Appearance
Vocab: Communication & media — B1 (2)
Communication & media vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Dialekt — dialect; regional way of speaking
A Dialekt is a regional variety of a language, not necessarily an incorrect way of speaking. The plural is Dialekte, and the genitive is des Dialekts.
Der Dialekt klingt für mich freundlich.
The dialect sounds friendly to me.
klingen means to sound, and freundlich means friendly. Der Dialekt is nominative as the subject, while für mich means for me and uses the accusative after für.
Ich verstehe den Dialekt nicht gut.
I do not understand the dialect very well.
verstehen means to understand, and nicht gut means not well. Den Dialekt is accusative because it is the object of verstehen; the finite verb verstehe is in position two.
Viele Wörter gehören dem Dialekt.
Many words belong to the dialect.
viele Wörter means many words, and gehören means to belong to. Dem Dialekt is dative because gehören takes a dative object; this is a common case pattern learners must memorize.
Die Aussprache des Dialekts ist schwer.
The pronunciation of the dialect is difficult.
die Aussprache is the pronunciation, and schwer means difficult. Des Dialekts is genitive because it identifies the dialect’s pronunciation; the noun takes -s.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Dialekte.
There are many dialects in Germany.
Deutschland is Germany, and viele means many. In es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, so viele Dialekte is accusative plural even though the plural article is not shown.
Meine Großmutter spricht im Dialekt.
My grandmother speaks in dialect.
meine Großmutter means my grandmother, and sprechen means to speak. Im Dialekt is short for in dem Dialekt and is dative because it describes the manner or setting, not movement into a place.
Kinder lernen Dialekte oft von ihrer Familie.
Children often learn dialects from their family.
Kinder are children, lernen means to learn, and oft means often. Dialekte is accusative as the object of lernen, while von ihrer Familie uses the dative after von.
der Dialog — dialogue, conversation; spoken lines, dialogue
A Dialog is a conversation, often one intended to exchange ideas or resolve a problem. The common collocation is einen Dialog führen, to conduct a dialogue.
Der Dialog beginnt um neun Uhr.
The dialogue begins at nine o’clock.
beginnen means to begin, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Dialog is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Beide Seiten suchen den Dialog.
Both sides are seeking dialogue.
beide Seiten means both sides, and suchen means to seek or look for. Den Dialog is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen.
Die Minister geben dem Dialog eine neue Chance.
The ministers are giving the dialogue a new chance.
die Minister are the ministers, geben means to give, and eine neue Chance is a new chance. Dem Dialog is dative as the recipient, while eine neue Chance is accusative.
Das Ende des Dialogs überrascht alle.
The end of the dialogue surprises everyone.
das Ende is the end, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Dialogs is genitive because it says which dialogue the end belongs to; the noun takes -s.
Offene Dialoge helfen bei Konflikten.
Open dialogues help with conflicts.
offen means open, helfen means to help, and der Konflikt is a conflict. Dialoge is the plural subject; bei Konflikten is dative after bei, meaning in dealing with conflicts.
Der Schauspieler spricht seinen Dialog sehr leise.
The actor speaks his dialogue very quietly.
der Schauspieler is the actor, leise means quietly, and sehr means very. Seinen Dialog is accusative because it is the object of sprechen in this meaning; the possessive form seinen agrees with masculine accusative.
Die Dialoge im Film sind witzig.
The dialogue in the film is funny.
im Film means in the film, and witzig means funny. Dialoge is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; im is short for in dem.
die Dokumentation — documentation; documentary; documentary
The word can mean written or digital documentation, but it can also mean a documentary film or television programme. The plural is Dokumentationen, not an English-style form.
Die Dokumentation erklärt den Klimawandel.
The documentation explains climate change.
erklärt means explains, and der Klimawandel means climate change. Die Dokumentation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Ich lese die Dokumentation vor dem Kurs.
I read the documentation before the course.
lese means read, vor dem Kurs means before the course, and Kurs is a class or course. Die Dokumentation is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; vor takes the dative here because it describes time, not movement.
Wir arbeiten mit der Dokumentation.
We work with the documentation.
arbeiten means work, and mit means with. Der Dokumentation is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Qualität der Dokumentation ist sehr gut.
The quality of the documentation is very good.
die Qualität means quality, and sehr gut means very good. Der Dokumentation is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma veröffentlicht neue Dokumentationen.
The company publishes new documents.
die Firma means company, veröffentlicht means publishes, and neue means new. Dokumentationen is plural and accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object; the plural article is die.
Am Abend sehe ich eine Dokumentation über Wölfe.
In the evening I watch a documentary about wolves.
am Abend means in the evening, sehe ich means I watch, and über Wölfe means about wolves. Eine Dokumentation is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic.
Die Dokumentation über das Meer war beeindruckend.
The documentary about the sea was impressive.
über das Meer means about the sea, and beeindruckend means impressive. Die Dokumentation is nominative as the subject of war; the past-tense verb stays in position two.
der Dolmetscher — interpreter
A Dolmetscher translates spoken language, while a Übersetzer usually translates written texts. The plural is unchanged: der Dolmetscher, die Dolmetscher.
Der Dolmetscher übersetzt die Rede.
The interpreter translates the speech.
übersetzt means translates, and die Rede means the speech. Der Dolmetscher is nominative as the subject, while die Rede is accusative because übersetzen takes a direct object.
Die Firma sucht einen Dolmetscher.
The company is looking for an interpreter.
die Firma means the company, and sucht means is looking for. Einen Dolmetscher is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to einen.
Wir danken dem Dolmetscher für seine Hilfe.
We thank the interpreter for his help.
danken means thank, für seine Hilfe means for his help, and Hilfe means help. Dem Dolmetscher is dative because danken governs the dative; für takes the accusative.
Die Arbeit des Dolmetschers war sehr wichtig.
The interpreter's work was very important.
die Arbeit means the work, and wichtig means important. Des Dolmetschers is genitive because it shows whose work is meant; this noun takes -s, not -n, in the genitive.
Die Dolmetscher arbeiten heute in mehreren Sprachen.
The interpreters are working today in several languages.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and mehreren Sprachen means several languages. Dolmetscher is plural without an ending; in mehreren Sprachen is dative because it describes the working context.
die Dolmetscherin — female interpreter
Die Dolmetscherin is the feminine form of der Dolmetscher. Its plural is Dolmetscherinnen, with the double n before the plural ending.
Die Dolmetscherin übersetzt die Rede.
The interpreter translates the speech.
übersetzt means translates, and die Rede means the speech. Die Dolmetscherin is nominative as the subject; die Rede is accusative because übersetzen takes a direct object.
Die Firma sucht eine Dolmetscherin.
The company is looking for an interpreter.
die Firma means the company, and sucht means is looking for. Eine Dolmetscherin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; feminine eine looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Dolmetscherin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the interpreter for her help.
danken means thank, für ihre Hilfe means for her help, and Hilfe means help. Der Dolmetscherin is dative because danken governs the dative; für takes the accusative.
Die Arbeit der Dolmetscherin war sehr wichtig.
The interpreter's work was very important.
die Arbeit means the work, and wichtig means important. Der Dolmetscherin is genitive because it shows whose work is meant; feminine nouns do not add an ending in this case.
Die Dolmetscherinnen arbeiten heute in mehreren Sprachen.
The interpreters are working today in several languages.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and mehreren Sprachen means several languages. Dolmetscherinnen is plural and ends in -innen; in mehreren Sprachen is dative because it describes the working context.
duzen — to address someone informally, to use du
The person addressed is normally an accusative object: jemanden duzen. The opposite is jemanden siezen, which means to address someone with Sie.
Ich duze meine Kollegen im Büro.
I address my colleagues informally at the office.
meine Kollegen means my colleagues, and im Büro means at the office. Meine Kollegen is accusative because duzen takes the person addressed as an accusative object; the finite verb duze stands in position two.
Ich habe meine neue Nachbarin sofort geduzt.
I immediately addressed my new neighbour informally.
meine neue Nachbarin means my new female neighbour, and sofort means immediately. The perfect uses habe plus geduzt, with geduzt at the end; meine neue Nachbarin is accusative because she is the person addressed.
Früher duzte er nur seine Freunde.
In the past, he addressed only his friends informally.
früher means in the past, and seine Freunde means his friends. The weak past form duzte is in position two, while seine Freunde is accusative after duzen.
Duz ihn ruhig, er mag das.
Go ahead and address him informally; he likes that.
ihn means him, ruhig means go ahead or feel free, and mag das means likes that. The imperative duz has no subject; ihn is accusative because he is the person being addressed.
Ich würde die neuen Kollegen erst später duzen.
I would address the new colleagues informally only later.
die neuen Kollegen means the new colleagues, and erst später means only later. Würde ... duzen expresses a hypothetical choice; the infinitive duzen stands at the end and its object is accusative.
Du wirst die Gäste bald duzen.
You will soon address the guests informally.
die Gäste means the guests, and bald means soon. Future tense uses wirst plus the infinitive duzen at the end; die Gäste is accusative because they are the people addressed.
einführen — to introduce; to bring into use; to import
This sense is used for putting something new into practical use; it is not normally used for simply presenting a person. einführen – führte ein – hat eingeführt is a separable weak verb and takes an accusative object.
Die Firma führt ein neues Bezahlsystem ein.
