English and German Grammar Terms
Explained in Plain English
Po-Pu | Q-R | Se-St | Index 3 (Q-Z)
HOW TO USE THIS GLOSSARY: Each grammar term is listed alphabetically in English, along with its German equivalent (often Latin-based) and in some cases the Germanic term. Words in ALL CAPS refer to terms that are also defined in this glossary. Noun gender is indicated by r (der), e (die), or s (das). Most entries have a link to a related lesson or grammar guide.
| German Grammar Glossary Deutsches Grammatik-Lexikon |
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| English | Deutsch | Explanation |
| > Continued from Po-Pu | ||
| QUOTATION MARK | s Anführungszeichen Gänsefüßchen (Pl.) |
German QUOTATION MARKS are slightly different from those in English and can take several forms. Examples: „lower and upper“ and »chevron style«. For more > German Punctuation. |
| QUOTATIVE | indirekte Rede | A German SUBJUNCTIVE verb form that indicates indirect speech, most commonly in the third PERSON singular. Example: Er sagte, er habe kein Geld. = He says he has no money. The term QUOTATIVE may also refer to expressions such as the youth slang "und ich so/und er so" that resemble English "and I'm like/and he's like" to indicate what someone has said. Also see: Subjunctive II |
| RECIPROCAL PRONOUN | s reziproke Pronomen | A RECIPROCAL PRONOUN is one that indicates an exchange between two people. In German, it can be a REFLEXIVE PRONOUN or einander (each other). The latter is preferred because it makes the relationship clear. Examples: Sie nickten sich zu. - sie nickten einander zu. Also see REFLEXIVE PRONOUN below. |
| REFLEXIVE PRONOUN | s Reflexivpronomen | A REFLEXIVE PRONOUN is one that reflects back to the SUBJECT of a sentence, usually as part of a REFLEXIVE VERB. In German, reflexives can be in the ACCUSATIVE or DATIVE CASE. Examples: Ich habe mir ein Buch gekauft. - Er freut sich auf Weihnachten. Also see REFLEXIVE VERB below. |
| REFLEXIVE VERB | s reflexive Verb | A VERB used with a REFLEXIVE PRONOUN (above). Some verbs are exclusively reflexive, while others can be reflexive or not. Examples: sich amüsieren (to enjoy oneself), sich wohl fühlen (to feel good), sich die Zähne putzen (to brush one's teeth). Also see > Reflexive Verbs |
| REGISTER | e Textsorte | A language variety or VARIANT ranging from vulgar/informal to literary. Any language, including German, has various levels of REGISTER which concern the appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary in various situations. One system of categorizing register ranges from R1 (informal) to R3 (literary). Register can also reflect regional variations of German. Also see VARIANT. |
| RELATIVE CLAUSE | r Relativsatz | Same as a DEPENDENT CLAUSE or SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (der Nebensatz). A clause, usually introduced by a CONJUNCTION, that modifies and is related to another clause in a sentence. In German, the FINITE VERB is placed at the end of a relative clause. Example: Als wir ankamen, war es schon dunkel. |
| RELATIVE PRONOUN | s Relativpronomen | A PRONOUN (who, that, which) that introduces a RELATIVE or SUBORDINATE CLAUSE describing a noun (ANTECEDENT), and refers back to that noun. In German, the relative prounoun is usually a form of der, die, or das. Example: Der Mann, den ich gestern sah, war nicht jung. |
| MORE > S-W | ||
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Index 1 | M-N | O-Pl | Pos-Punc | More Terms (Q-Z)
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