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German Student Dictionary — Part 15
Dictionary entries, alphabetical: der – Dollar.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der, die, das — the (definite article)
The three genders of "the": der (maskulin), die (feminin), das (neutral). The plural is always die, regardless of the noun's singular gender — this is the article system every noun in this dictionary is tagged with.
Die Bücher sind auf dem Tisch.
The books are on the table.
das Buch (Pl. die Bücher) = book · der Tisch = table. "Die" here is the plural definite article — plural nouns always take "die," no matter their singular gender. The dictionary's own example, unchanged (aside from fixing the OCR-garbled "Biicher" → "Bücher").
derselbe, dieselbe, dasselbe — the same
All three genders decline together like "der/die/das" fused with "selbe" — derselbe (m.), dieselbe (f.), dasselbe (n.); plural: dieselben.
Du hast dieselbe Jacke wie dein Bruder.
You have the same jacket as your brother.
die Jacke = jacket · wie = as/like · der Bruder = brother. "Dieselbe" — feminin form, agreeing with "Jacke." The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
der Detektiv — detective
Plural: die Detektive. The dictionary's own example uses a related compound noun rather than "Detektiv" itself: "Mein Vati liebt Detektivgeschichten." = "My dad loves detective stories." (die Detektivgeschichte, -n = detective story).
Nom Der Detektiv ist sehr klug.
The detective is very clever.
der Detektiv (maskulin) = detective · klug = clever/smart. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Detektiv is the subject.
Akk Die Polizei ruft den Detektiv.
The police call the detective.
die Polizei = police · rufen = to call. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Sie gibt dem Detektiv alle Informationen.
She gives the detective all the information.
geben = to give (+ Dativ for the recipient) · die Information (Pl.) = information. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Detektiv untersucht den Fall.
A detective investigates the case.
untersuchen = to investigate · der Fall = case. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Wir brauchen einen Detektiv.
We need a detective.
brauchen = to need. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Der Chef vertraut den Detektiven.
The boss trusts the detectives.
der Chef = boss · vertrauen = to trust (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Detektiv adds "-e" then "-n" (Detektive → Detektiven) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
Deutschland — Germany
Neuter country name, used without an article (no "das Deutschland"), like most countries. Related words bundled in the dictionary's entry: der/die Deutsche = a German person (an adjectival noun — declines like an adjective: der Deutsche, ein Deutscher, die Deutschen); Deutsch, das = the language; deutsch = the adjective.
Nom Deutschland liegt in Mitteleuropa.
Germany is located in Central Europe.
liegen = to lie/be located · Mitteleuropa = Central Europe. No article — Deutschland is the subject directly.
Akk Wir besuchen Deutschland im Sommer.
We are visiting Germany in the summer.
besuchen = to visit · der Sommer = summer. No article/ending change — country names without an article stay the same in every case.
Dat Die Vorfahren meines Vaters kommen aus Deutschland.
My father's ancestors come from Germany.
die Vorfahren (Pl.) = ancestors · kommen aus = to come from (+ Dativ). No article/ending change for the country name itself. The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Deutsch, das — German (the language)
Almost always used without any article in everyday speech — "Ich lerne Deutsch." / "Sie spricht gut Deutsch." The articled forms below appear when "Deutsch" is modified by an adjective or genitive, e.g. "ein gutes Deutsch," "das Deutsch der Schweiz." No plural — like das Wetter, das Benehmen.
Nom Das Deutsch in dieser Zeitung ist schwierig.
The German in this newspaper is difficult.
die Zeitung = newspaper · schwierig = difficult. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Deutsch is the subject here (a specific, described "German," not the bare everyday usage).
Akk Ich verstehe das Deutsch meines Lehrers gut.
I understand my teacher's German well.
verstehen = to understand · der Lehrer = teacher. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das).
Dat Sie hilft mir mit dem Deutsch.
She helps me with the German.
helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · mit = with (+ Dativ). "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein gutes Deutsch braucht viel Übung.
Good German needs a lot of practice.
brauchen = to need · die Übung = practice. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ, same as "das." The indefinite article appears here because "Deutsch" is modified by the adjective "gutes."
Akk Er spricht ein fließendes Deutsch.
