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Vocab: Animals — A2
Animals vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Biber — beaver
The plural of der Biber is die Biber, with no ending. The word refers to the animal, not to its fur or to a person.
Der Biber lebt am Fluss.
The beaver lives by the river.
lebt means “lives”, and am Fluss means “by the river”. Der Biber is nominative because it is the subject; am is short for an dem, and an takes the dative for a location.
Wir sehen den Biber im Wasser.
We see the beaver in the water.
sehen means “see”, im Wasser means “in the water”, and Wasser means “water”. Den Biber is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Wasser is a dative location.
Die Kinder geben dem Biber eine Karotte.
The children give the beaver a carrot.
Die Kinder means “the children”, geben means “give”, and eine Karotte means “a carrot”. Dem Biber is dative because it is the recipient; eine Karotte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Spuren des Bibers führen zum Fluss.
The beaver’s tracks lead to the river.
Die Spuren means “the tracks”, führen means “lead”, and zum Fluss means “to the river”. Des Bibers is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun has -s in this form.
Viele Biber leben an diesem Fluss.
Many beavers live by this river.
Viele means “many”, and diesem Fluss means “this river”. Biber has the same spelling in the plural, and an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a place.
der Drache — dragon; kite; kite
As a noun, der Drache is a weak masculine noun: it takes -n in every singular case except the nominative. The plural die Drachen can mean dragons or kites, depending on the context.
Der Drache lebt in einer dunklen Höhle.
The dragon lives in a dark cave.
lebt means lives, in einer dunklen Höhle means in a dark cave, and dunkel means dark. Der Drache is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Die Ritter besiegen den Drachen.
The knights defeat the dragon.
Die Ritter are the knights, and besiegen means defeat. den Drachen is accusative because besiegen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Drache becomes Drachen.
Das Kind erzählt dem Drachen eine Geschichte.
The child tells the dragon a story.
Das Kind is the child, erzählt means tells, and eine Geschichte is a story. dem Drachen is dative because it is the person or creature receiving something, while eine Geschichte is the accusative object.
Die Farbe des Drachen ist grün.
The dragon’s colour is green.
Die Farbe means the colour, and grün means green. des Drachen expresses possession in the genitive, and the weak noun keeps -n; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Fest steigen viele Drachen in den Himmel.
At the festival, many kites rise into the sky.
Auf dem Fest means at the festival, viele means many, and in den Himmel means into the sky. Drachen can also mean kites, and the plural has -n; auf dem Fest is dative because it describes a location.
Der Held kämpft gegen einen Drachen.
The hero fights a dragon.
Der Held is the hero, kämpft means fights, and gegen means against. einen Drachen is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative; the weak noun therefore has -n.
Wir lassen heute einen Drachen steigen.
We are flying a kite today.
Wir means we, heute means today, and steigen lassen means let rise or fly. einen Drachen is accusative because lassen takes a direct object; the separable verb steigen lassen keeps its parts in the sentence bracket.
Der bunte Drache fliegt hoch.
The colourful kite flies high.
bunt means colourful, fliegt means flies, and hoch means high. Der bunte Drache is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fliegt stands in position two.
das Eichhörnchen — squirrel
The word ends in -chen, a diminutive ending; this automatically makes it neuter, so it is das Eichhörnchen. The plural is unchanged: ein Eichhörnchen, but viele Eichhörnchen.
Das Eichhörnchen klettert schnell auf den Baum.
The squirrel climbs quickly up the tree.
klettern means to climb, schnell means quickly, and der Baum is the tree. Das Eichhörnchen is nominative because it is the subject; auf den Baum is accusative because it expresses movement towards the tree.
Das Mädchen füttert das Eichhörnchen.
The girl feeds the squirrel.
das Mädchen means the girl, and füttern means to feed. Das Eichhörnchen is accusative because it is the direct object of füttern; the finite verb füttert is in position two.
Wir geben dem Eichhörnchen eine Nuss.
We give the squirrel a nut.
geben means to give, and die Nuss is a nut. Dem Eichhörnchen is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Nuss is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Schwanz des Eichhörnchens ist sehr buschig.
The squirrel’s tail is very bushy.
der Schwanz means the tail, and buschig means bushy. Des Eichhörnchens is genitive because it shows possession; the neuter noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Park sehen wir viele Eichhörnchen.
We see many squirrels in the park.
im Park means in the park, and viele means many. Eichhörnchen looks the same in singular and plural; it is accusative here because it is the object of sehen.
das Fell — fur; animal coat; pelt; pelt; animal skin
For an animal's living coat, Fell usually means fur; for the removed skin, it can mean a pelt. Do not use it for human hair: Haare is the usual word for hair.
Das Fell des Hundes ist sehr weich.
The dog's fur is very soft.
der Hund means dog and sehr weich means very soft. Das Fell is nominative because it is the subject, while des Hundes is genitive and means of the dog; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bürste das Fell meines Hundes.
I brush my dog's fur.
bürsten means to brush and mein Hund means my dog. Das Fell is accusative because bürsten takes a direct object, while meines Hundes is genitive and means of my dog; bürste is in position two.
Die Tierärztin gibt dem Hund eine Salbe für das Fell.
The vet gives the dog an ointment for its fur.
die Tierärztin is the vet, geben means to give, and die Salbe is ointment. Dem Hund is dative as the recipient, while das Fell follows für, which always takes the accusative; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Fells verändert sich im Winter.
The colour of the fur changes in winter.
die Farbe means colour, sich verändern means to change, and im Winter means in winter. Des Fells is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; verändert is in position two and sich belongs to the reflexive verb.
Im Tierpark sehen wir viele Felle in verschiedenen Farben.
At the zoo we see many coats in different colours.
der Tierpark means zoo, viele means many, and verschieden means different. Felle is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; in verschiedenen Farben is dative here because it describes a location or state, not movement.
Das alte Fell hängt an der Wand.
The old pelt is hanging on the wall.
alt means old, hängen means to hang, and die Wand is the wall. Das Fell is nominative as the subject, while an der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location; hängt stands in position two.
Früher wurden Felle auf dem Markt verkauft.
In the past, pelts were sold at the market.
früher means in the past, der Markt means market, and verkaufen means to sell. Felle is the plural subject of the passive sentence; wurden is the finite verb in position two and verkauft goes to the end.
das Flusspferd — hippopotamus
This compound means hippopotamus: Fluss means river and Pferd means horse. It refers to the large African animal, not to an ordinary horse.
Das Flusspferd liegt im Wasser.
The hippopotamus is lying in the water.
liegt means is lying, im Wasser means in the water. Das Flusspferd is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen das Flusspferd.
The children see the hippopotamus.
die Kinder means the children and sehen means see. Das Flusspferd is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das.
Wir geben dem Flusspferd frisches Gemüse.
We give the hippopotamus fresh vegetables.
geben means give, frisch means fresh, and das Gemüse is the vegetables. Dem Flusspferd is dative because it is the recipient, while frisches Gemüse is the accusative thing given.
Die Größe des Flusspferds ist beeindruckend.
The size of the hippopotamus is impressive.
die Größe means the size and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Flusspferds is genitive because it shows whose size is meant; the noun takes -s.
Die Flusspferde schlafen am Nachmittag.
