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Vocab: Communication & media — B1 (3)
Communication & media vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Mitteilung — message, notice, announcement; written message, notification
Mitteilung is often used for an official or clearly worded message, while Nachricht is more general. It is formed from mitteilen, ‘to inform’, plus the noun ending -ung.
Die Mitteilung steht an der Tür.
The notice is on the door.
steht means ‘is standing’ or ‘is displayed’, and an der Tür means ‘on the door’. Die Mitteilung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich lese die Mitteilung sofort.
I am reading the notice immediately.
lese means ‘read’ and sofort means ‘immediately’. die Mitteilung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir folgen der Mitteilung auf der Website.
We follow the announcement on the website.
folgen means ‘follow’, and auf der Website means ‘on the website’. der Mitteilung is dative because folgen governs the dative; the feminine dative article is der, not die.
Der Inhalt der Mitteilung ist klar.
The content of the announcement is clear.
der Inhalt means ‘the content’ and klar means ‘clear’. der Mitteilung is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Die Mitteilungen kommen per E-Mail.
The announcements arrive by email.
kommen means ‘arrive/come’ and per E-Mail means ‘by email’. Mitteilungen is plural and therefore takes die; the plural subject requires the verb form kommen.
Ich habe eine kurze Mitteilung für dich.
I have a short message for you.
kurze means ‘short’ and für dich means ‘for you’. eine kurze Mitteilung is accusative as the object of habe, while für always takes the accusative.
Bitte hinterlassen Sie eine Mitteilung nach dem Signalton.
Please leave a message after the tone.
hinterlassen means ‘leave’, nach means ‘after’, and der Signalton is ‘the tone/beep’. eine Mitteilung is accusative because it is the object of hinterlassen; the formal imperative uses Sie and keeps the verb in position two.
die Moderation — moderation; hosting or leading a discussion or programme
In this sense, Moderation is the organised guiding of a discussion, meeting or broadcast. It is not the same as simply giving a speech: the moderator also guides speakers and manages the order of the conversation.
Die Moderation der Diskussion ist heute besonders wichtig.
The moderation of the discussion is especially important today.
die Diskussion means the discussion, and heute means today; besonders means especially, while wichtig means important. Die Moderation is nominative because it is the subject, and der Diskussion is genitive because it says whose moderation it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen die Moderation für den Abend.
We are planning the moderation for the evening.
wir means we, planen means plan, and für den Abend means for the evening. Die Moderation is accusative because planen takes a direct object, while für also forces the accusative; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Wir geben der Moderation mehr Zeit.
We are giving the moderation more time.
mehr Zeit means more time, and geben means give. Der Moderation is dative because geben uses a dative recipient, while mehr Zeit is accusative; the finite verb geben stands in position two.
Die Qualität der Moderation war sehr gut.
The quality of the moderation was very good.
die Qualität means the quality, and sehr gut means very good. Der Moderation is genitive after die Qualität to show what kind of quality it is; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Bei großen Veranstaltungen übernehmen erfahrene Leute oft die Moderationen.
At large events, experienced people often take on the moderation.
bei großen Veranstaltungen means at large events, and erfahrene Leute means experienced people; oft means often and übernehmen means take on. Die Moderationen is plural and accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object, while bei forces the dative in Veranstaltungen.
der Moderator — male moderator; host or presenter
A Moderator may lead a live discussion or host a radio or television programme. The feminine form is Moderatorin, and the plural of der Moderator is die Moderatoren.
Der Moderator begrüßt die Gäste.
The host welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die Gäste means the guests. Der Moderator is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two and die Gäste is accusative as the direct object.
Wir sehen den Moderator jeden Abend im Fernsehen.
We see the host on television every evening.
wir sehen means we see, jeden Abend means every evening, and im Fernsehen means on television. Den Moderator is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative here because this describes a location.
Ich stelle dem Moderator eine Frage.
I ask the host a question.
ich stelle eine Frage means I ask a question, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Moderator is dative because stellen uses a dative person receiving or being asked something, while eine Frage is accusative; the verb stelle is in position two.
Die Stimme des Moderators ist sehr ruhig.
The host's voice is very calm.
die Stimme means the voice, and ruhig means calm. Des Moderators is genitive to show whose voice it is; the masculine noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Moderatoren sprechen mit vielen Gästen.
The hosts talk to many guests.
sprechen means talk, vielen Gästen means many guests, and mit means with. Die Moderatoren is the plural subject, and mit forces the dative in vielen Gästen; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
die Moderatorin — female moderator; host or presenter
A Moderatorin is the feminine form of Moderator. It can mean a woman leading a discussion or a woman hosting a radio or television programme.
Die Moderatorin eröffnet die Konferenz.
The moderator opens the conference.
eröffnet means opens, and die Konferenz means the conference. Die Moderatorin is nominative because she is the subject, while die Konferenz is accusative as the direct object; the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two.
Das Publikum hört die Moderatorin aufmerksam zu.
The audience listens attentively to the moderator.
das Publikum means the audience, and aufmerksam means attentively. Die Moderatorin is accusative because hören takes a direct object; in hört ... zu, the prefix zu separates and moves to the end of the main clause.
Nach der Pause danken wir der Moderatorin.
After the break, we thank the moderator.
nach der Pause means after the break, and danken means thank. Der Moderatorin is dative because danken always takes a dative person, and nach also forces the dative; the finite verb danken is in position two.
Die Fragen der Moderatorin waren sehr klar.
The moderator's questions were very clear.
die Fragen means the questions, and klar means clear. Der Moderatorin is genitive to show whose questions they were; the finite verb waren stands in position two.
Mehrere Moderatorinnen arbeiten bei diesem Sender.
Several female moderators work for this broadcaster.
mehrere means several, arbeiten means work, and dieser Sender means this broadcaster. Moderatorinnen is plural and is the subject; bei forces the dative in diesem Sender, while arbeiten stands in position two.
nachfragen — to ask, to enquire; to check by asking
With a person or organisation, use bei jemandem nachfragen; the person or organisation is dative. Nachfragen is separable, so fragt ... nach is split in a main clause, but nachfragen stays together after würde or werden.
Ich frage beim Arzt nach.
I ask the doctor for clarification.
beim Arzt means at the doctor's, and nachfragen means ask for clarification. The verb is separable: finite frage stands in position two and nach goes to the end; beim Arzt is dative because bei takes the dative.
Ich habe beim Arzt nachgefragt.
I asked the doctor for clarification.
beim Arzt means at the doctor's, and nachgefragt means asked for clarification. The perfect uses haben plus nachgefragt, with the Partizip II at the end; the two parts of the separable verb are joined in this form.
Früher fragte ich oft beim Kundendienst nach.
I often made enquiries with customer service in the past.
früher means in the past, oft means often, and der Kundendienst is customer service. Fragte ... nach is the weak simple past; fragte is in position two and the prefix nach goes to the end.
Frag bitte beim Sekretariat nach.
Please ask the secretariat.
bitte means please, and das Sekretariat is the secretariat or office. Frag ... nach is the singular informal imperative; beim Sekretariat is dative after bei, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde beim Hotel nachfragen, ob noch Zimmer frei sind.
I would ask the hotel whether any rooms are still available.
das Hotel is the hotel, ob means whether, Zimmer are rooms, and frei means available. After würde, the full infinitive nachfragen stays together at the end; the ob clause is subordinate, so sind goes to its end.
Morgen werde ich beim Vermieter nachfragen.
Tomorrow I will ask the landlord.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Vermieter is the landlord. Future werde ... nachfragen uses werden in position two and the full infinitive at the end; beim Vermieter is dative after bei.
das Netzwerk — network; connected system; professional network
das Netzwerk often refers to a technical system or a group of people and organisations. For online platforms, soziales Netzwerk is a common expression.
Das Netzwerk verbindet viele Computer.
The network connects many computers.
verbindet means connects, and viele Computer means many computers. Das Netzwerk is nominative because it is the subject, while viele Computer is accusative because it is the direct object of verbindet.
Die Firma baut ein Netzwerk für Schulen auf.
The company is setting up a network for schools.
die Firma is the company, baut ... auf means sets up, and für Schulen means for schools. ein Netzwerk is accusative because aufbauen takes a direct object; the separable verb places auf at the end of the main clause.
Wir arbeiten in einem Netzwerk.
We work in a network.
arbeiten means work, and in einem Netzwerk means in a network. einem Netzwerk is dative because in describes a location, and arbeiten stands in position two.
Die Vorteile des Netzwerks sind klar.
The advantages of the network are clear.
die Vorteile are the advantages, and klar means clear. des Netzwerks is genitive because it identifies the network's advantages; the genitive ending is usually -s here.
Große Netzwerke können sehr mächtig sein.
Large networks can be very powerful.
große means large, können means can, and mächtig means powerful. Netzwerke is the nominative plural subject, and the modal verb können sends the infinitive sein to the end.
Sie hat ein großes berufliches Netzwerk.
She has a large professional network.
sie means she, großes means large, and berufliches means professional. ein großes berufliches Netzwerk is accusative because hat takes a direct object, and the adjective endings follow the neuter article ein.
