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German Student Dictionary — Part 18
Dictionary entries, alphabetical: Eichhörnchen – elf.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Eichhörnchen — squirrel
Plural: die Eichhörnchen (unchanged — diminutive nouns ending in "-chen" are always neuter and never change in the plural, like "das Mädchen"). The dictionary's own example uses the indefinite article; adapted below to the definite article for the Nominativ drill: "Auf dem Baum sitzt ein graues Eichhörnchen." (There is a grey squirrel in the tree.)
Nom Auf dem Baum sitzt das graue Eichhörnchen.
The grey squirrel is sitting in the tree.
das Eichhörnchen (neutral) = squirrel · grau = grey. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Eichhörnchen is the subject. Adapted from the dictionary's own example (originally "ein graues Eichhörnchen") by swapping to the definite article.
Akk Die Kinder füttern das Eichhörnchen.
The children feed the squirrel.
füttern = to feed. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das). Eichhörnchen is the direct object.
Dat Wir geben dem Eichhörnchen eine Nuss.
We give the squirrel a nut.
geben = to give (+Dativ for the recipient) · die Nuss, ü-e = nut. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Eichhörnchen läuft über den Zaun.
A squirrel runs across the fence.
laufen über = to run across · der Zaun, ä-e = fence. "Ein" — no ending before neutral Nominativ, same as "das."
Akk Ich fotografiere ein Eichhörnchen im Park.
I photograph a squirrel in the park.
fotografieren = to photograph · der Park, -s = park. Neutral Akkusativ indefinite looks identical to Nominativ — the article never changes for neuter nouns between these two cases.
Dat Der Wald bietet den Eichhörnchen viel Nahrung.
The forest offers the squirrels plenty of food.
der Wald, ä-er = forest · bieten = to offer · die Nahrung = food. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Eichhörnchen already ends in "-n," so no further "-n" is added.
die Eidechse — lizard
Plural: die Eidechsen. The dictionary's own example already uses the definite article, reused unchanged below.
Nom Die Eidechse schläft auf dem Stein.
The lizard is sleeping on the rock.
die Eidechse (feminin) = lizard · schlafen, er schläft = to sleep · der Stein, -e = stone/rock. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Eidechse is the subject. The dictionary's own example.
Akk Der Junge fängt die Eidechse.
The boy catches the lizard.
der Junge = boy · fangen, er fängt = to catch. Feminine nouns keep "die" in both Nominativ and Akkusativ — no change here. Eidechse is the direct object.
Dat Wir nähern uns langsam der Eidechse.
We slowly approach the lizard.
sich nähern = to approach (+Dativ) · langsam = slowly. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Eidechse sonnt sich auf dem Felsen.
A lizard is sunning itself on the rock.
sich sonnen = to sun oneself · der Felsen = rock/boulder. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite, no extra ending.
Akk Ich beobachte eine Eidechse im Garten.
I'm watching a lizard in the garden.
beobachten = to watch/observe · der Garten, ä- = garden. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Die Katze läuft den Eidechsen hinterher.
The cat chases after the lizards.
die Katze = cat · hinterherlaufen (+Dativ) = to chase/run after. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Eidechsen already ends in "-n," so no further change.
eifersüchtig — jealous
Governs "auf" + Akkusativ: "eifersüchtig auf jemanden/etwas" = jealous of someone/something.
Unsere Katze ist auf unser neues Kätzchen eifersüchtig.
Our cat is jealous of our new kitten.
eifersüchtig auf (+Akkusativ) = jealous of · das Kätzchen = kitten. Predicate adjective — no ending after "ist." The dictionary's own example.
Mein Bruder wird eifersüchtig, wenn ich mit seinem Hund spiele.
My brother gets jealous when I play with his dog.
werden = to become · der Hund, -e = dog. "Eifersüchtig" stays uninflected as a predicate adjective with "werden" too.
eigen — own
The dictionary lists it as "eigene, -r, -s," showing how the ending changes with gender and case, exactly like any attributive adjective.
