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Vocab: Countries & languages — A2 (1)
Countries & languages vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
afrikanisch — African
Afrikanisch describes something connected with Africa. It is normally written with a lower-case letter as an adjective, but the related noun Afrikaner is capitalized.
Die Musik klingt afrikanisch.
The music sounds African.
die Musik means the music and klingt means sounds. Afrikanisch is predicative after klingen, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Wir essen afrikanisches Essen.
We are eating African food.
wir essen means we are eating, and Essen means food. Afrikanisches describes Essen and has the neuter accusative ending -es after the zero article; Essen is accusative because essen takes a direct object.
Diese Soße schmeckt afrikanischer als die andere.
This sauce tastes more African than the other one.
diese Soße means this sauce, schmeckt means tastes, and die andere means the other one. Afrikanischer is the comparative and als introduces the thing it is compared with; after schmecken, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Dieses Gericht schmeckt am afrikanischsten.
This dish tastes the most African.
dieses Gericht means this dish and schmeckt means tastes. Am afrikanischsten is the superlative used predicatively after schmecken; am belongs to the fixed am ...-sten pattern and is not an article before a noun.
arabisch — Arabic; Arab
As a language adjective, arabisch is normally not capitalised: die arabische Sprache. It can be compared in special contexts, but comparison is much less common than with ordinary descriptive adjectives.
Die Sprache ist arabisch.
The language is Arabic.
die Sprache means the language. Arabisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie lernt arabische Schrift.
She is learning Arabic script.
sie lernt means she is learning, and die Schrift means the script or writing system. Arabische stands before the feminine accusative noun Schrift and therefore has the ending -e after the unspoken zero article.
Diese Übersetzung klingt arabischer als die andere.
This translation sounds more Arabic than the other one.
diese Übersetzung means this translation, klingt means sounds, and die andere means the other one. Arabischer compares two things with als; because it follows klingt, it is predicative and has no case ending.
Von den drei Liedern klingt dieses am arabischsten.
Of the three songs, this one sounds the most Arabic.
von den drei Liedern means of the three songs, and dieses means this one. Am arabischsten is the predicative superlative after klingt; von forces the dative in den Liedern.
asiatisch — Asian; relating to Asia
asiatisch can describe food, people, countries, languages, and other things connected with Asia. It is a regular adjective: the comparative is asiatischer and the superlative is am asiatischsten.
Das Essen ist asiatisch.
The food is Asian.
das Essen means the food. Asiatisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen ein asiatisches Gericht.
We are buying an Asian dish.
kaufen means to buy, and das Gericht is a dish or meal. ein asiatisches Gericht is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen, and the adjective takes -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Essen ist asiatischer als das andere.
This food is more Asian than the other one.
dieses Essen means this food, and das andere means the other one. Asiatischer compares two things and is followed by als; because it comes after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieses Restaurant ist am asiatischsten.
This restaurant is the most Asian.
dieses Restaurant means this restaurant. Am asiatischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the superlative uses am plus -sten, not an adjective ending before a noun.
die Ausländerin — female foreigner, woman from another country
The feminine noun is formed from der Ausländer (male foreigner) with the ending -in. It describes nationality or origin, but it can sound impersonal in some contexts; a person’s name or nationality is often more natural.
Die Ausländerin arbeitet in unserem Team.
The female foreigner works in our team.
arbeitet means works and unserem Team means our team. Die Ausländerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Ausländerin aus dem Sprachkurs.
I know the female foreigner from the language course.
kennen means to know someone and der Sprachkurs is the language course. Die Ausländerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus takes the dative in dem Sprachkurs.
Ich helfe der Ausländerin beim Ausfüllen des Formulars.
I help the female foreigner fill out the form.
helfen means to help, beim Ausfüllen means while filling out, and das Formular is the form. Der Ausländerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the phrase des Formulars is genitive after the noun phrase meaning “filling out of the form”.
Die Wohnung der Ausländerin liegt im Zentrum.
The female foreigner’s flat is in the city centre.
die Wohnung means flat and das Zentrum means city centre. Der Ausländerin is genitive because it shows whose flat it is; the verb liegt agrees with the singular subject Wohnung.
Viele Ausländerinnen lernen Deutsch in Deutschland.
Many female foreigners learn German in Germany.
viele means many, lernen means learn, and Deutschland is Germany. Ausländerinnen is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is the plural form lernen; the plural ending is -innen.
ausländisch — foreign, from another country
Ausländisch describes something connected with another country. For people, international or a specific nationality can sometimes sound friendlier or more precise than calling someone ausländisch.
Die Studentin ist ausländisch.
The student is from another country.
die Studentin means female student and ausländisch means foreign or from another country. Ausländisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen ausländische Produkte.
We buy foreign products.
kaufen means buy and Produkte means products. Ausländische stands before the accusative plural noun Produkte and takes the ending -e after the zero article; the verb kaufen takes an accusative object.
Diese Marke ist ausländischer als die andere.
This brand is more foreign than the other one.
diese Marke means this brand and die andere means the other one. Ausländischer is the bare comparative and is used with als for comparison; because it follows ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieses Restaurant wirkt am ausländischsten.
This restaurant seems the most foreign.
dieses Restaurant means this restaurant and wirken means to seem or appear. Am ausländischsten is the predicative superlative with am; it does not take a noun ending because it follows the verb wirkt.
australisch — Australian
This adjective describes things connected with Australia, not only people who come from there. Nationality adjectives are normally written with a lower-case initial letter in German.
Der Wein ist australisch.
The wine is Australian.
der Wein means the wine. The adjective is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen heute australisches Gemüse.
We are eating Australian vegetables today.
heute means today and das Gemüse means vegetables. australisches Gemüse is accusative because essen takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective ending -es follows the article kein understood here; the finite verb essen stands in position two.
Dieses Gericht schmeckt australischer als das andere.
This dish tastes more Australian than the other one.
dieses Gericht means this dish, schmecken means to taste, and das andere means the other one. australischer compares the two dishes and is predicative, so it has no case ending; als introduces the comparison.
Das ist der australischste Film des Festivals.
That is the most Australian film of the festival.
der Film means the film and das Festival means the festival. australischste is attributive and takes the ending -e after der; des Festivals is genitive because it identifies which festival.
britisch — British
Britisch is normally an adjective of nationality and is often used before a noun, as in britische Musik. It can be compared when “more or less characteristically British” is intended.
Die Musik ist britisch.
The music is British.
die Musik means “the music”. Britisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen in einem britischen Restaurant.
We are eating in a British restaurant.
essen means “eat”, and einem Restaurant means “a restaurant”. In describes location here and therefore takes the dative; britischen stands before the neuter noun after the indefinite article and has the ending -en.
Dieses Kleid wirkt britischer als das andere.
