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Vocab: Communication & media — A2 (4)
Communication & media vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
schimpfen — to scold, to complain
With a person, schimpfen mit takes the dative; with a topic, schimpfen über usually takes the accusative. Do not confuse schimpfen with simply speaking loudly: it normally expresses anger or strong disapproval.
Die Mutter schimpft mit ihrem Sohn.
The mother is scolding her son.
die Mutter is the mother and ihr Sohn is her son. mit always takes the dative, so ihrem Sohn is dative; the finite verb schimpft stands in position two.
Er hat über den Lärm geschimpft.
He complained about the noise.
der Lärm means the noise. über den Lärm is accusative because this sense uses über for the topic of a complaint; hat geschimpft forms the perfect, with geschimpft at the end.
Der Nachbar schimpfte den ganzen Abend.
The neighbour complained all evening.
der Nachbar is the neighbour and den ganzen Abend means all evening. schimpfte is the weak past form in position two; the time phrase is accusative because it expresses duration.
Schimpf nicht mit deiner Schwester!
Don’t scold your sister!
nicht means not and deine Schwester is your sister. mit deiner Schwester is dative because mit requires dative; the imperative omits du, and nicht makes the command negative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, schimpfte ich nicht so oft.
If I had more time, I wouldn’t complain so often.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and so oft means so often. The Konjunktiv II form is identical to the simple past here; hätte is final in the wenn clause, while schimpfte is in position two in the main clause.
Der Trainer wird über das Wetter schimpfen.
The coach will complain about the weather.
der Trainer is the coach and das Wetter is the weather. wird schimpfen forms the future; the finite verb wird is in position two and the infinitive schimpfen goes to the end.
die Schreibmaschine — typewriter
This is a traditional machine for producing printed text; for modern typing, German usually uses der Computer or die Tastatur.
Die Schreibmaschine steht auf dem Tisch.
The typewriter is on the table.
steht means is standing or is located, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Schreibmaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich benutze die Schreibmaschine heute.
I am using the typewriter today.
benutze means use and heute means today. Die Schreibmaschine is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the finite verb benutze stands in position two.
Ich schreibe mit der Schreibmaschine.
I write with the typewriter.
schreibe means write and mit means with. Der Schreibmaschine is dative because mit always takes the dative; the article changes from die to der.
Die Tasten der Schreibmaschine sind klein.
The typewriter's keys are small.
die Tasten are the keys and klein means small. Der Schreibmaschine is genitive and shows whose keys they are; the finite verb sind agrees with plural Tasten.
Im Büro stehen drei Schreibmaschinen.
There are three typewriters in the office.
im Büro means in the office and drei means three. Schreibmaschinen is plural and takes drei; stehen is plural because the subject is plural, even though it comes after the verb.
schriftlich — written; in writing
Schriftlich contrasts with mündlich, meaning oral or spoken. It can describe a document, an exam, or a request to communicate in writing.
Die Antwort ist schriftlich.
The answer is in writing.
die Antwort is the answer and ist means is. Schriftlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine schriftliche Bestätigung.
We need written confirmation.
brauchen means need and die Bestätigung is the confirmation. Eine schriftliche Bestätigung is an accusative object after brauchen, and the adjective takes -e after the feminine article eine.
Eine schriftlichere Erklärung wäre besser.
A more detailed written explanation would be better.
eine Erklärung is an explanation and wäre besser means would be better. Schriftlichere is the comparative before a feminine noun and takes -e after eine; wäre is Konjunktiv II and expresses a hypothetical judgment.
Das ist die am schriftlichsten formulierte Antwort.
That is the answer formulated in the most written style.
formulierte Antwort means formulated answer, and die means the. Am schriftlichsten is the superlative adverb modifying formulierte; the superlative ending -sten is used after am, not an adjective ending before a noun.
schweigen — to be silent, to keep quiet
schweigen is stronger and more deliberate than simply being quiet: it often means refusing or deciding not to speak. With über it means to keep silent about something, and über takes the accusative.
Ich schweige jetzt.
I am keeping quiet now.
jetzt means now. The finite verb schweige is in position two, and ich is the subject in the nominative; this is the normal present-tense pattern.
Sie hat den ganzen Abend geschwiegen.
She kept silent all evening.
den ganzen Abend means all evening. The perfect uses hat plus geschwiegen; den ganzen Abend is an accusative time expression, and the participle goes to the end of the clause.
Er schwieg bei diesem Thema.
He was silent about this topic.
bei diesem Thema means about this topic in this context. bei takes the dative, so diesem Thema is dative; the strong past form schwieg is in position two.
Schweig bitte!
Please be quiet!
bitte means please. Schweig is the informal singular imperative used with du; the subject is normally left out, and the verb stands first.
Ich schwiege, wenn ich nichts Sinnvolles zu sagen habe.
I keep silent when I have nothing useful to say.
wenn means when or if, and nichts Sinnvolles means nothing useful. Here schwiege is the Konjunktiv II form, and habe goes to the end of the wenn clause because it is subordinate.
Wir werden während der Besprechung schweigen.
We will remain silent during the meeting.
während der Besprechung means during the meeting. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive schweigen at the end; während takes the genitive here.
schwindeln — to lie; to cheat
schwindeln can mean telling an untruth or cheating, especially in a test or game. For lying to a person, German often uses jemanden anschwindeln; the verb takes haben in the perfect.
Er schwindelt bei der Prüfung.
He is cheating in the exam.
die Prüfung is the exam, and bei means during or in the context of. bei der Prüfung is dative because bei governs the dative.
Sie hat bei der Prüfung geschwindelt.
She cheated in the exam.
sie means she, and die Prüfung is the exam. geschwindelt combines with hat and goes to the end of the clause.
Er schwindelte als Schüler oft.
He often cheated when he was a schoolboy.
als Schüler means when he was a schoolboy, and oft means often. schwindelte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two.
Schwindle nicht bei der Prüfung!
Don't cheat in the exam!
nicht means not, and die Prüfung is the exam. Schwindle is the informal command for du; bei der Prüfung remains dative.
Wenn ich würde schwindeln, würde ich ein schlechtes Gewissen haben.
If I cheated, I would feel guilty.
wenn means if, and ein schlechtes Gewissen haben means to feel guilty. In the wenn clause, würde is at the end and the infinitive schwindeln follows it in this construction.
Du wirst nicht mehr schwindeln.
You will not cheat anymore.
nicht mehr means no longer or not anymore. wirst is in position two, while the infinitive schwindeln goes to the end.
senden — to send; to transmit, broadcast; to broadcast, transmit
senden normally takes the thing sent in the accusative and the recipient in the dative, as in jemandem etwas senden. The regular forms sendete and gesendet are standard; sandte and gesandt also occur, especially in formal or literary language.
Ich sende dir die Rechnung heute.
I am sending you the bill today.
dir means to you, die Rechnung means the bill, and heute means today. dir is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rechnung is accusative because it is the thing sent; the finite verb sende stands in position two.
Wir haben die Unterlagen gestern gesendet.
We sent the documents yesterday.
die Unterlagen means the documents, and gestern means yesterday. die Unterlagen is accusative because it is what was sent; the perfect uses haben plus gesendet, with the participle at the end of the clause.
Die Firma sendete den Vertrag per Post.
The company sent the contract by post.
die Firma means the company, den Vertrag means the contract, and per Post means by post. den Vertrag is accusative because it is the direct object; sendete is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two.
Sende mir bitte die Adresse.
Please send me the address.
mir means to me, bitte means please, and die Adresse means the address. The imperative omits du; mir is dative as the recipient and die Adresse is accusative as the thing being sent.
Ich sendete die Nachricht noch einmal, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would send the message again if I had more time.
die Nachricht means the message, noch einmal means again, and mehr Zeit means more time. In careful written German, sendete can express the Konjunktiv II of this regular verb, while the wenn-clause puts hätte at the end; the message is accusative after senden.
Morgen wird sie die Einladung senden.
Tomorrow she will send the invitation.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Einladung means the invitation. Futur I uses wird plus the infinitive senden at the end, forming a sentence bracket; die Einladung is accusative because it is what she will send.
Der Sender sendet heute ein Konzert live.
The broadcaster is broadcasting a concert live today.
der Sender means the broadcaster or station, ein Konzert means a concert, and live means live. ein Konzert is accusative because it is the programme being broadcast; the finite verb sendet stands in position two.
Der Kanal hat die Debatte gestern Abend gesendet.
The channel broadcast the debate yesterday evening.
der Kanal means the channel, die Debatte means the debate, and gestern Abend means yesterday evening. The perfect uses hat with gesendet, which goes to the end; die Debatte is accusative as the broadcast content.
die Serie — series; sequence
For television, Serie usually means a series with several episodes, while a single film is a Film. Eine Serie von is followed by a noun that describes what is being counted.
Die Serie beginnt um acht Uhr.
The series starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Serie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich sehe eine neue Serie.
I am watching a new series.
sehe means watch or see, and eine neue means a new. Eine neue Serie is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir sprechen über die Serie.
We are talking about the series.
sprechen über means talk about. Die Serie has the accusative form after über here because the preposition means about, not location; the verb sprechen is in position two.
Das Ende der Serie ist überraschend.
The ending of the series is surprising.
das Ende means the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Der Serie is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Serien sind spannend.
