Appearance
Vocab: Animals — A1 (1)
Animals vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Adler — eagle
Adler normally means eagle. The plural is also Adler, so the article or verb must help you recognise the number.
Der Adler fliegt über den Berg.
The eagle is flying over the mountain.
fliegt means is flying, and über den Berg means over the mountain. Der Adler is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb fliegt stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Adler im Zoo.
We see the eagle at the zoo.
sehen means see, and im Zoo means at the zoo. Den Adler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wir geben dem Adler etwas Futter.
We give the eagle some food.
geben means give, and etwas Futter means some food. Dem Adler is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Flügel des Adlers sind sehr breit.
The eagle's wings are very broad.
die Flügel means the wings, and sehr breit means very broad. Des Adlers is genitive to show possession; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Adler leben in vielen Ländern.
Eagles live in many countries.
leben means live, and vielen Ländern means many countries. Adler is plural and has the same form as the singular; the verb leben shows that the subject is plural.
der Affe — monkey
Affe is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in every singular case except the nominative, and its plural is Affen.
Der Affe klettert auf den Baum.
The monkey climbs the tree.
klettert means climbs, auf den Baum means onto the tree, and Baum means tree. Der Affe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb klettert stands in position two, while auf den Baum is accusative because it expresses movement towards a place.
Ich sehe den Affen im Zoo.
I see the monkey at the zoo.
ich sehe means I see, im Zoo means at the zoo, and Zoo means zoo. Den Affen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun changes from der Affe to den Affen.
Das Kind gibt dem Affen eine Banane.
The child gives the monkey a banana.
das Kind is the child, gibt means gives, and eine Banane is a banana. Dem Affen is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine Banane is accusative as the thing given; the noun keeps -en in the dative.
Die Farbe des Affen ist dunkelbraun.
The monkey's colour is dark brown.
die Farbe means the colour, ist means is, and dunkelbraun means dark brown. Des Affen is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; des and the ending -en belong to this weak masculine noun.
Im Zoo leben viele Affen.
Many monkeys live at the zoo.
im Zoo means at the zoo, leben means live, and viele means many. Affen is plural after viele, and im is short for in dem, which is dative because it describes a fixed location; the plural form also ends in -en.
das Aquarium — aquarium
The plural is Aquarien, not Aquariums. The genitive is des Aquariums.
Das Aquarium steht im Wohnzimmer.
The aquarium is in the living room.
das Wohnzimmer means living room. Das Aquarium is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich putze das Aquarium jeden Samstag.
I clean the aquarium every Saturday.
putzen means to clean and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Das Aquarium is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze stands in position two.
Die Fische schwimmen in dem Aquarium.
The fish are swimming in the aquarium.
die Fische means the fish and schwimmen means swim. In takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, so dem Aquarium is dative; schwimmen is in position two.
Die Farbe des Aquariums ist blau.
The colour of the aquarium is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. Des Aquariums is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In vielen Zoos gibt es Aquarien.
There are aquariums in many zoos.
in vielen Zoos means in many zoos, and gibt es means there are. Aquarien is plural after es gibt, which takes an accusative object; vielen Zoos is dative because in describes location.
beißen — to bite; to bite; to sting
Beißen normally takes an accusative object, as in jemanden beißen. It is a strong verb with the principal parts beißen – biss – hat gebissen.
Der Hund beißt den Mann.
The dog bites the man.
der Hund is the dog and der Mann is the man. Den Mann is accusative because beißen takes the person or animal bitten; the finite verb beißt is in position two.
Der Hund hat den Mann gebissen.
The dog has bitten the man.
der Hund is the dog and der Mann is the man. Den Mann is accusative after beißen; the perfect uses hat in position two and gebissen at the end.
Der Hund biss den Mann gestern.
The dog bit the man yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. Den Mann is accusative because it is the direct object; the strong past form biss stands in position two.
Beiß nicht!
Don't bite!
nicht means not. Beiß is the informal singular command without a subject; nicht comes after the command to make it negative.
Der kleine Hund würde mich nicht beißen.
The small dog would not bite me.
klein means small and nicht means not. Mich is accusative because it is the person bitten; with würde, the infinitive beißen stays together at the end.
Der Hund wird den Brief gleich beißen.
The dog will bite the letter in a moment.
der Brief is the letter and gleich means in a moment. Den Brief is accusative after beißen; in the future, wird is in position two and beißen goes to the end.
Die Mücke beißt mich am Arm.
The mosquito bites me on the arm.
die Mücke is the mosquito and der Arm is the arm. Mich is accusative because it is the person affected; am Arm means on the arm, and the finite verb beißt is in position two.
Mich hat eine Mücke gebissen.
A mosquito bit me.
eine Mücke means a mosquito. Mich is accusative and is placed first for emphasis; hat remains in position two, while gebissen goes to the end.
bellen — to bark; to snap at, to bark at
bellen is normally used for dogs and similar animals; people do not usually bellen in the literal sense. It is a regular weak verb, and its perfect is formed with haben: hat gebellt.
Der Hund bellt im Garten.
The dog is barking in the garden.
der Hund means the dog and Garten means garden. The finite verb bellt is in position two; im Garten means in the garden, with in taking the dative for a fixed location.
Der Hund hat die ganze Nacht gebellt.
The dog barked all night.
die ganze Nacht means all night. The perfect uses hat plus gebellt because bellen takes haben; the finite auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der kleine Hund bellte vor der Tür.
The little dog barked in front of the door.
klein means little, vor means in front of, and Tür means door. vor der Tür is dative because vor describes location here; bellte is the regular simple-past form in position two.
Bell nicht so laut!
Do not bark so loudly!
nicht means not and so laut means so loudly. The imperative omits du and places bell at the beginning; the exclamation mark expresses the command, not part of the verb form.
Wenn der Hund allein wäre, bellte er die ganze Zeit.
If the dog were alone, it would bark all the time.
wenn means if, allein means alone, and die ganze Zeit means all the time. The form bellte is identical in spelling to the simple past here, but the unreal meaning comes from the conditional clause; after wenn, the finite verb stands at the end.
Der Nachbar wird sich beschweren, wenn der Hund weiter bellt.
The neighbour will complain if the dog keeps barking.
Nachbar means neighbour, sich beschweren means complain, and weiter means continuously or further. Future uses wird plus an infinitive, but in the wenn clause the present bellt is natural for a future condition and stands at the end.
Warum bellst du mich so an?
Why are you snapping at me like that?
warum means why and mich means me. In the figurative expression jemanden anbellen, the person is accusative; the separable verb splits, with bellst in position two and an at the end.
Er hat den neuen Kollegen angebellt.
He snapped at the new colleague.
neuen Kollegen means new colleague. The person is accusative because anbellen takes an accusative object; in the perfect the prefix stays attached in angebellt, and the participle goes to the end.
die Biene — bee
A Biene can sting, but it normally makes honey and lives in a colony. The plural is Bienen, with no change to the vowel.
Die Biene sitzt auf einer Blume.
The bee is sitting on a flower.
sitzt means is sitting, and die Blume is a flower. Die Biene is nominative because it is the subject; auf einer Blume is dative because auf describes a location, not movement.
Ich sehe eine Biene.
I can see a bee.
sehen means to see. eine Biene is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Biene etwas Zucker.
I give the bee some sugar.
geben means to give, and Zucker is sugar. der Biene is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Zucker is the accusative thing given.
Der Stich der Biene tut weh.
The bee's sting hurts.
der Stich is the sting, and weh tun means to hurt. der Biene is genitive because it shows whose sting it is; the phrase tut weh is split around the adverb weh.
