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Vocab: Buildings — B1
Buildings vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Altbau — old building, older-style building
Altbau usually refers to a building from before the post-war period, often with high ceilings and large windows. It can also describe an apartment in such a building, as in Altbauwohnung.
Der Altbau hat hohe Decken.
The old building has high ceilings.
hohe Decken means high ceilings. Der Altbau is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Wir renovieren den Altbau.
We are renovating the old building.
renovieren means to renovate. Den Altbau is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Sie wohnt in einem Altbau.
She lives in an old building.
wohnt means lives. In einem Altbau is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Die Fenster des Altbaus sind undicht.
The old building's windows are not airtight.
Fenster means windows, and undicht means not airtight or draughty. Des Altbaus is genitive because it identifies whose windows they are; the plural subject Fenster makes the verb sind plural.
In Berlin gibt es viele Altbauten.
There are many old buildings in Berlin.
In Berlin means in Berlin, and viele means many. Altbauten is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the form of the noun is the same here.
der Anbau — cultivation; extension, addition; extension, addition to a building
In agriculture, Anbau means growing crops and is often used with von. In building contexts, the plural Anbauten means extensions or additions to an existing building.
Der Anbau von Gemüse braucht viel Wasser.
Growing vegetables requires a lot of water.
Gemüse means vegetables, and brauchen means to need. Der Anbau is nominative because it is the subject; von Gemüse uses von with the dative, and the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Die Bauern planen den Anbau von Mais.
The farmers are planning the cultivation of maize.
die Bauern are the farmers, planen means to plan, and Mais means maize. Den Anbau is accusative because it is the object of planen; the finite verb stands in position two.
Mit dem Anbau beginnen wir im April.
We begin cultivation in April.
beginnen means to begin and im April means in April. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Anbau is dative; because the sentence starts with this phrase, beginnen still comes in position two.
Die Kosten des Anbaus sind gestiegen.
The costs of cultivation have risen.
die Kosten means the costs and gestiegen means risen. Des Anbaus is genitive and identifies which costs; the finite verb sind is in position two, while gestiegen goes to the end.
Neue Anbauten verändern das Gebäude.
New extensions change the building.
neu means new, verändern means to change, and das Gebäude means the building. Anbauten is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb verändern stands in position two.
Wir bauen einen Anbau an das Haus.
We are building an extension onto the house.
bauen means to build, das Haus means the house, and an means onto here. Einen Anbau is accusative because it is the object of bauen; an das Haus is accusative because it expresses movement or direction toward the house.
Im neuen Anbau gibt es ein Büro.
There is an office in the new extension.
neu means new, es gibt means there is or there are, and ein Büro means an office. Im Anbau means in dem Anbau and is dative because it describes a fixed location; gibt is in position two and ein Büro is accusative after es gibt.
die Architektur — architecture
Architektur can mean the field and art of designing buildings, or the characteristic style of buildings. It is usually uncountable in the first meaning, but the plural Architekturen is possible when comparing styles or architectural traditions.
Architektur fasziniert mich seit meiner Kindheit.
Architecture has fascinated me since my childhood.
fasziniert means fascinates, and seit meiner Kindheit means since my childhood. Architektur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb fasziniert stands in position two, and seit takes the dative.
Ich studiere Architektur an der Universität.
I am studying architecture at university.
studiere means study, and an der Universität means at the university. Architektur is accusative because studieren takes a direct object; the noun has no visible article because it is used here as a field of study.
Viele Menschen interessieren sich für Architektur.
Many people are interested in architecture.
viele Menschen means many people, and sich interessieren für means to be interested in. This sentence has no dative form of the headword: für Architektur is accusative because für always takes the accusative, while sich is the reflexive object.
Die Geschichte der Architektur ist sehr vielfältig.
The history of architecture is very diverse.
die Geschichte means the history, and vielfältig means diverse or varied. Der Architektur is genitive because it specifies which history is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Architekturen verschiedener Länder unterscheiden sich stark.
The architectural styles of different countries differ greatly.
verschiedener Länder means of different countries, and unterscheiden sich stark means differ greatly. Architekturen is the plural subject; verschiedener Länder is a genitive phrase showing whose styles they are, and the reflexive verb unterscheiden sich stands in position two.
das Balkongeländer — balcony railing
This is a compound of der Balkon, balcony, and das Geländer, railing. Its gender and endings come from the final noun, das Geländer, so the plural has no extra ending.
Das Balkongeländer ist alt.
The balcony railing is old.
alt means old. Das Balkongeländer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir streichen das Balkongeländer.
We are painting the balcony railing.
wir means we and streichen means paint. Das Balkongeländer is accusative because streichen takes the thing being painted as its direct object; the finite verb streichen is in position two.
Die Blumen hängen am Balkongeländer.
The flowers are hanging on the balcony railing.
die Blumen means the flowers and hängen means are hanging. Am means an dem and forces the dative here because this describes a fixed location, so Balkongeländer keeps its singular form.
Die Farbe des Balkongeländers blättert ab.
The paint on the balcony railing is flaking off.
die Farbe means the colour or paint, and blättert ab means flakes off. Des Balkongeländers is genitive and expresses what the paint belongs to; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Balkongeländer der Häuser müssen sicher sein.
The railings of the houses must be safe.
der Häuser means of the houses, and sicher means safe. Balkongeländer is plural because the article is die; der Häuser is genitive plural and shows which railings are meant.
befinden — to be located, to be situated
In the location sense, this verb is used reflexively as sich befinden. It takes haben in the perfect: sich befinden – befand sich – hat sich befunden.
Das Hotel befindet sich im Zentrum.
The hotel is located in the city centre.
das Hotel is the hotel and das Zentrum is the centre. sich is required by sich befinden, and im Zentrum is dative because in describes a fixed location; the finite verb is in position two.
Das Hotel hat sich früher im Zentrum befunden.
The hotel used to be located in the city centre.
früher means formerly, and das Zentrum is the centre. The perfect uses hat ... befunden, not ist ... befunden; befunden goes to the end.
Die alte Schule befand sich am Fluss.
The old school was located by the river.
alt means old, die Schule is the school, and der Fluss is the river. sich is required, and am Fluss is dative because an describes a fixed location; befand is in position two.
Befinde dich bitte im Wartezimmer.
Please be in the waiting room.
bitte means please, and das Wartezimmer is the waiting room. The imperative uses befinde dich because the verb is reflexive; im Wartezimmer is dative for a fixed location.
Die Wohnung würde sich näher am Bahnhof befinden.
The flat would be located closer to the station.
die Wohnung is the flat, näher means closer, and der Bahnhof is the station. sich is required, while am Bahnhof is dative for location; würde ... befinden expresses a hypothetical situation.
Das Museum wird sich neben dem Rathaus befinden.
The museum will be located next to the town hall.
das Museum is the museum, neben means next to, and das Rathaus is the town hall. dem Rathaus is dative after neben for location; wird is in position two and befinden goes to the end.
die Besichtigung — visit, tour; viewing; property viewing
Besichtigung can mean a sightseeing tour or a viewing of a property. It is a feminine noun ending in -ung, so its plural ends in -en and its genitive singular is shown by the article der.
Die Besichtigung beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The tour begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Die Besichtigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen eine Besichtigung des Museums.
We are planning a visit to the museum.
planen means plan and des Museums means of the museum. Eine Besichtigung is accusative because it is the object of planen, while des Museums is genitive and identifies what will be visited.
