Appearance
Vocab: Communication & media — A2 (2)
Communication & media vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Bericht — report; account
A Bericht can be a formal report or a general account of what happened. For a news report, Bericht is often used with über plus the accusative.
Der Bericht ist sehr interessant.
The report is very interesting.
interessant means interesting. Der Bericht is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den Bericht heute Abend.
I am reading the report this evening.
lese means read, and heute Abend means this evening. Den Bericht is accusative because it is the object of lesen; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Die Journalistin spricht mit dem Bericht über die Reise.
The journalist talks with the report about the journey.
die Journalistin means the journalist, spricht means talks, and die Reise means the journey. This sentence is grammatical but unusual in meaning: mit forces dative, so dem Bericht is dative; a person would normally speak über den Bericht instead.
Die Überschrift des Berichts ist kurz.
The report’s headline is short.
die Überschrift means the headline and kurz means short. Des Berichts is genitive because it shows which report the headline belongs to; the verb ist is in position two.
Wir lesen jeden Morgen die Berichte.
We read the reports every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning and lesen means read. Die Berichte is plural accusative because it is the object of lesen; the time expression comes first, so the subject wir follows the finite verb in position three.
beschimpfen — to insult, to abuse verbally
beschimpfen is stronger than simply criticising: it means using angry or offensive words against someone. It takes an accusative object, for example jemanden beschimpfen, and forms the perfect with haben.
Der Mann beschimpft den Busfahrer.
The man is insulting the bus driver.
der Mann means the man, and den Busfahrer means the bus driver. den Busfahrer is accusative because beschimpfen takes the person being insulted as a direct object; the finite verb beschimpft stands in position two.
Der Mann hat den Busfahrer beschimpft.
The man has insulted the bus driver.
der Mann means the man, and der Busfahrer means the bus driver. The perfect uses hat and the Partizip II beschimpft at the end; den Busfahrer is accusative, not dative.
Der Mann beschimpfte den Busfahrer.
The man insulted the bus driver.
der Mann means the man, and der Busfahrer means the bus driver. The weak past form beschimpfte is in position two, and den Busfahrer is accusative as the direct object.
Beschimpfe den Busfahrer nicht!
Do not insult the bus driver!
nicht means not, and der Busfahrer means the bus driver. The imperative beschimpfe comes first; the person being insulted is accusative, shown by den.
Er beschimpfte den Busfahrer, wenn er gestresst war.
He would insult the bus driver when he was stressed.
wenn means when or if, and gestresst means stressed. The conditional form of this weak verb is identical to the simple past beschimpfte; in the wenn clause, war goes to the end.
Er wird den Busfahrer nicht mehr beschimpfen.
He will not insult the bus driver anymore.
nicht mehr means no longer, and der Busfahrer means the bus driver. Future tense puts wird in position two and the infinitive beschimpfen at the end; the object is accusative.
beschreiben — to describe, to portray; to trace, to follow a path
beschreiben takes an accusative object: etwas beschreiben. It is a strong verb: beschreiben – beschrieb – hat beschrieben.
Sie beschreibt ihren neuen Arbeitsplatz.
She describes her new workplace.
ihren neuen Arbeitsplatz means her new workplace. The finite verb beschreibt stands in position two, and ihren neuen Arbeitsplatz is accusative because beschreiben takes a direct object.
Er hat den Weg genau beschrieben.
He described the route precisely.
der Weg means the route, and genau means precisely. The perfect uses hat plus beschrieben at the end; den Weg is accusative as the object.
Die Zeugin beschrieb den Mann sehr genau.
The witness described the man very precisely.
die Zeugin means the witness, and der Mann means the man. The simple-past form beschrieb is in position two, and den Mann is accusative after beschreiben.
Beschreib bitte das Bild.
Please describe the picture.
bitte means please, and das Bild means the picture. The imperative beschreib stands at the beginning; das Bild is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die Situation anders beschreiben.
I would describe the situation differently.
die Situation means the situation, and anders means differently. Die Situation is accusative after beschreiben; würde expresses the conditional and the infinitive beschreiben comes after it.
Wir werden den Unfall später beschreiben.
We will describe the accident later.
der Unfall means the accident, and später means later. Future tense uses werden in position two and places beschreiben at the end; den Unfall is accusative.
Der Satellit beschreibt eine elliptische Bahn.
The satellite follows an elliptical orbit.
der Satellit means the satellite, and eine elliptische Bahn means an elliptical orbit. Eine elliptische Bahn is accusative as the object, and the finite verb beschreibt is in position two.
Der Ball beschrieb einen hohen Bogen.
The ball traced a high arc.
der Ball means the ball, and einen hohen Bogen means a high arc. The past form beschrieb stands in position two, and einen hohen Bogen is accusative.
die Beschreibung — description, account
die Beschreibung is formed from beschreiben with the noun ending -ung and is feminine. It can mean a general description or a written account of something.
Die Beschreibung ist kurz, aber sehr hilfreich.
The description is short but very helpful.
kurz means short, and hilfreich means helpful. Die Beschreibung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese die Beschreibung des Hotels.
I am reading the hotel description.
lesen means to read, and des Hotels means of the hotel. Die Beschreibung is accusative because it is the object of lese, while des Hotels is genitive and shows what is being described.
Ich vertraue der Beschreibung nicht ganz.
I do not completely trust the description.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht ganz means not completely. Der Beschreibung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Genauigkeit der Beschreibung überrascht mich.
The accuracy of the description surprises me.
die Genauigkeit means the accuracy, and überraschen means to surprise. Der Beschreibung is genitive after Genauigkeit and means of the description; the person affected, mich, is accusative.
Im Reiseführer stehen viele Beschreibungen von schönen Orten.
There are many descriptions of beautiful places in the travel guide.
der Reiseführer means the travel guide, viele means many, and schöne Orte means beautiful places. Beschreibungen is plural after viele; im Reiseführer is dative because in describes a location here.
beschweren — to complain
This verb is normally reflexive: use sich beschweren, not just beschweren, when you mean to complain. The usual patterns are sich bei jemandem beschweren and sich über etwas beschweren.
Ich beschwere mich beim Kundenservice über die lange Wartezeit.
I am complaining to customer service about the long waiting time.
der Kundenservice means customer service and die lange Wartezeit means the long waiting time. mich is accusative because sich beschweren is reflexive, beim Kundenservice is dative after bei, and über die lange Wartezeit is accusative after über in this fixed phrase; beschwere is in position two.
Sie hat sich beim Hotel über das Zimmer beschwert.
She complained to the hotel about the room.
das Hotel means the hotel and das Zimmer means the room. sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, beim Hotel is dative after bei, and über das Zimmer is accusative after über; hat is in position two and beschwert goes to the end.
Mein Bruder beschwerte sich über den Lärm.
My brother complained about the noise.
mein Bruder means my brother and der Lärm means the noise. sich is accusative because the verb is reflexive, and über den Lärm is accusative after über in the meaning about; the finite verb beschwerte stands in position two.
Beschwer dich nicht ständig!
Do not complain all the time!
niemand is not used in this sentence; nicht means not and ständig means constantly or all the time. Beschwer dich is the informal singular imperative, with dich replacing sich; nicht usually comes after the verb and pronoun here.
Ich würde mich beschweren, wenn der Zug wieder zu spät käme.
I would complain if the train were late again.
der Zug means the train, wieder means again, and zu spät means too late. mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun; würde mich beschweren expresses a hypothetical reaction, and käme stands at the end of the wenn clause.
Er wird sich morgen beim Vermieter beschweren.
He will complain to the landlord tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and der Vermieter means the landlord. sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while beim Vermieter is dative after bei; wird is in position two and beschweren goes to the end.
die Besprechung — meeting; discussion
Besprechung can mean a planned meeting or the discussion held during it. It is formed from besprechen, “to discuss”, plus -ung.
Die Besprechung beginnt um neun Uhr.
The meeting starts at nine o’clock.
beginnt means “starts”, and um neun Uhr means “at nine o’clock”. Die Besprechung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich muss die Besprechung vorbereiten.
I have to prepare the meeting.
muss means “must” or “have to”, and vorbereiten means “prepare”. Die Besprechung is accusative because it is the direct object of vorbereiten; the modal verb muss is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Nach der Besprechung fahre ich nach Hause.
After the meeting, I am going home.
nach means “after” here, fahre means “go by vehicle”, and nach Hause means “home”. The time expression nach der Besprechung is dative because nach takes the dative, and the verb comes before ich because the first position is already occupied.
Das Ergebnis der Besprechung war sehr positiv.
The result of the meeting was very positive.
das Ergebnis means “the result”, war means “was”, and positiv means “positive”. Der Besprechung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show which meeting the result belongs to.
Diese Woche habe ich drei Besprechungen.