The hippopotamuses sleep in the afternoon.
schlafen means sleep and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. Die Flusspferde is the plural subject, formed with -e.
der Flügel — wing; grand piano
Der Flügel usually means a wing, especially a bird's or insect's wing. The plural is die Flügel, with no spelling change.
Der Vogel hat einen verletzten Flügel.
The bird has an injured wing.
der Vogel means bird, haben means have, and verletzt means injured. Der Vogel is nominative as the subject, while einen verletzten Flügel is accusative as the object of hat.
Der Tierarzt untersucht den Flügel.
The vet examines the wing.
der Tierarzt means vet, and untersuchen means examine. Den Flügel is accusative because it is the direct object; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Der Vogel kann mit dem Flügel nicht fliegen.
The bird cannot fly with the wing.
können means can, mit means with, and nicht fliegen means not fly. Dem Flügel is dative because mit always takes the dative; after the modal kann, the infinitive fliegen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Flügels ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the wing is unusual.
die Farbe means colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Flügels is genitive after die Farbe, showing whose colour it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Vögel breiten ihre Flügel aus.
The birds spread their wings.
die Vögel means birds, ausbreiten means spread out, and ihre means their. Flügel is a plural accusative object after ihre, and the separable verb appears as breiten ... aus, with its prefix at the end.
Im Saal steht ein schwarzer Flügel.
There is a black grand piano in the hall.
im Saal means in the hall, stehen means stand or be located, and schwarz means black. Im is short for in dem and marks a fixed location with the dative; ein schwarzer Flügel is the nominative subject after the verb.
Sie spielt ein Konzert auf dem Flügel.
She is playing a concert on the grand piano.
ein Konzert spielen means play a concert, and auf dem means on the. Dem Flügel is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; ein Konzert is accusative as the object of spielt.
die Gans — goose
The plural is die Gänse, with an umlaut and -e. Gans is feminine even though many animal nouns can refer to either sex in everyday speech.
Die Gans schwimmt auf dem See.
The goose is swimming on the lake.
schwimmt means is swimming, auf means on, and der See means the lake. Die Gans is nominative as the subject; auf dem See is dative because it describes a location.
Der Bauer füttert die Gans.
The farmer is feeding the goose.
der Bauer means the farmer, and füttert means is feeding. Die Gans is accusative because füttern takes the animal being fed as its object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Gans etwas Brot.
I give the goose some bread.
gebe means give, etwas Brot means some bread. Der Gans is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Brot is the accusative thing being given.
Der Schnabel der Gans ist orange.
The goose’s beak is orange.
der Schnabel means the beak and orange means orange. Der Gans is genitive because it shows whose beak it is; the feminine noun does not take an ending.
Im Herbst fliegen die Gänse nach Süden.
In autumn, the geese fly south.
im Herbst means in autumn, fliegen means fly, and nach Süden means southwards. Die Gänse is plural nominative as the subject; im is in dem, with dative used for this time expression.
die Garnele — shrimp; prawn
Garnele is a small sea animal commonly eaten as seafood. The plural is Garnelen.
Die Garnele ist frisch.
The shrimp is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Die Garnele is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich esse die Garnele.
I am eating the shrimp.
esse means am eating. die Garnele is accusative because essen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Garnele?
I give the child the shrimp?
geben means to give and das Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural with der Garnele as dative: the dative form of die Garnele is der Garnele, but the shrimp would normally be the accusative object after geben.
Der Geschmack der Garnele ist mild.
The taste of the shrimp is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild. der Garnele is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; ist remains in position two.
Die Garnelen schmecken gut.
The shrimp taste good.
schmecken gut means taste good. Die Garnelen is plural and therefore takes schmecken, with the finite verb in position two.
das Gassi — dog walk, outing for a dog
Gassi is mainly used with dogs in the fixed expression Gassi gehen; it is not a general word for an ordinary walk and has no normal plural.
Das Gassi dauert nur zehn Minuten.
The dog walk lasts only ten minutes.
dauert means lasts and nur zehn Minuten means only ten minutes. Das Gassi is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Der Hund braucht das Gassi.
The dog needs its walk.
der Hund means the dog and braucht means needs. Das Gassi is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir geben dem Hund das Gassi am Abend.
We take the dog for its walk in the evening.
geben means give, dem Hund means to the dog, and am Abend means in the evening. Dem Hund is dative as the recipient, while das Gassi is accusative as the thing given in this playful wording.
Die Dauer des Gassis ist heute kurz.
The duration of the dog walk is short today.
die Dauer means the duration, heute means today, and kurz means short. Des Gassis is genitive to show which walk is meant; this form is grammatically possible but uncommon in everyday speech.
das Geflügel — poultry
Das Geflügel is a mass noun and normally has no plural. For individual birds, use words such as das Huhn, die Ente, or die Gans.
Das Geflügel ist frisch.
The poultry is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Geflügel is nominative because it is the subject, and this mass noun is normally used only in the singular; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen das Geflügel beim Metzger.
We buy the poultry at the butcher's.
kaufen means buy, beim means at the, and der Metzger means the butcher. das Geflügel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; it has no normal plural because it is a mass noun.
Mit dem Geflügel kocht sie eine Suppe.
She cooks a soup with the poultry.
mit means with, kocht means cooks, and eine Suppe means a soup. mit takes the dative, so das Geflügel becomes dem Geflügel; the finite verb kocht is in position two after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Der Geschmack des Geflügels ist mild.
The taste of the poultry is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or delicate. des Geflügels is genitive because it means “of the poultry”; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
der Gorilla — gorilla
The noun der Gorilla is a weak masculine noun: it takes -n or -s in forms other than the nominative singular, depending on the ending pattern. Its plural is die Gorillas.
Der Gorilla sitzt im Gras.
The gorilla is sitting in the grass.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Gras means grass. Der Gorilla is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Gorilla im Gehege.
We see the gorilla in the enclosure.
sehen means see, and das Gehege is an enclosure. Den Gorilla is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; im Gehege means in the enclosure and uses dative after in for a location.
Das Kind gibt dem Gorilla eine Karotte.
The child gives the gorilla a carrot.
das Kind means the child, gibt means gives, and eine Karotte is a carrot. Dem Gorilla is dative because geben marks the recipient, while eine Karotte is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Gorillas ist sehr dunkel.
The gorilla’s colour is very dark.
die Farbe means colour, and sehr dunkel means very dark. Des Gorillas is genitive to show possession; as a weak masculine noun, Gorilla takes -s in this case.
Die Gorillas klettern auf die Bäume.
The gorillas climb into the trees.
klettern means climb, and die Bäume means the trees. Die Gorillas is the plural nominative subject; auf die Bäume is accusative because it expresses movement towards the trees.
die Grille — cricket; whim; fanciful idea
This sense means the insect that chirps. Do not confuse feminine die Grille with masculine der Grill, the barbecue.
Die Grille zirpt im Gras.
The cricket is chirping in the grass.
zirpen means to chirp, and das Gras means the grass. Die Grille is nominative because it is the subject; im Gras means in the grass and is dative because it describes location.
Ich sehe eine Grille.
I can see a cricket.
sehen means to see. eine Grille is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich höre einer Grille zu.
I am listening to a cricket.
zuhören means to listen to and hören means hear. The separable verb is split as höre ... zu, and einer Grille is dative because zuhören governs the dative.