The company is introducing a new payment system.
die Firma means the company, neu means new, and das Bezahlsystem is the payment system. einführen takes an accusative object, so ein neues Bezahlsystem is accusative; the finite part führt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Die Stadt hat das Parkticket per App eingeführt.
The city introduced parking tickets via an app.
die Stadt means the city, das Parkticket is a parking ticket, and per App means via an app. The perfect uses hat plus eingeführt because this verb takes haben; the Partizip II stands at the end and das Parkticket is accusative.
Der Hersteller führte das Modell 2024 ein.
The manufacturer introduced the model in 2024.
der Hersteller is the manufacturer, das Modell is the model, and 2024 gives the year. The weak past form is führte; its separable prefix ein goes to the end, while das Modell is the accusative object.
Führ das neue Verfahren vorsichtig ein!
Introduce the new procedure carefully!
das neue Verfahren means the new procedure, and vorsichtig means carefully. The singular imperative is führ ... ein; the accusative object follows the verb, and the prefix must be placed at the end.
Ich würde diese Regel nicht einführen.
I would not introduce this rule.
diese Regel means this rule, and nicht means not. The infinitive einführen stays together after würde; diese Regel is accusative because einführen takes an accusative object.
Das Ministerium wird die Änderung morgen einführen.
The ministry will introduce the change tomorrow.
das Ministerium means the ministry, die Änderung is the change, and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive einführen at the end; die Änderung is accusative.
Deutschland führt viel Kaffee ein.
Germany imports a lot of coffee.
Deutschland is Germany, and viel Kaffee means a lot of coffee. The finite part führt is in position two and ein is separated to the end; viel Kaffee is an accusative object, although this mass noun has no article.
Die Firma darf kein Fleisch aus dem Ausland einführen.
The company is not allowed to import meat from abroad.
die Firma means the company, kein Fleisch means no meat, and das Ausland means abroad or a foreign country. After the modal verb darf, the infinitive einführen goes to the end and stays together; kein Fleisch is accusative.
die Einführung — introduction; implementation; introduction to a subject
The noun can mean introducing something into use or giving basic information about a topic. It is formed from einführen and is feminine: die Einführung.
Die Einführung des neuen Systems dauert zwei Monate.
The introduction of the new system takes two months.
das neue System means the new system, and dauern means to last or take time. Die Einführung is the nominative subject; des neuen Systems is genitive because it identifies what is being introduced, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Wir planen die Einführung eines digitalen Tickets.
We are planning the introduction of a digital ticket.
planen means to plan, eines digitalen Tickets means of a digital ticket, and digital means digital. die Einführung is accusative because it is the object of planen; the following eines digitalen Tickets is genitive and specifies the introduction.
Nach der Einführung gab es weniger Fehler.
After the introduction, there were fewer mistakes.
nach means after, weniger means fewer, and der Fehler means the mistake. nach always takes the dative, so der Einführung is dative; gab es is the verb phrase meaning there were, and the sentence subject comes after it.
Mit der Einführung der Einführung?
With the introduction of the new software, the work became easier.
die neue Software means the new software, and leichter means easier. This example would be unnatural with the headword repeated, so the genitive phrase is der neuen Software: mit takes the dative in mit der Einführung, while der neuen Software is genitive.
Viele Einführungen finden online statt.
Many introductions take place online.
viele means many, online means online, and stattfinden means to take place. Einführungen is the plural with -en; after the plural subject, the finite verb finden is in position two.
Die Dozentin gibt eine kurze Einführung in das Thema.
The lecturer gives a brief introduction to the topic.
die Dozentin is the female lecturer, kurz means brief, and das Thema means the topic. eine kurze Einführung is the accusative object of gibt; in das Thema is an introduction to a topic, with in taking the accusative here because the phrase points into a subject area.
Am Anfang steht eine Einführung in die wichtigsten Begriffe.
At the beginning there is an introduction to the most important terms.
am Anfang means at the beginning, wichtigsten means most important, and der Begriff means the term. eine Einführung is the nominative subject after steht; in die wichtigsten Begriffe uses accusative in in the fixed expression meaning an introduction to a subject.
eingehen — to go into; to die (of a plant); to address, respond to; to accept
For physical movement, eingehen takes sein in the perfect. With a plant, eingehen commonly means to die, not to enter.
Der Hund geht langsam in den Garten ein.
The dog slowly goes into the garden.
der Hund means the dog, langsam means slowly, and der Garten means the garden. The prefix ein is separable and goes to the end in a main clause; in den Garten is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Der Hund ist in den Garten eingegangen.
The dog went into the garden.
der Hund means the dog and der Garten means the garden. The perfect uses ist because this sense expresses movement, and eingegangen stands at the end; in den Garten is accusative for direction.
Die kleine Pflanze ging im Winter ein.
The small plant died in winter.
die kleine Pflanze means the small plant, and im Winter means in winter. The strong past form is ging, while the separable prefix ein goes to the end of the main clause.
Geh jetzt nicht in den dunklen Keller ein.
Do not go into the dark cellar now.
jetzt means now, dunkel means dark, and der Keller means cellar. In the informal imperative, du is omitted and the prefix ein stays at the end; in den Keller is accusative because it shows direction.
Wenn die Pflanze mehr Wasser hätte, ginge sie nicht ein.
If the plant had more water, it would not die.
mehr Wasser means more water, and nicht means not. Hätte and ginge express an unreal condition; in the subordinate clause the finite verb comes at the end, but the separable prefix still follows ginge.
Ohne Regen wird die Pflanze bald eingehen.
Without rain, the plant will soon die.
ohne Regen means without rain, and bald means soon. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive eingehen stays whole at the end rather than splitting.
Die Lehrerin geht auf meine Frage ein.
The teacher responds to my question.
die Lehrerin means the teacher and meine Frage means my question. This sense uses the fixed preposition auf with the accusative; the separable prefix ein goes to the end of the main clause.
Wir sind auf seinen Vorschlag eingegangen.
We accepted his suggestion.
sein Vorschlag means his suggestion, and wir means we. The expression uses auf plus accusative, and the perfect form sind eingegangen uses sein; the participle stands at the end.
die Einigung — agreement, settlement
An Einigung is normally the result of negotiations or a disagreement. The related verb is sich einigen, and the plural is regular: Einigungen.
Die Einigung war für alle Beteiligten ein Erfolg.
The agreement was a success for everyone involved.
für alle Beteiligten means for everyone involved, and ein Erfolg is a success. Die Einigung is the nominative subject of war; für takes the accusative, so alle Beteiligten is accusative.
Beide Seiten suchen eine Einigung.
Both sides are looking for an agreement.
beide Seiten means both sides, and suchen means are looking for. Eine Einigung is the accusative object of suchen, while the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns einer Einigung.
We are getting closer to an agreement.
sich nähern means to get closer to, and wir means we. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so einer Einigung is dative; uns is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Bedingungen der Einigung bleiben geheim.
The terms of the agreement remain secret.
die Bedingungen are the terms or conditions, and geheim means secret. Der Einigung is genitive and means “of the agreement”; it follows the noun it describes, while bleiben is in position two.
In den letzten Jahren gab es mehrere Einigungen.
There were several agreements in recent years.
in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and mehrere means several. Einigungen is the plural form after mehrere; es gab is the past form used to say that something existed or happened.
das Einschreiben — registered letter; registered mail; enrolment; registration
This noun can mean a registered letter or the registered-mail service. It is neuter, and its plural is unchanged: das Einschreiben, die Einschreiben.
Das Einschreiben ist heute angekommen.
The registered letter arrived today.
angekommen means arrived, and heute means today. Das Einschreiben is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, while angekommen goes to the end in the perfect.
Ich schicke das Einschreiben morgen ab.
I am sending the registered letter tomorrow.
schicke ... ab means send off, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Einschreiben is accusative because abschicken takes a direct object; the separable verb has schicke in position two and ab at the end.
Ich gebe dem Einschreiben eine Sendungsnummer.
I give the registered letter a tracking number.
gebe means give, and eine Sendungsnummer is a tracking number. Dem Einschreiben is dative because geben marks the recipient or thing receiving something as dative, while eine Sendungsnummer is the accusative object.
Die Nummer des Einschreibens steht auf dem Beleg.
The registered letter's number is on the receipt.
die Nummer means number, steht means is written or stands, and der Beleg is the receipt. Des Einschreibens is genitive because it shows whose number it is; the masculine or neuter genitive uses des and -s.
Heute sind drei Einschreiben angekommen.
Three registered letters arrived today.
drei means three, and angekommen means arrived. Einschreiben has the same form in the plural, but drei requires a plural noun; sind ... angekommen is the perfect of a movement verb.
Die Einschreiben für den Kurs beginnen im September.
The enrolments for the course begin in September.
für den Kurs means for the course, and beginnen means begin. Here Einschreiben means enrolments and is plural; the prepositional phrase uses accusative after für, and the finite verb beginnen is in position two.
Für die Einschreiben brauchen Sie ein Passfoto.
For enrolment, you need a passport photo.
brauchen means need, and ein Passfoto is a passport photo. Für die Einschreiben is accusative because für always takes accusative; Sie is the formal word for you and the verb remains in position two.
erkundigen — to enquire, to ask for information
This verb is normally reflexive: sich erkundigen. The common patterns are sich nach etwas erkundigen and sich bei jemandem erkundigen; both prepositions take the dative.
Ich erkundige mich nach dem Preis.
I’m asking about the price.
der Preis means the price. Mich is accusative because it is the reflexive pronoun with sich erkundigen, while nach dem Preis is dative because nach governs the dative; the finite verb erkundige is in position two.