Durch mein Netzwerk finde ich leichter Arbeit.
I find work more easily through my network.
durch means through, mein means my, leichter means more easily, and Arbeit means work or a job. mein Netzwerk is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; the fronted phrase is followed by the verb finde in position two.
der Newsletter — newsletter
The German word is commonly used for an email publication as well as for a printed information sheet. Its plural is usually unchanged: der Newsletter, die Newsletter.
Der Newsletter kommt jeden Freitag.
The newsletter arrives every Friday.
jeden Freitag means every Friday. kommen means to arrive or come; the sentence uses kommt because the subject is singular. Der Newsletter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Newsletter jeden Montag.
I read the newsletter every Monday.
lesen means to read, and jeden Montag means every Monday. Den Newsletter is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Newsletter nicht immer.
I do not always trust the newsletter.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht immer means not always. Dem Newsletter is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Der Inhalt des Newsletters ist interessant.
The content of the newsletter is interesting.
der Inhalt means the content, and interessant means interesting. Des Newsletters is genitive because it shows whose content it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive, while ist stands in position two.
Viele Newsletter enthalten nützliche Tipps.
Many newsletters contain useful tips.
viele means many, enthalten means contain, and nützliche Tipps means useful tips. Newsletter has the same form in the plural, but viele shows that it is plural; the plural subject makes the verb enthalten plural.
die Postanweisung — postal money order
die Postanweisung is a formal way to send money through the postal service. It is less common today than electronic transfers, but learners may still see it in official or older texts.
Die Postanweisung ist bereits angekommen.
The postal money order has already arrived.
bereits means already and angekommen means arrived. die Postanweisung is the nominative subject; ist angekommen is the perfect of movement or arrival, with sein and the participle at the end.
Ich fülle die Postanweisung sorgfältig aus.
I fill in the postal money order carefully.
fülle ... aus means fill in, and sorgfältig means carefully. die Postanweisung is accusative because ausfüllen takes a direct object; the separable prefix aus moves to the end of this main clause.
Der Kunde schickt der Postanweisung eine Kopie bei.
The customer encloses a copy with the postal money order.
der Kunde is the customer, eine Kopie is a copy, and schickt ... bei means encloses. der Postanweisung is dative after beilegen in the sense of enclosing something with something; the separable prefix bei stands at the end.
Die Nummer der Postanweisung steht auf dem Beleg.
The number of the postal money order is on the receipt.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and der Beleg is the receipt. der Postanweisung is genitive because it identifies which number it is; auf dem Beleg is dative because the number has a fixed location.
Postanweisungen werden heute nur noch selten benutzt.
Postal money orders are now used only rarely.
heute means today, nur noch means only nowadays or still only, selten means rarely, and benutzt means used. Postanweisungen is plural nominative as the subject of the passive; werden ... benutzt puts the participle at the end.
der Posteingang — inbox; incoming mail
In computing, der Posteingang is usually an email inbox; in postal contexts it can mean incoming mail. Its plural is die Posteingänge.
Im Posteingang liegen drei neue E-Mails.
There are three new emails in the inbox.
liegen means are located, and drei neue E-Mails means three new emails. Im Posteingang is short for in dem Posteingang and uses the dative for a location; the finite verb liegen is in position two.
Ich öffne den Posteingang jeden Morgen.
I open the inbox every morning.
öffne means open, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Posteingang is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the finite verb öffne is in position two.
Schick mir die Datei bitte in den Posteingang.
Please send the file to the inbox.
Schick means send, mir means to me, and die Datei means the file. In den Posteingang is accusative because it expresses movement into the inbox; Schick is the imperative.
Die Adresse des Posteingangs hat sich geändert.
The inbox address has changed.
die Adresse means the address, and hat sich geändert means has changed. Des Posteingangs is genitive to show possession; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Unsere Posteingänge sind heute fast leer.
Our inboxes are almost empty today.
unsere means our, heute means today, and fast leer means almost empty. Posteingänge is plural, with -e and an umlaut; the plural subject takes sind.
postlagernd — poste restante; to be collected at a post office
Postlagernd is used for mail that is held at a post office for collection. It is normally not compared; comparative and superlative forms are rare and unusual.
Der Brief ist postlagernd.
The letter is poste restante.
der Brief means the letter, and ist means is. Postlagernd is used predicatively after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schicke einen postlagernden Brief an die Post.
I am sending a poste restante letter to the post office.
schicke means send, einen Brief means a letter, and an die Post means to the post office. Postlagernden stands before the masculine accusative noun Brief and takes -en after einen.
Diese Sendung ist postlagernder als die andere.
This shipment is more poste restante than the other one.
diese Sendung means this shipment, and die andere means the other one. Postlagernder is the comparative form with -er; this comparison is unusual because postlagernd normally describes a postal arrangement rather than a quality.
Von allen Briefen war dieser am postlagerndsten.
Of all the letters, this one was the most poste restante.
von allen Briefen means of all the letters, and dieser means this one. Am postlagerndsten is the superlative with am and -sten; this form is rare and normally only occurs in a deliberately playful comparison.
die Presse — press; the media; press; pressing machine
In the media sense, die Presse usually refers to the press collectively and is often used without a plural. In the physical sense, die Presse can mean a press or machine, with the plural die Pressen.
Die Presse berichtet heute über den Streik.
The press is reporting on the strike today.
berichtet means reports, heute means today, and der Streik is the strike. Die Presse is nominative because it is the subject, while über den Streik uses the accusative after über for the topic being reported; the finite verb berichtet is in position two.
Viele Menschen lesen die Presse jeden Morgen.
Many people read the press every morning.
Viele Menschen means many people, lesen means read, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Presse is accusative because it is the object of lesen; the finite verb lesen stands in position two.
Journalisten sprechen mit der Presse über den Fall.
Journalists speak with the press about the case.
Journalisten are journalists, sprechen means speak, and der Fall is the case or incident. Mit der Presse is dative because mit always takes the dative, while über den Fall is accusative after über when it introduces the topic.
Die Freiheit der Presse ist wichtig für die Demokratie.
Freedom of the press is important for democracy.
Die Freiheit means freedom, wichtig means important, and die Demokratie means democracy. Der Presse is genitive because it identifies whose freedom is meant, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
In vielen Ländern arbeiten unabhängige Pressen.
Independent press organisations operate in many countries.
In vielen Ländern means in many countries, arbeiten means operate or work, and unabhängige means independent. Pressen is the plural form here; in vielen Ländern is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Die Arbeiter bedienen die Presse.
The workers operate the press.
Die Arbeiter means the workers, bedienen means operate, and die Presse is the press or machine. Die Presse is accusative because bedienen takes a direct object, and bedienen is the finite verb in position two.
Die neue Presse formt Metallteile.
The new press shapes metal parts.
neu means new, formt means shapes, and Metallteile are metal parts. Die Presse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb formt stands in position two.
die Propaganda — propaganda
Propaganda is usually negative: it presents information selectively in order to persuade people. It is an uncountable noun in standard German, so learners should not normally form a plural.
Die Propaganda beeinflusst viele Menschen.
The propaganda influences many people.
beeinflusst means influences, and viele Menschen means many people. Die Propaganda is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beeinflusst stands in position two.
Viele Menschen glauben die Propaganda.
Many people believe the propaganda.
viele Menschen means many people, and glauben means believe. die Propaganda is accusative because glauben takes a direct object here; the finite verb glauben is in position two.
Die Zeitung widerspricht der Propaganda.
The newspaper contradicts the propaganda.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and widerspricht means contradicts. der Propaganda is dative because widersprechen requires the dative; the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Propaganda ist schwer zu messen.
The effect of the propaganda is difficult to measure.
die Wirkung means the effect, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. der Propaganda is genitive to show possession or association, while die Wirkung is the nominative subject.
Viele Länder verbieten bestimmte Formen von Propaganda.
Many countries ban certain forms of propaganda.
viele Länder means many countries, verbieten means ban, and bestimmte Formen means certain forms. Propaganda remains singular because it is a mass noun; after von, the noun is dative, although the plural form belongs to Formen, not to Propaganda.
protokollieren — to record, to take minutes
Protokollieren is a formal verb often used for meetings, decisions, events, or data. Like other verbs ending in -ieren, it forms the participle protokolliert, not geprotokolliert.
Die Sekretärin protokolliert die Sitzung.
The secretary is taking minutes of the meeting.
die Sekretärin is the secretary and die Sitzung is the meeting. Die Sitzung is accusative because protokollieren takes a direct object; the finite verb protokolliert stands in position two.
Die Sekretärin hat die Sitzung protokolliert.
The secretary recorded the meeting.
die Sekretärin means the secretary and die Sitzung means the meeting. The perfect uses hat because protokollieren takes haben, and the participle protokolliert goes at the end.
Er protokollierte jedes Wort.
He recorded every word.
jedes Wort means every word. Jedes Wort is accusative as the object, and the weak-verb past form protokollierte stands in position two.
Protokolliere bitte die wichtigsten Punkte.
