How to Write a Greeting Card in German
- Slides: 8
How to Write a Greeting Card in German 1
Things you'll need: 1. Cardstock (Do NOT use construction, notebook or copy paper!!!) 2. Pen or other writing tool (No pencil!) 3. Scratch paper for drafts 4. Fancy lettering, die cuts, or other decorations. (You must decorate your card) 5. Desire to communicate in German 2
Remember to change the adjective to match the noun (er for masculine, e for feminine, e for plural) Examples: • *Lieber Jens -- Dear Jens *Liebe Tante Brigitte -- Dear Aunt Brigitte *Liebe Oma -- Dear Grandmother *Liebe Freunde -- Dear friends *Liebe Oma und Opa – Dear grandma and grandpa • If you want to get mushy. . . • *Jens mein Schatz -- Jens my love (my treasure) *Elena mein Schätzlein -- Elena my love (my little treasure) • Here a few alternative openers: • * Elena mein Liebling – Elena my love (my favorite) * Jens mein Engel – Jens my angel * Elena meine Süße – Elena my sweetie 3 Step 1 – Create an opening Greeting
Mix and match. . . 1. Here are some congratulatory phrases: • * All the best. . . Nur das Beste. . . *Best wishes. . . Alles Gute. . . *Congratulations. . . Herzlichen Glückwunsch. . . *Congratulations. . . Ich gratuliere. . . 2. Here are various phrases that go along with holidays and celebrations: • • • on your baptism/christening! zu deiner Taufe! on your confirmation! zur Firmung! on your name day! zum Namenstag! on your new job! zum neuen Beruf! on your engagement! zu deiner Verlobung! on your wedding! zur Hochzeit/Vermählung! on the happy event! (new baby) zum freudigen Ereignis! on your golden/silver wedding anniversary! zur goldenen/silbernen Hochzeit! on graduating from high school (Germany) zum (bestandenen) Abitur! Step 2 – Write the message 4
• Make the greeting personal by writing something meaningful to the receiver of the card. • Ich wünsche dir… – I wish you… • Bon voyage! Have a good trip! Gute Reise! • Cheers! (toast) Prost! • fortunately, luckily zum Glück • four-leaf clover der Glücksklee • Good luck! Viel Glück! • To your health! (toast) Auf deine Gesundheit! • I wish you success! Viel Erfolg! • Here are some phrases that are specific to certain holidays: • Merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten! Happy New Year! Einen guten Rutsch! / Frohes neues Jahr Happy Easter! Frohe Ostern! Happy Father's/Mother's Day! Alles Gute zum Vatertag/Muttertag! • Religious wishes: • * Möge Gott dich segnen -- May God bless you * Gott sei mit dir – God be with you Step 3 – Add personal touches 5
• In addition to mixing and matching phrases found on these slides, your greeting card must contain AT LEAST 2 original sentences written solely by you. Be creative and write something that matches with theme of your card. Step 4 – Add originality! 6
Choose a way to end your card: • *Alles Liebe - All my/our love, with love *Herzliche Grüße - Best wishes/Yours/Regards *Liebe Grüße und Küsse - Love and kisses *Viele liebe Grüße – With loving greetings • • Dein Daniel – your Daniel (male) Deine Klaudia – your Klaudia (female) You might also want to add something like. . . *Ganz liebe Grüße an Maria und Hans – Give my regards to Maria and Hans *Sag ihnen wie sehr ich sie vermisse – Tell them how much I miss them Step 5 – End your card 7
Things to remember: 1. Your card must be handmade. You may NOT buy one. 2. Your card must look as decorative and neat as a card that you could buy at Hallmark or Walgreens. If it looks whipped together at the last minute or at all sloppy, you will not receive a satisfactory grade. 3. If your handwriting is not neat, you should type your text, but that is the only thing that can be done on the computer (everything else should be done by hand). 4. Be careful with glue and DO NOT USE GLITTER!! 8
