All posts about Brittany

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Brittany is beautiful coasts, beaches and wild rocks, unusual architecture and traditions that still survive. Oh, this kouign amann and the thinnest pancakes! It took me years to find a decent recipe.Each topic presents places in detail with photos and lists other worthy places nearby with the map. Brittany is a very large region, each … Read more

Who should file a tax return in Germany

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Briefly about who should file a tax return in Germany, I wrote in the introduction to the topic on filling out a German income tax return. But there was no answer to the question:
I came in Germany this year
I am employee and have no other income
– should I file a declaration in Germany for this year?

In the list of those who must file a tax return in Germany, there are no fresh arrivals in the country. But my old memories of working for a tax magazine brought to the surface a vague knowledge of tax residency. Let’s try to understand this difficult topic, but first we will find out who is still on the list of those who must file.

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Chestnuts in Germany (Esskastanien, Maronen)

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Chestnuts in Germany

Roasted chestnuts are an essential part of Advent. In recent years, chestnuts in Germany have been sold far less than before and prices are incredible. Only Aldi rescues the situation – here you can buy small cheap chestnuts. In southern Germany you can also pick chestnuts in the forest. In this topic – how to distinguish edible chestnuts and how to cook them.

Let’s first understand the difference between Kastanien, Esskastanien and Maronen.

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All posts about Normandy

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Normandy is our favorite holiday place. Mighty white rocks, lonely beaches and many sights invite you to come back again and again. Mont Saint Michel AbbeyLower Normandy Map. Manche attractionsLower Normandy. Attractions Calvados and Orne on the mapWhat to see in EtretatFecamp attractionsUpper Normandy tourist attractions. 1. Seine MaritimeUpper Normandy tourist attractions. Rouen region to … Read more

Child expenses in Germany in October 2022

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We begin to record the costs of three children in Germany. Age categories: toddler, primary school child, teenager.

Mode of use is economical. A rare budget with three children will survive with all bio. We prefer not bio, but what is called in Germany “nachhaltig” (I don’t meet still good translation: “nachhaltig” means with thinking about nature, without unnecessary).

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German idioms about lie, nonsense, boasting

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We continue to study German idioms by topic. Before we looked at stupidity and madness. They have a lot in common with the German idioms about lie, nonsense and boasting, which are collected in this post. Then we move on to the positives – accuracy and truthfulness.

Expressions in bold are those that are included in the lists of frequently occurring or met me personally in the texts.

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And you thought you were being praised. German certificate of employment Arbeitszeugnis

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German certificate of employment Arbeitszeugnis is a carefully coded document to be studied with a list of words and expressions.

Knowing the German language fully is not only knowing the words and grammar. Because hints play a huge role in German. They never speak their mind directly. A direct statement is often perceived as aggression, or a threat, or arrogance. This is not surprising, because if, as you will see later, a negative characteristic is hidden under the indication of punctuality, then the mind, looking for subtext everywhere, will see an insult in simple direct criticism.

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Difference between schlimm and schlecht

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There is little difference between schlimm and schlecht. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been corrected from schlimm to schlecht. The words are very similar. To this pair we also add the words arg, böse, übel.

Difference between beziehungsweise, respektive, entsprechend
German False participles
Difference between achten and beachten, aufpassen, Acht geben
10 best online German dictionaries
Difference between steigen, steigern, erhöhen, erheben, zulegen, zunehmen
30+ idioms in German with meaning astonished

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Actual this autumn: emergency storage, corona rules and declaration of real estate

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It’s still warm outside, but the lack of city lighting is a clear reminder that a hard winter is just around the corner. The German media regularly publishes a list of what the government thinks you should have in reserve in case of emergency. At the very least, long-term blackout are highly likely. Let’s look at this list. At the same time we will look at what is required of us in connection with the corona (do you remember this one?).

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Hunting in Germany

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If you have walked at least once in a German forest, you have probably seen more than one “house” with stairs on the edge of forests, copses, along the fields. No, they were not built by nature enthusiasts to observe animals. That is they observe, only then they shoot.