Die Bienen fliegen von Blume zu Blume.
The bees fly from flower to flower.
fliegen means to fly, and von Blume zu Blume means from flower to flower. Bienen is plural and is the subject, so the verb is fliegen, not singular fliegt.
der Bär — bear
Der Bär is a weak masculine noun: outside the nominative singular, it uses Bären. Do not confuse der Bär with die Beere, which means berry.
Der Bär schläft im Winter.
The bear sleeps in winter.
schläft means sleeps and im Winter means in winter. Der Bär is nominative because it is the subject, while im means in dem and takes the dative for a time or location.
Wir sehen den Bären im Zoo.
We see the bear at the zoo.
sehen means to see and der Zoo means zoo. Den Bären is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; der Bär is a weak masculine noun and therefore adds -en.
Das Kind gibt dem Bären einen Apfel.
The child gives the bear an apple.
das Kind means child and einen Apfel means an apple. Dem Bären is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative, and this weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Die Höhle des Bären ist dunkel.
The bear's cave is dark.
die Höhle means cave and dunkel means dark. Des Bären is genitive because it shows whose cave it is; the weak masculine noun uses -en, not -s.
Im Wald leben viele Bären.
Many bears live in the forest.
im Wald means in the forest, leben means live, and viele means many. Viele Bären is the plural subject, while im Wald is dative because in describes a fixed location.
der Elefant — elephant
Elefant is a masculine weak noun. It takes -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, and its plural is also Elefanten.
Der Elefant trinkt Wasser.
The elephant is drinking water.
trinkt means drinks or is drinking, and das Wasser means water. Der Elefant is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trinkt is in position two.
Wir sehen einen Elefanten.
We see an elephant.
wir sehen means we see. Einen Elefanten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the masculine weak noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Das Kind gibt dem Elefanten eine Karotte.
The child gives the elephant a carrot.
das Kind means the child and die Karotte means the carrot. Dem Elefanten is dative because geben gives something to someone; this weak noun keeps -en in the dative.
Die Ohren des Elefanten sind riesig.
The elephant's ears are huge.
die Ohren means the ears and riesig means huge. Des Elefanten is genitive because it shows whose ears they are; the weak noun has -en and the article des marks the genitive.
Im Zoo leben drei Elefanten.
Three elephants live at the zoo.
im Zoo means at the zoo and drei means three. Elefanten is the plural form, and im is short for in dem, with the dative marking a location.
die Ente — duck
Die Ente schwimmt auf dem Teich.
The duck is swimming on the pond.
schwimmt means is swimming, and der Teich is the pond. Die Ente is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb schwimmt is in position two.
Das Kind füttert die Ente.
The child is feeding the duck.
das Kind is the child, and füttern means to feed. Die Ente is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Ente Brot.
I give the duck bread.
geben means to give, and das Brot is bread. Der Ente is dative because it is the receiver, while Brot is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe der Ente ist sehr schön.
The duck's colour is very beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour, and schön means beautiful. Der Ente is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Enten laufen zum Wasser.
The ducks are walking to the water.
laufen means walk or run, and das Wasser is water. Die Enten is the plural subject, and zum means zu dem, which puts dem Wasser in the dative.
der Esel — donkey; fool; idiot
The plural is also Esel, with no ending. In figurative use, calling someone an Esel means that the person is foolish or has made a silly mistake.
Der Esel steht auf der Wiese.
The donkey is standing in the meadow.
steht means is standing, and die Wiese is the meadow. Der Esel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Kinder füttern den Esel.
The children are feeding the donkey.
die Kinder are the children, and füttern means feed. Den Esel is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; only the masculine article changes from der to den.
Das Mädchen gibt dem Esel eine Karotte.
The girl gives the donkey a carrot.
das Mädchen is the girl, gibt means gives, and eine Karotte is a carrot. Dem Esel is dative because it is the receiver, while eine Karotte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Ohren des Esels sind sehr lang.
The donkey’s ears are very long.
die Ohren are the ears, sehr means very, and lang means long. Des Esels is genitive to show possession; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben drei Esel.
Three donkeys live on the farm.
der Bauernhof is the farm and leben means live. Esel has the same spelling in the singular and plural; drei and the meaning show that it is plural.
Du Esel! Du hast den Schlüssel vergessen.
You fool! You forgot the key.
Du means you, der Schlüssel is the key, and vergessen means forget. Esel is used as a direct form of address, not as the subject of the second sentence; hast vergessen is the perfect tense.
Er benimmt sich wie ein Esel.
He is behaving like a fool.
sich benehmen means to behave, and wie means like or as. Ein Esel follows wie here and stays nominative-like in form; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to er.
die Eule — owl
Die Eule is feminine, and its plural is die Eulen. It is often associated with night because many owls are nocturnal; the plural ending -n must be included.
Die Eule sitzt auf dem Baum.
The owl is sitting in the tree.
sitzt means is sitting, auf dem Baum means in or on the tree, and der Baum is the tree. Die Eule is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Baum uses dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Eule im Garten.
I see the owl in the garden.
sehe means see, im Garten means in the garden, and der Garten is the garden. Die Eule is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Garten is dative for a fixed location.
Ich gebe der Eule etwas Futter.
I give the owl some food.
gebe means give, etwas Futter means some food, and Futter is animal food. Der Eule is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Augen der Eule sind sehr groß.
The owl's eyes are very large.
die Augen are the eyes, and groß means large. Der Eule is genitive because it shows whose eyes they are; the feminine genitive article is der, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Im Wald leben viele Eulen.
Many owls live in the forest.
im Wald means in the forest, viele means many, and leben means live. Eulen is the plural subject, so it takes the plural verb leben; the location comes first, but the verb remains in position two.
der Fisch — fish; Pisces person
Fisch can mean one fish or fish as food. The plural is Fische when you mean individual animals; the uncountable food meaning commonly has no plural in ordinary use.
Der Fisch schwimmt im Wasser.
The fish is swimming in the water.
schwimmt means swims and im Wasser means in the water. Der Fisch is nominative as the subject; im Wasser is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Die Katze frisst den Fisch.
The cat is eating the fish.
die Katze means the cat and frisst means eats. Den Fisch is accusative because fressen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Fisch Futter.
I give the fish food.
gebe means give and Futter means food. Dem Fisch is dative as the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Fisches ist schön.
The fish’s colour is beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour and schön means beautiful. Des Fisches is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the masculine noun adds -es.
Im Teich schwimmen viele Fische.
Many fish are swimming in the pond.
der Teich means the pond, schwimmen means swim, and viele means many. Fische is plural and nominative as the subject; im Teich is dative because it describes location.
Mein Bruder ist Fisch.
My brother is a Pisces.
mein Bruder means my brother and ist means is. Fisch is used predicatively here without an article after sein; this special meaning refers to the star sign, not an animal.
Sie ist als Fisch geboren.
She was born under Pisces.
sie means she, als means as or under the sign of, and geboren means born. Als Fisch identifies the star sign after als; the phrase ist geboren uses sein with the Partizip II geboren.
die Fliege — fly; bow tie
The plural is Fliegen. The same spelling, with a lowercase initial letter in normal writing, can also be related to fliegen, the verb to fly, so the article or sentence structure is important.
Die Fliege sitzt am Fenster.
The fly is sitting by the window.
sitzt means is sitting, and am Fenster means by or at the window. Die Fliege is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sitzt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Fliege.
I can see the fly.
sehe means see. die Fliege is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe der Fliege einen Namen.
I give the fly a name.
gebe means give, and einen Namen means a name. der Fliege is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Namen is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe der Fliege ist dunkel.
