Low German Phrasebook - 低地德语会话手册

Contemporary Low German,Lower Saxon, NetherlandsDivision map of dialects

Low German,akaLowland Saxon（Plattdüütsch), is a regional language of Low Germanic. Its users are mainly distributed among the main users inGermanyNorth andNetherlandsIn the east, the number of users is about 5 million. Since Low German used in the Netherlands is usually regarded as another language (ie Dutch Lower Saxon, for more information, seeLower Saxon Dutch Phrasebook) Therefore, this page will focus on the Low German dialect spoken in northern Germany.

Low German is a dialect with official status. Historically, it used to be the Middle AgesHanseatic League（English：Hanseatic League）As the first language, the influence of Low German gradually disappeared after the gradual decline of the Hanseatic League in the 16th century. Low German pairDanish,evenSwedishWaiting for the Scandinavian language to have a significant impact. It's also for modernDutchas well asHigh GermanThe development has had a certain impact.

Low German is not "a language", but a "collection" of many similar dialects. They have a common origin and common intelligibility, but sometimes there are still differences in some pronunciation and vocabulary. Low German used to have several spelling methods, and the "SASS spelling method" proposed in 1935 (Sass'sche Schrievwies) Is now officially recognized and widely used in Low German Wikipedia and Low German official publications.

difficulty

As mentioned above, since Low German is not a unified language, it will vary between dialects in different regions. However, the Low German dialects from western Germany are the easiest to understand due to a certain degree of unity. Eastern dialects are usually more difficult to understand, but they also contain more High German words. In addition, the Mennonite Low German (Plautdietsch) language used in the former Prussian region is regarded as a dialect of Low German and can communicate with other native speakers of Low German.

If you want to practice Low German, another greater difficulty you may encounter is that most people in northern Germany, whether they speak Low German or not, are more inclined to speak English or High German dialects to strangers.

The situation of the dialects of Low German and their relationship with other languages

In the Low German area (i.e. northern Germany, especiallyWestphaliawithLower Saxony), there are usually differences between dialects in different regions. The written form of a word may be the same, but it has different pronunciations in different dialects. However, the Low German dialects in the west are sometimes considered "pure" than the Low German dialects in the east, especiallyhamburgerwithBremenThe dialects of the two cities, both historically and nowadays, are core areas where Low German is spoken. In addition, East Frisian Low German (Oostfrees'sch Plattdüütsch; High German called Ostfriesisches Plattdeutsch) directly evolved from Old Saxon, and is the ancestor of Low German and the sister language of Old English (Anglo-Saxon).

Old Saxon is the ancestor of Low German and the language spoken by Saxons who did not immigrate to England. According to genetics and linguistics research, Low German (and Frisian) is the language closest to English. However, over a thousand years of evolution, English and Low German have produced significant differences; although there are still many similarities, it is impossible to understand each other during lengthy speech between the two languages. Even so, the two words still retain many words with the same or similar writing/pronunciation. For example, the Low German "he drinkt en Glas Water" (he drinks a glass of water) corresponds to the English "he drinks a glass of water".

But Low German is known in Germany because it can communicate with Dutch. In fact, the two languages do not only have simple similarities in basic vocabulary or grammar. Historically, Middle Low German and Middle Dutch used to develop in the form of a dialect continuum in northern Germany, southern Holland, and southern Belgium; this allowed the two languages to talk to each other even though they were slightly different from each other. , And had a certain impact on each other. Even the writing system of Low German today is greatly influenced by Dutch, especially the expression of long vowels. Some words have also become more commonly used due to the influence of Dutch, such as trecken (pull), wachten (waiting), and Wiel (wheel) respectively replacing the original low German tehn, töven, and Rad. This effect is especially evident in the low German-speaking areas in the west.

pronounce

The pronunciation of Low German is similar to that of standard German, but because it includes some pronunciations that are not available in Chinese or English, it may be difficult for people who are learning for the first time.

vowel

The pronunciation of the following table is expressed in the International Phonetic Alphabet. Readers can listen to the audio with the alphabet pronunciation table below and learn the correct pronunciation.