First of all, I am interested in hunting in Germany in relation to non-hunting people, primarily to those who walk – are there any restrictions, how difficult it is to become a hunter?

hunting in germany

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German B1 test DTZ. German letter writing B1 samples. Part 6

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In the part 6 there are German letter writing B1 samples for DTZ exam on the topics: solving everyday problems and letters to bureaucratic organizations (town hall, insurance, bank, etc.).

These can be about bills, refusals of subscriptions and closing of contracts, complaints about trains and buses (delays). Letters to banks: credit, account opening/closing. Loss of documents (insurance card, driver’s license). Questions about kindergarten or after-school care.

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All about Interlaken (Jungfrau region)

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All posts about Interlaken region – around Jungfrau, Top of Europe train and two lakes Jungfrau region MapJungfrau region. 2. Grindelwald, First and train to JungfrauJungfrau region. 4. What to do in Interlaken and on Schynige PlatteJungfrau region. 5. Lake Brienz attractions. Giessbach fallsJungfrau region. 3. Breathtaking Lauterbrunnen valley waterfalls and MürrenJungfrau region. 6. Aare … Read more

Asperger autism symptoms by age. Aspies in Germany

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Let’s continue talking about Asperger’s autism. The first two parts were mainly information about the features of Asperger’s Syndrome. But how do these features manifest themselves in the behavior of children, particularly in young or non-speaking children? What signs in children should warn parents?

Then let’s move on to practical advice. What to do with it? How do Aspies do in Germany?

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Library in Germany. How to use

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When I tell those who have not yet had time to learn the language that the library in Germany is already waiting for them and will be very useful, they usually answer me with round eyes: “I can not find things in the supermarkt, but you are talking about the library.” However, later, when 5-6 years pass, the reaction after the first visit is usually different: “Why didn’t we go earlier?”

10 best online German dictionaries
Secondary school in Berlin – Brandenburg and other federal states
4th grade. Gymnasium or Realschule?
Non-Speaking child. Speech delay treatment in Germany
Bilingual children. 1
School supplies in Germany. 2. Pencils, pens (Füller) and others
German primary school. Deutsch in grades 3-4

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10 best online German dictionaries

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If you live in Germany, online German dictionaries are a daily necessity. I think that no one remembers paper dictionaries anymore. The choice, however, is not so rich.

German picture description phrases and sequence
Basic German. 4. Time and prepositions of time in German and other grammar posts
Difference between merken and bemerken and other words for memory and notice and other German synonyms
All posts for #New in Germany
Giving direction essay in German. Wegbeschreibung
Idioms in German with meaning stupidity, madness

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Traffic light government in the fight for the love of voters. Help from government in Germany

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The government rolled out another generous gift to voters. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the thought is tossing and turning about how much we must pay later, something like “tax-free” Elterngeld, for which you will pay later, when submitting a declaration. But for now, let’s put the thought of the consequences in the attic and rejoice that we are remembered and loved. Next – how exactly they remember about us.

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Difference between merken and bemerken and other words for memory and notice

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The difference between merken and bemerken is at the formal level, in shades of meaning and in other meanings of these words. Additionally, let’s take the words wahrnehmen, erkennen, sich erinnern, einprägen, memorieren.

As you can easily guess, the root of the word comes from Marke – a mark. Hence all the meanings: made a mark – remembered, made a mark – noticed, made a mark (verbal) – that is, made a remark.

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Grundsteuererklärung – real estate declaration in Germany

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The Grundsteuererklärung real estate declaration in Germany, although it took a long time to prepare, does not have good explanations with examples. It took me two weeks to fill out, understand and order the papers.

Each land has its own data requirements, but the main points remain the same for all. I have Baden-Württemberg. I consider the declaration from the point of view of an ordinary owner of apartment, not an investor and not an entrepreneur. Links to official comments on the federal states – in part one Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany.