Many series are exciting.
viele means many, and spannend means exciting. Serien is the plural subject, so it is nominative plural; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject.
Die Serie erzählt eine spannende Geschichte.
The series tells an exciting story.
erzählt means tells, and eine spannende Geschichte means an exciting story. Die Serie is the subject in the nominative, while eine spannende Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object.
siezen — to address formally, to use Sie with someone
Use siezen when you address someone with Sie; the opposite is duzen. The person addressed is an accusative object: jemanden siezen.
Ich sieze meine Chefin.
I address my boss formally.
meine Chefin means my female boss. sieze is the finite verb in position two, and meine Chefin is accusative because siezen takes the person being addressed as an accusative object.
Ich habe den neuen Kollegen gesiezt.
I addressed the new colleague formally.
den neuen Kollegen means the new colleague; neu means new. gesiezt is at the end because the perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II, and den neuen Kollegen is accusative as the object.
Früher siezte man die Lehrer immer.
In the past, people always addressed teachers formally.
früher means in the past, man means people or one, and immer means always. siezte is the simple-past finite verb in position two; die Lehrer is accusative, although it follows the adverbial subject man.
Siez den Kunden bitte.
Please address the customer formally.
den Kunden means the customer, and bitte means please. Siez is the singular imperative; the accusative object follows the imperative verb, and bitte softens the command.
Ich würde den Richter siezen.
I would address the judge formally.
würde expresses a hypothetical situation, and der Richter means the judge. The infinitive siezen goes to the end after würde, while den Richter is accusative because it is the object.
Wir werden den Arzt siezen.
We will address the doctor formally.
wir means we, and der Arzt means the doctor. The finite verb werden is in position two and the infinitive siezen goes to the end; den Arzt is accusative.
der Spielfilm — feature film, fiction film
A Spielfilm is a fictional film, in contrast to a Dokumentarfilm, a documentary. Do not confuse it with a film about a game: the compound refers to the type of film.
Der Spielfilm beginnt um acht Uhr.
The feature film starts at eight o'clock.
beginnen means to begin and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Spielfilm is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend den Spielfilm.
We are watching the feature film this evening.
heute Abend means this evening and sehen means to watch or see. Den Spielfilm is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Nach dem Spielfilm gehen wir nach Hause.
After the feature film, we are going home.
nach means after in this expression and nach Hause gehen means to go home. Nach dem Spielfilm is dative because nach takes the dative for time, and the finite verb gehen is in position two after the opening phrase.
Das Ende des Spielfilms war überraschend.
The ending of the feature film was surprising.
das Ende means the ending and überraschend means surprising. Des Spielfilms is genitive because it identifies which film has the ending; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Spielfilme dieses Regisseurs sind berühmt.
This director's feature films are famous.
dieses Regisseurs means of this director and berühmt means famous. Spielfilme is the plural, formed with -e, while dieses Regisseurs is genitive possession.
die Sportsendung — sports programme, sports broadcast
Sportsendung is a compound of Sport (sport) and Sendung (broadcast or programme). It can refer to a recorded programme or to a live broadcast, depending on the context.
Die Sportsendung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The sports programme starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Sportsendung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Sportsendung heute Abend.
We are watching the sports programme tonight.
heute Abend means tonight, and sehen means watch or see. die Sportsendung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Nach der Sportsendung sprechen wir über das Spiel.
After the sports programme, we talk about the match.
nach means after, sprechen means talk, and über das Spiel means about the match. der Sportsendung is dative because nach always takes dative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two even though the sentence begins with a prepositional phrase.
Die Länge der Sportsendung war überraschend.
The length of the sports programme was surprising.
die Länge means the length, war means was, and überraschend means surprising. der Sportsendung is genitive because it identifies which programme's length is meant; the finite verb war agrees with the singular subject die Länge.
Am Wochenende laufen mehrere Sportsendungen.
Several sports programmes are on at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, laufen means are on or are being broadcast, and mehrere means several. Sportsendungen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
die Sprecherin — female speaker; female spokesperson; female spokesperson
die Sprecherin is the feminine form of der Sprecher. Its plural is Sprecherinnen, with doubled n before the plural ending -en.
Die Sprecherin begrüßt die Gäste.
The female speaker welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die Gäste are the guests. Die Sprecherin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Ich höre die Sprecherin im Radio.
I hear the female speaker on the radio.
höre means hear, and im Radio means on the radio. die Sprecherin is accusative as the direct object, but feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Sprecherin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the female speaker for her help.
danke means thank, für means for, and ihre Hilfe is her help. danken always takes the dative, so der Sprecherin is dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für requires accusative.
Die Meinung der Sprecherin ist wichtig.
The female speaker’s opinion is important.
die Meinung means the opinion, and wichtig means important. der Sprecherin is genitive and shows possession; feminine Sprecherin keeps the same noun ending in the genitive.
Die Sprecherinnen sitzen vorne im Saal.
The female speakers are sitting at the front of the hall.
sitzen means are sitting, vorne means at the front, and der Saal is the hall. Sprecherinnen is the plural with -innen; the finite verb sitzen stands in position two.
Die Sprecherin der Firma beantwortet die Fragen.
The company spokesperson answers the questions.
die Firma is the company, beantwortet means answers, and die Fragen are the questions. der Firma is genitive after Sprecherin to show whose spokesperson she is; the finite verb beantwortet is in position two.
Die Journalisten sprechen mit der Sprecherin.
The journalists speak with the spokesperson.
die Journalisten are the journalists, and sprechen means speak. mit der Sprecherin is dative because mit always takes dative; the finite verb sprechen stands in position two.
das Symbol — symbol, sign; symbol, emblem
A Symbol can be a picture, object, or sign that stands for an idea. The plural is Symbole, and the genitive is des Symbols.
Das Symbol bedeutet Frieden.
The symbol means peace.
bedeutet means means, and der Frieden means peace. Das Symbol is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb bedeutet stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Symbol auf dem Schild.
I see the symbol on the sign.
sehe means see, auf means on, and das Schild means the sign. Das Symbol is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; auf dem Schild is dative because it describes a location.
Wir folgen dem Symbol auf der Karte.
We follow the symbol on the map.
folgen means follow, and die Karte means the map. Dem Symbol is dative because folgen governs the dative; auf der Karte is also dative because it describes a location.
Die Bedeutung des Symbols ist nicht eindeutig.
The meaning of the symbol is not clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and eindeutig means clear or unambiguous. Des Symbols is genitive because it shows whose meaning it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Auf der Tafel stehen viele Symbole.
There are many symbols on the board.
die Tafel means the board, and viele means many. Symbole is plural after viele; auf der Tafel is dative because it describes where the symbols are.
Das Herz ist ein bekanntes Symbol für Liebe.
The heart is a well-known symbol of love.
das Herz means the heart, bekannt means well-known, and die Liebe means love. Das Symbol is nominative after ist; für Liebe uses the accusative after für.
Das Logo enthält mehrere Symbole.
The logo contains several symbols.
das Logo means the logo, enthält means contains, and mehrere means several. Symbole is an accusative plural object because enthalten takes the accusative; its plural ending is -e.
die Talkshow — talk show
Talkshow is a borrowed compound from English. German uses the feminine article die, and the usual plural is Talkshows.
Die Talkshow beginnt um acht Uhr.
The talk show starts at eight o'clock.
Beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Talkshow is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend eine Talkshow.
We are watching a talk show this evening.
Heute Abend means this evening, and sehen means watch or see. Eine Talkshow is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
In der Talkshow spricht die Sängerin über ihr neues Album.
In the talk show, the singer talks about her new album.
In der Talkshow means in the talk show, die Sängerin means the singer, and ihr neues Album means her new album. Der Talkshow is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Das Thema der Talkshow war sehr interessant.
The topic of the talk show was very interesting.
Das Thema means the topic, and sehr interessant means very interesting. Der Talkshow is genitive because it identifies which topic is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Talkshows laufen am Abend.
Many talk shows are on in the evening.
Viele means many, laufen means are on or run, and am Abend means in the evening. Viele Talkshows is the plural subject, so the finite verb is also plural: laufen.
telefonisch — by telephone, telephone-based
Telefonisch is often used for services or contact that happen by telephone, as opposed to persönlich, in person, or online. Comparison is grammatically possible but uncommon because this adjective usually describes a type of contact rather than a quality.
Die Beratung ist telefonisch.
The consultation is by telephone.
die Beratung means the consultation or advice. Telefonisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen eine telefonische Beratung.
We need telephone advice.
eine Beratung means a consultation or advice. Telefonische stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after eine in the accusative; brauchen takes this accusative object.
Die Kommunikation wurde immer telefonischer.
Communication became increasingly telephone-based.
die Kommunikation means communication, and immer means increasingly or ever more. Telefonischer is a comparative predicate after wurde and therefore has no noun ending; wurde is in position two.
In dieser Abteilung ist der Kontakt am telefonischsten.
In this department, contact is most telephone-based.
in dieser Abteilung means in this department, and der Kontakt means contact. The superlative am telefonischsten is predicative, so it does not take an adjective ending; am belongs to the superlative expression.
die Telefonzelle — phone booth, telephone kiosk
A Telefonzelle is a public place for making calls, although such booths are now much less common because most people use mobile phones. Do not confuse Zelle, booth or cell, with Zimmer, room.