	forward				Central		Rear
	Not round lips		Round lips		Central		Rear
	short	long	short	long	short	long	short	long
close	ɪ	iː	ʏ	yː			ʊ	uː
close	Audio file	Audio file	Audio file	Audio file			Audio file	Audio file
Half closed		eː		øː	ə			oː
Half closed		Audio file		Audio file	Audio file			Audio file
Half open	ɛ	ɛː	œ	œː	(ɐ)		ɔ	ɔː
Half open	Audio file		Audio file		Audio file		Audio file
open					a	aː	(ɑ)	(ɒː)
open					Audio file		Audio file	Audio file

Short vowel

letter	pronounce	English Approximate Pronunciation	Chinese Approximate Pronunciation	Annotation
a	/a/	calm	NS
e	/ɛ/	pen	Eh
i	/ɪ/	pin	Yi
o	/ɔ/	fork	Oh
u	/ʊ/	book	Wu
ä	/ɛ/	ten	Eh	Vowel, sometimes also written as "ae"
ö	/œ/	hearBritish pronunciation of d (Less accurate)	The second half of the "month"	Vowel, sometimes also written as "oe"
ü	/ʏ/	cute (Less accurate)	silt	Vowel, sometimes written as "ue"
y	/ʏ/	cute (Less accurate)	silt
y	/j/	yacht	The first half of "pressing"	Belongs to the category of consonants, mostly used in loan words

Long vowel

Monogram	pronounce	English Approximate Pronunciation	Chinese Approximate Pronunciation (All have a long tone)
a, aa, ah	/aː/	father	NS
e, ee, eh	/eː/	day	Eh
ie, ieh	/iː/	see	Yi
o, oo, oh	/oː/, /ɔː/	ago	Oh
u, uu, uh	/uː/	too	Wu
ä, ää, äh	/ɛː/	hairBritish pronunciation	Eh
ö, öö, öh	/øː/, /œː/	hearBritish pronunciation of d (Less accurate)	The second half of the "month"
ü, üü, üh	/yː/	few (Less accurate)	silt

Diphthongs

Monogram	pronounce	English Approximate Pronunciation	Chinese Approximate Pronunciation	Annotation
au, auh	/aʊ/	how	Oh
ei, eih, ai, aih	/aɪ/	lie	Love

consonant

		lip	gums	Behind the gums	Hard jaw	Soft palate	Glottis
Stop	Unvoiced	p	t	tʃ		k
Stop	Voiced	b	d			ɡ
fricative	Unvoiced	f	s	ʃ	ç	x	h
fricative	Voiced	v	z	Ʒ		ɣ
nasal		m	n			ŋ
vibrato			r
Near tone	lateral sound		l
Near tone	Non-edge tone				j

letter	pronounce	English Approximate Pronunciation	Chinese Approximate Pronunciation	Annotation
b	/b/	bed	Bo
c	/ts/	bits	female	Appears before e, i
c	/k/	kid	division	Other cases
d	/d/	dog	Ethics
f	/f/	far	send
g	/g/	go	grid	When it appears at the beginning of the word.
	/ç/	hue	-	Appears after e, i, ä, ö, ü. It is equivalent to the tip of the tongue pressing in front of the lower row of teeth, making the sound "Hire".
	/x/	loch(Scots)	He	When it appears after a, o, u. The pronunciation position is more rearward.
h	/h/	help	drink	The pronunciation position is more advanced.
j	/j/	yoga	The first half of "Yeah"
k	/k/	cat	division
l	/l/	love	pull
m	/m/	mother	mother
n	/n/	nice	Ni
p	/p/	pig	general
q	/k/	quest	boast	Usually only appears with q.
r	/ɐ/	father	-	When it appears at the end of a suffix, the pronunciation is not obvious.
r	/r/	-	-	When it appears at the beginning or in the middle of a word, it sounds in Spanish.
s	/s/	zoo	-	It is equivalent to voiced "S".
t	/t/	top	he
v	/f/	father	send	Appears at the beginning of the word
v	/v/	vase	-	Appeared elsewhere. It is equivalent to a voiced "husband".
w	/v/	vase	-	It is equivalent to a voiced "husband".
x	/ks/	kicks	Kos
z	/ts/	bits	female
ß	/s/	was	S	Words usually appearing in High German

