A1 · 入门 章节 14

Who is Who? Introducing People

6 总规则
61 例句
6 分钟
本章规则 快速练习

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of introducing yourself and others while navigating German social etiquette with ease.

  • Identify all personal pronouns in the nominative case.
  • Distinguish between informal and formal addresses to avoid social blunders.
  • Use impersonal pronouns to talk about general cultural norms.
Connect with confidence, from the café to the boardroom.

你将学到什么

Hey there! Ready for another super exciting chapter? This one's going to be incredibly useful because we'll learn how to introduce people and connect with them in various situations. First up, you'll get familiar with German nominative personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, it) and understand how to match them to gender (for example, 'der' becomes 'er' and 'die' becomes 'sie'). Don't worry, this part is simpler than you think and will make your sentences flow much more naturally. Then, we'll dive into a super important aspect of German: when to use 'du' (informal 'you') versus 'Sie' (formal 'you'). This is crucial for navigating social situations, like politely ordering from a waiter in a Berlin café or keeping things casual with a close friend. You'll learn to distinguish the line between intimacy and respect, ensuring you avoid any misunderstandings in Germany. With what you learn here, you'll be able to easily introduce yourself and others, sound professional in work or university settings, and generally speak German much more fluently. Finally, you'll get to know 'man,' an impersonal pronoun that lets you talk about general actions or what 'people' do without referring to a specific person. Let's go make your German even better!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to substitute any noun with its correct gender-matched pronoun (er, sie, es).
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to choose the correct register (du vs. Sie) based on the social context provided.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to make general statements using the impersonal pronoun 'man'.

章节指南

Overview

Welcome to this exciting new chapter in your A1 German journey! Mastering introductory phrases and understanding how to refer to people is fundamental for effective communication. This section focuses on essential German grammar that will unlock your ability to introduce yourself and others, making your interactions more natural and confident.
We'll be covering German personal pronouns, the crucial distinction between formal and informal 'you' (du vs. Sie), and the handy impersonal pronoun 'man'. By the end of this chapter, you'll be well-equipped to navigate social situations with ease, sound more professional when needed, and generally improve your fluency in German.
This is a key step in progressing through the CEFR A1 level and beyond, building a solid foundation for all your future German learning.
This chapter is designed to be incredibly practical. You'll learn how to correctly identify and use pronouns like 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', and 'it' in the nominative case. Understanding how these pronouns link to grammatical gender in German, such as der becoming er and die becoming sie, is a core skill that simplifies sentence construction.
Furthermore, the distinction between du and Sie is paramount for social etiquette in German-speaking countries. Knowing when to use the informal du with friends and family, and when to opt for the respectful formal Sie with strangers or in professional settings, is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and showing appropriate politeness. We'll also introduce 'man', a versatile pronoun that allows you to speak about general actions and common practices.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter dives into the core of referring to people in German, starting with German Personal Pronouns (Nominativ). These are the basic building blocks: ich (I), du (you, informal), er (he), sie (she), es (it), wir (we), ihr (you, plural informal), and sie (they). In the nominative case, these are used as the subject of a sentence.
For example, Ich bin hier (I am here). When referring to people or things, German uses grammatical gender. This is where German Pronouns: Matching Gender comes in.
For masculine nouns like der Mann (the man), the pronoun is er. For feminine nouns like die Frau (the woman), the pronoun is sie. For neuter nouns like das Kind (the child), the pronoun is es.
So, if you say Der Mann ist nett (The man is nice), you can follow up with Er ist nett (He is nice). Similarly, Die Frau ist nett (The woman is nice) becomes Sie ist nett (She is nice).
A critical aspect of A1 German is understanding Formal 'You' (Sie) versus the informal 'du'. This is known as the German Politeness: du vs. Sie (Register Shift).
You use du when speaking to friends, family, children, and sometimes colleagues if you have a very casual relationship. You use the formal Sie (always capitalized) when speaking to strangers, elders, superiors, or in formal settings like shops or official appointments. When using Sie, the verb conjugation changes.
For instance, instead of Du bist nett (You are nice), you would say Sie sind nett (You are nice - formal). This is part of Formal German: Using 'Sie' and Pronouns Correctly. Finally, we introduce German 'man': Talking about Everyone (Impersonal Pronoun).
Man is used to talk about general actions or what people in general do. For example, Man lernt viel in Deutschland (One learns a lot in Germany), meaning people in general learn a lot.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Ich bin Anna. Du bist Peter.
✓ Correct:
Ich bin Anna. Du bist Peter.
*Explanation:* While this sentence is grammatically correct, it's often used incorrectly in introductions where the speaker is introducing *someone else*. The correct way to introduce another person is by using their name and then referring to them with the appropriate pronoun or stating their relationship. For example,
Das ist mein Freund, Peter. Er ist nett.
(This is my friend, Peter. He is nice.)
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Hallo, Herr Müller. Wie geht es dir?
✓ Correct:
Hallo, Herr Müller. Wie geht es Ihnen?
*Explanation:* This is a common mistake related to the du vs. Sie distinction. When addressing someone formally with Herr Müller, you *must* use the formal Ihnen (the dative form of Sie) and not the informal dir. Using dir in this context would be considered impolite.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Meine Schwester ist nett. Er ist nett.
✓ Correct:
Meine Schwester ist nett. Sie ist nett.
*Explanation:* This mistake arises from not correctly matching the pronoun to the gender of the noun. Meine Schwester (my sister) is feminine, so the correct pronoun to refer to her is sie (she), not er (he).

