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Vocab: Buildings — A1
Buildings vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Aufzug — elevator, lift; outfit, get-up
In everyday German, der Aufzug usually means “elevator”; the plural is die Aufzüge. Do not confuse this sense with der Aufzug meaning an outfit or appearance.
Der Aufzug ist kaputt.
The elevator is broken.
ist kaputt means “is broken.” Der Aufzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Aufzug in den dritten Stock.
I take the elevator to the third floor.
nehme means “take,” in den dritten Stock means “to the third floor,” and dritten means “third.” den Aufzug is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; nehme is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Aufzug nach oben.
We are going up by elevator.
fahren means “go,” mit means “by or with,” and nach oben means “upwards.” dem Aufzug is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Tür des Aufzugs öffnet sich automatisch.
The elevator door opens automatically.
die Tür means “the door,” and öffnet sich automatisch means “opens automatically.” des Aufzugs is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the genitive ending -s is added to Aufzug.
In unserem Haus gibt es zwei Aufzüge.
There are two elevators in our building.
in unserem Haus means “in our building,” and zwei means “two.” Aufzüge is the plural with an umlaut and -e; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
Was für ein Aufzug!
What an outfit!
was für ein means “what a,” and the sentence expresses surprise about someone’s Aufzug, or outfit. The noun is nominative in this verbless exclamation, and the exclamation mark supplies the emotional force.
Er erschien in einem auffälligen Aufzug.
He appeared in a striking outfit.
erschien means “appeared,” auffällig means “striking,” and in einem means “in a.” in einem auffälligen Aufzug is dative because in describes a location or state here, not movement into it; the adjective takes the ending -en after einem.
der Ausgang — exit; way out; outcome, result
For the result of an event, der Ausgang means outcome, while for a building it means exit. The plural is die Ausgänge in both meanings.
Der Ausgang ist neben dem Aufzug.
The exit is next to the lift.
neben means next to and der Aufzug means the lift. Der Ausgang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche den Ausgang.
I am looking for the exit.
suchen means to look for. Den Ausgang is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Wir treffen uns bei dem Ausgang.
We will meet at the exit.
sich treffen means to meet, and bei means at or near. Dem Ausgang is dative because bei always takes the dative, while treffen is the finite verb in position two.
Die Tür des Ausgangs ist offen.
The exit door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Ausgangs is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
In diesem Gebäude gibt es drei Ausgänge.
There are three exits in this building.
diesem Gebäude means this building and drei means three. Ausgänge is the plural of Ausgang, with an umlaut and -e; after es gibt, the noun is accusative even though the form is identical to the nominative plural.
Der Ausgang des Spiels war überraschend.
The outcome of the game was surprising.
das Spiel means the game and überraschend means surprising. Der Ausgang is the nominative subject, while des Spiels is genitive because it means of the game; the finite verb war is in position two.
Niemand kennt den Ausgang der Verhandlung.
Nobody knows the outcome of the negotiations.
niemand means nobody and die Verhandlung means the negotiation. Den Ausgang is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, and der Verhandlung is genitive after the noun to show which outcome is meant.
der Bahnhof — train station, railway station
The compound Bahnhof combines Bahn (railway or train) and Hof (yard or court). The plural has an umlaut: Bahnhof becomes Bahnhöfe.
Der Bahnhof ist nicht weit entfernt.
The train station is not far away.
nicht weit entfernt means not far away. Der Bahnhof is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche den Bahnhof.
I am looking for the train station.
suchen means to look for. Den Bahnhof is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Bahnhof.
We are meeting in front of the station.
treffen uns means meet each other, and vor means in front of. Vor takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Bahnhof is dative; uns means each other.
Die Türen des Bahnhofs sind geschlossen.
The station’s doors are closed.
Türen are doors and geschlossen means closed. Des Bahnhofs is genitive and shows that the doors belong to the station; the verb sind stands in position two.
Die Bahnhöfe in dieser Stadt sind modern.
The train stations in this city are modern.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and modern means modern. Die Bahnhöfe is nominative plural because it is the subject, and sind is in position two.
der Bahnsteig — platform
Bahnsteig means the platform beside the tracks, not the whole station. The related word Gleis means the track itself.
Der Bahnsteig ist sehr voll.
The platform is very crowded.
sehr voll means very crowded. Der Bahnsteig is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich suche den Bahnsteig.
I am looking for the platform.
suchen means to look for. Den Bahnsteig is accusative because it is the direct object of suche; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir warten auf dem Bahnsteig.
We are waiting on the platform.
warten means wait. Here auf describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative: auf dem Bahnsteig; do not use the accusative unless there is movement onto the platform.
Die Nummer des Bahnsteigs steht auf dem Ticket.
The platform number is written on the ticket.
Nummer means number, steht means is written or stands, and Ticket means ticket. Des Bahnsteigs is genitive because it identifies which number; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Bahnsteige sind heute voll.
The platforms are crowded today.
heute means today and voll means crowded. Die Bahnsteige is nominative plural because it is the subject, and sind follows in position two.
der Balkon — balcony
A Balkon is an outdoor platform attached to a building. With auf, a location uses the dative (auf dem Balkon), while movement onto it uses the accusative (auf den Balkon).
Der Balkon ist klein.
The balcony is small.
klein means small. Der Balkon is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir putzen den Balkon.
We are cleaning the balcony.
putzen means clean. Den Balkon is accusative because it is the direct object of putzen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sitzen auf dem Balkon.
We are sitting on the balcony.
sitzen means sit. Auf dem Balkon describes a fixed location, so auf takes the dative; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Tür des Balkons ist offen.
The balcony door is open.
Tür means door and offen means open. Des Balkons is genitive because it shows which door is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Balkone der Häuser sind sonnig.
The balconies of the houses are sunny.
Häuser means houses and sonnig means sunny. Die Balkone is nominative plural as the subject, while der Häuser is genitive plural and means of the houses.
bauen — to build, to construct; to rely on, to count on
For a direct object, use bauen with the accusative, as in ein Haus bauen. With auf plus accusative, auf etwas bauen has the different meaning “to rely on something”.
Wir bauen ein Haus.
