Appearance
Vocab: Communication & media — A2 (1)
Communication & media vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abheben — to take off; to withdraw money
For taking off, abheben normally uses sein in the perfect. A different common sense is withdrawing money: Geld abheben uses haben.
Das Flugzeug hebt ab.
The plane is taking off.
das Flugzeug means the plane. Das Flugzeug is nominative as the subject, and hebt ab is split because abheben is separable; the finite verb is in position two.
Das Flugzeug ist pünktlich abgehoben.
The plane took off on time.
pünktlich means on time. Das Flugzeug is nominative, and ist abgehoben uses sein because taking off describes movement; the participle goes to the end.
Das Flugzeug hob ab, obwohl es stark regnete.
The plane took off although it was raining heavily.
obwohl means although, stark means heavily, and regnete means was raining. Hob ab is the strong simple-past form; in the subordinate clause after obwohl, the finite verb regnete goes to the end.
Heb ab, wenn du bereit bist!
Take off when you are ready!
wenn du bereit bist means when you are ready. Heb ab is the informal singular command, with ab at the end; the subject du is normally omitted.
Wenn das Wetter besser wäre, würde das Flugzeug abheben.
If the weather were better, the plane would take off.
das Wetter means the weather, and besser means better. Wenn sends wäre to the end of its clause, while würde ... abheben expresses an unreal result and keeps the infinitive at the end.
Das Flugzeug wird abheben, sobald der Nebel weg ist.
The plane will take off as soon as the fog is gone.
sobald means as soon as, der Nebel means the fog, and weg means gone. Wird is in position two and abheben is at the end; as an infinitive, the separable verb is written as one word.
Ich muss noch Geld abheben.
I still need to withdraw money.
muss means must or need to, and noch means still. Geld is an accusative object of abheben; after the modal muss, the infinitive abheben goes to the end and stays together.
Sie hat am Automaten Geld abgehoben.
She withdrew money from the ATM.
am Automaten means at the ATM. Geld is accusative because it is what she withdraws, and this meaning takes haben in the perfect: hat abgehoben.
abmachen — to remove; to take down or off; to arrange; to agree on
This sense is separable: abmachen - machte ab - hat abgemacht. For an object attached to a surface, German often uses von plus the dative, as in von der Wand.
Ich gehe ins Zimmer, weil ich das Bild von der Wand abmache.
I am going into the room because I am taking the picture off the wall.
das Zimmer is the room, die Wand is the wall, and gehen means to go. Das Bild is accusative because abmachen takes a direct object; in the subordinate clause after weil, the separable verb stays together as abmache at the end.
Sie hat den Deckel abgemacht.
She took the lid off.
sie means she, and der Deckel is the lid. Den Deckel is accusative after abmachen; the auxiliary hat is in position two and abgemacht goes to the end.
Er ging zurück, weil er den Aufkleber vorsichtig abmachte.
He went back because he carefully removed the sticker.
zurückgehen means to go back, der Aufkleber is the sticker, and vorsichtig means carefully. Den Aufkleber is accusative because it is the object; after weil, the finite verb abmachte stands at the end and the prefix does not separate.
Bitte mach ab!
Please take it off!
bitte means please, and the omitted object is understood from the situation. In the informal imperative, mach ab comes first as one separated verb form; learners should not add a subject pronoun such as du.
Ich würde den alten Aufkleber abmachen.
I would remove the old sticker.
würde means would, alt means old, and der Aufkleber is the sticker. Den alten Aufkleber is accusative, and with würde the infinitive abmachen stays together at the end.
Wir werden die Möbel morgen abmachen.
We will remove the furniture tomorrow.
die Möbel means the furniture, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Möbel is accusative after abmachen; werden is in position two and the infinitive abmachen goes to the end.
Wir gehen die Einzelheiten durch, bevor wir einen Termin abmachen.
We go through the details before we arrange an appointment.
die Einzelheiten are the details, durchgehen means go through, and bevor means before. Einen Termin is accusative because it is the object of abmachen; after bevor, the complete infinitive abmachen stands at the end.
Habt ihr schon etwas abgemacht?
Have you already agreed on something?
habt ihr means have you, schon means already, and etwas means something. Etwas is the accusative object; the auxiliary habt comes first in the question and abgemacht goes to the end.
das Abonnement — subscription
das Abonnement is usually a paid subscription to a magazine, streaming service, or similar offer. Its plural is die Abonnements, with -s, not -en.
Das Abonnement kostet zehn Euro im Monat.
The subscription costs ten euros a month.
kostet means costs, zehn Euro means ten euros, and im Monat means per month. Das Abonnement is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich möchte das Abonnement kündigen.
I would like to cancel the subscription.
möchte means would like to, and kündigen means cancel. Das Abonnement is accusative because it is the direct object of kündigen; after möchte, the infinitive kündigen goes to the end.
Mit dem Abonnement bekomme ich jeden Monat eine Zeitschrift.
With the subscription, I receive a magazine every month.
mit means with, bekomme means receive, jeden Monat means every month, and die Zeitschrift means magazine. Dem Abonnement is dative because mit requires the dative; the fronted phrase takes position one, so bekomme is in position two.
Der Preis des Abonnements steigt nächstes Jahr.
The price of the subscription will rise next year.
der Preis means the price, steigt means rises, and nächstes Jahr means next year. Des Abonnements is genitive because it shows which subscription the price belongs to; the neuter genitive has des and noun ending -s.
Viele Abonnements sind online günstiger.
Many subscriptions are cheaper online.
viele means many, online means online, and günstiger means cheaper. Abonnements is plural and is the nominative subject; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
abonnieren — to subscribe to
abonnieren takes an accusative object: etwas abonnieren. It is a weak verb ending in -ieren, so the participle is abonniert, not geabonniert.
Ich abonniere eine Zeitung.
I am subscribing to a newspaper.
ich means I and eine Zeitung means a newspaper. Eine Zeitung is accusative because abonnieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb abonniere stands in position two.
Wir haben den Dienst online abonniert.
We subscribed to the service online.
wir means we, den Dienst means the service, and online means online. Den Dienst is accusative because it is the direct object; haben is in position two and the participle abonniert goes to the end without ge-.
Sie abonnierte die Zeitschrift im Januar.
She subscribed to the magazine in January.
sie means she, die Zeitschrift means the magazine, and im Januar means in January. Abonnierte is weak simple past with -te; the accusative object follows the verb, and the finite verb is in position two.
Abonniere unseren Newsletter!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
unseren Newsletter means our newsletter. Abonniere is the singular du imperative, and unseren Newsletter is accusative because it is the direct object; the command does not need a subject pronoun.
Ich abonnierte den Kanal, wenn er mehr Videos hätte.
I would subscribe to the channel if it had more videos.
der Kanal means channel and mehr Videos means more videos. Here abonnierte has the same form as the simple past, but it expresses a hypothetical condition; wenn sends hätte to the end, while the main-clause verb stays in position two.
Morgen werde ich den Podcast abonnieren.
Tomorrow I will subscribe to the podcast.
morgen means tomorrow and der Podcast means podcast. Den Podcast is accusative because abonnieren takes a direct object; Future I places werde in position two and the infinitive abonnieren at the end.
die Absage — refusal, cancellation; rejection
Absage can mean that a person refuses an invitation or that an event is cancelled. Do not confuse it with Zusage, which means acceptance or confirmation.
Die Absage kam heute.
The cancellation arrived today.
kam means arrived and heute means today. Die Absage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kam stands in position two.
Ich habe die Absage gelesen.
I read the refusal.
ich means I and gelesen means read. Die Absage is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end.
Mit der Absage hatte niemand gerechnet.
Nobody had expected the cancellation.
mit means with, niemand means nobody, and gerechnet means expected. Der Absage is dative because mit always takes the dative; hatte is in position two and gerechnet is at the end.
Wegen der Absage blieb er zu Hause.
Because of the cancellation, he stayed at home.
wegen means because of, blieb means stayed, and zu Hause means at home. Der Absage is genitive because formal standard wegen takes the genitive; the verb blieb is in position two.
Heute kamen drei Absagen.
Three refusals arrived today.
heute means today, kamen means arrived, and drei means three. Absagen is plural after drei; the plural subject is nominative, and kamen stands in position two.
Nach dem Vorstellungsgespräch erhielt sie eine Absage.
After the job interview, she received a rejection.
nach means after, das Vorstellungsgespräch is the job interview, and erhielt means received. Eine Absage is accusative because erhalten takes a direct object; nach takes the dative in the time phrase nach dem Vorstellungsgespräch.
Die Absage auf meine Bewerbung hat mich enttäuscht.
The rejection of my application disappointed me.
die Bewerbung means application and enttäuscht means disappointed. Die Absage is nominative because it is the subject, while auf meine Bewerbung uses accusative after auf here in the fixed meaning ‘to an application’; the verb hat is in position two.
absagen — to cancel
For cancelling something, use an accusative object: einen Termin absagen. For declining a person’s invitation, German also uses jemandem absagen, with a dative person.
Ich sage ab.
I am cancelling.
ich means I. The finite verb sage is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end; in this short sentence the object is understood from the context.
Wir haben den Termin abgesagt.
We cancelled the appointment.
wir means we and der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because absagen takes a direct object; haben is in position two and abgesagt goes to the end.
Sie sagte das Konzert ab.
She cancelled the concert.
sie means she and das Konzert means the concert. Das Konzert is accusative as the object of absagen; sagte is in position two and ab is at the end.
Sag den Termin ab!
Cancel the appointment!
der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because it is the object, and the command has the shortened subjectless form Sag with ab at the end.
Ich würde die Reise absagen, wenn sie zu teuer wäre.
I would cancel the trip if it were too expensive.
die Reise means the trip, zu teuer means too expensive, and wäre means were. Die Reise is accusative after würde ... absagen; the infinitive stays together at the end, while wäre goes to the end after wenn.
