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Vocab: Countries & languages — A1 (1)
Countries & languages vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
Afrika — Africa
Afrika is a proper name and normally has no article: say in Afrika and nach Afrika, not with an ordinary definite article.
Meine Schwester reist nach Afrika.
My sister is travelling to Africa.
meine Schwester means my sister, reist means travels, and nach means to. Nach Afrika expresses direction; names of continents normally have no article, and the finite verb reist stands in position two.
Viele Tiere leben in Afrika.
Many animals live in Africa.
viele Tiere means many animals and leben means live. In Afrika expresses location, so in takes dative here, although the continent's name has no visible case ending; the finite verb leben is in position two.
Amerika — America, the Americas
Amerika is a proper geographical name and is normally used without an article. Use nach Amerika for movement to America and aus Amerika for origin.
Viele Menschen reisen nach Amerika.
Many people travel to America.
viele Menschen means many people, reisen means travel, and nach means to when used with a place name. Nach Amerika expresses direction; nach is used without an article for this place name, and the finite verb reisen is in position two.
Meine Tante kommt aus Amerika.
My aunt comes from America.
meine Tante means my aunt, kommt means comes, and aus means from. Aus normally forces the dative, but Amerika has no article or visible case ending; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
der Amerikaner — American man, American
The feminine form is Amerikanerin; the general adjective is amerikanisch. The plural Amerikaner has the same ending as the singular nominative.
Der Amerikaner kommt aus Boston.
The American comes from Boston.
kommt means comes and aus Boston means from Boston. Der Amerikaner is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Amerikaner jeden Tag.
I see the American every day.
sehe means see and jeden Tag means every day. Den Amerikaner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Amerikaner mit dem Koffer.
I help the American with the suitcase.
helfe means help, mit means with, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Dem Amerikaner is dative because helfen governs the dative; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto des Amerikaners steht vor dem Hotel.
The American's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Amerikaners is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Amerikaner besuchen Berlin.
Many Americans visit Berlin.
Viele means many, besuchen means visit, and Berlin is the city Berlin. The plural Amerikaner has no ending change, and it is nominative because it is the subject.
die Amerikanerin — American woman, American
The plural is Amerikanerinnen, with -innen. Unlike the masculine noun Amerikaner, this feminine noun has a visible plural ending.
Die Amerikanerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The American woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Amerikanerin is nominative because she is the subject, and arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Amerikanerin aus dem Kurs.
I know the American woman from the course.
kenne means know, aus dem Kurs means from the course, and der Kurs is the course. Die Amerikanerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Ich spreche mit der Amerikanerin.
I am speaking with the American woman.
spreche means speak and mit means with. Der Amerikanerin is dative because mit always governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das ist der Pass der Amerikanerin.
That is the American woman's passport.
der Pass means the passport. Der Amerikanerin is genitive because it shows whose passport it is, and the feminine noun does not add an ending.
Drei Amerikanerinnen sitzen im Café.
Three American women are sitting in the café.
Drei means three, sitzen means are sitting, and das Café is the café. Amerikanerinnen is the plural, formed with -innen, and it is nominative because it is the subject.
amerikanisch — American, relating to the United States
Amerikanisch normally means relating to the United States, although in some contexts it can mean relating to the whole of the Americas. It is a regular adjective: amerikanischer, am amerikanischsten.
Das Essen ist amerikanisch.
The food is American.
das Essen means the food and ist means is. Amerikanisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie kauft eine amerikanische Zeitung.
She is buying an American newspaper.
kauft means is buying and die Zeitung is the newspaper. Eine amerikanische Zeitung is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Dieser Film ist amerikanischer als der andere.
This film is more American than the other one.
dieser Film means this film and der andere means the other one. Amerikanischer compares two films and is followed by als; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Dieser Film ist am amerikanischsten.
This film is the most American.
dieser Film means this film and ist means is. Am amerikanischsten is the predicative superlative; am is required here, while an adjective before a noun needs an ending such as amerikanischste.
Argentinien — Argentina
Argentinien is a country name and normally has no article. Use nach Argentinien for travel to the country and in Argentinien for location.
Meine Freundin lebt in Argentinien.
My friend lives in Argentina.
Meine Freundin means my female friend, and lebt means lives. in Argentinien names a location, so in takes the dative here; the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Im Sommer fliegen wir nach Argentinien.
In summer we are flying to Argentina.
Im Sommer means in summer, and fliegen means fly. nach Argentinien expresses travel to a country and uses nach without an article; the finite verb fliegen stands in position two.
Asien — Asia
Asien is a proper geographical name and normally has no article: say in Asien and nach Asien. It does not have an ordinary plural.
Meine Freundin lebt in Asien.
My friend lives in Asia.
meine Freundin means my female friend, and lebt means lives. in Asien describes a location, so in takes the dative idea here, but the proper name Asien has no visible article or case ending; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Wir fliegen nächstes Jahr nach Asien.
We are flying to Asia next year.
fliegen means to fly, and nächstes Jahr means next year. nach Asien expresses movement to a continent and uses nach without an article; the finite verb fliegen stands in position two.
Athen — Athens
Athen is a proper name and normally has no article. It is used after nach for movement to the city and after in for location in the city.
Im Sommer fliegen wir nach Athen.