This week I have three meetings.
diese Woche means “this week”, drei means “three”, and habe means “have”. Besprechungen is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; the verb comes before ich after the time expression in first position.
betonen — to emphasise, to stress
Betonen takes an accusative object: ein Wort betonen means to stress a word. It can describe either pronunciation or giving special importance to an idea.
Sie betont das letzte Wort.
She stresses the last word.
das letzte Wort means the last word. Das letzte Wort is accusative because betonen takes a direct object, and the finite verb betont stands in position two.
Der Sprecher hat die wichtigsten Punkte betont.
The speaker emphasised the most important points.
der Sprecher means the speaker, and die wichtigsten Punkte means the most important points. Die wichtigsten Punkte is accusative; hat stands in position two and betont goes to the end.
Der Lehrer betonte die neue Regel.
The teacher emphasised the new rule.
der Lehrer means the teacher, and die neue Regel means the new rule. The regular past form betonte is in position two, and die neue Regel is accusative as the direct object.
Betone bitte die erste Silbe!
Please stress the first syllable!
bitte means please, and die erste Silbe means the first syllable. The imperative betone comes first; die erste Silbe is accusative because it is what is being stressed.
Ich würde diesen Unterschied stärker betonen.
I would emphasise this difference more strongly.
diesen Unterschied means this difference, and stärker means more strongly. Würde marks a hypothetical suggestion, the infinitive betonen goes to the end, and diesen Unterschied is accusative.
In der Präsentation werde ich die Vorteile betonen.
In the presentation I will emphasise the advantages.
in der Präsentation means in the presentation, and die Vorteile means the advantages. Werde stands in position two, betonen goes to the end, and die Vorteile is accusative as the direct object.
der Betreff — subject line; reference
Der Betreff is especially common for the subject line of an email or letter. In formal writing, it can also introduce the topic being referred to.
Der Betreff steht oben in der E-Mail.
The subject line is at the top of the email.
steht oben means is at the top, and die E-Mail means the email. Der Betreff is nominative because it is the subject; in der E-Mail is dative because in describes location, and steht is in position two.
Bitte schreiben Sie einen klaren Betreff.
Please write a clear subject line.
bitte means please, schreiben Sie means write, and klar means clear. Einen klaren Betreff is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; Sie is the formal imperative subject, and klaren has -en after einen.
Ich antworte dem Betreff nicht direkt.
I am not replying directly to the subject.
antworte means reply, nicht direkt means not directly. Dem Betreff is dative because antworten takes the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Länge des Betreffs ist begrenzt.
The length of the subject line is limited.
die Länge means the length, and begrenzt means limited. Des Betreffs is genitive after die Länge and means of the subject line; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist is in position two.
In den Betreffen stehen oft wichtige Hinweise.
Important notes often appear in the subject lines.
in den Betreffen means in the subject lines, oft means often, and wichtige Hinweise means important notes. Den Betreffen is plural dative because in describes location; stehen is plural and appears in position two.
die Bitte — request, plea
The noun die Bitte is a request; it is different from lowercase bitte, meaning please. In um etwas bitten, the requested thing follows um in the accusative.
Die Bitte ist sehr wichtig.
The request is very important.
wichtig means important. Die Bitte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe eine Bitte.
I have a request.
haben means to have. Eine Bitte is accusative because haben takes a direct object; habe is in position two and eine Bitte follows it.
Kannst du mir einer Bitte nachkommen?
Can you comply with a request of mine?
kannst means can, mir means to me, and nachkommen means to comply with. The expression einer Bitte nachkommen takes the dative, so einer Bitte is dative; with the modal kannst, the infinitive nachkommen goes to the end.
Die Erfüllung der Bitte dauerte lange.
Fulfilling the request took a long time.
die Erfüllung means the fulfilment and dauerte lange means took a long time. Der Bitte is genitive because it identifies whose fulfilment is meant; the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Viele Bitten bleiben unbeantwortet.
Many requests remain unanswered.
viele means many and unbeantwortet means unanswered. Bitten is the plural subject, so it has no plural ending beyond -n here; the finite verb bleiben is in position two.
bitten — to ask, to request
bitten takes the person asked in the accusative: jemanden bitten. The requested thing is commonly introduced by um plus accusative, as in jemanden um Hilfe bitten; it is not the same pattern as jemandem danken.
Ich bitte dich um Hilfe.
I am asking you for help.
dich means you and Hilfe means help. Dich is accusative because bitten takes the person asked as a direct object, while um Hilfe is the fixed um phrase with accusative; the finite verb bitte is in position two.
Wir haben den Lehrer um Rat gebeten.
We asked the teacher for advice.
den Lehrer means the teacher and Rat means advice. Den Lehrer is accusative as the person asked, and um Rat is the fixed request phrase; haben is the auxiliary and gebeten goes to the end.
Sie bat mich um eine Erklärung.
She asked me for an explanation.
sie means she, mich means me, and eine Erklärung means an explanation. Mich is accusative because it is the person asked, and um eine Erklärung names what she requested; bat is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Bitte mich nicht darum!
Please do not ask me for that!
nicht means not and darum means for that or about that. Mich is accusative because it is the person asked; the imperative bitte comes first, and nicht comes before the requested matter.
Ich bäte dich, früher zu kommen.
I would ask you to come earlier.
früher means earlier and kommen means to come. Dich is accusative because it is the person asked; bäte expresses a hypothetical or especially polite request, while zu kommen goes to the end.
Ich werde dich morgen um Hilfe bitten.
Tomorrow I will ask you for help.
morgen means tomorrow and Hilfe means help. Dich is accusative as the person asked, and um Hilfe is the fixed request phrase; werde is in position two and the infinitive bitten goes to the end.
bloggen — to blog
Bloggen is a regular verb borrowed from English and takes haben in the perfect. The topic is commonly introduced with über plus the accusative: über ein Hobby bloggen.
Sie bloggt über ihre Reisen.
She blogs about her travels.
über means about and ihre Reisen means her travels. The phrase über ihre Reisen is an accusative prepositional object because über means about here; the finite verb bloggt is in position two.
Er hat lange über das Essen gebloggt.
He blogged for a long time about the food.
lange means for a long time and das Essen means the food. The perfect uses hat plus gebloggt, which goes to the end; über das Essen is accusative because über means about.
Früher bloggte sie jeden Tag.
She used to blog every day.
früher means formerly or in the past, and jeden Tag means every day. Bloggte is the regular simple-past form in position two; jeden Tag is an accusative time expression.
Blogge über dein Hobby!
Blog about your hobby!
dein Hobby means your hobby. Blogge is the singular imperative with du understood, and über takes the accusative when it means about.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, bloggte ich regelmäßig.
If I had more time, I would blog regularly.
mehr Zeit means more time and regelmäßig means regularly. In this hypothetical sentence, bloggte has the same form as the preterite; the finite verb comes at the end of the wenn clause and returns to position two in the main clause.
Nächstes Jahr wird er über seine Arbeit bloggen.
Next year he will blog about his work.
nächstes Jahr means next year and seine Arbeit means his work. Wird is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive bloggen goes to the end; über takes the accusative here.
der Briefträger — postman, mail carrier
Briefträger is a compound of Brief, “letter”, and Träger, “carrier”. It is a weak masculine noun, so use forms such as den Briefträger and dem Briefträger, not the unchanged form.
Der Briefträger kommt jeden Morgen.
The mail carrier comes every morning.
kommt means “comes”, and jeden Morgen means “every morning”. Der Briefträger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Briefträger vor dem Haus.
I see the mail carrier in front of the house.
sehe means “see”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. Den Briefträger is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Briefträger adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich danke dem Briefträger für die Hilfe.
I thank the mail carrier for the help.
danke means “thank”, and für die Hilfe means “for the help”. Dem Briefträger is dative because danken governs the dative; the weak noun has the ending -n here.
Das Fahrrad des Briefträgers steht dort.
The mail carrier’s bicycle is standing there.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, and steht dort means “is standing there”. Des Briefträgers is genitive to show possession, and the weak masculine noun takes -s in this genitive form.
Die Briefträger sortieren die Post.
The mail carriers sort the mail.
sortieren means “sort”, and die Post means “the mail”. Die Briefträger is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural has no ending change.
die Briefträgerin — female postman, female mail carrier
Briefträgerin is the feminine form of Briefträger, “mail carrier”. The ending -in marks a female person, and the plural ending is -innen.
Die Briefträgerin arbeitet heute.
The female mail carrier is working today.
arbeitet means “is working”, and heute means “today”. Die Briefträgerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Briefträgerin an der Tür.
I see the female mail carrier at the door.
sehe means “see”, and an der Tür means “at the door”. Die Briefträgerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Briefträgerin für den Brief.
I thank the female mail carrier for the letter.
danke means “thank”, and für den Brief means “for the letter”. Der Briefträgerin is dative because danken governs the dative; the feminine article changes to der.
