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German Student Dictionary — Part 86
Dictionary entries, alphabetical: Warenhaus – Wellensittich.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Warenhaus — department store
Plural: die Warenhäuser (umlaut). Literally "goods house" — a compound of "die Ware" (goods/merchandise) + "das Haus".
Nom Das Warenhaus ist groß.
The department store is big.
das Warenhaus (neutrum) = department store · groß = big. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Wir besuchen das Warenhaus.
We visit the department store.
besuchen = to visit. "Das" — neutrum Akkusativ, unchanged.
Dat Meine Mutter arbeitet in dem Warenhaus.
My mother works in the department store.
Adapted from the dictionary's own example (which uses the indefinite article "einem Warenhaus"). arbeiten in = to work in (+ Dativ, location). "Dem" because neutrum Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein neues Warenhaus öffnet in der Stadt.
A new department store is opening in the city.
öffnen = to open · die Stadt = city. "Ein" — no ending before neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Sie besuchen ein großes Warenhaus.
They visit a big department store.
besuchen = to visit. "Ein" — neutrum Akkusativ indefinite, unchanged.
Dat Es gibt viele Angebote in den Warenhäusern.
There are many deals in the department stores.
das Angebot = deal/offer. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Warenhaus takes an umlaut (Warenhäuser) and adds -n → Warenhäusern.
warm — warm
Related idiom bundled in the source: warmherzig sein = to be warm-hearted (describing a person's character, not the temperature).
Es ist heute sehr warm.
It is very warm today.
warm = warm (temperature). Distinct from "warmherzig" (warm-hearted), which describes a person.
Es war ein schöner, warmer Sommertag.
It was a nice, warm summer day.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "schöner"). schön = nice/beautiful · der Sommertag = summer day.
warten — to wait
Governs the preposition "auf" + Akkusativ when waiting for something/someone: "auf den Bus warten". "Wartezimmer" (waiting room, below) is a genuinely distinct compound noun built on this verb.
Ich warte im Vorzimmer.
I'm going to wait in the anteroom.
The dictionary's own example. das Vorzimmer = anteroom/front room.
Wir warten auf den Bus.
We are waiting for the bus.
warten auf = to wait for (+ Akkusativ) · der Bus = bus.
das Wartezimmer — waiting room
Plural: die Wartezimmer (unchanged). Bundled from the "warten" paragraph — a genuinely distinct compound noun, literally "wait room".
Nom Das Wartezimmer ist voll.
The waiting room is full.
das Wartezimmer (neutrum) = waiting room · voll = full. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Wir betreten das Wartezimmer.
We enter the waiting room.
betreten = to enter. "Das" — neutrum Akkusativ, unchanged.
Dat Die Patienten sitzen in dem Wartezimmer.
The patients sit in the waiting room.
der Patient = patient · sitzen in = to sit in (+ Dativ, location). "Dem" because neutrum Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein kleines Wartezimmer liegt neben der Praxis.
A small waiting room is next to the practice.
die Praxis = (doctor's) practice. "Ein" — no ending before neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Der Arzt braucht ein größeres Wartezimmer.
The doctor needs a bigger waiting room.
der Arzt = doctor · brauchen = to need. "Ein" — neutrum Akkusativ indefinite, unchanged.
Dat Es liegen viele Zeitschriften in den Wartezimmern.
There are many magazines in the waiting rooms.
die Zeitschrift = magazine. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Wartezimmer adds -n → Wartezimmern.
warum — why
A very common question word — often paired with "weil" (because, below) in an answer.
Warum bist du so traurig?
Why are you so sad?
The dictionary's own example. traurig = sad.
was — what
An invariant question word — doesn't change form for gender, number, or case.
Was hast du gesagt?
What did you say?
The dictionary's own example. sagen = to say.
Was ist los?
What's wrong?
