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Vocab: Communication & media — B1 (4)
Communication & media vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Verfasserin — female author, female writer
The ending -in marks a female person; its plural is -innen. For a mixed group or a group whose gender is not specified, German traditionally uses the masculine plural Verfasser.
Die Verfasserin des Artikels arbeitet an einer Universität.
The female author of the article works at a university.
der Artikel means article, and die Universität means university. Die Verfasserin is nominative because it is the subject, while des Artikels is genitive to identify the article's author; the verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Zeitung interviewt die Verfasserin.
The newspaper is interviewing the female author.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, and interviewen means to interview. Die Verfasserin is accusative because it is the direct object of interviewt; feminine nominative and accusative look identical, so the sentence structure shows the case.
Wir haben der Verfasserin gratuliert.
We congratulated the female author.
gratulieren means to congratulate and always takes a dative person. Der Verfasserin is therefore dative, and haben ... gratuliert forms the perfect with the participle at the end.
Der Name der Verfasserin steht auf dem Umschlag.
The female author's name is on the cover.
der Name means the name, and der Umschlag means the cover. Der Verfasserin is genitive and means “of the female author”, while auf dem Umschlag is dative because it describes a fixed location; steht is in position two.
Die Verfasserinnen erhalten einen Literaturpreis.
The female authors receive a literary prize.
erhalten means receive, and der Literaturpreis means literary prize. Die Verfasserinnen is nominative plural because it is the subject, while einen Literaturpreis is accusative as the thing received.
das Verkaufsgespräch — sales conversation, sales talk
This compound combines Verkauf, sale, with Gespräch, conversation. It is common in business and customer-service situations; ein Verkaufsgespräch führen means to conduct a sales conversation.
Das Verkaufsgespräch beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The sales conversation begins at ten o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. The noun is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Der Kunde beendet das Verkaufsgespräch.
The customer ends the sales conversation.
der Kunde is the customer, and beendet means ends. The noun is accusative because beenden takes a direct object; the finite verb beendet is in position two.
Die Verkäuferin gibt dem Verkaufsgespräch eine neue Richtung.
The saleswoman gives the sales conversation a new direction.
die Verkäuferin is the saleswoman, gibt means gives, and eine neue Richtung means a new direction. The noun is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing with geben; eine neue Richtung is accusative.
Das Ziel des Verkaufsgesprächs ist ein Vertrag.
The aim of the sales conversation is a contract.
das Ziel is the aim, and ein Vertrag is a contract. des Verkaufsgesprächs is genitive because it identifies whose aim it is; the neuter noun adds -s.
Wir führen heute drei Verkaufsgespräche.
We are conducting three sales conversations today.
führen means conduct, heute means today, and drei means three. The plural is Verkaufsgespräche, with -e and an umlaut; it is accusative because führen takes a direct object.
der Verlag — publishing house, publisher
A Verlag publishes books and other media; it is not usually the individual author or editor. The common genitive is des Verlags, though des Verlages also occurs.
Der Verlag veröffentlicht viele Bücher.
The publishing house publishes many books.
veröffentlichen means to publish, and viele Bücher means many books. Der Verlag is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb veröffentlicht stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Verlag morgen.
I am visiting the publishing house tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Verlag is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Sie arbeitet bei dem Verlag.
She works for the publishing house.
arbeiten means to work, and bei means at or for. Dem Verlag is dative because the preposition bei always requires the dative.
Der Name des Verlags steht auf dem Buch.
The name of the publishing house is on the book.
der Name means the name, stehen means to be written or stand, and auf dem Buch means on the book. Des Verlags is genitive to show possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Verlage stellen ihre neuen Bücher vor.
The publishing houses present their new books.
vorstellen means to present, and ihre neuen Bücher means their new books. Verlage is plural, shown by the article die and the verb stellen; the separable prefix vor goes to the end of the main clause.
verlangen — to demand, request; to charge; to long for, yearn for
In the sense “to demand,” verlangen takes an accusative object. In the expression nach etwas verlangen, it means “to long for something” and nach requires the dative.
Der Handwerker verlangt viel Geld.
The tradesperson demands a lot of money.
der Handwerker means the tradesperson, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Viel Geld is accusative because verlangen takes a direct object; the finite verb verlangt stands in position two.
Der Handwerker hat viel Geld verlangt.
The tradesperson demanded a lot of money.
der Handwerker means the tradesperson, and viel Geld means a lot of money. The perfect uses hat verlangt because verlangen takes haben; hat is in position two and verlangt goes to the end.
Der Handwerker verlangte viel Geld.
The tradesperson demanded a lot of money.
der Handwerker means the tradesperson, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Viel Geld is accusative as the direct object, and the regular past form verlangte is in position two.
Verlang nicht so viel Geld.
Don’t demand so much money.
nicht so viel means not so much, and Geld means money. Verlang is the singular du imperative without a pronoun; so viel Geld is accusative because it is what is being demanded.
Er würde verlangen, dass wir sofort bezahlen.
He would demand that we pay immediately.
sofort means immediately, and bezahlen means to pay. The conditional form würde verlangen expresses a hypothetical demand; in the dass clause, the finite verb bezahlen goes to the end.
Die Firma wird eine Gebühr verlangen.
The company will charge a fee.
die Firma means the company, and eine Gebühr means a fee. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive verlangen at the end; eine Gebühr is accusative as the direct object.
Sie verlangt nach Ruhe.
She longs for peace and quiet.
Ruhe means peace and quiet, and nach means for in this expression. Nach Ruhe is dative because nach requires the dative here; the finite verb verlangt stands in position two.
Nach der langen Reise verlangte er nach seinem eigenen Bett.
After the long journey, he longed for his own bed.
die lange Reise means the long journey, and das eigene Bett means one’s own bed. In verlangte nach, seinem eigenen Bett is dative because nach requires the dative; the finite verb verlangte is in position two after the opening phrase.
vermitteln — to mediate; to arrange contact; to convey; to impart
This sense usually describes helping people or groups settle a disagreement or make contact. With zwischen, the following plural noun is normally dative: zwischen den Parteien.
Die Anwältin vermittelt zwischen den beiden Parteien.
The lawyer is mediating between the two parties.
die Anwältin is a female lawyer, and beide Parteien means both parties. zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative here because this describes mediation between people, not movement; the finite verb vermittelt is in position two.
Die Anwältin hat zwischen den beiden Parteien vermittelt.
The lawyer has mediated between the two parties.
die Anwältin means the lawyer, and beide Parteien means both parties. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II vermittelt, which goes to the end; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative because zwischen describes a relationship here.
Die Anwältin vermittelte erfolgreich zwischen den beiden Parteien.
The lawyer successfully mediated between the two parties.
erfolgreich means successfully, and die beiden Parteien means the two parties. vermittelte is the weak-verb Präteritum in position two, while zwischen den beiden Parteien remains dative.
Vermittle bitte zwischen den beiden Parteien.
Please mediate between the two parties.
bitte means please, and beide Parteien means both parties. Vermittle is the singular imperative without a pronoun; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative because the verb describes mediation, not a change of location.
Ich würde gern zwischen den beiden Parteien vermitteln.