Bei der Besichtigung erklärt die Führerin die Geschichte.
During the tour, the guide explains the history.
bei means during or at, die Führerin means the female guide, and die Geschichte means the history. Der Besichtigung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the main finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Der Beginn der Besichtigung ist um neun Uhr.
The beginning of the tour is at nine o’clock.
der Beginn means the beginning and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Besichtigung is genitive after der Beginn to mean ‘of the tour’; the feminine noun itself does not change its ending.
Die Besichtigungen finden jeden Sonntag statt.
The tours take place every Sunday.
jeden Sonntag means every Sunday and stattfinden means take place. Besichtigungen is plural and therefore takes die when an article is needed; the verb finden ... statt splits in a main clause, and the plural subject requires finden.
Die Besichtigung der Wohnung ist am Freitag.
The apartment viewing is on Friday.
die Wohnung means the apartment and am Freitag means on Friday. Der Wohnung is genitive after die Besichtigung to specify which viewing; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Für die Besichtigung brauchen Sie Ihren Ausweis.
You need your identity card for the viewing.
für means for, brauchen means need, and Ihr Ausweis means your identity card. Die Besichtigung is accusative because für takes the accusative; Ihren Ausweis is also accusative as the object of brauchen.
der Brandschutz — fire protection, fire safety
Brandschutz is normally an uncountable field or system, so it has no ordinary plural. It covers both prevention and protective measures, especially in buildings, workplaces and public institutions.
Der Brandschutz ist in diesem Gebäude besonders wichtig.
Fire protection is especially important in this building.
dieses Gebäude means this building, and besonders wichtig means especially important. Der Brandschutz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Firma verbessert den Brandschutz.
The company is improving fire protection.
die Firma means the company, and verbessern means to improve. Den Brandschutz is accusative because it is the direct object of verbessern; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Behörde widmet dem Brandschutz große Aufmerksamkeit.
The authority devotes a great deal of attention to fire protection.
die Behörde means the authority, and große Aufmerksamkeit means a great deal of attention. Dem Brandschutz is dative because widmen governs the dative; the direct object große Aufmerksamkeit is accusative.
Die Kosten des Brandschutzes steigen.
The costs of fire protection are rising.
die Kosten means the costs, and steigen means to rise. Des Brandschutzes is genitive because it specifies which costs are meant; Schutz takes -es in the genitive singular.
Guter Brandschutz rettet Leben.
Good fire protection saves lives.
gut means good, retten means to save, and Leben means lives. Brandschutz is a mass noun here, so it has no ordinary plural; the uncountable subject takes the singular verb rettet.
der Büroraum — office room
The plural is Büroräume, with an umlaut and -e. This word is more specific than Büro, because it names the room rather than the workplace or company.
Der Büroraum ist heute sehr ruhig.
The office room is very quiet today.
heute means today and ruhig means quiet. Der Büroraum is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich betrete den Büroraum am Morgen.
I enter the office room in the morning.
betreten means to enter and am Morgen means in the morning. Den Büroraum is accusative because betreten takes a direct object; the finite verb betrete is in position two.
Wir arbeiten in dem Büroraum.
We work in the office room.
arbeiten means to work. In dem Büroraum is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
Die Fenster des Büroraums sind offen.
The windows of the office room are open.
die Fenster means the windows and offen means open. Des Büroraums is genitive because it identifies whose windows they are; the verb sind agrees with die Fenster, not with the genitive noun.
Die neuen Büroräume haben große Fenster.
The new office rooms have large windows.
neu means new and große Fenster means large windows. Büroräume is the nominative plural subject, so it takes die in the full noun phrase and the verb haben is plural.
das Dachgeschoss — attic floor, top floor
Dachgeschoss is a compound of Dach (roof) and Geschoss (floor or storey). It usually means a top floor directly under the roof, not simply any upper floor.
Das Dachgeschoss ist sehr hell.
The attic floor is very bright.
sehr hell means very bright. Das Dachgeschoss is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and hell is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Wir renovieren das Dachgeschoss.
We are renovating the attic floor.
wir means we, and renovieren means renovate. Das Dachgeschoss is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Im Dachgeschoss arbeitet ein Architekt.
An architect works in the attic floor.
im is short for in dem, arbeitet means works, and ein Architekt means an architect. Dachgeschoss is dative after in because the sentence describes location; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Fenster des Dachgeschosses sind neu.
The attic-floor windows are new.
die Fenster means the windows, and neu means new. Des Dachgeschosses is genitive because it identifies which windows they are; the finite verb sind is in position two, and the neuter genitive article is des.
In unserer Stadt gibt es viele Dachgeschosse.
There are many attic floors in our city.
in unserer Stadt means in our city, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Dachgeschosse is plural, but it is accusative because the fixed expression es gibt takes an accusative object; in unserer Stadt is dative for location.
einbrechen — to break in, to break into a building; to plunge, to fall sharply
This verb normally describes illegal entry into a building and uses sein in the perfect: ist eingebrochen. With a destination, in takes the accusative, as in in ein Haus einbrechen.
Die Polizei sagt, dass zwei Männer heute Nacht in das Geschäft einbrechen.
The police say that two men are breaking into the shop tonight.
die Polizei means the police, zwei Männer means two men, heute Nacht means tonight, and das Geschäft is the shop. The finite verb sagt stands in position two in the main clause, while einbrechen stays together and moves to the end of the dass-clause; in das Geschäft is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Die Täter sind durch das Fenster in die Wohnung eingebrochen.
The offenders broke into the flat through the window.
die Täter means the offenders, durch means through, das Fenster is the window, and die Wohnung is the flat or apartment. Eingebrochen is at the end and pairs with sein because this verb describes entering or a change of place; durch das Fenster takes the accusative, and in die Wohnung is accusative because it shows direction.
Letzte Woche brach jemand in unser Büro ein.
Someone broke into our office last week.
letzte Woche means last week, jemand means someone, and unser Büro means our office. In the simple past, the strong verb uses brach, the finite verb is in position two, and the prefix ein moves to the end; in unser Büro is accusative because it expresses entry into the office.
Brich nicht in fremde Häuser ein!
Do not break into other people's houses!
nicht means not, and fremde Häuser means other people's or strange houses. The singular imperative of the strong verb is brich, with the prefix ein at the end; in fremde Häuser is accusative because the phrase expresses movement into buildings.
Wenn ich einen Schlüssel hätte, würde ich nicht in das Haus einbrechen.
If I had a key, I would not break into the house.
wenn means if, einen Schlüssel is a key, and hätte means had. The wenn-clause sends hätte to the end, while würde takes position two in the main clause and the inseparable infinitive einbrechen goes to the end; in das Haus is accusative because it expresses direction.
Die Alarmanlage wird auslösen, wenn jemand in den Laden einbricht.
The alarm system will go off if someone breaks into the shop.
die Alarmanlage means the alarm system, auslösen means to trigger or set off, and der Laden is the shop. In the future, wird is in position two and auslösen goes to the end; in the wenn-clause, einbricht stays together at the end because the verb is subordinate.
Nach der Nachricht brechen die Aktienkurse ein.
After the news, share prices plunge.
nach der Nachricht means after the news, and die Aktienkurse means share prices. The finite verb brechen is in position two and the prefix ein is separated and placed at the end; nach takes the dative, shown by der Nachricht.
Im Winter ist die Temperatur plötzlich eingebrochen.