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "1st" → "ist"). Fixed phrase — literally "what is going on," used to ask if something is wrong.
waschen — to wash
Stem-changing verb: ich wasche, du wäschst, er/sie wäscht. Reflexive: sich waschen = to wash oneself. Two compounds bundled in the source, Waschbecken (bathroom sink) and Waschmaschine (washing machine), already have their own entries — see Part 6 and Part 51. "Waschbär" (raccoon) and "Wäsche" (laundry), also bundled here, are genuinely distinct words and get their own entries below.
Wir müssen das schmutzige Auto waschen.
We must wash the dirty car.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "müssen"). schmutzig = dirty · das Auto = car.
Ich wasche mich jeden Morgen.
I wash (myself) every morning.
Reflexive use: sich waschen = to wash oneself · mich = myself (Akkusativ reflexive pronoun).
der Waschbär — raccoon
Plural: die Waschbären. Weak noun (like "der Bär," which it's built from) — adds -en in every case except Nominativ singular: "den Waschbären", "dem Waschbären". Literally "wash bear."
Nom Der Waschbär ist nachtaktiv.
The raccoon is nocturnal.
der Waschbär (maskulin) = raccoon · nachtaktiv = nocturnal. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Der Bauer sieht den Waschbären im Garten.
The farmer sees the raccoon in the garden.
der Bauer = farmer · sehen = to see. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Waschbär adds -en (weak noun) → Waschbären.
Dat Wir geben dem Waschbären etwas zu essen.
We give the raccoon something to eat.
geben = to give (+ Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem). Waschbären adds -en in Dativ too (weak noun).
Nom Ein neugieriger Waschbär durchsucht den Mülleimer.
A curious raccoon searches through the trash can.
neugierig = curious · der Mülleimer = trash can. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Sie fotografiert einen Waschbären.
She photographs a raccoon.
fotografieren = to photograph. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen). Waschbären adds -en (weak noun).
Dat Der Wald ist voll von wilden Waschbären.
The forest is full of wild raccoons.
der Wald = forest · voll von = full of (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: Waschbär adds -en → Waschbären (weak noun, same form as singular Akkusativ/Dativ).
die Wäsche — laundry
Uncountable in the laundry sense, like "das Wasser" — this drill sticks to the definite article only. "Die Wäsche machen" = to do the laundry.
Nom Die Wäsche ist nass.
The laundry is wet.
die Wäsche (feminin) = laundry · nass = wet. "Die" — feminin Nominativ.
Akk Ich mache heute die Wäsche.
I'm doing the laundry today.
machen = to do/make — "die Wäsche machen" is a fixed phrase for doing laundry. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ.
Dat Der Fleck geht nicht aus der Wäsche heraus.
The stain won't come out of the laundry.
der Fleck = stain · aus = out of (+ Dativ). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
das Wasser — water
A mass noun, like "das Papier" — this drill sticks to the definite article only. Common compounds: "das Mineralwasser" (mineral/still water) and "das Sprudelwasser" (sparkling/soda water) — both mass nouns too, and both frequently ordered by name in restaurants.
Nom Das Wasser ist kalt.
The water is cold.
das Wasser (neutrum) = water · kalt = cold. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Ich bin durstig. Darf ich ein Glas Wasser haben?
I'm thirsty. May I have a glass of water?
The dictionary's own example (no article, since "Wasser" here is a mass noun inside "ein Glas Wasser"). durstig = thirsty · das Glas = glass.
Dat Der Fisch schwimmt in dem Wasser.
The fish swims in the water.
der Fisch = fish · schwimmen in = to swim in (+ Dativ, describing where the swimming happens, not a one-time entry). "Dem" because neutrum Dativ (das → dem).
die Wassermelone — watermelon
Plural: die Wassermelonen. Literally "water melon" — a transparent compound, like in English. Bundled from the "Wasser" paragraph — a genuinely distinct, countable fruit.
Nom Die Wassermelone ist süß.