If you haven’t started filing a real estate declaration yet, do it now. The time is already approaching the middle. The declaration must be submitted by everyone who owns real estate (apartment, house, garage – in whole or in part). Even apartment owners own some land (Grundstück).

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How to change health insurance in Germany

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Health insuranse in Germany

We have already found out how the contributions to the state health insurance are formed, who is obliged to have it, and what exactly of the medical services we are paid for, and for which we will have to pay extra. Now let’s find out how to change health insurance in Germany if another insurance promises a lot of free additional services or if the old one does not suit us with its service.

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Rheinland Pfalz education system

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Rheinland Pfalz education system are well represented on the local educational website, which can be said not for all federal states. The types of schools are very structured, and it is clear who goes where with what certificate.

Secondary schools in other federal states:
Education system in Baden-Württemberg
Secondary school in Berlin – Brandenburg
4th grade. Gymnasium or Realschule?
Gymnasium. First year

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Difference between ändern and verändern, verwandeln, wechseln and tauschen

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This topic is about the difference between ändern and verändern, verwandeln, wechseln and tauschen. You can change slightly and completely, in a positive or negative sense, externally or internally.

It can be also interesting:
Basic German. 4. Time and prepositions of time in German
Betrag or Beitrag, vertragen or ertragen and other members of tragen family
German picture description phrases and sequence
Difference between steigen, steigern, erhöhen, erheben, zulegen, zunehmen
German idioms about talking

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Basic German. 4. Time and prepositions of time in German

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The prepositions of time in German, like the prepositions of place discussed in the previous part, are that mandatory base without which it is difficult to start speaking.

Basic German with tables. 3. Local prepositions
Conjunctions in sentences. Different word order
Basic German with tables. 2. Noun and articles
Betrag or Beitrag, vertragen or ertragen and other members of tragen family
German picture description phrases and sequence

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Attractions near Dresden

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The attractions near Dresden are no less curious than the city itself (read more about Dresden): these are natural attractions – the so-called Saxon Switzerland begins here, and palaces, castles, and museums. Read more… I managed to visit two places – the Bastei rocks and the Königstein fortress. About them in more detail, about the … Read more

Credit cards in Germany

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Credit cards in Germany are the second vital issue after Girokonto. Everyone wants to effortlessly buy online or book. But before we plunge into the world of credit cards, let’s see if we can do without them.

What is Girokonto in Germany
Sale of used items (Privatverkauf). Private warranty
What is allowed to do if you are sick without to be fired
German tax refund – What I can claim to return. I-N
Renovation cost in Germany. Who pays

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Asperger Syndrome empathy, speech and emotions

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We continue to talk about autistic disorder (Asperger’s syndrome) without the usual clichés. This part is about asperger syndrome empathy, emotions, intelligence and speech. We speak also about Aspie girls – girls adapt better to the social environment, so they are less noticeable and less often diagnosed.

Asperger syndrome empathy, emotions, speech, intelligence

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Betrag or Beitrag, vertragen or ertragen and other members of tragen family

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The tragen family is not as numerous as the drucken / drücken family we once analyzed, however, short, similar words often get confused in the mind, especially the sweet couple Betrag or Beitrag.

It can be also interesting
German synonyms. öffnen – offen – aufmachen
Dialogues b1 Deutsch Test für Zuwanderer
Receive: erhalten or bekommen, kriegen, beziehen, erlangen
Conjunctions in sentences. Different word order
Difference between ändern and verändern, verwandeln, wechseln and tauschen

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Prescription in Germany. Red, blue, green prescriptions – when you must pay

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What does red prescription in Germany mean? How much do you need to pay extra for medicines and other medical services? What a green prescription is? How to find a medicine in Germany? These questions we answer in this post.

From 2022, the prescription in Germany is issued in electronic form. At least theoretically, there is such a possibility. Whether there is practically this possibility in praxis – one must ask. It will useful in Internet-pharmacies.