I would gladly mediate between the two parties.
gern means gladly, and beide Parteien means both parties. würde ... vermitteln expresses a polite or hypothetical wish; the infinitive vermitteln goes to the end, and zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative.
Morgen wird die Anwältin zwischen den beiden Parteien vermitteln.
Tomorrow the lawyer will mediate between the two parties.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Anwältin means the lawyer. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive vermitteln at the end; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative.
Der Kurs vermittelt wichtige Kenntnisse.
The course conveys important knowledge.
der Kurs is the course, and wichtige Kenntnisse means important knowledge. wichtige Kenntnisse is accusative because vermitteln takes an accusative object, and the finite verb vermittelt stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hat den Kindern viel Wissen vermittelt.
The teacher conveyed a lot of knowledge to the children.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, die Kinder means the children, and viel Wissen means a lot of knowledge. den Kindern is dative because it names the recipients, while viel Wissen is accusative; hat ... vermittelt forms the perfect.
die Vermittlung — mediation; arranging; conveying
Vermittlung is the noun for mediation, arranging contact, or conveying information. It is also used in formal phrases such as durch Vermittlung von, meaning through the mediation of.
Die Vermittlung zwischen den Nachbarn war erfolgreich.
The mediation between the neighbours was successful.
die Nachbarn means the neighbours, and erfolgreich means successful. Die Vermittlung is nominative because it is the subject; zwischen den Nachbarn is dative because zwischen describes a relationship here.
Wir brauchen die Vermittlung eines Experten.
We need the mediation of an expert.
brauchen means need, and eines Experten means of an expert. die Vermittlung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while eines Experten is genitive and shows whose mediation is meant.
Nach der Vermittlung konnten beide Seiten eine Lösung finden.
After the mediation, both sides were able to find a solution.
nach means after, beide Seiten means both sides, and eine Lösung finden means find a solution. der Vermittlung is dative because nach always takes the dative; konnten ... finden puts the infinitive at the end.
Das Ergebnis der Vermittlung war ein Kompromiss.
The result of the mediation was a compromise.
das Ergebnis means the result, and ein Kompromiss means a compromise. der Vermittlung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show its source; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Vermittlungen dauern oft mehrere Wochen.
The mediations often last several weeks.
dauern means last, oft means often, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Die Vermittlungen is a regular feminine plural in -en and is the nominative subject of dauern.
verraten — to reveal; to tell; to betray
The information revealed is accusative, and the person told is usually dative. Verraten can sound negative because it often involves a secret or information that should have been kept private.
Er verrät niemandem das Geheimnis.
He does not reveal the secret to anyone.
niemandem means to nobody, and das Geheimnis means the secret. Das Geheimnis is accusative because it is the thing revealed, while niemandem is dative for the person receiving the information; verrät stands in position two.
Sie hat mir die Überraschung verraten.
She revealed the surprise to me.
mir means to me, and die Überraschung means the surprise. Mir is dative for the person told and die Überraschung is accusative for the information; hat stands in position two and verraten closes the perfect clause.
Der Zeuge verriet die Wahrheit.
The witness revealed the truth.
der Zeuge is the witness, and die Wahrheit means the truth. Die Wahrheit is accusative because it is what was revealed; verriet is the strong past form and stands in position two.
Verrat mir bitte, was passiert ist!
Please tell me what happened!
mir means to me, bitte means please, and was passiert ist means what happened. Mir is dative for the person told; the imperative verrat starts the sentence, while the verb in the embedded clause ist goes to the end.
Wenn ich es wüsste, verriete ich dir alles.
If I knew it, I would tell you everything.
wenn ich es wüsste means if I knew it, and alles means everything. Dir is dative for the person told and alles is accusative for the information; verriete is the hypothetical form of the strong verb.
Er wird uns morgen die Neuigkeit verraten.
He will tell us the news tomorrow.
uns means to us, morgen means tomorrow, and die Neuigkeit is the news. Uns is dative and die Neuigkeit is accusative; wird stands in position two and the infinitive verraten goes to the end.
Er hat seinen besten Freund verraten.
He betrayed his best friend.
seinen besten Freund means his best friend. The phrase is accusative because the betrayed person is the direct object; hat stands in position two and verraten goes to the end.
Sie fühlte sich von ihrem Partner verraten.
She felt betrayed by her partner.
fühlte sich means felt herself, and ihrem Partner means by her partner. Sich is accusative with fühlen, while von takes the dative, so ihrem Partner is dative; the Partizip II verraten stands at the end.
versichern — to insure; to assure, to assure someone of something; to make sure, to assure oneself
In the insurance sense, versichern takes the thing or person insured as an accusative object. Do not confuse it with sich versichern, which means to make sure or obtain confirmation.
Die Versicherung versichert unser Haus.
The insurance company insures our house.
die Versicherung means insurance company, and unser Haus means our house. Unser Haus is accusative because it is the object being insured, and versichert is in position two.
Wir haben das Auto versichert.
We insured the car.
das Auto means car. The perfect uses haben plus versichert, which stands at the end; das Auto is accusative because it is the object.
Die Familie versicherte ihr Haus gegen Feuer.
The family insured its house against fire.
die Familie means family, ihr Haus means its house, and Feuer means fire. Ihr Haus is accusative as the object, while gegen Feuer is also accusative because gegen requires the accusative.
Versichere dein Fahrrad gegen Diebstahl!
Insure your bicycle against theft!
dein Fahrrad means your bicycle, and Diebstahl means theft. The imperative leaves out du; dein Fahrrad is accusative, and gegen Diebstahl is accusative after gegen.
Ich würde mein Gepäck für die Reise versichern.
I would insure my luggage for the journey.
mein Gepäck means my luggage, and die Reise means journey. Mein Gepäck is accusative because it is the object; würde expresses a hypothetical idea and versichern goes to the end.
Sie wird ihr Fahrrad bald versichern.
She will insure her bicycle soon.
ihr Fahrrad means her bicycle, and bald means soon. Ihr Fahrrad is accusative, while wird is in position two and versichern stands at the end.
Ich versichere dir meine Hilfe.
I assure you of my help.
dir means to you, and meine Hilfe means my help. Dir is dative because the person receiving the assurance is an indirect object, while meine Hilfe is accusative; the finite verb versichere is in position two.
Der Arzt versicherte den Patienten, dass alles gut sei.
The doctor assured the patient that everything was fine.
der Arzt means doctor, den Patienten means the patient, and alles gut sei means everything was fine. Den Patienten is accusative as the person assured; after dass, the verb sei goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Er versicherte sich der Zustimmung des Teams.
He made sure that the team agreed.
sich means himself, die Zustimmung means approval, and des Teams means of the team. In the formal pattern sich einer Sache versichern, der Zustimmung is genitive, and the reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject.
Sie versicherte sich, dass die Tür geschlossen war.
She made sure that the door was closed.
sich means herself, die Tür means door, and geschlossen means closed. The clause after dass gives the thing checked; war goes to the end of that subordinate clause.
die Verständigung — communication, mutual understanding
This noun often describes successful communication between people, especially across language barriers. For an agreement reached after discussion, eine Verständigung erzielen is a useful formal collocation.
Die Verständigung ist schwierig.
Communication is difficult.
schwierig means difficult. Die Verständigung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen die Verständigung mit den Gästen.