He speaks fluent German.
fließend = fluent. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ — the article never changes for neuter nouns between these two cases.
deutsch — German (adjective)
Lowercase, unlike the noun Deutsch/Deutschland — compare: Amerika/amerikanisch. Compound: der deutsche Schäferhund = "German shepherd" (the dog breed).
Deutsche Autos sind sehr beliebt.
German cars are very popular.
das Auto (Pl. Autos) = car · beliebt = popular. Attributive adjective before a plural noun with no article takes the strong ending -e.
der Dezember — December
Singular only — a specific month name, no natural plural. Month names can appear with or without the definite article: "Dezember ist kalt." = "Der Dezember ist kalt." (both correct). The dictionary's own example, unchanged: "Dezember ist der letzte Monat des Jahres." = "December is the last month of the year." (bare, no article).
Nom Der Dezember ist der kälteste Monat.
December is the coldest month.
der Monat = month · kalt, kälteste = cold, coldest. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Dezember is the subject.
Akk Ich mag den Dezember am meisten.
I like December the most.
mögen = to like · am meisten = the most. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Vor dem Dezember haben wir noch viel zu tun.
Before December, we still have a lot to do.
vor + Dativ = before (temporal) · zu tun haben = to have to do. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein kalter Dezember steht bevor.
A cold December lies ahead.
bevorstehen = to lie ahead/be imminent. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Wir erwarten einen schneereichen Dezember.
We expect a snowy December.
erwarten = to expect · schneereich = snowy/snow-rich. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
die Diät — diet
Plural: die Diäten. Fixed phrase eine Diät halten = "to be on a diet" / "to follow a diet."
Nom Die Diät ist sehr streng.
The diet is very strict.
die Diät (feminin) = diet · streng = strict. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Diät is the subject.
Akk Der Arzt empfiehlt die Diät.
The doctor recommends the diet.
der Arzt = doctor · empfehlen = to recommend. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Hast du bei deiner Diät abgenommen?
Did you lose weight on your diet?
bei + Dativ = during/on · abnehmen = to lose weight. "Deiner" (your) takes the same -er ending a definite article would in feminin Dativ (die → der, deine → deiner). The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Nom Eine Diät beginnt oft im Januar.
A diet often starts in January.
beginnen = to begin · oft = often. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite, same pattern as "die."
Akk Sie macht eine strenge Diät.
She's doing a strict diet.
Feminine nouns don't change between Nominativ and Akkusativ (die → die, eine → eine) — "eine strenge Diät" looks identical in form to the Nominativ example above.
Dat Nach den Diäten fühlt sie sich oft schwach.
After the diets, she often feels weak.
nach + Dativ = after · sich fühlen = to feel · schwach = weak. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Diäten already ends in -n, so no extra -n is added.
dich — you (Akkusativ)
Akkusativ form of "du" — used as a direct object or after Akkusativ prepositions like "für." The Dativ form is "dir."
Dieses Geschenk ist für dich (Sie, euch).
This present is for you.
das Geschenk = present/gift · für + Akkusativ = for. "Dich" is the informal singular Akkusativ form; the dictionary also lists the formal "Sie" and informal plural "euch" alternatives.
Ich sehe dich morgen.
I'll see you tomorrow.
sehen = to see · morgen = tomorrow. "Dich" is the direct object (Akkusativ) of "sehen."
dick — thick
Also means "fat" when describing a person or animal — context decides the meaning.
Dies ist eine dicke Decke.
This is a thick blanket.
die Decke = blanket · dick = thick. "Dicke" — attributive ending -e after "eine" (feminin Nominativ indefinite).
der Dieb — thief
Plural: die Diebe. Feminine: die Diebin.
Nom Der Dieb entkam durch das Fenster.
The thief escaped through the window.
der Dieb (maskulin) = thief · entkommen = to escape · das Fenster = window. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Dieb is the subject. The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Akk Die Polizei fängt den Dieb.
The police catch the thief.
die Polizei = police · fangen = to catch. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Der Richter glaubt dem Dieb nicht.
The judge doesn't believe the thief.
der Richter = judge · glauben = to believe (+ Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Dieb bricht nachts ein.
A thief breaks in at night.
einbrechen = to break in (separable verb) · nachts = at night. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Wir sehen einen Dieb im Garten.
