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Vocab: Communication & media — B1 (1)
Communication & media vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abnehmen — to lose weight; to decrease
abnehmen is a strong separable verb: nehmen - nahm - hat genommen, with the prefix added. In the meaning ‘lose weight’ it normally has no object; with an object it can also mean ‘take something off’ or ‘remove something’.
Sie nimmt ab, weil sie gesünder isst.
She is losing weight because she is eating more healthily.
weil means because, gesünder means more healthily, and isst means eats. Nimmt ab is separable: the finite verb nimmt is in position two and ab goes to the end; in the weil clause, the finite verb isst goes to the end.
Er hat in drei Monaten fünf Kilo abgenommen.
He lost five kilos in three months.
in drei Monaten means in three months and fünf Kilo means five kilos. The verb uses haben, not sein, because this meaning describes a change in weight rather than movement; abgenommen stands at the end.
Früher nahm ab ich schnell.
I used to lose weight quickly.
früher means formerly or in the past, and schnell means quickly. Nahm ... ab is the simple past of separable abnehmen; the finite verb nahm is in position two and ab forms the end of the sentence bracket.
Nimm ab und beweg dich mehr!
Lose weight and exercise more!
beweg dich mehr means exercise more, with a reflexive dich meaning yourself. Nimm ab is the singular du imperative; the prefix ab follows the verb, and the accusative reflexive pronoun dich follows beweg.
Ich nähme ab, wenn ich weniger esse.
I would lose weight if I ate less.
wenn means if, weniger means less, and esse means ate or eat. Nähme ab is the Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical situation; the finite verb nähme is in position two, while wenn sends esse to the end of its clause.
Mit dieser Diät wird sie langsam abnehmen.
With this diet, she will slowly lose weight.
mit dieser Diät means with this diet, and langsam means slowly. Mit takes the dative, and Future I uses wird in position two with the infinitive abnehmen at the end; the infinitive is not separated.
absprechen — to arrange, to agree on; to deny someone something
In sich mit jemandem absprechen, the person after mit is dative. The verb is separable: absprechen - spricht ab - sprach ab - hat abgesprochen.
Wir sprechen den Termin ab heute.
We are arranging the date today.
der Termin means the date or appointment, and heute means today. The finite verb is in position two and the separable prefix is at the end; den Termin is accusative because etwas absprechen takes an accusative object.
Wir haben den Termin gestern abgesprochen.
We agreed on the date yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and abgesprochen means agreed or arranged. haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end; den Termin is accusative because it is the object.
Sie sprach den Ablauf mit dem Team ab.
She arranged the procedure with the team.
der Ablauf means the procedure, and das Team means the team. sprach is the irregular past form of sprechen; mit dem Team is dative because mit takes the dative, while den Ablauf is accusative.
Sprich den Plan mit deiner Schwester ab!
Agree on the plan with your sister!
der Plan means the plan, and deine Schwester means your sister. The imperative comes first and the prefix is at the end; mit deiner Schwester is dative because mit requires the dative.
Ich würde das vorher mit dir absprechen.
I would arrange that with you beforehand.
vorher means beforehand, and dir means to you. würde is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; mit dir is dative because mit takes the dative.
Wir werden die Einzelheiten morgen absprechen.
We will arrange the details tomorrow.
die Einzelheiten means the details, and morgen means tomorrow. werden is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; die Einzelheiten is accusative because it is the object.
Niemand kann ihr das Recht absprechen, ihre Meinung zu sagen.
No one can deny her the right to express her opinion.
niemand means no one, das Recht means the right, and ihre Meinung sagen means to express her opinion. ihr is dative and das Recht is accusative; after kann, the infinitive goes to the end.
Er spricht dem jungen Spieler jedes Talent ab.
He denies that the young player has any talent.
der junge Spieler means the young player, and jedes Talent means any talent. dem jungen Spieler is dative, while jedes Talent is accusative; the prefix is at the end.
anfordern — to request, to requisition
This separable verb is used especially for official requests. The requested thing is usually an accusative object, as in Unterlagen anfordern; its perfect uses haben, not sein.
Die Firma fordert neue Unterlagen an.
The company is requesting new documents.
die Firma means the company, and neue Unterlagen means new documents. neue Unterlagen is accusative because anfordern takes the requested thing as an accusative object; the finite verb fordert is in position two and the prefix an moves to the end.
Wir haben die aktuellen Daten angefordert.
We requested the current data.
die aktuellen Daten means the current data. This is the perfect: haben is in position two and angefordert is at the end; die aktuellen Daten is accusative because it is the object of anfordern.
Das Büro forderte eine Kopie an.
The office requested a copy.
das Büro means the office, and eine Kopie means a copy. In the simple past, forderte is the finite verb in position two and the prefix an goes to the end; eine Kopie is accusative as the requested object.
Fordere bitte die Rechnung an.
Please request the invoice.
bitte means please, and die Rechnung is the invoice. This is an informal singular imperative; fordere starts the clause, while the separable prefix an goes to the end, and die Rechnung is accusative.
Ich würde sofort weitere Hilfe anfordern.
I would request further assistance immediately.
sofort means immediately, and weitere Hilfe means further assistance. würde is in position two and the infinitive anfordern goes to the end; weitere Hilfe is accusative because it is the object.
Die Verwaltung wird die Akten morgen anfordern.
The administration will request the files tomorrow.
die Verwaltung means the administration, die Akten means the files, and morgen means tomorrow. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive anfordern goes to the end; die Akten is accusative.
angeben — to give, state, provide information; to boast, show off
For supplying information, angeben takes an accusative object, as in eine Adresse angeben. In the sense of boasting, it commonly appears with mit plus dative: mit seinem Geld angeben.
Er gibt an, wo er wohnt.
He states where he lives.
wo er wohnt means where he lives. Er is the subject, and gibt stands in position two while the prefix an goes to the end; in the subordinate clause, wohnt goes to the end.
Sie hat ihre Adresse angegeben.
She gave her address.
ihre Adresse means her address. Ihre Adresse is accusative because angeben takes the information as a direct object; hat is the auxiliary in position two and angegeben closes the perfect tense.
Er gab an, dass er keine Zeit hatte.
He stated that he had no time.
keine Zeit means no time, and hatte means had. The strong past form is gab, with separated an at the end of the main clause; dass sends hatte to the end of its clause.
Gib bitte deine Telefonnummer an.
Please give me your telephone number.
bitte means please, and deine Telefonnummer is your telephone number. The imperative gib is the irregular du form of geben; the separable prefix an goes at the end.
Wenn ich die genaue Zahl wüsste, gäbe ich sie an.
If I knew the exact number, I would state it.
die genaue Zahl means the exact number, and wüsste means knew. Gäbe is Konjunktiv II and expresses an unreal condition; an is separated and sie is the accusative object.
Morgen wird sie die Daten angeben.
Tomorrow she will provide the data.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Daten means the data. In the future, wird is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive angeben goes to the end, without separation.
Er gibt an, weil er ein teures Auto hat.
He shows off because he has an expensive car.
weil means because, teuer means expensive, and das Auto is a car. Gibt is in position two and an goes to the end; weil sends hat to the end of its clause.
Sie gibt gern mit ihrem neuen Handy an.
She likes showing off her new mobile phone.
gern means gladly or likes to, and ihr neues Handy means her new mobile phone. Mit forces the dative, so ihrem neuen Handy is dative; the prefix an closes the main clause.
ankündigen — to announce, to notify in advance
For a person who receives the information, use a dative object: jemandem etwas ankündigen. The announced thing is accusative, as in einen Besuch ankündigen.
Die Firma kündigt an, dass eine neue Regel gilt.
The company announces that a new rule applies.
die Firma means the company, dass means that, and gilt means applies or is valid. The finite verb kündigt is in position two and the prefix an goes directly after it; gilt moves to the end of the subordinate clause after dass.
Der Chef hat den Termin angekündigt.
The boss announced the appointment.
der Chef means the boss and der Termin means the appointment or scheduled date. den Termin is accusative because ankündigen takes a direct object; the participle angekündigt goes to the end with hat.
Die Sprecherin kündigte an, dass sich der Plan ändert.
The spokesperson announced that the plan was changing.
die Sprecherin is the spokesperson, der Plan is the plan, and ändert sich means changes. In the main clause, kündigte is in position two and an follows it; after dass, the finite verb ändert stands at the end.
Bitte kündige an, dass der Zug später kommt.
Please announce that the train is arriving later.
bitte means please, der Zug means the train, and später means later. The du imperative is kündige an, with the prefix immediately after the finite part; in the dass clause, kommt goes to the end.
Ich würde die Gäste früher ankündigen.
I would announce the guests earlier.
die Gäste means the guests and früher means earlier. die Gäste is accusative, while würde carries the conditional meaning and the infinitive ankündigen goes to the end.
Wir werden den Beginn der Sitzung ankündigen.
We will announce the beginning of the meeting.
der Beginn means the beginning and die Sitzung means the meeting. den Beginn is accusative because it is the object; werden is in position two and the infinitive ankündigen goes to the end.
die Ankündigung — announcement, advance notice
An Ankündigung is information made public before an event or change. It is the noun related to ankündigen; the plural is Ankündigungen.
Die Ankündigung kam heute Morgen.
The announcement came this morning.
heute Morgen means this morning, and kam means came. Die Ankündigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kam is in position two.
Ich habe die Ankündigung gelesen.
I read the announcement.
gelesen means read. die Ankündigung is accusative because it is the direct object of gelesen; habe is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Nach der Ankündigung wurde es ruhig.
After the announcement, it became quiet.
ruhig means quiet and wurde means became. The preposition nach takes the dative, so der Ankündigung is dative; the finite verb wurde follows the fronted phrase.
Der Inhalt der Ankündigung war unklar.
The content of the announcement was unclear.
der Inhalt means the content and unklar means unclear. der Ankündigung is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; war is the finite verb in position two.
Offizielle Ankündigungen erscheinen auf der Website.
