Einheit 6-Familie und Beziehungen.

📘 Colloquial German for Beginners

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 UNIT 6: Family and Relationships

🗣️ Dialogue 1 – Talking About Family (Standard German)

Basic Phrases:

• Hast du ...? – Do you have ...?
• Ich habe ... – I have ...
• Wie alt sind sie? – How old are they?
• Meine Eltern – My parents
• Danke fürs Erzählen! – Thanks for sharing!

Anna: Hallo, hast du eine große Familie?

Tom: Ja, ich habe zwei Brüder und eine Schwester.

Anna: Wie alt sind sie?

Tom: Mein Bruder ist 25, meine Schwester ist 20, und der andere Bruder ist 30.

Anna: Hast du auch Eltern?

Tom: Natürlich, meine Eltern wohnen in München.

Anna: Danke fürs Erzählen!

Tom: Gern geschehen!

📝 Translation

Anna: Hello, do you have a big family?

Tom: Yes, I have two brothers and a sister.

Anna: How old are they?

Tom: My brother is 25, my sister is 20, and the other brother is 30.

Anna: Do you also have parents?

Tom: Of course, my parents live in Munich.

Anna: Thanks for sharing!

Tom: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 2 – Chatting About Family (Colloquial German)

Basic Phrases:

• Hast’n ...? – Do you have ...?
• Ich hab ... – I have ...
• Wie alt sind die? – How old are they?
• Die wohnen ... – They live ...
• Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Ben: Hey, hast’n große Familie?

Lisa: Klar, ich hab zwei Brüder und ’ne Schwester.

Ben: Wie alt sind die?

Lisa: Mein Bruder is 25, meine Schwester 20, und der andere is 30.

Ben: Hast’n auch Eltern?

Lisa: Jo, die wohnen in München.

Ben: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!

Lisa: Kein Ding!

📝 Translation

Ben: Hey, do you have a big family?

Lisa: Sure, I’ve got two brothers and a sister.

Ben: How old are they?

Lisa: My brother’s 25, my sister’s 20, and the other one’s 30.

Ben: Got parents too?

Lisa: Yeah, they live in Munich.

Ben: Thanks for telling!

Lisa: No prob!

🗣️ Dialogue 3 – Talking About Family (Bavarian)

Basic Phrases:

• Hast ...? – Do you have ...?
• I hab ... – I have ...
• Wui oid san die? – How old are they?
• Meine Eitn – My parents
• Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Sepp: Servus, hast a große Familie?

Maria: Jo, i hab zwoa Brüada und a Schwester.

Sepp: Wui oid san die?

Maria: Mein Bruada is 25, meine Schwester 20, und da andre is 30.

Sepp: Hast a Eltern?

Maria: Freilich, meine Eitn wui in Minga.

Sepp: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!

Maria: Gern g’scheh!

📝 Translation

Sepp: Hello, do you have a big family?

Maria: Yeah, I have two brothers and a sister.

Sepp: How old are they?

Maria: My brother is 25, my sister is 20, and the other is 30.

Sepp: Do you have parents?

Maria: Of course, my parents live in Munich.Sepp: Thanks for telling!

Maria: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 4 – Talking About Family (Swabian)

Basic Phrases:

• Hast ...? – Do you have ...?
• I ha ... – I have ...
• Wia oid sind die? – How old are they?
• Mei Eltra – My parents
• Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Lena: Grüß di, hast an große Familie?

Max: Jo, i ha zwoi Brueder ond a Schwöster.

Lena: Wia oid sind die?

Max: Mein Brueder isch 25, mei Schwöster 20, ond dr andere isch 30.

Lena: Hast a Eltern?

Max: Klar, mei Eltra wohnat in Minga.

Lena: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Max: Gudd, bittschö!

📝 Translation

Lena: Hello, do you have a big family?

Max: Yeah, I have two brothers and a sister.

Lena: How old are they?

Max: My brother is 25, my sister is 20, and the other is 30.

Lena: Do you have parents?

Max: Sure, my parents live in Munich.

Lena: Thanks for telling!

Max: You’re welcome!

🧠 Vocabulary

Standard: Hast du ...?

Colloquial: Hast’n ...?

Bavarian: Hast ...?

Swabian: Hast ...?

Meaning: Do you have ...?

