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How to Say ‘I need a beer now.’ in German

Ich brauche jetzt ein Bier.

ikh BROW-khuh yetst ine beer

[ikh BROW-khuh yetst ine beer]

Phrase Breakdown

Ich brauche

ikh BROW-khuh

I need

The subject 'ich' (I) plus the verb 'brauchen' (to need). The 'ch' in 'ich' is soft, like the 'h' in 'huge'. The 'ch' in 'brauche' comes after 'au', so it is a harsher sound made in the back of the throat, as in Scottish 'loch'.

Example

Ich brauche Hilfe.

I need help.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

brauche

[BROW-khuh]

need

First person singular of 'brauchen', to need or require something.

Example

Ich brauche einen Termin.

I need an appointment.

jetzt ein Bier.

yetst ine beer

a beer now

'Jetzt' means 'now'. The 'j' sounds like an English 'y' and the word ends in a 'ts' sound: 'yetst'. 'Ein Bier' means 'a beer'. 'Bier' sounds much like English 'beer'.

Example

Ich möchte jetzt ein Bier.

I'd like a beer now.

Words in this phrase

jetzt

[yetst]

now

At this moment.

Example

Ich habe jetzt Zeit.

I have time now.

ein

[ine]

The indefinite article 'ein'.

Example

Ich brauche ein Auto.

I need a car.

Bier

[beer]

beer

Neuter noun for the popular alcoholic drink.

Example

Das Bier hier ist sehr gut.

The beer here is very good.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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