Appearance
Vocab: Clothing — A2 (1)
Clothing vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Accessoire — accessory, fashion accessory
das Accessoire is a French loanword used especially for fashion items such as a scarf, belt, or handbag. Its plural is die Accessoires, pronounced with a final sound like the French plural.
Das Accessoire passt gut zu ihrem Kleid.
The accessory goes well with her dress.
passt gut means goes well, and ihr Kleid is her dress. das Accessoire is nominative because it is the subject; zu takes the dative, so ihrem Kleid has a dative ending.
Sie kauft das Accessoire im Zentrum.
She is buying the accessory in the city centre.
kauft means buys, and im Zentrum means in the city centre. das Accessoire is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit dem Accessoire wirkt das Outfit eleganter.
With the accessory, the outfit looks more elegant.
mit means with, wirkt means looks or seems, das Outfit is the outfit, and eleganter means more elegant. dem Accessoire is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb wirkt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Accessoires gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the accessory.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. des Accessoires is genitive because it says whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Schaufenster liegen viele Accessoires.
Many accessories are displayed in the shop window.
das Schaufenster is the shop window, liegen means lie or are displayed, and viele means many. Accessoires is plural after viele; im Schaufenster is dative because it means a location with in.
anlegen — to put on, to fasten; to create; to invest
For clothing and equipment, anlegen takes an accusative object. It is separable, so anlegen becomes legt ... an in a main clause; anziehen is more usual for ordinary clothes.
Er legt an den Sicherheitsgurt.
He fastens the seat belt.
der Sicherheitsgurt means the seat belt. legt an is the separable present form; den Sicherheitsgurt is accusative because it is the object, and the prefix goes to the end.
Sie hat die Schwimmweste angelegt.
She put on the life jacket.
die Schwimmweste means the life jacket. angelegt takes haben and goes to the end; die Schwimmweste is accusative as the object.
Er legte an seine Schuhe.
He put on his shoes.
seine Schuhe means his shoes. legte an is the weak simple-past form; the possessive phrase is accusative, and the prefix stands at the end.
Leg an die Weste!
Put on the vest!
die Weste means the vest. Leg an is the informal singular imperative, with the omitted subject du; the object is accusative and the prefix comes last.
Ich würde anlegen eine Jacke.
I would put on a jacket.
eine Jacke means a jacket. würde anlegen expresses a hypothetical action, and the infinitive stays together at the end; eine Jacke is accusative.
Im Winter werde anlegen ich warme Kleidung.
In winter I will put on warm clothes.
im Winter means in winter, and warme Kleidung means warm clothing. werde anlegen forms the future with the infinitive at the end; warme Kleidung is an accusative object.
Wir legen an einen neuen Garten.
We are creating a new garden.
einen neuen Garten means a new garden. legen an is the separable present form; the garden phrase is accusative, and the prefix stands at the end.
Sie hat ihr Geld sicher angelegt.
She invested her money safely.
ihr Geld means her money, and sicher means safely. angelegt is the Partizip II with haben; ihr Geld is accusative and the participle goes at the end.
der Anorak — anorak, hooded outdoor jacket
Der Anorak ist warm.
The anorak is warm.
warm means warm. Der Anorak is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe den Anorak.
I am buying the anorak.
kaufen means to buy. Den Anorak is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich fahre mit dem Anorak im Rucksack.
I am travelling with the anorak in my rucksack.
fahren means to travel or go by vehicle, and der Rucksack means rucksack. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Anorak is dative.
Die Farbe des Anoraks gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the anorak.
die Farbe means colour and gefallen means to please or be liked. Des Anoraks is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the noun adds -s.
Im Winter tragen viele Anoraks.
Many people wear anoraks in winter.
im Winter means in winter and viele means many. Anoraks is plural with -s; it is the accusative object of tragen, although the plural article is not visible here.
ausziehen — to take off; to remove; to move out
In the clothing sense, ausziehen takes haben in the perfect: hat ausgezogen. The opposite is anziehen, to put on.
Er zieht seine Jacke aus.
He is taking off his jacket.
seine Jacke is his jacket. Seine Jacke is accusative because ausziehen takes the item being removed; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die nassen Schuhe ausgezogen.
She took off her wet shoes.
nassen Schuhe means wet shoes. In this clothing sense, ausgezogen combines with hat, not ist, because the verb has a direct accusative object; the participle goes to the end.
Er zog den Mantel aus.
He took off his coat.
der Mantel is the coat. Den Mantel is accusative as the item removed; the strong past form zog has a vowel change, and aus is separated.
Zieh deine Schuhe aus.
Take off your shoes.
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The informal singular imperative is zieh without du, and the separable prefix aus stands at the end.
Du würdest den nassen Pullover ausziehen.
You would take off the wet jumper.
nasser Pullover means wet jumper. Den nassen Pullover is accusative, and ausziehen stays together at the end after würdest; it is not split in this infinitive construction.
Nach dem Sport werde ich die Schuhe ausziehen.
After sport, I will take off my shoes.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and die Schuhe are the shoes. Nach takes the dative, while die Schuhe is accusative as the object; the infinitive ausziehen stands at the end after werde.
Meine Schwester zieht im August aus.
My sister is moving out in August.
meine Schwester is my sister, and im August means in August. This sense has no direct object; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir sind letztes Jahr aus der kleinen Wohnung ausgezogen.
We moved out of the small flat last year.
letztes Jahr means last year, and kleine Wohnung means small flat. This movement sense uses sein in the perfect: sind ausgezogen; aus takes the dative here, so der kleinen Wohnung is dative.
der Band — volume, book in a series
This masculine noun means a volume in a series; the neuter das Band means a ribbon, tape, or bond. Its plural is Bände, not Bänder.
Der Band steht im Regal.
The volume is on the shelf.
das Regal is a shelf. Der Band is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two; im means in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Ich lese den Band heute Abend.
I am reading the volume this evening.
heute Abend means this evening. Den Band is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese stands in position two; heute Abend is a time expression.
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder den Band.
She gives her brother the volume.
ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative, while den Band is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Das Ende des Bandes ist besonders spannend.
The ending of the volume is especially exciting.
das Ende is the ending and besonders spannend means especially exciting. Des Bandes is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe alle Bände der Reihe gekauft.
I bought all the volumes in the series.
alle means all and die Reihe is the series. Bände is the plural of der Band and is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase der Reihe means of the series.
das Band — ribbon, tape; bond, connection, tie
This neuter noun means a ribbon, strip, or tape; it can also mean a bond or connection between people. Its plural is Bänder, while masculine der Band means a volume and has the plural Bände.
Das Band ist rot.
The ribbon is red.
rot means red. Das Band is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Sie trägt das Band im Haar.
She wears the ribbon in her hair.
trägt means wears and im Haar means in her hair. Das Band is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; im Haar uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe dem Kind dem Band?
I give the child the ribbon?
dem Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural because geben needs the ribbon in the accusative, not the dative; the correct sentence is Ich gebe dem Kind das Band, while dem Kind is the dative recipient.
Die Farbe des Bandes passt zum Kleid.
The colour of the ribbon matches the dress.
die Farbe is the colour and das Kleid is the dress. Des Bandes is genitive because it means of the ribbon; zum Kleid means with the dress and is dative because zu always takes the dative.
Die Kinder basteln mit bunten Bändern.
The children do crafts with colourful ribbons.
die Kinder are the children, basteln means do crafts, and bunt means colourful. Bändern is the plural of das Band and has -n in the dative plural because mit always takes the dative.
Zwischen den beiden Freunden besteht ein starkes Band.
There is a strong bond between the two friends.
zwischen den beiden Freunden means between the two friends, and besteht means exists. Band is nominative after ein starkes because it is the subject; zwischen takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed relationship, not movement.
Familie verbindet ein besonderes Band.
A special bond connects the family.
