"Viele Menschen sind nach Deutschland gekommen."

Translation: Many people came to Germany.

[David429435]

In German is present perfekt tense. Why does Duolingo translate it with past simple tense?

[mizinamo]

Because the German "Perfekt" tense is used a lot more widely than English present perfect, and is often (especially in the spoken language) used where English would use the simple past.

A translation with present perfect in the English is also possible and is also accepted.

[Araucoforever]

biertopf, here is the sentence where Menschen are translated as "people" not humans or persons like in the example of: "I have reserved a place for four people" where you told me that you cannot used Menschen but Personen.

[AntonijeLa1]

Why are basically the same sentences sometimes translated in present perfect and sometimes in past simple? How can i know the difference?

[ivanculina]

Many people have arrived in germany - incorrect ?

[mizinamo]

Yes -- arriving (ankommen) is about the moment they reach the country, while coming (kommen) is more about the entire process.

[2200Lucia60]

"A lot of people has come to Germany", should be alright too...

[person243]

"have come", or is there a special rule/local variation where "a lot" demands singular? Because I know it as plural.

[2200Lucia60]

Oh no, Person, I don't think so. I am not an English speaker! I would better reformulate my question: A lot of people HAVE come to Germany, that could be accepted, right?

[BirgitAsh]

Yes, "A lot of people have come to Germany" should also be correct, I would say.

[2200Lucia60]

Thank you Person (first) and Birgit (later)!