Er wird den Termin absagen.
He will cancel the appointment.
er means he and der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because it is the direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive absagen goes to the end.
abschicken — to send off, to mail
This separable verb is used for sending something away, especially a letter, parcel, application, or email. The thing sent is normally an accusative object, as in einen Brief abschicken.
Ich schicke ab den Brief heute.
I am sending the letter today.
der Brief means the letter and heute means today. Den Brief is accusative because abschicken takes the thing being sent as an accusative object; the finite verb schicke is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie hat das Paket gestern abgeschickt.
She sent the parcel yesterday.
das Paket means the parcel and gestern means yesterday. The perfect uses hat plus abgeschickt; the Partizip II stands at the end, and das Paket is accusative as the object being sent.
Er schickte ab die Bewerbung am Montag.
He sent the application on Monday.
die Bewerbung means the application and am Montag means on Monday. Die Bewerbung is accusative because it is the object of abschicken; in the simple past, schickte is in position two and ab is at the end.
Schick ab die Rechnung bitte!
Please send the invoice!
die Rechnung means the invoice and bitte means please. The informal imperative uses schick without a subject, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end; die Rechnung is accusative.
Ich würde abschicken den Vertrag sofort, wenn alles fertig wäre.
I would send the contract immediately if everything were ready.
der Vertrag means the contract, sofort means immediately, and fertig means ready or finished. Würde expresses a hypothetical action, and the full infinitive abschicken follows würde; den Vertrag is accusative.
Wir werden abschicken die Unterlagen morgen.
We will send the documents tomorrow.
die Unterlagen means the documents and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses werden in position two and the full infinitive abschicken at the end; die Unterlagen is accusative as the thing being sent.
der Abschnitt — section, part, paragraph; stretch, phase, part
For a text, der Abschnitt can mean a section or paragraph. It can also mean a distinct stretch or part of something, such as a road or a period of time.
Der Abschnitt ist ziemlich lang.
The section is quite long.
ziemlich lang means quite long. Der Abschnitt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den ersten Abschnitt.
I am reading the first section.
den ersten means the first. Den ersten Abschnitt is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese is in position two.
In diesem Abschnitt geht es um die Reise.
This section is about the journey.
in diesem Abschnitt means in this section, and die Reise means the journey. In takes the dative for a fixed location or topic, while the expression es geht um uses um plus accusative.
Der Anfang des Abschnitts ist schwer zu verstehen.
The beginning of the section is difficult to understand.
der Anfang means the beginning, and schwer zu verstehen means difficult to understand. Des Abschnitts is genitive because it shows which section the beginning belongs to; zu verstehen goes at the end of its phrase.
Die Abschnitte im Buch sind kurz.
The sections in the book are short.
im Buch means in the book, and kurz means short. Die Abschnitte is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Der letzte Abschnitt der Wanderung war anstrengend.
The last part of the hike was tiring.
der letzte Abschnitt der Wanderung means the last part of the hike, and anstrengend means tiring. Der letzte Abschnitt is nominative as the subject, while der Wanderung is genitive after Abschnitt to show the part–whole relationship.
Nach diesem Abschnitt fahren wir mit dem Zug weiter.
After this stretch, we will continue by train.
nach diesem Abschnitt means after this stretch, and mit dem Zug means by train. Nach always takes the dative, and fahren is in position two; weiter means onward or continuing.
abschreiben — to copy; to cheat, to copy
It is a strong separable verb: abschreiben – schrieb ab – hat abgeschrieben. The thing copied is accusative, and von plus dative identifies the source: von jemandem abschreiben.
Er schreibt den Text von der Tafel ab.
He copies the text from the board.
den Text means the text, and die Tafel means the board. Den Text is accusative because it is the object of abschreiben; von der Tafel uses the dative after von, and ab goes to the end.
Ich habe die Adresse abgeschrieben.
I copied the address.
die Adresse means the address. The perfect uses haben plus abgeschrieben, which goes to the end; die Adresse is accusative because it is what is copied.
Sie schrieb die Telefonnummer schnell ab.
She quickly copied the phone number.
die Telefonnummer means the phone number, and schnell means quickly. The past form schrieb is in position two and ab is at the end; the phone number is accusative as the direct object.
Schreib die Wörter bitte ab!
Please copy the words!
die Wörter means the words, and bitte means please. Schreib is the informal singular imperative, while ab stays at the end; die Wörter is accusative.
Wenn du die Lösung nicht wüsstest, würdest du sie abschreiben.
If you did not know the solution, you would copy it.
die Lösung means the solution, and nicht wüsstest means did not know. The wenn-clause puts wüsstest at the end; the main clause uses würdest in position two and the complete infinitive abschreiben at the end.
Morgen schreibt Lisa die Hausaufgabe ab.
Tomorrow Lisa will copy the homework.
morgen means tomorrow, die Hausaufgabe means the homework, and Lisa is a person’s name. The present tense can express a planned future action; schreibt is in position two and ab is at the end, with die Hausaufgabe in the accusative.
Der Schüler schreibt bei der Prüfung ab.
The pupil is cheating in the exam.
der Schüler means the pupil or student, and bei der Prüfung means in the exam. Bei takes the dative, and schreibt is in position two while ab goes to the end.
Sie hat beim Test von ihrer Freundin abgeschrieben.
She copied from her friend in the test.
beim Test means during the test, and ihrer Freundin means her female friend. Bei and von take the dative; the perfect form abgeschrieben stands at the end with haben.
der Absender — sender
Der Absender is the person or organisation that sends something; der Empfänger is the person who receives it. The word is especially common on letters and parcels.
Der Absender steht auf der Rückseite des Briefes.
The sender is on the back of the letter.
die Rückseite means the back, and des Briefes means of the letter. Der Absender is nominative as the subject; auf der Rückseite is dative because it describes a fixed location, and des Briefes is genitive.
Ich kenne den Absender nicht.
I do not know the sender.
kenne means know or recognise, and nicht means not. Den Absender is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Ich antworte dem Absender heute.
I am replying to the sender today.
antworte means reply, and heute means today. Antworten takes a dative person, so dem Absender is dative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Adresse des Absenders fehlt.
The sender's address is missing.
die Adresse means the address, and fehlt means is missing. Des Absenders is genitive because it identifies whose address it is; die Adresse is the nominative subject.
Die Absender sitzen in verschiedenen Ländern.
The senders live in different countries.
sitzen means sit or are located, and verschiedenen Ländern means different countries. Die Absender is plural nominative as the subject; in verschiedenen Ländern is dative because it describes location.
die Absenderin — female sender
Absenderin is the feminine form of Absender. Its plural is formed with -innen, a common pattern for feminine nouns ending in -in.
Die Absenderin steht auf dem Brief.
The female sender is on the letter.
der Brief means the letter. Die Absenderin is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kenne die Absenderin nicht.
I do not know the female sender.
kenne means know or recognise, and nicht means not. Die Absenderin has the same article in nominative and accusative, but it is accusative here because kennen takes a direct object.
Ich antworte der Absenderin morgen.
I will reply to the female sender tomorrow.
antworte means reply, and morgen means tomorrow. Antworten takes a dative person, so der Absenderin is dative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Adresse der Absenderin ist unleserlich.
The female sender's address is illegible.
die Adresse means the address, and unleserlich means illegible or impossible to read. Der Absenderin is genitive because it shows whose address it is; die Adresse is the nominative subject.
Die Absenderinnen warten vor dem Schalter.
The female senders are waiting in front of the counter.
warten means wait, vor means in front of, and der Schalter means the counter or service desk. Die Absenderinnen is plural nominative as the subject; vor dem Schalter is dative because it describes a fixed location.
abstimmen — to vote; to coordinate, to agree
For voting, abstimmen is often used with über plus the accusative: über einen Vorschlag abstimmen. It can also be reflexive in the sense of coordinating with someone: sich mit jemandem abstimmen.
Wir stimmen ab.
We are voting.
wir means we, and ab is the voting prefix. The finite verb stimmen is in position two, while the separable prefix ab moves to the end.
Wir haben gestern abgestimmt.
We voted yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. The Partizip II abgestimmt goes to the end and combines with the auxiliary haben.
Der Ausschuss stimmte ab.
The committee voted.
der Ausschuss means the committee. The finite verb stimmte stands in position two and ab is separated to the end.
Stimm ab!
Vote!
This is a direct command to one person. The informal imperative is stimm, and the prefix ab remains at the end.
Ich würde über den Antrag abstimmen.
I would vote on the motion.
der Antrag means the motion or proposal. über den Antrag is accusative because this use of über means voting on a matter; after würde, the infinitive abstimmen goes to the end.
Morgen werden die Bürger abstimmen.
Tomorrow the citizens will vote.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Bürger means the citizens. The auxiliary werden is in position two, while the infinitive abstimmen stays together at the end.
Wir koordinieren den Termin, indem wir mit dem Team abstimmen.
We coordinate the date by consulting with the team.
koordinieren means coordinate, der Termin means the date or appointment, and das Team means the team. mit dem Team is dative because mit requires the dative; in the clause introduced by indem, the infinitive abstimmen stands at the end.
Sie bittet uns, uns mit der Kollegin abzustimmen.
She asks us to coordinate with our colleague.
bittet means asks, uns means us, and die Kollegin means the female colleague. mit der Kollegin is dative after mit, and the reflexive infinitive uns abzustimmen comes at the end after bittet uns.
die Anfrage — inquiry, request for information
Anfrage normally asks for information, often by email or phone. A formal request for an official action is more often Antrag, while a condition that must be met is an Anforderung.
Die Anfrage kommt heute.
The inquiry is coming today.
kommt means comes or arrives, and heute means today. Die Anfrage is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich beantworte die Anfrage.
I am answering the inquiry.
beantworte means answer. Die Anfrage is accusative because beantworten takes an accusative object, and the finite verb beantworte stands in position two.