Das Fahrrad der Briefträgerin ist neu.
The female mail carrier’s bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, and neu means “new”. Der Briefträgerin is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the female mail carrier”; the noun has no extra genitive ending.
Die Briefträgerinnen verteilen die Post.
The female mail carriers distribute the mail.
verteilen means “distribute”, and die Post means “the mail”. Die Briefträgerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural is formed with -innen.
der Buchstabe — letter
This is a weak masculine noun: use der Buchstabe only in the nominative singular, but den Buchstaben and des Buchstabens in other forms.
Der Buchstabe steht am Anfang des Namens.
The letter is at the beginning of the name.
steht means stands or is located, am Anfang means at the beginning, and der Name means the name. Der Buchstabe is nominative as the subject, and des Namens is genitive after Anfang to specify the name.
Ich kenne den Buchstaben nicht.
I do not know the letter.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and nicht means not. Den Buchstaben is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Auf dem Buchstaben liegt ein kleiner Punkt.
There is a small dot on the letter.
auf means on, liegt means lies, klein means small, and der Punkt means dot. Dem Buchstaben is dative because auf describes location, and the weak noun has the ending -n.
Die Form des Buchstabens ist ungewöhnlich.
The shape of the letter is unusual.
die Form means the shape and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Buchstabens is genitive to show possession; this noun has both -n and genitive -s.
Kinder lernen zuerst die Buchstaben.
Children learn the letters first.
Kinder means children and zuerst means first. Die Buchstaben is plural and accusative because lernen takes the letters as its direct object; the plural has the same ending as the oblique singular.
direkt — direct, straightforward
direkt can describe a person, a question, or communication that is clear and not indirect. It is a regular adjective and is often used predicatively without an adjective ending.
Seine Antwort war direkt.
His answer was direct.
seine Antwort means his answer, and war means was. The adjective follows war, a form of sein, so it is predicative and has no ending.
Sie stellte eine direkte Frage.
She asked a direct question.
stellte means asked or put, and die Frage means the question. eine direkte Frage is an accusative object; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Er spricht direkter als sein Bruder.
He speaks more directly than his brother.
spricht means speaks, and sein Bruder means his brother. direkter compares two ways of speaking and is followed by als; after spricht it is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Kollegen spricht sie am direktesten.
Of all the colleagues, she speaks the most directly.
von allen Kollegen means of all the colleagues, and spricht means speaks. The superlative adverbial form is am direktesten; the finite verb remains in position two even though the sentence begins with a prepositional phrase.
die Diskussion — discussion, debate
A Diskussion can be calm and constructive or heated; it does not automatically mean an argument. The common expression eine Diskussion führen means to have or conduct a discussion.
Die Diskussion beginnt um acht Uhr.
The discussion begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Diskussion is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir führen eine Diskussion über das Problem.
We are having a discussion about the problem.
führen means conduct or have, and das Problem means the problem. Eine Diskussion is accusative because führen takes a direct object; über das Problem is also accusative because über means about here.
Nach der Diskussion trinken wir Kaffee.
After the discussion, we drink coffee.
nach means after, and trinken means drink. Der Diskussion is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase Nach der Diskussion is in position one, so trinken comes next.
Das Ergebnis der Diskussion war überraschend.
The result of the discussion was surprising.
das Ergebnis means the result, and überraschend means surprising. Der Diskussion is genitive because it shows which discussion the result belongs to; war is in position two.
Die Diskussionen waren sehr interessant.
The discussions were very interesting.
interessant means interesting, and waren means were. Diskussionen is the regular plural with -en, and it is nominative because it is the subject of waren.
diskutieren — to discuss, to debate
Diskutieren über takes über plus accusative for the subject being discussed, while mit plus dative names the person you discuss with. This regular verb forms the perfect with haben and has no ge- in its Partizip II because it ends in -ieren.
Wir diskutieren über das neue Gesetz.
We are discussing the new law.
über means about, and das neue Gesetz means the new law. Diskutieren is in position two, and über takes the accusative here; unlike English, German commonly uses über for the subject being discussed.
Wir haben lange über das neue Gesetz diskutiert.
We discussed the new law for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and das neue Gesetz means the new law. The perfect is haben ... diskutiert, with the Partizip II at the end; über takes the accusative in this meaning.
Sie diskutierte mit ihrem Bruder über das Problem.
She discussed the problem with her brother.
mit ihrem Bruder means with her brother, and das Problem means the problem. Mit takes the dative, while über das Problem takes the accusative; the preterite form diskutierte is in position two.
Diskutier nicht so laut!
Don't discuss it so loudly!
nicht so laut means not so loudly, and laut means loud. Diskutier is the singular du imperative, so du is omitted; the adverbial phrase follows the command verb.
Ich würde gern über dieses Thema diskutieren.
I would like to discuss this topic.
gern means would like to, and dieses Thema means this topic. Über dieses Thema is accusative because über means about, and the infinitive diskutieren goes to the end after würde.
Wir werden morgen über den Vorschlag diskutieren.
Tomorrow we will discuss the proposal.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Über den Vorschlag is accusative because über means about; werden is in position two and diskutieren goes to the end.
das Dokument — document, file
das Dokument can be a paper document or a digital file. The plural is die Dokumente, and the genitive singular is des Dokuments with -s on the noun.
Das Dokument liegt auf dem Tisch.
The document is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be located, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Dokument is nominative because it is the subject; liegt is in position two, and auf dem Tisch uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte unterschreiben Sie das Dokument.
Please sign the document.
bitte means please, and unterschreiben means to sign. das Dokument is accusative because unterschreiben takes an accusative object; unterschreiben Sie is a polite request with the verb first.
Ich arbeite mit dem Dokument.
I am working with the document.
arbeiten means to work, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so das Dokument becomes dem Dokument; the finite verb arbeite stands in position two.
Der Titel des Dokuments ist schwer zu lesen.
The title of the document is difficult to read.
der Titel means the title, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. des Dokuments is genitive to show which document the title belongs to; the noun takes -s, and zu lesen stays at the end as an infinitive phrase.
Die Dokumente liegen im Archiv.
The documents are in the archive.
liegen means to lie or be located, and das Archiv means the archive. Die Dokumente is the plural subject; im Archiv means in the archive and uses dative because it describes a location.
die Durchsage — announcement, announcement over a loudspeaker
A Durchsage is a spoken public announcement, often heard at a station or airport. Do not confuse it with Ansage, which can also mean an announcement but is broader and often less public.
Die Durchsage kommt aus dem Lautsprecher.
The announcement is coming from the loudspeaker.
kommt means “comes” and der Lautsprecher is the loudspeaker. Die Durchsage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich habe die Durchsage nicht verstanden.
I did not understand the announcement.
habe ... verstanden means “understood” and nicht means “not”. Die Durchsage is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and verstanden goes to the end.
Nach der Durchsage steigen alle Fahrgäste aus.
After the announcement, all the passengers get off.
nach means “after”, steigen ... aus means “get off”, and die Fahrgäste are the passengers. Nach always takes the dative, so the feminine form is der Durchsage; the separable verb has steigen in position two and aus at the end.
Der Inhalt der Durchsage war unklar.
The content of the announcement was unclear.
der Inhalt is the content and unklar means unclear. Der Durchsage is genitive because it identifies whose content is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Durchsagen am Bahnhof sind laut.
The announcements at the station are loud.
am Bahnhof means “at the station” and laut means loud. Die Durchsagen is plural, formed with -n; sind is in position two because this is a main clause.
einladen — to invite; to treat someone to
The invited person is in the accusative: jemanden einladen; a destination or occasion can be introduced by zu plus the dative. This is a strong separable verb: einladen – lud ein – hat eingeladen.
Ich lade meine Nachbarn zur Party ein.
I am inviting my neighbours to the party.
meine Nachbarn means my neighbours, and die Party means the party. Meine Nachbarn is accusative because einladen takes the person invited; the finite part lade is in position two and the prefix ein goes to the end.
Wir haben unsere Freunde zum Abendessen eingeladen.
We invited our friends to dinner.
unsere Freunde means our friends, and das Abendessen means dinner. Unsere Freunde is accusative as the invited people; the perfect uses haben, and eingeladen goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Sie lud ihre Kollegin zur Hochzeit ein.
She invited her colleague to the wedding.
ihre Kollegin means her female colleague, and die Hochzeit means the wedding. Ihre Kollegin is accusative because she is the person invited; lud is the strong Präteritum form and the prefix ein remains at the end.
Lad deine Schwester zum Essen ein!
Invite your sister to dinner!
deine Schwester means your sister, and zum Essen means to dinner. The imperative addresses du, so the subject is omitted; deine Schwester is accusative and the prefix ein stands at the end.
Ich würde dich gern zu meinem Geburtstag einladen.