Official announcements appear on the website.
offizielle means official, erscheinen means appear, and auf der Website means on the website. Ankündigungen is plural and nominative as the subject; the finite verb is in position two.
die Anlage — facility, installation, system; investment
In this sense, Anlage is a built technical facility or system. In technical contexts, it can mean a complete installation rather than one small machine.
Die Anlage arbeitet Tag und Nacht.
The facility operates day and night.
arbeitet means operates or works, and Tag und Nacht means day and night. Die Anlage is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Techniker prüfen die Anlage.
The technicians are checking the installation.
die Techniker means the technicians and prüfen means check or inspect. die Anlage is accusative because it is the direct object of prüfen; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Anlage vorsichtig.
We approach the facility carefully.
wir nähern uns means we approach, and vorsichtig means carefully. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so der Anlage is dative; the reflexive pronoun uns is also required.
Die Größe der Anlage überrascht mich.
The size of the facility surprises me.
die Größe means the size and überrascht means surprises. der Anlage is genitive because it specifies the facility's size, while mich is accusative because I am the person affected.
Neue Anlagen brauchen regelmäßige Wartung.
New installations need regular maintenance.
neue means new, brauchen means need, and regelmäßige Wartung means regular maintenance. Anlagen is plural and nominative as the subject; Wartung is the accusative object.
Diese Anlage bringt jedes Jahr Zinsen.
This investment earns interest every year.
diese means this, bringt means brings or earns, and Zinsen means interest. Diese Anlage is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb bringt is in position two.
Sie sucht eine sichere Anlage für ihr Geld.
She is looking for a safe investment for her money.
sucht means is looking for, sicher means safe, and ihr Geld means her money. eine sichere Anlage is accusative because it is the object of sucht; für also takes the accusative.
das Anliegen — concern; request; matter
das Anliegen is a formal or neutral word for a concern or request that someone brings forward. Its plural is also Anliegen, so the article or another determiner must show the number.
Mein Anliegen ist sehr wichtig.
My concern is very important.
mein means my, and wichtig means important. Mein Anliegen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich möchte mein Anliegen erklären.
I would like to explain my concern.
möchte means would like to, and erklären means explain. mein Anliegen is accusative as the object of erklären; the modal verb möchte is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Der Mitarbeiter hilft mir bei meinem Anliegen.
The employee helps me with my concern.
der Mitarbeiter means the employee, and hilft means helps. mir is dative because helfen governs the dative, and bei meinem Anliegen is also dative because bei requires the dative.
Die Bedeutung des Anliegens ist klar.
The importance of the concern is clear.
die Bedeutung means the importance, and klar means clear. des Anliegens is genitive because it specifies whose importance is meant; the subject Die Bedeutung controls ist.
Viele Anliegen wurden schnell bearbeitet.
Many concerns were dealt with quickly.
viele means many, wurden bearbeitet means were dealt with, and schnell means quickly. Anliegen has the same form in the singular and plural; here viele and the plural verb wurden show that it is plural.
die Anmerkung — comment, note, remark
die Anmerkung is a fairly neutral word for an added comment or note. Do not confuse it with die Bemerkung, which often refers more specifically to a spoken remark.
Die Anmerkung am Ende des Textes war hilfreich.
The comment at the end of the text was helpful.
am Ende means at the end, der Text means text, and hilfreich means helpful. Die Anmerkung is nominative because it is the subject; war is the simple-past form of sein and stands in position two.
Ich schreibe eine Anmerkung unter den Absatz.
I am writing a comment below the paragraph.
schreiben means to write, unter means under or below, and der Absatz means paragraph. eine Anmerkung is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; unter den Absatz is accusative because it describes direction or placement.
Wir widmen der Anmerkung nur wenig Zeit.
We devote very little time to the comment.
widmen means to devote, and nur wenig Zeit means very little time. der Anmerkung is dative because widmen assigns the recipient or target dative, while wenig Zeit is accusative as the amount devoted.
Der Inhalt der Anmerkung ist unklar.
The content of the comment is unclear.
der Inhalt means the content, and unklar means unclear. der Anmerkung is genitive and identifies which content is meant; Der Inhalt is nominative and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Am Rand stehen mehrere Anmerkungen.
There are several comments in the margin.
am Rand means in the margin, and mehrere means several. Anmerkungen is plural and the subject of stehen; am is short for an dem, so Rand is dative after an for a location.
die Annonce — advertisement; classified ad; notice; announcement
Annonce is a somewhat formal or old-fashioned word for an advertisement, especially a newspaper advertisement. In everyday German, Anzeige is usually more common.
Die Annonce steht in der Zeitung.
The advertisement is in the newspaper.
steht means is located or appears, and in der Zeitung means in the newspaper. Die Annonce is the nominative subject; in der Zeitung is dative because it describes a fixed location, and steht is in position two.
Ich lese die Annonce.
I am reading the advertisement.
lese means read. Die Annonce is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Er antwortet der Annonce.
He responds to the advertisement.
Er means he, and antwortet means responds or replies. Der Annonce is dative because antworten governs the dative; the finite verb antwortet stands in position two.
Der Text der Annonce ist kurz.
The text of the advertisement is short.
der Text means the text, ist means is, and kurz means short. Der Annonce is genitive because it means “of the advertisement”; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Mehrere Annoncen erschienen heute.
Several advertisements appeared today.
mehrere means several, erschienen means appeared, and heute means today. Annoncen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; erschienen stands in position two.
Die Firma veröffentlichte eine Annonce für eine neue Stelle.
The company published an advertisement for a new position.
die Firma means the company, veröffentlichte means published, eine neue Stelle means a new position, and für means for. Eine Annonce is accusative because it is the object of veröffentlichen; the finite verb veröffentlichte stands in position two.
Die Annonce informierte die Leser über den Verkauf.
The notice informed readers about the sale.
informierte means informed, die Leser means the readers, über means about, and der Verkauf means the sale. Die Annonce is the nominative subject, while die Leser is accusative; informierte stands in position two.
die Anregung — suggestion, idea, stimulus
Anregung often means a practical suggestion, but it can also mean an impulse that stimulates thought or activity. For a direct suggestion, Vorschlag is often a close synonym.
Die Anregung hilft uns bei der Planung.
The suggestion helps us with the planning.
hilft means helps, uns means us, and die Planung means the planning. Die Anregung is nominative because it is the subject; bei der Planung uses the dative after bei.
Ich finde die Anregung sehr hilfreich.
I find the suggestion very helpful.
ich finde means I find and sehr hilfreich means very helpful. Die Anregung is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the finite verb finde stands in position two.
Wir danken ihr für die Anregung.
We thank her for the suggestion.
wir danken ihr means we thank her, and für means for. Ihr is dative because danken takes the dative person, while die Anregung is accusative after für.
Die Wirkung der Anregung war überraschend stark.
The effect of the suggestion was surprisingly strong.
die Wirkung means the effect, überraschend means surprisingly, and stark means strong. Der Anregung is genitive because it identifies the suggestion whose effect is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ihre Anregungen waren sehr nützlich.
Her suggestions were very useful.
ihre means her, waren means were, and nützlich means useful. Anregungen is a plural subject and therefore takes waren; the plural ending is -en.
Der Kurs gibt mir viele Anregungen für den Alltag.
The course gives me many ideas for everyday life.
der Kurs means the course, gibt means gives, and der Alltag means everyday life. Mir is dative for the receiver, while viele Anregungen is accusative for what is given.
Hast du eine Anregung für unser nächstes Treffen?
Do you have a suggestion for our next meeting?
hast du means do you have, unser nächstes Treffen means our next meeting, and für means for. In a yes-no question, the finite verb hast comes first; eine Anregung is accusative as the thing someone has.
der Antrag — application, formal request; motion, proposal
Antrag is used for official applications and formal requests, not for an ordinary question. It commonly appears with einen Antrag stellen or einen Antrag einreichen.
Der Antrag liegt jetzt beim Amt.
The application is now at the government office.
liegt means is lying or is located, and das Amt means the government office. Der Antrag is nominative because it is the subject; beim Amt means at the office and combines bei with the dative article dem.
Ich habe den Antrag online ausgefüllt.
I filled out the application online.
online means online, and ausgefüllt means filled out. Den Antrag is accusative because ausfüllen takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and ausgefüllt goes to the end.
Die Mitarbeiterin hilft mir mit dem Antrag.
The staff member helps me with the application.
die Mitarbeiterin means the female staff member, and hilft means helps. Mit dem Antrag is dative because mit always takes the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Bearbeitung des Antrags dauert zwei Wochen.
Processing the application takes two weeks.
die Bearbeitung means processing, and dauert zwei Wochen means takes two weeks. Des Antrags is genitive because it identifies which processing is meant; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Anträge werden nächste Woche geprüft.
The applications will be checked next week.
nächste Woche means next week, and geprüft means checked or examined. Die Anträge is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive; werden carries the finite verb in position two and geprüft goes to the end.
Der Stadtrat stimmt heute über den Antrag ab.
The city council is voting on the motion today.
der Stadtrat means the city council, and abstimmen means to vote. Über den Antrag is accusative because über means “on” here; the separable verb stimmt ... ab puts ab at the end.
Der Antrag wurde mit großer Mehrheit angenommen.
The motion was accepted by a large majority.
große Mehrheit means large majority, and angenommen means accepted or approved. Der Antrag is nominative because it is the subject of the passive; wurde is the finite verb in position two and angenommen goes to the end.
auffordern — to ask, urge, or instruct; to call on, demand
The person being asked or instructed is accusative: jemanden auffordern. A common pattern is jemanden auffordern, etwas zu tun; the prefix separates in a main clause but remains attached in aufgefordert and the infinitive auffordern.
Die Lehrerin fordert die Schüler auf, leise zu sein.
The teacher asks the pupils to be quiet.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, die Schüler means the pupils, and leise means quiet. Die Schüler is accusative because auffordern takes the person being urged as a direct object; fordert is in position two, auf goes to the end, and zu sein completes the request.
Die Polizei hat ihn aufgefordert, den Raum zu verlassen.
