Einheit 5: Reisen und Wegbeschreibungen

📘 Colloquial German for Beginners

🗺️ UNIT 5: Travel and Directions

🗣️ Dialogue 1 – Asking for Directions (Standard German)

Basic Phrases:

• Wo ist ...? – Where is ...?
• Geradeaus – Straight ahead
• Wie lange dauert es? – How long does it take?
• Gibt es ...? – Is there ...?
• Vielen Dank! – Thank you very much!

Anna: Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?

Passant: Der Bahnhof ist dort drüben, geradeaus.

Anna: Wie lange dauert es zu Fuß?

Passant: Etwa zehn Minuten.

Anna: Gibt es einen Bus dorthin?

Passant: Ja, der Bus Nummer 5 fährt zum Bahnhof.

Anna: Vielen Dank!

Passant: Gern geschehen!

📝 Translation

Anna: Excuse me, where is the train station?

Passerby: The train station is over there, straight ahead.

Anna: How long does it take on foot?

Passerby: About ten minutes.

Anna: Is there a bus there?

Passerby: Yes, bus number 5 goes to the station.

Anna: Thank you very much!

Passerby: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 2 – Finding the Museum (Colloquial German)

Basic Phrases:

• Wo is’n ...? – Where’s ...?
• Einfach geradeaus – Just straight ahead
• Wie lang braucht man? – How long does it take?
• Gibt’s ...? – Is there ...?
• Danke, Mann! – Thanks, man!

Ben: Hey, wo is’n das Museum?

Passant: Da drüben, einfach geradeaus.

Ben: Wie lang braucht man da hin?

Passant: So zehn Minuten, schätze ich.

Ben: Gibt’s ’nen Bus?

Passant: Klar, die Linie 3 fährt da hin.

Ben: Danke, Mann!

Passant: Kein Ding!

📝 Translation

Ben: Hey, where’s the museum?

Passerby: Over there, just straight ahead.

Ben: How long does it take to get there?

Passerby: About ten minutes, I guess.

Ben: Is there a bus?

Passerby: Sure, line 3 goes there.

Ben: Thanks, man!

Passerby: No problem!

🗣️ Dialogue 3 – Finding the Castle (Bavarian)

Basic Phrases:

• Wo is ...? – Where is ...?
• Grad aus – Straight ahead
• Wui lang braucht ma? – How long does it take?
• Gibt’s ...? – Is there ...?
• Jo, danke! – Yeah, thanks!

Sepp: Servus, wo is des Schloss?

Passant: Do drübn, grad aus.

Sepp: Wui lang braucht ma?

Passant: So z’ehn Minutn, g’fui.

Sepp: Gibt’s an Bus?

Passant: Jo, da Bus 7 foa da hi.

Sepp: Jo, danke!

Passant: Gern g’scheh!

📝 Translation

Sepp: Hello, where’s the castle?

Passerby: Over there, straight ahead.

Sepp: How long does it take?

Passerby: About ten minutes, I’d say.

Sepp: Is there a bus?

Passerby: Yeah, bus 7 goes there.

Sepp: Yeah, thanks!

Passerby: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 4 – Finding the Town Hall (Swabian)

Basic Phrases:

• Wo is ...? – Where is ...?
• Gradaus – Straight ahead
• Wia lang braucht ma? – How long does it take?
• Gibt’s ...? – Is there ...?
• Jo, gudd, danke! – Yeah, good, thanks!

Lena: Grüß di, wo is des Rathaus?

Passant: Da drüba, gradaus.

Lena: Wia lang braucht ma?

Passant: So zäh Minuta, würd i sag.

Lena: Gibt’s an Bus?

Passant: Jo, d’Linie 4 fahrt do hi.

Lena: Jo, gudd, danke!

Passant: Gudd, bittschö!

📝 Translation

Lena: Hello, where’s the town hall?

Passerby: Over there, straight ahead.

Lena: How long does it take?

Passerby: About ten minutes, I’d say.

Lena: Is there a bus?

Passerby: Yeah, line 4 goes there.

Lena: Yeah, good, thanks!

Passerby: You’re welcome!

🧠 Vocabulary

Standard: Wo ist ...?

Colloquial: Wo is’n ...?

Bavarian: Wo is ...?