I would like to invite you to my birthday.
dich means you, gern means gladly or would like to, and mein Geburtstag means my birthday. Dich is accusative because it is the person invited; würde carries the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive einladen goes to the end.
Nächste Woche lädt Anna uns zum Grillen ein.
Next week Anna will invite us to a barbecue.
nächste Woche means next week, uns means us, and das Grillen means barbecuing or a barbecue. Uns is accusative because it is the people invited; in the future, wird would normally form the tense, while the present form here naturally expresses a planned future event.
Mein Bruder lädt mich morgen zum Fußball ein.
My brother is inviting me to football tomorrow.
mein Bruder means my brother, mich means me, and morgen means tomorrow. Mich is accusative because it is the person invited; lädt stands in position two and ein moves to the end.
Ich lade dich auf einen Kaffee ein.
I’ll buy you a coffee.
dich means you, and auf einen Kaffee means for a coffee, with the speaker paying. Dich is accusative because it is the person being treated; auf is accusative in this fixed expression, and ein moves to the end.
Sie hat uns zum Mittagessen eingeladen.
She invited us to lunch and will pay.
uns means us, and zum Mittagessen means to lunch. Uns is accusative as the people receiving the offer; the perfect uses hat, and eingeladen stands at the end.
die Einladung — invitation
Die Einladung is the noun from einladen, to invite. It can mean the act of inviting or the written message itself; the context usually makes this clear.
Die Einladung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The invitation is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and der Tisch means the table. Die Einladung is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf expresses location here.
Ich habe die Einladung gelesen.
I read the invitation.
gelesen means read. Die Einladung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the perfect uses habe, and the Partizip II gelesen goes to the end.
Vielen Dank für die Einladung.
Thank you very much for the invitation.
Vielen Dank means thank you very much, and für means for. Die Einladung is accusative because für always takes the accusative; this sentence is a fixed polite expression.
Der Text der Einladung ist sehr freundlich.
The text of the invitation is very friendly.
der Text means the text, and freundlich means friendly. Der Einladung is genitive because it identifies the text of what; der Text is nominative because it is the subject.
Die Einladungen sind schon verschickt.
The invitations have already been sent.
schon means already, and verschickt means sent out. Einladungen adds -en in the plural, and sind is plural because die Einladungen is the subject.
Danke für die Einladung!
Thank you for the invitation!
Danke means thank you, and für means for. Die Einladung is accusative because für takes the accusative; the phrase is a common short reply to an invitation.
der Eintrag — entry, record; registration, official record
Der Eintrag is a written entry or record, for example in a dictionary, list, or diary. Its plural is die Einträge, with an umlaut; it is not the same as die Einleitung, an introduction.
Der Eintrag im Wörterbuch ist sehr hilfreich.
The entry in the dictionary is very helpful.
im Wörterbuch means in the dictionary and hilfreich means helpful. der Eintrag is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich lese den Eintrag im Tagebuch.
I am reading the entry in the diary.
lesen means to read, das Tagebuch is the diary, and im means in the. den Eintrag is accusative because it is the direct object of lesen; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Sie erklärt dem Schüler den Eintrag.
She explains the entry to the pupil.
erklären means to explain and der Schüler is the pupil. dem Schüler is dative because it is the recipient, while den Eintrag is accusative as the thing explained; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Der Titel des Eintrags ist unklar.
The title of the entry is unclear.
der Titel is the title and unklar means unclear. des Eintrags is genitive because it identifies which title is meant; the whole phrase Der Titel des Eintrags is the nominative subject.
Die Einträge stehen alphabetisch untereinander.
The entries are listed alphabetically one below another.
alphabetisch means alphabetically and untereinander means one below another. die Einträge is plural nominative because it is the subject; stehen agrees with the plural and the finite verb is in position two.
Der Eintrag im Register wurde gestern geändert.
The record in the register was changed yesterday.
das Register is the register, geändert means changed, and gestern means yesterday. der Eintrag is nominative as the subject of the passive; im Register means in the register, and wurde geändert places the participle at the end.
Für den Eintrag in die Datenbank brauchen wir Ihre Adresse.
We need your address for the registration in the database.
für means for, die Datenbank is the database, brauchen means to need, and Ihre Adresse is your address. den Eintrag is accusative after für, and Ihre Adresse is accusative because it is the object of brauchen.
eintragen — to enter, to write down; to register, to put one's name down
This verb is separable: eintragen becomes trägt ... ein in a main clause but stays together after a modal or in a subordinate clause. With the reflexive use sich eintragen, the person registers themselves.
Ich trage den Termin in meinen Kalender ein.
I enter the appointment in my calendar.
der Termin is the appointment and der Kalender is the calendar. Den Termin is accusative because eintragen takes the thing being entered as an accusative object; the finite verb is split, with trage in position two and ein at the end.
Wir haben die Adresse sofort eingetragen.
We entered the address immediately.
die Adresse means address and sofort means immediately. Die Adresse is accusative because it is the object of eintragen; haben is in position two and eingetragen goes to the end.
Sie trug ihre Daten online ein.
She entered her details online.
ihre Daten means her details or data, and online means on the internet. Ihre Daten is accusative because eintragen takes an accusative object; trug is the simple-past form and ein closes the main clause.
Trag bitte deine Telefonnummer ein.
Please enter your telephone number.
bitte means please and die Telefonnummer means telephone number. Deine Telefonnummer is accusative because it is the object; in the imperative the prefix ein remains at the end.
Wenn du dich einträgst, bekommst du eine Bestätigung.
If you register, you will receive a confirmation.
sich eintragen means to register oneself, die Bestätigung is the confirmation, and bekommen means receive. The requested hypothetical meaning is expressed by the conditional context here; in the subordinate clause the separable verb stays together at the end as einträgst, and dich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
Morgen werde ich den neuen Kurs eintragen.
Tomorrow I will enter the new course.
morgen means tomorrow and der Kurs means course. Den neuen Kurs is accusative because it is the object; werde is in position two and the infinitive eintragen stays whole at the end, so it does not split.
Bitte trag dich in die Liste ein.
Please put your name on the list.
die Liste is the list, and sich in etwas eintragen means put one’s name on something. Dich is accusative because the verb is reflexive, while in die Liste has the accusative because it expresses movement into the list; the prefix ein stands at the end.
Sie hat sich für den Workshop eingetragen.
She registered for the workshop.
der Workshop is a workshop, and sich für etwas eintragen means register for something. The reflexive pronoun sich is accusative, and für always takes the accusative; hat comes second and eingetragen goes at the end.
der Empfang — reception; welcome; reception desk; signal reception
In this sense, der Empfang can mean both the welcome someone receives and the desk or area where visitors are received. Do not confuse it with die Rezeption, which is also common for a hotel reception desk.
Der Empfang ist gleich neben dem Eingang.
Reception is right next to the entrance.
gleich neben means right next to, and der Eingang is the entrance. Der Empfang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich finde den Empfang nicht.
I cannot find reception.
finden means to find, and nicht means not. Den Empfang is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the finite verb finde stands in position two.
Wir warten am Empfang.
We are waiting at reception.
warten means to wait, and am means an dem, at the. Am Empfang is dative because the fixed location preposition an is contracted with dem here; the verb warten is in position two.
Die Tür des Empfangs ist geschlossen.
The reception desk's door is closed.
die Tür is the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Empfangs is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the noun Empfang adds -s in the genitive singular.
Am Abend gab es zwei herzliche Empfänge.
There were two warm welcomes in the evening.
am Abend means in the evening, zwei means two, and herzlich means warm or friendly. Empfänge is plural and has an umlaut plus -e; es gab is the past form of geben used to say there was or were.
Der Empfang beginnt um acht Uhr.
Reception begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Empfang is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Hier ist der Empfang sehr schlecht.
The reception is very poor here.
hier means here, and sehr schlecht means very poor. Der Empfang is nominative because it is the subject, while schlecht follows ist as a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Im Keller haben wir keinen Empfang.
We have no reception in the basement.
im Keller means in the basement, and keinen means no or not any. Keinen Empfang is accusative because haben takes a direct object; im is in dem, with dative for a fixed location.
empfangen — to receive; to welcome
Empfangen takes an accusative object for the person or thing received, such as Gäste empfangen. Its perfect uses haben, not sein, and the inseparable prefix means the Partizip II has no ge-.
Wir empfangen heute viele Gäste.
We are receiving many guests today.
heute means today, and viele Gäste means many guests. Viele Gäste is accusative because empfangen takes a direct object, and the finite verb empfangen stands in position two.
Die Familie hat uns herzlich empfangen.
The family welcomed us warmly.
die Familie means the family, uns means us, and herzlich means warmly. The perfect uses hat plus empfangen; uns is accusative as the people received, and the participle goes to the end.
Das Hotel empfing die Gäste um Mitternacht.
