Dictionary of German Synonyms

by R.B. Farrell

The English-speaking student translating into German frequently finds it difficult to choose from an English-German dictionary the German word which is correct in a given context, since distinctions are not made there between the German synonyms, nor is their usage illustrated. This reference work, now in its third edition, has been and will continue to be an invaluable source of help to the student. Professor Farrell always takes common English terms - whether concrete or abstract - as his starting point and lists them alphabetically, often in groups of similar meanings and often with their standard dictionary definitions. German synonyms are then given for each different meaning, accompanied by their definitions and numerous pithy sentences illustrating their usage. Explanatory footnotes complement textual comments on individual difficulties. The two word lists of English and German words included in the Dictionary enable the reader to turn easily to the particular word or words he is interested in. For the third edition of the Dictionary, the text has been thoroughly revised and misprints and errors have been corrected: where space permitted, attempts have also been made to improve example sentences and explanations. Professor Farrell has added, as an appendix, his commentary on certain German words which frequently pose problems, either because their meaning is not readily understood or because they have no exact equivalent in English.

Genres: Germany, German Literature, Language, Linguistics

428 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1977

Reviews

[Eva Sandor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know why to choose one German word and not another, THIS IS THE BOOK you want. And here's what's magic about it: it's entertaining. I kid you not. The examples are clear, the explanations are thorough... and while reading it, you'll find yourself thinking about English in a new light, too.