Appearance
Vocab: Body — A2 (1)
Body vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abdruck — mark, impression, print
Abdruck can mean a physical mark, such as a footprint, or a printed impression. A fingerprint is usually called Fingerabdruck.
Der Abdruck ist noch im Sand zu sehen.
The footprint can still be seen in the sand.
noch means “still”, im Sand means “in the sand”, and zu sehen means “visible” or “able to be seen”. Der Abdruck is the nominative subject; ist is in position two and zu sehen completes the predicate.
Ich sehe den Abdruck im Sand.
I can see the footprint in the sand.
sehe means “see”, and im Sand means “in the sand”. den Abdruck is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem and marks location.
Auf dem Abdruck liegt ein Blatt.
A leaf is lying on the impression.
auf means “on”, liegt means “lies”, and ein Blatt means “a leaf”. dem Abdruck is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the phrase comes first, so the verb liegt remains in position two.
Die Form des Abdrucks ist sehr deutlich.
The shape of the impression is very clear.
die Form means “the shape”, sehr means “very”, and deutlich means “clear”. des Abdrucks is genitive because it tells whose shape it is; the masculine noun has -s in the genitive.
Im Schnee sieht man viele Abdrücke.
In the snow, you can see many footprints.
im Schnee means “in the snow”, sieht man means “one can see”, and viele means “many”. Abdrücke is plural and accusative after sehen, although the plural article is absent after viele.
der Atem — breath; breathing
Der Atem wird langsam ruhiger.
The breathing slowly becomes calmer.
wird means becomes, langsam means slowly, and ruhiger means calmer. Der Atem is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wird stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht den Atem des Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient's breathing.
der Arzt means the doctor, untersucht means examines, and des Patienten means of the patient. Den Atem is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while des Patienten is genitive and shows whose breathing is meant.
Das Medikament hilft dem Atem des Patienten.
The medicine helps the patient's breathing.
das Medikament means the medicine, hilft means helps, and des Patienten means of the patient. Dem Atem is dative because helfen governs the dative; des Patienten is genitive.
Die Kontrolle des Atems dauert nur eine Minute.
The breathing check takes only one minute.
die Kontrolle means the check, dauert means takes or lasts, and nur eine Minute means only one minute. Des Atems is genitive because it specifies what is being checked; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Nach dem Sport brauchen wir drei tiefe Atemzüge.
After exercising, we need three deep breaths.
nach dem Sport means after exercising or after sport, brauchen means need, and tiefe means deep. Atemzüge is the countable plural used for individual breaths, and the whole phrase is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
aufrecht — upright, straight-backed
This adjective usually describes a straight body or posture. It can also describe someone as morally honest, but that use is more formal; it is not normally used before a noun without an adjective ending.
Er sitzt aufrecht auf dem Stuhl.
He is sitting upright on the chair.
sitzen means to sit, and der Stuhl is a chair. auf dem Stuhl is dative because auf expresses location here, while the adjective after sitzen is predicative and has no ending.
Sie bewahrt eine aufrechte Haltung.
She keeps an upright posture.
bewahren means to maintain or keep, and die Haltung is posture. eine aufrechte Haltung is accusative because it is the object of bewahren; the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Nach der Übung sitzt er aufrechter als vorher.
After the exercise, he sits more upright than before.
die Übung is the exercise, and vorher means before. aufrechter is the comparative form, and als introduces the thing being compared; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Von allen Kindern sitzt Mia am aufrechtesten.
Of all the children, Mia sits the most upright.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. am aufrechtesten is the superlative in the am form; it follows the verb sitzt as a predicative adverb and does not take a noun ending.
das Augenlid — eyelid
The plural is Augenlider, with an umlaut and -er. The word combines Auge, eye, and Lid, lid or cover.
Das Augenlid ist geschwollen.
The eyelid is swollen.
geschwollen means swollen. Das Augenlid is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Augenlid.
The doctor examines the eyelid.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. Das Augenlid is accusative because untersucht has it as its direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Augenlid Zeit zu heilen.
I give the eyelid time to heal.
Zeit means time, and heilen means to heal. Dem Augenlid is dative because it is the recipient of what is given; the infinitive zu heilen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Augenlids ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the eyelid is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Augenlids is genitive to show whose colour it is, and ist remains in position two.
Ihre Augenlider sind gerötet.
Her eyelids are reddened.
ihre means her, and gerötet means reddened. Augenlider is plural and therefore takes sind, not ist.
aussehen — to look; to appear
Aussehen describes appearance and usually combines with an adjective such as gut, müde, or komisch. In a main clause it splits into sieht ... aus, but the infinitive and Partizip II remain whole.
Du siehst heute sehr müde aus.
You look very tired today.
heute means today and müde means tired. Siehst ... aus is a separable verb in the present: the finite part siehst is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Du hast gestern sehr müde ausgesehen.
You looked very tired yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and müde means tired. Ausgesehen is the Partizip II of aussehen and combines with hast; it goes to the end of the perfect clause as one word.
Er sah nach der Reise erschöpft aus.
He looked exhausted after the journey.
nach der Reise means after the journey, and erschöpft means exhausted. Sah ... aus is the simple past of the separable verb; sah is in position two and aus is at the end.
Sieh nicht so traurig aus!
Don't look so sad!
nicht means not, so means so, and traurig means sad. In the du imperative, sieh comes first and the separable prefix aus stays at the end.
Wenn ich besser sähe aus, würde ich mich wohler fühlen.
If I looked better, I would feel more comfortable.
wenn means if, besser means better, and sich wohler fühlen means feel more comfortable. The correct order is besser aussähe in a subordinate clause; the finite verb goes to the end, so the split marking here highlights the two parts of the verb.
Du wirst auf dem Foto gut aussehen.
You will look good in the photo.
das Foto is the photo and gut means good or well. In the future, wirst is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive aussehen goes to the end; it does not split there.
der Beinbruch — broken leg; leg fracture
The compound combines das Bein (leg) and der Bruch (fracture or break). It normally means a broken leg, not any broken bone in the body.
Der Beinbruch ist kompliziert.
The leg fracture is complicated.
kompliziert means complicated. Der Beinbruch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt behandelt den Beinbruch.
The doctor is treating the broken leg.
der Arzt means the doctor and behandelt means treats. Den Beinbruch is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object, and the finite verb behandelt is in position two.
Nach dem Unfall hilft er dem Beinbruch nicht direkt.
After the accident, he does not directly treat the leg fracture.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, hilft means helps, and direkt means directly. Dem Beinbruch is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the negation nicht does not change the case.
Die Heilung des Beinbruchs dauert lange.
The healing of the broken leg takes a long time.
die Heilung means the healing and dauert lange means takes a long time. Des Beinbruchs is genitive because it specifies what is healing, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Im Krankenhaus werden zwei Beinbrüche behandelt.
Two broken legs are being treated in the hospital.
im Krankenhaus means in the hospital, zwei means two, and behandelt means treated. Zwei Beinbrüche is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; werden is the finite verb in position two and behandelt goes to the end.
berühren — to touch; to affect; to move; to affect emotionally
For physical contact, berühren takes an accusative object. It can also mean “to affect someone emotionally”, as in Das berührt mich; the verb uses haben in the perfect.
Ich berühre den Bildschirm mit einem Finger.
I touch the screen with one finger.
der Bildschirm is the screen, and mit einem Finger means with one finger. Den Bildschirm is accusative because berühren takes a direct object, while mit requires the dative; the finite verb berühre stands in position two.
Sie hat vorsichtig die heiße Pfanne berührt.
She carefully touched the hot pan.
vorsichtig means carefully, and die heiße Pfanne is the hot pan. The object is accusative because berühren takes the accusative; hat is in position two and berührt goes to the end because this is the perfect with haben.
Der Hund berührte meine Hand mit der Nase.
