'.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use definite and indefinite articles when their German usage is different from English to understand a German text and hold a conversation about school uniforms.
Key Notes
- Some countries and some abstract nouns use the definite article.
- The indefinite article is not used in German for professions or nationalities.
- Use the indefinite article with professsions if there is an adjective before the noun.
- When describing a photo, use the acronym PALM. It stands for People, Action, Location, Mood. Add your own opinions too.
- In conversation, develop answers by adding opinions and reasons, varying the subject, and adding different time frames.
Vocabulary To Learn
- definite article: the words 'der', 'die', 'das', meaning 'the'
- indefinite article: the words 'ein', 'eine', 'ein', meaning 'a/an'
- PALM: an acronym to summarise what to include in a photo description: People, Action, Location, Mood
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Definite and indefiniete articles are used the same way in German as in English.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
Some countries and some abstract nouns use the definite article. The indefinite article is not used in German for professions or nationalities.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'definite article'
the words 'der', 'die', 'das', meaning 'the'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: Definite and indefiniete articles are used the same way in German as in English. Correction: Differences occur with some country names, some abstract nouns and professions: e.g., 'die Schweiz' (Switzerland), 'die Freiheit' (freedom). It's 'Er ist Arzt' (He is a doctor), but an article is needed before the adjective - 'Er ist ein guter Arzt'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Das deutsche Schulsystem: adjective agreement Study Guide
- Gruppenzwang: word order with separable verbs in single and 2-verb clauses Study Guide
- In der Schule: superlative adjectives and adverbs Study Guide
- Kleine Schule: time, manner, place, present tense with gern, lieber, am liebsten Study Guide
- Nach der Schule: abstract neuter adjectival nouns, plural adjectival nouns Study Guide
- Schule - dieses Jahr: 'bis' preposition vs conjunction Study Guide
- Schule - letztes Jahr: nouns without plurals, past participles Study Guide
- Therapiehunde: nouns and adjectives with prepositions Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 German guide library.