HSC German Beginners key terms

The group of people you are related to, such as parents, children, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Beginners describe who is in their family and how many members there are.

A plural word for your mother and father together. It is always plural in German, so you say 'meine Eltern' even when meaning both parents.

A plural noun for brothers and sisters. It has no common singular form, so to name one sibling you use 'der Bruder' or 'die Schwester' instead.

A person you like and spend time with. The word can also mean a boyfriend or girlfriend, so context in the sentence shows which meaning is intended.

The hours when you are not at school or work and can choose what to do. Candidates talk about hobbies, sport and meeting friends during this time.

An activity you do for pleasure in your free time, such as playing football, reading or music. Plural is 'die Hobbys', and you say 'Mein Hobby ist ...'.

The place where children and teenagers go to learn subjects taught by teachers. Candidates describe their school type, subjects, timetable and opinions about school.

One subject taught at school, for example Mathematik, Deutsch or Biologie. The plural 'die Schulfächer' is used when listing the subjects you study.

A table showing which lessons you have on each day and at what time. Reading one is a common task, since it links days, times and subject names.

The school work teachers give you to complete at home after lessons. The word is plural, so you say 'Ich mache meine Hausaufgaben' with a plural verb form.

A formal test of what you have learned, taken at the end of a course or term. Candidates discuss exam stress, results and what happens after passing or failing.

The mark or grade a teacher gives for school work. German schools often use numbers from 1 (very good) to 6 (very poor), the opposite of many other systems.

The condition of your body and mind, whether you feel well or ill. Topics include sport, food, sleep and visiting a doctor when something is wrong.

To be ill, when your body is not working normally and you cannot do your usual activities. You use it with 'sein', for example 'Ich bin krank'.

An arranged time and date for meeting someone or doing something, such as a doctor's appointment. You make one with 'einen Termin vereinbaren' or 'machen'.

A set of rooms where a person or family lives inside a larger building. Candidates describe rooms, rent, location and whether they prefer a house or flat.

A single room inside a house or flat, such as a bedroom or living room. Descriptions often include furniture, size and what you do there.

The money paid regularly, usually each month, to live in a flat or house. Reading tasks often give rent figures that must be compared or calculated.

Your ordinary daily routine, including waking up, meals, school or work and free time. Candidates describe typical days and compare weekday and weekend habits.

The time shown on a clock, expressed either formally as '14.30 Uhr' or informally as 'halb drei'. Listening tasks often require noting exact times.

An organised club for a sport or hobby, with members, a coach and regular training. Many German young people belong to one, so it appears in leisure topics.

A celebration with food, music and people gathered together, such as a village festival or school party. Texts describe when it happens and what visitors do.

A custom or traditional way of doing something that a community repeats, for example decorating a tree or painting eggs. Plural is 'die Bräuche'.

A day when most people do not work because of a religious or national celebration, such as Weihnachten or der Tag der Deutschen Einheit.

A lively festival before Lent when people wear costumes, hold parades and party in the streets. Names and customs differ between regions such as Cologne and the south-west.

One of the sixteen states that make up Germany, each with its own government and some own rules. Knowing the names helps when reading about travel and regional differences.

The city where a country's government sits. Berlin is the capital of Germany, while Vienna is the capital of Austria and Bern of Switzerland.

The line dividing two countries or regions. Germany shares borders with nine countries, a fact often used in geography-based reading and listening tasks.

Young people between childhood and adulthood, roughly the teenage years. Texts about youth culture cover music, sport, media use, school and plans for the future.

A small close group of friends who spend time together. The word is informal and appears in texts about youth culture, going out and peer groups.

A famous place or building that visitors want to see, such as a castle, cathedral or museum. Travel texts often list several with opening times and prices.

A journey to a place away from home, often lasting several days. Candidates talk about destinations, transport, accommodation and holiday activities.

Cheap accommodation designed for young travellers and school groups, usually with shared rooms and meals. It often appears in texts about class trips and holidays.

The words used to address someone in a letter or email, such as 'Liebe Anna' for friends or 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' for strangers. Choosing correctly matters in writing tasks.

A short polite phrase at the end of a letter or email, for example 'Viele Grüße' or 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen'. The closing should match the level of formality.

A written message sent to someone, with a date, greeting, main text and closing. Writing tasks often ask for an informal or formal letter of about a set length.

What someone thinks about a topic. Candidates state and justify opinions using phrases such as 'Meiner Meinung nach' and 'Ich finde, dass ...'.

The reason why something happens or why you hold an opinion. In writing and speaking you give reasons with 'weil', 'denn' or 'deshalb'.

The time that has not yet come. Candidates discuss future plans such as school leaving, study, jobs and travel, often using 'werden' or 'vorhaben'.

The job or profession someone trains for and does for a living. Talking about dream jobs and reasons for choosing them is a common exam topic.