Eine neue Sprache lernen: plural rules 4 - 6
Learning outcomes
I can use plural rules to form plural nouns.
I can use my knowledge of long and short German vowels to read aloud and transcribe German.
Eine neue Sprache lernen: plural rules 4 - 6
Learning outcomes
I can use plural rules to form plural nouns.
I can use my knowledge of long and short German vowels to read aloud and transcribe German.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Some masculine and neuter nouns add '-er' with an umlaut, where possible, to form the plural.
- Nouns borrowed from other langauges usually add '-s' to form the plural.
- Female person nouns add '-nen' to form the plural.
- The German short [a] sounds like the 'a' in 'Blatt'. The short [ä] is as in the plural 'Blätter'.
- The German short [u] sounds like the 'u' in 'Unterschied'; the long [u] is as in 'Uhr'.
Keywords
Plural rule 4 - add ‘-er’ to some masculine and neuter nouns, with an umlaut where possible; for example, 'Blätter'.
Plural rule 5 - add -s to nouns borrowed from other languages; for example, 'Interviews'.
Plural rule 6 - add -nen to all female person nouns; for example, 'Lehrerinnen'.
Common misconception
All German nouns form their plural by adding 's'.
Plural rules in German are complex and need to be learnt. Pronunciation is also important, as umlauts [ä], [ö] and [ü] can change meaning; for example, Vater, Väter. Accurate pronounciation can help with vocabulary, reading aloud and transcription.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German words below to their English equivalents.
to answer, answering
to sound, sounding
to teach, teaching
different, differently
different, diverse
mistake
Q2.Which words below are plural?
Q3.Match the groups of words below to the correct word class categories.
nouns
verbs
adjectives
Q4.Verbs like 'reden' and 'finden' require an extra in the 'du' er/sie/es' and 'ihr' form to make them easier to pronounce.
Q5.Which verb conjugations are correct?
Q6.Order the words as needed: German vowels are __________ before a double consonant and __________ before a single consonant. A 'h' after a vowel __________ the vowel. __________ vowels count as long.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German words below to the correct English meanings.
term, expression
to repeat, repeating
wall
foreign, strange
task, job
to notice, noticing
Q2.Which of these words are pronounced with a long [a] or [ä]?
Q3.Match the words below to the correct plural rule.
plural rule 4
plural rule 5
plural rule 6