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Illustration of the A2 German word “formell”, which translates to “formal”. A tuxedo-clad cat sitting at a dinner table, gracefully sipping from a teacup while floating bubbles of etiquette dance in the air.
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formell is one of the A2 words in the free course — with this picture, the audio, and spaced repetition.

formell

formal

/fɔʁˈmɛl/

Forms

Comparative Forms

Positive formell
Komparativ formeller
Superlativ am formellsten

Examples — formell in a sentence

Das war ein sehr formelles Treffen.

That was a very formal meeting.

Ihre Sprache klingt oft sehr formell.

Her language often sounds very formal.

How to remember it

FOR-MELL sounds like 'for melt'. A formal dinner requires you to wait 'for melt' to happen to your butter.

More A2 words

Illustration of the A2 German word “früher”, which translates to “in the past, formerly”. Looking through an ornate keyhole to see a sepia-toned version of the room, where furniture from a bygone era is still softly humming.
früher

/ˈfʁyːɐ/

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in the past, formerly

Examples

Früher wohnte ich in Berlin.

In the past, I lived in Berlin.

Mein Bruder hat früher oft Fußball gespielt.

My brother often played soccer in the past.

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Illustration of the A2 German word “die Geschichte”, which translates to “history / story”. An open book where the ink letters transform into tiny, golden birds that fly off the page to act out the story in the air.
die Geschichte

/ɡəˈʃɪçtə/

history / story

Examples

Ich lese gerne alte Geschichten vor dem Schlafengehen.

I like to read old stories before going to bed.

Die Geschichte Europas ist sehr lang und komplex.

The history of Europe is very long and complex.

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Illustration of the A2 German word “das Handy”, which translates to “mobile phone”. A wide-eyed, frantic smartphone sprouts spindly arms and legs, sprinting across a dinner table as a giant toddler reaches for it, the phone’s screen showing a pleading face with sweat drops.
das Handy

/ˈhɛndi/

mobile phone

Examples

Ich habe mein Handy zu Hause vergessen.

I forgot my mobile phone at home.

Kannst du mir bitte dein Handy leihen?

Can you please lend me your mobile phone?

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Illustration of the A2 German word “der Hauptsatz”, which translates to “main clause”. A mighty crowned bear sits solidly on a grand throne built of carved stone letters, holding a scepter, while tiny dependent-clause mice scurry around its feet — the sentence everyone else serves.
der Hauptsatz

/ˈhaʊ̯ptˌzat͡s/

main clause

Examples

Ein Hauptsatz kann alleine stehen.

A main clause can stand alone.

Jeder Satz hat mindestens einen Hauptsatz.

Every sentence has at least one main clause.

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Illustration of the A2 German word “herzlich”, which translates to “heartfelt, warm”. Two floating clouds shaped like soft, beating hearts embracing each other, radiating warm sunlight and golden embers across a blue sky.
herzlich

/ˈhɛʁt͡slɪç/

heartfelt, warm

Comparative Forms

Positive herzlich
Komparativ herzlicher
Superlativ am herzlichsten

Examples

Wir senden Ihnen herzliche Grüße aus Berlin.

We send you heartfelt greetings from Berlin.

Der Empfang war sehr herzlich.

The welcome was very warm.

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Illustration of the A2 German word “heutzutage”, which translates to “nowadays”. A bustling 21st-century city square where people walk on levitating glass paths, checking holographic watches under a candy-colored sunset.
heutzutage

/ˈhɔɪ̯tt͡suˌtaːɡə/

nowadays

Examples

Heutzutage ist alles teurer als früher.

Nowadays everything is more expensive than before.

Viele Leute arbeiten heutzutage von zu Hause.

Many people nowadays work from home.

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früher — in the past, formerly

früherGeschichteHandyHauptsatzherzlichheutzutageAll German word pages

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