Familie means family, verbindet means connects, and besonders means special. Ein besonderes Band is nominative because it is the subject, while Familie is accusative because verbinden takes the thing being connected as its object.
die Bekleidung — clothing, garments
Bekleidung is usually a mass noun for clothing in general and normally has no plural. For separate items, use Kleidungsstücke or name the item, such as Hose or Jacke.
Die Bekleidung für den Winter ist teuer.
Winter clothing is expensive.
für den Winter means for the winter and teuer means expensive. Die Bekleidung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; für takes the accusative here.
Ich kaufe die Bekleidung online.
I buy clothing online.
kaufe means buy and online means online. die Bekleidung is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and kaufe stands in position two.
Wir helfen den Menschen mit der Bekleidung.
We help the people with the clothing.
helfen means help and die Menschen means the people. der Bekleidung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb helfen stands in position two.
Die Qualität der Bekleidung ist sehr gut.
The quality of the clothing is very good.
die Qualität means the quality and sehr gut means very good. der Bekleidung is genitive to show whose quality is meant, and the singular verb ist agrees with die Qualität, not with the genitive noun.
einfarbig — plain-coloured, monochrome
Einfarbig describes something with one colour, often a piece of clothing or a design. Its opposite is bunt or mehrfarbig; in English, plain-coloured does not necessarily mean boring.
Das T-Shirt ist einfarbig.
The T-shirt is plain-coloured.
das T-Shirt is the T-shirt, and ist means is. Einfarbig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt ein einfarbiges Kleid.
She is wearing a plain-coloured dress.
trägt means is wearing, and ein Kleid is a dress. Einfarbiges is attributive and takes -es after the indefinite article in the neuter accusative; ein Kleid is accusative because tragen takes a direct object.
Diese Jacke ist einfarbiger als die andere.
This jacket is more plain-coloured than the other one.
diese Jacke means this jacket, and die andere means the other one. Einfarbiger is predicative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Von allen Hemden ist dieses am einfarbigsten.
Of all the shirts, this one is the plainest.
von allen Hemden means of all the shirts, and dieses means this one. The predicative superlative uses am einfarbigsten; because it follows ist, it does not take a noun ending.
elegant — elegant; stylish
Elegant describes refined, stylish clothing, people or designs. Its comparison is regular: eleganter, am elegantesten; do not use the English ending -er separately.
Das Kleid ist sehr elegant.
The dress is very elegant.
das Kleid means the dress and sehr means very. Elegant follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie kauft ein elegantes Kleid.
She is buying an elegant dress.
sie kauft means she is buying. Ein elegantes Kleid is the accusative object of kauft; because Kleid is neuter after ein, the adjective takes -es.
Der neue Anzug sieht eleganter aus.
The new suit looks more elegant.
der neue Anzug means the new suit and sieht ... aus means looks or appears. Eleganter is a predicative comparative after aussehen, so it has no ending; the separable verb places sieht in position two and aus at the end.
Von allen Kleidern ist dieses am elegantesten.
Of all the dresses, this one is the most elegant.
von allen Kleidern means of all the dresses and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, and am elegantesten is the predicative superlative, so it uses am rather than a noun adjective ending.
der Faden — thread, strand; thread, connecting idea
Besides a sewing thread, der Faden can mean a strand or the thread of an argument, as in den Faden verlieren. The plural is die Fäden with an umlaut.
Der Faden ist zu dünn zum Nähen.
The thread is too thin for sewing.
dünn means thin, and Nähen means sewing. Der Faden is nominative because it is the subject; zum Nähen means for sewing, with zu dem contracted to zum.
Ich brauche einen roten Faden für den Knopf.
I need a red thread for the button.
brauche means need, rot means red, and der Knopf is the button. Einen roten Faden is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective ending is -en after einen.
Sie gibt dem Faden eine neue Farbe.
She gives the thread a new colour.
gibt means gives, eine neue Farbe means a new colour, and neu means new. Dem Faden is dative because geben takes the recipient in dative, while eine neue Farbe is the accusative thing being given.
Das Ende des Fadens steckt in der Nadel.
The end of the thread is in the needle.
das Ende means the end, steckt means is stuck, and die Nadel is the needle. Des Fadens is genitive because it tells whose end it is; in der Nadel is dative because it describes a location.
Die bunten Fäden liegen auf dem Tisch.
The colourful threads are lying on the table.
bunt means colourful, liegen means are lying, and der Tisch is the table. Fäden is the plural with an umlaut and -en; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes where the threads are.
In seinem Vortrag fehlt der rote Faden.
His presentation lacks a clear thread.
sein Vortrag means his presentation, and fehlt means is missing. Der rote Faden is nominative because it is what is missing; in seinem Vortrag is dative because in describes a location or context.
Wenn du den roten Faden verlierst, wird die Erklärung unklar.
If you lose the thread, the explanation becomes unclear.
wenn means if, verlierst means lose, and unklar means unclear. Den roten Faden is accusative because verlieren takes a direct object; in the wenn clause, the finite verb verlierst goes to the end.
das Fell — fur; animal coat; pelt; pelt; animal skin
For an animal's living coat, Fell usually means fur; for the removed skin, it can mean a pelt. Do not use it for human hair: Haare is the usual word for hair.
Das Fell des Hundes ist sehr weich.
The dog's fur is very soft.
der Hund means dog and sehr weich means very soft. Das Fell is nominative because it is the subject, while des Hundes is genitive and means of the dog; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bürste das Fell meines Hundes.
I brush my dog's fur.
bürsten means to brush and mein Hund means my dog. Das Fell is accusative because bürsten takes a direct object, while meines Hundes is genitive and means of my dog; bürste is in position two.
Die Tierärztin gibt dem Hund eine Salbe für das Fell.
The vet gives the dog an ointment for its fur.
die Tierärztin is the vet, geben means to give, and die Salbe is ointment. Dem Hund is dative as the recipient, while das Fell follows für, which always takes the accusative; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Fells verändert sich im Winter.
The colour of the fur changes in winter.
die Farbe means colour, sich verändern means to change, and im Winter means in winter. Des Fells is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; verändert is in position two and sich belongs to the reflexive verb.
Im Tierpark sehen wir viele Felle in verschiedenen Farben.
At the zoo we see many coats in different colours.
der Tierpark means zoo, viele means many, and verschieden means different. Felle is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; in verschiedenen Farben is dative here because it describes a location or state, not movement.
Das alte Fell hängt an der Wand.
The old pelt is hanging on the wall.
alt means old, hängen means to hang, and die Wand is the wall. Das Fell is nominative as the subject, while an der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location; hängt stands in position two.
Früher wurden Felle auf dem Markt verkauft.
In the past, pelts were sold at the market.
früher means in the past, der Markt means market, and verkaufen means to sell. Felle is the plural subject of the passive sentence; wurden is the finite verb in position two and verkauft goes to the end.
der Fleck — spot, stain; spot, place
der Fleck usually means a stain on something. It can also mean a small area or place.
Der Fleck ist auf meinem Hemd.
The stain is on my shirt.
das Hemd means shirt and mein means my. Der Fleck is nominative as the subject; meinem Hemd is dative because auf describes a location.
Ich sehe einen Fleck.
I can see a stain.
sehen means to see. einen Fleck is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to einen.
Sie gibt dem Fleck etwas Wasser.
She gives the stain some water.
geben means to give and etwas Wasser means some water. dem Fleck is dative as the target, while etwas Wasser is accusative.
Die Farbe des Flecks ist dunkel.
The colour of the stain is dark.
die Farbe means colour and dunkel means dark. des Flecks is genitive because it shows which colour; the noun takes -s.
Die Flecken gehen nicht aus der Hose.
The stains do not come out of the trousers.
ausgehen means to come out and die Hose means trousers. Flecken is plural; der Hose is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Wir kennen einen schönen Fleck am See.
We know a beautiful spot by the lake.
schön means beautiful and der See means lake. einen schönen Fleck is accusative because it is the object of kennen; am See is dative for location.
Das ist mein Lieblingsfleck in der Stadt.
This is my favourite spot in the city.