The dog touched my hand with its nose.
der Hund is the dog, meine Hand is my hand, and die Nase is the nose. Meine Hand is accusative because it is the object of berühren, while mit der Nase is dative because mit always takes the dative; the past-tense verb is in position two.
Berühr das Kabel nicht!
Don’t touch the cable!
das Kabel means the cable, and nicht means not. The imperative berühr addresses du and the accusative object follows it; the negative word nicht comes after the object here.
Wenn ich das Glas berührte, würde es zerbrechen.
If I touched the glass, it would break.
das Glas is the glass, and zerbrechen means to break. The sentence uses the past form berührte in the wenn-clause for an unreal condition; the finite verb goes to the end of that subordinate clause, while würde is in position two in the main clause.
Morgen berühre ich den alten Baum nicht.
Tomorrow I will not touch the old tree.
morgen means tomorrow, and der alte Baum is the old tree. Den alten Baum is accusative because berühren takes a direct object; werde would form the future, but German often uses the present berühre with a time word such as morgen.
Die Geschichte berührt mich sehr.
The story moves me deeply.
die Geschichte is the story, and sehr means very much or deeply. Mich is accusative because the person affected is the direct object of berühren; the finite verb berührt stands in position two.
Seine Worte haben meine Mutter tief berührt.
His words deeply moved my mother.
seine Worte means his words, meine Mutter is my mother, and tief means deeply. Meine Mutter is accusative because she is the person affected; haben is in position two and berührt closes the perfect-tense clause.
die Berührung — touch; contact
Die Berührung is the noun from berühren and normally describes physical contact. For an emotional reaction, German more often uses the verb berühren, meaning “to move someone”.
Die Berührung war ganz leicht.
The touch was very gentle.
leicht means gentle or light, and ganz means quite or very. Die Berührung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich spüre die Berührung noch.
I can still feel the touch.
spüren means to feel, and noch means still. Die Berührung is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; the finite verb spüre is in position two.
Bei der Berührung des Sensors leuchtet die Lampe.
When the sensor is touched, the lamp lights up.
bei means when or during here, der Sensor is the sensor, and leuchten means to light up. Bei der Berührung is dative because bei requires the dative, while des Sensors is genitive because it means “of the sensor”; the main-clause verb leuchtet is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Berührung war überraschend.
The effect of the touch was surprising.
die Wirkung means the effect, and überraschend means surprising. Der Berührung is genitive because it identifies the touch whose effect is meant; the subject is die Wirkung, so war stands in position two.
Sanfte Berührungen können beruhigen.
Gentle touches can be calming.
sanft means gentle, and beruhigen means to calm. Sanfte Berührungen is plural nominative because it is the subject; können is in position two and the infinitive beruhigen goes to the end after the modal verb.
blicken — to look, to gaze
Blicken is somewhat more formal or descriptive than schauen and often appears with a direction such as aus dem Fenster or auf etwas. For ordinary conversation, learners will often hear schauen or sehen instead.
Er blickt aus dem Fenster.
He is looking out of the window.
aus dem Fenster means out of the window. Blickt is the regular third-person singular present form and stands in position two; aus takes the dative, so das Fenster becomes dem Fenster.
Sie hat lange auf das Meer geblickt.
She looked at the sea for a long time.
lange means for a long time and das Meer means the sea. The perfect uses hat geblickt because blicken takes haben; auf das Meer is accusative because auf expresses the direction of the look.
Der Junge blickte neugierig in die Schachtel.
The boy looked curiously into the box.
der Junge is the boy, neugierig means curiously, and die Schachtel is the box. Blickte is the weak preterite; in die Schachtel is accusative because the gaze is directed into the box.
Blick nicht so traurig!
Don’t look so sad!
nicht means not and traurig means sad. Blick is the informal du imperative and comes first; the subject pronoun du is omitted.
Wenn sie genauer blickte, hätte sie den Fehler gesehen.
If she had looked more carefully, she would have seen the mistake.
genauer means more carefully, der Fehler means the mistake, and gesehen means seen. Blickte is the Konjunktiv II form here, with the finite verb at the end of the wenn clause; den Fehler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Du wirst bald anders blicken.
You will soon look at things differently.
bald means soon and anders means differently. In the future, wirst stands in position two and the infinitive blicken goes to the end; du is the subject.
das Blut — blood
Das Blut is usually an uncountable mass noun, so it normally has no plural. It is used in medical contexts and in everyday expressions such as Blut spenden.
Das Blut fließt durch den Körper.
The blood flows through the body.
fließt means flows, and durch den Körper means through the body. Das Blut is nominative because it is the subject; durch takes the accusative, so den Körper is accusative.
Der Arzt untersucht das Blut.
The doctor examines the blood.
Der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Das Blut is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; neuter das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Sie hilft dem Verletzten mit dem Blut.
She helps the injured person with the blood.
Sie hilft means she helps, and dem Verletzten means the injured person. Mit dem Blut is dative because mit always takes the dative; dem Blut refers to blood being used to help.
Die Farbe des Blutes kann unterschiedlich sein.
The colour of the blood can be different.
Die Farbe is the colour, and unterschiedlich means different or varying. Des Blutes is genitive because it means of the blood; with kann, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
Nach dem Unfall war überall Blut.
After the accident there was blood everywhere.
Nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and überall means everywhere. Blut is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural; the finite verb war comes directly after the opening phrase in position two.
die Brust — chest; breast; breast
Brust can mean the chest generally or a breast, depending on context. In medical language, Brust is common in expressions such as Brustschmerzen and Brustkorb.
Die Brust tut mir weh.
My chest hurts.
tut weh means hurts, and mir means to me. Die Brust is nominative because it is the subject of the fixed expression wehtun; weh stands at the end of the main clause.
Der Arzt untersucht die Brust.
The doctor examines the chest.
Der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Brust is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Auf der Brust liegt eine schwere Tasche.
A heavy bag is lying on the chest.
liegt means is lying, and eine schwere Tasche is a heavy bag. Auf takes the dative for a stationary location, so der Brust is dative; the verb liegt is in position two.
Die Haut der Brust ist empfindlich.
The skin of the chest is sensitive.
Die Haut means the skin, and empfindlich means sensitive. Der Brust is genitive because it shows which skin; feminine genitive uses der without changing Brust.
Beim Sport bewegen sich die Brüste leicht.
During sport, the breasts move slightly.
Beim Sport means during sport, bewegen sich means move, and leicht means slightly. Die Brüste is nominative plural, and the vowel changes from u to ü; sich belongs to the reflexive verb sich bewegen.
Das Baby trinkt an der Brust.
The baby is drinking at the breast.
Das Baby means the baby, and trinkt means drinks. An der Brust uses the dative because an describes a fixed position here; the finite verb trinkt stands in position two.
Sie trägt ein Kleid mit tiefem Ausschnitt an der Brust.
She is wearing a dress with a low neckline at the chest.
trägt means wears, ein Kleid is a dress, and tiefer Ausschnitt means low neckline. An der Brust is dative after an for location, while ein Kleid is accusative because tragen takes a direct object.
die Dauerwelle — perm, permanent wave
Dauerwelle is a feminine compound noun: die Dauerwelle, plural die Dauerwellen. In everyday speech, people may also say eine Perm for this hairstyle.
Die Dauerwelle ist wieder modern.
Perms are fashionable again.
wieder means again and modern means fashionable. Die Dauerwelle is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Schwester möchte eine Dauerwelle.
My sister would like a perm.
meine Schwester means my sister and möchte means would like. eine Dauerwelle is accusative because möchten takes an accusative object; the finite verb möchte is in position two and the infinitive is understood at the end.
Sie vertraut der Dauerwelle ihrer Friseurin.
She trusts her hairdresser's perm.
vertraut means trusts and ihrer Friseurin means her hairdresser. der Dauerwelle is dative because vertrauen requires the dative; ihrer Friseurin is genitive-like possession placed after the noun phrase.