Wir antworten auf die Anfrage.
We are replying to the inquiry.
antworten means reply, and auf means to in this expression. The fixed expression auf eine Anfrage antworten uses auf with the accusative, so this example has die Anfrage, not dative; antworten is in position two.
Die Antwort der Anfrage fehlt noch.
The answer to the inquiry is still missing.
die Antwort means the answer, fehlt means is missing, and noch means still. der Anfrage is genitive because it specifies which answer; the subject Die Antwort puts fehlt in position two.
Wir bearbeiten viele Anfragen.
We process many inquiries.
bearbeiten means process or deal with, and viele means many. Anfragen is plural accusative because it is the object of bearbeiten; after viele, the noun has the same form as the nominative plural.
die Angabe — information, statement
Angabe is often used for information supplied on a form or in an official statement. The plural Angaben is especially common in phrases such as laut eigenen Angaben.
Die Angabe auf dem Formular ist falsch.
The information on the form is wrong.
das Formular is a form, and falsch means wrong. Die Angabe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte korrigieren Sie die Angabe.
Please correct the information.
bitte means please, and korrigieren means to correct. Die Angabe is accusative because korrigieren takes a direct object; in a formal request, korrigieren Sie is the imperative.
Ich vertraue dieser Angabe nicht.
I do not trust this information.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Dieser Angabe is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Richtigkeit der Angabe ist schwer zu prüfen.
The accuracy of the information is difficult to check.
die Richtigkeit means accuracy, schwer means difficult, and prüfen means to check. Der Angabe is genitive and shows whose accuracy is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Angaben auf der Website sind aktuell.
The information on the website is up to date.
die Website is the website, and aktuell means up to date. Die Angaben is plural and therefore takes sind, not ist; auf der Website is a dative location phrase.
anhören — to listen to, to listen to something; to hear someone out, to interview formally
The common pattern is sich etwas anhören: the listener is a dative reflexive pronoun and the thing listened to is accusative. Do not confuse it with jemandem zuhören, which takes a dative person.
Ich höre mir den Podcast an.
I am listening to the podcast.
mir means to myself and der Podcast is an audio programme. Mir is dative for the listener and den Podcast is accusative as the thing listened to; höre is in position two and an is at the end.
Wir haben uns den neuen Song angehört.
We listened to the new song.
uns means to ourselves and der neue Song is the new song. Uns is dative and den neuen Song is accusative; haben angehört forms the perfect.
Sie hörte dem Kunden lange an.
She listened to the customer for a long time.
der Kunde is the customer and lange means for a long time. Dem Kunden is dative because this construction treats the person listened to as a dative object; an is separated.
Hör dir diese Nachricht an!
Listen to this message!
diese Nachricht means this message. The informal imperative omits du; dir is dative, and an goes at the end.
Wenn du Zeit hättest, hörtest du dir die Aufnahme an.
If you had time, you would listen to the recording.
Zeit means time and die Aufnahme is the recording. The wenn clause puts hättest at the end; the main clause has hörtest in position two and an at the end.
Heute Abend werde ich mir die Nachrichten anhören.
This evening I will listen to the news.
heute Abend means this evening and die Nachrichten is the news. Mir is dative for the listener; werde is in position two and the infinitive anhören stays together at the end.
Das Gericht hört den Zeugen an.
The court hears the witness.
das Gericht is the court and der Zeuge is the witness. Den Zeugen is accusative because the court hears this person, and the prefix an goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin hat beide Schüler angehört.
The teacher heard both pupils out.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, beide means both, and der Schüler is the pupil. Beide Schüler is accusative as the object, and hat angehört forms the perfect.
anmachen — to switch on, to turn on; to hit on; to hassle or address rudely
For the physical meaning, anmachen takes an accusative object: das Licht anmachen. As a separable verb, it splits in a main clause but stays together as angemacht and anzumachen.
..., weil ich morgens das Licht anmache.
... because I switch on the light in the morning.
morgens means in the morning, and das Licht means the light. das Licht is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; in the subordinate clause after weil, the finite verb anmache goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached.
Ich habe den Fernseher angemacht.
I switched on the television.
der Fernseher means television. den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object, and angemacht is the Partizip II at the end of the clause after the auxiliary habe.
..., als sie die Heizung anmachte.
... when she switched on the heating.
als means when, and die Heizung means the heating. die Heizung is accusative as the direct object; in the subordinate clause, the finite verb anmachte goes to the end and the prefix stays attached.
Mach an bitte das Radio.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please, and das Radio means the radio. The informal du imperative is mach an, with the prefix attached directly in this short command; das Radio is accusative.
Ich würde anmachen das Licht, wenn es dunkel wäre.
I would switch on the light if it were dark.
dunkel means dark, and wenn means if. würde ... anmachen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive anmachen stays together at the end, and das Licht is accusative.
Er wird anmachen später den Computer.
He will switch on the computer later.
später means later, and der Computer means computer. In the future, the finite auxiliary wird normally comes first in the verbal bracket and the infinitive anmachen goes at the end; den Computer is accusative.
Ich frage mich, warum du mich anmachst.
I wonder why you are hitting on me.
sich fragen means to wonder, and warum means why. mich is accusative because this meaning of anmachen directly affects a person; in the subordinate clause, anmachst goes to the end with the prefix attached.
Der Mann hat meine Freundin in der Bar angemacht.
The man hit on my girlfriend in the bar.
der Mann means the man, meine Freundin means my girlfriend, and die Bar means bar. meine Freundin is accusative because she is the person addressed, while angemacht stays together at the end after hat.
anmelden — to register; to sign up
The transitive pattern is jemanden/etwas anmelden, while the common sign-up meaning is reflexive: sich anmelden. The fixed phrase sich für etwas anmelden uses accusative after für.
..., weil ich mich für den Sprachkurs anmelde.
... because I am signing up for the language course.
der Sprachkurs means language course. mich is accusative because the reflexive verb registers the speaker, and für den Sprachkurs uses accusative after für; after weil, the finite verb anmelde goes to the end with the prefix attached.
Wir haben uns gestern für den Kurs angemeldet.
We signed up for the course yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der Kurs means course. uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun for wir, while für den Kurs is accusative after für; angemeldet stands at the end after haben.
..., als sie das neue Auto beim Amt anmeldete.
... when she registered the new car at the government office.
das neue Auto means the new car, and das Amt means the government office. das neue Auto is accusative as the direct object, while beim Amt means bei dem Amt and is dative; in the subordinate clause, anmeldete goes to the end.
Meld dich an bitte sofort.
Please register immediately.
bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. The informal command uses meld dich an with the accusative reflexive pronoun dich; the two parts of the separable verb are together in this short command.
Ich würde anmelden mich gern für den Workshop.
I would like to register for the workshop.
gern means gladly or would like to, and der Workshop means workshop. mich is accusative with the reflexive verb and für den Workshop is accusative after für; the infinitive anmelden stays together.
Er wird anmelden sich morgen online.
He will register online tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and online means online. sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun for er; in the future, the complete infinitive anmelden remains together.
die Anrede — form of address, salutation
In a letter or email, Anrede means the opening salutation, such as Sehr geehrte Frau ... or Liebe .... It can also mean the way you address someone when speaking.
Die Anrede in der E-Mail ist sehr höflich.
The form of address in the email is very polite.
die E-Mail means the email and sehr höflich means very polite. Die Anrede is nominative because it is the subject; in der E-Mail uses the dative because it describes location.
Ich lese die Anrede zuerst.
I read the form of address first.
ich lese means I read and zuerst means first. Die Anrede is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Nach der Anrede kommt der Haupttext.
The main text comes after the form of address.
nach means after, kommt means comes, and der Haupttext means the main text. Nach always takes the dative, so der Anrede is dative; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Anrede ist klar.
The meaning of the form of address is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and klar means clear. Der Anrede is genitive because it specifies whose meaning is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Verschiedene Anreden sind möglich.
Different forms of address are possible.
verschiedene means different and möglich means possible. Anreden is a plural subject and therefore takes sind; the plural is formed with -n.
Ich beginne den Brief mit der Anrede „Liebe Frau Müller“.
I begin the letter with the form of address “Dear Ms Müller”.
beginne means begin, der Brief means the letter, and Liebe Frau Müller means Dear Ms Müller. Den Brief is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object, while mit der Anrede uses the dative after mit.
Welche Anrede passt zu diesem Brief?
Which form of address suits this letter?
welche means which, passt means suits, and diesem Brief means this letter. Zu takes the dative, so diesem Brief is dative; the finite verb passt stands in position two.
der Anruf — phone call, call
Anruf normally means a telephone call. For calling someone, German uses the verb anrufen; a missed call is ein verpasster Anruf.
Der Anruf kommt gerade rechtzeitig.
The phone call comes just in time.
kommt means comes, and gerade rechtzeitig means just in time. Der Anruf is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich bekomme den Anruf während der Arbeit.
I receive the phone call during work.
ich bekomme means I receive, während means during, and die Arbeit means work. Den Anruf is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; während der Arbeit uses the genitive in careful standard German.
Nach dem Anruf war ich erleichtert.
After the phone call, I was relieved.
nach means after, war means was, and erleichtert means relieved. Nach always takes the dative, so dem Anruf is dative; the opening phrase is first, so war stands in position two.
Die Dauer des Anrufs war nur fünf Minuten.
The duration of the phone call was only five minutes.
die Dauer means the duration, nur means only, and fünf Minuten means five minutes. Des Anrufs is genitive because it specifies the call whose duration is meant; the noun adds -s.
Heute habe ich drei Anrufe.
Today I have three phone calls.
heute means today, habe ich means I have, and drei means three. Anrufe is plural after drei; the plural changes u to ü and adds -e.
Ich rufe dich wegen des Anrufs zurück.
