Avoiding health risks (AQA GCSE German): Revision Notes
Avoiding health risks
Learning how to discuss health risks and give advice in German is essential for everyday conversations. This topic combines important vocabulary about health and lifestyle with key grammar structures for giving instructions and advice.
Key vocabulary for health and lifestyle
Understanding health-related terms helps you discuss wellness and give advice in German. These words form the foundation for health-related conversations and are frequently used in both formal and informal contexts.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die Droge | drug |
| der/die Erwachsene | adult |
| die Gefahr | danger |
| das Gefühl | feeling |
| das Risiko | risk |
| die Risiken | risks |
| gefährlich | dangerous |
| ausgeben | to spend (money) |
| nehmen | to take |
| probieren | to try |
| rauchen | to smoke |
| schlecht | bad |
| schrecklich | awful |
| vermeiden | to avoid |
| der Stress | stress |
Pay special attention to the plural form "die Risiken" - this is commonly used when discussing multiple health risks. Practice using both singular and plural forms in context.
Grammar focus - the imperative
The imperative form allows you to give commands, instructions, or advice directly. German has three different imperative forms depending on who you're addressing, making it crucial to understand the social context of your conversations.
Using the du form
When speaking to someone you know well (friends, family, children), use the du imperative. The formation is straightforward but requires attention to detail:
- Take the present tense du form of the verb
- Remove the -st ending
- Don't use the pronoun du
Worked Example: Forming du Imperatives
Present tense: "Du trinkst Wasser" (You drink water) Step 1: Take the du form → trinkst Step 2: Remove -st ending → trink Step 3: Add exclamation mark → "Trink mehr Wasser!" (Drink more water!)
Irregular verbs in the du form
Some verbs have irregular imperative forms that you need to memorise. These are high-frequency verbs that appear regularly in everyday German.
| Infinitive | Du imperative | English |
|---|---|---|
| haben | Hab! | Have! |
| sein | Sei! | Be! |
| essen | Iss! | Eat! |
| fahren | Fahr! | Drive! |
| geben | Gib! | Give! |
| lassen | Lass! | Leave! |
| nehmen | Nimm! | Take! |
These irregular forms don't follow the standard rule - they must be memorised individually. Focus particularly on "sein" → "sei" and "haben" → "hab" as these are among the most commonly used imperatives.
Using the ihr form
When addressing multiple people you know well, use the ihr form. This is particularly useful in group settings like family gatherings or with groups of friends:
- Use the present tense ihr form of the verb
- Don't include the pronoun ihr
Worked Example: ihr Form Imperative
Present tense: "Ihr raucht" (You [plural] smoke) Imperative: "Raucht nicht!" (Don't smoke!)
Present tense: "Ihr macht Sport" (You [plural] do sport)
Imperative: "Macht mehr Sport!" (Do more sport!)
Using the Sie form
For formal situations or when addressing adults you don't know well, the Sie form maintains respect and politeness:
- The verb comes before the pronoun Sie
- This shows respect and politeness
Always use the Sie form with adults you don't know well, in professional settings, or when giving advice to elderly people. This demonstrates cultural awareness and appropriate social boundaries.
Giving advice with modal verbs
You can soften commands by using modal verbs like müssen (must) and sollen (should). This approach is often more culturally appropriate than direct imperatives, especially in German-speaking cultures where directness should be balanced with politeness.
- "Du musst Pausen machen." (You must take breaks.)
- "Man soll nicht vor Kindern rauchen." (You shouldn't smoke in front of children.)
These expressions are less direct than imperatives but still convey important advice about health and lifestyle choices.
The impersonal "man soll" construction is particularly useful for giving general advice without targeting a specific person, making it feel less confrontational.
Example sentences in context
Here are practical examples of giving health advice that you might encounter in real conversations:
Practical Health Advice Examples
German: "Wir sollen mehr Wasser trinken." English: "We should drink more water."
German: "Ich versuche, früh ins Bett zu gehen." English: "I try to go to bed early."
German: "Drogen sind schrecklich, weil sie so gefährlich sind." English: "Drugs are terrible because they are so dangerous."
Translation practice
Practice applying your knowledge with these translation exercises. Pay attention to the different levels of formality and the appropriate grammar structures:
German to English:
- "In der Zukunft werde ich nicht rauchen."
- "Meine Freunde und ich trinken keinen Alkohol auf Partys."
English to German: 3. "We should drink more water." 4. "I try to go to bed early."
When translating, consider whether the context requires formal or informal language. This will affect your choice of imperative forms and modal verbs.
Answers:
- "In the future I won't smoke."
- "My friends and I don't drink alcohol at parties."
- "Wir sollen mehr Wasser trinken."
- "Ich versuche, früh ins Bett zu gehen."
Key Points to Remember:
- The imperative du form drops the -st ending from the present tense
- Some verbs have irregular imperative forms that need memorising
- Use Sie form imperatives in formal situations by putting the verb first
- Modal verbs like müssen and sollen help give softer advice
- Health vocabulary is essential for discussing lifestyle choices and giving advice
- Consider the social context when choosing between du, ihr, and Sie forms