Appearance
Vocab: Body — B1
Body vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abnehmen — to lose weight; to decrease
abnehmen is a strong separable verb: nehmen - nahm - hat genommen, with the prefix added. In the meaning ‘lose weight’ it normally has no object; with an object it can also mean ‘take something off’ or ‘remove something’.
Sie nimmt ab, weil sie gesünder isst.
She is losing weight because she is eating more healthily.
weil means because, gesünder means more healthily, and isst means eats. Nimmt ab is separable: the finite verb nimmt is in position two and ab goes to the end; in the weil clause, the finite verb isst goes to the end.
Er hat in drei Monaten fünf Kilo abgenommen.
He lost five kilos in three months.
in drei Monaten means in three months and fünf Kilo means five kilos. The verb uses haben, not sein, because this meaning describes a change in weight rather than movement; abgenommen stands at the end.
Früher nahm ab ich schnell.
I used to lose weight quickly.
früher means formerly or in the past, and schnell means quickly. Nahm ... ab is the simple past of separable abnehmen; the finite verb nahm is in position two and ab forms the end of the sentence bracket.
Nimm ab und beweg dich mehr!
Lose weight and exercise more!
beweg dich mehr means exercise more, with a reflexive dich meaning yourself. Nimm ab is the singular du imperative; the prefix ab follows the verb, and the accusative reflexive pronoun dich follows beweg.
Ich nähme ab, wenn ich weniger esse.
I would lose weight if I ate less.
wenn means if, weniger means less, and esse means ate or eat. Nähme ab is the Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical situation; the finite verb nähme is in position two, while wenn sends esse to the end of its clause.
Mit dieser Diät wird sie langsam abnehmen.
With this diet, she will slowly lose weight.
mit dieser Diät means with this diet, and langsam means slowly. Mit takes the dative, and Future I uses wird in position two with the infinitive abnehmen at the end; the infinitive is not separated.
die Atmung — breathing, respiration
This is usually an uncountable noun for the process of breathing. In medical contexts, die Atmung can be described as ruhig, calm, or schnell, fast.
Die Atmung wird nach dem Sport schneller.
Breathing becomes faster after exercise.
schneller means faster, and nach dem Sport means after exercise. Die Atmung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wird is in position two; nach takes the dative here.
Der Arzt überprüft die Atmung.
The doctor checks the breathing.
der Arzt means the doctor, and überprüft means checks. Die Atmung is accusative because überprüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb überprüft stands in position two.
Der Patient hilft seiner Atmung mit einer Atemübung.
The patient helps his breathing with a breathing exercise.
der Patient means the patient, seiner means his, and eine Atemübung is a breathing exercise. Seiner Atmung is dative because helfen requires the dative, and the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Kontrolle der Atmung dauert nur eine Minute.
The check of the breathing takes only one minute.
die Kontrolle means the check, and dauert means takes or lasts. Der Atmung is genitive because it specifies which check is meant; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
der Ausdruck — expression, term; facial expression; printout; printout
The meaning depends on context: der Ausdruck can be a linguistic expression, a facial expression, or a printed document. Do not confuse it with the verb ausdrücken, which means to express or squeeze out.
Dieser Ausdruck ist in Deutschland sehr gebräuchlich.
This expression is very common in Germany.
gebräuchlich means common or frequently used. Dieser Ausdruck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kenne diesen Ausdruck noch nicht.
I do not know this expression yet.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and noch nicht means not yet. diesen Ausdruck is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin erklärt mir den Ausdruck.
The teacher explains the expression to me.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, erklären means to explain, and mir means to me. mir is dative as the recipient, while den Ausdruck is accusative as what is explained.
Die Bedeutung des Ausdrucks ist unklar.
The meaning of the expression is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. des Ausdrucks is genitive because it identifies whose meaning it is; the noun gets -s in the genitive.
In diesem Text stehen viele neue Ausdrücke.
There are many new expressions in this text.
diesem Text means this text and viele neue means many new. Ausdrücke is plural after viele; in diesem Text is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Der Ausdruck liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The printout is on the desk.
liegt means is lying, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Der Ausdruck is nominative because it is the subject, while auf dem Schreibtisch is dative because it describes a location.
Kannst du mir den Ausdruck geben?
Can you give me the printout?
Kannst du means can you, geben means give, and mir means to me. mir is dative for the recipient and den Ausdruck is accusative for the thing given; the modal verb kannst is in position two and geben goes to the end.
die Dicke — thickness
This noun normally describes a measurement, as in the thickness of a wall or material. Do not confuse die Dicke with dick, which is an adjective meaning thick or fat.
Die Dicke der Wand beträgt zwanzig Zentimeter.
The thickness of the wall is twenty centimetres.
die Wand means the wall, and beträgt means amounts to or measures. Der Wand is genitive because it specifies whose thickness is meant, while die Dicke is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Ich kenne die Dicke des Glases nicht.