In summer we are flying to Athens.
der Sommer means summer, fliegen means to fly, and wir means we. nach Athen expresses a destination; nach is used with city names, and the finite verb fliegen stands in position two.
Viele Touristen besuchen Athen jedes Jahr.
Many tourists visit Athens every year.
viele Touristen means many tourists, besuchen means to visit, and jedes Jahr means every year. Athen is the accusative object of besuchen, while the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
das Ausland — abroad; foreign countries
Das Ausland is normally used without a plural article because it describes foreign countries collectively. Use im Ausland for “abroad” and ins Ausland for movement abroad.
Das Ausland interessiert sie sehr.
She is very interested in foreign countries.
interessiert means interested, and sehr means very. Das Ausland is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb interessiert stands in position two.
Er möchte das Ausland kennenlernen.
He would like to get to know foreign countries.
möchte means would like, and kennenlernen means get to know. Das Ausland is accusative because kennenlernen takes a direct object; after möchte, the infinitive kennenlernen stands at the end.
Sie arbeitet seit zwei Jahren im Ausland.
She has been working abroad for two years.
arbeitet means works, seit zwei Jahren means for two years, and im means in the. Im is in dem, and the dative is used because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Wirtschaft des Auslands ist für uns wichtig.
The foreign economy is important to us.
die Wirtschaft means the economy, and wichtig means important. Des Auslands is genitive because it identifies whose economy is meant, and ist stands in position two.
der Ausländer — foreigner; foreign national
Der Ausländer is a regular masculine noun: its plural is die Ausländer, and its genitive is des Ausländers. In modern German, ausländische Person or ausländischer Mitbürger may sound more neutral in some contexts.
Der Ausländer spricht sehr gut Deutsch.
The foreigner speaks German very well.
spricht means speaks, sehr gut means very well, and Deutsch means German. Der Ausländer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Ausländer oft im Bus.
I often see the foreigner on the bus.
sehe means see, oft means often, and im Bus means on the bus. Den Ausländer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Ausländer mit dem Formular.
I am helping the foreigner with the form.
helfe means help, mit means with, and das Formular means the form. Dem Ausländer is dative because helfen always takes the dative, and mit dem Formular is also dative because mit requires the dative.
Die Meinung des Ausländers interessiert mich.
The foreigner's opinion interests me.
die Meinung means the opinion, and interessiert means interests. Des Ausländers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is, while mich is accusative because it is the person affected by interessieren.
Viele Ausländer leben gern in Berlin.
Many foreigners like living in Berlin.
viele means many, leben means live, gern means gladly or like to, and Berlin is the city Berlin. Viele Ausländer is plural nominative because it is the subject, and leben stands in position two.
Australien — Australia
Country names without an article, such as Australien, normally have no visible case ending. Use nach Australien for movement to the country and in Australien for location there.
Ich möchte nach Australien reisen.
I would like to travel to Australia.
möchte means would like, and reisen means to travel. Nach Australien expresses movement to a country and therefore uses nach; the infinitive reisen stands at the end after the modal-like verb möchte.
Meine Schwester lebt in Australien.
My sister lives in Australia.
meine Schwester means my sister, and lebt means lives. In Australien describes a fixed location, so in takes the dative, although the country name has no visible article; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
der Australier — Australian
der Australier is a masculine noun for an Australian person; the feminine form is die Australierin. Its plural is die Australier, so singular and plural can be distinguished mainly by the article or context.
Der Australier wohnt in Sydney.
The Australian lives in Sydney.
wohnt means lives, and Sydney is a city in Australia. Der Australier is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Australier jeden Tag.
I see the Australian every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Australier is accusative because it is the direct object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative: den Australier.
Ich helfe dem Australier mit dem Gepäck.
I help the Australian with the luggage.
helfe means help, mit dem Gepäck means with the luggage, and Gepäck is luggage. Dem Australier is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the weak noun keeps the ending -er in the visible stem and takes -n only in the full form Australier? Need correct: base Australier, dative dem Australier, no additional n because already ends -er? Weak declension: der Australier, den Australier, dem Australier, des Australiers. n_declension field arguably false? N-declension includes der Herr, der Junge, der Student; nouns ending -er nationality? der Australier: gen singular Australiers, accus/dative singular Australier. It is weak? Duden: Australier, der; Genitiv: Australiers, Plural Australier. Not n-declension. Set false. Note correct.
Die Flagge des Australiers ist blau.
The Australian's flag is blue.
die Flagge means the flag, and blau means blue. Des Australiers is genitive to show whose flag it is; this noun adds -s in the genitive singular, while the article changes to des.
Viele Australier sprechen Englisch.
Many Australians speak English.
viele means many, and sprechen Englisch means speak English. Australier is the plural subject, so it is nominative; the plural has no extra ending, and the plural article is not needed after viele.
Belgien — Belgium
Country names without an article, including Belgien, are normally used without an article. Use nach Belgien for movement to Belgium and in Belgien for location there.
Belgien liegt in Westeuropa.
Belgium is in western Europe.
liegt means lies or is located, and Westeuropa means western Europe. Belgien is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir fahren im Sommer nach Belgien.