Lieblings- means favourite and die Stadt means city. Lieblingsfleck is a compound meaning favourite spot; der Stadt is dative because in describes location.
färben — to dye, to colour
Färben is usually transitive and takes an accusative object: etwas färben. It can also be reflexive, as in sich färben, when something changes colour by itself.
Meine Schwester färbt ihre Haare.
My sister dyes her hair.
meine Schwester means my sister, and ihre Haare means her hair. Ihre Haare is accusative because färben takes a direct object; the finite verb färbt stands in position two.
Sie hat ihre Haare gefärbt.
She dyed her hair.
ihre Haare means her hair. The perfect uses hat plus gefärbt because färben takes haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Früher färbte er den Stoff selbst.
He used to dye the fabric himself.
früher means in the past, den Stoff means the fabric, and selbst means himself. Den Stoff is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb preterite färbte stands in position two.
Färb deine Haare nicht zu dunkel!
Don’t dye your hair too dark!
deine Haare means your hair, nicht means not, and zu dunkel means too dark. This is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; the direct object remains accusative, and nicht makes the command negative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, färbte ich die Wand blau.
If I had more time, I would dye the wall blue.
mehr Zeit means more time, die Wand means the wall, and blau means blue. In this hypothetical sentence, hätte marks the conditional idea and the verb in the wenn clause goes to the end; die Wand is accusative.
Morgen werde ich den Stoff färben.
Tomorrow I will dye the fabric.
morgen means tomorrow and den Stoff means the fabric. Future tense uses werde in position two and the infinitive färben at the end; the fabric is accusative because it is the direct object.
die Garderobe — cloakroom; wardrobe; clothes; outfit
This word can mean a cloakroom in a public building or a wardrobe for clothes. The plural is Garderoben.
Die Garderobe ist neben der Tür.
The cloakroom is next to the door.
neben means next to, and die Tür means the door. Die Garderobe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche die Garderobe.
I am looking for the cloakroom.
ich suche means I am looking for. die Garderobe is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, and suche is in position two.
Ich stehe an der Garderobe.
I am standing by the cloakroom.
stehen means to stand, and an means by or at here. der Garderobe is dative because the location preposition an describes a fixed position, not movement.
Die Tür der Garderobe ist offen.
The cloakroom door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Garderobe is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Garderoben sind heute voll.
The cloakrooms are full today.
heute means today and voll means full. Die Garderoben is plural and therefore takes sind, while the finite verb stays in position two.
Für die Hochzeit braucht sie eine elegante Garderobe.
She needs an elegant outfit for the wedding.
die Hochzeit means the wedding, braucht means needs, and elegant means elegant. eine elegante Garderobe is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while für also requires the accusative.
Seine Garderobe ist sehr modern.
His clothes are very modern.
seine means his and modern means modern. Seine Garderobe is nominative as the subject, and the verb ist comes in position two.
gestreift — striped
Gestreift describes a pattern made of stripes. It is normally an absolute adjective, so learners should not use regular comparative forms such as gestreifter or am gestreiftsten.
Das Hemd ist blau-weiß gestreift.
The shirt is striped blue and white.
das Hemd is the shirt, and blau-weiß means blue and white. Gestreift is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the shirt and does not change for gender or case.
Sie trägt ein gestreiftes Kleid.
She is wearing a striped dress.
sie trägt means she is wearing, and das Kleid is the dress. Ein gestreiftes Kleid is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object, and the adjective ending -es follows the neuter indefinite article ein.
Der gestreifte Schal ist auffälliger als der gestreifte Pullover.
The striped scarf is more eye-catching than the striped sweater.
der Schal is the scarf, auffälliger means more eye-catching, and der Pullover is the sweater. The comparison uses als; gestreifte has the masculine nominative ending -e after der, and the adjective itself is not normally compared because a pattern is simply striped or not striped.
Am schönsten finde ich den gestreiften Rock.
I find the striped skirt the most beautiful.
am schönsten means most beautiful, ich finde means I find, and der Rock is the skirt. Den gestreiften Rock is accusative because it is the object of finden, and gestreiften takes -en after the masculine accusative article den; gestreift itself is not being compared here.
der Helm — helmet; helm, control of a ship
der Helm is the usual word for protective headgear. The plural is die Helme, and the genitive is des Helms.
Der Helm liegt auf dem Tisch.
The helmet is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Helm is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe den Helm für mein Kind.
I am buying the helmet for my child.
ich kaufe means I buy, and für mein Kind means for my child. den Helm is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while für always takes the accusative.
Ich fahre mit dem Helm im Rucksack.
I am travelling with the helmet in my backpack.
ich fahre means I travel or ride, and im Rucksack means in the backpack. mit dem Helm is dative because mit always governs the dative; the location phrase im Rucksack is also dative.
Die Farbe des Helms ist auffällig.
The colour of the helmet is conspicuous.
die Farbe means the colour, and auffällig means conspicuous or noticeable. des Helms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun adds -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Laden liegen viele Helme.
There are many helmets in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Helme is the plural of der Helm; im Laden is dative because in expresses a fixed location.
Der Kapitän steht am Helm.
The captain is at the helm.
der Kapitän means the captain, and steht means stands. am Helm means at the helm; am is an dem, and an takes the dative here because this is a fixed location.
Sie übernimmt den Helm des Segelboots.
She takes control of the sailboat.
sie übernimmt means she takes over, and das Segelboot is the sailboat. den Helm is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; des Segelboots is genitive and means of the sailboat.
der Jogginganzug — tracksuit, jogging suit
The compound combines das Jogging (jogging) and der Anzug (suit). In everyday German it can describe sportswear used for exercise or comfortable clothing worn at home.
Der Jogginganzug ist sehr bequem.
The tracksuit is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable, and sehr means very. Der Jogginganzug is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Jogginganzug.
I am buying a new tracksuit.
kaufe means buy, and einen neuen means a new. einen neuen Jogginganzug is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
In dem Jogginganzug kann ich gut laufen.
I can run well in the tracksuit.
in dem Jogginganzug means in the tracksuit, and gut laufen means run well. in dem is dative because it describes location, and the modal verb kann sends laufen to the end.
Die Farbe des Jogginganzugs gefällt mir nicht.
I do not like the colour of the tracksuit.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it, and nicht means not. des Jogginganzugs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative with gefallen.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Jogginganzüge.
There are many tracksuits hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means hang, and viele means many. Jogginganzüge is plural after viele; im Geschäft is dative because it gives the location.
Mein Jogginganzug ist nach dem Waschen noch nass.
My tracksuit is still wet after washing.
mein means my, nach dem Waschen means after washing, and nass means wet. Mein Jogginganzug is nominative after ist because it is the subject; nach takes the dative.
kariert — checked, plaid
Kariert describes a pattern of squares, especially on clothing or paper. Comparison is uncommon because checkedness is usually a simple description, but karierter and am kariertesten can be used when comparing the strength or density of the pattern.
Das Hemd ist kariert.
The shirt is checked.
das Hemd means the shirt. Kariert is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending and describes the nominative subject.
Er trägt ein kariertes Hemd.
He is wearing a checked shirt.
er trägt means he is wearing, and ein Hemd means a shirt. Kariertes stands before the noun and takes an adjective ending; the noun phrase is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object.
Dieses Hemd ist karierter als das andere.
This shirt has a more checked pattern than the other one.
dieses Hemd means this shirt, and das andere means the other one. Karierter is a predicative comparative after ist; als introduces the item used for comparison.
Dieses Muster ist am kariertesten.
This pattern is the most checked.
dieses Muster means this pattern. Am kariertesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; before a noun, use an ending form such as das karierteste Muster.
die Kette — chain; necklace
Kette can mean a metal chain or a necklace, depending on context. The compound Fahrradkette means bicycle chain.
Die Kette ist aus Metall.
The chain is made of metal.
aus Metall means made of metal. Die Kette is nominative because it is the subject, and aus Metall is a prepositional phrase describing what it is made of; ist is in position two.
Er trägt eine Kette.
