Appearance
Vocab: Communication & media — A2 (3)
Communication & media vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
informieren — to inform, to tell; to find out about something, to get information
The usual pattern is jemanden über etwas informieren: the person is accusative, and über takes the accusative when it means “about”. The reflexive pattern sich über etwas informieren means to find out about something for yourself.
Die Lehrerin informiert die Eltern über den Ausflug.
The teacher informs the parents about the trip.
Lehrerin means female teacher, Eltern means parents, and Ausflug means trip. Die Eltern is accusative because informieren takes the person informed as an accusative object, while über takes the accusative here; the finite verb informiert is in position two.
Wir haben die Kunden über die Änderung informiert.
We informed the customers about the change.
Kunden means customers and Änderung means change. Die Kunden is accusative after informieren, and über die Änderung uses accusative; the perfect uses haben, with informiert at the end.
Die Firma informierte ihre Mitarbeiter gestern.
The company informed its employees yesterday.
Firma means company, Mitarbeiter means employees, and gestern means yesterday. Ihre Mitarbeiter is accusative because they receive the information; the weak past form informierte stands in position two.
Informier mich bitte sofort!
Please inform me immediately!
mich means me, bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. Mich is accusative because informieren takes the person informed as an accusative object; the informal singular command drops -en from informieren.
Wenn ich mehr wüsste, informierte ich dich.
If I knew more, I would inform you.
Wenn means if, mehr means more, wüsste means knew, and dich means you. This sentence uses the Präteritum-looking Konjunktiv II form informierte for a hypothetical result; dich is accusative, and the finite verb in the wenn clause goes to the end.
Die Polizei wird die Anwohner bald informieren.
The police will inform the local residents soon.
Polizei means police, Anwohner means local residents, and bald means soon. Die Anwohner is accusative because they are the people informed; wird is in position two and the infinitive informieren goes to the end.
Ich informiere mich im Internet über den Kurs.
I am finding out about the course on the internet.
mich means myself, Internet means internet, and Kurs means course. Mich is accusative because the reflexive pronoun refers back to ich; über den Kurs is accusative after über, and the finite verb informiere is in position two.
Vor der Reise hat sie sich über das Wetter informiert.
Before the trip, she found out about the weather.
Vor der Reise means before the trip, and Wetter means weather. Sich is the reflexive object referring to sie, while über das Wetter is accusative after über; hat is in position two and informiert goes to the end.
der Inhalt — content, contents
Inhalt means what is inside something, especially the information in a text, film, or message. It can also mean the physical contents of a container; the plural is Inhalte.
Der Inhalt des Buches ist interessant.
The contents of the book are interesting.
das Buch is the book, and interessant means interesting. Der Inhalt is nominative because it is the subject; des Buches is genitive and means of the book, while ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den Inhalt der Nachricht.
I read the content of the message.
lese means read, and die Nachricht is the message. Den Inhalt is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; der Nachricht is genitive and identifies which message.
Wir sprechen über den Inhalt des Films.
We are talking about the content of the film.
sprechen über means talk about, and der Film is the film. Den Inhalt is accusative because über has this meaning with the accusative; it is not dative just because the English verb uses about.
Die Farbe des Inhalts ist blau.
The colour of the contents is blue.
die Farbe is the colour, and blau means blue. Des Inhalts is genitive and shows what has the colour; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Inhalte der Kurse sind sehr unterschiedlich.
The contents of the courses are very different.
die Kurse are the courses, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Inhalte is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Kurse is genitive and means of the courses.
das Interview — interview
In German, Interview is normally used for a prepared question-and-answer conversation. The common expressions are ein Interview geben for the person answering and ein Interview führen for the person asking.
Das Interview beginnt um acht Uhr.
The interview starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Interview is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen das Interview heute Abend.
We are watching the interview this evening.
sehen means to watch or see, and heute Abend means this evening. Das Interview is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the form looks the same as nominative because das does not change.
Nach dem Interview gingen wir nach Hause.
After the interview, we went home.
nach means after here, and gingen wir nach Hause means we went home. In this time expression, nach takes the dative, so dem Interview is dative; the verb gingen is still in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Fragen des Interviews waren sehr interessant.
The questions of the interview were very interesting.
die Fragen means the questions, and interessant means interesting. Des Interviews is genitive because it identifies which questions are meant; the plural verb waren agrees with die Fragen.
Heute laufen drei Interviews im Radio.
Three interviews are on the radio today.
drei means three, and im Radio means on the radio. Drei Interviews is the plural subject; because Heute comes first, the finite verb laufen follows it directly in position two.
der Journalist — journalist, reporter
der Journalist is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular, as well as in the plural. The feminine form is die Journalistin.
Der Journalist schreibt einen Artikel.
The journalist is writing an article.
schreibt means is writing and einen Artikel means an article. Der Journalist is the nominative subject, and schreibt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Journalisten jeden Morgen.
I read the journalist every morning.
lesen means to read and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Journalisten is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Ich gebe dem Journalisten ein Interview.
I give the journalist an interview.
geben means to give and ein Interview means an interview. Dem Journalisten is dative because it is the person receiving something, and the noun has the weak ending -en.
Die Arbeit des Journalisten beginnt früh.
The journalist's work begins early.
die Arbeit means the work and früh means early. Des Journalisten is genitive because it shows whose work it is; this weak masculine noun takes -en, not -s.
Viele Journalisten berichten über die Wahl.
Many journalists report on the election.
viele means many, berichten means report, and die Wahl means the election. Journalisten is the plural, and über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic being reported on.
die Journalistin — female journalist, reporter
die Journalistin is the feminine form of der Journalist. Its plural is Journalistinnen, not Journalisten; the latter is the plural of the masculine noun.
Die Journalistin schreibt einen Artikel.
The journalist is writing an article.
schreibt means is writing and einen Artikel means an article. Die Journalistin is the nominative subject, and schreibt stands in position two.
Ich lese die Journalistin jeden Morgen.
I read the journalist every morning.
lesen means to read and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Journalistin is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, but the feminine noun has no special accusative ending.
Ich gebe der Journalistin ein Interview.
I give the journalist an interview.
geben means to give and ein Interview means an interview. Der Journalistin is dative because it is the person receiving something; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Arbeit der Journalistin beginnt früh.
The journalist's work begins early.
die Arbeit means the work and früh means early. Der Journalistin is genitive because it shows whose work it is; the feminine article is der, while the noun remains unchanged.
Viele Journalistinnen berichten über die Wahl.
Many female journalists report on the election.
viele means many, berichten means report, and die Wahl means the election. Journalistinnen is the feminine plural, formed with -nen, and über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic.
der Kanal — canal; channel; channel
A Kanal can be a waterway, but it can also be a television or online channel. The intended meaning is usually clear from words such as Boot for boat or Fernsehen for television.
Der Kanal führt durch die Stadt.
The canal runs through the city.
führt durch means runs through, and die Stadt means the city. Der Kanal is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb führt is in position two, while durch die Stadt gives the route.
Wir überqueren den Kanal mit dem Fahrrad.
We cross the canal by bicycle.
überqueren means cross, mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle. Den Kanal is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; mit requires the dative, shown by dem Fahrrad.
Die Boote fahren durch den Kanal.
The boats travel through the canal.
die Boote means the boats and fahren means travel or go. Den Kanal is accusative because the preposition durch always takes the accusative; it is not dative here, despite the canal being a location.
Die Breite des Kanals beträgt zehn Meter.
The canal's width is ten metres.
die Breite means the width and beträgt means amounts to or is. Des Kanals is genitive because it identifies what the width belongs to; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Kanäle verbinden mehrere Städte.
The canals connect several cities.
verbinden means connect and mehrere Städte means several cities. Kanäle is the plural subject, so the verb is verbinden; the umlaut and -e are part of the plural form.
Welchen Kanal möchtest du sehen?
Which channel would you like to watch?
welchen means which, möchtest means would like, and sehen means watch or see. Welchen Kanal is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; after the finite möchtest, the infinitive sehen goes to the end.
Auf diesem Kanal läuft heute ein Film.
A film is showing on this channel today.
auf diesem Kanal means on this channel, läuft means is showing, and heute means today. Auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so diesem Kanal is dative; the finite verb läuft is in position two.
klären — to clarify, settle, resolve; to clear up; to become clear
Klären normally takes an accusative object, as in eine Frage klären. It can also be reflexive: sich klären means that something becomes clear or is resolved.
Ich kläre die Frage morgen.
I will clarify the question tomorrow.
die Frage is the question and morgen means tomorrow. Die Frage is accusative because klären takes a direct object; the finite verb kläre stands in position two.