I do not know the thickness of the glass.
kennen means to know, and das Glas means glass; nicht means not. Die Dicke is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while des Glases is genitive and means “of the glass”; the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Dicke von drei Millimetern.
We are approaching a thickness of three millimetres.
sich nähern means to approach, and drei Millimeter means three millimetres. Der Dicke is dative because sich nähern takes a dative complement; the reflexive pronoun uns is also dative, and von takes the dative here.
Wegen der Dicke passt das Buch nicht in die Tasche.
Because of its thickness, the book does not fit in the bag.
wegen means because of, passen means to fit, and die Tasche is the bag. Wegen traditionally takes the genitive, so der Dicke means “because of the thickness”; the finite verb passt is in position two, and in die Tasche is accusative because it expresses direction.
Die verschiedenen Dicken der Bretter müssen zusammenpassen.
The different thicknesses of the boards have to match.
verschieden means different, das Brett is a board, and zusammenpassen means to match or fit together. Dicken is plural and is the subject; der Bretter is genitive plural and means “of the boards,” while müssen sends zusammenpassen to the end.
das Fußgelenk — ankle, ankle joint
In ordinary conversation, Fußgelenk often means the ankle as a whole, not only the joint. For a medical context, Sprunggelenk is another common word.
Mein Fußgelenk tut weh.
My ankle hurts.
mein means my and tut weh means hurts. Mein Fußgelenk is nominative because it is the subject; the fixed expression wehtun has the finite part tut in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Fußgelenk.
The doctor examines the ankle.
der Arzt is the doctor and untersucht means examines. das Fußgelenk is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object; with a neuter noun, das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach dem Sturz kann ich auf dem Fußgelenk nicht stehen.
After the fall, I cannot stand on my ankle.
nach dem Sturz means after the fall, kann ich nicht means I cannot, and stehen means stand. auf dem Fußgelenk is dative because auf describes a location or support here; the modal verb kann sends stehen to the end.
Die Beweglichkeit des Fußgelenks ist eingeschränkt.
The mobility of the ankle is restricted.
die Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted. des Fußgelenks is genitive because it specifies which joint's mobility is meant; the noun takes -s.
Beide Fußgelenke sind nach dem Training müde.
Both ankles are tired after training.
beide means both, nach dem Training means after training, and müde means tired. Fußgelenke is the plural with -e; the plural subject requires sind, not ist.
der Fußknöchel — ankle
Der Fußknöchel is the ankle joint. Its plural is unchanged: der Fußknöchel, but die Fußknöchel; do not confuse it with der Knöchel, which can also mean the knuckle of a finger.
Mein Fußknöchel tut nach dem Lauf weh.
My ankle hurts after the run.
Mein means my, tut weh means hurts, Lauf means run, and nach means after. Mein Fußknöchel is the nominative subject, and nach dem Lauf is dative because nach takes the dative.
Der Arzt untersucht den Fußknöchel.
The doctor examines the ankle.
Arzt means doctor and untersucht means examines. den Fußknöchel is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Fußknöchel etwas Ruhe.
I give the ankle some rest.
gebe means give and etwas Ruhe means some rest. dem Fußknöchel is dative as the recipient or affected part, while etwas Ruhe is accusative as the thing given.
Die Beweglichkeit des Fußknöchels ist eingeschränkt.
The ankle's mobility is restricted.
Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted or limited. des Fußknöchels is genitive and shows whose mobility is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Beide Fußknöchel sind nach der Wanderung müde.
Both ankles are sore after the hike.
Beide means both, nach means after, and Wanderung means hike. Fußknöchel has the same form in the singular and plural; Beide and sind make the plural clear.
Beim Sport sollst du deine Fußknöchel schützen.
When doing sports, you should protect your ankles.
Beim Sport means during sport or while exercising, sollst means should, and schützen means protect. deine Fußknöchel is accusative because schützen takes a direct object, while the modal verb sollst sends the infinitive schützen to the end.
das Gedächtnis — memory
das Gedächtnis usually means memory, the ability to remember. The plural die Gedächtnisse is possible when separate memory systems or memories are meant; the related expression im Gedächtnis behalten means to keep in mind.
Mein Gedächtnis ist heute nicht besonders gut.
My memory is not particularly good today.
heute means today, nicht besonders means not particularly, and gut means good. Gedächtnis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trainiere mein Gedächtnis mit Rätseln.
I train my memory with puzzles.
trainieren means to train, mit means with, and Rätsel means puzzles. Mein Gedächtnis is accusative because trainieren takes a direct object; mit Rätseln is dative because mit requires the dative.
Mit einem guten Gedächtnis lernt man schneller.
With a good memory, people learn faster.
einem guten means a good, lernt means learns, and schneller means faster. Gedächtnis is dative because mit requires the dative; the impersonal subject man comes after the introductory phrase, while lernt remains in position two.
Die Stärke des Gedächtnisses nimmt mit dem Alter ab.