This dress looks more British than the other one.
dieses Kleid means “this dress”, wirkt means “looks/seems”, and das andere means “the other one”. Britischer compares two things and is followed by als; because it is predicative after wirkt, it has no ending.
Von allen Gerichten schmeckt dieses am britischsten.
Of all the dishes, this one tastes the most British.
von allen Gerichten means “of all the dishes”, and schmeckt means “tastes”. Von forces the dative, while am britischsten is the predicative superlative; am here is part of the superlative form, not a separate location phrase.
chinesisch — Chinese; relating to China or its language
Chinesisch describes China, its people, culture or language. It can be compared when something is judged by how strongly it expresses Chinese characteristics: chinesischer means more Chinese and am chinesischsten means most Chinese.
Ich koche heute chinesisches Essen.
I am cooking Chinese food today.
koche means am cooking, heute means today, and Essen means food. Chinesisches has the neuter accusative ending -es before Essen, while the finite verb koche stands in position two.
Sie lernt chinesisch an der Universität.
She is learning Chinese at university.
lernt means is learning, and Universität means university. Chinesisch is used predicatively as the name of a language and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb lernt stands in position two.
Dieser Tee schmeckt chinesischer als der Tee im Restaurant.
This tea tastes more Chinese than the tea in the restaurant.
dieser Tee means this tea, schmeckt means tastes, and Restaurant means restaurant. Chinesischer is the comparative with -er; als introduces the comparison, and the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Von allen Gerichten schmeckt dieses am chinesischsten.
Of all the dishes, this one tastes the most Chinese.
von allen Gerichten means of all the dishes, dieses means this one, and Gericht means dish. Am chinesischsten is the predicative superlative with am and -sten; von takes the dative, and schmeckt stands in position two.
der Däne — Dane, Danish man; Dane
Däne is a weak masculine noun: der Däne, but den Dänen, dem Dänen, and des Dänen. The plural is also die Dänen.
Der Däne wohnt in Aarhus.
The Danish man lives in Aarhus.
wohnt means lives, and Aarhus is a city in Denmark. Der Däne is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Dänen morgen.
I am meeting the Danish man tomorrow.
treffe means meet, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Dänen is accusative because he is the direct object; Däne is a weak masculine noun and therefore adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Ich helfe dem Dänen mit dem Gepäck.
I help the Danish man with the luggage.
helfe means help, mit means with, and das Gepäck means the luggage. Dem Dänen is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the weak noun keeps -n.
Das Fahrrad des Dänen ist neu.
The Danish man's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and neu means new. Des Dänen is genitive because it shows possession; the weak noun has -n, while the masculine article is des.
Die Dänen sprechen oft Englisch.
The Danes often speak English.
sprechen means speak, oft means often, and Englisch means English. Die Dänen is the plural subject; its form is the same as the accusative and dative singular, so the article and context are important.
der Europäer — European man; European person
der Europäer is a weak masculine noun: den Europäer and dem Europäer take -n, while the genitive is des Europäers. The plural is die Europäer, with no extra ending.
Der Europäer spricht drei Sprachen.
The European speaks three languages.
spricht means speaks, and drei Sprachen means three languages. Der Europäer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich treffe einen Europäer am Bahnhof.
I am meeting a European man at the station.
treffe means meet, am Bahnhof means at the railway station, and der Bahnhof is railway station. einen Europäer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Europäer takes -n outside the nominative.
Ich reise mit einem Europäer.
I am travelling with a European man.
reise means travel, and mit means with. einem Europäer is dative because mit requires the dative; this weak noun has the same visible form as the nominative but is understood from the article.
Die Meinung des Europäers ist interessant.
The European man's opinion is interesting.
die Meinung means opinion, and interessant means interesting. des Europäers is genitive because it shows possession; the noun takes -s here, while weak masculine nouns often take -n in accusative and dative.
Viele Europäer sprechen Englisch.
Many Europeans speak English.
viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Englisch means English. Viele Europäer is plural nominative as the subject; the plural form is identical to the singular form, so the determiner and verb help show the number.
Der Europäer wartet vor dem Museum.
The European is waiting in front of the museum.
wartet means is waiting, vor means in front of, and das Museum means museum. Der Europäer is nominative as the subject, while dem Museum is dative because vor describes a fixed location.
die Europäerin — European woman
die Europäerin is the feminine form of der Europäer. Its plural is Europäerinnen, formed with -innen; do not use the masculine plural Europäer when only women are meant.
Die Europäerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The European woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the capital of Germany. Die Europäerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne eine Europäerin aus Spanien.
I know a European woman from Spain.
kenne means know, aus means from, and Spanien means Spain. eine Europäerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus Spanien is a separate origin phrase with dative after aus.
Ich spreche mit einer Europäerin.
I am speaking with a European woman.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. einer Europäerin is dative because mit requires the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Die Stimme der Europäerin ist ruhig.
The European woman's voice is calm.
die Stimme means voice, and ruhig means calm. der Europäerin is genitive because it shows whose voice is meant; feminine nouns do not add a special genitive ending.
Die Europäerinnen diskutieren über Politik.
The European women are discussing politics.
diskutieren means discuss, über means about, and die Politik means politics. Die Europäerinnen is plural nominative as the subject, and über Politik is an accusative phrase expressing the topic.
Eine Europäerin reist morgen nach Rom.
A European woman is travelling to Rome tomorrow.
reist means travels, morgen means tomorrow, and nach Rom means to Rome. Eine Europäerin is nominative as the subject; nach Rom expresses direction and normally has no article.
europäisch — European
europäisch describes things connected with Europe. It takes regular comparison: europäischer, am europäischsten; remember that attributive forms need adjective endings, as in europäische Länder.
Die Idee ist europäisch.
The idea is European.
die Idee means the idea, and ist means is. europäisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen ein europäisches Gesetz.
We need a European law.
brauchen means need, ein Gesetz means a law, and Gesetz is neuter. ein europäisches Gesetz is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -es after the weak article ein in neuter accusative.
Dieses Projekt ist europäischer als das alte.
This project is more European than the old one.
dieses Projekt means this project, and alt means old. europäischer is a predicative comparative with no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison, and ist remains in position two.
Das ist die europäischste Lösung.
That is the most European solution.
die Lösung means the solution, and das ist means that is. die europäischste Lösung is an attributive superlative, so the adjective takes the ending -e after die; do not use am europäischsten before a noun.
Viele europäische Städte sind sehr alt.
Many European cities are very old.
viele means many, Städte means cities, sind means are, and sehr alt means very old. Viele europäische Städte is nominative plural as the subject, so the adjective takes -e after viele.
das Französisch — French, the French language
Das Französisch names the language, while lowercase französisch is the adjective meaning French. It is normally a mass noun and has no plural when referring to the language.
Französisch ist eine Weltsprache.
French is a world language.
eine Weltsprache means a world language. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne Französisch.
