Mastering German Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary) [Paperback]

Veronika Schnorr (Author), Gabriele Forst (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0812091086 | ISBN-13: 978-0812091083 | Publication Date: September 21, 1995

pproximately 5,000 words are presented in 41 separate categories, including politics, military terms, business terms, communications terms, medical terms, scientific terms, household terms, and dozens more. English-speaking readers will find ready help in translating German words and phrases sometimes too specialized to be found in ordinary alphabetically arranged bilingual dictionaries. Here's a fine school supplement for language teachers, students, and language labs, and an aid for anyone who must sometimes get information from German journals and other publications. Line art illustrations, charts, and a comprehensive alphabetical word index enhances this volume's usefulness.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812091086
• ISBN-13: 978-0812091083
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Chinese
  • #31 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > German
  • #61 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Chinese

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Distinct Way of Learning German Vocabulary, May 17, 2003

By 

Burak Kilic (Istanbul, TURKEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering German Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary) (Paperback)

It is usually the case that we look up the translation of a word we want to use in a dictionary. And then, it turns out to be not the word we've wanted, for the fact that the usage of it is somewhere different. Thematic approach was what was missing, and needed at the same time.

This book, however, has changed that. With its 40 chapters on different themes that include 'eating', 'clothing', 'actions and behaviors', 'feelings and instincts', this book offers german-learners everything they need to know for both learning German and living in Germany. Now, it is possible to walk into a shop and tell exactly what kind of a shoe you want, without any difficulty. The book offers another feature: example sentences that help you understand how you use the word. Therefore, every word can be used fluently during talking.

It is concise, and simple. Its small size allows for carrying in a bag. Any further grammatical complications,such as the plurals and different tenses of the verbs, unlike other reviewers, I think, would make the book difficult to use, and heavier to carry. This book can be used with an additional grammer companion, if very necessary. But, for the sole purpose of building vocabulary, the book is excellent. Yet, the grammar section at the end is quite satisfactory for quick referrals. I highly recommend 'Mastering German Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach' for all german-learners.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Vocabulary Builder!, January 11, 2001

By 

"kmjsjohnson" (Weilerbach, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering German Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary) (Paperback)

I moved to Germany 6 months ago (I'm in the military). I had a good start in German, having completed a German technical translation program in college. But that was 15 years ago. I have a LOT of German instructional books, but this is by far the one I use the most, since I already have the grammar and pronunciation down. I try to go through at least a page every day before I go to bed. This book has taken me a long way towards my goal of total fluency, because even if you have perfect grammar and have an excellent accent, you can't get around the fact that there are thousands of words you simply have to know cold.

I HIGHLY recommend this book!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Generally a Useful Guide, but with Flaws, July 19, 2006

By 

Thomas Tallis "2Dawgz" (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mastering German Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary) (Paperback)

The biggest flaw, as noted by other reviewers is the omission of the plurals for nouns (sometimes it's in the example sentences, but not enough). Because the rules are complex (when they apply at all) it is always best, when learning a noun, to memorize the grammatical gender, plural, and any irregular case endings. They also need to give the conjugations (at least the third person present, past and participle forms) of strong verbs. A substantial number of German verbs are strong (irregular) verbs and here, too, one needs to memorize the conjugation when learning the word. Also in the conversational past tense, verbs take either haben or sein and it would be helpful if that were indicated.

I have found the book to be useful, but if they added what I and others here have suggested, it could sweep the field.