The power of memory decreases with age.
die Stärke means the power or strength, nimmt ab means decreases, and das Alter means age. Des Gedächtnisses is genitive because it identifies whose strength is meant; abnehmen is separable, so ab stands at the end of the main clause.
Gute Gedächtnisse helfen beim Lernen.
Good memories help with learning.
gute means good, helfen means help, and beim Lernen means with learning. Gedächtnisse is the plural subject, so the verb is helfen, not singular hilft; the finite verb stands in position two.
das Gelenk — joint; hinge, mechanical joint
In everyday health contexts, das Gelenk usually means a body joint. It can also describe a mechanical joint or hinge, depending on context.
Mein Gelenk tut weh.
My joint hurts.
mein means “my,” and tut weh means “hurts.” Mein Gelenk is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb wehtun appears as tut ... weh, with the finite part in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Gelenk.
The doctor examines the joint.
der Arzt means “the doctor,” and untersucht means “examines.” Das Gelenk is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Sie gibt dem Gelenk etwas Ruhe.
She gives the joint some rest.
gibt means “gives,” and etwas Ruhe means “some rest.” Dem Gelenk is dative because it is the recipient or affected part, while etwas Ruhe is the accusative thing given.
Die Beweglichkeit des Gelenks ist eingeschränkt.
The mobility of the joint is limited.
die Beweglichkeit means “mobility,” and eingeschränkt means “limited.” Des Gelenks is genitive because it identifies whose mobility is meant; ist stands in position two.
Nach dem Unfall schmerzen mehrere Gelenke.
Several joints hurt after the accident.
nach dem Unfall means “after the accident,” and schmerzen means “hurt.” Gelenke is plural after mehrere; nach takes the dative, but the plural subject is nominative.
Das Gelenk der Tür ist locker.
The door hinge is loose.
die Tür means “the door,” and locker means “loose.” Das Gelenk der Tür means “the hinge of the door”; der Tür is genitive because it shows which door the hinge belongs to.
Der Techniker ersetzt ein altes Gelenk.
The technician replaces an old hinge.
der Techniker means “the technician,” ersetzt means “replaces,” and alt means “old.” Ein altes Gelenk is accusative because ersetzen takes a direct object, and the adjective ending -es agrees with the neuter noun after ein.
gepflegt — well-groomed, well-kept
Gepflegt describes something clean, tidy, and cared for; for people it often means well-groomed or polished. It can be compared regularly: gepflegter, am gepflegtesten.
Der Garten ist sehr gepflegt.
The garden is very well kept.
der Garten means the garden, and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; learners should not add -e here.
Sie trägt ein gepflegtes Kleid.
She is wearing a well-kept-looking dress.
sie trägt means she is wearing, and das Kleid is a dress. ein gepflegtes Kleid is accusative because trägt takes the thing worn as its object; the neuter adjective gets -es after ein.
Sein Aussehen wirkt gepflegter als früher.
His appearance looks more well-groomed than before.
sein Aussehen means his appearance, wirkt means seems or looks, and früher means before. The comparative gepflegter is used with als for comparison, and sein Aussehen is nominative because it is the subject.
Von allen Gärten ist dieser am gepflegtesten.
Of all the gardens, this one is the best kept.
von allen Gärten means of all the gardens, and dieser means this one. von takes the dative, while the am-superlative follows ist without an adjective ending.
das Handgelenk — wrist
This compound means “hand joint”: die Hand is hand and das Gelenk is joint. It is used for the joint between the hand and the arm.
Mein Handgelenk tut heute weh.
My wrist hurts today.
weh tun means to hurt, and heute means today. Mein Handgelenk is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb tut stands in position two; weh comes at the end as part of the expression weh tun.
Der Arzt untersucht mein Handgelenk.
The doctor examines my wrist.
Der Arzt is the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. Mein Handgelenk is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Nach dem Sturz braucht mein Handgelenk Ruhe.
After the fall, my wrist needs rest.
der Sturz is the fall, and Ruhe means rest. Nach forces the dative, so dem Sturz is dative; mein Handgelenk is nominative, and braucht is in position two.
Die Beweglichkeit des Handgelenks ist eingeschränkt.
The mobility of the wrist is restricted.
die Beweglichkeit is mobility, and eingeschränkt means restricted. Des Handgelenks is genitive to show whose mobility it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach dem Sport schmerzen beide Handgelenke.
Both wrists hurt after sport.
beide means both, and nach dem Sport means after sport. Handgelenke is the plural with -e and an umlaut, and it is nominative because it is the subject of schmerzen.
die Hinterbacke — buttock
This is a neutral anatomical word, although everyday speech often uses other expressions. The plural Hinterbacken is common when referring to both buttocks.
Die Hinterbacke tut nach dem Sturz weh.
The buttock hurts after the fall.
tut weh means hurts, nach dem Sturz means after the fall, and der Sturz means the fall. die Hinterbacke is the nominative subject, and the separable verb wehtun appears as tut ... weh in the main clause.
Der Arzt untersucht die Hinterbacke.