Standard: Ich habe ...

Colloquial: Ich hab ...

Bavarian: I hab ...

Swabian: I ha ...

Meaning: I have ...

Standard: Wie alt sind sie?

Colloquial: Wie alt sind die?

Bavarian: Wui oid san die?

Swabian: Wia oid sind die?

Meaning: How old are they?

Standard: Meine Eltern

Colloquial: Die wohnen ...

Bavarian: Meine Eitn

Swabian: Mei Eltra

Meaning: My parents

Standard: Danke fürs Erzählen!

Colloquial: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!

Bavarian: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!

Swabian: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Meaning: Thanks for telling!

Standard: Familie

Colloquial: Familie

Bavarian: Familie

Swabian: Familie

Meaning: Family

Standard: Bruder

Colloquial: Bruder

Bavarian: Bruada

Swabian: Brueder

Meaning: Brother

Standard: Schwester

Colloquial: Schwester

Bavarian: Schwester

Swabian: Schwöster

Meaning: Sister

Note: Colloquial German uses contractions like “hast’n” and slang like “kein Ding.” Bavarian uses “jo” and regional terms like “Eitn.” Swabian has a melodic tone with words like “Eltra” and “gudd.”

📚 Grammar Focus: Possessive Pronouns and Family Terms

Possessive pronouns are key for talking about family relationships in German:

• Standard German: Formal pronouns and clear structures (Dialogue 1).
• Colloquial German: Simplified with contractions (Dialogue 2).
• Bavarian: Regional terms like “mei” and “Eitn” (Dialogue 3).
• Swabian: Softer pronunciation, similar structure (Dialogue 4).

Pronoun: Meine

Standard: Meine

Colloquial: Mein

Bavarian: Mei

Swabian: Mei

Meaning: My (feminine/plural)

Pronoun: Mein

Standard: Mein

Colloquial: Mein

Bavarian: Mei

Swabian: Mei

Meaning: My (masculine/neuter)

Phrase: Meine Eltern

Standard: Meine Eltern

Colloquial: Die wohnen ...

Bavarian: Meine Eitn

Swabian: Mei Eltra

Meaning: My parents

Examples:

Standard:

• “Meine Familie ist groß.” – Formal.
• “Mein Bruder ist älter.” – Clear.
• “Meine Eltern wohnen in München.” – Polite.

Colloquial:

• “Mein Familie is groß.” – Casual.
• “Mein Bruder is älter.” – Relaxed.
• “Die wohnen in München.” – Lively.

Bavarian:

• “Mei Familie is groß.” – Regional.
• “Mein Bruada is oida.” – Warm.
• “Meine Eitn wui in Minga.” – Sing-song.

Swabian:

• “Mei Familie isch groß.” – Soft.
• “Mein Brueder isch älter.” – Melodic.
• “Mei Eltra wohnat in Minga.” – Expressive.

✍️ Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank (Standard German)

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase or family term in Standard German.

• 1. Hast du eine große ___?
• 2. Ich habe zwei ___ und eine Schwester.
• 3. Wie alt sind ___?
• 4. Meine ___ wohnen in München.
• 5. Danke fürs ___!

Solutions:

• 1. Hast du eine große Familie?
• 2. Ich habe zwei Brüder und eine Schwester.
• 3. Wie alt sind sie?
• 4. Meine Eltern wohnen in München.
• 5. Danke fürs Erzählen!

Exercise 2: Matching Phrases to Dialects

Match the phrase to its dialect.

• 1. Hast du eine große Familie?
• 2. Hast’n große Familie?
• 3. Hast a große Familie?
• 4. Hast an große Familie?

Options:

• A. Standard German
• B. Colloquial German
• C. Bavarian
• D. Swabian

Solutions:

• 1. Hast du eine große Familie? – A. Standard German
• 2. Hast’n große Familie? – B. Colloquial German
• 3. Hast a große Familie? – C. Bavarian
• 4. Hast an große Familie? – D. Swabian

Exercise 3: Sentence Ordering (Colloquial German)

Put the words in order to form a correct sentence in Colloquial German.

• 1. hast’n / große / Familie?
• 2. hab / ich / Brüder / zwei!
• 3. alt / sind / wie / die?

