My First Few Months Learning German: TV, Movies, and “Finden”

Okay, so here I am, six months into living in Berlin. It’s… intense. The language, the pace, the everything. Before I came, I thought I was pretty good at learning languages, but German felt like climbing a really, really steep hill. I’d spent a little time with Duolingo, but honestly, it felt so detached from real conversation. I needed to actually use it, and I quickly realized I needed to focus on the things I actually cared about – things I’d talk about anyway! That’s how I started diving into German television, movies, and music. And, crucially, learning how to express my opinions – because let’s be honest, I have them! It all started with “finden.”

The Trouble with “Finden” – and Why It’s Everywhere

“Finden” is a verb that basically means “to find” or “to think.” But in German, it’s way more common than I expected when it comes to expressing opinions. I’d heard people say “Ich finde das gut” (I find that good) and initially, I just thought they were saying they’d found something good. It took a while to get my head around. It’s like a default way of saying “I think” or “I believe” instead of using “denken” (to think).

For example, last week, my colleague, Thomas, was watching a German movie, Toni Erdmann, and he said, “Dieser Film ist total dumm!” (This film is totally stupid!). I was expecting him to mean he’d literally found something stupid. But he was expressing his opinion. It really clicked when I started hearing it used in conversations about music too.

TV Talk and My First “Finden”

I started going to a local Kneipe (a small, informal bar/pub) with some German friends, and they always watch Fußball (soccer). I wanted to join the conversation, but I was so awkward! I wanted to say something about the game, but all I could manage was a mumbled “Es ist… interessant?” (It is… interesting?). One of my friends, Lena, gently corrected me.

“Lena,” I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed, “How do I say I think the goalkeeper is bad?”

She laughed and said, “Just say, ‘Ich finde den Torwart schlecht!’” (I find the goalkeeper bad!). “’Finden’ is the key, you know? It’s much more natural than ‘Ich denke den Torwart schlecht.’”

It felt so silly at the time, but it was a huge breakthrough. I started using it everywhere. I began to realize the structure: “Ich finde [subject] [adjective].”

Movie Opinions – A Little More Complex

Talking about movies is more complex. You can use “finden” but you often need to add a little more to explain why you find something good or bad.

I went to the cinema with a new acquaintance, Markus, and we were watching an American film dubbed into German. I wasn’t thrilled. I wanted to say something negative, so I blurted out, “Ich finde den Film nicht gut!” (I don’t find the film good!).

Markus raised an eyebrow. “Why not?” he asked.

I struggled to explain. “Ich finde die Schauspieler… nicht überzeugend.” (I find the actors… not convincing). It felt clunky, and I realized I needed to be more specific. He suggested, “Versuch es so: ‘Ich finde die Schauspieler übertrieben.’” (Try saying it like this: ‘I find the actors exaggerated’.) That sounded much better.

Music and Expressing Taste

Music is a great way to talk about opinions. I’ve been listening to a lot of Deutschrap (German rap) lately – it’s surprisingly good. I asked a friend, Daniel, about his favorite artist, and he said, “Ich finde Die Ärzte total sympathisch!” (I find Die Ärzte totally likeable!).

Daniel explained, “It’s not just about liking the music. ‘Sympathisch’ means likeable, friendly. It shows you appreciate their style.”

I tried it out myself: “Ich finde diese Band… energiegeladen!” (I find this band… energetic!). Daniel gave me a thumbs up. Small victories!

Common Phrases and Mistakes

Here are a few phrases I’ve found really useful:

• “Ich finde es…”: (I find it…) – This is a super versatile starting point.
• “Ich finde das…”: (I find that…) – For specific things.
• “Ich finde es schade, dass…”: (I’m sorry that…) – Useful for expressing disappointment.

I’ve definitely made mistakes. I once said, “Ich finde die Musik sehr schlecht!” (I find the music very bad!) when I actually meant it was “cool.” Luckily, everyone just laughed. It’s all about learning to get the nuances right, and not being afraid to make a fool of myself.

Next Steps

I’m still a long way from being fluent, but learning to talk about television, movies, and music with “finden” has been a huge help. It’s given me a practical way to express my opinions and, more importantly, to engage in conversations with native speakers. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go find something good to watch!