Real Conversations

A

A

Hallo, ich bin Maria. (Hello, I am Maria.)
B

B

Hallo Maria, ich bin Stefan. Schön, dich kennenzulernen. (Hello Maria, I am Stefan. Nice to meet you.)
A

A

Schön, dich auch kennenzulernen, Stefan. (Nice to meet you too, Stefan.)
A

A

Guten Tag, Frau Schmidt. (Good day, Ms. Schmidt.)
B

B

Guten Tag, Herr Weber. Wie geht es Ihnen? (Good day, Mr. Weber. How are you?)
A

A

Danke, gut. Und Ihnen? (Thank you, fine. And you?)
A

A

Man muss hier vorsichtig sein. (One has to be careful here.)
B

B

Ja, das stimmt. Es ist eine belebte Straße. (Yes, that's true. It is a busy street.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the difference between 'du' and 'Sie' in German for A1 learners?

'Du' is the informal 'you' used with friends, family, and children. 'Sie' is the formal 'you' used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings; it is always capitalized.

Q

How do I know whether to use 'er', 'sie', or 'es' in German?

You use 'er' for masculine nouns (e.g., der Mann), 'sie' for feminine nouns (e.g., die Frau), and 'es' for neuter nouns (e.g., das Kind). This is linked to the grammatical gender of the noun.

Q

When should I use the German pronoun 'man'?

Use 'man' when you want to talk about general actions or what people in general do, without referring to a specific person. It's similar to saying one or people in English.

Q

Is it okay to switch from 'Sie' to 'du' with someone in German?

Yes, it is common to switch from 'Sie' to 'du' once a closer relationship has been established. This is usually done by mutual agreement, often with one person asking, "Sprechen wir uns jetzt mit 'du' an?" (Shall we start addressing each other with 'du' now?).

Cultural Context

In Germany, the distinction between 'du' and 'Sie' is a strong marker of social hierarchy and politeness. While younger generations and more casual environments are increasingly using 'du', it's always safer to start with 'Sie' when in doubt, especially in formal or professional situations. Using 'man' is a common way to express general truths or common practices, fostering a sense of shared experience.

关键例句 (8)

1

Ich bin auf Instagram.

我在Instagram上。

德语人称代词：我、你、他、她、它（主格）
2

Bist du heute Abend online?

你今晚在线吗？

德语人称代词：我、你、他、她、它（主格）
3

Wo ist {der|m} Schlüssel? Er liegt auf dem Tisch.