I am learning French.
lernen means to learn. Französisch is accusative because it is the direct object of lerne; with a language name used without an article, the form looks the same as the nominative.
Sie spricht mit mir auf Französisch.
She speaks to me in French.
spricht means speaks, mit mir means with me, and auf Französisch means in French. Mit forces the dative in mir, while auf here introduces the language used, not a physical direction.
Die Aussprache des Französischen ist schwierig.
The pronunciation of French is difficult.
die Aussprache means pronunciation and schwierig means difficult. Des Französischen is genitive because it identifies whose pronunciation is meant; the nominal language name takes the ending -en after des.
Wir sprechen jeden Tag Französisch.
We speak French every day.
jeden Tag means every day and sprechen means speak. This language name is a mass noun with no plural, so the plural slot is shown only to teach that Französisch normally stays singular when naming the language.
französisch — French; relating to France or the French language
Lowercase französisch is an adjective, while capitalized Französisch is the noun for the language. As an adjective before a noun, it takes the normal adjective ending, for example französischen after einem.
Sie spricht französisch.
She speaks French.
spricht means speaks. Französisch is used adverbially here to name the language, so it is lowercase as an adjective and has no adjective ending; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Wir essen heute in einem französischen Restaurant.
We are eating in a French restaurant today.
heute means today, essen means eat, and Restaurant means restaurant. In einem französischen Restaurant is dative because in describes location here, and the adjective takes -en after the dative article einem.
Dieses Gericht ist französischer als das andere.
This dish is more French than the other one.
dieses Gericht means this dish and das andere means the other one. Französischer compares two things and als means than; as a predicative adjective after ist, it has no ending.
Dieses Café ist am französischsten.
This café is the most French.
dieses Café means this café. Am französischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; learners should not use the am form directly before a noun.
das Geburtsland — country of birth
das Geburtsland means the country in which someone was born, not necessarily the country where they now live or have citizenship. It is common in forms and administrative questions.
Mein Geburtsland ist Kanada.
My country of birth is Canada.
mein means my, and Kanada is Canada. mein Geburtsland is the nominative subject; the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Sie nennt ihr Geburtsland.
She names her country of birth.
sie means she, and nennt means names or states. ihr Geburtsland is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; the finite verb nennt is in position two.
Viele Menschen fühlen sich ihrem Geburtsland verbunden.
Many people feel connected to their country of birth.
viele Menschen means many people, and verbunden means connected. ihrem Geburtsland is dative because sich verbunden fühlen uses jemandem verbunden sein; sich is the reflexive pronoun, and the finite verb fühlen is in position two.
Die Sprache des Geburtslandes ist nicht immer die Muttersprache.
The language of the country of birth is not always the mother tongue.
die Sprache means the language, nicht immer means not always, and die Muttersprache is the mother tongue. des Geburtslandes is genitive because it shows which country's language; the neuter noun has des and -es.
Die Geburtsländer der Teilnehmenden sind sehr verschieden.
The participants' countries of birth are very different.
der Teilnehmenden means of the participants, and verschieden means different. die Geburtsländer is the plural nominative subject, while der Teilnehmenden is genitive and shows whose countries they are.
die Heimat — homeland, home region
Heimat is often more emotional than Wohnort, which means the place where someone currently lives. It can mean a whole country or a smaller place that feels like home.
Die Heimat ist für viele Menschen wichtig.
The homeland is important to many people.
viele Menschen means many people, and wichtig means important. Die Heimat is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen vermissen die Heimat.
Many people miss their homeland.
viele Menschen means many people, and vermissen means to miss. Die Heimat is accusative because vermissen takes a direct object; the finite verb vermissen is in position two.
In der Heimat meiner Mutter gibt es hohe Berge.
There are high mountains in my mother's homeland.
meiner Mutter means my mother, and hohe Berge means high mountains. Der Heimat is dative because the preposition in describes a fixed location here; the verb gibt follows the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Sprache der Heimat klingt für ihn vertraut.
The language of his homeland sounds familiar to him.
die Sprache means the language, and vertraut means familiar. Der Heimat is genitive because it shows whose language it is, and the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Viele Menschen haben mehrere Heimaten.
Many people have several homelands.
mehrere means several, and haben means to have. Heimaten is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of haben; the plural ending is -en.
das Herkunftsland — country of origin
This compound combines Herkunft (origin) and Land (country). It can describe the origin of a person, a product, or an ingredient; the plural ending appears on Länder, the final part of the compound.
Das Herkunftsland steht auf dem Etikett.
The country of origin is written on the label.
Steht auf dem Etikett means is written on the label, and Etikett means label. Das Herkunftsland is the nominative subject; auf dem Etikett is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir prüfen das Herkunftsland.
We check the country of origin.
Prüfen means check or verify. Das Herkunftsland is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, although the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Kundin fragt nach dem Herkunftsland.
The customer asks about the country of origin.
Die Kundin is the female customer, and fragt nach means asks about. The preposition nach always takes the dative, so the form is dem Herkunftsland.
Die Angaben des Herkunftslandes fehlen.
The details about the country of origin are missing.
Die Angaben means the details or information, and fehlen means are missing. Des Herkunftslandes is a genitive attribute showing which details; the plural subject die Angaben requires plural fehlen.
Viele Herkunftsländer sind vertreten.
Many countries of origin are represented.
Viele means many, and vertreten means represented or present. Viele Herkunftsländer is a plural nominative subject, so the verb is plural: sind.
der Holländer — Dutchman; Dutch person
This noun names a male person from the Netherlands. The plural Holländer has no extra ending, while the feminine form is Holländerin.
Der Holländer spricht sehr gut Deutsch.
The Dutchman speaks German very well.
spricht means speaks, and sehr gut means very well. Der Holländer is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Holländer am Bahnhof.
I see the Dutchman at the train station.
sehe means see, am Bahnhof means at the train station, and Bahnhof is train station. Den Holländer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Holländer mit dem Koffer.
I help the Dutchman with the suitcase.
helfe means help, mit means with, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Dem Holländer is dative because helfen requires a dative object; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Holländers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Dutchman's bicycle is in front of the hotel.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing, vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Holländers is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Auf der Reise treffen wir viele Holländer.
On the trip we meet many Dutch people.
auf der Reise means on the trip, treffen means meet, and viele means many. Viele Holländer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; Holländer has the same form in the singular and plural.
die Holländerin — Dutch woman
This noun names a female person from the Netherlands. Its plural is Holländerinnen, formed by changing -in to -innen.
Die Holländerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Dutch woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Holländerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Holländerin morgen.
We are visiting the Dutch woman tomorrow.
besuchen means visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Holländerin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Holländerin die Adresse.
I give the Dutch woman the address.
gebe means give, and die Adresse is the address. Der Holländerin is dative because the person receiving something is an indirect object; die Adresse is accusative.
