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German Student Dictionary — Part 12
Dictionary entries, alphabetical: brauchen – brunett.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
brauchen, er braucht — to need
Regular weak verb — no stem-vowel change: ich brauche, du brauchst, er/sie/es braucht, wir/sie brauchen.
Der kleine Junge braucht Hilfe, um sich anzuziehen.
The little boy needs help getting dressed.
brauchen = to need · die Hilfe = help · sich anziehen = to get dressed.
Wir brauchen mehr Zeit für die Prüfung.
We need more time for the exam.
mehr = more · die Zeit = time · die Prüfung = exam/test.
braun — brown
Regular adjective — takes normal adjective endings before a noun (der braune Mantel, ein braunes Kleid, braune Augen).
Der braune Mantel steht ihr gut.
The brown coat looks good on her.
der Mantel = coat · stehen (+ Dativ) = to suit/look good on. "-e" ending because it follows "der" (maskulin Nominativ, weak adjective ending after a definite article).
Ich habe braune Augen.
I have brown eyes.
das Auge = eye. "-e" ending on a bare plural noun with no article.
brechen, er bricht — to break
Strong, stem-changing verb: ich breche, du brichst, er/sie bricht (e → i); brechen – brach – gebrochen. The separable compound abbrechen (to break off) is its own entry just below.
Das Glas kann leicht brechen.
The glass can easily break.
das Glas = glass · können = can/to be able to · leicht = easily.
Er bricht sich beim Skifahren das Bein.
He breaks his leg while skiing.
sich (Dativ) etwas brechen = to break one's own (body part) · das Skifahren = skiing. "Bricht" — stem change e → i for "er."
abbrechen, er bricht ab — to break off; to cancel
Separable prefix verb built on "brechen," with the same stem change (e → i): ich breche ab, du brichst ab, er/sie bricht ab. The prefix "ab-" moves to the end of the clause.
Wir brechen das Spiel wegen des Regens ab.
We're calling off the game because of the rain.
abbrechen = to break off/call off (separable: bricht...ab) · der Regen = rain · wegen (+ Genitiv) = because of.
Sie bricht das Gespräch plötzlich ab.
She abruptly breaks off the conversation.
das Gespräch = conversation · plötzlich = suddenly/abruptly.
breit — broad; wide
Regular adjective. Both of the dictionary's own examples use it as a predicate adjective (after "sein"), where it takes no ending at all.
Die Alleen in New York sind sehr breit.
The avenues of New York are very broad.
die Allee = avenue/boulevard · sehr = very. Predicate adjectives never take an ending.
Der Grand Canyon ist sehr breit.
The Grand Canyon is very wide.
Same word covers both "broad" and "wide" in English, depending on context — here it's the canyon's width rather than a road's breadth.
der Brief — letter
Plural: die Briefe. See also "der Briefkasten" (mailbox) just below, built from the same word.
Nom Der Brief liegt auf dem Tisch.
The letter lies on the table.
der Brief (maskulin) = letter · liegen = to lie. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Brief is the subject.
Akk Ich warf den Brief in den Briefkasten.
I put the letter in the mailbox.
Reused from the dictionary's own example · werfen = to throw (here loosely "to put/drop in") · in den Briefkasten = into the mailbox (Akkusativ, direction). "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Brief is the direct object.
Dat In dem Brief steht eine wichtige Nachricht.
There is an important message in the letter.
stehen = to stand/to be written · die Nachricht = message. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after the stationary "in."
Nom Ein Brief kommt heute an.
A letter arrives today.
ankommen = to arrive (separable: kommt...an). "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Ich schreibe einen Brief an meine Oma.
I am writing a letter to my grandma.
schreiben an = to write to (+ Akkusativ) · die Oma = grandma. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen) — mirrors der → den.
Dat Der Postbote kommt jeden Morgen mit den Briefen.
The mailman comes with the letters every morning.
der Postbote = mailman · mit = with (always Dativ) · jeden Morgen = every morning. Plural Dativ: the article is "den" and the noun adds "-n" (Briefe → Briefen).
der Briefkasten — mailbox
Plural: die Briefkästen (umlaut only, like "der Kasten" → "die Kästen" — already ends in -n, so no extra Dativ plural "-n" is added). The dictionary's own example, "Ich warf den Brief in den Briefkasten," is reused above under "Brief" and features this word too.
Nom Der Briefkasten steht vor dem Haus.
The mailbox stands in front of the house.
der Briefkasten (maskulin) = mailbox · stehen = to stand · vor dem Haus = in front of the house. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Briefkasten is the subject.
Akk Der Postbote leert den Briefkasten jeden Morgen.