The watermelon is sweet.
die Wassermelone (feminin) = watermelon · süß = sweet. "Die" — feminin Nominativ.
Akk Wir schneiden die Wassermelone.
We cut the watermelon.
schneiden = to cut. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ.
Dat Der Saft kommt aus der Wassermelone.
The juice comes from the watermelon.
der Saft = juice. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus".
Nom Eine reife Wassermelone liegt auf dem Tisch.
A ripe watermelon is lying on the table.
reif = ripe · liegen = to lie/be located. "Eine" — no ending before feminin Nominativ.
Akk Ich kaufe eine Wassermelone.
I buy a watermelon.
kaufen = to buy. "Eine" — feminin Akkusativ indefinite, unchanged.
Dat Der Stand ist voll von frischen Wassermelonen.
The stand is full of fresh watermelons.
der Stand = stand/stall · voll von = full of (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: Wassermelone adds -n → Wassermelonen.
wechseln — to change (money)
Regular verb (stem drops the "e" before the ending): ich wechsle, du wechselst, er/sie wechselt.
Können Sie bitte diesen Schein wechseln?
Can you please change/break this bill?
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "Können"). der Schein = (bank)note/bill.
Ich möchte Euro in Dollar wechseln.
I would like to change euros into dollars.
der Euro = euro · der Dollar = dollar.
der Wecker — alarm clock
Plural: die Wecker (unchanged).
Nom Mein Wecker klingelt zu laut.
My alarm clock rings too loud.
The dictionary's own example. klingeln = to ring · laut = loud.
Akk Ich stelle den Wecker auf sieben Uhr.
I set the alarm clock for seven o'clock.
stellen = to set. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Die Melodie kommt von dem Wecker.
The melody comes from the alarm clock.
die Melodie = melody/tune · kommen von = to come from (+ Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein neuer Wecker steht auf dem Nachttisch.
A new alarm clock stands on the nightstand.
der Nachttisch = nightstand. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Wir kaufen einen Wecker.
We buy an alarm clock.
kaufen = to buy. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Das Geschäft verkauft viele Arten von Weckern.
The shop sells many kinds of alarm clocks.
verkaufen = to sell · von = of (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den" (here "viele Arten von" replaces it); Wecker adds -n → Weckern.
der Weg — way; path
Plural: die Wege.
Nom Der Weg ist steil.
The path is steep.
der Weg (maskulin) = way/path · steil = steep. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Wir haben denselben Weg; lasst uns zusammen gehen.
We are going the same way; let's walk together.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "lasst"). derselbe = the same · zusammen = together. "Denselben" declines like "den" — maskulin Akkusativ.
Dat Das Auto steht auf dem Weg.
The car is standing on the path.
stehen auf = to stand on (+ Dativ, location). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein schmaler Weg führt zum Fluss.
A narrow path leads to the river.
schmal = narrow · der Fluss = river. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Wir suchen einen Weg.
We're looking for a way.
suchen = to look for. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Es gibt viele Blumen an den Wegen.
There are many flowers along the paths.
die Blume = flower · an = by/along (+ Dativ, location). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Weg adds -en → Wegen.
wegen — because of
Traditionally governs Genitiv ("wegen des Wetters"), though Dativ is increasingly common in casual speech ("wegen dem Wetter"). Stick with Genitiv for formal writing.
Meine Tochter kommt wegen meines Geburtstags.
My daughter is coming because of my birthday.
The dictionary's own example. die Tochter = daughter · der Geburtstag = birthday. "Meines Geburtstags" — maskulin Genitiv (mein → meines, Geburtstag adds -s).
weh tun — to hurt
Used with a Dativ pronoun for the person affected: "Mir tut der Kopf weh" = my head hurts (literally "to me the head hurts"). Written as two words, not a true separable verb.
Ich kann nicht gehen, weil meine Füße weh tun.