Das Zimmer der Holländerin ist hell.
The Dutch woman's room is bright.
das Zimmer is the room, hell means bright, and ist means is. Der Holländerin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Kurs lernen drei Holländerinnen Deutsch.
Three Dutch women are learning German in the course.
im Kurs means in the course, lernen means learn, and Deutsch means German. Drei Holländerinnen is the plural nominative subject, so the finite verb lernen is plural and stands in position two.
holländisch — Dutch; relating to the Netherlands
Holländisch can describe the Netherlands, its culture, its people, or its language. In careful usage, niederländisch is often preferred for the whole Netherlands, while holländisch more strictly relates to Holland, but everyday speech often uses holländisch broadly.
Der Käse ist holländisch.
The cheese is Dutch.
der Käse is the cheese, and ist means is. Holländisch is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after sein; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen holländischen Käse.
We are buying Dutch cheese.
kaufen means buy, and Käse is cheese. Holländischen stands before the masculine accusative noun Käse, so it takes -en after the zero article.
Dieser Käse schmeckt holländischer als der andere.
This cheese tastes more Dutch than the other one.
dieser Käse means this cheese, schmeckt means tastes, and der andere means the other one. Holländischer compares two cheeses and is followed by als; because it comes after schmecken, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Dieser Käse schmeckt am holländischsten.
This cheese tastes the most Dutch.
dieser Käse means this cheese, and schmeckt means tastes. Am holländischsten is the predicative superlative, built with am plus the adjective ending -sten, and it comes after the verb.
der Inder — Indian man; Indian person
The plural is die Inder and can refer to men or to a mixed group; die Inderinnen means Indian women. Do not confuse Inder with the adjective indisch, which means Indian when describing a noun.
Der Inder arbeitet in Berlin.
The Indian man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Inder is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich treffe den Inder morgen.
I am meeting the Indian man tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. den Inder is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the noun itself keeps the ending, but the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Inder mit dem Formular.
I am helping the Indian man with the form.
helfe means help, and das Formular is the form. dem Inder is dative because helfen requires a dative object; mit also requires dative for dem Formular.
Das Auto des Inders steht vor dem Haus.
The Indian 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 Inders expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Inder sprechen mehrere Sprachen.
Many Indians speak several languages.
Viele means many, sprechen means speak, and mehrere Sprachen means several languages. Inder is unchanged in the plural and is nominative because it is the subject.
die Inderin — Indian woman
The plural is die Inderinnen, formed with -innen, the usual feminine-person ending. The adjective is indisch, while Inderin names a female person from India.
Die Inderin wohnt in Hamburg.
The Indian woman lives in Hamburg.
wohnt means lives, and in Hamburg means in Hamburg. Die Inderin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich kenne die Inderin aus dem Kurs.
I know the Indian woman from the course.
kenne means know, and der Kurs means the course. die Inderin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich schreibe der Inderin eine E-Mail.
I am writing the Indian woman an email.
schreibe means write and eine E-Mail means an email. der Inderin is dative because it is the recipient, while eine E-Mail is the accusative thing being written.
Die Tasche der Inderin ist sehr schön.
The Indian woman's bag is very beautiful.
die Tasche means the bag and sehr schön means very beautiful. der Inderin expresses possession in the genitive; unlike a masculine noun, the feminine noun does not add an ending.
Viele Inderinnen studieren in Deutschland.
Many Indian women study in Germany.
Viele means many, studieren means study, and in Deutschland means in Germany. Inderinnen is the plural subject, so it is nominative, and the plural verb studieren stands in position two.
international — international
International can be used predicatively without an ending or before a noun with a normal adjective ending. It can be compared: internationaler means more international and am internationalsten means the most international.
Die Organisation ist international.
The organisation is international.
die Organisation means the organisation, and ist means is. International is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb stands in position two.
Sie arbeitet für eine internationale Firma.
She works for an international company.
arbeitet means works, für means for, and eine Firma means a company. Für forces the accusative, so eine internationale Firma is an accusative phrase and the adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Flughafen ist internationaler als der Bahnhof.
The airport is more international than the railway station.
der Flughafen means the airport, and der Bahnhof means the railway station. Internationaler is the comparative and is followed by als; both nouns are nominative because they are compared as subjects after sein.
Das ist der internationalste Wettbewerb des Jahres.
That is the most international competition of the year.
der Wettbewerb means the competition, and des Jahres means of the year. Before the masculine noun, the superlative is inflected as internationalste; des Jahres is a genitive phrase showing the relevant year.
international — internationally
As an adverb, international means in several countries or across national borders. It stays unchanged and must not be given an adjective ending in phrases such as international bekannt.
Das Unternehmen arbeitet international.
The company operates internationally.
das Unternehmen means the company, and arbeitet means operates or works. International is an adverb modifying arbeitet and has no ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Künstler ist international bekannt.
The artist is internationally known.
der Künstler means the artist, and bekannt means known. International modifies bekannt as an adverb, so it does not take an adjective ending; ist comes in position two and bekannt remains at the end.
die Irin — Irish woman
The masculine counterpart is der Ire. The plural of die Irin is die Irinnen, with doubled n before -en.
Die Irin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Irish woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Die Irin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Irin aus dem Sprachkurs.
I know the Irish woman from the language course.
kenne means know, and der Sprachkurs means the language course. Die Irin is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; aus always takes the dative, so dem Sprachkurs is dative.
Ich helfe der Irin mit dem Gepäck.
I help the Irish woman with the luggage.
helfe means help, and das Gepäck means luggage. Der Irin is dative because helfen governs the dative; mit also requires the dative, giving dem Gepäck.
Das Auto der Irin steht vor dem Hotel.
The Irish woman's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Der Irin is genitive and shows possession; vor dem Hotel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Irinnen sprechen miteinander.
The Irish women speak to one another.
sprechen means speak, and miteinander means with one another. Die Irinnen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural; the ending -nen marks the plural of feminine nationality nouns ending in -in.
irisch — Irish
Irisch can describe nationality, culture, food, music, or the Irish language. As an adjective before a noun, it takes the normal adjective ending: irische Musik, but after sein it stays uninflected: Die Musik ist irisch.
Das Essen ist irisch.
The food is Irish.
das Essen means the food. Irisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir hören irische Musik.
We are listening to Irish music.
hören means listen to or hear, and die Musik means music. Irische stands before the feminine accusative object Musik and takes -e after the definite article die; Musik is accusative because hören takes an accusative object.
Dieses Lied klingt irischer als das andere.
This song sounds more Irish than the other one.
dieses Lied means this song, klingt means sounds, and das andere means the other one. Irischer is the comparative and is used with als; after the linking verb klingt, the adjective is predicative and has no noun ending.
Von allen Gerichten schmeckt dieses am irischsten.