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Picture description in German B1. Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

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This thread lists the pictures for picture description in German that people saw in real exams Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (Niveau B1) and that were collected by me on the forums. For the basic principles and useful phrases for picture description, see the first part.

Part 1. German picture description useful phrases

All about DTZ (Deutschtest für Zuwanderer):
Read about German test b1 Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (DTZ).
German Writing for Exam B1: Letters 1, Letters 2, Letters 3, Letters 4, Letters 5, Letters 6
Dialogues for B1 test 1, Dialogues 2
Questions and anworts for the Leben in Deutschland test.

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9-euro public transport ticket and other gifts

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Fuel prices are no longer shocking, only evoke grim resignation, and this mood of the herd does not suit the shepherds – because it makes them a suicidal government that is destined to be swept away and trampled into history in the next electoral cycle. Therefore, it is urgently required to spread the straws and add food. Food and straw should be any that are in stock. So the measures to save us from fuel prices are also a little rotten.

Chief among them is the much publicized 9-euro public transport ticket. I kept waiting for it to finally be approved. After all, they might not have accepted it, the measure is doubtful. But the advertising was so wide that it was already impossible not to accept. Therefore recently for the 9-euro ticket finally voted. The pre-sale starts on May 23rd.

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Tax declaration Germany. Anlage EÜR

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Filling out Anlage EÜR was not so easy. I once thought that Anlage EÜR is a simple piece of paper with two columns: “Income” and “Expense”. It turned out that this is such a concentrated declaration, where much of what is in a regular declaration is repeated, only in relation to entrepreneurs. Anlage EÜR even has its own applications.

But despite its formidable size, filling out the Anlage EÜR is always presented as the biggest advantage for small entrepreneurs – compared to the dreaded and scary accounting.

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Education system in Baden-Württemberg

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Now there are many options for accessing higher education, and it’s good to know about them in advance, especially when you have to choose a school after primary school. Let’s see education system in Baden-Württemberg.

In Germany, each federal state itself determines how its children should study. At first I wanted to make a general overview, but it very quickly turned into a huge lump with sticking out legs of numerous features of this or that land, in which one could get lost already in the first two paragraphs. So let’s go by each federal state separately.

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Loire cycle route. Tours – Villandry

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The section of the Loire cycle route from Tours to Villandry deserves a your attentioin, even if you’re not a big fan of cycling. Idyllic landscapes, not too tiring road through the fields with poppies and cornflowers along the slow river and at the end of a beautiful castle with Renaissance gardens.

Villandry combines fine with other castles – as a bicycle, car or bus route to several points.

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Asperger’s syndrome without outdated clichés. 1

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In English-speaking countries, the understanding of what autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are has gone ten years ahead compared to Germany. However, there is progress in Germany as well. Because of Greta Thunberg, the topic of people with Asperger’s syndrome has risen to the top, and many German articles have appeared explaining what it is and how to live with it. Books are gradually being translated, adequate diagnostics are already available. However, many psychologists and especially educators know about the problem very superficially and approximately.

In this thread: what is Asperger’s Syndrome in a brief form and without outdated clichés and what can you do in Germany.

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What is selbstständig, Unternehmer, Honorar, Firma in Germany

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What is selbstständig and how does it differ from Unternehmen? Selbstständig in Germany is an individual entrepreneur with a small business, as opposed to Unternehmen with a bunch of employees? Freiberufler is a freelancer or not only? And if I work for a Honorar – am I a Freiberufler? Let’s take a look at the statuses.

What is Öffentliche Dienst
Who belongs to Freiberufler and what other forms of part-time work are there in Germany (Minijob, ehrenamtlich)
Credit cards in Germany
German tax return. Anlage WA-Est
Home office tax deduction in German tax return
All tax deductions (in German income tax declaration)

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German picture description phrases and sequence

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Having dealt with letters examples and dialogue topics for b1 test, we move on to the next topic – German picture description phrases for DTZ. The picture description is called Bildbeschreibung. This task is used in the exam up to level B1, then something more substantial is usually used, like a diagram or graph. In … Read more

German holidays in April, May, Juny. Ostern, Maifest and Fronleichnam and others between

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April, May and Juny in Germany are rich in various holidays and additional days off. Especially happy are Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. They have still additional Pentecost school holidays.