Die Telefonzelle steht an der Ecke.
The phone booth is on the corner.
steht means is standing or is located, and an der Ecke means on the corner. Die Telefonzelle is nominative because it is the subject; an der Ecke is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich suche eine Telefonzelle.
I am looking for a phone booth.
suche means am looking for, and eine means a. Eine Telefonzelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article eine does not change between nominative and accusative.
Er steht neben der Telefonzelle.
He is standing next to the phone booth.
steht means is standing, and neben means next to. Neben der Telefonzelle is dative because neben describes a location here; a direction toward the booth would require the accusative.
Die Tür der Telefonzelle ist kaputt.
The door of the phone booth is broken.
die Tür means the door and kaputt means broken. Der Telefonzelle is genitive because it means of the phone booth; the feminine genitive article is der, while the noun itself stays unchanged.
Früher standen an jeder Straße Telefonzellen.
In the past, there were phone booths on every street.
früher means in the past, standen means stood or were located, and an jeder Straße means on every street. Telefonzellen is plural with -n; because Früher occupies position one, the finite verb standen comes before the subject.
tippen — to type, to tap
Tippen means typing text or tapping on a screen and normally takes an accusative object. It is a regular weak verb: tippen – tippte – hat getippt, with haben in the perfect.
Ich tippe eine Nachricht.
I am typing a message.
eine Nachricht means a message. Eine Nachricht is accusative because tippen takes the text as a direct object, and the finite verb tippe stands in position two.
Ich habe die Adresse getippt.
I typed the address.
die Adresse means the address. The perfect uses habe plus getippt, and the Partizip II goes to the end; die Adresse is accusative after tippen.
Sie tippte den Text langsam.
She typed the text slowly.
den Text means the text, and langsam means slowly. Tippte is the weak-verb preterite in position two, and den Text is accusative as the direct object.
Tipp deinen Namen hier ein.
Type your name here.
deinen Namen means your name, and hier means here. Tipp is the informal singular imperative and comes first; deinen Namen is accusative, while ein belongs to the separate verb eintippen.
Wenn ich schneller tippte, wäre ich früher fertig.
If I typed faster, I would be finished sooner.
schneller means faster, and früher fertig means finished sooner. The form tippte is also used for Konjunktiv II here; in the wenn clause the verb goes to the end, and wäre expresses the result.
Morgen werde ich den Bericht tippen.
Tomorrow I will type the report.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Bericht means the report. Future I uses werde in position two and the infinitive tippen at the end; den Bericht is accusative after tippen.
der Tippfehler — typing error, typo
Der Tippfehler is a compound of der Tipp (typing or tapping) and der Fehler (mistake). Its plural has no ending: die Tippfehler.
Der Tippfehler ist peinlich.
The typing error is embarrassing.
peinlich means embarrassing. Der Tippfehler is the nominative subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe einen Tippfehler.
I see a typing error.
sehe means see. Einen Tippfehler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich helfe meinem Kollegen bei einem Tippfehler.
I am helping my colleague with a typing error.
helfe means help, and mein Kollege means my male colleague. Meinem Kollegen is dative because helfen takes the dative, and bei einem Tippfehler is also dative because bei requires it.
Die Ursache des Tippfehlers ist unklar.
The cause of the typing error is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and unklar means unclear. Des Tippfehlers is genitive because it identifies the cause's error; the verb ist stands in position two.
Im Text stehen drei Tippfehler.
There are three typing errors in the text.
im Text means in the text, stehen means stand or are located, and drei means three. Tippfehler has the same form in singular and plural, so the number drei and the verb stehen show that it is plural.
twittern — to tweet, to post on Twitter
twittern means to post short messages on Twitter or X. It is a regular weak verb, takes haben in the perfect, and is not separable; the common pattern is über etwas twittern, to tweet about something.
Ich twittere jeden Abend.
I tweet every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening. The regular finite form twittere stands in position two, and the subject ich is nominative.
Sie hat über das Konzert getwittert.
She tweeted about the concert.
sie means she, über means about, and das Konzert means the concert. über das Konzert is accusative because über means about here, while getwittert goes to the end with hat.
Er twitterte aus dem Zug.
He tweeted from the train.
er means he, and aus dem Zug means from the train. twitterte is the regular simple-past form in position two; aus takes the dative, so dem Zug is dative.
Twitter nicht während der Arbeit!
Don't tweet during work!
nicht means not, während means during, and der Arbeit means work. Twitter is the singular imperative and stands first; während takes the genitive in careful standard German.
Ich würde gern über Reisen twittern.
I would like to tweet about travelling.
würde gern means would like to, and Reisen means travelling or trips. The conjugated verb würde is in position two and the infinitive twittern goes to the end; über Reisen is accusative because über means about.
Wir werden morgen über das Spiel twittern.
We will tweet about the game tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Spiel means the game. werden is in position two and the infinitive twittern goes to the end; über das Spiel is accusative because the meaning is about the game.
unterhalten — to talk, to have a conversation; to entertain
The reflexive pattern is sich mit jemandem über etwas unterhalten: mit takes the dative and über normally takes the accusative here. This meaning is about talking, not about entertaining an audience.
Wir unterhalten uns oft über unsere Reisen.
We often talk about our travels.
oft means often, and unsere Reisen means our travels. uns is accusative because the reflexive form of unterhalten uses an accusative pronoun, while über takes the accusative in this meaning; the finite verb unterhalten is in position two.
Wir haben uns gestern lange unterhalten.
We talked for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus unterhalten, and uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun; the participle stands at the end of the clause.
Sie unterhielt sich nach dem Konzert mit ihrer Schwester.
She talked with her sister after the concert.
nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and ihrer Schwester means her sister. mit always takes the dative, so ihrer Schwester is dative; unterhielt is the simple-past finite verb in position two.
Unterhalte dich mit deinen Gästen!
Talk with your guests!
deinen Gästen means your guests. mit requires the dative plural, shown by Gästen; the imperative comes first, and the reflexive pronoun dich follows it.
Ich unterhielte mich gern länger mit dir.
I would gladly talk with you for longer.
gern means gladly and länger means for longer. mit dir is dative because mit requires dative, while mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun; unterhielte expresses a hypothetical or polite situation.
Wir werden uns morgen über den neuen Plan unterhalten.
We will talk about the new plan tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and den neuen Plan means the new plan. über takes the accusative here, and the finite verb werden is in position two while the infinitive unterhalten goes to the end.
Der Clown unterhält die Kinder.
The clown entertains the children.
der Clown is a clown, and die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because this meaning of unterhalten takes a direct object; the finite verb unterhält stands in position two.
Die Musik hat die Gäste den ganzen Abend unterhalten.
The music entertained the guests all evening.
die Musik means the music, die Gäste means the guests, and den ganzen Abend means all evening. die Gäste is accusative as the direct object; the perfect uses hat, with unterhalten at the end.
die Unterhaltung — entertainment; conversation; conversation
The noun can mean entertainment or a conversation, depending on context. For a conversation, German often uses eine Unterhaltung führen or sich unterhalten.
Die Unterhaltung im Hotel ist sehr gut.
The entertainment at the hotel is very good.
im Hotel means at the hotel, and sehr gut means very good. die Unterhaltung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and gut is predicative, so it has no ending.
Wir genießen die Unterhaltung am Abend.
We enjoy the entertainment in the evening.
genießen means enjoy, and am Abend means in the evening. die Unterhaltung is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; the finite verb genießen stands in position two.
Bei der Unterhaltung mit den Gästen vergeht die Zeit schnell.
Time passes quickly during the conversation with the guests.
bei means during or with, den Gästen means the guests, and vergeht means passes. bei requires the dative, so der Unterhaltung is dative; the verb vergeht is in position two, while schnell means quickly.
Die Qualität der Unterhaltung war überraschend hoch.
The quality of the entertainment was surprisingly high.
die Qualität means the quality, and überraschend hoch means surprisingly high. der Unterhaltung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Am Wochenende gibt es viele Unterhaltungen in der Stadt.
There are many entertainment events in the city at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, viele means many, and in der Stadt means in the city. Unterhaltungen is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
Wir hatten eine interessante Unterhaltung.
We had an interesting conversation.
interessante means interesting. eine interessante Unterhaltung is accusative because hatten takes an object; the adjective has the ending -e after the feminine article eine.
Darf ich kurz mit dir eine Unterhaltung führen?
May I have a quick conversation with you?
darf ich means may I, and kurz means briefly or quick. mit dir is dative because mit requires dative, while eine Unterhaltung is accusative after führen; the infinitive führen goes to the end after the modal verb.
unterschreiben — to sign
This verb is used for signing contracts, forms, applications, and similar documents. It is a strong verb: unterschreiben – unterschrieb – hat unterschrieben; it takes an accusative object.
Ich unterschreibe den Vertrag heute.
I am signing the contract today.
der Vertrag means the contract and heute means today. den Vertrag is accusative because unterschreiben takes the document as a direct object, and the finite verb unterschreibe stands in position two.
Sie hat den Vertrag unterschrieben.
She has signed the contract.
sie means she, der Vertrag means the contract, and hat is the perfect auxiliary. den Vertrag is accusative, while unterschrieben is the Partizip II at the end of the clause; unterschreiben uses haben, not sein.