We need communication with the guests.
brauchen means to need, and die Gäste are the guests. Die Verständigung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; mit den Gästen is a prepositional phrase, and mit requires the dative.
Ein Wörterbuch hilft bei der Verständigung.
A dictionary helps with communication.
ein Wörterbuch is a dictionary, and helfen means to help. Bei takes the dative, so der Verständigung is dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Qualität der Verständigung hängt von der Sprache ab.
The quality of the communication depends on the language.
die Qualität means quality, abhängen von means to depend on, and die Sprache is the language. Der Verständigung is genitive because it specifies the quality’s connection; the separable verb appears as hängt ... ab, and von takes the dative.
Gute Verständigungen sind bei internationalen Treffen wichtig.
Good communication agreements are important at international meetings.
gut means good, international means international, and das Treffen is the meeting. Verständigungen is plural and therefore takes sind; bei takes the dative in bei internationalen Treffen.
das Verständnis — understanding, comprehension; understanding, sympathy
The common sense is usually uncountable: Verständnis für jemanden haben means to show understanding or sympathy for someone. The plural Verständnisse is mainly used for different interpretations or readings of an idea.
Das Verständnis für Grammatik wächst langsam.
Understanding of grammar grows slowly.
die Grammatik means grammar, and wachsen means to grow. Das Verständnis is nominative because it is the subject; für Grammatik uses the accusative after für, and wächst is in position two.
Der Kurs verbessert das Verständnis der Sprache.
The course improves understanding of the language.
der Kurs is the course, verbessern means to improve, and die Sprache is the language. Das Verständnis is accusative because it is the object of verbessert; der Sprache is genitive and specifies what is understood.
Die Lehrerin hilft den Schülern beim Verständnis.
The teacher helps the students with their understanding.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, and die Schüler are the students. Den Schülern is dative because helfen requires dative, and beim Verständnis means with understanding; beim is short for bei dem.
Die Bedeutung des Verständnisses ist klar.
The importance of understanding is clear.
die Bedeutung means importance or meaning, and klar means clear. Des Verständnisses is genitive because it identifies the type or focus of the importance; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die verschiedenen Verständnisse des Begriffs führen zu Diskussionen.
The different interpretations of the term lead to discussions.
verschieden means different, der Begriff is the term, and die Diskussion is the discussion. Verständnisse is plural and therefore takes führen; des Begriffs is genitive and identifies what the interpretations concern.
Danke für dein Verständnis.
Thank you for your understanding.
danke means thank you, and dein means your. Für dein Verständnis is accusative because für requires the accusative; the noun is normally singular in this expression.
Wir bitten um Verständnis für die Verspätung.
We ask for understanding for the delay.
bitten um means to ask for, and die Verspätung is the delay. Um Verständnis is accusative because bitten um requires the accusative; the finite verb bitten is in position two.
verweisen — to refer to, to direct someone to
The reference pattern is auf etwas verweisen, with auf taking the accusative. A second common pattern is jemanden auf etwas verweisen, meaning to direct someone to a source or place.
Der Lehrer verweist auf die neue Regel.
The teacher refers to the new rule.
der Lehrer means the teacher and die neue Regel means the new rule. Auf takes the accusative here because it refers to a specific subject, so die neue Regel is accusative; verweist is in position two.
Der Artikel hat auf eine wichtige Studie verwiesen.
The article referred to an important study.
der Artikel means the article and eine wichtige Studie means an important study. The perfect uses hat plus verwiesen, with the Partizip II at the end; auf governs the accusative in this reference pattern.
Sie verwies auf die Internetseite.
She referred to the website.
die Internetseite means the website. Verwies is the strong simple past form; auf takes the accusative here, shown by die Internetseite, and the finite verb is in position two.
Verweise bitte auf die Quelle!
Please refer to the source!
bitte means please, and die Quelle means the source of information. The imperative omits du; auf introduces the accusative phrase die Quelle, and the command begins with verweise.
Wenn der Text auf eine andere Quelle verwiese, wäre das hilfreich.
If the text referred to another source, that would be helpful.
der Text means the text, eine andere Quelle means another source, and hilfreich means helpful. In the wenn clause, verwiese goes to the end; auf takes the accusative, and wäre introduces the hypothetical result.
Die Website wird auf weitere Informationen verweisen.
The website will refer to further information.
die Website means the website, and weitere Informationen means further information. Wird is in position two and the infinitive verweisen goes to the end; auf introduces the accusative information being referred to.
veröffentlichen — to publish, to release; to release, to make public
veröffentlichen takes an accusative object: etwas veröffentlichen means to publish something. It is a weak verb, uses haben in the perfect, and its inseparable prefix ver- means the Partizip II has no ge-.
Der Verlag veröffentlicht den Roman im Herbst.
The publisher will publish the novel in autumn.
der Verlag means the publishing house, der Roman means the novel, and im Herbst means in autumn. den Roman is accusative because veröffentlichen takes an accusative object; the finite verb veröffentlicht stands in position two.
Der Verlag hat den Roman im Herbst veröffentlicht.
The publisher published the novel in autumn.
der Verlag means the publishing house, der Roman means the novel, and im Herbst means in autumn. den Roman is accusative after veröffentlichen; the auxiliary hat is in position two and veröffentlicht goes to the end.
Der Verlag veröffentlichte den Roman im Herbst.
The publisher published the novel in autumn.
der Verlag means the publishing house, der Roman means the novel, and im Herbst means in autumn. den Roman is accusative because it is the object, and the preterite verb veröffentlichte is in position two.
Veröffentliche den Bericht erst morgen.
Do not publish the report until tomorrow.
der Bericht means the report, and erst morgen means not until tomorrow. The imperative veröffentliche addresses one informal person, while den Bericht is accusative because it is the object.
Sie würde den Bericht veröffentlichen, wenn alle zustimmten.
She would publish the report if everyone agreed.
sie means she, der Bericht means the report, wenn means if, and zustimmen means agree. den Bericht is accusative after veröffentlichen; würde ... veröffentlichen expresses a hypothetical action, with the infinitive at the end.
Die Zeitung wird morgen den Bericht veröffentlichen.
The newspaper will publish the report tomorrow.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, morgen means tomorrow, and der Bericht means the report. den Bericht is accusative after veröffentlichen; wird is in position two and the infinitive veröffentlichen goes to the end.
Die Forscher veröffentlichen ihre Ergebnisse online.
The researchers publish their results online.
die Forscher means the researchers, ihre Ergebnisse means their results, and online means on the internet. ihre Ergebnisse is accusative because it is the object of veröffentlichen; the finite verb veröffentlichen is in position two.
Das Ministerium hat die Daten veröffentlicht.
The ministry has released the data.
das Ministerium means the ministry, and die Daten means the data. die Daten is accusative after veröffentlichen; hat is in position two and the Partizip II veröffentlicht stands at the end.
der Videorekorder — video recorder, VCR
Der Videorekorder is an older technology word; many people now use der Videorekorder less often because digital recording is more common. Its plural is unchanged: der Videorekorder, but die Videorekorder.
Der Videorekorder steht im Wohnzimmer.
The video recorder is in the living room.
steht means is standing or is located, and das Wohnzimmer means living room. Der Videorekorder is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Mein Vater repariert den Videorekorder.
