Correct these if you can!

Here are 10 common basic mistakes Germans make when talking about their daily routine. Correct them if you can? Suggested answers below.

1. I stand up at 6 o’clock a.m.
2. On weekends, I like to sleep longer.
3. I cook a coffee and eat a bread to the breakfast.
4. I start to work at 7 o’clock.
5. I drive to work by train.
6. I need 45 minutes.
7. I go/drive at home at 5 o’ clock.
8. I make the housework.
9. I look TV with my woman.
10. I put off my clothes.

Suggested answers

1. I get up at 6 o’clock or 6 a.m. or 6 (o’clock) in the morning.
2. On / At weekends, I like to lie in / have a lie-in.*
3. I make a (cup of) coffee and have a breadroll/slice of bread for breakfast**
4. I leave home or I set off at 7 o’clock.
5. I travel to work by train or I go to work by train.***
6. It takes 45 minutes.
7. I go home at 5 o’ clock.****
8. I do the housework or chores.
9. I watch TV with my wife.*****
10. I take off my clothes / I get undressed. ******

*On (US English) / At (Br. English) – sleep longer gets the message across but the ‘lie in’ (ausschlafen) is better. N.B. If you are late because you didn’t wake up then we use ‘oversleep’.

** No ‘the’ before meals (see tomorrow’s post)

** If you drive the train, I get off ! Similar mistake = I drive (by car) the ‘by car’ is superfluous (überflüssig) because it is understood. However, I would say “I drive to work with my motorbike.”

**** No preposition. BUT “I arrive at home”

***** ‘look’ is for a short time e.g. “Have a look at this.” ‘Watch’ is for longer times. Same goes for ‘hear’ e.g. “Did you just hear that?” and ‘listen (to)’ Dinglish: “I hear heavy metal”

****** Similarly in the morning we say “I put my clothes on” or “ I get dressed”.