Computer games (AQA GCSE German): Revision Notes
Computer games
Key vocabulary
Understanding computer game vocabulary is essential for discussing technology and entertainment in German. Many gaming terms are cognates (words similar to English), making them easier to remember.
| German | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| das Computerspiel | computer game | neuter |
| die Gewalt | violence | feminine |
| der Krieg | war | masculine |
| das Lernspiel | educational game | neuter |
| die Rolle | role | feminine |
| der Spieler / die Spielerin | player (male/female) | masculine/feminine |
| die Szene | scene | feminine |
| erfolgreich | successful | - |
| bauen | to build | - |
| darstellen | to depict/portray | - |
Useful cognates and near-cognates
These words are very similar to their English equivalents, making them easier to learn:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die Action | action |
| die Reaktion | reaction |
| das Rennspiel | racing game |
| die Spielkonsole | games console |
| strategisch | strategic |
| rennen | to run/race |
Cognates are your best friend when learning German gaming vocabulary! Focus on these first as they'll give you confidence and help you build momentum in your vocabulary learning.
Compound nouns in gaming
German frequently creates new words by joining existing words together. This is particularly common with gaming vocabulary, where you combine different elements to describe specific game types.
Formation rules
When creating compound nouns in German, you simply join the words together. Sometimes you need to add an 's' between the words to help them flow better when spoken.
Critical Grammar Rule: The gender of a compound noun is always determined by the last word in the combination. This is one of the most important rules to remember when learning German compound nouns!
Examples with game types
Here's how different game genres are formed by combining words:
Worked Example: Compound Noun Formation
- die Rolle + das Spiel = das Rollenspiel (role-playing game)
- der Sport + das Spiel = das Sportspiel (sports game)
- die Action + das Spiel = das Actionspiel (action game)
- der Krieg + das Spiel = das Kriegsspiel (war game)
Notice how each compound noun takes the gender of 'das Spiel' (the last word), making them all neuter.
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Learning to navigate German compound words and pronunciation patterns will significantly enhance your gaming vocabulary comprehension.
Helpful Learning Strategies:
- When you encounter a long compound word, break it down into its component parts to understand the meaning
- Remember that the definite article (der/die/das) matches the final element of the compound
- Many gaming terms borrowed from English keep their original pronunciation but follow German grammar rules
- The word 'Spiel' is pronounced 'shpeel' with a long 'ee' sound
Example sentences
Understanding how to use gaming vocabulary in different tenses will help you discuss games more naturally in German conversations and writing.
Worked Example: Using Gaming Vocabulary in Different Tenses
Present tense:
- Ich spiele gern Computerspiele. (I like playing computer games.)
- Das Lernspiel ist sehr erfolgreich. (The educational game is very successful.)
Past tense:
- Wir haben gestern ein Kriegsspiel gespielt. (We played a war game yesterday.)
- Sie hat eine neue Spielkonsole gekauft. (She bought a new games console.)
Future tense:
- Morgen werden wir ein Rennspiel ausprobieren. (Tomorrow we will try out a racing game.)
Translation exercises
Practice is essential for mastering new vocabulary. These exercises will help you apply what you've learned about gaming terms and compound nouns.
Translation Practice Exercises
German to English:
- Das Actionspiel ist sehr strategisch.
- Die Spielerin baut eine neue Szene.
English to German: 3. The role-playing game contains no violence. 4. Players need to react quickly in racing games.
Answers:
- The action game is very strategic.
- The (female) player builds a new scene.
- Das Rollenspiel enthält keine Gewalt.
- Spieler müssen bei Rennspielen schnell reagieren.
Reading comprehension strategies
When reading German texts about computer games, don't be intimidated by long compound words. The key is to approach them systematically and use the patterns you've learned.
Avoid Common Mistakes: Don't try to memorise every long compound word individually. Instead, focus on recognising the component parts and understanding how they combine to create meaning.
Break them down systematically - identify the root words and work out how they combine to create the meaning. Look for cognates and familiar elements within longer terms.
For example, if you see 'Kriegsspiel', break it down: 'Krieg' (war) + 'Spiel' (game) = war game. This approach will help you tackle even complex gaming vocabulary with confidence.
Key Points to Remember:
- Many computer game terms in German are cognates - they look similar to English words
- Compound nouns are formed by joining words together, sometimes with an 's' between them
- The gender of compound nouns always follows the last word in the combination
- Break down long words into smaller parts to understand their meaning
- Practice using gaming vocabulary in different tenses to become more fluent