I can't walk because my feet hurt.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "Füße"). gehen = to walk/go · der Fuß = foot (plural: die Füße).
weich — soft
Opposite: "hart" (hard).
Diese Decke ist weich.
This blanket is soft.
The dictionary's own example. die Decke = blanket.
das Weihnachten — Christmas
Neuter in form but almost always used without an article, like "Ostern" (Easter) — this drill skips the article entirely, and there's no indefinite or plural form since there's only one Christmas per year.
Nom Weihnachten ist am 25. Dezember.
Christmas is on December 25.
The dictionary's own example. der Dezember = December. No article — "Weihnachten" behaves like a proper noun.
Akk Wir feiern Weihnachten mit der ganzen Familie.
We celebrate Christmas with the whole family.
feiern = to celebrate · die Familie = family. Still no article in Akkusativ — the word doesn't change form.
Dat Was schenkst du mir zu Weihnachten?
What are you giving me for Christmas?
schenken = to give (as a gift) · zu Weihnachten = at/for Christmas (+ Dativ, fixed phrase, no article).
der Weihnachtsabend — Christmas Eve
Plural: die Weihnachtsabende (rarely used — this is normally a once-a-year, definite-article noun). A compound of "Weihnachten" + "der Abend" (evening) — previously just mentioned in passing inside the "Abend" entry (Part 1); it gets its own full entry here.
Nom Der Weihnachtsabend ist besonders.
Christmas Eve is special.
der Weihnachtsabend (maskulin) = Christmas Eve · besonders = special. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Wir verbringen den Weihnachtsabend zusammen.
We spend Christmas Eve together.
verbringen = to spend (time). "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Die Kinder sind an dem Weihnachtsabend aufgeregt.
The children are excited on Christmas Eve.
an = on (+ Dativ, specific day) · aufgeregt = excited. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein ruhiger Weihnachtsabend liegt vor uns.
A quiet Christmas Eve lies ahead of us.
ruhig = quiet · vor = ahead of (+ Dativ). "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Sie planen einen besonderen Weihnachtsabend.
They plan a special Christmas Eve.
planen = to plan. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Wir sprechen von den Weihnachtsabenden früherer Jahre.
We talk about the Christmas Eves of earlier years.
sprechen von = to talk about (+ Dativ) · früher = earlier. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Weihnachtsabend adds -en → Weihnachtsabenden.
weil — because
Subordinating conjunction — sends the conjugated verb to the end of its clause. "Da" (in an earlier part) is a close synonym, typically used when the reason is already obvious to the listener.
Johann kann nicht gehen, weil er arbeiten muss.
John can't go because he has to work.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR headword "weil" and "muss"). müssen = must/have to.
der Wein — wine
Uncountable as a beverage, like "das Wasser" — this drill sticks to the definite article only. In a restaurant, "einen Wein bestellen" (to order a wine) uses the indefinite article idiomatically, meaning "a glass of wine."
Nom Dieser rote Wein kommt aus Frankreich.
This red wine comes from France.
The dictionary's own example. rot = red · Frankreich = France. "Wein" is the subject — Nominativ.
Akk Ich trinke gern Wein.
I like to drink wine.
trinken = to drink. No article — "Wein" here is a mass noun.
Dat Der Kellner rät mir zu diesem Wein.
The waiter recommends this wine to me.
der Kellner = waiter · raten zu = to recommend/advise (+ Dativ). "Diesem" declines like "dem" — maskulin Dativ.
weinen — to cry; to weep
Regular verb: ich weine, du weinst, er/sie weint.
Viele Leute weinten bei der Beerdigung.
Many people cried during the funeral.
The dictionary's own example (past tense: weinen → weinten). die Beerdigung = funeral.
weise — wise
Related noun: "die Weisheit" (wisdom).
Wir fragten den weisen, alten Mann um Rat.
We asked the wise old man for advice.