In winter, the temperature suddenly dropped sharply.
im Winter means in winter, die Temperatur is the temperature, and plötzlich means suddenly. The perfect uses ist ... eingebrochen, with the auxiliary in position two and the Partizip II at the end; im is in dem, a dative phrase for a time or location.
der Einlass — admission, entrance; entry, access
Einlass usually means permission to enter an event, while Eingang more often means the physical entrance. It is commonly used with haben, bekommen, or gewähren.
Der Einlass beginnt um sieben Uhr.
Admission begins at seven o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Der Einlass is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir warten auf den Einlass.
We are waiting for admission.
warten means to wait, and auf means for in this expression. Den Einlass is accusative because warten auf requires the accusative; the verb phrase warten auf comes after the subject.
Nach dem Einlass suchen wir unsere Plätze.
After admission, we look for our seats.
nach means after, suchen means look for, and unsere Plätze means our seats. Dem Einlass is dative because the preposition nach takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so suchen still stands in position two.
Die Kontrolle des Einlasses dauert nur wenige Minuten.
The admission check takes only a few minutes.
die Kontrolle means the check, dauert means takes or lasts, and wenige Minuten means a few minutes. Des Einlasses is genitive because it specifies what is being checked, and the masculine noun has the ending -es.
Die Einlässe sind auf beiden Seiten der Halle.
The entrances are on both sides of the hall.
beiden Seiten means both sides, and die Halle means the hall. Die Einlässe is plural and is the nominative subject; sind is the plural form of sein and stands in position two.
Nur Mitglieder bekommen Einlass in den Club.
Only members are allowed into the club.
Nur Mitglieder means only members, bekommen means get, and in den Club means into the club. Einlass is an uncountable noun here and is the accusative object of bekommen; in den Club shows direction and therefore takes the accusative.
Der Wächter verweigert dem Mann den Einlass.
The guard refuses the man entry.
der Wächter is the guard, verweigert means refuses, and dem Mann means to the man. Dem Mann is dative as the person affected, while den Einlass is accusative as the thing refused.
der Einzug — move-in; entry, arrival; entry; reaching a stage
In everyday use, Einzug often means moving into a home; Einzug halten can also mean to enter officially or ceremonially. The opposite of der Einzug is der Auszug, moving out.
Der Einzug in die neue Wohnung war am Samstag.
The move into the new flat was on Saturday.
die neue Wohnung means the new flat, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Der Einzug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two, while in die neue Wohnung shows direction with the accusative.
Wir feiern den Einzug am Samstag.
We are celebrating the move-in on Saturday.
feiern means to celebrate, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Den Einzug is accusative because feiern takes an accusative object; the finite verb feiern stands in position two.
Nach dem Einzug kaufen wir neue Möbel.
After moving in, we are buying new furniture.
nach means after, and neue Möbel means new furniture. Nach always takes the dative here, so dem Einzug is dative; the main-clause verb kaufen is in position two.
Die Kosten des Einzugs sind höher als erwartet.
The costs of moving in are higher than expected.
die Kosten means the costs, and höher als erwartet means higher than expected. Des Einzugs is genitive because it tells whose costs they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Einzüge finden im Sommer statt.
Many move-ins take place in summer.
viele means many, im Sommer means in summer, and stattfinden means to take place. Viele Einzüge is the plural subject, and the separable verb stattfinden splits into finden in position two and statt at the end.
Der Einzug ins Finale war eine große Überraschung.
Reaching the final was a big surprise.
das Finale means the final, and eine große Überraschung means a big surprise. Der Einzug is the nominative subject; ins Finale is short for in das Finale and uses the accusative because it expresses movement into a stage.
Die Fans jubeln beim Einzug der Mannschaft.
The fans cheer when the team enters.
die Fans means the fans, jubeln means cheer, and die Mannschaft means the team. Beim Einzug is short for bei dem Einzug, so bei forces the dative; der Mannschaft is genitive and identifies whose entry it is.
eröffnen — to open officially, to inaugurate
Eröffnen is more official than aufmachen and is used for accounts, businesses, exhibitions, ceremonies, and institutions. Its prefix er- is inseparable, so the Partizip II is eröffnet, not geeröffnet.
Die Bank eröffnet heute eine neue Filiale.
The bank is opening a new branch today.
Die Bank means the bank, heute means today, eine neue Filiale means a new branch, and Filiale means branch office. Eine neue Filiale is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two, and the prefix er- does not separate.
Wir haben gestern ein Konto eröffnet.
We opened an account yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and ein Konto means an account. Ein Konto is accusative as the direct object; the perfect uses haben, and the inseparable-prefix verb has the Partizip II eröffnet, without ge-, at the end.
Der Bürgermeister eröffnete die Ausstellung.
The mayor opened the exhibition.
Der Bürgermeister means the mayor, die Ausstellung means the exhibition, and Ausstellung means exhibition. Die Ausstellung is accusative after eröffnen, and the regular Präteritum eröffnete is suitable for a formal report.
Eröffne bitte das Konto morgen!
Please open the account tomorrow!
bitte means please, das Konto means the account, and morgen means tomorrow. The form eröffne is an informal singular imperative; das Konto is accusative, and the prefix er- remains attached.
Wenn ich eine Firma eröffnete, würde ich viele Menschen einstellen.
If I opened a company, I would employ many people.
Wenn means if, eine Firma means a company, viele Menschen means many people, and einstellen means employ or hire. Eröffnete is the Konjunktiv II form of this weak verb and expresses an unreal idea; after wenn, the finite verb goes to the end, while eine Firma is accusative.
Die Stadt wird im Mai ein neues Museum eröffnen.
The city will open a new museum in May.
Die Stadt means the city, im Mai means in May, and ein neues Museum means a new museum. Ein neues Museum is accusative as the object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive eröffnen goes to the end, still with its prefix attached.
die Eröffnung — opening; inauguration; formal opening; initiation
The noun is feminine and comes from the verb eröffnen, to open or inaugurate. Do not confuse a physical opening with the verb aufmachen, which is common for doors and containers.
Die Eröffnung des neuen Museums ist am Samstag.
The opening of the new museum is on Saturday.
das neue Museum means the new museum, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Eröffnung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Eröffnung der Ausstellung.
We are attending the opening of the exhibition.
besuchen means to attend or visit, and die Ausstellung is the exhibition. Die Eröffnung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Bei der Eröffnung spricht die Direktorin.
The director speaks at the opening.
bei means at or during, and die Direktorin is the female director. Bei always takes the dative, so der Eröffnung is dative; the verb spricht is in position two.
Die Gäste warten auf den Beginn der Eröffnung.
The guests are waiting for the beginning of the opening ceremony.
die Gäste are the guests, warten auf means wait for, and der Beginn is the beginning. Der Eröffnung is genitive because it tells whose beginning it is; the genitive phrase follows the noun Beginn.
Bei den Eröffnungen werden oft Reden gehalten.
Speeches are often given at openings.
Reden are speeches, oft means often, and gehalten werden means are given or held. Eröffnungen is plural after bei den; bei takes the dative, and the passive verb comes at the end of the clause.
Die Eröffnung eines Verfahrens dauert mehrere Wochen.
Opening proceedings takes several weeks.
ein Verfahren is a proceeding or legal process, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Eines Verfahrens is genitive after Eröffnung to show what is being opened; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Für die Kontoeröffnung brauche ich meinen Ausweis.