He is wearing a necklace.
trägt means wears or is carrying, and er means he. Eine Kette is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Sie gibt ihrer Schwester die Kette.
She gives her sister the necklace.
gibt means gives, and ihrer Schwester means her sister. Ihrer Schwester is dative because she receives the necklace, while die Kette is accusative as the thing given.
Der Verschluss der Kette ist kaputt.
The clasp of the necklace is broken.
der Verschluss means the clasp, and kaputt means broken. Der Kette is genitive because it shows which necklace the clasp belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Schrank liegen mehrere Ketten.
Several chains are lying in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, and liegen means are lying. Ketten is the plural formed with -n; im Schrank is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Die Fahrradkette ist zu locker.
The bicycle chain is too loose.
die Fahrradkette means the bicycle chain, and zu locker means too loose. The headword appears inside the compound Fahrradkette; the adjective comes after ist and has no ending in this predicative position.
kleiden — to dress, to clothe; to dress oneself
The transitive verb kleiden is somewhat formal; in everyday language, jemanden anziehen is often more natural. The reflexive phrase sich kleiden means to dress oneself and is often used when describing someone's style.
Die Mutter kleidet das Kind warm.
The mother dresses the child warmly.
die Mutter is the mother, das Kind is the child, and warm means warmly or in warm clothes. Das Kind is accusative because kleiden takes the person being dressed; the finite verb kleidet stands in position two.
Die Mutter hat das Kind warm gekleidet.
The mother dressed the child warmly.
warm means warmly or in warm clothes. Das Kind is accusative because it is the object of kleiden; hat is the auxiliary in position two and gekleidet goes to the end.
Die Mutter kleidete das Kind für die Feier warm.
The mother dressed the child warmly for the celebration.
die Feier is the celebration, and für means for. Das Kind is accusative because kleiden takes an accusative object; the weak-verb past form kleidete is the finite verb in position two.
Kleide das Kind warm!
Dress the child warmly!
das Kind is the child, and warm means warmly or in warm clothes. The imperative kleide addresses one person informally, and das Kind is accusative because it is the object of kleiden.
Ich würde das Kind für den Winter warm kleiden.
I would dress the child warmly for winter.
der Winter is winter, and für means for. Das Kind is accusative because kleiden takes an accusative object; würde carries the hypothetical meaning and the infinitive kleiden goes to the end.
Wir werden das Kind für die Reise warm kleiden.
We will dress the child warmly for the journey.
die Reise is the journey, and für means for. Das Kind is accusative because it is the object of kleiden; werden is in position two and the infinitive kleiden goes to the end.
Sie kleidet sich immer elegant.
She always dresses elegantly.
immer means always, and elegant means elegantly or stylishly. Sich is accusative because it refers back to the subject sie; the finite verb kleidet is in position two.
Für die Hochzeit hat er sich festlich gekleidet.
He dressed formally for the wedding.
die Hochzeit is the wedding, and festlich means formally or for a celebration. Sich is accusative because the subject dresses himself; hat is in position two and gekleidet goes at the end.
der Kleiderbügel — clothes hanger
Kleiderbügel is a compound of Kleider, clothes, and Bügel, hanger. Its plural is identical in form to the singular, so the article or another determiner is important.
Der Kleiderbügel hängt im Schrank.
The clothes hanger is hanging in the wardrobe.
hängt means is hanging, and der Schrank is the wardrobe or closet. Der Kleiderbügel is nominative because it is the subject; im Schrank is dative because in describes a fixed location, and hängt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Kleiderbügel.
I need the clothes hanger.
brauche means need. Den Kleiderbügel is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich hänge das Hemd an den Kleiderbügel.
I hang the shirt on the clothes hanger.
hänge means hang, and das Hemd is the shirt. Although this slot is labelled dative, an den Kleiderbügel is accusative here because an shows movement toward a place; the shirt is also accusative as the direct object.
Der Haken des Kleiderbügels ist kaputt.
The hook of the clothes hanger is broken.
der Haken is the hook, and kaputt means broken. Des Kleiderbügels is genitive because it shows which hanger the hook belongs to; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Im Schrank hängen viele Kleiderbügel.
There are many clothes hangers hanging in the wardrobe.
viele means many, and der Schrank is the wardrobe or closet. Viele Kleiderbügel is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Schrank is dative for a fixed location, and hängen remains in position two.
das Kleidungsstück — piece of clothing, item of clothing
The compound combines Kleidung, clothing, with Stück, piece or item. Its plural is Kleidungsstücke, with an umlaut and -e.
Das Kleidungsstück ist sehr bequem.
The item of clothing is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable, and sehr means very. Das Kleidungsstück is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein neues Kleidungsstück.
I am buying a new item of clothing.
neu means new, and kaufen means to buy. Ein neues Kleidungsstück is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Sie trägt im Winter ein warmes Kleidungsstück.
In winter, she wears a warm item of clothing.
tragen means to wear, im Winter means in winter, and warm means warm. Im Winter is a dative time phrase after in, while ein warmes Kleidungsstück is accusative because it is what she wears.
Die Farbe des Kleidungsstücks gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the item of clothing.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefallen means to please or be liked. Des Kleidungsstücks is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; with gefallen, the thing liked is the subject and mir is dative.
Im Schrank hängen viele Kleidungsstücke.
Many items of clothing are hanging in the wardrobe.
der Schrank means the wardrobe or cupboard, hängen means to hang, and viele means many. Kleidungsstücke is plural after viele, and im Schrank is dative because in describes a location here.
das Kostüm — costume; outfit
A Kostüm is clothing used to look like a character or to dress up. In everyday speech it can also mean a formal outfit, especially a two-piece suit; the plural is Kostüme.
Das Kostüm ist sehr bunt.
The costume is very colourful.
bunt means colourful, and sehr means very. Das Kostüm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Kostüm für die Party.
I am buying the costume for the party.
kaufe means am buying, für die Party means for the party, and Party is a party. das Kostüm is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative, but it governs die Party, not das Kostüm.
Sie hilft ihrem Bruder mit dem Kostüm.
She helps her brother with the costume.
hilft means helps, ihrem Bruder means her brother, and mit means with. ihrem Bruder is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and dem Kostüm is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Farbe des Kostüms gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the costume.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Kostüms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb gefällt is in position two, and mir is dative with gefallen.
Im Schaufenster hängen viele Kostüme.
Many costumes are hanging in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, and hängen means are hanging. viele Kostüme is the plural subject in the nominative, while im means in dem and marks a location with the dative.
der Kragen — collar; rim, neck-like collar
The usual meaning is the part of clothing around the neck. In the phrase jemandem platzt der Kragen, the literal collar image means that someone loses patience.
Der Kragen ist zu eng.
The collar is too tight.
zu eng means too tight. Der Kragen is nominative because it is the subject, and the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wasche den Kragen.
I am washing the collar.
wasche means wash. Den Kragen is accusative because waschen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Kragen etwas Stärke.
I give the collar some starch.
gebe means give, etwas means some, and Stärke is starch. Dem Kragen is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Stärke is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Kragens passt nicht zum Hemd.
The colour of the collar does not match the shirt.
die Farbe is the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and das Hemd is the shirt. Des Kragens is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; zum Hemd means to the shirt and contains dative dem after zu.
Die Hemden haben verschiedene Krägen.
The shirts have different collars.
die Hemden are the shirts, haben means have, and verschiedene means different. Krägen is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; the umlaut changes a to ä.
Der Kragen der Flasche ist beschädigt.
The neck of the bottle is damaged.
die Flasche is the bottle and beschädigt means damaged. Der Kragen is nominative because it is the subject, while der Flasche is genitive after Kragen and shows which bottle is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Kragen schützt das Rohr vor Schmutz.
The rim protects the pipe from dirt.
schützt means protects, das Rohr is the pipe, and Schmutz is dirt. Der Kragen is nominative because it is the subject, das Rohr is accusative because it is the object of schützen, and vor Schmutz uses the dative after vor.
die Krawatte — tie
Die Krawatte is normally worn with a shirt for formal or business clothing. The plural is Krawatten; do not omit the final -n.