The hotel received the guests at midnight.
das Hotel is the hotel, um Mitternacht means at midnight, and Gäste means guests. Empfing is the strong-verb past form; die Gäste is accusative, and the finite verb remains in position two.
Empfange deine Besucher freundlich.
Welcome your visitors kindly.
deine Besucher means your visitors, and freundlich means kindly or in a friendly way. Empfange is a formal-sounding singular command, and the accusative object follows the verb.
Ich würde die Nachricht gern empfangen.
I would gladly receive the message.
die Nachricht means the message, and gern means gladly or would like to. Würde plus the infinitive expresses a hypothetical wish; the infinitive empfangen goes to the end and die Nachricht is accusative.
Morgen empfangen wir unsere neuen Nachbarn.
Tomorrow we will welcome our new neighbours.
morgen means tomorrow, unsere neuen Nachbarn means our new neighbours. Werden is understood from the future construction here as the finite verb empfangen remains the main verb in position two; the sentence can also be read as present tense with a future meaning, and the object is accusative.
empfehlen — to recommend; to advise
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas empfehlen: the person is dative and the recommended thing is accusative. In a recommendation with an infinitive, use jemandem empfehlen, etwas zu tun.
Ich empfehle dir dieses Buch.
I recommend this book to you.
dir means to you, and dieses Buch means this book. Dir is dative for the person receiving the recommendation, while dieses Buch is accusative for the thing recommended; the finite verb empfehle is in position two.
Die Ärztin hat mir viel Ruhe empfohlen.
The doctor recommended that I get plenty of rest.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, mir means to me, and viel Ruhe means plenty of rest. Mir is dative and viel Ruhe is accusative; the perfect uses hat empfohlen, with the participle at the end.
Er empfahl uns ein kleines Café.
He recommended a small café to us.
uns means to us, and ein kleines Café means a small café. Empfahl is the strong past form; uns is dative for the people advised and ein kleines Café is accusative for the recommendation.
Empfiehl mir bitte einen guten Film.
Please recommend a good film to me.
mir means to me, bitte means please, and einen guten Film means a good film. Empfiehl is the singular imperative with the e to ie vowel change; the person is dative and the film is accusative.
Ich würde dir diesen Kurs empfehlen.
I would recommend this course to you.
dir means to you, and diesen Kurs means this course. Würde plus empfehlen expresses a polite or hypothetical recommendation; dir is dative and diesen Kurs is accusative, with the infinitive at the end.
Ich werde dir dieses Restaurant empfehlen.
I will recommend this restaurant to you.
dieses Restaurant means this restaurant, and dir means to you. In the future, finite werde is in position two and the infinitive empfehlen goes to the end; dir is dative and dieses Restaurant is accusative.
die Empfehlung — recommendation; advice
Die Empfehlung is the noun made from empfehlen. It can be a person's advice or a written suggestion, and the person who receives it is often expressed with von or a dative phrase.
Deine Empfehlung war sehr hilfreich.
Your recommendation was very helpful.
deine means your, and hilfreich means helpful. Deine Empfehlung is nominative because it is the subject; after war, the adjective hilfreich is predicative and has no ending.
Ich brauche eine Empfehlung für ein Hotel.
I need a recommendation for a hotel.
brauchen means to need, and für ein Hotel means for a hotel. Eine Empfehlung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für always takes the accusative.
Ich danke dir für die Empfehlung.
I thank you for the recommendation.
danke means thank, and dir means you in the dative. Dir is dative because danken requires dative, while für die Empfehlung is accusative because für always governs accusative.
Der Wert der Empfehlung ist schwer zu beurteilen.
The value of the recommendation is difficult to assess.
der Wert means the value, and schwer zu beurteilen means difficult to assess. Der Empfehlung is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the infinitive phrase zu beurteilen comes after the adjective.
Wir haben mehrere Empfehlungen bekommen.
We received several recommendations.
mehrere means several, and bekommen means to receive or get. Empfehlungen is the plural with -en; it is accusative as the thing received, while haben bekommen forms the perfect.
Die Empfehlung steht auf der Webseite.
The recommendation is on the website.
steht means is written or appears, and die Webseite is the website. Die Empfehlung is nominative as the subject; auf der Webseite uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Empfänger — recipient; receiver
Empfänger can be a person who receives a message or parcel, or a technical receiver such as a radio receiver. The feminine person noun is Empfängerin.
Der Empfänger öffnet den Brief.
The recipient opens the letter.
öffnen means to open and der Brief means the letter. Der Empfänger is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche den Empfänger des Pakets.
I am looking for the recipient of the parcel.
suchen means to look for, das Paket means parcel, and des Pakets means of the parcel. Den Empfänger is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; des Pakets is genitive and identifies what was sent.
Ich schicke dem Empfänger eine Nachricht.
I am sending the recipient a message.
schicken means to send and eine Nachricht means a message. Dem Empfänger is dative because it is the person receiving something, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing being sent.
Die Adresse des Empfängers steht auf dem Umschlag.
The recipient’s address is on the envelope.
die Adresse means address, stehen means to be written or located, and der Umschlag means envelope. Des Empfängers is genitive to show possession; auf dem Umschlag is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Empfänger bestätigen den Erhalt der Pakete.
The recipients confirm receipt of the parcels.
bestätigen means to confirm, der Erhalt means receipt, and das Paket means parcel. Die Empfänger is plural nominative as the subject, while den Erhalt is accusative after bestätigen.
die Empfängerin — female recipient; female receiver
Empfängerin is the feminine form of Empfänger and refers to a woman or girl who receives something. It is formed with -in, and its plural is Empfängerinnen.
Die Empfängerin unterschreibt den Brief.
The female recipient signs the letter.
unterschreiben means to sign and der Brief means letter. Die Empfängerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb unterschreibt stands in position two.
Wir informieren die Empfängerin über die Änderung.
We inform the female recipient about the change.
informieren means to inform and die Änderung means the change. Die Empfängerin is accusative because it is the direct object of informieren; über takes the accusative here in the fixed expression über etwas informieren.
Der Mitarbeiter hilft der Empfängerin am Schalter.
The employee helps the female recipient at the counter.
der Mitarbeiter means the employee, helfen means to help, and der Schalter means counter or service desk. Der Empfängerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; am Schalter means at the counter.
Die Adresse der Empfängerin fehlt auf dem Formular.
The female recipient’s address is missing from the form.
fehlen means to be missing, die Adresse means address, and das Formular means form. Der Empfängerin is genitive to show whose address it is; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Empfängerinnen warten vor dem Büro.
The female recipients are waiting outside the office.
warten means to wait, vor means in front of, and das Büro means office. Die Empfängerinnen is plural nominative as the subject; vor dem Büro is dative because it describes location, not movement.
erinnern — to remember; to remind; to remind someone of something
The meaning remember is normally sich an etwas erinnern, with an plus the accusative: Ich erinnere mich an den Film. Without sich, the verb usually means remind someone of something.
Ich erinnere mich an den Urlaub.
I remember the holiday.
mich means myself and der Urlaub means the holiday. Sich erinnern an takes an with the accusative, so den Urlaub is accusative; erinnere is in position two and mich follows it.
Ich habe mich an den Urlaub erinnert.
I remembered the holiday.
mich means myself and der Urlaub means the holiday. The perfect uses habe plus erinnert, with the Partizip II at the end; sich erinnern an requires the reflexive pronoun and den Urlaub in the accusative.
Ich erinnerte mich an den Urlaub.
I remembered the holiday.
mich means myself and der Urlaub means the holiday. Erinnerte is the regular Präteritum form; an takes the accusative in this fixed expression, so den Urlaub is accusative.
Erinnere dich an deinen Schlüssel.
Remember your key.
dich means yourself and deinen Schlüssel means your key. The command uses erinnere dich because the verb is reflexive; an takes the accusative here, giving deinen Schlüssel.
Ich würde mich gern an den Namen erinnern.
I would like to remember the name.
gern means gladly or would like to, and der Name means the name. Würde erinnern expresses a hypothetical wish; würde is in position two and the infinitive erinnern goes to the end, while mich is required by the reflexive construction.
Sie wird sich später an den Termin erinnern.
She will remember the appointment later.
später means later and der Termin means the appointment. Future tense places wird in position two and erinnern at the end; sich erinnern an takes den Termin in the accusative.
Ich erinnere dich an den Termin.
I am reminding you about the appointment.
dich means you and der Termin means the appointment. Dich is accusative because the person reminded is the direct object, and an den Termin is also accusative because an is fixed with this expression; the verb is in position two.
Der Wecker hat mich an den Arzttermin erinnert.
The alarm reminded me about the doctor's appointment.
der Wecker means the alarm, mich means me, and der Arzttermin means the doctor's appointment. The perfect uses hat and places erinnert at the end; mich is the accusative person being reminded, while an den Arzttermin is the fixed prepositional phrase.
die Erklärung — explanation; statement; declaration; formal statement
The sense can mean an explanation that makes something understandable or a formal statement of a position. Die Erklärung is feminine, so its accusative is die Erklärung but its dative is der Erklärung.
