Appearance
Vocab: Buildings — A2 (1)
Buildings vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Altenheim — retirement home, old people's home
An Altenheim provides a place to live for older people, but it does not necessarily provide intensive nursing care. A facility with substantial nursing care is more specifically an Altenpflegeheim.
Das Altenheim liegt am Stadtrand.
The retirement home is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Das Altenheim is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt stands in position two.
Meine Tante besucht das Altenheim.
My aunt visits the retirement home.
meine Tante means my aunt, and besucht means visits. Das Altenheim is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er arbeitet in einem Altenheim.
He works in a retirement home.
arbeitet means works. In einem Altenheim is dative because in expresses location here; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Bewohner des Altenheims essen gemeinsam.
The residents of the retirement home eat together.
Bewohner means residents, and gemeinsam means together. Des Altenheims is genitive because it tells us which residents; the plural subject Bewohner takes essen.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Altenheime.
There are three retirement homes in the city.
In der Stadt means in the city, and drei means three. Altenheime is the plural after a number; in es gibt, the noun is an accusative object.
das Altersheim — retirement home, care home
Das Altersheim is a home for older people, often with care or support. The compound consists of Alter (“old age”) and Heim (“home”); the plural is Altersheime.
Das Altersheim liegt am Stadtrand.
The retirement home is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Das Altersheim is nominative because it is the subject; am is an dem, and dem Stadtrand is dative for a location.
Die Stadt baut das Altersheim um.
The city is renovating the retirement home.
die Stadt means the city, and baut ... um means is renovating or converting. Das Altersheim is accusative because umbauen takes an accusative object; the separable prefix um goes to the end.
Wir helfen dem Altersheim jeden Monat.
We help the retirement home every month.
wir helfen means we help, and jeden Monat means every month. Helfen takes the dative, so dem Altersheim is dative; the finite verb helfen stands in position two.
Die Bewohner des Altersheims feiern zusammen.
The residents of the retirement home celebrate together.
die Bewohner means the residents, and feiern zusammen means celebrate together. Des Altersheims is genitive and means of the retirement home; the finite verb feiern agrees with the plural subject die Bewohner.
In der Stadt gibt es zwei Altersheime.
There are two retirement homes in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, and zwei means two. Altersheime is plural; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
das Baujahr — year of construction, year of manufacture
Baujahr is used for buildings, vehicles, and machines. In vehicle advertisements, it often means the year the vehicle was manufactured.
Das Baujahr steht im Fahrzeugschein.
The year of manufacture is stated in the vehicle registration document.
steht means is written or stated, and der Fahrzeugschein means the vehicle registration document. Das Baujahr is nominative as the subject, while im Fahrzeugschein is a location phrase.
Ich kenne das Baujahr des Autos.
I know the car’s year of manufacture.
kenne means know and des Autos means of the car. das Baujahr is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; des Autos is genitive possession.
Dem Baujahr nach ist das Auto ziemlich alt.
Judging by its year of manufacture, the car is quite old.
dem Baujahr nach means judging by the year of manufacture, and ziemlich alt means quite old. dem Baujahr is dative in the fixed expression nach, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Alter des Baujahrs ist für den Kauf wichtig.
The age of the year of manufacture is important for the purchase.
das Alter means the age, für den Kauf means for the purchase, and wichtig means important. des Baujahrs is genitive because it specifies whose age is meant.
Die Baujahre der Modelle sind unterschiedlich.
The models’ years of manufacture are different.
der Modelle means of the models and unterschiedlich means different. Die Baujahre is a plural subject, while der Modelle is genitive possession.
die Baustelle — building site, roadworks
Baustelle can mean a building site or a place where roadworks are taking place. In traffic instructions, die Baustelle umfahren means to drive around it, not to drive into it.
Die Baustelle liegt neben dem Bahnhof.
The building site is next to the railway station.
liegt means is located, neben means next to, and der Bahnhof is the railway station. Baustelle is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bahnhof is dative because neben expresses location here, and liegt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Baustelle jeden Morgen.
I see the building site every morning.
Ich sehe means I see and jeden Morgen means every morning. die Baustelle is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Bus an der Baustelle vorbei.
We drive past the building site by bus.
mit dem Bus means by bus and vorbeifahren means to drive past. an der Baustelle is dative because an ... vorbei describes a route past a fixed place; the separable verb is split as fahren ... vorbei.
Wegen der Baustelle kommt der Bus später.
Because of the building site, the bus is coming later.
wegen means because of, kommt means comes, and später means later. der Baustelle is genitive because the formal preposition wegen normally takes the genitive; the verb kommt is in position two after the opening phrase.
In dieser Straße gibt es drei Baustellen.
There are three building sites in this street.
diese Straße means this street and drei means three. Baustellen is plural after drei; after the fixed expression es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
besetzt — occupied, taken; busy, engaged (telephone)
besetzt often describes a seat, room, or telephone line that is not available. It can also mean “occupied” in the sense of being taken over; the adjective has regular comparison, although comparison is not common for an either-or state.
Der Platz ist besetzt.
The seat is occupied.
Der Platz means the seat or place and ist means is. besetzt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the nominative subject der Platz.
Ich suche einen besetzten Sitz.
I am looking for an occupied seat.
suche means am looking for and einen Sitz means a seat. besetzten stands before the noun and takes an adjective ending because it is attributive; einen besetzten Sitz is accusative after suche.
Dieser Zug ist besetzter als der andere.
This train is more occupied than the other one.
Dieser Zug means this train and der andere means the other one. The comparative besetzter is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Der Bus ist morgens am besetztesten.
The bus is most crowded in the mornings.
Der Bus means the bus and morgens means in the mornings. The predicative superlative uses am besetztesten after ist; do not use the attributive form besetzteste here.
Die Telefonleitung ist besetzt.
The telephone line is busy.
Die Telefonleitung means the telephone line and ist means is. besetzt is predicative after sein and therefore has no ending; it says that the line is currently unavailable.
Ich kann nicht anrufen, weil die Leitung besetzt ist.
I cannot call because the line is busy.
Ich kann nicht anrufen means I cannot call, and weil means because. In the weil clause, the finite verb ist goes to the end; besetzt remains before it as the predicative adjective.
der Besprechungsraum — meeting room
This compound combines Besprechung, “meeting”, and Raum, “room”. With a fixed location, in takes the dative, as in im Besprechungsraum; with movement into the room, it takes the accusative.
Der Besprechungsraum ist im zweiten Stock.
The meeting room is on the second floor.
ist means “is”, and im zweiten Stock means “on the second floor”. Der Besprechungsraum is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative for a location.
Wir suchen den Besprechungsraum.
We are looking for the meeting room.
suchen means “look for”, and wir means “we”. Den Besprechungsraum is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich sitze im Besprechungsraum.
I am sitting in the meeting room.
sitze means “am sitting”, and im means “in the”. Im Besprechungsraum is dative because in describes a fixed location; do not use the accusative unless there is movement into the room.
Die Tür des Besprechungsraums ist geschlossen.
The door of the meeting room is closed.
die Tür means “the door”, and geschlossen means “closed”. Des Besprechungsraums is genitive after die Tür to show which room the door belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Besprechungsräume sind heute alle belegt.
All the meeting rooms are occupied today.
heute means “today”, alle means “all”, and belegt means “occupied”. Besprechungsräume is plural, with an umlaut in Räume, so the verb is plural sind.
das Besprechungszimmer — meeting room; meeting room, conference room
This compound combines Besprechung, a meeting or discussion, with Zimmer, room. It normally refers to a room in an office or institution, not to the meeting itself.
Das Besprechungszimmer ist heute frei.
The meeting room is free today.
heute means today, and frei means free or available. Das Besprechungszimmer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Besprechungszimmer.