My father is repairing the video recorder.
mein Vater means my father and reparieren means repair. Den Videorekorder is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich nehme mit dem Videorekorder einen Film auf.
I am recording a film with the video recorder.
einen Film aufnehmen means record a film, and mit means with. Mit takes the dative, so the noun is dem Videorekorder; the separable verb aufnehmen splits into nehme ... auf.
Die Fernbedienung des Videorekorders liegt auf dem Tisch.
The remote control of the video recorder is on the table.
die Fernbedienung means remote control, liegt means is lying or is located, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Des Videorekorders is genitive because it identifies which remote control is meant; the masculine genitive noun adds -s.
Die alten Videorekorder funktionieren noch.
The old video recorders still work.
alt means old, funktionieren means work or function, and noch means still. Videorekorder is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the noun has no plural ending, so die and alten show the plural.
die Vorwahl — area code; telephone prefix; preliminary election; primary
In everyday telephone language, die Vorwahl usually means an area code, while die Ländervorwahl means a country calling code. It can also mean a preliminary election in politics.
Die Vorwahl für Berlin ist 030.
The area code for Berlin is 030.
Berlin is the German capital, and 030 is its telephone area code. Die Vorwahl is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte wähle die Vorwahl vor der Telefonnummer.
Please dial the area code before the telephone number.
bitte means please, wähle means dial, and vor der Telefonnummer means before the telephone number. Die Vorwahl is accusative because wählen takes a direct object, while the imperative wähle comes first.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin die Vorwahl.
I give my friend the area code.
geben means to give, meiner Freundin means to my female friend, and gebe means give. Meiner Freundin is dative as the recipient, while die Vorwahl is accusative as the thing given.
Die Länge der Vorwahl hängt vom Land ab.
The length of the area code depends on the country.
die Länge is the length, hängt ... ab means depends, and das Land is the country. Der Vorwahl is genitive because it specifies whose length is meant; the separable verb abhängen places ab at the end of the main clause.
Internationale Vorwahlen beginnen oft mit einem Pluszeichen.
International area codes often begin with a plus sign.
internationale means international, beginnen means begin, oft means often, and das Pluszeichen is the plus sign. Vorwahlen is plural and nominative as the subject; einem Pluszeichen is dative after mit.
Bei einem Anruf aus dem Ausland braucht man die Vorwahl.
For a call from abroad, you need the area code.
bei einem Anruf means for a call, aus dem Ausland means from abroad, and braucht man means one needs. Einem Anruf is dative after bei, while die Vorwahl is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Die Kandidatin gewann die Vorwahl ihrer Partei.
The candidate won her party's preliminary election.
die Kandidatin is the female candidate, gewann means won, and ihre Partei means her party. Die Vorwahl is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; ihrer Partei is genitive in the phrase meaning her party's preliminary election.
Viele Mitglieder stimmten bei der Vorwahl ab.
Many members voted in the preliminary election.
viele Mitglieder means many members and stimmten ... ab means voted. Der Vorwahl is dative after bei, and the separable verb abstimmen places ab at the end of the main clause.
weisen — to show, to point out; to direct
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas weisen: the person is in the dative and the thing shown is in the accusative. With auf, the verb means to point to or point out something, and auf takes the accusative for directed attention.
Der Polizist weist dem Besucher den Weg.
The police officer shows the visitor the way.
der Polizist means police officer, der Besucher means visitor, and der Weg means way or route. Dem Besucher is dative for the person receiving something, while den Weg is accusative as the thing shown; the finite verb weist is in position two.
Sie hat mir den richtigen Weg gewiesen.
She showed me the right way.
richtig means right or correct, and mir means to me. Mir is dative and den richtigen Weg is accusative; hat is in position two and gewiesen goes to the end because this is the perfect.
Der Lehrer wies auf den Fehler hin.
The teacher pointed out the mistake.
der Lehrer means teacher and der Fehler means mistake. In auf den Fehler weisen, auf takes the accusative because attention is directed toward something; the finite verb wies is in position two.
Weise mir den Weg zum Bahnhof.
Show me the way to the station.
mir means to me, der Weg means way, and der Bahnhof means train station. Mir is dative and den Weg is accusative; the imperative weise stands first, and zum Bahnhof means to the station.
Wenn er mir den Weg wiese, käme ich pünktlich an.
If he showed me the way, I would arrive on time.
wenn means if, pünktlich means on time, and ankommen means to arrive. Mir is dative and den Weg is accusative; in the wenn clause, wiese goes to the end, while käme is the hypothetical result.
Der Stadtplan wird uns den Weg weisen.
The city map will show us the way.
der Stadtplan means city map and uns means to us. Uns is dative and den Weg is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive weisen goes to the end in the future.
wenden — to turn, to turn over; to turn to, to contact
For the physical action, wenden normally takes an accusative object, such as das Blatt or das Fleisch. Its mixed past forms are wandte and gewendet; the perfect uses haben.
Er wendet das Blatt.
He turns the page.
er means he, and das Blatt is the page or sheet. Das Blatt is accusative because wenden takes a direct object, and the finite verb wendet stands in position two.
Sie hat das Fleisch gewendet.
She turned the meat over.
sie means she, and das Fleisch is the meat. Das Fleisch is accusative because it is the thing being turned; hat is the auxiliary in position two and gewendet goes to the end.
Er wandte das Auto vorsichtig.
He carefully turned the car around.
das Auto is the car, and vorsichtig means carefully. The past form wandte stands in position two, while das Auto is accusative as the direct object.
Wende das Steak!
Turn the steak over!
das Steak is the steak. Wende is the du imperative, and the accusative object das Steak follows it; the subject du is normally left out.
Ich wendete den Wagen, wenn die Straße gesperrt wäre.
I would turn the car around if the road were closed.
der Wagen means the car, and gesperrt means closed or blocked; die Straße is the road. Den Wagen is accusative because it is the object, and wendete is the Konjunktiv II form; in the wenn-clause, wäre goes to the end.
Der Fahrer wird den Bus an der Kreuzung wenden.
The driver will turn the bus around at the junction.
der Fahrer is the driver, der Bus is the bus, and die Kreuzung is the junction. Den Bus is accusative, while wird stands in position two and the infinitive wenden goes to the end.
Bitte wenden Sie sich an den Kundendienst.
Please contact customer service.
bitte means please, and der Kundendienst is customer service. The fixed expression sich an jemanden wenden uses an with the accusative for the person contacted; the polite imperative has wenden in position two and Sie as the subject.
Er hat sich mit seiner Frage an die Polizei gewandt.
He turned to the police with his question.
die Frage means the question, and die Polizei means the police. In this sense, sich an die Polizei wenden takes an plus accusative, while mit plus dative marks what he has; gewandt is an alternative Partizip II used especially in this expression.
die Werbeagentur — advertising agency
Die Werbeagentur is a company, not just a person who writes advertisements. Its plural is die Werbeagenturen, with the ending -en.
Die Werbeagentur entwickelt eine neue Kampagne.
The advertising agency is developing a new campaign.
entwickelt means is developing, neu means new, and die Kampagne is the campaign. Die Werbeagentur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb entwickelt stands in position two, and eine neue Kampagne is the accusative object.
