How glad my student Wieke (not the real name) was, as I explained to her, what the word "oder" (= or) means in the sentence "Du trinkst Kaffee, oder?". Her fiance, who is a German and lives in Duisburg, has often made sentences with the word "oder". Wieke, who comes from Palembang has never understood before, what he meant. Wieke just understands that the word "oder" expresses alternative. For example: Fahren wir mit dem Auto oder mit dem Zug? Trinkst du Kaffee oder Tee? (Do we go by car or by train? Do you drink coffee or tea?) Unfortunately her fiance could not explain to her, what the word "oder" in his "special" sentences means.
The word "oder" expresses alternative. This is right. But on the other side the word "oder" expresses a request of confirmation. If somebody thinks that something is right, somebody can also ask such question: "..., oder?"
Wieke can say to her fiance while ordering beverage in a restaurant: "Du trinkst Kaffee, oder?". The fiance would immediately answer "Yes", because that is right. The fiance can also say, "Not now, I wanna drink wine first", if he currently doesn't want to drink coffee. Possibly the fiance could say, "No, I don't like to drink coffee, I prefer to drink beer and I love it." Hmm, Wieke hasn't paid attention yet, what her fiance likes to drink. ;-)
I think the word "oder" in the sentence: "..., oder?" has a similar meaning like question tag in English: "You drink coffee, don't you?"
Very good! Of course, I was also glad that Wieke now understands the meaning of the word "oder" as a request of confirmation. In fact the German teacher, who is Indonesian, must help her. ;-)
You have read text 35.
Please read text 36: People Understand It Already!
Back to text 34: Just Go On!
The word "oder" expresses alternative. This is right. But on the other side the word "oder" expresses a request of confirmation. If somebody thinks that something is right, somebody can also ask such question: "..., oder?"
Wieke can say to her fiance while ordering beverage in a restaurant: "Du trinkst Kaffee, oder?". The fiance would immediately answer "Yes", because that is right. The fiance can also say, "Not now, I wanna drink wine first", if he currently doesn't want to drink coffee. Possibly the fiance could say, "No, I don't like to drink coffee, I prefer to drink beer and I love it." Hmm, Wieke hasn't paid attention yet, what her fiance likes to drink. ;-)
I think the word "oder" in the sentence: "..., oder?" has a similar meaning like question tag in English: "You drink coffee, don't you?"
Very good! Of course, I was also glad that Wieke now understands the meaning of the word "oder" as a request of confirmation. In fact the German teacher, who is Indonesian, must help her. ;-)
You have read text 35.
Please read text 36: People Understand It Already!
Back to text 34: Just Go On!
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