An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu'
I can distinguish between and use 'du', 'Sie' (you) and 'sie' (they), and use two-verb structures with 'zu' plus infinitive.
- Year 8
An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu'
I can distinguish between and use 'du', 'Sie' (you) and 'sie' (they), and use two-verb structures with 'zu' plus infinitive.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Use 'du' (you, singular) for a friend, family member, person you know well, and 'Sie' for adults you address by surname.
- 'Sie' (you, formal) is written with a capital letter, but 'sie' (they) starts with lowercase.
- If 'Sie' begins a sentence (and hence has a capital letter) use other clues to help decide if 'Sie' means you or they.
- Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive, which goes to the end of the sentence. Other verbs use 'zu' plus infinitive.
- In 2-verb structures, the 2nd verb in the infinitive is at the end of the sentence.
Keywords
Du - subject pronoun meaning 'you' (singular), used in informal language
Sie - subject pronoun meaning 'you', used in formal language
Infinitive - form of the verb giving its general meaning, with no subject or tense; the dictionary form of the verb
Zu - word meaning 'to', used before the infinitive when there are 2 verbs in a sentence, but not with modal verbs
Common misconception
'Sie' always means 'she'.
'Sie' can mean 'she', 'they' or 'you (formal)'. Check the verb endings used alongside the pronoun and the spelling of 'sie' to determine the correct translation. Formal 'Sie' is always written with a capital letter.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'springen' mean?
Q2.Order the numbers from largest to smallest.
Q3.'Das Bild ist __________ der Wand'. Choose the correct missing word.
Q4.Order the words to say: 'The train station in the city centre is pleasant.'
Q5.Write in English: 'Er ist in den Fluss gefallen.'
Q6.Write in German: 'I want to go into the shop.'
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.'Sie' can mean ...
Q2.Match the meanings of 'sie' to the correct sentences.