Other digraphs, triads

Monogram	pronounce	English Approximate Pronunciation	Chinese Approximate Pronunciation	Annotation
ch	/ç/	hue	-	When it appears after e, i, ä, ö, ü. It is equivalent to the tip of the tongue pressing in front of the lower row of teeth, making the sound "Hire".
ch	/x/	loch(Scots)	He	When it appears after a, o, u. The pronunciation position is more rearward.
sch	/ʃ/	shell	hope
ng	/ŋ/	sing	The rhyme end of "Beng"

Session table

Common signs

open: Apen
Closed: Slaten
Entrance: Ingang
Export: Utgang
push: Drücken
pull: Trecken
toilet: WC, Toilett(en)
Men: Mannslüüd
Miss: Froonslüüd
forbidden: Verbaden
speak English: Hier warrt Engelsch snackt
Speak german: Hier warrt Hoochdüütsch snackt
Speak Dutch: Hier warrt Nedderlandsch snackt
speak Chinese: Hier warrt Chineesch snackt
Speak low german: Hier warrt Platt(düütsch) snackt

Basic conversation

Hello.: Moin. (mO'yn)
How are you?: Wo is't? (voa iss'et?)
How are you? (formal): Wo geiht dat Jem? (vOA guIte dat yem?)
How are you? (Informal): Wo geiht dat di? (vOA guIte dat'dEE?)
fine thanks.: Goot, schööndank. (GOAT shÖWndahnk)
fine thanks. (formal): Dankeschöön, dat geiht. (DahnkeshÖWn, datt guIte)
What is your name?: Wat is dien Naam? (vatt iss deen NOHM?)
What is your name? (formal): Wo heet Se? (voa HAYT zéé?)
What is your name? (Informal): Wo heetst du? (voa HAYTs'doo?)
My name is ______.: Mien Naam is ______. (meen NOHM is _____.)
My name is ______.: Ik heet ______. (ick HAYT _____.)
Nice to meet you (official): moi Jem kennen-to-lehren. (MOY yem KEH-n'n toh LEH-r'n)
Nice to meet you (informal): moi di kennen-to-lehren. (MOY dee KEH-n'n toh LEH-r'n)

Please.: Bidd (bidd)
thanks.: Dankeschöön. (DAHNK'schÖWn)
thanks.: Dank. (DAHNK)
You're welcome.: Geern daan. (GEHRN DAHN)
Yes.: Ja. (YOH)
no.: Nee. (NAY)
Sorry (used to attract attention).: Deit mi Leed. (DITE mee LAYT )
Sorry (used to apologize).: Dat deit mi Leed. (dat DITE mee LAYT)
I'm very sorry.: Dat deit mi Leed. (...)
goodbye.: Weddersehn. (vedde'zehn)
I don't speak Low German.: Ik snack keen Plattdüütsch. (ick SNACK kayn plahdÜÜtsh)
I don't speak Low German.: Ik kann keen Platt. (ick can kayn platt)
I don't speak Low German well.: Ik snack nich goot Platt. (ick SNACK nish goat platt)
Do you speak English/Chinese?: Snackt Se Engelsch/Chineesch? (SNACKT zéé ENG-ulsh/shiNAYsh?)
Do you speak English/Chinese?: Snackst du Engelsch/Chineesch? (SNACKs'doo ENG-ulshshiNAYsh?)
Does anyone here speak English/Chinese?: Gifft dat hier een, de Engelsch/Chineesch kann? (GIFT datt heer AYN, DAY ENG-ulsh/shiNAYsh can?)
Help!: Hülp! (HÜHLP!)
Good morning.: Goden Morgen. (GOA-dun-MORE-gun)
good evening.: Goden Avend. (Goa-dun-A-vent)
Good night.: Gode Nacht. (Goa-duh-NAHGt)
Good night (ready to go to bed).: Slaapt ji goot. (SLAHPT yi GOAT)
I do not understand.: Ik verstah dat nich. (ick fe'STOH datt nish)
where is the bathroom?: Wor is de Toilett? (voa iss de tvah-LET?)