We are building a house.
ein Haus means a house. bauen takes an accusative object, so ein Haus is accusative; the finite verb bauen stands in position two.
Wir haben ein Haus gebaut.
We built a house.
ein Haus means a house. The perfect uses haben plus gebaut, and the Partizip II stands at the end; ein Haus is accusative because bauen takes a direct object.
Die Firma baute eine neue Brücke.
The company built a new bridge.
die Firma means the company and eine neue Brücke means a new bridge. eine neue Brücke is accusative as the object, while the regular past form baute stands in position two.
Bau einen Tisch!
Build a table!
einen Tisch means a table. Bau is the du imperative without a subject, and einen Tisch is accusative because it is what someone should build.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, baute ich ein kleines Haus.
If I had more time, I would build a small house.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and ein kleines Haus means a small house. In the wenn clause the verb goes to the end; baute is the Konjunktiv II form here, and the object is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir ein neues Haus bauen.
Next year we will build a new house.
nächstes Jahr means next year and ein neues Haus means a new house. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive bauen at the end; the house is an accusative object.
Ich baue auf deine Hilfe.
I am counting on your help.
auf deine Hilfe means on your help. In this fixed expression auf takes the accusative, and the finite verb baue stands in position two.
Sie baut auf ihre Erfahrung.
She relies on her experience.
ihre Erfahrung means her experience. auf is used with the accusative in auf etwas bauen, and baut is the finite verb in position two.
der Bauernhof — farm
Bauernhof is a compound of Bauer and Hof, literally “farmer’s yard”. Its plural is Bauernhöfe, with an umlaut in Hof.
Der Bauernhof liegt auf dem Land.
The farm is in the countryside.
liegt means is located, and auf dem Land means in the countryside. Der Bauernhof is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Bauernhof.
We are visiting the farm.
besuchen means visit. den Bauernhof is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, and besuchen stands in position two.
Wir wohnen auf dem Bauernhof.
We live on the farm.
wohnen means live and auf dem Bauernhof means on the farm. auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Bauernhof is dative.
Die Tiere des Bauernhofs brauchen Futter.
The farm animals need feed.
die Tiere means the animals and Futter means animal feed. des Bauernhofs is genitive and shows whose animals they are; the compound noun adds -s.
Viele Bauernhöfe verkaufen Eier.
Many farms sell eggs.
viele means many, verkaufen means sell, and Eier means eggs. Viele Bauernhöfe is the plural subject, and Eier is the accusative object of verkaufen.
die Bibliothek — library
Die Bibliothek can mean the building or institution where books and other media are available. Its plural is die Bibliotheken.
Die Bibliothek ist heute geschlossen.
The library is closed today.
geschlossen means “closed”, and heute means “today”. Die Bibliothek is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich besuche die Bibliothek jeden Montag.
I visit the library every Monday.
besuche means “visit”, and jeden Montag means “every Monday”. Die Bibliothek is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Wir lernen in der Bibliothek.
We study in the library.
lernen means “study or learn”, and in der Bibliothek means “in the library”. Der Bibliothek is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the verb lernen is in position two.
Die Tür der Bibliothek ist schwer.
The library door is heavy.
Die Tür means “the door”, and schwer means “heavy”. Der Bibliothek is genitive because it identifies which door, namely the door of the library.
In Berlin gibt es viele Bibliotheken.
There are many libraries in Berlin.
In Berlin means “in Berlin”, gibt es means “there are”, and viele means “many”. Bibliotheken is the plural of Bibliothek; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is still die.
die Brücke — bridge
With a two-way preposition such as auf, use the dative for location, as in auf der Brücke, and the accusative for movement onto it, as in auf die Brücke.
Die Brücke ist sehr alt.
The bridge is very old.
sehr alt means very old. Die Brücke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir überqueren die Brücke.
We cross the bridge.
überqueren means cross. Die Brücke is accusative because it is the direct object of überqueren, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir stehen auf der Brücke.
We are standing on the bridge.
stehen means stand. Auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Brücke is dative; there is no movement onto the bridge.
Die Farbe der Brücke ist grau.
The colour of the bridge is grey.
die Farbe is the colour, and grau means grey. Der Brücke is genitive and means of the bridge; with a feminine noun, the noun itself does not change.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Brücken.
There are many bridges in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and viele means many. Brücken is plural; after the fixed expression es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the article is not shown here.
die Bäckerei — bakery
Die Bäckerei is the shop, while der Bäcker or die Bäckerin is the person who bakes. The word commonly takes in: in der Bäckerei means at the bakery.
Die Bäckerei öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The bakery opens at six o'clock.
öffnet means opens and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Bäckerei is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich besuche die Bäckerei jeden Samstag.
I visit the bakery every Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Die Bäckerei is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; for feminine nouns, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich kaufe in der Bäckerei frische Brötchen.
I buy fresh bread rolls at the bakery.
frische Brötchen means fresh bread rolls. In der Bäckerei is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Die Tür der Bäckerei ist offen.
The bakery door is open.
die Tür means door and offen means open. Der Bäckerei is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Bäckereien.
There are three bakeries in the town.
die Stadt means town or city, and drei means three. Drei Bäckereien is the plural object after es gibt, which takes the accusative; the plural ending is -eien.
das Dach — roof; roof, top
Dach is neuter: das Dach. Its plural changes the vowel and adds -er: die Dächer.
Das Dach ist rot.
The roof is red.
rot means red. Das Dach is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and rot is a predicative adjective with no ending after sein.
Wir streichen das Dach.
We are painting the roof.
wir means we, and streichen means paint. Das Dach is accusative because streichen takes a direct object; the finite verb streichen is in position two.
Auf dem Dach sitzt eine Katze.
A cat is sitting on the roof.
auf means on, and sitzt means is sitting. Dem Dach is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb sitzt is in position two, after the prepositional phrase.
Die Farbe des Daches ist alt.
The roof's paint is old.
die Farbe means the paint, and alt means old. Des Daches is genitive because it identifies whose paint it is; the finite verb ist is in position two, and des signals masculine or neuter genitive singular.
Nach dem Sturm sind viele Dächer kaputt.