Das Zirpen der Grille ist laut.
The cricket's chirping is loud.
das Zirpen means the chirping, and laut means loud. der Grille is genitive because it identifies whose chirping it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Sommer hört man viele Grillen.
In summer, you hear many crickets.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele means many. Grillen is plural after viele and is accusative because it is the object of hört; man means people or one in general.
Er hat wieder eine Grille.
He has got another strange idea again.
wieder means again, and eine strange Idee is the meaning here. In this figurative use, eine Grille haben is a fixed expression and eine Grille is accusative after haben.
Sie setzt sich eine Grille in den Kopf.
She gets a strange idea into her head.
sich etwas in den Kopf setzen means to get an idea into one's head, and der Kopf means the head. eine Grille is accusative as the idea being adopted, while sich is dative; the phrase in den Kopf uses accusative because it expresses movement into the head.
die Heuschrecke — grasshopper; locust
The ordinary plural of die Heuschrecke is die Heuschrecken. The word can describe a single grasshopper or, depending on context, a locust.
Die Heuschrecke sitzt auf dem Blatt.
The grasshopper is sitting on the leaf.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Blatt is the leaf. Die Heuschrecke is the nominative subject; auf dem Blatt is dative because auf describes a fixed location, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe eine Heuschrecke im Garten.
I see a grasshopper in the garden.
sehe means see, im Garten means in the garden, and Garten is garden. Eine Heuschrecke is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Das Kind gibt der Heuschrecke etwas Gras.
The child gives the grasshopper some grass.
das Kind is the child, gibt means gives, and etwas Gras means some grass. Der Heuschrecke is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Gras is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe der Heuschrecke ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the grasshopper is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Der Heuschrecke is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; feminine nouns use der in the genitive but do not change their ending.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Heuschrecken.
In summer I see many grasshoppers.
im Sommer means in summer, sehe means see, and viele means many. Viele Heuschrecken is accusative because it is the object of sehen; the plural noun ends in -en.
das Hundehalsband — dog collar
Hundehalsband is a compound made from Hund (dog) and Halsband (collar). The last part, das Halsband, determines the neuter gender and the plural pattern.
Das Hundehalsband ist zu eng.
The dog collar is too tight.
zu eng means too tight. Das Hundehalsband is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective eng follows ist in a predicative phrase without an ending.
Ich kaufe ein neues Hundehalsband.
I am buying a new dog collar.
neu means new, and kaufe means am buying. ein neues Hundehalsband is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has -es because the noun is neuter after ein.
Der Hund trägt ein Hundehalsband.
The dog is wearing a dog collar.
trägt means is wearing or carries, and der Hund means the dog. This sentence has ein Hundehalsband as an accusative object, not a dative object; the dative slot is shown by the sentence structure required for this noun entry, but tragen itself takes the accusative.
Die Farbe des Hundehalsbands gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the dog collar.
die Farbe means colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or “I like it”. des Hundehalsbands is genitive because it means “of the dog collar”, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Laden gibt es viele Hundehalsbänder.
There are many dog collars in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Hundehalsbänder is plural and has the umlaut ä plus -er; after es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative.
das Hähnchen — chicken, roast chicken; small chicken
Hähnchen usually means chicken as food, but it can also mean a small chicken. The ending -chen is a diminutive: it makes the noun neuter and gives it the unchanged plural die Hähnchen.
Das Hähnchen ist noch heiß.
The chicken is still hot.
noch heiß means still hot. Das Hähnchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir bestellen das Hähnchen mit Reis.
We order the chicken with rice.
bestellen means order, and mit Reis means with rice. Das Hähnchen is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Hähnchen etwas Wasser.
I give the chicken some water.
etwas Wasser means some water, and gebe means give. Dem Hähnchen is dative because it is the receiver of gebe; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Der Geschmack des Hähnchens ist mild.
The taste of the chicken is mild.
Der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. Des Hähnchens is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the diminutive noun adds -s after des.
Auf dem Markt verkaufen sie frische Hähnchen.
They sell fresh chickens at the market.
Auf dem Markt means at the market, verkaufen means sell, and frische means fresh. Hähnchen is plural after frische; the plural has the same form as the singular because -chen diminutives do not change.
Die Kinder füttern zwei Hähnchen.
The children feed two small chickens.
Die Kinder means the children, füttern means feed, and zwei means two. Hähnchen is accusative plural because it is the object of füttern; its form is unchanged from the singular.
Das kleine Hähnchen läuft hinter der Mutter her.
The little chicken runs after its mother.
kleine means little, läuft means runs, hinter means behind or after, and Mutter means mother. Das kleine Hähnchen is nominative as the subject; hinter der Mutter is dative because it describes a fixed position, and her is the separated part of hinterherlaufen.
das Insekt — insect
The plural is Insekten, not a form with -e; it follows the common plural pattern for many nouns ending in -t.
Das Insekt sitzt auf dem Tisch.
The insect is sitting on the table.
sitzt means is sitting and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Insekt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt stands in position two.
Ich sehe ein Insekt.
I see an insect.
Ich sehe means I see. Ein Insekt is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Insekt etwas Wasser.
I give the insect some water.
gebe means give and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Insekt is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Die Flügel des Insekts sind durchsichtig.
The insect's wings are transparent.
Die Flügel means the wings and durchsichtig means transparent. Des Insekts is genitive to show possession, and the ending -s on Insekts is required in the genitive singular.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Insekten.
In summer I see many insects.
Im Sommer means in summer and viele means many. Insekten is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; viele also shows that the noun is plural.
jagen — to hunt; to chase, to pursue
For the hunting meaning, jagen commonly takes an accusative animal as its object: jemanden/etwas jagen. It forms the perfect with haben: hat gejagt.
Ich jage heute im Wald.
I am hunting in the forest today.
heute means today, and der Wald is the forest. The finite verb jage is in position two; here jagen is used without a direct object, so no accusative noun is needed.
Wir haben den Hasen gejagt.
We hunted the hare.
der Hase is the hare. Den Hasen is accusative because jagen takes the hunted animal as a direct object; haben is in position two and gejagt goes to the end.
Der Jäger jagte ein Reh.
The hunter chased a deer.
der Jäger means the hunter, and ein Reh means a deer. Ein Reh is accusative as the object of jagte, while the finite past form jagte stands in position two.
Jag den Hasen nicht!
Do not hunt the hare!
nicht means not, and der Hase is the hare. The imperative Jag has no subject; den Hasen is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde gern wilde Tiere jagen.
I would like to hunt wild animals.
gern means gladly or would like to, and wild means wild. The infinitive jagen goes to the end after würde; wilde Tiere is accusative as the direct object.
Morgen werde ich im Wald jagen.
Tomorrow I will hunt in the forest.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Wald is the forest. The finite form werde is in position two and the infinitive jagen goes to the end in the future construction.
Der Hund jagt die Katze.
The dog is chasing the cat.
der Hund means the dog, and die Katze means the cat. Die Katze is accusative as the object being chased, and jagt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Kinder jagen dem Ball hinterher.
The children are chasing after the ball.
die Kinder means the children, and der Ball is the ball. In jemandem hinterherjagen, dem Ball is dative after the verb, not accusative; jagen stands in position two.
das Kalb — calf; veal
das Kalb is the young animal of a cow or bull. In food contexts, the meat is usually called das Kalbfleisch.
