The idea
Translate a noun phrase as a unit: un libro interessante becomes ein interessantes Buch. Do not preserve the Italian adjective position mechanically.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Italian attributive adjectives can precede or follow a noun, with lexical and meaning restrictions. German ordinary attributive adjectives usually come before the noun; their endings also depend on article, case, gender and number.
Individual experience, dialect and other languages you know can change which comparisons help. Use the contrast to notice a German choice; do not treat it as a label for a whole group of people.
Repair the transfer
Ich lese ein Buch interessantes.Ich lese ein interessantes Buch.Translate a noun phrase as a unit: un libro interessante becomes ein interessantes Buch. Do not preserve the Italian adjective position mechanically.
Examples
- Ich lese ein spannendes Buch über alte Handwerksberufe.I am reading an exciting book about old trades.
- Eine freundliche Mitarbeiterin zeigt uns den Eingang.A friendly employee shows us the entrance.
- Der obere Raum hat ungewöhnlich hohe Fenster.The upstairs room has unusually tall windows.
- Wir brauchen einen stabilen Tisch für die schwere Kiste.We need a sturdy table for the heavy box.
- Das Buch ist spannend, aber ziemlich lang.The book is exciting but rather long.
- Die kleinen Hinweise am Rand sind sehr hilfreich.The small notes in the margin are very helpful.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not generalize a source-language pattern to every German sentence. Translate a noun phrase as a unit: un libro interessante becomes ein interessantes Buch. Do not preserve the Italian adjective position mechanically.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Ich lese ein Buch interessantes.
Show answer or example answer
Ich lese ein interessantes Buch.
Ich lese ein interessantes Buch. Translate a noun phrase as a unit: un libro interessante becomes ein interessantes Buch. Do not preserve the Italian adjective position mechanically.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I am reading an exciting book about old trades.
Show answer or example answer
Ich lese ein spannendes Buch über alte Handwerksberufe.
Ich lese ein spannendes Buch über alte Handwerksberufe. Translate a noun phrase as a unit: un libro interessante becomes ein interessantes Buch. Do not preserve the Italian adjective position mechanically.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The book is exciting but rather long.
Show answer or example answer
Das Buch ist spannend, aber ziemlich lang.
Das Buch ist spannend, aber ziemlich lang. Keep the meaning of the whole sentence while using the German pattern.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Korrigiere: Ich lese ein Buch interessantes.
Ich lese ein interessantes Buch.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: I am reading an exciting book about old trades.
Ich lese ein spannendes Buch über alte Handwerksberufe.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The book is exciting but rather long.
Das Buch ist spannend, aber ziemlich lang.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Ich lese ein interessantes Buch.”. Check each one for the Italian habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.