Er unterschrieb den Antrag gestern.
He signed the application yesterday.
er means he, der Antrag is an application, and gestern means yesterday. den Antrag is accusative because it is the direct object, and unterschrieb is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Unterschreib bitte hier.
Please sign here.
bitte means please and hier means here. Unterschreib is the informal du imperative; the subject is omitted, and bitte softens the command.
Ich würde den Antrag sofort unterschreiben.
I would sign the application immediately.
der Antrag means the application and sofort means immediately. den Antrag is accusative as the direct object, and würde ... unterschreiben expresses a hypothetical action with the infinitive at the end.
Wir werden den Vertrag morgen unterschreiben.
We will sign the contract tomorrow.
wir means we, der Vertrag means the contract, and morgen means tomorrow. den Vertrag is accusative, while werden is in position two and the infinitive unterschreiben goes to the end.
die Unterschrift — signature
Die Unterschrift is the written name used to approve or identify a document. Its plural is die Unterschriften; feminine nouns do not add an ending in the genitive singular: der Unterschrift.
Die Unterschrift steht unten auf dem Formular.
The signature is at the bottom of the form.
unten means at the bottom and das Formular means the form. Die Unterschrift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Bitte setzen Sie die Unterschrift hier.
Please put the signature here.
bitte means please and hier means here. die Unterschrift is accusative because it is the object of setzen, and the polite imperative places setzen first.
Ich vertraue der Unterschrift nicht.
I do not trust the signature.
ich means I and nicht means not. der Unterschrift is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object, while vertraue stands in position two.
Die Echtheit der Unterschrift ist wichtig.
The authenticity of the signature is important.
die Echtheit means authenticity and wichtig means important. der Unterschrift is genitive because it identifies whose authenticity is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf den Verträgen fehlen noch Unterschriften.
The contracts are still missing signatures.
die Verträge means the contracts, fehlen means are missing, and noch means still. Unterschriften is the plural subject, while auf den Verträgen is dative because it describes a location.
verabreden — to arrange, to agree on
For arranging a meeting with a person, German often uses the reflexive phrase sich mit jemandem verabreden. The thing arranged, such as einen Termin, is accusative.
Wir verabreden einen Termin für nächste Woche.
We arrange an appointment for next week.
einen Termin means an appointment, and nächste Woche means next week. einen Termin is accusative because verabreden takes the thing being arranged as an accusative object; the finite verb verabreden stands in position two.
Wir haben einen Termin für nächste Woche verabredet.
We arranged an appointment for next week.
einen Termin is an appointment, and nächste Woche means next week. The perfect uses haben plus verabredet; the Partizip II goes to the end, while haben stands in position two and the object is accusative.
Sie verabredete mit ihrer Freundin einen Treffpunkt.
She agreed on a meeting place with her friend.
ihre Freundin means her female friend, and ein Treffpunkt is a meeting place. mit forces the dative, so ihrer Freundin is dative; einen Treffpunkt is accusative, and the weak-verb past form verabredete is in position two.
Verabrede einen Treffpunkt mit mir!
Arrange a meeting place with me!
einen Treffpunkt means a meeting place, and mit mir means with me. The imperative addresses du and puts the accusative object after the verb; mit requires the dative mir.
Ich würde gern einen Termin mit Ihnen verabreden.
I would like to arrange an appointment with you.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mit Ihnen means with you formally. einen Termin is accusative; the polite Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and places the infinitive verabreden at the end.
Morgen werden wir den genauen Treffpunkt verabreden.
Tomorrow we will arrange the exact meeting place.
morgen means tomorrow, and der genaue Treffpunkt is the exact meeting place. Futur I puts werden in position two and the infinitive verabreden at the end; den genauen Treffpunkt is accusative.
verabschieden — to say goodbye to, to send off
The reflexive phrase sich verabschieden means to say goodbye. With another person as the direct object, jemanden verabschieden can mean to say goodbye to or formally send off that person.
Wir verabschieden uns von unseren Gästen.
We say goodbye to our guests.
unsere Gäste means our guests. In sich verabschieden, the reflexive pronoun uns is accusative, while von requires the dative unseren Gästen; the finite verb verabschieden is in position two.
Wir haben uns von unseren Gästen verabschiedet.
We said goodbye to our guests.
unsere Gäste means our guests. The perfect uses haben plus verabschiedet; uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun, von unseren Gästen is dative, and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Bürgermeister verabschiedete die langjährige Lehrerin.
The mayor said goodbye to the long-serving teacher.
der Bürgermeister is the mayor, and langjährig means long-serving. die langjährige Lehrerin is accusative as the person being sent off; the weak-verb past form verabschiedete stands in position two.
Verabschiede dich bitte von deinen Eltern!
Please say goodbye to your parents!
bitte means please, and deine Eltern means your parents. The imperative addresses du; dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while von deinen Eltern is dative because von requires the dative.
Ich würde mich gern von Ihnen verabschieden.
I would like to say goodbye to you.
gern means gladly or would like to, and von Ihnen means from you formally. The polite Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and the infinitive verabschieden at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Nach dem Essen werden wir uns verabschieden.
We will say goodbye after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal. Futur I puts werden in position two and the infinitive verabschieden at the end; nach takes the dative, and uns is the reflexive pronoun.
die Verabschiedung — farewell, send-off
die Verabschiedung can describe an ordinary farewell or an organised send-off, for example when someone retires or leaves a job. The related verb is often reflexive: sich verabschieden means to say goodbye.
Die Verabschiedung beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The farewell begins at six o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Verabschiedung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen die Verabschiedung für Freitag.
We are planning the farewell for Friday.
planen means to plan, and für Freitag means for Friday. die Verabschiedung is accusative because it is the direct object of planen; für also takes the accusative.
Viele Kollegen kommen zu der Verabschiedung.
Many colleagues are coming to the farewell.
viele Kollegen means many colleagues. The preposition zu always forces the dative, so der Verabschiedung is dative; kommen stands in position two.
Während der Verabschiedung hielt sie eine kurze Rede.
During the farewell, she gave a short speech.
während means during, and eine kurze Rede is a short speech. In careful standard German, während takes the genitive, so der Verabschiedung is genitive; the finite verb hielt is in position two.
In diesem Jahr gab es drei Verabschiedungen.
There were three farewells this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, and gab es means there were. drei Verabschiedungen is plural, formed with -en; after es gab, the thing that existed is normally in the accusative.
die Verbindung — connection, link; transport connection, service
Verbindung can mean a physical connection, a telephone or internet connection, or a transport connection. In travel contexts, eine Verbindung often means a service or route between two places.
Die Verbindung ist sehr gut.
The connection is very good.
sehr gut means very good. Die Verbindung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich prüfe die Verbindung.
I am checking the connection.
prüfe means check, and ich means I. Die Verbindung is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüfe stands in position two.
Mit der Verbindung kommen wir schnell nach Berlin.
With the connection, we can get to Berlin quickly.
mit means with, schnell means quickly, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Der Verbindung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so kommen appears before the subject wir.
Die Qualität der Verbindung ist schlecht.
The quality of the connection is poor.
die Qualität means the quality, and schlecht means poor. Der Verbindung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Heute gibt es mehrere Verbindungen nach Hamburg.
Today there are several connections to Hamburg.
heute means today, mehrere means several, and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. Mehrere Verbindungen is accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
Die nächste Verbindung fährt um acht Uhr.
The next service leaves at eight o'clock.
die nächste means the next one, and fährt um acht Uhr means leaves at eight o'clock. Die nächste Verbindung is nominative because it is the subject; fährt is in position two.
Wir nehmen die direkte Verbindung nach München.
We are taking the direct connection to Munich.
wir nehmen means we take, and direkte means direct. Die direkte Verbindung is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the definite article die.
vereinbaren — to arrange; to agree on; to agree on; to settle
For an appointment or arrangement, vereinbaren normally takes an accusative object: einen Termin vereinbaren. For agreeing with another person, use sich mit jemandem vereinbaren less commonly; the usual everyday verb for reaching an agreement is sich einigen.
Ich vereinbare einen Termin beim Arzt.
I am arranging an appointment with the doctor.
einen Termin means an appointment, beim Arzt means at the doctor’s, and Arzt means doctor. einen Termin is accusative because vereinbaren takes a direct object, while beim means bei dem and takes the dative.
Wir haben einen Termin beim Zahnarzt vereinbart.
We arranged an appointment with the dentist.
Zahnarzt means dentist, and einen Termin means an appointment. einen Termin is accusative as the object, while haben stands in position two and the Partizip II vereinbart goes to the end.
Die beiden Firmen vereinbarten einen neuen Preis.
The two companies agreed on a new price.
die beiden Firmen means the two companies, and einen neuen Preis means a new price. einen neuen Preis is accusative because it is the object of vereinbarten, a regular weak verb in the Präteritum.
Vereinbare bitte einen Gesprächstermin.
Please arrange an appointment for a conversation.
bitte means please, and einen Gesprächstermin means an appointment for a conversation. The object is accusative after vereinbare, and the subject du is normally left out in an imperative.
Wenn du früher anrufst, vereinbarst du einen Termin.