Wir haben das Problem geklärt.
We resolved the problem.
das Problem is the problem and haben means have. Das Problem is accusative, while geklärt is the Partizip II with haben and goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie klärte den Streit schnell.
She settled the argument quickly.
der Streit is the argument or dispute, and schnell means quickly. Den Streit is accusative after klärte; the regular past ending is -te.
Klär das bitte heute.
Please sort that out today.
das means that or it, bitte means please, and heute means today. Klär is the informal singular imperative without du; the object das is accusative.
Ich würde die Sache sofort klären.
I would clarify the matter immediately.
die Sache is the matter and sofort means immediately. Die Sache is accusative, while the infinitive klären goes to the end after würde.
Morgen werde ich den Termin klären.
Tomorrow I will clarify the appointment.
morgen means tomorrow and der Termin is the appointment or arrangement. Den Termin is accusative; in the future, werde stands in position two and the infinitive klären goes to the end.
Wir müssen das Missverständnis klären.
We have to clear up the misunderstanding.
müssen means have to, and das Missverständnis is the misunderstanding. Das Missverständnis is accusative after klären; with müssen, the infinitive klären goes to the end.
Nach dem Gespräch hat sich die Lage geklärt.
After the conversation, the situation became clear.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and die Lage is the situation. Here sich klären is reflexive and means become clear; geklärt pairs with haben and goes to the end.
der Kommentar — comment; opinion
For an online comment, Kommentar is neutral and common. A comment on a topic is often introduced with zu plus the dative: ein Kommentar zu dem Thema.
Der Kommentar ist sehr interessant.
The comment is very interesting.
interessant means interesting and sehr means very. Der Kommentar is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich lese den Kommentar online.
I’m reading the comment online.
ich lese means I am reading and online means online. Den Kommentar is accusative because lesen takes the text being read as a direct object.
Wir sprechen über dem Kommentar.
We are talking about the comment.
wir sprechen means we are talking and über can mean about here. In standard German, über meaning about takes the accusative, so the correct sentence is Wir sprechen über den Kommentar; the dative form dem Kommentar is a common learner error.
Die Aussage des Kommentars war überraschend.
The comment’s statement was surprising.
die Aussage means the statement and überraschend means surprising. Des Kommentars is genitive because it shows whose statement it was; the noun takes -s.
Unter dem Artikel stehen viele Kommentare.
There are many comments below the article.
unter dem Artikel means below the article, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Kommentare is plural; unter takes the dative here because the comments are in a fixed location.
die Kommunikation — communication
Kommunikation usually describes the general process of exchanging information and is often used without an article. The plural Kommunikationen is possible when referring to separate communication processes or systems, but the singular is much more common for the general idea.
Die Kommunikation ist in einer Beziehung wichtig.
Communication is important in a relationship.
in einer Beziehung means in a relationship, and wichtig means important. Die Kommunikation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen klare Kommunikation.
We need clear communication.
brauchen means need, and klar means clear. klare Kommunikation is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the uncountable meaning usually has no article here.
Er vertraut der Kommunikation per E-Mail nicht.
He does not trust communication by email.
vertraut means trusts, and per E-Mail means by email. der Kommunikation is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Die Qualität der Kommunikation hat sich verbessert.
The quality of communication has improved.
die Qualität means the quality, and sich verbessert means has improved. der Kommunikation is genitive because it specifies whose quality; hat sich verbessert is the perfect of a reflexive verb.
Digitale Kommunikationen verbinden Menschen weltweit.
Digital communications connect people worldwide.
digitale means digital, verbinden means connect, and weltweit means worldwide. Digitale Kommunikationen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the adjective takes the plural ending -e here.
Gute Kommunikation verhindert viele Missverständnisse.
Good communication prevents many misunderstandings.
gute means good, verhindert means prevents, and Missverständnisse are misunderstandings. Gute Kommunikation is the nominative subject, while viele Missverständnisse is accusative after verhindern.
das Kompliment — compliment
das Kompliment is a positive remark that you make about someone or something. The common expression jemandem ein Kompliment machen takes the person in the dative and the compliment in the accusative.
Das Kompliment freut mich.
The compliment pleases me.
freuen means to please or make happy, and mich means me. das Kompliment is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative as the person affected.
Ich mache meiner Schwester ein Kompliment.
I give my sister a compliment.
machen means to make or give in this expression, and meine Schwester means my sister. ein Kompliment is accusative as the thing given, while meiner Schwester is dative as the recipient.
Ich danke dir für das Kompliment.
I thank you for the compliment.
danken means to thank, and dir means to you. dir is dative because danken requires the dative, while für das Kompliment is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Wirkung des Kompliments war sofort zu sehen.
The effect of the compliment was immediately visible.
die Wirkung means the effect, sofort means immediately, and zu sehen means visible or to be seen. des Kompliments is genitive because it identifies the effect's source, and war is in position two.
Sie bekommt oft Komplimente.
She often receives compliments.
bekommen means to receive, and oft means often. Komplimente is plural accusative as the object of bekommt; the plural has no article here because it is indefinite.
laden — to load; to charge; to invite
laden takes an accusative object for the thing being loaded or charged. Its perfect uses haben, and the strong forms are lädt – lud – geladen.
Wir laden die Koffer ins Auto.
We are loading the suitcases into the car.
die Koffer means the suitcases and ins Auto means into the car. die Koffer is accusative because laden takes a direct object, while ins Auto is accusative because in shows movement into a place; the finite verb laden stands in position two.
Wir haben die Koffer ins Auto geladen.
We loaded the suitcases into the car.
die Koffer means the suitcases and ins Auto means into the car. The perfect uses haben plus geladen, with geladen at the end of the clause; both die Koffer and ins Auto are accusative for the reasons described above.
Er lud das Holz auf den Anhänger.
He loaded the wood onto the trailer.
das Holz means the wood and der Anhänger is a trailer; auf den Anhänger means onto the trailer. das Holz is accusative as the direct object, and the strong-verb past form lud is in position two.
Lad bitte das Handy!
Please charge the phone!
bitte means please and das Handy means the mobile phone. Lad is the informal singular imperative, and das Handy is accusative because it is the object being charged.
Wenn er die Batterie lüde, könnten wir weiterfahren.
If he charged the battery, we could continue driving.
die Batterie means the battery and weiterfahren means to continue driving. lüde is the Konjunktiv II of laden; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause, while könnten stands in position two in the main clause.
Morgen wird sie das Auto an der Station laden.
Tomorrow she will charge the car at the station.
morgen means tomorrow and an der Station means at the station. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive laden, which goes to the end; das Auto is accusative because it is the object being charged.
Sie lädt ihre Freunde zum Essen.
She is inviting her friends to dinner.
ihre Freunde means her friends and zum Essen means to dinner. ihre Freunde is accusative because they are invited, while zum Essen contains zu with the dative; the finite verb lädt stands in position two.
Wir laden euch gern zu unserer Hochzeit.
We would be happy to invite you to our wedding.
euch means you, gern means gladly, and unsere Hochzeit means our wedding. The person invited is accusative, while zu unserer Hochzeit uses dative after zu; the finite verb laden stands in position two.
der Laut — sound; speech sound; noise; sound
Der Laut means a sound, especially one used in speech or language. Its plural is die Laute; do not confuse the noun der Laut with the adjective laut, meaning loud.
Der Laut ist sehr leise.
The sound is very quiet.
leise means quiet or soft. Der Laut is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich höre den Laut nicht.
I cannot hear the sound.
hören means to hear, and nicht means not. Den Laut is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Bei diesem Laut muss ich lachen.
I have to laugh at this sound.
bei diesem means at or with this, and lachen means to laugh. The preposition bei takes the dative, so diesem Laut is dative; the finite verb muss stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Lautes ist unklar.
The meaning of the sound is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. Des Lautes is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In dieser Sprache gibt es viele Laute.
There are many sounds in this language.
diese Sprache means this language, and viele means many. Laute is the plural of Laut; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
Aus dem Keller kam ein seltsamer Laut.
A strange sound came from the basement.
der Keller is the basement, and seltsam means strange. Aus takes the dative for a source or origin, while ein seltsamer Laut is the nominative subject; the finite verb kam stands in position two.
Das Baby machte einen lauten Laut.
The baby made a loud noise.
das Baby is the baby, machte means made, and laut means loud. Einen lauten Laut is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
der Lautsprecher — loudspeaker; speaker
Der Lautsprecher is a device that turns an audio signal into audible sound. Its plural is also die Lautsprecher, with no ending; context and the article show whether it is singular or plural.
Der Lautsprecher funktioniert nicht.