The police told him to leave the room.
die Polizei means the police, ihn means him, and den Raum verlassen means leave the room. Ihn is accusative as the person addressed; the perfect uses hat plus aufgefordert, and zu verlassen goes to the end of the requested action.
Der Chef forderte alle Mitarbeiter auf, pünktlich zu kommen.
The boss urged all employees to arrive on time.
der Chef means the boss, alle Mitarbeiter means all employees, and pünktlich means on time. Alle Mitarbeiter is accusative after auffordern; the weak preterite is forderte, with auf separated and zu kommen at the end.
Forder ihn bitte auf, sofort zu warten.
Please ask him to wait immediately.
ihn means him, bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. Ihn is accusative because he is the person being asked; the imperative splits into forder and auf, while zu warten states what he should do.
Ich würde die Firma auffordern, den Fehler zu korrigieren.
I would urge the company to correct the mistake.
die Firma means the company, der Fehler means the mistake, and korrigieren means correct. Die Firma is accusative after auffordern; with würde, the infinitive auffordern remains whole at the end of the main clause.
Die Stadt wird die Bewohner auffordern, Wasser zu sparen.
The city will ask the residents to save water.
die Stadt means the city, die Bewohner means the residents, and Wasser sparen means save water. Die Bewohner is accusative because they are being urged; wird is in position two and the infinitive auffordern goes to the end.
Die Opposition fordert den Minister zum Rücktritt auf.
The opposition is calling on the minister to resign.
die Opposition means the opposition, der Minister means the minister, and der Rücktritt means resignation. Den Minister is accusative as the person addressed, while zum Rücktritt means to resign; the verb splits into fordert ... auf.
Der Anwalt hat die Behörde zur Herausgabe der Akten aufgefordert.
The lawyer demanded that the authority release the files.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, die Behörde means the authority, and die Herausgabe der Akten means the release of the files. Die Behörde is accusative as the institution being urged, and zur Herausgabe means to release; hat aufgefordert forms the perfect with haben.
die Aufforderung — request, instruction, demand; official demand
This word can describe a polite request, an official instruction, or a demand, depending on the situation. It is stronger and more official than a simple Bitte.
Die Aufforderung war klar.
The instruction was clear.
klar means clear. Die Aufforderung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich habe die Aufforderung sofort verstanden.
I understood the instruction immediately.
sofort means immediately and verstanden means understood. Die Aufforderung is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and verstanden goes to the end in the perfect.
Er folgte der Aufforderung ohne Protest.
He followed the instruction without protest.
folgen means to follow and ohne Protest means without protest. Der Aufforderung is dative because folgen governs the dative; the finite verb folgte is in position two.
Die Folgen der Aufforderung waren überraschend.
The consequences of the instruction were surprising.
die Folgen means the consequences and überraschend means surprising. Der Aufforderung is genitive because it shows whose consequences they were; the plural subject Folgen puts waren in position two.
Im Brief stehen mehrere Aufforderungen.
The letter contains several instructions.
im Brief means in the letter and mehrere means several. Aufforderungen is plural after mehrere; the phrase Im Brief occupies position one, so stehen comes directly after it.
Die Behörde schickte eine Aufforderung zur Zahlung.
The authority sent a demand for payment.
die Behörde means the authority and zur Zahlung means for payment. Eine Aufforderung is accusative because schickte takes the thing sent as its object; zur is short for zu der, and zu takes the dative.
Er ignorierte die Aufforderung des Gerichts.
He ignored the court's demand.
ignorierte means ignored and des Gerichts means of the court. Die Aufforderung is accusative because ignorieren takes a direct object, while des Gerichts is genitive to show who made the demand.
die Auflage — edition; print run, circulation; condition, restriction
In publishing, die Auflage is an edition or print circulation. It can also mean a requirement imposed on someone, such as eine Auflage erfüllen—to fulfil a condition.
Die Auflage des Romans ist sehr groß.
The circulation of the novel is very large.
der Roman is the novel, and sehr groß means very large. Die Auflage is nominative because it is the subject; des Romans is genitive and means of the novel, while ist stands in position two.
Der Verlag erhöht die Auflage des Magazins.
The publisher is increasing the magazine’s print run.
der Verlag is the publisher, erhöht means increases, and das Magazin is the magazine. die Auflage is accusative because erhöhen takes an accusative object; des Magazins is genitive and means of the magazine.
Mit einer höheren Auflage erreicht der Verlag mehr Leser.
With a higher circulation, the publisher reaches more readers.
höher means higher, erreicht means reaches, and die Leser are the readers. mit always takes the dative, so einer höheren Auflage is dative; the main finite verb erreicht remains in position two.
Die Höhe der Auflage bestimmt den Preis.
The size of the print run determines the price.
die Höhe is the size, bestimmt means determines, and der Preis is the price. der Auflage is genitive after die Höhe and means of the print run; den Preis is accusative because it is the object of bestimmt.
Die neuen Auflagen waren schnell ausverkauft.
The new editions sold out quickly.
neu means new, waren means were, and ausverkauft means sold out. Die neuen Auflagen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the adjective takes -en after the definite article die.
Das Gericht erteilte die Genehmigung mit einer Auflage.
The court granted the permission with a condition.
das Gericht is the court, erteilte means granted, and die Genehmigung is the permission. mit einer Auflage is dative because mit requires the dative; the finite verb erteilte is in position two.
Die Firma muss mehrere Auflagen erfüllen.
The company must fulfil several conditions.
die Firma is the company, mehrere means several, and erfüllen means fulfil. mehrere Auflagen is accusative because erfüllen takes an accusative object; with the modal muss, the infinitive goes to the end.
die Auflistung — list, listing
die Auflistung is a neutral, often formal word for a list, especially one presenting information systematically. For a simple everyday list, die Liste is usually more common.
Die Auflistung enthält alle Kosten.
The list contains all the costs.
enthält means contains, and alle Kosten means all the costs. Die Auflistung is nominative because it is the subject, while alle Kosten is accusative as the object of enthält; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich brauche eine Auflistung der wichtigsten Aufgaben.
I need a list of the most important tasks.
brauche means need, wichtigsten means most important, and die Aufgaben are the tasks. eine Auflistung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; der wichtigsten Aufgaben is a genitive phrase meaning of the most important tasks.
Mit der Auflistung konnten wir den Fehler finden.
With the list, we were able to find the error.
konnten means were able to, den Fehler is the error, and finden means find. mit der Auflistung is dative because mit requires the dative; after konnten, the infinitive finden goes to the end.
Die Qualität der Auflistung ist nicht ausreichend.
The quality of the list is not sufficient.
die Qualität is the quality, ausreichend means sufficient, and nicht means not. der Auflistung is genitive after die Qualität and means of the list; ist links the subject to the adjective in position two.
Die digitalen Auflistungen sind leicht zu durchsuchen.
The digital lists are easy to search through.
digital means digital, leicht means easy, and durchsuchen means search through. Die digitalen Auflistungen is plural nominative because it is the subject; zu durchsuchen is an infinitive phrase describing what is easy.
der Aufruf — appeal, call
An Aufruf is usually a public request for action, often published by an organisation or group. The fixed phrase Aufruf zu takes zu plus the dative, as in ein Aufruf zur Hilfe.
Der Aufruf zur Hilfe erreichte viele Menschen.
The appeal for help reached many people.
zur Hilfe means for help, and erreichen means to reach; viele Menschen means many people. der Aufruf is nominative because it is the subject, while zu in zur Hilfe governs the dative.
Die Organisation veröffentlichte den Aufruf.
The organisation published the appeal.
die Organisation is the organisation and veröffentlichen means to publish. den Aufruf is accusative because it is the object of veröffentlichte; the finite verb is in position two.
Viele Menschen folgten dem Aufruf.
Many people followed the appeal.
viele Menschen means many people and folgen means to follow. dem Aufruf is dative because folgen always takes a dative object, even though English uses “follow” without a preposition.
Die Wirkung des Aufrufs war sofort sichtbar.
The effect of the appeal was immediately visible.
die Wirkung means the effect, and sofort sichtbar means immediately visible. des Aufrufs is genitive because it identifies which appeal the effect belongs to; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Im Internet erscheinen täglich neue Aufrufe.
New appeals appear on the internet every day.
im Internet means on the internet, erscheinen means appear, and täglich means every day. Aufrufe is the plural subject, while im means in dem and is dative because it expresses location.
der Ausdruck — expression, term; facial expression; printout; printout
The meaning depends on context: der Ausdruck can be a linguistic expression, a facial expression, or a printed document. Do not confuse it with the verb ausdrücken, which means to express or squeeze out.
Dieser Ausdruck ist in Deutschland sehr gebräuchlich.
This expression is very common in Germany.
gebräuchlich means common or frequently used. Dieser Ausdruck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kenne diesen Ausdruck noch nicht.
I do not know this expression yet.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and noch nicht means not yet. diesen Ausdruck is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin erklärt mir den Ausdruck.
The teacher explains the expression to me.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, erklären means to explain, and mir means to me. mir is dative as the recipient, while den Ausdruck is accusative as what is explained.
Die Bedeutung des Ausdrucks ist unklar.
The meaning of the expression is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. des Ausdrucks is genitive because it identifies whose meaning it is; the noun gets -s in the genitive.
In diesem Text stehen viele neue Ausdrücke.
There are many new expressions in this text.
diesem Text means this text and viele neue means many new. Ausdrücke is plural after viele; in diesem Text is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Der Ausdruck liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The printout is on the desk.
liegt means is lying, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Der Ausdruck is nominative because it is the subject, while auf dem Schreibtisch is dative because it describes a location.
Kannst du mir den Ausdruck geben?
Can you give me the printout?
Kannst du means can you, geben means give, and mir means to me. mir is dative for the recipient and den Ausdruck is accusative for the thing given; the modal verb kannst is in position two and geben goes to the end.
ausdrücken — to express; to squeeze out; to squeeze out
In the meaning express, ausdrücken takes an accusative object such as eine Meinung or Gefühle. Do not confuse it with ausdrucken, which means to print out; the umlaut changes the meaning.