Please record the most important points.
bitte means please, and die wichtigsten Punkte means the most important points. This is the informal singular imperative, so du is omitted; the object is accusative after protokollieren.
Ich würde den ganzen Ablauf protokollieren.
I would document the entire procedure.
der ganze Ablauf means the entire procedure or sequence of events. Würde protokollieren expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive protokollieren goes to the end, and den ganzen Ablauf is accusative.
Wir werden alle Änderungen protokollieren.
We will record all changes.
alle Änderungen means all changes. Future tense uses werden plus the infinitive protokollieren at the end; the object is accusative.
das Publikum — audience, spectators; audience, target audience
Publikum is usually a collective noun for the people watching or listening together. Its uncommon plural is Publika, used for several separate audiences.
Das Publikum wartet gespannt auf den Beginn des Konzerts.
The audience is eagerly waiting for the concert to begin.
gespannt means eager or excited, and der Beginn means the beginning. des Konzerts means of the concert. Das Publikum is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Die Schauspielerin begrüßte das Publikum.
The actress greeted the audience.
die Schauspielerin is the actress, and begrüßen means to greet. Das Publikum is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßte; the finite verb remains in position two.
Der Moderator stellte dem Publikum eine Frage.
The presenter asked the audience a question.
der Moderator is the presenter, stellen means to ask or put, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Publikum is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Frage is the accusative thing being asked.
Die Reaktion des Publikums war überraschend.
The audience’s reaction was surprising.
die Reaktion is the reaction, überraschend means surprising, and war means was. Des Publikums is genitive and shows whose reaction it was; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Publika in verschiedenen Städten waren sehr unterschiedlich.
The audiences in different cities were very different.
verschiedenen Städten means different cities, and unterschiedlich means different. Publika is the plural of das Publikum; the plural article is die, and the plural phrase is the subject.
Die neue Serie ist beim Publikum sehr beliebt.
The new series is very popular with the audience.
die neue Serie is the new series, and beliebt means popular. Beim Publikum is short for bei dem Publikum; bei always takes the dative, and the verb ist comes second.
Das Buch erreicht ein junges Publikum.
The book reaches a young audience.
das Buch is the book, erreichen means to reach, and jung means young. Ein junges Publikum is accusative because it is the object of erreicht; the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
die Quelle — source; spring, source of water
For information, Quelle means a source such as a person, book or website. The plural is Quellen; do not confuse this meaning with the physical spring of water.
Die Quelle ist zuverlässig.
The source is reliable.
zuverlässig means reliable. Quelle is the nominative subject of ist; the adjective zuverlässig comes after the linking verb and has no ending.
Ich prüfe die Quelle.
I check the source.
prüfe means check or verify. Quelle is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; die looks the same in nominative and accusative feminine.
Ich vertraue dieser Quelle.
I trust this source.
vertraue means trust. Quelle is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, shown by dieser.
Die Angaben der Quelle sind wichtig.
The source’s information is important.
Angaben means information or details, and wichtig means important. Quelle is genitive after der to show whose information it is; the subject Angaben is plural, so the verb is sind.
Mehrere Quellen bestätigen die Nachricht.
Several sources confirm the news.
Mehrere means several, bestätigen means confirm, and Nachricht means news or message. Quellen is plural and is the subject, while die Nachricht is accusative after bestätigen.
Wir trinken Wasser aus der Quelle.
We drink water from the spring.
trinken means drink and Wasser means water. Quelle is dative after aus, which takes the dative for the place something comes from.
Die Quelle liegt im Wald.
The spring is in the forest.
liegt means lies or is located, and Wald means forest. Quelle is the nominative subject; im Wald is a location phrase made from in dem Wald, with dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Quizshow — quiz show
A Quizshow is normally a television programme with questions and contestants. The compound combines Quiz with Show, and its plural is formed with -s.
Die Quizshow beginnt um acht Uhr.
The quiz show starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means “starts”, and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock”. Die Quizshow is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen die Quizshow jeden Samstag.
We watch the quiz show every Saturday.
sehen means “watch or see”, and jeden Samstag means “every Saturday”. Die Quizshow is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Ich empfehle meiner Mutter die Quizshow.
I recommend the quiz show to my mother.
empfehle means “recommend”, and meiner Mutter means “to my mother”. Die Quizshow is accusative as the thing recommended, while meiner Mutter is dative as the person receiving the recommendation.
Das Ende der Quizshow war überraschend.
The end of the quiz show was surprising.
das Ende means “the end”, and überraschend means “surprising”. Der Quizshow is genitive because it identifies which programme had an end; the feminine article is der in the genitive.
Viele Quizshows laufen am Abend.
Many quiz shows are on in the evening.
viele means “many”, and laufen means “are on or are broadcast”; am Abend means “in the evening”. Quizshows is the plural with -s, and the finite verb laufen follows the plural subject.
die Quote — rate, percentage; quota; viewing figure
Quote often means a rate or percentage, for example a television viewing figure or a proportion of people. It can also mean a quota or fixed share; it does not normally mean an English-style quotation, which is das Zitat.
Die Quote ist in diesem Jahr gestiegen.
The rate has risen this year.
in diesem Jahr means “this year”, and gestiegen means “risen”. Die Quote is nominative because it is the subject; the perfect auxiliary ist is in position two and gestiegen goes to the end.
Die Zeitung nennt eine hohe Quote.
The newspaper gives a high rate.
die Zeitung means “the newspaper”, nennt means “names or gives”, and hoch means “high”. Eine hohe Quote is accusative because nennt takes a direct object; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Mit der Quote sind alle zufrieden.
Everyone is satisfied with the rate.
mit means “with”, and zufrieden means “satisfied”. Der Quote is dative because mit always takes the dative; sind is in position two and alle means “everyone” here.
Die Höhe der Quote überrascht mich.
The level of the rate surprises me.
die Höhe means “the level”, and überrascht means “surprises”. Der Quote is genitive because it specifies the level; mich is accusative because I am the person affected by überraschen.
Die Quoten für das Fernsehen sinken.
Television viewing figures are falling.
für das Fernsehen means “for television”, and sinken means “fall”. Quoten is the plural of die Quote with -en, and the plural verb sinken follows the subject.
der Ratgeber — guide; adviser; advice book
A Ratgeber can be a person or a book, usually one that offers practical advice. The plural is also Ratgeber, with no visible ending change.
Der Ratgeber hilft vielen Menschen.
The guide helps many people.
hilft means helps, and vielen Menschen means many people. Der Ratgeber is nominative because it is the subject; the verb hilft is in position two and helfen takes a dative person.
Ich lese den Ratgeber.
I am reading the guide.
lese means read. Den Ratgeber is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; masculine nouns change the article from der to den in the accusative.
Sie vertraut dem Ratgeber.
She trusts the adviser.
vertraut means trusts. Dem Ratgeber is dative because vertrauen requires a dative person; the finite verb vertraut stands in position two.
Die Tipps des Ratgebers sind praktisch.
The guide's tips are practical.
die Tipps means the tips, and praktisch means practical. Des Ratgebers is genitive and means of the guide; the noun adds -s, while sind agrees with plural Tipps.
Die Ratgeber stehen im Regal.
The guides are on the shelf.
stehen means are standing or are located, and das Regal is the shelf. Die Ratgeber is plural, but the noun itself has no ending change; im Regal is a dative location phrase.
die Redaktion — editorial department, newsroom; editorial team
Redaktion can mean the department in a media organisation or the team of editors working there. It can also refer to the editorial office as a place or institution.
Die Redaktion plant die nächste Ausgabe.
The editorial department is planning the next issue.
plant means plans, and die nächste Ausgabe is the next issue. Die Redaktion is nominative because it is the subject, while die nächste Ausgabe is accusative because planen takes a direct object.
Ich lese die Redaktion?
I read the editorial department?
This sentence is not natural German for the intended meaning: lesen means read and normally takes a text, not a department. Use Ich lese den Artikel der Redaktion for “I read the editorial department’s article”; die Redaktion is accusative only with verbs such as informieren.
Ich schreibe der Redaktion eine E-Mail.
I am writing the editorial department an email.
schreiben means write, and eine E-Mail is an email. Der Redaktion is dative because it is the recipient, while eine E-Mail is accusative as the thing being written.
Die Entscheidung der Redaktion war wichtig.
The editorial department’s decision was important.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and wichtig means important. Der Redaktion is genitive because it shows whose decision it was.
Mehrere Redaktionen berichten über den Skandal.
Several editorial departments are reporting on the scandal.
mehrere means several, berichten means report, and der Skandal is the scandal. Redaktionen is plural; über den Skandal is accusative because über has this meaning with the accusative.
die Rede — speech, talk; mention, discussion; question
For a formal talk, German commonly uses eine Rede halten, literally to hold a speech. The plural is Reden, while Rede also appears in the fixed phrase von etwas die Rede sein, meaning for something to be mentioned.
Die Rede war sehr interessant.
The speech was very interesting.
interessant means interesting, and sehr means very. Die Rede is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich habe die Rede gestern gehört.
I heard the speech yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gehört means heard. Die Rede is accusative because hören takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gehört goes to the end.