I need my identity card to open the account.
die Kontoeröffnung means opening an account, brauchen means need, and mein Ausweis is my identity card. Für takes the accusative in the purpose phrase, while meinen Ausweis is also accusative because it is the object of brauche.
der Firmensitz — company headquarters, registered office
Firmensitz can mean the physical headquarters or the official registered location of a company. The compound ends in Sitz, seat or location, not in Firma.
Der Firmensitz liegt in München.
The company headquarters is in Munich.
liegt means is located, and in München means in Munich. Der Firmensitz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Das Unternehmen verlegt den Firmensitz.
The company is relocating its headquarters.
das Unternehmen means the company, and verlegt means relocates. Den Firmensitz is accusative because verlegen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Stadt bietet dem Firmensitz neue Vorteile.
The city offers the company headquarters new advantages.
die Stadt means the city, bietet means offers, and neue Vorteile means new advantages. Dem Firmensitz is dative as the recipient, while neue Vorteile is the accusative thing being offered.
Die Lage des Firmensitzes ist zentral.
The location of the company headquarters is central.
die Lage means the location and zentral means central. Des Firmensitzes is genitive because it tells whose location is meant; the masculine noun takes -es in this form.
Viele Firmensitze liegen außerhalb der Stadt.
Many company headquarters are outside the city.
viele means many, liegen means are located, and außerhalb der Stadt means outside the city. Firmensitze is plural and nominative as the subject; außerhalb takes the genitive in careful standard German.
das Gewerbegebiet — commercial area, industrial estate
Gewerbe means business or trade, and Gebiet means area; together they form a compound noun. The word is common in descriptions of town planning and is not usually used for ordinary shopping streets.
Das Gewerbegebiet liegt außerhalb der Stadt.
The commercial area is outside the city.
liegt means is located, außerhalb means outside, and die Stadt means the city. Das Gewerbegebiet is nominative because it is the subject; liegt stands in position two.
Die Stadt plant das Gewerbegebiet.
The city is planning the commercial area.
die Stadt means the city, and plant means plans. das Gewerbegebiet is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Stadt gibt dem Gewerbegebiet einen neuen Namen.
The city gives the commercial area a new name.
gibt means gives, einen neuen Namen means a new name, and neu means new. dem Gewerbegebiet is dative because geben can take the recipient or affected place in the dative; einen neuen Namen is the accusative thing given.
Die Zufahrt des Gewerbegebiets wird erweitert.
The access road to the commercial area is being expanded.
die Zufahrt means access road, and wird erweitert means is being expanded. des Gewerbegebiets is genitive because it identifies the area belonging to the access road; wird erweitert is a passive construction.
Viele Firmen ziehen in neue Gewerbegebiete.
Many companies move to new commercial areas.
viele Firmen means many companies, ziehen means move, and neu means new. neue Gewerbegebiete is plural after in; in takes the accusative here because the sentence expresses movement to a destination.
die Hausverwaltung — property management; building management
Hausverwaltung can mean the management service itself or the office that provides it. It is common in housing contexts, especially when discussing landlords, repairs, rent, or building rules.
Die Hausverwaltung schickt uns einen Brief.
The property management sends us a letter.
schicken means to send, uns means us, and der Brief is the letter. Die Hausverwaltung is nominative because it is the subject; einen Brief is accusative because it is what is sent.
Ich kontaktiere die Hausverwaltung morgen.
I will contact the property management tomorrow.
kontaktieren means to contact, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Hausverwaltung is accusative because kontaktieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kontaktiere is in position two.
Wir schreiben der Hausverwaltung wegen des Lärms.
We are writing to the property management because of the noise.
schreiben means to write, wegen means because of, and der Lärm is the noise. Der Hausverwaltung is dative as the recipient of the letter, while des Lärms is genitive after wegen.
Die Telefonnummer der Hausverwaltung steht am Eingang.
The property management's telephone number is at the entrance.
die Telefonnummer means telephone number, stehen means to be displayed or stand, and der Eingang is the entrance. Der Hausverwaltung is genitive because it identifies whose telephone number it is.
In unserer Stadt arbeiten mehrere Hausverwaltungen.
Several property-management companies work in our city.
in unserer Stadt means in our city, mehrere means several, and arbeiten means work. Hausverwaltungen is plural after mehrere, and the plural verb arbeiten agrees with it.
das Kaffeehaus — coffee house, café
A Kaffeehaus is more than a place to buy coffee: the word often suggests a traditional café where people stay and talk. Do not confuse it with das Café, which is the more general everyday word for café.
Das Kaffeehaus ist heute sehr voll.
The coffee house is very full today.
heute means today and sehr voll means very full. Das Kaffeehaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Kaffeehaus am Sonntag.
We are visiting the coffee house on Sunday.
besuchen means visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Das Kaffeehaus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Wir sitzen in dem Kaffeehaus und lesen.
We are sitting in the coffee house and reading.
sitzen means sit and lesen means read. In dem Kaffeehaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the preposition is followed by the shortened form im in everyday speech.
Die Fenster des Kaffeehauses sind groß.
The coffee house's windows are large.
die Fenster means windows and groß means large. Des Kaffeehauses is genitive because it shows which windows are meant; the noun takes -es and the article is des.
In Wien gibt es viele Kaffeehäuser.
There are many coffee houses in Vienna.
in Wien means in Vienna and viele means many. Kaffeehäuser is the plural of Kaffeehaus, with -er and an umlaut; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
die Konstruktion — construction; structure; construction; grammatical structure
In technical contexts, Konstruktion can mean both the process of building something and the resulting structure. It is a feminine noun, with plural Konstruktionen.
Die Konstruktion der Brücke dauerte drei Jahre.
The construction of the bridge took three years.
die Brücke is the bridge, and dauerte drei Jahre means took three years. Die Konstruktion is nominative because it is the subject, while der Brücke is genitive because it identifies what was constructed; the finite verb dauerte is in position two.
Die Ingenieure prüfen die Konstruktion sorgfältig.
The engineers are checking the construction carefully.
die Ingenieure are the engineers, prüfen means check, and sorgfältig means carefully. Die Konstruktion is accusative because it is the direct object of prüfen; the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
Mit dieser Konstruktion können wir viel Gewicht sparen.
With this construction, we can save a lot of weight.
mit dieser means with this, Gewicht is weight, and sparen means save. Dieser Konstruktion is dative because mit always takes the dative; können is in position two and sparen goes to the end.
Die Stabilität der Konstruktion ist beeindruckend.
The stability of the construction is impressive.
die Stabilität is the stability, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Konstruktion is genitive because it specifies whose stability is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Moderne Konstruktionen sind oft leichter und stabiler.
Modern constructions are often lighter and more stable.
moderne means modern, leichter means lighter, and stabiler means more stable. Konstruktionen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the ending -en is part of the plural, and the finite verb sind agrees with it.
Diese grammatische Konstruktion ist für viele Lernende schwierig.
This grammatical construction is difficult for many learners.
grammatische means grammatical, viele Lernende means many learners, and schwierig means difficult. Diese Konstruktion is nominative as the subject, while für viele Lernende is accusative because für takes the accusative.
Der Lehrer erklärt die Konstruktion mit einem Beispiel.
The teacher explains the construction with an example.
der Lehrer is the teacher, erklärt means explains, and ein Beispiel is an example. Die Konstruktion is accusative because it is the object of erklären, while mit einem Beispiel is dative because mit requires the dative.
das Konsulat — consulate
A Konsulat is an official foreign office, usually smaller and less politically senior than an embassy. For appointments or documents, people commonly say zum Konsulat or beim Konsulat.