Solutions:

• 1. Hast’n große Familie?
• 2. Ich hab zwei Brüder!
• 3. Wie alt sind die?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Vocabulary

Choose the correct vocabulary word to complete the sentence (use the dialect indicated).

• 1. (Standard) ___ du eine große Familie?
  A. Hast   B. Was   C. Wie
• 2. (Colloquial) ___ große Familie?
  A. Hast’n   B. Was’n   C. Wie’n
• 3. (Bavarian) ___ danke!
  A. Jo   B. Gudd   C. Klar
• 4. (Swabian) ___ gudd, danke!
  A. Jo   B. Naus   C. Hin

Solutions:

• 1. Hast du eine große Familie?
• 2. Hast’n große Familie?
• 3. Jo danke!
• 4. Jo gudd, danke!

Exercise 5: Fill in the Blank (Mixed Dialects)

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase or family term (use the dialect indicated).

• 1. (Standard) Ich habe eine ___.
• 2. (Colloquial) Ich hab ’ne ___.
• 3. (Bavarian) Mei ___ is 25.
• 4. (Swabian) Wia oid isch dei ___?
• 5. (Standard) Meine ___ wohnen in München.

Solutions:

• 1. Ich habe eine Schwester.
• 2. Ich hab ’ne Schwester.
• 3. Mei Bruada is 25.
• 4. Wia oid isch dei Schwöster?
• 5. Meine Eltern wohnen in München.

Exercise 6: Translate and Transform (Standard to Colloquial)

Translate the following Standard German sentences into Colloquial German, using slang or informal expressions. Provide a brief explanation of the changes.

• 1. Hast du eine große Familie?
• 2. Ich habe zwei Brüder.
• 3. Wie alt sind sie?
• 4. Danke fürs Erzählen!

Solutions:

• 1. Colloquial: Hast’n große Familie?
  Explanation: “Hast du” becomes “Hast’n” with a contraction for casual tone.
• 2. Colloquial: Ich hab zwei Brüder.
  Explanation: “Ich habe” is shortened to “Ich hab” for informality.
• 3. Colloquial: Wie alt sind die?
  Explanation: “Wie alt sind sie” is simplified to “Wie alt sind die” for a relaxed vibe.
• 4. Colloquial: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!
  Explanation: “Danke fürs Erzählen” is replaced with a more conversational phrase.

Exercise 7: Create Your Own Dialogue (Mixed Dialects)

Write a short dialogue (4-6 lines) between two people talking about family, using one of the following styles: Standard German, Colloquial German, Bavarian, or Swabian. Include at least one family term and one phrase from the vocabulary section. Provide the translation into English.

Example:

• Style: Colloquial German
• Person 1: Hey, hast’n große Familie?
• Person 2: Klar, ich hab ’ne Schwester und zwei Brüder.
• Person 1: Wie alt sind die?
• Person 2: So 20 und 25. Danke, dass du fragst!
• Translation:
• Person 1: Hey, do you have a big family?
• Person 2: Sure, I’ve got a sister and two brothers.
• Person 1: How old are they?
• Person 2: About 20 and 25. Thanks for asking!

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice (Dialect Identification)

Identify the dialect of the following sentences.

• 1. Hast a große Familie?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 2. Hast du eine große Familie?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 3. Hast’n große Familie?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 4. Hast an große Familie?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian

Solutions:

• 1. Hast a große Familie? – C. Bavarian
• 2. Hast du eine große Familie? – A. Standard German
• 3. Hast’n große Familie? – B. Colloquial German
• 4. Hast an große Familie? – D. Swabian

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Substitution (Regional Dialects)

Rewrite the following Standard German sentences by substituting key words with their Bavarian or Swabian equivalents.

• 1. Ich habe eine Schwester.
• 2. Meine Eltern wohnen in München.
• 3. Wie alt sind sie?
• 4. Danke fürs Erzählen!

Solutions:

• 1. Bavarian: I hab a Schwester.
  Swabian: I ha a Schwöster.
• 2. Bavarian: Meine Eitn wui in Minga.
  Swabian: Mei Eltra wohnat in Minga.
• 3. Bavarian: Wui oid san die?
  Swabian: Wia oid sind die?
• 4. Bavarian: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!
  Swabian: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Exercise 10: Comprehension and Writing (Reading-Based)

Based on the reading passages (Text 1: Standard German and Text 2: Colloquial German), answer the following questions in complete sentences using either Standard German or Colloquial German. Then, write a short 3-4 sentence paragraph in the same style describing a similar scene (e.g., someone talking about their family).