After the storm, many roofs are damaged.
nach dem Sturm means after the storm, viele means many, and kaputt means damaged. Dächer is plural and is the subject, while nach takes the dative in dem Sturm; after sind, kaputt has no adjective ending.
Das Auto hat ein großes Dach.
The car has a large roof.
das Auto means the car, ein großes means a large, and hat means has. Ein großes Dach is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has -es after the neuter indefinite article.
Auf dem Dach des Busses stehen Fahrräder.
Bicycles are standing on the roof of the bus.
dem Bus means the bus, stehen means are standing, and Fahrräder means bicycles. Dem Dach is dative because auf describes location, while des Busses is genitive for the roof's owner; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
der Eingang — entrance; entry; receipt; arrival
der Eingang is the physical place or door where someone enters. Do not confuse it with der Ausgang, the exit; the plural has an umlaut: die Eingänge.
Der Eingang ist auf der linken Seite.
The entrance is on the left-hand side.
auf der linken Seite means on the left-hand side, and links means left. Der Eingang is the nominative subject; auf takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, and ist is in position two.
Ich sehe den Eingang des Museums.
I can see the entrance to the museum.
sehen means to see, and das Museum is the museum. den Eingang is accusative because it is the object of sehe; des Museums is genitive and specifies which entrance.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Eingang.
We are meeting in front of the entrance.
sich treffen means to meet one another, and vor means in front of. vor dem Eingang is dative because the phrase describes a location; uns is the reflexive object of treffen.
Die Breite des Eingangs beträgt zwei Meter.
The width of the entrance is two metres.
die Breite means the width, betragen means to amount to, and zwei Meter means two metres. des Eingangs is genitive because it specifies the width; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Die Eingänge schließen um acht Uhr.
The entrances close at eight o’clock.
schließen means to close, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Eingänge is the plural subject with an umlaut and -e; the plural verb schließen stands in position two.
Wir bestätigen den Eingang Ihrer Zahlung.
We confirm receipt of your payment.
bestätigen means to confirm, Ihre Zahlung means your payment, and Zahlung is a payment. den Eingang is accusative because it is the object of bestätigen; Ihrer Zahlung is genitive and specifies what has been received.
Nach Eingang der Unterlagen melden wir uns.
After receiving the documents, we will contact you.
nach Eingang means after receipt, die Unterlagen means the documents, and sich melden means to get in touch. The phrase Eingang der Unterlagen uses genitive to name what arrived; melden is in position two, while the object is understood from uns.
das Erdgeschoss — ground floor
In German, das Erdgeschoss is the floor at street or ground level. In British English this is usually the ground floor; in American English it is often called the first floor.
Das Erdgeschoss hat große Fenster.
The ground floor has large windows.
große Fenster means large windows. Das Erdgeschoss is nominative because it is the subject, and hat stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Erdgeschoss.
We are looking for the ground floor.
suchen means look for. Das Erdgeschoss is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Die Wohnung liegt im Erdgeschoss.
The flat is on the ground floor.
die Wohnung means the flat or apartment, and liegt means is located. Im Erdgeschoss means on the ground floor; im is in dem, and in takes the dative for a fixed location.
Die Tür des Erdgeschosses ist offen.
The ground-floor door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Erdgeschosses is genitive because it means “of the ground floor”; the neuter noun takes -es in the genitive.
In vielen Häusern gibt es mehrere Erdgeschosse.
In many buildings there are several ground floors.
In vielen Häusern means in many buildings, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Erdgeschosse is the plural; in takes the dative in the location phrase, while the plural noun is part of the construction es gibt.
der Flughafen — airport
The preposition am means an dem and is very common with this noun: am Flughafen means at the airport. For movement towards it, use zum Flughafen, short for zu dem Flughafen.
Der Flughafen ist heute sehr voll.
The airport is very busy today.
heute means today, and voll means full or busy. Der Flughafen is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Flughafen.
We are visiting the airport.
besuchen means to visit. Den Flughafen is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus zu dem Flughafen.
I am going to the airport by bus.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and zu means to. Dem Flughafen is dative because zu always takes the dative; zu dem is usually shortened to zum.
Die Größe des Flughafens überrascht mich.
The size of the airport surprises me.
die Größe means the size, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Flughafens is genitive and shows possession; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
Die Flughäfen sind im Sommer voll.
The airports are busy in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and voll means busy or full. Die Flughäfen is plural nominative as the subject; notice the umlaut ä in the plural.
die Garage — garage
die Garage is feminine, and its plural is die Garagen. In in der Garage the preposition in takes the dative for a location, while in die Garage uses the accusative for movement into it.
Die Garage ist neben dem Haus.
The garage is next to the house.
neben dem Haus means next to the house. Die Garage is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir öffnen die Garage.
We are opening the garage.
öffnen means to open. die Garage is accusative because it is the object of öffnen; with a feminine noun, the nominative and accusative article are both die.
Das Auto steht in der Garage.
The car is in the garage.
das Auto means the car, and steht means is standing or is parked. in der Garage is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into a garage would use accusative, in die Garage.
Das Tor der Garage ist offen.
The garage door is open.
das Tor means the door or gate, and offen means open. der Garage is genitive and means of the garage; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist is in position two.
In dieser Straße gibt es viele Garagen.
There are many garages on this street.
in dieser Straße means on this street, and viele means many. Garagen is the plural of Garage; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is still die when used.
das Gebäude — building
Das Gebäude ist sehr alt.
The building is very old.
sehr alt means very old. Das Gebäude is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir sehen das Gebäude vom Park aus.
We can see the building from the park.
sehen means see, and vom Park aus means from the park. Das Gebäude is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Vor dem Gebäude wartet ein Taxi.
A taxi is waiting in front of the building.
vor means in front of, and wartet means is waiting. Here vor describes location and therefore takes the dative dem Gebäude; the subject ein Taxi comes after the verb.
Die Fenster des Gebäudes sind groß.
The building’s windows are large.
Die Fenster are the windows, and groß means large. Des Gebäudes is genitive because it shows possession or association; sind is in position two.
In unserer Stadt stehen viele Gebäude.