I will call you back because of the phone call.
ich rufe ... zurück means I call back, dich means you, and wegen means because of. Dich is accusative because anrufen takes the person called, while wegen des Anrufs uses the genitive; the prefix zurück goes to the end.
Kannst du den Anruf annehmen?
Can you answer the phone call?
kannst du means can you, and annehmen means accept or answer. Den Anruf is accusative because annehmen takes a direct object; after the modal kannst, the infinitive annehmen goes to the end.
der Anrufbeantworter — answering machine
The word combines Anruf (call) and Beantworter (answering device). The plural is unusual because it is identical to the singular, so the article or another determiner shows the number.
Der Anrufbeantworter ist an.
The answering machine is on.
an means switched on. ist is the finite verb and stands in position two; der Anrufbeantworter is the nominative subject.
Ich höre den Anrufbeantworter ab.
I am listening to the answering machine.
höre ... ab means listen to or check; abhören is a separable verb. den Anrufbeantworter is accusative because abhören takes a direct object, and ab goes to the end.
Auf dem Anrufbeantworter ist eine Nachricht.
There is a message on the answering machine.
auf means on here, eine Nachricht is a message, and ist means is. dem Anrufbeantworter is dative because auf describes a fixed location, not movement.
Die Anzeige des Anrufbeantworters blinkt.
The answering machine's display is flashing.
die Anzeige is the display and blinkt means is flashing. des Anrufbeantworters is genitive because it shows whose display it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
In vielen Büros stehen mehrere Anrufbeantworter.
Several answering machines are in many offices.
in vielen Büros means in many offices, and mehrere means several. Anrufbeantworter has no plural ending; in takes dative here because it describes location.
der Anrufer — caller
Anrufer is formed from anrufen and means the person who calls. The plural is identical to the singular, and the genitive singular is des Anrufers.
Der Anrufer spricht sehr leise.
The caller is speaking very quietly.
spricht means speaks and sehr leise means very quietly. der Anrufer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich höre den Anrufer nicht.
I cannot hear the caller.
höre ... nicht means do not hear, and nicht means not. den Anrufer is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Anrufer mit dem Problem.
I am helping the caller with the problem.
helfe means help, mit means with, and das Problem means the problem. dem Anrufer is dative because helfen always takes a dative person.
Die Nummer des Anrufers ist unbekannt.
The caller's number is unknown.
die Nummer is the number and unbekannt means unknown. des Anrufers is genitive because it shows whose number it is; the masculine noun adds -s.
Mehrere Anrufer warten in der Leitung.
Several callers are waiting on the line.
mehrere means several, warten means wait, and in der Leitung means on the line. Anrufer has no plural ending, so mehrere shows that it is plural.
die Ansage — announcement, recorded message
An Ansage is spoken information given to a group, or a recorded message such as one on a telephone line. Do not confuse it with Aussage, which means a statement or assertion.
Die Ansage beginnt jetzt.
The announcement is starting now.
beginnt means begins and jetzt means now. die Ansage is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich höre die Ansage im Zug.
I hear the announcement on the train.
höre means hear and im Zug means on the train. die Ansage is accusative because hören takes a direct object; for this feminine noun, nominative and accusative look identical.
Nach der Ansage schließen die Türen.
After the announcement, the doors close.
nach means after, schließen means close, and die Türen means the doors. der Ansage is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so the verb still occupies position two.
Der Inhalt der Ansage war unklar.
The content of the announcement was unclear.
der Inhalt means the content and unklar means unclear. der Ansage is genitive because it identifies the content's source; a feminine noun has the same form in dative and genitive, so the context and article matter.
Die Ansagen am Bahnhof sind laut.
The announcements at the station are loud.
am Bahnhof means at the station and laut means loud. Ansagen is plural with -n, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
die Anschrift — address, postal address
Die Anschrift is a postal or official address. It is more formal than die Adresse, and its plural is die Anschriften.
Die Anschrift steht auf dem Brief.
The address is on the letter.
steht means is written or stands, and auf dem Brief means on the letter. Die Anschrift is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the address is in a fixed location.
Bitte schreiben Sie Ihre Anschrift hier auf.
Please write your address here.
Bitte means please and hier means here. Ihre Anschrift is accusative because aufschreiben takes a direct object; in the formal imperative, schreiben stands in position two and auf goes to the end.
Ich schicke der Firma meine Anschrift.
I am sending my address to the company.
schicke means send, der Firma means to the company, and meine means my. Der Firma is dative because it is the recipient, while meine Anschrift is accusative as the thing being sent.
Die Änderung der Anschrift kostet nichts.
The change of address costs nothing.
die Änderung means the change and kostet nichts means costs nothing. Der Anschrift is genitive because it specifies which change; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Die Anschriften der Kunden sind gespeichert.
The customers’ addresses are stored.
der Kunden means of the customers, and gespeichert means stored. Die Anschriften is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Kunden is genitive and shows whose addresses they are.
ansprechen — to address, to speak to; to appeal to, to attract
ansprechen takes an accusative person: jemanden ansprechen. Because it is separable, the prefix an moves to the end in a main clause, but stays attached in anzusprechen and angesprochen.
Die Verkäuferin spricht den Kunden freundlich an.
The sales assistant speaks to the customer in a friendly way.
die Verkäuferin means the sales assistant, den Kunden means the customer, and freundlich means friendly. Kunden is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative person; the finite part spricht is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich habe gestern einen Fremden angesprochen.
Yesterday I spoke to a stranger.
gestern means yesterday, einen Fremden means a stranger, and habe ... angesprochen means spoke to. Fremden is accusative after ansprechen; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the Partizip II angesprochen closes the clause.
Er sprach seine Chefin nach der Sitzung an.
He spoke to his boss after the meeting.
er means he, seine Chefin means his female boss, and nach der Sitzung means after the meeting. Chefin is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative object; in the simple past, sprach is in position two and an goes to the end.
Sprich bitte den Lehrer an!
Please speak to the teacher!
bitte means please and der Lehrer means the teacher. Lehrer is accusative after ansprechen; the du imperative is sprich, and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Ich würde sie direkt ansprechen, wenn ich mutiger wäre.
I would speak to her directly if I were braver.
würde means would, sie means her, direkt means directly, wenn means if, and mutiger means braver. sie is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative person; after würde, the infinitive ansprechen goes to the end, and wäre is the Konjunktiv II form of sein.
Morgen werde ich den neuen Nachbarn ansprechen.
Tomorrow I will speak to the new neighbour.
morgen means tomorrow, den neuen Nachbarn means the new neighbour, and werde ... ansprechen means will speak to. Nachbarn is accusative after ansprechen; werde stands in position two and the infinitive ansprechen goes to the end.
Das moderne Design spricht junge Menschen an.
The modern design appeals to young people.
das moderne Design means the modern design, junge Menschen means young people, and modern means modern. Menschen is accusative because it is the people whom the design attracts; spricht is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Die Musik hat mich sofort angesprochen.
The music appealed to me immediately.
die Musik means the music, mich means me, sofort means immediately, and hat ... angesprochen means appealed to. mich is accusative because the verb marks the person who is attracted; the auxiliary hat is in position two and angesprochen goes to the end.
der Ansprechpartner — contact person, person to contact; designated contact, responsible person
This noun is masculine even when the person is female; an inclusive alternative is die Ansprechperson. Its plural is unchanged: der Ansprechpartner, die Ansprechpartner.
Der Ansprechpartner hilft mir bei der Anmeldung.
The contact person helps me with the registration.
hilft means helps, mir means me, bei der Anmeldung means with the registration, and Anmeldung means registration. Ansprechpartner is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Ich suche den Ansprechpartner für das Projekt.
I am looking for the contact person for the project.
ich suche means I am looking for, für means for, and das Projekt means the project. Ansprechpartner is accusative after suchen; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the noun itself has no visible ending.
Ich schreibe dem Ansprechpartner eine E-Mail.
I am writing the contact person an email.
schreibe means write, dem means to the, and eine E-Mail means an email. Ansprechpartner is dative because it is the recipient of schreiben, while eine E-Mail is accusative as the thing written; the finite verb schreibe stands in position two.
Die Telefonnummer des Ansprechpartners steht auf der Website.
The contact person’s telephone number is on the website.
die Telefonnummer means the telephone number, steht means is located or is written, auf der Website means on the website. Ansprechpartners is genitive after des because it shows whose number it is; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Ansprechpartner beantworten alle Fragen.
The contact persons answer all questions.
beantworten means answer, alle means all, and Fragen means questions. Ansprechpartner is plural and nominative because it is the subject, while Fragen is accusative after beantworten; the plural has no ending on this noun.
Frau Keller ist meine Ansprechpartnerin für Versicherungen.
Ms Keller is my contact for insurance matters.
Frau Keller is Ms Keller, meine means my, für means for, and Versicherungen means insurance matters. The feminine form Ansprechpartnerin follows ist as a predicative noun and stays nominative-like; Versicherungen is accusative after für.
Im Notfall wenden Sie sich an den Ansprechpartner.
In an emergency, contact the designated person.
im Notfall means in an emergency, wenden Sie sich means turn or refer yourself, and an means to. The fixed expression sich an jemanden wenden takes an plus accusative for the person contacted; the formal imperative uses Sie and the verb stays in position two.
die Anweisung — instruction, direction; order, directive
An Anweisung is usually a clear direction about what to do; it can sound official or technical. Do not confuse it with Ansage, which is an announcement, or Anwendung, which is an application or use.
Die Anweisung ist sehr klar.
The instruction is very clear.
klar means clear and sehr means very. Die Anweisung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte lesen Sie die Anweisung.
Please read the instruction.
bitte means please and lesen Sie is the formal command read. die Anweisung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the formal imperative keeps Sie after the verb.
Folgen Sie der Anweisung genau.
Follow the instruction exactly.
folgen means follow and genau means exactly. folgen takes the dative, so der Anweisung is dative; Sie makes this a formal command.
