German articles (Nullartikel)

Hello, Should we use an article in this phrase: Wir kochen eine Suppe. We’re cooking soup. http://members.rocketlanguages.com/lessons/78 In English, this is normal to say without an article and if you compare with and without using Google it's a 4/1470 difference, making it clear that in English, regardless of any rules, we do not use "a" in this situation. Wir kochen Suppe: http://goo.gl/5dYoc8 989 results Wir kochen eine Suppe: http://goo.gl/h3ptr8 452 results I have a guide from Langenscheidt ISBN 978-3-468-34887-7 See page 18 & 19. It gives some examples for where an article is not used. (Proper names, occupations, nationalities, cities, most countries, continents, abstract ideas, some materials (i.e. Beer), Set phrases and idiomatic expressions, headlines and titles. I am wondering if this is a good example for why NOT to use an article in the sentence above. Herr Radwan trinkt in der Kantine nie Bier. Herr Radwan never drinks beer in the cantine. Soup and beer are the same eh? Am I missing a detail? The sentence in German should be: Wir kochen Suppe. Comments? Thank you, Jason

OK, since you asked. I think the presence or absence of the article can shade the meaning slightly and either might appropriate depending on the situation. Generally the article adds specificity to the situation. For example, "yes I'll have a beer" in response to the question what can I bring you to drink. However, you might answer I drink beer (wine or whatever) in response to question what do you like to drink. That said, there are some situations where German never applies the article, e.g. occupations. Ich bin Lehrer and not Ich bin ein Lehrer. In general, German seems to use the definite and indefinite articles less than in English. One of the classic examples is JFK's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" which has been roundly criticized as being bad German and should have been "Ich bin Berliner". Well, yes and no according to one article I researched written by a professor of German. If you wanted to say you were actually a resident of Berlin, it would be correct to omit the article. However, if you wanted to express empathy with the people of Berlin, it would be correct to insert the article. Although politicians do make gaffes, I'm inclined to believe JFK got plently of expert advice before he gave that speech.

The indefinite article is not necessary in the sentence but it is isn't grammatically incorrect. I admit the indefinite article is often left out in these cases. In the lessons it demonstrates the gender of the article. Usage of the definite article is more likely. "Wir kochen die Suppe" does imply it is that specific soup that was mentioned before. 

Sabine: "Ihr könnt Suppe kochen oder die Nudeln von gestern essen" = "You can cook soup or eat the noodles from yesterday "

Habt ihr euch entschieden was ihr kochen wollt?"= "Have you decided what you want to cook?"

Peter: "Wir kochen die Suppe?"

In English you probably more likely say "We will make that soup" instead of "we cook the soup".

Paul

Cool. Thank you Paul! and thank you Byron!