Other German holidays
Feasts in Germany. December – January
Carnival vocabulary
Saint Martin Feast. Songs
DIY lanterns for Saint Martin feast. 4. “Drums” and “Houses”
What is Besen?

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Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany

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Did you think that the annual entertainment with the German income declaration is more than enough for you? By the way, you can find by me how to fill it out.
This year the state decided that the fun should be extended. If you own any real estate, from July to October you must file a Real estate declaration about it.

Read futher how to fill out Grundsteuererklärung – real estate declaration in Germany

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Sale of used items (Privatverkauf). Private warranty

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Once I met in an ad for the sale of used items a postscript about private warranty in large letters and with exclamation marks: “In accordance with EU law, every private seller must write that returns and replacements are not made and nothing is guaranteed.” Since I have not met with such a duty, I decided to investigate this issue.

It can be also interesting:
Sommer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany
Credit cards in Germany
What is allowed to do if you are sick without to be fired
Christmas cookies in Germany
DIY lanterns for Saint Martin feast. 5. Silhouettes

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What is allowed to do if you have sick leave in Germany without to be fired

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if you have sich leave in germany

When my husband received sick leave not with a common cold and bed rest, the question immediately arose: “What, in fact, can and cannot be done during recovery so that the employer does not get indignant?”

In fact, quite a lot is possible to do if you have sick leave in Germany without to be fired, but you are unlikely to want to go to court about this – and the employer will go easily, I have absolutely no doubt. Therefore, we know our rights, but we use them sparingly. You also do not forget to immediately inform the employere about your illness – you may even be fired, although you were quite honestly ill if you forgot to call on time. Fortunately, at least the transfer of the sick leave remains in the past from this year.

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Anki pronunciation add-on

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You don’t usually need pronunciation for German, but it’s actuell for other languages. Anki pronunciation add-on gives you the ability to add pronunciation quickly and effortlessly.

All posts about Anki
Part 1. Studying
Part 2. Editing a deck and notes
Part 3. Creating new notes
Part 4. Editing templates
Part 5. Сloze with typing

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Aufmachen or öffnen or offen or eröffnen

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To this day, every time I have to ask when an institution or store is open, I am agonizingly unsure which word to use. Aufmachen, öffnen or offen or geöffnet? Or, to be sure, just auf? What difference between öffnen and eröffnen?

Also aufschlagen, andrehen, aufschließen can mean “open closed”. Let’s start with them, so as not to get in the way.

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Help for people from Ukraine

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I collected information for help. If you have something to add, write.

I want to note that this is a tragedy not only for those who have lost their homes or loved ones, although it is the hardest for them, but also for millions of people of both nationalities around the world. You can at least help by not inciting hatred and spreading prejudice. Many do not know anymore if they will ever see their relatives and friends.

Information about helping in different countries, including Germany

Accommodation in Berlin
Haus 2
Oranienburger Str. 285
13437 Berlin
Station „Karl-Bonhoeffer-Nervenklinik“ underground U8 or train S25.

Arrival Center Addresses (see Ankunftzentrum): https://www.bamf.de/DE/Behoerde/Aufbau/Standorte/standorte-node.html

Addresses for refugees in Stuttgart, unfortunately, all together, don’t know which address should come first https://fluechtlinge.stuttgart.de/item/show/609021

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Deutschtest für Zuwanderer b1 (DTZ). German writing examples 5

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German writing examples for DTZ b1

We continue to study possible subjects of letters for the DTZ B1. This time we need to communicate with school, courses or social or sport club (Verein).

