Shopping
Say cheese!
In Germany, people add their picture and birthday to their resumes. Employers believe this gives them a fuller impression of the applicant.
What do you need this für?
Use the accusative after für!
Die Jeans sind für meinen Sohn.
The jeans are for my son.
But remember, just the masculine der, ein, and so on, change form. Others stay the same!
Das Sakko ist perfekt für das Jobinterview.
The suit jacket is perfect for the job interview.
Beware: ein looks the same for neuter and masculine nouns...until the accusative comes along!
Ein Hemd ist gut. Ich will ein Hemd.
A shirt is good. I want a shirt.
Ein Pullover ist gut. Ich will einen Pullover.
A sweater is good. I want a sweater.
If you ins‑ist
The word ins is short for in das!
Gehst du heute ins Kaufhaus?
Are you going to the department store today?
Nein, ich gehe ins Café.
No, I am going to the coffee shop.
Pow! And another kick!
Nouns receiving the action in the sentence get kicked to the end, including after time phrases!
Ich habe am Dienstag ein Jobinterview.
I have a job interview on Tuesday.
While we’re kicking things around—remember how möchte sends the second verb to the end? Well, muss does the same thing!
Ich möchte ein Kleid kaufen, aber ich muss eine Bluse kaufen.
I would like to buy a dress but I have to buy a blouse.