Shapes and forms
Formen und Gestalten
- Describe forms and shapes.
- Describe basic objects.
- Express preferences.
- The demonstrative pronoun (this, this, this)
This lesson introduces the German demonstrative pronouns dieser, diese, dieses through vocabulary about geometric shapes (das Dreieck, das Quadrat, das Rechteck, der Kreis) and their properties like rund, eckig, gerade, krumm. Learn to describe and compare forms in everyday contexts such as furniture and art.
Vocabulary (17) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into the two categories to better understand shapes and their properties.
Formen (geometrische Figuren)
Eigenschaften von Formen
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Das Quadrat
The square
2
Krumm
Crooked
3
Der Kreis
The circle
4
Hoch
High
5
Das Rechteck
The rectangle
Übung 5: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- Describe the pictures and compare them. (Describe the pictures and compare them. )
- Ask the others what they prefer. Smaller or bigger cars, .... ? (Ask the others what they prefer. Smaller or bigger cars, .... ?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Dieses Auto ist klein und alt. This car is small and old. |
|
Das Auto ist größer und neuer. That car is bigger and newer. |
|
Die Jungen tragen breitere Hosen. The boys are wearing wider trousers. |
|
Welches Auto bevorzugen Sie? What car do you prefer? |
|
Ich bevorzuge ein kleineres, aber moderneres Auto. I prefer a smaller but more modern car. |
|
Ich bevorzuge alte Autos. I prefer old cars. |
|
Die Straße ist sehr schmal. The street is very narrow. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Dieser Stuhl ___ gut zu dem runden Tisch.
(This chair ___ well with the round table.)2. Magst du diesen breiten Teppich im Wohnzimmer? (Verb fehlt)
(Do you like this wide carpet in the living room? (Verb missing))3. Diese hohen Regale ___ nicht in das kleine Büro.
(These tall shelves ___ not in the small office.)4. Ich finde, dieser runde Spiegel ___ perfekt an diese Wand.
(I think this round mirror ___ perfectly on this wall.)Exercise 8: Shapes in the Living Room
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Helfen - Helfen
Präsens
- ich helfe
- du hilfst
- er/sie/es hilft
- wir helfen
- ihr helft
- sie/Sie helfen
Wählen - Wählen
Präsens
- ich wähle
- du wählst
- er/sie/es wählt
- wir wählen
- ihr wählt
- sie/Sie wählen
Passen - Passen
Präsens
- ich passe
- du passt
- er/sie/es passt
- wir passen
- ihr passt
- sie/Sie passen
Fragen - Fragen
Präsens
- ich frage
- du fragst
- er/sie/es fragt
- wir fragen
- ihr fragt
- sie/Sie fragen
Sagen - Sagen
Präsens
- ich sage
- du sagst
- er/sie/es sagt
- wir sagen
- ihr sagt
- sie/Sie sagen
Freuen - Freuen
Präsens
- ich freue
- du freust
- er/sie/es freut
- wir freuen
- ihr freut
- sie/Sie freuen
Exercise 9: Das Demonstrativpronomen (dieser, diese, dieses)
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: The demonstrative pronoun (this, this, this)
Show translation Show answersDieser, dieses, diesem, Dieses, Diese, diesen, diese
Grammar Share Copied!
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A1.27.1 Grammatik
Das Demonstrativpronomen (dieser, diese, dieses)
The demonstrative pronoun (this, this, this)
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Passen to try on Share Copied!
Präsens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) passe | I try on |
| (du) passt | you try on |
| (er/sie/es) passt | he/she/it tries on |
| (wir) passen | we try on |
| (ihr) passt | you try on |
| (sie) passen | they try on |
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Lesson Overview: Shapes and Forms in German
In this lesson, you will learn how to describe various geometric shapes and their properties in German. You'll also get familiar with the demonstrative pronouns dieser, diese, dieses, which are essential for pointing out specific objects and their shapes.
Key Vocabulary: Shapes (Formen)
- das Dreieck – triangle
- das Quadrat – square
- das Rechteck – rectangle
- der Kreis – circle
Properties of Shapes (Eigenschaften von Formen)
- eckig – angular, having corners
- rund – round
- gerade – straight
- krumm – crooked, curved
Demonstrative Pronouns: Dieser, Diese, Dieses
These pronouns are used to point to specific nouns and must agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to:
- dieser – masculine singular (e.g., dieser Stuhl)
- diese – feminine singular and plural (e.g., diese Linie, diese Formen)
- dieses – neuter singular (e.g., dieses Dreieck)
Examples:
Diese Linie ist gerade und breit.
Welches ist dieses Dreieck, und welches ist dieses Quadrat?
Ich mag diesen runden Kreis, er ist sehr leicht.
Practical Dialogue Situations
You will practice describing shapes in everyday contexts like furniture shopping, office discussions, and art classes. For instance:
- Comparing shapes of tables, chairs, or rugs
- Discussing the form of pens or pencils
- Expressing preferences for favorite artistic shapes
Verb Practice and Sentence Building
The lesson includes practice with verb conjugations that commonly appear with shapes and descriptions, such as passen (to fit), mögen (to like), helfen (to help), and wählen (to choose). You will recognize how verbs are used in context, for example:
- Dieser Stuhl passt gut zu dem runden Tisch.
- Magst du diesen breiten Teppich im Wohnzimmer?
- Wir wählen ein neues Sofa, das sehr breit ist.
Cultural Note: German vs. English Usage
Unlike English, German demonstrative pronouns agree in gender and case with the noun they refer to, which can be a new challenge at the A1 level. For example, dieser is masculine, diese is feminine/plural, and dieses is neuter. English simply uses "this" or "these" without such distinctions.
Helpful phrases:
Dieser Tisch ist rund. (This table is round.)
Diese Formen passen gut zusammen. (These shapes go well together.)
Welches ist dieses Quadrat? (Which is this square?)
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