Appearance
Vocab: Clothing — A1 (1)
Clothing vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
anhaben — to be wearing, to have on
Anhaben describes a state: the person already has clothes on, whereas anziehen means to put them on. It takes the clothing item in the accusative and uses haben in the perfect.
Er hat eine blaue Jacke an.
He is wearing a blue jacket.
eine blaue Jacke means a blue jacket. The clothing item is accusative because anhaben takes a direct object; hat is in position two and an goes to the end.
Sie hat heute ein rotes Kleid angehabt.
She was wearing a red dress today.
heute means today, and ein rotes Kleid means a red dress. The dress is accusative; hat is in position two and angehabt goes to the end.
Früher hatte ich oft eine Mütze an.
I often used to wear a hat.
früher means in the past, oft means often, and eine Mütze means a hat. eine Mütze is accusative because it is the item worn; hatte is in position two and an closes the clause.
Hab deine Schuhe an!
Put your shoes on!
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The object is accusative; hab comes first and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich würde im Winter immer einen dicken Pullover anhaben.
I would always wear a thick sweater in winter.
im Winter means in winter, immer means always, and einen dicken Pullover means a thick sweater. The sweater is accusative; würde is in position two and anhaben goes to the end.
Du wirst morgen eine warme Jacke anhaben.
You will be wearing a warm jacket tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and eine warme Jacke means a warm jacket. The jacket is accusative; wirst is in position two and anhaben stands at the end.
die Anprobe — fitting, try-on session
Die Anprobe dauert zehn Minuten.
The fitting takes ten minutes.
dauern means to last and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. Die Anprobe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Ich habe heute eine Anprobe.
I have a fitting today.
heute means today and haben means to have. Eine Anprobe is accusative after haben; the finite verb habe is in position two and the time word can come at the end.
Bei der Anprobe hilft mir die Verkäuferin.
The sales assistant helps me during the fitting.
bei means during or at, helfen means to help, and die Verkäuferin means the sales assistant. Bei takes the dative, so der Anprobe is dative; hilft is in position two.
Die Dauer der Anprobe ist kurz.
The duration of the fitting is short.
die Dauer means the duration and kurz means short. Der Anprobe is genitive because it identifies the duration of what; with a feminine noun, only the article changes.
Zwei Anproben waren nötig.
Two fittings were necessary.
zwei means two and nötig means necessary. Anproben is the plural subject, formed with -en, so the past verb is plural waren.
anprobieren — to try on
Anprobieren takes the item of clothing as an accusative object: etwas anprobieren. In a main clause, an separates, but the Partizip II is one word: anprobiert.
Sie probiert das Kleid an.
She is trying on the dress.
sie means she and das Kleid means the dress. Das Kleid is accusative because it is the item tried on; probiert is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe die Schuhe anprobiert.
I tried on the shoes.
die Schuhe means the shoes. The perfect uses habe plus anprobiert at the end; the shoes are the accusative object.
Er probierte den Mantel an.
He tried on the coat.
er means he and der Mantel means the coat. The weak preterite is probierte; den Mantel is accusative, and the prefix an is separated to the end.
Probier diese Jacke an!
Try on this jacket!
diese Jacke means this jacket. The command contains probier an, with an at the end; diese Jacke is accusative as the item being tried on.
Ich würde den Pullover anprobieren.
I would try on the sweater.
der Pullover means the sweater. Würde expresses a conditional idea, while the infinitive anprobieren goes to the end; the sweater is accusative.
Morgen wird sie das Kleid anprobieren.
Tomorrow she will try on the dress.
morgen means tomorrow and sie means she. Future uses wird in position two and anprobieren at the end; das Kleid is accusative.
anschnallen — to buckle up; to fasten a seat belt
The common reflexive pattern is sich anschnallen, “to buckle up”. It takes haben in the perfect, and the prefix an- separates in a main clause.
Ich schnalle mich im Auto an.
I buckle up in the car.
mich means myself, and im Auto means in the car. The reflexive pronoun is accusative because the action is done to oneself; schnalle is in position two and an moves to the end.
Wir haben uns vor der Fahrt angeschnallt.
We buckled up before the journey.
vor der Fahrt means before the journey. Uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and angeschnallt goes to the end with haben; do not use sein.
Der Fahrer schnallte das Kind an.
The driver fastened the child’s seat belt.
der Fahrer means the driver, and das Kind means the child. Das Kind is accusative as the direct object; the past-tense verb is split, with schnallte in position two and an at the end.
Schnall dich an!
Buckle up!
dich means yourself in the informal singular. The imperative uses schnall, and the separable prefix an stays at the end; dich is accusative.
Wenn ich im Auto wäre, würde ich mich sofort anschnallen.
If I were in the car, I would buckle up immediately.
wenn means if, sofort means immediately, and wäre means were. In this conditional, würde carries the Konjunktiv II and the infinitive anschnallen stays whole at the end of its clause.
Du wirst dich im Bus anschnallen.
You will buckle up on the bus.
im Bus means on the bus. Wirst forms the future with the infinitive anschnallen, which stays together at the end; dich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
anziehen — to put on, to get dressed; to pull, to tighten
For clothing, anziehen takes an accusative item: eine Jacke anziehen. With a person, the reflexive form sich anziehen means to get dressed; the prefix still separates in main clauses.
Ich ziehe meine Jacke an.
I am putting on my jacket.
meine Jacke means my jacket. meine Jacke is accusative because it is the clothing put on; the finite verb ziehe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe meine Jacke angezogen.
I put on my jacket.
meine Jacke means my jacket. The object is accusative, and angezogen goes to the end with habe in the perfect.
Er zog seinen Mantel an.
He put on his coat.
seinen Mantel means his coat. zog is the strong-verb preterite of anziehen, and the prefix an is separated and placed at the end.
Zieh deine Schuhe an!
Put on your shoes!
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The informal imperative omits du, takes the accusative object, and separates an from zieh.
Wenn es kalt wäre, würde ich eine Jacke anziehen.
If it were cold, I would put on a jacket.
wenn means if, kalt means cold, and eine Jacke means a jacket. The subordinate-clause verb wäre is at the end of the first clause, while the infinitive anziehen stays together after würde; the jacket is accusative.
Ich werde morgen einen warmen Pullover anziehen.
I will put on a warm jumper tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and einen warmen Pullover means a warm jumper. werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive anziehen stays together at the end.
Sie zieht an der Leine an.
She pulls on the leash.
an der Leine means on the leash, and zieht ... an means pulls. The preposition an takes the dative here because this is contact with a fixed object, not movement towards it.
Der Mechaniker hat die Schraube angezogen.
The mechanic tightened the screw.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic, and die Schraube means the screw. die Schraube is accusative as the object being tightened, and angezogen goes to the end with hat.
der Anzug — suit; tracksuit, exercise suit
A suit is a set of matching clothing, usually a jacket and trousers. The plural changes the vowel: Anzug becomes Anzüge.
Der Anzug ist sehr elegant.
The suit is very elegant.
elegant means elegant or smart. Der Anzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Anzug.