The doctor examines the buttock.
der Arzt means the doctor and untersucht means examines. die Hinterbacke is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article remains die.
Der Arzt gibt der Hinterbacke eine Salbe.
The doctor gives the buttock an ointment.
der Arzt means the doctor, gibt means gives, and eine Salbe means an ointment. der Hinterbacke is dative as the recipient or affected body part, while eine Salbe is the accusative thing being given.
Die Haut der Hinterbacke ist gerötet.
The skin of the buttock is reddened.
die Haut means the skin and gerötet means reddened. der Hinterbacke is genitive because it identifies whose skin is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Beim Sitzen können die Hinterbacken schmerzen.
The buttocks can hurt while sitting.
beim Sitzen means while sitting, können means can, and schmerzen means hurt. die Hinterbacken is the plural subject, and with the modal verb können, the full verb schmerzen goes to the end.
die Kosmetik — cosmetics; cosmetic products
die Kosmetik is normally a mass noun for cosmetics as a category or substance, so it has no ordinary plural and is used without an article when speaking generally. For one product, use ein Kosmetikprodukt or name the item, such as der Lippenstift.
Kosmetik ist in diesem Geschäft sehr teuer.
Cosmetics are very expensive in this shop.
in diesem Geschäft means in this shop, and teuer means expensive. Kosmetik is a mass noun used without an article here; it is the nominative subject, so the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe selten Kosmetik.
I rarely buy cosmetics.
selten means rarely, and kaufe means buy. Kosmetik is the accusative object of kaufen, but a mass noun normally has no article; do not add a plural ending when you mean cosmetics in general.
Sie beschäftigt sich mit Kosmetik.
She concerns herself with cosmetics.
beschäftigt sich mit means concerns herself with or deals with. mit Kosmetik is dative because mit always takes the dative, while sich is the reflexive pronoun required by sich beschäftigen.
Die Wirkung der Kosmetik ist nicht immer gleich.
The effect of cosmetics is not always the same.
die Wirkung means the effect, nicht immer means not always, and gleich means the same. der Kosmetik is genitive because it identifies whose effect is meant; the whole phrase Die Wirkung der Kosmetik is the nominative subject.
die Kraft — strength; force; power; power; energy
Kraft can mean physical strength or the power exerted by a force. In the plural, Kräfte may refer to several forces or to people with special abilities; the exact meaning comes from context.
Die Kraft fehlt mir heute.
I lack the strength today.
fehlt means is lacking, and heute means today. Die Kraft is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because fehlen describes something that is missing to someone.
Ich brauche die Kraft für den langen Weg.
I need the strength for the long journey.
brauche means need, für means for, and den langen Weg means the long route or journey. die Kraft is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für den langen Weg is also accusative because für always governs the accusative.
Der Trainer gibt mir Kraft.
The coach gives me strength.
der Trainer means the coach, and gibt means gives. mir is the dative recipient, while Kraft is an uncountable accusative object; German often uses this noun without an article when speaking generally about strength.
Die Größe der Kraft hängt vom Gewicht ab.
The size of the force depends on the weight.
die Größe means the size, hängt ... ab means depends, vom Gewicht means on the weight, and Gewicht means weight. der Kraft is genitive because it identifies which size is meant; the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause, with ab at the end.
Für diese Arbeit braucht man große Kräfte.
This work requires great strength.
diese Arbeit means this work, braucht means needs or requires, and große means great or large. große Kräfte is the accusative object of brauchen; für diese Arbeit is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Maschine hat nicht genug Kraft.
The machine does not have enough power.
die Maschine means the machine, genug means enough, and nicht means not. Kraft is an uncountable accusative object after haben and has no article here because it means power in general.
Ohne Kraft läuft der Motor nicht.
Without power, the motor does not run.
ohne means without, der Motor means the motor, and läuft means runs. ohne Kraft is accusative because ohne always takes the accusative; in the main clause, läuft is in position two and nicht negates the statement.
körperlich — physical, bodily
körperlich contrasts with geistig, meaning mental or intellectual. It is used for the body, physical activity, or physical health, and it can come before a noun or after sein.
Nach dem Unfall braucht er körperliche Hilfe.
After the accident, he needs physical help.
der Unfall means accident and Hilfe means help. körperliche is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has the feminine ending -e after die; the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Sie macht jeden Tag körperliche Übungen.
She does physical exercises every day.
jeden Tag means every day and Übungen means exercises. körperliche describes the plural accusative object Übungen, which is forced by machen; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Schwimmen ist körperlicher als Computerspielen.
Swimming is more physical than playing computer games.
Schwimmen means swimming and Computerspielen means playing computer games. körperlicher is the comparative form and als introduces the thing being compared; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Für mich ist Bergsteigen am körperlichsten.
For me, mountaineering is the most physical.
für mich means for me and Bergsteigen means mountaineering. am körperlichsten is a predicative superlative after ist, not an adjective before a noun; für takes the accusative, shown by mich.
die Leiche — corpse, dead body
Die Leiche is a neutral factual word for a dead body, often used in police, medical, or crime contexts. For a living person's body, use der Körper instead.