Dieses ist meine eigene Kamera.
This is my very own camera.
die Kamera, -s = camera. "Eigene" — feminin Nominativ ending -e after the possessive "meine" (mixed declension). The dictionary's own example.
Er hat einen eigenen Schlüssel für die Wohnung.
He has his own key to the apartment.
der Schlüssel = key · die Wohnung, -en = apartment. "Eigenen" — maskulin Akkusativ ending -en after "einen" (mixed declension).
die Eile — hurry
An abstract noun, almost always used without an article in the fixed phrases "Eile haben" (to be in a hurry) and the related "es eilig haben" (also "to be in a hurry," from the adjective "eilig") — the dictionary's own example: "Es hat keine Eile." (There is no hurry.) No natural plural, so — like "Blut" or "Zeit" elsewhere in this dictionary — this entry skips the indefinite-article and plural drills.
Nom Die Eile macht ihn nervös.
The hurry makes him nervous.
die Eile (feminin) = hurry · nervös = nervous · machen = to make. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Eile is the subject.
Akk Sie versteckt die Eile hinter einem Lächeln.
She hides her hurry behind a smile.
verstecken = to hide · das Lächeln = smile. Feminine nouns keep "die" in both Nominativ and Akkusativ — no change here.
Dat In der Eile vergisst er seinen Schlüssel.
In the rush, he forgets his key.
vergessen, er vergisst = to forget · der Schlüssel = key. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "in" (stative — describing where, not motion toward).
der Eimer — pail; bucket
Plural: die Eimer (unchanged, like "der Lehrer"). The dictionary gives two examples: "Er gießt Wasser aus dem Eimer" (reused below, Dativ definite) and "Ich trage Wasser in einem Eimer" (I carry water in a bucket) — an indefinite Dativ, a case pairing this drill doesn't cover (the indefinite examples below only drill Nominativ and Akkusativ).
Nom Der Eimer steht neben der Tür.
The bucket is standing next to the door.
der Eimer (maskulin) = pail/bucket · stehen = to stand · die Tür, -en = door. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Eimer is the subject.
Akk Sie füllt den Eimer mit Sand.
She fills the bucket with sand.
füllen = to fill · der Sand = sand. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Er gießt Wasser aus dem Eimer.
He pours water from the pail.
gießen = to pour · das Wasser = water. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "aus." The dictionary's own example.
Nom Ein Eimer voll Wasser steht im Garten.
A bucket full of water is standing in the garden.
voll = full (of) · der Garten, ä- = garden. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Wir brauchen einen Eimer für den Sand.
We need a bucket for the sand.
brauchen = to need. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen) — mirrors der → den.
Dat Die Kinder spielen mit den Eimern am Strand.
The children play with the buckets on the beach.
der Strand, ä-e = beach. Plural Dativ: the article is "den," and Eimer adds "-n" (Eimer → Eimern) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
ein; eine — a; an
The indefinite article: "ein" before maskulin/neutral nouns, "eine" before feminine — it changes endings by case exactly the same way as "kein/mein/dein/sein/ihr/unser/euer/Ihr" (see any noun entry's indefinite examples in this dictionary for the full pattern). Not to be confused with "eins," the number "one" — covered in the next entry.
Dies ist ein alter Film.
This is an old movie.
der Film, -e = movie · alt = old. "Ein" — maskulin Nominativ indefinite article, no ending. The dictionary's own example.
Ich habe eine Tochter und einen Sohn.
I have a daughter and a son.
die Tochter, ö- = daughter · der Sohn, ö-e = son. "Eine" (feminin Akkusativ) and "einen" (maskulin Akkusativ) — both direct objects of "habe," showing how the indefinite article changes with gender. The dictionary's own example.
eins — one; the one
As a standalone number, "eins" (Ich habe eins = I have one); attributively before a noun it takes the same forms as the indefinite article ("ein Keks" = one cookie), but stressed to mean "one" rather than "a." Related phrases from the dictionary: "einer nach dem andern" = one by one; "der/die/das dort" = that one (over there); and the more formal pronoun "derjenige, der / diejenige, die / dasjenige, das" = "the one who," used to point ahead to a person or thing about to be described (e.g. "Derjenige, der zuerst kommt, gewinnt" = "The one who comes first wins").