Wir haben uns nach dem Fahrplan erkundigt.
We asked about the timetable.
der Fahrplan means the timetable. Uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and nach dem Fahrplan is dative after nach; haben is the auxiliary in position two and erkundigt goes to the end.
Sie erkundigte sich bei der Rezeption.
She enquired at reception.
die Rezeption means reception desk. Sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and bei der Rezeption is dative because bei governs the dative; the weak-verb preterite is erkundigte.
Erkundige dich bitte nach dem Weg.
Please ask for directions.
bitte means please and der Weg means the way or route. The command uses erkundige dich, with dich as the reflexive accusative pronoun; nach dem Weg is dative after nach.
Ich würde mich nach den Öffnungszeiten erkundigen.
I would ask about the opening hours.
die Öffnungszeiten means the opening hours. Nach den Öffnungszeiten is dative after nach, and the polite or hypothetical form uses würde plus the infinitive erkundigen at the end; mich remains the reflexive accusative pronoun.
Morgen werde ich mich nach einem Zimmer erkundigen.
Tomorrow I will enquire about a room.
morgen means tomorrow and ein Zimmer means a room. Nach einem Zimmer is dative after nach; werde is the finite verb in position two and erkundigen goes to the end.
die Erzählung — story, narrative
Erzählung is often a literary or carefully structured story, while Geschichte is the more general everyday word for a story. It can refer to either a written text or an oral account.
Die Erzählung ist kurz, aber sehr spannend.
The story is short but very exciting.
kurz means short, aber means but, and spannend means exciting. Die Erzählung is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective after sein is predicative, so it has no ending.
Ich lese die Erzählung heute Abend.
I am reading the story this evening.
lese means read, heute Abend means this evening, and Abend means evening. Die Erzählung is accusative because it is the direct object of lesen; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir sprechen über der Erzählung?
Are we talking about the story?
Wir sprechen über means we are talking about, and sprechen means talk or speak. In standard German, über meaning “about” takes the accusative, so the correct phrase is über die Erzählung, not über der Erzählung; this sentence highlights a common case mistake.
Das Ende der Erzählung überrascht mich.
The ending of the story surprises me.
Das Ende means the ending, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Erzählung is genitive after Ende and means “of the story”; mich is accusative because it is the person affected by überraschen.
In diesem Buch stehen mehrere Erzählungen.
There are several stories in this book.
In diesem Buch means in this book, stehen means stand or are found, and mehrere means several. In takes the dative for a fixed location, while mehrere Erzählungen is nominative plural because it is the subject after stehen.
faxen — to fax
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas faxen: the recipient is dative and the document is accusative. The perfect auxiliary is haben, and the Partizip II is gefaxt, not gefaxen.
Ich faxe den Vertrag heute.
I am faxing the contract today.
den Vertrag means the contract and heute means today. Den Vertrag is accusative because faxen takes the document as a direct object, and the finite verb faxe stands in position two.
Wir haben die Unterlagen gefaxt.
We faxed the documents.
die Unterlagen means the documents. The perfect uses haben plus gefaxt because faxen describes an action, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause.
Früher faxte die Firma alle Rechnungen.
In the past, the company faxed all the invoices.
Früher means in the past, die Firma is the company, and die Rechnungen are the invoices. Faxte is the weak-verb preterite with -te, and the finite verb remains in position two.
Fax mir bitte den Bericht.
Please fax me the report.
bitte means please and der Bericht is the report. Mir is dative because the recipient of faxen can be marked as an indirect object; the imperative fax comes first and the direct object follows.
Ich würde dir die Datei faxen.
I would fax you the file.
würde means would, dir means to you, and die Datei is the file. The würde construction puts the infinitive faxen at the end; dir is dative for the recipient and die Datei is accusative.
Morgen werde ich den Antrag faxen.
Tomorrow I will fax the application.
Morgen means tomorrow and der Antrag is the application. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive faxen at the end; den Antrag is accusative as the direct object.
das Ferngespräch — long-distance telephone call
Ferngespräch is a somewhat dated telecommunications term because long-distance calls are no longer usually billed separately. The common collocation is ein Ferngespräch führen, meaning to make or have a long-distance call.
Das Ferngespräch war sehr teuer.
The long-distance call was very expensive.
war means was and sehr teuer means very expensive. Das Ferngespräch is nominative because it is the subject; war is the past form of sein and stands in position two.
Ich bezahle das Ferngespräch morgen.
I will pay for the long-distance call tomorrow.
bezahle means pay for and morgen means tomorrow. Das Ferngespräch is accusative because it is the object of bezahlen; the neuter article remains das in accusative.
Sie telefoniert mit dem Ferngespräch?
Is she speaking on the long-distance call?
telefoniert means speaks on the phone, and sie means she. This sentence shows a common trap: German normally says mit jemandem telefonieren, but the call itself is usually expressed as ein Ferngespräch führen, not mit dem Ferngespräch telefonieren.
Die Kosten des Ferngesprächs waren unbekannt.
The cost of the long-distance call was unknown.
die Kosten means the costs, waren means were, and unbekannt means unknown. Des Ferngesprächs is genitive because it identifies which costs; the neuter noun adds -s in this genitive form.
Früher kosteten Ferngespräche viel Geld.
In the past, long-distance calls cost a lot of money.
früher means in the past and viel Geld means a lot of money. Ferngespräche is the plural subject of kosteten; the umlaut in the plural changes Gespräch to Gespräche.
fließend — flowing; fluent
fließend can describe liquid that is running and speech or language that is fluent. With language, it usually means that someone speaks it smoothly, not that the language itself is physically flowing.
Das Wasser ist fließend.
The water is running.
das Wasser means water. fließend stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no adjective ending; it describes water that is moving rather than still.
Wir hören das fließende Wasser.
We hear the running water.
hören means hear and das Wasser means water. das fließende Wasser is an accusative object of hören; the adjective takes -e after the definite article das.
Ihre Aussprache ist fließender als meine.
Her pronunciation is more fluent than mine.
ihre Aussprache means her pronunciation and meine means mine. fließender is the comparative and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no additional ending.
Von allen spricht Maria am fließendsten.
Of everyone, Maria speaks most fluently.
von allen means of everyone and spricht means speaks. am fließendsten is the predicative or adverbial superlative; am belongs to this superlative form and does not mean “at the” here.
fluchen — to swear, to curse
Fluchen means using rude words when angry or frustrated. With the meaning ‘swear about something’, it commonly takes über plus accusative, as in über den Verkehr fluchen; the perfect is hat geflucht.
Er flucht oft über den Verkehr.
He often swears about the traffic.
oft means often, and der Verkehr means traffic. Über den Verkehr uses accusative because über has this fixed meaning with fluchen; the finite verb flucht is in position two.
Sie hat wegen der langen Wartezeit geflucht.
She swore because of the long wait.
wegen der langen Wartezeit means because of the long waiting time. Geflucht pairs with hat, not sein, because fluchen does not express movement; the participle goes to the end of the clause.
Der Mann fluchte leise vor sich hin.
The man swore quietly to himself.
der Mann means the man, leise means quietly, and vor sich hin means to himself in a continuous, absent-minded way. Fluchte is the simple-past finite verb in position two; vor sich hin is an idiomatic phrase.
Fluch nicht vor den Kindern!
Don't swear in front of the children!
nicht means not, and vor den Kindern means in front of the children. Vor takes the dative for a location, so den Kindern is dative; the imperative fluch comes first and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich müde wäre, würde ich wahrscheinlich fluchen.
If I were tired, I would probably swear.
wenn means if, müde means tired, and wahrscheinlich means probably. In the wenn clause the finite verb wäre goes to the end; würde is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause, while the infinitive fluchen closes the verb group.
Er wird über das Ergebnis fluchen.
He will swear about the result.
das Ergebnis means the result. Über das Ergebnis is accusative after the fixed preposition über with this verb; wird is in position two and the infinitive fluchen goes to the end.
die Flugpost — airmail
Flugpost is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural. It refers both to mail sent by air and, depending on context, the airmail service; the exact meaning comes from the surrounding words.
Die Flugpost kommt heute an.
The airmail arrives today.
kommt ... an means arrives, and heute means today. Flugpost is an uncountable feminine noun and is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb ankommen splits in a main clause.
Ich bezahle die Flugpost am Schalter.
I pay for the airmail at the counter.
bezahle means pay, am Schalter means at the counter, and der Schalter is a service counter. die Flugpost is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Brief liegt bei der Flugpost.
The letter is with the airmail service.
der Brief means the letter, liegt means is lying, and bei means at or with. bei der Flugpost is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Preise der Flugpost sind gestiegen.
The prices of airmail have risen.
die Preise means the prices, and gestiegen means risen. der Flugpost is genitive after Preise to show whose prices they are; sind agrees with plural Preise, not with the singular mass noun.
Wir verschicken heute Flugpost.
We are sending airmail today.
verschicken means send, and heute means today. Flugpost has no plural because it is a mass noun; it is an unmarked accusative object after verschicken.
fordern — to demand, to call for; to require, to be demanding
Fordern is stronger than bitten, which means to ask or request politely. It normally takes an accusative object: etwas fordern means to demand something.
Die Mitarbeiter fordern höhere Löhne.
The employees are demanding higher wages.
die Mitarbeiter are the employees, and höhere Löhne means higher wages. höhere Löhne is accusative because fordern takes the demanded thing as an accusative object; the finite verb fordern is in position two.