We see a thief in the garden.
der Garten = garden. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Die Polizei stellt den Dieben eine Falle.
The police set a trap for the thieves.
eine Falle stellen = to set a trap (+ Dativ for the target). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Dieb adds "-e" then "-n" (Diebe → Dieben) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
dienen — to serve
Regular verb: ich diene, du dienst, er/sie/es dient, wir dienen, ihr dient, sie dienen. Fixed phrases: dienen als = "to serve as"; zu Ihren Diensten = "at your service" (from der Dienst, service).
Ich bin bereit, Ihnen zu dienen.
I am ready to serve you.
bereit = ready · Ihnen = to you (formal, Dativ). The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Der Schirm dient als Sonnenschutz.
The umbrella serves as sun protection.
der Schirm = umbrella · als = as · der Sonnenschutz = sun protection. "Dienen als" — the fixed phrase for "to serve as/function as."
der Dienstag — Tuesday
Plural: die Dienstage (used for recurring Tuesdays: "an den Dienstagen" / "dienstags"). All weekday names are maskulin.
Nom Der Dienstag ist mein freier Tag.
Tuesday is my day off.
frei = free · der Tag = day. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Dienstag is the subject.
Akk Wir verschieben den Termin auf den Dienstag.
We're postponing the appointment to Tuesday.
verschieben = to postpone · der Termin = appointment. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den), here after "auf" indicating a target day.
Dat Die Karten sind am Dienstag für den halben Preis zu haben.
Tickets are half price on Tuesday.
die Karte = ticket · der halbe Preis = half price. "Am" = an + dem (contraction) — maskulin Dativ. The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Nom Ein Dienstag im Mai war besonders schön.
A Tuesday in May was especially beautiful.
der Mai = May · besonders = especially. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Sie planen einen ruhigen Dienstag.
They are planning a quiet Tuesday.
planen = to plan · ruhig = quiet. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Das Geschäft ist an den Dienstagen geschlossen.
The store is closed on Tuesdays.
das Geschäft = store · geschlossen = closed. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Dienstag adds "-n" (Dienstage → Dienstagen) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
das Dienstmädchen — maid
Plural: die Dienstmädchen (unchanged — "-chen" diminutives never change in the plural). An old-fashioned word for a household servant; today "die Haushaltshilfe" is more common.
Nom Das Dienstmädchen macht die Hausarbeit.
The maid does the housework.
das Dienstmädchen (neutral) = maid · die Hausarbeit = housework. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Dienstmädchen is the subject. The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Akk Die Familie stellt das Dienstmädchen ein.
The family hires the maid.
einstellen = to hire (separable verb) · die Familie = family. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das).
Dat Der Hausherr zahlt dem Dienstmädchen den Lohn.
The head of the household pays the maid's wages.
der Hausherr = head of the household · zahlen = to pay (+ Dativ for the recipient) · der Lohn = wages. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Dienstmädchen räumt das Zimmer auf.
A maid tidies up the room.
aufräumen = to tidy up (separable verb) · das Zimmer = room. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ, same as "das."
Akk Wir suchen ein Dienstmädchen.
We are looking for a maid.
suchen = to look for. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ — the article never changes for neuter nouns between these two cases.
Dat Der Haushalt dankt den Dienstmädchen für ihre Arbeit.
The household thanks the maids for their work.
der Haushalt = household · danken = to thank (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Dienstmädchen already ends in -n, so no extra -n is added.
diese — these
A der-word — declines like "der/die/das" but with the stem "dies-." "Diese" is the plural form (all genders) as well as the feminin singular Nominativ/Akkusativ form.
Ich erkenne diese Kinder.
I recognize these children.
erkennen = to recognize · das Kind (Pl. Kinder) = child. "Diese" — plural form, used for all genders. The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
dieser — this
Maskulin singular Nominativ form of the der-word "dies-" (compare: diese = feminin/plural, dieses = neutral). Fixed phrase dieses ist = "this is."
Dieser Mann ist mein Vater.
This man is my father.
der Mann = man · der Vater = father. "Dieser" — maskulin Nominativ, agrees with "Mann." The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Dieses ist mein Lieblingsbuch.