Das Konsulat liegt neben dem Bahnhof.
The consulate is next to the train station.
liegt means is located, neben means next to, and der Bahnhof is the train station. Das Konsulat is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bahnhof is dative because neben describes a location here, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich besuche das Konsulat morgen.
I am visiting the consulate tomorrow.
besuche means visit and morgen means tomorrow. Das Konsulat has the same form in nominative and accusative because it is neuter; it is accusative as the direct object of besuchen, while besuche stands in position two.
Ich muss beim Konsulat einen Termin vereinbaren.
I have to make an appointment at the consulate.
muss means have to, einen Termin is an appointment, and vereinbaren means arrange or make. Beim Konsulat means bei dem Konsulat and is dative because bei takes the dative; muss is in position two and vereinbaren goes to the end.
Die Adresse des Konsulats steht auf der Website.
The address of the consulate is on the website.
die Adresse is the address, steht means is written or can be found, and die Website is the website. Des Konsulats is genitive because it shows which office the address belongs to; the finite verb steht is in position two.
In vielen Ländern gibt es deutsche Konsulate.
There are German consulates in many countries.
in vielen Ländern means in many countries, and gibt es means there are. Deutsche Konsulate is accusative plural after es gibt; in vielen Ländern is dative because it describes location, and the verb phrase starts with gibt in position two.
der Makler — estate agent, broker
In housing, Makler usually means an estate agent; in other business contexts it can mean a broker. The plural is unchanged: der Makler, die Makler.
Der Makler zeigt uns die Wohnung.
The estate agent is showing us the flat.
zeigt means shows, uns means us, and die Wohnung is the flat. Der Makler is nominative because he is the subject, while die Wohnung is accusative as the thing shown.
Wir treffen den Makler morgen.
We are meeting the estate agent tomorrow.
treffen means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Den Makler is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffen stands in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Makler nicht.
I do not trust the estate agent.
vertraue means trust, and nicht means not. Dem Makler is dative because the verb vertrauen always takes a dative person; do not use den Makler here.
Die Provision des Maklers ist hoch.
The estate agent's commission is high.
die Provision means the commission, and hoch means high. Des Maklers is genitive because it shows whose commission it is; the masculine noun takes -s in this genitive form.
Auf der Messe treffen sich viele Makler.
Many brokers meet at the trade fair.
die Messe is the trade fair, treffen sich means meet, and viele means many. Viele Makler is nominative plural as the subject, and Makler has no plural ending.
mauern — to build with bricks or masonry; to defend stubbornly (in football)
Mauern normally describes building a wall or structure from bricks or stones. It takes a direct accusative object for the thing being built, for example eine Wand mauern.
Der Maurer mauert eine neue Wand.
The bricklayer is building a new wall.
Der Maurer is a bricklayer, and eine neue Wand means a new wall. Eine neue Wand is accusative because mauern takes the thing being built as a direct object; mauert is in position two.
Wir haben die Mauer selbst gemauert.
We built the wall ourselves.
Wir means we, die Mauer means the wall, and selbst means ourselves or personally. Die Mauer is accusative because it is the object; haben is in position two and gemauert goes to the end.
Früher mauerte mein Großvater Häuser.
My grandfather used to build houses in the past.
Früher means in the past, mein Großvater means my grandfather, and Häuser means houses. The simple past form mauerte is in position two; Häuser is the accusative object.
Mauer die Wand nicht ohne Hilfe!
Don’t build the wall without help!
Die Wand means the wall, and ohne Hilfe means without help. The bare form mauer gives a command to du; die Wand is accusative because it is the object, and ohne also takes the accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, mauerte ich selbst eine Garage.
If I had more time, I would build a garage myself.
Wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and eine Garage means a garage. In this less common literary-style Konjunktiv II use, mauerte means would build; the finite verb comes at the end of the wenn clause, while mauerte is also used in the main clause here.
Im Sommer werden sie eine Terrasse mauern.
In summer they will build a patio.
Im Sommer means in summer, and eine Terrasse means a patio or terrace. Werden is in position two and the infinitive mauern goes to the end; eine Terrasse is accusative as the object.
Nach dem Führungstor mauerte die Mannschaft nur noch.
After taking the lead, the team only defended.
Nach dem Führungstor means after the goal that put them ahead, and die Mannschaft means the team. This sporting use has no direct object here; the finite verb mauerte is in position two.
Die Gäste mauern seit der ersten Minute.
The visiting team have been defending stubbornly since the first minute.
Die Gäste means the visiting team, and seit der ersten Minute means since the first minute. Mauern is used figuratively in football for defensive play; seit takes the dative, shown by der ersten Minute.
das Mehrfamilienhaus — apartment building, building for several families
The compound is made from mehr, meaning more or several, die Familie, meaning family, and das Haus, meaning house. It usually refers to a building divided into several separate homes, not to one large family home.
Das Mehrfamilienhaus steht neben dem Park.
The apartment building is next to the park.
steht means stands or is located, and neben dem Park means next to the park. Das Mehrfamilienhaus is nominative because it is the subject; neben takes dative for a fixed location.
Die Stadt baut das Mehrfamilienhaus am Fluss.
The city is building the apartment building by the river.
die Stadt means the city, baut means is building, and am Fluss means by the river. Das Mehrfamilienhaus is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; am means an dem, and am Fluss is dative because it gives the building site.
Viele Familien wohnen in dem Mehrfamilienhaus.
Many families live in the apartment building.
viele Familien means many families, and wohnen means live. Dem Mehrfamilienhaus is dative because in describes a fixed place here; the plural subject viele Familien makes the verb wohnen plural.
Die Fassade des Mehrfamilienhauses ist neu.
The façade of the apartment building is new.
die Fassade means the façade or outside wall, and neu means new. Des Mehrfamilienhauses is genitive because it shows whose façade it is; the genitive ending -es belongs to the neuter noun.
Die Mehrfamilienhäuser stehen am Stadtrand.
The apartment buildings are on the edge of the city.
stehen means stand or are located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Die Mehrfamilienhäuser is plural nominative as the subject; Häuser has an umlaut and -er in the plural.
der Neubau — new building; new construction
der Neubau normally means a newly constructed building, in contrast to der Altbau, an older building with traditional features. In housing advertisements, Neubau may describe a whole new-build apartment development.
Der Neubau steht neben dem Bahnhof.
The new building is next to the railway station.
steht means stands or is located, neben means next to, and Bahnhof is railway station. Der Neubau is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bahnhof is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
Die Stadt plant einen Neubau.
The city is planning a new building.
die Stadt is the city and plant means plans. einen Neubau is accusative because plant takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Viele Familien wohnen in dem Neubau.
Many families live in the new building.
viele Familien means many families and wohnen means live. in dem Neubau is dative because in describes a location; in dem is often shortened to im.
Die Fenster des Neubaus sind groß.
The windows of the new building are large.
die Fenster are the windows and groß means large. des Neubaus is genitive because it shows which building the windows belong to; Neubau takes -s in this form.
In der Stadt entstehen mehrere Neubauten.
Several new buildings are being built in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, entstehen means come into existence or are being built, and mehrere means several. Neubauten is the nominative plural subject after the fronted location phrase; the plural is formed with an umlaut and -ten.
die Notunterkunft — emergency shelter, temporary emergency accommodation
Die Notunterkunft is used for temporary accommodation in an emergency, for example after homelessness, a disaster, or evacuation. It is a formal and administrative word; everyday speech may use eine Unterkunft when the emergency context is already clear.