Die Farbe der Dauerwelle gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the perm.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. der Dauerwelle is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Salon sitzen drei Kundinnen mit Dauerwellen.
Three customers with perms are sitting in the salon.
im Salon means in the salon, drei Kundinnen means three female customers, and mit means with. Dauerwellen is plural after mit, which always takes the dative; the plural noun has the ending -n.
der Duft — scent, smell, fragrance
Der Duft usually suggests a pleasant smell, while der Geruch can be pleasant or unpleasant. It is often used with von plus dative, as in der Duft von Kaffee.
Der Duft der Rosen ist wunderbar.
The scent of the roses is wonderful.
der Rosen means of the roses, and wunderbar means wonderful. Der Duft is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two and links the subject with wunderbar.
Ich liebe den Duft von frischem Brot.
I love the smell of fresh bread.
frischem Brot means fresh bread, and liebe means love. Den Duft is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; the finite verb liebe stands in position two.
Nach dem Regen liegt ein süßer Duft in der Luft.
After the rain, a sweet scent is in the air.
Nach dem Regen means after the rain, süß means sweet, and in der Luft means in the air. Nach forces the dative in dem Regen; ein Duft is nominative because it is the subject of liegt.
Die Farbe und der Duft des Tees passen gut zusammen.
The colour and the scent of the tea go well together.
die Farbe means the colour, des Tees means of the tea, and zusammenpassen means go together. Des Tees is genitive because it identifies whose scent it is; the plural subject makes the verb passen plural.
Im Laden rieche ich viele verschiedene Düfte.
In the shop, I smell many different scents.
Im Laden means in the shop, rieche means smell, and viele verschiedene means many different. Viele verschiedene Düfte is accusative because riechen here takes a direct object; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
der Ellbogen — elbow
The plural Ellbogen has the same form as the singular. In the genitive singular, des Ellbogens, the noun takes -s.
Mein Ellbogen tut weh.
My elbow hurts.
tut weh means hurts, and Mein means my. Mein Ellbogen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb tut stands in position two, while weh completes the separable expression wehtun.
Ich habe mir den Ellbogen gestoßen.
I banged my elbow.
habe ... gestoßen means banged, and mir means to myself. Den Ellbogen is accusative because it is the object of stoßen; the perfect uses haben, with the Partizip II gestoßen at the end.
Sie legt die Hand auf den Ellbogen.
She puts her hand on her elbow.
legt means puts, and die Hand means the hand. Auf den Ellbogen takes accusative because legt expresses movement towards a place; with a stationary meaning, auf dem Ellbogen would take dative.
Die Spitze des Ellbogens ist empfindlich.
The tip of the elbow is sensitive.
Die Spitze means the tip, and empfindlich means sensitive. Des Ellbogens is genitive because it identifies whose tip is meant; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Beide Ellbogen liegen auf dem Tisch.
Both elbows are on the table.
Beide means both, liegen means are lying, and der Tisch means the table. Ellbogen is plural here but has no plural ending; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
die Faust — fist
Die Faust means a closed hand. Its plural is die Fäuste, with an umlaut and -e; the phrase eine Faust machen means to make a fist.
Die Faust ist ganz fest geschlossen.
The fist is tightly closed.
ganz fest means very tightly and geschlossen means closed. Die Faust is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er ballt die Faust.
He clenches his fist.
er means he and ballt means clenches. Die Faust is accusative because it is the direct object of ballen; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Sie droht ihm mit der Faust.
She threatens him with her fist.
droht means threatens and ihm means him. Mit der Faust is dative because mit always takes the dative; ihm is also dative as the person being threatened.
Die Kraft der Faust kann sehr stark sein.
The force of the fist can be very strong.
die Kraft means the force and sehr stark means very strong. Der Faust is genitive because it identifies whose force is meant; the feminine genitive article is der, while the noun itself does not change.
Die Boxer heben die Fäuste.
The boxers raise their fists.
die Boxer means the boxers and heben means raise. Die Fäuste is plural accusative because it is the object of heben; the plural changes au to äu and adds -e.
die Frisur — hairstyle
die Frisur means the style in which someone's hair is cut or arranged. It is different from das Haar, which means the hair itself.
Die Frisur ist sehr modern.
The hairstyle is very modern.
modern means modern or fashionable, and sehr means very. Die Frisur is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich mag die Frisur.
I like the hairstyle.
ich means I, and mag means like. die Frisur is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag stands in position two.
Die Stylistin gibt der Frisur mehr Volumen.
The stylist gives the hairstyle more volume.
die Stylistin is the stylist, gibt means gives, and mehr Volumen means more volume. der Frisur is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing with geben, while mehr Volumen is the accusative object.
Die Farbe der Frisur gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the hairstyle.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. der Frisur is genitive after die Farbe to show belonging; mir is dative because gefallen uses the person who likes something as a dative phrase.
Im Salon sehe ich viele Frisuren.
In the salon I see many hairstyles.
im Salon means in the salon, sehe means see, and viele means many. Frisuren is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; viele has no plural article before it.
der Fußnagel — toenail
Der Fußnagel means the hard nail on a toe, not a fingernail. Its plural changes the vowel and adds an ending: der Fußnagel becomes die Fußnägel.
Der Fußnagel ist zu lang.
The toenail is too long.
zu lang means too long. Der Fußnagel is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; zu comes before an adjective to mean too.
Ich schneide den Fußnagel.
I cut the toenail.
schneide means cut. den Fußnagel is accusative because schneiden takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie gibt dem Fußnagel Zeit zu heilen.
She gives the toenail time to heal.
gibt means gives, Zeit means time, and heilen means heal. dem Fußnagel is dative as the recipient or affected part, and zu heilen is an infinitive phrase meaning to heal.
Die Farbe des Fußnagels ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the toenail is unusual.
Farbe means colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Fußnagels is genitive and shows which colour is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Meine Fußnägel brauchen Pflege.
My toenails need care.
Meine means my, brauchen means need, and Pflege means care. Fußnägel is the plural with an umlaut and -e, and it is the nominative subject of brauchen.
Nach dem Schwimmen trockne ich meine Fußnägel ab.
After swimming, I dry my toenails.
Nach dem Schwimmen means after swimming, and abtrocknen means dry off. meine Fußnägel is accusative because abtrocknen takes a direct object; the separable prefix ab moves to the end of the main clause.
das Gehirn — brain
das Gehirn is the brain, the organ responsible for thought and control of the body. Its plural is die Gehirne, and dem Gehirn guttun means to be good for the brain.
Das Gehirn braucht viel Energie.
The brain needs a lot of energy.
braucht means needs, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. Das Gehirn is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
Schlaf schützt das Gehirn.
Sleep protects the brain.
Schlaf means sleep, and schützt means protects. Das Gehirn is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the finite verb schützt is in position two.
Regelmäßige Bewegung tut dem Gehirn gut.
Regular exercise is good for the brain.
regelmäßige Bewegung means regular exercise, and tut gut means is good for. Dem Gehirn is dative because the fixed expression jemandem guttun assigns dative; the finite verb tut is in position two.
Die Entwicklung des Gehirns dauert viele Jahre.
The development of the brain takes many years.
die Entwicklung means the development, and dauert means takes or lasts. Des Gehirns is genitive because it identifies whose development is meant; viele Jahre means many years.
Die Gehirne dieser Tiere sind sehr unterschiedlich.
The brains of these animals are very different.
diese Tiere means these animals, and unterschiedlich means different. Gehirne is plural and nominative because it is the subject; dieser Tiere is genitive and means of these animals.
der Geruch — smell; odour
Der Geruch normally refers to what the nose detects, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Do not confuse it with das Geräusch, which means a sound or noise.
Der Geruch ist angenehm.
The smell is pleasant.
angenehm means pleasant. Geruch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; angenehm is a predicative adjective after sein and has no ending.
Ich mag den Geruch von Kaffee.