We are travelling to Belgium in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and fahren means travel or go by vehicle. Nach is used with countries without an article to show the destination, and fahren is in position two.
belgisch — Belgian
This adjective describes nationality or origin and is normally not compared. In attributive use it has an adjective ending, as in belgisches Bier; nationality adjectives are written with a lowercase initial in German.
Das Bier ist belgisch.
The beer is Belgian.
das Bier means the beer. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending.
Wir kaufen belgische Schokolade.
We are buying Belgian chocolate.
kaufen means to buy, and die Schokolade means chocolate. Schokolade is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -e after die.
Diese Stadt ist belgischer als jene Stadt.
This city is more Belgian than that city.
diese Stadt means this city and jene Stadt means that city. The comparative ending is not normally used for nationality adjectives; this sentence is possible only in a special comparison of character or style, and als introduces the thing compared with.
Das ist das belgischste Viertel der Stadt.
That is the most Belgian district in the city.
das Viertel means the district and der Stadt means of the city. The superlative before a noun takes an adjective ending, but belgisch is normally not compared; this form is marked and means especially characteristic of Belgium.
Sie isst belgische Pralinen.
She is eating Belgian chocolates.
sie isst means she is eating, and Pralinen are chocolates. Pralinen is accusative plural after essen; with no article, the adjective shows the plural ending -e.
Bolivien — Bolivia
Bolivien is a country name without an article in ordinary German. Use nach Bolivien for movement to the country and in Bolivien for location.
Bolivien liegt in Südamerika.
Bolivia is in South America.
liegt means is located, and Südamerika means South America. Bolivien is the subject, so it is nominative; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Im Sommer reisen wir nach Bolivien.
In summer we are travelling to Bolivia.
im Sommer means in summer, reisen means travel, and wir means we. Nach Bolivien expresses travel to a country and uses nach without an article; the finite verb reisen is in position two.
Brasilien — Brazil
Brasilien normally has no article. Use nach Brasilien for movement to Brazil and in Brasilien for being in Brazil.
Brasilien liegt in Südamerika.
Brazil is in South America.
liegt means is situated, and Südamerika means South America. The finite verb liegt is in position two; Brasilien is the subject and needs no article because it is a country name.
Meine Schwester fliegt morgen nach Brasilien.
My sister is flying to Brazil tomorrow.
meine Schwester means my sister, fliegt means is flying, and morgen means tomorrow. nach is used with country names without an article for movement to a place, and the finite verb fliegt stands in position two.
Chile — Chile
Chile is the name of a country in South America. Country names without an article normally remain unchanged after prepositions such as nach and in.
Chile liegt in Südamerika.
Chile is in South America.
liegt means is located, and Südamerika means South America. Chile is the subject and normally has no article; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir fliegen morgen nach Chile.
We are flying to Chile tomorrow.
wir fliegen means we are flying, and morgen means tomorrow. Nach Chile expresses movement to a country without an article; nach is followed by the bare country name, and fliegen is in position two.
China — China
China is the name of a country in East Asia. It is normally used without an article, including after nach for movement to the country.
China ist sehr groß.
China is very large.
ist means is, and sehr groß means very large. China is the subject and normally has no article; the finite verb ist is in position two, followed by the predicative adjective.
Sie reist nächstes Jahr nach China.
She is travelling to China next year.
sie reist means she is travelling, and nächstes Jahr means next year. Nach China expresses movement to a country without an article; learners should not add das before the country name.
deutsch — German; belonging to Germany or its culture
Deutsch is the language name, while lowercase deutsch is the adjective. Nationality adjectives are normally not compared; comparative forms such as deutscher are used mainly to mean more typically German.
Die Sprache ist deutsch.
The language is German.
die Sprache means the language. Deutsch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne die deutsche Sprache.
I am learning the German language.
ich lerne means I am learning, and die Sprache means the language. Die deutsche Sprache is accusative because lernen takes an accusative object; deutsche has the ending -e after die.
Diese Lösung wirkt deutscher als die alte.
This solution seems more typically German than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution, wirken means seem, and die alte means the old one. Deutscher compares cultural character with als; wirkt is in position two, and the adjective is predicative without an ending.
Von allen Festen ist dieses am deutschesten.
Of all the festivals, this one is the most typically German.
von allen Festen means of all the festivals, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, while am deutschesten is a predicative superlative; ist remains in position two.
das Deutsch — German, the German language
das Deutsch is the name of the language and is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural. It is different from lowercase deutsch, the adjective meaning German.
Das Deutsch in diesem Buch ist einfach.
The German in this book is easy.
in diesem Buch means in this book, and einfach means easy. Das Deutsch is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I am learning German.
ich lerne means I am learning. Deutsch is an uncountable accusative object after lernen and is normally used without an article; the finite verb lerne is in position two.
Mit meinem Deutsch komme ich gut zurecht.
I manage well with my German.
mit meinem Deutsch means with my German, and gut zurechtkommen means manage well. Mit always takes the dative, shown by meinem; the verb phrase is split, with komme in position two and zurecht at the end.
Die Aussprache des Deutschen ist nicht leicht.
The pronunciation of German is not easy.
die Aussprache means the pronunciation, and nicht leicht means not easy. Des Deutschen is genitive and names the language whose pronunciation is meant; ist is in position two.
der Deutsche — German man; German person
der Deutsche is a substantivized adjective, so it follows adjective endings and is a weak masculine noun: den Deutschen, dem Deutschen, des Deutschen. The feminine form is die Deutsche, while the plural is die Deutschen.
