telefonieren
Meaning and Usage
"Telefonieren" is a verb in German that means "to telephone" or "to make a phone call." It is used to describe the action of speaking to someone over the phone.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "telefonieren" is a compound word in German, consisting of the noun "das Telefon" (the telephone) and the infinitive suffix "-ieren." It is a regular verb and follows a standard conjugation pattern.
Comparisons between German and English
The word "telefonieren" is similar in meaning to the English word "to telephone," as both refer to the action of making a phone call.
Cultural Context
In German-speaking countries, "telefonieren" is a common and essential part of communication, just as it is in many other parts of the world.
Example Sentences
- Ich telefoniere mit meiner Freundin. (I am telephoning/calling my friend.)
- Er telefoniert gerade mit seinem Chef. (He is on the phone with his boss.)
Memory Tips
Associate "telefonieren" with the English word "telephone." Imagine yourself holding a telephone while making a call to help remember its meaning.
Additional Vocabulary
- das Telefon (the telephone)
- das Telefonat (the phone call)
- anrufen (to call)
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
N/A
Conjugation (for verbs)
- ich telefoniere (I telephone)
- du telefonierst (you telephone)
- er/sie/es telefoniert (he/she/it telephones)
- wir telefonieren (we telephone)
- ihr telefoniert (you all telephone)
- sie/Sie telefonieren (they/you formal telephone)