Die Mitarbeiter haben höhere Löhne gefordert.
The employees have demanded higher wages.
Mitarbeiter means employees, and höhere Löhne means higher wages. höhere Löhne is accusative after fordern; haben is in position two and gefordert goes to the end.
Die Gewerkschaft forderte bessere Arbeitsbedingungen.
The trade union demanded better working conditions.
die Gewerkschaft is the trade union, and bessere Arbeitsbedingungen means better working conditions. The object is accusative because of fordern, and the weak past form forderte stands in position two.
Forder endlich eine klare Antwort!
Demand a clear answer at last!
endlich means at last, and eine klare Antwort is a clear answer. eine klare Antwort is accusative because it is what is demanded; the imperative forder begins the command and has no written subject.
Ich würde eine Erklärung fordern.
I would demand an explanation.
eine Erklärung means an explanation, and würde gives the meaning would. The object is accusative after fordern, while the infinitive fordern goes to the end after würde.
Die Bürger werden bessere Busverbindungen fordern.
The citizens will demand better bus connections.
die Bürger are the citizens, and bessere Busverbindungen means better bus connections. The object is accusative after fordern; werden is in position two and the infinitive fordern stands at the end.
Die Prüfung fordert viel Konzentration.
The exam requires a lot of concentration.
die Prüfung is the exam, and viel Konzentration means a lot of concentration. The required thing is accusative after fordern, and the finite verb fordert is in position two.
Der Sport hat ihn körperlich gefordert.
The sport was physically demanding for him.
der Sport means the sport, and körperlich means physically. ihn is accusative because he is the person affected by the demanding activity; hat is in position two and gefordert goes to the end.
formulieren — to formulate; to phrase; to put into words; to word; to express
Formulieren is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object, such as eine Frage or einen Satz. Its Partizip II is formuliert, without ge-, because verbs ending in -ieren omit that prefix.
Sie formuliert die Frage sehr klar.
She phrases the question very clearly.
die Frage means the question, and klar means clear. Die Frage is accusative because formulieren takes a direct object; the finite verb formuliert stands in position two.
Wir haben die Antwort sorgfältig formuliert.
We worded the answer carefully.
die Antwort means the answer, and sorgfältig means carefully. Die Antwort is accusative because it is the object; haben is in position two and formuliert goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Er formulierte seine Kritik höflich.
He phrased his criticism politely.
die Kritik means the criticism, and höflich means politely. Seine Kritik is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb Präteritum formulierte is the finite verb in position two.
Formuliere bitte einen kurzen Satz.
Please formulate a short sentence.
bitte means please, kurz means short, and der Satz means the sentence. Formuliere is the du imperative; einen kurzen Satz is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die E-Mail anders formulieren.
I would phrase the email differently.
anders means differently, and die E-Mail means the email. Würde formulieren expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive formulieren goes to the end, and die E-Mail is accusative.
Morgen wird die Gruppe einen gemeinsamen Vorschlag formulieren.
Tomorrow the group will formulate a joint proposal.
morgen means tomorrow, gemeinsam means joint or shared, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Wird stands in position two and the infinitive formulieren goes to the end; einen gemeinsamen Vorschlag is accusative.
Er kann seine Meinung nicht gut formulieren.
He cannot express his opinion well.
können means can, seine Meinung means his opinion, and gut means well. Seine Meinung is accusative because it is the object; after the modal kann, the infinitive formulieren goes to the end.
Wie soll ich diese Bitte formulieren?
How should I word this request?
wie means how, sollen means should, diese Bitte means this request. Diese Bitte is accusative as the object, and the infinitive formulieren stands at the end after soll.
die Formulierung — wording; formulation; phrasing
Die Formulierung means the particular wording or phrasing used to express something. It is closely related to the verb formulieren; use it when you are talking about the words as a result or product.
Die Formulierung ist sehr klar.
The wording is very clear.
klar means clear, and sehr means very. Die Formulierung is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Ich ändere die Formulierung.
I am changing the wording.
ändern means to change. Die Formulierung is accusative because it is the direct object of ändere, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir arbeiten an der Formulierung des Textes.
We are working on the wording of the text.
arbeiten an means to work on, and der Text means the text. An der Formulierung is dative because an describes the topic being worked on here; des Textes is genitive and means “of the text”.
Die Qualität der Formulierung ist wichtig.
The quality of the wording is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. Der Formulierung is genitive because it specifies whose quality is meant; the verb ist is in position two.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Formulierungen.
We are comparing several wordings.
vergleichen means to compare, and mehrere means several. Formulierungen is plural and accusative because it is the object of vergleichen; the plural form ends in -en.
die Fortsetzung — continuation; sequel; continuation of an activity or process
This noun is used for something that continues a story, film, or series. For a film or book, die Fortsetzung can often be translated as “the sequel”.
Die Fortsetzung der Geschichte erscheint morgen.
The continuation of the story will be published tomorrow.
die Geschichte means the story, and erscheint means appears or is published; morgen means tomorrow. Die Fortsetzung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb erscheint is in position two.
Ich lese die Fortsetzung heute Abend.
I am reading the continuation this evening.
lese means am reading, and heute Abend means this evening. Die Fortsetzung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, while the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir sprechen über die Fortsetzung.
We are talking about the continuation.
sprechen means talk, and über means about in this expression. Die Fortsetzung is accusative after über here; the verb sprechen is in position two, and learners should not use the dative after this meaning of über.
Das Ende der Fortsetzung überrascht mich.
The ending of the continuation surprises me.
das Ende means the ending, and überrascht means surprises. Der Fortsetzung is genitive because it shows whose ending it is; with the feminine noun die Fortsetzung, the genitive article is der.
Die beiden Fortsetzungen waren sehr erfolgreich.
Both continuations were very successful.
beiden means both, and erfolgreich means successful. Fortsetzungen is the plural with -en, and the plural article is die; waren is the past-tense verb in position two.
Nach der Pause folgt die Fortsetzung des Kurses.
After the break, the course continues.
nach der Pause means after the break, and folgt means follows. Die Fortsetzung is the subject in the nominative, while des Kurses is genitive and means of the course; the finite verb folgt is in position two.
Wir warten auf die Fortsetzung des Gesprächs.
We are waiting for the conversation to continue.
warten means wait, and das Gespräch means the conversation. Die Fortsetzung is accusative after auf in warten auf; the verb warten is in position two, and des Gesprächs is genitive.
das Forum — forum; discussion board; public discussion forum
In modern everyday German, das Forum often means an online discussion board. Its plural is die Foren, not die Forums.
Das Forum ist heute sehr aktiv.
The forum is very active today.
aktiv means active, and heute means today. Das Forum is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich besuche das Forum jeden Abend.
I visit the forum every evening.
besuche means visit, and jeden Abend means every evening. Das Forum is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Wir diskutieren in dem Forum über Reisen.
We discuss travel in the forum.
diskutieren means discuss, and Reisen means travelling or travel. Dem Forum is dative after the preposition in because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it; the finite verb diskutieren is in position two.
Die Regeln des Forums sind klar.
The forum's rules are clear.
die Regeln means the rules, and klar means clear. Des Forums is genitive because it means of the forum; the neuter noun takes -s, and sind is in position two.
Viele Foren sammeln persönliche Erfahrungen.
Many forums collect personal experiences.
viele means many, sammeln means collect, and persönliche Erfahrungen means personal experiences. Foren is the special plural of das Forum; the finite verb sammeln stands in position two.
Die Universität veranstaltet ein Forum für Studierende.
The university is holding a forum for students.
die Universität means the university, veranstaltet means holds or organises, and Studierende means students. Ein Forum is accusative because veranstalten takes a direct object; the finite verb veranstaltet is in position two.
Das Bürgerforum bietet ein Forum für offene Gespräche.
The citizens' forum provides a setting for open discussions.
das Bürgerforum means the citizens' forum, bietet means offers, and offene Gespräche means open discussions. Ein Forum is accusative after bietet, and the finite verb bietet is in position two.
der Fotoapparat — camera
Der Fotoapparat usually means a separate camera, especially a traditional or dedicated camera. For a phone camera, German speakers commonly say die Handykamera.
Der Fotoapparat liegt auf dem Tisch.
The camera is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Fotoapparat is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative after auf because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme den Fotoapparat mit.
I am taking the camera with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit means along or with. Den Fotoapparat is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb has nehme in position two and mit at the end.
Sie fotografiert mit dem Fotoapparat.
She takes photographs with the camera.
fotografiert means takes photographs, and mit means with. Dem Fotoapparat is dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; the finite verb fotografiert is in position two.
Die Tasche des Fotoapparats ist kaputt.
The camera's case is broken.
die Tasche means the case or bag, and kaputt means broken. Des Fotoapparats is genitive because it means of the camera; Fotoapparat ends in -s in the genitive, and ist is in position two.
Im Museum stehen viele Fotoapparate.
There are many cameras in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, and stehen means stand or are displayed. Fotoapparate is the plural with -e; because im Museum comes first, the finite verb stehen comes before the subject.
förmlich — formal, ceremonious
Förmlich can describe official language, behaviour, or a ceremony. It may sound slightly stiff when used for a personal interaction; the opposite is often locker or informell.
Die Begrüßung ist förmlich.
The greeting is formal.
die Begrüßung means the greeting. Förmlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie schickte eine förmliche Einladung.