The loudspeaker does not work.
funktioniert means works, and nicht means not. Der Lautsprecher is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert stands in position two.
Ich repariere den Lautsprecher.
I am repairing the loudspeaker.
reparieren means to repair. Den Lautsprecher is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the finite verb repariere stands in position two.
Die Musik kommt aus dem Lautsprecher.
The music is coming from the loudspeaker.
die Musik is the music, and kommt means comes or is coming. Aus takes the dative for a source, so dem Lautsprecher is dative; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Die Lautstärke des Lautsprechers ist zu niedrig.
The volume of the loudspeaker is too low.
die Lautstärke means the volume, and zu niedrig means too low. Des Lautsprechers is genitive because it shows which device the volume belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Saal stehen vier Lautsprecher.
There are four loudspeakers in the hall.
der Saal is the hall, stehen means stand, and vier means four. Lautsprecher is both the singular and plural form; im Saal is dative because in describes a fixed location here.
der Leser — reader
The feminine form is die Leserin; the plural die Leser can refer to men or to a mixed group. Leser is a regular masculine noun, so its genitive is des Lesers.
Der Leser sitzt im Zug und liest ein Buch.
The reader is sitting on the train and reading a book.
der Leser means the reader, der Zug is the train, and ein Buch is a book. Der Leser is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Leser jeden Morgen im Café.
I see the reader in the café every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning and das Café is the café. Den Leser is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Leser die Zeitung.
I give the reader the newspaper.
geben means to give and die Zeitung is the newspaper. Dem Leser is dative because it is the recipient, while die Zeitung is accusative as the thing given.
Das Buch des Lesers liegt auf dem Tisch.
The reader's book is lying on the table.
das Buch is the book, liegt means is lying, and der Tisch is the table. Des Lesers is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Die Leser warten auf die neue Ausgabe.
The readers are waiting for the new issue.
warten auf means to wait for, and die neue Ausgabe means the new issue. Die Leser is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the preposition auf takes accusative here because it introduces what they are waiting for.
die Leserin — female reader
Die Leserin is the feminine form of der Leser. Its plural is formed with -innen, giving die Leserinnen; this ending is typical for feminine nouns ending in -in.
Die Leserin sitzt am Fenster und liest einen Roman.
The reader is sitting by the window and reading a novel.
am Fenster means by the window and einen Roman is a novel. Die Leserin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Der Verlag sucht die Leserin für ein Interview.
The publishing house is looking for the female reader for an interview.
der Verlag is the publishing house and ein Interview is an interview. Die Leserin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article remains die.
Ich schicke der Leserin eine Antwort.
I send the reader an answer.
schicken means to send and eine Antwort is an answer. Der Leserin is dative because she receives the answer, while eine Antwort is accusative as the thing sent.
Die Meinung der Leserin ist sehr interessant.
The female reader's opinion is very interesting.
die Meinung is the opinion and interessant means interesting. Der Leserin is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; the feminine noun itself has no extra genitive ending.
Die Leserinnen diskutieren über den Artikel.
The female readers are discussing the article.
diskutieren über means to discuss, and der Artikel is the article. Die Leserinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; über takes accusative here.
das Lob — praise; compliment
Lob is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no ordinary plural. Do not confuse das Lob with loben, the verb meaning to praise.
Das Lob freut mich.
The praise makes me happy.
freut mich means makes me happy, and mich means me. Das Lob is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb freut stands in position two, and mich is accusative after the verb.
Die Lehrerin gibt das Lob dem Schüler.
The teacher gives the praise to the pupil.
Die Lehrerin means the teacher, gibt means gives, and dem Schüler means to the pupil. das Lob is accusative as the thing given, while dem Schüler is dative as the recipient.
Alle freuen sich über das Lob.
Everyone is pleased about the praise.
Alle means everyone, and freuen sich means are pleased. This sentence does not contain a dative form: über das Lob is an accusative prepositional phrase because über means about here; sich freuen über is a fixed structure.
Die Wirkung des Lobs war groß.
The effect of the praise was great.
Die Wirkung means the effect, war means was, and groß means great or large. des Lobs is genitive and identifies whose effect it was; the noun Lob takes -s in the genitive singular.
das Magazin — magazine; storage magazine; online magazine
Magazin most commonly means a magazine as a publication. In technical contexts it can also mean a storage container or ammunition magazine; the plural is Magazine in both senses.
Das Magazin erscheint jeden Monat.
The magazine is published every month.
erscheinen means to appear or be published, and jeden Monat means every month. Das Magazin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erscheint is in position two.
Ich kaufe das Magazin am Bahnhof.
I buy the magazine at the train station.
kaufe means buy, and am Bahnhof means at the train station. Das Magazin is accusative because it is the object of kaufe; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich erzähle dem Magazin meine Geschichte.
I tell the magazine my story.
erzählen means tell, and meine Geschichte means my story. Dem Magazin is dative because it is the recipient of the story, while meine Geschichte is accusative as the thing told.
Das Cover des Magazins ist bunt.
The magazine’s cover is colourful.
das Cover means the cover, and bunt means colourful. Des Magazins is genitive because it shows which cover it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Magazine liegen auf dem Tisch.
The magazines are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Magazine is plural and functions as the nominative subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Unser Magazin berichtet über neue Filme.
Our magazine reports on new films.
unser means our, berichten means report, and neue Filme means new films. Über neue Filme is accusative because über means “about” here and takes the accusative; the finite verb berichtet stands in position two.
Ich lese die Artikel des Magazins online.
I read the magazine’s articles online.
lese means read, die Artikel means the articles, and online means on the internet. Die Artikel is accusative because it is the object of lese, while des Magazins is genitive and means “of the magazine”.
die Mailbox — voicemail; answering machine
In modern everyday German, Mailbox usually means voicemail, especially on a mobile phone. In some contexts it can also mean a physical or electronic mailbox, so the surrounding words show the intended meaning.
Die Mailbox ist noch nicht eingerichtet.
The voicemail has not been set up yet.
noch nicht means not yet and eingerichtet means set up. Die Mailbox is nominative because it is the subject; ist eingerichtet is a passive-like state, with eingerichtet at the end.
Ich rufe die Mailbox später an.
I will call the voicemail later.
rufe ... an means call, and später means later. Die Mailbox is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; in this main clause, rufe is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich hinterlasse der Mailbox eine Nachricht.
I leave a message on the voicemail.
hinterlasse means leave and Nachricht means message. Der Mailbox is dative as the recipient, while eine Nachricht is accusative as the thing left; hinterlasse is in position two.
Die Nummer der Mailbox kenne ich nicht.
I do not know the voicemail number.
Nummer means number, kenne means know, and nicht means not. Der Mailbox is genitive because it identifies which number it is; the object die Nummer comes first, so kenne remains in position two.
In diesem Büro gibt es drei Mailboxen.
There are three voicemail systems in this office.
diesem Büro means this office and gibt es means there is or there are. Mailboxen is the plural with -en; after the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the article is not visible after drei.
mailen — to email
Mailen is a regular weak verb and usually takes the recipient in the dative and the thing sent in the accusative: jemandem etwas mailen. The related noun is die Mail; in careful or formal writing, eine E-Mail schicken is also very common.
Ich maile dir die Fotos heute.
I will email you the photos today.
dir means to you, Fotos means photos, and heute means today. Dir is dative because it is the recipient, while die Fotos is accusative as the thing sent; the finite verb maile is in position two.
Ich habe dir die Rechnung gemailt.
I emailed you the bill.
Rechnung means bill or invoice, and dir means to you. Dir is dative as the recipient and die Rechnung is accusative; habe is in position two and gemailt goes at the end because it is the Partizip II.
Sie mailte ihrem Chef den Vertrag.
She emailed her boss the contract.
ihrem Chef means to her boss and Vertrag means contract. Ihrem Chef is dative as the recipient, while den Vertrag is accusative as the thing sent; mailte is the regular simple-past form in position two.
Mail mir bitte die Adresse.
Please email me the address.
mir means to me, bitte means please, and Adresse means address. Mail is the short du imperative; mir is dative as the recipient and die Adresse is accusative as the thing sent.
Ich würde dir die Datei sofort mailen.
I would email you the file immediately.
würde marks the conditional, Datei means file, and sofort means immediately. Dir is dative and die Datei is accusative; with würde, the infinitive mailen goes to the end.
Wir werden Ihnen die Rechnung morgen mailen.
We will email you the bill tomorrow.
Ihnen means to you in the formal form, Rechnung means bill, and morgen means tomorrow. Ihnen is dative as the recipient and die Rechnung is accusative; werden is in position two and the infinitive mailen goes to the end.
meckern — to complain, to grumble; to bleat
Meckern is usually informal and suggests repeated, irritating complaining. It normally takes über plus the accusative for the thing complained about.
