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LEARNING GERMAN

Das ist ja mal wichtig: The complete guide to German particles

German modal particles are one of the trickiest linguistic components for learners of the language to master. Learn the German of everyday speech, which most classes don't teach.

Das ist ja mal wichtig: The complete guide to German particles
Photo: depositphotos/Siphotography

What makes them problematic is that there is not normally a direct translation for a specific particle, so they can be conceptually difficult to grasp.

Modal particles are words which convey the attitudes and opinions of the speaker. Although they do not change the essential meaning of the sentence, they strengthen the speaker’s message; modal particles are dispensable and serve to contextualize a statement. They are largely used in colloquial spoken language, so you’re unlikely to come across them in formal, written texts.

Doch

Doch is often used to intensify statements, both affirmatively and negatively. It roughly translates as ‘but’ or ‘after all’, as it conveys the notion of opposition, contradiction, surprise, and emphasis.

One of the ways in which it is most frequently used is to counter a negative statement, although the negative statement does not necessarily need to be expressed.

  • Ich habe doch morgen Zeit.

I have time tomorrow (although I initially thought that I wouldn’t).

  • Hast du den Kuchen nicht mitgebracht? Er ist doch in meinem Rucksack.

Did you not bring the treasure? Yes, I did, it’s in my rucksack (although you thought I didn’t).

  • Sie kommt doch nicht zur Party.

She’s not coming to the party after all (although I thought she would).

Doch can also be used as a means of seeking affirmation, as if you’re waiting for a positive response, or want the other person to share your view.

  • Wir können doch Mittwoch ins Kino gehen.

We can go to the cinema on Wednesday (we can do that, can’t we?).

  • Fuβball ist doch so langweilig.

Football is so boring (isn’t it?)

  • Es wäre doch schade, wenn kein Platz mehr wäre.

It really would be a shame if there was no more space (wouldn’t it?).

Halt

When employed as a modal particle, halt implies a sense of resignation or indifference, often to something which is generally known or accepted. It is often used to indicate that something is the way it is, and not a lot can be done about it.

  • Warum hast du denn meine Flasche Wasser getrunken? Ich hatte halt Durst.

Why did you drink my bottle of water? I was thirsty (what can I say?).

  • Es gibt halt so viele Menschen, die ohne Liebe leben.

There are just so many people who live without love (but what can be done?).

A video from the YouTube Channel ‘Easy German’ breaks down a few favourite German particles.

Ja

Ja also serves to emphasize a statement and seeks to elicit agreement. In contrast to doch, in which the speaker tries to convince the listener of their point of view, ja implies that the speaker and listener share an opinion.

In some cases, it emphasizes an idea which is very clear to the speaker, and which the speaker thinks should be obvious to the other person. In this instance, it can be translated similarly to ‘obviously’ or ‘as you know’.

  • Ich habe ja morgen Zeit.

Of course, I have time tomorrow.

  • Heute bleiben wir ja zu Hause.

Today we are staying at home (it’s raining outside, you’ve broken your leg, your partner is ill, and there is no reason to leave the house).

  • Es gibt ja viele Einwanderer in Deutschland.

There are lots of immigrants in Germany (as you know).

But ja can also be used to express surprise or amazement.

  • Sie sind ja begabte Tennisspieler!

They’re talented tennis players (I didn’t know that).

  • Dein Sohn ist ja so groβ geworden!

Your son has grown so big! (I haven’t seen him in ages and didn’t realize how much he’d grown up).

Mal

Mal serves to soften statements by making the speaker seem friendlier and more interested. It can make commands and requests sound more casual and politer, a little like English words such as ‘quickly’ or ‘just’.

  • Kannst du mir mal das Buch geben.

Can you pass me the book (just real quick)?

  • Probiere mal das Essen von deinem Vater. Daran wirst du nicht sterben.

Just try your dad’s cooking, it won’t kill you.

  • Lesen wir mal den faszinierenden Artikel über Modalpartikel!

Let’s read the fascinating article about modal particles!

Wohl

Wohl can be roughly translated as ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ and suggests probability or certainty from the speaker’s perspective.

  • Der Vater ist wohl abwesend, weil ich ihn nie gesehen habe.

The father is probably absent because I’ve never seen him.

  • Der Moment der Wahrheit wird wohl eher in der zweiten Hälfte der Geschichte kommen.

The moment of truth will probably come in the second half of the story.

Wohl can be used in a similar way to the English construction ‘must + infinitive), which helps to convey a sense of assumption or certainty on behalf of the speaker.

  • Sie sind wohl schon Apotheker geworden.

They must have already become pharmacists.

  • Der Hund hat wohl keinen Besitzer.

The dog must not have an owner.

A dog and its owner in Lower Saxony in September. Photo: DPA

Wohl can help to contradict a previous point, similar to doch. In this instance, it can be translated as ‘of course’, or a stressed ‘do’.

  • Ich kenne wohl den Mann, mit dem du sprichst.

I do know the man you are speaking to.

  • Hattet ihr die Sicherheitsmaβnahmen überprüft? Wir haben vier Dokumente verloren.

  • Ja, wir hatten sie wohl durchaus überprüft. Sie wurden wohl gestohlen.

