Anleitungen und Verfahren
Chapter Objectives
Chapter 14 turns from describing places to explaining how to do things. You will activate imperative forms across all three address levels — du, ihr, and formal Sie — so that you can give instructions naturally in different social settings. You will also learn the impersonal man construction, which German uses constantly for general instructions and procedures, along with sequence connectors that organize steps clearly and modal verbs that express necessity and permission. By the end of the chapter, you will be able to read a set of instructions, explain how something works, and write a simple procedure of your own.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Form and use imperatives correctly for du, ihr, and Sie.
- Use the impersonal man construction to describe general procedures and rules.
- Sequence steps clearly using connectors such as zuerst, dann, danach, and zum Schluss.
- Express necessity and permission using müssen, sollen, dürfen, and können in instructional contexts.
- Read a set of instructions and identify each step.
- Write and explain a short step-by-step procedure.
Opening Scenario
Lukas has settled into his new neighborhood, and now his colleague Frau Yilmaz is training him on a few routine procedures at his new job: how to set up the shared printer, how to submit a simple form, and what to do in case of a small kitchen mishap in the break room. Each situation calls for the same core tools — clear steps, the right address form for the moment, and precise language about what one must, should, or may do.
- Work through the vocabulary, grammar, and model dialogue below before attempting the practice tasks.
- Notice which address form each instruction uses, and why.
- Pay attention to how man appears in written instructions where a specific person is not named.
Core Vocabulary — Instructions and Procedures
This chapter's vocabulary supports reading and writing instructions in everyday, workplace, and household settings. Gender and plural forms are included for every active noun.
Verfahren und Schritte (Procedures and Steps)
- der Schritt, die Schritte — the step
- die Anleitung, die Anleitungen — the instructions, guide
- das Verfahren, die Verfahren — the procedure
- die Reihenfolge, die Reihenfolgen — the order, sequence
- die Regel, die Regeln — the rule
Formulare und Büro (Forms and Office)
- das Formular, die Formulare — the form
- die Unterschrift, die Unterschriften — the signature
- der Drucker, die Drucker — the printer
- das Gerät, die Geräte — the device, appliance
- die Taste, die Tasten — the button, key
Küche und Sicherheit (Kitchen and Safety)
- der Herd, die Herde — the stove
- die Warnung, die Warnungen — the warning
- vorsichtig — careful, cautious
- ausschalten — to switch off
- einschalten — to switch on
Reihenfolge-Wörter (Sequence Words)
- zuerst — first
- dann — then
- danach — after that
- anschließend — following that, subsequently
- zum Schluss — finally, lastly
Workplace note: procedure and safety vocabulary here is everyday and practical. It is not a substitute for official workplace safety training, which should always follow the specific instructions of an employer or institution.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns — Giving and Understanding Instructions
Chapter 14 activates the imperative system across all three address forms, introduces the impersonal man construction, and develops the sequence connectors and modal verbs that make instructions clear and complete.
Imperatives: du, ihr, and Sie
German forms the imperative differently for each address level. The du-imperative usually drops the pronoun and the final -st ending; the ihr-imperative uses the plain present-tense ihr-form without the pronoun; and the Sie-imperative inverts the verb and pronoun, keeping Sie in the sentence.
| Address | Infinitive | Imperative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| du | schalten | Schalte den Drucker ein! | Turn on the printer. |
| ihr | schalten | Schaltet den Drucker ein! | Turn on the printer. (to a group) |
| Sie | schalten | Schalten Sie den Drucker ein! | Please turn on the printer. |
| du | sein | Sei vorsichtig! | Be careful. |
Stem-changing verbs (e→i/ie) keep the vowel change in the du-imperative: nehmen → Nimm das Formular! (Take the form.) This does not apply to the ihr- or Sie-imperative.
The Impersonal man Construction
Man is a subject pronoun that refers to people in general rather than to a specific person. It is extremely common in written instructions, signs, and explanations of how something works, and it always takes the same verb form as er/sie/es.
In natural English, man is often best translated with a general "you" or "one," depending on register. Do not translate it literally as "man."
Sequence Connectors
Sequence connectors organize a procedure into a clear order. Each of the following can begin a main clause and is followed directly by the finite verb in second position.
Necessity and Permission: Modal Verbs in Instructions
Instructions often rely on modal verbs rather than the imperative, especially in written or formal contexts. This chapter contrasts müssen (necessity), sollen (recommendation or expectation), dürfen (permission), and können (possibility or ability).
- Give the du-imperative: (nehmen) ___ das Formular vom Tisch!