Er meckert ständig über das Wetter.
He is constantly complaining about the weather.
ständig means constantly, and das Wetter means the weather. The finite verb meckert is in position two; über takes the accusative here, so das Wetter is accusative.
Sie hat den ganzen Abend gemeckert.
She complained the whole evening.
den ganzen Abend means the whole evening. The perfect uses hat plus gemeckert; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Mein Bruder meckerte über das Essen.
My brother complained about the food.
mein Bruder means my brother, and das Essen means the food. Über takes the accusative in this expression, and the regular past form meckerte stands in position two.
Mecker nicht über jede Kleinigkeit!
Don’t complain about every little thing!
nicht means not, and jede Kleinigkeit means every little thing. Mecker is the informal singular imperative; über takes the accusative, and the command has no subject pronoun.
Wenn er weniger meckern würde, wäre die Stimmung besser.
If he complained less, the atmosphere would be better.
weniger means less, and die Stimmung means the atmosphere or mood. In the wenn clause, the verb group goes to the end; würde meckern expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation.
Morgen wird er wieder über die Arbeit meckern.
Tomorrow he will complain about the work again.
morgen means tomorrow, wieder means again, and die Arbeit means the work. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive meckern at the end; über takes the accusative.
Die Ziege meckert im Garten.
The goat is bleating in the garden.
die Ziege means the goat, and im Garten means in the garden. The finite verb meckert is in position two; im is short for in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Warum meckert das Tier so laut?
Why is the animal bleating so loudly?
das Tier means the animal, and so laut means so loudly. In this question, warum comes first and the finite verb meckert follows it directly.
die Meinung — opinion, view
Die Meinung is a view or judgement, often introduced by meiner Meinung nach, meaning “in my opinion”. Do not confuse it with die Bedeutung, which normally means the meaning of a word or sign.
Die Meinung meiner Schwester ist wichtig.
My sister’s opinion is important.
meiner Schwester means “of my sister” or “my sister’s”, and wichtig means “important”. Die Meinung is nominative because it is the subject; meiner Schwester is a genitive attribute showing whose opinion it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich respektiere deine Meinung.
I respect your opinion.
respektieren means “respect”, and deine means “your”. Deine Meinung is accusative because respektieren takes a direct object; the finite verb respektiere is in position two.
Ich stimme deiner Meinung nicht zu.
I do not agree with your opinion.
zustimmen means “agree with”, and nicht means “not”. Deiner Meinung is dative because zustimmen governs the dative; the separable verb appears as stimme in position two and zu at the end.
Die Grundlage der Meinung ist ein persönliches Erlebnis.
The basis of the opinion is a personal experience.
die Grundlage means “the basis”, persönlich means “personal”, and das Erlebnis means “experience”. Der Meinung is genitive because it identifies whose basis is meant; the subject is Die Grundlage der Meinung, so ist stands in position two.
Viele Meinungen stehen in diesem Artikel.
Many opinions appear in this article.
viele means “many”, stehen means “stand” or “appear”, and dieser Artikel means “this article”. Viele Meinungen is the plural nominative subject, while in diesem Artikel is dative because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
melden — to report; to inform; to register; to check in; to put one's hand up
For reporting something, melden commonly follows the pattern jemandem etwas melden: the information is accusative and the person informed is dative. The reported event can be an accident, a problem, or another official matter.
Er meldet den Unfall sofort.
He reports the accident immediately.
der Unfall means the accident, and sofort means immediately. Den Unfall is accusative because melden takes the reported event as a direct object; the finite verb meldet stands in position two.
Sie hat den Schaden gemeldet.
She reported the damage.
der Schaden means the damage, and hat means has. Den Schaden is accusative because it is the thing reported; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gemeldet goes to the end.
Die Polizei meldete den Diebstahl gestern.
The police reported the theft yesterday.
die Polizei means the police, der Diebstahl means the theft, and gestern means yesterday. Den Diebstahl is accusative because melden takes a direct object; the weak past form meldete stands in position two.
Melde den Fehler bitte sofort!
Please report the error immediately!
der Fehler means the error, bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. Melde is the informal singular imperative, and den Fehler is accusative because it is the direct object; the subject du is omitted.
Wenn sie den Verlust melden würde, könnte die Versicherung helfen.
If she reported the loss, the insurance company could help.
wenn means if, der Verlust means the loss, Versicherung means insurance company, and helfen means help. In the wenn clause, melden goes to the end; den Verlust is accusative, and könnte expresses a possible result.
Morgen wird er den Vorfall melden.
Tomorrow he will report the incident.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Vorfall means the incident. Den Vorfall is accusative because melden takes a direct object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive melden goes to the end.
Bitte melden Sie sich an der Rezeption.
Please check in at reception.
bitte means please, sich anmelden means check in, and Rezeption means reception desk. Sich is reflexive because the person registers themselves; an der Rezeption is dative because an describes a fixed location here, and the polite imperative uses Sie.
Lena meldet sich im Unterricht oft.
Lena often puts her hand up in class.
im Unterricht means in class, and oft means often. Sich melden is reflexive in this meaning because Lena indicates that she herself wants to speak; the finite verb meldet stands in position two, while sich follows the subject.
die Meldung — report, message, notification; notification, message
Die Meldung can mean a news report, an official report, or a notification such as a computer message. For a personal short message, die Nachricht is often more natural.
Die Meldung steht heute in der Zeitung.
The report is in the newspaper today.
heute means today and die Zeitung means the newspaper. Die Meldung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich lese die Meldung im Internet.
I am reading the report on the internet.
lese means am reading and im Internet means on the internet. Die Meldung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich vertraue der Meldung nicht.
I do not trust the report.
vertraue means trust and nicht means not. Der Meldung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object, and the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Der Inhalt der Meldung ist unklar.
The content of the report is unclear.
der Inhalt means the content and unklar means unclear. Der Meldung is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Meldungen kommen jede Stunde.
The reports come every hour.
kommen means come and jede Stunde means every hour. Die Meldungen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural; the plural ending is -en, not -s.
Die Polizei prüft die Meldung.
The police are checking the report.
die Polizei means the police and prüft means checks. Die Meldung is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while prüft is in position two.
Auf dem Bildschirm erscheint eine Meldung.
A message appears on the screen.
auf dem Bildschirm means on the screen and erscheint means appears. Eine Meldung is nominative because it is the thing that appears; auf takes the dative here because there is no movement.
Die Meldung zeigt einen Fehler an.
The message indicates an error.
zeigt ... an means indicates or displays, and einen Fehler means an error. Einen Fehler is accusative after anzeigen; the separable verb splits, with zeigt in position two and an at the end.
murmeln — to mumble, to mutter
Murmeln is quieter and less clear than sprechen; it often suggests that the speaker does not want to be heard or is difficult to understand. It can take an accusative object for the words being mumbled, as in eine Antwort murmeln.
Er murmelt jeden Morgen leise vor sich hin.
Every morning he mumbles quietly to himself.
jeden Morgen means every morning, leise means quietly, and vor sich hin means to oneself or aimlessly. The finite verb murmelt is in position two; vor sich hin is a fixed expression, and sich refers back to the subject.
Er hat den ganzen Abend vor sich hin gemurmelt.
He mumbled to himself all evening.
den ganzen Abend means all evening. Gemurmelt is the Partizip II and goes to the end, while hat is the auxiliary in position two; den ganzen Abend is accusative because it gives a duration of time.
Er murmelte eine Antwort.
He muttered an answer.
eine Antwort means an answer. Eine Antwort is accusative because murmeln can take what is murmured as a direct object, and the finite verb murmelte stands in position two.
Murmel nicht so leise!
Don’t mumble so quietly!
nicht so leise means not so quietly. The imperative murmel stands first and the subject du is omitted; nicht negates the manner.
Wenn er nervös wäre, murmelte er wieder vor sich hin.
If he were nervous, he would start mumbling to himself again.
wenn means if, nervös means nervous, and wieder means again. In this unreal conditional, wäre is the Konjunktiv II of sein; murmelte appears in the main clause in position two, although würde murmeln is also possible.
Er wird im Schlaf vor sich hin murmeln.
He will mumble to himself in his sleep.
im Schlaf means in his sleep, and vor sich hin means to oneself. Wird is the finite form in position two and the infinitive murmeln goes to the end; im is short for in dem and marks a dative location.
die Muttersprache — native language, first language
Muttersprache means a person's native or first language. It is a feminine compound made from Mutter plus Sprache, and its plural is regular: Muttersprachen.