Nach der Rede gingen alle nach Hause.
After the speech, everyone went home.
nach means after here, gingen means went, alle means everyone, and nach Hause means home. Der Rede is dative because nach governs the dative; the verb gingen is in position two even though the sentence starts with a prepositional phrase.
Der Beginn der Rede war besonders stark.
The beginning of the speech was especially powerful.
der Beginn means the beginning, and besonders stark means especially powerful. Der Rede is genitive because it shows whose beginning it is; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
Die Politiker hielten mehrere Reden.
The politicians gave several speeches.
die Politiker means the politicians, hielten means gave or held, and mehrere means several. Reden is plural and accusative because hielten takes the speech as its object; the plural ending is -n.
Von einem neuen Plan ist die Rede.
A new plan is being discussed.
von einem neuen Plan means of a new plan or about a new plan. The fixed expression die Rede sein means to be mentioned or discussed, and von always takes the dative: einem neuen Plan.
Davon kann keine Rede sein.
There is no question of that.
davon means of that, keine means no, and kann means can or may. Keine Rede sein is a fixed expression meaning something is out of the question; the modal verb kann is in position two and sein goes to the end.
der Redner — speaker, orator; orator, effective speaker
Der Redner usually means a man speaking to an audience, often in a formal setting. It is a weak masculine noun: use den Redner and dem Redner, not den Rednern in the singular.
Der Redner begrüßt die Gäste.
The speaker welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die Gäste means the guests. Der Redner is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Die Zuhörer hören den Redner.
The listeners are listening to the speaker.
die Zuhörer means the listeners, and hören means listen to or hear. Den Redner is accusative because hören takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Redner keeps -n outside the nominative.
Ich danke dem Redner für seine klaren Worte.
I thank the speaker for his clear words.
danke means thank, für means for, and seine klaren Worte means his clear words. Dem Redner is dative because danken requires the dative; Redner has the weak-noun ending -n.
Die Meinung des Redners war überzeugend.
The speaker's opinion was convincing.
die Meinung means the opinion, and überzeugend means convincing. Des Redners expresses possession and is genitive; the masculine genitive has des and the ending -s here.
Die Redner diskutierten nach der Veranstaltung.
The speakers discussed things after the event.
diskutierten means discussed, nach means after, and die Veranstaltung means the event. Redner is plural with no visible ending change; die and the plural verb diskutierten show the number.
Er ist ein ausgezeichneter Redner.
He is an excellent speaker.
ausgezeichnet means excellent. After sein, ein ausgezeichneter Redner is a predicative noun phrase in the nominative; the adjective ending agrees with the masculine noun.
Der junge Redner überzeugte das Publikum.
The young speaker convinced the audience.
junge means young, überzeugte means convinced, and das Publikum means the audience. Der junge Redner is nominative as the subject, while das Publikum is accusative because überzeugen takes a direct object.
die Rednerin — female speaker, female orator
Rednerin is the feminine form of Redner and refers to a woman speaking publicly. Its plural is Rednerinnen, with the ending -innen.
Die Rednerin beginnt ihren Vortrag.
The speaker begins her presentation.
beginnt means begins, and ihren Vortrag means her presentation. Die Rednerin is nominative because she is the subject; ihren Vortrag is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object.
Viele Menschen lobten die Rednerin.
Many people praised the speaker.
viele Menschen means many people, and lobten means praised. Die Rednerin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative both use die.
Die Journalisten stellten der Rednerin eine Frage.
The journalists asked the speaker a question.
die Journalisten means the journalists, stellten means asked or put, and eine Frage means a question. Der Rednerin is dative because she receives the question, while eine Frage is the accusative object.
Die Antwort der Rednerin war sehr klar.
The female speaker's answer was very clear.
die Antwort means the answer, and sehr klar means very clear. Der Rednerin is genitive because it shows whose answer it is; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Rednerinnen erhielten viel Applaus.
The female speakers received a lot of applause.
erhielten means received, and viel Applaus means a lot of applause. Rednerinnen is plural, formed with -innen; it is the subject here, so it is nominative.
die Reportage — report, feature, documentary report
A Reportage is more detailed and narrative than a short news item. It is often used for television, radio, or magazine journalism.
Die Reportage ist sehr spannend.
The report is very exciting.
spannend means exciting. Die Reportage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Reportage heute Abend.
I am watching the report this evening.
heute Abend means this evening. die Reportage is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while sehe stands in position two.
Wir sprechen in der Schule über die Reportage.
We are talking about the report at school.
in der Schule means at school and über means about. der Schule is dative because in describes a location here, while die Reportage is accusative because über takes the accusative in this meaning.
Das Thema der Reportage war sehr wichtig.
The topic of the report was very important.
das Thema means the topic and wichtig means important. der Reportage is genitive because it identifies whose topic it was; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Fernsehen laufen heute drei Reportagen.
Three reports are on television today.
im Fernsehen means on television, heute means today, and drei means three. Reportagen is the plural with -n, and laufen stands in position two because the sentence has a plural subject.
der Rundfunk — broadcasting, radio and television service; radio broadcasting
Rundfunk is a formal or institutional word for broadcasting, not usually for one particular radio programme. It is normally an uncountable mass noun, so it has no regular plural; for an individual station, use der Sender.
Der Rundfunk informiert die Bevölkerung.
Broadcasting informs the population.
informiert means informs, and die Bevölkerung means the population or public. Der Rundfunk is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb informiert stands in position two.
Viele Menschen hören den Rundfunk morgens.
Many people listen to the radio in the morning.
viele Menschen means many people, hören means listen to, and morgens means in the morning. Den Rundfunk is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Regierung gibt dem Rundfunk neue Informationen.
The government gives broadcasting new information.
die Regierung means the government, gibt means gives, and neue Informationen means new information. Dem Rundfunk is dative because geben assigns the recipient dative, while the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Die Finanzierung des Rundfunks ist ein wichtiges Thema.
The funding of broadcasting is an important issue.
die Finanzierung means funding, wichtig means important, and das Thema means issue or topic. Des Rundfunks is genitive because it identifies the broadcasting whose funding is meant; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Früher lief diese Sendung oft im Rundfunk.
This programme used to be broadcast on the radio often.
früher means formerly or in the past, lief means was broadcast or ran, and diese Sendung means this programme. Im Rundfunk means in broadcasting; in takes the dative here because it describes the medium rather than movement.
Der Rundfunk brachte die Nachricht am Abend.
The radio broadcast the news in the evening.
brachte means brought or broadcast, die Nachricht means the news item, and am Abend means in the evening. Der Rundfunk is the nominative subject, while die Nachricht is accusative because it is the direct object of brachte.
die Rückfrage — follow-up question, enquiry; clarification question, follow-up enquiry
A Rückfrage is not simply any question: it is usually asked because information is missing or unclear. The common expression is eine Rückfrage stellen (to ask a follow-up question), while eine Rückfrage beantworten means to answer one.
Die Rückfrage ist noch offen.
The follow-up question is still unanswered.
noch offen means still unanswered or unresolved. Die Rückfrage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich beantworte die Rückfrage sofort.
I will answer the follow-up question immediately.
beantworte means answer, and sofort means immediately. die Rückfrage is accusative because beantworten takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich antworte auf die Rückfrage.
I am replying to the follow-up question.
antworte means reply, and auf means to in this expression. The phrase is auf die Rückfrage in the accusative because antworten auf requires auf plus accusative; it is not a dative example despite the requested case slot.
Die Antwort auf die Rückfrage war hilfreich.
The answer to the follow-up question was helpful.
die Antwort means the answer, and hilfreich means helpful. This sentence uses auf die Rückfrage, which is accusative because Antwort auf takes auf plus accusative; the genitive relationship is expressed by meaning, not by a genitive form.
Die Rückfragen der Kunden waren verständlich.
The customers' follow-up questions were understandable.
der Kunden means of the customers, and verständlich means understandable. Rückfragen is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Kunden is genitive plural and shows whose questions they are.
Bitte stellen Sie Ihre Rückfrage per E-Mail.
Please send your follow-up question by email.
Bitte means please, stellen means ask or put, and per E-Mail means by email. Ihre Rückfrage is accusative because the fixed expression eine Rückfrage stellen takes an accusative object; stellen Sie is a formal imperative.
Bei Rückfragen rufen Sie mich bitte an.
If you have any questions, please call me.
bei Rückfragen means if you have any questions, and anrufen means call. Rückfragen is dative plural after bei; rufen Sie ... an is a formal separable imperative, with an at the end.
Wegen einer Rückfrage konnte der Vertrag noch nicht unterschrieben werden.
Because of a clarification question, the contract could not yet be signed.
wegen means because of, der Vertrag means the contract, and unterschrieben means signed. einer Rückfrage is genitive after wegen in formal standard German, and konnte ... unterschrieben werden is a passive construction with the verb bracket at the end.
die Rückmeldung — feedback, response
Rückmeldung is often used for feedback about work, a course, or an application. It can also mean a reply or confirmation, and the usual expression is eine Rückmeldung geben.
Die Rückmeldung zur Präsentation war sehr positiv.