The colour of the fly is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. der Fliege is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Fliegen.
In summer I see many flies.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele means many. Fliegen is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the plural has the article-free form after viele.
Er trägt heute eine Fliege.
He is wearing a bow tie today.
trägt means is wearing, and heute means today. eine Fliege is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Zu seinem Anzug gehört eine Fliege.
A bow tie goes with his suit.
zu seinem Anzug means with his suit, and gehört means belongs or goes with. seinem Anzug is dative because zu always governs the dative; eine Fliege is the nominative subject.
fressen — to eat (of animals); to gobble; to stuff oneself
Fressen is the ordinary verb for animals eating and takes an accusative object, as in Futter fressen. For people, essen is neutral; fressen used of a person sounds rude or suggests greedy, animal-like eating.
Der Hund frisst sein Futter.
The dog is eating its food.
der Hund is the dog and sein Futter is its food. Der Hund is nominative as the subject, sein Futter is accusative as the object, and the finite verb frisst is in position two.
Die Katze hat den Fisch gefressen.
The cat has eaten the fish.
die Katze is the cat and der Fisch is the fish. The perfect is hat gefressen because fressen takes haben; gefressen goes to the end, and den Fisch is accusative.
Der Löwe fraß das Fleisch schnell.
The lion ate the meat quickly.
der Löwe is the lion, das Fleisch is the meat, and schnell means quickly. Fraß is the strong-verb preterite; the finite verb is in position two and das Fleisch is accusative.
Friss nicht so schnell!
Don't eat so quickly!
nicht means not and so schnell means so quickly. Friss is the du imperative, so the subject du is omitted; this form is normally addressed to an animal.
Wenn der Hund hungrig wäre, fräße er alles.
If the dog were hungry, it would eat everything.
wenn means if, hungrig means hungry, and alles means everything. Fräße is the Konjunktiv II of fressen; it comes at the end of the wenn clause, while er is the subject of the main clause.
Der Hund wird den ganzen Napf fressen.
The dog will eat the whole bowlful.
der ganze Napf means the whole bowlful, and werden forms the future. Wird stands in position two and the infinitive fressen goes to the end; den ganzen Napf is accusative.
Die Kaninchen fressen jeden Morgen Karotten.
The rabbits eat carrots every morning.
die Kaninchen are the rabbits, jeden Morgen means every morning, and Karotten are carrots. Die Kaninchen is the plural subject, while Karotten is the accusative object.
Er frisst den ganzen Kuchen allein.
He is gobbling up the whole cake by himself.
der ganze Kuchen is the whole cake and allein means alone or by himself. The verb is accusative here because den ganzen Kuchen is the thing being eaten; about a person, frisst sounds critical or humorous rather than neutral.
Der Junge hat sich mit Chips vollgefressen.
The boy stuffed himself with crisps.
der Junge is the boy, sich vollfressen means to stuff oneself, and Chips are crisps. The perfect uses hat vollgefressen with haben; mit Chips is dative because mit always takes the dative, and sich is the reflexive object.
der Frosch — frog
der Frosch is the animal frog. Its plural is die Frösche, with a vowel change from o to ö.
Der Frosch sitzt am Teich.
The frog is sitting by the pond.
sitzen means to sit, der Teich is the pond, and am means at or by the. Der Frosch is nominative because it is the subject; am Teich is dative because an describes a location here.
Das Kind sieht den Frosch.
The child sees the frog.
das Kind means the child, and sehen means to see. Den Frosch is accusative because sieht takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Frosch etwas Wasser.
I give the frog some water.
geben means to give, and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Frosch is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Frosches ist grün.
The frog's colour is green.
die Farbe means the colour, and grün means green. Des Frosches is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Teich schwimmen die Frösche.
The frogs are swimming in the pond.
im Teich means in the pond, and schwimmen means to swim. Die Frösche is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural changes o to ö.
füttern — to feed; to supply with material or data
füttern takes an accusative object for the person or animal receiving food: jemanden füttern. It normally takes haben in the perfect: hat gefüttert.
Ich füttere jeden Morgen die Katze.
I feed the cat every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and die Katze means the cat. Die Katze is accusative because füttern takes the person or animal being fed as an accusative object; the finite verb füttere stands in position two.
Wir haben den Hund schon gefüttert.
We have already fed the dog.
schon means already, and der Hund means the dog. Den Hund is accusative because it is the object of füttern; haben stands in position two and gefüttert goes to the end.
Sie fütterte die Vögel im Park.
She fed the birds in the park.
die Vögel means the birds, and im Park means in the park. Die Vögel is accusative as the object, while the weak-verb form fütterte stands in position two.
Füttere bitte das Kaninchen!
Please feed the rabbit!
bitte means please, and das Kaninchen means the rabbit. The imperative füttere has no subject; das Kaninchen is accusative because it is the object of füttern.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, fütterte ich die Enten jeden Tag.
If I had more time, I would feed the ducks every day.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and die Enten means the ducks. In this sentence fütterte is the Konjunktiv II form, and it stands at the end of the wenn-clause; die Enten is accusative.
Morgen werde ich die Pferde füttern.
Tomorrow I will feed the horses.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Pferde means the horses. Die Pferde is accusative as the object; werde stands in position two and the infinitive füttern goes to the end.
Die Arbeiter füttern die Maschine mit Metall.
The workers feed the machine with metal.
die Arbeiter means the workers, die Maschine means the machine, and Metall means metal. Die Maschine is accusative as the object of füttern, while mit Metall uses the dative after mit.
Das Programm wird mit neuen Daten gefüttert.
The programme is fed with new data.
das Programm means the programme, and neuen Daten means new data. This is a passive sentence with wird plus gefüttert; mit always takes the dative, so Daten has the dative plural form.
die Giraffe — giraffe
die Giraffe is feminine, even though the animal can be male or female. The plural is die Giraffen, with an added -n.
Die Giraffe ist sehr groß.
The giraffe is very tall.
sehr groß means very tall. Die Giraffe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen die Giraffe.
The children see the giraffe.
die Kinder means the children, and sehen means to see. die Giraffe is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir geben der Giraffe einen Apfel.
We give the giraffe an apple.
geben means to give, and einen Apfel means an apple. der Giraffe is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the direct object einen Apfel is accusative.
Der Hals der Giraffe ist lang.
The giraffe's neck is long.
der Hals means the neck, and lang means long. der Giraffe is genitive to show possession, meaning the neck of the giraffe; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Zoo leben viele Giraffen.
Many giraffes live at the zoo.
im Zoo means at the zoo, and viele means many. Giraffen is the plural subject of leben, and the plural article is omitted here because viele already determines the noun phrase.
der Goldfisch — goldfish
The plural is Goldfische, with an umlaut and -e. The masculine genitive is des Goldfisches; Goldfisch is a normal masculine noun, not a weak noun.
Der Goldfisch schwimmt im Aquarium.
The goldfish is swimming in the aquarium.
schwimmt means is swimming, and das Aquarium is the aquarium. Der Goldfisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schwimmt stands in position two.
Ich füttere den Goldfisch jeden Morgen.
I feed the goldfish every morning.
füttere means feed, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Goldfisch is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the finite verb füttere is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Goldfisch Futter.
I give the goldfish food.
gebe means give, and das Futter is food. Dem Goldfisch is dative because it is the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Goldfisches ist orange.
The goldfish’s colour is orange.
die Farbe means colour, and orange means orange. Des Goldfisches is genitive to show possession, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Goldfische schwimmen im Teich.