Möchtest du einen Keks oder zwei?
Do you want one cookie or two?
der Keks, -e = cookie. Here "einen" is the number "one," contrasted with "zwei" (two), rather than just the indefinite article. The dictionary's own example.
Geben Sie mir bitte den einen dort in der Ecke.
Please give me that one in the corner.
die Ecke, -n = corner. "Der eine" = "that one" (as opposed to another), a pronoun standing in for a noun already understood from context. The dictionary's own example.
der Eingang — entrance
Plural: die Eingänge (umlaut + -e, like "der Gang" → "die Gänge"). The dictionary's own example already uses the definite article, reused unchanged below.
Nom Der Eingang zum Flur ist durch die rote Tür.
The entrance to the hall is through the red door.
der Eingang (maskulin) = entrance · der Flur, -e = hall/hallway · zum = zu + dem. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Eingang is the subject. The dictionary's own example.
Akk Wir finden den Eingang nicht.
We can't find the entrance.
finden = to find. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Die Gäste warten vor dem Eingang.
The guests are waiting in front of the entrance.
der Gast, ä-e = guest · warten vor (+Dativ) = to wait in front of. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Eingang führt direkt in die Küche.
An entrance leads directly into the kitchen.
führen = to lead · direkt = directly · die Küche, -n = kitchen. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Der Architekt plant einen neuen Eingang.
The architect is planning a new entrance.
der Architekt, -en = architect · planen = to plan. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Sicherheitsleute stehen an den Eingängen.
Security staff stand at the entrances.
die Sicherheitsleute (Pl.) = security staff. Plural Dativ: the article is "den," and Eingang's plural Eingänge adds "-n" (Eingänge → Eingängen) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
eingießen — to pour
Separable verb: ein- + gießen. Present tense: ich gieße ein, du gießt ein, er/sie gießt ein...
Mutter gießt allen Kaffee ein.
Mom pours coffee for everyone.
die Mutter, ü- = mother · der Kaffee = coffee · allen = for everyone (Dativ of "alle"). "Gießt...ein" — separable verb, the prefix moves to the end in a main clause. The dictionary's own example.
Ich gieße mir noch etwas Saft ein.
I'll pour myself a little more juice.
der Saft, ä-e = juice. "Gieße...ein" — ich-form, prefix still moves to the end.
einige — several
Only used in the plural; takes the same weak-plural ending (-e in Nominativ/Akkusativ, -n in Dativ) as other plural quantifiers like "viele" or "wenige."
Lasst uns noch einige Minuten auf ihn warten.
Let's wait for him several more minutes.
die Minute, -n = minute · warten auf (+Akkusativ) = to wait for. "Einige" takes the plural -e ending before "Minuten." The dictionary's own example.
Einige Schüler kommen heute zu spät.
Several students are arriving late today.
der Schüler = student · zu spät = too late. Same plural -e ending regardless of the noun's gender.
einkaufen — to shop
Present tense: ich kaufe ein, du kaufst ein, er/sie kauft ein... Fixed phrase: "einkaufen gehen" = to go shopping.
Ich muss heute Lebensmittel einkaufen.
I have to shop for groceries today.
müssen = must/have to · die Lebensmittel (Pl.) = groceries. After a modal verb, the whole separable infinitive "einkaufen" stays together at the end. The dictionary's own example.
Wir kaufen samstags immer im Supermarkt ein.
We always shop at the supermarket on Saturdays.
der Supermarkt, ä-e = supermarket · samstags = on Saturdays. "Kaufen...ein" — separable, the prefix moves to the end in a main clause.
einladen — to invite
Present tense: ich lade ein, du lädst ein, er/sie lädt ein (stem change a → ä, like "laden," to load) ... wir laden ein. The related noun "die Einladung" (invitation) is common enough for its own entry, just below.