Deutsch ist meine Muttersprache.
German is my native language.
Deutsch means German, and meine means my. Meine Muttersprache is nominative because it identifies the subject Deutsch; after ist, the noun is a predicative complement, not an accusative object.
Ich lerne eine neue Muttersprache.
I am learning a new native language.
lernen means to learn, eine neue means a new, and neue agrees with the feminine noun. Eine neue Muttersprache is accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the finite verb lerne stands in position two.
Mit ihrer Muttersprache fühlt sie sich sicher.
She feels confident with her native language.
mit means with, ihrer means her in the feminine dative, and sicher means confident or secure. Mit ihrer Muttersprache is dative because mit always takes dative; sich is the reflexive pronoun belonging to fühlt.
Die Pflege der Muttersprache ist wichtig.
Maintaining one's native language is important.
die Pflege means the maintenance or cultivation of, and wichtig means important. Der Muttersprache is genitive because it specifies which language is being maintained; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Viele Muttersprachen sind in dieser Stadt zu hören.
Many native languages can be heard in this city.
viele means many, diese Stadt means this city, and zu hören means to be heard. Muttersprachen is plural and adds -n; sind ... zu hören expresses that the languages can be heard.
mündlich — oral, spoken, verbal
Mündlich normally contrasts with schriftlich, meaning written. It describes spoken communication, not necessarily something informal.
Die Prüfung ist mündlich.
The examination is oral.
die Prüfung means the examination. Mündlich is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; predicative adjectives do not take an ending.
Morgen habe ich eine mündliche Prüfung.
Tomorrow I have an oral examination.
morgen means tomorrow and eine Prüfung is an examination. Mündliche stands before the feminine accusative noun and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; habe remains in position two.
Der nächste Test ist mündlicher als der erste.
The next test is more oral than the first one.
der nächste Test means the next test and der erste means the first one. Mündlicher is the comparative and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Aufgabe ist am mündlichsten.
This task is the most oral.
diese Aufgabe means this task. Am mündlichsten is the predicative superlative with am; do not use this form directly before a noun, where an ending is needed.
die Neuigkeit — piece of news, new item of information; novelty, innovation
Eine Neuigkeit is one new piece of information; Neuigkeiten usually means several pieces of news. For news in general, German also often uses plural Nachrichten.
Die Neuigkeit hat mich überrascht.
The news surprised me.
hat mich überrascht means surprised me. Neuigkeit is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative because überraschen takes a direct object.
Ich erzähle dir die Neuigkeit.
I am telling you the news.
erzählen means to tell, and dir means to you. die Neuigkeit is accusative as the thing told, while dir is dative for the person receiving it.
Mit der Neuigkeit kam er sofort zu uns.
He came to us immediately with the news.
mit means with, sofort means immediately, and zu uns means to us. Mit always takes the dative, so der Neuigkeit is dative; the finite verb kam is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Neuigkeit war noch unklar.
The significance of the news was still unclear.
die Bedeutung means the significance, and noch unklar means still unclear. der Neuigkeit is genitive because it identifies whose significance is meant; war stands in position two.
Die Neuigkeiten aus Berlin sind wichtig.
The news from Berlin is important.
aus Berlin means from Berlin, and wichtig means important. Neuigkeiten is plural and therefore takes sind; the subject is in position one and the finite verb is in position two.
Das neue Handy bietet viele technische Neuigkeiten.
The new mobile phone offers many technological innovations.
das neue Handy means the new mobile phone, bietet means offers, and technische means technological. Neuigkeiten is accusative plural because bieten takes the thing offered as a direct object.
Auf der Messe gab es einige Neuigkeiten.
There were some innovations at the trade fair.
die Messe is a trade fair and einige means some. Auf takes the dative here because it describes a location, while es gab is the past expression for there was or there were.
notieren — to note down, to write down, to record
Notieren is a regular weak verb and takes an accusative object, such as eine Adresse. Because it ends in -ieren, its Partizip II is notiert, not genotiert; the perfect uses haben.
Ich notiere die Adresse.
I am writing down the address.
die Adresse is the address, and notiere means write down. Die Adresse is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; the finite verb notiere is in position two.
Ich habe die Adresse notiert.
I have written down the address.
die Adresse is the address, and habe ... notiert means have written down. Die Adresse is accusative because it is the object; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the Partizip II notiert goes to the end.
Sie notierte die Uhrzeit.
She noted down the time.
die Uhrzeit means the time of day, and notierte means noted down. Die Uhrzeit is accusative because it is the object of notieren; the weak-verb Präteritum form notierte is in position two.
Notier bitte den Termin.
Please note down the appointment.
bitte means please, and der Termin is the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; the singular imperative notier stands first, and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich die Nummer hätte, notierte ich sie sofort.
If I had the number, I would note it down immediately.
wenn means if, die Nummer is the number, hätte means had, and sofort means immediately. In the conditional result clause, notierte is a Präteritum-based Konjunktiv II form and stands in position two; the subordinate-clause verb hätte goes to the end.
Ich werde die Adresse notieren.
I will write down the address.
die Adresse is the address, and werde ... notieren means will write down. Die Adresse is accusative because it is the object; the finite auxiliary werde is in position two and the infinitive notieren goes to the end.
die Notiz — note, written message; note, message
The ordinary word for a short written reminder is die Notiz. For a longer personal record, German more often uses das Notizbuch.
Die Notiz liegt auf dem Tisch.
The note is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Notiz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese die Notiz.
I am reading the note.
lese means “read”, and ich means “I”. Die Notiz is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich antworte auf die Notiz.
I am replying to the note.
antworte means “reply”, and auf here means “to”. Auf takes the accusative for a target of a reply, so die Notiz stays die; the finite verb antworte is in position two.
Der Inhalt der Notiz ist wichtig.
The content of the note is important.
der Inhalt means “the content”, and wichtig means “important”. Der Notiz is genitive after der Inhalt to show possession or connection, while the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Ich schreibe heute drei Notizen.
I am writing three notes today.
schreibe means “write”, heute means “today”, and drei means “three”. Drei Notizen is accusative because it is the object of schreibe; the plural has the ending -en.
Sie hat eine Notiz für ihren Mann hinterlassen.
She left a note for her husband.
hat hinterlassen means “left”, and für ihren Mann means “for her husband”. Eine Notiz is accusative because it is the object of hinterlassen, and für always takes the accusative; the participle hinterlassen goes to the end.
Auf dem Kühlschrank kleben zwei Notizen.
Two notes are stuck on the fridge.
der Kühlschrank is “the fridge”, and kleben means “are stuck”. Auf dem Kühlschrank is dative because it describes a fixed location, while zwei Notizen is the plural subject.
die Pfeife — pipe; whistle
Pfeife can mean a whistle or a smoking pipe. In the expression eine Pfeife rauchen, it means a smoking pipe; in music or sport, it usually means a whistle or small pipe.
Die Pfeife liegt neben dem Fenster.
The pipe is lying next to the window.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and das Fenster means window. Die Pfeife is nominative because it is the subject; neben dem Fenster uses the dative for a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Der Junge hält die Pfeife in der Hand.
The boy is holding the whistle in his hand.
der Junge means the boy, hält means is holding, and in der Hand means in his hand. Die Pfeife is accusative because halten takes a direct object; in der Hand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe der Pfeife ein neues Mundstück.
I give the pipe a new mouthpiece.
geben means to give, ein neues Mundstück is a new mouthpiece, and neu means new. Der Pfeife is dative because it is the recipient, while ein neues Mundstück is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Klang der Pfeife ist sehr hell.
The sound of the whistle is very high-pitched.
der Klang means the sound, and hell can mean high-pitched when describing a sound. Der Pfeife is genitive because it identifies whose sound it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
Im Laden hängen viele Pfeifen.
Many pipes are hanging in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Pfeifen is plural after viele; im Laden is dative because in describes a location, and the verb agrees with the plural subject.
das Poster — poster
Das Poster is usually a decorative picture or a large printed notice. Its plural is also Poster, without an ending.
Das Poster hängt über meinem Schreibtisch.
The poster is hanging above my desk.
hängt means is hanging, and über meinem Schreibtisch means above my desk. Das Poster is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hängt stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Poster für mein Zimmer.
I am buying a poster for my room.
kaufe means buy, and für mein Zimmer means for my room. Ein Poster is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and für always takes the accusative.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester ein Poster.
I am giving my sister a poster as a present.
schenke means give as a present, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because she receives something, while ein Poster is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Posters passt gut zum Raum.
The colour of the poster goes well with the room.
die Farbe means the colour, passt gut means goes well, and der Raum means the room. Des Posters is genitive to show possession; zum Raum is short for zu dem Raum, and zu takes the dative.