I like the smell of coffee.
mag means like, Kaffee means coffee, and von means of or from. Geruch is accusative because mögen takes an accusative object; von Kaffee specifies whose or what smell it is.
Ich folge dem Geruch in die Küche.
I follow the smell into the kitchen.
folge means follow, in die Küche means into the kitchen, and Küche means kitchen. Geruch is dative because folgen governs the dative; in die Küche is accusative because it expresses movement towards a place.
Die Quelle des Geruchs ist unbekannt.
The source of the smell is unknown.
Quelle means source, unbekannt means unknown, and ist means is. Geruchs is genitive after Quelle to identify the source; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In diesem Raum gibt es seltsame Gerüche.
There are strange smells in this room.
diesem Raum means this room, seltsam means strange, and gibt es means there are. Gerüche is plural, and after es gibt the noun phrase is accusative even though the plural article die looks the same as nominative.
das Gipsbein — plaster cast on a leg
das Gipsbein is a compound: Gips means plaster and Bein means leg. In everyday speech it usually means the plaster cast, not the injured leg itself.
Das Gipsbein ist sehr schwer.
The plaster cast on the leg is very heavy.
sehr schwer means very heavy. Das Gipsbein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Gipsbein.
The doctor examines the plaster cast on the leg.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. das Gipsbein is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Mit dem Gipsbein kann er nicht laufen.
He cannot walk with the plaster cast on his leg.
mit means with, and laufen means to walk. dem Gipsbein is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and the infinitive laufen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Gipsbeins ist blau.
The colour of the plaster cast is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. des Gipsbeins is genitive to show whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Wartezimmer sitzen drei Patienten mit Gipsbeinen.
Three patients with plaster casts on their legs are sitting in the waiting room.
das Wartezimmer means the waiting room, drei Patienten means three patients, and sitzen means are sitting. Gipsbeinen is plural dative after mit; the plural ending -e becomes -en in the dative plural.
die Glatze — bald head, bald patch; bald spot
Die Glatze can mean a completely bald head or a bald patch. The plural is die Glatzen.
Die Glatze glänzt in der Sonne.
The bald head shines in the sun.
glänzt means shines, and die Sonne is the sun. Die Glatze is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb glänzt stands in position two.
Er versteckt die Glatze unter einer Mütze.
He hides the bald head under a cap.
versteckt means hides, unter means under, and die Mütze is the cap. Die Glatze is accusative because verstecken takes a direct object, while unter einer Mütze is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Seiner Glatze fehlt ein bisschen Sonne.
His bald head needs a little sunlight.
seiner means his, fehlt means is lacking, and ein bisschen Sonne is a little sunlight. Seiner Glatze is dative because fehlen says what or whom something is missing for; the grammatical subject is ein bisschen Sonne.
Die Farbe der Glatze ist leicht gerötet.
The skin of the bald head is slightly reddened.
die Farbe is the colour, leicht means slightly, and gerötet means reddened. Der Glatze is genitive after die Farbe, showing whose colour it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Sommer schützen viele Männer ihre Glatzen.
In summer, many men protect their bald heads.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Männer means many men, and schützen means protect. Ihre Glatzen is plural accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -n.
Auf seinem Kopf sieht man eine kleine Glatze.
You can see a small bald spot on his head.
auf seinem Kopf means on his head, sieht man means one can see, and klein means small. Auf seinem Kopf is dative because it describes location, while eine kleine Glatze is accusative as the object of sehen.
Die Glatze wird jedes Jahr größer.
The bald spot gets bigger every year.
wird means becomes, jedes Jahr means every year, and größer means bigger. Die Glatze is the nominative subject, and größer is a comparative adjective after wird.
der Haarschnitt — haircut; hairstyle
The compound der Haarschnitt combines das Haar, hair, and der Schnitt, cut. It can mean the act of cutting hair or the style produced by the cut.
Der Haarschnitt ist sehr kurz.
The haircut is very short.
kurz means short. Der Haarschnitt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; kurz follows sein as a predicative adjective without an ending.
Ich mag den Haarschnitt nicht.
I don't like the haircut.
mögen means to like, and nicht means not. Den Haarschnitt is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag stands in position two.
Mit dem Haarschnitt kann ich gut arbeiten.
With the haircut, I can work well.
mit means with, and gut arbeiten means work well. Dem Haarschnitt is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and arbeiten goes to the end with the modal verb.
Die Farbe des Haarschnitts gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the haircut.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Des Haarschnitts is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; gefällt is in position two and mir is dative.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Haarschnitte.
In summer I see many haircuts.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele means many. Haarschnitte is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehe; after viele, the plural noun has no article.
die Hautpflege — skincare; skin care
Hautpflege is usually an uncountable activity or area of care, so it normally has no plural. It combines Haut (skin) and Pflege (care).
Hautpflege ist mir wichtig.
Skincare is important to me.
wichtig means important, and mir means to me. Hautpflege is nominative because it is the subject; mir is dative with the expression wichtig sein.
Ich mache jeden Abend Hautpflege.
I do my skincare every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and machen means to do. Hautpflege is an uncountable accusative object after machen, so it normally has no article and no plural.
Meine Haut fühlt sich nach der Hautpflege weich an.
My skin feels soft after the skincare routine.
sich weich anfühlen means to feel soft, and nach means after. Der Hautpflege is dative because nach always takes the dative; the separable verb appears as fühlt ... an.
Die Wirkung der Hautpflege zeigt sich nach einigen Wochen.
The effect of the skincare shows after a few weeks.
die Wirkung means the effect, sich zeigen means to become apparent, and einige Wochen means a few weeks. Der Hautpflege is genitive because it identifies the skincare connected with the effect; sich belongs to sich zeigen.
Gute Hautpflege braucht nicht viel Zeit.
Good skincare does not need much time.
gut means good, brauchen means to need, nicht means not, and viel Zeit means much time. Hautpflege is a mass noun here, so it normally has no plural; the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
die Hüfte — hip
The plural is Hüften. German often uses a possessive such as meine Hüfte, but a dative pronoun can also show whose body part is affected.
Meine Hüfte tut weh.
My hip hurts.
weh tun means to hurt. Meine Hüfte is nominative because it is the subject; tut is in position two and weh comes at the end of the expression.
Ich bewege die Hüfte langsam.
I move my hip slowly.
bewegen means to move and langsam means slowly. Die Hüfte is accusative because bewegen takes a direct object; bewege is in position two.
Er tanzt mit der Hüfte.
He dances with his hip.
tanzen means to dance and mit means with. Der Hüfte is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Beweglichkeit der Hüfte ist eingeschränkt.
The mobility of the hip is restricted.
Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted. Der Hüfte is genitive because it identifies which mobility is meant; ist is in position two.
Nach dem Sport schmerzen mir beide Hüften.
Both my hips hurt after sport.
nach dem Sport means after sport and beide means both. Hüften is the plural; beide Hüften is the subject, while mir is dative for the person affected.
das Kinn — chin
Kinn is a neuter body-part noun. Its plural is Kinne, although singular forms are much more common in everyday speech.
Das Kinn tut mir weh.
My chin hurts.
tut weh means hurts, and mir means to me. Das Kinn is nominative because it is the subject; mir is dative because wehtun commonly describes whose body part hurts.
Er hebt das Kinn.
He raises his chin.
er means he and hebt means raises or lifts. Das Kinn is accusative because it is the direct object of heben; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie berührt ihn am Kinn.
She touches him on the chin.
berührt means touches and ihn means him. Am Kinn means on the chin and is short for an dem Kinn; an takes dative here because this is a fixed location, not movement towards it.
Die Form des Kinns ist ungewöhnlich.
The shape of the chin is unusual.
die Form means the shape and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Kinns expresses possession or description, so it is genitive and the noun adds -s.
Die beiden Kinne sehen ganz verschieden aus.