Der Kunde beauftragt die Werbeagentur mit einem Projekt.
The client commissions the advertising agency for a project.
der Kunde is the client, beauftragt means commissions, and das Projekt is the project. Die Werbeagentur is accusative because beauftragen takes a direct object; mit takes the dative, so einem Projekt has a dative ending.
Wir helfen der Werbeagentur bei der Präsentation.
We help the advertising agency with the presentation.
helfen means to help, bei means with or during, and die Präsentation is the presentation. Der Werbeagentur is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and bei also requires the dative in der Präsentation.
Die Ideen der Werbeagentur sind sehr kreativ.
The advertising agency's ideas are very creative.
die Ideen means the ideas and kreativ means creative. Der Werbeagentur is genitive because it shows possession or association; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Werbeagenturen bieten digitale Dienste an.
Many advertising agencies offer digital services.
viele means many, bieten ... an means offer, digital means digital, and die Dienste are the services. Werbeagenturen is plural after viele; the separable verb bieten ... an puts its prefix at the end of the main clause.
widersprechen — to contradict, to disagree with; to conflict with, to be inconsistent with
Widersprechen is a strong verb: widersprechen - widersprach - hat widersprochen. The person or opinion contradicted is always in the dative: jemandem widersprechen.
Ich widerspreche meinem Chef.
I contradict my boss.
mein Chef means my boss. Meinem Chef is dative because widersprechen always takes the dative for the person being contradicted, and widerspreche is in position two.
Ich habe meinem Chef widersprochen.
I contradicted my boss.
mein Chef means my boss. The perfect uses habe plus widersprochen, and meinem Chef remains dative; do not replace it with accusative meinen Chef.
Er widersprach seiner Mutter.
He contradicted his mother.
seiner Mutter means his mother. Seiner Mutter is dative after widersprechen, and widersprach is the strong Präteritum form in position two.
Widersprich mir nicht!
Don’t contradict me!
mir means to me, and nicht means not. The imperative widersprich comes first; mir is dative because the person being contradicted is the indirect object.
Ich würde dir nicht widersprechen.
I wouldn’t contradict you.
dir means to you, and nicht means not. Würde ... widersprechen expresses a hypothetical action, with the infinitive at the end; dir is dative, not accusative.
Sie wird ihrem Bruder widersprechen.
She will contradict her brother.
ihrem Bruder means her brother. Future tense places wird in position two and widersprechen at the end, while ihrem Bruder is dative after the verb.
Diese Behauptung widerspricht den Tatsachen.
This claim contradicts the facts.
diese Behauptung means this claim, and die Tatsachen means the facts. Den Tatsachen is dative because widersprechen governs the dative, even though English uses a direct object.
Sein Verhalten widerspricht den Regeln.
His behaviour conflicts with the rules.
sein Verhalten means his behaviour, and die Regeln means the rules. Den Regeln is dative after widersprechen, while the finite verb widerspricht stays in position two.
der Widerspruch — objection, disagreement, contradiction; contradiction, inconsistency
Der Widerspruch can mean an objection, especially in law, or a contradiction between statements or facts. Do not confuse it with the verb widersprechen, which takes a dative object.
Der Widerspruch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The objection is on the table.
liegt auf dem Tisch means is lying on the table. Der Widerspruch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich höre den Widerspruch.
I hear the objection.
ich höre means I hear. Den Widerspruch is accusative because hören takes a direct object, while höre stands in position two.
Sie widerspricht dem Widerspruch des Kollegen.
She objects to the colleague’s objection.
sie widerspricht means she objects, and des Kollegen means of the colleague. Dem Widerspruch is dative because widersprechen governs the dative; des Kollegen is genitive possession.
Die Gründe des Widerspruchs sind verständlich.
The reasons for the objection are understandable.
die Gründe means the reasons, and verständlich means understandable. Des Widerspruchs is genitive after die Gründe to show what the reasons concern; the subject is die Gründe.
Viele Widersprüche verzögern das Verfahren.
Many objections are delaying the proceedings.
viele means many, and das Verfahren means the proceedings or process. Widersprüche is plural and nominative as the subject, while das Verfahren is accusative after verzögern.
In seiner Geschichte gibt es einen Widerspruch.
There is a contradiction in his story.
seiner Geschichte means in his story, and es gibt means there is. Einen Widerspruch is accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; in seiner Geschichte is dative because it describes location.
Ich sehe einen klaren Widerspruch.
I see a clear contradiction.
klaren means clear. Einen klaren Widerspruch is accusative after sehen, and the adjective takes -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
das Willkommen — welcome, friendly reception
This capitalized noun means a welcome or friendly reception. It is different from lowercase willkommen, an adjective meaning “welcome”.
Das Willkommen im Hotel war sehr freundlich.
The welcome at the hotel was very friendly.
im Hotel means “at the hotel”, and sehr freundlich means “very friendly”. Das Willkommen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir haben ein herzliches Willkommen bekommen.
We received a warm welcome.
ein herzliches means “a warm”, and bekommen means “received”. Ein herzliches Willkommen is accusative because bekommen takes an accusative object; haben is in position two and bekommen goes to the end in the perfect.
Die Gastgeber gaben uns ein freundliches Willkommen.
The hosts gave us a friendly welcome.
Die Gastgeber are “the hosts”, and uns means “to us”. Uns is dative because geben gives something to someone, while ein freundliches Willkommen is accusative as the thing given.
Die Gäste freuten sich über die Wärme des Willkommens.
The guests were pleased by the warmth of the welcome.
Die Gäste are “the guests”, freuten sich means “were pleased”, and die Wärme is “the warmth”. Des Willkommens is genitive because it identifies whose warmth is meant, and sich freuen über takes über with the accusative.
Die Willkommens der neuen Nachbarn waren besonders herzlich.
The welcomes from the new neighbours were especially warm.
der neuen Nachbarn means “from the new neighbours”, and besonders herzlich means “especially warm”. Die Willkommens is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is plural: waren.
zappen — to channel-surf, to keep switching channels
Zappen is informal and is mainly used for repeatedly changing television channels. It normally takes haben in the perfect: hat gezappt.
Ich zappe abends oft durch die Kanäle.
I often channel-surf through the channels in the evening.
abends means “in the evening,” and die Kanäle means “the channels.” The finite verb zappe stands in position two; durch takes the accusative, and die Kanäle is the object of this preposition.
Wir haben gestern eine Stunde gezappt.
Yesterday we channel-surfed for an hour.
gestern means “yesterday,” and eine Stunde means “one hour.” The perfect uses haben plus gezappt; the finite auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Er zappte während der Werbung.
He channel-surfed during the adverts.
während der Werbung means “during the adverts,” and Werbung means advertising. Zappte is the regular simple-past form, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Zapp nicht ständig!
Don’t keep changing channels!
nicht means “not,” and ständig means “constantly.” The imperative puts the verb zapp first; nicht follows it to make the command negative.
Wenn ich allein wäre, zappte ich den ganzen Abend.
If I were alone, I would channel-surf all evening.
wenn means “if,” allein means “alone,” and den ganzen Abend means “all evening.” In the wenn clause the finite verb wäre goes to the end; zappte is the same-looking form as the simple past but here expresses an unreal situation.
