Common errors German beginners make

Wenn vs als vs wann

After nearly two hours of joyfully speaking with Jörg, you are beginning to feel more connected (though that might be the sparkling beverage talking). If you’d like, Jörg can advise going to another bar. You may already be aware that the word “wenn” can imply both “when” and “if.” If so, does Jörg mean you can leave and go to another bar whenever you want? You take the final sip of your drink after weighing your options and respond, “Ja, gerne. Jetzt?” Regardless of context, this works. It appears that you escaped harm there.

As you gather your belongings, you start a new conversation by saying, “Wann ich war in Thailand, habe ich —,” but Jörg interrupts, “ALS ich in Thailand WAR…” to show his real Germanness. You’ve arrived at the turning point you dreaded. Your German acquaintance has passed the finish line; he is now revising your verb tense and word choice. Where do you go from here when your entire world comes tumbling down and your drunken confidence vanishes?

Don’t worry; with a little experience, this can be fixed quickly. You always say “als” when discussing a certain time in the past. Wann should be used while asking a question.

Few examples to understand above context

Als ich 10 Jahre alt war…” (when I was 10 years old, this has probably only happened once at a specific time in the past)

– “Wann warst du in Thailand?” (when were you in Thailand?, a question about time)

– “Ruf mich an, wenn du zuhause bist.” (call me when you get home, not if…)

Usage of prepositions

At the next watering hole, you realize you have run out of cash. You ask him where the next ATM might be. “Ganz einfach. Du gehst geradeaus über die Straße und biegst dann rechts ab. Neben dem Supermarkt, gegenüber der U-Bahn Station, gibt es einen kleinen Kiosk. Gehe an der Kasse vorbei und ganz hinten ist ein Geldautomat.”

At “Straße,” you were already disoriented. However, you set out on your quest and, to your luck, locate an ATM in an entirely other location.

Prepositions, which are complex words for directions, are the torment of many language learners’ existences. I wish I had an easy cure for your prepositional problems.

But I can offer you a piece of advice that I’ve found useful in the past. Instead of just learning them from a vocabulary list, spatial learning is the best approach to master these tough tiny words. To label every direction and place you can think of in your room, make a map for yourself or tape notes to the walls. The places and directions of the prepositions will eventually become instinctive to you, making it easier for you to remember the right ones when you need them. 

Werden vs wollen 

You still had a great day hanging out with your new friend Jörg despite all of your minor mishaps. You leave the final bar in the tiny hours. You keep in mind to exchange phone numbers and mumble something like, “Want to meet up again?” Laughing, Jörg responds, “Na, immer! Perhaps the next weekend? I’m writing you. 

You say goodbye, and as you ride the U-Bahn home, you consider what may have caused Jörg to laugh. Didn’t you just inquire as to our future rendezvous? You did, but because you were worn out, you translated the English. The words “wollen” and “werden” are frequently confused, especially after a few sparkling beverages.

Both the verb “to become” (careful, not “become”) and a sign of the future tense are “werden,” and the verb “wollen” implies “to wish.” Why are these confused? Ich will resembles “I will” quite a bit, right? The issue is found there. So how do you tell them apart? 

Fun fact: German’s present tense is incredibly effective. Three purposes are possible with it: the present, the present continuous, and the future. So just say “Wann sehen wir uns wieder?” in the present tense rather than “wann werden wir uns wiedersehen?” The right use of “wollen” is then made simpler with “Ich will dich wiedersehen.” 

You may have noticed that learning is best done through making mistakes. Remember that no master has yet fallen from the sky, so don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes occasionally. With a little perseverance and practice, but as long as you are aware of potential misconceptions, you have a decent chance of avoiding these errors in the future. This holds true whether you’re learning German, Spanish, or French. The most important thing is that you speak (and make mistakes) right away!