Im Laden hängen viele Poster.
Many posters are hanging in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Im Laden uses the dative for location; Poster has the same form in the singular and plural.
die Privatnummer — private telephone number
die Privatnummer is a compound of privat and die Nummer, and it normally means a personal or unlisted telephone number. The plural is Privatnummern, following the plural of die Nummer.
Die Privatnummer steht nicht im Telefonbuch.
The private number is not in the telephone directory.
steht means is listed or stands, nicht means not, and das Telefonbuch is the telephone directory. Die Privatnummer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Bitte notieren Sie die Privatnummer.
Please write down the private number.
bitte means please and notieren means write down. Die Privatnummer is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; Sie is the formal imperative subject.
Ich füge der Privatnummer einen Namen hinzu.
I add a name to the private number.
ich füge ... hinzu means I add, and einen Namen is a name. Der Privatnummer is dative because hinzufügen takes the thing being added to in the dative; the separable prefix hinzu goes to the end of the main clause.
Die Änderung der Privatnummer dauert nur eine Minute.
Changing the private number takes only one minute.
die Änderung means the change, dauert means takes or lasts, and nur eine Minute means only one minute. Der Privatnummer is genitive and specifies which number is being changed.
Im Handy sind drei Privatnummern gespeichert.
There are three private numbers saved in the mobile phone.
im Handy means in the mobile phone, drei means three, and gespeichert means saved. Privatnummern is plural with -n; the phrase sind gespeichert describes the numbers' saved state.
der Prospekt — brochure, leaflet, catalogue
In everyday German, der Prospekt usually means a brochure or advertising leaflet. Do not confuse it with das Prospekt, which is a technical theatre term for the stage set or backdrop.
Der Prospekt liegt auf dem Tisch.
The brochure is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Prospekt is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese den Prospekt.
I am reading the brochure.
lese means read, and ich means I. den Prospekt is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe meiner Nachbarin dem Prospekt?
I give the brochure to my neighbour.
geben means give, and meiner Nachbarin means to my female neighbour. The sentence uses dem Prospekt as the thing given, but this is not natural German: the thing given should be accusative, den Prospekt; the dative is meiner Nachbarin.
Die Farbe des Prospekts ist sehr auffällig.
The colour of the brochure is very striking.
die Farbe means the colour, and auffällig means striking or noticeable. des Prospekts is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Laden liegen viele Prospekte.
There are many brochures lying in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and liegen means are lying. Prospekte is the plural form with -e; im Laden is dative because it gives a fixed location.
das Protokoll — minutes, record; protocol; protocol, procedure
In everyday office language, das Protokoll usually means minutes or a written record. In technical contexts it can mean a protocol, such as a communication protocol.
Das Protokoll liegt auf dem Tisch.
The minutes are on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Protokoll is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese das Protokoll.
I am reading the minutes.
lese means am reading. Das Protokoll is the direct object in the accusative because lesen takes an accusative object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir schicken dem Vorsitzenden das Protokoll.
We send the chairperson the minutes.
schicken means send, and der Vorsitzende is the chairperson. Dem Vorsitzenden is dative because it is the recipient, while das Protokoll is accusative as the thing sent.
Die Überschrift des Protokolls ist zu lang.
The title of the minutes is too long.
die Überschrift means the title, and zu lang means too long. Des Protokolls is genitive because it shows whose title it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the neuter noun.
Die Protokolle liegen im Archiv.
The records are in the archive.
liegen means are lying, and das Archiv is the archive. Protokolle is the plural with -e; im Archiv is a dative location after in.
Wir haben das Protokoll gestern unterschrieben.
We signed the minutes yesterday.
haben unterschrieben means signed, and gestern means yesterday. Das Protokoll is accusative as the object of unterschreiben; the participle unterschrieben goes at the end in the perfect tense.
Das Protokoll regelt den Datenaustausch.
The protocol regulates data exchange.
regelt means regulates, and der Datenaustausch is data exchange. Das Protokoll is nominative as the subject, while den Datenaustausch is accusative after regeln.
Bitte halten Sie sich an das Protokoll.
Please follow the protocol.
sich an etwas halten means to follow or stick to something, and bitte makes the request polite. The preposition an takes the accusative in this fixed expression, so das Protokoll is accusative; halten Sie is a formal imperative.
die Präsentation — presentation; presentation, presenting
A Präsentation is usually a prepared talk for an audience, often supported by slides. The related verb is präsentieren, meaning to present; eine Präsentation halten is a common expression for giving one.
Die Präsentation beginnt um neun Uhr.
The presentation begins at nine o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Die Präsentation is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Präsentation heute.
I am watching the presentation today.
sehen means watch or see, and heute means today. Die Präsentation is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Wir hören bei der Präsentation gut zu.
We listen carefully during the presentation.
zuhören means listen, and gut means carefully or well. Der Präsentation is dative after bei, and the separable verb hören ... zu places zu at the end of the main clause.
Das Thema der Präsentation war sehr interessant.
The topic of the presentation was very interesting.
das Thema means the topic and interessant means interesting. Der Präsentation is genitive to show which presentation the topic belongs to; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Präsentationen waren kurz und klar.
The presentations were short and clear.
kurz means short and klar means clear. Die Präsentationen is a plural subject, so the past form is waren, not singular war.
Nach der Präsentation beantwortete sie alle Fragen.
After the presentation, she answered all the questions.
nach means after, beantworten means answer, and alle Fragen means all the questions. Der Präsentation is dative after nach, while beantwortete is in position two in the main clause.
Die Präsentation des neuen Produkts dauerte eine Stunde.
The presentation of the new product lasted an hour.
des neuen Produkts means of the new product, and dauerte means lasted. Die Präsentation is the nominative subject, while des neuen Produkts is genitive to show what was presented.
präsentieren — to present, to give a presentation; to present oneself, to project an image
Präsentieren takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas präsentieren means to present someone or something. It is a weak verb with haben in the perfect, and verbs ending in -ieren form präsentiert without ge-.
Sie präsentiert heute ihr Projekt.
She is presenting her project today.
heute means today and ihr Projekt means her project. Ihr Projekt is accusative because präsentieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb präsentiert stands in position two.
Wir haben die Ergebnisse präsentiert.
We presented the results.
die Ergebnisse means the results. The perfect uses haben plus präsentiert; the finite auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Student präsentierte seine Idee.
The student presented his idea.
der Student means the student and seine Idee means his idea. Seine Idee is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb past form präsentierte occupies position two.
Präsentier dein Thema bitte kurz.
Please present your topic briefly.
dein Thema means your topic, bitte means please, and kurz means briefly. Präsentier is a direct command to one person; the accusative object follows it, and the subject du is normally omitted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, präsentierte ich die Idee selbst.
If I had more time, I would present the idea myself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and selbst means myself. In the wenn-clause the finite verb goes to the end; präsentierte is the Konjunktiv II form here and expresses an unreal condition.
Morgen präsentiert er den neuen Plan.
Tomorrow he will present the new plan.
morgen means tomorrow and der neue Plan means the new plan. In the future, the auxiliary werden would be finite in position two and präsentieren would go to the end; German often uses the present form präsentiert with a future time word instead.
Er präsentiert sich als erfahrener Fachmann.
He presents himself as an experienced specialist.
sich als means himself as, erfahren means experienced, and der Fachmann means specialist. Sich is accusative because the person presents himself, and the finite verb präsentiert is in position two.
Die Firma möchte präsentieren, was sie kann.
The company wants to show what it can do.
die Firma means the company, möchte means would like to, and was sie kann means what it can do. After the modal verb möchte, the infinitive präsentieren goes to the end of the main clause.
der QR-Code — QR code
A QR-Code is a square code that a smartphone can scan to open information, often a website. The abbreviation comes from Quick Response, but German uses the masculine noun der Code.
Der QR-Code führt zur Speisekarte.
The QR code leads to the menu.
führt zu means leads to, and die Speisekarte means the menu. Der QR-Code is nominative because it is the subject; zur is short for zu der, and zu takes the dative.
Ich scanne den QR-Code mit meinem Handy.
I scan the QR code with my phone.
scanne means scan, mit means with, and mein Handy means my mobile phone. Den QR-Code is accusative because scannen takes a direct object; mit meinem Handy is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Ich folge dem QR-Code zur Anmeldung.
I follow the QR code to the registration page.
folge means follow, and die Anmeldung means the registration or sign-in. Dem QR-Code is dative because folgen takes a dative object; zur Anmeldung means to the registration page, with zu plus dative.
Die Farbe des QR-Codes ist zu blass.