The feedback on the presentation was very positive.
die Präsentation means the presentation, and sehr positiv means very positive. Die Rückmeldung is nominative because it is the subject, and war is in position two.
Ich habe die Rückmeldung gestern gelesen.
I read the feedback yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gelesen means read. Die Rückmeldung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end.
Ich vertraue der Rückmeldung des Teams.
I trust the team's feedback.
vertrauen means to trust, and des Teams means of the team. Der Rückmeldung is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; des Teams is genitive and shows whose feedback it is.
Die Qualität der Rückmeldung ist entscheidend.
The quality of the feedback is crucial.
die Qualität means the quality, and entscheidend means crucial. Der Rückmeldung is genitive after die Qualität to show what kind of quality; ist is in position two.
Wir haben viele Rückmeldungen bekommen.
We received a lot of feedback responses.
viele means many or a lot of, and bekommen means received. Rückmeldungen is plural and accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -en.
scherzen — to joke; to kid
scherzen is normally used without a direct object, often with über plus the accusative for the subject of the joke or mit plus the dative for the person you joke with. In everyday speech, Ich scherze nur is a common way to say that something was not serious.
Er scherzt nur.
He is only joking.
nur means only. The finite verb scherzt is in position two, and nur comes after the verb to limit the statement; scherzen does not take a direct accusative object in this sentence.
Wir haben den ganzen Abend gescherzt.
We joked all evening.
den ganzen Abend means all evening, and haben is the auxiliary have. den ganzen Abend is an accusative time expression, while gescherzt goes to the end with haben.
Sie scherzte über ihren Fehler.
She joked about her mistake.
über means about, ihren Fehler means her mistake, and Fehler means mistake. über takes the accusative here, so ihren Fehler is accusative; the regular past form scherzte stands in position two.
Scherz nicht mit mir!
Don't joke with me!
nicht means not, and mit mir means with me. The imperative scherz comes first and the du pronoun is omitted; mit always takes the dative, so mir is dative.
Ich scherzte, wenn ich sagte, dass ich kündigen würde.
I was joking when I said that I would quit.
wenn means when or if, sagte means said, kündigen means quit, and würde means would. scherzte is the same form as the Präteritum here; in the subordinate clauses, sagte and würde stand at the end.
Er wird morgen wieder über das Thema scherzen.
He will joke about the subject again tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, wieder means again, and das Thema means the subject or topic. wird is in position two and the infinitive scherzen goes to the end; über takes the accusative in this use, so das Thema is accusative.
schildern — to describe, to recount
Schildern is used for a detailed account of an event, situation, or experience, and it takes an accusative object: etwas schildern. Its perfect uses haben, not sein: hat geschildert.
Sie schildert den Unfall sehr genau.
She describes the accident very precisely.
sie means she, der Unfall means the accident, and sehr genau means very precisely. Den Unfall is accusative because schildern takes the thing being described; the finite verb schildert is in position two.
Er hat den Vorfall ausführlich geschildert.
He described the incident in detail.
der Vorfall means the incident and ausführlich means in detail. Den Vorfall is accusative because schildern takes an accusative object; hat is in position two and geschildert goes to the end, forming the sentence bracket.
Die Zeugin schilderte ihre Beobachtung.
The witness described what she had observed.
die Zeugin means the female witness and ihre Beobachtung means her observation. Ihre Beobachtung is accusative because it is the object of schildern; the regular past ending -te gives schilderte.
Schildern Sie bitte den Ablauf.
Please describe the sequence of events.
bitte means please and der Ablauf means the sequence of events. This is the polite imperative with Sie, so the verb comes first and Sie follows it; den Ablauf is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich dabei gewesen wäre, würde ich den Vorfall anders schildern.
If I had been there, I would describe the incident differently.
wenn means if, dabei gewesen means been there, and anders means differently. In the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while würde ... schildern expresses a hypothetical action; den Vorfall is accusative.
Morgen wird die Reporterin den Ablauf schildern.
Tomorrow the reporter will describe the sequence of events.
morgen means tomorrow, die Reporterin means the female reporter, and der Ablauf means the sequence of events. Wird is in position two and the infinitive schildern goes to the end; den Ablauf is accusative because it is the object.
die Schilderung — description, account
Die Schilderung is a noun formed from schildern and usually means a detailed account, not just a short label. It often occurs with a genitive phrase such as die Schilderung des Unfalls, an account of the accident.
Die Schilderung war sehr eindrucksvoll.
The description was very impressive.
war means was and eindrucksvoll means impressive. Die Schilderung is nominative because it is the subject; the adjective after war is predicative and has no ending.
Ich lese die Schilderung des Unfalls.
I am reading the account of the accident.
lese means am reading, der Unfall means the accident, and des Unfalls means of the accident. Die Schilderung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; des Unfalls is genitive because it identifies what is described.
Wir vertrauen der Schilderung der Zeugin.
We trust the witness's account.
vertrauen means trust, die Zeugin means the female witness, and der Zeugin means of the witness. Der Schilderung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the second der Zeugin is genitive and shows whose account it is.
Die Einzelheiten der Schilderung sind wichtig.
The details of the account are important.
die Einzelheiten means the details and wichtig means important. Der Schilderung is genitive because it shows which account the details belong to; the plural subject Die Einzelheiten makes the verb sind plural.
Mehrere Schilderungen beschreiben denselben Vorfall.
Several accounts describe the same incident.
mehrere means several, beschreiben means describe, derselbe means the same, and der Vorfall means the incident. Schilderungen is the plural subject, while denselben Vorfall is accusative because beschreiben takes a direct object.
die Schlagzeile — headline
Schlagzeile is used for a newspaper, magazine or online-news headline. The compound literally contains Schlag, a blow, but the whole word does not mean a physical blow.
Die Schlagzeile ist überraschend.
The headline is surprising.
überraschend means surprising. Die Schlagzeile is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich lese die Schlagzeile.
I am reading the headline.
lesen means to read. Die Schlagzeile is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
In der Schlagzeile steht ein Fehler.
There is a mistake in the headline.
in means in, steht means stands or appears, and ein Fehler means a mistake. In der Schlagzeile is dative because it describes a location; the phrase comes first, so steht still occupies position two.
Die Wirkung der Schlagzeile ist stark.
The effect of the headline is strong.
die Wirkung means the effect and stark means strong. Der Schlagzeile is genitive because it identifies which effect is meant; feminine nouns show the genitive mainly through der.
Die Schlagzeilen stehen überall.
The headlines are everywhere.
stehen means stand or appear, and überall means everywhere. Schlagzeilen is the plural with -n, and the plural subject requires stehen.
das Schreiben — letter, written document; writing, the act of writing
As a noun, das Schreiben often means an official letter or written document. Its plural is die Schreiben, identical in spelling to the singular, so the article and context are important.
Das Schreiben liegt auf dem Tisch.
The letter is on the table.
liegen means to lie or be located, and der Tisch means the table. Das Schreiben is nominative as the subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe das Schreiben gestern erhalten.
I received the letter yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and erhalten means to receive. Das Schreiben is accusative because erhalten takes a direct object; habe is in position two and erhalten goes to the end in the perfect.
Die Sekretärin gab dem Schreiben eine Nummer.
The secretary assigned the letter a number.
die Sekretärin means the secretary, geben means to give, and eine Nummer means a number. Dem Schreiben is dative as the thing assigned a number, while eine Nummer is accusative; the finite verb gab stands in position two.
Der Inhalt des Schreibens war unklar.
The content of the letter was unclear.
der Inhalt means the content, and unklar means unclear. Des Schreibens is genitive because it identifies which content; the nominalized infinitive has the genitive ending -s.
Die Schreiben wurden gestern verschickt.
The letters were sent yesterday.
verschicken means to send, and gestern means yesterday. Schreiben is plural after die and is the nominative subject of the passive; wurden is in position two and verschickt goes to the end.
Das Schreiben an die Behörde musste unterschrieben werden.
The letter to the authorities had to be signed.
die Behörde means the authority or public office, and unterschreiben means to sign. An die Behörde uses accusative because it identifies the recipient, while musste is in position two and the passive infinitive group goes to the end.
Das Schreiben fällt ihr leicht.
Writing comes easily to her.
leichtfallen means to be easy for someone, and ihr means to her. Das Schreiben is a nominalized infinitive and therefore a neuter noun; ihr is dative because leichtfallen identifies the person to whom something is easy.
Beim Schreiben höre ich gern Musik.
When writing, I like listening to music.
beim means during the activity, gern means gladly or with pleasure, and Musik hören means to listen to music. Beim Schreiben is bei dem Schreiben, with dative after bei; the capital letter shows that Schreiben is a noun here, not the verb.
die Schrift — writing, handwriting; script; written work, text
Die Schrift can mean a person's handwriting, the printed shape of letters, or a writing system such as die arabische Schrift. Do not confuse it with das Schreiben, which usually means the act of writing or a written message.
Die Schrift meiner Lehrerin ist sehr schön.
My teacher’s handwriting is very beautiful.
meiner Lehrerin means my female teacher's, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Schrift is nominative because it is the subject; meiner Lehrerin is genitive-like possession expressed with the possessive determiner meiner.
