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How German Builds Its Words

A2–B1 · Vocabulary

German does not have half a million separate words. It has a modest set of roots, prefixes and suffixes, and a wonderfully regular machine for combining them. This book teaches you the machine, so that one rule replaces fifty flashcards.

The book has two parts. The Engine teaches how words are built, from the core verbs and the prefix system to word families, gender by suffix and compounds. The World then puts the engine to work in twenty everyday fields, from finding a flat to protecting the environment, with a short review after every five units.

Every chapter opens with a German scene and its English mirror, so new words arrive in context before they arrive in a list. Every noun comes with its article and plural, every irregular verb with its full forms, and B1 words are clearly marked. Answers to all exercises are at the back.

Inside the book

• Twelve Engine chapters on how German words are built
• Twenty World chapters covering everyday vocabulary fields
• A German scene with an English mirror opening every chapter
• Word building boxes where one pattern replaces dozens of flashcards
• Every noun with article and plural, every irregular verb in full
• Exercises in every chapter, with answers at the back

Digital PDF · instant download

Every unit of this book also exists as a free video, with a quick drill for revision and a deep video giving an example sentence for every word. Find them on the YouTube channel.