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Year 7 - German

Improve your lifestyle: modal 2-verb structures and pronoun 'man'

Improve your lifestyle: modal verbs 'müssen', 'dürfen', 'wollen'

Unit Summary

This unit extends pupils' knowledge of two-verb structures with 'können' with the introduction of 3 new modal verbs. It teaches pupils how to use these in practical general situations, using the pronoun 'man' and the determiner 'jeder'. Pupils consolidate a range of sound-symbol correspondences.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to differentiate between uses of 'können' and 'dürfen' to express 'can', and discuss healthy lifestyles with others using modal verbs and 'man'.

Key Notes

  • [r] is consonantal at the start of a syllable, after a consonant or a short vowel, e.g., 'reden'. It is a rolling sound.
  • [r] is vocalic after a long vowel and in '-er', e.g., 'Markt', 'aber'. It often sounds barely there.
  • Translate 'can' as in ability with 'können', but use 'dürfen' for permission, i.e., 'may I ... ?'.
  • 'Man' is a pronoun used to refer to people in general and is often translated as 'you' or 'one'.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • [r]: pronounced as in 'reden' or 'Uhr'
  • können: modal verb meaning 'to be able to, can', used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which comes at the end of the sentence
  • dürfen: modal verb meaning 'to be allowed to, may', used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which comes at the end of the sentence
  • man: 3rd person singular subject pronoun meaning 'you' or 'one', used to refer to people in general

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Always use 'können' to translate 'can' into German.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

[r] is consonantal at the start of a syllable, after a consonant or a short vowel, e.g., 'reden'. It is a rolling sound. [r] is vocalic after a long vowel and in '-er', e.g., 'Markt', 'aber'. It often sounds barely there.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. '[r]'

pronounced as in 'reden' or 'Uhr'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: Always use 'können' to translate 'can' into German. Correction: 'Can' is often used with two different meanings in English - ability or permission. Use 'können' to express ability (e.g., 'Kannst du schwimmen?') and 'dürfen' to express permission (e.g., 'Darfst du schwimmen?').

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 German guide library.