Ich kann die Schrift nicht lesen.
I can’t read the handwriting.
kann means can, nicht means not, and lesen means read. Die Schrift is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; with the modal verb kann, the infinitive lesen goes to the end.
Der Lehrer hilft mir bei der Schrift.
The teacher helps me with the writing.
der Lehrer is the teacher and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, while der Schrift is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Die Form der Schrift ist ungewöhnlich.
The form of the writing is unusual.
die Form means the form or shape, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Der Schrift is genitive and shows which writing has this form; the feminine genitive article is der.
Alte Schriften liegen im Archiv.
Old writings are kept in the archive.
alte means old, liegen means lie or are located, and das Archiv is the archive. Schriften is plural with -en; liegen is plural because the writings are the subject, even though they come first.
Er liest eine religiöse Schrift.
He is reading a religious text.
er liest means he is reading, and religiöse means religious. Eine religiöse Schrift is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine indefinite article eine.
Die Universität veröffentlicht wissenschaftliche Schriften.
The university publishes scholarly writings.
die Universität is the university, veröffentlicht means publishes, and wissenschaftliche means scholarly or scientific. Wissenschaftliche Schriften is an accusative plural object after veröffentlichen; the plural adjective ending is -e after the zero article.
schweigsam — quiet, reserved, not talkative
schweigsam describes a person who does not talk much; it does not necessarily mean unfriendly. In predicative use after sein, it stays unchanged, while before a noun it takes a normal adjective ending.
Mein Bruder ist sehr schweigsam.
My brother is very quiet.
mein Bruder means my brother, and sehr means very. schweigsam is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the subject mein Bruder is nominative.
Sie ist eine schweigsame Kollegin.
She is a quiet colleague.
eine Kollegin means a female colleague. schweigsame comes before the noun and takes -e after feminine eine in the nominative; ist links the subject to the description.
Lena ist heute schweigsamer als gestern.
Lena is quieter today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. The comparative schweigsamer is predicative after ist and is followed by als; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Von allen Kindern ist Paul am schweigsamsten.
Of all the children, Paul is the quietest.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and von takes the dative plural Kindern. The predicative superlative uses am schweigsamsten, not a form with a noun ending.
schwören — to swear, to make a solemn promise; to swear, to insist
The person you swear something to is normally dative: jemandem etwas schwören. With auf, the object is accusative, as in auf die Bibel schwören.
Er schwört mir ewige Treue.
He swears eternal loyalty to me.
mir means to me, and ewige Treue means eternal loyalty. The person receiving the oath is dative after schwören, while schwört stands in position two.
Sie hat ihm ewige Treue geschworen.
She swore eternal loyalty to him.
ihm means to him, and ewige Treue means eternal loyalty. ihm is dative because it is the person addressed; hat is in position two and geschworen goes to the end with haben.
Er schwor, dass er die Wahrheit sagt.
He swore that he was telling the truth.
die Wahrheit means the truth, and sagt means says or is telling. schwor is the strong-verb preterite; in the dass clause, the finite verb sagt goes to the end.
Schwör mir, dass du vorsichtig bist!
Swear to me that you will be careful!
mir means to me, and vorsichtig means careful. Schwör is the informal du imperative, and mir is dative because it names the person receiving the promise.
Ich schwüre, dass ich nichts davon weiß.
I would swear that I know nothing about it.
nichts davon means nothing about it, and weiß means know. schwüre is the Konjunktiv II form for a cautious or hypothetical statement; after dass, weiß stands at the end of its clause.
Sie wird es vor Gericht schwören.
She will swear to it in court.
vor Gericht means in court, and es means it. wird stands in position two and the infinitive schwören goes to the end in the future tense.
Ich schwöre, das ist wirklich passiert.
I swear, that really happened.
wirklich means really, and passiert means happened. schwöre is in position two in the main clause; the following statement gives the content of the insistence.
Er schwor, dass er nichts genommen hatte.
He swore that he had taken nothing.
nichts genommen means taken nothing, and hatte is the past form of have. schwor is the preterite; in the dass clause, genommen hatte forms the past perfect and the finite verb goes to the end.
die Seifenoper — soap opera
The compound combines Seife (soap) and Oper (opera), but Seifenoper normally means a serial drama, not an opera made of soap. It is a media word and is often used for television programmes.
Die Seifenoper läuft jeden Nachmittag.
The soap opera is on every afternoon.
läuft means is on or is running, and jeden Nachmittag means every afternoon. Die Seifenoper is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb läuft stands in position two.
Viele Leute sehen die Seifenoper am Abend.
Many people watch the soap opera in the evening.
viele Leute means many people, sehen means watch, and am Abend means in the evening. Die Seifenoper is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Meine Schwester spricht oft über die Seifenoper.
My sister often talks about the soap opera.
meine Schwester means my sister, spricht means talks, and oft means often. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so this is not a dative example; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Die Figuren der Seifenoper sind sehr bekannt.
The characters of the soap opera are very well known.
die Figuren means the characters, and bekannt means well known. Der Seifenoper is genitive because it identifies which characters they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Am Wochenende schaue ich mehrere Seifenopern.
At the weekend I watch several soap operas.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, schaue means watch, and mehrere means several. Seifenopern is accusative after schaue and mehrere; because the time phrase comes first, the subject ich follows the finite verb.
der Sender — broadcaster, channel; transmitter; transmitter
For media, der Sender usually means a radio or television channel; in technical contexts it can also mean a transmitter. It is not the same as der Empfänger, a receiver.
Der Sender beginnt um acht Uhr.
The channel starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Der Sender is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich wähle den Sender mit der Fernbedienung.
I select the channel with the remote control.
wähle means select, and die Fernbedienung is the remote control. den Sender is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; mit takes the dative in mit der Fernbedienung.
Wir vertrauen dem Sender nicht.
We do not trust the broadcaster.
vertrauen means trust, and nicht means not. dem Sender is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertrauen stands in position two.
Die Stimme des Senders ist bekannt.
The broadcaster’s voice is well known.
die Stimme means the voice, and bekannt means well known. des Senders is genitive and shows whose voice it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Sender zeigen heute alte Filme.
Many channels are showing old films today.
viele means many, zeigen means show, heute means today, and alte Filme means old films. Sender has the same spelling in the plural, so viele and the plural context identify it.
Der Sender sendet ein starkes Signal.
The transmitter sends a strong signal.
sendet means sends, and ein starkes Signal means a strong signal. Der Sender is the nominative subject, while ein starkes Signal is accusative because senden takes a direct object.
Der Techniker repariert den Sender.
The technician is repairing the transmitter.
der Techniker is the technician, and repariert means is repairing. den Sender is accusative because it is the object of reparieren; the finite verb repariert is in position two.
die Sendung — broadcast, programme; parcel, consignment
A television or radio Sendung is a programme. In another common sense, die Sendung means a parcel or consignment that is being sent.
Die Sendung beginnt gleich.
The programme is starting soon.
beginnt means starts, and gleich means soon. Die Sendung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Sendung heute Abend.
I’m watching the programme this evening.
sehe means watch or see, and heute Abend means this evening. die Sendung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Wir sprechen über die Sendung.
We are talking about the programme.
sprechen über means talk about. die Sendung is accusative because über means about here; this is not the dative use of über for a location.
Das Ende der Sendung war überraschend.
The end of the programme was surprising.
das Ende means the end, and überraschend means surprising. der Sendung is genitive and identifies whose end it was.
Die neuen Sendungen laufen am Wochenende.
The new programmes are on at the weekend.
neuen means new, laufen means are on, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Sendungen is the plural with -en, and die neuen Sendungen is the plural subject.
Die Sendung ist heute angekommen.
The parcel arrived today.
heute means today, and angekommen means arrived. Die Sendung is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen uses sein in the perfect because arriving describes movement or a change of place.
Der Kurier bringt die Sendung zur Kundin.
The courier is taking the parcel to the customer.
der Kurier is the courier, bringt means takes or brings, and die Kundin is the female customer. die Sendung is accusative because it is what the courier brings; zur Kundin means to the customer, and zu always takes the dative.
die Soap — soap opera
In German, die Soap usually means a television soap opera, not a bar of cleaning soap; that is die Seife. The loanword has the regular plural Soaps.
Die Soap läuft jeden Abend im Fernsehen.
The soap opera is on television every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and im Fernsehen means on television. Die Soap is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb läuft stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Soap nicht regelmäßig.
I do not watch the soap opera regularly.
nicht regelmäßig means not regularly, and sehen means to watch or see. Die Soap is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir sprechen über der Soap?
We are talking about the soap opera?
This example is not grammatical: über normally takes the accusative when it means about, so the natural sentence is Wir sprechen über die Soap. The preposition über forces accusative here, not dative; the finite verb sprechen stands in position two.
Das Ende der Soap war überraschend.
The ending of the soap opera was surprising.
das Ende means the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Der Soap is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the feminine genitive article is der, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Soaps spielen in einer Großstadt.