She sent a formal invitation.
schickte means sent, and eine Einladung means an invitation. Förmliche describes the feminine accusative noun Einladung, the object of schickte, so the adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Brief klingt förmlicher als ihre Nachricht.
The letter sounds more formal than her message.
der Brief means the letter, and klingt means sounds; ihre Nachricht means her message. Förmlicher compares two things with als and is predicative after klingt, so it has no ending.
Das war die förmlichste Begrüßung des Tages.
That was the most formal greeting of the day.
die Begrüßung means the greeting, and des Tages means of the day. Förmlichste is the superlative before a feminine nominative noun after die; des Tages is genitive.
die Gratulation — congratulations, congratulatory message
die Gratulation means words or a message expressing congratulations. The usual plural is die Gratulationen; for the act of congratulating someone, German more often uses gratulieren.
Die Gratulation war sehr herzlich.
The congratulations were very heartfelt.
herzlich means heartfelt or warm. Die Gratulation is the nominative subject, and the finite verb war is in position two; although English usually uses a plural word here, the German noun is singular in this sentence.
Ich schreibe eine Gratulation zum Geburtstag.
I am writing a congratulatory message for the birthday.
schreibe means write, zum Geburtstag means for the birthday, and eine means a. eine Gratulation is accusative because it is the direct object of schreibe; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke dir für deine Gratulation.
I thank you for your congratulations.
danke means thank, dir means to you, and deine means your. dir is dative because danken takes a dative person, while deine Gratulation is accusative after für.
Mit deiner Gratulation hast du mich überrascht.
Your congratulations surprised me.
mit means with, hast ... überrascht means surprised, and mich means me. This sentence contains a possessive phrase, deiner Gratulation, rather than a genitive case: mit forces dative, and the perfect verb is split around du mich.
Wir haben viele Gratulationen erhalten.
We received many congratulations.
viele means many and erhalten means received. viele Gratulationen is a plural accusative object after haben; the plural is formed with -en, and the perfect participle erhalten stands at the end.
hinweisen — to point out; to draw attention to; to warn about
The common pattern is auf etwas hinweisen, with auf plus the accusative. The verb is separable in main clauses, but the infinitive hinweisen and Partizip II hingewiesen stay together.
Der Lehrer weist auf einen Fehler hin.
The teacher points out a mistake.
der Lehrer is the teacher, and einen Fehler means a mistake. auf takes the accusative here, so einen Fehler is accusative; weist is in position two and hin goes to the end.
Die Polizei hat uns auf die Gefahr hingewiesen.
The police warned us about the danger.
die Polizei means the police, uns means us, and die Gefahr is the danger. auf die Gefahr is an accusative prepositional phrase, and the whole Partizip II hingewiesen goes to the end with hat.
Sie wies mich auf den falschen Weg hin.
She pointed out that I was on the wrong path.
mich means me, and den falschen Weg means the wrong path. auf den falschen Weg is accusative because auf expresses the fixed target of attention here; wies is in position two and hin is separated.
Weise ihn bitte auf das Problem hin.
Please point out the problem to him.
ihn means him, bitte means please, and das Problem means the problem. The person is accusative in ihn, while auf das Problem is also accusative; in the informal imperative, weise comes first and hin is placed at the end.
Ich würde dich gern auf einen wichtigen Punkt hinweisen.
I would like to draw your attention to an important point.
dich means you, and einen wichtigen Punkt means an important point. auf einen wichtigen Punkt is accusative, and the infinitive hinweisen stays whole at the end after würde.
Der Bericht wird auf mehrere Probleme hinweisen.
The report will point out several problems.
der Bericht is the report, and mehrere Probleme means several problems. auf mehrere Probleme is accusative, while wird is in position two and the complete infinitive hinweisen goes to the end.
der Interviewpartner — interview partner, interviewee
Interviewpartner can mean either the person asking questions or the person answering them, but it often means the person being interviewed. It is a weak masculine noun, so use den Interviewpartner and dem Interviewpartner, not the unchanged nominative form.
Der Interviewpartner wirkt sehr freundlich.
The interview partner seems very friendly.
wirkt means seems or comes across, and freundlich means friendly. Der Interviewpartner is nominative because it is the subject; as a weak masculine noun, it has no extra ending in the nominative.
Die Journalistin begrüßt den Interviewpartner.
The journalist greets the interview partner.
die Journalistin is the female journalist, and begrüßt means greets. Den Interviewpartner is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; weak masculine nouns add -n outside the nominative.
Der Reporter stellt dem Interviewpartner eine schwierige Frage.
The reporter asks the interview partner a difficult question.
der Reporter means the reporter, stellt eine Frage means asks a question, and schwierig means difficult. Dem Interviewpartner is dative because it is the person receiving the question, and the weak noun takes -n.
Die Antwort des Interviewpartners war überraschend.
The interview partner’s answer was surprising.
die Antwort means the answer, and überraschend means surprising. Des Interviewpartners is genitive because it shows whose answer it was; the weak masculine noun has -s in the genitive.
Die Interviewpartner warten vor dem Studio.
The interview partners are waiting in front of the studio.
warten means are waiting, and vor dem Studio means in front of the studio. Die Interviewpartner is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; warten and the article make the plural clear.
der Jargon — jargon; specialized language; technical or obscure terminology
Jargon is often neutral, but it can suggest that specialists are making language unnecessarily difficult for outsiders. It is a borrowed masculine noun with plural Jargons.
Der Jargon der Ärzte ist für viele Patienten schwer verständlich.
Doctors’ jargon is difficult for many patients to understand.
der Ärzte means “of the doctors”, für viele Patienten means “for many patients”, and schwer verständlich means “difficult to understand”. Der Jargon is nominative because it is the subject; der Ärzte is genitive to identify whose jargon it is.
Viele Menschen verstehen den Jargon nicht.
Many people do not understand the jargon.
viele Menschen means “many people” and nicht means “not”. Den Jargon is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the finite verb verstehen is in position two, while nicht negates the statement.
Mit dem Jargon kann man Eindruck machen.
You can make an impression with jargon.
mit means “with”, kann man means “one can”, and Eindruck machen means “make an impression”. Dem Jargon is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and machen goes to the end.
Die Bedeutung des Jargons ist nicht immer klar.
The meaning of the jargon is not always clear.
die Bedeutung means “the meaning”, nicht immer means “not always”, and klar means “clear”. Des Jargons is genitive after Bedeutung, showing which meaning is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die verschiedenen Jargons können schwer zu unterscheiden sein.
The different kinds of jargon can be difficult to distinguish.
verschieden means “different”, schwer zu unterscheiden means “difficult to distinguish”, and sein means “be”. Jargons is plural after die verschiedenen; the modal verb können stands in position two and sein remains at the end.
Der Text ist voller Jargon.
The text is full of jargon.
der Text means “the text” and voller means “full of”. Jargon is used without an article in this general, uncountable sense; voller commonly takes a genitive-like complement, and ist stands in position two.
Bitte erklären Sie diesen Jargon einfacher.
Please explain this jargon more simply.
bitte means “please”, erklären Sie means “explain” in the formal imperative, and einfacher means “more simply”. Diesen Jargon is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; the formal imperative uses Sie with the finite verb first.
kennzeichnen — to mark, label, identify
Kennzeichnen normally takes an accusative object: etwas kennzeichnen means to mark or label something. It is a regular weak verb with perfect auxiliary haben, and it is not a separable verb.
Das Symbol kennzeichnet den Eingang.
The symbol marks the entrance.
das Symbol means symbol, and der Eingang means entrance. Das Symbol is nominative and den Eingang is accusative because kennzeichnen takes a direct object; the finite verb kennzeichnet is in position two.
Die Firma hat die Pakete gekennzeichnet.
The company labelled the parcels.
die Firma means company, and die Pakete means parcels. Die Pakete is accusative because kennzeichnen takes a direct object; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gekennzeichnet goes to the end.
Das Schild kennzeichnete den Notausgang.
The sign marked the emergency exit.
das Schild means sign, and der Notausgang means emergency exit. Den Notausgang is accusative because it is the direct object; the weak preterite form kennzeichnete is the finite verb in position two.
Kennzeichne bitte die wichtigen Stellen!
Please mark the important passages!
bitte means please, and die wichtigen Stellen means the important passages or places. The imperative addresses du, which is omitted, and die wichtigen Stellen is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde die Kisten mit Farben kennzeichnen.
I would mark the boxes with colours.
würde means would, die Kisten means boxes, and mit Farben means with colours. Die Kisten is accusative because it is the direct object, and the infinitive kennzeichnen goes to the end after würde.
Wir werden die Plätze morgen kennzeichnen.
We will mark the places tomorrow.
wir means we, die Plätze means the places or seats, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Plätze is accusative because it is the direct object; werden is in position two and the infinitive kennzeichnen goes to the end.
klagen — to complain; to sue; to sue
Klagen über means to complain about something, and über takes the accusative in this meaning. In legal contexts, gegen can introduce the person or organisation being sued.
Er klagt oft über seine Rückenschmerzen.
He often complains about his back pain.
oft means often, and die Rückenschmerzen are back pain. Über seine Rückenschmerzen is an accusative phrase because über means about here; the finite verb klagt is in position two.
Sie hat über den Lärm geklagt.
She complained about the noise.
der Lärm is the noise. Über den Lärm is accusative after über in this meaning; hat is the auxiliary in position two and geklagt goes to the end.