Der Deutsche wartet am Bahnhof.
The German man is waiting at the station.
wartet means is waiting, and der Bahnhof means the train station. Der Deutsche is the nominative subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Deutschen jeden Tag.
I see the German man every day.
ich sehe means I see, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Deutschen is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; this weak noun has -en in every case except nominative singular.
Ich helfe dem Deutschen mit dem Formular.
I help the German man with the form.
helfen means help, das Formular means the form, and mit means with. Dem Deutschen is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Deutschen steht vor dem Haus.
The German man's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Deutschen is genitive and expresses possession; the noun form has -en, and steht is in position two.
Die Deutschen feiern heute.
The Germans are celebrating today.
feiern means celebrate, and heute means today. Die Deutschen is the plural subject, and the ending -en remains because this is a substantivized adjective used as a noun.
die Deutsche — German woman, German girl
This is the feminine substantivized form of deutsch, so it refers to a female person and is capitalized. Do not confuse singular die Deutsche with plural die Deutschen.
Die Deutsche arbeitet in Berlin.
The German woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Deutsche is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Deutsche jeden Tag.
I see the German woman every day.
sehe means see and jeden Tag means every day. Die Deutsche is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Deutschen mit dem Formular.
I help the German woman with the form.
helfe means help and das Formular means form. Der Deutschen is dative because helfen takes a dative object, while mit also forces the dative; helfe stands in position two.
Das Auto der Deutschen steht vor dem Haus.
The German woman's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car and steht means is standing or is located; vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Deutschen is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Viele Deutsche leben im Ausland.
Many Germans live abroad.
Viele means many, leben means live, and im Ausland means abroad. Deutsche is the plural form; it is nominative because it is the subject, and leben stands in position two.
Deutschland — Germany
Deutschland normally has no article: say in Deutschland and nach Deutschland. It is the country name, while deutsch is the adjective and der Deutsche is a German person.
Deutschland liegt in Europa.
Germany is in Europe.
liegt means is located, and in Europa means in Europe. Deutschland is a proper name without an article in this sentence, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir fahren morgen nach Deutschland.
We are travelling to Germany tomorrow.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and morgen means tomorrow. Nach Deutschland expresses a destination; nach is used with country names without an article, and fahren stands in position two.
Dänemark — Denmark
Dänemark is a proper name for a country and normally appears without an article. Use nach Dänemark for travel to Denmark and in Dänemark for location there.
Wir fahren im Sommer nach Dänemark.
We are travelling to Denmark in summer.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, im Sommer means in summer, and nach means to. The proper name Dänemark has no article; nach is used for movement to a country, and the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
Dänemark liegt nördlich von Deutschland.
Denmark lies north of Germany.
liegt means lies or is located, nördlich von means north of, and Deutschland means Germany. Dänemark is the subject in the nominative; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
dänisch — Danish
Dänisch describes something from Denmark, including the Danish language and culture. When it compares styles or qualities, it can form dänischer and am dänischsten; nationality itself is normally not compared.
Das Essen ist dänisch.
The food is Danish.
das Essen means the food. Dänisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen dänisches Brot.
We are buying Danish bread.
kaufen means buy, and das Brot means bread. Dänisches comes before Brot and takes the ending -es because the neuter phrase dänisches Brot is accusative after kaufen; the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Das neue Café sieht noch dänischer aus als das alte.
The new café looks even more Danish than the old one.
das neue Café means the new café, noch means even, sieht ... aus means looks, and das alte means the old one. Dänischer compares the new café with the old one; with the separable verb aussehen, sieht stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
Von allen Cafés hier wirkt dieses am dänischsten.
Of all the cafés here, this one looks the most Danish.
von allen Cafés hier means of all the cafés here, and dieses means this one. Am dänischsten is the predicative superlative after wirkt; von takes the dative, shown by allen Cafés.
England — England
England is a country name and normally has no article. Use nach England for movement to England and in England for a location; the adjective is englisch.
Meine Schwester lebt in England.
My sister lives in England.
meine Schwester means my sister, and lebt means lives. In England describes a location, so in takes the dative idea here; country names without an article usually show no visible case ending.
Im Sommer fliegen wir nach England.
In summer we are flying to England.
im Sommer means in summer, and fliegen means fly or travel by plane. Nach England expresses movement towards a country and uses nach, not in; the country name normally has no article.
englisch — English
Englisch is the adjective meaning English and is normally written with a lower-case initial in the middle of a sentence. Comparison is possible when something is more or less characteristic of England or English culture; the related noun for the language is das Englisch.
Das ist ein englisches Wort.
That is an English word.
ein Wort is a word, and das ist means that is. Englisches describes Wort and has the neuter ending -es after ein; as a predicate after sein, the adjective normally has no ending.
Wir hören heute englische Musik.
We are listening to English music today.
heute means today, and Musik means music. Englische stands before the feminine accusative noun Musik and takes -e after the zero article; Musik is accusative because it is the object of hören.
Diese Aussprache klingt englischer als die andere.