The mailman empties the mailbox every morning.
leeren = to empty. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Briefkasten is the direct object.
Dat Der Brief liegt noch in dem Briefkasten.
The letter is still lying in the mailbox.
liegen = to lie · noch = still. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after the stationary "in."
Nom Ein Briefkasten hängt an der Wand.
A mailbox hangs on the wall.
hängen = to hang · die Wand = wall. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Die Stadt stellt einen neuen Briefkasten auf.
The city puts up a new mailbox.
aufstellen = to put up/install (separable). "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat An den Briefkästen hängen Schilder mit den Öffnungszeiten.
Signs with the opening hours hang on the mailboxes.
an + Dativ (stationary) · das Schild = sign · die Öffnungszeit = opening hour/time. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Briefkästen already ends in "-n" (from Kästen), so no further ending is added.
die Briefmarke — stamp (postage)
Plural: die Briefmarken. The dictionary's own example is a bare plural with no article ("Meine Schwester sammelt Briefmarken." = "My sister collects stamps.") — general statements like that skip the article entirely, so it doesn't slot cleanly into the drills below; all six are built fresh instead.
Nom Die Briefmarke klebt schief.
The stamp is stuck on crooked.
die Briefmarke (feminin) = stamp · kleben = to stick · schief = crooked. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Briefmarke is the subject.
Akk Ich kaufe die Briefmarke am Schalter.
I buy the stamp at the counter.
kaufen = to buy · der Schalter = counter/window. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ is unchanged from Nominativ. Briefmarke is the direct object.
Dat Neben der Briefmarke steht der Stempel.
Next to the stamp is the postmark.
neben + Dativ (location) · der Stempel = postmark/stamp. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Briefmarke fehlt auf dem Umschlag.
A stamp is missing on the envelope.
fehlen = to be missing · der Umschlag = envelope. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Er braucht eine Briefmarke für den Brief.
He needs a stamp for the letter.
für + Akkusativ = for. "Eine" stays "eine" — feminine indefinite is unchanged between Nominativ and Akkusativ.
Dat Meine Schwester zeigt mir ihr Album mit den Briefmarken.
My sister shows me her album with the stamps.
zeigen = to show · das Album = album. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun already ends in "-n" (Briefmarken), so no further ending is added.
die Brieftasche — billfold
Plural: die Brieftaschen.
Nom Die Brieftasche ist aus Leder.
The billfold is made of leather.
die Brieftasche (feminin) = billfold/wallet · aus Leder = made of leather. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Brieftasche is the subject.
Akk Er verliert die Brieftasche im Bus.
He loses the billfold on the bus.
verlieren = to lose. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ unchanged. Brieftasche is the direct object.
Dat Ich bewahre mein Geld in der Brieftasche auf.
I keep my money in the billfold.
Adapted from the dictionary's own example (originally "meiner Brieftasche") by swapping the possessive for the definite article · aufbewahren = to keep/store (separable). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Brieftasche liegt auf der Straße.
A billfold is lying on the street.
liegen = to lie · die Straße = street. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich kaufe mir eine neue Brieftasche.
I'm buying myself a new billfold.
kaufen = to buy · mir = for myself (Dativ). "Eine" stays "eine" — feminine indefinite unchanged.
Dat Der Dieb sucht nach den Brieftaschen der Passagiere.
The thief is looking for the passengers' billfolds.
suchen nach = to search for (+ Dativ) · der Dieb = thief · der Passagier = passenger. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun already ends in "-n" (Brieftaschen).
der Briefumschlag — envelope
Plural: die Briefumschläge (umlaut + -e, like "der Umschlag" → "die Umschläge"). The dictionary's own example has an OCR-garbled verb ("Fallen Sie den Brief..."), corrected here to "Falten Sie" (to fold) — "fallen" (to fall) can't take a direct object.
Nom Der Briefumschlag ist leer.
The envelope is empty.
der Briefumschlag (maskulin) = envelope · leer = empty. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Briefumschlag is the subject.
Akk Sie klebt den Briefumschlag zu.
She seals the envelope shut.
zukleben = to seal/stick shut (separable). "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Briefumschlag is the direct object.
Dat Auf dem Briefumschlag steht die Adresse.
The address is written on the envelope.
stehen = to be written · die Adresse = address. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after the stationary "auf."
Nom Ein Briefumschlag liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
An envelope is lying on the desk.
der Schreibtisch = desk. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Falten Sie den Brief und tun Sie ihn bitte in einen Briefumschlag.
Fold the letter and put it in an envelope, please.