There are many buildings in our city.
In unserer Stadt means in our city, and viele means many. Gebäude is plural and has the same ending as the singular; stehen agrees with the plural subject.
das Gefängnis — prison, jail
das Gefängnis can mean the prison as a building or the institution. In everyday expressions, im Gefängnis means in prison and ins Gefängnis means to prison; the preposition in uses the dative for location and the accusative for direction.
Er sitzt im Gefängnis.
He is in prison.
er means he and sitzt means sits or is staying. im Gefängnis means in prison; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, and sitzt is in position two.
Die Polizei bringt den Mann ins Gefängnis.
The police take the man to prison.
die Polizei means the police, bringt means takes, and den Mann means the man. ins Gefängnis means into prison and uses the accusative because it expresses direction; den Mann is also accusative as the object of bringt.
Sie hilft ihrem Bruder im Gefängnis.
She helps her brother in prison.
sie means she, hilft means helps, and ihrem Bruder means her brother. helfen takes a dative object, and im Gefängnis is also dative because in describes a location here.
Die Mauern des Gefängnisses sind sehr hoch.
The walls of the prison are very high.
die Mauern means the walls and sehr hoch means very high. des Gefängnisses is genitive to show whose walls they are; sind agrees with the plural subject die Mauern.
In dieser Stadt gibt es zwei Gefängnisse.
There are two prisons in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city and zwei means two. Gefängnisse is plural after zwei; after the fixed expression es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural form looks the same as nominative.
das Grab — grave, tomb
The plural die Gräber has an umlaut and -er. Das Grab can mean the grave itself or the marked burial place; it is not the same as die Grube, a pit.
Auf dem Friedhof ist ein neues Grab.
There is a new grave in the cemetery.
der Friedhof means cemetery and neu means new. Ein neues Grab is nominative because it is the subject of ist, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir besuchen heute das Grab.
We are visiting the grave today.
heute means today and besuchen means visit. Das Grab is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Sie legt Blumen auf das Grab.
She puts flowers on the grave.
Blumen means flowers and legen means put or lay. Auf das Grab uses accusative because the flowers are being moved onto the grave; the preposition auf takes accusative for direction.
Am Rand des Grabes steht eine Kerze.
A candle is standing at the edge of the grave.
der Rand means edge, stehen means stand, and eine Kerze is a candle. Des Grabes is genitive because it says whose edge it is; the genitive ending -es is added to the noun.
Auf dem Friedhof liegen viele Gräber.
There are many graves in the cemetery.
liegen means lie or be situated and viele means many. Gräber is the plural of Grab; auf dem Friedhof is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
Das Grab ist mit Blumen geschmückt.
The grave is decorated with flowers.
geschmückt means decorated and mit Blumen means with flowers. Das Grab is the nominative subject, and ist geschmückt describes its state.
die Halle — hall; large indoor space
Halle is used for a large indoor room or building, for example for sports, concerts, factories, or storage. The plural is regular in spelling but adds -n: die Hallen.
Die Halle ist sehr groß.
The hall is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Die Halle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir mieten die Halle für eine Feier.
We are renting the hall for a celebration.
mieten means to rent, and die Feier means the celebration. Die Halle is accusative because mieten takes a direct object; für eine Feier also uses the accusative after für.
Die Kinder spielen in der Halle.
The children are playing in the hall.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. In der Halle is dative because in describes a fixed location here; spielen is in position two.
Das Dach der Halle muss repariert werden.
The roof of the hall has to be repaired.
das Dach means the roof, and repariert werden means be repaired. Der Halle is genitive because it shows whose roof it is; muss is in position two and werden goes to the end.
Die neuen Hallen öffnen im Herbst.
The new halls open in autumn.
neuen means new, and öffnen means open. Die neuen Hallen is a plural subject, so the article is die and the verb has the plural form öffnen.
das Hallenbad — indoor swimming pool
Hallenbad is a compound of Halle, a large indoor hall, and Bad, a swimming or bathing place. It is different from Freibad, an outdoor swimming pool.
Das Hallenbad öffnet um sieben Uhr.
The indoor swimming pool opens at seven o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o'clock. Das Hallenbad is the nominative subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Hallenbad am Samstag.
We are visiting the indoor swimming pool on Saturday.
besuchen means visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. das Hallenbad is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Nach der Schule gehen wir ins Hallenbad.
After school, we go to the indoor swimming pool.
nach der Schule means after school, gehen means go, and ins means into the. in takes the dative for a destination with a movement verb here, and ins is short for in das; the finite verb gehen is in position two.
Die Umkleiden des Hallenbads sind renoviert.
The changing rooms of the indoor swimming pool have been renovated.
die Umkleiden means the changing rooms, and renoviert means renovated. des Hallenbads is genitive because it identifies which changing rooms are meant; the noun takes -s and the article is des.
Die Hallenbäder in der Stadt sind sehr beliebt.
The indoor swimming pools in the city are very popular.
in der Stadt means in the city, and beliebt means popular. Hallenbäder is the nominative plural subject, while in takes the dative for a fixed location, shown by der Stadt.
das Haus — house, home
Haus can mean the physical building or the home where someone lives. In the fixed expressions nach Hause and zu Hause, the word has special meanings: homewards and at home.
Das Haus ist sehr alt.
The house is very old.
Alt means old and sehr means very. Das Haus is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen ein Haus auf dem Land.
We are buying a house in the countryside.
Wir kaufen means we are buying, and auf dem Land means in the countryside. Ein Haus is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Ich wohne in einem Haus mit Garten.
I live in a house with a garden.
Wohne means live, mit means with, and Garten means garden. Einem Haus is dative because in describes a location; mit also requires dative, and wohne is in position two.
Die Tür des Hauses ist offen.
The door of the house is open.
Die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Hauses is genitive because it shows that the door belongs to the house; the genitive noun has the ending -es.
In dieser Straße stehen viele Häuser.
There are many houses on this street.
In dieser Straße means on this street, stehen means stand or are situated, and viele means many. Häuser is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb stehen is in position two.
Mein Haus ist nicht weit von hier.
My home is not far from here.
