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Vocab: Phone & internet — A1
Phone & internet vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Adresse — address; email address
Adresse can mean a physical address or an email address, often in the compound E-Mail-Adresse. With a person, German usually uses jemandem schreiben or jemandem eine Nachricht schicken, not a direct translation of English address.
Die Adresse steht auf dem Brief.
The address is on the letter.
steht auf dem Brief means is on the letter. Die Adresse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht stands in position two.
Ich schreibe die Adresse auf den Umschlag.
I write the address on the envelope.
schreibe means write, and der Umschlag means envelope. Die Adresse is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; auf den Umschlag is accusative because it expresses movement onto the envelope.
Ich schicke der Adresse eine Nachricht.
I send a message to the address.
schicke means send, and eine Nachricht means a message. Der Adresse is dative because it is the recipient of schicken, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing sent.
Die Änderung der Adresse kostet nichts.
The change of address costs nothing.
die Änderung means the change, and kostet nichts means costs nothing. Der Adresse is genitive because it specifies which change; the finite verb kostet is in position two.
Wir haben drei Adressen gespeichert.
We saved three addresses.
drei means three, and gespeichert means saved. Adressen is plural and accusative because it is the object of haben ... gespeichert; the auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
an — on, switched on
As an adverb, an describes a device that is switched on or appears at the end of a separable verb such as anmachen. It is different from the preposition an, which is followed by a noun phrase.
Das Licht ist an.
The light is on.
das Licht means the light. an says that the light is switched on; after ist, it does not take an adjective ending and is not a preposition because it has no following noun.
Mach bitte den Fernseher an.
Please switch on the television.
mach bitte means please switch or make, and der Fernseher means the television. In the separable verb anmachen, an moves to the end in the imperative, while den Fernseher is accusative as the object.
anrufen — to call, to telephone
anrufen is separable: in a main clause, an moves to the end, as in ich rufe dich an. Its perfect uses haben, not sein, and the person called is accusative.
Ich rufe meine Mutter heute Abend an.
I am calling my mother this evening.
meine Mutter means my mother and heute Abend means this evening. meine Mutter is accusative because anrufen takes the person called as a direct object; the finite verb rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe gestern meinen Bruder angerufen.
I called my brother yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and meinen Bruder means my brother. meinen Bruder is accusative after anrufen; habe is the auxiliary in position two and angerufen closes the clause.
Sie rief mich nach der Arbeit an.
She called me after work.
mich means me and nach der Arbeit means after work. mich is accusative because it is the person called; in the simple past, rief stands in position two and an goes to the end.
Ruf mich später an!
Call me later!
später means later. mich is accusative because it is the person called, and the imperative keeps the prefix an at the end.
Ich würde dich morgen anrufen.
I would call you tomorrow.
dich means you and morgen means tomorrow. dich is accusative after anrufen; würde marks a hypothetical idea, while the complete infinitive anrufen stays at the end.
Wir werden dich heute Abend anrufen.
We will call you this evening.
wir means we and heute Abend means this evening. dich is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; werden is in position two and the infinitive anrufen goes to the end.
anschalten — to switch on, to turn on
The prefix an is separable: schaltet an, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. The opposite is ausschalten.
Ich schalte das Licht an.
I switch on the light.
das Licht means the light. The finite verb schalte stands in position two and the prefix an moves to the end; das Licht is accusative because anschalten takes an accusative object.
Wir haben den Fernseher angeschaltet.
We turned on the television.
wir means we and der Fernseher means the television. The perfect uses haben plus angeschaltet, which stands at the end; den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object being turned on.
Sie schaltete die Heizung an.
She switched on the heating.
sie means she and die Heizung means the heating. The weak past form schaltete is in position two and an is separated to the end; die Heizung is accusative after anschalten.
Schalt bitte das Radio an.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please and das Radio means the radio. The informal imperative is schalt and the separable prefix an goes to the end; das Radio is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die Lampe anschalten, wenn es dunkel wäre.
I would switch on the lamp if it were dark.
die Lampe means the lamp, wenn means if, and dunkel means dark. The conditional uses würde plus the infinitive anschalten, which stays together at the end of its clause; die Lampe is accusative.
Er wird morgen den Computer anschalten.
He will turn on the computer tomorrow.
er means he, morgen means tomorrow, and der Computer means the computer. Future uses wird in position two and the complete infinitive anschalten at the end; den Computer is accusative.
die App — app, application
App is short for Applikation, but the short form is normal in everyday German. Do not confuse it with die Anwendung, which is more formal or technical.
Die App ist kostenlos.
The app is free.
kostenlos means free of charge. Die App is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne die App.