Das Kalb steht auf der Wiese.
The calf is standing in the meadow.
steht means is standing, and die Wiese is the meadow. Das Kalb is nominative because it is the subject; steht is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Kalb.
The farmer feeds the calf.
der Bauer means the farmer, and füttern means to feed. Das Kalb is accusative because füttern takes an accusative object; for a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Die Kinder geben dem Kalb Wasser.
The children give the calf water.
die Kinder means the children, and Wasser is water. Dem Kalb is dative because it is the recipient with geben; Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Mutter des Kalbes bleibt in der Nähe.
The calf's mother stays nearby.
die Mutter means the mother, and in der Nähe means nearby. Des Kalbes is genitive because it shows whose mother she is; bleibt is in position two.
Auf dem Hof leben drei Kälber.
Three calves live on the farm.
auf dem Hof means on the farm, and drei means three. Kälber is the plural subject after drei; leben is in position two.
Im Restaurant bestelle ich das Kalb.
At the restaurant, I order veal.
im Restaurant means at the restaurant, and bestellen means to order. Das Kalb is accusative because bestellen takes an accusative object; the neuter article remains das.
Das Kalb auf der Speisekarte ist sehr teuer.
The veal on the menu is very expensive.
die Speisekarte means the menu, and teuer means expensive. Das Kalb is nominative because it is the subject of ist; auf der Speisekarte identifies which veal is meant.
das Kamel — camel
Das Kamel lebt in der Wüste.
The camel lives in the desert.
lebt means lives, and die Wüste means the desert. Das Kamel is nominative because it is the subject; in der Wüste is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Touristen fotografieren das Kamel.
The tourists photograph the camel.
die Touristen means the tourists, and fotografieren means photograph. Das Kamel is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Das Kind gibt dem Kamel Wasser.
The child gives the camel water.
das Kind means the child, and Wasser means water. Dem Kamel is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Höcker des Kamels sind sehr groß.
The camel's humps are very large.
die Höcker means the humps, and sehr groß means very large. Des Kamels is genitive because it shows whose humps they are; sind stands in position two.
Die Kamele tragen schwere Lasten.
The camels carry heavy loads.
tragen means carry, and schwere Lasten means heavy loads. Die Kamele is the plural subject, and Lasten is accusative because tragen takes a direct object.
das Kaninchen — rabbit
The plural is unchanged: das Kaninchen, die Kaninchen. It is not the same animal as der Hase, although the two words are sometimes used loosely for similar animals.
Das Kaninchen sitzt im Garten.
The rabbit is sitting in the garden.
der Garten means garden, and sitzt means is sitting. Das Kaninchen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Die Kinder füttern das Kaninchen.
The children are feeding the rabbit.
die Kinder means the children, and füttern means feed. Das Kaninchen is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the article stays das because neuter nominative and accusative are identical.
Ich gebe dem Kaninchen eine Karotte.
I give the rabbit a carrot.
geben means give, and eine Karotte is a carrot. Dem Kaninchen is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Karotte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Ohren des Kaninchens sind sehr lang.
The rabbit’s ears are very long.
die Ohren means the ears, and lang means long. Des Kaninchens is genitive to show possession; the noun adds -s, and the verb sind agrees with plural Ohren.
Im Park sehe ich viele Kaninchen.
In the park I see many rabbits.
im Park means in the park, and viele means many. Kaninchen is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; its plural form is identical to the singular.
der Kiwi — kiwi (bird)
Masculine der Kiwi means the flightless bird from New Zealand. The fruit is feminine die Kiwi, so the article distinguishes the two meanings.
Der Kiwi lebt in Neuseeland.
The kiwi lives in New Zealand.
lebt means lives and Neuseeland is New Zealand. Der Kiwi is nominative because it is the subject, and lebt is in position two.
Die Forscher sehen den Kiwi.
The researchers see the kiwi.
die Forscher means the researchers and sehen means see. Den Kiwi is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; masculine der changes to den.
Wir nähern uns dem Kiwi.
We approach the kiwi.
nähern means approach and uns means ourselves. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so masculine der Kiwi becomes dem Kiwi.
Die Federn des Kiwis sind braun.
The feathers of the kiwi are brown.
die Federn are the feathers and braun means brown. Des Kiwis is genitive because it means of the kiwi; the masculine noun takes -s.
Im Park leben zwei Kiwis.
Two kiwis live in the park.
im Park means in the park and leben means live. Kiwis is plural with -s, and zwei means two.
die Leine — lead, leash; rope, line
The most common everyday meaning is a dog lead or leash. In another context, Leine can mean a rope or line used to guide or secure something.
Die Leine liegt auf dem Boden.
The lead is lying on the floor.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Boden means on the floor. Die Leine is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Boden is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich nehme die Leine mit.
I am taking the lead with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit here means along or with me. die Leine is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; the separable verb splits, so mit goes to the end.
Ich gehe mit der Leine zum Hund.
I am going to the dog with the lead.
gehe means go, mit means with, and zum Hund means to the dog. der Leine is dative because mit always takes dative; zum is a contraction of zu dem, and the finite verb gehe is in position two.
Die Farbe der Leine passt zum Halsband.
The colour of the lead matches the collar.
die Farbe means the colour, passt means matches or fits, and das Halsband is the collar. der Leine is genitive because it specifies which colour, while zum Halsband means to the collar and contains dative zu dem.
Im Laden hängen viele Leinen.
Many leads are hanging in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Leinen is the plural after viele, and im Laden is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Leopard — leopard
Leopard is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular as well as in the plural.
Der Leopard schläft tagsüber im Schatten.
The leopard sleeps in the shade during the day.
tagsüber means during the day and der Schatten means the shade. Der Leopard is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Die Touristen fotografieren den Leoparden.
The tourists photograph the leopard.
die Touristen are the tourists and fotografieren means photograph. Den Leoparden is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Die Tierpflegerin gibt dem Leoparden Fleisch.
The animal keeper gives the leopard meat.
die Tierpflegerin is the animal keeper and das Fleisch is meat. Dem Leoparden is dative because it is the recipient of gibt, while Fleisch is the accusative thing being given.
Die Augen des Leoparden glänzen im Dunkeln.
The leopard's eyes shine in the dark.
die Augen means the eyes and glänzen means shine; im Dunkeln means in the dark. Des Leoparden is genitive because it shows whose eyes they are, and the weak noun takes -en.
Die Leoparden leben nicht in Europa.
Leopards do not live in Europe.
leben means live and Europa is Europe. Die Leoparden is the plural subject, and the plural form ends in -en because this is a weak masculine noun.
das Monster — monster; monster; nasty person
The plural is die Monster, with no ending. The word can describe a fictional creature or, informally, a very unpleasant or frightening person.
Das Monster lebt im Wald.
The monster lives in the forest.
lebt means lives and der Wald means forest. Das Monster is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Ich sehe das Monster im Film.
I see the monster in the film.
sehe means see and der Film means film. Das Monster is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im Film means in the film and is a dative location phrase.
Wir geben dem Monster einen Apfel.
We give the monster an apple.
geben means give and der Apfel means apple. Dem Monster is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Apfel is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Monsters ist grün.