I am buying the suit.
kaufe means buy. den Anzug is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe meinem Bruder mit dem Anzug.
I help my brother with the suit.
meinem Bruder means my brother, and mit means with. helfen takes a dative person, and mit also takes the dative, so dem Anzug is dative.
Die Farbe des Anzugs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the suit.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. des Anzugs is genitive to show possession, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Die Anzüge hängen im Schaufenster.
The suits are hanging in the shop window.
hängen means are hanging, and im Schaufenster means in the shop window. Die Anzüge is plural nominative as the subject; im means in dem, with dative for a fixed location.
Er läuft im Anzug durch den Park.
He runs through the park in the tracksuit.
läuft means runs, durch den Park means through the park, and im Anzug means in the tracksuit. im is in dem and takes the dative for a fixed situation; durch takes the accusative.
Mein neuer Anzug ist bequem.
My new tracksuit is comfortable.
mein neuer Anzug means my new tracksuit, and bequem means comfortable. The noun phrase is nominative as the subject, and neuer has the masculine nominative ending after mein.
das Armband — bracelet, wristband
Das Armband ist aus Silber.
The bracelet is made of silver.
Silber means silver. Das Armband is nominative because it is the subject, and aus takes the dative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage das Armband jeden Tag.
I wear the bracelet every day.
tragen means to wear, and jeden Tag means every day. Das Armband is accusative because tragen takes a direct object, while the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester ein Armband.
I am giving my sister a bracelet.
schenken means to give as a present, and meiner Schwester means my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because she receives the gift, while ein Armband is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Armbands gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the bracelet.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefallen means to please or be liked. Des Armbands is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; with gefallen, mir is dative, not nominative.
Die Armbänder liegen auf dem Tisch.
The bracelets are lying on the table.
liegen means to lie, and der Tisch means the table. Die Armbänder is plural and nominative as the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Armbanduhr — wristwatch
Die Armbanduhr ist kaputt.
The wristwatch is broken.
kaputt means broken. Die Armbanduhr is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Armbanduhr.
I am buying a new wristwatch.
kaufen means to buy and neu means new. Eine neue Armbanduhr is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Er gibt seiner Tochter eine Armbanduhr.
He gives his daughter a wristwatch.
geben means to give, and seiner Tochter means his daughter. Seiner Tochter is dative because she receives the watch, while eine Armbanduhr is accusative as the thing given.
Das Glas der Armbanduhr ist zerkratzt.
The glass of the wristwatch is scratched.
das Glas means the glass, and zerkratzt means scratched. Der Armbanduhr is genitive because it identifies whose glass is meant; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Armbanduhren liegen im Schaufenster.
The wristwatches are in the shop window.
liegen means to lie or be displayed, and das Schaufenster means the shop window. Die Armbanduhren is plural and nominative as the subject; im Schaufenster means in dem Schaufenster and marks location.
der Aufzug — elevator, lift; outfit, get-up
In everyday German, der Aufzug usually means “elevator”; the plural is die Aufzüge. Do not confuse this sense with der Aufzug meaning an outfit or appearance.
Der Aufzug ist kaputt.
The elevator is broken.
ist kaputt means “is broken.” Der Aufzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Aufzug in den dritten Stock.
I take the elevator to the third floor.
nehme means “take,” in den dritten Stock means “to the third floor,” and dritten means “third.” den Aufzug is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; nehme is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Aufzug nach oben.
We are going up by elevator.
fahren means “go,” mit means “by or with,” and nach oben means “upwards.” dem Aufzug is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Tür des Aufzugs öffnet sich automatisch.
The elevator door opens automatically.
die Tür means “the door,” and öffnet sich automatisch means “opens automatically.” des Aufzugs is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the genitive ending -s is added to Aufzug.
In unserem Haus gibt es zwei Aufzüge.
There are two elevators in our building.
in unserem Haus means “in our building,” and zwei means “two.” Aufzüge is the plural with an umlaut and -e; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
Was für ein Aufzug!
What an outfit!
was für ein means “what a,” and the sentence expresses surprise about someone’s Aufzug, or outfit. The noun is nominative in this verbless exclamation, and the exclamation mark supplies the emotional force.
Er erschien in einem auffälligen Aufzug.
He appeared in a striking outfit.
erschien means “appeared,” auffällig means “striking,” and in einem means “in a.” in einem auffälligen Aufzug is dative because in describes a location or state here, not movement into it; the adjective takes the ending -en after einem.
der Badeanzug — swimsuit, bathing suit
Badeanzug usually means a one-piece swimsuit. A two-piece swimsuit is der Bikini; the plural is die Badeanzüge.
Der Badeanzug ist blau.
The swimsuit is blue.
blau means blue. Der Badeanzug is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt einen Badeanzug.
She is wearing a swimsuit.
trägt means wears. einen Badeanzug is accusative because tragen takes the item worn as an accusative object; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Mit dem Badeanzug kann ich gut schwimmen.
I can swim well in the swimsuit.
mit means with or in this context, gut means well, and schwimmen means swim. dem Badeanzug is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and schwimmen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Badeanzugs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the swimsuit.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Badeanzugs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Badeanzüge.
Many swimsuits are hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. viele Badeanzüge is the plural subject; because the sentence starts with a location phrase, hängen comes before the subject.
die Badesachen — swimwear, bathing things
die Badesachen is a plural-only noun for swimwear and other things used for bathing. It has no normal singular form, so use plural agreement such as die Badesachen sind.
Die Badesachen sind noch nass.
The swimwear is still wet.
noch means still and nass means wet. Die Badesachen is the plural nominative subject, so the verb is sind, not ist; the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich packe die Badesachen in die Tasche.
I am putting the swimwear in the bag.
packen means to pack or put, die Tasche means the bag, and in means into here. Die Badesachen is accusative because it is the direct object of packen; in die Tasche is also accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Ich gehe mit den Badesachen zum See.
I am going to the lake with my swimwear.
mit means with, zum See means to the lake, and der See is the lake. Den Badesachen is dative after mit; plural dative uses den, and zu also requires dative in zum See.
Die Farbe der Badesachen gefällt mir nicht.
I don’t like the colour of the swimwear.
die Farbe means the colour, gefallen means to please or be liked, and mir means to me. Der Badesachen is genitive because it shows which colour; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Schrank liegen mehrere Badesachen.
There are several items of swimwear in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying, and mehrere means several. Badesachen is a plural-only noun and keeps the same form after mehrere; im Schrank is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Bluse — blouse
Die Bluse is a feminine noun for a blouse or shirt-like top. Its plural is regular: die Blusen; do not confuse it with das Blut, which means blood.
Die Bluse ist sehr schön.
The blouse is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Bluse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt die Bluse heute.
She is wearing the blouse today.
trägt means is wearing, and heute means today. Die Bluse is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; feminine nouns have the same form in the nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester bei der Bluse.
I am helping my sister with the blouse.
helfe means help, meiner Schwester means my sister, and bei means with or during. Der Bluse is dative because bei always takes the dative; helfen also takes a dative person.