Die Leiche lag im Wald.
The body was lying in the forest.
lag means was lying, and der Wald is the forest. Die Leiche is the nominative subject; im Wald is a shortened form of in dem Wald and uses the dative because it describes a location, not movement.
Die Polizei fand die Leiche.
The police found the body.
die Polizei is the police, and finden means to find. die Leiche is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Der Kommissar näherte sich der Leiche.
The detective approached the body.
der Kommissar is the detective, and sich nähern means to approach. der Leiche is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; sich refers back to the detective.
Die Identität der Leiche war unbekannt.
The identity of the body was unknown.
die Identität is the identity, and unbekannt means unknown. der Leiche is genitive and means of the body; the genitive phrase tells us whose identity is meant.
Die Leichen wurden aus dem Gebäude gebracht.
The bodies were carried out of the building.
das Gebäude is the building, and bringen means to bring or carry. Die Leichen is the plural subject; wurden gebracht is passive, and aus dem Gebäude uses the dative after aus.
der Nerv — nerve; nerve; composure
Der Nerv is a masculine noun with the plural die Nerven. It is also used figuratively for someone’s emotional endurance, as in Das geht auf die Nerven; do not confuse this noun with the English adjective “nervous”.
Der Nerv im Rücken tut weh.
The nerve in my back hurts.
im Rücken means in the back, and tut weh means hurts. Der Nerv is nominative because it is the subject; im Rücken is dative because in describes a location, and the separable verb phrase tut ... weh puts weh at the end.
Der Arzt untersucht den Nerv.
The doctor examines the nerve.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Den Nerv is accusative as the object of untersuchen; this noun has the ending -en in the accusative, unlike nominative der Nerv.
Die Schmerzen folgen dem Nerv.
The pain follows the nerve.
die Schmerzen means the pain, and folgen means follow. Dem Nerv is dative because folgen governs the dative; unlike many masculine nouns, Nerv does not add -en in this dative form.
Die Funktion des Nervs ist wichtig.
The function of the nerve is important.
die Funktion means the function, and wichtig means important. Des Nervs is genitive because it identifies whose function it is; des and the ending -s mark the masculine genitive.
Viele Nerven liegen im Arm.
Many nerves lie in the arm.
viele means many, liegen means lie or are located, and im Arm means in the arm. Nerven is plural after viele; im Arm is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Der Lärm geht mir auf die Nerven.
The noise is getting on my nerves.
der Lärm means the noise, and mir means to me. The fixed expression auf die Nerven gehen means get on someone’s nerves: mir is dative for the affected person, while auf die Nerven is accusative after auf in this idiom.
Trotz des Problems behält sie die Nerven.
Despite the problem, she keeps her cool.
trotz des Problems means despite the problem, and behält means keeps. Trotz takes the genitive in careful standard German, while die Nerven is accusative as the object of behalten; the finite verb behält stands in position two.
die Ohrfeige — slap; figurative slap in the face
This word normally means a slap with an open hand. The fixed expression jemandem eine Ohrfeige geben uses a dative person and an accusative thing.
Die Ohrfeige war im ganzen Raum zu hören.
The slap could be heard throughout the room.
im ganzen Raum means throughout the whole room, and zu hören means audible or able to be heard. Die Ohrfeige is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Er bekam eine Ohrfeige von seinem Bruder.
He got a slap from his brother.
bekam means got or received, and sein Bruder means his brother. Eine Ohrfeige is accusative because it is what he received, while von takes the dative in seinem Bruder; the finite verb bekam is in position two.
Sie gab ihrem Freund eine Ohrfeige.
She slapped her boyfriend.
gab means gave, and ihrem Freund means her boyfriend. Ihrem Freund is dative because geben gives the recipient dative, while eine Ohrfeige is the accusative thing given; the finite verb gab stands in position two.
Die Wucht der Ohrfeige überraschte ihn.
The force of the slap surprised him.
die Wucht means the force, and überraschte ihn means surprised him. Der Ohrfeige is genitive because it identifies whose force is meant; the finite verb überraschte stands in position two, and ihn is accusative.
Mehrere Ohrfeigen führten zu einer Anzeige.
Several slaps led to a police report.
mehrere means several, führten zu means led to, and eine Anzeige is a police report or complaint. Ohrfeigen is plural and is the nominative subject; zu takes the dative in einer Anzeige.
Die Wahlniederlage war eine politische Ohrfeige.
The election defeat was a political slap in the face.
die Wahlniederlage means the election defeat, and politisch means political. Eine politische Ohrfeige follows war as a predicative noun phrase, so it is not an accusative object; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Kritik fühlte sich wie eine Ohrfeige an.
The criticism felt like a slap in the face.
die Kritik means the criticism, and sich anfühlen wie means to feel like. Eine Ohrfeige follows wie in the comparison; fühlte ... an is a separable verb, so its prefix an goes to the end of the main clause.
die Platzwunde — burst wound, laceration
This medical word is a compound of Platz and Wunde. It usually refers to a split wound caused by an impact, especially on the head.