Reused from the dictionary's own example (OCR-corrected: "Fallen" → "Falten" = to fold) · falten = to fold · tun...in = to put into. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen), directional "in" (wohin?).
Dat Auf den Briefumschlägen steht die Adresse in großer Schrift.
On the envelopes, the address is written in large print.
die Schrift = script/print · groß = big/large. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun adds "-n" (Briefumschläge → Briefumschlägen) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
die Brille — glasses
Plural: die Brillen. "Brille" is grammatically singular in German even though English "glasses" is plural — a common trap for beginners. See also "die Sonnenbrille" (sunglasses) just below, built from the same word.
Nom Die Brille liegt auf dem Nachttisch.
The glasses are lying on the nightstand.
die Brille (feminin) = glasses · der Nachttisch = nightstand. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Brille is the subject.
Akk Ich brauche die Brille, um dies zu lesen.
I need the glasses to read this.
Adapted from the dictionary's own example (originally "meine Brille") by swapping the possessive for the definite article · um...zu = in order to. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ unchanged. Brille is the direct object.
Dat Ich sehe die Buchstaben viel besser mit der Brille.
I see the letters much better with the glasses on.
mit + Dativ = with · der Buchstabe = letter (of the alphabet). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Brille kostet oft viel Geld.
A pair of glasses often costs a lot of money.
kosten = to cost. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Sie trägt eine neue Brille.
She is wearing new glasses.
tragen = to wear. "Eine" stays "eine" — feminine indefinite unchanged.
Dat Der Optiker zeigt mir viele Modelle von den Brillen.
The optician shows me many models of glasses.
der Optiker = optician · von + Dativ = of. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun already ends in "-n" (Brillen).
die Sonnenbrille — sunglasses
Plural: die Sonnenbrillen. A compound of "die Sonne" (sun) + "die Brille" (glasses).
Nom Die Sonnenbrille schützt die Augen.
The sunglasses protect the eyes.
die Sonnenbrille (feminin) = sunglasses · schützen = to protect · das Auge = eye. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Sonnenbrille is the subject.
Akk Ich trage die Sonnenbrille den ganzen Sommer.
I wear the sunglasses all summer.
tragen = to wear · den ganzen Sommer = all summer (time expression, Akkusativ). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ unchanged. Sonnenbrille is the direct object.
Dat Hinter der Sonnenbrille sieht er müde aus.
Behind the sunglasses, he looks tired.
hinter + Dativ (location) · aussehen = to look/appear (separable). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Sonnenbrille liegt im Auto.
A pair of sunglasses is lying in the car.
liegen = to lie · im = in + dem. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich kaufe mir eine neue Sonnenbrille.
I'm buying myself new sunglasses.
kaufen = to buy. "Eine" stays "eine" — feminine indefinite unchanged.
Dat Der Verkäufer vergleicht die Preise von den Sonnenbrillen.
The salesman compares the prices of the sunglasses.
vergleichen = to compare · der Preis = price · von (+ Dativ) standing in for a Genitiv here — very common in spoken German. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun already ends in "-n" (Sonnenbrillen).
bringen, er bringt — to bring
Irregular in the past tense (bringen – brachte – gebracht, a mixed verb) though the present tense is fully regular: ich bringe, du bringst, er/sie/es bringt.
Der Kellner bringt uns den Kaffee.
The waiter brings us the coffee.
der Kellner = waiter · der Kaffee = coffee · uns = to us (Dativ indirect object).
Kannst du mir das Buch bringen?
Can you bring me the book?
können = can/to be able to · das Buch = book · mir = to me (Dativ).
das Brot — bread
Plural: die Brote. Fixed phrase Brot und Marmelade = "bread and jam," a simple everyday breakfast pairing. The dictionary's own example is about "Weißbrot" (white bread, OCR-corrected from "WeiBbrot") specifically — simplified here to the base word "Brot."
Nom Das meiste Brot wird aus Weizenmehl gemacht.
Most bread is made from wheat flour.
Adapted from the dictionary's own example · das Weizenmehl = wheat flour · werden + past participle = passive voice ("is made"). "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Brot is the subject.
Akk Wir kaufen das Brot beim Bäcker.
We buy the bread at the baker's.
der Bäcker = baker. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das). Brot is the direct object.
Dat Der Käse liegt auf dem Brot.
The cheese lies on the bread.
der Käse = cheese · liegen auf = to lie on (+ Dativ, no movement). "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein frisches Brot duftet herrlich.
A fresh loaf of bread smells wonderful.
duften = to smell (pleasantly) · herrlich = wonderfully. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ.
Akk Sie backt ein Brot für das Fest.
