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Summary

This tutorial focuses on writing complaint letters in German at the B1 level, covering two specific scenarios: addressing a landlord about neighbors smoking in the stairwell and contacting a toy company regarding delayed delivery. The instructor provides detailed guidance on structure, essential components, and polite language, emphasizing the importance of clarity and formality. With clear examples and tips on crafting effective letters, viewers will learn how to express their concerns appropriately in a formal context, enhancing their writing skills for practical communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding the structure of a B1 complaint letter is essential for effective communication.
• 📄 The letter should include a sender's address, recipient's address, date, and subject line.
• 📝 For complaints, start by clearly stating the problem you are addressing.
• 🕰️ Specify when the issue began to provide context for your complaint.
• 🤔 Explain why the problem bothers you, including any personal impacts.
• 🚬 In the first example, the complaint is about neighbors smoking in a shared space.
• 🎂 In the second example, urgency is emphasized due to an upcoming birthday gift that hasn't arrived.
• 🔍 Use relative clauses to add detail and complexity to your descriptions.
• 📞 Always provide a method for the recipient to contact you for follow-up.
• 💬 Conclude with a polite request for action and express hope for a quick response.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video focuses on teaching viewers how to write B1-level complaint letters in German, using two specific examples.

What are the four key points to address in the complaint letter to a landlord?

The four key points are: 1) Describe the problem, 2) State when the problem started, 3) Explain why it is bothersome, and 4) Specify what you want the landlord to do.

How should the sender's and receiver's addresses be formatted in a letter?

The sender's address is written at the top, followed by the receiver's address. The sender's address should include their name and address, while the receiver's should include their name and address as well.

What is an appropriate subject line for the complaint letter about neighbors smoking?

An appropriate subject line would be 'Beschwerde über meine Nachbarn' (Complaint about my neighbors).

What is the significance of using a salutation in a formal letter?

Using a salutation, such as 'Sehr geehrter Herr Kunzmann,' establishes a formal tone and shows respect to the recipient.

Why is it important to mention the duration of the problem in the letter?

Mentioning the duration of the problem provides context and urgency to the complaint, helping the recipient understand how long the issue has been ongoing.

What are two phrases used to express the impact of the issue on the sender?

Two phrases to express impact are: 'es stinkt sehr unangenehm' (it smells very unpleasant) and 'der Zigarettenrauch ist sehr ungesund für meine Kinder' (the cigarette smoke is very unhealthy for my children).

How does the video suggest phrasing a request to the landlord?

The video suggests using a polite request such as 'Könnten Sie bitte mit den Leuten reden und ihnen sagen, dass sie nur draußen rauchen dürfen?' (Could you please talk to them and tell them they can only smoke outside?).

What should be included in the closing of a formal letter?

The closing should include a polite phrase such as 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen' (With kind regards) followed by the sender's name.

In the second example, what specific details are needed when complaining about an order?

Details needed include the name of the sender, the date of the order, what items were ordered, why they are needed urgently, and a request for information about the delivery.