Die Krawatte ist blau.
The tie is blue.
blau means blue. Die Krawatte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Krawatte.
I am buying the tie.
ich kaufe means I am buying. Die Krawatte is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich helfe ihm mit der Krawatte.
I help him with the tie.
helfen means to help and ihm means to him. Mit always takes the dative, so der Krawatte is dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Farbe der Krawatte passt zum Hemd.
The colour of the tie matches the shirt.
die Farbe is the colour, passen means to match, and das Hemd is the shirt. Der Krawatte is genitive after die Farbe, showing whose colour is meant; zum Hemd means to the shirt.
Im Schrank hängen viele Krawatten.
There are many ties hanging in the wardrobe.
im Schrank means in the wardrobe and hängen means are hanging. Krawatten is plural after viele, and the verb comes before the plural noun because the sentence begins with a location.
die Krone — crown; crown (currency unit)
The main meaning is the head ornament worn by a monarch. The plural Kronen is also used for the currency unit Krone in some countries.
Die Krone ist aus Gold.
The crown is made of gold.
aus Gold means made of gold. Die Krone is nominative because it is the subject; aus takes the dative, although Gold has no visible article here.
Der König trägt die Krone.
The king is wearing the crown.
der König means the king, and trägt means is wearing or carries. die Krone is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt der Krone einen neuen Platz.
She gives the crown a new place.
sie gibt means she gives, einen neuen Platz means a new place. der Krone is dative because it is the thing receiving or being assigned something, while einen neuen Platz is accusative.
Die Farbe der Krone ist sehr hell.
The colour of the crown is very light.
die Farbe means the colour, and hell means light or bright. der Krone is genitive and expresses possession; feminine die changes to der in the genitive.
Die Kronen liegen im Museum.
The crowns are in the museum.
liegen means are lying or are located, and das Museum means the museum. Die Kronen is the plural subject; im Museum means in the museum and uses dative because it describes a location.
Das kostet zwanzig Kronen.
That costs twenty crowns.
das kostet means that costs, and zwanzig means twenty. zwanzig Kronen is the amount being charged and functions as an accusative object; the currency noun is plural after a number.
Ich habe nur hundert Kronen dabei.
I only have one hundred crowns with me.
nur means only, and dabei means with me or on me. hundert Kronen is an amount in the accusative after haben; after a number, the plural form Kronen is used.
das Leder — leather
Leder is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural when referring to the material. For separate kinds or pieces, speakers may use expressions such as Ledersorten or Lederstücke instead.
Leder ist ein robustes Material.
Leather is a durable material.
robust means durable or hard-wearing, and Material means material. Leder is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Tasche ist aus Leder.
The bag is made of leather.
die Tasche means the bag, and aus means made of or from. Leder follows aus, which always takes the dative; with a mass noun, the form looks the same as the nominative.
Ich vertraue dem Leder nicht.
I do not trust the leather.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Leder is dative here because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Leders ist dunkelbraun.
The colour of the leather is dark brown.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelbraun means dark brown. Leders is genitive after des because it identifies whose colour it is; the genitive ending is -s.
der Lippenstift — lipstick
Lippenstift is a compound of Lippe (lip) and Stift (stick). The colour word usually comes before it, as in roter Lippenstift, with an adjective ending.
Der Lippenstift ist neu.
The lipstick is new.
neu means new. Der Lippenstift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen roten Lippenstift.
I am buying a red lipstick.
kaufe means buy and rot means red. Einen roten Lippenstift is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -en follows the masculine accusative article einen.
Sie malt mit dem Lippenstift ihre Lippen an.
She colours her lips with the lipstick.
malt ... an means colours or paints, and ihre Lippen means her lips. Dem Lippenstift is dative because mit always takes the dative; the separable verb anmalen splits in the main clause.
Die Farbe des Lippenstifts ist dunkel.
The colour of the lipstick is dark.
die Farbe is the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Lippenstifts is genitive because it says which lipstick the colour belongs to; the masculine noun has -s in the genitive.
In der Tasche liegen drei Lippenstifte.
There are three lipsticks in the bag.
die Tasche is the bag, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Lippenstifte is plural and nominative because the lipsticks are the subject; liegen follows the fronted location phrase.
locker — loose; relaxed; relaxed, informal
locker can describe physical looseness, such as clothing or a knot, and also a relaxed manner or atmosphere. In attributive use it takes an adjective ending, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Der Knoten ist locker.
The knot is loose.
der Knoten means the knot. locker is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the nominative subject der Knoten.
Sie trägt ein lockeres Kleid.
She is wearing a loose dress.
trägt means is wearing and ein Kleid means a dress. lockeres stands before the neuter accusative noun Kleid and takes -es after the indefinite article ein.
Diese Jacke ist lockerer als meine alte.
This jacket is looser than my old one.
diese Jacke means this jacket and meine alte means my old one. lockerer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von allen Hosen ist diese am lockersten.
Of all the trousers, these are the loosest.
von allen Hosen means of all the trousers. von takes the dative, and am lockersten is the predicative superlative; am means an dem, not an article before a noun.
Die Stimmung ist heute ganz locker.
The atmosphere is quite relaxed today.
die Stimmung means the atmosphere or mood, heute means today, and ganz means quite or completely. locker is predicative after ist, so it has no ending and describes the nominative subject.
Er spricht in einem lockeren Ton.
He speaks in a relaxed tone.
spricht means speaks, in einem Ton means in a tone, and Ton can mean tone or manner of speaking. lockeren has an adjective ending because it comes before masculine dative Ton after the fixed-location preposition in.
lose — loose, not firmly attached; unpackaged, sold separately
lose describes something that is not firmly attached or held together. Before a noun it takes an ending, as in eine lose Schraube, but after sein it remains lose without an ending.
Die Schraube ist lose.
The screw is loose.
die Schraube means the screw. lose comes after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no adjective ending.
Die lose Schraube wackelt.
The loose screw is wobbling.
wackelt means is wobbling. lose stands before the feminine noun Schraube and takes -e after the definite article die.
Diese Schraube ist loser als die andere.
This screw is looser than the other one.
diese Schraube means this screw and die andere means the other one. loser is the comparative, and als introduces the thing being compared; after ist, the adjective has no ending.
Diese alte Schraube ist am losesten.
This old screw is the loosest.
diese alte Schraube means this old screw. am losesten is the predicative superlative with am, so it does not take an adjective ending.
Wir kaufen Nüsse lose.
We buy nuts unpackaged.
Nüsse means nuts and kaufen means buy. Nüsse is the accusative object of kaufen, while lose describes how they are sold and comes at the end as a predicative adjective.
Der Tee wird lose verkauft.
The tea is sold unpackaged.
der Tee means the tea and verkauft means sold. This is a passive sentence with wird ... verkauft; lose describes the form of sale and remains unchanged after wird.
das Make-up — make-up, cosmetics
This naturalized English loanword is normally a mass noun in German, so it has no ordinary plural. It is used for cosmetics or a cosmetic layer in general.
Das Make-up sieht natürlich aus.
The make-up looks natural.
sieht ... aus means looks, and natürlich means natural. Das Make-up is nominative because it is the subject; sieht is in position two and the separable prefix aus goes to the end.
Sie trägt das Make-up vorsichtig auf.
She applies the make-up carefully.
trägt ... auf means applies, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Make-up is accusative because auftragen takes a direct object; the prefix auf separates and goes to the end of the main clause.
Die Visagistin hilft der Schauspielerin mit dem Make-up.
The make-up artist helps the actress with the make-up.
die Visagistin is the make-up artist, hilft means helps, and die Schauspielerin is the actress. Mit dem Make-up is dative because mit always takes the dative; dem Make-up is not accusative here.
Die Farbe des Make-ups passt zu ihrem Kleid.
The colour of the make-up matches her dress.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches, and ihr Kleid is her dress. Des Make-ups is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
die Mode — fashion; trend, fashion
Mode normally means fashion as a general style. Do not confuse it with die Methode, which means method.
