Vocab list 2 (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Basic vocabulary - Vocab list 2
This vocabulary list covers essential cultural and geographical terms, common phrases, and names that frequently appear in German assessments. These words and expressions form the foundation for everyday German communication and are crucial for GCSE success.
Countries and places
Understanding geographical vocabulary helps you discuss locations, nationalities, and travel. Many of these terms appear regularly in reading and listening exercises.
| German | English | German | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afrika | Africa | Deutschland | Germany |
| Amerika | America | Europa | Europe |
| Asien | Asia | Großbritannien | Great Britain |
| Österreich | Austria | die Schweiz | Switzerland |
| die Türkei | Turkey | EU (f) | EU |
Major cities and regions:
- Berlin - the German capital
- Wien - Vienna (Austrian capital)
- München - Munich
- Köln - Cologne
Important rivers: Donau (Danube), Rhein (Rhine)
Notice that die Schweiz (Switzerland) and die Türkei (Turkey) are feminine nouns, which affects the articles and prepositions you use with them. For example: "Wir fahren in die Schweiz" (We're travelling to Switzerland).
Worked Example: Using geographical vocabulary in sentences
Step 1: Identify the correct article and preposition
- Countries with articles need "in die/den/das"
- Countries without articles use "nach"
Step 2: Apply the rule
- Ich komme aus Deutschland. (I come from Germany.) - no article needed
- Berlin ist die Hauptstadt. (Berlin is the capital.) - city name, no article
- Wir fahren in die Schweiz. (We're travelling to Switzerland.) - feminine country with article
Essential short phrases
These expressions appear frequently in German conversations and written work. Learning them helps you sound more natural and express common ideas effectively.
| German | English | German | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ab und zu | now and again | alles Gute | all the best |
| eigentlich nicht | not really | es gab | there was/were |
| Es geht mir... | I am.../I feel... | es gibt | there is/are |
| Es ist mir egal | I don't mind | Es tut mir leid | I am sorry |
| gar nicht | not at all | Guten Appetit! | Enjoy your meal! |
Expressing opinions and feelings
The ability to express opinions naturally is essential for GCSE success. These phrases help you sound more fluent:
- meiner Meinung nach - in my opinion
- mit (meinen) Freunden - with (my) friends
- was für...? - what kind of...?
- etwas (Nettes) - something (nice)
Worked Example: Building natural sentences with common phrases
Step 1: Start with a time expression Ab und zu gehe ich ins Kino. (Now and again I go to the cinema.)
Step 2: Add an opinion phrase Meiner Meinung nach ist das interessant. (In my opinion that's interesting.)
Step 3: Ask questions naturally Was für Musik hörst du gern? (What kind of music do you like listening to?)
Names used in assessments
Recognising common names quickly in German exam materials helps you follow conversations and texts more easily without getting distracted by unfamiliar vocabulary.
German exam materials typically use these names in reading passages, listening exercises, and sample questions. Recognising them instantly saves valuable time during exams and helps you focus on the actual content rather than struggling with names.
Girls' names:
| Common | Less common |
|---|---|
| Anna, Lara | Charlotte, Mila |
| Lea, Lena | Emily, Samira |
| Jana, Marie | Sofie, Yasmin |
Boys' names:
| Common | Less common |
|---|---|
| Ben, Jan | Elias, Maximilian |
| Felix, Leon | Joel, Mohammed |
| Finn, Tim | Lukas, Yusuf |
Gender-neutral names: Chris, Kim, Robin, Sascha
Adult names: Frida, Linda (female); Helmut, Martin (male)
These names reflect modern German-speaking societies and include multicultural influences. Understanding this cultural context helps you better interpret exam texts and shows awareness of contemporary German society.
Exam strategies
Critical Exam Tips:
- Recognition practice: When you see these names in exam texts, you'll immediately know they refer to people rather than struggling with unfamiliar vocabulary
- Cultural awareness: These names reflect modern German-speaking societies and include multicultural influences
- Listening skills improvement: Practise hearing these names pronounced to boost your listening comprehension
- Time-saving technique: Instant name recognition allows you to focus on understanding the actual content rather than decoding unfamiliar words
Translation practice
Worked Example: Translation Practice with Answer Key
German to English:
- Wir fahren morgen früh nach Hause.
- Es gibt hier gar nicht viele Restaurants.
English to German:
- In my opinion, that's not really important.
- Now and again I meet my friends in town.
Step-by-step solutions:
German to English answers:
- We're travelling home early tomorrow.
- "früh" here means "early" (time), not "morning"
- There aren't many restaurants here at all.
- "gar nicht" intensifies the negative meaning
English to German answers:
- Meiner Meinung nach ist das eigentlich nicht wichtig.
- Use the opinion phrase at the beginning
- Ab und zu treffe ich meine Freunde in der Stadt.
- "treffen" (to meet) requires accusative case for direct object
Key Points to Remember:
- Geographical vocabulary enables confident discussion of places, travel, and cultural topics
- Short phrases like "ab und zu" and "meiner Meinung nach" make your German sound more natural and fluent
- Common assessment names become familiar through practice, helping you follow exam texts more easily
- Context practice is more effective than just memorising translations
- Thematic grouping of vocabulary (places, feelings, opinions) improves retention and recall during exams
- Regular review of these essential terms builds a solid foundation for GCSE success