Die Farbe der Bluse ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the blouse is dark blue.
Die Farbe is the colour, and dunkelblau means dark blue. Der Bluse is genitive because it shows which colour it is; feminine nouns use der in the genitive.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Blusen.
Many blouses are hanging in the shop.
Im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Blusen is the plural with -n, and viele Blusen is the subject of the sentence.
die Brille — glasses, spectacles
The singular die Brille normally refers to a pair of glasses, not one lens. The plural is die Brillen.
Die Brille liegt auf dem Tisch.
The glasses are lying on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Brille is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich putze die Brille jeden Abend.
I clean the glasses every evening.
putze means “clean”, and jeden Abend means “every evening”. Die Brille is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze is in position two.
Mit der Brille sehe ich besser.
With the glasses, I see better.
mit means “with”, and sehe ... besser means “see better”. Mit always forces the dative, so the feminine article is der; the verb sehe is in position two even though the sentence starts with the prepositional phrase.
Die Farbe der Brille gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the glasses.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and gefällt mir means “pleases me”. Der Brille is genitive because it tells whose colour it is; the verb gefällt agrees with die Farbe, not with der Brille.
Im Laden liegen viele Brillen.
There are many pairs of glasses in the shop.
im Laden means “in the shop”, and viele means “many”. Brillen is the plural with -n; after the location phrase, the verb liegen remains in position two.
der Flipflop — flip-flop
der Flipflop is normally used for one shoe; a pair is ein Paar Flipflops. The plural is formed with -s, like many borrowed nouns.
Der Flipflop ist bequem.
The flip-flop is comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. der Flipflop is the nominative subject, and bequem is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending.
Ich kaufe den Flipflop im Laden.
I am buying the flip-flop in the shop.
kaufe means buy, im Laden means in the shop, and der Laden is a shop. den Flipflop is accusative because it is the object of kaufe; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie geht mit dem Flipflop zum Strand.
She goes to the beach wearing the flip-flop.
geht means goes, mit means with, and zum Strand means to the beach. mit dem Flipflop is dative because mit always takes the dative; zum is short for zu dem.
Die Farbe des Flipflops ist rot.
The colour of the flip-flop is red.
die Farbe means colour and rot means red. des Flipflops shows possession and is genitive; a masculine noun uses des and usually adds -s here.
Im Sommer tragen viele Leute Flipflops.
Many people wear flip-flops in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Leute means many people, and tragen means wear. Flipflops is the regular plural with -s and is accusative because it is the object of tragen; the plural article is omitted here.
die Größe — size, dimensions; greatness, important figure
die Größe commonly means physical size or a clothing size. Its plural is die Größen, with an umlaut and -n; in another sense it can refer to greatness or an important person.
Die Größe des Zimmers ist perfekt.
The size of the room is perfect.
Zimmer means room, and perfekt means perfect. Die Größe is nominative because it is the subject; des Zimmers is genitive because it specifies which size.
Ich brauche eine größere Größe.
I need a larger size.
brauche means need, and größere means larger. eine größere Größe is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine indefinite article eine.
Die Verkäuferin zeigt mir die Größe.
The sales assistant shows me the size.
Verkäuferin means sales assistant, zeigt means shows, and mir means to me. mir is dative because it is the person receiving the information, while die Größe is accusative as the thing shown.
Die Wahl der Größe hängt vom Modell ab.
The choice of size depends on the model.
Wahl means choice, hängt ... ab means depends, and Modell means model. der Größe is genitive because it identifies what kind of choice; the separable verb places hängt in position two and ab at the end.
Die Größen stehen auf dem Etikett.
The sizes are written on the label.
stehen means are written or stand, and Etikett means label. Die Größen is a plural subject, while auf dem Etikett is dative because it describes the fixed location of the information.
Sie gilt als eine Größe der Kunstwelt.
She is considered an important figure in the art world.
gilt als means is considered, Kunstwelt means art world, and eine Größe means an important figure. eine Größe is a complement after als, not a direct object; der Kunstwelt is genitive, identifying the field.
Seine Größe zeigt sich in schwierigen Momenten.
His greatness shows itself in difficult moments.
Seine means his, zeigt sich means shows itself, and schwierigen Momenten means difficult moments. Seine Größe is nominative because it is the subject; in schwierigen Momenten is dative because it describes a fixed situation.
der Gürtel — belt
der Gürtel is a masculine noun. Its plural is also Gürtel, with no ending change; the article is the clearest way to distinguish singular from plural.
Der Gürtel ist zu locker.
The belt is too loose.
locker means loose, and zu means too. Der Gürtel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche einen neuen Gürtel.
I need a new belt.
brauchen means to need and neu means new. einen neuen Gürtel is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine adjective ends in -en after einen.
Ich trage die Hose mit einem Gürtel.
I wear the trousers with a belt.
tragen means to wear, die Hose means trousers, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so einem Gürtel is dative; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Die Farbe des Gürtels passt zu den Schuhen.
The colour of the belt matches the shoes.
die Farbe means colour, passen means to match, and die Schuhe means shoes. des Gürtels is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while zu takes the dative in zu den Schuhen.
Die Gürtel liegen auf dem Tisch.
The belts are lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and der Tisch means table. Die Gürtel is plural nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Halskette — necklace
die Halskette is a compound of Hals (neck) and Kette (chain). It is a feminine noun, so the plural is die Halsketten and the genitive singular is der Halskette.
Die Halskette ist sehr schön.
The necklace is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Halskette is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt eine Halskette.
She is wearing a necklace.
trägt means wears, and sie means she. Eine Halskette is accusative because it is the direct object of trägt; a feminine accusative indefinite article still looks like eine.
Die Verkäuferin zeigt mir der Halskette?
Does the sales assistant show me the necklace?
die Verkäuferin means the sales assistant, and zeigt means shows. This sentence is not natural with der Halskette as written: the correct dative form is die Halskette only with a different structure such as Sie zeigt mir die Halskette; feminine dative has der only in der Halskette after a dative determiner, so learners must check the article and sentence role.
Die Farbe der Halskette passt zu ihrem Kleid.
The colour of the necklace matches her dress.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches or goes with, and ihr Kleid means her dress. Der Halskette is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Im Schaufenster liegen viele Halsketten.
Many necklaces are displayed in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, liegen means lie or are placed, and viele means many. Halsketten is nominative plural as the subject after the verb; im Schaufenster is dative because in describes a location.
der Handschuh — glove
Handschuh literally combines Hand (hand) and Schuh (shoe), but it means a glove. The plural is Handschuhe, with an umlaut and -e.
Der Handschuh ist warm.
The glove is warm.
warm means warm. Der Handschuh is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; warm comes after sein without an adjective ending.
Ich suche meinen Handschuh.
I am looking for my glove.
suchen means to look for. Meinen Handschuh is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Mit dem Handschuh kann ich den Ofen anfassen.