Mein means my, nicht weit means not far, and von hier means from here. Mein Haus is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Komm bitte nach Hause!
Please come home!
Komm means come and bitte means please. Nach Hause is a fixed expression meaning homewards; it has no article, and the imperative komm comes first.
die Hausnummer — house number
Hausnummer normally means the number of a building in an address. It is not the same as Hauszahl, which can refer to a number used in a calculation or statistic involving houses.
Die Hausnummer steht an der Wand.
The house number is on the wall.
stehen means to be written or located, an means on here, and die Wand means the wall. Die Hausnummer is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is a dative location phrase, and steht is in position two.
Ich suche die Hausnummer.
I am looking for the house number.
suchen means to look for. Die Hausnummer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Ich wohne in der Hausnummer 8.
I live at number 8.
wohnen means to live, in means in or at here, and acht is the number eight. In der Hausnummer is dative because in describes a fixed location rather than movement.
Die Farbe der Hausnummer ist blau.
The colour of the house number is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. Der Hausnummer is genitive and identifies which number has the colour; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Hausnummern sind gut lesbar.
The house numbers are easy to read.
gut lesbar means easy to read. Hausnummern is plural and is the nominative subject, while sind is the plural form of sein; lesbar is predicative and has no ending.
der Hof — courtyard; farmyard; farm; court
In everyday contexts, der Hof often means the yard around a house or a farm. It can also mean a farm itself, especially in compounds such as der Bauernhof.
Der Hof ist heute sehr ruhig.
The courtyard is very quiet today.
ruhig means quiet and heute means today. Der Hof is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder fegen den Hof.
The children sweep the courtyard.
die Kinder means the children and fegen means sweep. den Hof is accusative because fegen takes a direct object, and the finite verb fegen is in position two.
Auf dem Hof stehen zwei Fahrräder.
There are two bicycles in the courtyard.
auf means on or in, stehen means stand, and zwei Fahrräder means two bicycles. auf dem Hof is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement; the verb stehen comes in position two.
Das Tor des Hofes ist offen.
The gate of the courtyard is open.
das Tor means gate and offen means open. des Hofes is genitive because it identifies whose gate it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In diesem Dorf gibt es viele Höfe.
There are many farms in this village.
diesem Dorf means this village, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Höfe is the plural of Hof; after es gibt, the plural phrase is accusative, although the form looks like the nominative plural.
Der König lebt mit seinem Hof in der Hauptstadt.
The king lives with his court in the capital.
der König means the king, lebt means lives, seinem Hof means his court, and die Hauptstadt means capital city. mit forces the dative in mit seinem Hof, while the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Am Hof gab es viele wichtige Gäste.
There were many important guests at court.
am Hof means at court, wichtig means important, and die Gäste means guests. am is an dem and gives a dative location; gab is the finite verb in position two.
das Hotel — hotel
Das Hotel is a place where travellers stay. It is a neuter noun; its plural is die Hotels, with -s.
Das Hotel ist modern.
The hotel is modern.
modern means modern. Das Hotel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen das Hotel.
We are looking for the hotel.
suchen means to look for. Das Hotel is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir übernachten in dem Hotel.
We are staying at the hotel.
übernachten means to stay overnight. In takes the dative here because this describes a location, so dem Hotel is dative; the verb übernachten is at the end because the sentence begins with Wir and the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Tür des Hotels ist offen.
The hotel’s door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Des Hotels is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Hotels.
There are many hotels in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, and viele means many. Hotels is plural; after the fixed expression es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is still die when it is present.
die Hütte — hut, cabin
Hütte can mean a simple hut or a mountain cabin. It can also be an informal word for a home.
Die Hütte ist klein.
The hut is small.
klein means small. Die Hütte is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Wir mieten die Hütte.
We are renting the cabin.
mieten means to rent and wir means we. Die Hütte is accusative because mieten takes a direct object.
Wir schlafen in der Hütte.
We are sleeping in the hut.
schlafen means to sleep. In der Hütte is dative because in describes a fixed location; movement into the hut would require the accusative.
Das Dach der Hütte ist alt.
The roof of the hut is old.
Dach means roof and alt means old. Der Hütte is genitive because it identifies which roof.
Im Wald stehen mehrere Hütten.
There are several huts in the forest.
Wald means forest and mehrere means several. Hütten is the plural with -n; stehen remains in position two after the opening location.
der Keller — basement, cellar; cellar for storage, especially a wine cellar
der Keller usually means the basement or lower floor of a building. It can also mean a cellar used for storing things such as wine; the plural is die Keller, with no ending on the noun.
Der Keller ist dunkel.
The basement is dark.
dunkel means dark. Der Keller is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich putze den Keller.
I am cleaning the basement.
putze means am cleaning. den Keller is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Keller stehen viele Kartons.
There are many boxes in the basement.
im means in the and viele Kartons means many boxes. im Keller is dative because in describes a fixed location here; stehen comes in position two because the location phrase is first.
Die Tür des Kellers ist offen.
The basement door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. des Kellers is genitive to show that the door belongs to or is connected with the basement; the noun takes -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
In alten Häusern gibt es oft mehrere Keller.
In old houses there are often several basements.
alten Häusern means old houses, and mehrere means several. Keller is unchanged in the plural; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although the article is omitted here.
Wir lagern den Wein im Keller.
We store the wine in the cellar.
lagern means store, and der Wein means the wine. den Wein is accusative as the stored object, while im Keller is dative because in describes the location, not movement.
Der alte Keller eignet sich gut für Kartoffeln.
The old cellar is well suited for potatoes.
alte means old, eignet sich gut means is well suited, and Kartoffeln means potatoes. Der alte Keller is nominative as the subject; für always takes the accusative, so Kartoffeln is the object of that preposition.
die Kirche — church
Kirche can mean the building where Christians worship or, depending on context, the Christian institution. For entering a church, use in die Kirche for movement and in der Kirche for being inside it.
Die Kirche ist sehr alt.
The church is very old.
sehr means very, and alt means old. Die Kirche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Kirche am Sonntag.
We visit the church on Sunday.
besuchen means visit, and Sonntag means Sunday. Die Kirche is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; am Sonntag means on Sunday and uses dative after an for a time expression.