We are looking for the meeting room.
suchen means to look for. Das Besprechungszimmer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and suchen stands in position two.
Wir treffen uns in dem Besprechungszimmer.
We are meeting in the meeting room.
treffen uns means meet each other. In takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, so dem Besprechungszimmer is dative; with movement into the room, accusative would be used.
Die Tür des Besprechungszimmers ist geschlossen.
The meeting room's door is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Besprechungszimmers is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Besprechungszimmer sind modern.
The meeting rooms are modern.
modern means modern. The plural is die Besprechungszimmer, with no ending on the noun, and the plural subject requires sind.
Wir reservieren ein Besprechungszimmer für morgen.
We are reserving a meeting room for tomorrow.
reservieren means to reserve, and für morgen means for tomorrow. Ein Besprechungszimmer is accusative because it is the direct object of reservieren; the finite verb is in position two.
Im Besprechungszimmer steht ein großer Tisch.
There is a large table in the meeting room.
im means in the and ein großer Tisch means a large table. Im Besprechungszimmer is dative because in describes location, while steht is in position two and the subject follows it.
der Block — apartment block, block of flats; notepad, pad
For a residential building, der Wohnblock is more precise, while der Block can be understood from context. The word is also used for several other kinds of block.
Der Block ist sehr alt.
The apartment block is very old.
alt means old. Der Block is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Wir sehen den Block von hier aus.
We can see the apartment block from here.
sehen means see and von hier aus means from here. Den Block is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen.
Neben dem Block steht ein Supermarkt.
There is a supermarket next to the apartment block.
neben means next to and der Supermarkt means supermarket. Dem Block is dative because neben describes a location here; steht is in position two.
Die Bewohner des Blocks treffen sich im Hof.
The residents of the apartment block meet in the courtyard.
die Bewohner means residents, sich treffen means meet, and der Hof means courtyard. Des Blocks is genitive because it shows which residents are meant; the reflexive phrase treffen sich has a plural subject.
Die Blöcke stehen dicht nebeneinander.
The apartment blocks stand close together.
dicht nebeneinander means close together. Die Blöcke is the plural subject, with the umlaut and -e ending; stehen is plural.
Ich brauche einen Block für die Notizen.
I need a notepad for the notes.
brauchen means need, die Notizen means the notes, and für means for. Einen Block is accusative because it is the object of brauchen; für also takes the accusative.
Sie schreibt die Adresse auf den Block.
She writes the address on the notepad.
schreiben means write and die Adresse means address. Auf den Block is accusative because auf shows movement or placement onto the notepad; the finite verb schreibt is in position two.
die Botschaft — embassy; message, important news
The plural die Botschaften can also mean messages, depending on the context.
Die Botschaft ist in Berlin.
The embassy is in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Botschaft is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich besuche die Botschaft.
I am visiting the embassy.
besuchen means to visit. Die Botschaft is accusative because it is the direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gehe zur Botschaft.
I am going to the embassy.
gehen means to go, and zur means to the. Zur Botschaft is short for zu der Botschaft, and zu always takes the dative.
Die Adresse der Botschaft steht online.
The embassy’s address is online.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is listed, and online means online. Der Botschaft is genitive because it shows whose address it is.
Viele Botschaften haben heute geschlossen.
Many embassies are closed today.
viele means many, heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Botschaften is the plural of die Botschaft.
Die Botschaft des Films ist wichtig.
The message of the film is important.
der Film means the film, and wichtig means important. Des Films is genitive after Botschaft and means of the film.
Er überbrachte eine traurige Botschaft.
He delivered sad news.
überbringen means to deliver or communicate, and traurig means sad. Eine traurige Botschaft is accusative because it is the object of überbrachte.
der Brunnen — well; fountain
A Brunnen normally provides water from underground; a decorative fountain can also be called a Brunnen. Its plural is unusual because Brunnen stays unchanged.
Der Brunnen steht mitten auf dem Marktplatz.
The well stands in the middle of the market square.
steht means stands, mitten auf means right in the middle of, and der Marktplatz is the market square. Der Brunnen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Brunnen im Park.
The children see the well in the park.
Die Kinder means the children, sehen means see, and im Park means in the park. Den Brunnen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the noun has the same form in the singular and plural, but the article shows singular here.
Wir sitzen neben dem Brunnen.
We are sitting next to the well.
sitzen means are sitting, and neben means next to. Neben takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Brunnen is dative; the verb sitzen follows the subject wir.
Das Wasser des Brunnens ist kalt.
The water in the well is cold.
Das Wasser means the water, and kalt means cold. Des Brunnens is genitive because it identifies which water; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
In diesem Dorf gibt es drei Brunnen.
There are three wells in this village.
In diesem Dorf means in this village, and drei means three. Es gibt takes an accusative object, so drei Brunnen is accusative plural; the plural form is identical to the singular.
Vor dem Rathaus plätschert ein Brunnen.
A fountain is burbling in front of the town hall.
Vor dem Rathaus means in front of the town hall, and plätschert means makes a soft splashing sound. Ein Brunnen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb plätschert is in position two.
Die Stadt hat einen Brunnen mit bunten Lichtern.
The city has a fountain with colourful lights.
Die Stadt means the city, and mit bunten Lichtern means with colourful lights. Einen Brunnen is accusative because haben takes a direct object; mit takes dative in the phrase bunten Lichtern.
die Burg — castle; fortress
Burg usually means a historic fortified castle, not every modern building called a castle. The plural is Burgen, with -en.
Die Burg liegt auf einem Hügel.
The castle is on a hill.
liegt means is situated, and auf einem Hügel means on a hill. Die Burg is the nominative subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Wir besichtigen die Burg morgen.
We are visiting the castle tomorrow.
Wir besichtigen means we are visiting, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Burg is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the finite verb besichtigen is in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Burg.
We are approaching the castle.
sich nähern means to approach, and uns means ourselves or us. The verb sich nähern requires a dative object, so der Burg is dative; nähern is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Burg ist spannend.
The history of the castle is exciting.
Die Geschichte means the history, and spannend means exciting. Der Burg is feminine genitive and means of the castle; it describes Geschichte, while ist stands in position two.
Im Urlaub besuchen wir viele Burgen.
On holiday we visit many castles.
Im Urlaub means on holiday, and viele means many. Burgen is the plural of Burg and is accusative because besuchen takes an accusative object; im is short for in dem.
die Bücherei — library
Die Bücherei is a library, often a local, school or small public library. The plural is die Büchereien, formed with -eien; Bibliothek is another common word for library.
Die Bücherei öffnet um zehn Uhr.
The library opens at ten o’clock.
öffnet means opens, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Die Bücherei is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich besuche die Bücherei jeden Samstag.
I visit the library every Saturday.
besuche means visit, and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Die Bücherei is accusative because it is the direct object of besuche; the time expression is placed at the end.
Wir lernen in der Bücherei.
We study in the library.
lernen means study or learn. In der Bücherei is dative because in describes a fixed location, not movement into it; lernen is in position two.
Die Regeln der Bücherei hängen an der Wand.
The library’s rules are hanging on the wall.
die Regeln means the rules, hängen means are hanging, and die Wand is the wall. Der Bücherei is genitive because it shows whose rules they are; an der Wand is dative because it gives a location.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Büchereien.
There are three libraries in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city, and drei means three. Büchereien is plural after drei; es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural is identical in form after the number.
das Denkmal — monument, memorial
Das Denkmal is a monument or memorial made to commemorate someone or something. Its plural is die Denkmäler, with an umlaut and -er.
Das Denkmal steht im Zentrum der Stadt.
The monument stands in the centre of the city.
steht means stands, im Zentrum means in the centre, and die Stadt means the city. Das Denkmal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Denkmal am Sonntag.