The colour of the QR code is too pale.
die Farbe means the colour, and blass means pale. Des QR-Codes is genitive and means of the QR code; the masculine article changes to des, and the noun takes -s.
Die QR-Codes hängen an den Plakaten.
The QR codes are displayed on the posters.
hängen means are hanging, and die Plakate means the posters. QR-Codes is plural with -s; an den Plakaten is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
der Quatsch — nonsense, rubbish; nonsense!, rubbish!
Quatsch is usually an uncountable noun, so it normally has no plural. It can also be used as a short spoken rejection, like “Nonsense!”
Das ist Quatsch.
That is nonsense.
Quatsch means nonsense, and ist means is. The noun is used without an article here because it is an uncountable mass noun; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich glaube diesen Quatsch nicht.
I do not believe this nonsense.
glaube means believe and diesen means this. Quatsch is accusative because glauben takes the thing believed as an accusative object; nicht negates the verb.
Mit solchem Quatsch verschwenden wir keine Zeit.
We do not waste time on such nonsense.
mit means with, solchem means such, and verschwenden means waste. Quatsch is dative because mit always takes the dative, and keine Zeit means no time.
Die Folgen dieses Quatschs sind ärgerlich.
The consequences of this nonsense are annoying.
die Folgen means the consequences and ärgerlich means annoying. Quatschs is genitive after dieses to express “of this nonsense”; the plural subject Folgen makes the verb sind plural.
Quatsch! Das stimmt nicht.
Nonsense! That is not true.
stimmt means is true or is correct, and nicht means not. Quatsch stands alone as an interjection, so it is not part of the sentence grammar.
Ach, Quatsch! Ich habe den Schlüssel doch.
Oh, nonsense! I do have the key.
Ach expresses surprise, Schlüssel means key, and doch emphasizes a correction. Quatsch is an interjection here and is separated from the following sentence by punctuation.
der Rat — advice; council
In the sense ‘advice’, Rat is usually uncountable: guten Rat geben. A political or official council is countable and has the plural Räte; the meaning ‘council’ is often clearer with a compound such as Stadtrat.
Der Rat meines Vaters war hilfreich.
My father's advice was helpful.
meines Vaters means my father's, and hilfreich means helpful. Der Rat is nominative because it is the subject; war is the finite verb in position two.
Ich brauche deinen Rat.
I need your advice.
brauchen means need, and deinen means your. Deinen Rat is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; advice is normally uncountable in this meaning.
Sie folgt seinem Rat.
She follows his advice.
sie means she, folgt means follows, and seinem means his. Seinem Rat is dative because folgen takes a dative object.
Die Wirkung des Rates war groß.
The effect of the advice was great.
die Wirkung means the effect and groß means great. Des Rates is genitive and means of the advice; masculine Rat adds -es in this case.
Die Räte beraten heute über den Plan.
The councils are discussing the plan today.
beraten means advise or discuss, heute means today, and der Plan means the plan. Räte is the plural subject, so the finite verb is beraten.
raten — to advise; to recommend; to guess
The person receiving advice is in the dative: jemandem raten. With zu, the recommended action or thing follows: jemandem zu etwas raten.
Ich rate dir zu diesem Kurs.
I advise you to take this course.
dir means to you, dieser Kurs means this course, and zu means to or towards. Dir is dative because this sense of raten takes the person advised in the dative; the finite verb rate is in position two.
Ich habe dir zu diesem Kurs geraten.
I advised you to take this course.
habe geraten means advised, and dieser Kurs means this course. Dir is dative because raten takes the person advised in the dative; habe is in position two and geraten goes to the end.
Meine Mutter riet mir zu einer Pause.
My mother advised me to take a break.
meine Mutter means my mother, mir means to me, and eine Pause means a break. Mir is dative because it is the person advised; riet is the simple past and stands in position two.
Rate mir, ob ich den Job annehmen soll.
Advise me whether I should accept the job.
mir means to me, ob means whether, den Job annehmen means accept the job, and soll means should. Rate is the informal singular imperative; mir is dative, and soll goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Ich würde dir raten, früher zu buchen.
I would advise you to book earlier.
würde expresses would, früher means earlier, and buchen means book. Dir is dative because it is the person advised; raten remains an infinitive after würde, and zu buchen comes at the end.
Der Arzt wird ihr zu mehr Ruhe raten.
The doctor will advise her to get more rest.
der Arzt means the doctor, ihr means to her, and mehr Ruhe means more rest. Ihr is dative because it is the person advised; wird is in position two and the infinitive raten goes to the end.
Kannst du die Antwort raten?
Can you guess the answer?
kannst du means can you, and die Antwort means the answer. Die Antwort is accusative because this meaning of raten takes the guessed answer as a direct object; after kannst the infinitive raten goes to the end.
Niemand riet die richtige Zahl.
Nobody guessed the correct number.
niemand means nobody, die richtige Zahl means the correct number. The number is accusative as the object of raten, and riet is the simple past in position two.
der Ratschlag — advice; suggestion
A Ratschlag is usually one specific piece of advice, while uncountable Rat can also mean advice in general. The common verb phrase is einen Ratschlag geben, to give advice.
Der Ratschlag ist sehr nützlich.
The advice is very useful.
sehr nützlich means very useful. Der Ratschlag is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen Ratschlag.
I need some advice.
brauche means need, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Ratschlag is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Ich folge deinem Ratschlag.
I follow your advice.
folge means follow, and deinem means your in the dative. Deinem Ratschlag is dative because folgen requires a dative object; the verb folge is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Ratschlags war überraschend.
The effect of the advice was surprising.
die Wirkung means the effect, war means was, and überraschend means surprising. Des Ratschlags is genitive and means of the advice; the masculine noun adds -s.
Gute Ratschläge helfen oft.
Good advice often helps.
gute means good and oft means often. Gute Ratschläge is a plural subject; Ratschläge has an umlaut and -e, and the verb helfen is plural.
reagieren — to react, to respond
The usual pattern is auf etwas reagieren, with auf taking the accusative. The perfect uses haben, and verbs ending in -ieren form reagiert without ge-.
Sie reagiert schnell auf Kritik.
She reacts quickly to criticism.
schnell means quickly, and die Kritik means criticism. Auf takes the accusative here, so Kritik has no visible article ending; the finite verb reagiert stands in position two.
Er hat sofort auf den Anruf reagiert.
He reacted to the call immediately.
sofort means immediately, and der Anruf is the call. Auf takes the accusative, giving den Anruf; hat is the auxiliary in position two and reagiert goes to the end.
Der Arzt reagierte ruhig auf die Nachricht.
The doctor reacted calmly to the news.
der Arzt means the doctor, ruhig means calmly, and die Nachricht is the news or message. Auf takes the accusative, so die Nachricht keeps its form; the simple-past verb reagierte is in position two.
Reagier nicht so wütend!
Don't react so angrily!
nicht means not, so means so, and wütend means angrily or angrily upset. Reagier is the informal du imperative, with the subject omitted; the negative word nicht follows the verb.
Ich würde auf diese Frage anders reagieren.
I would react differently to this question.
diese Frage means this question, and anders means differently. Auf takes the accusative, so the feminine phrase is diese Frage; würde carries the Konjunktiv II and the infinitive reagieren goes to the end.
Wir werden auf die Ergebnisse reagieren.
We will react to the results.
die Ergebnisse means the results. Auf takes the accusative, while werden is in position two and the infinitive reagieren goes to the end in the future tense.
die Reaktion — reaction, response
Die Reaktion can describe an emotional or physical response, or a response to an event or statement. In science and medicine, it can also mean a chemical or bodily response, as in allergische Reaktion.
Die Reaktion war völlig unerwartet.
The reaction was completely unexpected.
völlig means completely, and unerwartet means unexpected. Die Reaktion is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb war is in position two, and the adjective follows it as a predicate.
Ich verstand die Reaktion nicht.
I didn't understand the reaction.
verstand means understood, and nicht means not. Die Reaktion is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit der Reaktion hatte niemand gerechnet.
Nobody had expected the reaction.
mit means with, niemand means nobody, and gerechnet means expected or counted on. Mit always takes the dative, so die Reaktion becomes der Reaktion; hatte is in position two and gerechnet goes to the end.
Die Ursache der Reaktion ist noch unklar.
The cause of the reaction is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. Der Reaktion is genitive because it specifies the cause; with a feminine noun, the noun does not change and der marks the genitive.
Starke Reaktionen sind bei diesem Medikament möglich.