Swabian: Wo is ...?

Meaning: Where is ...?

Standard: Geradeaus

Colloquial: Einfach geradeaus

Bavarian: Grad aus

Swabian: Gradaus

Meaning: Straight ahead

Standard: Wie lange dauert es?

Colloquial: Wie lang braucht man?

Bavarian: Wui lang braucht ma?

Swabian: Wia lang braucht ma?

Meaning: How long does it take?

Standard: Gibt es ...?

Colloquial: Gibt’s ...?

Bavarian: Gibt’s ...?

Swabian: Gibt’s ...?

Meaning: Is there ...?

Standard: Vielen Dank!

Colloquial: Danke, Mann!

Bavarian: Jo, danke!

Swabian: Jo, gudd, danke!

Meaning: Thank you!

Standard: Bahnhof

Colloquial: Bahnhof

Bavarian: Bahnhof

Swabian: Bahnhof

Meaning: Train station

Standard: Museum

Colloquial: Museum

Bavarian: Museum

Swabian: Museum

Meaning: Museum

Standard: Schloss

Colloquial: Schloss

Bavarian: Schloss

Swabian: Schloss

Meaning: Castle

Standard: Rathaus

Colloquial: Rathaus

Bavarian: Rathaus

Swabian: Rathaus

Meaning: Town hall

Standard: Bus

Colloquial: Bus

Bavarian: Bus

Swabian: Bus

Meaning: Bus

Standard: Minuten

Colloquial: Minuten

Bavarian: Minutn

Swabian: Minuta

Meaning: Minutes

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

📚 Grammar Focus: Directions and Prepositions

Prepositions are key for giving and understanding directions in German:

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

Preposition: Dort drüben

Standard: Dort drüben

Colloquial: Da drüben

Bavarian: Do drübn

Swabian: Da drüba

Meaning: Over there

Preposition: Geradeaus

Standard: Geradeaus

Colloquial: Einfach geradeaus

Bavarian: Grad aus

Swabian: Gradaus

Meaning: Straight ahead

Phrase: Zum Bahnhof

Standard: Zum Bahnhof

Colloquial: Da hin

Bavarian: Da hi

Swabian: Do hi

Meaning: To the train station

Examples:

Standard:

• “Der Bahnhof ist dort drüben.” – Formal.
• “Gehen Sie geradeaus.” – Clear.
• “Gibt es einen Bus zum Bahnhof?” – Polite.

Colloquial:

• “Das Museum is da drüben.” – Casual.
• “Geh einfach geradeaus.” – Relaxed.
• “Gibt’s ’nen Bus da hin?” – Lively.

Bavarian:

• “Des Schloss is do drübn.” – Regional.
• “Geh grad aus.” – Warm.
• “Gibt’s an Bus da hi?” – Sing-song.

Swabian:

• “Des Rathaus is da drüba.” – Soft.
• “Geh gradaus.” – Melodic.
• “Gibt’s an Bus do hi?” – Expressive.

✍️ Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank (Standard German)

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase or preposition in Standard German.

• 1. Entschuldigung, wo ist der ___?
• 2. Gehen Sie ___.
• 3. Wie lange ___ es zu Fuß?
• 4. Gibt es einen ___ zum Museum?
• 5. Vielen ___!

Solutions:

• 1. Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?
• 2. Gehen Sie geradeaus.
• 3. Wie lange dauert es zu Fuß?
• 4. Gibt es einen Bus zum Museum?
• 5. Vielen Dank!

Exercise 2: Matching Phrases to Dialects

Match the phrase to its dialect.

• 1. Wo ist der Bahnhof?
• 2. Wo is’n das Museum?
• 3. Wo is des Schloss?
• 4. Wo is des Rathaus?

Options:

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

Solutions:

• 1. Wo ist der Bahnhof? – A. Standard German
• 2. Wo is’n das Museum? – B. Colloquial German
• 3. Wo is des Schloss? – C. Bavarian
• 4. Wo is des Rathaus? – D. Swabian

Exercise 3: Sentence Ordering (Colloquial German)

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

• 1. is’n / wo / Museum / das?
• 2. einfach / geh / geradeaus!
• 3. braucht / lang / wie / man?