Der Inhalt der Anweisung war kompliziert.
The content of the instruction was complicated.
der Inhalt means the content, war means was, and kompliziert means complicated. der Anweisung is genitive because it identifies whose content is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Anweisungen stehen an der Wand.
The instructions are on the wall.
stehen means are displayed or stand, an der Wand means on the wall. Anweisungen is plural and nominative as the subject, while der Wand is dative because an describes a fixed location.
Die Polizei gab eine Anweisung an die Demonstranten.
The police gave an order to the demonstrators.
die Polizei is the police, gab means gave, and die Demonstranten are the demonstrators. eine Anweisung is accusative as the thing given, while an die Demonstranten uses the accusative because it expresses direction toward them.
Alle Mitarbeiter müssen die Anweisungen befolgen.
All employees must follow the instructions.
alle Mitarbeiter means all employees, müssen means must, and befolgen means follow or obey. die Anweisungen is accusative because befolgen takes a direct object; the modal verb is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
die Anzeige — advertisement, ad; police report, complaint
Anzeige also has two important meanings: a display on a device and a report to the police. The meaning is usually clear from words such as Zeitung, Bildschirm, or Polizei.
Die Anzeige steht in der Zeitung.
The advertisement is in the newspaper.
stehen means to be printed or located, and die Zeitung means the newspaper. Die Anzeige is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Ich lese die Anzeige im Internet.
I am reading the advertisement online.
lesen means to read, and im Internet means online or on the internet. Die Anzeige is accusative because it is the direct object of lese; the finite verb stands in position two.
Mit der Anzeige findet die Firma neue Kunden.
With the advertisement, the company finds new customers.
mit means with, die Firma means the company, and neue Kunden means new customers. Der Anzeige is dative because mit requires the dative, while neue Kunden is accusative after findet.
Der Text der Anzeige ist sehr kurz.
The text of the advertisement is very short.
der Text means the text, and sehr kurz means very short. Der Anzeige is genitive because it tells us which text; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Anzeigen im Internet sind oft bunt.
The online advertisements are often colourful.
im Internet means online, and oft bunt means often colourful. Anzeigen is plural because the article is die, and sind agrees with this plural subject.
Sie erstattet Anzeige bei der Polizei.
She files a report with the police.
erstatten means to file or make officially, and bei der Polizei means with the police. In the fixed expression Anzeige erstatten, Anzeige is usually used without an article; bei requires the dative, and erstattet is in position two.
Der Mann hat Anzeige gegen seinen Nachbarn erstattet.
The man filed a complaint against his neighbour.
der Mann means the man, gegen means against, and sein Nachbar means his neighbour. Anzeige is used without an article in this fixed expression, while gegen seinen Nachbarn is accusative because gegen requires the accusative; erstattet goes to the end with hat.
anzeigen — to display, to show; to report, to file a complaint against
For screens and signs, anzeigen means to display information. It is separable: etwas anzeigen becomes zeigt etwas an in a main clause.
Die App zeigt die nächste Verbindung an.
The app displays the next connection.
die nächste Verbindung means the next connection, and die App is an application. Verbindung is accusative because anzeigen takes a direct object, while finite zeigt is in position two and an goes to the end because the verb is separable.
Die App hat die nächste Verbindung angezeigt.
The app displayed the next connection.
die nächste Verbindung means the next connection. The accusative object follows hat, and angezeigt goes to the end as the Partizip II; haben forms the perfect here.
Die App zeigte die nächste Verbindung an.
The app displayed the next connection.
die nächste Verbindung means the next connection. zeigte is the weak preterite in position two, and the separated prefix an stands at the end.
Zeig mir bitte die nächste Verbindung an.
Please display the next connection for me.
mir means to me and bitte means please; die nächste Verbindung means the next connection. mir is dative for the person receiving the information, while die nächste Verbindung is accusative as the thing displayed; the informal imperative omits du and splits into zeig ... an.
Wenn die App die nächste Verbindung anzeigen würde, wäre das hilfreich.
If the app displayed the next connection, that would be helpful.
wenn means if, die nächste Verbindung means the next connection, and hilfreich means helpful. In the subordinate clause, the infinitive anzeigen stays together at the end with würde; the object is accusative.
Die App wird die nächste Verbindung anzeigen.
The app will display the next connection.
die nächste Verbindung means the next connection. wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive anzeigen stays together at the end rather than splitting.
Sie zeigt den Nachbarn bei der Polizei an.
She reports the neighbour to the police.
den Nachbarn means the neighbour, and bei der Polizei means to the police. den Nachbarn is accusative because it is the person reported, while bei takes the dative here; the verb splits into zeigt ... an.
Er hat den Diebstahl bei der Polizei angezeigt.
He reported the theft to the police.
der Diebstahl means the theft, and bei der Polizei means to the police. The theft is an accusative object, and angezeigt goes to the end with hat in the perfect.
die Anzeigetafel — display board, information board
This compound combines Anzeige, information or display, with Tafel, board. It is feminine because the final part Tafel is feminine.
Die Anzeigetafel zeigt die Abfahrtszeit.
The display board shows the departure time.
zeigt means shows, and die Abfahrtszeit means the departure time. Die Anzeigetafel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt stands in position two.
Ich fotografiere die Anzeigetafel.
I photograph the display board.
fotografiere means photograph. die Anzeigetafel is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren, while Ich is the nominative subject.
Ich stehe vor der Anzeigetafel.
I am standing in front of the display board.
stehe means am standing, and vor means in front of. Here vor describes a location and takes the dative, so der Anzeigetafel is dative.
Die Farbe der Anzeigetafel ist sehr hell.
The colour of the display board is very bright.
die Farbe means the colour, and hell means bright. der Anzeigetafel is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Anzeigetafeln sind heute kaputt.
The display boards are broken today.
sind means are, heute means today, and kaputt means broken. Die Anzeigetafeln is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural adds -n.
der Artikel — article; item, article of writing; item, product; article, written piece
In grammar, der Artikel means an article such as der, die, das, ein or eine. In shopping and newspapers, the same noun can mean an item or a written article.
Der bestimmte Artikel steht vor dem Nomen.
The definite article comes before the noun.
bestimmt means definite, steht vor means stands before, and das Nomen means the noun. Der bestimmte Artikel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Setze den richtigen Artikel ein.
Insert the correct article.
setze ... ein means insert, and richtig means correct. den richtigen Artikel is accusative because einsetzen takes a direct object; the imperative verb setze comes first.
Mit dem Artikel üben wir die Fälle.
We practise the cases with the article.
üben means practise and die Fälle means the cases. mit always takes the dative, so dem Artikel is dative; the prepositional phrase is first and üben follows it.
Die Endung des Artikels zeigt den Kasus.
The ending of the article shows the case.
die Endung means the ending, zeigt means shows, and der Kasus means the grammatical case. des Artikels is genitive because it means of the article, and the noun adds -s in the genitive.
In diesem Text fehlen mehrere Artikel.
Several articles are missing from this text.
diesem Text means this text, fehlen means are missing, and mehrere means several. Artikel is plural after mehrere; in diesem Text is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
Welchen Artikel hat das Wort „Haus“?
Which article does the word “Haus” take?
welchen Artikel means which article, and das Wort means the word. welchen Artikel is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the question word welchen shows masculine accusative.
Dieser Artikel ist heute im Angebot.
This item is on sale today.
heute means today and im Angebot means on sale. Dieser Artikel is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich möchte den Artikel online bestellen.
I would like to order the item online.
online means online and bestellen means order. den Artikel is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the infinitive bestellen goes to the end after möchte.
Ich habe einen interessanten Artikel gelesen.
I read an interesting article.
interessant means interesting and gelesen means read. einen interessanten Artikel is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end.
Der Artikel berichtet über den Klimawandel.
The article reports on climate change.
berichtet über means reports on and der Klimawandel means climate change. Der Artikel is nominative as the subject, while über takes the accusative here; the finite verb berichtet is in position two.
aufgeben — to give up, to abandon; to submit, to post; to assign, to set
In this sense, aufgeben is often used without an object, as in nicht aufgeben. With an object, it can mean abandoning a plan, attempt, or hope.
Er gibt nicht auf.
He is not giving up.
nicht means not. Er is the nominative subject; the finite part gibt stands in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Sie hat nach einer Stunde aufgegeben.
She gave up after an hour.
nach einer Stunde means after an hour. The perfect uses hat because aufgeben takes haben; the complete Partizip II aufgegeben stays together at the end.
Der Läufer gab kurz vor dem Ziel auf.
The runner gave up shortly before the finish.
der Läufer means the runner, kurz vor means shortly before, and das Ziel means the finish. Gab is the strong past form of geben, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Gib jetzt nicht auf.
Don't give up now.
jetzt means now and nicht means not. This is a du command with the subject omitted; the irregular imperative is gib, and the prefix auf must stand at the end.
Wenn du früher aufgäbest, wärst du jetzt entspannter.
If you gave up earlier, you would be more relaxed now.
früher means earlier and entspannter means more relaxed. In the wenn clause, the Konjunktiv II form aufgäbest goes to the end; because the verb is separable in finite clauses, the prefix is written together in this subordinate clause.
Ich werde nie aufgeben.
I will never give up.
nie means never. In the future, werde is in position two and the complete infinitive aufgeben goes to the end; it is not separated because it is an infinitive.
Ich gebe den Brief bei der Post auf.
I am posting the letter at the post office.
der Brief means the letter and bei der Post means at the post office. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being posted; gebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Bitte geben Sie das Formular heute auf.
Please submit the form today.
das Formular means the form and heute means today. This is the formal Sie imperative, so geben stays in the infinitive-like form; das Formular is accusative and auf goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Kindern Hausaufgaben auf.