With the glove, I can touch the oven.
der Ofen is the oven, and anfassen means to touch. Mit forces the dative, so dem Handschuh is dative; kann is in position two and the infinitive anfassen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Handschuhs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the glove.
die Farbe is the colour, and gefallen means to be pleasing or to appeal to. Des Handschuhs is genitive to show whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Winter brauche ich warme Handschuhe.
In winter I need warm gloves.
im Winter means in winter, brauchen means to need, and warm describes the gloves. Handschuhe is the plural with an umlaut and -e; it is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
die Handtasche — handbag, purse
Handtasche is a compound of Hand (hand) and Tasche (bag). It normally means a handbag or purse; the plural is Handtaschen.
Die Handtasche ist neu.
The handbag is new.
neu means new. Die Handtasche is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; neu is a predicative adjective after sein and has no ending.
Sie kauft eine Handtasche.
She is buying a handbag.
sie means she, and kaufen means to buy. Eine Handtasche is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while kauft stands in position two.
Ich gehe mit der Handtasche zur Arbeit.
I go to work with the handbag.
zur Arbeit means to work, and gehen means to go. Mit forces the dative, so der Handtasche is dative; gehe is in position two, and zur Arbeit gives the destination.
Der Henkel der Handtasche ist kaputt.
The handle of the handbag is broken.
der Henkel is the handle, and kaputt means broken. Der Handtasche is genitive to show which bag the handle belongs to, and ist stands in position two.
Im Geschäft sehe ich viele Handtaschen.
In the shop I see many handbags.
das Geschäft is the shop, viele means many, and sehen means to see. Handtaschen is the plural with -n and is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe remains in position two.
der Hausschuh — house slipper
The plural is die Hausschuhe, with an umlaut and -e. The compound combines Haus (house) and Schuh (shoe).
Mein Hausschuh ist unter dem Sofa.
My house slipper is under the sofa.
unter dem Sofa means under the sofa. Mein Hausschuh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich finde meinen Hausschuh nicht.
I cannot find my house slipper.
finden means to find, and nicht means not. Meinen Hausschuh is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the finite verb finde stands in position two.
Ich gehe mit dem Hausschuh nicht nach draußen.
I am not going outside wearing the house slipper.
mit means with, and nach draußen means outside. Dem Hausschuh is dative because mit always takes the dative; gehe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Hausschuhs ist blau.
The colour of the house slipper is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Hausschuhs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s after des.
Im Winter stehen viele Hausschuhe im Flur.
In winter, many house slippers are in the hall.
im Winter means in winter, viele means many, and der Flur is the hall. Hausschuhe is plural after viele, and stehen agrees with the plural subject.
das Hemd — shirt
das Hemd usually means a shirt with a collar, especially a men's shirt. The plural is die Hemden; do not confuse it with das T-Shirt, which has the plural die T-Shirts.
Das Hemd ist sauber.
The shirt is clean.
sauber means clean. Das Hemd is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the adjective after sein is predicative and has no ending.
Ich bügle das Hemd.
I am ironing the shirt.
ich bügle means I iron. das Hemd is accusative because bügeln takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Hemd eine neue Farbe.
I give the shirt a new colour.
ich gebe means I give, eine neue Farbe means a new colour, and neu means new. dem Hemd is dative because geben can take a recipient or affected thing in the dative, while eine neue Farbe is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Hemdes passt zu meiner Hose.
The colour of the shirt matches my trousers.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches or goes with, and meine Hose means my trousers. des Hemdes is genitive because it identifies the shirt's colour; zu takes the dative, so meiner Hose is dative.
Im Schrank hängen viele Hemden.
There are many shirts hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe, hängen means hang, and viele means many. Hemden is the plural of das Hemd; im Schrank is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Hose — trousers, pants
German uses die Hose for one pair of trousers and die Hosen for more than one pair. Do not translate the singular as a single trouser leg; that is das Hosenbein.
Die Hose ist neu.
The trousers are new.
neu means new. Die Hose is the nominative subject; although English often treats trousers as plural, die Hose is grammatically singular in German.
Ich wasche die Hose.
I am washing the trousers.
wasche means am washing. Die Hose is accusative because waschen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Hose eine neue Tasche.
I give the trousers a new pocket.
gebe means give, eine neue Tasche means a new pocket. Der Hose is dative because it is the thing receiving the pocket, while eine neue Tasche is the accusative item given.
Die Farbe der Hose gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the trousers.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Der Hose is genitive because it means of the trousers; for a feminine noun, the article changes to der, but the noun itself does not change.
Im Schrank hängen drei Hosen.
Three pairs of trousers are hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe, and hängen means are hanging. Hosen is plural after drei and adds -n; the verb is plural because the subject is drei Hosen.
der Hut — hat
der Hut normally means a hat worn on the head. Its plural has an umlaut: die Hüte.
Der Hut ist sehr schön.
The hat is very beautiful.
sehr schön means “very beautiful”. Der Hut is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt den Hut im Sommer.
She wears the hat in summer.
trägt means “wears”, and im Sommer means “in summer”. Den Hut is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem and is dative for this time expression.
Mit dem Hut sehe ich älter aus.
With the hat, I look older.
mit means “with”, and älter aussehen means “look older”. Dem Hut is dative after mit; sehe stands in position two and the separable part aus goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Hutes passt zu seinem Mantel.
The colour of the hat matches his coat.
die Farbe means “the colour”, passt zu means “matches”, and der Mantel is “the coat”. Des Hutes is genitive because it specifies the colour; seinem Mantel is dative after zu.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Hüte.
Many hats are hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means “in the shop”, hängen means “are hanging”, and viele means “many”. Hüte is the plural of Hut; im Geschäft is dative because it describes a location.
die Jacke — jacket
die Jacke is a feminine noun for a jacket or short coat. Its plural is die Jacken; learners should not use die Jacke for several jackets.
Die Jacke ist warm.
The jacket is warm.
warm means warm. Die Jacke is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Jacke.
I am buying the jacket.
kaufen means to buy. die Jacke is accusative because kaufen takes the thing bought as its direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester mit der Jacke.
I help my sister with the jacket.
helfen means to help and meiner Schwester means my sister. mit always takes the dative, so der Jacke is dative; the finite verb helfe stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Jacke gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the jacket.
die Farbe means the colour and gefallen means to please or be liked. der Jacke is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; gefällt is in position two, and mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Schrank hängen viele Jacken.
There are many jackets hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe and hängen means hang. viele Jacken is plural; im Schrank is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into the wardrobe.
die Jeans — jeans, pair of jeans
Die Jeans can mean one pair of jeans or several pairs. The singular and plural are identical: the article, verb, number, or context shows which meaning is intended.
Die Jeans ist neu.
The jeans are new.
neu means new. Die Jeans is the nominative subject, and ist stands in position two; although English often treats jeans as plural, German can use singular die Jeans for one pair.
Ich kaufe eine Jeans.
I am buying a pair of jeans.
kaufe means buy, and eine means one or a. Eine Jeans is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Jeans gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the jeans.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Mir is dative because gefallen takes a dative experiencer, while der Jeans is genitive and means of the jeans.