The dictionary's own example. fragen um Rat = to ask for advice · der Mann = man.
weiß — white
Also the "ich/er" form of the verb "wissen" (to know) — context distinguishes the adjective from the verb form.
Das Papier ist weiß.
The paper is white.
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "weiß"). das Papier = paper.
weit — far
"Weit von" = far from (+ Dativ).
Wohnst du weit von hier?
Do you live far from here?
The dictionary's own example. wohnen = to live (reside) · weit von = far from (+ Dativ).
der Weizen — wheat
A material/crop noun, like "das Papier" or "der Pfeffer" — this drill sticks to the definite article only.
Nom Der Weizen wächst auf dem Feld.
The wheat grows in the field.
der Weizen (maskulin) = wheat · wachsen = to grow · das Feld = field. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Die Bäckerei braucht viel Weizen für das Brot.
The bakery needs a lot of wheat for the bread.
die Bäckerei = bakery · brauchen = to need. No article — "Weizen" here is a mass noun.
Dat Das Mehl kommt aus dem Weizen.
The flour comes from the wheat.
Adapted from the dictionary's own example (which uses the compound "Weizenmehl"). das Mehl = flour. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "aus".
welche; -r; -s — what; which
Declines like the definite article for gender, number, and case: welcher (m) / welche (f) / welches (n) in Nominativ, welchen (m Akk), welchem (m/n Dat), welcher (f Dat).
Welche Straße sollen wir nehmen?
Which street should we take?
The dictionary's own example (fixed OCR "Straße"). welche agrees with "die Straße" (feminin). nehmen = to take.
Welcher Tag ist heute?
Which day is today?
welcher agrees with "der Tag" (maskulin) — same -er ending pattern as "der".
die Welle — wave
Plural: die Wellen. The dictionary's own example — "Riesige Wellen schlugen im Sturm an Land" (Huge waves came ashore in the storm) — uses the bare plural as its subject, so it's cited here rather than forced into one of the case slots below.
Nom Die Welle ist hoch.
The wave is high.
die Welle (feminin) = wave · hoch = high. "Die" — feminin Nominativ.
Akk Wir beobachten die Welle.
We watch the wave.
beobachten = to watch/observe. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ.
Dat Das Boot schaukelt auf der Welle.
The boat rocks on the wave.
das Boot = boat · schaukeln auf = to rock on (+ Dativ, location). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine riesige Welle nähert sich dem Strand.
A huge wave approaches the beach.
riesig = huge · sich nähern = to approach (+ Dativ). "Eine" — no ending before feminin Nominativ.
Akk Der Surfer sucht eine gute Welle.
The surfer looks for a good wave.
der Surfer = surfer · suchen = to look for. "Eine" — feminin Akkusativ indefinite, unchanged.
Dat Die Kinder spielen in den Wellen.
The children play in the waves.
spielen in = to play in (+ Dativ, location). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Welle adds -n → Wellen (already ends in -n, unchanged).
der Wellensittich — parakeet
Plural: die Wellensittiche. Also called "der Sittich" for short, or nicknamed "Welli" colloquially.
Nom Dieser Wellensittich ist ein sehr lauter Vogel!
This parakeet is a very noisy bird!
The dictionary's own example. laut = loud/noisy · der Vogel = bird.
Akk Wir füttern den Wellensittich.
We feed the parakeet.
füttern = to feed. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den).
Dat Das Kind spricht mit dem Wellensittich.
The child talks with the parakeet.
sprechen mit = to talk with (+ Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein bunter Wellensittich sitzt im Käfig.
A colorful parakeet sits in the cage.
bunt = colorful · der Käfig = cage. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Sie kauft einen Wellensittich.
She buys a parakeet.
kaufen = to buy. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen).
Dat Der Tierarzt hilft den Wellensittichen.
The vet helps the parakeets.
der Tierarzt = vet · helfen = to help (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Wellensittich adds -en → Wellensittichen.