If you call earlier, you will arrange an appointment.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and anrufst means call. This sentence expresses a condition rather than true Konjunktiv II; the subordinate-clause verb anrufst goes to the end, and vereinbarst returns to position two in the main clause.
Morgen wird sie einen Termin vereinbaren.
Tomorrow she will arrange an appointment.
morgen means tomorrow, and sie means she. einen Termin is accusative because it is the object of vereinbaren; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Die Parteien vereinbaren gemeinsame Regeln.
The parties agree on common rules.
die Parteien means the parties, and gemeinsame Regeln means common rules. gemeinsame Regeln is accusative because it is the direct object of vereinbaren, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben klare Bedingungen vereinbart.
We agreed on clear conditions.
klare Bedingungen means clear conditions, and haben ... vereinbart means have agreed. klare Bedingungen is accusative as the object, while the auxiliary haben is in position two and vereinbart goes at the end.
verschicken — to send, to dispatch
Verschicken is a weak verb with the forms verschickte and hat verschickt. It takes an accusative object, and its prefix ver- is inseparable, so the verb never splits into two parts.
Der Händler verschickt die Bestellung heute.
The retailer is sending the order today.
Der Händler means the retailer, die Bestellung means the order, and heute means today. Die Bestellung is accusative because verschicken takes a direct object, and the finite verb verschickt stands in position two.
Wir haben das Paket gestern verschickt.
We sent the parcel yesterday.
das Paket is the parcel and gestern means yesterday. Das Paket is accusative because it is the object of verschicken; haben is in position two and the Partizip II verschickt goes to the end.
Der Laden verschickte alle Bestellungen am Montag.
The shop sent all the orders on Monday.
Der Laden means the shop, alle Bestellungen means all the orders, and am Montag means on Monday. Alle Bestellungen is accusative after verschicken, while the weak-verb past form verschickte stands in position two.
Verschick den Brief noch heute!
Send the letter today!
den Brief means the letter and noch heute means today still, or today without delay. Verschick is the singular du imperative; the object den Brief is accusative, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde die Unterlagen sofort verschicken.
I would send the documents immediately.
die Unterlagen means the documents and sofort means immediately. The conditional form würde ... verschicken puts the finite verb würde in position two and the infinitive at the end; die Unterlagen is accusative.
Morgen werden wir die Ware verschicken.
Tomorrow we will send the goods.
Morgen means tomorrow and die Ware means the goods or merchandise. In the future, werden stands in position two and the infinitive verschicken goes to the end; die Ware is accusative.
versenden — to send, to dispatch; to send electronically
This verb is common in postal and business language. It is a mixed verb: versandte has a changed stem, while versandt has a weak -t ending.
Die Firma versendet Pakete.
The company sends parcels.
die Firma means company, and die Pakete means parcels. Pakete is accusative because it is the direct object, and versendet is the finite verb in position two.
Wir haben den Brief versandt.
We sent the letter.
der Brief means letter. The perfect uses haben plus versandt, which goes to the end; den Brief is accusative because it is the item sent.
Das Geschäft versandte die Bestellung gestern.
The shop dispatched the order yesterday.
das Geschäft means shop, die Bestellung means order, and gestern means yesterday. Die Bestellung is accusative as the object, and versandte is in position two in the simple past.
Versende das Paket heute!
Send the parcel today!
das Paket means parcel, and heute means today. The imperative leaves out du; das Paket is accusative, and versende remains attached to the prefix ver-.
Ich würde die Unterlagen morgen versenden.
I would send the documents tomorrow.
die Unterlagen means documents, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Unterlagen is accusative because it is the object; würde expresses the hypothetical meaning and versenden goes to the end.
Wir werden die Einladung per Post versenden.
We will send the invitation by post.
die Einladung means invitation, and per Post means by post. Die Einladung is accusative, while werden is in position two and the infinitive versenden stands at the end.
Die App versendet eine Nachricht.
The app sends a message.
die App means app, and die Nachricht means message. Eine Nachricht is accusative because it is the direct object; the finite verb versendet is in position two.
Bitte versende die E-Mail an alle Kollegen.
Please send the email to all colleagues.
die E-Mail means email, and alle Kollegen means all colleagues. An alle Kollegen is accusative after an here because the message is directed to them; versende is an imperative with omitted du.
versprechen — to promise
The common pattern is jemandem etwas versprechen: the person is dative and the thing promised is accusative. In the related reflexive use sich versprechen, the meaning is to make a slip of the tongue.
Ich verspreche dir eine schnelle Antwort.
I promise you a quick answer.
dir means to you, and eine schnelle Antwort means a quick answer. Dir is dative for the person receiving the promise, while eine schnelle Antwort is accusative for the thing promised; the finite verb verspreche is in position two.
Ich habe dir eine schnelle Antwort versprochen.
I promised you a quick answer.
eine schnelle Antwort is a quick answer, and schnell means quick. Dir is dative for the person and eine schnelle Antwort is accusative for the thing; habe is in position two and the Partizip II versprochen goes to the end.
Er versprach seiner Tochter einen Ausflug.
He promised his daughter an outing.
seiner Tochter means his daughter, and ein Ausflug is an outing. Seiner Tochter is dative because she receives the promise, while einen Ausflug is accusative; versprach is the strong Präteritum form in position two.
Versprich mir bitte die Wahrheit!
Please promise me the truth!
mir means to me, bitte means please, and die Wahrheit is the truth. Mir is dative for the person and die Wahrheit is accusative for the thing promised; the singular imperative versprich has no subject pronoun.
Ich verspräche dir nichts, was ich nicht halten kann.
I would promise you nothing that I cannot keep.
nichts means nothing, halten here means keep, and kann means can. Dir is dative and nichts is accusative; verspräche expresses a hypothetical promise, while the verb in the relative clause goes to the end.
Ich werde es dir morgen versprechen.
I will promise it to you tomorrow.
es means it and morgen means tomorrow. Dir is dative and es is accusative; werde is in position two and the infinitive versprechen goes to the end of the future clause.
das Versprechen — promise, commitment
This noun comes from the verb versprechen, but it is a neuter noun: das Versprechen. Its singular and plural look identical in writing, so the article and context are important.
Das Versprechen klingt ehrlich.
The promise sounds sincere.
klingt means sounds, and ehrlich means sincere or honest. Das Versprechen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Sie hält das Versprechen seit Jahren.
She has kept the promise for years.
sie means she, hält means keeps, and seit Jahren means for years. Das Versprechen is accusative because halten takes a direct object; hält is in position two and the time phrase comes later.
Ich vertraue dem Versprechen nicht.
I do not trust the promise.
vertrauen means trust, and nicht means not. Dem Versprechen is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Versprechens ist klar.
The meaning of the promise is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Des Versprechens is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Versprechen der Politiker werden oft vergessen.
Politicians' promises are often forgotten.
der Politiker means of the politicians, oft means often, and vergessen means forgotten. Die Versprechen is nominative plural because it is the subject; werden forms the passive and the participle vergessen goes to the end.
verständlich — understandable, clear; understandable, reasonable
Verständlich describes language, explanations, or information that is easy to understand. It can also describe a reaction or reason that seems reasonable, as in Das ist verständlich.
Die Erklärung ist verständlich.
The explanation is understandable.
die Erklärung is the explanation. Verständlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist eine verständliche Erklärung.
That is an understandable explanation.
das means that, and eine Erklärung is an explanation. Verständliche stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after eine in the nominative; the verb ist links the subject and description.
Diese Anleitung ist verständlicher als die alte.
This set of instructions is easier to understand than the old one.
diese Anleitung is this set of instructions, and alt means old. The comparative verständlicher is predicative and has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Texten ist dieser am verständlichsten.
Of all the texts, this one is the easiest to understand.
von allen Texten means of all the texts, and dieser means this one. The predicative superlative uses am verständlichsten; the finite verb ist stays in position two.
Seine Angst ist verständlich.
His fear is understandable.
seine Angst means his fear. Verständlich is predicative after sein, so it does not take an adjective ending; seine shows possession and ist is in position two.
Ich finde ihre Entscheidung verständlich.
I find her decision understandable.
ihre Entscheidung means her decision, and finden means to find or consider. Ihre Entscheidung is accusative as the object of finden; verständlich describes that object and therefore remains without an ending.
die Videokamera — video camera, camcorder
Die Videokamera is a compound: Video describes the type of Kamera. The gender comes from the final part, die Kamera, so the whole word is feminine.
Die Videokamera ist neu.
The video camera is new.
neu means new. Die Videokamera is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir benutzen die Videokamera im Urlaub.
We use the video camera on holiday.
benutzen means use and im Urlaub means on holiday. Die Videokamera is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative singular.
Er arbeitet mit der Videokamera.
He is working with the video camera.
arbeiten means work and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so die Videokamera changes to der Videokamera; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Das Objektiv der Videokamera ist sehr klein.
The lens of the video camera is very small.
das Objektiv means lens, sehr klein means very small. Der Videokamera is genitive because it identifies whose lens is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Videokameras stehen im Schrank.
The video cameras are in the cupboard.
stehen means are standing or are located, im Schrank means in the cupboard, and der Schrank means cupboard. Videokameras is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -s.
vorlesen — to read aloud
Vorlesen usually has the pattern jemandem etwas vorlesen: the listener is dative and the text is accusative. It is separable in main clauses, but vorlesen stays together as an infinitive and vorgelesen stays together as the participle.