Die Erklärung ist sehr einfach.
The explanation is very simple.
einfach means simple. Die Erklärung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine Erklärung.
I need an explanation.
brauchen means to need. Eine Erklärung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and brauche is the finite verb in position two.
Ich vertraue deiner Erklärung.
I trust your explanation.
vertrauen means to trust. Deiner Erklärung is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, and the possessive article changes to deiner.
Die Ursache des Problems steht in der Erklärung.
The cause of the problem is stated in the explanation.
die Ursache is the cause and das Problem is the problem. Des Problems is genitive because it means of the problem, while in der Erklärung is dative because in describes a location here.
Die Erklärungen des Lehrers waren hilfreich.
The teacher’s explanations were helpful.
des Lehrers means of the teacher and hilfreich means helpful. Erklärungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; des Lehrers is genitive to show whose explanations they are.
Bitte unterschreiben Sie die Erklärung.
Please sign the declaration.
bitte means please and unterschreiben means to sign. Die Erklärung is accusative because it is the object of unterschreiben; Sie is the formal command form and the verb comes first.
Die Erklärung wurde gestern veröffentlicht.
The statement was published yesterday.
veröffentlicht means published and gestern means yesterday. Die Erklärung is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence, and wurde veröffentlicht forms the past passive.
erreichen — to reach, to achieve
erreichen takes an accusative object for both places and goals: den Bahnhof erreichen, ein Ziel erreichen. It is regular and forms the perfect with haben: erreichen - erreichte - hat erreicht.
Der Zug erreicht den Bahnhof um acht Uhr.
The train reaches the station at eight o'clock.
der Zug means the train, den Bahnhof means the station, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. den Bahnhof is accusative because erreichen takes the destination as a direct object; the finite verb erreicht stands in position two.
Der Zug hat den Bahnhof erreicht.
The train has reached the station.
der Zug means the train and den Bahnhof means the station. The perfect uses hat plus erreicht, not ist; the Partizip II goes to the end and den Bahnhof is accusative.
Der Zug erreichte den Bahnhof pünktlich.
The train reached the station on time.
pünktlich means on time, while der Zug is the train and den Bahnhof is the station. den Bahnhof is accusative after erreichen, and the regular past form erreichte stands in position two.
Erreiche dein Ziel!
Reach your goal!
dein Ziel means your goal. The imperative erreiche stands first with du omitted, and dein Ziel is accusative because it is the direct object.
Wenn ich den Bahnhof rechtzeitig erreichen könnte, erreichte ich den Zug noch.
If I could reach the station on time, I would still catch the train.
rechtzeitig means on time, den Zug means the train, and noch means still. The infinitive erreichen goes to the end of the wenn clause; erreichte is the conditional form in the main clause, with den Bahnhof and den Zug as accusative objects.
Wir werden unser Ziel erreichen.
We will reach our goal.
unser Ziel means our goal. Future uses werden plus the infinitive erreichen at the end, and unser Ziel is accusative as the direct object.
erwähnen — to mention, to refer to
Erwähnen takes an accusative object and usually means mentioning something briefly, not discussing it in detail. Do not confuse it with erinnern, which means remind or remember and is often reflexive.
Die Lehrerin erwähnt ein gutes Beispiel.
The teacher mentions a good example.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, and ein gutes Beispiel means a good example. Ein gutes Beispiel is accusative because erwähnen takes a direct object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Er hat meinen Namen erwähnt.
He mentioned my name.
meinen Namen means my name. Hat forms the perfect in position two, erwähnt goes to the end, and the mentioned name is an accusative object.
Sie erwähnte den Termin gestern.
She mentioned the appointment yesterday.
der Termin means the appointment and gestern means yesterday. Den Termin is accusative after erwähnen, while the regular past form erwähnte stands in position two.
Erwähne bitte auch den Preis!
Please mention the price too!
bitte means please, auch means too, and der Preis means the price. This is the du imperative with an omitted subject; den Preis is accusative.
Ich würde diesen Punkt gern erwähnen.
I would like to mention this point.
dieser Punkt means this point and gern means gladly or would like to. Würde is finite in position two, erwähnen goes to the end, and diesen Punkt is accusative.
Wir werden das Problem morgen erwähnen.
We will mention the problem tomorrow.
das Problem means the problem and morgen means tomorrow. Werden is the future auxiliary in position two, erwähnen goes to the end, and das Problem is accusative.
das Fax — fax; fax machine; fax machine
Das Fax can mean either the message or the machine, and the context usually makes the meaning clear. In everyday speech, the verb faxen is used for sending a fax.
Das Fax ist angekommen.
The fax has arrived.
ist angekommen means has arrived. Das Fax is nominative because it is the subject, and the perfect auxiliary ist stands in position two while angekommen goes to the end.
Ich schicke heute ein Fax.
I am sending a fax today.
schicke means send, and heute means today. Ein Fax is accusative because schicken takes a direct object; the finite verb schicke is in position two.
Ich antworte dem Kunden per Fax.
I reply to the customer by fax.
antworte means reply, dem Kunden means to the customer, and per means by means of. Dem Kunden is dative because antworten takes a dative person; per Fax names the method and has no article here.
Die Nummer des Faxes steht auf dem Brief.
The fax number is on the letter.
Die Nummer means the number, steht auf means is written or is located on, and der Brief is the letter. Des Faxes is genitive because it specifies which number, and auf dem Brief is dative because it describes location.
Im Büro liegen drei Faxe.
There are three faxes in the office.
Im Büro means in the office, liegen means are lying or are there, and drei means three. Faxe is the plural of das Fax and takes drei without an article.
Das Fax steht neben dem Drucker.
The fax machine is next to the printer.
steht neben means is next to, and der Drucker is the printer. Das Fax is nominative as the subject; neben dem Drucker uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Techniker repariert das Fax.
The technician is repairing the fax machine.
Der Techniker is the technician and repariert means is repairing. Das Fax is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb repariert is in position two.
der Fernsehapparat — television set
Fernsehapparat is a somewhat old-fashioned word; in everyday speech, Fernseher is more common.
Der Fernsehapparat steht im Wohnzimmer.
The television set is in the living room.
das Wohnzimmer means living room, and steht means is standing or is located. Der Fernsehapparat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen Fernsehapparat.
We are buying a television set.
kaufen means to buy, and wir means we. Einen Fernsehapparat is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Wir sitzen vor dem Fernsehapparat.
We are sitting in front of the television set.
sitzen means to sit, and vor means in front of. Here vor describes a location and therefore takes the dative, dem Fernsehapparat; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Fernbedienung des Fernsehapparats liegt auf dem Tisch.
The television set's remote control is on the table.
die Fernbedienung means remote control, and liegt means is lying or is located. Des Fernsehapparats shows possession in the genitive; the masculine noun adds -s, and liegt is in position two.
In unserem Haus stehen zwei Fernsehapparate.
There are two television sets in our house.
unserem Haus means our house, and zwei means two. Fernsehapparate is the plural after zwei; because the sentence begins with In unserem Haus, the verb stehen comes before the subject.
das Fernsehgerät — television set, TV set
Fernsehgerät is a more technical or formal term than Fernseher. In ordinary conversation, learners will usually hear Fernseher instead.
Das Fernsehgerät funktioniert nicht.
The television set does not work.
funktioniert nicht means does not work. Das Fernsehgerät is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb funktioniert stands in position two.
Wir ersetzen das Fernsehgerät.
We are replacing the television set.
ersetzen means replace, and wir means we. Das Fernsehgerät is accusative because ersetzen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Der Techniker arbeitet an dem Fernsehgerät.
The technician is working on the television set.
der Techniker means the technician, and arbeitet an means is working on. The preposition an takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location or object being worked on, so das Fernsehgerät becomes dem Fernsehgerät.
Die Reparatur des Fernsehgeräts kostet viel.
Repairing the television set costs a lot.
die Reparatur means the repair, and kostet viel means costs a lot. Des Fernsehgeräts expresses possession in the genitive; the neuter noun takes -s, while kostet is in position two.
Im Geschäft stehen neue Fernsehgeräte.
There are new television sets in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, and neue means new. Fernsehgeräte is the plural with -e and an umlaut; because the sentence starts with Im Geschäft, the verb stehen comes before the subject.
die Fernsehnachricht — television news report
This word means one news item shown on television. For television news as a general programme, German commonly uses the plural Fernsehnachrichten, even when English says “the news.”
Die Fernsehnachricht ist sehr wichtig.
The television news report is very important.
wichtig means important, and sehr means very. Die Fernsehnachricht is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe die Fernsehnachricht jeden Abend.
I watch the television news report every evening.
sehe means watch or see, and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Fernsehnachricht is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in nominative and accusative.
