Films on the internet (AQA GCSE German): Revision Notes
Films on the internet
Key vocabulary for streaming
When discussing films and streaming online in German, you'll need these essential terms:
Basic streaming vocabulary:
- streamen = to stream
- das Streaming = streaming
- die Streaming-Plattform = streaming platform
- der Streaming-Service = streaming service
- legal/illegal = legal/illegal
Understanding these terms is crucial when talking about how people watch films online today. Streaming has become the most popular way to watch movies and TV shows, and Germans use many of the same platforms as people in other countries.
Why This Vocabulary Matters
These streaming terms are used constantly in everyday German conversation about entertainment. You'll hear them in advertisements, see them on websites, and use them when discussing your viewing habits with German speakers.
Expressing preferences with gern, lieber, am liebsten
German has a simple system for showing how much you like something, using three key words that work together:
The preference scale:
- gern ♥ = like
- lieber ♥♥ = prefer
- am liebsten ♥♥♥ = like most of all
This system helps you express different levels of preference when talking about films, streaming services, or any other activities. For example, you might say you like watching films generally (gern), but you prefer Netflix over other platforms (lieber), and you like action movies most of all (am liebsten).
Critical Grammar Rule
The preference words gern, lieber, and am liebsten must be used in the correct position in German sentences. They typically come after the verb or at the end of the sentence. Incorrect placement is one of the most common mistakes learners make with these words.
Talking about prices
When discussing the cost of streaming services or film rentals, you need to know how to express prices in German:
Euro expressions:
- € means Euro (pronounced 'oy-ro')
- €10,25 = zehn Euro fünfundzwanzig (ten euros twenty-five)
- €90,70 = neunzig Euro siebzig (ninety euros seventy)
Price Format Warning
In German, euros and cents are separated by a comma, not a decimal point. This is different from English, so pay attention when writing prices. Writing €10.25 instead of €10,25 immediately marks you as a non-native speaker.
Popular streaming platforms
German speakers discuss various streaming services just like English speakers do. The major platforms include Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, Apple TV, and WOW. YouTube is particularly popular for music fans, while WOW Live Sports appeals to sports enthusiasts.
When choosing a streaming service, it's important to use legal platforms rather than illegal ones.
Legal Consequences
Using illegal streaming services can result in fines (Geldstrafe), which can be very expensive - sometimes hundreds or even thousands of euros. German authorities actively pursue copyright violations, so always stick to legitimate services.
Example sentences
Here are some practical examples of how to use this vocabulary in context:
Worked Examples: Using Preference Words
Preferences:
- "Ich schaue gern Filme online" = I like watching films online
- "Ich sehe lieber Netflix" = I prefer watching Netflix
- "Am liebsten mag ich Actionfilme" = I like action films most of all
Prices and services:
- "Netflix kostet nur €7,99 pro Monat" = Netflix costs only €7.99 per month
- "Das ist ein sehr gutes Geschäft" = That's a very good deal
Translation practice
Practice Exercise: German-English Translation
German to English:
- Ich streame gern Filme im Internet.
- Netflix ist teurer als Amazon Prime.
English to German: 3. I prefer legal streaming services. 4. The fine costs ninety euros.
Answers:
- I like streaming films on the internet.
- Netflix is more expensive than Amazon Prime.
- Ich mag lieber legale Streaming-Services.
- Die Geldstrafe kostet neunzig Euro.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use gern, lieber, am liebsten to show increasing levels of preference (♥, ♥♥, ♥♥♥)
- German uses commas to separate euros and cents, not decimal points
- Legal streaming is important - illegal services can result in expensive fines
- der Streaming-Service and die Streaming-Plattform are the main terms for online film platforms
- Practice expressing prices in German - say the euros first, then the cents