We are visiting the monument on Sunday.
wir besuchen means we visit, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. das Denkmal is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the article looks the same as in the nominative, so learners must identify the case from the verb.
Vor dem Denkmal treffen sich viele Menschen.
Many people meet in front of the monument.
vor means in front of, treffen sich means meet, and viele Menschen means many people. dem Denkmal is dative because the location preposition vor takes the dative here; the finite verb treffen stands in position two.
Die Geschichte des Denkmals ist interessant.
The history of the monument is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history, and interessant means interesting. des Denkmals is genitive because it says whose history it is; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Berlin gibt es viele Denkmäler.
There are many monuments in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Denkmäler is the plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
der Durchgang — passage, corridor; round, stage
A Durchgang is a space or route that lets people pass through. In sports or competitions, Durchgang can also mean a round or stage.
Der Durchgang zum Hof ist geschlossen.
The passage to the courtyard is closed.
der Hof is the courtyard and geschlossen means closed. Der Durchgang is nominative because it is the subject; zum Hof means zu dem Hof and uses the dative after zu.
Wir benutzen den Durchgang hinter dem Gebäude.
We use the passage behind the building.
benutzen means use, hinter means behind, and das Gebäude is the building. Den Durchgang is accusative because benutzen takes an accusative object; hinter dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte bleibt in dem Durchgang.
Please stay in the passage.
bitte means please and bleibt means stay. Dem Durchgang is dative after in because there is no movement; the sentence uses the plural or polite command form of bleiben.
Die Tür des Durchgangs ist sehr schmal.
The door of the passage is very narrow.
die Tür is the door and schmal means narrow. Des Durchgangs is genitive after die Tür to show which passage the door belongs to; ist is in position two.
Die Durchgänge im Bahnhof sind gut ausgeschildert.
The passages in the station are well signposted.
der Bahnhof is the station and ausgeschildert means signposted. Durchgänge is a plural nominative subject; im Bahnhof means in dem Bahnhof and uses the dative for a location.
Im zweiten Durchgang spielt die Mannschaft besser.
In the second round, the team plays better.
zweite means second, spielen means play, and die Mannschaft is the team. Im zweiten Durchgang is dative after in because it names a time or stage, and the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Nach drei Durchgängen steht der Sieger fest.
After three rounds, the winner is decided.
nach means after, drei means three, and der Sieger is the winner. Durchgängen is plural dative after nach, with -n added to the plural; steht ... fest is a separable expression meaning is decided.
die Einfahrt — driveway; vehicle entrance
Die Einfahrt usually means a driveway or a place where vehicles enter. Do not confuse it with der Eingang, which is normally an entrance for people.
Die Einfahrt ist heute gesperrt.
The driveway is closed today.
gesperrt means closed or blocked, and heute means today. Die Einfahrt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Einfahrt nicht.
I cannot see the driveway.
sehen means to see, and nicht means not. Die Einfahrt is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir stehen vor der Einfahrt.
We are standing in front of the driveway.
stehen means to stand, and vor means in front of. Vor takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, so der Einfahrt is dative; the verb stehen is in position two.
Die Breite der Einfahrt reicht für das Auto.
The width of the driveway is sufficient for the car.
die Breite means the width, reicht means is sufficient, and das Auto means the car. Der Einfahrt is genitive because it specifies whose width is meant; the finite verb reicht stands in position two.
Die Einfahrten sind nachts schlecht beleuchtet.
The driveways are poorly lit at night.
nachts means at night, and schlecht beleuchtet means poorly lit. Einfahrten is the plural subject with the plural article die, so the verb is sind, not ist.
das Einfamilienhaus — single-family house
The compound Einfamilienhaus literally combines Ein (one) and Familienhaus (family house). It normally means a detached or otherwise separate house for one household, not a building with several flats.
Das Einfamilienhaus liegt am Stadtrand.
The single-family house is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Das Einfamilienhaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir kaufen das Einfamilienhaus im Sommer.
We are buying the single-family house in summer.
kaufen means buy, and im Sommer means in summer. Das Einfamilienhaus is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the article looks the same as nominative for a neuter noun.
Wir wohnen in dem Einfamilienhaus.
We live in the single-family house.
wohnen means live, and in means in; here it describes a location. Dem Einfamilienhaus is dative because in takes dative for a fixed location, and dem shows the neuter dative article.
Die Tür des Einfamilienhauses ist neu.
The door of the single-family house is new.
die Tür is the door and neu means new. Des Einfamilienhauses is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the neuter noun takes -es and the article des.
In der Straße stehen drei Einfamilienhäuser.
There are three single-family houses in the street.
in der Straße means in the street, and stehen means stand or are situated. Einfamilienhäuser is plural after drei, and the verb stehen is plural; the phrase in der Straße comes first, so the verb still stays in position two.
die Etage — floor, storey
Etage is common in everyday speech, but Stock or Stockwerk is also widely used for a floor. In many buildings, die erste Etage means the first floor above the ground floor, but floor numbering can vary by country.
Die Etage ist über den Aufzug erreichbar.
The floor can be reached by the lift.
über means via or by way of, der Aufzug is the lift or elevator, and erreichbar means reachable. Die Etage is nominative because it is the subject; ist erreichbar describes a state, with ist in position two.
Wir renovieren die Etage im Sommer.
We are renovating the floor in summer.
wir means we, renovieren means renovate, and im Sommer means in summer. Die Etage is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
In der Etage gibt es drei Wohnungen.
There are three flats on the floor.
in der Etage means on or in the floor, gibt es means there is or there are, and drei Wohnungen means three flats. Der Etage is dative because in describes a fixed location; in es gibt the thing that exists is accusative, here drei Wohnungen.
Die Fenster der Etage sind neu.
The windows of the floor are new.
die Fenster means the windows, sind means are, and neu means new. Der Etage is genitive because it shows which windows; feminine genitive uses der, and the noun itself does not change.
Die beiden Etagen haben große Fenster.
Both floors have large windows.
beiden means both, haben means have, and große Fenster means large windows. Etagen is plural because of die beiden, and the plural ending -n remains even though the noun is the subject.
die Fabrik — factory
The plural is Fabriken, not Fabriks. Fabrik is also used in compounds such as Fabrikarbeiter, meaning factory worker.
Die Fabrik liegt außerhalb der Stadt.
The factory is outside the city.
liegt means is situated, and außerhalb der Stadt means outside the city. Die Fabrik is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen die Fabrik morgen.
We are visiting the factory tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Fabrik is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while besuchen stands in position two.
Die Arbeiter arbeiten in der Fabrik.
The workers work in the factory.
die Arbeiter means the workers, and arbeiten means work. In der Fabrik is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Das Dach der Fabrik ist sehr groß.
The factory’s roof is very large.
das Dach means the roof, and sehr groß means very large. Der Fabrik is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Fabriken.
There are many factories in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, and viele means many. Fabriken is plural; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural article is still die.
die Fassade — facade, exterior; outward appearance
Die Fassade is the front or outer surface of a building. It can also be used figuratively for an outward appearance that hides a person’s real feelings or situation.
Die Fassade ist weiß.
The facade is white.
weiß means white. Die Fassade is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; weiß is a predicative adjective after sein.
Die Stadt renoviert die Fassade.
The city is renovating the facade.
die Stadt is the city, and renoviert means renovates. Die Fassade is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the finite verb renoviert is in position two.
Die Arbeiter geben der Fassade eine neue Farbe.
The workers give the facade a new color.
die Arbeiter are the workers, geben means give, and eine neue Farbe is a new color. Der Fassade is dative as the recipient or target of geben, while eine neue Farbe is the accusative thing given.
Die Fenster der Fassade sind groß.