The goldfish are swimming in the pond.
schwimmen means are swimming, and der Teich is the pond. Die Goldfische is a plural nominative subject; im Teich is dative because it describes a fixed location after in.
der Hahn — rooster; tap, valve; tap; valve
The plural Hähne normally means male birds, while a tap is usually referred to as der Wasserhahn. The compound Wasserhahn is the everyday word for a water tap.
Der Hahn kräht jeden Morgen.
The rooster crows every morning.
krähen means to crow, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Der Hahn is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kräht stands in position two.
Ich höre den Hahn im Garten.
I hear the rooster in the garden.
hören means to hear, and im Garten means in the garden. den Hahn is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Hahn etwas Futter.
I give the rooster some food.
geben means to give, and etwas Futter means some food. dem Hahn is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Futter is the accusative thing given.
Das Krähen des Hahns weckt mich.
The rooster’s crowing wakes me up.
das Krähen means the crowing, and wecken means to wake someone up. des Hahns is genitive because it shows whose crowing it is; the masculine noun has des and -s.
Auf dem Bauernhof laufen drei Hähne herum.
Three roosters are walking around on the farm.
auf dem Bauernhof means on the farm, and herumlaufen means to walk around. Hähne is the plural of Hahn; auf takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement towards it.
Dreh bitte den Hahn auf.
Please turn on the tap.
bitte means please, and aufdrehen means to turn on; Dreh ... auf is its separable imperative form. den Hahn is accusative because aufdrehen takes a direct object, and the prefix moves to the end in this main clause.
Der Hahn tropft seit gestern.
The tap has been dripping since yesterday.
tropfen means to drip, and seit gestern means since yesterday. Der Hahn is nominative because it is the subject; tropft stands in position two.
der Hase — rabbit, hare
Hase is a weak masculine noun: it has -n in the accusative, dative, genitive, and plural, but not in the nominative singular. The plural is die Hasen, so the plural and the other non-nominative singular forms look alike.
Der Hase sitzt im Garten.
The rabbit is sitting in the garden.
sitzt means is sitting, and der Garten means the garden. Der Hase is the nominative subject; im Garten is dative because in describes a location, not movement.
Ich sehe den Hasen.
I can see the rabbit.
ich sehe means I see. den Hasen is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; as a weak masculine noun, Hase changes to Hasen outside the nominative singular.
Das Kind gibt dem Hasen eine Karotte.
The child gives the rabbit a carrot.
das Kind means the child, and eine Karotte means a carrot. dem Hasen is dative because it is the recipient of gibt; the weak noun keeps -n, while eine Karotte is the accusative thing being given.
Die Ohren des Hasen sind sehr lang.
The rabbit's ears are very long.
die Ohren means the ears, and sehr lang means very long. des Hasen is genitive to show possession; Hase takes -n, although it is singular.
Im Wald leben viele Hasen.
Many rabbits live in the forest.
im Wald means in the forest, and viele means many. Hasen is the plural subject of leben; im Wald is dative because it gives a location.
das Haustier — pet
The compound Haustier means an animal kept in the home: Haus is house and Tier is animal. Unlike English, German uses the neuter article das.
Unser Haustier schläft in der Küche.
Our pet sleeps in the kitchen.
schlafen means to sleep, and die Küche is the kitchen. Unser Haustier is nominative because it is the subject; schläft stands in position two.
Meine Schwester möchte ein Haustier.
My sister would like a pet.
meine Schwester means my sister, and möchte means would like. Ein Haustier is accusative because it is the object of möchte; the infinitive haben is understood and would stand at the end if included.
Wir geben dem Haustier frisches Wasser.
We give the pet fresh water.
geben means to give, and frisches Wasser means fresh water. Dem Haustier is dative because it is the recipient, while frisches Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Das Futter des Haustiers steht im Schrank.
The pet's food is in the cupboard.
das Futter means food, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Des Haustiers is genitive because it shows whose food it is; the neuter noun takes -s.
Viele Haustiere brauchen täglich Pflege.
Many pets need daily care.
viele means many, brauchen means need, and täglich means daily. Haustiere is plural after viele, and Pflege means care.
die Henne — hen, female chicken
die Henne is specifically a female chicken; the male is der Hahn, and a young chicken is das Küken. Its plural is die Hennen.
Die Henne läuft im Hof herum.
The hen is running around in the yard.
läuft herum means runs around, and der Hof means the yard or farmyard. Die Henne is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb herumlaufen splits in the main clause, so läuft is in position two and herum goes to the end.
Das Kind füttert die Henne.
The child is feeding the hen.
das Kind means the child, and füttert means feeds. die Henne is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the feminine article is die in both the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Henne Körner.
I give the hen grains.
ich gebe means I give, and Körner are grains or seeds. der Henne is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while Körner is the accusative thing being given.
Die Eier der Henne liegen im Nest.
The hen's eggs are in the nest.
die Eier means the eggs, liegen means are lying, and das Nest means the nest. der Henne is genitive because it shows whose eggs they are; im Nest is dative because it expresses a fixed location.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben viele Hennen.
Many hens live on the farm.
auf dem Bauernhof means on the farm, leben means live, and viele means many. Hennen is the plural of die Henne; auf dem Bauernhof is dative because the hens are already at a location.
das Huhn — chicken, hen
Das Huhn is a domestic bird kept for eggs and meat. Its plural is irregular: die Hühner; the vowel changes from u to ü.
Das Huhn sitzt im Garten.
The chicken is sitting in the garden.
sitzt means is sitting, and der Garten is the garden. Das Huhn is nominative because it is the subject; im Garten means in the garden and uses the dative for location.
Wir kaufen das Huhn.
We are buying the chicken.
kaufen means buy. Das Huhn is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; with a neuter noun, das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Huhn Körner.
I give the chicken grains.
gebe means give, and Körner are grains. Dem Huhn is dative because it is the receiver, while Körner is the accusative thing given; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Die Eier des Huhns sind frisch.
The chicken’s eggs are fresh.
die Eier means the eggs, and frisch means fresh. Des Huhns is genitive to show possession, and sind is in position two because the subject is die Eier.
Auf dem Hof laufen viele Hühner.
Many chickens are walking around in the farmyard.
auf dem Hof means in the farmyard, laufen means walk or run, and viele means many. Hühner is the irregular plural of das Huhn, with u changing to ü and the ending -er.
der Hund — dog
Hund is the usual word for a dog. A female dog can specifically be called die Hündin, but der Hund is also commonly used for dogs in general.
Der Hund schläft im Garten.
The dog is sleeping in the garden.
schläft means is sleeping, and der Garten means the garden. Der Hund is nominative because it is the subject, while im Garten means in the garden and gives the location.
Ich sehe einen Hund auf der Straße.
I see a dog in the street.
ich sehe means I see, and die Straße means the street. einen Hund is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf der Straße is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe dem Hund ein Leckerli.
I give the dog a treat.
geben means to give, and das Leckerli is a small treat. dem Hund is dative because it is the receiver, while ein Leckerli is accusative because it is the thing given.
Das Futter des Hundes steht in der Küche.
The dog’s food is in the kitchen.
das Futter means food for an animal, and die Küche means the kitchen. des Hundes is genitive because it means “of the dog”; the noun takes -es in this form.
Viele Hunde spielen im Park.
Many dogs are playing in the park.
viele means many, spielen means are playing, and der Park means the park. Viele Hunde is a plural subject in the nominative, and the noun forms its plural with -e.
die Katze — cat
Die Katze schläft auf dem Sofa.
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
schläft means is sleeping and auf dem Sofa means on the sofa. Die Katze is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Sofa is dative because auf describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich sehe die Katze im Garten.