She bakes a loaf of bread for the celebration.
backen = to bake · das Fest = celebration/festival. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ — the article never changes for neuter nouns between these two cases.
Dat Zu den Broten serviert er verschiedene Aufstriche.
With the loaves of bread, he serves various spreads.
zu + Dativ = with (accompaniment) · der Aufstrich = spread. Plural Dativ: the noun adds "-n" (Brote → Broten).
das Brötchen — roll
Plural: die Brötchen (unchanged — nouns ending in the diminutive "-chen" never add a plural ending).
Nom Das Brötchen ist noch warm.
The roll is still warm.
das Brötchen (neutral) = roll · warm = warm. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Brötchen is the subject.
Akk Ich habe Butter auf das Brötchen gestrichen.
I put butter on the roll.
Reused from the dictionary's own example (OCR-corrected: "Brotchen" → "Brötchen") · streichen = to spread. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das) — "auf + Akkusativ" here because the spreading motion is directed onto the roll. Brötchen is the direct object.
Dat Der Belag liegt auf dem Brötchen.
The topping lies on the roll.
der Belag = topping · liegen auf = to lie on (+ Dativ, no movement). "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Brötchen reicht mir zum Frühstück.
One roll is enough for me for breakfast.
reichen = to be enough/suffice · zum Frühstück = for breakfast. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ.
Akk Ich esse ein Brötchen mit Marmelade.
I eat a roll with jam.
essen = to eat. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ.
Dat Zwischen den Brötchen liegt frische Butter.
Between the rolls lies fresh butter.
zwischen + Dativ (location) · frisch = fresh. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Brötchen doesn't change at all, since -chen nouns never add a plural ending.
die Brücke — bridge
Plural: die Brücken.
Nom Die "Golden Gate" Brücke ist in San Francisco.
The Golden Gate Bridge is in San Francisco.
Reused from the dictionary's own example (OCR-corrected: "Briicke" → "Brücke") · die Brücke (feminin) = bridge. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Brücke is the subject.
Akk Die Stadt baut die Brücke neu.
The city is rebuilding the bridge.
bauen = to build · neu = new(ly). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ unchanged. Brücke is the direct object.
Dat Die Autos stehen auf der Brücke im Stau.
The cars are stuck in traffic on the bridge.
auf + Dativ (location) · der Stau = traffic jam. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine alte Brücke führt über den Fluss.
An old bridge leads over the river.
führen über = to lead over · der Fluss = river. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Die Ingenieure planen eine neue Brücke.
The engineers are planning a new bridge.
der Ingenieur = engineer · planen = to plan. "Eine" stays "eine" — feminine indefinite unchanged.
Dat Unter den Brücken wohnen manchmal Obdachlose.
Under the bridges, homeless people sometimes live.
unter + Dativ (location) · der/die Obdachlose = homeless person · manchmal = sometimes. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the noun already ends in "-n" (Brücken).
der Bruder — brother
Plural: die Brüder — irregular: umlaut only, no ending added (unlike most masculine nouns).
Nom Der Bruder meines Freundes wohnt in Berlin.
My friend's brother lives in Berlin.
der Bruder (maskulin) = brother · wohnen = to live. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Bruder is the subject.
Akk Ich besuche den Bruder am Wochenende.
I'm visiting the brother this weekend.
besuchen = to visit · das Wochenende = weekend. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Bruder is the direct object.
Dat Sie hilft dem Bruder bei den Hausaufgaben.
She helps the brother with the homework.
helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · die Hausaufgabe = homework. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Bruder reicht mir völlig.
One brother is completely enough for me.
reichen = to be enough · völlig = completely. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Ich habe einen älteren Bruder, der die Universität besucht.
I have an older brother who is in college.
Reused from the dictionary's own example (OCR-corrected: "alteren" → "älteren," "Universitat" → "Universität") · älter = older · die Universität besuchen = to attend university. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Meine Eltern schenken den Brüdern ein Auto.
My parents are giving the brothers a car.
schenken = to give (as a gift) (+ Dativ) · das Auto = car. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Brüder adds "-n" (Brüder → Brüdern) since the irregular plural doesn't already end in -n or -s.
brunett — brunette
Predicate adjective describing hair color — uninflected after "sein," like most color words. Compare: blond.
Meine Mutter ist brunett.
My mother is brunette.
Reused from the dictionary's own example (OCR-corrected: "1st" → "ist") · die Mutter = mother. Predicate adjectives never take an ending.
Sie hat brunette Haare.
She has brunette (dark brown) hair.
das Haar (usually plural "die Haare") = hair. Attributive use takes the "-e" ending, like other adjectives, before a plural noun with no article.