Wir glauben der Fernsehnachricht nicht.
We do not believe the television news report.
glauben means believe, and nicht means not. Der Fernsehnachricht is dative because glauben takes a dative person or source; the finite verb glauben stands in position two.
Die Quelle der Fernsehnachricht bleibt unbekannt.
The source of the television news report remains unknown.
die Quelle means the source, bleibt means remains, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Fernsehnachricht is genitive because it says which report the source belongs to; feminine nouns show this mainly through the article der.
Die Fernsehnachrichten beginnen um sieben.
The television news begins at seven.
beginnen means begin, and um sieben means at seven. Fernsehnachrichten is the plural of Fernsehnachricht, formed with -en; the plural subject makes the verb beginnen plural.
der Flyer — flyer, leaflet
Der Flyer is a small printed leaflet used for advertising. It is a borrowed noun with the unchanged plural die Flyer.
Der Flyer liegt auf dem Tisch.
The flyer is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Flyer is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Flyer im Bus.
I read the flyer on the bus.
lese means read, im Bus means on the bus or on the bus ride. Den Flyer is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Wir geben dem Flyer einen neuen Platz.
We give the flyer a new place.
geben means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place. Dem Flyer is dative because it is the thing being assigned a place, while einen neuen Platz is accusative.
Die Farbe des Flyers ist sehr auffällig.
The colour of the flyer is very striking.
die Farbe means the colour, sehr means very, and auffällig means striking or eye-catching. Des Flyers is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the borrowed noun takes -s.
Die Flyer liegen am Eingang.
The flyers are lying at the entrance.
liegen means are lying and der Eingang is the entrance. Die Flyer is plural even though Flyer has no plural ending; the verb changes from liegt to liegen.
flüstern — to whisper; to whisper, say secretly
flüstern can take an accusative thing that is whispered, often together with a dative listener: jemandem etwas flüstern. In the perfect it takes haben, not sein.
Sie flüstert im Kino.
She whispers in the cinema.
sie flüstert means she whispers and im Kino means in the cinema. im Kino is a dative location phrase after in; the finite verb flüstert stands in position two.
Er hat mir die Antwort geflüstert.
He whispered the answer to me.
die Antwort means the answer and mir means to me. mir is dative as the listener, die Antwort is accusative as the thing whispered, and geflüstert goes to the end with hat.
Das Kind flüsterte seiner Mutter ein Geheimnis zu.
The child whispered a secret to its mother.
das Kind means the child, seiner Mutter means to its mother, and ein Geheimnis means a secret. The listener is dative and the secret is accusative; the weak past form flüsterte is the finite verb in position two.
Flüster bitte, die anderen schlafen.
Please whisper; the others are sleeping.
bitte means please, die anderen means the others, and schlafen means are sleeping. The imperative flüster comes first; the second clause has the normal position-two verb schlafen.
Wenn ich es wüsste, flüsterte ich es dir ins Ohr.
If I knew it, I would whisper it in your ear.
wenn ich es wüsste means if I knew it and ins Ohr means into the ear. dir is dative for the person addressed, while es is accusative; the conditional verb flüsterte follows the subordinate clause.
Ich werde dir die Nachricht flüstern.
I will whisper the message to you.
die Nachricht means the message and dir means to you. dir is dative and die Nachricht is accusative; werde is in position two and the infinitive flüstern goes to the end.
Sie flüsterte seinen Namen.
She whispered his name.
seinen Namen means his name. The name is accusative because it is the direct object of flüsterte; the possessive ending -en shows masculine accusative.
Er flüstert mir ins Ohr.
He whispers in my ear.
mir means to me and ins Ohr means into my ear. mir is dative for the person addressed, while in takes the accusative here because it expresses direction into the ear.
die Fotokopie — photocopy
A Fotokopie is a copy made by a machine, not usually a digital scan. The plural is Fotokopien, with -n.
Die Fotokopie ist nicht gut lesbar.
The photocopy is not easy to read.
nicht gut lesbar means not easy to read. Die Fotokopie is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Fotokopie für den Kurs.
I need the photocopy for the course.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Kurs is the course. Die Fotokopie is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für always takes the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Lehrer die Fotokopie.
I give the teacher the photocopy.
gebe means give, and der Lehrer means the teacher. Dem Lehrer is dative as the recipient, while die Fotokopie is accusative as the thing given.
Die Rückseite der Fotokopie ist leer.
The back of the photocopy is blank.
die Rückseite means the back, and leer means blank. Der Fotokopie is genitive after die Rückseite to show which photocopy is meant; ist is in position two.
Die Sekretärin verteilt die Fotokopien.
The secretary distributes the photocopies.
die Sekretärin means the secretary, and verteilt means distributes. Fotokopien is plural and accusative because it is the object of verteilen.
geheim — secret, confidential
geheim describes information or actions that are not meant for everyone to know. As a predicative adjective it has no ending, but before a noun it takes the normal adjective ending.
Die Information ist geheim.
The information is secret.
die Information means the information. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending and stays geheim; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir planen ein geheimes Treffen.
We are planning a secret meeting.
planen means to plan, and das Treffen is a meeting. ein geheimes Treffen is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Das Projekt ist geheimer als erwartet.
The project is more secret than expected.
das Projekt means the project, and erwartet means expected. geheimer is a predicative comparative after ist, and als introduces the thing it is compared with; no adjective ending is added here.
Das geheimste Dokument liegt im Safe.
The most secret document is in the safe.
das Dokument means the document, liegt means is lying or is located, and der Safe is the safe. Das geheimste Dokument is nominative because it is the subject; before a noun, the superlative takes an adjective ending rather than the am form.
das Geheimnis — secret, mystery; mystery, secret behind something
The plural Geheimnisse can mean secrets or mysteries. The phrase ein Geheimnis bewahren means to keep a secret, while ein Geheimnis verraten means to reveal one.
Das Geheimnis bleibt bei mir.
The secret stays with me.
bleibt means stays, and bei mir means with me. Das Geheimnis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb bleibt stands in position two.
Ich kenne das Geheimnis.
I know the secret.
ich means I, and kenne means know. Das Geheimnis is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Sie erzählt ihrem Bruder das Geheimnis.
She tells her brother the secret.
erzählt means tells, and ihrem Bruder means to her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because it is the recipient, while das Geheimnis is accusative as the thing being told.
Die Herkunft des Geheimnisses ist unklar.
The origin of the secret is unclear.
die Herkunft means the origin, and unklar means unclear. Des Geheimnisses is genitive because it identifies whose origin is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Geheimnisse kommen ans Licht.
Many secrets come to light.
viele means many, kommen means come, and ans Licht means to light or into the open. Geheimnisse is plural and is the subject, so it is nominative; kommen is in position two.
Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs ist harte Arbeit.
The secret of success is hard work.
der Erfolg means success, and harte Arbeit means hard work. Des Erfolgs is genitive after das Geheimnis to show what kind of secret it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Niemand kennt das Geheimnis dieser Geschichte.
Nobody knows the mystery of this story.
niemand means nobody, kennt means knows, and diese Geschichte means this story. Das Geheimnis is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while dieser Geschichte is genitive and means of this story.
das Gespräch — conversation, discussion; formal talk, meeting
Das Gespräch is a conversation, often a planned or serious talk. The common collocation is ein Gespräch führen, literally to lead a conversation, meaning to have one.
Das Gespräch beginnt um neun Uhr.
The conversation starts at nine o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Das Gespräch is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir führen heute ein Gespräch mit der Lehrerin.
We are having a conversation with the teacher today.
heute means today, and die Lehrerin is the female teacher. Ein Gespräch is accusative because the fixed expression ein Gespräch führen takes a direct object; mit der Lehrerin is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Nach dem Essen sprechen wir über das Gespräch.
After the meal, we talk about the conversation.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and sprechen means talk. Dem Essen is dative because nach takes the dative, while über das Gespräch is accusative because über means about in this expression.
Die wichtigsten Themen des Gesprächs stehen in meinen Notizen.
The most important topics of the conversation are in my notes.
die wichtigsten Themen means the most important topics, and meine Notizen are my notes. Des Gesprächs is genitive and shows possession or connection; the finite verb stehen is in position two, and in meinen Notizen is dative because it describes location.
Die Gespräche mit den Kunden waren sehr hilfreich.
The conversations with the customers were very helpful.
die Kunden are the customers, and hilfreich means helpful. Gespräche is the plural subject, so the verb is plural waren; mit den Kunden is dative because mit requires the dative.
Morgen habe ich ein wichtiges Gespräch mit meinem Chef.
Tomorrow I have an important meeting with my boss.
morgen means tomorrow, wichtig means important, and mein Chef is my boss. Ein wichtiges Gespräch is accusative after haben; mit meinem Chef is dative because mit requires the dative, and habe remains in position two.