Die Farbe der Jeans ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the jeans is dark blue.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkelblau means dark blue. Der Jeans is genitive and identifies whose colour it is; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Im Schrank liegen drei Jeans.
There are three pairs of jeans in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe, and liegen means are lying or are located. Drei Jeans is plural, but Jeans has the same spelling as the singular; liegen is plural and comes after the place phrase in position two.
das Kleid — dress
Kleid usually means a dress, not clothing in general; the general word is Kleidung.
Das Kleid ist sehr schön.
The dress is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Das Kleid is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe das Kleid im Laden.
I am buying the dress in the shop.
kaufe means am buying, and der Laden is the shop. Das Kleid is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester dem Kleid nicht.
I do not give the dress to my sister.
geben means to give, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Dem Kleid is dative because geben can use a dative recipient and an accusative thing; here the sentence contrasts the dress with the recipient, and the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Kleides gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the dress.
die Farbe is the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Des Kleides is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb gefällt is in position two.
Im Schaufenster hängen drei Kleider.
Three dresses are hanging in the shop window.
das Schaufenster is the shop window, and hängen means are hanging. Drei Kleider is plural and nominative because it is the subject; after the opening location phrase, the finite verb hängen still comes in position two.
Das Kleid passt mir gut.
The dress fits me well.
passt means fits, and gut means well. Das Kleid is nominative because it is the thing that fits, while mir is dative because passen takes the person something fits; the finite verb passt is in position two.
der Kleiderschrank — wardrobe, clothes closet
Kleiderschrank is a compound of Kleider, clothes, and Schrank, cupboard or wardrobe. The plural has an umlaut: Kleiderschränke.
Der Kleiderschrank steht im Schlafzimmer.
The wardrobe is in the bedroom.
steht means stands or is located, and das Schlafzimmer is the bedroom. Der Kleiderschrank is nominative because it is the subject; im Schlafzimmer is dative because in describes a fixed location, and steht is in position two.
Ich öffne den Kleiderschrank.
I open the wardrobe.
öffne means open. Den Kleiderschrank is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object, and the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kleiderschrank einen neuen Platz.
I give the wardrobe a new place.
geben means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. Dem Kleiderschrank is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing with geben, while einen neuen Platz is accusative; gebe is in position two.
Die Tür des Kleiderschranks ist offen.
The door of the wardrobe is open.
die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Des Kleiderschranks is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; ist is the finite verb in position two.
In unserer Wohnung stehen zwei Kleiderschränke.
There are two wardrobes in our flat.
unsere Wohnung is our flat or apartment, and zwei means two. Zwei Kleiderschränke is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in unserer Wohnung is dative for a fixed location, and stehen comes in position two.
die Kleidung — clothing, clothes
Kleidung is a mass noun and normally has no plural. To talk about separate items, use das Kleidungsstück or name the item, such as das Hemd or die Hose.
Die Kleidung ist noch nass.
The clothes are still wet.
noch means still, and nass means wet. Die Kleidung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wasche die Kleidung.
I am washing the clothes.
wasche means am washing. Die Kleidung is accusative because waschen takes a direct object, and wasche is the finite verb in position two.
Ich gebe der Kleidung ein neues Leben.
I give the clothes a new life.
ein neues Leben means a new life. Der Kleidung is dative because it is the thing receiving something with geben, while ein neues Leben is accusative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Farbe der Kleidung passt nicht zusammen.
The colours of the clothes do not go together.
die Farbe is the colour, and zusammenpassen means go together or match. Der Kleidung is genitive because it identifies which clothes the colour belongs to; the finite verb passt is in position two.
Warme Kleidung ist im Winter wichtig.
Warm clothing is important in winter.
warm means warm, im Winter means in winter, and wichtig means important. Kleidung is a mass noun and has no normal plural here; the whole phrase is nominative, and ist is in position two.
der Knopf — button; knob; button, control
The usual meaning is a clothing button. It can also mean a button or control that you press, and sometimes a small knob.
Der Knopf ist locker.
The button is loose.
locker means loose, not tight. Der Knopf is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; locker is a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Ich nähe den Knopf an.
I am sewing the button on.
nähe ... an means sew on. Den Knopf is accusative because it is the direct object, and the separable verb places nähe in position two and an at the end.
Sie gibt dem Knopf eine neue Farbe.
She gives the button a new colour.
gibt means gives and eine neue Farbe means a new colour. Dem Knopf is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected thing with dative here, while eine neue Farbe is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Knopfes passt nicht zum Mantel.
The colour of the button does not match the coat.
die Farbe means colour, passt nicht means does not match, and der Mantel is the coat. Des Knopfes is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb passt is in position two.
An diesem Hemd fehlen zwei Knöpfe.
Two buttons are missing from this shirt.
dieses Hemd means this shirt and fehlen means are missing. Zwei Knöpfe is the plural subject, while an diesem Hemd uses dative because an describes a fixed location here.
Drück bitte den Knopf.
Please press the button.
drück means press and bitte means please. Den Knopf is accusative because drücken takes a direct object; the imperative verb comes first, and bitte makes the command polite.
Mit diesem Knopf öffnest du die Tür.
You open the door with this button.
dieser Knopf means this button, öffnest means open, and die Tür is the door. Mit diesem Knopf takes dative because mit always governs dative; the whole phrase comes first, so öffnest remains in position two.
der Mantel — coat, overcoat; mantle, layer, covering
For clothing, der Mantel usually means a coat worn outdoors. It is different from die Jacke, which is generally shorter.
Der Mantel ist warm.
The coat is warm.
warm means warm. Der Mantel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Mantel.
I am buying the coat.
kaufen means to buy. Den Mantel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich helfe meinem Bruder mit dem Mantel.
I help my brother with the coat.
helfen means to help, and mein Bruder means my brother. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Mantel is dative; the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Mantels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the coat.
die Farbe means the colour and gefallen means to appeal to or be liked. Des Mantels is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the noun takes -s and the article is des.
Im Winter brauche ich warme Mäntel.
In winter I need warm coats.
im Winter means in winter, brauchen means to need, and warm means warm. Warme Mäntel is accusative plural because brauche takes a direct object; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
Der Erdmantel liegt unter der Erdkruste.
The Earth's mantle lies beneath the Earth's crust.
der Erdmantel means the Earth's mantle, liegen means to lie, unter means under, and die Erdkruste means the Earth's crust. Here unter describes a fixed location and takes the dative, so der Erdkruste is dative.
Der Mantel des Planeten ist sehr heiß.
The planet's mantle is very hot.
der Planet means the planet, heiß means hot, and sehr means very. Des Planeten is genitive because it shows which mantle is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
die Mütze — hat, cap
Mütze usually means a soft hat or cap, not a formal hat. The plural is regular: die Mützen.
Die Mütze ist warm.
The hat is warm.
warm means warm. Die Mütze is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe die Mütze.
I am buying the hat.
kaufe means buy. die Mütze is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article remains die.
Ich gebe der Mütze einen neuen Platz.