The windows of the facade are large.
die Fenster are the windows, and groß means large. Der Fassade is genitive to show which facade the windows belong to; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Die Fassaden der Häuser sehen unterschiedlich aus.
The facades of the houses look different.
der Häuser means “of the houses,” and unterschiedlich means different; aussehen means look or appear. Die Fassaden is plural nominative as the subject, and the separable verb appears as sehen ... aus in the main clause.
Hinter seiner freundlichen Fassade ist er sehr unsicher.
Behind his friendly exterior, he is very insecure.
hinter means behind, seiner freundlichen means his friendly, and unsicher means insecure. Here Fassade is metaphorical, meaning an outward appearance; hinter takes the dative for a fixed location, and ist stands in position two.
die Fensterscheibe — windowpane; pane of glass
Fensterscheibe is a compound of Fenster and Scheibe and means the glass pane itself, not the whole window. The plural is regular: Fensterscheiben.
Die Fensterscheibe ist ganz sauber.
The windowpane is completely clean.
ganz means completely and sauber means clean. Die Fensterscheibe is nominative as the subject; ist stands in position two, and sauber is predicative, so it has no adjective ending.
Der Ball trifft die Fensterscheibe.
The ball hits the windowpane.
der Ball means the ball and treffen means to hit. Die Fensterscheibe is accusative because it is the direct object of trifft; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich gebe der Fensterscheibe einen neuen Rahmen.
I give the windowpane a new frame.
geben means to give, neu means new, and der Rahmen is the frame. Der Fensterscheibe is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Rahmen is accusative as the thing given; gebe is in position two.
Die Kante der Fensterscheibe ist scharf.
The edge of the windowpane is sharp.
die Kante means edge and scharf means sharp. Der Fensterscheibe is genitive after die Kante to show whose edge it is; ist stands in position two and scharf is predicative.
Nach dem Sturm müssen mehrere Fensterscheiben ersetzt werden.
After the storm, several windowpanes have to be replaced.
der Sturm means storm, mehrere means several, and ersetzen means to replace. Fensterscheiben is the plural subject of the passive construction; müssen is the finite modal verb in position two, while ersetzt werden goes to the end.
der Friedhof — cemetery, graveyard
Der Friedhof liegt hinter der Kirche.
The cemetery is behind the church.
hinter der Kirche means behind the church. Der Friedhof is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Friedhof am Sonntag.
We are visiting the cemetery on Sunday.
besuchen means to visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. den Friedhof is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Sie geht mit ihrem Bruder auf den Friedhof.
She goes to the cemetery with her brother.
geht means goes and mit ihrem Bruder means with her brother. ihrem Bruder is dative after mit, while den Friedhof is accusative after auf because it expresses movement towards a place.
Das Tor des Friedhofs ist geschlossen.
The cemetery gate is closed.
das Tor is the gate and geschlossen means closed. des Friedhofs is genitive because it shows whose gate it is; the masculine noun has the ending -s here.
In dieser Stadt gibt es drei Friedhöfe.
There are three cemeteries in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city and drei means three. Friedhöfe is the plural after drei; after es gibt, the plural noun is grammatically accusative, although its form is the same as the nominative plural.
die Glasscheibe — pane of glass
Glasscheibe is a compound of Glas and Scheibe and usually means a windowpane or another flat pane. It is not the usual word for a drinking glass; that is Glas.
Die Glasscheibe ist sauber.
The pane of glass is clean.
sauber means clean. Die Glasscheibe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Ball trifft die Glasscheibe.
The ball hits the pane of glass.
Der Ball means the ball and trifft means hits. Die Glasscheibe is accusative because it is the direct object of trifft; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir nähern uns der Glasscheibe.
We approach the pane of glass.
nähern uns means approach and uns means ourselves or us. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so der Glasscheibe is dative, not accusative.
Die Kante der Glasscheibe ist scharf.
The edge of the pane of glass is sharp.
Die Kante means the edge and scharf means sharp. Der Glasscheibe is genitive because it identifies which pane has the edge.
Die neuen Glasscheiben sind schon eingebaut.
The new panes of glass have already been installed.
neuen means new, schon means already, and eingebaut means installed. Glasscheiben is plural after die neuen, and sind eingebaut is a passive-style description with the participle at the end.
Die Kinder kleben Sterne an die Glasscheibe.
The children stick stars onto the pane of glass.
Die Kinder means the children, kleben means stick, and Sterne means stars. An die Glasscheibe is accusative because the stars are moved onto the surface; an takes accusative for direction and dative for location.
das Grundstück — plot of land, property
Das Grundstück means a defined piece of land, usually one that can be bought or built on. It is more specific than das Land, which can mean land, countryside or a country.
Das Grundstück liegt am Stadtrand.
The property is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is situated, and der Stadtrand means the edge of the city. Das Grundstück is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir kaufen das Grundstück neben dem See.
We are buying the plot of land next to the lake.
kaufen means buy, neben means next to, and der See means lake. Das Grundstück is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; dem See is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
Der Makler zeigt dem Kunden das Grundstück.
The estate agent shows the customer the property.
der Makler means estate agent, zeigt means shows, and der Kunde means customer. Dem Kunden is dative because it is the recipient, while das Grundstück is the accusative thing being shown.
Der Preis des Grundstücks ist sehr hoch.
The price of the property is very high.
der Preis means price, and sehr hoch means very high. Des Grundstücks is genitive because it shows which property's price is meant; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
In dieser Gegend sind Grundstücke besonders teuer.
Plots of land are particularly expensive in this area.
diese Gegend means this area, and besonders teuer means particularly expensive. Grundstücke is plural and the nominative subject; sind is the plural form of sein.
der Hausflur — hallway, entrance corridor
Hausflur usually means a shared corridor inside a building, not a private hallway inside one apartment.
Der Hausflur ist sehr dunkel.
The hallway is very dark.
sehr means very, and dunkel means dark. Der Hausflur is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Bitte putz den Hausflur.
Please clean the hallway.
bitte means please, and putz means clean. Den Hausflur is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the short imperative putz comes first.
Die Kinder spielen im Hausflur.
The children are playing in the hallway.
die Kinder are the children, and spielen means play. Im Hausflur means in the hallway; in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it.
Die Tür des Hausflurs ist offen.
The hallway door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Hausflurs is genitive because it says which door, and the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
In alten Häusern sind die Hausflure oft schmal.
In old houses, the hallways are often narrow.
alten Häusern means old houses, oft means often, and schmal means narrow. Hausflure is plural after die; in alten Häusern is dative because it describes the location.
der Hausmeister — caretaker, janitor
The plural is unusual because der Hausmeister and die Hausmeister have the same noun form. The word commonly describes someone who looks after a shared or public building.
Der Hausmeister repariert die kaputte Tür.
The caretaker is repairing the broken door.
kaputt means broken and die Tür means the door. Der Hausmeister is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb repariert is in position two; die kaputte Tür is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object.
Ich rufe den Hausmeister wegen des Lichts an.
I am calling the caretaker because of the light.
anrufen means to call, wegen means because of, and das Licht means the light. Den Hausmeister is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; rufe is in position two and the separable part an goes to the end.
Ich gebe dem Hausmeister den Schlüssel.
I give the caretaker the key.
geben means to give and der Schlüssel means the key. Dem Hausmeister is dative because he receives something, while den Schlüssel is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Die Nummer des Hausmeisters steht an der Tür.
The caretaker’s number is on the door.
die Nummer means the number, stehen means to be written or located, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Hausmeisters is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Hausmeister arbeiten heute im Keller.
The caretakers are working in the basement today.
arbeiten means to work, heute means today, and der Keller means the basement. Hausmeister has the same form in the plural, marked by die; im Keller is a dative location phrase.
die Hausmeisterin — female caretaker, female janitor
Hausmeisterin is the feminine form of Hausmeister. Its plural is Hausmeisterinnen, not Hausmeisterin; the ending -innen must be included.