Wir laden alle unsere Freunde zur Party ein.
We're inviting all our friends to the party.
der Freund, -e = friend · zur = zu + der · die Party, -s = party. "Laden...ein" — separable verb, the prefix moves to the end. The dictionary's own example.
Er lädt seine Nachbarn zum Kaffee ein.
He invites his neighbors for coffee.
der Nachbar, -n = neighbor (weak noun) · zum = zu + dem. "Lädt" — stem change a → ä in the du/er-form.
die Einladung — invitation
Plural: die Einladungen. Built from "einladen" (to invite) — split out from that entry above as its own, clearly distinct noun.
Nom Die Einladung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The invitation is lying on the table.
die Einladung (feminin) = invitation · der Tisch, -e = table. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Einladung is the subject.
Akk Ich lese die Einladung noch einmal.
I read the invitation once more.
lesen, er liest = to read. Feminine nouns keep "die" in both Nominativ and Akkusativ — no change here.
Dat Wir folgen der Einladung gern.
We gladly accept the invitation.
folgen (+Dativ) = to follow (here: to accept, to take up). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Einladung kommt per E-Mail an.
An invitation arrives by email.
ankommen = to arrive · per E-Mail = by email. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite, no extra ending.
Akk Ich schreibe eine Einladung für die Feier.
I'm writing an invitation for the celebration.
schreiben = to write · die Feier, -n = celebration. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Der Drucker druckt Namen auf den Einladungen.
The printer prints names on the invitations.
der Drucker = printer · drucken = to print. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Einladungen already ends in "-n," so no further change.
einmal — once
Fixed phrases built from "einmal": "es war einmal" = once upon a time (the classic fairy-tale opener); "noch einmal" = once again/one more time; "auf einmal" = all at once/suddenly.
Zeig es mir nur einmal, und ich weiß wie man es macht.
Show me just once and I'll know how to do it.
zeigen = to show · wissen, er weiß = to know. Imperative "zeig" (du-command). The dictionary's own example.
Ich war einmal in Berlin.
I was once in Berlin.
sein, war (Präteritum) = to be. "Einmal" here means "at one point," describing a single past occasion.
die Eintrittskarte — ticket
Plural: die Eintrittskarten. Built from "der Eintritt" (entry/admission) + "die Karte" (card).
Nom Die Eintrittskarte kostet zehn Euro.
The ticket costs ten euros.
die Eintrittskarte (feminin) = (admission) ticket · kosten = to cost · der Euro, -s = euro. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Eintrittskarte is the subject.
Akk Hast du die Eintrittskarte für den Zoo?
Do you have the ticket for the zoo?
der Zoo, -s = zoo. Feminine nouns keep "die" in both Nominativ and Akkusativ — no change here. Adapted from the dictionary's own example (originally the plural "die Eintrittskarten") by singularizing.
Dat Mit der Eintrittskarte kommt man kostenlos ins Museum.
With the ticket, entry to the museum is free.
kostenlos = free (of charge) · ins = in + das · das Museum, Museen = museum. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "mit."
Nom Eine Eintrittskarte liegt schon bereit.
A ticket is already lying ready.
bereit = ready. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite, no extra ending.
Akk Ich kaufe eine Eintrittskarte für das Konzert.
I'm buying a ticket for the concert.
das Konzert, -e = concert. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ.
Dat An der Kasse warten viele Leute mit den Eintrittskarten.
At the ticket counter, many people are waiting with their tickets.
die Kasse, -n = ticket counter/register · die Leute (Pl.) = people. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Eintrittskarten already ends in "-n," so no further change.
einzig — only
Almost always used attributively (before a noun), commonly for "the only one" of something.
Sie ist die einzige Person, die hier Französisch spricht.
She is the only person who speaks French here.
die Person, -en = person · sprechen, er spricht = to speak. "Einzige" — feminin Nominativ weak ending -e after "die." The dictionary's own example.
Das war unser einziger Fehler.