The monster's colour is green.
die Farbe means colour and grün means green. Des Monsters is genitive because it shows possession, and the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Im Buch gibt es drei Monster.
There are three monsters in the book.
das Buch means book and drei means three. Monster is plural after drei, and es gibt takes an accusative phrase even though English uses there are.
Der kleine Monster? Nein, das ist mein Sohn.
The little monster? No, that is my son.
kleine means little and mein Sohn means my son. Here Monster is used humorously for a badly behaved child; the noun phrase is nominative because it is identified as mein Sohn.
Du bist heute ein echtes Monster.
You are a real monster today.
heute means today and echt means real or genuine. After sein, ein echtes Monster is a predicative noun phrase, so it is nominative rather than accusative.
das Nashorn — rhinoceros
Das Nashorn is a compound noun: Nase means nose and Horn means horn. Its plural changes the stem vowel and adds -er: die Nashörner.
Das Nashorn frisst Gras.
The rhinoceros eats grass.
frisst means eats, and das Gras means grass. Das Nashorn is nominative because it is the subject; Gras is an accusative object after frisst, although its article is omitted because grass is treated as a mass noun here.
Die Kinder sehen das Nashorn.
The children see the rhinoceros.
die Kinder means the children and sehen means see. Das Nashorn is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Der Tierpfleger gibt dem Nashorn Futter.
The zookeeper gives the rhinoceros food.
der Tierpfleger is the zookeeper, gibt means gives, and das Futter means food. Dem Nashorn is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while Futter is the accusative thing given.
Das Horn des Nashorns ist sehr lang.
The rhinoceros’s horn is very long.
das Horn means horn, sehr means very, and lang means long. Des Nashorns is genitive and means “of the rhinoceros”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Zoo leben drei Nashörner.
Three rhinoceroses live at the zoo.
im Zoo means at the zoo, and leben means live. Nashörner is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, with dative for location.
das Nest — nest; cosy home, little place
The usual plural is Nester. For an animal, a Nest is built for eggs or young; people can also use it figuratively for a small home or place.
Das Nest ist hoch im Baum.
The nest is high in the tree.
hoch means high and der Baum is the tree. Das Nest is nominative because it is the subject; im Baum means in the tree and uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Vogel baut das Nest.
The bird is building the nest.
der Vogel is the bird and bauen means to build. Das Nest is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative have the same article.
Die Mutter bringt dem Vogel Material für das Nest.
The mother brings the bird material for the nest.
die Mutter is the mother, bringen means to bring, and das Material is the material. Dem Vogel is dative as the recipient, while Material is the accusative object; für takes the accusative, including das Nest.
Die Farbe des Nestes ist hellbraun.
The colour of the nest is light brown.
die Farbe is the colour and hellbraun means light brown. Des Nestes is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Im Frühling bauen viele Vögel Nester.
In spring, many birds build nests.
der Frühling is spring, viele means many, and der Vogel is the bird. Nester is the plural subject after viele Vögel; the plural article is omitted here because the noun is indefinite.
Nach der Reise freut er sich auf sein gemütliches Nest.
After the trip, he looks forward to his cosy home.
die Reise is the trip, sich freuen auf means to look forward to, and gemütlich means cosy. Auf takes the accusative with this expression, so sein gemütliches Nest is accusative; the adjective has the -es ending after sein.
Die Studenten haben sich in einem alten Nest eingerichtet.
The students have made themselves comfortable in an old place.
die Studenten are the students, alt means old, and sich einrichten means to make oneself comfortable. In einem alten Nest is dative because it describes location, while sich is a reflexive dative pronoun here.
der Osterhase — Easter bunny
Osterhase is a weak masculine noun: use Osterhasen in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular. The word is usually used for the traditional Easter figure, not for an ordinary rabbit seen at Easter.
Der Osterhase kommt heute Nacht.
The Easter bunny is coming tonight.
kommt means comes or is coming, and heute Nacht means tonight. Der Osterhase is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Osterhasen.
The children see the Easter bunny.
die Kinder means the children and sehen means see. Den Osterhasen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Osterhase gets -n outside the nominative.
Wir helfen dem Osterhasen.
We help the Easter bunny.
helfen means help. Dem Osterhasen is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Die Ohren des Osterhasen sind lang.
The Easter bunny’s ears are long.
die Ohren means the ears and lang means long. Des Osterhasen is genitive because it shows whose ears they are; the weak masculine noun has -n and the article is des.
Die Osterhasen verstecken die Eier.
The Easter bunnies hide the eggs.
verstecken means hide and die Eier means the eggs. Osterhasen is plural with die, and this weak masculine noun has the same -n ending in the plural.
der Panther — panther
The word is the same in the singular and plural. The genitive singular is des Panthers, while the plural is die Panther.
Der Panther schläft im Zoo.
The panther is sleeping at the zoo.
schläft means is sleeping and der Zoo means the zoo. im is short for in dem, and Zoo is dative because in describes a location here; the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Ich sehe den Panther im Zoo.
I see the panther at the zoo.
sehe means see and im Zoo means at the zoo. den Panther is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Zoo is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Der Tierpfleger gibt dem Panther Fleisch.
The zookeeper gives the panther meat.
der Tierpfleger is the zookeeper and Fleisch is meat. dem Panther is dative because it is the recipient of gibt; Fleisch is the accusative thing being given, and gibt stands in position two.
Die Augen des Panthers leuchten im Dunkeln.
The panther's eyes shine in the dark.
die Augen means the eyes, leuchten means shine, and im Dunkeln means in the dark. des Panthers is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s after des.
Mehrere Panther leben in Asien.
Several panthers live in Asia.
mehrere means several, leben means live, and Asien is Asia. Panther has the same form in the singular and plural, so mehrere shows that it is plural; the plural subject takes leben.
Ein Panther kann sehr schnell laufen.
A panther can run very fast.
ein means a, kann means can, sehr schnell means very fast, and laufen means run. After the modal verb kann, the infinitive laufen goes to the end of the clause.
der Papagei — parrot
Papagei is a weak masculine noun: the singular has der Papagei only in the nominative, but den Papageien, dem Papageien, and des Papageien in the other cases. The plural is also Papageien.
Der Papagei sitzt im Käfig.
The parrot is sitting in the cage.
sitzt means is sitting and der Käfig means the cage. im Käfig is dative because in describes a location; the subject der Papagei is nominative and sitzt is in position two.
Ich füttere den Papageien.
I feed the parrot.
füttere means feed. den Papageien is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; this is a weak masculine noun, so it has -en outside the nominative.
Ich gebe dem Papageien einen Apfel.
I give the parrot an apple.
gebe means give and einen Apfel means an apple. dem Papageien is dative because it is the recipient and this weak masculine noun takes -en; einen Apfel is the accusative thing given.
Der Käfig des Papageien ist offen.
The parrot's cage is open.
der Käfig means the cage and offen means open. des Papageien is genitive because it shows possession; do not form it as des Papageis, because Papagei is a weak masculine noun.
Viele Papageien können Wörter nachsprechen.
Many parrots can repeat words.
viele means many, können means can, and Wörter nachsprechen means repeat words. Papageien is the plural, and after the modal verb können, the infinitive nachsprechen goes to the end.
Der Papagei macht ein lautes Geräusch.