Read about German writing examples B1 level test Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (DTZ).
Letters 1, Letters 2, Letters 3, Letters 4, Letters 5, Letters 6
Dialogues for B1 test 1, Dialogues 2
German picture description phrases and sequence
Picture description in German B1. Deutschtest für Zuwanderer
Everything about the #Orientierungstest (Test Leben in Deutschland) is here.

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Giving birth in Germany

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Finally we got to the decisive stage of pregnancy – giving birth in Germany. This part is about what things to take with you to hospital, about the labor induction in Germany, pain relief and anesthesia for giving birth and time in the hospital after giving birth.

Part 1 Pregnancy in Germany. 1. Problems before pregnancy
Part 2 Pregnancy check up in Germany. Testing and monitoring
Part 3 Pregnancy in Germany. 3. What is hebamme, how to find her and what is Mutterpass

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Carnival in Germany

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Carnival – Faschingsumzug or Fastnachtsumzug – a favorite entertainment not only for children, but also for adults. Carnivals are not held in all German cities, usually larger or tourist ones in western and southwestern Germany.

The largest (most visited) are carnivals in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Mainz.

carnival in Germany

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Difference between steigen, steigern, erhöhen, erheben, zulegen, zunehmen

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Increase, raise, rise – there is not one, but several rows of synonyms at once. Let’s search difference between steigen and steigern, erhöhen and erheben, zulegen and zunehmen…

First look at steigen, steigern, erhöhen. All of them suppose changing the level.

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Gymnasium in Germany. First year

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Of course, a covid year can hardly be called normal learning, so it is rather difficult to objectively assess grade 5 in the Gymnasium in Germany.

My comments concern a boy with normal grades (official tested as above average). That is, we project onto weaker children for the worse. By the end of the post, you will understand why most children need a private tutor.

So far, the diagnosis is as follows:

Deeply outdated education from 19th. century, with a mass of unnecessary information, based on the message “learn by heart” rather than “think”, which they are afraid to reform like a sacred cow, for some reason assuming that the gymnasium gives a good education, and if they touch it, then everything will fall apart.

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What is new in Germany 2022

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Let’s see what awaits us in the new 2022.

There are changes in social, pension and tax calculations that do not depend on the will of the average person – the tax scale changes slightly, the tax-free base increases, the pension scale is moving, and so on, so I will not consider them.

First, about what did not fall into the category. On May 15, a selective census of the population will take place – it was postponed due to pandemic.

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Secondary school in Berlin – Brandenburg

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What secondary school is it better to choose in Berlin-Brandenburg? In this post about education system in Berlin and Brandenburg federal states

The rules are different in these federal states, but since a significant number of the Brandenburg population is concentrated around Berlin, we will consider them together. Attending a school in another federal state is possible subject to availability (the rules are hier).

For more transparency the states have different color. The brighter the color, the higher the education

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Giving direction essay in German. Wegbeschreibung

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Giving direction essay in German (Wegbeschreibung) pops up in the school several times in different grades and at different levels. Not all teachers decide to write this essay, some take it verbally. And in VERA in grade 3, too, there was a similar task.

The training method is very simple: we open a map of the area, a city plan (for example tourist plan from tourist office) and ask to give direction from and to.

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How system kills blogging

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On my sites you will see a nasty full page ad that requires you to agree to cookies. I know it got you. It got me too. But I have no other choice as the European data protection law is written in such a way that it requires you to actively, not passively, consent to cookies. That is, you must press the button yourself. In doing so, it requires:

– so that absolutely all cookies are registered. And this is statistics, newsletters, services from WordPress like contact forms, advertising statistics and even fonts, etc. etc.

– so that you can refuse both all together, and from each separately

– so you can change your mind

– so that all these services, except for those that completely destroy the site, are disabled until you agree.

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German festivals in December – January

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Drei Könige Feste in Deutschland im Dezember Advent / Festivals in Germany in December

​​Christmas in Europe is a special time. A Christmas market, trees and decorations, Christmas carols … But all this you find not on Christmas itself, but earlier – on Advent. From December 23 to January 27, Europe is not the best place to visit: just before Christmas, everyone completely empties the store shelves and lies at the bottom: long weekends, no one works, except gas station, Donners and a few restaurants. The interval between Christmas and New Year and after the New Year is the time of sales of old clothing collections. And immediately after January 6, the holidays are completely over: the lights and the trees are removed.