Das Gespräch über den Vertrag dauerte eine Stunde.
The discussion about the contract lasted an hour.
der Vertrag is the contract, and dauerte means lasted. Das Gespräch is the nominative subject; über den Vertrag is accusative because über means about here, and dauerte is the finite verb in position two.
gesprächig — talkative
Gesprächig normally describes someone who talks readily and at length; it is not automatically negative. For a person who talks too much, German often uses redselig or geschwätzig.
Meine neue Nachbarin ist sehr gesprächig.
My new neighbour is very talkative.
meine neue Nachbarin means my new female neighbour, and sehr means very. Gesprächig is a predicate adjective after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der gesprächige Mann erzählt uns viele Geschichten.
The talkative man tells us many stories.
der Mann is the man, erzählt means tells, and viele Geschichten means many stories. Gesprächige stands before a masculine noun after der, so it takes -e; uns is dative as the people receiving the information, while viele Geschichten is accusative.
Im Zug war sie heute gesprächiger als sonst.
On the train she was more talkative than usual today.
im Zug means on the train, and als sonst means than usual. Gesprächiger is a predicate comparative after war, so it has no ending; in dem Zug is shortened to im Zug, with dative because it describes location.
Von allen Gästen war Paul am gesprächigsten.
Of all the guests, Paul was the most talkative.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. Am gesprächigsten is the predicative superlative after war; von requires the dative, so Gästen has the dative plural ending -n.
der Glückwunsch — congratulations; good wishes
Der Glückwunsch is often used in the fixed expression Herzlichen Glückwunsch!, meaning congratulations. For several congratulatory messages, use the umlaut plural die Glückwünsche.
Der Glückwunsch kommt von meiner Schwester.
The congratulations come from my sister.
kommt means comes, von means from, and meiner Schwester means my sister. Der Glückwunsch is nominative because it is the subject; von always takes the dative here, so meiner Schwester is dative.
Ich schreibe dir einen Glückwunsch.
I am writing you a congratulatory message.
schreibe means write, dir means to you, and einen marks masculine accusative. Einen Glückwunsch is accusative because schreiben takes the thing written as a direct object, while dir is dative for the recipient.
Ich gratuliere dir zu deinem Glückwunsch.
I congratulate you on your congratulations.
gratuliere means congratulate, dir means you, and zu means on or for in this expression. Deinem Glückwunsch is dative because zu governs the dative; gratulieren also takes the person congratulated in the dative, dir.
Der Inhalt des Glückwunsches war sehr freundlich.
The content of the congratulatory message was very friendly.
der Inhalt means the content, war means was, sehr means very, and freundlich means friendly. Des Glückwunsches is genitive because it specifies the content's source or type; the masculine noun adds -es.
Viele Glückwünsche stehen auf der Karte.
Many congratulations are written on the card.
viele means many, stehen means stand or are written, auf means on, and die Karte means the card. Glückwünsche is plural and nominative because it is the subject, while auf der Karte is dative because it describes a fixed location.
gratulieren — to congratulate someone
gratulieren takes the person congratulated in the dative: jemandem gratulieren. It normally takes haben in the perfect, and the fixed phrase zu plus dative names the occasion.
Ich gratuliere dir zum Geburtstag.
I congratulate you on your birthday.
dir means to you, and zum Geburtstag means on your birthday. gratulieren takes the person in the dative, so dir is dative; the finite verb gratuliere is in position two.
Wir haben ihr zum Examen gratuliert.
We congratulated her on passing the exam.
ihr means to her, zum Examen means on the exam, and haben ... gratuliert means congratulated. The person remains dative because gratulieren governs dative, while the participle gratuliert goes to the end and pairs with haben.
Er gratulierte seinem Bruder zum Sieg.
He congratulated his brother on the victory.
seinem Bruder means to his brother, Sieg means victory, and zum means on the. seinem Bruder is dative because of gratulieren; the weak preterite gratulierte is the finite verb in position two.
Gratuliere deiner Freundin zum neuen Job!
Congratulate your friend on her new job!
deiner Freundin means to your female friend, and zum neuen Job means on the new job. The imperative gratuliere addresses one person and keeps the person in the dative; the subject du is left out.
Ich gratulierte dir, wenn du die Prüfung bestanden hättest.
I would have congratulated you if you had passed the exam.
wenn means if, die Prüfung means the exam, and bestanden hättest means had passed. The form gratulierte is identical in appearance to the weak preterite here, but it expresses an unreal condition; hättest goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Ich werde dir morgen zum Erfolg gratulieren.
I will congratulate you on your success tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and Erfolg means success. dir is dative because gratulieren takes a dative person; werde is in position two and the infinitive gratulieren goes to the end.
der Hinweis — note; notice; hint; piece of information
der Hinweis can be a helpful piece of information, a notice, or a clue. Do not confuse it with the verb hinweisen, which means ‘to point out’ or ‘to draw attention to’.
Der Hinweis an der Tür ist wichtig.
The notice on the door is important.
an der Tür means on the door, and wichtig means important. Der Hinweis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den Hinweis an der Tür.
I am reading the notice on the door.
lese means am reading, den Hinweis means the notice, and an der Tür means on the door. den Hinweis is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Bitte folgen Sie dem Hinweis.
Please follow the instruction.
bitte means please, and folgen means follow. dem Hinweis is dative because folgen governs the dative; the polite imperative uses Sie and the verb comes first.
Die Bedeutung des Hinweises ist nicht klar.
The meaning of the notice is not clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and nicht klar means not clear. des Hinweises is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the masculine genitive has des and -es.
Die Hinweise im Museum sind leicht zu verstehen.
The notices in the museum are easy to understand.
im Museum means in the museum, and leicht zu verstehen means easy to understand. Die Hinweise is a plural subject, so the verb is sind, not the singular ist.
der Hörer — listener; receiver, earpiece
der Hörer is a person who listens; the feminine form is die Hörerin. It can also mean a receiver or earpiece in technical contexts.
Der Hörer stellt eine Frage.
The listener asks a question.
stellt eine Frage means asks a question. Der Hörer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb stellt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Hörer.
I see the listener.
ich sehe means I see. den Hörer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich danke dem Hörer.
I thank the listener.
danke means thank. dem Hörer is dative because danken governs the dative, not the accusative.
Die Frage des Hörers ist interessant.
The listener's question is interesting.
die Frage means the question and interessant means interesting. des Hörers is genitive because it shows whose question it is; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Hörer warten auf die Antwort.
The listeners are waiting for the answer.
warten means wait, and die Antwort means the answer. Die Hörer is plural and nominative as the subject; auf die Antwort is accusative because warten auf requires auf plus the accusative.
Sie nimmt den Hörer ab.
She picks up the receiver.
nimmt ... ab means picks up, and den Hörer means the receiver. abnehmen is separable, so nimmt is in position two and ab goes to the end; the receiver is accusative.
Der Hörer liegt neben dem Telefon.
The receiver is lying next to the telephone.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and das Telefon means the telephone. Der Hörer is nominative as the subject, while dem Telefon is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
die Hörerin — female listener
die Hörerin is the specifically feminine form of der Hörer, a woman or girl who listens. The regular plural is die Hörerinnen.
Die Hörerin stellt eine Frage.
The female listener asks a question.
stellt eine Frage means asks a question. Die Hörerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb stellt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Hörerin.
I see the female listener.
ich sehe means I see. die Hörerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Hörerin.
I thank the female listener.
danke means thank. der Hörerin is dative because danken governs the dative; feminine die changes to der.
Die Frage der Hörerin ist interessant.
The female listener's question is interesting.
die Frage means the question and interessant means interesting. der Hörerin is genitive because it shows whose question it is; the feminine noun itself does not add an ending.
Die Hörerinnen warten auf die Antwort.
The female listeners are waiting for the answer.
warten means wait, and die Antwort means the answer. Die Hörerinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; auf die Antwort is accusative because warten auf requires the accusative.
die Information — information, detail
German commonly uses the plural Informationen when referring to several facts or details. For general information, German can also use the singular Information.
Die Information steht auf der Website.
The information is on the website.
steht means is written or is located, and Website means website. Die Information is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich brauche die Information heute.
I need the information today.
brauche means need and heute means today. Die Information is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; brauche stands in position two.
Kannst du der Information im Text vertrauen?
Can you trust the information in the text?
Kannst du means can you, Text means text, and vertrauen means trust. Der Information is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; in the question, the modal verb kannst is in position one and vertrauen goes to the end.
Die Quelle der Information ist nicht bekannt.
The source of the information is not known.
Quelle means source and bekannt means known. Der Information is genitive because it identifies the information’s source; the feminine genitive article is der.
Auf der Seite finden Sie viele Informationen.
You will find a lot of information on the page.
Seite means page, finden means find, and viele means many or a lot of. Informationen is plural and has the ending -en; Sie is the formal form of you.