Sie drückt ihre Meinung klar aus.
She expresses her opinion clearly.
ihre Meinung means her opinion and klar means clearly. ihre Meinung is accusative because ausdrücken takes the expressed idea as a direct object; drückt is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Er hat seine Gefühle offen ausgedrückt.
He expressed his feelings openly.
seine Gefühle means his feelings and offen means openly. The perfect uses haben plus ausgedrückt at the end; seine Gefühle is accusative as the thing expressed.
Ich drückte meinen Wunsch deutlich aus.
I clearly expressed my wish.
mein Wunsch means my wish and deutlich means clearly. The weak preterite is drückte; meinen Wunsch is accusative, and aus is separated to the end.
Drück deine Meinung aus.
Express your opinion.
deine Meinung means your opinion. This is the du imperative; drück comes first and aus comes last, while deine Meinung is accusative.
Ich würde meine Kritik vorsichtiger ausdrücken.
I would express my criticism more cautiously.
meine Kritik means my criticism and vorsichtiger means more cautiously. würde ausdrücken describes a hypothetical action; the infinitive stays together at the end, and meine Kritik is accusative.
Du wirst deine Meinung bald ausdrücken.
You will express your opinion soon.
bald means soon and deine Meinung means your opinion. Future uses wirst plus the infinitive ausdrücken at the end; deine Meinung is accusative.
Bitte drück die Zitrone aus.
Please squeeze the lemon.
bitte means please and die Zitrone is the lemon. die Zitrone is accusative as the object being squeezed; in the imperative, drück comes first and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die Zahnpasta ausgedrückt.
She squeezed out the toothpaste.
die Zahnpasta is toothpaste, and hat ... ausgedrückt means squeezed out. The perfect uses haben; the object die Zahnpasta is accusative and the Partizip II goes to the end.
die Auseinandersetzung — dispute, argument; engagement with an issue
The noun can mean a quarrel or a serious examination of a topic. The second meaning is often used with mit: eine Auseinandersetzung mit einem Thema.
Die Auseinandersetzung beginnt heute.
The dispute begins today.
beginnt means begins and heute means today. Die Auseinandersetzung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich vermeide die Auseinandersetzung.
I avoid the dispute.
vermeide means avoid. Die Auseinandersetzung is accusative because vermeiden takes a direct object; the finite verb remains in position two.
Nach der Auseinandersetzung sprechen sie wieder miteinander.
After the dispute, they speak to each other again.
nach means after, sprechen means speak, wieder means again, and miteinander means with each other. Nach governs the dative, so the feminine article is der; the verb comes second after the fronted phrase.
Die Folgen der Auseinandersetzung waren schwer.
The consequences of the dispute were serious.
die Folgen means consequences and schwer means serious or severe. Der Auseinandersetzung is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they were; the finite verb waren is in position two.
Viele Auseinandersetzungen enden ohne Lösung.
Many disputes end without a solution.
viele means many, enden means end, ohne means without, and die Lösung means solution. Viele Auseinandersetzungen is plural nominative as the subject, and ohne Lösung is an accusative phrase after ohne.
ausführlich — detailed, thorough; in detail
Ausführlich can describe something with many details or describe an action done in detail. Its regular comparison is ausführlicher, am ausführlichsten.
Die Erklärung ist ausführlich.
The explanation is detailed.
die Erklärung is the explanation, and ist means is. Ausführlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie schreibt eine ausführliche E-Mail.
She is writing a detailed email.
schreibt means writes, and eine E-Mail is an email. Ausführliche describes the feminine accusative object eine E-Mail, so it takes -e after the indefinite article; schreibt is in position two.
Dieser Bericht ist ausführlicher als der alte.
This report is more detailed than the old one.
dieser Bericht means this report, and der alte means the old one. Ausführlicher is predicative after sein and is followed by als for comparison; predicative adjectives do not take an ending.
Die neue Studie erklärt das Problem am ausführlichsten.
The new study explains the problem in the greatest detail.
die neue Studie is the new study, erklärt means explains, and das Problem is the problem. Das Problem is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; am ausführlichsten is the adverbial superlative and stays unchanged.
die Ausgabe — edition, issue; expense, expenditure; output, displayed result
In this sense, Ausgabe refers to one published version or issue. It is often used with von or a genitive phrase to say what publication it belongs to.
Die Ausgabe erscheint nächste Woche.
The issue comes out next week.
erscheint means comes out or is published, and nächste Woche means next week. Die Ausgabe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erscheint stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Ausgabe am Bahnhof.
I am buying the issue at the station.
kaufe means buy, am Bahnhof means at the station, and der Bahnhof is the train station. Die Ausgabe is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine nominative and accusative forms look identical.
Ich gebe der Ausgabe ein neues Cover.
I am giving the issue a new cover.
geben means give, ein neues Cover is a new cover, and neu means new. Der Ausgabe is dative as the recipient or affected thing after geben, while ein neues Cover is the accusative thing being given.
Der Titel der Ausgabe steht auf der Vorderseite.
The title of the issue is on the front page.
der Titel means the title, steht means is written or stands, and die Vorderseite is the front page or front side. Der Ausgabe is genitive because it specifies which issue the title belongs to; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending change.
Im Laden liegen verschiedene Ausgaben.
Various issues are lying in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and verschiedene means various. Ausgaben is the plural of Ausgabe and takes the plural ending -n; verschiedene has a plural adjective ending.
Die Ausgabe mit dem Interview ist sehr interessant.
The issue with the interview is very interesting.
mit dem Interview means with the interview, and interessant means interesting. Die Ausgabe is the subject, while mit dem Interview uses dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Unsere Ausgaben sind in diesem Monat höher.
Our expenses are higher this month.
unsere means our, in diesem Monat means this month, and höher means higher. Ausgaben is plural and nominative as the subject; in takes the dative here because this describes a fixed time, not movement.
Wir müssen die Ausgabe für die Reparatur bezahlen.
We have to pay the expense for the repair.
müssen means have to, die Reparatur is the repair, and bezahlen means pay. Die Ausgabe is accusative after bezahlen; with the modal müssen, the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
Die Ausgabe des Programms enthält einen Fehler.
The program's output contains an error.
das Programm is the program, enthält means contains, and der Fehler is the error. Die Ausgabe des Programms is the subject, with des Programms in the genitive to show whose output it is; enthält is in position two.
Bitte prüfen Sie die Ausgabe auf dem Bildschirm.
Please check the output on the screen.
bitte prüfen Sie is the formal command please check, auf dem Bildschirm means on the screen, and der Bildschirm is the screen. Die Ausgabe is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; auf dem Bildschirm is dative because it describes a fixed location.
ausrichten — to organize, host; to pass on, tell someone
In this sense, ausrichten means to organize or host an event and takes an accusative object, as in eine Feier ausrichten. It is a separable verb: richtet ... aus in a main clause but ausrichten as an infinitive or ausgerichtet as a participle.
Der Verein richtet morgen ein Fest aus.
The club is hosting a party tomorrow.
der Verein means the club, morgen means tomorrow, and ein Fest means a party. ein Fest is accusative because ausrichten takes a direct object; the finite part richtet is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Der Verein hat ein großes Fest ausgerichtet.
The club hosted a big party.
ein großes Fest means a big party. ausgerichtet is the Partizip II and stays together in the perfect; it combines with haben, and the participle goes to the end.
Der Verein richtete letztes Jahr ein Fest aus.
The club hosted a party last year.
letztes Jahr means last year and ein Fest means a party. The weak past form richtete is in position two, while the separable prefix aus goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Richte bitte die Feier aus!
Please organize the celebration!
bitte means please and die Feier means the celebration. This is the informal singular imperative: richte comes first and the prefix aus goes to the end; the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde gern die Hochzeit ausrichten.
I would like to host the wedding.
ich würde gern means I would like to and die Hochzeit means the wedding. die Hochzeit is accusative, and the whole infinitive ausrichten stays together at the end after würde; do not split it here.
Nächsten Sommer wird unser Verein ein Turnier ausrichten.
Next summer our club will host a tournament.
nächsten Sommer means next summer, unser Verein means our club, and ein Turnier means a tournament. In the future, wird is in position two and the unsplit infinitive ausrichten goes to the end; the event is an accusative object.
Kannst du ihm bitte ausrichten, dass ich später komme?
Can you please tell him that I will come later?
ihm means to him, bitte means please, and später means later. The person receiving the message is dative after jemandem etwas ausrichten; after kannst, the infinitive ausrichten goes to the end and remains unsplit.
Ich richte deiner Mutter liebe Grüße aus.
I send your mother my best wishes.
deiner Mutter means to your mother and liebe Grüße means best wishes or kind regards. The person is dative and liebe Grüße is accusative; richte stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
der Auszug — move out, moving out; excerpt; account statement
Der Auszug can also mean an excerpt from a text or a printed account statement. The sense is usually clear from words such as Wohnung, Buch, or Konto.
Der Auszug ist für Samstag geplant.
The move-out is planned for Saturday.
für Samstag means for Saturday, and geplant means planned. Der Auszug is nominative because it is the subject, while für takes the accusative.
Wir organisieren den Auszug.
We are organising the move.
wir means we and organisieren means organise. Den Auszug is accusative because organisieren takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Nach dem Auszug war die Wohnung leer.
After the move, the flat was empty.
nach means after, die Wohnung is the flat, and leer means empty. Dem Auszug is dative because nach always takes the dative.
Das Datum des Auszugs steht im Vertrag.
The date of the move is in the contract.
das Datum is the date, steht means is written or stands, and der Vertrag is the contract. Des Auszugs is genitive because it means of the move and shows possession.
Die Auszüge aus den Wohnungen beginnen im Sommer.
The move-outs from the flats begin in summer.
aus den Wohnungen means from the flats, beginnen means begin, and im Sommer means in summer. Die Auszüge is plural and is the subject; aus takes the dative.
Der Auszug aus dem Buch ist sehr interessant.