Heute Abend wird sie lange zappen.
This evening she will channel-surf for a long time.
heute Abend means “this evening,” and lange means “for a long time.” Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive zappen at the end; the infinitive is not split.
der Zeitungsartikel — newspaper article
Der Zeitungsartikel is a compound made from die Zeitung and der Artikel; its gender comes from the final part, der Artikel. It means an article in a newspaper, not the whole newspaper.
Der Zeitungsartikel beschreibt den neuen Stadtpark.
The newspaper article describes the new city park.
beschreibt means describes, and der neue Stadtpark means the new city park. Der Zeitungsartikel is nominative because it is the subject; the park is accusative because beschreiben takes a direct object.
Die Redaktion veröffentlicht den Zeitungsartikel morgen.
The editorial office will publish the newspaper article tomorrow.
die Redaktion means the editorial office, veröffentlicht means publishes, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Zeitungsartikel is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Journalist gibt dem Zeitungsartikel einen neuen Titel.
The journalist gives the newspaper article a new title.
der Journalist means the journalist, and der Titel means the title. Dem Zeitungsartikel is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Titel is the accusative object.
Die Überschrift des Zeitungsartikels ist sehr auffällig.
The headline of the newspaper article is very striking.
die Überschrift means the headline, and auffällig means striking or conspicuous. Des Zeitungsartikels is genitive because it identifies which article the headline belongs to; the compound adds -s.
Ich lese täglich mehrere Zeitungsartikel.
I read several newspaper articles every day.
lese means read, täglich means daily, and mehrere means several. Zeitungsartikel is plural accusative because it is the object of lesen; its form is identical in singular and plural.
Der Verlag veröffentlicht einen Zeitungsartikel über das neue Interview.
The publishing company publishes a newspaper article about the new interview.
der Verlag means the publishing company, veröffentlicht means publishes, and über das neue Interview means about the new interview. Einen Zeitungsartikel is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object; the finite verb veröffentlicht stands in position two.
der Zeitungsbericht — newspaper report
A Zeitungsbericht is a report in a newspaper; it is more specific than ein Bericht, which can be any kind of report.
Der Zeitungsbericht war sehr ausführlich.
The newspaper report was very detailed.
ausführlich means detailed. Der Zeitungsbericht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich habe den Zeitungsbericht gestern gelesen.
I read the newspaper report yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gelesen means read. Den Zeitungsbericht is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end in the perfect.
Sie gab dem Zeitungsbericht einen neuen Titel.
She gave the newspaper report a new title.
gab means gave, and einen neuen Titel means a new title. Dem Zeitungsbericht is dative because it is the thing receiving the title, while einen neuen Titel is the accusative object.
Die Überschrift des Zeitungsberichts war irreführend.
The headline of the newspaper report was misleading.
die Überschrift means the headline, and irreführend means misleading. Des Zeitungsberichts is genitive because it shows whose headline it was; the masculine genitive article is des and the noun ends in -s.
Viele Zeitungsberichte erwähnen den Skandal.
Many newspaper reports mention the scandal.
viele means many, and erwähnen means mention. Zeitungsberichte is the plural subject, so it has the plural article die when an article is needed; the finite verb remains in position two.
die Zentrale — headquarters, central office; control centre
die Zentrale is the main office of an organisation, or the place from which operations are coordinated. For a company, Firmenzentrale specifically means company headquarters; do not confuse this noun with the adjective or adverb zentral.
Die Zentrale ist in Berlin.
The headquarters are in Berlin.
Berlin is the capital of Germany, and ist in Berlin means is in Berlin. Die Zentrale is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich rufe die Zentrale an.
I am calling headquarters.
rufe ... an means call, and ich means I. die Zentrale is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb splits, with rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich schreibe der Zentrale eine E-Mail.
I am writing headquarters an email.
schreibe means write, eine E-Mail means an email, and der Zentrale means to headquarters. der Zentrale is dative as the recipient, while eine E-Mail is the accusative thing being written.
Die Adresse der Zentrale steht auf der Website.
The headquarters’ address is on the website.
die Adresse means the address, steht auf means is displayed on, and die Website means the website. der Zentrale is genitive because it shows whose address it is; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Mehrere Zentralen arbeiten zusammen.
Several headquarters work together.
mehrere means several, and zusammenarbeiten means work together. Zentralen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
zugeben — to admit, to concede; to add
The direct object is usually the thing admitted, such as einen Fehler. Zugeben is separable in main clauses but remains together as zugeben in subordinate clauses and with modal or future constructions.
Ich gebe meinen Fehler zu.
I admit my mistake.
mein Fehler means my mistake. Meinen Fehler is accusative because zugeben takes a direct object; the finite part gebe is in position two and the prefix zu goes to the end.
Sie hat ihren Irrtum zugegeben.
She admitted her error.
sie means she, ihr Irrtum means her error, and haben forms the perfect here. Ihren Irrtum is accusative after zugeben; the participle zugegeben goes to the end of the clause.
Er gab seinen Fehler zu.
He admitted his mistake.
er means he and sein Fehler means his mistake. Seinen Fehler is accusative because it is the direct object; gab is the past-tense verb in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Gib deinen Fehler zu.
Admit your mistake.
dein Fehler means your mistake. The imperative addresses one person, so it uses gib without a pronoun; deinen Fehler is accusative and the separable prefix zu goes at the end.
Ich würde meinen Fehler zugeben, wenn es nötig wäre.
I would admit my mistake if it were necessary.
würde expresses would, wenn means if, nötig means necessary, and wäre means were. The würde form is followed by the infinitive zugeben, which stays together; meinen Fehler is accusative.
Ich werde meinen Fehler morgen zugeben.
I will admit my mistake tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and mein Fehler means my mistake. Meinen Fehler is accusative after zugeben; werde is in position two and the complete infinitive goes to the end.
Gib jetzt die Tomaten zu.
Now add the tomatoes.
jetzt means now and die Tomaten means the tomatoes. The imperative addresses one person; die Tomaten is accusative as the thing being added, and zu separates to the end.
Zum Schluss gibt sie den Reis zu.
At the end, she adds the rice.
zum Schluss means at the end, sie means she, and der Reis means rice. Den Reis is accusative because it is what is added; gibt stands in position two and the prefix zu goes to the end.
zusammenfassen — to summarise, to condense; to sum up, to bring together
This separable verb takes an accusative object: etwas zusammenfassen means to summarise something. In a main clause, fasst stays in position two and zusammen moves to the end.
Sie fasst den Artikel kurz zusammen.
She briefly summarises the article.
der Artikel means the article, and kurz means briefly or in a short way. Den Artikel is accusative because zusammenfassen takes a direct object; the finite verb fasst is in position two and zusammen goes to the end.
Der Lehrer hat die Ergebnisse zusammengefasst.
The teacher summarised the results.
der Lehrer means the teacher, and die Ergebnisse means the results. The perfect uses hat plus zusammengefasst, and the accusative object die Ergebnisse comes before the Partizip II at the end.
Er fasste die Diskussion am Ende zusammen.
He summarised the discussion at the end.
die Diskussion means the discussion, and am Ende means at the end. Die Diskussion is accusative as the direct object; the preterite fasste is in position two and zusammen is separated.