Die Notunterkunft ist heute voll.
The emergency shelter is full today.
voll means “full”, and heute means “today”. Die Notunterkunft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Stadt eröffnet eine Notunterkunft.
The city is opening an emergency shelter.
die Stadt means “the city”, and eröffnet means “opens”. Eine Notunterkunft is accusative because it is the object of eröffnet; the feminine article remains eine in the accusative.
Viele Familien helfen der Notunterkunft.
Many families help the emergency shelter.
viele Familien means “many families”, and helfen means “help”. Der Notunterkunft is dative because helfen takes a dative object; the finite verb helfen is in position two.
Die Adresse der Notunterkunft steht im Internet.
The address of the emergency shelter is on the internet.
die Adresse means “the address”, steht means “is listed”, and im Internet means “on the internet”. Der Notunterkunft is genitive after die Adresse to show which address it is; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Notunterkünfte.
There are several emergency shelters in the city.
in der Stadt means “in the city”, gibt es means “there are”, and mehrere means “several”. Notunterkünfte is the plural after mehrere; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative.
der Palast — palace
Palast normally refers to a grand historical or royal building. In informal comparisons, speakers may also call a very luxurious home ein Palast.
Der Palast steht mitten in der Stadt.
The palace stands in the middle of the city.
steht means stands, and mitten in der Stadt means right in the middle of the city. Der Palast is nominative because it is the subject; the location phrase uses the dative.
Die Touristen besichtigen den Palast.
The tourists are visiting the palace.
die Touristen means the tourists, and besichtigen means visit. Den Palast is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir nähern uns dem Palast.
We are approaching the palace.
wir means we, and sich nähern means to approach. Dem Palast is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; uns is also dative, so learners must not use the accusative form den Palast here.
Die Geschichte des Palastes ist faszinierend.
The history of the palace is fascinating.
die Geschichte means the history, and faszinierend means fascinating. Des Palastes is genitive because it identifies which history; the genitive ending -es is common with this noun in formal writing.
Die Paläste locken viele Besucher an.
The palaces attract many visitors.
locken ... an means attract, and viele Besucher means many visitors. Die Paläste is plural and nominative because it is the subject; an separates and goes to the end of the main clause.
das Reihenhaus — terraced house; townhouse
das Reihenhaus is a house joined to other houses in a row, common in German residential areas. The plural is die Reihenhäuser, with an umlaut in -häuser.
Das Reihenhaus hat einen kleinen Garten.
The terraced house has a small garden.
hat means has, and einen kleinen Garten means a small garden. Das Reihenhaus is nominative because it is the subject of hat; einen kleinen Garten is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
Wir kaufen das Reihenhaus.
We are buying the terraced house.
wir kaufen means we are buying. das Reihenhaus is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; neuter das has the same form in nominative and accusative.
Sie wohnt in dem Reihenhaus.
She lives in the terraced house.
sie wohnt means she lives, and in means in. dem Reihenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into a house would use the accusative instead.
Die Tür des Reihenhauses ist blau.
The door of the terraced house is blue.
die Tür means the door, and blau means blue. des Reihenhauses is genitive because it identifies which door is meant; the neuter noun takes -es in this form.
Die Reihenhäuser stehen dicht nebeneinander.
The terraced houses stand close together.
stehen means stand, and dicht nebeneinander means close together. Die Reihenhäuser is plural, with an umlaut and -er from Haus; the plural verb is stehen.
Das Reihenhaus liegt am Stadtrand.
The terraced house is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. am is short for an dem, and dem Stadtrand is dative because it describes a location; liegt is in position two.
der Salon — lounge, salon
Salon can mean a stylish sitting room or a business such as a hair salon. The regular plural is Salons, with -s.
Der Salon ist hell und ruhig.
The lounge is bright and quiet.
hell means bright and ruhig means quiet. Der Salon is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir renovieren den Salon im Sommer.
We are renovating the lounge in summer.
renovieren means to renovate, and im Sommer means in summer. Den Salon is accusative because it is the direct object of renovieren; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Gäste sitzen in dem Salon.
The guests are sitting in the lounge.
die Gäste are the guests, and sitzen means are sitting. Dem Salon is dative because in describes a fixed location here; in den Salon would express movement into it.
Die Fenster des Salons sind sehr groß.
The windows of the lounge are very large.
die Fenster are the windows, and sehr groß means very large. Des Salons is genitive because it means of the lounge; the masculine noun has the ending -s in the genitive.
Viele Salons bieten jetzt Online-Termine an.
Many salons now offer online appointments.
viele means many, bieten ... an means offer, and Online-Termine are online appointments. Salons is plural and is the subject; the separable verb places an at the end of the main clause.
Der Salon öffnet um neun Uhr.
The salon opens at nine o’clock.
öffnet means opens and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Salon is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
das Sekretariat — secretariat, administrative office
das Sekretariat usually means the administrative office or department in a school, company, or organisation. Its plural is die Sekretariate.
Das Sekretariat ist heute geschlossen.
The secretariat is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Das Sekretariat is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich rufe das Sekretariat an.
I am calling the secretariat.
rufe ... an means call, and heute would mean today if added. das Sekretariat is accusative as the direct object, while the separable verb places rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich gebe dem Sekretariat die Formulare.
I give the forms to the secretariat.
gebe means give and Formulare means forms. dem Sekretariat is dative for the recipient, while die Formulare is accusative as the thing given.
Die Tür des Sekretariats ist offen.
The door of the secretariat is open.
Tür means door and offen means open. des Sekretariats is genitive because it shows which office the door belongs to; ist is in position two.
Die Sekretariate arbeiten bis fünf Uhr.
The secretariats work until five o'clock.
arbeiten means work and bis fünf Uhr means until five o'clock. Sekretariate is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: arbeiten, not singular arbeitet.
das Seniorenheim — retirement home, residential home for older people
Das Seniorenheim is a home for older people who need housing, support or care. It is a compound of Senior and Heim; the plural ending belongs to Heim.
Das Seniorenheim liegt nahe dem Park.
The retirement home is near the park.
liegt means is situated, nahe means near, and der Park is the park. Das Seniorenheim is nominative because it is the subject; dem Park is dative because nahe commonly governs the dative.
Die Stadt baut ein neues Seniorenheim.
The city is building a new retirement home.
die Stadt is the city, baut means is building, and neues means new. ein neues Seniorenheim is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; the neuter accusative article remains ein.
Wir helfen dem Seniorenheim mit Sachspenden.
We help the retirement home with donations in kind.
helfen means help, and Sachspenden are donations of goods rather than money. dem Seniorenheim is dative because helfen governs the dative; mit Sachspenden is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Bewohner des Seniorenheims feiern ein Fest.
The residents of the retirement home are celebrating a party.
die Bewohner are the residents, feiern means celebrate, and ein Fest is a party or celebration. des Seniorenheims is genitive and identifies which residents; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Seniorenheime.
There are three retirement homes in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, gibt es means there are, and drei means three. Seniorenheime is the plural of Seniorenheim, with -e added to Heim; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
die Siedlung — settlement, residential development
The word can describe both a general settlement and a planned residential development. It is not usually used for one individual house.
Die Siedlung liegt am Stadtrand.
The settlement is on the edge of the city.
am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Die Siedlung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die neue Siedlung.
We are visiting the new settlement.
besuchen means to visit, and neu means new. die neue Siedlung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while besuchen stands in position two.