Wir gehen in die Kirche.
We are going into the church.
gehen means go, and in means into or in. Although the bracketed noun is accusative here because in die Kirche expresses movement towards a place, this slot demonstrates the church noun in the sentence; dative would be in der Kirche for a fixed location.
Der Turm der Kirche ist weithin sichtbar.
The church tower is visible from far away.
Turm means tower, weithin means from far away, and sichtbar means visible. Der Kirche is genitive because it identifies which tower; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Kirchen.
There are many churches in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, and viele means many. Kirchen is the plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
das Krankenhaus — hospital
Krankenhaus is a compound of krank (“sick”) and Haus (“house”), but it means hospital, not a house for sick people. The common fixed forms are ins Krankenhaus for movement into hospital and im Krankenhaus for being there.
Das Krankenhaus ist sehr groß.
The hospital is very large.
sehr groß means “very large.” Das Krankenhaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; groß is predicative after sein and has no ending.
Wir besuchen das Krankenhaus morgen.
We are visiting the hospital tomorrow.
besuchen means “visit” and morgen means “tomorrow.” Das Krankenhaus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Ärztin arbeitet in dem Krankenhaus.
The female doctor works in the hospital.
die Ärztin means “the female doctor” and arbeitet means “works.” In dem Krankenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement; arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Notaufnahme des Krankenhauses ist nachts geöffnet.
The hospital’s emergency department is open at night.
die Notaufnahme is the emergency department, nachts means “at night,” and geöffnet means “open.” Des Krankenhauses is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Krankenhäuser.
There are many hospitals in Germany.
in Deutschland means “in Germany,” gibt es means “there are,” and viele means “many.” Krankenhäuser is plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself is unchanged.
der Lift — lift, elevator; ski lift; ski lift
In Germany, der Lift usually means an elevator; in Austria and Switzerland it can also mean a ski lift. The alternative everyday word for an elevator is der Aufzug.
Der Lift ist kaputt.
The lift is broken.
kaputt means broken or out of order. Der Lift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Lift.
I am taking the lift.
ich nehme means I take, and nehmen means to take. den Lift is accusative because it is the direct object of nehme; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Lift nach oben.
We are going up in the lift.
wir fahren means we go or travel, and nach oben means upwards. dem Lift is dative because mit always takes dative; nach oben shows the direction.
Die Tür des Lifts ist offen.
The lift’s door is open.
die Tür is the door and offen means open. des Lifts is genitive because it shows whose door it is; der Lift has masculine genitive article des and commonly takes -s here.
In unserem Haus gibt es zwei Lifte.
There are two lifts in our building.
unserem Haus means our building or house, gibt es means there is or there are, and zwei means two. Lifte is the plural after zwei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not visible.
Der Skifahrer fährt mit dem Lift nach oben.
The skier rides the lift up.
der Skifahrer is the skier and nach oben means upwards. dem Lift is dative after mit, and the verb phrase fährt ... nach oben describes travelling upwards.
Der Lift bringt uns auf den Berg.
The lift takes us up the mountain.
bringt means takes or brings, uns means us, and der Berg is the mountain. Der Lift is nominative as the subject, while uns is accusative as the direct object of bringt.
das Museum — museum
Das Museum ist heute geschlossen.
The museum is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Das Museum is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and geschlossen follows sein as a predicate adjective.
Wir besuchen das Museum.
We are visiting the museum.
wir means we and besuchen means visit. Das Museum is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir gehen mit den Kindern ins Museum.
We are going to the museum with the children.
mit den Kindern means with the children, and ins Museum means into the museum. Den Kindern is dative because mit always takes dative; ins is short for in das and is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Die Tür des Museums ist offen.
The museum’s door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Museums is genitive because it shows possession, and the neuter noun has -s; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Berlin gibt es viele Museen.
There are many museums in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Museen is the plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative.
die Pizzeria — pizzeria, pizza restaurant
A Pizzeria is a restaurant, not just a place where pizza is made. For a location, German commonly uses in der Pizzeria with the dative.
Die Pizzeria öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The pizzeria opens at six o’clock.
öffnen means to open and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Pizzeria is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Wir suchen die Pizzeria am Marktplatz.
We are looking for the pizzeria in the market square.
suchen means to look for, am Marktplatz means at the market square. Die Pizzeria is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen; am Marktplatz gives its location.
Wir essen in der Pizzeria am Marktplatz.
We are eating in the pizzeria at the market square.
essen means to eat and der Marktplatz means the market square. In takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Pizzeria is dative; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Die Speisekarte der Pizzeria ist klein.
The pizzeria’s menu is small.
die Speisekarte means menu and klein means small. Der Pizzeria is genitive because it says which restaurant the menu belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
In der Stadt gibt es viele Pizzerien.
There are many pizzerias in the city.
die Stadt means city, viele means many, and es gibt means there is or there are. Pizzerien is the plural formed with -ien; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form does not show this.
die Post — mail; post office, postal service
die Post is usually a mass noun when it means mail, so it normally has no plural. In zur Post gehen, it means going to the post office; zur is short for zu der.
Die Post kommt heute spät.
The mail is arriving late today.
kommt means arrives and heute spät means late today. die Post is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich hole die Post aus dem Briefkasten.
I collect the mail from the letterbox.
hole means collect or fetch, aus means from, and der Briefkasten is the letterbox. die Post is accusative because holen takes a direct object; aus dem Briefkasten is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Der Briefträger bringt der Post neue Pakete.
The postman brings the postal service new parcels.
der Briefträger is the postman, bringt means brings, and neue Pakete are new parcels. der Post is dative as the recipient of bringt, while neue Pakete is the accusative thing being brought; in everyday mail language, die Post is normally used as a mass noun.
Die Öffnungszeiten der Post stehen an der Tür.
The post office's opening hours are on the door.
die Öffnungszeiten means opening hours, stehen means are displayed, and an der Tür means on the door. der Post is genitive to show whose opening hours they are; an der Tür is dative because it describes a location.
Wir gehen morgen zur Post.