problem

leave me alone.: Laat mi alleen. (LAHT mi AHLAYN)
Do not touch me!: Raak mi nich an! (RAHK mi nish ahn)
I'm going to call the police.: Ik roop de Polizei. (ick roap duh poh-LEE-tsay)
police!: Polizei! (poh-LEET-say)
Don't run! Thief!: Stop! Deef! (STOP dééf)
I need your help: Ik heff Ehr Hülp nödig. (ick HEFF éér HÜLP nöh-dish)
It's an emergency.: Dat is en Nootfall. (hut IS uhn NOWT-guh-vahl)
I'm lost.: Ik bün verlaren. (ick BÜN vuhr-lohr'n)
I lost my bag.: Ik heff mien Packaasch verlaren. (ick HEFF meen pah-KAH-sh vuhr-LOH-run)
I've lost my purse: Ik heff mien Portemonnaie verlaren. (ick HEFF meen PORT-monay vuhr-LOH-run)
I am sick.: Ik bün süük. (ick bün ZÜÜHK)
I'm injured.: Ik bün wunnt. (ick bün VOONT)
I need a doctor: Ik heff en Dokter nödig. (ick heff uhn DOCK-tuhr nö-dish)
Can I use your cell phone?: Mag ik ehr Telefoon bruken? (MAHG ick éér tay-luh-FOAN BROOK-k'n)

number

1: een (AIN)
2: twee (TWAY)
3: dree (DRAY)
4: veer (VééR)
5: fief (FEEF)
6: söss (ZÖHS)
7: söven (ZÖ-vuhn)
8: acht (AHGT)
9: negen (Né-shuhn)
10: teihn (TAYN)
11: ölven (ÖLVUN)
12: twöölf (TWÖHLF)
13: dörteihn (DÖHR-tayn)
14: veerteihn (VééR-tayn)
15: föffteihn (FEEF-tayn)
16: sössteihn (ZÖHS-tayn)
17: söventeihn (ZÖ-vuhn-tayn)
18: achtteihn (AHGT-tayn)
19: negenteihn (Né-shuhn-tayn)
20: twintig (TWIN-tish)
21: eenuntwintig (AIN-uhn-TWIN-tish)
22: tweeuntwintig (TWAY-uhn-TWIN-tish)
23: dreeuntwintig (DRAY-uhn-TWIN-tish)
30: drüttig (DRÜT-tish)
40: veertig (VAYR-tish)
50: föfftig (FEEF-tish)
60: sösstig (ZÖHS-tish)
70: söventig (ZÖ-vuhn-tish)
80: achttig or tachtentig (AHGT-tish or TAHGT'n-tish)
90: negentig (Né-shuhn-tish)
100: hunnert (HOON-nuhrt)
200: tweehunnert (TWAY-hoon-nuhrt)
300: dreehunnert (DREE-hoon-nuhrt)
1000: dusend (DOO-zuhnt)
2000: tweedusend (TWAY-doo-zuhnt)
1,000,000: een Millioon (ayn mil-YOON)
Number _____ (number of train, bus, etc.): Nummer _____ (NOOHM-muhr)
half: de Hälft (duh HELFT)
slightly less: weniger (VENI-shuhr)
a bit more: mehr (MAYR)

time

Before: vör (VÖHR)
now: nu (NOO)
After: later (LOH-tuhr)

Morning: Morgen (MOHR'gun)
afternoon: Meddag (MED-dahg)
night: Avend (OH-vuhnt)
night: Nacht (NAHGT)

time

A little bit: Klock een (Clock ayn)
Two o'clock: Klock twee (Clock tway)
One o'clock in the morning: Klock een's Nachts (Clock ayns'nahgts)
Two o'clock in the morning: Klock twee's Nachts (Clock tway'snahgts)
noon: Klock Middag (Clock MID-dahg)
One o'clock in the afternoon: Klock een's Middags (Clock AIN'SMID-dahgs)
Two o'clock in the afternoon: Klock twee's Middags (Clock TWAY'SMID-dahgs)
midnight: Middernacht (MID-duhr-nahgt)

duration

_____ minute: _____ Minuut (min-UUHT) / Minuten (min-UUHT-uhn)
_____ Hour: _____ Stünn (SHTÜN) / Stünnen (SHTÜN'n)
_____ sky: _____ Dag (DAHG) / Daag (DOH'G)
_____ week: _____ Week (VAYK) / Weken (VAYK-uhn)
_____ moon: _____ Maand (MOHNT) / Maanden (MOHN-duhn)
_____ year: _____ Johr (YOHR) / Johren (YOH-ruhn)

day

The day before yesterday: ehrgüstern (AIR-ghüshtuh-rn)
yesterday: güstern (GHIS-tuh-ruhn)
Nowadays: vundaag (voon-DOHG)
tomorrow: morgen (MORE-gun)
the day after tomorrow: övermorgen (Ö-vuhr-more-gun)