Of all the dishes, this one tastes the most Irish.
von allen Gerichten means of all the dishes, and schmeckt means tastes. Von requires the dative, so allen Gerichten is dative; am irischsten is the predicative superlative and is not placed before a noun.
der Japaner — Japanese person, Japanese man
Der Japaner means a person from Japan or, more specifically, a Japanese man; the feminine form is die Japanerin. The plural is also Japaner, while the genitive singular is des Japaners.
Der Japaner arbeitet in München.
The Japanese man works in Munich.
arbeitet means works, and München is Munich. Der Japaner is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich habe einen Japaner kennengelernt.
I met a Japanese man.
einen means a in the masculine accusative, and kennengelernt means met or got to know. Einen Japaner is accusative because it is the object of kennenlernen; habe is in position two and kennengelernt goes to the end.
Ich helfe einem Japaner beim Ausfüllen des Formulars.
I am helping a Japanese man fill out the form.
helfe means help, beim Ausfüllen means while filling out, and das Formular means the form. Einem Japaner is dative because helfen requires a dative object; helfe is in position two, and beim Ausfüllen is a shortened form of bei dem Ausfüllen.
Das Auto des Japaners steht vor dem Hotel.
The Japanese man's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Japaners is genitive because it shows possession; the genitive ending is -s, and steht is in position two.
Viele Japaner leben heute im Ausland.
Many Japanese people live abroad today.
viele means many, heute means today, and im Ausland means abroad. Viele Japaner is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural form is identical in spelling to the singular, but viele makes the number clear.
der Kanadier — Canadian man
The feminine form is die Kanadierin, with plural die Kanadierinnen. Kanadier can also be used in a general plural for Canadians of different genders, depending on context.
Der Kanadier wohnt in Toronto.
The Canadian man lives in Toronto.
wohnt means lives, and Toronto is a city in Canada. Der Kanadier is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Kanadier morgen.
I am meeting the Canadian man tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Den Kanadier is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Kanadier mit dem Formular.
I am helping the Canadian man with the form.
helfe means help, and das Formular is the form or document. Dem Kanadier is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; mit also requires the dative.
Das Auto des Kanadiers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Canadian man's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Kanadiers is genitive because it shows possession; the noun adds -s, and the masculine article is des.
Viele Kanadier sprechen Englisch und Französisch.
Many Canadians speak English and French.
Viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Englisch und Französisch mean English and French. Kanadier has the same form in the plural, and the plural subject takes the verb sprechen.
kanadisch — Canadian
kanadisch is normally not capitalised because it is an adjective; the country name Kanada is capitalised. It can be compared when the meaning is ‘characteristically Canadian’, although the basic nationality meaning is often simply used without comparison.
Das Essen ist kanadisch.
The food is Canadian.
das Essen means the food. Kanadisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir besuchen ein kanadisches Museum.
We are visiting a Canadian museum.
besuchen means visit and das Museum is the museum. Ein kanadisches Museum is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the adjective ends in -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Essen schmeckt kanadischer als das andere.
This food tastes more Canadian than the other one.
dieses Essen means this food, schmeckt means tastes, and das andere means the other one. Kanadischer is the comparative and is followed by als; here it stands predicatively after schmeckt.
Das ist das kanadischste Gericht auf der Karte.
That is the most Canadian dish on the menu.
das Gericht means the dish and auf der Karte means on the menu. Kanadischste is an attributive superlative before the neuter noun Gericht, so it takes the ending -e after das; the predicative alternative is am kanadischsten.
das Königreich — kingdom
Königreich is a political term for a country ruled by a monarch. It is a compound of König (king) and Reich (realm or empire), but its plural is Königreiche, not a plural of either separate word.
Das Königreich liegt am Meer.
The kingdom lies by the sea.
liegt means lies or is located, and am Meer means by the sea. Das Königreich is nominative because it is the subject; liegt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Armee verteidigt das Königreich.
The army defends the kingdom.
die Armee means the army and verteidigt means defends. das Königreich is accusative because verteidigen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Menschen im Königreich feiern heute.
The people in the kingdom are celebrating today.
die Menschen means the people, feiern means celebrate, and heute means today. im Königreich is dative because in describes a location here; im means in dem.
Die Geschichte des Königreichs ist spannend.
The history of the kingdom is exciting.
die Geschichte means history and spannend means exciting. des Königreichs is genitive because it identifies whose history it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
In Europa gibt es mehrere Königreiche.
There are several kingdoms in Europe.
In Europa means in Europe, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Königreiche is plural; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
der Mexikaner — Mexican man; Mexican person; Mexican person
The noun names a man from Mexico and can sometimes refer to Mexican people generally. For a woman, use Mexikanerin; the adjective is mexikanisch.
Der Mexikaner lebt seit zehn Jahren in Deutschland.
The Mexican man has lived in Germany for ten years.
lebt means lives, seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and Deutschland means Germany. Der Mexikaner is nominative because it is the subject; with seit, the time expression is dative, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Ich treffe den Mexikaner morgen.
I am meeting the Mexican man tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. den Mexikaner is accusative because it is the direct object of treffen; the masculine article changes to den.
Ich helfe dem Mexikaner mit dem Formular.
I help the Mexican man with the form.
helfe means help, Formular means form, and mit means with. helfen takes a dative person, so dem Mexikaner is dative; mit dem Formular is also dative after mit.
Das Fahrrad des Mexikaners steht vor dem Hotel.
The Mexican man's bicycle is in front of the hotel.
Fahrrad means bicycle, steht means is standing or is parked, and Hotel means hotel. des Mexikaners is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Viele Mexikaner sprechen Spanisch.
Many Mexicans speak Spanish.
Viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Spanisch means Spanish. Mexikaner is plural because it follows Viele and has the same form as the singular; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Der neue Nachbar ist Mexikaner.
The new neighbour is Mexican.
neue Nachbar means new neighbour. After sein, Mexikaner is a predicative noun in the nominative without an article; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Mexikaner feiern gern zusammen.
Mexicans like celebrating together.
feiern means celebrate, gern means gladly or like to, and zusammen means together. Mexikaner is a plural subject with no ending, and the finite verb feiern stands in position two.
mexikanisch — Mexican; Mexican, in Mexican style
mexikanisch describes things connected with Mexico, such as food, music, or culture. It has regular comparison: mexikanischer, am mexikanischsten.
Das Essen ist mexikanisch.
The food is Mexican.
Essen means food. mexikanisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen heute mexikanisches Essen.
We are eating Mexican food today.
essen means eat and heute means today. mexikanisches Essen is the accusative object of essen, and the adjective has the ending -es with neuter Essen.
Dieses Restaurant ist mexikanischer als das andere.
This restaurant is more Mexican than the other one.
Restaurant means restaurant and andere means other one. mexikanischer is the comparative and is used with als; after ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Dieses Gericht schmeckt am mexikanischsten.