The two chins look completely different.
die beiden means the two, ganz means completely, and verschieden means different. Kinne is the plural of Kinn; in the separable verb aussehen, sehen stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
der Knöchel — ankle; knuckle
The most common meaning is the ankle joint. In a hand context, der Knöchel can also mean a knuckle.
Mein Knöchel ist geschwollen.
My ankle is swollen.
mein means my and geschwollen means swollen. Mein Knöchel is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two, and geschwollen is a predicative adjective.
Ich kühle den Knöchel.
I am cooling my ankle.
kühle means cool, usually with a cold pack or water. Den Knöchel is accusative because kühlen takes a direct object; the subject ich comes first and the finite verb kühle is in position two.
Der Arzt gibt dem Knöchel Ruhe.
The doctor gives the ankle rest.
der Arzt is the doctor and Ruhe means rest. Dem Knöchel is dative as the thing receiving rest, while Ruhe is the accusative object after gibt.
Die Beweglichkeit des Knöchels ist eingeschränkt.
The ankle's mobility is restricted.
die Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted. Des Knöchels is genitive because it identifies whose mobility is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Beide Knöchel sind verletzt.
Both ankles are injured.
beide means both and verletzt means injured. Beide Knöchel is the plural subject, so the verb is sind rather than singular ist.
Er hat sich die Knöchel aufgeschürft.
He grazed his knuckles.
aufgeschürft means grazed, and sich refers back to er. Die Knöchel is the body part affected, while sich is dative in this construction; the perfect tense puts aufgeschürft at the end.
Sie klopft mit den Knöcheln an die Tür.
She knocks on the door with her knuckles.
klopft means knocks and die Tür is the door. Mit den Knöcheln is dative because mit always governs dative, while an die Tür is accusative because the knocking is directed at the door.
kratzen — to scratch; to itch; to feel scratchy; to scratch; to scrape
With a direct object, kratzen takes the accusative, as in die Haut kratzen, to scratch the skin. It can also be used with an plus the dative for scratching at a fixed object.
Die Katze kratzt an der Tür.
The cat is scratching at the door.
die Katze is the cat and die Tür is the door. an takes the dative here because the scratching happens at a fixed place, and the finite verb kratzt stands in position two.
Die Katze hat an der Tür gekratzt.
The cat scratched at the door.
die Katze is the cat and die Tür is the door. The perfect uses hat plus gekratzt because this verb takes haben; an der Tür is dative because it names a fixed place.
Die Katze kratzte an der Tür.
The cat scratched at the door.
die Katze is the cat and die Tür is the door. kratzte is the simple past, and an der Tür is dative because an describes a fixed location.
Kratz nicht an der Tür!
Don't scratch at the door!
nicht means not, and die Tür is the door. The informal imperative is kratz; an der Tür is dative because it refers to a fixed place.
Wenn ich nervös wäre, würde ich ständig an der Tür kratzen.
If I were nervous, I would scratch at the door constantly.
wenn means if, nervös means nervous, and ständig means constantly. The conditional uses wäre and würde ... kratzen; an der Tür is dative because it is a fixed location.
Die Katze wird an der Tür kratzen.
The cat will scratch at the door.
die Katze is the cat and die Tür is the door. Future wird ... kratzen puts the infinitive at the end, and an der Tür is dative because the scratching happens at a fixed place.
Meine Haut kratzt nach dem Duschen.
My skin itches after showering.
meine Haut is my skin and nach dem Duschen means after showering. Here kratzen describes an unpleasant itchy feeling, and the finite verb kratzt stands in position two.
Der Pullover hat am Hals gekratzt.
The sweater felt itchy around my neck.
der Pullover is the sweater and am Hals means around the neck. The perfect uses hat ... gekratzt, and am Hals is dative because an refers to the place where the irritation is felt.
Der Schlüssel kratzt den Lack.
The key scratches the paint.
der Schlüssel is the key and der Lack is the paint or varnish. den Lack is accusative because it is the direct object of kratzen, and the finite verb kratzt stands in position two.
Auf dem Tisch ist ein tiefer Kratzer entstanden.
A deep scratch has appeared on the table.
der Tisch is the table and ein tiefer Kratzer means a deep scratch; entstanden means appeared or formed. auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the perfect form ist entstanden uses sein with a change of state.
kräftig — strong, powerful; hearty
Kräftig describes physical strength, force, or a substantial quality. Its comparative and superlative are regular: kräftiger, am kräftigsten.
Der Mann ist kräftig.
The man is strong.
der Mann means the man, and sein means to be. Kräftig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Sie hat einen kräftigen Körper.
She has a strong body.
sie means she, haben means to have, and der Körper is the body. Kräftigen describes Körper and takes -en because einen Körper is masculine accusative.
Heute weht ein kräftigerer Wind als gestern.
A stronger wind is blowing today than yesterday.
heute means today, wehen means to blow, and gestern means yesterday. Kräftigerer is comparative and has the nominative masculine ending -er because ein kräftigerer Wind is the subject.
Im Herbst ist der Wind am kräftigsten.
In autumn, the wind is strongest.
im Herbst means in autumn, and der Wind is the wind. Im is short for in dem and takes the dative here; am kräftigsten is the predicative superlative and does not take an adjective ending.
kämmen — to comb
Kämmen can be used reflexively with sich die Haare kämmen. In this pattern, the person is dative and die Haare is accusative: Ich kämme mir die Haare.
Ich kämme mir jeden Morgen die Haare.
I comb my hair every morning.
mir means “myself/to myself”, jeden Morgen means “every morning”, and die Haare means “the hair”. Mir is dative for the person whose hair is combed, while die Haare is the accusative object; the finite verb kämme is in position two.
Sie hat sich vor der Arbeit gekämmt.
She combed her hair before work.
sich means “herself”, vor der Arbeit means “before work”, and Arbeit means “work”. The perfect uses hat plus gekämmt because kämmen takes haben; the participle stands at the end.
Früher kämmte er seine Tochter.
He used to comb his daughter’s hair.
früher means “in the past”, seine Tochter means “his daughter”, and Tochter means “daughter”. Seine Tochter is accusative because it is the object; the weak-verb preterite kämmte is in position two.
Kämm dich bitte vor dem Fest.
Please comb your hair before the party.
dich means “yourself”, bitte means “please”, vor dem Fest means “before the party”, and Fest means “party”. Dich is accusative because the reflexive action affects the person directly; the imperative comes first and the verb is not accompanied by du.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, kämmte ich das Kind.
If I had time, I would comb the child’s hair.
wenn means “if”, Zeit means “time”, and hätte means “had”. Das Kind is accusative because it is the object; kämmte is also the Konjunktiv II form here, and it stands at the end of the wenn-clause.
Ich werde das Baby später kämmen.
I will comb the baby’s hair later.
werde means “will”, das Baby means “the baby”, and später means “later”. Das Baby is accusative as the object, while the infinitive kämmen goes to the end after the future auxiliary werde.
die Lippe — lip
The plural Lippen normally refers to both lips or to lips in general. Lippe can also refer to the edge or border of something, but the body-part meaning is the common one.
Meine Lippe ist trocken.
My lip is dry.
trocken means dry. Meine Lippe is nominative because it is the subject of the sentence, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht meine Lippe.
The doctor examines my lip.
der Arzt is the doctor and untersucht means examines. Meine Lippe is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Auf meiner Lippe ist ein kleiner Schnitt.
There is a small cut on my lip.
auf means on, klein means small, and der Schnitt is the cut. Meiner Lippe is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, and ist stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Lippe ist sehr blass.
The colour of the lip is very pale.
die Farbe is the colour and blass means pale. Der Lippe is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
Im Winter werden meine Lippen schnell trocken.
In winter my lips quickly become dry.
im Winter means in winter, schnell means quickly, and werden means become. Meine Lippen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; werden is in position two.
die Locke — curl, lock of hair
die Locke normally means one curl or lock of hair. Its plural is Locken, not Lockes; the noun is feminine, so its genitive article is der.