The teacher assigns the children homework.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, den Kindern means the children, and Hausaufgaben means homework. Den Kindern is dative because they receive the assignment, while Hausaufgaben is accusative; gibt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Der Kursleiter hat uns eine schwierige Aufgabe aufgegeben.
The course instructor assigned us a difficult task.
der Kursleiter means the course instructor, uns means us, and schwierig means difficult. Uns is dative as the recipient and eine schwierige Aufgabe is accusative; hat is in position two and aufgegeben closes the perfect clause.
die Aufnahme — recording, photograph; admission, acceptance, intake
Aufnahme can mean a sound or video recording, a photograph, or a captured image. The related verb is aufnehmen, and the plural Aufnahmen covers these media meanings.
Die Aufnahme klingt sehr klar.
The recording sounds very clear.
klingen means to sound, and klar means clear. Die Aufnahme is the nominative subject; sehr klar describes how it sounds, and the finite verb klingt is in position two.
Ich höre die Aufnahme noch einmal.
I am listening to the recording once more.
hören means to listen to or hear, and noch einmal means once more. Die Aufnahme is accusative because hören takes an accusative object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Wir schicken der Aufnahme einen Namen.
We give the recording a name.
schicken means to send, and einen Namen means a name. Der Aufnahme is dative as the recipient of the name, while einen Namen is accusative; the verb pattern is jemandem etwas schicken.
Die Qualität der Aufnahme ist ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the recording is excellent.
die Qualität means the quality and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Der Aufnahme is genitive, meaning of the recording; ist is the finite verb and ausgezeichnet is predicative.
Die Aufnahmen liegen auf meinem Computer.
The recordings are on my computer.
liegen means to lie or be located, and der Computer means the computer. Aufnahmen is the plural subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so meinem Computer is dative.
Die Aufnahme ins Krankenhaus erfolgte am Abend.
The admission to the hospital took place in the evening.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital, erfolgen means to take place, and am Abend means in the evening. Ins Krankenhaus is in das Krankenhaus and uses the accusative because it describes admission into a place; the noun Aufnahme is the subject.
Für die Aufnahme an der Universität braucht man gute Noten.
Good grades are needed for admission to the university.
für means for, die Universität means the university, and gute Noten means good grades. Für die Aufnahme is accusative after für, while an der Universität is dative because it refers to a fixed institution; braucht man has the subject man in position three after the fronted phrase.
aufnehmen — to record, to tape, to photograph; to take in, admit
For recording, aufnehmen takes an accusative object, such as ein Gespräch or ein Interview. It is a strong separable verb: nehmen changes to nimmt and nahm, while auf separates in main clauses.
Ich nehme das Gespräch auf.
I am recording the conversation.
das Gespräch means the conversation, and nehmen means to take. Das Gespräch is accusative because aufnehmen takes an accusative object; the finite part nehme is in position two and the prefix auf moves to the end.
Wir haben das Konzert aufgenommen.
We recorded the concert.
das Konzert means the concert. The perfect uses haben because this sense of aufnehmen takes haben; the participle aufgenommen stays together at the end of the clause, and das Konzert is accusative.
Sie nahm die Rede auf.
She recorded the speech.
die Rede means the speech. Nahm is the strong preterite form, while auf separates and stands at the end; die Rede is accusative as the recorded object.
Nimm bitte die Ansage auf.
Please record the announcement.
bitte means please, and die Ansage means the announcement. Nimm is the informal singular command form and auf separates to the end; die Ansage is accusative.
Ich würde die Sendung aufnehmen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would record the programme if I had time.
die Sendung means the programme or broadcast, and Zeit haben means to have time. Würde plus the infinitive expresses an unreal or hypothetical action; the whole infinitive aufnehmen stays together after würde, while wenn sends hätte to the end of its clause.
Morgen werde ich das Interview aufnehmen.
Tomorrow I will record the interview.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Interview means the interview. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive aufnehmen at the end; das Interview is accusative.
Das Krankenhaus nimmt heute viele Patienten auf.
The hospital is admitting many patients today.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital, heute means today, and viele Patienten means many patients. Viele Patienten is accusative because aufnehmen takes the person being admitted as its object; nimmt is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Die Familie hat den Studenten bei sich aufgenommen.
The family took the student in.
die Familie means the family, der Student means the student, and bei sich means into their home or with them. Den Studenten is accusative because it is the person taken in; bei requires the dative, and the participle aufgenommen stands at the end.
aufrufen — to call on, to call up; to access, to open
For calling on a person, aufrufen takes an accusative object. In a classroom, it means choosing someone to answer; with a website, it means accessing it.
Der Lehrer ruft Anna auf.
The teacher calls on Anna.
der Lehrer is the teacher, and Anna is the person called on. Anna is accusative because aufrufen takes a direct object, while the finite verb ruft is in position two and auf moves to the end.
Der Lehrer hat Anna aufgerufen.
The teacher called on Anna.
der Lehrer means the teacher, and hat is the present form of haben. Anna is accusative because she is the direct object; aufgerufen is the Partizip II and stands at the end.
Der Lehrer rief Anna auf.
The teacher called on Anna.
der Lehrer is the teacher, and Anna is the learner being called on. Rief is the strong past form, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Ruf bitte Anna auf.
Please call on Anna.
bitte means please, and Anna is the person to call on. The imperative ruf comes first, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end; Anna is accusative.
Der Lehrer würde zuerst Anna aufrufen.
The teacher would call on Anna first.
zuerst means first, and würde expresses a hypothetical situation. In a würde construction, aufrufen stays whole at the end, and Anna is accusative.
Der Lehrer wird gleich Anna aufrufen.
The teacher will call on Anna soon.
gleich means soon, and wird helps form the future. The infinitive aufrufen stays together at the end of the clause, and Anna is accusative.
Ich rufe die Webseite auf.
I access the website.
die Webseite means the website. Die Webseite is accusative because it is the direct object; rufe is in position two and auf stands at the end.
Sie hat das Programm aufgerufen.
She opened the program.
sie means she, and das Programm is the program. Das Programm is accusative, and the Partizip II aufgerufen goes to the end after hat.
ausdrucken — to print out
ausdrucken is separable: in a main clause, aus moves to the end, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. It takes haben in the perfect and normally takes a printed object in the accusative.
Ich drucke die E-Mail aus.
I am printing out the email.
die E-Mail is the email. die E-Mail is accusative because ausdrucken takes the thing printed as its direct object; the finite part drucke is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir haben die Tickets ausgedruckt.
We printed out the tickets.
die Tickets means the tickets. The perfect uses haben plus ausgedruckt, which goes to the end; die Tickets is accusative as the direct object.
Sie druckte den Vertrag aus.
She printed out the contract.
sie means she and der Vertrag is the contract. The weak preterite is druckte; den Vertrag is accusative, and the separable prefix aus goes to the end.
Druck bitte den Plan aus.
Please print out the plan.
bitte means please and der Plan is the plan. This is the du imperative, with druck at the beginning and aus at the end; den Plan is accusative.
Ich würde die Rechnung ausdrucken, wenn der Drucker funktionieren würde.
I would print out the bill if the printer worked.
die Rechnung is the bill, wenn means if, and funktionieren means to work. würde ausdrucken expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive ausdrucken stays together at the end of its clause.
Morgen werde ich den Antrag ausdrucken.
Tomorrow I will print out the application.
morgen means tomorrow and der Antrag is the application or request. Future uses werde plus the infinitive ausdrucken at the end; den Antrag is accusative as the direct object.
die Auskunft — information; answer; information desk
Die Auskunft can mean information or an answer, and it can also refer to an information service or desk. In the plural, the umlaut and ending produce die Auskünfte.
Die Auskunft ist kostenlos.
The information is free.
kostenlos means free of charge. Die Auskunft is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Auskunft heute.
I need the information today.
brauche means need, and heute means today. Die Auskunft is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Auskunft am Schalter.
We thank the information desk at the counter.
danken means thank, der Schalter means the counter, and am Schalter means at the counter. Der Auskunft is dative because danken requires the dative; note that this sentence uses Auskunft for the information service or desk.
Die Richtigkeit der Auskunft ist wichtig.
The correctness of the information is important.
die Richtigkeit means the correctness, and wichtig means important. Der Auskunft is genitive to identify whose correctness is meant; the feminine noun uses der in the genitive.
Die Mitarbeiter geben freundliche Auskünfte.
The staff give helpful information.
die Mitarbeiter means the staff or employees, and freundlich means friendly or helpful. Auskünfte is plural and accusative because geben takes the information as its object; the umlaut changes Auskunft to Auskünfte.
ausradieren — to erase
Use ausradieren for removing pencil marks, writing, or drawings with an eraser. For deleting a computer file, German usually uses löschen, not ausradieren.
Ich radiere den Fehler aus.
I am erasing the mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake. den Fehler is accusative because it is the direct object of ausradieren; the finite verb is split, with radiere in position two and aus at the end.
Sie hat die falsche Zahl ausradiert.
She erased the wrong number.
die falsche Zahl means the wrong number. The object is accusative, and ausradiert is the Partizip II used with haben; it stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Er radierte seinen Namen aus.
He erased his name.
seinen Namen means his name. It is accusative because ausradieren takes a direct object; the weak preterite radierte is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Radier die Linie aus!
Erase the line!
die Linie means the line. This is the du imperative with an omitted subject; the separable parts appear as radier at the beginning and aus at the end.
Ich würde den kleinen Kreis gern ausradieren.
I would like to erase the small circle.
klein means small, and der Kreis means circle. den kleinen Kreis is accusative as the object; with würde, the complete infinitive ausradieren remains at the end.
Nach dem Unterricht werde ich die Notizen ausradieren.
After the lesson, I will erase the notes.
nach dem Unterricht means after the lesson, and die Notizen means the notes. nach requires the dative, while die Notizen is accusative as the object; werde is in position two and ausradieren is at the end.
die Aussage — statement, claim; testimony, formal statement
Die Aussage can mean a spoken or written statement and can also refer to what a witness says. Do not confuse it with die Aussagekraft, which means how informative or convincing something is.
