KPG German flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Verb-second rule

In a German main clause the finite verb stands in position two. If an adverb or phrase begins the sentence, the subject moves behind the verb, producing inversion.

Subordinate clause verb position

After conjunctions such as weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, and damit, the finite verb moves to the end of the clause, e.g. …, weil ich morgen anrufe.

Trennbare Verben

Separable verbs split in main clauses: the prefix goes to the end (Ich rufe morgen an). In subordinate clauses the verb stays together at the end (…, weil ich morgen anrufe).

Dative prepositions

The prepositions aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, and zu always govern the dative case, e.g. mit dem Chef, nach der Sitzung, seit einem Jahr.

Genitive prepositions

Wegen, trotz, während, and statt take the genitive in formal written German, e.g. wegen des Termins, trotz der Schwierigkeiten, während der Arbeit.

Konjunktiv II politeness

Konjunktiv II softens requests and expresses hypotheticals: Ich hätte gern …, Könnten Sie …?, Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich kommen. It is standard in professional emails.

Adjective ending types

Endings depend on the article: definite article (das gute Buch), indefinite article (ein gutes Buch), and no article (gutes Buch) each follow different patterns.

Passive voice formation

The Vorgangspassiv uses werden plus Partizip II (Das Projekt wird geplant). The agent is introduced with von, the means with durch. Zustandspassiv uses sein plus Partizip II.

Two-part connectors

Paired conjunctions structure contrast and addition: entweder … oder, sowohl … als auch, nicht nur … sondern auch, je … desto (desto plus comparative plus verb).

Formal email frame

A formal German email opens with Sehr geehrte Frau/Herr …, states the purpose, gives details, and closes with Mit freundlichen Grüßen plus full name. Sie-forms are used throughout.

Informal register markers

Informal German uses Liebe/Lieber in the salutation, du-forms, contractions, and shorter sentences. It is appropriate for colleagues with an established du relationship, not for initial business contact.

Leitpunkte coverage

In writing tasks, every bullet point in the prompt (Leitpunkt) must be addressed. Omitting one reduces content points even if the language is accurate.

Bewerbung structure

A German cover letter states the position and source, summarizes relevant qualifications with evidence, expresses motivation, and requests an interview, closing formally with Mit freundlichen Grüßen.

Beschwerde conventions

A written complaint describes the problem factually, states the expected remedy, sets a reasonable deadline, and remains polite. Emotional language weakens the case in German business writing.

Cohesion in writing

Connectives such as zunächst, darüber hinaus, im Gegensatz dazu, aus diesem Grund, and abschließend guide the reader through a text and demonstrate advanced written control.

Presentation structure

An oral presentation in the exam follows Einleitung (topic and relevance), Hauptteil (two or three aspects with examples), and Schluss (summary and personal opinion).

Buying time phrases

Functional fillers such as Das ist eine interessante Frage or Lassen Sie mich kurz überlegen maintain fluency during oral tasks instead of silent pauses.

Polite disagreement

Disagree without confrontation using Ich sehe das etwas anders, weil … or Da bin ich anderer Meinung, denn …. Acknowledge the partner's point first, then add your position.

Graph description language

Describe statistics by naming the source, stating the trend (steigen, sinken, stagnieren), quoting key figures, and then interpreting the data. Avoid listing every number.

Making proposals

Suggest options with Ich würde vorschlagen, dass …; Wie wäre es, wenn wir …?; or Könnten wir uns darauf einigen, dass …? These structures are expected in negotiation tasks.

Pronunciation: final devoicing

In German, voiced consonants at the end of a word or syllable are devoiced: Tag sounds like Tak, und like unt. This affects listening comprehension and intelligibility.

ich-Laut and ach-Laut

The ich-Laut is a soft palatal sound after front vowels (ich, nicht, Milch); the ach-Laut is a velar sound after back vowels (ach, Buch, Nacht).

Listening: contrast signals

Words such as aber, jedoch, allerdings, and trotzdem often mark a correction of an earlier statement. The final position after the contrast is usually the one tested.

Listening: corrected numbers

In listening tasks, times, prices, and quantities are frequently revised mid-sentence. The last value mentioned is normally the valid answer, not the first.

Listening: speaker authority

In dialogues, identify who has decision authority (Chef, Kunde, Bewerber). The correct answer reflects that person's final position, not a subordinate suggestion.

Listening: register cues

Sie-address signals formal workplace distance; du-address signals collegial or informal context. Register cues help interpret the relationship and the appropriate response.

Scanning versus skimming

Scanning locates specific data such as dates, names, or figures. Skimming captures gist and structure. Match the strategy to the task type before reading the text in detail.

Not given answers

In true/false/not-given tasks, choose 'not given' when the text neither confirms nor contradicts the statement. Plausibility alone is not evidence.

Requirement versus advantage

Job advertisements distinguish requirements (Voraussetzung, erforderlich) from desirable extras (von Vorteil, wünschenswert). Reading tasks often test this distinction.

Reference resolution

Cohesive devices such as dies, dabei, dadurch, and hingegen point back to earlier content. Resolving the reference prevents misreading the sentence's subject.

Telephone formulas

Standard phone phrases include Hier spricht …; Kann ich bitte mit … sprechen?; and Könnten Sie ihm/ihr etwas ausrichten? They are expected in professional telephone tasks.

Meeting vocabulary

Key terms include Tagesordnung (agenda), Protokoll (minutes), and Beschlussfähigkeit (quorum). Useful phrases are Ich fasse zusammen and Wir halten fest, dass ….

Bewerbung terminology

Application documents include Anschreiben (cover letter), Lebenslauf (CV), Zeugnisse (references), and Referenzen. The Anforderungsprofil describes the ideal candidate; the Stellenbeschreibung describes the role.