Die Locke fällt ihr ins Gesicht.
The curl falls into her face.
fällt means falls and ihr means her. Die Locke is nominative because it is the subject; ihr is dative with a body-part expression, and ins Gesicht means into the face.
Sie kämmt die Locke.
She combs the curl.
sie means she and kämmt means combs. die Locke is accusative because kämmen takes the thing being combed as a direct object.
Er gibt der Locke etwas Haarspray.
He gives the curl some hairspray.
gibt means gives and etwas Haarspray means some hairspray. der Locke is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Haarspray is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe der Locke ist sehr hell.
The colour of the curl is very light.
die Farbe means the colour and sehr hell means very light. der Locke is genitive because it specifies which curl’s colour is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Ihre Locken sind natürlich.
Her curls are natural.
ihre means her and natürlich means natural. Locken is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is plural sind; the ending -n belongs to the plural noun.
lockig — curly
Lockig normally describes hair, fur, or a wig with curls. Its opposite is glatt, meaning straight or smooth.
Ihr Haar ist sehr lockig.
Her hair is very curly.
Ihr Haar means her hair, and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat lockige Haare.
She has curly hair.
Haare means hair, and haben means to have. Lockige stands before the accusative plural noun Haare and therefore has an adjective ending; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Ihre Haare sind heute lockiger als gestern.
Her hair is curlier today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Lockiger compares two states with als; after sind, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Kindern hat Mia die am lockigsten Haare.
Of all the children, Mia has the curliest hair.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and die Haare means the hair. Am lockigsten is the predicative superlative, but before the noun the natural form is die am lockigsten Haare in this informal phrasing; the verb hat takes the accusative object die Haare.
die Lunge — lung
Die Lunge is feminine, and its plural is die Lungen. In medical language, Lunge can refer to one lung or to the lung organ generally.
Die Lunge braucht Sauerstoff.
The lung needs oxygen.
braucht means needs, and Sauerstoff means oxygen. Die Lunge is the nominative subject, so the finite verb braucht stands in position two; Sauerstoff is the accusative object.
Der Arzt untersucht die Lunge.
The doctor examines the lung.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Lunge is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Mit der Lunge kann man atmen.
You can breathe with the lung.
mit means with, and atmen means to breathe. Mit always takes the dative, so der Lunge is dative; kann is in position two and atmen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Funktion der Lunge ist lebenswichtig.
The function of the lung is vital.
die Funktion means the function, and lebenswichtig means vital or essential for life. Der Lunge is genitive after die Funktion to show possession or connection, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Beim Atmen arbeiten die Lungen zusammen.
The lungs work together when breathing.
beim Atmen means while breathing, and zusammenarbeiten means work together. Die Lungen is the plural nominative subject, so the plural verb arbeiten stands in position two.
massieren — to massage
Massieren normally takes an accusative person or body part: jemanden massieren or den Rücken massieren. It forms the perfect with haben; the Partizip II is massiert, without ge- because the verb ends in -ieren.
Die Therapeutin massiert meinen Rücken.
The therapist massages my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Meinen Rücken is accusative because massieren takes the body part as a direct object; the finite verb massiert stands in position two.
Die Therapeutin hat meinen Rücken massiert.
The therapist massaged my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Massiert is the Partizip II of massieren and goes to the end of the perfect clause, while the auxiliary hat stands in position two; the object is accusative.
Die Therapeutin massierte meinen Rücken.
The therapist massaged my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Massierte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two; meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the direct object.
Massier bitte meine Schultern.
Please massage my shoulders.
bitte means please, and meine Schultern means my shoulders. Massier is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; meine Schultern is accusative as the direct object.
Wenn du mich massiertest, würde ich mich entspannen.
If you massaged me, I would relax.
wenn means if, mich means me, and würde ich mich entspannen means I would relax. Massiertest is the second-person singular Konjunktiv II form in this hypothetical condition, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause; mich is accusative.
Die Therapeutin wird meinen Rücken massieren.
The therapist will massage my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive massieren goes to the end; the body part is accusative.
der Muskel — muscle
In everyday German, pain is commonly expressed with der Muskel tut weh or die Muskeln tun weh. The plural is Muskeln, with -n, not Muskels.
Der Muskel tut mir weh.
The muscle hurts.
tut weh means hurts, and mir means to me. Der Muskel is nominative because it is the subject; mir is dative because wehtun expresses who experiences the pain.
Ich dehne den Muskel nach dem Sport.
I stretch the muscle after sport.
dehne means stretch, nach dem Sport means after sport, and Sport means physical exercise or sport. Den Muskel is accusative because dehnen takes a direct object; the finite verb dehne is in position two.
Nach dem Training schmerzt dem Muskel?
After training, the muscle hurts?
Training means training, and schmerzt means hurts. This sentence is not natural standard German with dem Muskel: say Nach dem Training tut der Muskel weh; the muscle is nominative with wehtun, not dative.
Die Funktion des Muskels ist sehr wichtig.
The function of the muscle is very important.
Funktion means function, and wichtig means important. Des Muskels is genitive because it identifies which function; the genitive singular adds -s to Muskel.
Die Muskeln sind nach dem Lauf müde.
The muscles are tired after the run.
nach dem Lauf means after the run, and müde means tired. Die Muskeln is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n, and sind is the plural form of sein.
männlich — male; masculine
Männlich can describe biological sex, as in a form or medical context, and can also describe traditionally masculine qualities. For people, use it carefully: männlich is neutral and factual, while some similar words can sound judgmental.
Das Kind ist männlich.
The child is male.
Das Kind means the child. Männlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Ärztin untersucht einen männlichen Patienten.
The doctor examines a male patient.
Die Ärztin means the female doctor, untersucht means examines, and Patienten means patient. Einen männlichen Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; both the adjective and this masculine noun show the accusative pattern.
Seine Stimme klingt männlicher als früher.
His voice sounds more masculine than before.
Seine Stimme means his voice, klingt means sounds, and früher means before or earlier. Männlicher compares the voice with its earlier sound and is followed by als; after klingt, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Stimmen klingt seine am männlichsten.
Of all the voices, his sounds the most masculine.
Von allen Stimmen means of all the voices, and seine means his. Am männlichsten is the predicative superlative after klingt; von takes the dative, shown by allen Stimmen, and the superlative has no adjective ending after am.
der Nacken — neck, nape; animal's neck
The everyday word for pain in this area is Nackenschmerzen. Do not confuse der Nacken with der Hals, which usually means the front or whole throat-and-neck area.
Der Nacken tut mir weh.
My neck hurts.
weh tun means to hurt, and mir means to me. Der Nacken is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb tut is in position two, while weh goes to the end of the fixed expression weh tun.
Ich massiere meinen Nacken.
I massage my neck.
massieren means to massage, and meinen means my. Meinen Nacken is accusative because massieren takes a direct object; the finite verb massiere stands in position two.
Sie legt mir die Hand in den Nacken.
She puts her hand on the back of my neck.
legt means puts, die Hand is the hand, and in den means into or onto the. Mir is dative for the person affected, while in den Nacken is accusative because in shows movement toward a place; the verb legt is in position two.
Die Muskeln des Nackens sind verspannt.
The neck muscles are tense.
Muskeln means muscles and verspannt means tense. Des Nackens is genitive because it identifies whose muscles they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Nach dem Sport schmerzen vielen Menschen die Nacken.
After sport, many people's necks hurt.
Nach dem Sport means after sport, vielen Menschen means many people, and schmerzen means hurt. Die Nacken is plural and nominative because it is the thing that hurts; nach takes the dative, and the plural noun has no ending change.
Der Reiter hielt das Pferd am Nacken.
The rider held the horse by the neck.
Reiter means rider, hielt means held, and Pferd means horse. Am Nacken is short for an dem Nacken; an takes the dative here because it describes the place where the rider held the horse.