The excerpt from the book is very interesting.
aus dem Buch means from the book, and interessant means interesting. Der Auszug is nominative because it is the subject, while aus takes the dative.
Ich brauche einen Auszug von meinem Konto.
I need a statement from my bank account.
brauche means need, mein Konto is my bank account, and von means from. Einen Auszug is accusative after brauchen, while von meinem Konto uses the dative after von.
befragen — to question, to interview, to survey
befragen takes the person questioned directly in the accusative: jemanden befragen. It is regular and has no ge- in the Partizip II: befragen – befragte – hat befragt.
Die Polizei befragt den Zeugen.
The police are questioning the witness.
die Polizei is the police and der Zeuge is the witness. den Zeugen is accusative because the person questioned is the direct object; befragt stands in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Zeugen befragt.
The police questioned the witness.
die Polizei is the police and der Zeuge is the witness. The perfect uses hat ... befragt, with no ge- after be-; den Zeugen is accusative and befragt goes to the end.
Die Journalistin befragte mehrere Experten.
The journalist questioned several experts.
die Journalistin is the journalist, mehrere means several, and die Experten are the experts. mehrere Experten is accusative as the direct object, and befragte is in position two.
Befrage den Nachbarn vorsichtig!
Question the neighbour carefully!
der Nachbar is the neighbour and vorsichtig means carefully. den Nachbarn is accusative because he is being questioned; the imperative befrage comes first.
Ich würde zuerst die Zeugin befragen.
I would question the female witness first.
zuerst means first and die Zeugin is the female witness. die Zeugin is accusative as the direct object; würde ... befragen expresses a hypothetical plan, with the infinitive at the end.
Der Ausschuss wird die Ministerin befragen.
The committee will question the minister.
der Ausschuss is the committee and die Ministerin is the minister. die Ministerin is accusative because she is the person questioned; wird is in position two and befragen goes to the end.
begründen — to justify, to give reasons for
begründen usually takes an accusative object: etwas begründen means to justify or explain something with reasons. It is not the same as simply erklären, which can explain how something works without necessarily defending it.
Sie begründet ihre Entscheidung mit den hohen Kosten.
She justifies her decision by citing the high costs.
ihre Entscheidung means “her decision”, and die hohen Kosten means “the high costs”. Mit means “with” or “by citing”; it takes the dative, so den hohen Kosten is dative plural, while ihre Entscheidung is accusative because begründen takes an accusative object.
Wir haben den Antrag gut begründet.
We gave good reasons for the application.
der Antrag means “the application”, and gut means “well”. The perfect uses haben plus begründet; the finite verb haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Autor begründete seine Kritik mit mehreren Beispielen.
The author justified his criticism with several examples.
der Autor is “the author”, seine Kritik is “his criticism”, and mehreren Beispielen means “several examples”. Seine Kritik is accusative after begründete, while mit forces the dative plural mehreren Beispielen.
Begründe bitte deine Meinung.
Please give reasons for your opinion.
bitte means “please”, and deine Meinung means “your opinion”. The imperative Begründe addresses du, whose pronoun is omitted; deine Meinung is accusative because it is the object of the verb.
Er würde seine Entscheidung anders begründen, wenn er mehr Zeit hätte.
He would justify his decision differently if he had more time.
anders means “differently”, and mehr Zeit means “more time”. Würde ... begründen expresses a hypothetical situation; hätte is at the end of the wenn clause because subordinate clauses send the finite verb to the end.
Die Sprecherin wird den Plan morgen begründen.
The spokeswoman will justify the plan tomorrow.
die Sprecherin means “the spokeswoman”, der Plan means “the plan”, and morgen means “tomorrow”. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive begründen at the end; den Plan is accusative.
bekanntgeben — to announce, to make known
bekanntgeben is a separable and irregular verb: gibt bekannt – gab bekannt – hat bekanntgegeben. It normally takes an accusative object for the information announced.
Die Sprecherin gibt die Ergebnisse morgen bekannt.
The spokesperson will announce the results tomorrow.
die Sprecherin is the spokesperson and die Ergebnisse are the results. die Ergebnisse is accusative because it is what is announced; the finite part gibt is in position two and the prefix bekannt stands at the end.
Die Stadt hat die neuen Regeln bekanntgegeben.
The city has announced the new rules.
die Stadt means the city and die neuen Regeln means the new rules. The perfect uses hat plus bekanntgegeben with haben, and the Partizip II stands at the end; die neuen Regeln is accusative.
Der Minister gab den Termin gestern bekannt.
The minister announced the date yesterday.
der Minister means the minister, der Termin means the date, and gestern means yesterday. den Termin is accusative because it is the announced information, while gab is in position two and bekannt is separated to the end.
Gib den Namen sofort bekannt.
Announce the name immediately.
der Name means the name and sofort means immediately. The imperative has the bare form gib, and the separable prefix bekannt goes to the end; den Namen is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr wüsste, würde ich es sofort bekanntgeben.
If I knew more, I would announce it immediately.
wenn means if, mehr means more, and sofort means immediately. In the wenn-clause the finite verb wüsste goes to the end; in the main clause würde is in position two and the whole infinitive bekanntgeben stays together at the end.
Die Firma wird die Zahlen nächste Woche bekanntgeben.
The company will announce the figures next week.
die Firma means the company, die Zahlen means the figures, and nächste Woche means next week. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive bekanntgeben at the end; die Zahlen is accusative.
beklagen — to complain about; to lament
For “to complain,” beklagen is normally reflexive: sich über etwas beklagen, with über taking the accusative here. It can also be transitive without sich when it means to lament or criticize something.
Sie beklagt sich über den Lärm.
She is complaining about the noise.
der Lärm means the noise. sich beklagen über means complain about, and den Lärm is accusative because über has this meaning with the accusative; beklagt stands in position two.
Er hat sich über die langen Wartezeiten beklagt.
He complained about the long waiting times.
lange Wartezeiten means long waiting times. The perfect uses hat and beklagt with haben; sich is the reflexive pronoun, and über die langen Wartezeiten is an accusative prepositional phrase.
Die Kundin beklagte sich über den schlechten Service.
The customer complained about the poor service.
die Kundin means the female customer and schlechter Service means poor service. den schlechten Service is accusative after über in this meaning, and the regular past form beklagte is in position two.
Beklag dich nicht über jede Kleinigkeit.
Do not complain about every little thing.
jede Kleinigkeit means every little thing, and nicht means not. The imperative is beklag plus the reflexive dich; jede Kleinigkeit is accusative after über.
Wenn ich mich beschweren müsste, würde ich mich über den Preis beklagen.
If I had to complain, I would complain about the price.
sich beschweren means to complain, müsste means would have to, and der Preis means the price. In the conditional main clause, würde is in position two and the infinitive beklagen goes to the end; über den Preis is accusative after über.
Der Kunde wird sich über die Rechnung beklagen.
The customer will complain about the bill.
der Kunde means the customer and die Rechnung means the bill. Future tense places wird in position two and beklagen at the end; sich is reflexive and die Rechnung is accusative after über.
benachrichtigen — to notify, to inform
The person notified is an accusative object: jemanden benachrichtigen. The topic is often introduced by über plus the accusative, and the inseparable prefix be- means the Partizip II has no ge-.
Wir benachrichtigen die Kunden über die Änderung.
We are notifying the customers about the change.
die Kunden means the customers, die Änderung means the change, and über means about. Die Kunden is accusative because benachrichtigen takes the person notified as its direct object; über die Änderung is also accusative after über, and benachrichtigen stands in position two.
Die Firma hat alle Kunden benachrichtigt.
The company notified all the customers.
die Firma means the company, and alle means all. The perfect uses hat plus benachrichtigt at the end; alle Kunden is the accusative object, and benachrichtigt has no ge- because of be-.
Der Arzt benachrichtigte die Familie.
The doctor notified the family.
der Arzt means the doctor, and die Familie means the family. Die Familie is accusative as the person informed, while the regular past verb benachrichtigte stands in position two.
Benachrichtige mich bitte sofort.
Please notify me immediately.
mich means me, bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. This informal command starts with benachrichtige; mich is accusative because it is the person being notified.
Wenn sie mich früher benachrichtigen würde, könnte ich helfen.
If she notified me earlier, I could help.
früher means earlier, könnte means could, and helfen means to help. The infinitive benachrichtigen goes to the end of the subordinate clause after würde; mich is the accusative person notified.
Ich werde dich morgen benachrichtigen.
I will notify you tomorrow.
dich means you, and morgen means tomorrow. Future uses werde in position two and benachrichtigen at the end; dich is accusative because it is the direct object.
beraten — to advise, to counsel
Beraten is used for giving advice, often professionally. The person advised is usually an accusative object: jemanden beraten.
Die Ärztin berät den Patienten.
The doctor advises the patient.
die Ärztin is a female doctor and der Patient is the patient. Den Patienten is accusative because beraten takes the person being advised as a direct object, and the finite verb berät stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat den Patienten beraten.
The doctor advised the patient.
hat ... beraten means advised, and der Patient is the patient. Den Patienten is accusative because it is the object of beraten; hat is in position two and the Partizip II beraten goes to the end.
Die Ärztin beriet den Patienten ausführlich.
The doctor advised the patient in detail.
ausführlich means in detail, and der Patient is the patient. Den Patienten is accusative because beraten takes an accusative object, while the simple-past verb beriet stands in position two.
Berate mich bitte vor der Entscheidung.
Please advise me before the decision.
mich means me, bitte means please, and die Entscheidung is the decision. Mich is accusative because it is the person receiving the advice; the imperative berate comes first and the subject du is left out.
Wenn ich mehr wüsste, beriete ich dich besser.
If I knew more, I would advise you better.
wenn means if, mehr means more, and besser means better. Dich is accusative because it is the person advised; beriete is the Konjunktiv II form and stands at the end of the wenn-clause.
Die Expertin wird mich morgen beraten.
The expert will advise me tomorrow.
die Expertin is the female expert and morgen means tomorrow. Mich is accusative because it is the object of beraten; wird stands in position two and the infinitive beraten goes to the end.
das Beratungsgespräch — consultation meeting, advice session
Das Beratungsgespräch is a specific meeting for giving or receiving advice. The first part, Beratung, means advice or consultation, while Gespräch means conversation.