I am giving the hat a new place.
gebe means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. der Mütze is dative because it is the recipient or thing receiving a place, while einen neuen Platz is the accusative object.
Die Farbe der Mütze gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the hat.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. der Mütze is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Im Winter tragen viele Menschen Mützen.
In winter, many people wear hats.
im Winter means in winter, viele Menschen means many people, and tragen means wear. Mützen is plural and accusative because it is the object of tragen; the plural ending is -en.
nackt — naked, nude; bare; bare, uncovered
For a person, nackt normally means without clothes; for a body part, it can mean bare, as in nackte Füße. Nackt is stronger and more literal than barfuß, which means barefoot.
Das Baby ist nackt.
The baby is naked.
Baby means baby. Nackt is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er schläft mit einem nackten Oberkörper.
He sleeps with his upper body naked.
schläft means sleeps and Oberkörper means upper body. Mit einem nackten Oberkörper is dative because mit always takes the dative; after einem, the adjective takes -en.
Nach dem Unfall fühlte sie sich nackter als vorher.
After the accident, she felt more exposed than before.
Unfall means accident, fühlte sich means felt, and vorher means before. Nackter is the comparative and is followed by als; it is predicative after sich fühlen, so it has no ending.
Im Sommer fühlt er sich am nacktsten.
In summer, he feels the most naked.
Sommer means summer and fühlt sich means feels. Am nacktsten is the predicative superlative after sich fühlen; the finite verb fühlt is in position two and sich is the reflexive pronoun.
Die nackte Wand sieht kalt aus.
The bare wall looks cold.
Wand means wall and kalt means cold. Nackte Wand is feminine nominative after die, so the adjective takes -e; sieht ... aus is a separable verb with aus at the end.
Die nackten Zahlen zeigen ein anderes Bild.
The bare figures show a different picture.
Zahlen means figures or numbers and anderes Bild means different picture. Nackten Zahlen is plural nominative, so the adjective takes -en after die; the finite verb zeigen is in position two.
die Nadel — needle; pin; needle, pointer
Die Nadel can mean a sewing needle, a pin, or another thin pointed object. A knitting needle is die Stricknadel, and a clock hand is also called der Zeiger, not normally die Nadel.
Die Nadel ist sehr spitz.
The needle is very sharp.
spitz means sharp or pointed. Die Nadel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche eine Nadel.
I need a needle.
brauche means need and eine means a. Eine Nadel is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Sie näht mit einer Nadel.
She sews with a needle.
näht means sews. Mit einer Nadel is dative because mit always takes the dative; einer is the feminine dative form of eine.
Die Spitze der Nadel ist abgebrochen.
The tip of the needle has broken off.
Spitze means tip and abgebrochen means broken off. Der Nadel is genitive because it identifies whose tip it is; the finite verb ist is in position two and the participle abgebrochen is at the end.
Die Nadeln liegen auf dem Tisch.
The needles are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and Tisch means table. Die Nadeln is plural nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Die Nadel des Tachos steht bei hundert.
The speedometer needle is at one hundred.
Tacho means speedometer and hundert means one hundred. Des Tachos is genitive because it means of the speedometer; steht is in position two, and bei here means at a reading.
Die Nadel auf der Waage bewegt sich kaum.
The needle on the scale hardly moves.
Waage means scale and kaum means hardly. Auf der Waage is dative because auf describes location; bewegt sich means moves, with the reflexive pronoun sich required by this use.
der Pullover — sweater, pullover
Pullover is a sweater or pullover. Its plural is also Pullover, without an ending; the article and verb show whether it is singular or plural.
Der Pullover ist weich und warm.
The sweater is soft and warm.
weich means soft, and warm means warm. Der Pullover is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Pullover.
I am buying a new sweater.
kaufen means to buy, neu means new, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen neuen Pullover is accusative because it is the object of kaufe.
Ich schenke meinem Bruder einen Pullover.
I am giving my brother a sweater as a present.
schenken means to give as a present, and mein Bruder means my brother. Meinem Bruder is dative as the recipient, while einen Pullover is accusative as the gift.
Die Farbe des Pullovers gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the sweater.
die Farbe is the colour, and gefallen means to please or be liked. Des Pullovers is genitive because it means of the sweater; mir is dative because it is the person who likes it.
Die Pullover sind im Angebot.
The sweaters are on sale.
im Angebot means on sale. Pullover has the same spelling in the plural, so die and sind show that there is more than one; the plural phrase is the subject.
der Regenschirm — umbrella
The compound Regen means rain and Schirm means cover or umbrella. It is a normal masculine noun with plural Regenschirme.
Der Regenschirm ist im Flur.
The umbrella is in the hallway.
der Regenschirm means umbrella, and der Flur means hallway. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme den Regenschirm.
I am taking the umbrella.
nehmen means to take. den Regenschirm is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich gehe mit dem Regenschirm nach draußen.
I am going outside with the umbrella.
nach draußen means outside. mit always takes the dative, so dem Regenschirm is dative; the finite verb gehe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Regenschirms ist rot.
The umbrella’s colour is red.
die Farbe means colour and rot means red. des Regenschirms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the genitive noun has -s.
Im Laden liegen viele Regenschirme.
There are many umbrellas in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and viele means many. Regenschirme is the plural of der Regenschirm; im is short for in dem, which takes the dative for a location.
der Reißverschluss — zipper; zip
The compound combines reißen, “to tear,” with Verschluss, “fastening or closure.” In British English, the everyday word is usually “zip,” while “zipper” is common in American English.
Der Reißverschluss ist kaputt.
The zipper is broken.
kaputt means “broken.” Der Reißverschluss is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schließe den Reißverschluss.
I am closing the zipper.
schließe means “close.” Den Reißverschluss is accusative because it is the direct object of schließen, and the finite verb schließe is in position two.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester mit dem Reißverschluss.
I help my sister with the zipper.
helfen means “to help,” and meiner Schwester means “my sister.” Mit always takes the dative, so dem Reißverschluss is dative; the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Reißverschlusses passt nicht.
The colour of the zipper does not match.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and passt nicht means “does not match.” Des Reißverschlusses is genitive because it specifies whose colour is meant; the noun takes -es in this form.
Die Reißverschlüsse sind alle schwarz.
The zippers are all black.
alle means “all,” and schwarz means “black.” Reißverschlüsse is plural and therefore takes sind; the plural has -e and an umlaut.
der Ring — ring; finger ring; circle; hoop; ring-shaped group
In this sense, Ring is jewellery worn on a finger. It can also mean a circular object, such as a sports ring or a ring-shaped mark.
Der Ring ist aus Gold.
The ring is made of gold.
aus Gold means made of gold. Der Ring is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt den Ring jeden Tag.
She wears the ring every day.
sie trägt means she wears, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Ring is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester dem Ring eine neue Schachtel.
I give my sister a new box for the ring.
meiner Schwester means to my sister, eine neue Schachtel is a new box, and gebe means give. Dem Ring is dative because it is the item for which the box is intended in this slightly formal construction; more naturally, German usually says eine neue Schachtel für den Ring.