Der Mann klagte über starke Schmerzen.
The man complained of severe pain.
der Mann is the man, and starke Schmerzen means severe pain. Über starke Schmerzen is accusative after über; the weak past form klagte is the finite verb in position two.
Klag bitte nicht über das Wetter.
Please don’t complain about the weather.
bitte means please, and das Wetter is the weather. Klag is a direct command to one person; über das Wetter is accusative because über means about here, and nicht negates the verb.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, klagte ich weniger.
If I had more time, I would complain less.
mehr Zeit means more time, and weniger means less. In the wenn clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; klagte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause, although würde klagen is also common.
Er wird morgen wieder über die Arbeit klagen.
He will complain about the work again tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, wieder means again, and die Arbeit is the work. Über die Arbeit is accusative after über; wird stands in position two and the infinitive klagen goes to the end.
Die Kundin klagt gegen die Versicherung.
The customer is suing the insurance company.
die Kundin is the female customer, and die Versicherung is the insurance company. Gegen die Versicherung is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative; klagt is in position two.
Der Arbeiter hat gegen seinen Arbeitgeber geklagt.
The worker sued his employer.
der Arbeiter is the worker, and der Arbeitgeber is the employer. Gegen seinen Arbeitgeber is accusative after gegen; hat is in position two and geklagt goes at the end.
das Kommando — command, order
In everyday contexts, ein Kommando geben means to give an order. It can also refer to an organised military or police unit, depending on context.
Das Kommando war kurz und klar.
The command was short and clear.
kurz means short and klar means clear. Das Kommando is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Der Trainer gibt das Kommando.
The coach gives the command.
der Trainer means the coach and gibt means gives. Das Kommando is accusative because geben takes the thing given as its direct object.
Nach dem Kommando laufen alle los.
After the command, everyone sets off.
nach means after, laufen ... los means set off, and alle means everyone. Nach always takes the dative, so the form is dem Kommando.
Die Bedeutung des Kommandos war unklar.
The meaning of the command was unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and unklar means unclear. Des Kommandos is genitive because it identifies which meaning; the noun has -s and the article is des.
Die Soldaten hörten mehrere Kommandos.
The soldiers heard several commands.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, hörten means heard, and mehrere means several. Kommandos is plural and accusative because hören takes what is heard as a direct object.
der Kommentator — commentator
This word is especially common for someone commentating on sport or current events. The feminine form is die Kommentatorin.
Der Kommentator spricht sehr schnell.
The commentator speaks very quickly.
spricht sehr schnell means speaks very quickly. Der Kommentator is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Ich höre den Kommentator im Radio.
I listen to the commentator on the radio.
höre means listen to, and im Radio means on the radio. den Kommentator is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir danken dem Kommentator für die Erklärung.
We thank the commentator for the explanation.
danken means thank, and die Erklärung is the explanation. dem Kommentator is dative because danken requires a dative object, while für die Erklärung uses accusative after für.
Die Stimme des Kommentators ist gut zu verstehen.
The commentator's voice is easy to understand.
die Stimme means the voice, and gut zu verstehen means easy to understand. des Kommentators is genitive because it shows whose voice it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the masculine noun.
Die Kommentatoren erklären die wichtigsten Szenen.
The commentators explain the most important scenes.
erklären means explain, and die wichtigsten Szenen means the most important scenes. Die Kommentatoren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
Der Kommentator hat das Tor sofort beschrieben.
The commentator described the goal immediately.
das Tor is the goal, and sofort means immediately. Der Kommentator is the subject in the nominative, while das Tor is accusative after beschreiben; hat beschrieben forms the perfect.
kommunizieren — to communicate
kommunizieren is a regular verb and normally takes mit plus the dative for the people involved, as in mit jemandem kommunizieren. The perfect is formed with haben, and the Partizip II is kommuniziert without ge- because the verb ends in -ieren.
Wir kommunizieren jeden Tag per E-Mail.
We communicate by email every day.
jeden Tag means every day, and per E-Mail means by email. kommunizieren is the finite verb in position two; jeden Tag is an accusative time expression, while per E-Mail explains the method.
Wir haben gestern lange kommuniziert.
We communicated for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II kommuniziert; haben is in position two and kommuniziert goes to the end.
Früher kommunizierte die Abteilung nur schriftlich.
In the past, the department communicated only in writing.
Früher means in the past, die Abteilung means the department, and schriftlich means in writing. kommunizierte is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two; nur means only.
Kommuniziere bitte klar und direkt.
Please communicate clearly and directly.
bitte means please, klar means clearly, and direkt means directly. Kommuniziere is the singular imperative, so du is omitted; the adverbs describe how the communication should happen.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, kommunizierte ich regelmäßiger mit dem Team.
If I had more time, I would communicate with the team more regularly.
Wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, hätte means had, and regelmäßiger means more regularly. In the wenn-clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; kommunizierte is the Konjunktiv II form here, and mit dem Team is dative after mit.
Morgen werden wir mit den Kunden kommunizieren.
Tomorrow we will communicate with the customers.
Morgen means tomorrow, and Kunden means customers. The future uses werden in position two and the infinitive kommunizieren at the end; mit den Kunden is dative because mit always takes the dative.
kritisieren — to criticise; to criticize
kritisieren takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas kritisieren. It is a regular verb ending in -ieren, so its Partizip II is kritisiert, without ge-, and it forms the perfect with haben.
Die Journalistin kritisiert den Bericht.
The journalist criticises the report.
die Journalistin means the journalist, and der Bericht means the report. den Bericht is accusative because kritisieren takes an accusative object; the finite verb kritisiert stands in position two.
Die Journalistin hat den Bericht kritisiert.
The journalist criticised the report.
die Journalistin is the journalist and der Bericht is the report. The perfect uses hat and the Partizip II kritisiert at the end; den Bericht is accusative because it is the object of kritisieren.
Die Journalistin kritisierte den Bericht.
The journalist criticised the report.
die Journalistin means the journalist, and der Bericht means the report. The regular preterite kritisierte is the finite verb in position two, while den Bericht is accusative after kritisieren.
Kritisiere nicht jede Kleinigkeit!
Don’t criticise every little thing!
nicht means not, and jede Kleinigkeit means every little thing. Kritisiere is the singular imperative; jede Kleinigkeit is accusative because it is the object, and the subject du is left out.
Ich kritisierte den Plan, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would criticise the plan if I had more time.
der Plan means the plan, and mehr Zeit means more time. The sentence uses a past form to express an unreal condition; den Plan is accusative, and the finite verb hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Wir werden den Vorschlag morgen kritisieren.
We will criticise the proposal tomorrow.
der Vorschlag means the proposal, and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive kritisieren at the end; den Vorschlag is accusative after the verb.
das Kuvert — envelope
Kuvert is common in Austria and Switzerland; Briefumschlag is more usual in much of Germany. It is a neuter noun: das Kuvert, plural die Kuverts.
Das Kuvert liegt auf dem Tisch.
The envelope is on the table.
liegt means “is lying” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Das Kuvert is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche ein Kuvert für die Karte.
I need an envelope for the card.
brauche means “need”, für means “for”, and die Karte is “the card”. Ein Kuvert is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Die Briefmarke klebt auf dem Kuvert.
The stamp is stuck on the envelope.
die Briefmarke is “the stamp”, klebt means “is stuck”, and auf means “on”. Dem Kuvert is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, not movement; the verb klebt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Kuverts passt zur Karte.
The colour of the envelope matches the card.
die Farbe means “the colour”, passt means “matches”, and zur Karte means “the card”. Des Kuverts is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb passt is in position two.
Die Kuverts liegen neben den Briefen.
The envelopes are lying next to the letters.
liegen means “are lying”, neben means “next to”, and den Briefen means “the letters”. Kuverts is the plural with -s, and the plural subject takes the verb liegen.
lauten — to be worded; to read; to be called
Laute is usually used for wording or naming, especially in Wie lautet ...?, meaning what is ...? It is a regular weak verb: lauten – lautete – hat gelautet, and it takes haben in the perfect.
Wie lautet deine Adresse?
What is your address?
wie means how or what ... like, and deine Adresse is your address. Wie lautet asks how something is worded or what it is; the finite verb lautet follows the question word and comes before the subject.
Wie hat die Frage gelautet?
What was the question?
die Frage is the question. Hat gelautet is the perfect of lauten with haben; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gelautet goes to the end.
Die Frage lautete: „Wann beginnt der Kurs?“
The question was: “When does the course begin?”
die Frage is the question, and beginnt means begins. Lautete is the simple past form; the finite verb stands in position two, before the quoted question.
Laute die Antwort bitte vollständig.
Please state the answer in full.
die Antwort is the answer, and vollständig means complete or in full. The imperative laute starts the sentence; bitte makes the request polite, though this command sounds formal and is uncommon.
Ich wüsste gern, wie die Antwort lautete.
I would like to know what the answer was.
ich wüsste gern means I would like to know, and die Antwort is the answer. In the subordinate clause after wie, the finite verb lautete goes to the end; this is the preterite form used in an indirect question.
Morgen wird die Durchsage anders lauten.
Tomorrow the announcement will be worded differently.
morgen means tomorrow, die Durchsage is the announcement, and anders means differently. Future wird ... lauten uses werden in position two and the infinitive lauten at the end.
die Lautsprecherdurchsage — loudspeaker announcement
Die Lautsprecherdurchsage is an announcement delivered through a loudspeaker, especially in a public place. The plural is die Lautsprecherdurchsagen; as a feminine noun, its genitive singular has no ending on the noun.
