Illustration of the B1 German word “als ob”, which translates to “as if (+ Konjunktiv II)”. A cat in a tuxedo belts opera on a grand stage as though it were perfectly ordinary, owning the entire concert hall.
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als ob

as if (+ Konjunktiv II)

/als ʔɔp/

Examples — als ob in a sentence

Er tut, als ob er nichts wüsste.

He acts as if he knew nothing.

Sie sah aus, als ob sie müde wäre.

She looked as if she were tired.

How to remember it

ALS-OB? AS IF a wizard just appeared from nowhere!

More B1 words

Illustration of the B1 German word “das Attribut”, which translates to “attribute (grammar term)”. Close-up of a plain grey teapot as a tiny tailor rabbit pins one huge glittering golden bow onto it, the teapot shimmering into color exactly where the bow touches
das Attribut

/ˌatʁiˈbuːt/

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attribute (grammar term)

Examples

Das Adjektiv 'rot' ist ein Attribut.

The adjective 'red' is an attribute.

Ein Attribut beschreibt ein Nomen näher.

An attribute describes a noun in more detail.

Illustration of the B1 German word “die BRD”, which translates to “FRG (West Germany)”. Close-up of a huge weathered stone city gate filling the frame, warm golden light glowing through its central arch, a single old lantern hanging above it in a quiet dusk. No people, empty street.
die BRD

/ˌbeːʔɛʁˈdeː/

FRG (West Germany)

Examples

Viele Menschen lebten damals in der BRD.

Many people lived in the FRG back then.

Die BRD wurde 1949 gegründet.

The FRG was founded in 1949.

Illustration of the B1 German word “der Bürger”, which translates to “citizen”. Close-up of a proud badger standing tall on a cobblestone square, a small key of the city glowing warmly in its raised paw, town rooftops soft behind it.
der Bürger

/ˈbʏʁɡɐ/

citizen

Examples

Jeder Bürger hat das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung.

Every citizen has the right to free speech.

Die Bürger fordern mehr Transparenz von der Regierung.

The citizens demand more transparency from the government.

Illustration of the B1 German word “die DDR”, which translates to “GDR (East Germany)”. A long grey concrete wall runs across a snowy field, and a single small watchtower stands beside it under a heavy sky, one lonely crow perched on the parapet.
die DDR

/ˌdeːdeːˈʔɛʁ/

GDR (East Germany)

Examples

Meine Großeltern lebten früher in der DDR.

My grandparents used to live in the GDR.

Die DDR existierte von 1949 bis 1990.

The GDR existed from 1949 to 1990.

Illustration of the B1 German word “die Demokratie”, which translates to “democracy”. Close-up of a badger dropping one glowing ballot leaf into a giant transparent jar that fills the frame, already brimming with countless softly shining leaves.
die Demokratie

/demokʁaˈtiː/

democracy

Examples

Wir leben in einer stabilen Demokratie.

We live in a stable democracy.

Die Demokratie schützt die Rechte der Bürger.

Democracy protects the rights of citizens.

Illustration of the B1 German word “die Diktatur”, which translates to “dictatorship”. Close-up of one enormous stern iron statue looming over a tiny cowering mouse, a single huge shadow-hand of the statue frozen mid-gesture across the sky.
die Diktatur

/dɪktaˈtuːɐ̯/

dictatorship

Examples

In einer Diktatur gibt es keine Meinungsfreiheit.

In a dictatorship there is no freedom of speech.

Viele Länder haben Diktaturen überwunden.

Many countries have overcome dictatorships.

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neuter Attribut — attribute (grammar term)

AttributBRDBürgerDDRDemokratieDiktaturAll German word pages

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