This dish tastes the most Mexican.
Gericht means dish and schmeckt means tastes. am mexikanischsten is the superlative used adverbially after schmecken; do not use am directly before a noun.
Wir hören gern mexikanische Musik.
We like listening to Mexican music.
hören means listen to and gern means gladly or like to. mexikanische Musik is the accusative object of hören, and the adjective has the ending -e in this feminine phrase.
Sie kocht oft mexikanisches Essen für ihre Freunde.
She often cooks Mexican food for her friends.
kocht means cooks, oft means often, and Freunde means friends. mexikanisches Essen is accusative as the thing cooked, while für ihre Freunde is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Mittelamerika — Central America
Mittelamerika is a geographical proper name and normally has no article. It is written with a capital letter because it is a proper name.
Mittelamerika liegt zwischen Nord- und Südamerika.
Central America lies between North and South America.
liegt zwischen means lies between, and Nordamerika and Südamerika mean North America and South America. zwischen is used here for a location, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Viele Menschen reisen gern durch Mittelamerika.
Many people like travelling through Central America.
Viele Menschen means many people, and reisen means travel; durch means through. durch Mittelamerika is an accusative phrase because durch always takes the accusative, while reisen is in position two.
die Muttersprache — native language, first language
Muttersprache means a person's native or first language. It is a feminine compound made from Mutter plus Sprache, and its plural is regular: Muttersprachen.
Deutsch ist meine Muttersprache.
German is my native language.
Deutsch means German, and meine means my. Meine Muttersprache is nominative because it identifies the subject Deutsch; after ist, the noun is a predicative complement, not an accusative object.
Ich lerne eine neue Muttersprache.
I am learning a new native language.
lernen means to learn, eine neue means a new, and neue agrees with the feminine noun. Eine neue Muttersprache is accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the finite verb lerne stands in position two.
Mit ihrer Muttersprache fühlt sie sich sicher.
She feels confident with her native language.
mit means with, ihrer means her in the feminine dative, and sicher means confident or secure. Mit ihrer Muttersprache is dative because mit always takes dative; sich is the reflexive pronoun belonging to fühlt.
Die Pflege der Muttersprache ist wichtig.
Maintaining one's native language is important.
die Pflege means the maintenance or cultivation of, and wichtig means important. Der Muttersprache is genitive because it specifies which language is being maintained; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Viele Muttersprachen sind in dieser Stadt zu hören.
Many native languages can be heard in this city.
viele means many, diese Stadt means this city, and zu hören means to be heard. Muttersprachen is plural and adds -n; sind ... zu hören expresses that the languages can be heard.
die Nationalität — nationality, citizenship
For legal citizenship, die Nationalität is often close to die Staatsangehörigkeit, which is more formal and precise. Do not confuse it with die Nationalität as a broad cultural identity.
Die Nationalität steht in meinem Pass.
The nationality is stated in my passport.
steht means is written or stated, and in meinem Pass means in my passport. Die Nationalität is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Bitte nennen Sie die Nationalität.
Please state the nationality.
Bitte nennen Sie means please state or name. Die Nationalität is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; the polite command uses Sie and keeps the finite verb in position one.
Er hilft Menschen mit der Nationalität nicht weiter.
He does not help people with the nationality any further.
Er hilft ... nicht weiter means he does not help any further, and Menschen means people. Der Nationalität is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase is unusual in meaning but grammatically natural.
Die Frage der Nationalität ist manchmal kompliziert.
The question of nationality is sometimes complicated.
Die Frage means the question, manchmal means sometimes, and kompliziert means complicated. Der Nationalität is genitive because it specifies the subject of the question; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Formular stehen mehrere Nationalitäten.
Several nationalities are listed on the form.
Auf dem Formular means on the form, stehen means are written or listed, and mehrere means several. Nationalitäten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Niederländer — Dutch person, Dutchman
The feminine form is die Niederländerin, and the general plural die Niederländer can include women and men. Do not confuse Niederländer with the adjective niederländisch, meaning Dutch.
Der Niederländer arbeitet in Berlin.
The Dutchman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Niederländer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Niederländer am Bahnhof.
I am meeting the Dutchman at the station.
treffe means meet, and am Bahnhof means at the railway station. den Niederländer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the masculine noun has the same ending as in the nominative here.
Ich helfe dem Niederländer mit dem Koffer.
I am helping the Dutchman with the suitcase.
helfe means help, and mit dem Koffer means with the suitcase. dem Niederländer is dative because helfen governs the dative; the noun itself does not add -n because it is not a weak noun.
Das Auto des Niederländers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Dutchman's car is outside the hotel.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means outside the hotel. des Niederländers is genitive because it shows possession, and this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Niederländer besuchen jedes Jahr Deutschland.
Many Dutch people visit Germany every year.
viele means many, besuchen means visit, and jedes Jahr means every year. Niederländer is the plural with no ending change; as the plural subject, it is nominative and the verb besuchen follows it in position two.
Nordamerika — North America
Nordamerika is a geographical proper name and is normally used without an article. Use in Nordamerika for location and nach Nordamerika for movement towards it.
Kanada liegt in Nordamerika.
Canada is in North America.
Kanada means Canada, and liegt means lies or is located. in takes the dative for a fixed location, but Nordamerika has no visible article or case ending because it is a proper name.
Sie reist nach Nordamerika.
She is travelling to North America.
reist means travels, and nach means to when used with a place name. nach Nordamerika expresses direction; the finite verb reist stands in position two.
nördlich — northern, north
As an adjective, nördlich normally describes a noun or follows a verb such as liegen. Before a noun it needs an adjective ending, as in nördliche Küste.
Hamburg liegt nördlich.
Hamburg lies in the north.
Hamburg is a city in northern Germany, liegen means to lie or be located, and der Norden is the north. Nördlich is predicative after liegt and therefore has no adjective ending.
Wir fahren an die nördliche Küste.
We are travelling to the northern coast.
fahren means to travel or go by vehicle, die Küste is the coast, and an die means to the. Nördliche stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after die; an die Küste is accusative because it expresses movement towards a destination.
Kiel liegt nördlicher als Hannover.
Kiel lies farther north than Hanover.
liegen means to be located and als means than. Nördlicher compares the locations of two cities and has the comparative ending -er; after als, the second place is not marked by a special case.
List liegt am nördlichsten.
List lies farthest north.
List is a place on the island of Sylt, and liegen means to be located. Am nördlichsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it does not take a noun ending here.
der Osten — east, eastern region; the east, eastern part or region
Osten is normally used with a definite article, especially in der Osten, im Osten, and aus dem Osten. It is written with a capital letter because it is a noun, and it normally has no plural in this geographical sense.
Der Osten liegt dort.
The east is over there.
liegt dort means “is over there.” Der Osten is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir fahren in den Osten.