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Joint building ventury (Baugemeinschaft)

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The joint building ventury Baugemeinschaft is a popular form of organizing the construction of apartment buildings in Germany.

Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany
Germany apartments search. Decoding ads
Fighting condensation and mold in Germany
How to sort waste in Germany – what waste is going where
Renovation cost in Germany. Who pays

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Christmas cookies in Germany

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This post is for those who have just met the German christmas cookies fanaticism and don’t know where to start. You can easily find a couple of hundred cookie-themed recipes on the Internet, here are the most basic ones for beginners.

As soon as the children go to the kindergarten, the kindergarten and school “tribute” begin. For St. Martin, to sell at the Christmas market, to fundraise for the trip, for Basteltag, for the pre-Christmas breakfast in the garden, for the school Christmas breakfast, for Easter …

Christmas cookies in Germany / Weihnachten Plätzchen

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Pregnancy in Germany. 3. What is hebamme, how to find her and what is Mutterpass

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We continue the topic of pregnancy and childbirth. Now: What is hebamme and what is Mutterpass, what is written in Mutterpass. We will learn how to get a midwife and why you need one at all, and decide where to give birth.

In the first part there was infertility and miscarriage, in the second part – mandatory and additional tests, illnesses and inconveniences accompanying pregnancy.

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Fighting condensation and mold in Germany

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Kondenwasser am Fenster Schimmel

Fighting mold is an essential part of life in most German homes. The problem is blamed on users. They say tenants do not ventilate, overcool, etc. etc. In reality, of course, builders have crooked hands and save at the expense of residents. Our friends lived in Holland and did not observe this problem there, although Holland is clearly ahead of most German cities in terms of humidity.

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Saint Martin Festival Germany. Songs

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The main children’s autumn holiday is on the way – Saint Martin Festival in Germany. Processions with lanterns are timed to this holiday.

The memory of Saint Martin is celebrated on November 11th. But processions in his honor usually take place after All Saints’ Day, that is, after November 1, and small processions of one kindergarden or urban area can be scheduled for any day of the last week of October.

Saint Martin Festival Germany

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German dialogues b1 for Deutschtest für Zuwanderer. Part 2

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In the first part we organized holidays, shopping trips and walks, now we will learn German dialogues b1 about help and advise.

DTZ German dialogues b1 Part 1
Read about German test b1 Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (DTZ).
German Writing for Exam B1: Letters 1, Letters 2, Letters 3, Letters 4, Letters 5, Letters 6
Questions and anworts for the Leben in Deutschland test.

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Dialogues b1 Deutsch Test für Zuwanderer

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Diealogues are part of Deutsch Test für Zuwanderer. First you speak about yourself, then you describe a picture and have to speak with your partner. I give possible topics for this part. Tasks are taken from reviews of real exams shared in Internet.

German dialogues b1 for DTZ. Part 2
Read about German test b1 Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (DTZ).
German Writing for Exam B1: Letters 1, Letters 2, Letters 3, Letters 4, Letters 5, Letters 6
German picture description phrases and sequence
Picture description in German B1. Deutschtest für Zuwanderer
Questions and anworts for the Leben in Deutschland test.

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DIY silhouette lantern for Saint Martin feast. Part 5

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Laterne Saint Martin / diy silhouette lantern

We end our big review with diy silhouette lantern: red leaves and black figurines.

Read more:
part 1 – lighting possibilities, basic materials,
part 2 – papier-mache, lampions, papier bags,
part 3 – polygons, “cheese package”,
part 4 – “houses” and “drums”.
Separat about feast and songs for it.
Bascetta star tutorial
German school cone (Schultüte). How to make

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German wine classification system and wine regions

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Since we live in a wine region, we had to explore German wine classification system. And German wines are not bad at all, if you make right choice.