Last week: vörige Week (FÖH-rishuh VAYK)
this week: düsse Week (DÜ-suh VAYK)
next week: tokamen Week (TOKOHM-un VAYK)

Monday: Maandag (MOHN-dahg)
Tuesday: Dingsdag (DINGS-dahg)
Wednesday: Middeweek (MIDD-uhvayk)
Thursday: Dünnersdag (DÜNNUR-sdahg)
Friday: Freedag (VRAY-dahg)
Saturday: Saterdag (ZOH-tuhr-dahg)
Sunday: Sünndag (ZÜN-dahg)

month

January: Januarmaand (jahn-uu-AHR-mohnt)
February: Februarmaand (fay-bruu-AHR-mohnt)
March: Märzmaand (MEHRTZ-mohnt)
April: Aprilmaand (Oh-PRIL-mohnt)
May: Maimaand (MAY-mohnt)
June: Junimaand (YUU-nee-mohnt)
July: Julimaand (YUU-lee-mohnt)
August: Augustmaand (ow-GHUST-mohnt)
September: Septembermaand (sep-TEM-buhr-mohnt)
October: Oktobermaand (ock-TOW-buhr-mohnt)
November: Novembermaand (no-FEM-buhr-mohnt)
December: Dezembermaand (day-TZEM-buhr-mohnt)

colour

black: swart (ZWAHRT)
White: witt (WHIT)
grey: gries (GREES)
Red: root (ROWT)
blue: blau (BLAW)
yellow: geel (GAYL)
green: gröön (GRÖÖN)
Orange: orange (oh-RAHN-djuh)
Purple: vigelett (FISH-uhlett), sangen (PUHR-puhr)
Brown: bruun (BROON)

transportation

Train and bus

How much is a ticket to _____?: Woveel köst en Ticket to _____? (VOA-vale köst uhn TICK-et toa _____)
A ticket to _____, thank you.: En ticket to _____, beed. (uhn TICK-et toa _____, bate)
A one-way ticket, thank you.: Eensame Reis, beed. (AYN-zohme reyss bate)
A round-trip ticket, thank you.: Hen-un-torüch, beed. (HEN-oon-trüsh bate)
Where does this train/bus go?: Wor geiht düsse Tog/Bus hen? (VOA gayht düsuh togh/boos HEN)
Where is the train/bus going to _____?: Wor is de Tog/Bus to _____? (VOA iss duh togh/boos toa _____)
Does this train/bus stop at _____?: Stoppt düsse Tog/Bus in _____? (SHTOPT düsuh togh/boos in _____)
When does the train/bus for _____ depart?: Wannehr geiht de Tog/Bus to _____ rut? (won-NAYR gayt duh togh/boos to _____ root)
When does this train/bus arrive at _____?: Wannehr kümmt düsse Tog/Bus bi _____ an? (won-NAYR küm-t düsuh togh/boos bee _____ ahn)