Die Farbe des Ringes gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the ring.
die Farbe means colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Des Ringes is genitive after die Farbe to show whose colour it is; the shorter des Rings is also possible.
Im Schaufenster liegen viele Ringe.
Many rings are displayed in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, liegen means lie or are displayed, and viele means many. Viele Ringe is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -e.
Die Kinder stehen im Ring um den Lehrer.
The children stand in a circle around the teacher.
die Kinder are the children, stehen means stand, and um den Lehrer means around the teacher. Im Ring means in the circle; in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it.
Die Turner springen durch einen Ring.
The gymnasts jump through a hoop.
die Turner are the gymnasts, springen means jump, and durch means through. Einen Ring is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; the ring here is a hoop, not jewellery.
die Sandale — sandal
Die Sandale ist sehr bequem.
The sandal is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Die Sandale is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe die Sandale im Sommer.
I buy the sandal in summer.
kaufe means buy and im Sommer means in summer. Die Sandale is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Sie geht mit der Sandale nicht weit.
She cannot walk far in the sandal.
geht means goes or walks, and nicht weit means not far. Der Sandale is dative because mit always takes the dative; nicht negates the phrase that follows it.
Die Farbe der Sandale gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the sandal.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Der Sandale is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; gefällt agrees with the singular subject die Farbe, not with mir.
Im Schaufenster stehen viele Sandalen.
There are many sandals in the shop window.
das Schaufenster means shop window and viele means many. Sandalen is the plural with -n, and viele Sandalen is the subject, so the verb stehen is plural.
der Schal — scarf
The usual plural is Schals, but Schale is also attested. Do not confuse plural Schale with singular die Schale, meaning bowl, shell, or peel; context and the verb show which word is meant.
Der Schal ist warm.
The scarf is warm.
warm means warm. Der Schal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Schal im Winter.
I wear the scarf in winter.
tragen means to wear or carry, and im Winter means in winter. Den Schal is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; im Winter is a time phrase.
Mit dem Schal bleibt mein Hals warm.
My neck stays warm with the scarf.
mit means with, bleiben means stay, and der Hals is the neck. Dem Schal is dative because mit always takes the dative; bleibt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Schals gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the scarf.
die Farbe means the colour and gefallen means to please or be liked. Des Schals is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen names the person who likes something.
Die Schals liegen im Schrank.
The scarves are lying in the cupboard.
liegen means lie or be lying, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Schals is the usual plural of Schal; im Schrank is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe zwei Schale für den Winter.
I am buying two scarves for the winter.
zwei means two, kaufen means to buy, and der Winter is winter. Schale is an alternative plural of Schal; the noun phrase is accusative because kaufen takes the thing bought as its direct object.
der Schlafanzug — pyjamas; sleeping suit
der Schlafanzug is a countable item of clothing, unlike English pyjamas, which is often treated as plural. In German, one item is ein Schlafanzug and several are Schlafanzüge.
Der Schlafanzug ist bequem.
The pyjamas are comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Der Schlafanzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich ziehe den Schlafanzug an.
I put on my pyjamas.
ziehe ... an means put on. den Schlafanzug is accusative because anziehen takes a direct object; this separable verb splits in a main clause, so ziehe and an are both marked.
Das Kind schläft in dem Schlafanzug.
The child sleeps in the pyjamas.
das Kind means the child and schläft means sleeps. in dem Schlafanzug describes a fixed location, so in takes the dative; dem is often shortened to im.
Die Farbe des Schlafanzugs ist blau.
The colour of the pyjamas is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. des Schlafanzugs is genitive because it identifies which item has the colour; the masculine noun takes -s.
Im Schrank hängen drei Schlafanzüge.
Three sets of pyjamas are hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe, hängen means are hanging, and drei means three. Schlafanzüge is plural because there are three; im Schrank is dative because in describes a fixed location.
der Schuh — shoe
Schuh usually means a shoe worn outdoors; footwear worn indoors may be called Hausschuh. The common plural is Schuhe.
Der Schuh ist zu klein.
The shoe is too small.
zu klein means too small. Der Schuh is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Schuh.
I am buying the shoe.
kaufe means buy. Den Schuh is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Farbe von dem Schuh gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the shoe.
Die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Dem Schuh is dative after von, which always takes the dative; mir is also dative because gefallen marks the person who likes something with the dative.
Die Farbe des Schuhs ist schwarz.
The colour of the shoe is black.
Die Farbe means the colour and schwarz means black. Des Schuhs is genitive to show which shoe the colour belongs to; the noun adds -s.
Meine Schuhe sind nass.
My shoes are wet.
Meine means my and nass means wet. Schuhe is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is sind, not singular ist.
die Schürze — apron
A Schürze is normally worn while cooking or doing messy work. Do not confuse Schürze with Hose, which means trousers or pants.
Die Schürze ist sauber.
The apron is clean.
sauber means clean. Die Schürze is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich trage eine Schürze.
I am wearing an apron.
tragen means to wear or carry, and eine means one or an here. Eine Schürze is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich gebe der Schürze einen neuen Knopf.
I give the apron a new button.
geben means to give, neu means new, and der Knopf is the button. Der Schürze is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Knopf is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe der Schürze ist blau.
The colour of the apron is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. Der Schürze is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is: the colour of the apron.
Die Schürzen hängen in der Küche.
The aprons are hanging in the kitchen.
hängen means to hang, and die Küche is the kitchen. Schürzen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in der Küche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Shirt — shirt, T-shirt
Shirt is a common English loanword for a casual top, often a T-shirt. German also uses T-Shirt, especially when the T-shirt shape is important.
Das Shirt ist blau.
The shirt is blue.
blau means blue. Das Shirt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage ein Shirt.
I am wearing a shirt.
trage means wear, and ein means a. Ein Shirt is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the neuter article ein has the same form in the nominative and accusative.
Er kommt in einem Shirt.
He is coming in a shirt.
er kommt means he is coming, and in einem Shirt means in a shirt. In einem Shirt is dative because in describes clothing or a fixed situation here, not movement into the shirt.
Die Farbe des Shirts gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the shirt.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Shirts is genitive because it shows which shirt the colour belongs to; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Im Schrank hängen viele Shirts.
There are many shirts hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. The plural is Shirts, formed with -s; viele and the plural verb show that more than one shirt is meant.
die Socke — sock
Die Socke is a piece of clothing for the foot. Its regular plural is die Socken; in everyday speech, Socken can also refer to socks as a pair.
Die Socke ist sauber.
The sock is clean.
sauber means clean. Die Socke is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wasche die Socke.
I am washing the sock.
waschen means to wash. Die Socke is accusative because waschen takes a direct object; the finite verb wasche stands in position two.
Ich gehe mit der Socke zum Schrank.
I go to the cupboard with the sock.
mit means with, zum Schrank means to the cupboard, and gehen means to go. Der Socke is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb gehe stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Socke gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the sock.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Der Socke is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb gefällt stands in position two.
Die Socken liegen auf dem Bett.