Die Mode ändert sich jedes Jahr.
Fashion changes every year.
sich ändern means to change, and jedes Jahr means every year. Die Mode is nominative because it is the subject; the reflexive verb ändert sich is in position two, and jedes Jahr is a time expression.
Viele Menschen verfolgen die Mode.
Many people follow fashion.
viele Menschen means many people, and verfolgen means to follow. Die Mode is accusative because verfolgen takes a direct object; the finite verb verfolgen stands in position two.
Sie spricht oft von der Mode.
She often talks about fashion.
sie means she, oft means often, and von means about or from. Der Mode is dative because the preposition von always takes the dative; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Mode ist spannend.
The history of fashion is fascinating.
die Geschichte means the history, and spannend means fascinating. Der Mode is genitive because it identifies whose history it is; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Moden der 1920er-Jahre wirken heute wieder modern.
The fashions of the 1920s look modern again today.
der 1920er-Jahre means of the 1920s, wirken means look or seem, and heute wieder means again today. Moden is the plural of die Mode; the verb wirken is plural and stands in position two.
Die Mode ist heute sehr vielfältig.
Fashion is very diverse today.
heute means today and vielfältig means diverse. Die Mode is the nominative subject, while ist is the finite verb in position two and vielfältig is a predicative adjective.
Diese Mode hält hoffentlich nicht lange an.
Hopefully, this trend will not last long.
diese means this, hoffentlich means hopefully, and lange means for long. Diese Mode is the nominative subject; anhalten is separable, so hält stands in position two and an goes to the end.
Plötzlich war es Mode, ohne Schuhe zu tanzen.
Suddenly, it became fashionable to dance without shoes.
plötzlich means suddenly, ohne Schuhe means without shoes, and tanzen means to dance. Mode is a predicative noun after war; the zu-infinitive phrase explains what the trend was.
das Modegeschäft — fashion shop, clothing store
Modegeschäft is a compound of Mode and Geschäft. The final part, Geschäft, determines the neuter gender and the plural ending.
Das Modegeschäft öffnet um zehn Uhr.
The fashion shop opens at ten o'clock.
öffnet means opens and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Das Modegeschäft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich besuche das Modegeschäft.
I am visiting the fashion shop.
ich means I and besuche means visit. Das Modegeschäft is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir kaufen in dem Modegeschäft eine Jacke.
We are buying a jacket in the fashion shop.
wir kaufen means we are buying and eine Jacke means a jacket. Dem Modegeschäft is dative because in expresses location here; the accusative object is eine Jacke.
Die Adresse des Modegeschäfts steht im Internet.
The address of the fashion shop is on the internet.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is written or is listed, and im Internet means on the internet. Des Modegeschäfts is genitive because it shows whose address it is; the neuter noun adds -s.
Die Modegeschäfte in der Innenstadt sind teuer.
The fashion shops in the city centre are expensive.
in der Innenstadt means in the city centre and teuer means expensive. Modegeschäfte is the plural of Modegeschäft; sind is plural and stands in position two.
Das Modegeschäft verkauft Schuhe und Taschen.
The fashion shop sells shoes and bags.
verkauft means sells, Schuhe means shoes, and Taschen means bags. Das Modegeschäft is the nominative subject, while Schuhe und Taschen are accusative objects after verkauft.
das Muster — pattern, template
The plural is die Muster, with no ending change. In the sense of a design, Muster can mean either a repeated visual pattern or a model to follow.
Das Muster auf dem Teppich ist sehr schön.
The pattern on the carpet is very beautiful.
der Teppich means carpet, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Das Muster is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Muster auf dem Stoff.
I can see the pattern on the fabric.
sehen means to see, and der Stoff means fabric. Das Muster is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Auf dem Muster sind viele kleine Blumen.
There are many small flowers on the pattern.
auf means on, and viele kleine Blumen means many small flowers. Here auf describes a location, so it takes dative: dem Muster; the verb sind stands in position two.
Die Farben des Musters passen gut zusammen.
The colours of the pattern go well together.
die Farben means the colours, and zusammenpassen means to go well together. Des Musters is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
In diesem Buch gibt es viele Muster.
There are many patterns in this book.
diesem Buch means this book, and viele means many. Muster is plural here and keeps the same ending as the singular; viele and es gibt show that more than one is meant.
nähen — to sew, to stitch
nähen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes an accusative object for the thing being sewn, as in ein Kleid nähen.
Meine Mutter näht ein Kleid.
My mother is sewing a dress.
meine Mutter means my mother and ein Kleid is a dress. Nähen takes an accusative object, so ein Kleid is accusative; the finite verb näht stands in position two.
Meine Mutter hat ein Kleid genäht.
My mother has sewn a dress.
ein Kleid means a dress. The perfect uses hat plus genäht because nähen takes haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Früher nähte sie alle Kleider selbst.
She used to sew all the dresses herself.
früher means formerly or in the past, alle Kleider means all the dresses, and selbst means herself. The regular preterite form nähte is the finite verb in position two, and alle Kleider is accusative after nähen.
Näh bitte den Knopf wieder an!
Please sew the button back on!
bitte means please, der Knopf is the button, and wieder an means back on. Näh is the du imperative without a pronoun; den Knopf is accusative because it is the object, and an belongs to the separable verb annähen in this context.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, nähte ich meine Kleidung selbst.
If I had more time, I would sew my clothes myself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and meine Kleidung means my clothes. The hypothetical form nähte looks like the preterite; meine Kleidung is accusative, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich einen Vorhang nähen.
Tomorrow I will sew a curtain.
morgen means tomorrow and ein Vorhang is a curtain. Future tense uses werde plus the infinitive nähen; werde is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end, while einen Vorhang is accusative.
die Nähmaschine — sewing machine
die Nähmaschine is a compound made from nähen (“to sew”) and die Maschine (“machine”). It is feminine, and its plural is regular: die Nähmaschinen.
Die Nähmaschine ist sehr alt.
The sewing machine is very old.
alt means old. Die Nähmaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Nähmaschine.
I am buying a new sewing machine.
kaufe means buy, neu means new, and eine means a. Eine neue Nähmaschine is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine noun itself does not change, but the adjective has the ending -e.
Ich nähe mit der Nähmaschine.
I sew with the sewing machine.
nähe means sew and mit means with. Der Nähmaschine is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Nadel der Nähmaschine ist kaputt.
The sewing machine’s needle is broken.
die Nadel means the needle and kaputt means broken. Der Nähmaschine is genitive because it shows which machine the needle belongs to; the subject is die Nadel, so the verb is ist.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Nähmaschinen.
There are many sewing machines in the shop.
das Geschäft means the shop, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Nähmaschinen is plural and is the subject; im Geschäft means “in the shop” and is dative because im is in dem for a location.
Die Nähmaschine braucht einen neuen Faden.
The sewing machine needs a new thread.
braucht means needs, neu means new, and der Faden is the thread. Die Nähmaschine is nominative as the subject, while einen neuen Faden is accusative as the object of brauchen.
der Ohrring — earring
Ohrring is a compound of Ohr (ear) and Ring (ring). Its plural is Ohrringe, not Ohrrings.
Der Ohrring ist aus Silber.
The earring is made of silver.
aus Silber means made of silver. Der Ohrring is nominative because it is the subject; aus takes the dative in Silber, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt einen Ohrring.
She is wearing an earring.
trägt means wears, and sie means she. Einen Ohrring is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester einen Ohrring.
I am giving my sister an earring as a gift.
schenke means give as a present, and meine Schwester means my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because she is the recipient, while einen Ohrring is the accusative gift.
Die Farbe des Ohrrings gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the earring.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Ohrrings is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Ihre Ohrringe sind sehr klein.
Her earrings are very small.
ihre means her, and sehr klein means very small. Ohrringe is plural nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
das Parfüm — perfume, fragrance
The plural can be Parfüme or Parfums; both are correct. Parfüm refers to the product, while Duft means scent in general.