We are going to the post office tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and gehen means go. zur Post is zu der Post; zu takes the dative and here means to the post office, not simply to some mail.
Die Post ist am Samstag geschlossen.
The post office is closed on Saturday.
am Samstag means on Saturday and geschlossen means closed. die Post is the subject, and geschlossen is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending.
das Postamt — post office
das Postamt is a compound of die Post (post) and das Amt (office). Because the final part is das Amt, the whole compound is neuter: das Postamt.
Das Postamt ist heute geöffnet.
The post office is open today.
heute means today and geöffnet means open. das Postamt is the nominative subject, and geöffnet follows ist as a predicative adjective without an ending.
Ich suche das Postamt in der Innenstadt.
I am looking for the post office in the city centre.
suche means am looking for, in means in, and die Innenstadt is the city centre. das Postamt is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; in der Innenstadt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir gehen dem Postamt gegenüber zur Bushaltestelle.
We are going to the bus stop opposite the post office.
gegenüber means opposite, gehen means go, and die Bushaltestelle is the bus stop. dem Postamt is dative after gegenüber; zur Bushaltestelle means to the bus stop, with zu also taking the dative.
Die Tür des Postamts ist geschlossen.
The door of the post office is closed.
die Tür means the door, geschlossen means closed, and ist means is. des Postamts is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; des and the ending -s mark the neuter genitive.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Postämter.
There are three post offices in our town.
in unserer Stadt means in our town, drei means three, and gibt es means there are. drei Postämter is accusative after the fixed expression es gibt; the plural changes a to ä and adds -er.
die Rolltreppe — escalator
The feminine noun die Rolltreppe is a compound of rollen, to move or roll, and die Treppe, staircase. It has a regular plural with -n.
Die Rolltreppe ist kaputt.
The escalator is broken.
kaputt means broken. Die Rolltreppe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme die Rolltreppe.
I am taking the escalator.
nehmen means to take. die Rolltreppe is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and nehme is in position two.
Wir warten an der Rolltreppe.
We are waiting by the escalator.
warten means to wait, and an means by or at here. der Rolltreppe is dative because the fixed location an takes the dative, while warten is in position two.
Die Tür der Rolltreppe ist offen.
The escalator door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Rolltreppe is genitive to show a connection or belonging; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Im Bahnhof gibt es zwei Rolltreppen.
There are two escalators at the station.
im Bahnhof means at the station, and zwei means two. Rolltreppen is plural after zwei; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form has the same article die as nominative.
der Saal — hall, large room
Saal usually means a large room for an event, meeting, performance, or meal. Its plural is irregular in spelling: Säle has an umlaut and -e.
Der Saal ist sehr groß.
The hall is very large.
ist means is and sehr groß means very large. Der Saal is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir mieten den Saal für die Feier.
We are renting the hall for the celebration.
mieten means rent, für means for, and die Feier is the celebration. den Saal is accusative because mieten takes an accusative object; für die Feier is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Gäste sitzen in dem Saal.
The guests are sitting in the hall.
die Gäste are the guests and sitzen means are sitting. dem Saal is dative because in describes a fixed location here; in dem is often shortened to im.
Die Fenster des Saals sind offen.
The windows of the hall are open.
die Fenster are the windows and offen means open. des Saals is genitive and shows that the windows belong to the hall; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
In diesem Gebäude gibt es drei Säle.
There are three halls in this building.
diesem Gebäude means this building and drei means three. Säle is plural, but it is accusative after es gibt; the plural form has an umlaut and -e.
das Schloss — castle; lock; lock
This noun has two common meanings: a grand building and a device that keeps a door closed. The plural Schlösser is the same for both meanings, but the context tells you which one is intended.
Das Schloss steht auf einem Hügel.
The castle stands on a hill.
steht means stands, and auf einem Hügel means on a hill; der Hügel is a hill. Das Schloss is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir besichtigen das Schloss am Sonntag.
We are visiting the castle on Sunday.
besichtigen means to visit or tour, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Das Schloss is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the finite verb besichtigen stands in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Bus zum Schloss.
We are going to the castle by bus.
fahren means go or travel, mit dem Bus means by bus, and zum means to the. Zum Schloss is a destination phrase; zu always takes the dative, although the movement may make English speakers expect an accusative.
Die Tür des Schlosses ist sehr alt.
The castle's door is very old.
die Tür is the door and sehr alt means very old. Des Schlosses is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the neuter noun takes -es in the genitive singular.
Im Märchen gibt es viele Schlösser.
There are many castles in the fairy tale.
im Märchen means in the fairy tale, and viele means many. Schlösser is plural, and es gibt always takes the accusative, even though English uses there are.
Das Schloss ist wunderschön.
The castle is beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful. Das Schloss is the nominative subject, and ist is in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Die Königin lebt im Schloss.
The queen lives in the castle.
die Königin means the queen, lebt means lives, and im Schloss means in the castle. Im is in dem, and the location phrase uses the dative; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Der Schlüssel passt nicht ins Schloss.
The key does not fit the lock.
der Schlüssel is the key, passt nicht means does not fit, and ins Schloss means into the lock. In takes the accusative here because the sentence describes movement into the lock; ins is in das.
Bitte mach das Schloss zu.
Please lock it.
bitte means please, and mach ... zu means close or lock. Das Schloss is accusative because zumachen takes a direct object, and the separable prefix zu goes to the end of the main clause.
das Schwimmbad — swimming pool, public pool
Schwimmbad is a compound of schwimmen (to swim) and Bad (bath or bathing place). Its plural is irregular-looking because a changes to ä and -er is added: Schwimmbäder.
Das Schwimmbad öffnet um acht Uhr.
The swimming pool opens at eight o'clock.
öffnet means opens and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Das Schwimmbad is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Schwimmbad im Sommer.
We visit the swimming pool in summer.
besuchen means visit and im Sommer means in summer. Das Schwimmbad is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach der Schule gehe ich mit Freunden zum Schwimmbad.
After school, I go to the swimming pool with friends.
nach der Schule means after school, gehe means go, and mit Freunden means with friends. Zum Schwimmbad means zu dem Schwimmbad; zu takes the dative and shows the destination.