Die Platzwunde blutet stark.
The burst wound is bleeding heavily.
blutet means is bleeding, and stark means heavily or badly. Die Platzwunde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb blutet is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Platzwunde.
The doctor examines the burst wound.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Platzwunde is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine subject der Arzt remains nominative.
Sie geht mit der Platzwunde zum Arzt.
She goes to the doctor with the burst wound.
geht means goes, mit means with, and zum Arzt means to the doctor. Mit der Platzwunde is dative because mit always takes the dative; zum is short for zu dem.
Die Behandlung der Platzwunde dauert lange.
The treatment of the burst wound takes a long time.
die Behandlung means the treatment, and dauert lange means takes a long time. Der Platzwunde is genitive because it specifies which treatment is meant; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Mehrere Platzwunden müssen behandelt werden.
Several burst wounds need to be treated.
mehrere means several, müssen means must or need to, and behandelt werden means be treated. Mehrere Platzwunden is the plural subject; the passive verb phrase goes to the end after the modal verb müssen.
der Schnurrbart — moustache
Der Schnurrbart means the hair above the upper lip. It is a compound containing der Bart, meaning beard, but its meaning is simply moustache.
Der Schnurrbart ist sehr dicht.
The moustache is very thick.
dicht means thick or dense. Der Schnurrbart is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er trägt einen Schnurrbart.
He wears a moustache.
er means he and trägt means wears. Einen Schnurrbart is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Mit einem Schnurrbart sieht er älter aus.
With a moustache, he looks older.
mit means with, älter means older, and sieht ... aus means looks. Mit always takes the dative, so einem Schnurrbart is dative; aussehen splits in the main clause.
Die Farbe des Schnurrbartes ist grau.
The colour of the moustache is grey.
die Farbe means the colour and grau means grey. Des Schnurrbartes is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun has the ending -es here.
Im Film sieht man viele Schnurrbärte.
You can see many moustaches in the film.
im Film means in the film, sieht man means one sees, and viele means many. Schnurrbärte is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehen.
der Schwanz — tail; penis (vulgar); penis (vulgar)
For animals, der Schwanz means tail. For a person, it can mean penis and is vulgar; in polite or medical language use der Penis instead.
Der Hund wedelt mit dem Schwanz.
The dog is wagging its tail.
der Hund means dog and wedelt means wags. Der Hund is nominative as the subject, while mit dem Schwanz is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Katze bewegt den Schwanz.
The cat moves its tail.
die Katze means cat and bewegt means moves. Den Schwanz is accusative because bewegen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Hund am Schwanz einen Namen.
I give the dog’s tail a name.
geben means to give, der Hund means dog, and einen Namen means a name. Am Schwanz means an dem Schwanz and is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the sentence also has dem Hund as the recipient.
Die Spitze des Schwanzes ist weiß.
The tip of the tail is white.
die Spitze means tip and weiß means white. Des Schwanzes is genitive because it identifies whose tip it is; Schwanz takes -es in the genitive singular.
Die Hunde haben lange Schwänze.
The dogs have long tails.
die Hunde means dogs and lange means long. Schwänze is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; the umlaut and -e mark the plural.
Das Wort Schwanz ist in diesem Text vulgär.
The word “Schwanz” is vulgar in this text.
das Wort means word, in diesem Text means in this text, and vulgär means vulgar. Schwanz is being discussed as a word, not used as a body-part object; ist links the subject and the predicative adjective.
Er benutzt das Wort Schwanz nicht in höflicher Gesellschaft.
He does not use the word “Schwanz” in polite company.
benutzen means to use, nicht means not, höflich means polite, and Gesellschaft means company or social gathering. Das Wort Schwanz is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the phrase in höflicher Gesellschaft describes the situation.
die Schwellung — swelling
Schwellung is often used in medical contexts for a visible enlargement caused by injury, inflammation or fluid. The plural is regular: die Schwellungen.
Die Schwellung ist heute kleiner.
The swelling is smaller today.
heute means today and kleiner means smaller. Die Schwellung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and kleiner is a comparative adjective after sein.
Der Arzt untersucht die Schwellung.
The doctor examines the swelling.
der Arzt means doctor and untersuchen means to examine. Die Schwellung is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Schwellung Zeit zum Heilen.
I give the swelling time to heal.
geben means to give, Zeit means time, and heilen means to heal. Der Schwellung is dative because geben takes the recipient or affected thing in the dative; zum Heilen means for healing and contains the noun-like infinitive Heilen.
Die Farbe der Schwellung ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the swelling is unusual.
die Farbe means colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Der Schwellung is genitive because it specifies whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach der Behandlung verschwinden die Schwellungen.
