German pronunciation practice: correcting who receives something

The idea

A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.

A controlled speaking comparison

Keep a single focus for one attempt: KURSLEITERIN; SAMIRA; ORGATEAM; MIR; NEUEN; EMPFANG. Read a complete sentence, compare it with a dictionary or a suitable spoken model, and change one feature at a time. Device speech is synthetic and varies by browser. It may not produce the exact contrastive stress you intend; for such contrasts, speak the marked focus yourself or work with a listener.

Examples

• Ich gebe das Formular der KURSLEITERIN.I give the form to the course leader.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.
• Die Nachricht ist für SAMIRA bestimmt.The message is intended for Samira.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.
• Wir schicken die Fotos an das ORGATEAM.We send the photos to the organizing team.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.
• Du sollst MIR den Schlüssel zurückgeben.You are to return the key to me.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.
• Der Verein hilft den NEUEN Mitgliedern beim Einstieg.The association helps the new members get started.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.
• Den zweiten Ausdruck bekommt der EMPFANG.Reception receives the second printout.Target in context: correcting who receives something. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.

Watch out

Emphasis does not replace a required article, preposition or case ending.

Try it yourself

1. Markiere die Zielstelle in diesen Wörtern und lies anschließend den vollständigen Beispielsatz: KURSLEITERIN; SAMIRA; ORGATEAM; MIR; NEUEN; EMPFANG.

   Show answer or example answer

   Zielwörter: KURSLEITERIN; SAMIRA; ORGATEAM; MIR; NEUEN; EMPFANG. Beachte dazu: Ein Kontrastakzent auf der empfangenden Person klärt, wer etwas erhält. Er ändert nicht das vom Verb verlangte Kasusmuster. Hebe in den Beispielen die genannte Person hervor, ohne den restlichen Satz unverständlich zu verkürzen.

   The target set is KURSLEITERIN; SAMIRA; ORGATEAM; MIR; NEUEN; EMPFANG. A contrastive accent on a recipient distinguishes who receives an item, message or help. It does not change the case pattern required by the verb. In the marked examples, focus the named recipient and let the rest remain intelligible but less prominent.

2. Erkläre die hier geübte Aussprache einem Lernpartner. Nenne ein Beispiel und eine Grenze der Regel.

   Show answer or example answer

   Ein Kontrastakzent auf der empfangenden Person klärt, wer etwas erhält. Er ändert nicht das vom Verb verlangte Kasusmuster. Hebe in den Beispielen die genannte Person hervor, ohne den restlichen Satz unverständlich zu verkürzen. Betonung ersetzt keinen nötigen Artikel, keine Präposition und keine Kasusendung.

   Emphasis does not replace a required article, preposition or case ending. A useful explanation includes the selected pattern and its context rather than a rule about every German word.

3. Sprich zwei eigene Sätze mit den Zielwörtern. Vergleiche zunächst langsam, danach in einem verständlichen normalen Tempo.

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   Mögliche Satzmuster: Ich gebe das Formular der KURSLEITERIN. Die Nachricht ist für SAMIRA bestimmt. Achte auf Verständlichkeit und das konkrete Ziel, nicht auf möglichst hohes Tempo.

   Many original sentences are possible. The intended word and message should remain recognizable. Use a relevant spoken model and listener feedback; the page does not automatically assess the recording.

Use it today

Take “Ich gebe das Formular der KURSLEITERIN.” and “Die Nachricht ist für SAMIRA bestimmt.” and change one detail in each while keeping the focus on KURSLEITERIN; SAMIRA; ORGATEAM; MIR; NEUEN; EMPFANG. Say each slowly and then at a comfortable conversational pace. Ask a listener what they understood. If you record yourself in your own recording app, compare a specific feature rather than judging your entire accent at once.