Question 1

What is the difference between 'Guten Tag' and 'Guten Morgen'?

Accepted Answer

'Guten Morgen' is used specifically in the morning, usually until about 10 or 11 AM. 'Guten Tag' is a general greeting used from late morning until early evening (around 6 PM). After that, you'd say 'Guten Abend'. Using the correct time-specific greeting shows you understand German social norms and can boost your marks in the speaking exam.

Question 2

Can I use 'Tschüss' with my teacher?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your relationship. In most UK schools, teachers are addressed formally with 'Sie', so 'Auf Wiedersehen' is safer. However, if your teacher has invited you to use 'du', then 'Tschüss' is fine. In the exam, always use formal greetings with the examiner unless the role-play specifies an informal context (e.g., talking to a friend).

Question 3

What does 'Ach so!' mean and when do I use it?

Accepted Answer

'Ach so!' means 'I see!' or 'Oh, I understand!' It's used when you suddenly realise something or when someone explains something to you. For example, if a friend says 'Der Zug kommt um 8 Uhr' and you didn't know, you can reply 'Ach so, danke!'. It's a great way to show you're listening and reacting naturally in conversations.

Question 4

How do I say 'How are you?' in German formally and informally?

Accepted Answer

Informally, you say 'Wie geht's?' (short for 'Wie geht es dir?'). Formally, say 'Wie geht es Ihnen?'. In the GCSE exam, you might be asked to respond to this. Common answers include 'Mir geht es gut, danke' (I'm fine, thanks) or 'Es geht' (so-so). Avoid just saying 'Gut' – expand with a reason like 'Mir geht es gut, weil ich Ferien habe'.

Question 5

What are some German exclamations for surprise?

Accepted Answer

Common exclamations for surprise include 'Echt?' (Really?), 'Wirklich?' (Really?), 'Ach!' (Oh!), 'Oh je!' (Oh dear!), and 'Mann!' (Wow!/Man!). For positive surprise, use 'Super!' or 'Toll!'. For negative surprise, 'Schade!' (What a shame!) or 'Das ist ja blöd!' (That's annoying!). Using these shows you can express emotions, which is key for higher marks.

Question 6

Do Germans really say 'Moin'?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 'Moin' is a common greeting in northern Germany (e.g., Hamburg, Bremen, Kiel). It can be used any time of day, and sometimes repeated as 'Moin Moin'. In the GCSE exam, if you're describing a trip to the north, using 'Moin' shows cultural awareness. However, in standard German exams, stick to 'Guten Morgen' etc. unless the context allows.

General vocabulary: Greetings and exclamations

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Related Topics in AQA GCSE German

Communication strategies

Communication strategies: Strategies for production

Communication strategies: Strategies for understanding

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