Strong reactions are possible with this medicine.
starke means strong, bei means with or when taking, diesem Medikament is this medicine, and möglich means possible. Reaktionen is plural, and the adjective takes -e after the zero plural article; the plural verb sind agrees with it.
reden — to talk, to speak
Reden normally means talking, often with mit plus dative for the person and über plus accusative for the topic. It is a weak verb: redete and geredet are regular, and the perfect uses haben.
Ich rede jeden Abend mit meiner Schwester.
I talk to my sister every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and meine Schwester means my sister. Mit takes the dative, so meiner Schwester is dative; the finite verb rede stands in position two.
Wir haben lange über den Film geredet.
We talked about the film for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and über den Film means about the film. With the meaning talk about, über takes the accusative; haben is in position two and geredet goes to the end.
Er redete den ganzen Abend über seine Reise.
He talked about his trip all evening.
den ganzen Abend means all evening, and seine Reise means his trip. Redete is the regular simple past and stands in position two; über takes the accusative in this meaning, giving seine Reise.
Rede bitte leiser!
Please speak more quietly!
bitte means please, and leiser means more quietly. Rede is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and the command can be softened with bitte.
Ich würde gern mit dir reden.
I would like to talk to you.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mit dir means with you. Mit takes the dative, so dir is dative; würde is in position two and the infinitive reden goes to the end.
Wir werden morgen über das Problem reden.
We will talk about the problem tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Problem means the problem. In the future, werden is in position two and the infinitive reden goes to the end; über takes the accusative here.
das Referat — presentation, report; report, paper
At school, das Referat usually means an oral presentation prepared on a topic. In some contexts it can also mean a written report, but Vortrag is often used for a more formal talk.
Das Referat ist morgen fällig.
The presentation is due tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and fällig means due. Das Referat is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Mia hält morgen ein Referat über erneuerbare Energien.
Mia is giving a presentation about renewable energy tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and erneuerbare Energien means renewable energy. ein Referat is accusative because halten takes the thing being given as an accusative object; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Der Lehrer hilft Mia bei ihrem Referat.
The teacher helps Mia with her presentation.
der Lehrer means the teacher, hilft means helps, and bei means with or in connection with. ihrem Referat is dative because bei governs the dative; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Der Inhalt des Referats ist sehr interessant.
The content of the presentation is very interesting.
der Inhalt means the content, and sehr interessant means very interesting. des Referats is genitive because it shows which presentation the content belongs to; the whole phrase Der Inhalt des Referats is the nominative subject.
Die Referate der Schüler waren gut vorbereitet.
The students’ presentations were well prepared.
der Schüler means of the students, and gut vorbereitet means well prepared. Die Referate is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Schüler is genitive and shows who gave the presentations.
Ich muss mein Referat am Montag abgeben.
I have to hand in my report on Monday.
muss means have to, mein means my, and am Montag means on Monday. mein Referat is accusative because abgeben takes the report as its object; with muss, the infinitive abgeben goes to the end.
Das Referat enthält viele interessante Quellen.
The report contains many interesting sources.
enthält means contains, viele means many, and Quellen means sources. Das Referat is nominative because it is the subject; viele interessante Quellen is accusative after enthält.
die Reklame — advertising, publicity
Reklame is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For a single advertisement, German usually uses die Werbung or die Anzeige instead.
Die Reklame im Fernsehen ist laut.
The advertising on television is loud.
im Fernsehen means on television, and laut means loud. Die Reklame is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag diese Reklame nicht.
I do not like this advertising.
mag means like, and diese means this. Diese Reklame is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; nicht negates the statement and comes after the object here.
Kinder glauben der Reklame oft.
Children often believe the advertising.
Kinder means children, and glauben means believe. Der Reklame is dative because glauben takes a dative object; the finite verb glauben is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Reklame ist schwer zu messen.
The effect of the advertising is difficult to measure.
die Wirkung means the effect, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. Der Reklame is genitive because it shows whose effect is meant; ist is in position two and zu messen stays at the end.
der Reporter — reporter, journalist
A Reporter gathers information and presents it in the news. The feminine form is Reporterin, and the plural of Reporter has no extra ending.
Der Reporter steht vor dem Rathaus.
The reporter is standing in front of the town hall.
steht means is standing and das Rathaus means the town hall. Der Reporter is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Rathaus uses the dative because vor describes a location.
Ich sehe den Reporter im Fernsehen.
I see the reporter on television.
ich sehe means I see and im Fernsehen means on television. den Reporter is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and sehe stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Reporter das Mikrofon.
I give the microphone to the reporter.
gebe means give and das Mikrofon means the microphone. dem Reporter is dative because the reporter receives something, while das Mikrofon is accusative as the thing given.
Die Fragen des Reporters waren sehr kritisch.
The reporter’s questions were very critical.
die Fragen means the questions and kritisch means critical. des Reporters is genitive because it shows possession; Reporters takes -s in the masculine genitive singular.
Die Reporter warten vor dem Stadion.
The reporters are waiting in front of the stadium.
warten means are waiting and das Stadion means the stadium. Die Reporter is plural with no noun ending, and dem Stadion is dative because vor describes a fixed location.
die Reporterin — female reporter, journalist
A Reporterin is a woman who works as a reporter. The plural is formed with -innen, so Reporterin must not be given the regular plural ending used with many other nouns.
Die Reporterin spricht mit dem Bürgermeister.
The female reporter is speaking with the mayor.
spricht means is speaking, mit means with, and der Bürgermeister is the mayor. Die Reporterin is nominative because it is the subject, while dem Bürgermeister is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Ich sehe die Reporterin im Fernsehen.
I see the female reporter on television.
ich sehe means I see and im Fernsehen means on television. die Reporterin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, although its feminine article looks the same as the nominative article.
Wir helfen der Reporterin bei der Suche.
We help the female reporter with the search.
helfen means help, bei means with or during, and die Suche is the search. der Reporterin is dative because helfen takes the dative, and der Suche is also dative because bei requires it.
Das Mikrofon der Reporterin ist kaputt.
The female reporter’s microphone is broken.
das Mikrofon means the microphone and kaputt means broken. der Reporterin is genitive because it shows possession; feminine genitive uses der, not die.
Die Reporterinnen arbeiten heute im Studio.
The female reporters are working in the studio today.
arbeiten means are working, heute means today, and das Studio means the studio. Reporterinnen is formed with -innen, and the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
der Scherz — joke; funny remark
ein Scherz is usually harmless and playful, but ein Scherz auf jemandes Kosten is a joke at someone's expense. Do not confuse it with scherzen, which is the verb to joke.
Der Scherz war wirklich lustig.
The joke was really funny.
wirklich means really, and lustig means funny. Der Scherz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Alle haben den Scherz verstanden.
Everyone understood the joke.
Alle means everyone, verstanden means understood, and haben means have in the perfect tense. den Scherz is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; verstanden goes to the end with haben.
Ich erzähle meinem Bruder einen Scherz.
I am telling my brother a joke.
erzähle means tell, and meinem Bruder means my brother. meinem Bruder is dative as the person being told something, while einen Scherz is accusative as the thing told.
Die Pointe des Scherzes war überraschend.
The punchline of the joke was surprising.
die Pointe means the punchline, and überraschend means surprising. des Scherzes is genitive because it identifies the joke's punchline; the masculine noun adds -es in this genitive phrase.
Seine Scherze bringen alle zum Lachen.
His jokes make everyone laugh.
Seine means his, bringen means make or bring, alle means everyone, and zum Lachen means to laugh. Scherze is plural and is the subject here, while alle is accusative after bringen; zum combines zu with dem.
der Schild — shield
Masculine der Schild means a protective shield. Do not confuse it with neuter das Schild, meaning a sign or plaque; the two homographs have different articles and plurals.
Der Schild schützt den Soldaten.
The shield protects the soldier.
schützt means protects and der Soldat means the soldier. Der Schild is nominative because it is the subject; den Soldaten is accusative because schützen takes a direct object.
Der Ritter trägt den Schild.
The knight carries the shield.
der Ritter means the knight and trägt means carries. Den Schild is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; masculine der changes to den in the accusative.
Der Kämpfer hält dem Schild die Hand entgegen.
The fighter holds his hand towards the shield.
der Kämpfer means the fighter, die Hand means the hand, and entgegenhalten means to hold towards. Dem Schild is dative because entgegen governs the dative; die Hand is the accusative object.
Die Mitte des Schildes ist zerkratzt.
The middle of the shield is scratched.
die Mitte means the middle and zerkratzt means scratched. Des Schildes is genitive because it identifies the shield's middle; the masculine noun takes -es here.
Im Museum hängen alte Schilde.
Old shields are hanging in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, hängen means are hanging, and alte means old. Schilde is the plural subject; it means shields, not signs, which use the neuter plural Schilder.