Das Beratungsgespräch dauert eine Stunde.
The consultation meeting lasts one hour.
dauert means lasts and eine Stunde means one hour. Das Beratungsgespräch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich habe das Beratungsgespräch morgen.
I have the consultation meeting tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and haben means have. Das Beratungsgespräch has the same form in the nominative and accusative because it is neuter; here it is the accusative object of habe.
Bei dem Beratungsgespräch mache ich Notizen.
I take notes during the consultation meeting.
bei dem Beratungsgespräch means during or at the consultation meeting, and Notizen are notes. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Beratungsgespräch is dative; mache stands in position two after the opening phrase.
Das Ergebnis des Beratungsgesprächs war hilfreich.
The result of the consultation meeting was helpful.
das Ergebnis means the result and hilfreich means helpful. Des Beratungsgesprächs is genitive because it means of the consultation meeting; the neuter noun adds -s and war stands in position two.
Die Beratungsgespräche finden jeden Montag statt.
The consultation meetings take place every Monday.
jeden Montag means every Monday, and finden ... statt means take place. Die Beratungsgespräche is plural and nominative as the subject; the separable verb stattfinden puts finden in position two and statt at the end.
berichten — to report, to give an account; to tell someone about something
With a subject, berichten commonly takes über plus the accusative or von plus the dative. It is a weak verb with hat berichtet in the perfect.
Die Zeitung berichtet über den Unfall.
The newspaper reports on the accident.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and der Unfall is the accident. über takes the accusative here, so den Unfall is accusative; the finite verb berichtet stands in position two.
Die Zeitung hat über den Unfall berichtet.
The newspaper reported on the accident.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and der Unfall is the accident. über forces the accusative den Unfall; hat is the auxiliary in position two and berichtet goes to the end.
Die Zeitung berichtete gestern über den Unfall.
The newspaper reported on the accident yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der Unfall is the accident. über takes the accusative den Unfall, while the weak-verb form berichtete stands in position two.
Berichte bitte über den Unfall!
Please report on the accident!
bitte means please, and der Unfall is the accident. über takes the accusative den Unfall; the imperative berichte stands at the beginning.
Wenn sie über den Unfall berichten würde, wären alle informiert.
If she were to report on the accident, everyone would be informed.
wenn means if, der Unfall is the accident, and informiert means informed. über forces the accusative den Unfall; in the wenn clause, the infinitive berichten stands before würde at the end.
Die Zeitung wird morgen über den Unfall berichten.
The newspaper will report on the accident tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Unfall is the accident. über takes the accusative den Unfall; wird stands in position two and the infinitive berichten goes to the end.
Er berichtet seiner Chefin von dem Gespräch.
He tells his boss about the conversation.
seiner Chefin means to his female boss, and das Gespräch is the conversation. seiner Chefin is dative because she receives the report, and von takes the dative dem Gespräch.
Bitte berichten Sie uns von Ihrer Reise.
Please tell us about your trip.
bitte means please, uns means to us, and Ihre Reise is your trip. uns is dative as the recipient, while von forces the dative Ihrer Reise; the polite command uses berichten Sie.
der Bescheid — official notice; official decision; information; word (in fixed expressions)
Der Bescheid is an official letter or decision, often from a government office, insurance company, or other authority. It is more formal than a normal Brief and may tell you whether an application was accepted.
Der Bescheid ist heute gekommen.
The official notice arrived today.
heute means today, and gekommen means arrived or came. Der Bescheid is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two and gekommen goes to the end in the perfect.
Ich habe den Bescheid gelesen.
I read the official notice.
gelesen means read. Den Bescheid is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Ich widerspreche dem Bescheid.
I object to the official decision.
widersprechen means to object or appeal against, and dem Bescheid means the official decision. This verb always takes the dative, so dem Bescheid is not accusative; the finite verb widerspreche stands in position two.
Die Begründung des Bescheids ist unklar.
The reasoning in the official notice is unclear.
die Begründung means the reasoning or justification, and unklar means unclear. Des Bescheids is genitive because it identifies whose reasoning is meant; the subject is die Begründung, so ist stands in position two.
Die Behörde verschickt die Bescheide per Post.
The authority sends out the official notices by post.
die Behörde is the authority, verschicken means to send out, and per Post means by post. Die Bescheide is plural accusative because it is the direct object of verschickt; the finite verb is in position two.
Weißt du Bescheid?
Do you know what’s going on?
weißt du means do you know, and the expression Bescheid wissen means to know what is going on or to be informed. Bescheid has no article in this fixed phrase; the finite verb weißt comes first because the sentence is a yes-or-no question.
Sag mir bitte Bescheid, wenn du ankommst.
Please let me know when you arrive.
bitte means please, mir means to me, and ankommen means to arrive. In jemandem Bescheid sagen, the person informed is dative, so mir is dative; wenn du ankommst is a subordinate clause, so ankommst goes to the end.
die Beschimpfung — insult, verbal abuse
A Beschimpfung is an insulting remark or act of verbally attacking someone. It is a noun made from beschimpfen, to insult, and often refers to a specific offensive comment.
Die Beschimpfung war völlig ungerecht.
The insult was completely unfair.
war means was, völlig means completely, and ungerecht means unfair. Die Beschimpfung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich habe die Beschimpfung gehört.
I heard the insult.
habe ... gehört means have heard, and gehört is heard. die Beschimpfung is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the perfect auxiliary habe is in position two and gehört goes to the end.
Er widerspricht der Beschimpfung.
He objects to the insult.
widerspricht means objects to or contradicts. The verb widersprechen takes the dative, so der Beschimpfung has the dative article der; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Ursache der Beschimpfung ist unklar.
The cause of the insult is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, ist means is, and unklar means unclear. der Beschimpfung is genitive because it specifies the cause of what; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Solche Beschimpfungen sind nicht erlaubt.
Insults like that are not allowed.
solche means such, and nicht erlaubt means not allowed. Beschimpfungen is a plural subject, so it takes sind rather than ist; the plural article is not needed after solche.
beschuldigen — to accuse, to blame
beschuldigen takes the accused person in the accusative and often uses the pattern jemanden des Diebstahls beschuldigen. It is stronger and more formal than simply saying that someone made a mistake.
Die Polizei beschuldigt den Mann des Diebstahls.
The police accuse the man of theft.
die Polizei means the police, der Mann means the man, and der Diebstahl means theft. den Mann is accusative because beschuldigen takes the person accused as a direct object, while des Diebstahls is genitive in the fixed pattern jemanden des Diebstahls beschuldigen; the finite verb beschuldigt is in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Mann des Diebstahls beschuldigt.
The police have accused the man of theft.
die Polizei is the police, der Mann is the man, and der Diebstahl is theft. den Mann is accusative because it is the object of beschuldigen, and des Diebstahls is genitive in the fixed pattern; hat is in position two and the Partizip II beschuldigt goes to the end.
Der Nachbar beschuldigte mich ohne Beweise.
The neighbour accused me without evidence.
der Nachbar means the neighbour, mich means me, and ohne Beweise means without evidence. mich is accusative because it is the person accused, and beschuldigte is a regular Präteritum form in position two.
Beschuldige niemanden ohne Beweise!
Do not accuse anyone without evidence!
niemanden means nobody or anyone, and ohne Beweise means without evidence. The imperative beschuldige addresses one person informally; niemanden is accusative because it is the direct object, and ohne also requires the accusative.
Ich würde ihn nicht beschuldigen, wenn ich keine Beweise hätte.
I would not accuse him if I had no evidence.
ihn means him, keine Beweise means no evidence, and wenn means if. ihn is accusative as the direct object; würde beschuldigen expresses an unreal or cautious idea, while hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Der Staatsanwalt wird den Angeklagten beschuldigen.
The public prosecutor will accuse the defendant.
der Staatsanwalt means the public prosecutor, and der Angeklagte means the defendant. den Angeklagten is accusative because it is the person accused; wird stands in position two and the infinitive beschuldigen goes to the end.
die Beschwerde — complaint
A Beschwerde can be a formal complaint to a company or authority, or a complaint about a physical problem. The common phrase eine Beschwerde einreichen means to submit a complaint.
Die Beschwerde ist berechtigt.
The complaint is justified.
berechtigt means justified or legitimate. Die Beschwerde is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; berechtigt is a predicative adjective after sein.
Ich schreibe heute eine Beschwerde.
I am writing a complaint today.
schreibe means write and heute means today. eine Beschwerde is accusative because it is the direct object of schreiben; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kunden die Beschwerde zurück.
I give the complaint back to the customer.
geben means give, dem Kunden means to the customer, and zurück means back. dem Kunden is dative as the recipient, while die Beschwerde is accusative as the thing given; the separable verb zurückgeben places zurück at the end.
Der Inhalt der Beschwerde ist verständlich.
The content of the complaint is understandable.
der Inhalt means the content and verständlich means understandable. der Beschwerde is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; the subject is Der Inhalt, so the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben drei Beschwerden erhalten.
We received three complaints.
drei means three and erhalten means received. drei Beschwerden is plural and accusative because it is the object of erhalten; haben is in position two and erhalten goes to the end in the perfect.
besprechen — to discuss; to talk over
Besprechen takes an accusative object for the topic being discussed, as in ein Problem besprechen. It is a strong verb: besprechen – besprach – hat besprochen; the prefix be- is inseparable and therefore does not take ge- in the Partizip II.
Wir besprechen das Problem morgen.
We will discuss the problem tomorrow.
wir means “we”, das Problem means “the problem”, and morgen means “tomorrow”. Das Problem is accusative because besprechen takes the thing discussed as a direct object, and the finite verb besprechen stands in position two.
Wir haben den neuen Plan besprochen.
We discussed the new plan.
den neuen Plan means “the new plan”. The perfect uses haben and besprochen; the auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II besprochen goes to the end, while den neuen Plan is accusative.