Die Gemeinde gibt der Siedlung einen neuen Namen.
The municipality gives the settlement a new name.
die Gemeinde is the municipality, and einen neuen Namen means a new name. der Siedlung is dative because it is the recipient of gibt, while einen neuen Namen is the accusative thing being given.
Die Geschichte der Siedlung ist interessant.
The history of the settlement is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history, and interessant means interesting. der Siedlung is genitive because it shows whose history it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In der Region entstehen neue Siedlungen.
New settlements are being created in the region.
in der Region means in the region, and entstehen means are being created or develop. neue Siedlungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the verb entstehen agrees with the plural.
die Stadthalle — municipal hall, city hall
This compound combines Stadt (city) and Halle (hall); it normally refers to a public venue for events, not to the administrative offices of a city.
Die Stadthalle liegt im Zentrum.
The municipal hall is in the centre.
liegt means is located, and im Zentrum means in the centre. Die Stadthalle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Gemeinde renoviert die Stadthalle.
The municipality is renovating the municipal hall.
die Gemeinde is the municipality, and renoviert means is renovating. Die Stadthalle is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the finite verb renoviert stands in position two.
Vor der Stadthalle warten die Besucher.
The visitors are waiting in front of the municipal hall.
vor means in front of, and die Besucher are the visitors. Der Stadthalle is dative because vor describes a fixed location here; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Das Dach der Stadthalle ist neu.
The roof of the municipal hall is new.
das Dach means the roof, and neu means new. Der Stadthalle is genitive because it identifies whose roof it is; the feminine noun keeps the ending -e.
Die Stadthallen in der Region sind gut ausgestattet.
The municipal halls in the region are well equipped.
in der Region means in the region, and gut ausgestattet means well equipped. Stadthallen is plural nominative as the subject; the plural ending is -n, and the verb sind agrees with it.
Wir gehen heute Abend in die Stadthalle.
We are going to the municipal hall this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and gehen means go. In die Stadthalle is accusative because it expresses movement towards the hall; in der Stadthalle would be dative for a location.
der Stand — state, level; stall, booth
The meaning depends on context: der Stand can be a level or situation, or a market stall. Its plural is die Stände in both common meanings, but the umlaut and -e must not be forgotten.
Der technische Stand ist heute viel höher als früher.
The technical level is much higher today than it was in the past.
technisch means technical, höher means higher, and früher means earlier or in the past. Der Stand is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and als introduces the comparison.
Wir prüfen den aktuellen Stand des Projekts.
We are checking the current status of the project.
prüfen means to check, aktuell means current, and das Projekt means the project. Den Stand is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
Nach dem Gespräch ist mir der Stand der Dinge klar.
After the conversation, the state of affairs is clear to me.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, klar means clear, and die Dinge means the circumstances or affairs. Dem Gespräch is dative because nach always takes the dative; der Stand is nominative because it is the subject of ist.
Die Entwicklung des Standes ist schwer zu beurteilen.
The development of the situation is difficult to assess.
die Entwicklung means the development, schwer means difficult, and beurteilen means to assess. Des Standes is genitive and specifies whose development is meant; zu beurteilen goes to the end of the clause.
Auf dem Markt gibt es viele Stände.
There are many stalls at the market.
der Markt means the market, and viele means many. Stände is the plural of der Stand; dem Markt is dative after auf for a location, while es gibt takes an accusative object.
Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt verkaufen sie an einem Stand gebrannte Mandeln.
At the Christmas market, they sell roasted almonds at a stall.
der Weihnachtsmarkt is the Christmas market, verkaufen means to sell, and gebrannte Mandeln are roasted almonds. Einem Stand is dative after an for a location; the finite verb verkaufen is in position two.
die Stiege — staircase, flight of stairs; crate, box of goods
Stiege is especially common in Austria and parts of southern Germany; in much of Germany, Treppe is the usual word for a staircase.
Die Stiege ist sehr steil.
The staircase is very steep.
sehr means very and steil means steep. Die Stiege is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist is in position two.
Wir steigen die Stiege hinauf.
We climb up the staircase.
steigen means to climb or go up and hinauf means upwards. Die Stiege is accusative because the movement is directed up the staircase; the finite verb steigen is in position two.
Wir stehen auf der Stiege.
We are standing on the staircase.
stehen means to stand and auf means on. Der Stiege is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; with movement onto something, auf would take the accusative.
Die Tür der Stiege ist geschlossen.
The staircase door is closed.
die Tür means the door and geschlossen means closed. Der Stiege is genitive because it identifies which door; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Haus gibt es zwei Stiegen.
There are two staircases in the house.
im Haus means in the house and zwei means two. Stiegen is the plural formed with -n; after es gibt, the noun is accusative even though the article is not visible here.
Wir kaufen eine Stiege Eier.
We are buying a crate of eggs.
Eier means eggs and kaufen means to buy. Eine Stiege is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; in this sense, Stiege means a crate or case, not stairs.
Eine Stiege Bier steht im Keller.
A crate of beer is in the cellar.
Bier means beer and der Keller means the cellar. Eine Stiege Bier is nominative because it is the subject; im Keller is a fixed location with the dative article dem contracted to im.
das Stift — monastery; ecclesiastical foundation
Neuter das Stift is a historical or ecclesiastical institution, not a writing instrument. The masculine form der Stift means a pen, pencil, or sometimes a trainee.
Das Stift ist heute ein Museum.
The monastery is a museum today.
heute means today and ein Museum is a museum. Das Stift is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Stift.
We are visiting the monastery.
besuchen means to visit. Das Stift is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while besuchen is the finite verb in position two.
Wir bleiben in dem Stift.
We are staying in the monastery.
bleiben means to stay. In dem Stift is dative because in describes a fixed location here; in dem is often shortened to im.
Die Geschichte des Stifts ist interessant.
The history of the monastery is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history and interessant means interesting. Des Stifts is genitive because it shows which institution the history belongs to.
Die Stifte liegen in verschiedenen Städten.
The foundations are in different cities.
liegen means are located, verschieden means different, and Städten means cities. Stifte is the plural subject, while in verschiedenen Städten is dative because it describes location.
die Wohnungsbesichtigung — apartment viewing, property viewing
The compound Wohnungsbesichtigung combines Wohnung (apartment) and Besichtigung (viewing or inspection). It is used especially when looking for a rental home; besichtigen means to view a property.
Die Wohnungsbesichtigung beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The apartment viewing starts at six o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Wohnungsbesichtigung is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Ich kann die Wohnungsbesichtigung nicht besuchen.
I cannot attend the apartment viewing.
Ich kann nicht means I cannot, and besuchen means attend or visit. die Wohnungsbesichtigung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the modal verb kann is in position two and besuchen goes to the end.
Bei der Wohnungsbesichtigung stelle ich viele Fragen.
At the apartment viewing, I ask many questions.
Bei means at, stelle ich Fragen means I ask questions, and viele means many. der Wohnungsbesichtigung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb stelle comes in position two after the opening phrase.
Der Termin der Wohnungsbesichtigung passt mir nicht.
The appointment for the apartment viewing does not suit me.
Der Termin is the appointment and passt mir nicht means does not suit me. der Wohnungsbesichtigung is genitive and means of the apartment viewing; mir is dative because passen takes the person to whom something suits.
Diese Woche habe ich drei Wohnungsbesichtigungen.
This week I have three apartment viewings.