Das Parfüm riecht sehr gut.
The perfume smells very nice.
riecht means smells, and sehr gut means very good or very nicely. Das Parfüm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb riecht stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein neues Parfüm.
I am buying a new perfume.
kaufe means am buying, and neu means new. Ein neues Parfüm is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while kaufe is in position two.
Sie schenkt ihrer Mutter ein Parfüm.
She gives her mother a perfume as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and ihrer Mutter means to her mother. Ihrer Mutter is dative as the recipient, while ein Parfüm is accusative as the thing given.
Der Duft des Parfüms ist sehr stark.
The scent of the perfume is very strong.
der Duft is the scent, and stark means strong. Des Parfüms is genitive because it identifies whose scent it is; the genitive article is des and the noun ends in -s.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Parfüme.
There are many perfumes in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, and viele means many. Parfüme is a plural form with -e; im is short for in dem, which marks a location with the dative.
der Regenmantel — raincoat
der Regenmantel is a compound of der Regen (rain) and der Mantel (coat). Its plural is die Regenmäntel, with both a plural ending and an umlaut.
Der Regenmantel hängt im Flur.
The raincoat is hanging in the hallway.
hängt means is hanging, and der Flur means hallway. Der Regenmantel is nominative because it is the subject, while im Flur means in dem Flur and is dative for a fixed location.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Regenmantel.
I am buying a new raincoat.
kaufe means buy, and neu means new. Einen neuen Regenmantel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Sie hilft dem Regenmantel nicht.
She does not help the raincoat.
hilft means helps, and nicht means not. Dem Regenmantel is dative because helfen governs the dative, although this sentence is deliberately unusual in meaning; the negation comes after the dative object.
Die Farbe des Regenmantels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the raincoat.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Des Regenmantels is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen expresses who likes something.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Regenmäntel.
Many raincoats are hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Regenmäntel is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural uses -e and an umlaut, while im Geschäft is dative location.
der Rock — skirt; rock music
Der Rock means skirt. The plural is die Röcke, with an umlaut and -e.
Der Rock ist blau.
The skirt is blue.
blau means blue. Der Rock is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two after the subject.
Sie kauft den Rock im Kaufhaus.
She is buying the skirt in the department store.
sie kauft means she buys, and das Kaufhaus is the department store. Den Rock is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; im Kaufhaus gives the place.
Die Verkäuferin hilft der Kundin mit dem Rock.
The sales assistant helps the customer with the skirt.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant, hilft means helps, and die Kundin is the female customer. Dem Rock is dative because mit always takes the dative; helfen also requires a dative person, here der Kundin.
Die Farbe des Rockes gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the skirt.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Des Rockes is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Schaufenster hängen viele Röcke.
Many skirts are hanging in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, and hängen means are hanging. Viele Röcke is plural and is the subject; the plural has the umlaut ö and the ending -e.
Ich höre gern Rock.
I like listening to rock music.
ich höre gern means I like listening, and Musik means music. Rock is used without an article here because music in this sense is usually uncountable; it is the accusative object of hören.
Rock ist bei Jugendlichen beliebt.
Rock music is popular among young people.
bei Jugendlichen means among young people, and beliebt means popular. Rock is nominative as the subject and is used without an article because this meaning normally refers to music as a mass noun.
schick — stylish, smart, smartly dressed
Schick usually describes clothes, a person’s appearance or a place and is positive in meaning. The comparative and superlative are regular: schicker, am schicksten.
Der neue Mantel ist schick.
The new coat is stylish.
der neue Mantel means “the new coat,” and neue means “new.” Schick is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie trägt ein schickes Kleid.
She is wearing a stylish dress.
sie trägt means “she is wearing,” and ein Kleid is “a dress.” Schickes comes before the neuter accusative noun Kleid and takes -es after ein; the verb trägt is in position two.
Dieses Geschäft ist schicker als das andere.
This shop is smarter than the other one.
dieses Geschäft means “this shop,” and das andere means “the other one.” Schicker compares two shops and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Am Wochenende sieht er am schicksten aus.
At the weekend, he looks the smartest.
am Wochenende means “at the weekend,” and sieht ... aus means “looks.” Am schicksten is the predicative superlative, while the separable verb aussehen splits, with aus at the end.
schminken — to put makeup on; to make up
schminken can be used with an accusative object, as in making another person up, or reflexively as sich schminken, to put makeup on oneself. It forms the perfect with haben, not sein.
Ich schminke mich jeden Morgen.
I put makeup on every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning. sich schminken means to put makeup on oneself, and mich means myself here; the finite verb schminke is in position two, while the reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
Sie hat sich für die Party geschminkt.
She put makeup on for the party.
die Party is the party, and für means for. The perfect uses hat plus geschminkt because schminken takes haben; the Partizip II stands at the end, and sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
Meine Schwester schminkte ihre Freundin.
My sister put makeup on her friend.
meine Schwester is my sister, and ihre Freundin is her female friend. ihre Freundin is accusative because schminken can take a direct object; the weak past form schminkte stands in position two.
Schmink dich nicht im Auto!
Do not put makeup on in the car!
nicht means not, and im Auto means in the car. The imperative schmink gives a direct instruction; dich is accusative because the person receiving the action is also the person being made up.
Ich würde mich für das Konzert schminken.
I would put makeup on for the concert.
das Konzert means the concert, and für means for. würde ... schminken expresses a hypothetical action; schminken stays in the infinitive at the end, and mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Morgen werde ich mich im Hotel schminken.
Tomorrow I will put makeup on in the hotel.
morgen means tomorrow, and im Hotel means in the hotel. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and schminken goes to the end; mich is accusative because the action is done to oneself.
der Schmuck — jewellery; adornment
Schmuck is usually a mass noun, so it has no plural and is commonly used without an article when talking about jewellery in general. For one item, say ein Schmuckstück or ein Stück Schmuck.
Der Schmuck ist sehr schön.
The jewellery is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Der Schmuck is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; Schmuck is normally a mass noun and has no plural.
Ich kaufe den Schmuck.
I am buying the jewellery.
kaufe means am buying, and den Schmuck means the jewellery. den Schmuck is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Sie schenkt ihrer Mutter Schmuck.
She gives her mother jewellery as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and ihrer Mutter means her mother. ihrer Mutter is dative as the recipient, while Schmuck is the uncountable accusative thing given and therefore has no article.
Die Farbe des Schmucks passt zu ihrem Kleid.
The colour of the jewellery matches her dress.
die Farbe is the colour, passt zu means matches, and ihrem Kleid is her dress. des Schmucks is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; zu always takes the dative, so ihrem Kleid is dative.
Sie trägt gern Schmuck.
She likes wearing jewellery.
trägt means wears, and gern means gladly or likes doing something. Schmuck is the accusative object of trägt, but a mass noun normally has no article and no plural; the finite verb is in position two.
schnallen — to buckle, to fasten; to get, to understand (informal)
This transitive verb takes the thing being fastened as an accusative object. For fastening your own seat belt, German normally uses sich anschnallen, not bare schnallen.
Der Mann schnallt den Gürtel.
The man buckles the belt.
der Mann is the man, and der Gürtel is the belt. den Gürtel is accusative because schnallen takes the thing being fastened as a direct object; the finite verb schnallt stands in position two.
Sie hat den Rucksack geschnallt.
She fastened the backpack.
sie means she, and der Rucksack is the backpack. den Rucksack is accusative because it is the object of schnallen; hat stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end.
Er schnallte den Gurt fest.
He fastened the belt securely.
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means securely or tightly. den Gurt is accusative as the direct object; schnallte is the weak simple-past form.
Schnall den Gurt fest!
Fasten the belt securely!
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means tightly. den Gurt is accusative because it is the object, and the imperative omits du.
Wenn du den Gurt fester schnalltest, wärst du besser geschützt.
If you fastened the belt more tightly, you would be better protected.
fester means more tightly, and geschützt means protected. den Gurt is accusative after schnallen; in the wenn clause, the finite verb schnalltest goes to the end, and wärst expresses the unreal result.