Die beiden Kollegen besprachen den Vertrag ausführlich.
The two colleagues discussed the contract in detail.
die beiden Kollegen means “the two colleagues”, den Vertrag means “the contract”, and ausführlich means “in detail”. Besprachen is the preterite form; den Vertrag is accusative because it is the object of besprechen.
Besprich das bitte mit deiner Lehrerin.
Please discuss that with your teacher.
das means “that”, bitte means “please”, and deiner Lehrerin means “your teacher”. Besprich is the du imperative; das is accusative, while mit forces the dative.
Ich würde das zuerst mit dir besprechen.
I would discuss that with you first.
zuerst means “first”, and mit dir means “with you”. Würde ... besprechen expresses a hypothetical action; mit takes the dative, so dir is dative, and the infinitive goes to the end.
Wir werden die Einzelheiten später besprechen.
We will discuss the details later.
die Einzelheiten means “the details”, and später means “later”. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive besprechen at the end; die Einzelheiten is accusative.
bestätigen — to confirm, to verify
Use etwas bestätigen for confirming a fact, appointment, reservation, or receipt. Unlike many German verbs, the Partizip II is bestätigt, without ge-, because verbs ending in -ieren do not take ge-.
Das Hotel bestätigt die Reservierung per E-Mail.
The hotel confirms the reservation by email.
das Hotel is the hotel, die Reservierung is the reservation, and per E-Mail means by email. Die Reservierung is accusative because it is the direct object; bestätigt stands in position two.
Das Hotel hat die Reservierung per E-Mail bestätigt.
The hotel has confirmed the reservation by email.
das Hotel means the hotel, die Reservierung means the reservation, and per E-Mail means by email. The perfect uses hat plus bestätigt at the end; the reservation is the accusative object.
Das Hotel bestätigte die Reservierung gestern.
The hotel confirmed the reservation yesterday.
das Hotel is the hotel, die Reservierung is the reservation, and gestern means yesterday. The regular past form bestätigte is in position two, and the reservation is accusative.
Bestätige bitte den Termin!
Please confirm the appointment!
bitte means please, and der Termin is the appointment. Bestätige is the du imperative and comes first; den Termin is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde den Termin heute bestätigen.
I would confirm the appointment today.
ich means I, würde means would, der Termin means the appointment, and heute means today. The infinitive bestätigen goes to the end after würde, while den Termin is accusative.
Das Hotel wird den Termin morgen bestätigen.
The hotel will confirm the appointment tomorrow.
das Hotel means the hotel, der Termin means the appointment, and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses wird with bestätigen at the end; the appointment is an accusative object.
die Bestätigung — confirmation
A Bestätigung can be spoken or written; in everyday situations it is often a message confirming an appointment or reservation. Do not confuse it with Bestimmung, which means rule, provision, or purpose.
Die Bestätigung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The confirmation is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Bestätigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich habe die Bestätigung gelesen.
I have read the confirmation.
ich means I, gelesen means read, and haben is the auxiliary here. Die Bestätigung is accusative because lesen takes it as its direct object; gelesen goes to the end in the perfect.
Ich vertraue der Bestätigung nicht.
I do not trust the confirmation.
ich means I, vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Der Bestätigung is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Der Inhalt der Bestätigung ist klar.
The content of the confirmation is clear.
der Inhalt means the content, and klar means clear. Der Bestätigung is genitive and expresses whose content it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Bestätigungen kommen per E-Mail.
The confirmations arrive by email.
kommen means arrive or come, and per E-Mail means by email. Die Bestätigungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, so the verb is kommen, not singular kommt.
die Betonung — emphasis; stress; stress, accent in pronunciation
Die Betonung can mean emphasis on an idea or stress on a syllable. The context shows whether it concerns communication or pronunciation.
Die Betonung liegt auf dem letzten Wort.
The emphasis is on the last word.
liegt means lies, and das letzte Wort means the last word. Die Betonung is nominative because it is the subject; dem letzten Wort is dative because auf describes a location here, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich höre die Betonung des Satzes.
I hear the emphasis of the sentence.
höre means hear, and der Satz means sentence. Die Betonung is accusative because hören takes a direct object; des Satzes is genitive and means of the sentence, while höre is in position two.
Mit der Betonung kann man die Bedeutung verändern.
With emphasis, you can change the meaning.
mit means with, die Bedeutung means the meaning, and verändern means change. Der Betonung is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and verändern goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Wirkung der Betonung ist deutlich.
The effect of the emphasis is clear.
die Wirkung means the effect, and deutlich means clear. Der Betonung is genitive after die Wirkung and means of the emphasis; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Manchmal sind verschiedene Betonungen möglich.
Sometimes different emphases are possible.
manchmal means sometimes, verschiedene means different, and möglich means possible. Betonungen is plural and is the subject, so the verb is sind; the plural is formed with -en.
Die Betonung liegt bei diesem Wort auf der ersten Silbe.
The stress in this word is on the first syllable.
bei diesem Wort means in this word, and die erste Silbe means the first syllable. Diesem Wort is dative because bei always takes the dative; auf der ersten Silbe also describes a location, and liegt is in position two.
Eine falsche Betonung kann das Wort schwer verständlich machen.
Incorrect stress can make the word difficult to understand.
falsch means incorrect, kann means can, and schwer verständlich means difficult to understand. Eine falsche Betonung is nominative, while das Wort is accusative after machen; kann is in position two and machen goes to the end.
bewerben — to apply (for), to advertise
For applying, the usual form is reflexive: sich um etwas bewerben. The preposition um takes the accusative, while bei is used for the organisation and takes the dative.
Ich bewerbe mich um eine Stelle.
I am applying for a position.
mich means myself, and eine Stelle means a position or job. Mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while um eine Stelle uses accusative after um; the finite verb bewerbe is in position two.
Ich habe mich um die Stelle beworben.
I applied for the position.
die Stelle means the position. The perfect uses habe plus beworben, with the Partizip II at the end; mich is the reflexive pronoun and um die Stelle is accusative.
Er bewarb sich bei einer internationalen Firma.
He applied to an international company.
bei einer internationalen Firma means at an international company. Bei always takes the dative, while sich is the reflexive pronoun; the strong past form bewarb stands in position two.
Bewirb dich noch heute!
Apply today!
noch heute means today still, or today without delay. Bewirb is the du imperative, and dich is required as the accusative reflexive pronoun; the pronoun follows the verb.
Wenn ich mehr Erfahrung hätte, würde ich mich dort bewerben.
If I had more experience, I would apply there.
mehr Erfahrung means more experience, and dort means there. The wenn clause sends hätte to the end; würde is in position two and the infinitive bewerben closes the main clause.
Sie wird sich um ein Praktikum bewerben.
She will apply for an internship.
ein Praktikum means an internship. Future uses wird in position two and bewerben at the end; sich is the reflexive pronoun and um ein Praktikum is accusative.
das Bewerbungsschreiben — application letter, cover letter
This compound combines Bewerbung, an application, with Schreiben, a letter or piece of writing. It is usually written as one word and is neuter because the final part Schreiben is neuter.
Das Bewerbungsschreiben ist fertig.
The application letter is finished.
fertig means finished or ready. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich überarbeite das Bewerbungsschreiben.
I am revising the application letter.
überarbeiten means to revise or edit, and ich means I. das Bewerbungsschreiben is accusative because überarbeiten takes a direct object; the finite verb überarbeite is in position two.
Ich füge dem Bewerbungsschreiben einen Lebenslauf bei.
I enclose a CV with the application letter.
beifügen means to enclose or add, and einen Lebenslauf is a CV. dem Bewerbungsschreiben is dative because beifügen uses dative for the recipient or thing receiving the addition; the separable verb has füge in position two and bei at the end.
Die Qualität des Bewerbungsschreibens ist wichtig.
The quality of the application letter is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. des Bewerbungsschreibens is genitive because it specifies whose quality is meant; the noun gets -s in the genitive singular.
Viele Bewerbungsschreiben enthalten ähnliche Sätze.
Many application letters contain similar sentences.
viele means many, enthalten means contain, and ähnliche Sätze means similar sentences. Bewerbungsschreiben has the same form in the singular and plural, so the article or another determiner shows the number.
bezeichnen — to call, to describe, to designate
Bezeichnen takes an accusative object and often uses als to give the description or role: jemanden als Experten bezeichnen. Do not confuse it with zeichnen, which means to draw.
Viele Menschen bezeichnen ihn als Experten.
Many people call him an expert.
viele Menschen means many people, ihn means him, and Experte means expert. Ihn is accusative because bezeichnen takes an accusative object; als Experten gives the name or role, and the finite verb bezeichnen is in position two.
Die Zeitung hat den Film als Meisterwerk bezeichnet.
The newspaper called the film a masterpiece.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, den Film is the film, and Meisterwerk means masterpiece. Den Film is accusative because bezeichnen takes an accusative object; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II bezeichnet goes to the end.
Der Arzt bezeichnete die Verletzung als harmlos.
The doctor described the injury as harmless.
der Arzt is the doctor, die Verletzung is the injury, and harmlos means harmless. Die Verletzung is accusative because it is the object of bezeichnete; the finite verb is in position two, and als harmlos describes the injury.
Bezeichne bitte das Bild genau.
Please describe the picture precisely.
bitte means please, das Bild is the picture, and genau means precisely. Das Bild is accusative because bezeichnen takes an accusative object; the imperative bezeichne stands first and the understood subject is du.
Ich würde diese Entscheidung nicht als Fehler bezeichnen.
I would not call this decision a mistake.
diese Entscheidung means this decision, Fehler means mistake, and nicht means not. Diese Entscheidung is accusative because it is the object of bezeichnen; würde ... bezeichnen expresses a hypothetical judgment, with the infinitive at the end.
Man wird das später anders bezeichnen.
People will describe that differently later.
man means people or one, später means later, and anders means differently. Das is accusative as the object of bezeichnen; the finite auxiliary wird is in position two and the infinitive bezeichnen goes to the end.
das Briefpapier — writing paper, stationery
Briefpapier is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For individual sheets, say ein Blatt Briefpapier or Briefpapierblätter in a specialised context.
