Geschenke
German gift-giving has its own small rules - odd numbers of flowers, unwrapping paper carefully, and specific phrases for different occasions. Reuses Alles Gute (Lesson 57) and dative verbs (Lesson 98).
| das Geschenk | gift | die Einladung | invitation |
| einpacken | to wrap | auspacken | to unwrap |
Quick check: what's the German word for "gift"?
Das ist für dich. (This is for you.)
Ich habe dir etwas mitgebracht. (I brought you something.)
Quick check: "I brought you something." - Ich habe ______ etwas mitgebracht.
If bringing flowers (Blumen) to a German host, an odd number is traditional (even numbers, especially 12, can carry funeral associations), and they're usually unwrapped before handing over:
Diese Blumen sind für Sie. (These flowers are for you.)
Quick check: odd or even number of flowers is traditional as a gift?
Das gefällt mir sehr! (I like this a lot! - gefallen, Lesson 98.)
Das wäre doch nicht nötig gewesen! (You shouldn't have! - literally "that wouldn't have been necessary.")
1. "This is for you." - Das ist ______ dich.
2. What's the German word for "to unwrap"?
3. What's the article for "Einladung"?
Vocabulary and custom cross-checked against the official Goethe-Zertifikat A1 Wortliste and general German etiquette conventions.
Choosing a gift for a specific German occasion? Ask your teaching agent for guidance.