Die Aussage klingt sehr klar.
The statement sounds very clear.
klingt means sounds and klar means clear. Die Aussage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Ich glaube die Aussage nicht.
I do not believe the statement.
glaube means believe and nicht means not. Die Aussage is accusative because glauben takes the thing believed as a direct object here; the finite verb glaube is in position two.
Wir stimmen der Aussage nicht zu.
We do not agree with the statement.
zustimmen means agree with, and nicht means not. Der Aussage is dative because zustimmen governs the dative; the separable verb puts stimmen in position two and zu at the end.
Die Bedeutung der Aussage ist unklar.
The meaning of the statement is unclear.
die Bedeutung means meaning and unklar means unclear. Der Aussage is genitive because it specifies which statement’s meaning is meant, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Aussagen waren widersprüchlich.
Many statements were contradictory.
viele means many and widersprüchlich means contradictory. Aussagen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -n is part of the noun form.
Der Zeuge hat eine Aussage gemacht.
The witness made a statement.
der Zeuge means witness and gemacht means made or done. Eine Aussage is accusative after machen, and the perfect uses hat ... gemacht, with the participle at the end.
Vor Gericht änderte sie ihre Aussage.
In court, she changed her statement.
vor Gericht means in court and änderte means changed. Ihre Aussage is accusative because ändern takes a direct object, while the adverbial phrase at the start causes the subject sie to come after the finite verb.
ausschimpfen — to scold, to tell off
This verb is stronger and more direct than simply saying that someone is angry: it means angrily scolding a person. It takes an accusative object, and aus- separates in a main clause: Sie schimpft ihn aus.
Die Mutter schimpft ihren Sohn aus.
The mother scolds her son.
die Mutter means mother and der Sohn means son. Ihren Sohn is accusative because ausschimpfen takes the person being scolded as a direct object; the separable parts split around schimpft.
Der Lehrer hat den Schüler ausgeschimpft.
The teacher scolded the pupil.
der Lehrer means teacher and der Schüler means pupil. Den Schüler is accusative because he is the person scolded, and the perfect uses hat ... ausgeschimpft with the participle at the end.
Mein Vater schimpfte mich gestern aus.
My father scolded me yesterday.
mein Vater means my father and gestern means yesterday. Mich is accusative because ausschimpfen takes the person receiving the scolding as its direct object, and aus is separated from schimpfte.
Schimpf deinen Bruder nicht aus!
Don’t scold your brother!
deinen Bruder means your brother and nicht means not. The informal imperative omits du; deinen Bruder is accusative, and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Wenn ich ihn sähe, schimpfte ich ihn aus.
If I saw him, I would scold him.
wenn means if and sähe means saw in a hypothetical situation. Ihn is accusative because he is the person being scolded, and schimpfte ... aus is the hypothetical form with the prefix separated.
Die Chefin wird den Mitarbeiter morgen ausschimpfen.
The boss will scold the employee tomorrow.
die Chefin means female boss, der Mitarbeiter means employee, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Mitarbeiter is accusative, while wird is in position two and the complete infinitive ausschimpfen goes to the end.
die Aussprache — pronunciation; discussion; frank talk
Die Aussprache means pronunciation, especially the pronunciation of a word or language. It can also mean a frank discussion, so context is important.
Die Aussprache dieses Wortes ist schwierig.
The pronunciation of this word is difficult.
dieses Wort means this word and schwierig means difficult. Die Aussprache is nominative because it is the subject, while dieses Wortes is genitive and means of this word.
Ich übe die Aussprache jeden Abend.
I practise the pronunciation every evening.
ich übe means I practise and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Aussprache is accusative because üben takes a direct object; the finite verb übe is in position two.
Der Lehrer hilft uns bei der Aussprache.
The teacher helps us with pronunciation.
der Lehrer is the teacher, hilft uns means helps us, and bei means with. Der Aussprache is dative because bei always governs the dative; the verb hilft also gives the person helped in the dative, uns.
Die Regeln der Aussprache sind nicht einfach.
The rules of pronunciation are not simple.
die Regeln means the rules and nicht einfach means not simple. Der Aussprache is genitive because it specifies which rules are meant; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
In diesem Kurs lernen wir verschiedene Aussprachen.
In this course we learn different pronunciations.
dieser Kurs is this course, lernen means learn, and verschiedene means different. Aussprachen is the plural with -en, and it is accusative because lernen takes what is learned as its object.
Nach dem Streit brauchen wir eine Aussprache.
After the argument, we need a discussion.
nach dem Streit means after the argument, brauchen means need, and der Streit is an argument. Eine Aussprache is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; nach requires the dative, shown by dem Streit.
Die beiden Kollegen hatten eine lange Aussprache.
The two colleagues had a long discussion.
die beiden Kollegen means the two colleagues and lange means long. Eine Aussprache is accusative after hatten; hatten is the simple past of haben, and the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
aussprechen — to pronounce; to say aloud; to express; to voice
Aussprechen takes an accusative object: etwas aussprechen means to pronounce or say something aloud. In a main clause it splits into spricht ... aus, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together.
Sie spricht meinen Namen richtig aus.
She pronounces my name correctly.
meinen Namen means my name and richtig means correctly. Meinen Namen is accusative because aussprechen takes a direct object; in the main clause spricht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Der Lehrer hat das schwierige Wort ausgesprochen.
The teacher pronounced the difficult word.
der Lehrer is the teacher and das schwierige Wort is the difficult word. Das schwierige Wort is accusative after hat ausgesprochen; the complete Partizip II ausgesprochen stands at the end.
Er sprach den Namen langsam aus.
He pronounced the name slowly.
den Namen means the name and langsam means slowly. Den Namen is accusative because it is the direct object; sprach ... aus is the simple past of the separable strong verb.
Sprich das Wort deutlich aus!
Pronounce the word clearly!
das Wort is the word and deutlich means clearly. The du imperative is sprich; the prefix aus goes to the end, and das Wort is accusative.
Wenn ich den Namen besser ausgesprochen hätte, wäre niemand überrascht gewesen.
If I had pronounced the name better, nobody would have been surprised.
besser means better, niemand means nobody, and überrascht means surprised. This is a past unreal conditional: ausgesprochen hätte goes to the end of the subordinate clause, while wäre ... gewesen forms the result clause.
Du wirst den Satz noch einmal aussprechen.
You will pronounce the sentence once again.
der Satz is the sentence and noch einmal means once again. Den Satz is accusative because aussprechen takes a direct object; in the future, the whole infinitive aussprechen goes to the end and does not split.
Sie spricht ihre Meinung offen aus.
She expresses her opinion openly.
ihre Meinung means her opinion and offen means openly. Ihre Meinung is accusative because aussprechen takes a direct object; the finite verb spricht is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Der Mitarbeiter hat seine Kritik klar ausgesprochen.
The employee expressed his criticism clearly.
der Mitarbeiter is the employee, seine Kritik means his criticism, and klar means clearly. Seine Kritik is accusative, and the perfect form hat ausgesprochen places the inseparable meaning-bearing Partizip II at the end.
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.
beantworten — to answer
Beantworten means to answer something, especially a question, email or message, and it takes an accusative object. It is a regular inseparable be- verb: beantwortet has no ge-, and the perfect is formed with haben.
Er beantwortet die Frage.
He answers the question.
er means he, and die Frage is the question. die Frage is accusative because beantworten takes the question as a direct object; the finite verb beantwortet stands in position two.
Sie hat meine E-Mail beantwortet.
She answered my email.
meine E-Mail means my email, and haben means have. The auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II beantwortet goes to the end; the direct object is accusative, and be- means there is no ge-.
Der Lehrer beantwortete alle Fragen.
The teacher answered all the questions.
der Lehrer is the teacher, and alle Fragen means all the questions. beantwortete is the regular simple past, while alle Fragen is accusative as the direct object.
Beantworte bitte meine Nachricht.
Please answer my message.
bitte means please, and meine Nachricht is my message. Beantworte is the informal singular imperative, with the subject du omitted; meine Nachricht is accusative.
Ich würde die E-Mail sofort beantworten.
I would answer the email immediately.
ich würde means I would, die E-Mail is the email, and sofort means immediately. würde stands in position two and the infinitive beantworten goes to the end; the email is the accusative object.
Wir werden deine Frage morgen beantworten.
We will answer your question tomorrow.
deine Frage means your question, and morgen means tomorrow. In the future, werden is in position two and beantworten goes to the end; deine Frage is accusative.
bedeuten — to mean, to signify
bedeuten can describe the meaning of a word, sign, action, or event. For a person who is affected, German often uses jemandem etwas bedeuten, with the person in the dative.
Was bedeutet dieses Wort?
What does this word mean?
dieses Wort means “this word.” The question word was asks for the meaning, and dieses Wort is nominative because it is the subject of bedeuten; the finite verb bedeutet stands in position two.
Das hat für mich viel bedeutet.
That meant a lot to me.
für mich means “to me” or “for me,” and viel means “a lot.” für takes the accusative, so mich is accusative; hat is the auxiliary in position two and bedeutet goes to the end.
Das Zeichen bedeutete Gefahr.
The sign meant danger.
das Zeichen is “the sign,” and Gefahr is “danger.” das Zeichen is nominative because it is the subject, while Gefahr is the meaning or result; the weak past form bedeutete stands in position two.
Bedeute ich dir wirklich so viel?
Do I really mean that much to you?
wirklich means “really,” and so viel means “that much.” This is an unusual question-like imperative for emphasis; dir is dative for the person affected, and the imperative form normally comes first.
Das würde für viele Menschen einen Neuanfang bedeuten.