Die Katze packte das Junge im Nacken.
The cat grabbed the young one by the neck.
Katze means cat, packte means grabbed, and Junge means young one. Im Nacken is short for in dem Nacken and is dative because it names the place of the action.
riechen — to smell, to sniff; to sniff at
For the smell something sense, riechen often appears with an plus the dative, as in an einer Blume riechen. With nach plus the dative, it means “smell of”, as in nach Rauch riechen.
Die Blumen riechen wunderbar.
The flowers smell wonderful.
die Blumen are the flowers, and wunderbar means wonderful. Riechen is in position two because it is the finite verb; wunderbar describes the smell and is not an adverb ending in -erweise.
Die Küche hat nach Knoblauch gerochen.
The kitchen smelled of garlic.
die Küche is the kitchen, and der Knoblauch is garlic. Gerochen is the Partizip II and pairs with hat because riechen takes haben; it stands at the end of the main clause.
Der alte Teppich roch nach Rauch.
The old carpet smelled of smoke.
der alte Teppich is the old carpet, and der Rauch is smoke. Roch is the strong-verb preterite of riechen and stands in position two; nach Rauch means “of smoke” and uses nach with the dative.
Riech bitte an dieser Blume.
Please smell this flower.
bitte means please, and diese Blume is this flower. Riech is the du imperative; an means “at” here and takes the dative in an dieser Blume, so the article is dieser.
Wenn ich daran riechen dürfte, wäre ich zufrieden.
If I were allowed to smell it, I would be satisfied.
daran means at it or about it, dürfte means would be allowed to, and zufrieden means satisfied. In the wenn clause, the infinitive riechen goes to the end; wäre is the Konjunktiv II of sein in the main clause.
Morgen werde ich an den Rosen riechen.
Tomorrow I will smell the roses.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Rosen are the roses. Werde is in position two and the infinitive riechen goes to the end in the future; an den Rosen uses the dative because this means smelling at something, not movement toward it.
Das Kind riecht an der Rose.
The child smells the rose.
das Kind is the child, and die Rose is the rose. An der Rose is dative because an means “at” here; the finite verb riecht is in position two.
Der Hund hat an der Tasche gerochen.
The dog sniffed at the bag.
der Hund is the dog, and die Tasche is the bag. An der Tasche is dative after an in this meaning, while gerochen is placed at the end with the auxiliary hat.
rothaarig — red-haired
This adjective describes a person's hair colour. It is normally used with sein in the predicate or before a noun with an adjective ending.
Meine Schwester ist rothaarig.
My sister is red-haired.
Meine Schwester means my sister, and rothaarig means red-haired. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das rothaarige Mädchen sitzt im Garten.
The red-haired girl is sitting in the garden.
das Mädchen is the girl, sitzt means is sitting, and im Garten means in the garden. rothaarige stands before the noun and takes -e after the definite article das; the noun phrase is the nominative subject.
Lena ist rothaariger als ihre Schwester.
Lena is more red-haired than her sister.
als introduces the comparison, and ihre Schwester means her sister. rothaariger is predicative after ist and has the comparative ending -er; do not use mehr with this adjective.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am rothaarigsten.
Of all the children, Mia is the most red-haired.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and von takes the dative plural. am rothaarigsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb remains in position two.
schlank — slim, slender
Schlank usually describes someone or something thin in a positive or neutral way. It is not the usual word for dangerously thin; dünn is more general and can sound less positive.
Meine Schwester ist sehr schlank.
My sister is very slim.
meine Schwester means my sister and sehr means very. Schlank is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt ein schlankes Kleid.
She is wearing a slim-fitting dress.
tragen means to wear and das Kleid is a dress. Ein schlankes Kleid is accusative because it is the object of trägt; the adjective takes -es after the neuter indefinite article ein.
Dieses Kleid macht sie schlanker.
This dress makes her look slimmer.
dieses Kleid means this dress, machen means to make, and sie means her in this sentence. Schlanker compares her appearance with how it was before; sie is accusative after macht, and the comparative adjective has the ending -er.
Von allen Models ist Anna am schlanksten.
Of all the models, Anna is the slimmest.
von allen Models means of all the models, and am schlanksten means the slimmest. The am superlative is used predicatively after ist; von takes the dative, shown by allen Models.
der Schweiß — sweat; hard work, effort
Schweiß is usually an uncountable substance, so German normally does not use a plural. It often appears with der Schweiß or with expressions such as im Schweiß baden.
Der Schweiß läuft ihm über die Stirn.
Sweat is running down his forehead.
die Stirn means forehead, and über means over or down across. Der Schweiß is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb läuft is in position two, while ihm is dative for the person affected.
Ich wische den Schweiß mit einem Handtuch ab.
I wipe away the sweat with a towel.
wischen means to wipe, das Handtuch means towel, and abwischen means to wipe away. Den Schweiß is accusative because abwischen takes a direct object; the separable prefix ab stands at the end of this main clause.
Nach dem Lauf tropft mir der Schweiß.
After the run, sweat is dripping from me.
der Lauf means the run, and tropfen means to drip. Mir is dative for the person from whom the sweat drips, while der Schweiß is the nominative subject; the verb tropft remains in position two.
Die Ursache des Schweißes ist die Hitze.
The cause of the sweat is the heat.
die Ursache means cause and die Hitze means heat. Des Schweißes is genitive because it identifies what kind of cause it is; the linking verb ist connects the subject and its description.
Sportler verlieren viel Schweiß.
Athletes lose a lot of sweat.
Sportler means athletes and verlieren means lose; viel means a lot of. Schweiß is a mass noun here, so it has no plural; it is accusative because verlieren takes a direct object.
Der Erfolg wurde mit viel Schweiß erreicht.
The success was achieved through a great deal of hard work.
der Erfolg means success and erreichen means to achieve; viel means a lot of. Mit takes the dative, but this expression uses uncountable Schweiß without an article; the passive form wurde erreicht puts the action in the past.
Ohne Schweiß gibt es keinen Erfolg.
Without hard work, there is no success.
ohne means without, geben means there is or are in this pattern, and keinen Erfolg means no success. Ohne takes the accusative, but the mass noun Schweiß is used without an article; keinen negates the masculine accusative noun Erfolg.
das Skelett — skeleton
The plural of das Skelett is die Skelette. The word is used in medicine, biology, and also figuratively for the basic framework of something.
Das Skelett schützt wichtige Organe.
The skeleton protects important organs.
schützen means protect, and wichtige Organe means important organs. Das Skelett is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Skelett.
The doctor examines the skeleton.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersuchen means examine. Das Skelett is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Ärztin hilft dem Skelett nicht, sondern dem Patienten.
The female doctor does not help the skeleton, but the patient.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, helfen means help, and der Patient is the patient. Dem Skelett is dative because helfen governs the dative; sondern introduces a correction after a negation.
Die Form des Skeletts ist erstaunlich.
The shape of the skeleton is amazing.
die Form means the shape, and erstaunlich means amazing. Des Skeletts is genitive because it identifies whose shape it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Im Museum stehen mehrere Skelette.
Several skeletons are standing in the museum.
das Museum is the museum, stehen means stand, and mehrere means several. Skelette is the plural after mehrere; im Museum is a dative location after in.
sportlich — sporty, athletic
sportlich can describe both physical ability and an active lifestyle. Its opposite is unsportlich, meaning not sporty or unfair in behaviour.
Meine Schwester ist sehr sportlich.
My sister is very sporty.
meine Schwester means my sister, and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; learners should not add -e after sein.
Er trägt eine sportliche Jacke.
He is wearing a sporty jacket.
trägt means is wearing, and eine Jacke is a jacket. sportliche has an adjective ending because it stands before the feminine accusative noun Jacke after eine; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Lena ist sportlicher als ich.
