When mysterious circles are discovered in a corn field, Paula and Philipp go to in-vestigate. Did a UFO land here, or is somebody trying to pull a prank? As Ayhan arrives at the Radio D office, Paula and Philipp are rushing out. Enigmatic circles have been discovered in a corn field and no one can explain how they got there. The two journalists aren’t the only ones interested in the unusual attraction; many tourists come to check it out as well. The residents of the village soon find ways to profit from the mysterious event. In the turmoil, many people with different interests come together. The tourists want to satisfy their curiosity, the journalists want to solve the mystery and the farmers apparently want to make money. Take a closer look at modal verbs in this episode. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

In Neuschwanstein Castle, Paula and Philipp meet a secretive stranger who is wearing King Ludwig’s cloak. They do some research on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ludwig’s death. A man with King Ludwig’s majestic cloak around his shoulders wants to make Paula and Philipp believe that he is the late monarch. How did Ludwig actually die? The two journalists create a radio play to illuminate for their listeners the various theories on King Ludwig’s unresolved death at Lake Starnberg. No one knows for sure if it was murder or suicide. The meeting with the mysterious man is an opportunity to hear the customary differences when speaking with a friend or a stranger. Listen for the formal “Sie” and the informal “du.” The infinitive of the verb “sein” (to be) is. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

If there’s something you don’t understand, it’s always good to ask. The professor answers the questions about past episodes that Radio D listeners have sent in. The listeners ask and the professor answers, getting to the root of every question. It’s a good opportunity for the listeners to review information, expand their knowledge, or just ask something they always wanted to know. Listen for these question from the listeners — and the professor’s answers to each of them: Which address is suitable for which situation? When can I use “du” or “Sie”? How do I introduce myself? When do I know when to use first or last names? What do modal particles like “denn,” “doch,” and “eigentlich” mean? What is the difference between “nicht” and “nichts”? Less

Learn German for free with podcasts.
Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

If there’s something you don’t understand, it’s always good to ask. The professor answers the questions about past episodes that Radio D listeners have sent in. The listeners ask and the professor answers, getting to the root of every question. It’s a good opportunity for the listeners to review information, expand their knowledge, or just ask something they always wanted to know. Listen for these question from the listeners — and the professor’s answers to each of them: Which address is suitable for which situation? When can I use “du” or “Sie”? How do I introduce myself? When do I know when to use first or last names? What do modal particles like “denn,” “doch,” and “eigentlich” mean? What is the difference between “nicht” and “nichts”? Less

Learn German for free with podcasts.
Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

If there’s something you don’t understand, it’s always good to ask. The professor answers the questions about past episodes that Radio D listeners have sent in. The listeners ask and the professor answers, getting to the root of every question. It’s a good opportunity for the listeners to review information, expand their knowledge, or just ask something they always wanted to know. Listen for these question from the listeners — and the professor’s answers to each of them: Which address is suitable for which situation? When can I use “du” or “Sie”? How do I introduce myself? When do I know when to use first or last names? What do modal particles like “denn,” “doch,” and “eigentlich” mean? What is the difference between “nicht” and “nichts”? Less

Learn German for free with podcasts.
Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

Paula and Philipp want to get to the bottom of the crop circles and go at night to investigate. But what they find doesn’t appear to be the work of aliens. The owner of the field with the mysterious circles is charging tourists 5 euros to take pictures of it. Meanwhile, Philipp and Paula camp out in the forest at night to wait for UFOs. Instead, two men turn up with a machine. Did they make the crop circles to attract tourists? In the end, a UFO does seem to turn up, which adds more confusion to the mix. The versatile verb “machen” is less confusing that the events in the corn field. In this episode, the professor shows you numerous ways to use the word. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

Philipp, a young man, drives to the countryside to visit his mother Hanne. He plans to relax there, but soon finds out that the idyllic country landscape has its down-sides as well. “Nature, how nice!” says Philipp as he arrives at his mother’s home in the countryside, where he would like to spend some time away from it all. Cats and cows aren’t the only creatures he finds, however. While he innocently drinks a cup of coffee in the garden, annoying insects rob Philipp of the peace and quiet he’d been hoping for — and then things get a bit more painful for poor Philipp. Even if your German vocabulary isn’t very extensive yet, you will still be able to understand the episode. The background noises make it clear where Philipp is. In this episode, you’ll learn greetings and farewells. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

Paula and Philipp introduce King Ludwig to their listeners in the radio play. Night-time sledding, wild parties and strange inventions make for a first impression of Ludwig and his time. The two journalists take their listeners back in time to the 19th century. They get to know the fantastical King Ludwig, his love of nature and Richard Wagner’s music and his connection to his cousin, the legendary Empress Sissi. Everyone is amazed by an original table that Ludwig himself had invented. This episode is all about King Ludwig’s preferences, which lends itself to learning the verb “lieben” (to love). The same endings apply to the verb “kommen” (to come), which you will also hear. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

Not everyone at Radio D is excited about Carnival. Compu’s assignment takes the two journalists to the Black Forest, where the Carnival spirit is strong. In certain regions of Germany, Carnival is celebrated with gusto. In the Radio D office, the traditional party causes a rift. Paula can’t share Philipp’s enthusiasm and she thinks his witch costume is ridiculous. To Philipp’s delight, their investigation takes them to the Black Forest, where people in witch costumes are stealing cars in the midst of the Carnival madness. The journalists try to do a live program, but to no avail. The witches drag Philipp out of the car and kidnap him. Word order in German is somewhat less chaotic than Carnival. This episode focuses on the position of the subject and the predicate. Less

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Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle

Not everyone at Radio D is excited about Carnival. Compu’s assignment takes the two journalists to the Black Forest, where the Carnival spirit is strong. In certain regions of Germany, Carnival is celebrated with gusto. In the Radio D office, the traditional party causes a rift. Paula can’t share Philipp’s enthusiasm and she thinks his witch costume is ridiculous. To Philipp’s delight, their investigation takes them to the Black Forest, where people in witch costumes are stealing cars in the midst of the Carnival madness. The journalists try to do a live program, but to no avail. The witches drag Philipp out of the car and kidnap him. Word order in German is somewhat less chaotic than Carnival. This episode focuses on the position of the subject and the predicate. Less

Learn German for free with podcasts.
Radio D Series 1 | Learning German | Deutsche Welle