Read this article in other languages: «Здесь лапы у елей дрожат на весу…»“Here the fir branches tremble, hanging in the air…” The words remain the same. But listen closely — and it is already a different song.Because it is not the words that sing. It is the voice. Introduction Vladimir Vysotsky never “performed” songs. He […]

The Translation Lab: How to Translate the German Passive (EN / UKR / RU / ES) “Translate meaning, not metal. Keep the passive when it helps. Replace it when it hurts.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language 0) The paradox before we start: literal vs idiomatic Rule of thumb: preserve the effect (focus, agent suppression, […]

Author: Tymur Levitin© Tymur Levitin — founder and head teacher of Levitin Language School / Start Language School by Tymur LevitinCategory: Legal Language and Translation Introduction Prepositions are among the trickiest elements to translate, especially in legal, administrative, or official contexts. Expressions like “by September 10,” “from the day of the event,” “within 10 meters […]

The Academic Passive (Gelehrtenstil / Scientific Passive) “In academic writing, it matters less who does the work — what matters is that it is shown, proven, or discovered.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language The paradox before we start: formality vs. readability In German academic writing, passive is the default: But: 👉 Paradox: In university […]

🌍 Choose your language Introduction German exams such as Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, and TELC open doors to universities, professional careers, and residency opportunities in German-speaking countries. But they are also challenging — requiring not only strong grammar and vocabulary, but also confidence in writing, listening, and speaking. At Levitin Language School | Start Language School by […]

🔗 Choose your language Learning German can feel tricky at first, especially when you meet relative clauses. But don’t worry — once you understand the basic rules, relative clauses become a simple and powerful tool to make your sentences richer. What Is a Relative Clause? A relative clause is a part of a sentence that […]

Passive in Konjunktiv (Reported Speech & Hypotheticals) “The passive is hard enough. Add the subjunctive, and you face the real exam monsters.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language The paradox before we start: two subjunctives, two logics German has two Konjunktiv systems: 👉 The paradox: in passive, the forms often look identical to indicative, so […]

The Impersonal Passive (Agentless Style) “Sometimes it doesn’t matter who does it. What matters is that it is done.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language The paradox before we start: “But where is the subject?” German requires every finite verb to have a subject. So how can passive exist without one? 👉 This paradox explains […]

🌍 Choose your language Introduction Germany, Austria, and Switzerland face a growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals. But to work in these countries, knowing German at a professional level is essential. Medical staff need to communicate with patients, understand instructions, and interact with colleagues confidently. At Levitin Language School | Start Language School by Tymur […]

The Recipient Passive (bekommen-Passive) “Not all passives are about the action. Sometimes they’re about who ends up with the result.” — Tymur Levitin Choose your language The paradox before we start: is this even a passive? Linguists still argue whether the bekommen-Passive is “true” passive or a separate construction. 👉 For exam practice, it is […]