Modern German Grammar: A Practical Guide, Second Edition

(Rick Simeone) #1
(Das war) eine Glanzleistung!
That was a superb performance!

Bravo!
Bravo/well done!

(e) On use of language:

Sie sprechen aber sehr gut Deutsch.
You speak German very well.

Sie sprechen ja schon fast fließend.
You are almost fluent already.

(f) On cooking:

Mein Lob/Kompliment dem Koch/der Köchin.
My compliments to the chef (used both in restaurants and humorously
amongst friends and relatives).

(g) General expressions of delight/approval (see also 104 on likes and dislikes; 112
on satisfaction and dissatisfaction; 109 on expressing agreement):

(Oh/Ei) wie schön!
(Oh) how lovely!

Mensch ist das schön!
That really is nice/beautiful.

Das ist ja großartig/phantastisch/ausgezeichnet/klasse/fein!
That is really great/fantastic/excellent/tremendous/superb!

Alle Achtung!
Good for you/him/her, etc.

64.2 Responding to compliments


(a) The simplest response will usually be Danke! ‘thank you’; but depending on the
type of compliment one of the following may be more appropriate:

Das freut mich.
I’m pleased (i.e. that you like it).

Das ist sehr freundlich/nett von Ihnen/dir.
That’s very kind/nice of you.

Gleichfalls.
You do too/Yours does too/The same to you (i.e. the meaning depends
on context).

(b) As in English, a token question may be offered in response to a compliment:

Das Kleid ist schön. – Ja, gefällt’s dir?
The dress is beautiful. – Do you like it?

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