I see the cat in the garden.
sehe means see and im Garten means in the garden. die Katze is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Garten is a dative location after in.
Ich gebe der Katze Milch.
I give the cat milk.
gebe means give and Milch means milk. der Katze is dative because it is the recipient, while Milch is the accusative thing being given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Das Futter der Katze steht in der Küche.
The cat's food is in the kitchen.
das Futter means the food, steht means is standing or is placed, and in der Küche means in the kitchen. der Katze is genitive and shows possession; in der Küche is dative because it gives a location.
Die Katzen spielen draußen.
The cats are playing outside.
spielen means are playing and draußen means outside. Die Katzen is the plural subject, and the noun adds -n; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
das Krokodil — crocodile
The plural is die Krokodile, with an umlaut and -e. Krokodil is a neuter noun, so its nominative and accusative singular article is das.
Das Krokodil liegt am Fluss.
The crocodile is lying by the river.
liegt means is lying, and der Fluss means the river. Das Krokodil is nominative because it is the subject; am Fluss means by the river and contains the dative form dem Fluss.
Ich sehe das Krokodil.
I can see the crocodile.
ich sehe means I can see, and sehen means to see. das Krokodil is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; for this neuter noun, nominative and accusative look the same.
Wir geben dem Krokodil Futter.
We give the crocodile food.
wir geben means we give, and das Futter means food. dem Krokodil is dative because it is the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Krokodils ist dunkel.
The crocodile’s colour is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. des Krokodils is genitive and shows possession; the neuter noun takes des and adds -s.
Die Krokodile schwimmen im See.
The crocodiles are swimming in the lake.
schwimmen means are swimming, and der See means the lake. Die Krokodile is the plural subject; im See means in the lake and uses dative because it describes a location.
die Kuh — cow
The plural has an umlaut: die Kuh, die Kühe. A young cow is das Kalb.
Die Kuh steht auf der Weide.
The cow is standing in the pasture.
steht means is standing and die Weide is the pasture. Die Kuh is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert die Kuh.
The farmer feeds the cow.
der Bauer is the farmer and füttert means feeds. die Kuh is accusative because füttern takes the animal being fed as a direct object; the finite verb füttert is in position two.
Das Kalb folgt der Kuh.
The calf follows the cow.
das Kalb is the calf and folgt means follows. der Kuh is dative because the verb folgen requires a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Milch der Kuh ist frisch.
The cow’s milk is fresh.
die Milch is the milk and frisch means fresh. der Kuh is genitive because it shows whose milk it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben fünf Kühe.
Five cows live on the farm.
der Bauernhof is the farm and leben means live. Kühe is the plural of Kuh, with an umlaut and -e; the plural subject takes leben.
das Kätzchen — kitten
The ending -chen makes a noun smaller or more affectionate, so Kätzchen means a little cat or kitten. It is always neuter, so use das even though a real cat may be male or female.
Das Kätzchen schläft auf dem Sofa.
The kitten is sleeping on the sofa.
schläft means is sleeping, and das Sofa means the sofa. Das Kätzchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Ich sehe das Kätzchen im Garten.
I see the kitten in the garden.
sehe means see, and im Garten means in the garden. Das Kätzchen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the article stays das because neuter nominative and accusative have the same form.
Wir geben dem Kätzchen Milch.
We give the kitten milk.
geben means give, and Milch means milk. Dem Kätzchen is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while Milch is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Kätzchens ist grau.
The kitten's colour is grey.
die Farbe means the colour, and grau means grey. Des Kätzchens is genitive because it shows possession; the neuter article is des and the noun takes -s.
Im Tierheim warten drei Kätzchen.
Three kittens are waiting at the animal shelter.
im Tierheim means at the animal shelter, warten means are waiting, and drei means three. Kätzchen is plural after drei; this noun keeps the same form because it ends in -chen, and the verb follows the fronted phrase in position two.
das Lamm — lamb; lamb meat
The animal is das Lamm; the meat is usually das Lammfleisch. The plural changes the vowel: Lamm, Lämmer.
Das Lamm steht auf der Wiese.
The lamb is standing in the meadow.
die Wiese is the meadow. Das Lamm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe das Lamm auf der Wiese.
I see the lamb in the meadow.
sehen means to see, and die Wiese is the meadow. Das Lamm is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the preposition auf is dative here because the lamb is already in a place, not moving towards it.
Ich gebe dem Lamm eine Karotte.
I give the lamb a carrot.
geben means to give, and eine Karotte is a carrot. Dem Lamm is dative because it is the receiver, while eine Karotte is accusative because it is the thing given.
Das Fell des Lamms ist sehr weich.
The lamb's wool is very soft.
das Fell means the wool or fur, and weich means soft. Des Lamms is genitive because it shows whose wool it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben drei Lämmer.
Three lambs live on the farm.
der Bauernhof is the farm, and drei means three. Lämmer is the plural of Lamm with a vowel change and -er ending; auf dem Bauernhof is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Heute essen wir Lamm mit Gemüse.
Today we are eating lamb with vegetables.
heute means today, and das Gemüse is vegetables. Lamm is used without an article here because it means meat as food; it is the accusative object of essen.
Das Lamm schmeckt mit Rosmarin besonders gut.
The lamb tastes especially good with rosemary.
schmecken means to taste, and der Rosmarin is rosemary. Das Lamm is nominative because it is the subject; mit always takes the dative, although the article is not visible with this mass-noun use.
legen — to put, to lay
Legen means to put or lay something down, usually in a horizontal position, and it takes an accusative object: etwas legen. Do not confuse it with liegen, which means to be lying; legen describes an action and forms its perfect with haben.
Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.
I put the book on the table.
das Buch means the book and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Das Buch is accusative because legen takes an accusative object, and auf takes the accusative here because the book moves onto the table; the finite verb lege is in position two.
Sie hat den Schlüssel neben die Tür gelegt.
She put the key next to the door.
der Schlüssel means the key and neben die Tür means next to the door. Den Schlüssel is accusative after legen, and neben takes the accusative because this expresses movement to a place; hat is in position two and gelegt goes to the end.
Er legte die Decke auf das Sofa.
He laid the blanket on the sofa.
die Decke means the blanket and das Sofa means the sofa. Die Decke is accusative because it is the object of legte, while auf das Sofa is accusative because the blanket is moved there; the weak preterite form legte stands in position two.
Leg das Handy auf den Tisch!
Put the mobile phone on the table!
das Handy means the mobile phone and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Leg is the du imperative, and das Handy is accusative because legen takes an accusative object; auf is accusative because the command expresses movement.
Ich würde das Geld nicht auf den Tisch legen.
I would not put the money on the table.
das Geld means the money and nicht means not. Würde ... legen expresses a hypothetical action; das Geld is accusative after legen, and the infinitive legen goes to the end of the clause.
Wir werden die Karten neben die Lampe legen.
We will put the cards next to the lamp.
die Karten means the cards and neben die Lampe means next to the lamp. Werden is in position two and the infinitive legen goes to the end in the future; die Karten is accusative, and neben is accusative because the cards are moved there.
der Löwe — lion
Der Löwe is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -n in the accusative, dative, genitive, and plural: den Löwen, dem Löwen, des Löwen, die Löwen. The feminine lion is die Löwin.
Der Löwe schläft in der Sonne.
The lion is sleeping in the sun.
schläft means is sleeping, and in der Sonne means in the sun. Der Löwe is nominative because it is the subject, and schläft is in position two.
Ich sehe einen Löwen.
I see a lion.
sehen means see. Einen Löwen is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; this masculine weak noun adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Das Kind gibt dem Löwen Fleisch.