This pronunciation sounds more English than the other one.
diese Aussprache means this pronunciation, klingt means sounds, and die andere means the other one. Englischer is the comparative of englisch and is used after klingen as a predicative adjective; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Sein Akzent klingt am englischsten.
His accent sounds the most English.
sein Akzent means his accent, and klingt means sounds. Am englischsten is the predicative superlative after klingen; the superlative is formed with am and -sten, not with an adjective ending before a noun.
Englisch — English
This entry is the adjective meaning English; the language noun is das Englisch, not this adjective. In normal German spelling the adjective is englisch with a lower-case initial unless it begins a sentence. Comparison is possible when something is more or less characteristic of England or English culture.
Ich lese ein englisches Buch.
I am reading an English book.
lese means am reading, and ein Buch is a book. Englisches describes the neuter noun Buch and takes -es after ein; ein englisches Buch is accusative because it is the object of lese.
Sie lernt englische Grammatik.
She is learning English grammar.
lernt means is learning, and Grammatik means grammar. Englische stands before the feminine accusative noun Grammatik and takes -e after the zero article; the adjective itself is normally lower-case in ordinary writing.
Dieser Text klingt englischer als der vorige.
This text sounds more English than the previous one.
dieser Text means this text, klingt means sounds, and der vorige means the previous one. Englischer is the comparative of englisch and stands after klingen as a predicative adjective; als introduces the comparison.
Sein Akzent klingt am englischsten.
His accent sounds the most English.
sein Akzent means his accent, and klingt means sounds. Am englischsten is the predicative superlative after klingen; it uses am plus -sten, while a form before a noun would need an ending such as der englischste.
das Englisch — English, the English language
This noun names the language and is normally used without an article: Ich spreche Englisch. It is a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural; Englisch as an adjective means English, as in englische Musik.
Englisch ist meine Lieblingssprache.
English is my favourite language.
meine Lieblingssprache means my favourite language. Ist is the finite form of sein and stands in position two; Englisch is the nominative subject.
Ich lerne Englisch in der Schule.
I learn English at school.
lerne means learn, and in der Schule means at school. Englisch is an uncountable language name used as the accusative object of lernen, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Sie spricht mit ihrem Bruder auf Englisch.
She speaks English with her brother.
spricht means speaks, mit ihrem Bruder means with her brother, and auf Englisch means in English. The preposition mit takes the dative, but auf Englisch is a fixed expression for the language and has no article.
Die Aussprache des Englisch ist nicht einfach.
The pronunciation of English is not easy.
die Aussprache means the pronunciation, and nicht einfach means not easy. des Englisch marks possession with the genitive; in everyday German, des Englischen is also very common, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
In unserem Kurs lernen zwölf Kinder Englisch.
Twelve children learn English in our course.
unserem Kurs means our course and zwölf Kinder means twelve children. Englisch is a mass noun for a language, so it normally has no plural; the verb lernen agrees with the plural subject zwölf Kinder.
der Engländer — Englishman; English person
der Engländer means a man from England, and it can sometimes be used more generally for an English person. The feminine counterpart is die Engländerin; do not use Engländer for the English language, which is Englisch.
Der Engländer wohnt in London.
The Englishman lives in London.
wohnt means lives, and in London means in London. Der Engländer is the nominative subject, so the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Engländer aus dem Zug.
I know the Englishman from the train.
kenne means know, and aus dem Zug means from the train. den Engländer is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change, but der becomes den.
Ich helfe dem Engländer mit dem Koffer.
I help the Englishman with the suitcase.
helfe means help and mit dem Koffer means with the suitcase. helfen takes a dative person, so dem Engländer is dative; mit also requires the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Engländers steht vor dem Haus.
The Englishman's bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Engländers is genitive because it shows possession, and this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Engländer trinken gern Tee.
The English like drinking tea.
trinken gern Tee means like drinking tea. Die Engländer is plural and has the same noun ending as the singular; the finite verb trinken is plural.
die Engländerin — Englishwoman; female English person
die Engländerin means a woman from England. Its plural is formed with -innen, and the masculine and feminine forms should not be mixed: der Engländer, but die Engländerin.
Die Engländerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Englishwoman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Engländerin is the nominative subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Engländerin am Bahnhof.
I meet the Englishwoman at the station.
treffe means meet and am Bahnhof means at the station. die Engländerin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Engländerin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the Englishwoman for her help.
danke means thank, ihre Hilfe means her help, and für means for. danken takes a dative person, so der Engländerin is dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Tasche der Engländerin liegt auf dem Tisch.
The Englishwoman's bag is lying on the table.
die Tasche means the bag and auf dem Tisch means on the table. der Engländerin is genitive because it shows possession; feminine nouns do not add an ending, so the article carries the case.
Die Engländerinnen besuchen heute ein Museum.
The Englishwomen are visiting a museum today.
besuchen means visit, heute means today, and ein Museum means a museum. Die Engländerinnen is plural and has the ending -innen; ein Museum is the accusative object of besuchen.
Estland — Estonia
Estland is the German name for Estonia and is normally used without an article. The related adjective is estnisch, meaning Estonian.
Estland liegt an der Ostsee.
Estonia is on the Baltic Sea.
liegt means lies or is located, and die Ostsee is the Baltic Sea. Estland is a proper noun used without an article here, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Meine Freundin kommt aus Estland.