Solutions:

• 1. Wo is’n das Museum?
• 2. Geh einfach geradeaus!
• 3. Wie lang braucht man?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Vocabulary

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

• 1. (Standard) ___ ist der Bahnhof?
  A. Wo   B. Was   C. Wie
• 2. (Colloquial) ___ is’n das Schloss?
  A. Wo   B. Was   C. Wie
• 3. (Bavarian) ___ danke!
  A. Jo   B. Gudd   C. Klar
• 4. (Swabian) ___ gudd, danke!
  A. Jo   B. Naus   C. Hin

Solutions:

• 1. Wo ist der Bahnhof?
• 2. Wo is’n das Schloss?
• 3. Jo danke!
• 4. Jo gudd, danke!

Exercise 5: Fill in the Blank (Mixed Dialects)

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

• 1. (Standard) Wo ist das ___?
• 2. (Colloquial) Gibt’s ’nen ___ da hin?
• 3. (Bavarian) Geh ___ aus!
• 4. (Swabian) Wia lang braucht ma zum ___?
• 5. (Standard) Gehen Sie ___.

Solutions:

• 1. Wo ist das Museum?
• 2. Gibt’s ’nen Bus da hin?
• 3. Geh grad aus!
• 4. Wia lang braucht ma zum Rathaus?
• 5. Gehen Sie geradeaus.

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. Wo ist der Bahnhof?
• 2. Gibt es einen Bus?
• 3. Wie lange dauert es?
• 4. Vielen Dank!

Solutions:

• 1. Colloquial: Wo is’n der Bahnhof?
  Explanation: “Wo ist” becomes “Wo is’n” with a contraction for casual tone.
• 2. Colloquial: Gibt’s ’nen Bus?
  Explanation: “Gibt es einen” is shortened to “Gibt’s ’nen” for informality.
• 3. Colloquial: Wie lang braucht man?
  Explanation: “Wie lange dauert es” is simplified to “Wie lang braucht man” for a relaxed vibe.
• 4. Colloquial: Danke, Mann!
  Explanation: “Vielen Dank” is replaced with “Danke, Mann” for a conversational feel.

Exercise 7: Create Your Own Dialogue (Mixed Dialects)

Write a short dialogue (4-6 lines) between a tourist and a local asking for directions, using one of the following styles: Standard German, Colloquial German, Bavarian, or Swabian. Include at least one direction or preposition and one phrase from the vocabulary section. Provide the translation into English.

Example:

• Style: Colloquial German
• Tourist: Hey, wo is’n der Bahnhof?
• Local: Da drüben, einfach geradeaus.
• Tourist: Wie lang braucht man?
• Local: So zehn Minuten. Danke, Mann!
• Translation:
• Tourist: Hey, where’s the train station?
• Local: Over there, just straight ahead.
• Tourist: How long does it take?
• Local: About ten minutes. Thanks, man!

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice (Dialect Identification)

Identify the dialect of the following sentences.

• 1. Wo is des Schloss?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 2. Wo ist der Bahnhof?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 3. Wo is’n das Museum?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 4. Wo is des Rathaus?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian

Solutions:

• 1. Wo is des Schloss? – C. Bavarian
• 2. Wo ist der Bahnhof? – A. Standard German
• 3. Wo is’n das Museum? – B. Colloquial German
• 4. Wo is des Rathaus? – 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. Wo ist der Bahnhof?
• 2. Gehen Sie geradeaus.
• 3. Gibt es einen Bus?
• 4. Vielen Dank!

Solutions:

• 1. Bavarian: Wo is der Bahnhof?
  Swabian: Wo is der Bahnhof?
• 2. Bavarian: Geh grad aus.
  Swabian: Geh gradaus.
• 3. Bavarian: Gibt’s an Bus?
  Swabian: Gibt’s an Bus?
• 4. Bavarian: Jo, danke!
  Swabian: Jo, gudd, danke!

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., a tourist asking for directions).

• 1. What is the setting of each reading passage?
• 2. Where are people trying to go in each passage?
• 3. What directions are given in each passage?