Das Briefpapier ist sehr schön.
The writing paper is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Das Briefpapier is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich benutze das Briefpapier für die Einladung.
I use the writing paper for the invitation.
benutze means use and die Einladung is the invitation. Das Briefpapier is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; für also forces accusative before die Einladung.
Ich schreibe auf dem Briefpapier.
I am writing on the writing paper.
schreibe means write. Auf dem Briefpapier means on the writing paper; auf takes the dative because the writing happens on a fixed surface, and the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Briefpapiers passt zum Umschlag.
The colour of the writing paper matches the envelope.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches, and der Umschlag is the envelope. Des Briefpapiers is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; zum Umschlag is dative because zu forces the dative.
die Broschüre — brochure, booklet
Die Broschüre is usually a short information publication. Do not confuse it with das Buch, which is normally longer and more substantial.
Die Broschüre erklärt das neue Programm.
The brochure explains the new programme.
erklärt means “explains”, and das neue Programm means “the new programme”. Die Broschüre is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Ich lese die Broschüre im Zug.
I am reading the brochure on the train.
lese means “read”, and im Zug means “on the train”. Die Broschüre is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; im Zug is a shortened form of in dem Zug and gives the location.
Mit der Broschüre kann man sich anmelden.
You can register using the brochure.
mit means “with/using”, and sich anmelden means “register”. Mit always takes the dative, so the article is der; kann is in position two and the infinitive anmelden goes to the end.
Der Titel der Broschüre ist sehr lang.
The title of the brochure is very long.
der Titel means “the title”, and sehr lang means “very long”. Der Broschüre is genitive because it identifies which publication has the title; the verb ist agrees with der Titel.
Am Eingang liegen kostenlose Broschüren.
Free brochures are lying at the entrance.
am Eingang means “at the entrance”, liegen means “are lying”, and kostenlose means “free”. Broschüren is the plural form; because the sentence starts with a location phrase, the finite verb liegen still occupies position two.
das Callcenter — call centre
Callcenter is a compound of Call, a telephone call, and Center, a centre. German commonly uses this English-derived business word; its plural is normally unchanged.
Das Callcenter arbeitet auch am Wochenende.
The call centre also operates at the weekend.
arbeitet means operates or works, auch means also, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Das Callcenter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Firma eröffnet ein neues Callcenter.
The company is opening a new call centre.
die Firma is the company, eröffnet means opens, and neu means new. ein neues Callcenter is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains ein, but the adjective has -es.
Viele Kunden warten im Callcenter auf eine Antwort.
Many customers are waiting in the call centre for an answer.
viele Kunden means many customers, warten means wait, and eine Antwort is an answer. im Callcenter means in dem Callcenter and is dative because it describes a fixed location; auf eine Antwort is accusative after warten auf.
Die Leitung des Callcenters ist überlastet.
The call centre’s line is overloaded.
die Leitung means the line or management, and überlastet means overloaded. des Callcenters is genitive because it identifies which line is meant; the singular noun takes -s.
Die Callcenter suchen neue Mitarbeiter.
The call centres are looking for new employees.
suchen means are looking for and neue Mitarbeiter means new employees. Callcenter is plural here even though its form does not change; die or the plural verb suchen makes this clear.
das Couvert — envelope
Das Couvert means “envelope” and is particularly common in Switzerland; in much of Germany, der Briefumschlag is more usual. Its plural and genitive singular are both Couverts.
Das Couvert liegt auf dem Tisch.
The envelope is lying on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Das Couvert is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location.
Bitte leg den Brief in das Couvert.
Please put the letter into the envelope.
leg means “put,” den Brief is “the letter,” and bitte means “please.” Das Couvert is accusative after in because the letter is moving into it; leg is a singular imperative.
Ich klebe eine Marke auf das Couvert.
I am sticking a stamp onto the envelope.
klebe means “stick,” eine Marke is “a stamp,” and auf means “onto” here. In this direction sense, auf takes the accusative, so das Couvert is accusative rather than dative.
Die Farbe des Couverts ist blau.
The colour of the envelope is blue.
Die Farbe means “the colour,” and blau means “blue.” Des Couverts is genitive because it shows what the colour belongs to, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Couverts liegen neben den Briefen.
The envelopes are lying next to the letters.
liegen means “are lying,” and neben den Briefen means “next to the letters.” Die Couverts is plural nominative because it is the subject, while neben takes the dative for a fixed location.
darstellen — to represent, to present, to depict; to portray, to play
Darstellen is separable: in a main clause, dar moves to the end, as in stellt ... dar. It takes an accusative object and uses haben in the perfect; for a person’s appearance, darstellen can also mean “portray.”
Die Grafik stellt die Ergebnisse dar.
The chart presents the results.
die Grafik is the chart and die Ergebnisse are the results. Die Ergebnisse is accusative because darstellen takes a direct object; as a separable verb, stellt is in position two and dar goes to the end.
Der Bericht hat die Lage klar dargestellt.
The report presented the situation clearly.
der Bericht is the report, die Lage is the situation, and klar means clearly. The perfect uses hat ... dargestellt with haben; the Partizip II goes to the end, and die Lage is accusative.
Die Ausstellung stellte das Leben früherer Generationen dar.
The exhibition presented the lives of earlier generations.
die Ausstellung is the exhibition, das Leben is the life or lives, and früherer Generationen means of earlier generations. The simple-past form splits into stellte ... dar in the main clause; früherer Generationen is a genitive description of whose lives are meant.
Stell den Ablauf bitte genau dar.
Please explain the process precisely.
der Ablauf is the process or sequence of events, bitte means please, and genau means precisely. This informal singular command omits du; stell comes first and the separable dar goes to the end, while den Ablauf is accusative.
Ich würde den Plan anders darstellen.
I would present the plan differently.
der Plan is the plan and anders means differently. Würde ... darstellen expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive stays together at the end, and den Plan is accusative.
Wir werden die Zahlen in einer Tabelle darstellen.
We will present the figures in a table.
die Zahlen are the figures or numbers and die Tabelle is the table. In the future, werden is finite in position two and the infinitive darstellen goes to the end; in einer Tabelle is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Die Schauspielerin stellt eine mutige Ärztin dar.
The actress portrays a brave doctor.
die Schauspielerin is the actress, mutig means brave, and die Ärztin is the female doctor. The object eine mutige Ärztin is accusative; stellt ... dar is split because the verb is separable in this main clause.
Er hat in dem Film einen Detektiv dargestellt.
He portrayed a detective in the film.
der Film is the film and der Detektiv is the detective. The perfect is hat ... dargestellt, with the whole Partizip II at the end; einen Detektiv is accusative because it is the role he portrayed.
die Darstellung — presentation, representation; depiction, portrayal
Die Darstellung is often used for a clear presentation of information, especially in reports, diagrams, or explanations. The related verb is separable darstellen; the plural is Darstellungen.
Die Darstellung der Ergebnisse ist sehr übersichtlich.
The presentation of the results is very clear.
die Ergebnisse are the results and übersichtlich means clear and easy to understand. Die Darstellung is nominative because it is the subject; der Ergebnisse is genitive and specifies what is being presented.
Ich finde die Darstellung zu kompliziert.
I find the presentation too complicated.
finden means to find or consider, and kompliziert means complicated. Die Darstellung is accusative because it is the direct object of finde; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit der Darstellung kann jeder die Zahlen verstehen.
With the presentation, everyone can understand the figures.
mit means with, jeder means everyone, die Zahlen are the figures, and verstehen means to understand. Mit always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the modal-like phrase kann ... verstehen places the infinitive at the end.
Die Qualität der Darstellung hängt vom Inhalt ab.
The quality of the presentation depends on the content.
die Qualität is the quality, abhängen von means to depend on, and der Inhalt is the content. Der Darstellung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; hängt ... ab is the separable verb abhängen, and vom Inhalt means von dem Inhalt.
Die neuen Darstellungen sind online verfügbar.
The new presentations are available online.
neu means new, online means online, and verfügbar means available. Darstellungen is plural and adds -en; the plural subject takes the verb sind, and neuen has the adjective ending after die understood from the noun phrase.
Das Gemälde zeigt eine Darstellung einer alten Stadt.
The painting shows a depiction of an old city.
das Gemälde is the painting, zeigen means to show, alt means old, and die Stadt is the city. Eine Darstellung is accusative after zeigt; einer alten Stadt is genitive after the noun Darstellung and means “of an old city.”
Ihre Darstellung der Königin war beeindruckend.
Her portrayal of the queen was impressive.
ihre means her, die Königin is the queen, and beeindruckend means impressive. Ihre Darstellung is nominative because it is the subject; der Königin is genitive and identifies the person portrayed.
das Dia — slide, transparency
A Dia is a photographic slide, especially one used in a slide projector. It is an older technology today, so Dias often occurs when people discuss old photographs or presentations.
Das Dia zeigt unsere alte Wohnung.
The slide shows our old flat.
zeigt means shows, unsere alte Wohnung means our old flat, and alt means old. Das Dia is nominative because it is the subject, and zeigt stands in position two.
Ich lege das Dia auf den Projektor.
I put the slide on the projector.
lege means put or place, and der Projektor means projector. Das Dia is accusative because it is the object of legen; auf den Projektor is also accusative because it expresses movement towards a surface.
Wir betrachten dem Dia?
We look at the slide.
betrachten means look at or examine. This verb normally takes an accusative object, so the natural sentence is Wir betrachten das Dia; a dative form is not appropriate here.
Die Farbe des Dias ist verblasst.
The colour of the slide has faded.
die Farbe means colour, verblasst means has faded, and ist means is. Des Dias is genitive because it identifies the slide's colour; the genitive singular and plural have the same form, but the article des identifies the genitive.
Die alten Dias liegen im Schrank.
The old slides are in the cupboard.
alten means old, liegen means are lying, and der Schrank means cupboard. Dias is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Schrank is dative because in expresses location here.