The child gives the lion meat.
das Kind is the child, gibt means gives, and das Fleisch is meat. Dem Löwen is dative because it is the recipient of geben; Löwe takes -n in the dative.
Die Mähne des Löwen ist sehr groß.
The lion's mane is very large.
die Mähne is the mane, and sehr groß means very large. Des Löwen is genitive because it shows possession; this weak masculine noun keeps the ending -n.
Im Zoo sehen wir drei Löwen.
At the zoo we see three lions.
im Zoo means at the zoo, and drei means three. Drei Löwen is plural and accusative because the lions are what sehen sees; the plural form ends in -n.
der Marienkäfer — ladybird, ladybug
The plural is unchanged: der Marienkäfer becomes die Marienkäfer. It is a compound of Marie and Käfer, meaning beetle.
Der Marienkäfer sitzt auf dem Blatt.
The ladybird is sitting on the leaf.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Blatt is the leaf. Der Marienkäfer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Marienkäfer auf der Blume.
I see the ladybird on the flower.
sehe means see, die Blume means flower, and auf means on. Den Marienkäfer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf der Blume is dative because it describes a location.
Wir helfen dem Marienkäfer aus dem Wasser.
We help the ladybird out of the water.
helfen means help, and aus dem Wasser means out of the water. Dem Marienkäfer is dative because helfen always takes a dative object.
Die Farbe des Marienkäfers ist sehr schön.
The ladybird's colour is very beautiful.
die Farbe means colour and sehr schön means very beautiful. Des Marienkäfers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Garten sehe ich viele Marienkäfer.
I see many ladybirds in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden and viele means many. Marienkäfer is plural after viele; this noun has the same form in the singular and plural.
die Maus — mouse; computer mouse
The word can mean the animal or a computer mouse; the plural is Mäuse in both meanings.
Die Maus sitzt unter dem Tisch.
The mouse is sitting under the table.
Sitzt means is sitting, and unter dem Tisch means under the table. Die Maus is nominative because it is the subject; unter takes the dative here because the mouse is in a location, not moving toward it.
Die Katze sieht die Maus.
The cat sees the mouse.
Die Katze means the cat, and sieht means sees. Die Maus is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Maus ein Stück Käse.
I give the mouse a piece of cheese.
Gebe means give, ein Stück Käse means a piece of cheese, and Käse means cheese. Der Maus is dative because geben marks the receiver with dative, while ein Stück Käse is the accusative thing given.
Das Nest der Maus ist im Schrank.
The mouse’s nest is in the cupboard.
Das Nest means the nest, and im Schrank means in the cupboard. Der Maus is genitive because it shows whose nest it is; the feminine noun has no extra genitive ending.
Im Keller leben drei Mäuse.
Three mice live in the cellar.
Im Keller means in the cellar, and leben means live. Mäuse is the plural of Maus, with an umlaut and -e; drei Mäuse is the plural subject.
Die Kinder haben Angst vor der Maus.
The children are afraid of the mouse.
Die Kinder means the children, Angst haben means be afraid, and vor means of or before. Der Maus is dative because the fixed expression Angst haben vor requires vor plus dative.
Meine Maus funktioniert nicht.
My mouse is not working.
Meine means my, and funktioniert nicht means is not working. Meine Maus is nominative because it is the subject; funktioniert is the finite verb in position two.
Klick bitte mit der Maus auf das Bild.
Please click on the picture with the mouse.
Klick bitte means please click, and auf das Bild means on the picture. Der Maus is dative because mit always takes the dative; auf das Bild is accusative because the clicking is directed toward a target.
das Meerschweinchen — guinea pig
Despite containing Schwein, Meerschweinchen means guinea pig, not a small pig from the sea. The plural is unchanged: das Meerschweinchen, but die Meerschweinchen.
Das Meerschweinchen schläft in seinem Käfig.
The guinea pig is sleeping in its cage.
schläft means is sleeping, sein Käfig means its cage, and in means in. Das Meerschweinchen is nominative because it is the subject; in seinem Käfig is dative because it describes a location.
Das Kind füttert das Meerschweinchen.
The child is feeding the guinea pig.
das Kind means the child, and füttern means to feed. Das Meerschweinchen is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Ich gebe dem Meerschweinchen eine Karotte.
I give the guinea pig a carrot.
geben means to give, and eine Karotte means a carrot. Dem Meerschweinchen is dative because it is the recipient of geben; eine Karotte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Meerschweinchens ist braun.
The guinea pig’s colour is brown.
die Farbe means the colour, and braun means brown. Des Meerschweinchens is genitive to show whose colour it is; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kinder beobachten die Meerschweinchen.
The children are watching the guinea pigs.
die Kinder means the children, and beobachten means to watch or observe. Die Meerschweinchen is plural accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the noun has the same form in singular and plural.
die Mücke — mosquito
The plural is die Mücken. The word can refer generally to mosquitoes and, in some contexts, to small gnats or flies.
Die Mücke sitzt an der Wand.
The mosquito is sitting on the wall.
sitzt means is sitting, and die Wand is the wall. Die Mücke is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because an describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich höre die Mücke.
I can hear the mosquito.
höre means hear. Die Mücke is accusative because hören takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Kind schlägt nach der Mücke.
The child swats at the mosquito.
das Kind is the child, and schlägt nach means swats at. Nach takes the dative in this use, so der Mücke is dative; the finite verb schlägt is in position two.
Der Stich der Mücke juckt.
The mosquito’s bite itches.
der Stich is the bite, and juckt means itches. Der Mücke is genitive because it shows whose bite it is; the finite verb juckt stands in position two.
Die Mücken kommen am Abend.
The mosquitoes come in the evening.
kommen means come, and am Abend means in the evening. Die Mücken is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -n is added to Mücke.
das Nilpferd — hippopotamus
The everyday word Nilpferd literally contains Nil, the Nile, but it means hippopotamus in general, not only one living near the Nile.
Das Nilpferd schläft im Wasser.
The hippopotamus is sleeping in the water.
schläft means is sleeping, and im Wasser means in the water. das Nilpferd is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Nilpferd im Zoo.
We see the hippopotamus at the zoo.
sehen means to see, and im Zoo means at the zoo. das Nilpferd is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; for a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Die Kinder geben dem Nilpferd Äpfel.
The children give the hippopotamus apples.
die Kinder are the children, and Äpfel are apples. dem Nilpferd is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while Äpfel is the accusative thing being given.
Die Ohren des Nilpferdes sind klein.
The hippopotamus's ears are small.
die Ohren means the ears, and klein means small. des Nilpferdes is genitive to show possession, and the neuter noun adds -es after des.
Im Fluss leben Nilpferde.
Hippopotamuses live in the river.
im Fluss means in the river, and leben means live. Nilpferde is plural and acts as the nominative subject; the plural form ends in -e and takes the article die when an article is needed.
das Pferd — horse
The plural of das Pferd is die Pferde. A horse can be ridden, while a young horse is called das Fohlen.
Das Pferd steht auf der Wiese.
The horse is standing in the meadow.
die Wiese means meadow. Das Pferd is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe das Pferd.
I can see the horse.
sehen means to see. Das Pferd is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Pferd Wasser.
I give the horse water.
geben means to give, and Wasser means water. Dem Pferd is dative because it is the receiver; Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Pferdes ist schön.
The horse's colour is beautiful.
die Farbe means colour and schön means beautiful. Des Pferdes is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the noun adds -es after des.
Auf dem Hof stehen drei Pferde.