- Rewrite as a general instruction with man: Schalten Sie den Drucker aus. → ___
- Choose the correct modal: Hier ___ (dürfen/müssen) man nicht rauchen.
Model Dialogue
Context: Frau Yilmaz shows Lukas how to use the shared office printer on his first day. Neutral-to-formal workplace register, using Sie.
Guided Practice
- Change to the Sie-imperative: (das Fenster / öffnen)
- Change to the ihr-imperative: (leise / sein)
- Rewrite with man: Ich fülle zuerst das Formular aus. → ___
- Choose müssen, dürfen, or sollen and explain your choice: Hier ___ man nicht ohne Erlaubnis fotografieren.
- Put the steps in a logical order using zuerst, dann, danach, and zum Schluss: (a) man schickt die E-Mail ab, (b) man schreibt den Text, (c) man öffnet das E-Mail-Programm, (d) man liest die E-Mail noch einmal durch.
Listening Practice
Ask a partner, instructor, or text-to-speech tool to read the following script at a natural pace. Listen once for the general idea, then again for detail.
Wie man einen Termin online bucht (Listening Script)
Herr Base erklärt einem Kollegen ein neues Verfahren: Zuerst öffnet man die Webseite und klickt auf "Termin buchen". Dann wählt man die Abteilung aus und gibt seinen Namen und seine Telefonnummer ein. Danach sucht man ein passendes Datum und eine Uhrzeit. Man muss außerdem eine kurze Beschreibung des Anliegens schreiben. Zum Schluss bestätigt man die Buchung, und man bekommt eine E-Mail mit allen Details. Man sollte die E-Mail aufbewahren, falls man den Termin später ändern möchte.
Verständnisfragen
1. Was macht man zuerst?
2. Was muss man außerdem schreiben?
3. Was bekommt man zum Schluss?
4. Find one modal verb and one sequence connector in the script.
Speaking Practice
Aktivität: Ein Verfahren erklären (Explain a Procedure)
Work with a partner. Choose one of the two role-card pairs below. One person explains a familiar procedure step by step; the other listens and asks clarifying questions.
Partner A — Ein Verfahren erklären
Explain a simple procedure you know well (making tea, setting up a device, submitting a form) using imperatives or man, at least two sequence connectors, and one modal verb of necessity or permission.
- Use zuerst, dann, danach, or zum Schluss.
- Include at least one imperative or man-sentence.
Partner B — Nachfragen
Listen to the explanation and ask at least two clarifying questions about the steps, the order, or whether something is required or optional.
- Use Muss man...? or Darf man...?
- Ask about the order of a step: Macht man das vor oder nach...?
Bewertungshinweise — Speaking Criteria
- Clear, logically ordered explanation of a procedure.
- At least one correctly formed imperative or man-construction.
- At least two sequence connectors used naturally.
- At least one modal verb expressing necessity or permission.
- Appropriate address form for the situation.
Solo alternative: Write both sides of the exchange yourself, then read the exchange aloud, taking each role in turn.
Reading Practice
Read this short set of instructions, then answer the questions that follow.
Verhalten in der Küche (Kitchen Rules)
In der gemeinsamen Küche gelten ein paar einfache Regeln. Zuerst wäscht man sein Geschirr sofort nach dem Essen ab und stellt es nicht einfach in die Spüle. Danach wischt man den Tisch ab, wenn nötig. Man darf den Kühlschrank benutzen, aber man sollte Lebensmittel mit dem eigenen Namen beschriften. Beim Kochen muss man vorsichtig mit dem Herd umgehen: Schalten Sie den Herd immer aus, wenn Sie fertig sind, und lassen Sie nichts unbeaufsichtigt auf der Flamme stehen. Zum Schluss: Wenn etwas kaputt ist oder fehlt, sagt man einfach im Team Bescheid, anstatt es zu ignorieren.
Verständnisfragen
1. Was muss man sofort nach dem Essen machen?
2. Was sollte man mit Lebensmitteln im Kühlschrank tun?
3. Finde ein Beispiel für den Sie-Imperativ im Text.
4. Schreibe zwei Regeln für eine Küche, die du kennst, mit man oder dem Imperativ.
Writing Workshop — Writing a Short Procedure
This task asks you to write a short set of instructions using this chapter's imperative forms, the man construction, sequence connectors, and modal verbs.
- Choose a procedure. Pick something simple and familiar: a recipe, a form, a device, or a small workplace or school task.
- List the steps in order. Aim for four to six clear steps.
- Write your instructions. Use five to seven sentences, including at least one imperative form, one sentence with man, and at least three sequence connectors.
- Add at least one necessity or permission statement. Use müssen, sollen, or dürfen to note something required, recommended, or restricted.