My friend comes from Estonia.
meine Freundin means my female friend, and kommt aus means comes from. Aus takes the dative, but Estland has no visible case ending or article because country names are normally used without an article.
Europa — Europe
Europa is normally used without an article. Use nach Europa for movement to Europe and in Europa for being in Europe.
Ich lebe in Europa.
I live in Europe.
lebe means live, and in means in. Europa has no article here because it is a continent name; in Europa is a location phrase, and the finite verb lebe stands in position two.
Im Sommer reist meine Familie nach Europa.
In summer, my family travels to Europe.
im Sommer means in summer, reist means travels, and meine Familie means my family. nach Europa expresses movement towards a continent and takes no article; the finite verb reist is in position two.
Finnland — Finland
Finnland is a country name and normally has no article: say in Finnland and nach Finnland, not in dem Finnland. The country is in Northern Europe and its capital is Helsinki.
Ich reise morgen nach Finnland.
I am travelling to Finland tomorrow.
reise means travel, morgen means tomorrow, and nach means to. Country names such as Finnland normally have no article; nach Finnland expresses movement to the country, and the finite verb reise stands in position two.
Finnland liegt im Norden Europas.
Finland is in the north of Europe.
liegt means lies or is located, im Norden means in the north, and Europas means of Europe. Finnland is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Frankfurt — Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a city name and normally has no article. Use in Frankfurt for location and nach Frankfurt for travel to the city.
Ich wohne in Frankfurt.
I live in Frankfurt.
wohnen means to live. in Frankfurt answers where someone lives, so in expresses location here; the finite verb wohne stands in position two.
Morgen fliegt Anna nach Frankfurt.
Anna is flying to Frankfurt tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and fliegen means to fly. nach Frankfurt expresses destination, while fliegt is the finite verb in position two.
Frankreich — France
Frankreich is a country name used without an article. Use in Frankreich for location and nach Frankreich for movement to the country.
Frankreich liegt in Europa.
France is in Europe.
liegen means to be situated, and Europa means Europe. Frankreich is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir fahren im Sommer nach Frankreich.
We are travelling to France in summer.
fahren means to travel or go by vehicle, and im Sommer means in summer. nach Frankreich expresses destination; countries without an article normally use nach for travel to them.
der Franzose — Frenchman, French person
der Franzose is a weak masculine noun: only the nominative singular is Franzose; the other singular cases use Franzosen. The feminine form is die Französin, and the plural is die Franzosen.
Der Franzose wohnt neben uns.
The Frenchman lives next door to us.
wohnt means lives, and neben uns means next door to us. Der Franzose is the nominative subject, so the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Franzosen aus Paris.
I know the Frenchman from Paris.
kennen means to know a person, and aus Paris means from Paris. den Franzosen is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; as a weak masculine noun, Franzose changes to Franzosen.
Ich helfe dem Franzosen mit dem Koffer.
I am helping the Frenchman with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, der Koffer means the suitcase, and mit means with. dem Franzosen is dative because helfen requires the dative; the noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Franzosen steht vor dem Hotel.
The Frenchman's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. des Franzosen is genitive to show possession, and this weak masculine noun again has -en.
Viele Franzosen besuchen Berlin.
Many French people visit Berlin.
viele means many, besuchen means visit, and Berlin is the German capital. Franzosen is the plural subject; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two, and the plural has no article after viele.
fremd — foreign; unfamiliar; strange; belonging to someone else
Fremd usually means not familiar or belonging to someone else. It can describe a country or language as foreign, but for a person it often means unfamiliar rather than necessarily strange or unpleasant.
Die Stadt ist mir fremd.
The city is unfamiliar to me.
die Stadt is the city, and mir means to me. Fremd is predicative after ist and does not take an adjective ending; mir is dative because this expression says that something is unfamiliar to someone.
Sie besucht ein fremdes Land.
She is visiting a foreign country.
besuchen means to visit, and das Land is the country. Ein fremdes Land is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Problem ist fremder als das andere.
This problem is more unfamiliar than the other one.
dieses Problem means this problem, and das andere means the other one. Fremder is the comparative and is predicative after ist; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das ist die fremdeste Stimme, die ich kenne.
That is the strangest voice I know.
die Stimme is the voice, and die ich kenne means that I know. Fremdeste is attributive and takes the ending -e after die; the finite verb kenne stands at the end of the relative clause.
Ich fühle mich in der großen Stadt noch fremd.
I still feel like a stranger in the big city.
sich fühlen means to feel, noch means still, and große Stadt means big city. Fremd is predicative after fühle mich and has no ending; in der großen Stadt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Er spricht mit einem fremden Mann.
He is speaking with a strange man.
sprechen means to speak and der Mann is the man. Mit always takes the dative, so einem fremden Mann has the dative ending -en on the adjective.
Du darfst nicht in fremde Taschen schauen.
You must not look into other people's bags.
dürfen means may or be allowed to, and Taschen are bags. In fremde Taschen is accusative because schauen in expresses direction into something; the modal verb darfst is in position two and schauen goes to the end.
Er benutzt fremdes Geld.