Three horses are standing in the farmyard.
der Hof means farmyard, and drei means three. Pferde is the plural of das Pferd; auf dem Hof is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Pfote — paw
Die Pfote is normally used for an animal's foot; for a person's foot, use der Fuß. In informal speech, it can also describe a person's hand, but this is not the neutral word.
Die Katze hebt die Pfote.
The cat lifts its paw.
die Katze means the cat and hebt means lifts. Die Pfote is accusative because heben takes a direct object, while the finite verb hebt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Pfote meines Hundes.
I can see my dog's paw.
ich sehe means I can see, and meines Hundes means of my dog. Die Pfote is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; meines Hundes is genitive and describes whose paw it is.
Ich gebe dem Hund ein Leckerli für die Pfote.
I give the dog a treat for its paw.
ich gebe means I give, dem Hund is the dog, and ein Leckerli is a treat. Für always takes the accusative, so die Pfote stays accusative after it; dem Hund is dative because it is the recipient.
Die Verletzung der Pfote heilt langsam.
The paw injury is healing slowly.
die Verletzung means the injury, heilt means heals, and langsam means slowly. Der Pfote is genitive after die Verletzung to show possession or association: the injury is of the paw.
Die Hunde haben schmutzige Pfoten.
The dogs have dirty paws.
die Hunde means the dogs, haben means have, and schmutzige means dirty. Pfoten is plural because there is more than one paw; after haben, the paws are a direct accusative object, although the plural article remains die.
Der Hund leckt die Pfote.
The dog is licking its paw.
der Hund means the dog and leckt means licks. Die Pfote is accusative because it is the direct object of lecken, and leckt is in position two.
die Ratte — rat; rat; despicable person (insult)
A Ratte is a small rodent with a long tail. The word is neutral when it refers to the animal; calling a person a Ratte is insulting.
Die Ratte sitzt im Keller.
The rat is sitting in the cellar.
sitzt means is sitting, and der Keller is the cellar. Die Ratte is nominative because it is the subject; im Keller is a dative location phrase with in.
Die Katze jagt die Ratte.
The cat is chasing the rat.
die Katze means the cat and jagt means chases. Die Ratte is accusative because it is the direct object of jagen; with a feminine noun, the article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Ratte Futter.
I give the rat food.
gebe means give, and das Futter means food. Der Ratte is dative because it is the receiver of geben; Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Der Schwanz der Ratte ist lang.
The rat's tail is long.
der Schwanz means the tail and lang means long. Der Ratte is genitive and means of the rat; the feminine noun has no ending change, so the article carries the case information.
Die Ratten leben in der Stadt.
The rats live in the city.
leben means live, and die Stadt is the city. Die Ratten is plural and adds -n; in der Stadt is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it.
Er hat seine Freunde verraten, was für eine Ratte!
He betrayed his friends—what a rat!
seine Freunde means his friends, and verraten means betrayed. Eine Ratte is an insulting comparison here; the exclamation was für eine means what a, and the verb hat ... verraten puts the participle at the end.
Niemand möchte mit dieser Ratte zusammenarbeiten.
Nobody wants to work with this rat.
niemand means nobody, möchte means would like or wants, and zusammenarbeiten means work together. Mit dieser Ratte is dative because mit always takes the dative; after möchte, the infinitive goes to the end.
die Raupe — caterpillar
Raupe normally means the larva of a butterfly or moth. It is not the usual word for a worm; der Wurm means worm.
Die Raupe sitzt auf einem Blatt.
The caterpillar is sitting on a leaf.
sitzen means to sit and das Blatt is the leaf. Die Raupe is nominative because it is the subject, while auf einem Blatt is dative because it describes a location.
Das Kind sieht die Raupe.
The child sees the caterpillar.
das Kind is the child and sehen means to see. Die Raupe is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die.
Das Kind gibt der Raupe ein Blatt.
The child gives the caterpillar a leaf.
geben means to give and ein Blatt is a leaf. Der Raupe is dative because it is the receiver, while ein Blatt is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe der Raupe ist sehr schön.
The caterpillar’s colour is very beautiful.
die Farbe is the colour and sehr schön means very beautiful. Der Raupe expresses possession in the genitive, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Auf dem Blatt sitzen viele Raupen.
Many caterpillars are sitting on the leaf.
auf dem Blatt means on the leaf, viele means many, and sitzen means are sitting. Raupen is the plural with -n; auf dem Blatt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Rind — bovine animal, cow; cattle
Rind can mean an individual bovine animal, while the plural Rinder often means cattle. The meat is called Rindfleisch, meaning beef; do not confuse it with Schwein, pig.
Das Rind steht auf der Weide.
The cow is standing in the pasture.
steht means is standing, and die Weide means pasture or meadow. Das Rind is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Rind.
The farmer feeds the cow.
der Bauer means the farmer and füttert means feeds. das Rind is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article remains das.
Der Bauer gibt dem Rind Wasser.
The farmer gives the cow water.
gibt means gives and das Wasser means water. dem Rind is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the thing given, Wasser, is the accusative object.
Die Farbe des Rindes ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the cow is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Rindes is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the neuter article des and ending -es mark the case.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben viele Rinder.
Many cattle live on the farm.
auf dem Bauernhof means on the farm, leben means live, and viele means many. Rinder is the nominative plural subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, shown by dem Bauernhof.
das Schaf — sheep
The plural is Schafe, with an umlaut and -e. Das Schaf can refer to the animal regardless of its sex; a female sheep can also be called die Schafmutter in farming contexts.
Das Schaf steht auf der Weide.
The sheep is standing in the pasture.
die Weide is the pasture or meadow. Das Schaf is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Der Hund sieht das Schaf.
The dog sees the sheep.
der Hund is the dog. Das Schaf is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sieht stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Schaf frisches Wasser.
I give the sheep fresh water.
frisches Wasser means fresh water. Dem Schaf is dative because geben gives the receiver dative, while frisches Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Wolle des Schafes ist weich.
The sheep's wool is soft.
die Wolle is wool and weich means soft. Des Schafes is genitive because it shows whose wool it is; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Schafe grasen auf dem Feld.
Many sheep are grazing in the field.
viele means many, grasen means graze, and das Feld is the field. Schafe is the plural form; auf dem Feld is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Schildkröte — turtle, tortoise
The German word covers both a turtle and a tortoise; the exact English word depends on the animal and context.
Schildkröte
The turtle.
die Schildkröte is a turtle. The noun is feminine, so the nominative singular article is die; here it is the subject, and the sentence is an identifying label.
Ich sehe eine Schildkröte.
I see a turtle.
sehen means to see. eine Schildkröte is a turtle and is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe der Schildkröte Salat.
I give the turtle lettuce.
geben means to give, and Salat is lettuce. der Schildkröte is dative because it is the recipient, while Salat is the accusative thing given.
Der Panzer der Schildkröte ist sehr hart.
The turtle’s shell is very hard.
der Panzer is the shell and hart means hard. der Schildkröte is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Garten leben drei Schildkröten.
Three turtles live in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden and leben means live. drei Schildkröten is plural; the noun takes -n, and drei does not take an article.
der Schmetterling — butterfly
A Schmetterling is the flying insect with colourful wings. Its regular plural is Schmetterlinge; the noun is masculine, so the article is der in the nominative singular.
Der Schmetterling sitzt auf einer Blume.
The butterfly is sitting on a flower.
sitzt means is sitting and die Blume is the flower. Der Schmetterling is nominative because it is the subject, while auf einer Blume is dative because it describes a location.
Ich sehe den Schmetterling im Garten.
I see the butterfly in the garden.
sehen means to see and der Garten is the garden. den Schmetterling is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im Garten means in the garden and describes location.
Ich gebe dem Schmetterling etwas Wasser.