钥匙在哪里？它在桌子上。

德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)
4

Die Kamera ist neu. Sie macht tolle Fotos.

这台相机是新的。它拍出的照片很棒。

德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)
5

Kommen Sie aus Berlin?

您是柏林人吗？

正式的“您” (Sie)
6

Haben Sie ein Profil auf LinkedIn?

您在领英上有个人资料吗？

正式的“您” (Sie)
7

Kommst du heute Abend zur Party?

你今晚来参加派对吗？

德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)
8

Wie heißen Sie, Herr Schmidt?

您叫什么名字，施密特先生？

德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

技巧与窍门 (4)

⚠️

“您 (Sie)”的大小写

德语里表示“您”的“Sie”总是大写的。如果你写成小写的“sie”，那可能就变成了“她”或者“他们”了。一个小小的字母，会带来大大的不同！“Sprechen Sie Deutsch?”
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语人称代词：我、你、他、她、它（主格）
⚠️

“它”的陷阱

你千万别把英语的“it”直接翻译成德语的“es”！因为德语的“它”要看名词的性别。“Der Tisch ist alt. Er ist kaputt.”
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)
⚠️

大写很重要！

写“您”的时候，字母“S”一定要大写。如果你写成小写“s”，它就变成了“她”或者“他们”的意思了，在邮件里可能会让人非常困惑哦！比如：“Wo wohnen Sie?”
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 正式的“您” (Sie)
🎯

“你”的邀请

通常要等地位更高或年龄更大的人主动提议用 du。这是互相信任的标志，比如：
Wollen wir uns duzen?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

核心词汇 (6)

wer who der Kollege the male colleague die Kollegin the female colleague höflich polite hier here sprechen to speak

Real-World Preview

presentation

At a Business Meeting

Review Summary

  • ich, du, er/sie/es, wir, ihr, sie/Sie
  • der -> er, die -> sie, das -> es
  • Du = Friends/Family, Sie = Strangers/Authority
  • man + verb (3rd person sing.)

常见错误

Using 'du' with a title like 'Herr' or 'Frau' is a contradiction. Titles always require the formal 'Sie'.

Wrong: Wie heißt du, Herr Müller?
正确: Wie heißen Sie, Herr Müller?

In English, objects are 'it'. In German, an object's pronoun must match its gender. Since 'Tisch' is masculine (der), you must use 'er'.

Wrong: Das ist der Tisch. Es ist blau.
正确: Das ist der Tisch. Er ist blau.

'Man' is singular, even though it refers to people in general. It always takes the same verb ending as 'er', 'sie', or 'es'.

Wrong: Man sprechen Deutsch.
正确: Man spricht Deutsch.

本章规则 (6)

1

德语人称代词：我、你、他、她、它（主格）

A1
人称代词就像句子的“主角”，它们会告诉你“谁”在做动作，而且它们的“性别”和“数量”要和它所代表的名词保持一致。
Ich bin auf Instagram.
11 例句
2

德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)

A1
德语里，名词的代词就像它的“身份证”！看到 “der” 就用 “er”，看到 “die” 就用 “sie”，看到 “das” 就用 “es”。
Wo ist {der|m} Schlüssel? Er liegt auf dem Tisch.
10 例句
3

正式的“您” (Sie)

A1
记住这个魔法规则：遇到不确定的时候，就用“Sie”！它是你的安全牌，这样总不会错，而且很有礼貌。
Kommen Sie aus Berlin?
10 例句
4

德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

B1
德语里的“你”有三种变身：du 用于亲近的人，Sie 用于表示尊敬，而 ihr 则是面对一群小伙伴。
Kommst du heute Abend zur Party?
10 例句
5

正式德语：正确使用 'Sie' 和代词

A1
掌握德语敬语“Sie”和正确使用代词，能让你的德语表达更专业、更流畅、更有礼貌。记住三个关键点：Sie 大写，代词与名词«性别»匹配，用Ihnen表达敬意。
Haben Sie den Schlüssel? Nein, ich habe ihn nicht.
10 例句
6

德语中的 'man'：谈论每个人（无人称代词）

A1
用 'man' 搭配单数动词，来谈论“人们”做什么或普遍真实/允许的事情。
Man trinkt in München viel Bier.
10 例句

Next Steps

You've just unlocked a huge part of German social life. Being able to navigate 'du' and 'Sie' shows real cultural respect. Keep up the amazing work!