This is my favorite book.
das Lieblingsbuch = favorite book. "Dieses ist" — a slightly formal/older equivalent of "Das ist" / "Dies ist" ("this is"), the fixed phrase given alongside "dieser" in the dictionary.
das Ding — thing
Plural: die Dinge. The dictionary's own example uses a bare plural (no article), a common way to make a general statement: "Ich muss zu viele Dinge erledigen." = "I have too many things to do."
Nom Das Ding ist kaputt.
The thing is broken.
das Ding (neutral) = thing · kaputt = broken. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Ding is the subject.
Akk Ich verstehe das Ding nicht.
I don't understand the thing.
verstehen = to understand. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das).
Dat Was ist mit dem Ding passiert?
What happened to the thing?
passieren = to happen · mit + Dativ = with/to. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Ding liegt auf dem Boden.
A thing is lying on the floor.
liegen = to lie/be located · der Boden = floor. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ, same as "das."
Akk Sie hält ein Ding in der Hand.
She's holding a thing in her hand.
halten = to hold · die Hand = hand. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ — the article never changes for neuter nouns between these two cases.
Dat Er hilft mir bei tausend Dingen.
He helps me with a thousand things.
helfen bei = to help with (+ Dativ) · tausend = thousand. Plural Dativ: the noun adds "-n" (Dinge → Dingen) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
etwas — something
Indeclinable — "etwas" never changes form, unlike "Ding." Opposite: nichts = "nothing."
Ich möchte dir etwas sagen.
I want to tell you something.
möchten = would like to · sagen = to say/tell. "Etwas" functions as the direct object here and needs no article or case ending.
Wie geht's? — how are things? / how's it going?
An informal contraction of "Wie geht es dir?" ("How goes it to you?") — a casual way to ask how someone is doing.
„Wie geht's?" – „Danke, gut!"
"How's it going?" – "Thanks, good!"
geht's = geht es (contraction) · danke = thanks. A standard informal greeting exchange.
der Direktor — principal
Feminine: die Direktorin, plural die Direktorinnen. Plural of "der Direktor": die Direktoren (note the stress shift and the -en plural, unlike most masculine nouns).
Nom Der Direktor begrüßt die neuen Schüler.
The principal welcomes the new students.
begrüßen = to welcome/greet · der Schüler = student. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Direktor is the subject.
Akk Die Eltern besuchen den Direktor.
The parents visit the principal.
die Eltern (Pl.) = parents · besuchen = to visit. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Die Lehrerin schreibt dem Direktor einen Brief.
The teacher writes the principal a letter.
die Lehrerin = teacher (f.) · schreiben = to write · der Brief = letter. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) — the indirect object.
Nom Ein Direktor trägt viel Verantwortung.
A principal carries a lot of responsibility.
tragen = to carry · die Verantwortung = responsibility. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Die Schule hat in diesem Jahr einen neuen Direktor.
The school has a new principal this year.
die Schule = school · in diesem Jahr = this year. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen). The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Dat Die Lehrer vertrauen den Direktoren.
The teachers trust the principals.
vertrauen = to trust (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Direktoren already ends in -n, so no extra -n is added.
der Dollar — dollar
Plural: die Dollar (unchanged after a number, e.g. "zehn Dollar") or die Dollars (as a general plural noun).
Nom Der Dollar liegt auf dem Tisch.
The dollar bill is lying on the table.
der Dollar (maskulin) = dollar · liegen = to lie/be located · der Tisch = table. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Dollar is the subject.
Akk Ich finde den Dollar auf der Straße.
I find the dollar on the street.
finden = to find · die Straße = street. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Sie kauft das Eis mit dem Dollar.
She buys the ice cream with the dollar.
kaufen = to buy · das Eis = ice cream. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit."
Nom Ein Dollar liegt auf dem Boden.
A dollar is lying on the floor.
der Boden = floor. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Die Zeitung kostet einen Dollar.
The newspaper costs one dollar.
die Zeitung = newspaper · kosten = to cost. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen). The dictionary's own example, unchanged.
Dat Wir bezahlen mit den Dollars aus dem Urlaub.
We pay with the dollars from the vacation.
bezahlen = to pay · der Urlaub = vacation. Plural Dativ: article "den"; "Dollars" already ends in -s, so no extra -n is added (unlike most plural nouns).