I am opening the app.
öffnen means to open and ich means I. Die App is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich vertraue dieser App.
I trust this app.
vertrauen means to trust, and dieser means this. Dieser App is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the feminine dative article is dieser.
Die Funktionen der App sind praktisch.
The app's functions are practical.
die Funktionen means the functions and praktisch means practical. Der App is genitive because it shows which app the functions belong to; sind is the plural verb for Funktionen.
Auf meinem Handy sind viele Apps.
There are many apps on my phone.
auf meinem Handy means on my phone and viele means many. Meinem Handy is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, while viele Apps is plural and the subject of sind.
ausschalten — to switch off, to turn off
This verb takes an accusative object: etwas ausschalten means to switch something off. Its prefix aus- separates in a main clause, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay whole.
Ich schalte das Licht aus.
I switch off the light.
das Licht means the light. Das Licht is accusative because ausschalten takes a direct object, and the separable verb splits around the finite verb schalte.
Wir haben den Fernseher ausgeschaltet.
We switched off the television.
der Fernseher means television. Den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object, and the perfect uses haben plus ausgeschaltet, which stands at the end.
Sie schaltete die Heizung aus.
She switched off the heating.
die Heizung means heating. The noun phrase is accusative after ausschalten, and the weak past form schaltete is in position two while aus goes to the end.
Schalt bitte das Radio aus.
Please switch off the radio.
bitte means please and das Radio means the radio. This is the informal singular imperative, with omitted du; the direct object is accusative and the prefix aus is separated.
Wenn es zu laut wäre, schaltete ich die Musik aus.
If it were too loud, I would switch off the music.
zu laut means too loud and die Musik means the music. The form schaltete ... aus expresses a hypothetical action here; die Musik is accusative, and the prefix stays at the end.
Ich werde den Computer später ausschalten.
I will switch off the computer later.
der Computer means computer and später means later. Den Computer is accusative, while werde stands in position two and the complete infinitive ausschalten goes to the end.
der Benutzername — username
der Benutzername is a weak masculine compound noun: it has -n in the accusative and dative singular, as in den Benutzernamen and mit dem Benutzernamen. Its plural is also Benutzernamen.
Der Benutzername steht auf der Karte.
The username is on the card.
steht means “is written” or “is located,” and auf der Karte means “on the card.” Benutzername is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich habe den Benutzernamen vergessen.
I forgot the username.
vergessen means “forgotten,” and ich habe means “I have.” Benutzernamen is accusative because it is the object of vergessen; this is a weak masculine noun, so it has -n outside the nominative singular.
Mit dem Benutzernamen kann ich mich anmelden.
I can log in with the username.
mit means “with,” and sich anmelden means “to log in.” Benutzernamen is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and anmelden goes to the end with the modal verb.
Das Passwort des Benutzernamens ist sicher.
The username's password is secure.
das Passwort means “the password,” and sicher means “secure.” Benutzernamens is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the username”; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Benutzernamen stehen in einer Liste.
The usernames are in a list.
stehen means “are” or “are located,” in einer Liste means “in a list.” Benutzernamen is the plural form, and the plural subject takes the verb stehen.
der Bildschirm — screen; monitor; display; screen
Der Bildschirm is the screen of a computer, television or similar device. Its plural is die Bildschirme and its genitive is des Bildschirms; do not confuse it with der Monitor, which is also common for a computer screen.
Der Bildschirm ist sehr hell.
The screen is very bright.
hell means bright. Der Bildschirm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Bildschirm nicht gut.
I cannot see the screen well.
sehen means to see, and nicht gut means not well. Den Bildschirm is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie sitzt vor dem Bildschirm.
She is sitting in front of the screen.
sitzen means to sit, and vor means in front of. Dem Bildschirm is dative because vor describes a fixed location here; movement towards the screen would require the accusative.
Die Helligkeit des Bildschirms ist zu niedrig.
The screen's brightness is too low.
die Helligkeit means brightness, and zu niedrig means too low. Des Bildschirms is genitive because it says whose brightness it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Bildschirme im Büro sind neu.
The screens in the office are new.
im Büro means in the office, and neu means new. Bildschirme is plural with -e, so the verb is sind rather than ist; im Büro is a fixed-location phrase with the dative.
Auf dem Bildschirm erscheint eine Nachricht.
A message appears on the screen.
erscheinen means to appear, and eine Nachricht is a message. Auf dem Bildschirm is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the verb erscheint is in position two and the new subject follows it.
Bitte tippen Sie auf den Bildschirm.