Papa liest den Kindern eine Geschichte vor.
Dad is reading the children a story aloud.
Papa is dad, den Kindern means the children, and eine Geschichte means a story. The listeners are dative and the story is accusative; liest is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin hat uns den Text vorgelesen.
The teacher read the text aloud to us.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, uns means to us, and den Text means the text. Uns is dative for the listeners and den Text is accusative; the perfect uses hat and ends with vorgelesen.
Oma las uns jeden Abend ein Märchen vor.
Grandma read us a fairy tale every evening.
Oma is grandma, jeden Abend means every evening, and ein Märchen means a fairy tale. Uns is dative and ein Märchen is accusative; the strong preterite form las is in position two and vor is separated.
Lies mir bitte diese Nachricht vor.
Please read this message aloud to me.
mir means to me, bitte means please, diese Nachricht means this message. The listener is dative and the message is accusative; the imperative separates lies from vor.
Ich läse dir das Gedicht gerne vor.
I would be happy to read the poem aloud to you.
dir means to you, das Gedicht means the poem, and gerne means gladly. The person is dative and the poem is accusative; läse is the Konjunktiv II form and vor remains at the end.
Morgen wird die Schauspielerin den Kindern ein Märchen vorlesen.
Tomorrow the actress will read the children a fairy tale aloud.
morgen means tomorrow, die Schauspielerin means the actress, and ein Märchen means a fairy tale. Den Kindern is dative and ein Märchen is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive vorlesen goes to the end.
der Vorschlag — suggestion, proposal
Vorschlag is a suggestion or proposal; the common expression is einen Vorschlag machen, literally to make a suggestion. The verb vorschlagen is different: it means to suggest something and has the irregular forms schlägt vor and vorgeschlagen.
Der Vorschlag klingt gut.
The suggestion sounds good.
klingen means to sound, and gut means good. Der Vorschlag is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Ich finde den Vorschlag interessant.
I find the suggestion interesting.
finden means to find or consider, and interessant means interesting. Den Vorschlag is accusative because it is the object of finden; interessant describes the object and has no ending after this verb.
Wir stimmen dem Vorschlag zu.
We agree with the suggestion.
zustimmen means to agree with, and wir means we. The verb zustimmen always takes dative, so dem Vorschlag is dative; in a main clause it splits into stimmen ... zu.
Die Vorteile des Vorschlags sind klar.
The advantages of the suggestion are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. Des Vorschlags is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the plural subject Vorteile takes the verb sind.
Wir sammeln Vorschläge für das Fest.
We are collecting suggestions for the party.
sammeln means to collect, and das Fest means party or celebration. Vorschläge is plural and accusative as the direct object of sammeln; the umlaut and -e form the plural, while für das Fest is also accusative after für.
vorschlagen — to suggest, to propose; to recommend
vorschlagen is separable: its present form is schlägt vor, but its infinitive and Partizip II are written together as vorschlagen and vorgeschlagen. The person receiving the suggestion is commonly dative, as in jemandem etwas vorschlagen.
Ich schlage einen neuen Termin vor.
I suggest a new date.
einen neuen Termin means a new appointment or date. It is accusative because vorschlagen takes the suggested thing as an accusative object, while the separable prefix vor goes to the end and the finite verb schlage stands in position two.
Wir haben ihr ein anderes Restaurant vorgeschlagen.
We suggested another restaurant to her.
ihr means to her, and ein anderes Restaurant means another restaurant. ihr is dative for the person receiving the suggestion, while ein anderes Restaurant is accusative; haben forms the perfect and vorgeschlagen stands at the end.
Er schlug eine kurze Pause vor.
He suggested a short break.
eine kurze Pause means a short break. schlug is the strong-verb past form, and the prefix vor separates and goes to the end of the main clause.
Schlag einen Treffpunkt vor.
Suggest a meeting place.
einen Treffpunkt means a meeting place. This is the du imperative: schlag comes first and the separable prefix vor goes to the end; the accusative marks what is being suggested.
Ich würde einen früheren Zug vorschlagen.
I would suggest an earlier train.
einen früheren Zug means an earlier train. würde plus the infinitive vorschlagen expresses a polite or hypothetical suggestion, and because the verb is at the end here, its prefix does not separate.
Sie wird uns morgen einen Plan vorschlagen.
She will suggest a plan to us tomorrow.
uns means to us, morgen means tomorrow, and einen Plan means a plan. uns is dative for the people receiving the suggestion, while einen Plan is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive vorschlagen goes to the end.
Die Ärztin schlägt eine andere Behandlung vor.
The doctor recommends a different treatment.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, and eine andere Behandlung means a different treatment. The treatment is accusative because it is what she recommends, and vor separates from schlägt and stands at the end.
Der Reiseleiter hat uns dieses Hotel vorgeschlagen.
The tour guide recommended this hotel to us.
der Reiseleiter is the tour guide, uns means to us, and dieses Hotel means this hotel. uns is dative and dieses Hotel is accusative; in the perfect, hat is in position two and vorgeschlagen is at the end.
vorstellen — to introduce, to present; to imagine; to present
For introducing a person, vorstellen takes an accusative object: jemanden vorstellen. It is separable in a main clause, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together; the perfect auxiliary is haben.
Ich stelle meine neue Kollegin vor.
I introduce my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague, and neu means new. Meine neue Kollegin is accusative because vorstellen takes the person being introduced; the finite part stelle is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Ich habe meine neue Kollegin vorgestellt.
I introduced my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. The perfect uses habe plus vorgestellt; the participle stays together at the end, and the object is accusative because vorstellen takes a direct object.
Ich stellte meine neue Kollegin vor.
I introduced my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. Stellte ... vor is the simple past, with the finite verb in position two and the separable prefix at the end; the person introduced is accusative.
Stell meine neue Kollegin vor.
Introduce my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. This is the informal singular imperative: stell comes first and the separable prefix vor goes to the end; the person introduced is accusative.
Du würdest meine neue Kollegin vorstellen.
You would introduce my new colleague.
du würdest means you would, and meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. In this würde construction, the infinitive vorstellen stays together at the end, and the person introduced is accusative.
Ich werde meine neue Kollegin vorstellen.
I will introduce my new colleague.
werde means will, and meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. Future tense uses werden plus the complete infinitive vorstellen at the end, not the split form; the object is accusative.
Ich stelle mir eine Reise nach Japan vor.
I imagine a trip to Japan.
mir means to myself, eine Reise is a trip, and nach Japan means to Japan. Mir is dative because this meaning commonly uses sich etwas vorstellen, while eine Reise is accusative; stelle ... vor shows the separated prefix.
Kannst du dir dieses Leben vorstellen?
Can you imagine this life?
dieses Leben means this life, and kannst du means can you. With the modal verb können, the infinitive vorstellen stays together at the end; dir is dative and dieses Leben is the accusative thing imagined.
Sie stellt ihr Projekt vor.
She presents her project.
ihr Projekt means her project, and stellt means presents here. Ihr Projekt is accusative because it is the thing being presented; stellt ... vor splits in the main clause.
Der Student hat seine Ergebnisse vorgestellt.
The student presented his results.
der Student is the student, and seine Ergebnisse means his results. The perfect uses hat plus vorgestellt, which stays together at the end; seine Ergebnisse is accusative as the thing presented.
die Vorstellung — idea, conception; performance, show; performance, show; introduction, presentation of a person
The sense “idea” is often used with von plus the dative, as in eine Vorstellung von etwas. Do not confuse sich etwas vorstellen, “to imagine something”, with eine Vorstellung haben, “to have an idea”.
Meine Vorstellung von einem perfekten Urlaub ist ein ruhiges Haus am Meer.
My idea of a perfect holiday is a quiet house by the sea.
perfekt means perfect, Urlaub means holiday, ruhig means quiet, and am Meer means by the sea. Meine Vorstellung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe eine ganz andere Vorstellung von diesem Projekt.
I have a completely different idea of this project.
ganz anders means completely different, and Projekt means project. Eine Vorstellung is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; diesem Projekt is dative after the preposition von.
Wir erklären dem neuen Kollegen unsere Vorstellung.
We explain our idea to the new colleague.
erklären means to explain, neu means new, and Kollege means colleague. Dem neuen Kollegen is dative because it is the person receiving the explanation, while unsere Vorstellung is accusative; the finite verb erklären is in position two.
Die Umsetzung der Vorstellung dauerte mehrere Monate.
Putting the idea into practice took several months.
Umsetzung means implementation, dauern means to last or take time, and mehrere Monate means several months. Der Vorstellung is genitive because it identifies whose implementation is meant; the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Die Vorstellungen der Kinder sind oft sehr fantasievoll.
Children’s ideas are often very imaginative.
Kinder means children, oft means often, and fantasievoll means imaginative. Die Vorstellungen is nominative plural because it is the subject, while der Kinder is genitive and means of the children.
Die Vorstellung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The performance starts at eight o’clock.
beginnen means to start, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Vorstellung is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Nach der Vorstellung gehen wir noch etwas essen.
After the performance, we are going to eat something.
nach means after, noch means still or additionally, and etwas essen means to eat something. Der Vorstellung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the verb gehen is in position two in the main clause.