That was our only mistake.
der Fehler = mistake. "Einziger" — maskulin Nominativ ending -er after the possessive "unser" (mixed declension).
das Eis — ice
A mass noun like "Wasser" or "Schnee" — no plural and rarely an indefinite article in this "frozen water" sense, so this entry skips those drills. Colloquially "Eis" can also mean "ice cream" — especially the compound "das Speiseeis" (literally "food-ice") or when ordering ("ein Eis, bitte" = one ice cream, please); the dictionary bundles that sense, plus "der Eiswürfel" (ice cube, its own entry later in this list), under the same headword. The dictionary's own example is a bare, article-free mass-noun phrase: "Es gibt Eis im Gefrierfach." (There is ice in the freezer.)
Nom Das Eis auf dem See ist noch dünn.
The ice on the lake is still thin.
das Eis (neutral) = ice · der See, -n = lake · dünn = thin. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Eis is the subject.
Akk Die Sonne schmilzt das Eis langsam.
The sun slowly melts the ice.
die Sonne = sun · schmelzen, es schmilzt = to melt · langsam = slowly. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das).
Dat Die Kinder rutschen auf dem Eis aus.
The children slip on the ice.
ausrutschen (separable) = to slip. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem) after "auf" (stative — describing where, not motion).
das Eisen — iron
A mass noun like "Gold" or "Holz" — no plural or indefinite article in this metal sense, so this entry skips those drills. Fixed phrase: "aus Eisen" = made of iron — no article needed, as in the dictionary's own example below.
Nom Das Eisen wird im Ofen geschmolzen.
The iron is melted in the furnace.
das Eisen (neutral) = iron · der Ofen, ö- = furnace/oven · schmelzen = to melt (passive: wird geschmolzen). "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Eisen is the subject.
Akk Der Schmied bearbeitet das Eisen mit dem Hammer.
The blacksmith works the iron with the hammer.
der Schmied, -e = blacksmith · bearbeiten = to work (on) · der Hammer, ä- = hammer. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das).
Dat Aus dem Eisen entsteht ein stabiler Zaun.
A sturdy fence is made from the iron.
entstehen aus (+Dativ) = to arise/result from · stabil = sturdy · der Zaun, ä-e = fence. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem) after "aus." Adapted from the dictionary's own example ("Der Zaun ist aus Eisen," which uses no article at all, as is typical for a bare material noun after "aus").
die Eisenbahn — railroad
Plural: die Eisenbahnen. Built from "das Eisen" (iron) + "die Bahn" (track/way).
Nom Die Eisenbahn fährt pünktlich ab.
The train departs on time.
die Eisenbahn (feminin) = railroad/train · abfahren (separable) = to depart · pünktlich = on time. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Eisenbahn is the subject.
Akk Wir nehmen die Eisenbahn nach München.
We take the train to Munich.
nehmen, er nimmt = to take. Feminine nouns keep "die" in both Nominativ and Akkusativ — no change here.
Dat Ich fahre gern mit der Eisenbahn.
I like to travel on the railroad.
fahren, er fährt = to travel/go (by vehicle) · gern = gladly, "to like to." "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "mit." The dictionary's own example.
Nom Eine alte Eisenbahn führt durch das Tal.
An old railroad runs through the valley.
führen durch = to run/lead through · das Tal, ä-er = valley. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite, no extra ending.
Akk Der Ingenieur plant eine neue Eisenbahn.
The engineer is planning a new railroad.
der Ingenieur, -e = engineer. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ.
Dat In vielen Ländern gibt es Streiks bei den Eisenbahnen.
In many countries there are strikes at the railroads.
das Land, ä-er = country · der Streik, -s = strike. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Eisenbahnen already ends in "-n," so no further change.
das Eislaufen — ice skating
Plural: none. Like all nominalized infinitives ("das Lesen," "das Schwimmen"), "Eislaufen" is always neuter and never pluralizes or takes an indefinite article, so this entry only drills the three definite-article cases. The verb "eislaufen" (to skate) and the person "der Eisläufer" (skater) are covered in their own entries, just below.
