Television (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Television
Key vocabulary for television programmes
Understanding television-related vocabulary is essential for discussing your viewing habits and preferences in German. Here are the most important terms you need to know:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Dokumentarfilm (m) | documentary |
| Inhalt (m) | content |
| Komödie (f) | comedy |
| Krimi (m) | detective story |
| Nachrichten (f, pl) | news |
| Sendung (f) | programme |
| Serie (f) | series |
| Zuschauer (m, pl) | viewers |
| German | English |
|---|---|
| im Fernsehen | on TV |
| über | about |
| ansehen | to watch |
| anschauen | to watch |
| fernsehen | to watch TV |
The three main verbs for watching television (ansehen, anschauen, and fernsehen) are all separable verbs, which affects how they're used in sentences.
Example sentences using television vocabulary
Practical Examples: Using Television Vocabulary
- Heute Abend gibt es eine Sendung über die Arbeit in einem Krankenhaus. (There's a programme on tonight about work in a hospital.)
- Um 19 Uhr schaue ich die Nachrichten an. (I'm watching the news at 7 pm.)
- Gibt es keine Komödien heute? (Aren't there any comedies today?)
- Hast du den Dokumentarfilm über kranke Tiere gesehen? (Did you see the documentary about sick animals?)
Important note about verbs
The verbs ansehen, anschauen, and fernsehen are all separable verbs in German. This means the prefix separates from the main verb in certain tenses and sentence structures. Make sure you understand how separable verbs work, as this is crucial for using these television-related verbs correctly.
Asking about television programmes
When discussing television in German, you'll need to know how to ask and answer questions about programmes. Here are key phrases for engaging in conversations:
- Was siehst du gern im Fernsehen? (What do you like watching on television?)
- Was gibt es im Fernsehen? (What's on television?)
These question forms allow you to engage in conversations about viewing preferences and current programmes.
The 24-hour clock in German
German frequently uses the 24-hour clock system, especially for television schedules and official timetables. Understanding this system is essential for discussing programme times.
How to express 24-hour time
The structure for stating 24-hour times in German is straightforward: the hour + Uhr + the minutes
Time Expression Examples:
| Time | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| 15:20 | fünfzehn Uhr zwanzig | 3:20 pm |
| 19:55 | neunzehn Uhr fünfundfünfzig | 7:55 pm |
Converting between 24-hour and 12-hour time
For times after midday (13:00 onwards), subtract 12 from the hour to convert to 12-hour format:
- 20:30 = zwanzig Uhr dreißig = 8:30 pm (acht Uhr dreißig or halb neun)
Digital time displays
You'll also see times displayed digitally on television schedules:
- 09:30 = neun Uhr dreißig
- 12:45 = zwölf Uhr fünfundvierzig
- 16:15 = sechzehn Uhr fünfzehn
- 20:40 = zwanzig Uhr vierzig
- 23:00 = dreiundzwanzig Uhr
Translation practice
Translation Exercise: Television Times and Programmes
German to English:
- Heute Abend um 19:30 Uhr gibt es die Serie Nachbarn.
- Um 21:30 Uhr sind die Nachrichten.
English to German:
- At 7:30 pm you can watch a series.
- The traffic police programme is at 10 pm.
Answers:
- This evening at 7:30 pm there's the series Neighbours.
- At 9:30 pm it's the news.
- Um 19:30 Uhr kannst du eine Serie schauen.
- Das Verkehrspolizei-Programm ist um 22 Uhr.
Writing about television
When writing about television in German, you should include these key points:
- What you watch on television
- What you think of television programmes
- What you have watched recently
- What you would like to see on television
Structure your writing clearly and aim for 80-90 words. Use a variety of vocabulary and include specific programme types to demonstrate your knowledge.
Including specific programme types like Krimi, Komödie, or Dokumentarfilm in your writing will show your mastery of television vocabulary and make your German more authentic.
Key Points to Remember:
- Television vocabulary includes both programme types (Krimi, Komödie, Nachrichten) and viewing verbs (ansehen, anschauen, fernsehen)
- Separable verbs for watching television behave differently from regular verbs - the prefix separates in certain constructions
- 24-hour time follows the pattern: hour + Uhr + minutes (e.g., neunzehn Uhr fünfundfünfzig)
- Time conversion: subtract 12 from afternoon/evening hours to get 12-hour equivalents
- Writing tasks should cover what you watch, your opinions, recent viewing, and future preferences