He is using someone else's money.
benutzen means to use, and Geld is money. Fremdes Geld is an accusative object after benutzt; the adjective has -es because Geld is neuter and has no article here.
die Fremdsprache — foreign language
Die Fremdsprache means a language that is not one's native language. Its plural is Fremdsprachen; do not confuse it with Muttersprache, which means native language.
Die Fremdsprache ist interessant.
The foreign language is interesting.
interessant means interesting. Die Fremdsprache is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne die Fremdsprache.
I am learning the foreign language.
lernen means to learn. Die Fremdsprache is accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich spreche in der Fremdsprache.
I speak in the foreign language.
sprechen means to speak, and in means in. Here in der Fremdsprache describes the language used, not movement, so in takes the dative.
Die Grammatik der Fremdsprache ist schwierig.
The grammar of the foreign language is difficult.
die Grammatik is the grammar and schwierig means difficult. Der Fremdsprache is genitive because it identifies whose grammar is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Fremdsprachen öffnen viele Türen.
Foreign languages open many doors.
öffnen means to open, viele means many, and Türen are doors. Fremdsprachen is plural and nominative as the subject, while viele Türen is accusative as the object.
Sie spricht drei Fremdsprachen.
She speaks three foreign languages.
drei means three and sprechen means to speak. Drei Fremdsprachen is an accusative object after spricht; after a number, the plural noun has no article.
die Grenze — border, boundary, limit; limit, boundary
die Grenze can be a national border or a limit. For a location, an der Grenze uses the dative; for movement across it, über die Grenze uses the accusative.
Die Grenze ist nicht weit entfernt.
The border is not far away.
nicht weit entfernt means not far away. Die Grenze is the feminine nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir überqueren die Grenze heute.
We are crossing the border today.
heute means today, and überqueren means cross. die Grenze is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb überqueren is in position two.
Wir stehen an der Grenze.
We are standing at the border.
stehen means stand. an takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Grenze is dative; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Die Länge der Grenze beträgt fünfhundert Kilometer.
The length of the border is five hundred kilometres.
die Länge is the length, and beträgt means amounts to or is. der Grenze is genitive after die Länge to mean of the border; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Viele Grenzen sind heute offen.
Many borders are open today.
viele means many, and offen means open. Grenzen is plural and is the nominative subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
Jeder Mensch hat Grenzen.
Every person has limits.
jeder Mensch means every person, and hat means has. Grenzen is the accusative object of hat; the plural has no article here because jeder already determines the noun phrase.
Du musst deine Grenze kennen.
You must know your limit.
musst means must, and kennen means know. deine Grenze is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; musst is in position two and the infinitive kennen goes to the end.
der Grieche — Greek man; Greek person
Der Grieche is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular. The plural is die Griechen, and the word can refer to a Greek man or, in a general context, Greek people.
Der Grieche spricht Deutsch.
The Greek man speaks German.
spricht means speaks and Deutsch means German. Der Grieche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Griechen.
I know the Greek man.
kenne means know. Den Griechen is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object, and this weak masculine noun changes from der Grieche to den Griechen.
Ich helfe dem Griechen.
I help the Greek man.
helfe means help. Dem Griechen is dative because helfen takes a dative object; weak masculine nouns use -en here.
Das Auto des Griechen ist neu.
The Greek man's car is new.
das Auto means car and neu means new. Des Griechen is genitive because it expresses possession, and the weak noun has -en after des.
Die Griechen essen gern Fisch.
Greek people like eating fish.
essen means eat, gern means gladly or like doing something, and Fisch means fish. Die Griechen is the plural subject, and the plural form keeps -en.
Griechenland — Greece
Griechenland is the name of the country Greece and normally has no article. For movement to the country, use nach Griechenland; for location, use in Griechenland.
Griechenland liegt am Mittelmeer.
Greece is on the Mediterranean Sea.
liegt means lies or is located, and am Mittelmeer means on the Mediterranean Sea. Griechenland is the subject, so it is nominative, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Im Sommer fahre ich nach Griechenland.
In summer I am travelling to Greece.
im Sommer means in summer and fahre means travel or drive. Nach Griechenland expresses a destination; countries without an article normally use nach, not in.
die Griechin — Greek woman
Die Griechin means a Greek woman. Its plural is die Griechinnen, formed with -nen; the masculine counterpart is der Grieche, with plural die Griechen.
Die Griechin arbeitet in Köln.
The Greek woman works in Cologne.
arbeitet means works and Köln is a city in Germany. Die Griechin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Griechin.
I know the Greek woman.
kenne means know. Die Griechin is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; the feminine article remains die.
Ich helfe der Griechin.
I help the Greek woman.
helfe means help. Der Griechin is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Fahrrad der Griechin ist rot.
The Greek woman's bicycle is red.
das Fahrrad means bicycle and rot means red. Der Griechin is genitive because it expresses possession; the noun ending does not change.
Die Griechinnen sprechen Englisch.
The Greek women speak English.
sprechen means speak and Englisch means English. Die Griechinnen is the plural subject, formed by adding -nen to Griechin.
griechisch — Greek; relating to Greece
Griechisch can describe things from Greece, the Greek language, or Greek culture. It is also used as a noun for the language, written Griechisch; comparison is regular: griechischer, am griechischsten.
Das Essen ist griechisch.
The food is Greek.
das Essen means the food. Griechisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kochen griechisches Essen.