Nom Das Eislaufen macht im Winter viel Spaß.
Ice skating is a lot of fun in winter.
das Eislaufen (neutral, nominalized infinitive) = ice skating · der Winter = winter · der Spaß = fun. "Das" — neutral Nominativ. Eislaufen is the subject.
Akk Siehst du gern das Eislaufen?
Do you like to watch ice skating?
sehen, er sieht = to see/watch. Neutral Akkusativ keeps the same form as Nominativ (das → das); here Eislaufen is the direct object of "sehen." The dictionary's own example.
Dat Beim Eislaufen braucht man warme Handschuhe.
When ice skating, you need warm gloves.
beim = bei + dem · der Handschuh, -e = glove. "Dem" because neutral Dativ (das → dem), contracted here into "beim."
der Eisläufer — skater
Feminine: die Eisläuferin (plural die Eisläuferinnen). Plural of "der Eisläufer": die Eisläufer (unchanged, like "der Lehrer"). Built from "Eis" (ice) + "Läufer" (runner, from "laufen," to run).
Nom Der Eisläufer dreht sich elegant.
The skater spins elegantly.
der Eisläufer (maskulin) = (ice) skater · sich drehen = to spin/turn · elegant = elegantly. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Eisläufer is the subject.
Akk Alle bewundern den Eisläufer.
Everyone admires the skater.
bewundern = to admire. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Die Trainerin gibt dem Eisläufer neue Tipps.
The coach gives the skater new tips.
die Trainerin, -nen = (female) coach · der Tipp, -s = tip. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein junger Eisläufer gewinnt die Medaille.
A young skater wins the medal.
jung = young · die Medaille, -n = medal · gewinnen = to win. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Das Publikum feiert einen mutigen Eisläufer.
The audience celebrates a courageous skater.
das Publikum = audience · feiern = to celebrate · mutig = courageous. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Der Trainer applaudiert den Eisläufern nach der Kür.
The coach applauds the skaters after the routine.
applaudieren (+Dativ) = to applaud · die Kür, -en = (free) routine. Plural Dativ: the article is "den," and Eisläufer adds "-n" (Eisläufer → Eisläufern) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
eislaufen — to skate
Separable verb: eis- + laufen. Present tense: ich laufe eis, du läufst eis, er/sie läuft eis (stem change au → äu, same as plain "laufen"). Most often paired with "gehen": "eislaufen gehen" = to go ice skating.
Wir gehen jeden Winter eislaufen.
We go ice skating every winter.
gehen + Infinitiv = to go (do something) · jeden Winter = every winter (Akkusativ of time).
Er läuft seit drei Jahren eis.
He has been ice skating for three years.
seit (+Dativ) = since/for (a duration) · das Jahr, -e = year. "Läuft...eis" — separable verb, the prefix moves to the end in a main clause.
der Eiswürfel — ice cube
Plural: die Eiswürfel (unchanged in Nominativ/Akkusativ, like "der Lehrer" — only Dativ plural adds "-n"). Built from "Eis" (ice) + "der Würfel" (cube/die) — split out from the "Eis" entry above as its own, clearly distinct compound noun.
Nom Der Eiswürfel schmilzt schnell in der Sonne.
The ice cube melts quickly in the sun.
der Eiswürfel (maskulin) = ice cube · schmelzen, er schmilzt = to melt · die Sonne = sun. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Eiswürfel is the subject.
Akk Sie legt den Eiswürfel ins Glas.
She puts the ice cube in the glass.
legen = to put/lay · ins = in + das · das Glas, ä-er = glass. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Das Getränk schmeckt besser mit dem Eiswürfel.
The drink tastes better with the ice cube.
schmecken = to taste · das Getränk, -e = drink. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit."
Nom Ein Eiswürfel fällt auf den Boden.
An ice cube falls onto the floor.
fallen, er fällt = to fall · der Boden, ö- = floor. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Ich brauche noch einen Eiswürfel für die Limonade.