Morgen schnallen wir die neuen Gurte.
Tomorrow we will fasten the new belts.
morgen means tomorrow, and neu means new. die neuen Gurte is accusative because it is the direct object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive schnallen goes to the end.
Ich schnalle die Aufgabe nicht.
I don't understand the task.
die Aufgabe is the task or exercise, and nicht means not. die Aufgabe is accusative because it is the thing understood; this informal meaning is often used with nicht when someone does not understand.
Jetzt habe ich es geschnallt.
Now I get it.
jetzt means now, and es means it. es is an accusative pronoun referring to an idea or explanation; habe stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end in the perfect.
die Shorts — shorts
Die Shorts is a plural-only noun: German does not normally use a singular form. It can refer to one item of clothing, but the grammar remains plural, as in die Shorts sind.
Die Shorts sind blau.
The shorts are blue.
blau means blue. Die Shorts is nominative plural because it is the subject; although Shorts looks like a singular English word, German uses it with the plural verb sind.
Ich kaufe die Shorts im Ausverkauf.
I am buying the shorts in the sale.
kaufe means buy, and im Ausverkauf means in the sale or clearance sale. Die Shorts is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the form does not change from the nominative.
Ich gehe mit den Shorts zum Strand.
I am going to the beach in the shorts.
mit means with or wearing in this context, and zum Strand means to the beach. Mit forces the dative, so plural die Shorts becomes den Shorts; the noun itself stays unchanged.
Die Farbe der Shorts gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the shorts.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. der Shorts is genitive plural and means of the shorts; gefällt is singular because die Farbe is the subject.
Im Sommer trage ich gern Shorts.
In summer I like wearing shorts.
im Sommer means in summer, and trage means wear. Shorts is a plural-only noun; here it is an unmarked accusative object after tragen, so there is no article.
der Stoff — fabric, cloth, material; subject matter, material
For cloth, Stoff is often uncountable when naming the material in general, as in aus Stoff. The plural Stoffe can mean different fabrics or materials.
Der Stoff fühlt sich weich an.
The fabric feels soft.
fühlt sich weich an means feels soft, and weich means soft. Der Stoff is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb sich anfühlen puts fühlt in position two and an at the end.
Die Schneiderin kauft den Stoff.
The dressmaker buys the fabric.
die Schneiderin means the dressmaker, and kauft means buys. Den Stoff is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich nähe dem Stoff einen Knopf an.
I sew a button onto the fabric.
nähe ... an means sew onto, and einen Knopf means a button. Dem Stoff is dative as the surface receiving the button, while einen Knopf is accusative; the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Stoffes ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the fabric is dark blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelblau means dark blue. Des Stoffes is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun takes the genitive ending -es here.
Auf dem Markt gibt es viele Stoffe.
There are many fabrics at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Stoffe is the plural after viele; auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
Dieses Kleid ist aus Stoff.
This dress is made of fabric.
dieses Kleid means this dress, and aus means made of or from. Aus Stoff uses the dative because aus always takes the dative, but the uncountable material is used without an article.
Der Film hat interessanten Stoff.
The film has interesting material.
der Film means the film, interessanten means interesting, and hat means has. Interessanten Stoff is an accusative object after haben; the adjective takes -en because the masculine article is omitted but the case is accusative.
Wir sprechen über politischen Stoff.
We are discussing political subject matter.
wir sprechen means we are talking, über means about, and politischen means political. Über politischen Stoff is accusative because über takes the accusative in this meaning, and the phrase names the subject being discussed.
stricken — to knit
stricken is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. The item being knitted is normally an accusative object, as in einen Schal stricken.
Meine Oma strickt einen Schal.
My grandmother is knitting a scarf.
meine Oma means my grandmother and einen Schal means a scarf. Schal is accusative because stricken takes the thing being made as a direct object; the finite verb strickt stands in position two.
Meine Oma hat einen Schal gestrickt.
My grandmother has knitted a scarf.
Oma means grandmother and Schal means scarf. einen Schal is accusative, while hat is the auxiliary in position two and gestrickt goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Meine Oma strickte früher viele Pullover.
My grandmother used to knit many sweaters.
früher means in the past or used to, and viele Pullover means many sweaters. strickte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; Pullover is an accusative object, although its plural form has no ending.
Strick mir bitte eine Mütze.
Please knit me a hat.
mir means for me or to me, bitte means please, and eine Mütze means a hat. mir is dative for the person receiving the item, while eine Mütze is accusative; the imperative strick stands first.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, strickte ich einen Pullover.
If I had more time, I would knit a sweater.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and Pullover means sweater. The subordinate-clause verb hätte goes to the end, while strickte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause; einen Pullover is accusative.
Im Winter werde ich einen Schal stricken.
In winter I will knit a scarf.
im Winter means in winter and einen Schal means a scarf. In the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive stricken goes to the end; the scarf is accusative as the direct object.
die Strickjacke — cardigan
Strickjacke is a feminine compound noun: Strick means knitting and Jacke means jacket. Its plural is regular with -n, and feminine nouns do not change their ending in the genitive singular.
Die Strickjacke ist warm.
The cardigan is warm.
warm means warm. Strickjacke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Strickjacke.
I am buying a cardigan.
kaufe means buy. eine Strickjacke is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; as a feminine noun, its article stays eine in the accusative.
Ich gehe mit der Strickjacke nach Hause.
I am going home with the cardigan.
gehe means go and nach Hause means home. mit always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the finite verb gehe is in position two.
Die Farbe der Strickjacke gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the cardigan.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. der Strickjacke is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; mir is dative because gefallen expresses the person who likes something.
Im Laden hängen viele Strickjacken.
Many cardigans are hanging in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop and hängen means are hanging. viele Strickjacken is the plural subject, while im means in dem and marks a fixed location with the dative.
der Sturzhelm — crash helmet, protective helmet
Sturzhelm is a compound: Sturz means fall and Helm means helmet. The word is used especially for helmets worn while cycling, riding a motorbike, or doing similar activities.
Der Sturzhelm liegt auf dem Fahrrad.
The crash helmet is lying on the bicycle.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Fahrrad means on the bicycle. Der Sturzhelm is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Fahrrad is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte setz den Sturzhelm auf.
Please put on the crash helmet.
bitte means please, and setz ... auf means put on. Den Sturzhelm is accusative because aufsetzen takes a direct object; the separable verb splits, with setz first and auf at the end.
Mit dem Sturzhelm bist du besser geschützt.
With the crash helmet, you are better protected.
mit means with, besser means better, and geschützt means protected. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Sturzhelm is dative; the finite verb bist is in position two.
Das Gewicht des Sturzhelms ist angenehm.
The weight of the crash helmet is comfortable.
das Gewicht means the weight, and angenehm means comfortable. Des Sturzhelms is genitive because it shows which helmet the weight belongs to; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die neuen Sturzhelme sind sehr leicht.
The new crash helmets are very light.
neuen means new, sehr means very, and leicht means light. Die Sturzhelme is plural nominative because it is the subject, and sind agrees with the plural.
das Tuch — cloth, towel; scarf
The meaning depends on context: das Tuch can be a cleaning cloth, a towel, or a scarf. A Handtuch is specifically a towel.
Das Tuch ist weich.
The cloth is soft.
weich means soft. Das Tuch is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Tuch.
I take the cloth.
nehme means take. Das Tuch is accusative because nehme takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich trockne mir mit dem Tuch die Hände.
I dry my hands with the towel.
trockne ... die Hände means dry my hands, and mit means with. Dem Tuch is dative because mit always takes the dative; mir is also dative for the person benefiting.
Die Farbe des Tuchs ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the cloth is dark blue.
Die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelblau means dark blue. Des Tuchs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the noun takes -s.
Die Tücher liegen im Bad.
The towels are in the bathroom.
liegen means are lying, and das Bad means the bathroom. Tücher is the plural with an umlaut and -er; im Bad is dative because it gives a location.