Bei der ersten Vorstellung lernten sich alle Teilnehmer kennen.
At the first introduction, all the participants got to know one another.
erste means first, Teilnehmer means participants, and sich kennenlernen means to get to know one another. Der Vorstellung is dative after bei, and lernten ... kennen is a separable verb with its parts at the end of the clause.
Die Vorstellung der neuen Mitarbeiterin war sehr freundlich.
The introduction of the new female employee was very friendly.
Mitarbeiterin means female employee and freundlich means friendly. Die Vorstellung is nominative as the subject, while der neuen Mitarbeiterin is genitive and means of the new employee.
der Vortrag — talk, lecture, presentation
The most common collocation is einen Vortrag halten, literally “to hold a talk”, meaning to give a talk. A Vortrag is usually more formal and prepared than an ordinary Gespräch, or conversation.
Der Vortrag beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The talk starts at ten o’clock.
beginnen means to start and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Der Vortrag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Die Studentin hält einen Vortrag über erneuerbare Energie.
The student is giving a talk about renewable energy.
Studentin means female student, halten means to give in this expression, and erneuerbare Energie means renewable energy. Einen Vortrag is accusative because the fixed expression einen Vortrag halten contains an accusative object.
Nach dem Vortrag stelle ich dem Referenten eine Frage.
After the talk, I ask the speaker a question.
Referent means speaker or presenter, and eine Frage stellen means to ask a question. Dem Vortrag is dative after nach, and dem Referenten is also dative because it is the person receiving the question.
Die Länge des Vortrags war für alle überraschend.
The length of the talk was surprising for everyone.
Länge means length, für alle means for everyone, and überraschend means surprising. Des Vortrags is genitive because it specifies the talk’s length; war is the finite verb in position two.
Bei der Konferenz gibt es drei Vorträge.
There are three talks at the conference.
Konferenz means conference and drei means three. Vorträge is accusative plural after es gibt, because es gibt always takes an accusative object; bei der Konferenz is dative after bei.
warnen — to warn; to warn of, to signal danger
The person warned is an accusative object: jemanden warnen. A danger is introduced with vor plus dative, as in jemanden vor etwas warnen; the perfect uses haben.
Ich warne dich vor dem Hund.
I am warning you about the dog.
dich means you and der Hund means the dog. dich is accusative because it is the person warned, while vor dem Hund uses vor with the dative for the danger; the finite verb warne is in position two.
Die Polizei hat uns vor dem Sturm gewarnt.
The police warned us about the storm.
die Polizei means the police, uns means us and der Sturm is the storm. uns is accusative and vor dem Sturm is dative after vor; hat is in position two and gewarnt goes to the end.
Der Arzt warnte ihn vor zu viel Sonne.
The doctor warned him about too much sun.
der Arzt means the doctor, ihn means him and zu viel Sonne means too much sun. ihn is accusative as the person warned, while vor zu viel Sonne is a dative phrase; the regular past form warnte is in position two.
Warn deine Schwester vor dem Eis!
Warn your sister about the ice!
deine Schwester means your sister and das Eis means the ice. The imperative warn comes first, deine Schwester is accusative, and vor dem Eis is dative after vor.
Ich würde ihn vor dieser Reise warnen.
I would warn him about this trip.
ihn means him, diese Reise means this trip and würde expresses would. The infinitive warnen goes to the end after würde, while ihn is accusative and vor dieser Reise is dative after vor.
Ich werde dich rechtzeitig warnen.
I will warn you in good time.
rechtzeitig means in good time. dich is accusative because it is the person warned, and the future auxiliary werde is in position two while the infinitive warnen goes to the end.
Das Schild warnt vor Rutschgefahr.
The sign warns of a slipping hazard.
das Schild means the sign and die Rutschgefahr is a slipping hazard. vor Rutschgefahr is a dative phrase after vor, and the finite verb warnt stands in position two.
Die E-Mail hat vor einem Betrug gewarnt.
The email warned about a scam.
die E-Mail means the email and der Betrug means the scam or fraud. vor einem Betrug is dative after vor; hat is in position two and gewarnt is at the end of the perfect-tense clause.
die Warnung — warning
die Warnung can be spoken or written, or it can be a sign. It is related to warnen, and the common pattern eine Warnung vor etwas uses vor with the dative.
Die Warnung ist sehr deutlich.
The warning is very clear.
deutlich means clear. Die Warnung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese die Warnung.
I am reading the warning.
lesen means to read. die Warnung is accusative because it is the direct object of lese; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich folge der Warnung.
I follow the warning.
folgen means to follow or heed. It takes a dative object, so der Warnung is dative; the feminine dative article is der, not die.
Die Bedeutung der Warnung war unklar.
The meaning of the warning was unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and unklar means unclear. der Warnung is genitive because it identifies whose meaning it is; the finite verb war remains in position two.
Im Bahnhof hängen mehrere Warnungen.
Several warnings are posted in the station.
im Bahnhof means in the railway station and hängen means hang or are posted. Warnungen is plural after mehrere, while im Bahnhof is dative because in describes a fixed location.
das Wiederhören — hearing someone again; telephone farewell
This noun is used mainly in the fixed telephone farewell Auf Wiederhören!, literally saying that you expect to hear the person again. It normally has no plural because it names an occasion or abstract experience.
Das Wiederhören mit meiner alten Freundin war sehr schön.
Hearing my old friend again was very nice.
alte Freundin means old friend, and sehr schön means very nice. Das Wiederhören is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich freue mich auf das Wiederhören.
I look forward to hearing you again.
sich freuen means to look forward to something here, and auf means to or toward. Auf takes the accusative in this fixed expression, so the noun is das Wiederhören; the reflexive pronoun mich is also accusative.
Bei einem Wiederhören erzählen wir uns alles.
When we hear each other again, we will tell each other everything.
bei means at or on the occasion of, and erzählen means tell; alles means everything. Bei always takes the dative, so einem Wiederhören is dative, while erzählen stands in position two.
Die Freude des Wiederhörens war groß.
The joy of hearing each other again was great.
Freude means joy and groß means great. Des Wiederhörens is genitive because it explains whose or what kind of joy it is; the finite verb war is in position two.
der Witz — joke; point, meaning
Der Witz is something intended to make people laugh, especially a spoken joke. The phrase Der Witz ist, dass ... means the point is that ..., so Witz can also refer to the central point of a situation.
Der Witz ist wirklich lustig.
The joke is really funny.
wirklich means really, and lustig means funny. Der Witz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er erzählt einen Witz.
He tells a joke.
erzählt means tells, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Witz is accusative because erzählen takes the thing being told as a direct object.
Wir lachen über den Witz.
We laugh at the joke.
lachen means laugh, über means at or about here, and wir means we. In the fixed expression über etwas lachen, über takes the accusative, so den Witz is accusative; the verb lachen is in position two.
Die Pointe des Witzes kommt am Ende.
The punchline of the joke comes at the end.
die Pointe means the punchline, kommt means comes, and am Ende means at the end. Des Witzes is genitive because it identifies which punchline is meant; des Witzes has the ending -es.
Die Kinder erzählen sich Witze.
The children tell each other jokes.
die Kinder means the children, erzählen means tell, and sich means each other here. Witze is plural and accusative as the direct object, while sich is a dative reflexive pronoun showing who receives the jokes.
Der Witz an der Sache ist, dass niemand bezahlt.
The point of the matter is that nobody pays.
die Sache means the matter or situation, and niemand bezahlt means nobody pays. In der Witz an der Sache, an takes the dative because it refers to the point connected with a situation; the clause after ist explains the point.
Ich verstehe den Witz nicht.
I do not understand the point.
verstehe means understand and nicht means not. Den Witz is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; nicht comes after the object here to negate the verb phrase.
das Zeichen — sign, symbol; character; character
das Zeichen can mean a sign, symbol or signal, and its plural is also die Zeichen. In another common use, it means a written character, such as a letter or punctuation mark.
Das Zeichen bedeutet „Stopp“.
The sign means “stop”.
bedeutet means means, and Stopp means stop. Das Zeichen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb bedeutet is in position two.
Ich sehe das Zeichen an der Tür.
I see the sign on the door.
sehe means see, an der Tür means on the door, and Tür is door. das Zeichen is accusative because it is the object of sehen; an der Tür is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Er folgt dem Zeichen.
He follows the sign.
folgt means follows. dem Zeichen is dative because the verb folgen always takes a dative object, and the finite verb folgt stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Zeichens ist klar.
The meaning of the sign is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. des Zeichens is genitive because it identifies whose meaning it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Zeichen auf der Karte sind klein.
The symbols on the map are small.
auf der Karte means on the map, and klein means small. Die Zeichen is plural and therefore takes sind; the plural form looks like the singular, but the article and verb show the number.
Das Passwort hat zwölf Zeichen.
The password has twelve characters.
das Passwort means password, zwölf means twelve, and hat means has. Zeichen is plural after zwölf and is the accusative object of hat; the plural has no visible ending.
Bitte schreiben Sie jedes Zeichen genau ab.
Please copy each character exactly.
Bitte makes the request polite, jedes means each, and genau abschreiben means copy exactly. jedes Zeichen is accusative because it is the object of abschreiben; the polite command uses Sie and keeps the verb form schreiben in position two.
die Zeile — line (of text); row; row (in a table or arrangement)
A Zeile is normally a horizontal line of written text, while eine Reihe is a row or series of people or objects. In a table, Zeile can also mean a horizontal row.