Did you check the security measures? We lost four documents.

Yes, we did check them thoroughly. They must have been stolen.

Denn

Denn is employed in questions to make them appear more casual or convey subtle interest, surprise or reservation.

  • Isst du denn gerne italienisches Essen?

Do you like Italian food? (I’d love to take you out somewhere and I’m thinking about where to take you).

  • Was ist denn das Problem?

What’s the problem then?

  • Wie groβ ist sie denn?

So how big is she?

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EURO 2024

The German words and phrases you need for Euro 2024

With the Euros being hosted by Germany this summer, it's a great opportunity to broaden your German football vocabulary. Here are a collection of words and phrases to know to get into the games.

The German words and phrases you need for Euro 2024

Auf geht’s!

You’ll usually hear this as the match gets underway and it means: let’s go! Another common expression that means the same thing is Los geht’s! and Fans will often stick their team on the end – Auf geht’s Deutschland! or Los geht’s Dänemark!

You can also shout: Deutschland vor! (Go Germany!) and Weiter, weiter! (keep going) as the match goes on.  

If you’re not feeling so confident at screaming these phrases at a TV, a simple way of explaining which team you’re supporting in a conversation is by saying: Ich bin für Deutschland or Ich bin für Italien. 

Tor!

If you already speak some German, you might recognise this word, which means ‘”gate” or “door” (think Brandenburger Tor) However, in football terminology, it is probably the most joyous word you’ll hear at a match because it means goal. Shout it out when your team gets one in the back of the net!

Italy's defender #05 Riccardo Calafiori reacts after scoring an own goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Spain and Italy at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 20, 2024.

Italy’s defender #05 Riccardo Calafiori reacts after scoring an own goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Spain and Italy at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 20, 2024. Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP

This is a chant involving Tor that you might hear at a match or screening: “Los geht’s Deutschland, schießt ein Tor” (Let’s go Germany, score a goal!).

Meanwhile, the goalkeeper is called der Torwart or der Tormann. Some fans will use the English – goalie. 

READ ALSO: Where are the fan zones for Euro 2024 in Germany?

Elfmeter

For England fans – this is an important one, as England has had some famous trip-ups at penalty shootouts during international tournaments over the years.

The word for penalty kick in German literally means “eleven meters” – the distance from the penalty spot to the goal.

You’ll sometimes hear German fans shouting Elfer! If they think a player has been wronged and deserves a penalty.

Gut gehalten!

This is an excellent Fußball phrase to use if your team’s goalkeeper has just saved an Elfmeter. Literally translating to “well held”, this phrase means “good save”.

Denmark supporters cheer in front of a group of England supporters in Frankfurt on June 20th.

Denmark supporters cheer in front of a group of England supporters in Frankfurt on June 20th. Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Schiedsrichter

Der Schiedsrichter – or referee – is often the most unpopular person on the pitch. When watching a match with disgruntled German football fans, you might hear this word shortened to Schiri!, similar to how Ref! is used in English.

Schwalbe

The German word for the bird swallow – Die Schwalbe – is used as a rather poetic description for when a player takes a dive. In these situations, when a footballer dramatically falls to try to earn a free kick or a penalty, they often lie on the ground with their arms and legs spread out, resembling a swallow with its forked tail.

IN PICTURES: Football fans take over German cities for Euro 2024

A swallow in the night sky.

A swallow in the night sky. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

Abseits

You’ll hear this term frequently, especially if your team plays an attacking game. It’s the German word for “offside,” and fans will call it out whenever the linesman’s flag goes up. 

Meanwhile, der Freistoß is free kick and der Anstoß is kick off. 

Raus!

You’ll hear this being shouted out when things get tense. Raus! which means ‘out!’ is signalling for the players to quickly get the ball away from the box near their goals to avoid danger. 

Arschkarte

Getting shown die Arschkarte (literally arse card) is another word for getting a red card or Rote Karte. 

It dates back to the 1970s and is connected to referees keeping the yellow card in their shirt pocket and the red card in their back pocket, next to their butt. So it is literally an Arschkarte. You’ll also hear fans shouting Gelb! (yellow) or Rot! (red) if they think someone deserves a booking. Or simply Foul! or Foulspiel! (Foul or foul play). 

By the way, there’s an idiom that is used off the pitch. Die Arschkarte ziehen – ‘pulling the arse card’ is the equivalent to the English ‘drawing the short straw’. So if someone says: ‘Du hast die Arschkarte gezogen’, they mean – ‘you’re out of luck’ or ‘you drew the short straw’.

READ ALSO: How to watch the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany 

Das war knapp! 

Das war Knapp means ‘That was close!’ or ‘that was a close call!’ The Euro 2024 tournament is already proving to be nailbiting so this little phrase is a perfect one to call out in a variety of circumstances such as when your team nearly lets in a goal or when the game finishes, but you just made it. If your team wins by a whisker, you can also use the phrase: Um ein Haar! which translates to ‘by a hair!’

For example – Die deutsche Mannschaft hat um ein Haar gewonnen! – ‘The German team won by a whisker!’

With reporting by Rachel Loxton and Sarah Magill 

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