I give the butterfly some water.
geben means to give, etwas Wasser means some water. dem Schmetterling is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Flügel des Schmetterlings sind sehr bunt.
The butterfly's wings are very colourful.
die Flügel are the wings and bunt means colourful. des Schmetterlings is genitive after die Flügel, showing whose wings they are; the subject of sind is die Flügel, not the butterfly.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Schmetterlinge.
In summer I see many butterflies.
im Sommer means in summer and viele means many. Schmetterlinge is the plural accusative object of sehe, because sehen takes an accusative object.
die Schnecke — snail; snail-shaped pastry; sweet spiral pastry, cinnamon roll
The common meaning is the animal. Schnecke can also mean a spiral-shaped pastry, especially in names such as die Nussschnecke.
Eine Schnecke sitzt auf dem Salat.
A snail is sitting on the lettuce.
sitzen means to sit, and der Salat is the lettuce. Eine Schnecke is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Salat is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Das Kind sieht eine Schnecke.
The child sees a snail.
das Kind is the child, and sehen means to see. eine Schnecke is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Schnecke ein Stück Salat.
I give the snail a piece of lettuce.
geben means to give, and ein Stück Salat is a piece of lettuce. der Schnecke is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Stück Salat is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe der Schnecke ist hellbraun.
The colour of the snail is light brown.
die Farbe is the colour, and hellbraun means light brown. der Schnecke is genitive because it shows whose colour is being described; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Im Garten kriechen viele Schnecken.
Many snails are crawling in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden, and viele means many. viele Schnecken is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kriechen stands in position two.
Zum Frühstück esse ich eine Schnecke.
For breakfast I eat a sweet pastry.
zum Frühstück means for breakfast, and essen means to eat. eine Schnecke is accusative because it is the object of essen; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Die Schnecke mit Zimt schmeckt sehr gut.
The cinnamon pastry tastes very good.
mit Zimt means with cinnamon, and schmecken means to taste. Die Schnecke mit Zimt is nominative because it is the subject; mit Zimt uses the dative after mit.
das Schwein — pig; swine; pig, nasty person (insult)
The literal meaning is a farm animal. In the expression Schwein haben, the word means luck rather than a pig; calling a person ein Schwein can be insulting.
Das Schwein schläft im Stall.
The pig is sleeping in the stable.
der Stall means stable or pigsty. Das Schwein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Schwein.
The farmer feeds the pig.
der Bauer means the farmer and füttern means to feed. das Schwein is accusative because it is the direct object of füttert; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Bauer gibt dem Schwein Futter.
The farmer gives the pig food.
geben means to give and das Futter means animal feed. dem Schwein is dative because it is the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Schweins ist rosa.
The pig’s colour is pink.
die Farbe means the colour and rosa means pink. des Schweins expresses possession, so the neuter genitive uses des and the noun ending -s.
Die Schweine laufen über die Wiese.
The pigs are running across the meadow.
laufen means to run, and die Wiese is the meadow. Die Schweine is plural nominative as the subject; über die Wiese is accusative because it describes movement across it.
Er benimmt sich wie ein Schwein.
He behaves like a pig.
sich benehmen means to behave, and wie means like or as. The phrase wie ein Schwein is a comparison; after wie, the noun phrase keeps the case required by its role, here nominative after sich benehmen wie.
Du bist doch kein Schwein!
You’re not a pig, after all!
doch adds emphasis, roughly ‘after all’, and kein means no or not a. Schwein is predicative after bist, so it is not an accusative object; kein negates the description.
die Spinne — spider
The plural is die Spinnen, formed with -n. Do not confuse the noun die Spinne, spider, with the verb spinnen, to spin or to be crazy, depending on context.
Die Spinne sitzt an der Wand.
The spider is sitting on the wall.
sitzen means to sit, and die Wand is the wall. Die Spinne is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because an describes a fixed location.
Ich sehe die Spinne im Bad.
I see the spider in the bathroom.
sehen means to see, and im Bad means in the bathroom. Die Spinne is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; with a feminine noun, the accusative article still looks like die.
Ich helfe der Spinne?
I help the spider?
This sentence is grammatically possible but unusual, because helfen means to help and normally refers to helping a person or animal in difficulty. Der Spinne is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the feminine dative form is identical to the genitive form.
Die Beine der Spinne sind lang.
The spider's legs are long.
die Beine means the legs, and lang means long. Der Spinne is genitive because it shows whose legs they are; the feminine noun itself does not change in the genitive.
Viele Spinnen leben im Garten.
Many spiders live in the garden.
viele means many, leben means live, and im Garten means in the garden. Spinnen is plural, formed with -n; the finite verb leben follows the plural subject.
die Taube — pigeon, dove
die Taube can mean a pigeon or a dove; the context decides which bird is meant. The plural is die Tauben, with -n added to the singular.
Die Taube sitzt auf dem Dach.
The pigeon is sitting on the roof.
sitzt means is sitting, auf dem Dach means on the roof, and Dach means roof. Die Taube is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the pigeon is in a location, not moving onto the roof.
Ich sehe die Taube.
I see the pigeon.
Ich means I and sehe means see. die Taube is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Taube Wasser.
I give the pigeon water.
gebe means give and Wasser means water. der Taube is dative because it is the recipient, while Wasser is the accusative thing given; feminine die changes to der in the dative.
Das Nest der Taube ist klein.
The pigeon’s nest is small.
Das Nest means the nest and klein means small. der Taube is genitive because it shows possession or association; the feminine genitive article is der, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Tauben fliegen über den Platz.
The pigeons are flying over the square.
fliegen means fly, über means over, and der Platz means the square. Die Tauben is the plural subject, and über den Platz is accusative because it describes movement across the square.
das Tier — animal
Tier means an animal in general; a person is normally not called a Tier in everyday German. The plural is formed with -e: die Tiere.
Das Tier schläft im Garten.
The animal is sleeping in the garden.
schläft means is sleeping, and der Garten is the garden. Das Tier is nominative because it is the subject, and schläft is the finite verb in position two.
Ich sehe das Tier.
I see the animal.
sehe means see. Das Tier looks the same in the nominative and accusative because it is neuter; sehen takes this direct object, and sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Tier Wasser.
I give the animal water.
gebe means give, and das Wasser is water. Dem Tier is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the thing given, Wasser, is the accusative object.
Die Farbe des Tieres ist braun.
The animal's colour is brown.
die Farbe is the colour, and braun means brown. Des Tieres is genitive because it shows possession, and the neuter noun takes -es after des.
Viele Tiere leben im Wald.
Many animals live in the forest.
viele means many, leben means live, and der Wald is the forest. Viele Tiere is plural and is the subject, so the plural verb leben agrees with it.
der Tierpark — animal park, zoo
Tierpark combines Tier, animal, with Park, park. It is often smaller and more natural than a large zoo, but the meanings overlap.
Der Tierpark öffnet um neun Uhr.
The animal park opens at nine o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Der Tierpark is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Tierpark am Sonntag.
We are visiting the animal park on Sunday.
wir means we, besuchen means visit, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Den Tierpark is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Kinder sind im Tierpark.
The children are at the animal park.
die Kinder means the children, and im means in the. Im Tierpark is dative because in describes a location here; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Tiere des Tierparks brauchen viel Platz.
The animals of the animal park need lots of space.
die Tiere means the animals, brauchen means need, and viel Platz means lots of space. Des Tierparks is genitive because it shows which park the animals belong to; the noun has the ending -s.
In Berlin gibt es mehrere Tierparks.
There are several animal parks in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Tierparks is plural with -s; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although the form looks like the nominative plural.