A Compilation by Thomas Richardson, German
Teacher
Kokomo High School
Kokomo, Indiana
USA
Members of the AATG Listserv often post VOCAB HELP requests. The questions usually, but not always, deal with idiomatic expressions and modern-day vocabulary that has not yet found its way into reference books in most German classrooms. The responses are posted in a very timely manner, with help coming in from all over the world. The Danke im Voraus statements are dutifully made, and, unless the readers are vocabulary packrats, the responses go the way of the DELETE key.
This project is an attempt to collect and maintain, in an orderly fashion, those vocab requests and to then post them for all - teachers, students and other interested parties - to view as needed. (Younger users should be aware of the contextual definitions.)
It is not meant to be the final word on vocabulary, only a (partial) collection of submissions from AATG members and others (for example, former German exchange students with whom I am still in contact.) There may be regional variations of these entries that are unknown to me and sometimes there's even a short explanation of the entry.
This is my contribution, simple as it may be, to the profession and to individuals interested in German. I've probably been inconsistent at times with entries, but try to overlook this. I, like many others on the list, am a full-time high school German teacher with too many papers to grade, too many meetings to attend, etc., etc., and I have a family. With that in mind, use to your heart's content.
If you believe the collection is missing an important entry, please feel free to write me at arichard@kokomo.k12.in.us with your contributions, questions or comments.
Other sources of vocabulary and idiom help mentioned by members include:
- Deutsche Redensarten. Quiz- und Übungsbuch (Klett; 3-12-559200-3)
- Guide to German Idioms (Passport; 0-8442-2501-0)
- Langenscheidt: "1000 idiomatische Redensarten Deutsch"