Reading · A2 · Text 24

Mädchen

25 words1 min read92% known at A2

Die Lehrer kümmerten sich oft auch eher um die Jungen als um die Mädchen.

The teachers often took care of the boys rather than the girls.

Es gingen auch weniger Mädchen als Jungen in eine höhere Schule.

Fewer girls than boys also went to a higher school.

9 words above A2

teacher (male or generic) plural: Lehrer agent noun of lehren: one who teaches, teacher, instructor, especially a school teacher B1/ˈleːrər/
kümmerten← kümmern
to take care of, to look after kümmern, kümmerte, gekümmert; often used with 'sich um' to take care, to look after; to grieve, to afflict, to trouble, to concern A2/ˈkʏ.mɐn/
often A1/ɔft/
rather, more (in comparison) comparative of 'gern' or used as 'rather' rather; fairly, relatively, somewhat; expresses a weakened degree; sooner, more readily, preferably; expresses a preference B1/ˈeːər/
Jungen← der Junge
boy plural: Jungen boy; jack A1/ˈjʊŋə/
girl plural: Mädchen (same form) girl; maiden A1/ˈmeːtçɛn/
weniger← wenig
less, fewer comparative of 'wenig' little, few (a small amount, a small number) A1/ˈveːnɪk/
höhere← hoch
higher (in level) comparative form of 'hoch' high, tall; high, great, immense; grand, important A2/hoːx/
school plural: Schulen school (an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (especially before university); department/institute at a college or university; art… A2/ˈʃuːlə/

Grammar in this text

Reflexive verbs with 'sich' and preposition 'um'

Die Lehrer kümmerten sich oft auch eher um die Jungen als um die Mädchen.

The verb 'kümmern' is used reflexively with 'sich' and the preposition 'um' (accusative) to mean 'to take care of'. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' refers to the subject.

Comparative with 'eher' and 'als'

Die Lehrer kümmerten sich oft auch eher um die Jungen als um die Mädchen.

'eher ... als' is used to express a preference or a higher degree, meaning 'rather ... than' or 'more ... than'. It compares two elements.

Comparative with 'weniger' and 'als'

Es gingen auch weniger Mädchen als Jungen in eine höhere Schule.

'weniger ... als' is used to express 'fewer ... than' or 'less ... than'. It compares quantities.

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Text from Mädchen — Klexikon, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources.

Translation, glossary and grammar notes are machine-generated and inherit the same licence.