Do you know when you have really mastered a language? When you are able to define simply things in the language you are learning.
You do not have to provide a super smart definition a la Wikipedia or any other dictionary. If you are able to express yourself in a very simple way that is already a big accomplishment. Why? Because by trying to talk about the vocabulary word you are trying to recall you are actually searching and trying to get to information stored in your brain. Searching for the right word through language will help you to use words and phrases in a more flexible way as opposed to memorizing phrases from your books.
Let’s try a few simple definitions: You will find the answers at the end, if you can’t guess the answer.
- Was ist eine Schule? (What is a Schule?) Eine Schule ist ein Gebäude mit Klassenzimmern und Schülern? (A Schule is a building with classrooms and students).
- Was ist eine Autobahn? (What is a Autobahn?) Eine Autobahn ist eine Autostraße zum schnell fahren. (A Autobahn is a road for fast driving.)
- Was bedeutet der Beruf?(What’s the meaning of der Beruf?) Der Beruf ist deine Position in der Arbeit,z.B. mein Beruf ist Lehrerin.
- Was ist ein Löwe? (What is a Löwe?) Ein Löwe ist ein Tier. Er ist eine große Katze. (A Löwe is an animal. He is a big cat.)
- Was ist Liebe? (What is Liebe?) Liebe ist, wenn du Schmetterling im Bauch hast. (Liebe is when you have butterflies in your stomach.)
I must admit the last one might sound like a philosophical questions. The idea is to keep each definition very simple.
Here are the answers, if you would like to compare them with to yours:
1. School, 2. Highway, 3.the profession, 4. a lion, 5. Love