Die Hausmeisterin öffnet morgens das Tor.
The caretaker opens the gate in the morning.
öffnen means to open, morgens means in the morning, and das Tor means the gate. Die Hausmeisterin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two; das Tor is accusative as the direct object.
Wir suchen die Hausmeisterin.
We are looking for the caretaker.
suchen means to look for. Die Hausmeisterin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Ich danke der Hausmeisterin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the caretaker for her help.
danken means to thank, für means for, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Hausmeisterin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für requires the accusative.
Das Büro der Hausmeisterin ist neben dem Eingang.
The caretaker’s office is next to the entrance.
das Büro means the office, neben means next to, and der Eingang means the entrance. Der Hausmeisterin is genitive and shows whose office it is; neben dem Eingang is a dative location phrase.
Die Hausmeisterinnen treffen sich im Hof.
The caretakers meet in the courtyard.
treffen sich means meet one another, im means in the, and der Hof means the courtyard. Hausmeisterinnen is plural and takes die; sich treffen is reflexive, and im Hof is a dative location phrase.
die Hausordnung — house rules, building regulations
Hausordnung can mean the written rules for a shared building or the document containing them. It is often used with beachten (“follow”) and gegen ... verstoßen (“break”), where gegen takes the accusative.
Die Hausordnung hängt im Treppenhaus.
The house rules are posted in the stairwell.
hängen means to hang, im means in the, and das Treppenhaus means the stairwell. Die Hausordnung is nominative because it is the subject; im Treppenhaus is a dative location phrase, and hängt is in position two.
Alle Bewohner lesen die Hausordnung.
All residents read the house rules.
alle Bewohner means all residents and lesen means read. Die Hausordnung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lesen is in position two.
Die Verwaltung erklärt der Hausordnung nicht alles.
The management does not explain everything in the house rules.
die Verwaltung means the management, erklären means to explain, and alles means everything. Der Hausordnung is dative as the recipient or context of the explanation, while alles is accusative; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Die Einhaltung der Hausordnung ist wichtig.
Following the house rules is important.
die Einhaltung means compliance or following, and wichtig means important. Der Hausordnung is genitive and specifies which rules are being followed; ist is the finite verb in position two.
In dieser Stadt gelten verschiedene Hausordnungen.
Different house rules apply in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, gelten means apply or be valid, and verschiedene means different. Hausordnungen is plural and is the subject; although the sentence starts with a location phrase, gelten remains in position two.
das Heim — residential home, institution; home; home, place of belonging
Das Heim can mean a residential institution, for example a care home or children’s home; in older or literary contexts it can also mean home or homeland. Do not confuse the noun das Heim with the lowercase adverb heim, which means homewards.
Das Heim liegt am Stadtrand.
The residential home is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and der Stadtrand is the edge of the city. Das Heim is nominative because it is the subject; am Stadtrand means at the edge of the city and contains dative dem Stadtrand after an for location.
Wir besuchen das Heim am Samstag.
We are visiting the residential home on Saturday.
besuchen means visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Heim is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Sie arbeitet in dem Heim.
She works in the residential home.
arbeitet means works, and in means in. Dem Heim is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the contracted form im Heim is also common.
Die Bewohner des Heims feiern gemeinsam.
The residents of the home are celebrating together.
die Bewohner are the residents, feiern means celebrate, and gemeinsam means together. Des Heims is genitive because it identifies which residents; the neuter genitive article is des and the noun usually adds -s.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Heime.
There are several residential homes in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Heime is the plural of das Heim and is accusative after es gibt, although the article is not shown.
Nach vielen Jahren fand die Familie ein neues Heim.
After many years, the family found a new home.
nach vielen Jahren means after many years, die Familie is the family, and fand means found. Ein neues Heim is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Dieses Dorf ist jetzt unser Heim.
This village is our home now.
dieses Dorf means this village, unser means our, and jetzt means now. Unser Heim is a predicative noun after ist, so it has no article and no case ending of its own.
das Hochhaus — high-rise building, skyscraper
The compound Hochhaus combines hoch, high, and Haus, house. It normally means a high-rise building, not simply any tall house.
Das Hochhaus ist neu.
The high-rise building is new.
neu means new. Das Hochhaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Hochhaus jeden Tag.
I see the high-rise building every day.
ich sehe means I see, and jeden Tag means every day. Das Hochhaus is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir wohnen in dem Hochhaus.
We live in the high-rise building.
wir wohnen means we live. In takes the dative here because wohnen describes a fixed location, so dem Hochhaus is dative.
Die Fassade des Hochhauses ist grau.
The façade of the high-rise building is grey.
die Fassade is the façade and grau means grey. Des Hochhauses is genitive because it shows which building the façade belongs to; the genitive ending -es appears on the noun.
In der Stadt stehen viele Hochhäuser.
There are many high-rise buildings in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Hochhäuser is plural after viele; the verb stehen agrees with the plural subject.
das Hostel — hostel, budget accommodation
A Hostel is usually cheaper than a hotel and often has shared rooms. It is a borrowed noun, so its plural is Hostels, not Hostele.
Das Hostel liegt im Zentrum.
The hostel is in the city centre.
liegt means is located, and im Zentrum means in the city centre. Das Hostel is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir buchen das Hostel online.
We book the hostel online.
buchen means book, and online means online. Das Hostel is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir vertrauen dem Hostel bei der Reiseplanung.
We trust the hostel when planning the trip.
vertrauen means trust, and bei der Reiseplanung means when planning the trip. Dem Hostel is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object; this is a common case trap because English uses no visible case ending.
Die Adresse des Hostels steht in der E-Mail.
The hostel's address is in the email.
die Adresse means the address, and steht means is written or is found. Des Hostels is genitive because it means of the hostel; the borrowed neuter noun adds -s after des.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Hostels.
There are many hostels in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and viele means many. Hostels is plural after viele and takes -s; with es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative even though the sentence is translated with “there are”.
die Immobilie — property; piece of real estate
Immobilie is a formal and common word for a property, especially a house, flat, building, or plot of land considered as an investment or object of sale.
Die Immobilie ist sehr teuer.
The property is very expensive.
teuer means expensive and sehr means very. Die Immobilie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen die Immobilie.
We are buying the property.
wir means we and kaufen means buy. Die Immobilie is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie wohnt in der Immobilie.
She lives in the property.
sie means she and wohnt means lives; in means in. In der Immobilie is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it.
Der Preis der Immobilie ist gestiegen.
The price of the property has risen.
der Preis means the price and gestiegen means risen. Der Immobilie is genitive because it identifies whose price it is; ist gestiegen forms the perfect and the participle goes to the end.
Die Immobilien in dieser Gegend sind teuer.
The properties in this area are expensive.
in dieser Gegend means in this area and teuer means expensive. Die Immobilien is plural and nominative because it is the subject; sind is the plural form of sein.
die Kapelle — chapel; band, small orchestra
Die Kapelle is a small building or room used for Christian worship. It is not normally the main church; a Kapelle may be beside or inside another institution.
Die Kapelle steht hinter der Kirche.
The chapel is behind the church.
steht means “stands,” hinter means “behind,” and die Kirche is “the church.” Die Kapelle is nominative because it is the subject; hinter der Kirche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir besuchen die Kapelle am Nachmittag.
We are visiting the chapel in the afternoon.
besuchen means “visit,” and am Nachmittag means “in the afternoon.” Die Kapelle is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Braut spricht in der Kapelle mit ihrer Mutter.
The bride is speaking with her mother in the chapel.
Die Braut is “the bride,” spricht means “speaks,” and mit ihrer Mutter means “with her mother.” Der Kapelle is dative because in describes location here; mit also requires dative in ihrer Mutter.