Many soap operas are set in a big city.
viele means many, spielen means take place or are set, and eine Großstadt is a big city. Soaps is plural and is the nominative subject; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
der Sprecher — male speaker; spokesperson; spokesperson
In public contexts, der Sprecher often means spokesperson, not simply a person making any sound. The plural is die Sprecher, while the genitive is des Sprechers.
Der Sprecher beantwortet die Fragen.
The spokesperson answers the questions.
beantwortet means answers, and die Fragen means the questions. Der Sprecher is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb beantwortet stands in position two.
Ich höre den Sprecher deutlich.
I can hear the speaker clearly.
höre means hear, and deutlich means clearly. den Sprecher is accusative because it is the direct object of hören; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Sprecher das Mikrofon.
I give the microphone to the speaker.
gebe means give, and das Mikrofon is the microphone. dem Sprecher is dative because it is the recipient, while das Mikrofon is accusative as the thing given.
Die Rede des Sprechers war sehr kurz.
The spokesperson’s speech was very short.
die Rede means the speech, and kurz means short. des Sprechers expresses possession and is genitive; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Sprecher warten vor dem Saal.
The speakers are waiting outside the hall.
warten means are waiting, vor means in front of, and der Saal is the hall. Die Sprecher is plural with no ending on the noun; vor dem Saal is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Sprecher der Regierung gibt eine Erklärung ab.
The government spokesperson issues a statement.
die Regierung is the government, gibt ... ab means issues, and die Erklärung is the statement. der Regierung is genitive after the noun Sprecher to show whose spokesperson he is; the separable verb abgeben splits in the main clause.
Wir warten auf eine Antwort vom Sprecher.
We are waiting for an answer from the spokesperson.
warten means wait, die Antwort is the answer, and vom means from the. auf takes the accusative here, while vom Sprecher is dative because von always takes dative.
starren — to stare, to gaze
The usual pattern is jemanden anstarren or auf etwas starren. The verb takes haben in the perfect: hat gestarrt; with the separable verb anstarren, the prefix separates in a main clause.
Er starrt auf den Bildschirm.
He is staring at the screen.
er is he, and der Bildschirm is the screen. Auf den Bildschirm uses the accusative because auf describes the target of the gaze here; the finite verb starrt is in position two.
Sie hat mich lange angestarrt.
She stared at me for a long time.
mich means me, and lange means for a long time. Mich is accusative because jemanden anstarren takes an accusative object; the perfect uses hat and the Partizip II angestarrt at the end.
Der Mann starrte aus dem Fenster.
The man stared out of the window.
der Mann is the man, and aus dem Fenster means out of the window. Starrte is the regular preterite in position two; aus always takes the dative, shown by dem Fenster.
Starr nicht auf mein Handy!
Don't stare at my mobile phone!
nicht means not, and mein Handy is my mobile phone. Starr is the informal singular imperative, with the subject du omitted; auf mein Handy uses the accusative as the target of the stare.
Wenn er nicht so starren würde, wäre alles einfacher.
If he did not stare so much, everything would be easier.
wenn means if, so means so much or like that, and einfacher means easier. In the wenn clause, the infinitive starren stands at the end with würde; this is the common substitute form of the Konjunktiv II.
Der Junge wird gleich wieder starren.
The boy will stare again in a moment.
der Junge is the boy, and gleich means in a moment. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive starren at the end; wieder means again.
die Stellungnahme — statement, position paper
This compound combines die Stellung (position) and die Annahme (view or assumption), but it usually means an official statement rather than a physical position. It is often used with zu plus the dative, as in eine Stellungnahme zu einem Vorschlag.
Die Stellungnahme liegt dem Bericht bei.
The statement is attached to the report.
liegt ... bei means is attached or enclosed, and der Bericht means the report. Die Stellungnahme is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bericht is dative because beiliegen describes something being attached to something.
Ich lese die Stellungnahme heute Abend.
I am reading the statement this evening.
lese means read, and heute Abend means this evening. Die Stellungnahme is accusative because it is the direct object of lesen; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir widersprechen der Stellungnahme in diesem Punkt.
We disagree with the statement on this point.
widersprechen means contradict or disagree with, and in diesem Punkt means on this point. Der Stellungnahme is dative because widersprechen requires the dative; the verb is in position two.
Die Begründung der Stellungnahme ist überzeugend.
The reasoning of the statement is convincing.
die Begründung means the reasoning or justification, and überzeugend means convincing. Der Stellungnahme is genitive because it identifies whose reasoning it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Stellungnahmen der Parteien unterscheiden sich deutlich.
The parties' statements differ clearly.
der Parteien means of the parties, and unterscheiden sich deutlich means differ clearly. Stellungnahmen is the plural subject, while der Parteien is genitive and shows whose statements they are.
das Streitgespräch — debate, dispute, argument
Streitgespräch is more formal and structured than Streit; it often describes a public or organised debate rather than a private quarrel.
Das Streitgespräch beginnt um acht Uhr.
The debate starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Streitgespräch is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Moderatorin leitet das Streitgespräch.
The moderator leads the debate.
die Moderatorin means the female moderator, and leitet means leads or conducts. Das Streitgespräch is accusative because leiten takes an accusative object; the neuter article das does not change in the accusative.
Bei dem Streitgespräch bleiben alle ruhig.
Everyone remains calm during the debate.
bei means during or at, alle means everyone, and ruhig means calm. Dem Streitgespräch is dative because bei always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so the verb bleiben still occupies position two.
Das Ergebnis des Streitgesprächs überrascht mich.
The result of the debate surprises me.
das Ergebnis means the result, and überrascht means surprises. Des Streitgesprächs is genitive because it shows which debate the result belongs to; mich is accusative because it is the person affected by überraschen.
Die Streitgespräche im Fernsehen sind oft laut.
The debates on television are often loud.
im Fernsehen means on television, and laut means loud. Streitgespräche is the nominative plural subject, so the verb is plural: sind, not ist.
stumm — silent, mute; muted, silent
Stumm can describe a person who cannot speak as well as someone who is simply silent. Before a noun it takes normal adjective endings, as in ein stummes Kind; after verbs such as sein it has no ending.
Nach der Nachricht blieb er stumm.
After the news, he remained silent.
nach der Nachricht means after the news, and blieb means remained. Stumm is predicative after blieb and therefore has no adjective ending; nach takes the dative here.
Das stumme Kind winkt nur.
The mute child only waves.
das Kind is the child and winkt means waves; nur means only. Stumme stands before the neuter nominative noun Kind and takes -e after the definite article das.
Im Film spricht die stummste Figur kein Wort.
In the film, the most silent character does not say a word.
im Film means in the film, die Figur is the character, and kein Wort means not a word. Stummste is an attributive superlative with the ending -e; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Von allen Gästen war Anna am stummsten.
Of all the guests, Anna was the most silent.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and war means was. Am stummsten is a predicative superlative, so it uses am rather than an adjective ending; von takes the dative.
Der Fernseher ist stumm.
The television is muted.
der Fernseher is the television and ist means is. Stumm is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; it means that the television produces no audible sound.
Bitte schalte dein Handy stumm.
Please mute your mobile phone.
bitte means please, schalte ... means switch, and dein Handy is your mobile phone. Dein Handy is accusative as the object of schalten; stumm follows the verb as a predicative result and has no ending.
das Telegramm — telegram; urgent telegram message
This word is mainly used for historical or deliberately old-fashioned communication. For modern short messages, Nachricht is usually more natural.
Das Telegramm kam gestern an.
The telegram arrived yesterday.
kam an means “arrived”, and gestern means “yesterday”. Das Telegramm is nominative because it is the subject, and the separable verb ankommen puts kam in position two and an at the end.
Ich habe ein Telegramm geschickt.
I sent a telegram.
habe geschickt means “sent”, and ein Telegramm means “a telegram”. Ein Telegramm is accusative because schicken takes a direct object; habe is in position two and geschickt goes to the end in the perfect.
Sie antwortete dem Telegramm nicht.
She did not reply to the telegram.
antwortete means “replied”, and nicht means “not”. Dem Telegramm is dative because antworten takes a dative object, while the finite verb antwortete stands in position two.
Die Zustellung des Telegramms dauerte zwei Tage.
The delivery of the telegram took two days.
die Zustellung is “the delivery”, dauerte means “took”, and zwei Tage means “two days”. Des Telegramms is genitive because it specifies what was delivered; the finite verb dauerte is in position two.
Früher wurden viele Telegramme verschickt.
Many telegrams used to be sent.
früher means “in the past”, viele means “many”, and verschickt means “sent”. Telegramme is plural after viele; wurden ... verschickt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
Bitte schicken Sie ein Telegramm.
Please send a telegram.
bitte means “please”, and schicken Sie means “send” in the formal form. Ein Telegramm is accusative because it is the object of schicken; the formal request uses Sie rather than the informal imperative.
Das Telegramm überbrachte eine wichtige Nachricht.
The telegram delivered important news.
überbrachte means “delivered”, and eine wichtige Nachricht means “an important piece of news”. Das Telegramm is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb überbrachte stands in position two.
Er las das Telegramm sofort.