That would mean a new beginning for many people.
für viele Menschen means “for many people,” and einen Neuanfang means “a new beginning.” für takes the accusative, and einen Neuanfang is also accusative as the thing signified; würde carries the conditional meaning and the infinitive bedeuten goes to the end.
Das wird für sie viel bedeuten.
That will mean a lot to her.
für sie means “for her,” and viel means “a lot.” für takes the accusative, but the pronoun has the same form here; wird is in position two and the infinitive bedeuten stands at the end.
die Bedeutung — meaning, significance
die Bedeutung can mean the meaning of a word or sign, or the importance of something. The plural Bedeutungen is used for several meanings, especially when one word has more than one sense.
Die Bedeutung dieses Wortes ist unklar.
The meaning of this word is unclear.
dieses Wortes means “of this word,” and unklar means “unclear.” Die Bedeutung is nominative because it is the subject; dieses Wortes is genitive because it specifies the meaning, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Bedeutung nicht.
I do not know the meaning.
kenne means “know,” and nicht means “not.” die Bedeutung is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; the finite verb kenne is in position two and nicht negates the statement.
Er gibt dem Wort eine neue Bedeutung.
He gives the word a new meaning.
gibt means “gives,” dem Wort is “the word,” and neue means “new.” dem Wort is dative as the recipient, while eine neue Bedeutung is accusative as the thing given; gibt is in position two.
Die genaue Bedeutung des Symbols ist unbekannt.
The exact meaning of the symbol is unknown.
genaue means “exact,” des Symbols means “of the symbol,” and unbekannt means “unknown.” des Symbols is genitive because it identifies the symbol’s meaning, while the full phrase Die genaue Bedeutung des Symbols is nominative and the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Wörter haben je nach Kontext verschiedene Bedeutungen.
The words have different meanings depending on the context.
die Wörter means “the words,” verschiedene means “different,” and je nach Kontext means “depending on the context.” Bedeutungen is plural after verschiedene; nach takes the dative, so Kontext is understood as dative even though its article is omitted.
die Bedienungsanleitung — instruction manual, user manual
The compound contains Bedienung, operation or use, and Anleitung, instructions or guide. It refers to the document explaining how to operate a product, not to a person operating it.
Die Bedienungsanleitung liegt neben dem neuen Drucker.
The instruction manual is next to the new printer.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der neue Drucker is the new printer. Die Bedienungsanleitung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese die Bedienungsanleitung vor dem ersten Gebrauch.
I read the instruction manual before using it for the first time.
lese means read, vor means before, der erste Gebrauch means the first use. Die Bedienungsanleitung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Mit der Bedienungsanleitung kann ich das Gerät schnell einrichten.
With the instruction manual, I can set up the device quickly.
mit means with, das Gerät is the device, and einrichten means set up. Der Bedienungsanleitung is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and einrichten goes to the end.
Die Bilder der Bedienungsanleitung sind sehr deutlich.
The pictures in the instruction manual are very clear.
die Bilder means the pictures and deutlich means clear. Der Bedienungsanleitung is genitive because it identifies whose pictures they are; the plural subject die Bilder makes the verb sind plural.
Die Bedienungsanleitungen liegen im Schrank.
The instruction manuals are in the cupboard.
liegen means are lying, im Schrank means in the cupboard. Bedienungsanleitungen is the plural with -en, and the plural subject requires liegen, not singular liegt.
der Begriff — term, concept, idea; idea, understanding
Der Begriff can mean a term or a concept, depending on context. Its plural is Begriffe, and its genitive singular is des Begriffs with -s.
Der Begriff ist neu für mich.
The term is new to me.
neu means “new”, für mich means “to me” or “for me”, and sein means “to be”. Der Begriff is nominative because it is the subject; für mich is an accusative phrase after für, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Begriff nicht.
I do not know the term.
ich means “I”, kennen means “to know”, and nicht means “not”. Den Begriff is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while kenne is the finite verb in position two.
Die Lehrerin erklärt den Schülern den Begriff.
The teacher explains the term to the pupils.
die Lehrerin means “the teacher”, erklären means “to explain”, and den Schülern means “to the pupils”. Den Schülern is dative because they receive the explanation, while den Begriff is accusative as the thing explained; erklärt is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Begriffs ist klar.
The meaning of the term is clear.
die Bedeutung means “the meaning”, klar means “clear”, and ist means “is”. Des Begriffs is genitive because it specifies which meaning; the whole phrase Die Bedeutung des Begriffs is the nominative subject.
Viele Begriffe kommen aus dem Lateinischen.
Many terms come from Latin.
viele means “many”, kommen means “come”, and aus dem Lateinischen means “from Latin”. Viele Begriffe is a plural nominative subject, while aus always takes the dative, shown by dem Lateinischen.
Ich habe keinen Begriff davon, wie das funktioniert.
I have no idea how that works.
keinen Begriff davon means “no idea about it”, wie means “how”, and funktioniert means “works”. Keinen Begriff is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the wie clause sends its finite verb funktioniert to the end.
Unter diesem Begriff versteht man verschiedene Dinge.
People understand different things by this concept.
unter diesem Begriff means “under this concept”, versteht means “understands”, and verschiedene Dinge means “different things”. Unter takes the dative here because this is a figurative category, not movement; man is the impersonal subject and verschiedene Dinge is accusative.
begrüßen — to greet, to welcome
begrüßen takes an accusative person: jemanden begrüßen means to greet or welcome someone. It is used when meeting people, at the start of an event, or when receiving guests.
Der Gastgeber begrüßt die Gäste an der Tür.
The host welcomes the guests at the door.
der Gastgeber means “the host”, die Gäste means “the guests”, and an der Tür means “at the door”. Die Gäste is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; an der Tür is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich habe meine Nachbarn freundlich begrüßt.
I greeted my neighbours in a friendly way.
meine Nachbarn means “my neighbours”, and freundlich means “in a friendly way”. The perfect uses habe plus begrüßt, with the Partizip II at the end; meine Nachbarn is accusative.
Sie begrüßte uns mit einem Lächeln.
She greeted us with a smile.
uns means “us”, mit means “with”, and einem Lächeln means “a smile”. Uns is the accusative object of begrüßen, while mit forces the dative einem Lächeln.
Begrüße deine neue Kollegin!
Greet your new colleague!
deine neue Kollegin means “your new female colleague”. The imperative Begrüße addresses du and leaves out the subject pronoun; deine neue Kollegin is accusative because she is the person being greeted.
Ich würde die Besucher persönlich begrüßen.
I would welcome the visitors personally.
die Besucher means “the visitors”, and persönlich means “personally”. Würde ... begrüßen expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive begrüßen remains at the end after würde.
Der Direktor wird die neuen Mitarbeiter morgen begrüßen.
The director will welcome the new employees tomorrow.
der Direktor means “the director”, die neuen Mitarbeiter means “the new employees”, and morgen means “tomorrow”. Future uses wird in position two and begrüßen at the end; the employees are accusative because they are the object.
die Begrüßung — greeting, welcome
Begrüßung can mean the act of greeting or the words used to greet someone. A common phrase is zur Begrüßung, meaning “as a greeting” or “to welcome someone”.
Die Begrüßung war sehr freundlich.
The greeting was very friendly.
freundlich means “friendly”, and sehr means “very”. Die Begrüßung is nominative because it is the subject; freundlich is predicative after war and therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich erwidere die Begrüßung.
I return the greeting.
erwidere means “return” or “respond to”, and ich means “I”. Die Begrüßung is accusative because erwidern takes a direct object; the finite verb erwidere stands in position two.
Wir danken ihr für die Begrüßung.
We thank her for the greeting.
danken means “thank”, and ihr means “her” in the dative. Danken takes a dative person, while für forces the accusative die Begrüßung.
Die Wärme der Begrüßung hat mich überrascht.
The warmth of the greeting surprised me.
die Wärme means “the warmth”, überrascht means “surprised”, and mich means “me”. Der Begrüßung is genitive after die Wärme to show whose warmth it was; hat ... überrascht is a perfect construction.
Bei offiziellen Begrüßungen spricht man oft kurz.
At official greetings, people often speak briefly.
offiziell means “official”, spricht means “speaks”, and kurz means “briefly”. Bei takes the dative, so bei offiziellen Begrüßungen is dative plural; man is the general subject meaning “people” or “one”.
die Bemerkung — remark, comment; observation, point
The usual meaning is a comment or remark, often with machen or zu plus a topic. The plural is regular: die Bemerkungen.
Die Bemerkung war nicht böse gemeint.
The remark was not meant unkindly.
böse means unkind or malicious, and gemeint means meant. Die Bemerkung is nominative because it is the subject, while the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich verstehe die Bemerkung nicht.
I do not understand the remark.
verstehen means to understand, and nicht means not. Die Bemerkung is accusative because it is the direct object of verstehen; verstehe stands in position two.
Ich widerspreche der Bemerkung.
I disagree with the remark.
widersprechen means to disagree with or contradict. It takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the finite verb widerspreche is in position two.
Der Ton der Bemerkung hat sie verletzt.
The tone of the remark hurt her.
der Ton means the tone, and verletzt means hurt or upset. Der Bemerkung is genitive because it identifies whose tone is meant; hat is in position two and verletzt closes the perfect clause.
Seine Bemerkungen waren sehr hilfreich.
His comments were very helpful.
seine means his, and hilfreich means helpful. Seine Bemerkungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural noun takes -en.
Ihre Bemerkung über das Wetter war sehr treffend.
Her observation about the weather was very apt.
ihre means her, das Wetter means the weather, and treffend means apt or accurate. Ihre Bemerkung is the nominative subject, while über das Wetter uses the accusative after über here.
Durch diese Bemerkung wurde das Problem klarer.
Because of this observation, the problem became clearer.
durch means because of or through, diese means this, and klarer means clearer. Diese Bemerkung is accusative after durch, and wurde plus klarer describes a change in the problem.