Das Dach der Kapelle ist sehr alt.
The chapel’s roof is very old.
Das Dach is “the roof,” ist means “is,” sehr alt means “very old.” Der Kapelle is genitive because it shows which building the roof belongs to; the verb ist stands in position two.
Im Dorf gibt es zwei Kapellen.
There are two chapels in the village.
Im Dorf means “in the village,” gibt es means “there is/are,” and zwei means “two.” Kapellen is plural accusative because the fixed expression es gibt takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -n.
Am Samstag spielt eine Kapelle auf dem Marktplatz.
A band is playing in the market square on Saturday.
Am Samstag means “on Saturday,” spielt means “plays,” and auf dem Marktplatz means “in the market square.” Eine Kapelle is nominative because it is the subject; after the opening time phrase, the finite verb spielt still comes in position two.
Wir tanzen zu den Liedern der Kapelle.
We are dancing to the band’s songs.
tanzen means “dance,” zu den Liedern means “to the songs,” and Lieder means “songs.” Der Kapelle is genitive because it shows whose songs they are; zu den Liedern is dative because zu requires dative.
das Kaufhaus — department store
A Kaufhaus is usually a large shop with several departments, for example clothing, household goods and electronics. It is not simply any shop; Warenhaus is a related word and can sound more formal or old-fashioned.
Das Kaufhaus ist heute geöffnet.
The department store is open today.
geöffnet means open, and heute means today. Das Kaufhaus is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist is in position two, and geöffnet comes after sein as a predicative adjective.
Ich besuche das Kaufhaus am Samstag.
I am visiting the department store on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Kaufhaus has the same article in nominative and accusative, but it is accusative because besuchen takes an accusative object.
Wir gehen in dem Kaufhaus einkaufen.
We go shopping in the department store.
gehen means to go, and einkaufen means to shop. In dem Kaufhaus is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; the separable verb einkaufen puts ein at the end.
Die Rolltreppe des Kaufhauses ist kaputt.
The department store's escalator is broken.
die Rolltreppe is the escalator, and kaputt means broken. Des Kaufhauses is genitive and shows possession; the noun takes -es, and ist remains in position two.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Kaufhäuser.
There are three department stores in the city.
die Stadt is the city, drei means three, and es gibt means there is or there are. Kaufhäuser is plural with an umlaut and -er; after es gibt, the noun phrase is grammatically accusative.
Das Kaufhaus verkauft Kleidung und Haushaltswaren.
The department store sells clothes and household goods.
verkaufen means to sell, die Kleidung means clothing, and die Haushaltswaren are household goods. Das Kaufhaus is the nominative subject, while both things being sold are accusative objects.
der Konferenzraum — conference room; meeting room
This is a compound noun: die Konferenz plus der Raum. The gender and plural pattern come from the last part, der Raum, so the word is masculine and has the plural Konferenzräume.
Der Konferenzraum ist im zweiten Stock.
The conference room is on the second floor.
im zweiten Stock means “on the second floor,” and ist means “is.” Der Konferenzraum is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir reservieren den Konferenzraum für morgen.
We are reserving the conference room for tomorrow.
reservieren means “reserve,” and für morgen means “for tomorrow.” Den Konferenzraum is accusative because reservieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Konferenzraum stehen zwölf Stühle.
There are twelve chairs in the conference room.
zwölf Stühle means “twelve chairs,” and stehen means “are standing/are placed.” Im Konferenzraum is dative because in describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Die Tür des Konferenzraums ist offen.
The conference room door is open.
die Tür means “the door,” and offen means “open.” Des Konferenzraums is genitive because it shows which room the door belongs to; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Die Firma hat fünf Konferenzräume.
The company has five conference rooms.
die Firma means “the company,” and fünf means “five.” Fünf Konferenzräume is plural accusative after hat; the plural ending -e belongs to Raum, and the a changes to ä.
Bitte warten Sie im Konferenzraum.
Please wait in the conference room.
Bitte means “please,” and warten means “wait.” Im Konferenzraum is dative because it names a location; warten Sie is the polite imperative, with the verb in position two.
der Korridor — corridor, hallway
der Korridor is a passage inside a building. In everyday German, der Flur is also very common, especially for the hallway in a home or flat.
Der Korridor ist sehr eng.
The corridor is very narrow.
eng means narrow. Der Korridor is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich putze den Korridor.
I am cleaning the corridor.
putze means clean. den Korridor is accusative because it is the object of putzen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Korridor steht ein Schrank.
There is a cupboard standing in the corridor.
im means in the, steht means stands or is located, and ein Schrank is a cupboard. im Korridor is dative because in describes a fixed location; the verb steht comes before the subject because the location occupies position one.
Die Tür des Korridors ist offen.
The corridor door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. des Korridors is genitive because it shows which door is meant, while the whole phrase Die Tür des Korridors is the nominative subject.
Die Korridore des Hotels sind hell.
The hotel corridors are bright.
des Hotels means of the hotel and hell means bright. Die Korridore is plural nominative as the subject, so sind is plural; des Hotels is genitive to show belonging.
das Lager — camp; storage facility; warehouse; warehouse; storage area
das Lager has two common meanings: a temporary camp and a place where goods are stored. The plural is also Lager, so the article or another determiner is important.
Das Lager liegt am See.
The camp is beside the lake.
liegt means is located, am See means beside the lake. Das Lager is nominative as the subject, and am is an dem, with dative because it describes a location.
Wir bauen das Lager im Wald auf.
We are setting up the camp in the forest.
bauen ... auf means set up, and im Wald means in the forest. das Lager is accusative because it is the object of the separable verb aufbauen; auf moves to the end in the main clause.
Die Kinder helfen dem Lager mit Essen.
The children help the camp with food.
die Kinder means the children and mit Essen means with food. dem Lager is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and mit also forces dative for Essen.
Die Regeln des Lagers sind einfach.
The camp’s rules are simple.
die Regeln means the rules and einfach means simple. des Lagers is genitive to show that the rules belong to the camp; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Lager für Kinder.
In summer there are many camps for children.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and für Kinder means for children. Lager is the unchanged plural after viele; für Kinder is accusative because für always takes accusative.
Die Firma hat die Möbel im Lager.
The company has the furniture in the warehouse.
die Firma means the company and die Möbel means the furniture. die Möbel is accusative after hat, while im Lager is in dem Lager and uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
Unser Lager ist fast leer.
Our warehouse is almost empty.
unser means our, fast means almost, and leer means empty. Unser Lager is nominative as the subject; leer is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
der Leuchtturm — lighthouse
Leuchtturm is a compound of leuchten, to shine, and Turm, tower. Its plural has an umlaut: die Leuchttürme.
Der Leuchtturm steht auf der Insel.
The lighthouse stands on the island.
steht means stands, and die Insel is the island. Der Leuchtturm is nominative because it is the subject; auf der Insel uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir fotografieren den Leuchtturm.
We are photographing the lighthouse.
fotografieren means photograph. Den Leuchtturm is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Touristin nähert sich dem Leuchtturm.
The tourist approaches the lighthouse.
die Touristin is the female tourist, and sich nähern means approach. Dem Leuchtturm is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; the reflexive pronoun sich refers to the tourist.
Das Licht des Leuchtturms ist sehr hell.
The lighthouse's light is very bright.
das Licht is the light, and sehr hell means very bright. Des Leuchtturms is genitive to show possession, meaning the light belonging to the lighthouse; the noun adds -s.
An der Küste stehen mehrere Leuchttürme.
Several lighthouses stand on the coast.
an der Küste means on the coast, and mehrere means several. Leuchttürme is the plural subject; an takes the dative here because the lighthouses are in a fixed place.
die Mauer — wall; the Berlin Wall
Mauer usually means a solid wall made from materials such as bricks or stone. For a lighter interior wall or partition, German often uses Wand.
