Adjective declension in German

Lesson 7: At the restaurant. Activity 2

From this activity you will know how to:

• ask the waiter where you can sit
• find out if the seat (table) is free
• ask if you are allowed to smoke
• ask the waiter for the menu

Learn the words and expressions for the dialogue

Pay attention to the form and the usage of the words

1. In this activity you will learn another form of apology, that is Verzeihung!. This is the more formal way to say Entschuldigung!. The phrase Verzeihen Sie! is translated as: excuse me, pardon me etc.

2. Remember the government of the following verbs:

   stören (to bother somebody) jemanden (А)

   Störe ich Sie nicht? – Am I bothering you?

   sich setzen (to sit down) wohin (А)

   Setzen Sie sich ans Fenster! – Sit down at/by the window!

   Platz nehmen (take a seat) wo (D)

   Nehmen wir am Fenster Platz. – Let’s take a seat at/by the window.

3. The word besetzt (occupied, taken) is an antonym to the word frei (free) and is used when we talk about a seat, a table, a taxi etc.

4. The expression Herr Ober! is a generally accepted form of address for a waiter. Fräulein! is the equivalent of that form for a waitress, which literally means: Young lady!

5. The verb sich setzen is a reflexive verb. You will know more about reflexive verbs later.

Remember the following ways of word-formation (1 and 2)

die Speise + die Karte = die Speisekarte menu
verzeih(en) + ung = die Verzeihung forgiveness

Practise in reading the words

Ist dieser Tisch frei?

Grammar points

You already know that adjectives can be used as attributes (see lesson 5, activity 1). Let’s talk about it more.

Unlike English, German adjectives are declined, in other words, they change cases. At the same time, the ending of a n adjective depends on the word before the noun, that is the article (definite or indefinite), a pronoun etc. If this word shows the gender, the number and the case, then the adjective has the neutral ending of -е or -еn. On the other hand, if this word does not show this information, then the adjective shows it. There are 3 types of adjective declensions in German. Let’s examine the first one.

Adjectives have such endings in their singular form after the indefinite article ein (eine, ein) and possessive pronouns (mein, Ihr etc.)

Adjectives have such endings in their plural form if the noun is without an article (if the indefinite article was in singular), and also after viele and einige. When you ask a question to an adjective, the question phrase is used: was für ein(e) what kind of, what a, what?

Adjective declension (endings) after indefinite article

1. You would like to take a certain seat. Say it to the interlocutor. Ask the interlocutor where would (s)he like to sit.

2. You suggest going to your room in order not to bother someone. The interlocutor agrees with you.

3. You think that the interlocutor is wrong about something. Tell him or her about it. What question would you ask if you were the interlocutor?

4. The interlocutor is not sure if (s)he bothers you or not. Answer. What Собеседник не уверен, мешает ли он вам. What question would you ask if you were the interlocutor?

5. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate words from the dialogue.

1. Verzeihung, haben Sie ? 2. Herr Ober, die bitte! 3. Was können Sie uns ? 4. Dieser Tisch ist leider . 5. Hier ist leider schon . 6. Sie sich in die Ecke oder an die Tür.

6. Reconstruct the dialogue by filling in the gaps with the appropriate words.

7. Try to reproduce the dialogue “Ist dieser Tisch frei?” by memory.

Check yourself!

What expressions will you use if you want to:

ask the waiter where you can sit
find out if the seat (table) is free
ask if you are allowed to smoke
ask the waiter for the menu