Fass bitte deine Antwort zusammen.
Please summarise your answer.
bitte means please, and deine Antwort means your answer. The imperative omits du; deine Antwort is accusative, and the prefix zusammen goes to the end.
Ich würde die Informationen gern zusammenfassen.
I would like to summarise the information.
die Informationen means the information, and gern means gladly or would like to. Die Informationen is accusative because it is the direct object, and the complete infinitive zusammenfassen follows würde at the end.
Morgen wird die Sprecherin die Ergebnisse zusammenfassen.
Tomorrow the speaker will summarise the results.
morgen means tomorrow, die Sprecherin means the female speaker, and die Ergebnisse means the results. Future one puts wird in position two and the complete infinitive zusammenfassen at the end; the object is accusative.
Zum Schluss fasst sie ihre Gedanken zusammen.
Finally, she summarises her thoughts.
zum Schluss means finally or at the end, and ihre Gedanken means her thoughts. Ihre Gedanken is accusative because it is the direct object, while zusammen is separated and placed at the end.
Kannst du die Situation in einem Satz zusammenfassen?
Can you summarise the situation in one sentence?
kannst du means can you, die Situation means the situation, and in einem Satz means in one sentence. After the modal verb kannst, the complete infinitive zusammenfassen goes to the end; die Situation is accusative.
die Zuschrift — written message, letter (especially to a publication); submission, contribution (for publication)
A Zuschrift is usually a written message sent to a newspaper, organisation, or public body, rather than an ordinary private letter. It is a feminine noun with the plural Zuschriften.
Die Zuschrift liegt auf dem Tisch.
The letter is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Zuschrift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese die Zuschrift heute.
I am reading the letter today.
lese means “read”, and heute means “today”. Die Zuschrift is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich antworte der Zuschrift nicht.
I am not replying to the letter.
antworte means “reply”, and nicht means “not”. Der Zuschrift is dative because antworten takes a dative object; this is not accusative despite the English wording “reply to the letter”.
Der Inhalt der Zuschrift ist interessant.
The content of the letter is interesting.
der Inhalt means “the content”, and interessant means “interesting”. Der Zuschrift is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; the genitive feminine article is der.
Viele Zuschriften erreichen die Redaktion.
Many letters reach the editorial office.
viele means “many”, and die Redaktion is the editorial office. Zuschriften is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb erreichen is plural.
Die Zeitung veröffentlicht eine Zuschrift aus München.
The newspaper is publishing a letter from Munich.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, veröffentlicht means “publishes”, and aus München means “from Munich”. Eine Zuschrift is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Auf Zuschriften von Lesern antwortet die Redaktion schnell.
The editorial office quickly replies to letters from readers.
Leser means “readers”, and schnell means “quickly”. Auf Zuschriften is a fixed phrase here with auf and means “in response to letters”; von Lesern uses the dative after von.
die Äußerung — remark, statement, utterance
Äußerung is more formal than Kommentar and can refer to spoken or written words. It comes from äußern, meaning to express or state.
Die Äußerung hat mich überrascht.
The remark surprised me.
überrascht means surprised, and mich means me. Die Äußerung is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative because it is the object affected by hat überrascht.
Ich verstehe seine Äußerung nicht.
I do not understand his remark.
verstehen means understand, seine means his, and nicht means not. Seine Äußerung is accusative because it is the direct object of verstehe; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich stimme der Äußerung nicht zu.
I do not agree with the remark.
zustimmen means to agree with, and nicht means not. Der Äußerung is dative because zustimmen takes a dative object; stimme is in position two and the separable prefix zu goes at the end.
Der Inhalt der Äußerung war unklar.
The content of the statement was unclear.
der Inhalt means the content, and unklar means unclear. Der Äußerung is genitive because it identifies whose content is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Seine Äußerungen wurden in der Zeitung veröffentlicht.
His statements were published in the newspaper.
seine means his, die Zeitung is the newspaper, and veröffentlicht means published. Äußerungen is plural with -en; in the passive, wurden is in position two and veröffentlicht goes to the end.
der Übersetzer — translator, interpreter (male); professional translator
A Übersetzer can translate written texts or interpret spoken language, depending on the context. The feminine form is Übersetzerin; the plural Übersetzer has no ending.
Der Übersetzer arbeitet heute im Büro.
The translator is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and das Büro is the office. Der Übersetzer is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Firma sucht einen Übersetzer.
The company is looking for a translator.
die Firma is the company, and sucht means is looking for. Einen Übersetzer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich gebe dem Übersetzer den Vertrag.
I give the translator the contract.
geben means to give, and der Vertrag is the contract. Dem Übersetzer is dative because it is the recipient, while den Vertrag is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Erfahrung des Übersetzers ist beeindruckend.
The translator's experience is impressive.
die Erfahrung means the experience, and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Übersetzers is genitive to show whose experience it is; this masculine noun takes -s and the article des.
Die Übersetzer treffen sich am Eingang.
The translators are meeting at the entrance.
treffen sich means meet each other, and der Eingang is the entrance. Die Übersetzer is plural and has no ending; sich is used because sich treffen is a reciprocal expression.
Er arbeitet seit zehn Jahren als Übersetzer.
He has been working as a translator for ten years.
seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and als means as in a job description. After als, the profession is normally used without an article; arbeitet is in position two, while seit takes the dative in zehn Jahren.
Der Verlag beauftragte einen Übersetzer mit dem Buch.
The publishing house commissioned a translator for the book.
der Verlag is the publishing house, beauftragte means commissioned, and das Buch is the book. Einen Übersetzer is accusative as the object of beauftragen; mit takes the dative, so dem Buch is dative.
die Übersetzerin — translator, interpreter (female); professional female translator
Übersetzerin is the feminine form of Übersetzer. Its plural is Übersetzerinnen, with the ending -innen.
Die Übersetzerin prüft den Text sorgfältig.
The translator is checking the text carefully.
prüfen means to check, der Text is the text, and sorgfältig means carefully. Die Übersetzerin is nominative because she is the subject; sorgfältig describes how the action is done.
Der Kunde bezahlt die Übersetzerin.
The customer pays the translator.
der Kunde is the customer, and bezahlen means to pay. Die Übersetzerin is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Übersetzerin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the translator for her help.
danken means to thank, ihre Hilfe is her help, and für means for. Der Übersetzerin is dative because danken takes a dative object; für takes the accusative in ihre Hilfe.
Die Arbeit der Übersetzerin war ausgezeichnet.
The translator's work was excellent.
die Arbeit means the work, war means was, and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Der Übersetzerin is genitive to show whose work it was; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Übersetzerinnen arbeiten an verschiedenen Projekten.
The translators are working on different projects.
verschiedene Projekte means different projects, and arbeiten an means work on. Übersetzerinnen is plural, formed with -innen; an takes the dative here because the sentence describes work being done on existing projects, not movement toward them.
Sie arbeitet seit kurzem als Übersetzerin.
She has recently started working as a translator.
seit kurzem means recently, and als introduces a job or role. After als, the profession normally has no article; seit takes the dative, shown by kurzem.
Eine Übersetzerin begleitete die Delegation.
