My life in the future (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
My life in the future
Essential vocabulary
Understanding key vocabulary is crucial for discussing your future plans and ambitions in German. These essential terms will form the foundation of your conversations about hopes, dreams, and intentions.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Traum | dream |
| beitragen zu | to contribute to |
| besitzen | to own |
| erfahren | to experience |
| gelingen | to succeed |
| heiraten | to marry |
| hoffen | to hope |
| schaffen | to manage |
| sich freuen auf | to look forwards to |
| wählen | to choose |
Example sentences in context:
- Ich freue mich auf meine Zukunft. (I'm looking forwards to my future.)
- Es ist mein Traum, im Ausland zu leben. (It's my dream to live abroad.)
- Ich hoffe, es wird mir gelingen. (I hope I'll succeed.)
Key phrases for future plans
These phrases will help you express your hopes, dreams and intentions with confidence and natural-sounding German:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich würde nie heiraten. | I would never get married. |
| Mein Traum ist es, im Ausland zu leben. | My dream is to live abroad. |
| Ich hoffe, ich werde es schaffen. | I hope I'll manage it. |
| Ich möchte das Leben in Amerika erfahren. | I'd like to experience life in America. |
These phrases can be adapted for different situations - simply replace the key verbs or locations to match your personal goals and aspirations.
Grammar focus: future and conditional
Future tense formation
The future tense in German uses werden plus the infinitive verb at the end of the sentence.
Structure: Subject + werden + other words + infinitive
Remember: The infinitive always goes at the end of the sentence!
Future tense examples:
- Ich werde ins Ausland fahren. (I will travel abroad.)
- Sie wird reich werden. (She will become rich.)
Conditional formation
The conditional uses würde plus the infinitive to express what you would do.
Structure: Subject + würde + other words + infinitive
This expresses hypothetical situations or polite requests.
Conditional examples:
- Ich würde ins Ausland fahren. (I would travel abroad.)
- Er würde gern heiraten. (He would like to get married.)
Zu + infinitive clauses
Use this structure to express purpose or intention. Remember to include a comma after the first clause and place zu before the infinitive at the end.
Structure: Main clause**,** + other words + zu + infinitive
Critical rule: Modal verbs (müssen, können, wollen, etc.) need an infinitive at the end but no zu.
Zu + infinitive examples:
- Es ist mein Traum, reich zu werden. (It's my dream to become rich.)
- Ich hoffe, in Deutschland zu leben. (I hope to live in Germany.)
Modal verb example (no zu):
- Sie muss fleißig arbeiten. (She has to work hard.)
Translation practice
Practice translations:
German to English
- Ich interessiere mich für Fremdsprachen und möchte in der Zukunft im Ausland leben.
- Es ist mein Traum, andere Kulturen zu erfahren.
English to German
3. I hope to become wealthy in the future.
4. My dream is to travel around the world.
Answers:
- I'm interested in foreign languages and would like to live abroad in the future.
- It's my dream to experience other cultures.
- Ich hoffe, in der Zukunft reich zu werden.
- Mein Traum ist es, um die Welt zu reisen.
Exam tips
Preparation strategies for success:
- Listen carefully to audio texts about future plans - common topics include career ambitions, travel dreams, and family plans
- Use varied vocabulary when writing about your future to show language range
- Check your word order - infinitives go at the end in German sentences
- Remember comma placement with zu + infinitive constructions
Key Points to Remember:
- Future tense uses werden + infinitive at the end
- Conditional uses würde + infinitive for hypothetical situations
- Zu + infinitive expresses purpose - don't forget the comma
- Modal verbs take infinitives but never use zu
- Practice listening for key future-related vocabulary in audio exercises