The parrot makes a loud noise.
macht means makes, laut means loud, and das Geräusch means the noise. ein lautes Geräusch is accusative because it is the object of macht; the adjective has -es after ein with a neuter noun.
das Pferderennen — horse race
Pferderennen is a compound of Pferd and Rennen, meaning horse race. Its plural has no ending: ein Pferderennen, but zwei Pferderennen.
Das Pferderennen beginnt um drei Uhr.
The horse race starts at three o'clock.
beginnen means to start, and um drei Uhr means at three o'clock. Das Pferderennen is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen das Pferderennen im Fernsehen.
We are watching the horse race on television.
im Fernsehen means on television. Das Pferderennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Bei dem Pferderennen sind viele Zuschauer.
There are many spectators at the horse race.
bei means at or during, and viele Zuschauer means many spectators. Dem Pferderennen is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Die Ergebnisse des Pferderennens stehen online.
The results of the horse race are online.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and online means online. Des Pferderennens is genitive because it identifies which results; Pferderennen adds -s in this form.
Am Wochenende finden zwei Pferderennen statt.
Two horse races take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and stattfinden means to take place. Pferderennen has the same form in singular and plural; finden and statt split because stattfinden is separable.
der Regenwurm — earthworm
The compound Regen means rain and Wurm means worm. The plural is Regenwürmer, with an umlaut and -er ending.
Der Regenwurm lebt in der Erde.
The earthworm lives in the soil.
leben means to live, and die Erde means earth or soil. Der Regenwurm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Der Vogel frisst den Regenwurm.
The bird eats the earthworm.
der Vogel means bird and frisst means eats. den Regenwurm is accusative because it is the direct object of fressen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Regenwurm etwas Erde.
I give the earthworm some soil.
geben means to give and etwas Erde means some soil. dem Regenwurm is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while etwas Erde is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Regenwurms ist rosa.
The earthworm’s colour is pink.
die Farbe means colour and rosa means pink. des Regenwurms is genitive because it expresses possession or association, and the masculine noun takes -s.
Nach dem Regen sehe ich viele Regenwürmer.
After the rain I see many earthworms.
nach dem Regen means after the rain, and viele means many. Regenwürmer is the plural; it is accusative because it is the object of sehen, while nach takes the dative.
das Reh — roe deer; deer
Reh normally means a roe deer, not any large deer. The plural is Rehe, with no change to the vowel.
Das Reh steht im Wald.
The roe deer is standing in the forest.
stehen means to stand, and der Wald means the forest. Das Reh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir sehen ein Reh auf der Wiese.
We see a roe deer in the meadow.
sehen means to see, die Wiese means the meadow, and auf means on. ein Reh is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while auf der Wiese is dative because it describes a location.
Das Reh läuft vor dem Hund weg.
The roe deer runs away from the dog.
laufen means to run, vor means from or in front of, and der Hund means the dog. dem Hund is dative after the location preposition vor, and the separable verb weglaufen appears as läuft ... weg in the main clause.
Die Spuren des Rehs führen zum Fluss.
The tracks of the roe deer lead to the river.
die Spuren means the tracks, führen means lead, zu means to, and der Fluss means the river. des Rehs is genitive because it identifies whose tracks they are, while zum Fluss is a contraction of zu dem Fluss.
Im Frühling sieht man viele Rehe.
In spring you can see many roe deer.
im Frühling means in spring, sehen means to see, and viele means many. Rehe is plural after viele; man is an impersonal subject and the verb remains third-person singular.
Das Reh frisst junge Blätter.
The roe deer eats young leaves.
fressen means to eat when speaking about animals, jung means young, and die Blätter means the leaves. Das Reh is nominative and junge Blätter is accusative as the object; the finite verb frisst is in position two.
die Schlange — snake; queue, line
This sense means a snake, the animal. The same noun also means a queue or line; the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Die Schlange liegt in der Sonne.
The snake is lying in the sun.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and die Sonne is the sun. Die Schlange is the nominative subject; in der Sonne is a stationary location with dative after in, and liegt is in position two.
Das Kind sieht eine Schlange.
The child sees a snake.
das Kind means the child and sehen means to see. Eine Schlange is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while das Kind is nominative and sieht is the finite verb in position two.
Ich gebe der Schlange etwas Wasser.
I give the snake some water.
geben means to give, and etwas Wasser means some water. Der Schlange is dative because the recipient of geben is dative; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Das Muster der Schlange ist sehr schön.
The snake's pattern is very beautiful.
das Muster means pattern and sehr schön means very beautiful. Der Schlange is genitive because it shows whose pattern it is; with a feminine noun, the noun stays unchanged and only the article shows the case.
Im Zoo sehe ich viele Schlangen.
At the zoo I see many snakes.
der Zoo is the zoo and viele means many. Schlangen is the plural form, and it is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; im Zoo is a dative location.
Wir stehen seit zehn Minuten in der Schlange.
We have been standing in the queue for ten minutes.
stehen means to stand, seit zehn Minuten means for ten minutes, and warten is to wait. In der Schlange means in the queue; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and stehen is in position two.
Die Schlange vor dem Kino ist sehr lang.
The queue in front of the cinema is very long.
vor dem Kino means in front of the cinema, and sehr lang means very long. Die Schlange is the nominative subject; vor takes the dative here because the queue is in a fixed place, not moving toward it.
der Schnabel — beak, bill; mouth (colloquial)
The usual meaning is an animal’s beak. In colloquial speech, Schnabel can also mean mouth, especially in commands such as Halt den Schnabel.
Der Vogel hat einen langen Schnabel.
The bird has a long beak.
der Vogel is the bird, and lang means long. Der Vogel is nominative because it is the subject; einen langen Schnabel is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
Ich sehe den Schnabel des Papageis.
I can see the parrot's beak.
ich sehe means I can see, and der Papagei is the parrot. den Schnabel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while des Papageis is genitive and shows whose beak it is.
Der Tierarzt gibt dem Vogel Wasser für den Schnabel.
The vet gives the bird water for its beak.
der Tierarzt is the vet, geben means to give, and das Wasser is water. dem Vogel is dative because it is the recipient, while den Schnabel follows für, which takes the accusative.
Die Farbe des Schnabels ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the beak is unusual.
die Farbe is the colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Schnabels is genitive because it identifies what the colour belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schnäbel der Enten sind orange.
The ducks' beaks are orange.
die Enten are the ducks, and orange means orange. Die Schnäbel is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Enten is genitive and shows whose beaks they are.
Halt endlich den Schnabel!
Shut your mouth at last!
halt means keep or hold, endlich means finally, and den Schnabel means your mouth in this rude expression. den Schnabel is accusative as the object of halten; the imperative subject du is omitted.
Er hat einen ziemlich frechen Schnabel.
He has quite a cheeky mouth.
ziemlich means quite, and frech means cheeky or insolent. einen ziemlich frechen Schnabel is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
der Schwan — swan
The plural is irregular: der Schwan becomes die Schwäne with an umlaut. A swan is a water bird, so common verbs include schwimmen and fliegen.
Der Schwan schwimmt ruhig auf dem See.
The swan is swimming calmly on the lake.
schwimmen means to swim, ruhig means calmly, and der See means lake. Der Schwan is nominative because it is the subject, and schwimmt is in position two.
Das Kind fotografiert den Schwan.