Example Response (Colloquial German):

• 1. Text 1 is in der Stadt, Text 2 is a in ’ner Stadt.
• 2. In Text 1 wollen die zum Bahnhof, in Text 2 zum Museum.
• 3. In Text 1 heißt’s „geradeaus“, in Text 2 „einfach geradeaus“.
• Paragraph: In der Stadt is voll was los! Ein Typ fragt nach’m Bahnhof, und ’n Local sagt: „Geh einfach gerade!“ Total chill, Mann!

📖 Reading Passages

Text 1: A Tourist in the City (Standard German)

Es ist ein schöner Tag in der Stadt. Ein Tourist sucht den Bahnhof. Er fragt eine Passantin: „Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?“ Sie antwortet: „Gehen Sie geradeaus, er ist dort drüben.“ Der Tourist fragt: „Wie lange dauert es?“ Sie sagt: „Etwa zehn Minuten.“ Der Tourist bedankt sich und geht los. Die Stadt ist lebendig und voller Menschen.

📝 Translation

It’s a beautiful day in the city. A tourist is looking for the train station. He asks a passerby: “Excuse me, where is the train station?” She replies: “Go straight ahead, it’s over there.” The tourist asks: “How long does it take?” She says: “About ten minutes.” The tourist thanks her and sets off. The city is vibrant and full of people.

📘 Glossary

Term: Schöner Tag

Meaning: Beautiful day

Term: Stadt

Meaning: City

Term: Tourist

Meaning: Tourist

Term: Bahnhof

Meaning: Train station

Term: Passantin

Meaning: Passerby (female)

Term: Entschuldigung

Meaning: Excuse me

Term: Geradeaus

Meaning: Straight ahead

Term: Dort drüben

Meaning: Over there

Term: Wie lange dauert es

Meaning: How long does it take?

Term: Etwa

Meaning: About

Term: Minuten

Meaning: Minutes

Term: Bedanken

Meaning: To thank

Term: Gehen

Meaning: To go

Term: Lebendig

Meaning: Vibrant

Term: Voller Menschen

Meaning: Full of people

🧩 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• Where is the tourist trying to go?
• What directions does the passerby give?
• What does the tourist ask about besides the location?
• How is the city described?

Solutions

• The setting is a city on a beautiful day.
• The tourist is trying to go to the train station.
• The passerby says to go straight ahead and it’s over there.
• The tourist asks how long it takes.
• The city is described as vibrant and full of people.

Text 2: A Chill Day in the City (Colloquial German)

Is’ ’n mega Tag in der Stadt. ’n Tourist sucht’s Museum. Er fragt ’nen Typ: „Hey, wo is’n das Museum?“ Der Typ sagt: „Da drüben, geh einfach geradeaus.“ Der Tourist fragt: „Wie lang braucht man?“ Der Typ grinst: „So zehn Minuten.“ Der Tourist sagt: „Danke, Mann!“ und läuft los. Die Stadt is’ voll chill und bunt.

📝 Translation

It’s a mega day in the city. A tourist is looking for the museum. He asks a guy: “Hey, where’s the museum?” The guy says: “Over there, just go straight ahead.” The tourist asks: “How long does it take?” The guy grins: “About ten minutes.” The tourist says “Thanks, man!” and heads off. The city is totally chill and colorful.

📘 Glossary

Term: Mega Tag

Meaning: Great day

Term: Stadt

Meaning: City

Term: ’n Tourist

Meaning: Tourist

Term: Sucht’s

Meaning: Looking for

Term: Typ

Meaning: Guy

Term: Hey

Meaning: Hey

Term: Wo is’n das Museum?

Meaning: Where’s the museum?

Term: Da drüben

Meaning: Over there

Term: Geh einfach geradeaus

Meaning: Just go straight ahead

Term: Wie lang braucht man

Meaning: How long does it take?

Term: So zehn Minuten

Meaning: About ten minutes

Term: Danke, Mann

Meaning: Thanks, man

Term: Läuft los

Meaning: Heads off

Term: Voll chill

Meaning: Totally chill

Term: Bunt

Meaning: Colorful

🧪 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• What is the tourist looking for?
• What directions does the guy give?
• What else does the tourist ask?
• How is the city described?

Solutions

• The setting is a city on a great day.
• The tourist is looking for the museum.
• The guy says to go straight ahead.
• The tourist asks how long it takes.
• The city is described as totally chill and colorful.