A female translator accompanied the delegation.
begleiten means to accompany, and die Delegation is the delegation. Eine Übersetzerin is nominative as the subject, while die Delegation is accusative because it is the object of begleiten.
das Übersetzungsbüro — translation office, translation agency; translation office premises
This compound means an office or agency that offers Übersetzungen and often interpreting services. The plural is Übersetzungsbüros, with -s on the final noun Büro.
Das Übersetzungsbüro öffnet um acht Uhr.
The translation office opens at eight o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Das Übersetzungsbüro is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Übersetzungsbüro.
We are visiting the translation office.
besuchen means to visit, and wir means we. Das Übersetzungsbüro is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Firma gibt dem Übersetzungsbüro wichtige Dokumente.
The company gives the translation office important documents.
die Firma is the company, geben means to give, and wichtige Dokumente are important documents. Dem Übersetzungsbüro is dative because it is the recipient, while wichtige Dokumente is accusative as the thing given.
Die Adresse des Übersetzungsbüros steht auf der Website.
The address of the translation office is on the website.
die Adresse means the address, stehen means to be written or located, and die Website is the website. Des Übersetzungsbüros is genitive to show which office the address belongs to; auf der Website is dative because it describes a location.
In Berlin gibt es mehrere Übersetzungsbüros.
There are several translation offices in Berlin.
mehrere means several, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Übersetzungsbüros is plural with -s; in Berlin is dative because it describes a location, while es gibt uses the plural noun as its object.
Sie arbeitet in einem Übersetzungsbüro.
She works in a translation office.
arbeiten means to work, and einem is the dative form of ein. In einem Übersetzungsbüro is dative because in describes a fixed location; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Vor dem Übersetzungsbüro wartet ein Kunde.
A customer is waiting in front of the translation office.
vor means in front of, warten means to wait, and ein Kunde is a customer. Vor dem Übersetzungsbüro is dative because vor describes location here; the phrase comes first, so the finite verb wartet still stays in position two.
übereinstimmen — to agree, to correspond; to correspond, to match
With a person, übereinstimmen is commonly used with mit plus the dative, as in mit jemandem übereinstimmen. The prefix is separable: stimmt überein, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay whole.
Ich stimme dir in diesem Punkt überein.
I agree with you on this point.
in diesem Punkt means on this point. The fixed phrase mit jemandem übereinstimmen takes mit with the dative, so dir is dative; the two parts of the verb separate, with stimme in position two and überein at the end.
Wir haben bei der Planung übereingestimmt.
We agreed during the planning.
bei der Planung means during the planning. The perfect uses haben plus übereingestimmt, and the Partizip II stands at the end; bei forces the dative, shown by der Planung.
Sie stimmte dem Vorschlag nicht überein.
She did not agree with the suggestion.
der Vorschlag is the suggestion, and nicht means not. In the expression einem Vorschlag übereinstimmen, the suggestion is a dative complement, so dem Vorschlag is dative; the separable parts enclose the middle of the clause.
Stimm bitte mit mir überein.
Please agree with me.
bitte means please, and mit mir means with me. mit requires the dative, so mir is dative; in the imperative the subject du is omitted and the prefix remains at the end.
Ich würde dir in diesem Punkt übereinstimmen.
I would agree with you on this point.
in diesem Punkt means on this point, and würde makes a conditional meaning. The infinitive übereinstimmen stays whole after würde, while dir is dative in the expression jemandem übereinstimmen.
Wir werden bei dieser Frage übereinstimmen.
We will agree on this question.
bei dieser Frage means on this question. The future uses werden in position two and the whole infinitive übereinstimmen at the end; bei requires the dative, shown by dieser Frage.
Die Zahlen stimmen mit dem Bericht überein.
The figures match the report.
die Zahlen means the figures, and der Bericht is the report. mit takes the dative, so dem Bericht is dative; the separable verb places stimmen in position two and überein at the end.
Die beiden Listen haben genau übereingestimmt.
The two lists matched exactly.
die beiden Listen means the two lists, and genau means exactly. The perfect uses haben and the whole Partizip II übereingestimmt at the end; beide refers to two items.
überreden — to persuade, to talk someone into something
The person persuaded is in the accusative, as in jemanden überreden; the action is often introduced with zu. Do not confuse this with überzeugen, which means to convince someone that something is true.
Meine Schwester überredet mich jeden Abend zum Joggen.
My sister persuades me to go jogging every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and zum Joggen means to go jogging. mich is accusative because überreden takes the person being persuaded as an accusative object; the finite verb überredet is in position two.
Meine Schwester hat mich zum Joggen überredet.
My sister persuaded me to go jogging.
Schwester means sister, and Joggen means jogging. mich is accusative because it is the person persuaded, while hat is the auxiliary and überredet goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Er überredete seinen Freund zu einer Reise nach Prag.
He persuaded his friend to take a trip to Prague.
seinen Freund means his friend, Reise means trip, and nach Prag means to Prague. seinen Freund is accusative because it is the person persuaded; the regular past form überredete stands in position two.
Überrede ihn nicht zu diesem Unsinn!
Don’t persuade him to do this nonsense!
ihn means him, and dieser Unsinn means this nonsense. The imperative überrede addresses one person informally, and ihn is accusative because he is the person being persuaded.
Ich würde sie nicht zu so einer gefährlichen Reise überreden.
I would not persuade her to take such a dangerous trip.
so eine gefährliche Reise means such a dangerous trip. sie is accusative because she is the person persuaded, and würde ... überreden expresses a hypothetical action with the infinitive at the end.
Ich werde ihn noch überreden, mit uns zu kommen.
I will still persuade him to come with us.
noch means still, and mit uns zu kommen means to come with us. ihn is accusative because he is the person persuaded; werde is in position two and the infinitive überreden goes to the end.
übertragen — to transfer, transmit, broadcast
übertragen is a strong, inseparable verb: übertrug is the Präteritum and übertragen is the Partizip II. A recipient is often in the dative, as in jemandem etwas übertragen.
Die App überträgt die Daten automatisch.
The app transfers the data automatically.
die App means app, die Daten means data, and automatisch means automatically. die Daten is accusative because it is the object, and überträgt is in position two.
Der Sender hat das Spiel live übertragen.
The broadcaster broadcast the match live.
der Sender means broadcaster, das Spiel means match, and live means live. das Spiel is accusative; hat is in position two and übertragen goes to the end.
Der Mitarbeiter übertrug die Dateien auf den neuen Computer.
The employee transferred the files to the new computer.
der Mitarbeiter means employee and die Dateien means files. die Dateien is accusative, and the destination takes accusative after directional auf.
Übertrag die Fotos auf den USB-Stick.
Transfer the photos to the USB stick.
die Fotos means photos and der USB-Stick means USB stick. die Fotos and den USB-Stick are accusative, and du is omitted.
Ich würde die Verantwortung nicht auf ihn übertragen.
I would not transfer the responsibility to him.
die Verantwortung means responsibility and auf ihn means onto him. die Verantwortung is accusative, and würde plus the infinitive expresses a hypothetical choice.
Das Gerät wird die Bilder drahtlos übertragen.
The device will transmit the images wirelessly.
das Gerät means device, die Bilder means images, and drahtlos means wirelessly. die Bilder is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.