The idea
Write the subject, a matching form of sein, and the description. Bin belongs with ich, bist with du, and ist with a singular third-person subject.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Russian normally omits the present copula in ordinary identity and quality statements. German complete declarative clauses retain a finite form of sein; a past form of Russian быть is not a model for German present omission.
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
Meine Schwester heute müde.Meine Schwester ist heute müde.Write the subject, a matching form of sein, and the description. Bin belongs with ich, bist with du, and ist with a singular third-person subject.
Examples
- Meine Schwester ist nach der langen Fahrt müde.My sister is tired after the long journey.
- Die Werkstatt ist heute bis sechs Uhr offen.The workshop is open until six today.
- Ich bin mit dem ersten Teil schon fertig.I have already finished the first part.
- Du bist für diese Aufgabe gut vorbereitet.You are well prepared for this task.
- Die beiden Taschen sind unter dem Tisch.The two bags are under the table.
- Wir sind am Nachmittag wieder zu Hause.We are back home in the afternoon.
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. Write the subject, a matching form of sein, and the description. Bin belongs with ich, bist with du, and ist with a singular third-person subject.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Meine Schwester heute müde.
Show answer or example answer
Meine Schwester ist heute müde.
Meine Schwester ist heute müde. Write the subject, a matching form of sein, and the description. Bin belongs with ich, bist with du, and ist with a singular third-person subject.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: My sister is tired after the long journey.
Show answer or example answer
Meine Schwester ist nach der langen Fahrt müde.
Meine Schwester ist nach der langen Fahrt müde. Write the subject, a matching form of sein, and the description. Bin belongs with ich, bist with du, and ist with a singular third-person subject.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The two bags are under the table.
Show answer or example answer
Die beiden Taschen sind unter dem Tisch.
Die beiden Taschen sind unter dem Tisch. 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: Meine Schwester heute müde.
Meine Schwester ist heute müde.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: My sister is tired after the long journey.
Meine Schwester ist nach der langen Fahrt müde.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The two bags are under the table.
Die beiden Taschen sind unter dem Tisch.
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 “Meine Schwester ist heute müde.”. Check each one for the Russian habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.