We are travelling east.
fahren means “travel” or “go by vehicle.” In den Osten is accusative because in expresses movement towards a destination; the masculine article changes to den.
Im Osten geht die Sonne auf.
The sun rises in the east.
die Sonne is the sun, and geht ... auf means “rises.” Im Osten is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the separable verb puts auf at the end.
Die Geschichte des Ostens ist vielfältig.
The history of the east is diverse.
die Geschichte means “the history,” and vielfältig means “diverse” or “varied.” Des Ostens is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant; Osten adds -s.
Wir leben im Osten Deutschlands.
We live in the east of Germany.
wir leben means “we live,” and Deutschlands means “of Germany.” Im Osten is dative after in for a location, while Deutschlands is genitive and specifies which east.
Viele Menschen aus dem Osten ziehen in die Hauptstadt.
Many people from the east are moving to the capital.
viele Menschen means “many people,” ziehen means “move,” and die Hauptstadt is “the capital.” Aus dem Osten is dative because aus always takes dative, while in die Hauptstadt is accusative because it expresses movement towards a destination.
Im Osten des Landes gibt es viele Seen.
There are many lakes in the east of the country.
das Land means “the country,” and viele Seen means “many lakes.” Im Osten is dative after in for a location, while des Landes is genitive to specify which east; es gibt takes an accusative object, here viele Seen.
der Pole — Pole, Polish man
der Pole means a Polish man. It is a weak masculine noun: use den Polen, dem Polen, and des Polen, not the bare form in those cases.
Der Pole arbeitet in Berlin.
The Polish man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Pole is nominative because it is the subject; this noun is weak, but the nominative masculine form has no extra -n.
Ich kenne den Polen aus dem Sprachkurs.
I know the Polish man from the language course.
kennen means to know or be acquainted with, and der Sprachkurs means the language course. Den Polen is accusative because it is the object of kenne; weak masculine nouns add -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Polen bei der Anmeldung.
I help the Polish man with the registration.
helfen means to help, and die Anmeldung means the registration. Dem Polen is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Das Auto des Polen steht vor dem Haus.
The Polish man’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Polen is genitive because it shows possession, and this weak masculine noun uses -n, not -s.
Die Pole feiern heute zusammen.
The Polish men are celebrating together today.
feiern means celebrate, and zusammen means together. Die Pole is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural has -e, while the weak singular forms have -n.
die Polin — Polish woman
die Polin means a Polish woman. The plural is die Polinnen; die Polen is not the feminine plural, but refers to Polish men or a mixed group.
Die Polin wohnt seit einem Jahr in Köln.
The Polish woman has been living in Cologne for a year.
wohnt means lives, seit einem Jahr means for one year, and Köln is a city. Die Polin is nominative because it is the subject; seit takes the dative, shown by einem Jahr.
Ich treffe die Polin morgen am Bahnhof.
I am meeting the Polish woman at the station tomorrow.
treffen means to meet, morgen means tomorrow, and der Bahnhof means the station. Die Polin is accusative because it is the direct object, but feminine singular die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Polin eine Stadtkarte.
I give the Polish woman a city map.
geben means to give, and eine Stadtkarte means a city map. Der Polin is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Stadtkarte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Tasche der Polin ist sehr schwer.
The Polish woman’s bag is very heavy.
die Tasche means the bag, and schwer means heavy. Der Polin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine noun itself does not change, so the article der carries the case information.
Die Polinnen arbeiten in einem Krankenhaus.
The Polish women work in a hospital.
arbeiten means work, and das Krankenhaus means the hospital. Die Polinnen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -nen must not be replaced by the masculine form Polen.
das Polnisch — Polish (the language)
das Polnisch names the Polish language and is normally used without a plural. Do not confuse it with polnisch, the adjective meaning Polish.
Polnisch ist eine schwierige Sprache.
Polish is a difficult language.
eine schwierige Sprache means a difficult language. Polnisch is the neuter subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie lernt Polnisch.
She is learning Polish.
lernt means is learning. Polnisch is the language being learned and stands as an accusative object without an article; the finite verb lernt is in position two.
Er spricht mit seiner Freundin Polnisch.
He speaks Polish with his girlfriend.
spricht means speaks, and seiner Freundin means with his girlfriend. The preposition mit forces the dative on seiner Freundin; Polnisch names the language and has no visible case ending.
Die Grammatik des Polnischs ist interessant.
The grammar of Polish is interesting.
Die Grammatik means the grammar, and interessant means interesting. des Polnischs is genitive because it identifies whose grammar it is; the adjective interessant comes after ist.
In der Sprachschule lernen viele Menschen Polnisch.
Many people learn Polish at the language school.
die Sprachschule is the language school, and viele Menschen means many people. Polnisch has no plural here because a language name is normally a mass noun; lernen is plural because the subject is viele Menschen.
schweizerisch — Swiss; relating to Switzerland
schweizerisch is an adjective meaning relating to Switzerland, not a noun for a Swiss person. It normally takes regular comparison: schweizerischer, am schweizerischsten.
Die Schokolade ist schweizerisch.
The chocolate is Swiss.
die Schokolade means the chocolate. schweizerisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen schweizerischen Käse.
We are buying Swiss cheese.
kaufen means to buy, and der Käse means cheese. schweizerischen comes before the masculine noun Käse in the accusative, so the adjective takes -en after the zero article.
Dieses Essen schmeckt schweizerischer als das andere.
This food tastes more Swiss than the other one.
dieses Essen means this food, schmeckt means tastes, and das andere means the other one. The comparative schweizerischer is followed by als when two things are compared; here it is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist am schweizerischsten.
That is the most Swiss.
das means that, and ist means is. am schweizerischsten is the predicative superlative with am; it is not placed directly before a noun in this form.
Slowakei — Slovakia
Slowakei is the name of a country and normally takes the feminine article die: die Slowakei. After in it has die for movement and der for location, as in in der Slowakei.
Wir fahren in die Slowakei.
We are travelling to Slovakia.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and wir means we. In die Slowakei expresses movement towards a country, so in takes the accusative; the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
Die Slowakei liegt in Mitteleuropa.
Slovakia is in Central Europe.
liegt means is situated, and Mitteleuropa means Central Europe. Die Slowakei is the nominative subject, and liegt stands in position two.
der Staat — state, country; government, public authorities
Staat can mean a country as a political unit; in compounds such as Nationalstaat, it usually has this meaning. The plural is Staaten, not Staats.
Der Staat unterstützt Familien.
The state supports families.
unterstützt means supports, and Familien means families. Der Staat is nominative because it is the subject, while Familien is accusative; the finite verb unterstützt is in position two.
Viele Menschen kritisieren den Staat.
Many people criticise the state.
viele Menschen means many people, and kritisieren means criticise. Den Staat is accusative because kritisieren takes an accusative object; the plural subject comes first, so the verb remains in position two.