Lena is sportier than I am.
als introduces the person used for comparison, and ich means I. sportlicher is the comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; learners should use als, not wie, for an unequal comparison.
Tom ist am sportlichsten in seiner Klasse.
Tom is the most sporty in his class.
in seiner Klasse means in his class, and seiner Klasse is dative after in for a location. am sportlichsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb remains in position two.
stark — strong, powerful; intense
Stark can describe physical power, flavour, wind, feelings, or effects. Its comparative and superlative change the vowel: stark – stärker – am stärksten.
Der Kaffee ist stark.
The coffee is strong.
der Kaffee is the coffee. Stark is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject der Kaffee.
Sie trägt eine starke Tasche.
She is carrying a strong, sturdy bag.
trägt means is carrying, and die Tasche is the bag. Starke stands before the feminine accusative noun Tasche and takes -e after eine.
Der Wind ist heute stärker als gestern.
The wind is stronger today than yesterday.
der Wind is the wind, and gestern means yesterday. Stärker compares two situations and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Im Winter ist der Wind am stärksten.
In winter, the wind is strongest.
im Winter means in winter. Am stärksten is the predicative superlative after ist; im is short for in dem, with the dative.
die Stirn — forehead
The fixed expression sich an die Stirn fassen can show surprise, disbelief, or annoyance. Do not confuse Stirn with Stimme, which means voice.
Die Stirn ist ganz warm.
The forehead is very warm.
warm means warm, and ganz means very or completely. Die Stirn is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Stirn.
The doctor examines the forehead.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Stirn is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while untersucht is the finite verb in position two.
Ich gebe der Stirn etwas Zeit zum Abheilen.
I give the forehead some time to heal.
ich gebe means I give, etwas Zeit means some time, and zum Abheilen means to heal. Der Stirn is dative because geben can take the recipient or affected part in the dative, while etwas Zeit is the accusative thing given.
Die Haut der Stirn ist trocken.
The skin of the forehead is dry.
die Haut means the skin, and trocken means dry. Der Stirn is genitive because it identifies whose skin is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Ihre Stirnen glänzen im Licht.
Their foreheads shine in the light.
ihre means their, glänzen means shine, and im Licht means in the light. Stirnen is the plural subject, and im is in dem, with dative because it describes a location rather than movement.
Ich habe mir die Stirn gestoßen.
I bumped my forehead.
mir means to myself, and gestoßen means bumped or hit. Die Stirn is accusative as the thing hit, while mir is dative because the person affected is expressed with sich etwas stoßen; the perfect uses habe ... gestoßen.
das Tattoo — tattoo
The plural of das Tattoo is die Tattoos, with the international ending -s. In ein Tattoo stechen lassen, the phrase means to get a tattoo; it does not mean to let a tattoo stab something.
Das Tattoo ist neu.
The tattoo is new.
neu means new. Das Tattoo is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag das Tattoo.
I like the tattoo.
Ich means I and mag means like. Das Tattoo is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag is in position two.
Ich zeige meiner Freundin dem Tattoo?
I show my friend the tattoo?
zeigen means to show and meiner Freundin means to my female friend. This sentence would normally use das Tattoo as the thing shown, not dem Tattoo; dem Tattoo is dative and means to the tattoo, so it is a useful warning not to use dative for the direct object.
Die Farbe des Tattoos ist verblasst.
The colour of the tattoo has faded.
die Farbe means the colour and verblasst means has faded. des Tattoos is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the neuter article is des, and the noun takes -s.
Viele Tattoos erzählen eine Geschichte.
Many tattoos tell a story.
viele means many, erzählen means tell, and eine Geschichte means a story. Tattoos is plural and has no extra German ending beyond -s; the plural subject takes the finite verb erzählen.
die Träne — tear
The expression Tränen lachen means to laugh a lot, while Tränen weinen means to cry. The plural Tränen is also used for tears caused by strong emotion.
Die Träne läuft über ihre Wange.
The tear runs down her cheek.
läuft means runs, and die Wange is the cheek. Die Träne is nominative because it is the subject; ihre Wange means her cheek, and über takes the accusative here because the tear moves across it.
Er wischt die Träne weg.
He wipes the tear away.
wischt ... weg means wipes away. Die Träne is accusative because it is the object of wegwischen; the separable prefix weg goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie gibt der Träne keine Bedeutung.
She attaches no importance to the tear.
gibt ... Bedeutung literally means gives meaning or importance, and keine means no. Der Träne is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while keine Bedeutung is accusative.
Die Farbe der Träne ist klar.
The colour of the tear is clear.
die Farbe is the colour, and klar means clear. Der Träne is genitive because it identifies which colour is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Beim Weinen kommen Tränen.
Tears come when crying.
beim Weinen means while crying, and kommen means come. Tränen is the plural subject; beim means bei dem and takes the dative, while the plural verb kommen is in position two.
die Verletzung — injury
The word can describe a physical injury or, less often, damage to something. It is related to verletzen, meaning to injure or hurt.
Die Verletzung ist nicht sehr schlimm.
The injury is not very serious.
schlimm means serious or bad, and nicht sehr means not very. Die Verletzung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Verletzung.
The doctor examines the injury.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. Die Verletzung is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Der Arzt hilft dem Patienten mit der Verletzung.
The doctor helps the patient with the injury.
helfen means to help, der Patient is the patient, and mit means with. Der Verletzung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb hilft also takes a dative person.
Die Heilung der Verletzung dauert mehrere Wochen.
The healing of the injury takes several weeks.
die Heilung means healing, dauern means to take time, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Der Verletzung is genitive because it identifies whose healing is meant; the genitive phrase follows the noun Heilung.
Nach dem Unfall hatte sie mehrere Verletzungen.
After the accident, she had several injuries.
der Unfall is the accident, nach means after, and mehrere means several. Verletzungen is plural and has no plural ending on its article here because mehrere already signals the plural; nach dem Unfall is dative because nach takes the dative.
die Wange — cheek
The plural Wangen is regular and means cheeks. Die Wange normally refers to the facial cheek, not the jaw or chin.
Meine Wange ist ganz rot.
My cheek is completely red.
ganz means completely, and rot means red. Meine Wange is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich berühre meine Wange.
I touch my cheek.
berühren means to touch. Meine Wange is accusative because berühren takes a direct object, and the finite verb berühre stands in position two.
Auf der Wange ist ein kleiner Kratzer.
There is a small scratch on the cheek.
auf means on, klein means small, and der Kratzer is the scratch. Auf der Wange is dative because this phrase describes a fixed location, and auf takes dative here.
Die Haut der Wange ist sehr empfindlich.
The skin of the cheek is very sensitive.
die Haut is the skin and empfindlich means sensitive. Der Wange is genitive because it means of the cheek and shows which skin is meant.
Im Winter werden meine Wangen oft kalt.
In winter my cheeks often get cold.
im Winter means in winter, oft means often, and kalt means cold. Wangen is the plural of Wange; werden is in position two, while kalt comes at the end as the result or state.
die Wunde — wound, injury
die Wunde usually means a physical injury or open sore. Its plural is regular in spelling but adds -n: die Wunden.
Die Wunde heilt langsam.
The wound is healing slowly.
heilt means is healing, and langsam means slowly. Die Wunde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb heilt is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Wunde.
The doctor examines the wound.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Wunde is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Krankenschwester gibt der Wunde Zeit.
The nurse gives the wound time.
die Krankenschwester is the nurse, and Zeit geben means give time. Der Wunde is dative because geben assigns the recipient or affected thing to the dative; the other object, Zeit, is accusative.
Die Größe der Wunde wird gemessen.
The size of the wound is measured.
die Größe means the size, and wird gemessen means is measured. Der Wunde is genitive because it identifies whose size is meant; wird gemessen is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
Die Ärztin behandelt mehrere Wunden.
The female doctor treats several wounds.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, behandelt means treats, and mehrere means several. Wunden is the plural with -n and is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object.