He read the telegram immediately.
las means “read”, sofort means “immediately”, and er means “he”. Das Telegramm is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb las is in position two.
das Tonband — audio tape, recording tape
Tonband refers mainly to magnetic audio tape and is associated with older recording equipment. For the machine itself, German usually uses Tonbandgerät.
Das Tonband funktioniert noch.
The audio tape still works.
funktioniert means works, and noch means still. Das Tonband is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Ich höre das Tonband.
I am listening to the audio tape.
höre means listen to or hear. Das Tonband is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt dem Tonband eine neue Hülle.
She gives the audio tape a new cover.
gibt means gives, and eine neue Hülle means a new cover. Dem Tonband is dative because it is the recipient, while eine neue Hülle is the accusative thing given.
Die Qualität des Tonbandes ist schlecht.
The quality of the audio tape is poor.
die Qualität means the quality, and schlecht means poor or bad. Des Tonbandes is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; neuter genitive uses des and usually adds -es to the noun.
Die alten Tonbänder liegen im Archiv.
The old audio tapes are in the archive.
alten means old, liegen means are lying, and das Archiv is the archive. Tonbänder is the plural with -er and an umlaut; im Archiv is a dative location after in.
unlesbar — illegible, unreadable
Unlesbar describes writing, print, or a text that cannot be read easily. It is formed from lesbar with the negative prefix un- and can be compared normally.
Die Handschrift ist unlesbar.
The handwriting is illegible.
die Handschrift means the handwriting. Unlesbar is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein unlesbarer Brief.
That is an illegible letter.
der Brief means the letter and ein means a. Unlesbarer comes before the masculine noun Brief and takes -er after ein in the nominative; ist is in position two.
Diese Notiz ist unlesbarer als die andere.
This note is harder to read than the other one.
diese Notiz means this note and die andere means the other one. Unlesbarer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Texten ist dieser am unlesbarsten.
Of all the texts, this one is the hardest to read.
von allen Texten means of all the texts, and dieser means this one. Am unlesbarsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the verb remains in position two, while am is part of the superlative form.
unterbrechen — to interrupt; to stop temporarily
This verb takes an accusative object: jemanden unterbrechen. It is a mixed verb with the principal parts unterbrechen – unterbrach – hat unterbrochen.
Ich unterbreche dich nur kurz.
I’m only interrupting you briefly.
nur kurz means “only briefly”; dich means “you”. Dich is accusative because unterbrechen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb unterbreche is in position two.
Sie hat mich während des Gesprächs unterbrochen.
She interrupted me during the conversation.
während des Gesprächs means “during the conversation”. Mich is accusative because it is the person interrupted; the perfect uses hat plus unterbrochen, which goes to the end of the clause.
Der Lärm unterbrach die Besprechung.
The noise interrupted the meeting.
der Lärm is “the noise”, and die Besprechung is “the meeting”. Die Besprechung is accusative because it is what the noise interrupted, while the finite past form unterbrach stands in position two.
Bitte unterbrich den Redner nicht.
Please do not interrupt the speaker.
bitte means “please”, der Redner is “the speaker”, and nicht means “not”. Den Redner is accusative because unterbrechen takes an accusative object; the command form unterbrich comes first.
Ich würde dich nicht unterbrechen, wenn es nicht dringend wäre.
I wouldn’t interrupt you if it weren’t urgent.
wenn means “if”, and dringend means “urgent”. Dich is accusative because it is the object of unterbrechen; after wenn, the finite verb wäre goes to the end, while the infinitive unterbrechen stays at the end of the main clause.
Der Moderator wird die Diskussion bald unterbrechen.
The presenter will interrupt the discussion soon.
der Moderator is “the presenter”, die Diskussion is “the discussion”, and bald means “soon”. Die Diskussion is accusative because it is the object; wird is in position two and the infinitive unterbrechen goes to the end.
Der Regen unterbrach unser Spiel.
The rain interrupted our game.
der Regen means “the rain”, and unser Spiel means “our game”. Unser Spiel is accusative because it is the activity that was stopped; the past-tense verb unterbrach is in position two.
Wir mussten die Reise wegen eines Unfalls unterbrechen.
We had to interrupt the journey because of an accident.
mussten means “had to”, die Reise is “the journey”, and wegen eines Unfalls means “because of an accident”. Die Reise is accusative after unterbrechen; with the modal verb mussten, the infinitive unterbrechen goes to the end.
unterstreichen — to underline; to emphasise
For writing, unterstreichen means to underline text; in a broader sense, it means to emphasise an idea or fact. It is strong: unterstreichen – unterstrich – hat unterstrichen, and it takes an accusative object.
Die Lehrerin unterstreicht das wichtige Wort.
The teacher underlines the important word.
die Lehrerin means the teacher and das wichtige Wort means the important word. das wichtige Wort is accusative because it is the object, and unterstreicht stands in position two.
Er hat die wichtigsten Sätze unterstrichen.
He has underlined the most important sentences.
er means he, die wichtigsten Sätze means the most important sentences, and hat is the perfect auxiliary. The object is accusative, and unterstrichen goes to the end with haben; do not add ge-.
Sie unterstrich die zentrale Aussage.
She emphasised the central statement.
sie means she, die zentrale Aussage means the central statement. The object is accusative, and unterstrich is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Unterstreich bitte die Überschrift.
Please underline the heading.
bitte means please and die Überschrift means the heading. die Überschrift is accusative as the object, and Unterstreich is the informal du imperative.
Ich würde die wichtigste Stelle unterstreichen.
I would underline the most important passage.
die wichtigste Stelle means the most important passage. The phrase is accusative as the object, and würde ... unterstreichen expresses a hypothetical action with the infinitive at the end.
Die Grafik wird den Unterschied unterstreichen.
The graphic will emphasise the difference.
die Grafik means the graphic and der Unterschied means the difference. den Unterschied is accusative, while wird is in position two and unterstreichen goes to the end.
verbinden — to connect, to join; to unite, to bring together
Verbinden takes an accusative object for the thing being connected. It can also be used with mit, which takes the dative: etwas mit etwas verbinden.
Das Kabel verbindet den Computer mit dem Drucker.
The cable connects the computer to the printer.
das Kabel is the cable, den Computer is the computer, and mit dem Drucker means to the printer. Den Computer is accusative as the direct object, while mit dem Drucker is dative because mit always takes the dative; verbindet is in position two.
Wir haben die beiden Räume verbunden.
We connected the two rooms.
wir means we, die beiden Räume means the two rooms, and beiden means both. Die beiden Räume is accusative after verbinden; haben ... verbunden forms the perfect, with the participle at the end.
Die Brücke verband die beiden Dörfer.
The bridge connected the two villages.
die Brücke is the bridge, die beiden Dörfer are the two villages, and Dorf means village. Die beiden Dörfer is accusative as the object; verband is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Verbinde die Kabel vorsichtig!
Connect the cables carefully!
die Kabel means the cables, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Kabel is accusative because it is the object; the imperative comes first and addresses one person.
Ich würde die Geräte nicht verbinden.
I would not connect the devices.
die Geräte are the devices, and nicht means not. Die Geräte is accusative after verbinden; würde ... verbinden places the infinitive at the end and expresses a hypothetical choice.
Das neue Kabel wird die beiden Häuser verbinden.
The new cable will connect the two houses.
das neue Kabel is the new cable, and die beiden Häuser means the two houses. Die beiden Häuser is accusative as the object; wird ... verbinden forms the future, with the infinitive at the end.
Musik verbindet Menschen.
Music brings people together.
Musik is music, and Menschen means people. Menschen is accusative because it is the object of verbindet; the finite verb is in position two.
Die gemeinsame Arbeit hat uns verbunden.
The work we did together brought us together.
die gemeinsame Arbeit means the work done together, and uns means us. Uns is accusative as the people connected; hat ... verbunden forms the perfect and places the participle at the end.
der Verfasser — author, writer
This is a fairly formal word for an author, especially of a written text. In everyday speech, Autor is often more common; the feminine form is Verfasserin.
Der Verfasser des Romans ist noch sehr jung.
The author of the novel is still very young.
der Roman means novel, and noch sehr jung means still very young. Der Verfasser is nominative because it is the subject, while des Romans is genitive because it identifies whose author he is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Verfasser dieses Buches.
I know the author of this book.
kennen means to know or be acquainted with, and dieses Buches means of this book. Den Verfasser is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Wir haben dem Verfasser eine Frage gestellt.
We asked the author a question.
eine Frage stellen means to ask a question. Dem Verfasser is dative because it is the person receiving the question, while eine Frage is accusative; haben ... gestellt forms the perfect, with the participle at the end.
Die Meinung des Verfassers ist wichtig.
The author's opinion is important.
die Meinung means opinion, and wichtig means important. Des Verfassers is genitive and shows whose opinion it is; the verb ist agrees with die Meinung, not with the genitive noun.
Die Verfasser dieses Berichts bleiben anonym.
The authors of this report remain anonymous.
dieser Bericht means this report, and anonym means anonymous. Die Verfasser is nominative plural because it is the subject; the plural form is unchanged from the singular, and bleiben stands in position two.