The socks are lying on the bed.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Bett means on the bed. Die Socken is plural nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegen stands in position two.
die Sonnenbrille — sunglasses
German usually treats die Sonnenbrille as one pair of sunglasses and uses the singular when talking about one pair. The compound combines Sonne (sun) and Brille (glasses).
Die Sonnenbrille schützt meine Augen.
The sunglasses protect my eyes.
schützt means protects and meine Augen means my eyes. Die Sonnenbrille is the nominative subject, while meine Augen is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the finite verb schützt is in position two.
Ich brauche eine Sonnenbrille.
I need sunglasses.
brauche means need. Eine Sonnenbrille is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; German normally uses the singular for one pair of sunglasses.
Mit der Sonnenbrille sehe ich besser.
With the sunglasses I can see better.
mit means with, sehe means see, and besser means better. Der Sonnenbrille is dative because mit always takes the dative; the opening prepositional phrase takes position one, so sehe comes next.
Das Etui der Sonnenbrille ist kaputt.
The case for the sunglasses is broken.
das Etui means the case, and kaputt means broken. Der Sonnenbrille is genitive because it identifies which case; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Geschäft liegen viele Sonnenbrillen.
There are many pairs of sunglasses in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop and liegen means are lying or are displayed. Sonnenbrillen is the plural subject and adds -n; after the opening place phrase, liegen remains in verb-second position.
der Sportschuh — sports shoe, trainer, running shoe
Sportschuh is a general word for footwear used for sport. In British English it is often trainer, while in American English it is often sneaker.
Der Sportschuh ist sehr bequem.
The sports shoe is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Der Sportschuh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche den Sportschuh für den Lauf.
I need the sports shoe for the run.
brauche means need, and für den Lauf means for the run. den Sportschuh is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für also always takes accusative.
Mit dem Sportschuh kann man gut laufen.
You can run well in these sports shoes.
mit means with, gut means well, and laufen means run. dem Sportschuh is dative because mit always takes dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and laufen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Sportschuhs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the sports shoe.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Sportschuhs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen marks the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Laden stehen viele Sportschuhe.
There are many sports shoes in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means are standing or are displayed, and viele means many. Sportschuhe is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural has -e and takes die when the article is used.
stehen — to stand; to be located; to be written; to say or state
Stehen normally describes an upright position or the location of an object. It uses haben in the perfect, unlike movement verbs such as gehen and steigen, which commonly use sein.
Ich stehe vor dem Haus.
I am standing in front of the house.
vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”, and Haus is a house. The finite verb stehe is in position two; dem Haus is dative because vor describes a fixed location.
Wir sind lange vor dem Bahnhof gestanden.
We stood in front of the station for a long time.
lange means “for a long time”, and der Bahnhof is the station. Sind is the finite form of sein, but here gestanden pairs with haben, so the natural sentence is: Wir haben lange vor dem Bahnhof gestanden. The participle gestanden goes to the end, and dem Bahnhof is dative after the location preposition vor.
Früher stand hier ein altes Haus.
There used to be an old house here.
früher means “formerly”, hier means “here”, and alt means old. Stand is the Präteritum of stehen; the subject ein altes Haus comes after the verb because Früher occupies position one.
Steh bitte hier!
Please stand here!
bitte means “please”, and hier means here. Steh is the du imperative and comes first; the pronoun du is normally omitted in a command.
Wenn ich dort stünde, wäre ich näher an der Tür.
If I were standing there, I would be closer to the door.
dort means there, näher means closer, and die Tür is the door. Stünde is Konjunktiv II of stehen; in the wenn clause the verb goes to the end, and der Tür is dative after the location phrase an.
Morgen werde ich um acht Uhr vor dem Kino stehen.
Tomorrow I will stand in front of the cinema at eight o’clock.
morgen means tomorrow, um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock, and das Kino is the cinema. Werde is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive stehen goes to the end; dem Kino is dative because vor describes a location.
Das Datum steht auf dem Brief.
The date is written on the letter.
das Datum is the date, and der Brief is a letter. Steht means “is written” here; dem Brief is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Im Vertrag steht, dass die Miete steigt.
The contract says that the rent is going up.
der Vertrag is the contract, die Miete is the rent, and steigt means “rises” or “goes up”. In dass clause, the finite verb steigt goes to the end; steht is the finite verb of the main clause.
der Stiefel — boot
Stiefel means boot and usually refers to footwear that reaches above the ankle. The plural is also Stiefel, so the article is important for telling singular from plural.
Der Stiefel ist neu.
The boot is new.
neu means new. Der Stiefel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Stiefel.
I am buying the boot.
kaufe means buy. den Stiefel is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gehe mit dem Stiefel zum Schuhgeschäft.
I am going to the shoe shop with the boot.
gehe means go, mit means with, and das Schuhgeschäft is the shoe shop. dem Stiefel is dative because mit always takes the dative; zum means to the and is a contraction of zu dem.
Die Farbe des Stiefels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the boot.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Stiefels is genitive because it means of the boot; mir is dative because gefallen uses a dative person.
Die Stiefel stehen vor der Tür.
The boots are standing in front of the door.
stehen means stand, and vor der Tür means in front of the door. Die Stiefel is the plural subject; der Tür is dative because vor describes a location here, and the plural form Stiefel looks like the singular.
der Strumpf — sock; stocking
The word usually means a stocking or a longer sock; the everyday word for a short sock is often die Socke.
Der Strumpf ist zu eng.
The stocking is too tight.
zu eng means too tight. Der Strumpf is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen neuen Strumpf.
I need a new stocking.
brauchen means to need, and neu means new. Einen neuen Strumpf is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder einen Strumpf.
She gives her brother a stocking.
gibt means gives, and ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because geben marks the recipient with dative, while einen Strumpf is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Strumpfs gefällt mir nicht.
I do not like the colour of the stocking.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir nicht means I do not like it. Des Strumpfs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative with gefallen.
Im Winter trage ich warme Strümpfe.
In winter I wear warm stockings.
im Winter means in winter, trage means wear, and warm means warm. Warme Strümpfe is plural and accusative because it is the object of tragen; the plural adjective ending is -e after zero article.
das T-Shirt — T-shirt
The plural is regular and keeps the borrowed ending -s. T-Shirt is commonly used with tragen for wearing and anziehen for putting on.
Das T-Shirt ist sauber.
The T-shirt is clean.
sauber means clean. Das T-Shirt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das T-Shirt.
I am buying the T-shirt.
kaufen means to buy. Das T-Shirt is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and kaufe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem T-Shirt einen neuen Aufdruck.
I give the T-shirt a new print.
geben means to give, neu means new, and der Aufdruck is a print or design. Dem T-Shirt is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Aufdruck is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des T-Shirts gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the T-shirt.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefallen means to be pleasing. Des T-Shirts is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; gefällt stands in position two.
Im Schrank liegen drei T-Shirts.
There are three T-shirts in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, and liegen means are lying. T-Shirts is plural with -s; after the opening phrase, the verb comes before the subject.