Diese Woche means this week and drei means three. drei Wohnungsbesichtigungen is accusative because it is the object of habe; after a number, the plural noun has no article.
die Wohnungssuche — apartment search, house hunt
The compound Wohnungssuche combines Wohnung (apartment) and Suche (search). The common expression auf Wohnungssuche sein means to be looking for an apartment; auf here is part of the fixed expression.
Die Wohnungssuche dauert lange.
The apartment search is taking a long time.
dauert lange means takes a long time. Wohnungssuche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich beginne die Wohnungssuche im Mai.
I am starting the apartment search in May.
beginne means start, and im Mai means in May. die Wohnungssuche is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; beginne is the finite verb in position two.
Bei der Wohnungssuche brauche ich Geduld.
I need patience when looking for an apartment.
Bei means during or when doing, brauche means need, and Geduld means patience. der Wohnungssuche is dative because bei requires the dative; the verb brauche is in position two.
Die Kosten der Wohnungssuche sind hoch.
The costs of the apartment search are high.
Die Kosten are the costs and hoch means high. der Wohnungssuche is genitive and means of the apartment search; sind is in position two.
Viele Wohnungssuchen enden ohne Erfolg.
Many apartment searches end without success.
Viele means many, enden means end, and ohne Erfolg means without success. Wohnungssuchen is the nominative plural subject; ohne takes the accusative, although the unmarked noun Erfolg does not show the case here.
der Zugang — access, entrance, entry; approach, way into
The sense can mean physical entry or access to information and services. Do not confuse der Zugang with der Ausgang, which means exit.
Der Zugang zum Museum ist heute kostenlos.
Access to the museum is free today.
das Museum means museum, heute means today, and kostenlos means free of charge. Der Zugang is nominative because it is the subject; zu takes the dative, so zum Museum means to the museum.
Wir kontrollieren den Zugang zum Gelände.
We are checking access to the grounds.
kontrollieren means to check, das Gelände means the grounds or site, and zum means to the. Den Zugang is accusative because it is the direct object of kontrollieren; zu still takes the dative in zum Gelände.
Der Schlüssel öffnet dem Zugang zum Keller nicht.
The key does not open access to the cellar.
der Schlüssel means key, öffnen means to open, der Keller means cellar, and nicht means not. Dem Zugang is dative here because öffnen is used with a person or thing being given access; zum Keller is also dative after zu.
Die Breite des Zugangs ist begrenzt.
The width of the access route is limited.
die Breite means width, begrenzt means limited, and sein means to be. Des Zugangs is genitive because it specifies whose width is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
An diesem Bahnhof gibt es mehrere Zugänge.
There are several entrances at this station.
dieser Bahnhof means this station, mehrere means several, and geben in gibt es introduces something that exists. Zugänge is plural after mehrere; an diesem Bahnhof is dative because it describes a location.
Der Zugang zu den Daten wird morgen gesperrt.
Access to the data will be blocked tomorrow.
die Daten means data, morgen means tomorrow, and gesperrt means blocked. Der Zugang is the nominative subject, while zu den Daten is dative after zu; wird gesperrt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
Sie findet einen Zugang zu schwierigen Kindern.
She finds a way to reach difficult children.
finden means to find, schwierig means difficult, and die Kinder means children. Einen Zugang is accusative because it is the object of finden; zu schwierigen Kindern is dative after zu.
Dieser Kurs bietet einen Zugang zur modernen Kunst.
This course offers an approach to modern art.
dieser Kurs means this course, bieten means to offer, modern means modern, and die Kunst means art. Einen Zugang is accusative after bieten; zur modernen Kunst is dative after zu, and the adjective takes the dative ending -en.
zugänglich — accessible, easy to reach or understand
This adjective can describe a place that is easy to enter, information that is easy to understand, or something available to people. The opposite is unzugänglich, meaning inaccessible.
Die Bibliothek ist für alle zugänglich.
The library is accessible to everyone.
die Bibliothek means the library, and für alle means for everyone. Zugänglich is predicative after ist; für takes the accusative, so alle is accusative.
Wir brauchen einen zugänglichen Eingang.
We need an accessible entrance.
brauchen means to need, and der Eingang is the entrance. Einen zugänglichen Eingang is an accusative object after brauchen; the adjective ending -en follows the masculine accusative article einen.
Der zweite Raum ist zugänglicher als der erste.
The second room is more accessible than the first.
der zweite Raum means the second room, and der erste means the first one. Zugänglicher is the comparative and is followed by als; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Dieser Weg ist am zugänglichsten.
This route is the most accessible.
dieser Weg means this route. Am zugänglichsten is the predicative superlative; do not use the attributive form zugänglichste here because there is no noun directly after it.
Der Park ist auch im Winter zugänglich.
The park is also accessible in winter.
der Park means the park, auch means also, and im Winter means in winter. Zugänglich follows the linking verb ist and therefore has no adjective ending.
der Zutritt — access, admission
This noun commonly occurs in Zutritt zu plus the dative, meaning access to something. Zutritt verboten is a common sign meaning that entry is not allowed.
Zutritt zu diesem Gebäude haben nur Mitarbeiter.
Only employees have access to this building.
diesem Gebäude means this building, and nur Mitarbeiter means only employees. Zu takes the dative here, so diesem Gebäude is dative; the finite verb haben is in position two.
Der Sicherheitsdienst kontrolliert den Zutritt zum Konzert.
Security checks admission to the concert.
der Sicherheitsdienst is the security service, kontrolliert means checks, and zum Konzert means to the concert. Den Zutritt is accusative because kontrollieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kontrolliert stands in position two.
Ohne Ausweis ist Zutritt nicht möglich.
Admission is not possible without an identity card.
ohne Ausweis means without an identity card, and möglich means possible. Ohne normally takes the accusative, but the sentence has no article before Zutritt because it is used generally; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kontrolle des Zutritts dauert nur wenige Minuten.
Checking admission takes only a few minutes.
die Kontrolle means the checking, dauert means takes or lasts, and wenige Minuten means a few minutes. Des Zutritts is genitive because it specifies what is being checked; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Bei großen Veranstaltungen gelten besondere Regeln für die Zutritte.
Special rules apply to admissions at large events.
bei großen Veranstaltungen means at large events, gelten means apply, and besondere Regeln means special rules. Zutritte is the plural form; für takes the accusative, so die Zutritte is accusative plural.
die Öffnung — opening, aperture
The word can mean a physical hole or an opening in an event or organisation. Do not confuse die Öffnung with die Eröffnung, which means an opening ceremony or the act of opening something officially.
Die Öffnung ist zu klein.
The opening is too small.
zu klein means too small. Die Öffnung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte vergrößern Sie die Öffnung.
Please make the opening larger.
bitte means please, and vergrößern means to make larger. Die Öffnung is accusative because it is the object of vergrößern; the formal imperative uses Sie and puts the verb first.
Aus der Öffnung kommt kalte Luft.
Cold air is coming out of the opening.
aus means out of, and kalte Luft means cold air. Der Öffnung is dative because aus always takes the dative; kommt is in position two after the prepositional phrase.
Die Größe der Öffnung ist wichtig.
The size of the opening is important.
die Größe means the size, and wichtig means important. Der Öffnung is genitive because it identifies whose size is meant; ist remains in position two.
Die Öffnungen müssen sauber bleiben.
The openings must remain clean.
müssen means must, and sauber bleiben means remain clean. Die Öffnungen is a plural subject, and with the modal müssen, the second verb bleiben goes to the end.