Asking for something

Firstly don't know how to do an Umlaut. So am aware that they need one.

In Germany if you are asking for a coffee are both Ich hatte gern and Ich mochte used interchangebly. In other words would some people prefer one above the other

Danke Schon

Sebongela

It's a shame that Rocket does not provide a pop up german keyboard in the Forum so here are some ways to do get umlauts:

In the old days when people used typewriters, the just put an e after the vowel eg; Ich moechte. For ß they used B or just ‘ss’.

For windows 10, you can install a german keyboard and the switch between keybaords by clicking on the language at the bottom right of the taks bar. However unless you have a keyboard overlay to show you where the letters are, you have to remember where they are. If you are using a smartphone, it shows you the German keyboard which is good.

I use these ascii codes: (in Windows)

ä 132 Ä 142
ö148 Ö 153
ü 129 Ü 154
ß 0223

You hold down the Alt key and type the number. So Alt+129 produces ü

I find I can remember the numbers but I also have them on a post it note on my monitor.

I hope this helps

 Hi sfpugh

Thank you I use a mac book, so as far as I know I don't use windows. Will need to change to a German keyboard. At least in the written exercises they give you the umlaut letters. I use German Babbel and that does too, very convenient. Babbel also uses a typing sequence to change the vowel to an accented one. I find that very useful in the Italian.

Have a good weekend

Sebongela

You can use the ascci code trick on the macbook, this link shows you how

https://www.barcodefaq.com/knowledge-base/mac-extended-ascii-character-chart/

Hallo Sebongela and sfpugh,

Thank you for your question! 

To help with your first question, you could try the alt key on your keyboard.

1. Hold down the alt key, and type the letter “u” on your keyboard.
2. Let go of both, then type the vowel for the umlaut you want to appear:
   1. alt + u, then u for ü
   2. alt + u, then o for ö
   3. alt + u, then a for ä
   4. alt + u, then Shift + U for Ü and so on.

Hopefully this will help!

In regards to your second question, “Ich hätte gern…” would be more common in a café or restaurant as it's more formal compared to “Ich möchte…” which may be used in a more informal setting. 

Viele Grüße,

Julia

Thanks Julia 

Have worked out hot to do accents on my android tablet. Very simple really. Now when I write to my pen friend in Germany can add umlauts. Still a complete beginner, but am now able to put in some German words and simple sentences. Very exciting

Auf Wiedersehen

Sebongela

Thats great! So exiting when it's all starting to come together, keep up the great work!

Grüße,

Julia