The swellings disappear after the treatment.
die Behandlung means treatment and verschwinden means disappear. Die Schwellungen is the plural subject, and the verb verschwinden is in position two; the ending -en marks the plural noun.
spüren — to feel, to sense
Spüren is used for a physical sensation, an emotion, or an awareness of something. It takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben: hat gespürt.
Ich spüre einen Schmerz im Rücken.
I feel a pain in my back.
einen Schmerz means a pain, and im Rücken means in the back. Einen Schmerz is accusative because spüren takes the sensation as its object; spüre is the finite verb in position two.
Sie hat die Kälte deutlich gespürt.
She clearly felt the cold.
die Kälte means the cold, and deutlich means clearly. Die Kälte is accusative, hat is in position two, and gespürt goes to the end as the Partizip II with haben.
Er spürte plötzlich eine starke Angst.
He suddenly felt a strong fear.
plötzlich means suddenly, and eine starke Angst means a strong fear. Eine starke Angst is accusative as the object of spüren; the weak past form spürte occupies position two.
Spür einmal den Wind!
Feel the wind for a moment!
einmal softens the instruction and can mean for a moment here, while der Wind means the wind. Spür is the du imperative, and den Wind is accusative because it is what the listener should feel.
Ich spürte die Gefahr, wenn ich genauer hingesehen hätte.
I would have sensed the danger if I had looked more carefully.
die Gefahr means the danger, and genauer hingesehen means looked more carefully. The form spürte can express an unreal result here because the wenn clause gives the hypothetical condition; its verb group ends with hätte.
Du wirst die Veränderung bald spüren.
You will soon feel the change.
die Veränderung means the change, and bald means soon. Wirst is in position two and the infinitive spüren goes to the end; die Veränderung is accusative as the object.
stechen — to sting; to stab, pierce
As “to sting,” stechen often describes insects, while as “to stab or pierce” it describes a sharp object. It is a strong verb: stechen – stach – hat gestochen, and the direct object is usually accusative.
Die Mücke sticht mich.
The mosquito is stinging me.
die Mücke is the mosquito, and mich means me. Mich is accusative because the action directly affects this person, while finite sticht is in position two.
Die Mücke hat mich gestochen.
The mosquito stung me.
die Mücke is the mosquito, and mich means me. The perfect uses hat plus gestochen; gestochen goes to the end, and mich is accusative as the direct object.
Die Biene stach ihn in die Hand.
The bee stung him on the hand.
die Biene is the bee, ihn means him, and die Hand is the hand. Ihn is accusative because he is directly affected; stach is the strong-verb past form and the finite verb is in position two.
Stich nicht in den Ballon!
Don't pierce the balloon!
nicht means not, and der Ballon is the balloon. Den Ballon is accusative because it is the thing being pierced; the imperative stich comes first, and nicht is placed before the object here.
Ich stäche ihn nicht, wenn er stillhielte.
I would not stab him if he kept still.
ihn means him, and stillhalten means to keep still. Ihn is accusative as the direct object; stäche expresses an unreal possibility, while the conditional verb stillhielte stands at the end of its subordinate clause.
Die Wespe wird mich morgen stechen.
The wasp will sting me tomorrow.
die Wespe is the wasp, and morgen means tomorrow. Mich is accusative because it is the direct object; finite wird is in position two and infinitive stechen goes to the end.
die Stärke — strength, physical power; strength, strong point
Stärke is feminine and has the plural Stärken. It can also mean a person's strong point or an advantage, not only physical power.
Die Stärke kommt aus den Muskeln.
Strength comes from the muscles.
Kommt means comes and die Muskeln are the muscles. Die Stärke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Sie zeigt die Stärke ihrer Arme.
She shows the strength of her arms.
Sie means she, zeigt means shows, and ihre Arme means her arms. Die Stärke is accusative because zeigen takes an accusative object, while ihrer Arme is genitive and means of her arms.
Mit der Stärke eines Bären kann er den Schrank heben.
With the strength of a bear, he can lift the cupboard.
Mit means with, eines Bären means of a bear, der Schrank is the cupboard, and heben means lift. Mit always takes the dative, so der Stärke is dative; the modal verb kann is finite in position two and heben goes to the end.
Die Wirkung der Stärke ist beeindruckend.
The effect of the strength is impressive.
Die Wirkung means the effect and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Stärke is genitive because it says whose effect it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ihre Stärken liegen im Ausdauertraining.
Her strengths lie in endurance training.
Ihre means her, liegen means lie or are found, and Ausdauertraining means endurance training. Stärken is the plural nominative subject; im means in dem and takes the dative for the location or area concerned.
Geduld ist ihre größte Stärke.
Patience is her greatest strength.
Geduld means patience and ihre größte means her greatest. Stärke is a predicative noun after ist and remains nominative in this identification sentence; größte has a superlative meaning before the feminine noun.
Teamarbeit gehört zu meinen Stärken.
Teamwork is one of my strengths.
Teamarbeit means teamwork and gehört zu means belongs among or is one of. Zu takes the dative, so meinen Stärken is dative plural; the plural ending -n appears on the noun as well.
die Taille — waist, waistline
The word can refer to a person's waist or to the waistline of a garment. For body measurements, it is often used with messen or Umfang.