The child is photographing the swan.
das Kind means child and fotografiert means is photographing. Den Schwan is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir geben dem Schwan kein Brot.
We do not give the swan any bread.
geben means to give, kein Brot means no bread, and wir means we. Dem Schwan is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while Brot is the accusative object.
Der Hals des Schwans ist sehr lang.
The swan’s neck is very long.
der Hals means neck and lang means long. Des Schwans is genitive because it shows that the neck belongs to the swan; the noun takes -s.
Im Park leben drei Schwäne.
Three swans live in the park.
im Park means in the park, leben means live, and drei means three. Schwäne is the plural of Schwan, with an umlaut and -e; the plural group is the nominative subject.
der Seehund — seal
Der Seehund means seal, literally a compound containing See, sea, and Hund, dog. It is a regular masculine noun; its plural is Seehunde, and helfen takes dem Seehund in the dative.
Der Seehund schwimmt im Wasser.
The seal is swimming in the water.
schwimmt means is swimming and im Wasser means in the water. Der Seehund is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schwimmt stands in position two.
Die Kinder fotografieren den Seehund.
The children are photographing the seal.
die Kinder means the children and fotografieren means photograph. Den Seehund is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir helfen dem Seehund.
We help the seal.
wir helfen means we help. Dem Seehund is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, not accusative; the finite verb helfen is in position two.
Die Rettung des Seehunds dauerte zwei Stunden.
The rescue of the seal took two hours.
die Rettung means the rescue and dauerte zwei Stunden means lasted two hours. Des Seehunds is genitive because it identifies the seal being rescued; zwei Stunden is a measure of duration.
Am Strand liegen mehrere Seehunde.
Several seals are lying on the beach.
am Strand means on the beach, liegen means are lying, and mehrere means several. Seehunde is plural and the sentence begins with a location phrase, so the finite verb liegen still comes in position two.
der Stall — stable, barn; animal stall; stall, booth
In farming, der Stall is where animals are kept. In some contexts it can also mean a small animal pen; the exact English translation depends on the animal and the building.
Der Stall ist hinter dem Haus.
The stable is behind the house.
hinter dem Haus means behind the house. Der Stall is nominative because it is the subject; hinter takes the dative for a fixed location, and ist stands in position two.
Der Bauer öffnet den Stall.
The farmer opens the stable.
der Bauer means the farmer, and öffnet means opens. Den Stall is accusative because it is the direct object of öffnen; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Die Kühe stehen in dem Stall.
The cows are standing in the stable.
die Kühe means the cows, and stehen means are standing. In dem Stall is dative because in describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Das Dach des Stalls muss repariert werden.
The roof of the stable needs to be repaired.
das Dach means the roof, and muss repariert werden means needs to be repaired. Des Stalls is genitive because it shows which building the roof belongs to; the modal verb muss is in position two and the other verbs go to the end.
Die Ställe liegen weit auseinander.
The stables are far apart.
liegen means are located, and weit auseinander means far apart. Ställe is the plural subject, so the verb is liegen; the umlaut changes Stall to Ställe.
Wir kaufen Obst an einem Stall auf dem Markt.
We buy fruit at a stall at the market.
Obst means fruit, kaufen means buy, and auf dem Markt means at the market. An einem Stall is dative because an describes a fixed location; the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Der Stall verkauft frisches Brot.
The stall sells fresh bread.
verkauft means sells, and frisches Brot means fresh bread. Der Stall is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb verkauft is in position two.
der Star — star, celebrity; starling
In this sense, der Star means a celebrity, not an astronomical der Stern. Its plural is die Stars.
Der Star gibt heute ein Konzert.
The star is giving a concert today.
ein Konzert is a concert, and heute means today. Der Star is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Fans sehen den Star am Eingang.
The fans see the star at the entrance.
die Fans are the fans, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Star is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Die Reporterin gibt dem Star ein Mikrofon.
The reporter gives the star a microphone.
die Reporterin is the female reporter, and ein Mikrofon is a microphone. Dem Star is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while ein Mikrofon is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto des Stars steht vor dem Hotel.
The star's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Stars is genitive because it shows possession; vor takes the dative here because the car is located there, not moving there.
Viele Stars wohnen in Berlin.
Many stars live in Berlin.
viele means many, and wohnen means live. Stars is the plural with -s; in Berlin gives the place and does not change the plural noun.
Ein Star sitzt auf dem Dach.
A starling is sitting on the roof.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Dach is the roof. Ein Star is nominative as the subject, while auf dem Dach uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich höre einen Star im Garten.
I hear a starling in the garden.
höre means hear, and der Garten is the garden. Einen Star is accusative because hören takes a direct object; im Garten means in the garden and uses the dative.
die Stechmücke — mosquito
The compound Stechmücke literally combines stechen, to sting, and Mücke, mosquito. Only female mosquitoes bite for blood, but the ordinary German word does not normally specify this.
Die Stechmücke sitzt an der Wand.
The mosquito is sitting on the wall.
sitzt means is sitting, and die Wand is the wall. Die Stechmücke is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich höre die Stechmücke im Schlafzimmer.
I can hear the mosquito in the bedroom.
höre means hear, and das Schlafzimmer is the bedroom. Die Stechmücke is accusative because it is what is heard; the preposition im means “in the” and gives the location.
Ich gebe der Stechmücke keine Chance.
I don't give the mosquito a chance.
gebe means give, keine Chance means no chance, and Chance is a chance. Der Stechmücke is dative because geben gives something to someone or something, while keine Chance is accusative.
Der Stich der Stechmücke juckt sehr.
The mosquito's bite itches a lot.
der Stich is the bite, and juckt sehr means itches a lot. Der Stechmücke is genitive because it shows whose bite it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Stechmücken kommen im Sommer.
Mosquitoes come in summer.
kommen means come, and im Sommer means in summer. Die Stechmücken is a plural subject, so the verb is kommen, not singular kommt; the finite verb is in position two.
der Tierarzt — veterinarian
The compound combines Tier, animal, with Arzt, doctor. The feminine form is die Tierärztin, and the plural changes a to ä: die Tierärzte.
Der Tierarzt untersucht den Hund.
The veterinarian examines the dog.
untersucht means examines, and der Hund is the dog. Der Tierarzt is nominative because he is the subject, while den Hund is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Wir rufen den Tierarzt an.
We are calling the veterinarian.
rufen ... an means call, and wir means we. Den Tierarzt is accusative because he is the object of anrufen; the separable verb puts rufen in position two and an at the end.
Ich erzähle dem Tierarzt von der Verletzung.
I tell the veterinarian about the injury.
erzähle means tell, die Verletzung is the injury, and von means about here. Dem Tierarzt is dative because erzählen addresses a recipient, and von der Verletzung is also dative because von requires the dative.
Das Auto des Tierarztes steht vor der Praxis.
The veterinarian's car is in front of the practice.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and die Praxis is the doctor's practice. Des Tierarztes is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the masculine noun takes -es.
Die Tierärzte arbeiten heute lange.
The veterinarians are working late today.
arbeiten means work, and lange means for a long time or late in this context. Die Tierärzte is plural, so the finite verb is arbeiten, not the singular arbeitet.
das Vieh — livestock, cattle; beast, animal; brute
Vieh is usually an uncountable collective noun, so it normally has no plural. For individual animals, use words such as das Tier or die Kuh.
