Was ist about? Aussprache und Verwendung im Englischen

about bedeutet um. Lernen Sie die richtige Aussprache und die Verwendung des Wortes im Alltag anhand von Beispielen und leicht verständlichen Tipps zum Einprägen.

Definition und Aussprache von about

aboutpreposition

um

/əˈbaʊt/
Definition und Aussprache von about

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "about" in English. It's a tricky one because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules!

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation, along with a breakdown:

Pronunciation: /ˈæbʌt/ (IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet)

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  1. "A" sound: Say the short "a" sound as in "cat" or "apple." It’s a quick, clipped sound.

  2. "Bou" sound: This is the tricky part! It’s not the French "bo." Instead, it’s a sound that’s somewhere between the "ow" in "cow" and the "uh" in "but". It's a diphthong – meaning it’s a sound that blends together. Think of it like a short, slightly rounded "uh" sound. Many people find this the hardest part.

  3. "T" sound: Finally, say a clear "t" sound, like in "top."

Putting it all together:

It sounds roughly like: "Ah-boot" (with the "boot" part slightly blended into the "a" sound)

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: This is the best way to learn. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "about" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/about/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce about" on YouTube and you'll find many helpful videos.

  • Practice slowly: Don't rush. Focus on each sound individually before blending them together.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "about" and compare your pronunciation to a native speaker's.

  • Don't overemphasize the "bou" sound: It’s supposed to be subtle and quickly blended with the “a”.

Common Mistakes:

  • Saying "boat": This is a frequent error. Remember the "a" sound is short and sharp.
  • A longer "o" sound: Avoid making the 'bou' sound too drawn out. Keep it relatively short.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide a more detailed explanation of a specific part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences you can practice with?

Verwendung und Beispiele mit dem Wort about im Englischen

Let's break down how to use the word "about" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different functions. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Introducing a Topic (Most Common Use)

  • Function: "About" signals that you're going to talk specifically about something. It sets the subject of what you're going to discuss.
  • Structure: It’s about + [noun] or I’m talking about + [noun]
  • Examples:
    • “It’s about my trip to Italy.” (The topic is the trip to Italy.)
    • “I’m talking about the new movie release.” (The topic is the movie.)
    • “She’s about her career.” (She’s focused on her career.)

2. Around a Certain Time/Amount

  • Function: To indicate an approximate time, duration, or quantity.
  • Structure: about + time/amount
  • Examples:
    • “The meeting will be about 30 minutes long.” (Approximately 30 minutes.)
    • “I spent about $20 on groceries.” (Around $20.)
    • “It happened about six months ago.” (Approximately six months.)

3. Concerning/Regarding

  • Function: "About" can indicate that something is related to, concerning, or pertains to a specific subject. It's more formal than "regarding."
  • Structure: about + noun/phrase
  • Examples:
    • “There’s a lot of discussion about climate change.” (Concerning climate change.)
    • “He’s worried about his health.” (Concerning his health.)
    • “I read an article about ancient Egypt.” (Regarding ancient Egypt.)

4. "About" as a Preposition of Direction (Less Common - Often Informal)

  • Function: Indicating movement around something. This is a more casual usage.
  • Structure: about + prepositional phrase (often including a direction)
  • Examples:
    • “He ran about the room.” (He ran around the room – in a haphazard way.)
    • “The kids were playing about the garden.” (The kids were playing around the garden.) Note: "around" is more common here.

5. "About" in Phrases (Very Common)

  • “About time!” (Expressing that something was long overdue)
  • “About face!” (Turn around completely)
  • “What’s about to happen?” (What is about to happen?)
  • “All about it” (Referring to having detailed information)

Let's look at some sentences demonstrating different uses:

  • “I’m about to leave for the airport.” (Introducing a topic - I'm going to explain my departure.)
  • “Please tell me about your family.” (Asking for information concerning your family.)
  • “The concert was about two hours long.” (Indicating an approximate time.)
  • “He was about to cry.” (Indicating a very close moment before crying.)

Key Differences: "About" vs. "Around" vs. "Around"

  • "About" - Approximate time/amount, topic, or concerning.
  • "Around" - Moving in a circular path; a general area. (More common when talking about movement)

To help me tailor my explanation further, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using "about"? (e.g., “I'm not sure if I should use it before a noun or a verb?”)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re unsure about?

Synonyme für das Wort about

Redewendungen des Wortes about

how/what about…?
used when asking for information about somebody/something
  • How about Ruth? Have you heard from her?
  • I'm having fish. What about you?
(especially North American English)used to make a suggestion
  • How about going for a walk?
  • How about we go for a walk?
  • What about a break?

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