• 1. What is the setting of each reading passage?
• 2. Who is the person talking about their family?
• 3. What family members are mentioned in each passage?

Example Response (Colloquial German):

• 1. Text 1 is bei ’nem Treffen, Text 2 is a in ’ner Kneipe.
• 2. In Text 1 is es ein Freund, in Text 2 ’n Typ.
• 3. In Text 1 sind’s Eltern und Geschwister, in Text 2 a Eltern und Brüder.
• Paragraph: In der Kneipe is voll gemütlich! Ein Typ erzählt von seiner Familie, hat zwei Brüder und ’ne Schwester. Die sind alle voll nett, sagt er!

📖 Reading Passages

Text 1: A Family Gathering (Standard German)

Es ist ein sonniger Nachmittag. Eine Gruppe von Freunden trifft sich im Park. Ein Freund erzählt von seiner Familie. „Ich habe zwei Brüder und eine Schwester,“ sagt er. „Wie alt sind sie?“ fragt ein anderer. „Mein Bruder ist 25, meine Schwester ist 20, und der andere Bruder ist 30,“ antwortet er. Alle genießen das Gespräch und die warme Sonne.

📝 Translation

It’s a sunny afternoon. A group of friends meets in the park. One friend talks about his family. “I have two brothers and a sister,” he says. “How old are they?” another asks. “My brother is 25, my sister is 20, and the other brother is 30,” he replies. Everyone enjoys the conversation and the warm sun.

📘 Glossary

Term: Sonniger Nachmittag

Meaning: Sunny afternoon

Term: Gruppe von Freunden

Meaning: Group of friends

Term: Park

Meaning: Park

Term: Erzählt

Meaning: Talks

Term: Familie

Meaning: Family

Term: Brüder

Meaning: Brothers

Term: Schwester

Meaning: Sister

Term: Wie alt sind sie

Meaning: How old are they?

Term: Antwortet

Meaning: Replies

Term: Genießen

Meaning: Enjoy

Term: Gespräch

Meaning: Conversation

Term: Warme Sonne

Meaning: Warm sun

🧩 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• Who is talking about their family?
• What family members are mentioned?
• What question does another friend ask?
• How is the atmosphere described?

Solutions

• The setting is a park on a sunny afternoon.
• A friend is talking about his family.
• Two brothers and a sister are mentioned.
• Another friend asks, “How old are they?”
• The atmosphere is described as enjoyable with warm sun.

Text 2: A Chill Chat in the Pub (Colloquial German)

Is’ ’n cooler Abend in der Kneipe. ’n Typ plaudert mit seinen Kumpels. „Ich hab zwei Brüder und ’ne Schwester,“ sagt er. „Wie alt sind die?“ fragt einer. „Mein Bruder is 25, meine Schwester 20, und der andere is 30,“ grinst er. Alle haben Spaß und quatschen weiter.

📝 Translation

It’s a cool evening in the pub. A guy chats with his buddies. “I’ve got two brothers and a sister,” he says. “How old are they?” one asks. “My brother’s 25, my sister’s 20, and the other’s 30,” he grins. Everyone’s having fun and keeps talking.

📘 Glossary

Term: Cooler Abend

Meaning: Cool evening

Term: Kneipe

Meaning: Pub

Term: Typ

Meaning: Guy

Term: Plaudert

Meaning: Chats

Term: Kumpels

Meaning: Buddies

Term: Ich hab

Meaning: I have

Term: Brüder

Meaning: Brothers

Term: Schwester

Meaning: Sister

Term: Wie alt sind die

Meaning: How old are they?

Term: Grinst

Meaning: Grins

Term: Haben Spaß

Meaning: Have fun

Term: Quatschen

Meaning: Chat

🧪 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• Who is talking about their family?
• What family members are mentioned?
• What question does someone ask?
• How is the atmosphere described?

Solutions

• The setting is a pub on a cool evening.
• A guy is talking about his family.
• Two brothers and a sister are mentioned.
• Someone asks, “How old are they?”
• The atmosphere is described as fun and chatty.