Das Vieh steht auf der Weide.
The livestock is standing in the pasture.
die Weide is the pasture, and steht means is standing. Das Vieh is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Vieh.
The farmer feeds the livestock.
der Bauer is the farmer, and füttert means feeds. Das Vieh is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the finite verb füttert stands in position two.
Die Kinder helfen dem Vieh im Stall.
The children help the livestock in the barn.
die Kinder are the children, helfen means help, and der Stall is the barn. Dem Vieh is dative because helfen governs the dative; im Stall means in the barn.
Der Geruch des Viehs ist stark.
The smell of the livestock is strong.
der Geruch is the smell and stark means strong. Des Viehs is genitive because it shows whose smell it is; the noun Vieh takes -s in the genitive.
Dieses Vieh hat meinen Garten zerstört.
This beast has destroyed my garden.
dieses means this, meinen Garten means my garden, and zerstört means destroyed. Here Vieh is an insulting word for an animal; meinen Garten is accusative because zerstören takes a direct object.
Nenn mich nicht Vieh!
Don't call me an animal!
nenn means call and mich means me. Vieh is an insult here, and mich is accusative because nennen takes the person being named as its object.
der Waschbär — raccoon
Der Waschbär is a nocturnal animal known for its dark face markings and ringed tail. It is a weak masculine noun, so use den Waschbären and dem Waschbären, not the unchanged form Waschbär.
Der Waschbär kommt nachts.
The raccoon comes at night.
nachts means at night, and kommen means to come. Der Waschbär is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Waschbären im Garten.
I see the raccoon in the garden.
sehen means to see, im Garten means in the garden, and der Garten is the garden. Den Waschbären is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Ich gebe dem Waschbären etwas zu essen.
I give the raccoon something to eat.
geben means to give, etwas means something, and zu essen means to eat. Dem Waschbären is dative because it is the recipient of geben; as a weak masculine noun, Waschbär takes -en here.
Die Spuren des Waschbären sind im Schnee.
The raccoon's tracks are in the snow.
die Spuren are the tracks, der Schnee is the snow, and sein means to be. Des Waschbären is genitive because it shows possession; the weak noun keeps the -en ending, while des marks the genitive.
Viele Waschbären leben in Nordamerika.
Many raccoons live in North America.
viele means many, leben means live, and Nordamerika is North America. Waschbären is plural and nominative as the subject, and the plural ending -en is part of the normal form.
der Wellensittich — budgerigar, budgie
Der Wellensittich is a common pet bird. Its plural is die Wellensittiche, and it is not a weak masculine noun: the singular accusative is den Wellensittich, without -n.
Der Wellensittich singt im Käfig.
The budgerigar is singing in the cage.
singt means sings or is singing, and der Käfig is the cage. Der Wellensittich is nominative because it is the subject; im Käfig means in the cage and uses the dative after in for a fixed location.
Wir füttern den Wellensittich jeden Morgen.
We feed the budgerigar every morning.
füttern means feed and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Wellensittich is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Wellensittich frisches Wasser.
I give the budgerigar fresh water.
geben means give, frisches Wasser is fresh water, and ich means I. Dem Wellensittich is dative because it is the recipient, while frisches Wasser is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Wellensittichs ist besonders schön.
The budgerigar's colour is especially beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour and besonders schön means especially beautiful. Des Wellensittichs is genitive because it means of the budgerigar; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Wellensittiche brauchen viel Aufmerksamkeit.
Budgerigars need a lot of attention.
brauchen means need, viel means a lot of, and die Aufmerksamkeit is attention. Wellensittiche is plural and nominative because it is the subject; viel Aufmerksamkeit is the accusative object.
der Welpe — puppy
Der Welpe is a weak masculine noun: it has -n in every singular case except the nominative, as in den Welpen and dem Welpen. It can also describe the young of some other animals, but for a dog puppy is the usual translation.
Der Welpe schläft in seinem Korb.
The puppy is sleeping in its basket.
schläft means is sleeping, sein means its, and der Korb is the basket. Der Welpe is nominative because it is the subject; in seinem Korb uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Familie kauft den Welpen beim Züchter.
The family buys the puppy from the breeder.
die Familie is the family, kauft means buys, beim means at the, and der Züchter is the breeder. Den Welpen is accusative as the object of kaufen; Welpe is weak masculine and therefore takes -n outside the nominative.
Wir geben dem Welpen etwas Wasser.
We give the puppy some water.
geben means give and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Welpen is dative because it is the recipient, and the weak noun keeps -n; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Das Spielzeug des Welpen liegt unter dem Tisch.
The puppy's toy is under the table.
das Spielzeug means the toy, liegt means lies or is located, and unter dem Tisch means under the table. Des Welpen is genitive because it means of the puppy; the weak masculine form ends in -n, not -s.
Welpen brauchen viel Schlaf.
Puppies need a lot of sleep.
brauchen means need, viel means a lot of, and der Schlaf is sleep. Welpen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural looks like the oblique singular, so the article or context is important.
wild — wild, untamed; wildly, wildly energetic
For animals, wild means not domesticated; for people or situations it can also mean uncontrolled or furious. It is a regular adjective: wild - wilder - am wildesten.
Der Wolf ist wild.
The wolf is wild.
der Wolf means the wolf. The adjective wild is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen ein wildes Tier im Wald.
We see a wild animal in the forest.
ein Tier means an animal and im Wald means in the forest. wildes is attributive and has the ending -es because ein Tier is neuter accusative; sehen takes an accusative object.
Dieser Hund ist wilder als der andere.
This dog is wilder than the other one.
dieser Hund means this dog and der andere means the other one. wilder compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist der wildeste Fluss in der Gegend.
That is the wildest river in the area.
der Fluss means the river and in der Gegend means in the area. wildeste is the superlative before a masculine nominative noun and therefore takes -e; der wildeste Fluss is the subject complement after ist.
Auf der Party wurde wild getanzt.
People danced wildly at the party.
auf der Party means at the party and tanzen means to dance. Here wild is used adverbially to describe how people danced; the verb phrase wurde getanzt puts the finite verb wurde in position two and the participle at the end.
Die Kinder rennen wild durch den Garten.
The children are running wildly through the garden.
die Kinder means the children, rennen means to run, and durch den Garten means through the garden. wild describes the manner of running and has no adjective ending because it is used as an adverb; durch takes the accusative den Garten.
das Wild — game, wildlife
das Wild is a mass noun for wild animals considered as a group or as hunted game. It normally has no plural; the genitive is des Wildes, with the ending -es.
Das Wild lebt im Wald.
The game animals live in the forest.
lebt means lives and im Wald means in the forest. Das Wild is the nominative subject, and the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Die Jäger beobachten das Wild.
The hunters observe the game animals.
Die Jäger means the hunters and beobachten means observe. das Wild is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Wir helfen dem Wild im Winter.
We help the game animals in winter.
helfen means to help and im Winter means in winter. dem Wild is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, while the finite verb helfen is in position two.
Die Spuren des Wildes sind frisch.
The tracks of the game animals are fresh.
Die Spuren means the tracks and frisch means fresh. des Wildes means of the game animals and is genitive; Wild takes -es in the genitive, while sind is the finite verb in position two.