- Revise using the checklist below.
Checkliste — Editing Checklist:
- Steps are logically ordered and connected with sequence words.
- At least one imperative form matches the intended address level.
- The man construction is used at least once and formed correctly.
- At least one modal verb expresses necessity, recommendation, or permission.
- All nouns are capitalized; umlauts and ß are used correctly.
Culture and Communication
Written instructions in German-speaking workplaces and public settings often favor the impersonal man construction or the formal Sie-imperative, which reads as neutral and professional rather than distant. Spoken instructions among colleagues or friends who use du tend to rely more on the du-imperative or simple statements with modal verbs. Choosing the right form is less about strict rules and more about matching the relationship and setting already established.
Expectations around address, formality, and shared spaces such as office kitchens vary across workplaces, institutions, and DACH countries, and even from one company to another within the same country. Instructions and house rules like the kitchen example in this chapter should be understood as one common style rather than a fixed standard that applies everywhere.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: *Schalten den Drucker ein!
Correction: Schalten Sie den Drucker ein! The Sie-imperative keeps the pronoun Sie directly after the verb; only du and ihr normally drop the pronoun.
Error: *Man müssen das Formular unterschreiben.
Correction: Man muss das Formular unterschreiben. Man always takes the same verb ending as er/sie/es, regardless of the actual number of people involved.
Error: *Man muss hier nicht rauchen. (intended: "not allowed to")
Correction: Man darf hier nicht rauchen. Nicht müssen means something is not required, while nicht dürfen means something is forbidden. These are different meanings, not interchangeable negatives.
Chapter Summary
Chapter 14 activated the full imperative system across du, ihr, and Sie, introduced the impersonal man construction for general instructions and rules, and developed sequence connectors that organize steps clearly. You also contrasted müssen, sollen, dürfen, and können to express necessity, recommendation, permission, and possibility in instructional contexts. You practiced reading, explaining, and writing short procedures across workplace, household, and everyday settings. These tools prepare you for the Unit III review, which integrates narration, advice, spatial description, and procedures.
Practical Performance Task
Kapitel 14 — Performance Task
Ein Verfahren schreiben und erklären — Writing and Explaining a Procedure
Complete a short task that draws on the systems practiced in this chapter.
Component 1 — Spoken explanation: Perform the Speaking Practice procedure-explaining task with a partner, or record both sides of the exchange as a solo alternative.
Component 2 — Written procedure: Complete the Writing Workshop task, producing a five- to seven-sentence set of instructions.
Component 3 — Rule statement: Write or say two to three sentences stating a rule or requirement using a modal verb and the man construction.
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Task completion | An explanation, a written procedure, and a rule statement all appear clearly |
| Imperative accuracy | Correct imperative forms matched to the intended address level |
| Man construction | Correctly formed and used at least once |
| Sequence connectors | At least two used naturally to organize steps |
| Modal verb use | At least one modal verb accurately expressing necessity, recommendation, or permission |
Answer Key
Grammar Practice
- Nimm das Formular vom Tisch!
- Man schaltet den Drucker aus.
- darf — the sentence expresses a prohibition ("not allowed to"), which uses nicht dürfen, not nicht müssen.
Guided Practice
- Öffnen Sie das Fenster!
- Seid leise!
- Man füllt zuerst das Formular aus.
- Sample: darf — the sentence describes a prohibition, so dürfen in the negative is correct; müssen would incorrectly suggest it is simply optional.
- Zuerst öffnet man das E-Mail-Programm (c), dann schreibt man den Text (b), danach liest man die E-Mail noch einmal durch (d), zum Schluss schickt man die E-Mail ab (a).
Listening — Comprehension Questions
- Zuerst öffnet man die Webseite und klickt auf "Termin buchen".
- Man muss eine kurze Beschreibung des Anliegens schreiben.
- Man bekommt eine E-Mail mit allen Details.
- Sample: modal verb — "man muss"; sequence connector — "zum Schluss".
Reading — Comprehension Questions
- Man muss sein Geschirr sofort nach dem Essen abwaschen.
- Man sollte Lebensmittel mit dem eigenen Namen beschriften.
- Sample: "Schalten Sie den Herd immer aus, wenn Sie fertig sind."
- Open response; accept any reasonable rules using man or the imperative correctly.
Looking Ahead
Was Sie nach Kapitel 14 können — What you can do after Chapter 14
You can now form and use imperatives across du, ihr, and Sie, use the impersonal man construction for general instructions and rules, sequence steps clearly with connectors like zuerst and zum Schluss, and express necessity and permission with modal verbs in instructional contexts.