Die Tür des Schwimmbads ist geschlossen.
The swimming pool's door is closed.
die Tür means the door, ist means is, and geschlossen means closed. Des Schwimmbads is genitive because it shows which door is meant; the neuter noun uses des and usually -s.
Im Sommer sind die Schwimmbäder sehr voll.
In summer, the swimming pools are very crowded.
im Sommer means in summer, sind means are, and sehr voll means very crowded. Schwimmbäder is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem and marks a time or location here.
die Terrasse — terrace, patio
A Terrasse is an outdoor sitting or eating area, often next to a building. In restaurant contexts, auf der Terrasse means outside on the terrace.
Die Terrasse ist sonnig.
The terrace is sunny.
Sonnig means sunny. Die Terrasse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir reinigen die Terrasse im Frühling.
We clean the terrace in spring.
Wir reinigen means we clean, and im Frühling means in spring. Die Terrasse is accusative because reinigen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir sitzen auf der Terrasse.
We are sitting on the terrace.
Sitzen means are sitting. Auf der Terrasse is dative because auf describes a fixed location, not movement towards it; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Tür der Terrasse ist offen.
The terrace door is open.
Die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Der Terrasse is genitive because it identifies which door is meant; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist is in position two.
Im Sommer sitzen wir oft auf den Terrassen.
In summer we often sit on the terraces.
Im Sommer means in summer, oft means often, and sitzen means sit. Terrassen is plural and dative because auf describes a fixed location; the plural noun adds -n, and the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
das Theater — theatre; theatre building or organisation; theatre as an art form
In German, Theater can mean the art form, a theatre building, or the organisation that runs it. The plural is also Theater, with no ending.
Das Theater liegt im Stadtzentrum.
The theatre is in the city centre.
liegt means is located, and das Stadtzentrum is the city centre. Das Theater is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen heute das Theater.
We are going to the theatre today.
besuchen means to visit and heute means today. Das Theater is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Nach der Arbeit gehen wir ins Theater.
After work, we are going to the theatre.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and ins means into the. The phrase ins Theater contains in das Theater and uses accusative for movement into a place; gehen is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Fassade des Theaters ist sehr alt.
The theatre's façade is very old.
die Fassade is the façade and sehr alt means very old. Des Theaters is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es drei Theater.
There are three theatres in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city and drei means three. Theater is plural here, although it has no plural ending; after es gibt, the object is accusative, but the plural article is not shown.
Meine Tochter liebt Theater.
My daughter loves theatre.
meine Tochter means my daughter and liebt means loves. Here Theater refers to the art form and is used without an article as an uncountable noun; liebt is in position two.
Am Wochenende gehen wir gern ins Theater.
At the weekend, we like going to the theatre.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and gern means gladly or like to. Ins Theater means to the theatre, with accusative after in because it expresses movement; gehen is in position two.
das Tor — gate; goal; goal (in sport)
The neuter noun das Tor means a gate or, in sport, a goal. Do not confuse it with masculine der Tor, which means a fool; the plural of both meanings is different in form and context.
Das Tor ist heute geschlossen.
The gate is closed today.
geschlossen means closed, and heute means today. Das Tor is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich öffne das Tor.
I am opening the gate.
öffne means open. Das Tor is accusative because it is the direct object of öffnen, while the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Wir stehen vor dem Tor.
We are standing in front of the gate.
stehen means stand, and vor means in front of. Vor takes the dative here because this sentence describes a location, so dem Tor is dative.
Die Farbe des Tores ist blau.
The colour of the gate is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Tores is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the noun has the genitive ending -es.
Die Tore bleiben nachts geschlossen.
The gates remain closed at night.
bleiben means remain, and nachts means at night. Die Tore is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the singular noun changes to Tore with an umlaut.
Die Mannschaft schießt ein Tor.
The team scores a goal.
die Mannschaft means the team, and schießt means scores or shoots. Ein Tor is accusative because it is the direct object of schießen; the finite verb schießt is in position two.
Nach dem Tor jubeln die Fans.
The fans cheer after the goal.
nach means after, jubeln means cheer, and die Fans means the fans. Nach dem Tor uses the dative because nach always takes dative; the verb jubeln is in position two.
die Treppe — staircase, stairs
Die Treppe can mean one staircase or, in everyday English translation, a flight of stairs. For individual steps, German uses die Stufe, not die Treppe.
Die Treppe ist steil.
The staircase is steep.
steil means steep. Die Treppe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich gehe die Treppe hinauf.
I am going up the stairs.
hinauf means upwards or up. die Treppe is accusative because it describes the route or direction of movement; the verb gehe is in position two.
Wir sitzen auf der Treppe.
We are sitting on the stairs.
sitzen means to sit. auf der Treppe describes a fixed location, so the two-way preposition auf takes the dative; sitzen stands in position two.
Die Stufen der Treppe sind alt.
The steps of the staircase are old.
die Stufen means the steps, and alt means old. der Treppe is genitive because it means “of the staircase”; the plural subject die Stufen takes sind.
In diesem Haus gibt es drei Treppen.
There are three staircases in this house.
diesem Haus means this house, and drei means three. After es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, so drei Treppen has no article but is still accusative.
das Zentrum — centre, central area
das Zentrum usually means the centre of a town or area. Its plural is die Zentren, not die Zentrums.
Das Zentrum ist heute sehr voll.
The centre is very crowded today.
heute means today and voll means crowded or full. Das Zentrum is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Zentrum.
We are visiting the centre.
wir means we and besuchen means visit. Das Zentrum is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus ins Zentrum.
I am going to the centre by bus.
fahre means go or travel, mit dem Bus means by bus, and ins means into the. Dem Bus is dative after mit, while ins Zentrum is accusative because it expresses movement towards a place.
Die Straßen des Zentrums sind eng.
The centre’s streets are narrow.
die Straßen are the streets and eng means narrow. Des Zentrums is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb sind agrees with plural Straßen.
In vielen Zentren gibt es kleine Cafés.
There are small cafés in many centres.
vielen means many and kleine Cafés means small cafés. Zentren is the plural after in here because in vielen Zentren describes a location, so in takes the dative.