We are cooking Greek food.
kochen means cook and das Essen means food. Griechisches Essen is an accusative object because kochen describes what is being cooked; the neuter adjective ending -es follows the uncontracted article idea of das.
Dieses Essen schmeckt griechischer als das andere.
This food tastes more Greek than the other one.
dieses Essen means this food, schmeckt means tastes, and das andere means the other one. The comparative griechischer is followed by als for the thing it is compared with.
Das Essen hier schmeckt am griechischsten.
The food here tastes the most Greek.
hier means here and schmeckt means tastes. The predicative superlative uses am griechischsten; because it follows schmeckt, it has no noun ending.
Großbritannien — Great Britain; often the United Kingdom in everyday speech; the United Kingdom (common short name)
Strictly, Großbritannien is the island made up of England, Scotland and Wales; the Vereinigtes Königreich also includes Northern Ireland. Do not use the English word Great Britain when you specifically mean only England.
Meine Schwester lebt in Großbritannien.
My sister lives in Great Britain.
Meine Schwester means my sister, and lebt means lives. in Großbritannien is dative because in describes a location here; the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Wir fliegen morgen nach Großbritannien.
We are flying to Great Britain tomorrow.
Wir fliegen means we are flying, and morgen means tomorrow. nach Großbritannien expresses movement to a country and uses nach, while the finite verb fliegen is in position two.
Großbritannien hat eine neue Regierung gewählt.
The United Kingdom has elected a new government.
hat gewählt means has elected, and eine neue Regierung means a new government. Großbritannien is the nominative subject, while eine neue Regierung is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Die Geschichte Großbritanniens ist sehr lang.
The history of the United Kingdom is very long.
Die Geschichte means the history, and sehr lang means very long. Großbritanniens is genitive and means of the United Kingdom; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Haiti — Haiti
Country names such as Haiti are usually used without an article. Use nach Haiti for travel to Haiti and aus Haiti for origin.
Haiti liegt in der Karibik.
Haiti is in the Caribbean.
liegt means is located, and die Karibik means the Caribbean. Haiti is the subject, so it is nominative; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Meine Schwester reist nach Haiti.
My sister is travelling to Haiti.
meine Schwester means my sister, and reisen means to travel. nach Haiti expresses movement to a country and normally has no article; the finite verb reist stands in position two.
Holland — the Netherlands; Holland
In everyday German, Holland is often used for the Netherlands, although strictly it names only North Holland and South Holland. Country names normally have no article after nach or in.
Im Sommer fahren wir nach Holland.
In summer we are travelling to the Netherlands.
im Sommer means in summer, fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and wir means we. nach Holland is used with a country name without an article for direction; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Meine Freunde wohnen in Holland.
My friends live in the Netherlands.
meine Freunde means my friends, and wohnen means live or reside. in Holland expresses location and uses no article with this proper name; the finite verb wohnen stands in position two.
Indien — India
Indien is the name of a country and normally has no article. Use nach Indien for movement to India and in Indien for location in India; do not add das in ordinary usage.
Ich fliege im Sommer nach Indien.
I am flying to India in summer.
fliege means fly, im Sommer means in summer, and nach means to when it introduces a country name. nach Indien expresses destination; the finite verb fliege stands in position two.
Indien liegt in Südasien.
India is in South Asia.
liegt means lies or is located, and Südasien means South Asia. Indien is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two; country names normally have no article here.
indisch — Indian
indisch describes things connected with India, including its food and culture. It is not the same as individuell, which means individual or personal.
Das Essen ist indisch.
The food is Indian.
das Essen means the food. The adjective indisch describes the subject after sein and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kochen heute indisches Essen.
We are cooking Indian food today.
kochen means to cook and heute means today. indisches Essen is an accusative object of kochen, so the adjective has the ending -es after indisches; the finite verb kochen is in position two.
Dieses Curry ist indischer als das andere.
This curry is more Indian than the other one.
dieses Curry means this curry and das andere means the other one. indischer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Das ist das indischste Gericht auf der Karte.
That is the most Indian dish on the menu.
das Gericht means the dish and die Karte means the menu. indischste stands before the nominative noun Gericht after the definite article das; the superlative ending is -ste, with the normal adjective ending -e.
der Ire — Irish man, Irish person
Der Ire is a weak masculine noun, so its article and ending change: den Iren, dem Iren, and des Iren. For a woman, use die Irin.
Der Ire spricht Englisch.
The Irish man speaks English.
spricht means speaks, and Englisch means English. Der Ire is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Ich treffe den Iren morgen.
I am meeting the Irish man tomorrow.
treffe means meet, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Iren is accusative because it is the direct object of treffen; this weak masculine noun changes from Ire to Iren outside the nominative.
Ich spreche mit dem Iren.
I am speaking with the Irish man.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Iren is dative; the weak-noun ending -n must not be omitted.
Das ist das Auto des Iren.
That is the Irish man's car.
das Auto means the car, and des Iren means of the Irish man or the Irish man's. Des Iren is genitive because it expresses possession; unlike a regular masculine noun, Ire takes -n, not -s.
Viele Iren leben in Dublin.
Many Irish people live in Dublin.
viele means many, leben means live, and Dublin is the capital of Ireland. Viele Iren is the plural subject, and the plural form ends in -n.