links

§ What does 'links' mean and when do people use it?

The German word "links" (pronounced: línks) is quite versatile. Its primary meaning is "left" or "on the left." Think of it as the opposite of "rechts" (right). You'll hear and use "links" all the time when giving directions, describing locations, or even talking about political leanings (though we'll focus on the spatial aspect here for now). It's a fundamental word for navigating the world in German.

DEFINITION

Primary meaning: left/on the left.

One of the most common situations where you'll encounter "links" is when someone is telling you how to get somewhere. Imagine you're asking for directions to the train station. Someone might say something like, "Gehen Sie hier links ab." (Turn left here.) Or, if you're looking for a specific shop, they might point and say, "Es ist das Gebäude links." (It's the building on the left.)

In this example, "links" tells you the direction to go past the bakery. You're passing it on your left-hand side.

It's important to remember that "links" can act as both an adverb (telling you where or how something is) and sometimes as a noun. When it's an adverb, it often doesn't change its form. For example:

• "Geh links!" (Go left!)
• "Der Park ist links." (The park is on the left.)

When "links" is used as a noun, it's typically capitalized, "Das Links," but this is less common in everyday conversation for simply meaning "the left side." You'll more often see it used as part of a compound noun or in more abstract contexts.

Here's another practical use: describing where something is in a room or a picture.

This translates to: "The sofa is on the left of the window." Notice how "vom" (von + dem) is used here to mean "of the."

Don't overthink it when you first start using "links." Most of the time, you're using it to indicate a direction or a position. It's similar to how you use "left" in English. Just remember that in German, it's a single word for both "left" and "on the left" in many common situations.

When you're practicing, try to point with your left hand and say "links" as you do. This kinesthetic learning can really help solidify the meaning in your mind. The more you associate the word with the action or the direction, the quicker it will become second nature.

We'll explore some nuances and other ways "links" can be used later, but for now, focus on mastering its use in basic directional and positional contexts. This foundation is crucial for building your German vocabulary and communication skills.

§ Mistakes people make with this word

The German word "links" seems straightforward, meaning "left" or "on the left." However, English speakers often make specific mistakes. Let's look at them so you can avoid them.

§ Using "links" as an adjective

In English, "left" can be an adjective (e.g., "the left hand"). In German, "links" is typically an adverb or a noun. When you want to describe something as "left" (adjective), you need to use "link-." This often means adding an ending, like in "linke Hand" (left hand) or "linker Fuß" (left foot).

Wrong

Ich habe links Hand verletzt. (I have left hand injured.)

Right

Ich habe meine linke Hand verletzt. (I have injured my left hand.)

§ Confusing "links" with "nach links"

"Links" means "on the left" or simply "left" when indicating a static position. When you want to express a movement to the left, you typically need to use "nach links" or sometimes "links abbiegen" (to turn left). This indicates direction, not just location.

Wrong

Gehen Sie links. (Go left.) - This often sounds like "Go on the left side (of the road)" rather than "Turn left."

Right

Gehen Sie nach links. (Go to the left.)

§ Overusing "links" for political connotations

While "links" can refer to political left-wing, especially in phrases like "die Linke" (the Left, as a political party), it's not always the best general term if you just mean "on the left side" in a non-political context. Don't assume that every use of "links" has a political undertone, but be aware that it exists. Stick to the primary meaning of direction or location unless the context is clearly political.

§ Forgetting declension for adjective forms

As mentioned before, if you're using "link-" as an adjective, it needs to be declined. This means the ending changes depending on the gender, case, and number of the noun it modifies. This is a common challenge for all German adjectives, and "links" is no exception in its adjectival form.

Examples of Adjectival Declension

• Der linke Arm (the left arm - masculine nominative)
• Die linke Seite (the left side - feminine nominative)
• Das linke Auge (the left eye - neuter nominative)
• Mit dem linken Fuß (with the left foot - masculine dative)

§ Understanding 'links': Left, to the left

The German word links is straightforward. Its primary meaning is 'left' or 'on the left'. You'll use it very often in everyday German when giving directions, describing locations, or talking about political leanings.

§ Practical Examples of 'links'

Let's look at some common situations where you'd use links.

• Gehen Sie hier links ab.

  Go left here.

• Das Museum ist auf der linken Seite.

  The museum is on the left side.

• Schau mal, das Auto kommt von links.

  Look, the car is coming from the left.

• Er ist politisch eher links eingestellt.

  He leans more left politically.

§ 'Links' as an Adverb vs. Adjective

This is important for using links correctly.

When links is used as an adverb, meaning 'to the left' or 'on the left side', it doesn't change its form. This is the most common use.

Please turn left.

However, when it's used as an adjective, meaning 'left-hand' or 'situated on the left', it will take adjective endings just like any other German adjective. The base form is link-.

My left hand hurts.

The left shoe doesn't fit me.

§ Similar words: 'links' vs. 'zur Linken'

You might also hear or see the phrase zur Linken. This is a more formal or somewhat archaic way to say 'to the left' or 'on the left-hand side'.

While links is the common, everyday choice, zur Linken uses the dative case of the noun 'die Linke' (the left side/hand).

The knight rode to the left of the king. (You wouldn't usually use links here for this specific nuance.)

§ The Opposite: 'rechts'

Naturally, if you know links, you should also know its opposite: rechts (right/on the right). It functions in the same way, both as an adverb and with adjective endings.

The supermarket is on the right.

She writes with her right hand.

§ Key takeaway for 'links'

To keep it simple for A2, focus on using links as an adverb for directions ('Go left') and be aware that it can also be an adjective ('the left hand') which will have endings. Don't worry too much about zur Linken for now unless you encounter it in very formal texts. You'll master it with practice!