Ihre Taille ist sehr schmal.
Her waist is very slim.
ihre means her, and sehr schmal means very slim. Ihre Taille is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Gürtel betont die Taille.
The belt emphasises the waist.
der Gürtel means the belt, and betont means emphasises. Die Taille is accusative because betonen takes a direct object; the finite verb betont stands in position two.
Der Gürtel sitzt an der Taille.
The belt sits at the waist.
der Gürtel means the belt, and sitzt means sits or fits. An der Taille is dative because an describes a fixed location; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Die Form der Taille verändert sich mit dem Alter.
The shape of the waist changes with age.
die Form means the shape, verändert sich means changes, and mit dem Alter means with age. Der Taille is genitive because it identifies the shape, while mit forces dative in dem Alter.
Die Kleider haben unterschiedliche Taillen.
The dresses have different waistlines.
die Kleider means the dresses, and unterschiedlich means different. Unterschiedliche Taillen is accusative plural because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has no ending after the bare plural form.
umknicken — to twist or sprain one’s ankle
Umknicken is often used when someone steps awkwardly and injures an ankle or foot. German usually leaves the injured body part understood, although mit dem Fuß umknicken explicitly says twist one’s foot.
Ich knicke beim Laufen leicht um.
I easily twist my ankle when running.
beim Laufen means while running, and leicht means easily. The verb is used without a direct object here; knicke is in position two and the prefix um goes to the end.
Sie ist auf der Treppe umgeknickt.
She twisted her ankle on the stairs.
auf der Treppe means on the stairs, and Treppe is a staircase. Umgeknickt takes sein because it describes a change of physical position; auf takes the dative here because the location is fixed.
Er knickte beim Fußball um.
He twisted his ankle while playing football.
beim Fußball means while playing football. The weak past form knickte stands in position two, and the prefix um is separated and placed at the end.
Knick nicht um!
Don’t twist your ankle!
nicht means not. This informal singular imperative has knick first and um at the end; the warning refers to an awkward movement that could cause injury.
Mit besseren Schuhen würde ich nicht so schnell umknicken.
With better shoes, I would not twist my ankle so quickly.
besseren Schuhen means better shoes, and schnell means quickly. Mit takes the dative plural, and würde plus the whole infinitive umknicken expresses a hypothetical situation.
Wenn du nicht aufpasst, wirst du beim Sport umknicken.
If you are not careful, you will twist your ankle during sport.
aufpassen means be careful, and beim Sport means during sport. The wenn clause sends aufpasst to the end; in the main clause wirst is in position two and the infinitive umknicken comes at the end as one word.
die Verspannung — muscle tension, stiff muscle
This noun is normally used for physical muscle tightness, especially in the Nacken or Rücken. It is a feminine noun ending in -ung, so its plural is formed with -en.
Die Verspannung im Nacken tut heute besonders weh.
The tension in my neck hurts especially badly today.
der Nacken means the neck, and besonders means especially. Die Verspannung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb tut stands in position two, and wehtun is a separable verb whose second part weh comes at the end.
Der Physiotherapeut behandelt die Verspannung vorsichtig.
The physiotherapist is treating the muscle tension carefully.
der Physiotherapeut is a physiotherapist, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Verspannung is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object; the finite verb behandelt is in position two.
Bei der Verspannung hilft mir eine Wärmflasche.
A hot-water bottle helps me with the muscle tension.
bei means with or in the case of, and die Wärmflasche is a hot-water bottle. Der Verspannung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the unusual first position makes hilft come before the subject eine Wärmflasche.
Die Ursache der Verspannung ist wahrscheinlich Stress.
The cause of the muscle tension is probably stress.
die Ursache means the cause, wahrscheinlich means probably, and der Stress means stress. Der Verspannung is genitive because it identifies the cause's relationship to the tension; ist remains the finite verb in position two.
Nach der Massage sind die Verspannungen fast verschwunden.
After the massage, the muscle tensions have almost disappeared.
die Massage is the massage, fast means almost, and verschwunden means disappeared. Die Verspannungen is nominative plural because it is the subject; the plural ending -en is part of the noun form.
äußerlich — on the outside, outwardly
äußerlich describes what can be seen from the outside, often in contrast with innerlich. As an adverb, it does not take an adjective ending.
Äußerlich wirkt das Haus sehr modern.
The house looks very modern on the outside.
äußerlich means on the outside, and wirken means to appear or seem; das Haus is the house and modern means modern. The finite verb wirkt is in position two, while the adverb comes first and does not change its form.
Sie ist äußerlich ruhig, aber innerlich nervös.
She is calm on the outside but nervous inside.
ruhig means calm, aber means but, innerlich means inwardly or inside, and nervös means nervous. äußerlich modifies the adjective ruhig rather than a noun, so it remains unchanged; after aber, the verb ist still comes in position two.