Roleplay a formal introduction in front of a mirror.

Write 5 sentences replacing nouns with er/sie/es.

Continue to: Talking About Your Things

快速练习 (10)

请找出并修正这句对教授说的话中的错误。

Find and fix the mistake:

Bist Sie der Professor?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sind Sie der Professor?
动词“sein”（是）与“Sie”搭配时变位为“sind”，而不是“bist”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 正式的“您” (Sie)

填入表示“我”的正确代词。

___ bin Student.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich
说话者在谈论自己，所以需要用“Ich”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语人称代词：我、你、他、她、它（主格）

找出并改正错误。

Find and fix the mistake:

Mann sagt, Berlin ist teuer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Man sagt, Berlin ist teuer.
代词“人们/一个人”使用 'man'（一个 'n'）。'Mann' 的意思是男性。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语中的 'man'：谈论每个人（无人称代词）

哪个句子在语法上是正确的？

关于{die|f} Lampe:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie ist sehr hell.
“Lampe”是阴性词（{die|f}），所以我们必须用“sie”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)

和朋友聊天时，哪句话是正确的？

选择正确的非正式句子：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wie heißt du?
'du' 是单数非正式代词，'heißt' 是其正确的变位形式。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

用正确的代词（er, sie, es）填空。

Wo ist {der|m} Laptop? ___ ist in der Tasche.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er
因为“Laptop”使用阳性冠词{der|m}，所以正确的代词是“er”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)

哪句话用于正式的“您”时，大写是正确的？

选择正确的选项：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wo wohnen Sie?
正式的代词“Sie”必须总是大写，以区别于“他们”或“她”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 正式的“您” (Sie)

找出并修正这个非正式复数句子中的错误。

Find and fix the mistake:

Habt du Zeit für einen Kaffee?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hast du Zeit für einen Kaffee?
'Habt' 对应的是 'ihr'。对于单数的 'du'，你需要使用 'hast'。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

找出并改正代词用法中的错误。

Find and fix the mistake:

{Das|n} Brot ist frisch. Er schmeckt gut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Brot ist frisch. Es schmeckt gut.
“Brot”是中性词（{das|n}），所以代词应该是“es”，而不是“er”。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语代名词：性数一致 (er, sie, es)

为正式代词填入正确的动词形式。

Woher ______ Sie? (kommen)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kommen
正式的 'Sie' 总是使用动词原形，即以 -en 结尾的形式。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 德语礼貌用语：du 与 Sie 的区别 (语域转换)

Score: /10

常见问题 (6)

跟英语不同，德语只大写名词和正式的“Sie”。“ich”只是个普通的词，没那么“自我膨胀”！
看动词！“sie spielt”（她玩）以-t结尾，而“sie spielen”（他们玩）以-en结尾。语境最重要！
因为“Tisch”这个词是语法上的阳性（der）。在德语中，代词要与词的语法性别匹配，而不是物品的性质。“Der Tisch. Er ist alt。”
找词尾！以“-ung”结尾的词总是阴性（die），所以它们总是变成“sie”。学习这些模式可以节省时间。
是的，在德国，对老师和教授总是要用“您 (Sie)”。这表示你对他们的权威和学术地位的尊重。比如：“Guten Tag, Herr Professor. Wie geht es Ihnen?”
它可以是单数，也可以是复数！无论你是正式地跟一个人说话，还是跟一群人说话，用的都是同一个“Sie”形式。比如：“Sie sind herzlich eingeladen.”（您被邀请/你们被邀请）
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