Die Lautsprecherdurchsage war schwer zu verstehen.
The loudspeaker announcement was difficult to understand.
schwer zu verstehen means difficult to understand. Die Lautsprecherdurchsage is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich habe die Lautsprecherdurchsage nicht gehört.
I did not hear the loudspeaker announcement.
gehört means heard, and nicht means not. Die Lautsprecherdurchsage is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the perfect uses habe in position two and gehört at the end.
Nach der Lautsprecherdurchsage gingen alle zum Ausgang.
After the loudspeaker announcement, everyone went to the exit.
nach means after, alle means everyone, and der Ausgang is the exit. Nach takes the dative, so der Lautsprecherdurchsage is dative; the finite verb gingen stands in position two after the introductory phrase.
Der Inhalt der Lautsprecherdurchsage war unklar.
The content of the loudspeaker announcement was unclear.
der Inhalt means the content, and unklar means unclear. Der Lautsprecherdurchsage is genitive because it identifies the announcement whose content is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Im Bahnhof gab es mehrere Lautsprecherdurchsagen.
There were several loudspeaker announcements at the station.
der Bahnhof is the station, and mehrere means several. Lautsprecherdurchsagen is the plural; after es gab, the noun is accusative, but the plural form has no visible case ending.
das Lesen — reading; the act of reading
Lesen is the nominalized infinitive of lesen, so it is a neuter noun and is always capitalized. It normally refers to the activity of reading and has no plural.
Das Lesen macht mir Spaß.
I enjoy reading.
Spaß machen means be enjoyable, and mir means to me. Das Lesen is a nominalized infinitive and the nominative subject; mir is dative because this expression says who experiences the enjoyment.
Ich liebe das Lesen am Abend.
I love reading in the evening.
liebe means love and am Abend means in the evening. Das Lesen is accusative because it is the object of lieben; its neuter article is das in both nominative and accusative.
Beim Lesen trinke ich gern Tee.
When reading, I like drinking tea.
beim means while or during and Tee is tea. Beim is a contraction of bei dem, so Lesen is dative; the finite verb trinke is in position two after the initial phrase.
Die Vorteile des Lesens sind gut bekannt.
The advantages of reading are well known.
die Vorteile means the advantages and gut bekannt means well known. Des Lesens is genitive because it specifies the advantages of what; the nominalized infinitive adds -s in the genitive.
Regelmäßiges Lesen verbessert den Wortschatz.
Regular reading improves vocabulary.
regelmäßig means regular, verbessert means improves, and der Wortschatz is vocabulary. Lesen is normally a mass activity noun with no plural, so this slot is shown by a singular example; den Wortschatz is accusative after verbessern.
leugnen — to deny, to repudiate
Leugnen is stronger than simply saying nicht wissen, not to know: it rejects the truth of a claim, fact, or accusation. It usually takes an accusative object, as in eine Tatsache leugnen, and forms the perfect with haben.
Er leugnet den Fehler.
He denies the mistake.
der Fehler is the mistake. Den Fehler is accusative because leugnen takes the thing being denied as a direct object; the finite verb leugnet stands in position two.
Sie hat die Anschuldigung geleugnet.
She denied the accusation.
die Anschuldigung is the accusation. The perfect uses hat plus geleugnet because leugnen takes haben; die Anschuldigung is accusative, and the participle goes to the end.
Der Angeklagte leugnete die Tat.
The accused person denied the crime.
der Angeklagte is the accused person, and die Tat is the crime or deed. Die Tat is accusative as the object of leugnen; leugnete is the regular simple past form in position two.
Leugne die Wahrheit nicht!
Do not deny the truth!
die Wahrheit is the truth, and nicht means not. The imperative leugne comes first and leaves out du; die Wahrheit is accusative because it is the thing being denied.
Wenn er es weiter leugnen würde, hätten wir ein Problem.
If he continued to deny it, we would have a problem.
weiter means further or continually, es means it, and ein Problem is a problem. In the wenn clause, the infinitive leugnen goes to the end after würde; es is accusative because it is the thing denied.
Er wird die Vorwürfe weiterhin leugnen.
He will continue to deny the accusations.
die Vorwürfe are the accusations or reproaches, and weiterhin means still or continuing to. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive leugnen, which goes to the end; die Vorwürfe are accusative as the direct object.
das Lexikon — reference book; encyclopaedia; dictionary
The plural forms are Lexika and Lexikons; Lexika is especially common for reference books, while Lexikons is also used, particularly for individual dictionaries. A smaller word dictionary is often called das Wörterbuch.
Das Lexikon liegt auf dem Tisch.
The reference book is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Lexikon is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich benutze das Lexikon für meine Hausaufgaben.
I use the reference book for my homework.
benutze means use, and für meine Hausaufgaben means for my homework. das Lexikon is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Die Lehrerin gibt dem Lexikon einen neuen Platz.
The teacher gives the reference book a new place.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, and einen neuen Platz means a new place. dem Lexikon is dative because it is the thing receiving a place, while einen neuen Platz is accusative as the direct object of gibt.
Die Seiten des Lexikons sind sehr dünn.
The pages of the reference book are very thin.
die Seiten means the pages, and dünn means thin. des Lexikons is genitive and shows possession; the neuter noun takes -s and the article is des.
In der Bibliothek stehen viele Lexika.
There are many reference books in the library.
in der Bibliothek means in the library, and stehen means are standing or are kept. Lexika is one plural of das Lexikon; in takes the dative here because the phrase describes a fixed location, not movement.
live — live; broadcast in real time
live is an indeclinable loanword: it does not change to agree with a noun. In compounds, it is often written with a capital letter, as in Live-Sendung; comparison is normally expressed analytically with mehr and am meisten.
Die Sendung ist live.
The programme is live.
Die Sendung means the programme or broadcast. live is used predicatively after ist and does not take an adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen eine live übertragene Show.
We are watching a show broadcast live.
eine übertragene Show means a broadcast show, and sehen means to watch or see. live is an indeclinable loanword modifying übertragene, so only übertragene carries the adjective ending; the accusative phrase is the object of sehen.
Dieses Konzert ist mehr live als die Aufzeichnung.
This concert feels more live than the recording.
Dieses Konzert means this concert, and die Aufzeichnung means the recording. mehr live is an analytic comparative meaning more live; because live is an indeclinable loanword, it does not take -er, and als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Sendungen wirkt diese am meisten live.
Of all the programmes, this one feels the most live.
Von allen Sendungen means of all the programmes, and wirkt means seems or feels. am meisten live is an analytic superlative; live stays unchanged, while am meisten marks the highest degree.
live — live; in real time
As an adverb, live describes an action happening in real time. It does not change form and can usually stand next to the verb or before the element it emphasises.
Der Sender berichtet live aus Berlin.
The channel is reporting live from Berlin.
Der Sender means the channel or broadcaster, berichtet means reports, and aus Berlin means from Berlin. live modifies berichtet and stays unchanged; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir haben das Konzert live erlebt.
We experienced the concert live.
das Konzert means the concert, and erlebt means experienced. live modifies erlebt; in the perfect, haben is in position two and the Partizip II erlebt goes to the end.
die Luftpost — airmail
Luftpost is normally an uncountable service or method, so it has no plural. The preposition mit is commonly used to say that something is sent by airmail.
Die Luftpost ist heute angekommen.
The airmail arrived today.
heute means today and angekommen means arrived. Die Luftpost is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen is the perfect of a movement verb and uses sein.
Ich wähle die Luftpost für den Brief.
I choose airmail for the letter.
Ich wähle means I choose, für means for, and der Brief means the letter. Die Luftpost is accusative because it is the object of wählen; für den Brief is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Der Brief kommt mit Luftpost.
The letter comes by airmail.
Der Brief means the letter and kommt means comes. Mit Luftpost is dative because mit always takes the dative; the noun has no visible ending because it is feminine mass noun.
Die Kosten der Luftpost sind hoch.
The costs of airmail are high.
Die Kosten means the costs and hoch means high. Der Luftpost is genitive because it specifies which costs; with a feminine noun, only the article changes to der.
das Mailing — mailing, mass message or advertising campaign
This English loanword is common in business and marketing. It can mean an email campaign or printed advertising sent to many people.
Das Mailing liegt auf dem Tisch.
The mailing is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Mailing is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir prüfen das Mailing heute.
We are checking the mailing today.
prüfen means to check, and heute means today. Das Mailing is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
Die Agentur schickt dem Kunden ein Mailing.
The agency sends the customer a mailing.
die Agentur is the agency, schickt means sends, and dem Kunden means to the customer. Dem Kunden is dative as the recipient, while ein Mailing is accusative as the thing sent.
Die Wirkung des Mailings war überraschend gut.
The effect of the mailing was surprisingly good.
die Wirkung means the effect, and überraschend gut means surprisingly good. Des Mailings is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the genitive article des and ending -s are important here.
Die Firma verschickt jeden Monat mehrere Mailings.
The company sends out several mailings every month.
die Firma is the company, verschickt means sends out, and jeden Monat means every month. Mehrere Mailings is accusative plural because it is the object of verschickt; the plural ending is -s.
das Medium — medium, means of communication; media; medium, person claiming to contact spirits
In everyday modern German, die Medien most often means the media, such as newspapers, television, and online platforms. In technical contexts, Medium can mean a channel or carrier of information.