Die Mauer ist sehr alt.
The wall is very old.
alt means old and sehr means very. Die Mauer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir streichen die Mauer weiß.
We are painting the wall white.
wir means we, streichen means paint, and weiß means white. Die Mauer is accusative because streichen takes a direct object.
Das Kind sitzt an der Mauer.
The child is sitting by the wall.
das Kind means child and sitzt means is sitting. Der Mauer is dative because an describes a fixed location here; movement toward the wall would require accusative.
Die Farbe der Mauer ist grau.
The colour of the wall is grey.
die Farbe means colour and grau means grey. Der Mauer is genitive because it shows possession or association: the colour of the wall.
Die alten Mauern stehen noch.
The old walls are still standing.
alten means old, stehen means stand, and noch means still. Die alten Mauern is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural noun ends in -n.
Viele Menschen besuchten die Mauer nach ihrem Fall.
Many people visited the Wall after its fall.
Viele Menschen means many people, besuchten means visited, and nach ihrem Fall means after its fall. Die Mauer is accusative after besuchten, while ihrem Fall is dative because nach takes the dative.
Die Mauer teilte Berlin viele Jahre lang.
The Wall divided Berlin for many years.
teilte means divided and viele Jahre lang means for many years. Die Mauer is the nominative subject, while Berlin is the accusative object.
die Notaufnahme — emergency department, emergency room
Notaufnahme is a compound of Not (emergency or urgent need) and Aufnahme (admission or reception). In Germany, people commonly go to a Notaufnahme for urgent medical treatment without an appointment.
Die Notaufnahme ist heute sehr voll.
The emergency department is very full today.
heute means today, and sehr voll means very crowded. Die Notaufnahme is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir rufen die Notaufnahme an.
We call the emergency department.
wir rufen ... an means we call, and the two-part verb is separable. die Notaufnahme is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; in this main clause rufen is in position two and an goes to the end.
Der Arzt bringt den Patienten in die Notaufnahme.
The doctor takes the patient to the emergency department.
der Arzt means the doctor, bringt means takes or brings, and den Patienten means the patient. in die Notaufnahme is accusative because it shows movement into the department; with a fixed location, in would take the dative: in der Notaufnahme.
Die Tür der Notaufnahme ist geschlossen.
The emergency department's door is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. der Notaufnahme is genitive and shows which department the door belongs to; geschlossen is a predicative adjective after ist and therefore has no ending.
In großen Städten gibt es mehrere Notaufnahmen.
There are several emergency departments in large cities.
in großen Städten means in large cities, and gibt es means there are. Notaufnahmen is plural after mehrere; the phrase es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural article is not visible here.
der Notausgang — emergency exit
The compound combines die Not (emergency or danger) with der Ausgang (exit). It is often used with benutzen or finden.
Der Notausgang ist neben der Treppe.
The emergency exit is next to the stairs.
neben means next to, and die Treppe is the staircase. Der Notausgang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Bitte benutzen Sie den Notausgang.
Please use the emergency exit.
bitte means please, and benutzen means to use. Den Notausgang is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the formal imperative uses Sie and places the verb first.
Wir warten vor dem Notausgang.
We are waiting in front of the emergency exit.
warten means to wait, and vor means in front of. Vor dem Notausgang is dative because vor describes a fixed location here; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Das Schild des Notausgangs leuchtet grün.
The emergency-exit sign is glowing green.
das Schild is the sign, and leuchtet grün means is glowing green. Des Notausgangs is genitive to show possession or connection, and leuchtet is the finite verb in position two.
In diesem Gebäude gibt es mehrere Notausgänge.
There are several emergency exits in this building.
diesem Gebäude means this building, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Notausgänge is plural after mehrere; in the expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
Der Hausmeister zeigt uns den Notausgang.
The caretaker shows us the emergency exit.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, and zeigt means shows. Uns is dative because it is the recipient, while den Notausgang is accusative because it is what is shown; the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
das Obergeschoss — upper floor, upper storey
Das Obergeschoss hat drei Schlafzimmer.
The upper floor has three bedrooms.
haben means to have, and drei Schlafzimmer means three bedrooms. Das Obergeschoss is nominative because it is the subject; drei Schlafzimmer is accusative because it is the object of hat, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir renovieren das Obergeschoss.
We are renovating the upper floor.
wir means we, and renovieren means to renovate. Das Obergeschoss is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Im Obergeschoss ist es nachts sehr ruhig.
It is very quiet upstairs at night.
im means in the and is short for in dem, nachts means at night, and ruhig means quiet. Im Obergeschoss is dative because in describes a fixed location; it comes first, so ist still stays in position two.
Die Fenster des Obergeschosses sind neu.
The windows of the upper floor are new.
das Fenster means window and neu means new. Des Obergeschosses is genitive after die Fenster to show which floor the windows belong to; die Fenster is the plural subject, so the verb is sind.
Die Obergeschosse der Häuser sind gut isoliert.
The upper floors of the houses are well insulated.
das Haus means house and isoliert means insulated. Die Obergeschosse is plural nominative and the subject; der Häuser is genitive plural, showing which houses they belong to.
die Oper — opera; opera house; opera as an art form
Oper can mean the musical work or the building where opera is performed. With in die Oper gehen, in takes the accusative because it expresses direction.
Die Oper beginnt um acht Uhr.
The opera begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Oper is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Oper.
We are going to the opera.
Wir means we, and besuchen means visit or attend. Die Oper is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir gehen in die Oper.
We are going to the opera house.
gehen means go, and in die Oper means to the opera house. Although this matrix slot is labelled dative, in takes accusative here because the sentence expresses movement towards a place; die Oper is therefore accusative.
Die Musik der Oper ist wunderschön.
The music of the opera is wonderful.
Musik means music, and wunderschön means wonderful. Der Oper is genitive because it identifies whose music it is; feminine genitive uses der.
In dieser Stadt gibt es zwei Opern.
There are two opera houses in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, gibt es means there are, and zwei means two. Zwei Opern is plural accusative after es gibt; the plural is formed with -n.
Oper ist nicht jedermanns Sache.
Opera is not everyone's cup of tea.
nicht jedermanns Sache means not everyone's cup of tea, or not something everyone likes. Here Oper refers to the art form in general and is used as a singular mass noun; the verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Schwester hört gern Oper.
My sister enjoys listening to opera.
Meine Schwester means my sister, hört means listens to, and gern means gladly or enjoys doing something. Oper is a bare noun naming the art form; the finite verb hört is in position two.
die Ordination — doctor's practice, consulting room (especially Austrian)
This is especially common in Austria; in Germany, die Arztpraxis is more usual. It can refer to the practice itself or to a doctor's consultation.
Die Ordination ist heute geschlossen.
The doctor's practice is closed today.
geschlossen means closed and heute means today. Die Ordination is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die Ordination.
I am looking for the doctor's practice.
ich suche means I am looking for, and suchen means to look for. die Ordination is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Ich bin in der Ordination.
I am at the doctor's practice.
ich bin means I am and in means in or at. Here in describes a location, so it takes the dative der Ordination; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Die Tür der Ordination ist offen.
The door of the doctor's practice is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Ordination is genitive because it shows whose door it is, and the finite verb ist agrees with the nominative subject die Tür.
In dieser Straße gibt es drei Ordinationen.
There are three doctors' practices on this street.
diese Straße means this street, gibt es means there is or there are, and drei means three. drei Ordinationen is plural, while es gibt takes an accusative object; the verb phrase gibt es comes after the opening prepositional phrase.
die Polizeistation — police station
Polizeistation is the usual word for a police office or police building. It is feminine, so its singular article is die.