direction

How do I get to…?: Woans gah ik to ...? (VOAWAHNS goh ick toe)
…train station?: ...de Bahnhof? (duh Bohn-hoff)
…bus station?: ...de Bushaltstell? (duh BOOS-halt-SHTELL)
…Airport?: ...de Flegerhaven? (duh FLAYSHER-hah-vuhn)
…city center?: ...dat Zentrum? (dat TZEN-troom)
…Youth Hostel?: ...de Jöögdherberg? (duh YEUGHT-hayr-berg)
…_____hostel?: ...dat _____ Hotel? (dat _____ hoh-TELL)
…Consulate of China/USA/Canada/Australia/UK?: ...dat Chineesche/Amerikaansche/Kanaadsche/Austraalsche/Britsche Konsulaat? (hut ah-may-ree-KAHN-shuh/kah-nah-d'shuh/OW-STRAH-lshuh/BRIT-SHUH kon-zoo-LAHT)
Where are there many...: Wor gifft dat veel ... (VOA gift dat fale)
…hostel?: ...Hotels? (hoh-TELLS)
…Dinning room?: ...Restaurants? (res-tow-RAHNTS)
…bar?: ...Bars? (BAHRS)
…Can you visit the scenic spots?: ...Sehnswöördigkeiten? (zééns-VÖHR-dish-kay-tun)
Can you show me on the map?: Köönt Se mi dat op de Koort wiesen? (KÖHNT zuh mee dat op duh KOHRT VEEZ-un)
Street: Straat (STRAHT)
turn left.: Böögt Se links. (böhsht zuh LINKS)
turn right.: Böögt Se rechts. (böhsht zuh RESHTS)
Left: links (LINKS)
right: rechts (RESHTS)
Go straight: liekut (LEEKOOT)
Towards _____: na _____ (NOH)
go through_____: achter de/dat _____ (aghtur duh/dat)
in front of: vör de/dat _____ (FÖHR duh/hut)
Notice_____.: Kiek ut för de/dat _____. (keyk OOT för duh/dat)
Intersection: Krüsung (KRÜHZ-oong)
North: Noorden (NOHR-duhn)
South: Süden (ZIGH-duhn)
East: Oosten (OHS-tuhn)
West: Westen (WES-tuhn)
Uphill: bargop (bar-GOP)
downhill: bargdaal (barg-DOHL)

taxi

taxi!: Taxi! (TAK-see)
Please take me to _____.: Bringt Se mi na _____ beed. (BRING-t Zuh mi noh .... bate)
How much does it cost to _____?: Wat köst dat, üm na _____ to gahn? (WAT KÖS'dat üm noh _____ toa GOHN)
Please take me there, thank you.: Bringt Se mi güntsieds, beed. (BRING-t Zuh mi GÜNT-ZEED, bate)

stay

Do you have any rooms available?: Hebbt Se enige Kamern free? (hepp-t zuh aynishe KAH-murn fray)
How much is a single/double room?: Woveel köst en Kamer för een/twee Persoon/Personen? (HOO-vale köst uhn kah-mur för AYN/TWAY pur-soan/un)
Are there sheets in the room?: Gifft dat Bettdöker in de Kamer? (Gif'dat BET-döhkur uhr in duh KOH-mur)
There is... in the room?: Gifft dat ... in de kamer? (Gif'dat ... in duh KAH-mur)
...To the toilet?: ...en Baadstuuv (...uhn BOHD-shtoov)
...Phone?: ...en Telefoon (...uhn tay-lay-FONE)
...TV?: ...en Feernsehn (...uhn fayrnzéén)
Can I take a look at the room first?: Mag ik de Kamer toeerst sehn? (Magh ick duh KAH-mur toa-éérst zéén)
Do you have a quieter room?: Hebbt Se wat Rohigers? (heppt zuh vatt ROA-ihshurs)
Do you have a room for...?: Hebbt Se en ... Kamer? (heppt zuh uhn ... KAH-mur)
...Bigger...: ...grötter? (...GRÖT-turr)
...Cleaner...: ...schöner? (...SHÖWN-uhr)
…cheaper…: ...billiger? (...BILL-ishur)
Okay, I want this room.: Goot, ik nehm düsse. (goat ick name Düsuh)
I want to stay _____ night.: Ik bliev _____ Nacht(en). (ick bleev _____ naght(uhn))
Can you recommend another hotel?: Köönt Se mi en anner Hotel anraden? (Köhnt Zuh mi uhn ahn-NUR howe-TEL AHN-rah-dun)
Do you have a safe?: Hebbt Se en Safe? (heppt zuh uhn SAFE)
...Lockers?: ...Sluutfäcker? (SLOOT-feck-uhr)
Does it include breakfast/dinner?: Is de Fröhkost/dat Avendeten inbegrepen? (is duh fröhkost/dat AH-vund-ay-tun IN-buh-gray-pun)
What time is breakfast/dinner?: Wo laat is de ontbijt/ dat avondeten? (VOA loht is duh fröhkost/dat AH-vund-ay-tun)
Please clean up my room.: Köönt Se mien Kamer reinmaken. (köwnt zuh meen KAH-mur RAYN-moh-kun)
Can you wake me up when _____?: Köönt Se mi üm _____ opwaken? (köwnt zuh mi üm _____ OP-wohk-un)
I want to check out.: Ik will vertrecken. (ick will vur-TRECK-un)

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