The idea
Use mein Buch, meine Tasche or meinen Schlüssel according to gender and case. Separate pronoun expressions such as der meine follow a different pattern and do not justify der mein Schlüssel.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Portuguese can combine a definite article with a possessive before a noun, with regional and contextual variation in Brazil. German ordinary attributive mein already occupies the determiner position and is not preceded by der, die or das.
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
Der mein Schlüssel liegt dort.Mein Schlüssel liegt dort.Use mein Buch, meine Tasche or meinen Schlüssel according to gender and case. Separate pronoun expressions such as der meine follow a different pattern and do not justify der mein Schlüssel.
Examples
- Mein kleiner Schlüssel liegt neben deinem Notizbuch.My little key is beside your notebook.
- Ich suche meine warme Jacke für den Heimweg.I am looking for my warm jacket for the journey home.
- Wir stellen unseren Tisch näher an das Fenster.We move our table closer to the window.
- Ihre neue Wohnung hat einen schmalen Balkon.Her new apartment has a narrow balcony.
- Mit deinem Vorschlag können wir sofort beginnen.We can start immediately with your proposal.
- Unsere beiden Taschen passen in dieses Fach.Our two bags fit in this compartment.
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. Use mein Buch, meine Tasche or meinen Schlüssel according to gender and case. Separate pronoun expressions such as der meine follow a different pattern and do not justify der mein Schlüssel.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Der mein Schlüssel liegt dort.
Show answer or example answer
Mein Schlüssel liegt dort.
Mein Schlüssel liegt dort. Use mein Buch, meine Tasche or meinen Schlüssel according to gender and case. Separate pronoun expressions such as der meine follow a different pattern and do not justify der mein Schlüssel.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: My little key is beside your notebook.
Show answer or example answer
Mein kleiner Schlüssel liegt neben deinem Notizbuch.
Mein kleiner Schlüssel liegt neben deinem Notizbuch. Use mein Buch, meine Tasche or meinen Schlüssel according to gender and case. Separate pronoun expressions such as der meine follow a different pattern and do not justify der mein Schlüssel.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: We can start immediately with your proposal.
Show answer or example answer
Mit deinem Vorschlag können wir sofort beginnen.
Mit deinem Vorschlag können wir sofort beginnen. 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: Der mein Schlüssel liegt dort.
Mein Schlüssel liegt dort.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: My little key is beside your notebook.
Mein kleiner Schlüssel liegt neben deinem Notizbuch.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: We can start immediately with your proposal.
Mit deinem Vorschlag können wir sofort beginnen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Mein Schlüssel liegt dort.”. Check each one for the Brazilian Portuguese habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.