Die erste Zeile ist schwer zu lesen.
The first line is difficult to read.
erste means first, schwer means difficult, and zu lesen means to read. Die erste Zeile is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two, and zu lesen follows the adjective phrase.
Bitte lesen Sie die nächste Zeile.
Please read the next line.
bitte means please, lesen Sie means read in the formal form, and nächste means next. die nächste Zeile is accusative because it is the object of lesen; in a formal command, Sie stays with the verb.
In der dritten Zeile steht ein Name.
A name appears in the third line.
dritten means third, steht means stands or appears, and ein Name means a name. in der dritten Zeile is dative because in describes a fixed location; the finite verb steht follows the fronted prepositional phrase.
Der Anfang der Zeile fehlt.
The beginning of the line is missing.
der Anfang means the beginning, and fehlt means is missing. der Zeile is genitive and means “of the line”; the finite verb fehlt is in position two.
Die Tabelle hat fünf Zeilen.
The table has five rows.
die Tabelle means the table, and fünf means five. Zeilen is the plural form and is accusative because it is the object of hat; after a number, the noun has no article.
Tragen Sie die Daten in die zweite Zeile ein.
Enter the data in the second row.
tragen Sie ... ein means enter, die Daten means the data, and zweite means second. in die zweite Zeile is accusative because it expresses movement into a row; the separable verb eintragen splits in the command.
Jede Zeile enthält sechs Namen.
Each row contains six names.
jede means each, enthält means contains, and sechs Namen means six names. Jede Zeile is nominative as the subject, while sechs Namen is accusative as the object of enthält.
die Zeitschrift — magazine, periodical
Die Zeitschrift usually means a regularly published magazine, while die Zeitung usually means a newspaper with current news.
Die Zeitschrift liegt auf dem Tisch.
The magazine is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Zeitschrift is nominative because it is the subject; the location phrase is dative.
Ich kaufe die Zeitschrift jeden Monat.
I buy the magazine every month.
kaufe means buy, and jeden Monat means every month. Die Zeitschrift is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die.
Ich gebe der Zeitschrift eine gute Bewertung.
I give the magazine a good review.
geben means give, and eine gute Bewertung means a good review. Der Zeitschrift is dative because it is the recipient, while the thing given is accusative.
Das Titelbild der Zeitschrift ist sehr farbig.
The magazine's cover picture is very colourful.
das Titelbild means the cover picture, and farbig means colourful. Der Zeitschrift is genitive because it shows which magazine the picture belongs to.
Im Wartezimmer liegen viele Zeitschriften.
There are many magazines in the waiting room.
das Wartezimmer means the waiting room, and viele means many. Zeitschriften is plural; the location phrase im Wartezimmer is dative.
Meine Mutter liest gern eine Zeitschrift beim Frühstück.
My mother likes reading a magazine at breakfast.
meine Mutter means my mother, gern means gladly or likes to, and beim Frühstück means at breakfast. Eine Zeitschrift is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb liest is in position two.
das Zeugnis — certificate; school report; testimony; testimony
The most common everyday meaning is a school or work report. In formal or legal contexts, ein Zeugnis can also be official testimony; the context tells you which meaning is intended.
Das Zeugnis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The report is on the table.
liegt means is lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Zeugnis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche das Zeugnis für die Bewerbung.
I need the certificate for the application.
brauche means need, für means for, and die Bewerbung is the application. Das Zeugnis is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für die Bewerbung is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Sie gibt dem Zeugnis eine Kopie bei.
She encloses a copy with the certificate.
gibt ... bei means encloses or adds, and eine Kopie is a copy. Dem Zeugnis is dative because it is the thing to which the copy is added; the separable verb beilegen puts bei at the end.
Die Note des Zeugnisses ist sehr gut.
The grade on the report is very good.
Die Note means the grade and sehr gut means very good. Des Zeugnisses is genitive because it means “of the report”; neuter genitive nouns commonly have the article des and an ending such as -ses.
Die Zeugnisse liegen im Sekretariat.
The reports are in the school office.
liegen means are lying and das Sekretariat is the school office. Die Zeugnisse is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Sekretariat means in dem Sekretariat, with dative for location.
Er gibt vor Gericht Zeugnis.
He gives testimony in court.
vor Gericht means in court, and gibt ... Zeugnis is a formal expression meaning gives testimony. Here Zeugnis is used without an article in a fixed expression, while vor takes the dative for a location.
Die Frau legte Zeugnis über den Unfall ab.
The woman testified about the accident.
die Frau means the woman, der Unfall is the accident, and über means about here. Zeugnis ablegen is a fixed expression; the separable verb ablegen puts ab at the end, and über den Unfall is accusative.
der Zuhörer — listener, member of an audience
A Zuhörer is a male listener or a listener whose gender is not specified. The feminine form is die Zuhörerin; the plural die Zuhörer can refer to a group of men or to a mixed group.
Der Zuhörer stellt eine wichtige Frage.
The listener asks an important question.
stellt means asks or puts, and eine wichtige Frage means an important question. Der Zuhörer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb stellt stands in position two.
Der Redner begrüßt den Zuhörer.
The speaker welcomes the listener.
der Redner means the speaker, and begrüßt means welcomes. Den Zuhörer is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich erkläre dem Zuhörer das Problem.
I explain the problem to the listener.
erkläre means explain, and das Problem means the problem. Dem Zuhörer is dative because it is the person receiving the explanation, while das Problem is the accusative thing explained.
Die Reaktion des Zuhörers war freundlich.
The listener's reaction was friendly.
die Reaktion means the reaction, and war freundlich means was friendly. Des Zuhörers is genitive to show whose reaction it was; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Zuhörer klatschen laut.
The listeners clap loudly.
klatschen means clap, and laut means loudly. Die Zuhörer is the plural nominative subject; the noun has the same written form as the singular, but the article and verb show that it is plural.
die Zuhörerin — female listener, female member of an audience
A Zuhörerin is a female listener or female audience member. Its plural is Zuhörerinnen, formed with -innen from the singular ending -in.
Die Zuhörerin macht sich Notizen.
The female listener takes notes.
macht sich Notizen means takes notes, and Notizen means notes. Die Zuhörerin is the nominative subject; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to her, and the finite verb macht is in position two.
Der Redner sieht die Zuhörerin.
The speaker sees the female listener.
der Redner means the speaker, and sieht means sees. Die Zuhörerin is accusative after sehen; feminine singular has the same article form in the nominative and accusative.
Er antwortet der Zuhörerin freundlich.
He answers the female listener in a friendly way.
antwortet means answers, and freundlich means in a friendly way. Antworten takes a dative person, so der Zuhörerin is dative; the feminine article is der in this case.
Die Frage der Zuhörerin war sehr klar.
The female listener's question was very clear.
die Frage means the question, and sehr klar means very clear. Der Zuhörerin is genitive and shows whose question it was; feminine nouns do not add an ending in the genitive, but the article changes to der.
Die Zuhörerinnen applaudieren nach dem Vortrag.
The female listeners applaud after the talk.
applaudieren means applaud, and nach dem Vortrag means after the talk. Die Zuhörerinnen is the plural nominative subject; nach takes the dative, so dem Vortrag is dative.
zusagen — to agree, to confirm, to promise; to appeal to, to suit
For confirming or promising something to someone, the person is often in the dative: jemandem zusagen. Do not confuse this separable verb with absagen, which means to cancel or decline.
Ich sage dem Gastgeber morgen zu.
I will confirm to the host tomorrow.
der Gastgeber means the host and morgen means tomorrow. Dem Gastgeber is dative because the verb refers to the person receiving the confirmation; sage is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Sie hat ihre Teilnahme zugesagt.
She confirmed that she would attend.
ihre Teilnahme means her attendance or participation. The perfect uses haben plus zugesagt at the end, and ihre Teilnahme is accusative as the thing confirmed.
Er sagte dem Verein zu.
He agreed to the club's request.
der Verein means the club or association. Dem Verein is dative for the person or group receiving the agreement; sagte is in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Sag deiner Schwester bitte zu!
Please say yes to your sister!
deine Schwester means your sister and bitte means please. Deiner Schwester is dative because she receives the agreement; the du imperative is sag, with zu at the end.
Ich würde dem Vorschlag zusagen, wenn alle einverstanden wären.
I would agree to the proposal if everyone agreed.
der Vorschlag means the proposal and einverstanden means in agreement. The complete infinitive zusagen stays at the end after würde, and dem Vorschlag is dative because it is the proposal accepted.
Wir werden dem Termin zusagen.
We will confirm the appointment.
der Termin means the appointment or scheduled time. Future tense places werden in position two and zusagen at the end; dem Termin is dative in this meaning of confirming or agreeing to something.
Das neue Hotel sagt uns zu.
We like the new hotel.
das neue Hotel means the new hotel. Uns means us and is dative because the hotel appeals to us; sagt is in position two and zu is at the end.
Der ruhige Ort hat ihr sehr zugesagt.
She liked the quiet place very much.
der ruhige Ort means the quiet place and sehr means very much. Ihr means to her and is dative because the place appeals to her; the perfect uses hat with zugesagt at the end.