I need one more ice cube for the lemonade.
die Limonade, -n = lemonade. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Der Cocktail wird mit den Eiswürfeln serviert.
The cocktail is served with the ice cubes.
der Cocktail, -s = cocktail · servieren = to serve. Plural Dativ: the article is "den," and Eiswürfel adds "-n" (Eiswürfel → Eiswürfeln) since it doesn't already end in -n or -s.
elastisch — elastic
Also seen in the noun "die Elastizität" (elasticity).
Das Gummiband ist elastisch.
The rubber band is elastic.
das Gummiband, ä-er (neutral) = rubber band · elastisch = elastic. Predicate adjective — no ending after "ist." Corrected from the dictionary's own example, which had the wrong gender article ("der" instead of "das" — Gummiband is neuter, built from "das Band").
Diese Hose hat einen elastischen Bund.
These pants have an elastic waistband.
die Hose, -n = pants · der Bund, ü-e = waistband. "Elastischen" — maskulin Akkusativ ending -en after "einen" (mixed declension).
der Elefant — elephant
Weak noun — takes "-en" in every case except Nominativ singular (den/dem/des Elefanten), the same pattern as "der Drache" or "der Junge." Plural: die Elefanten (same form as the weak Akkusativ/Dativ singular). The dictionary's own example uses the plural, which doesn't slot into any of the cases drilled below: "Diese Elefanten kommen aus Afrika." (These elephants come from Africa.)
Nom Der Elefant frisst viele Blätter.
The elephant eats many leaves.
der Elefant, -en (maskulin, schwach) = elephant · fressen, er frisst = to eat (for animals) · das Blatt, ä-er = leaf. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. As a weak noun, Elefant keeps this bare form only in Nominativ singular.
Akk Die Kinder füttern den Elefanten im Zoo.
The children feed the elephant at the zoo.
füttern = to feed · der Zoo, -s = zoo. "Den Elefanten" — maskulin Akkusativ; as a weak noun, Elefant adds "-en" here too, not just the article.
Dat Der Pfleger gibt dem Elefanten frisches Wasser.
The keeper gives the elephant fresh water.
der Pfleger = keeper/caretaker · frisch = fresh. "Dem Elefanten" — maskulin Dativ; the weak "-en" ending applies here too.
Nom Ein Elefant steht am Wasserloch.
An elephant is standing at the waterhole.
das Wasserloch, ö-er = waterhole. "Ein" — no ending; weak nouns still keep the bare form here, same as with "der."
Akk Der Fotograf fotografiert einen Elefanten in der Savanne.
The photographer photographs an elephant in the savanna.
der Fotograf, -en = photographer · die Savanne, -n = savanna. "Einen Elefanten" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite; the weak "-en" ending applies here too.
Dat Die Touristen folgen den Elefanten durch den Busch.
The tourists follow the elephants through the bush.
der Tourist, -en = tourist (also weak) · folgen (+Dativ) = to follow · der Busch, ü-e = bush. Plural Dativ: the article is "den"; Elefant's plural is already "Elefanten" (from the weak declension), so no further "-n" is added.
elektrisch — electric
Regular adjective — takes the usual endings for its case, gender, and the article that precedes it.
Benutzt du einen elektrischen Rasierer?
Do you shave with an electric razor?
benutzen = to use · der Rasierer = razor/shaver. "Elektrischen" — maskulin Akkusativ ending -en after "einen" (mixed declension). The dictionary's own example.
Wir kaufen eine elektrische Zahnbürste.
We're buying an electric toothbrush.
die Zahnbürste, -n = toothbrush. "Elektrische" — feminin Akkusativ ending -e after "eine."
elf — eleven
Cardinal number — invariable, like all numbers above "eins."
Eine Mannschaft beim Amerikanischen Fußball hat elf Spieler.
There are eleven players on an American football team.
die Mannschaft, -en = team · der Spieler = player. "Elf" doesn't change form here, regardless of the case of "Spieler." The dictionary's own example.