German · A1 · Family moment
Homework Side By Side in German
Use these gentle German instructions to guide your child through homework. Each phrase uses the informal singular imperative, the command form for speaking to one child.
What you'll learn
- Give simple homework instructions in German.
- Use the informal singular imperative.
- Recognize common words for homework materials and actions.
- Make instructions gentler with bitte (please).
German phrases for homework side by side
Setz dich neben mich.
Sit next to me.
Setz dich means “sit down.” Neben mich shows where the child should sit.
Öffne dein Buch.
Open your book.
Dein Buch means “your book” when speaking to one child.
Nimm deinen Bleistift.
Take your pencil.
Nimm is the irregular command form of nehmen (to take).
Schreib deinen Namen.
Write your name.
Schreib is the command form of schreiben (to write).
Lies dieses Wort.
Read this word.
Lies is the irregular command form of lesen (to read).
Schau dir das Bild an.
Look at the picture.
The verb anschauen (to look at) splits here: schau comes first and an goes at the end.
Versuch es noch einmal.
Try again.
Noch einmal means “again” or “one more time.” Es means “it” and makes this German instruction sound natural.
Mach eine Pause.
Take a break.
German uses eine Pause machen, literally “to make a break.”
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
das Buch
book
Learn the noun together with its article, das.
der Bleistift
pencil
Use deinen Bleistift for “your pencil” as the object of Nimm.
der Name
name
As a direct object, Name becomes Namen: Schreib deinen Namen.
das Wort
word
Dieses Wort means “this word.”
das Bild
picture
Das Bild can mean “the picture” or “the image.”
die Pause
break
Eine Pause machen means “to take a break.”
noch einmal
again; one more time
Useful for encouraging another attempt.
bitte
please
Add bitte and use a warm tone to make an instruction gentler.
Commands for one child
Use the informal singular imperative when speaking to your child. Put the verb first and normally leave out du (you). Many command forms use the verb stem. Some, such as öffne, keep an -e ending.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| schreiben — to write | Schreib … | Schreib deinen Namen. |
| versuchen — to try | Versuch … | Versuch es noch einmal. |
| machen — to do; to make | Mach … | Mach eine Pause. |
| öffnen — to open | Öffne … | Öffne dein Buch. |
Two irregular commands
Some common verbs change their vowel in the command form. Learn these forms as whole words.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| nehmen — to take | Nimm … | Nimm deinen Bleistift. |
| lesen — to read | Lies … | Lies dieses Wort. |
Small words that stay with the command
Learn these useful patterns as chunks. Sich setzen (to sit down) needs dich when addressing one child. In sich etwas anschauen (to look at something), use dir, and put an at the end.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sit down | Setz dich … | Setz dich neben mich. |
| Look at something | Schau dir … an. | Schau dir das Bild an. |
Saying “your” with an object
The direct object is what the child opens, takes or writes. With a neuter noun such as Buch, use dein. With masculine nouns such as Bleistift and Name, use deinen. Name also adds -n in this form.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Neuter object | dein Buch | Öffne dein Buch. |
| Masculine object | deinen Bleistift | Nimm deinen Bleistift. |
| Masculine object with a noun ending | deinen Namen | Schreib deinen Namen. |
More examples
Setz dich bitte neben mich.
Please sit next to me.
Bitte fits naturally after dich.
Öffne bitte dein Buch.
Please open your book.
Bitte can also come directly after the command verb.
Schau dir bitte das Bild an.
Please look at the picture.
An stays at the end, even when you add bitte.
Versuch es bitte noch einmal.
Please try again.
Say this warmly to encourage your child.