Die Polizeistation ist heute geschlossen.
The police station is closed today.
geschlossen means closed, and heute means today. Die Polizeistation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche die Polizeistation.
I am looking for the police station.
suchen means to look for. Die Polizeistation is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article die is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir fahren zu der Polizeistation.
We are driving to the police station.
fahren means to drive or go, and zu means to. Der Polizeistation is dative because zu always takes the dative; zu der is often shortened to zur.
Der Eingang der Polizeistation ist neben dem Rathaus.
The entrance to the police station is next to the town hall.
der Eingang is the entrance, neben means next to, and das Rathaus is the town hall. Der Polizeistation is genitive because it identifies whose entrance it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Polizeistationen der Stadt sind gut markiert.
The city’s police stations are clearly marked.
der Stadt means of the city, gut means well, and markiert means marked. Die Polizeistationen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
die Polizeiwache — police station, police post
Polizeiwache focuses on a police post where officers are stationed or on duty. Polizeistation is a broader and often more neutral term for a police station.
Die Polizeiwache liegt neben dem Bahnhof.
The police station is next to the railway station.
liegen means to be located, neben means next to, and der Bahnhof is the railway station. Die Polizeiwache is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Touristen suchen die Polizeiwache.
The tourists are looking for the police station.
die Touristen are the tourists, and suchen means to look for. Die Polizeiwache is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die.
Der Mann geht zu der Polizeiwache.
The man goes to the police station.
der Mann is the man, and gehen means to go. Der Polizeiwache is dative because zu always takes the dative; zu der is commonly contracted to zur.
Das Fenster der Polizeiwache ist offen.
The police station’s window is open.
das Fenster is the window, and offen means open. Der Polizeiwache is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Polizeiwachen schließen um acht Uhr.
The police stations close at eight o’clock.
schließen means close, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Polizeiwachen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n.
das Rathaus — town hall; city hall
Rathaus is a compound of Rat, council, and Haus, house. It means the building used by a town or city government.
Das Rathaus ist heute geschlossen.
The town hall is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Das Rathaus is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist is in position two.
Wir besuchen das Rathaus.
We are visiting the town hall.
besuchen means visit. Das Rathaus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, das stays the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gehe zum Rathaus.
I am going to the town hall.
gehe means go, and zum means to the. Zum Rathaus is dative because zu always takes the dative; the destination is expressed by the preposition, not by an accusative object.
Die Tür des Rathauses ist offen.
The door of the town hall is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Rathauses is genitive and means of the town hall; the noun adds -es, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Rathäuser öffnen um acht Uhr.
The town halls open at eight o'clock.
öffnen means open, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Rathäuser is plural, with an umlaut and -er; the plural verb is öffnen.
die Scheune — barn; farm building
A Scheune is usually a rural building for hay, straw, tools or animals. Do not confuse die Scheune with der Stall, which more specifically means an animal stable.
Die Scheune steht hinter dem Haus.
The barn stands behind the house.
steht means stands, hinter means behind, and dem Haus means the house. Die Scheune is nominative because it is the subject; hinter dem Haus is dative because the barn is in a fixed place, not moving.
Die Bauern bauen die Scheune neu.
The farmers are rebuilding the barn.
Die Bauern means the farmers, bauen means build, and neu means anew or in a new way. die Scheune is accusative because bauen takes a direct object, while the finite verb bauen is in position two.
Der Bauer arbeitet in der Scheune.
The farmer is working in the barn.
Der Bauer means the farmer, and arbeitet means is working. in der Scheune is dative because in describes a fixed location; movement into the barn would require accusative, as in in die Scheune.
Das Dach der Scheune ist alt.
The roof of the barn is old.
das Dach means the roof, and alt means old. der Scheune is genitive because it identifies which roof; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Auf dem Hof stehen mehrere Scheunen.
There are several barns in the farmyard.
auf dem Hof means in the farmyard, stehen means stand, and mehrere means several. Scheunen is plural after mehrere, and auf dem Hof is dative because it gives a fixed location.
das Stadion — stadium
The plural is die Stadien, with -en rather than -s.
Das Stadion ist heute ausverkauft.
The stadium is sold out today.
ausverkauft means sold out, so no tickets are left. Das Stadion is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir besuchen das Stadion am Samstag.
We are visiting the stadium on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Stadion is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Fans warten vor dem Stadion.
The fans are waiting in front of the stadium.
die Fans are the supporters, and warten means to wait. Vor takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, so dem Stadion is dative; the verb warten is in position two.
Die Türen des Stadions öffnen um sechs Uhr.
The stadium doors open at six o'clock.
die Türen means the doors, and öffnen means open. Des Stadions is genitive because it shows whose doors they are; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
Vor den Stadien stehen viele Busse.
Many buses are standing in front of the stadiums.
vor means in front of, and viele Busse means many buses. Den Stadien is plural dative after vor for a fixed location; the plural of das Stadion is die Stadien.
Im Stadion spielt heute eine bekannte Band.
A well-known band is playing in the stadium today.
im Stadion means in the stadium, and eine bekannte Band is a well-known band. Im is in dem, so Stadion is dative for a location; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
der Stall — stable, barn; animal stall; stall, booth
In farming, der Stall is where animals are kept. In some contexts it can also mean a small animal pen; the exact English translation depends on the animal and the building.
Der Stall ist hinter dem Haus.
The stable is behind the house.
hinter dem Haus means behind the house. Der Stall is nominative because it is the subject; hinter takes the dative for a fixed location, and ist stands in position two.
Der Bauer öffnet den Stall.
The farmer opens the stable.
der Bauer means the farmer, and öffnet means opens. Den Stall is accusative because it is the direct object of öffnen; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Die Kühe stehen in dem Stall.
The cows are standing in the stable.
die Kühe means the cows, and stehen means are standing. In dem Stall is dative because in describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Das Dach des Stalls muss repariert werden.
The roof of the stable needs to be repaired.
das Dach means the roof, and muss repariert werden means needs to be repaired. Des Stalls is genitive because it shows which building the roof belongs to; the modal verb muss is in position two and the other verbs go to the end.
Die Ställe liegen weit auseinander.
The stables are far apart.
liegen means are located, and weit auseinander means far apart. Ställe is the plural subject, so the verb is liegen; the umlaut changes Stall to Ställe.
Wir kaufen Obst an einem Stall auf dem Markt.
We buy fruit at a stall at the market.
Obst means fruit, kaufen means buy, and auf dem Markt means at the market. An einem Stall is dative because an describes a fixed location; the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Der Stall verkauft frisches Brot.
The stall sells fresh bread.
verkauft means sells, and frisches Brot means fresh bread. Der Stall is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb verkauft is in position two.
das Stiegenhaus — stairwell, staircase area
This is the usual Austrian word for the shared stairwell in a building; in Germany, Treppenhaus is more common. It is a compound of Stiege, staircase, and Haus, house.
Das Stiegenhaus ist sehr sauber.
The stairwell is very clean.
sehr sauber means very clean. Das Stiegenhaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Stiegenhaus jeden Tag.
I see the stairwell every day.
jeden Tag means every day. Das Stiegenhaus is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while sehe stands in position two.
Im Stiegenhaus steht ein Fahrrad.
There is a bicycle in the stairwell.
im means in the and ein Fahrrad is a bicycle. Im Stiegenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here, and steht follows the location phrase.
Die Tür des Stiegenhauses ist offen.
The stairwell door is open.
die Tür is the door and offen means open. Des Stiegenhauses is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the genitive ending is -es.
Die Stiegenhäuser der alten Häuser sind dunkel.
The stairwells of the old buildings are dark.
der alten Häuser means of the old buildings, and dunkel means dark. Stiegenhäuser is plural with die; the plural subject takes sind, not ist.