Die Bürger vertrauen dem Staat.
The citizens trust the state.
die Bürger means the citizens, and vertrauen means trust. Vertrauen takes the dative, so dem Staat is dative; the finite verb vertrauen is in position two.
Die Aufgaben des Staates sind umfangreich.
The duties of the state are extensive.
die Aufgaben means the duties or tasks, and umfangreich means extensive. Des Staates is genitive and shows possession or connection; the subject is die Aufgaben, so the verb is plural: sind.
Die Staaten arbeiten zusammen.
The states work together.
arbeiten zusammen means work together, and zusammen means together. Die Staaten is the plural nominative subject; in the separable verb zusammenarbeiten, arbeiten is in position two and zusammen goes to the end.
Der Staat zahlt einen Teil der Miete.
The government pays part of the rent.
zahlt means pays, einen Teil means a part, and die Miete means the rent. Der Staat is the nominative subject, einen Teil is accusative, and der Miete is genitive because it specifies a part of the rent.
Viele Menschen erwarten mehr vom Staat.
Many people expect more from the government.
erwarten means expect, mehr means more, and viele Menschen means many people. Vom Staat means from the government and combines von with the dative article dem; the verb erwarten is in position two.
stammen — to come from, to originate from
Stammen aus states the place, time or source of origin and takes the fixed preposition aus. For family background, von is also possible, as in von einer Familie stammen; the verb uses sein in the perfect.
Ich stamme aus Köln.
I come from Cologne.
aus Köln means from Cologne. Stamme aus is the fixed pattern for stating origin, and stamme is in position two; aus takes the dative, though the city name has no visible article here.
Ich bin aus Köln gestammt.
I came from Cologne.
Köln is the city Cologne. Gestammt is the Partizip II of stammen and combines with sein here; the auxiliary bin is in position two and gestammt goes to the end.
Die Familie stammte aus Polen.
The family came from Poland.
die Familie means the family, and aus Polen means from Poland. Stammte is the regular preterite and stands in position two; aus introduces the place of origin.
Stamm bitte aus einer bekannten Familie!
Please come from a well-known family!
bitte means please, and bekannt means well-known. Stamm is the du imperative, but this command is unusual because origin is normally a fact, not an action; aus introduces the origin.
Wenn du aus Italien stammtest, würdest du die Sprache kennen.
If you came from Italy, you would know the language.
Italien means Italy, die Sprache means the language, and kennen means know. Stammtest is the Konjunktiv II form in the subordinate clause, so it goes to the end; würdest ... kennen expresses the imagined result.
Sie wird aus Hamburg stammen.
She will come from Hamburg.
Hamburg is the city Hamburg, and wird ... stammen means will come from. The finite auxiliary wird stands in position two and the infinitive stammen goes to the end; aus introduces the place of origin.
weltweit — worldwide
Die Marke ist weltweit bekannt.
The brand is known worldwide.
die Marke means the brand, and bekannt means known. Weltweit modifies bekannt and usually comes after the verb ist in this sentence; it does not change its form.
Das Unternehmen verkauft seine Produkte weltweit.
The company sells its products worldwide.
das Unternehmen is the company, and verkauft means sells; seine Produkte means its products. Weltweit gives the place or range of the action and can stand at the end of the sentence.
der Westen — west; the west; the West; western countries
der Westen is usually a geographical direction or region and normally has no plural. Do not confuse it with die Weste, whose plural is die Westen.
Der Westen liegt links auf der Karte.
The west is on the left on the map.
liegt means is located, links means on the left, and die Karte means the map. Der Westen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir sehen den Westen von hier aus.
We can see the west from here.
sehen means see, and von hier aus means from here. den Westen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the separable verb sehen ... aus places aus at the end.
Die Sonne geht im Westen unter.
The sun sets in the west.
Die Sonne means the sun, geht unter means sets, and untergehen is to go down. im means in dem and marks the dative for a location; the separable part unter stands at the end.
Das Klima des Westens ist oft milder.
The climate of the west is often milder.
Das Klima means the climate, oft means often, and milder means milder. des Westens is genitive because it identifies whose climate is meant; the genitive form adds -s.
Im Sommer reisen viele Menschen in den Westen.
In summer many people travel to the west.
Im Sommer means in summer, viele Menschen means many people, and reisen means travel. This is not a plural use: den Westen is singular accusative after in because the sentence expresses movement toward a destination; der Westen normally has no plural.
Viele Filme zeigen den Wilden Westen.
Many films show the Wild West.
Viele Filme means many films, zeigen means show, and der Wilde Westen means the Wild West. den Wilden Westen is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; both the article and adjective mark the masculine case.
Die Länder des Westens arbeiten zusammen.
The countries of the West work together.
Die Länder means the countries, and arbeiten zusammen means work together. des Westens is genitive after Länder to show affiliation, and the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
westlich — western; west of; from the west
westlich can describe position, direction, or origin. Before a noun it takes a normal adjective ending, while after sein or with a place comparison it can be used without an ending.
Der Wind ist westlich.
The wind is from the west.
Der Wind means the wind, and ist means is. westlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die westliche Stadt.
We are visiting the western city.
Wir besuchen means we are visiting, and die Stadt means the city. westliche comes before the feminine noun and takes -e after the definite article die; the whole noun phrase is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
Köln liegt westlicher als Berlin.
Cologne is farther west than Berlin.
liegt means is located, and als means than. westlicher compares two locations and is used predicatively without an ending; als Berlin introduces the second point of comparison.
Portugal liegt am westlichsten.
Portugal is farthest west.
Portugal is the country Portugal, and liegt means is located. am westlichsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am plus -sten; it does not take a noun ending here.
der Österreicher — Austrian
Österreicher can refer to an Austrian man or, depending on context, an Austrian person generally. The feminine form is Österreicherin, and the adjective is österreichisch.
Der Österreicher wohnt in Wien.
The Austrian lives in Vienna.
wohnt means lives, and Wien means Vienna. Der Österreicher is nominative because it is the subject, and wohnt stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Österreicher im Zug.
I meet the Austrian on the train.
treffe means meet, im Zug means on the train, and der Zug means train. Den Österreicher is accusative because it is the object of treffen; im is short for in dem and is dative for a location.
Ich spreche mit dem Österreicher über Wien.
I am talking with the Austrian about Vienna.
spreche means speak or talk, mit means with, and über means about. Dem Österreicher is dative because mit always takes the dative; über Wien is an accusative phrase meaning about Vienna.
Das Auto des Österreichers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Austrian's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means car, steht means is located, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Österreichers is genitive because it shows possession; this noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Österreicher feiern gern zusammen.
Austrians like celebrating together.
feiern means celebrate, gern means gladly or like to, and zusammen means together. Die Österreicher is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; the plural article die makes the number clear.