Das Medium erreicht viele Menschen.
The medium reaches many people.
erreichen means to reach, and viele Menschen means many people. Das Medium is nominative as the subject, while viele Menschen is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object.
Wir nutzen das Medium für Werbung.
We use the medium for advertising.
nutzen means to use, and Werbung means advertising. Das Medium is accusative because it is the direct object; für also takes the accusative.
Mit dem Medium kann man schnell informieren.
With the medium, people can provide information quickly.
mit means with, and schnell informieren means to provide information quickly. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Medium is dative; with kann, the infinitive informieren goes to the end.
Die Wirkung des Mediums ist nicht immer neutral.
The effect of the medium is not always neutral.
die Wirkung means the effect, and nicht immer neutral means not always neutral. Des Mediums is genitive because it identifies the medium’s effect; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Medien berichten heute über die Wahl.
The media are reporting about the election today.
berichten means report, heute means today, and die Wahl means the election. Die Medien is plural and nominative as the subject; über takes the accusative when it means about.
Das Medium spricht mit den Geistern.
The medium speaks with the spirits.
das Medium means the medium, and die Geister means the spirits. Mit takes the dative, so den Geistern is dative; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Viele Menschen glauben an Medien.
Many people believe in mediums.
viele Menschen means many people, and glauben an means believe in. An takes the accusative with this fixed meaning, so Medien is accusative plural; the finite verb glauben is in position two.
missverstehen — to misunderstand; to misinterpret
This verb takes an accusative object for the person or thing that is misunderstood. Its prefix miss- is inseparable, so it does not split and the Partizip II is missverstanden, without ge.
Ich missverstehe dich nicht.
I am not misunderstanding you.
dich means you, in the informal singular, and nicht means not. dich is accusative because missverstehen takes the person who is misunderstood as a direct object; the finite verb missverstehe stands in position two.
Ich habe deine Frage missverstanden.
I misunderstood your question.
deine Frage means your question. deine Frage is accusative because it is the direct object; the auxiliary habe is in position two and missverstanden goes to the end, and this verb uses haben, not sein.
Er missverstand den Witz.
He misunderstood the joke.
er means he and der Witz means the joke. den Witz is accusative because it is what he misunderstood; missverstand is the strong-verb past form and stands in position two.
Missversteh mich bitte nicht!
Please do not misunderstand me!
mich means me, bitte means please, and nicht means not. The imperative addresses one person directly, so the subject is omitted; mich is accusative, and missversteh keeps the prefix attached.
Du würdest mich missverstehen, wenn du nur diesen Satz liest.
You would misunderstand me if you read only this sentence.
würdest means would, wenn means if, nur means only, and diesen Satz means this sentence. mich is accusative after missverstehen; missverstehen stays at the end after würdest, while liest goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Sie wird meine Erklärung missverstehen.
She will misunderstand my explanation.
meine Erklärung means my explanation. meine Erklärung is accusative because it is the direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive missverstehen goes to the end.
Sie missversteht seine Bemerkung.
She misinterprets his remark.
seine Bemerkung means his remark. seine Bemerkung is accusative because it is the thing being misinterpreted, and missversteht stands in position two without separating miss-.
Bitte missversteh meine Frage nicht absichtlich.
Please do not deliberately misinterpret my question.
meine Frage means my question, nicht means not, and absichtlich means deliberately. The imperative addresses one person and omits the subject; meine Frage is accusative, and the inseparable prefix stays attached.
das Missverständnis — misunderstanding; misunderstanding, misinterpretation
The plural is Missverständnisse, with -nisse rather than just -s. A common collocation is ein Missverständnis klären, meaning to clear up a misunderstanding.
Das Missverständnis ist jetzt geklärt.
The misunderstanding has now been cleared up.
jetzt means now and geklärt means cleared up. Das Missverständnis is nominative because it is the subject; ist is the finite verb in position two, while geklärt stands at the end in a passive-like adjective construction.
Wir klären das Missverständnis sofort.
We will clear up the misunderstanding immediately.
wir means we, klären means clear up, and sofort means immediately. das Missverständnis is accusative because it is the direct object of klären, while the finite verb klären is in position two.
Nach dem Gespräch erklären wir ihm das Missverständnis.
After the conversation, we explain the misunderstanding to him.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and ihm means to him. ihm is dative because erklären can take a person as an indirect object, while das Missverständnis is accusative as the thing explained; the verb follows the opening phrase in position two.
Die Ursache des Missverständnisses war eine unklare E-Mail.
The cause of the misunderstanding was an unclear email.
die Ursache means the cause, war means was, and eine unklare E-Mail means an unclear email. des Missverständnisses is genitive because it specifies the cause’s connection, and the genitive ending -ses must not be omitted.
Solche Missverständnisse passieren oft.
Such misunderstandings often happen.
solche means such and passieren means happen; oft means often. Missverständnisse is plural and therefore takes solche and the plural verb passieren; as the subject, it is nominative.
Wegen eines Missverständnisses kam er zu spät.
Because of a misunderstanding, he arrived late.
wegen means because of, eines means a in the genitive, kam means arrived, and zu spät means late. In careful standard German, wegen takes the genitive, so eines Missverständnisses is genitive; kam remains in position two after the opening phrase.
Es gab ein Missverständnis bei der Anmeldung.
There was a misunderstanding during registration.
es gab means there was, bei means during or at, and die Anmeldung means registration. ein Missverständnis is accusative because geben in es gab takes an accusative object; bei der Anmeldung is dative after bei.
mitreden — to join in a discussion, to have one's say; to have a say
mitreden is separable and usually means taking part in a conversation or discussion. Do not confuse it with reden mit, which means talking with someone and normally uses mit plus the dative.
Er redet in jeder Diskussion mit.
He joins in every discussion.
jede Diskussion means every discussion, and in jeder Diskussion means in every discussion. in takes the dative for a location or situation here; redet is in position two and mit goes to the end.
Sie hat bei der Sitzung mitgeredet.
She joined in the meeting.
die Sitzung means the meeting. bei der Sitzung is dative because bei always takes the dative, and the perfect uses hat plus mitgeredet at the end.
Früher redete er im Unterricht selten mit.
He rarely joined in during lessons in the past.
früher means in the past, selten means rarely, and der Unterricht means lessons or class. im Unterricht is dative after in for a setting; the past form redete is in position two and mit is final.
Red bei der Besprechung mit!
Join in the meeting!
die Besprechung means the meeting or discussion. This is the du imperative; bei der Besprechung is dative, and the prefix mit comes at the end.
Ich würde gern bei der Entscheidung mitreden.
I would like to have a say in the decision.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and gern means gladly or would like to. würde plus the infinitive mitreden expresses a wish, and bei der Entscheidung is dative after bei.
Bei der nächsten Sitzung redet auch die neue Kollegin mit.
At the next meeting, the new colleague will also join in.
nächste Sitzung means next meeting, auch means also, and neue Kollegin means new female colleague. A planned future can use the present tense; bei der Sitzung is dative, redet is in position two, and mit is separated.
Die Mitarbeiter wollen bei der Planung mitreden.
The employees want to have a say in the planning.
die Mitarbeiter means the employees, wollen means want to, and die Planung means the planning. bei der Planung is dative after bei; after the modal verb wollen, the infinitive mitreden goes to the end.
Auch Kinder dürfen über ihre Zukunft mitreden.
Children may also have a say about their future.
auch means also, Kinder means children, dürfen means may or are allowed to, and ihre Zukunft means their future. über takes the accusative here, and the infinitive mitreden follows the modal verb at the end.
mitteilen — to inform, to tell, to communicate
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas mitteilen: the person informed is in the dative and the information is in the accusative. As a separable verb, mitteilen splits in main clauses but stays together in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Ich teile dir die Entscheidung heute mit.
I will tell you the decision today.
die Entscheidung means ‘the decision’ and heute means ‘today’. dir is dative because the pattern is jemandem etwas mitteilen, while die Entscheidung is accusative; the finite verb is split, with teile in position two and mit at the end.
Sie hat uns die Änderung gestern mitgeteilt.
She informed us of the change yesterday.
uns means ‘us’, die Änderung means ‘the change’, and gestern means ‘yesterday’. uns is dative and die Änderung is accusative; the auxiliary hat is in position two and mitgeteilt goes to the end.
Der Chef teilte dem Team die Neuigkeit mit.
The boss told the team the news.
der Chef is ‘the boss’, dem Team is ‘the team’, and die Neuigkeit is ‘the news’. dem Team is dative because it is the recipient, while die Neuigkeit is accusative; the past-tense verb is split around the clause.
Teile mir den Termin bitte mit.
Please let me know the appointment date.
mir means ‘to me’, der Termin means ‘the appointment/date’, and bitte means ‘please’. mir is dative as the recipient and den Termin is accusative; the imperative omits du, and mit goes at the end.
Ich würde ihr die Wahrheit mitteilen.
I would tell her the truth.
ihr means ‘to her’ and die Wahrheit means ‘the truth’. ihr is dative and die Wahrheit is accusative; würde is in position two and the complete infinitive mitteilen stands at the end.
Wir werden Ihnen das Ergebnis morgen mitteilen.
We will inform you of the result tomorrow.
Ihnen is the formal ‘to you’, das Ergebnis means ‘the result’, and morgen means ‘tomorrow’. Ihnen is dative and das Ergebnis is accusative; werden is in position two and the infinitive mitteilen goes to the end.