When a German speaker learns English, or when an English speaker learns German (I know from experience), some things are actually quite easy. In my opinion, the main one is VOCABULARY. There are many words that are the same, or nearly the same, in both languages. In fact, I made a whole course based on that fact. If you want, check out 'Easy English Vocabulary for Germans.'
However, this test focuses on vocabulary that causes Germans trouble. Simply translate the following paragraphs into English. But be careful, it's not as easy as it looks! When you are finished, you can compare it to my translation, which can be seen directly below the text.
Mein Chef ist so streng! Heute hat er mir nicht erlaubt, meine Frau während der Mittagspause anzurufen.
Ich darf auch keine französische Küche da essen, weil Frankreich Deutschland im Fußball besiegt hat.
Dummerweise habe ich letzte Woche meinem Chef mein Handy ausgeliehen. Er wollte Fotos von unserer Fabrik machen. Er hat es gestern kaputt gemacht.
Aktuell verdiene ich weniger Geld als vor 2 Jahren. Mein Chef hat gesagt, dass ich eventuell mein altes Gehalt bekommen könnte, aber ich glaube ihm nicht.
Er ist auch gar nicht sensibel. Aber diese Geschichte ist zu langweilig. Über dieses Thema können wir gerne reden.
Ich arbeite bei meinem Unternehmen seit 5 Jahren, aber ich kann das einfach nicht weiter machen. Mein Job macht einfach keinen Spaß!
Ich habe mich entschieden, bis Freitag zu kündigen! Dann habe ich endlich frei!
Check your translation against mine!
Remember, there are many ways to express the same ideas. This is just one way. If you aren’t sure if your translation is also correct, write it in the comments or send it to me via email: Nick@EnglishWithNick.de and I’ll let you know!
My boss is so strict. Today he didn’t allow me to call my wife during our lunch break.
watch out:
Chef/chief are false friends – The person you work for is NOT your chief.
Streng/strong are false friends – Streng means strict, and stark means strong.
A woman is simply any female, but the female you marry is your wife (saying ‘my woman’ is offensive!)
I am not allowed to eat French food (or French cuisine), because France beat (or defeated) Germany in football (or soccer).
watch out:
Don’t say ‘French kitchen’ – it doesn’t mean französische Küche. We use the phrase French food or French cuisine.
Last week, I stupidly lent my boss my cell phone (or mobile phone or smartphone). He wanted to take photos (or pictures) of our factory. Yesterday he broke it.
watch out:
Ausleihen sometimes means borrow, and sometimes it means lend (to borrow means to receive the item, to lend means to give the item… and hopefully get it back in the future!)
Handy isn’t an English word for phone. It is an adjective that means ‘praktisch.’
In English, we take photos (we don’t make them!).
I currently earn less money than I did 2 years ago. My boss said that I might (or may) receive my old salary, but I don’t believe him.
watch out:
Aktuell/actual are false friends (aktuell = current/currently, eigentlich = actual/actually).
In this case, vor means ago, NOT ‘for’.
Bekommen/become are false friends (bekommen = receive, werden = become).
Eventuell/eventually are false friends (eventuell = maybe/perhaps, letztendlich = eventually).
He also isn’t very sensitive. But that story is too boring. We can talk about this topic later.
watch out:
Sensibel/sensible are false friends (sensibel = sensitive, vernünftig = sensible).
Thema/theme are sometimes false friends. In this case, we should use topic (the subject we are speaking about). Theme is used to talk about the main idea of a book, movie, or play.
I have worked for my company for 5 years, but I simply can’t continue. My job just isn’t enjoyable (or fun).
watch out:
We work for or at a company, not by a company.
To make fun doesn’t mean ‘Spaß machen.’ It means ‘über jemanden lustig machen.’
I have decided to quit (or resign) by Friday.
watch out:
In English, decide isn’t reflexive.
In this case, bis means by (not until)!
So, how did you do? If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Nick@EnglishWithNick.de or write in the comments below.
For more of my English tips that I made especially for Germans, click here.
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The post English for Germans – Tricky Vocabulary Test appeared first on English With Nick.