Wine production in Germany is regulated by the wine law. There are clearly fixed regions and types of wines. The EU has its own classification by territory, but it was successfully integrated into the existing one, so that nothing has changed significantly.

In this post about different classifications (classic German wine classification + EU, taste, VDP), wine regions, popular sorts.

german wine classification / Klassifikation deutscher weine

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DIY lantern for Saint Martin feast. 4. “Drums” and “Houses”

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diy lantern / Laterne Saint Martin

“Drum” – the simplest and fastest form for diy lantern. The choice of motive is limited only by your desires and imagination. “Houses” are cubes or other prisms. Here you have to work more and plan more time, that is, this is an option for older children.

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4th grade. Gymnasium or Realschule?

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What secondary school to choose – Gymnasium or Realschule? High school choice is not as obvious now as it used to be. Secondary education in Germany has changed significantly over the past 15 years.

I have so far examined the structure of education in half of the federal states (see the topics “Schools after the Grundschule”) and will continue to do so.

The main conclusion: the idea “if you want to go to a university, you need to fight to get into a gymnasium” in most Bundeslands no longer works. The strictest vertical is preserved in Bavaria and Saxony.

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DIY polygonal lantern, cylinder lantern for Saint Martin festival

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Laternen Käseschachtel Saint Martin / Cylinder lantern

Next possible forms and techniques – polygonal lantern and cylinder lantern (“cheese package”).

part 1 lighting, basic materials
part 2 paper mache lantern, lampions lantern, paper bags,
part 4 – “houses” and “drums”
DIY silhouette lantern for Saint Martin feast. Part 5
Separat about feast and songs for it.
Bascetta star tutorial
German school cone (Schultüte). How to make

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Diy Lanterns for Saint Martin feast. 2. Paper mache lanterns, lampion lantern, bags

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DIY Laterne Saint Martin Lantern paper bag

In the first part, we looked at the possible lighting options and basic materials for diy lanterns. Now let’s see what typical forms and what techniques are used. I must say, that the imagination is inexhaustible and every year new variants for lanterns appear. I tried to collect most of the ones already invented.

part 1 – lighting, basic materials,
part 3 – polygons, “cheese package”,
part 4 – “houses” and “drums”
DIY silhouette lantern for Saint Martin feast. Part 5
Separat about feast and songs for it
Bascetta star tutorial
German school cone (Schultüte). How to make

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All about Saint Martin Lantern. 1. Materials

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This thread is all about Saint Martin lanterns for Saint Martin Festival. Let’s start with lighting and materials, then discuss the basic shapes of lanterns and some techniques.

Please note that most lanterns require not only lighting, but also a stick to carry it on. And there are more problems with a stick than with a candle.

Saint Martin Lantern

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Farmer market in Germany and fruits and berries “free of charge”

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Bio and local products are in great demand, although it is not always easy to find them. In this post – where you can find farmer market in Germany and whether your can eat for free apples and Co on the way.

Hofladen

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Election in Germany 2021. Questions and answers

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Let’s look how the parties answer the important questions of election in Germany 2021.

Once again, I note that the websites will help you understand what questions is discussed, but do not trust them too much. One simple example: the question “Family reunification of migrants has been limited since 2015, is this correct” gives two answers – yes and no. However, “no” actually implies two completely opposite answers: “no, we must not let them in at all”, and “no, we must take everyone”. Thus, by answering “no”, you matched both the left guys and AfD. And there are many such inaccuracies – different wording of the questions will give different answers to the same party, “no” can be like a refusal and “no” like another proposal.

It turned out very clearly – you can see how strongly the greens developed the red theme and how strongly the red ones developed into the green. If you are going to vote for the Greens, please note that you vote as Linke in many cases. In my opinion, this is a combination of the incompatible: after all, following the green theme in the proposed from Greens and Reds form, they kill their social program (jobs, family cars …). Where does the money come from? The