Please tap the screen.
bitte means please, and tippen means to tap. Auf den Bildschirm is accusative because tapping directs an action towards the screen; the formal command uses tippen Sie.
chatten — to chat online
Chatten is a regular weak verb borrowed from English and normally means exchanging written messages online. It takes haben in the perfect and commonly appears with mit plus the dative for the person you chat with.
Ich chatte jeden Abend mit meiner Schwester.
I chat with my sister every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and meine Schwester is my sister. The finite verb chatte is in position two; mit forces the dative, so meiner Schwester means “with my sister”.
Wir haben gestern lange gechattet.
We chatted for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus gechattet; haben is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Früher chattete er jeden Tag mit Freunden.
He used to chat with friends every day.
früher means in the past, and Freunde are friends. Chattete is the weak-verb preterite in position two; mit Freunden is dative after mit.
Chatte nicht während des Unterrichts!
Do not chat during the lesson!
nicht means not, während means during, and der Unterricht is the lesson. Chatte is the du imperative and the subject is omitted; während takes the genitive here, so des Unterrichts means “during the lesson”.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, chattete ich öfter mit ihnen.
If I had more time, I would chat with them more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, öfter means more often, and ihnen means them. The sentence expresses an unreal condition; in careful German, würde chatten is more usual than using the preterite-looking form chattete, and the finite verb in the wenn clause goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich mit meiner Cousine chatten.
Tomorrow I will chat with my cousin.
morgen means tomorrow, and meine Cousine is my female cousin. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive chatten at the end; mit meiner Cousine is dative after mit.
der Computer — computer
The German word is used for both a desktop computer and a laptop; the exact type is given by context.
Mein Computer ist heute sehr langsam.
My computer is very slow today.
langsam means slow and heute means today. Mein Computer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Computer.
I am buying a new computer.
kaufe means am buying and neu means new. einen neuen Computer is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Ich arbeite jeden Tag an meinem Computer.
I work at my computer every day.
arbeite means work and jeden Tag means every day. an means at here and takes the dative for a fixed location, so meinem Computer is dative.
Der Bildschirm des Computers ist kaputt.
The computer’s screen is broken.
der Bildschirm is the screen and kaputt means broken. des Computers is genitive because it shows possession, and the noun adds -s after des.
Die Computer im Büro sind neu.
The computers in the office are new.
im Büro means in the office and neu means new. Die Computer is plural and nominative because it is the subject; this noun has no plural ending.
das Display — screen, display
In everyday German, Display usually means the screen of a phone, computer, or other electronic device. It is a neuter loanword with plural Displays.
Das Display ist kaputt.
The screen is broken.
kaputt means broken. Das Display is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe das Display.
I can see the screen.
sehen means to see. Das Display is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich arbeite mit dem Display.
I work with the screen.
arbeiten means to work, and mit means with. Dem Display is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Die Helligkeit des Displays ist zu niedrig.
The screen's brightness is too low.
die Helligkeit means brightness and zu niedrig means too low. Des Displays is genitive because it shows whose brightness is meant; ist remains in position two.
Die Displays der Geräte sind hell.
The devices' screens are bright.
der Geräte means of the devices, and hell means bright. Displays is plural with die understood from the subject phrase, and the plural subject takes sind.
der Drucker — printer; printer, printing worker
This usually means a computer printer; the plural is die Drucker without an ending. It can also mean a person who prints, but the machine meaning is much more common for beginners.
Der Drucker ist neben dem Computer.
The printer is next to the computer.
neben means next to, and der Computer means the computer. Der Drucker is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche den Drucker.
I need the printer.
brauchen means to need. den Drucker is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Drucker neues Papier.
I am putting new paper in the printer.
geben means to give or put, and neues Papier means new paper. dem Drucker is dative because it is the recipient or destination of the paper, while neues Papier is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Druckers ist leer.
The printer's ink is empty.
die Farbe means the colour or ink, and leer means empty. des Druckers is genitive to show possession or association, and the genitive ending -s is added to the noun.
Im Büro stehen drei Drucker.
There are three printers in the office.
im Büro means in the office, stehen means are standing or are located, and drei means three. Drucker has the same form in the singular and plural, so drei and the context show that it is plural.
Mein Onkel arbeitet als Drucker.
My uncle works as a printer.
mein Onkel means my uncle, and arbeitet means works. als Drucker describes his job after arbeiten als; a profession after als normally has no article.
Der Drucker kontrolliert die Maschinen.
The printer checks the machines.
kontrolliert means checks, and die Maschinen means the machines. Der Drucker is nominative as the subject, while die Maschinen is accusative as the object of kontrollieren.
das E-Book — e-book
The English word E-Book is also used in German and is pronounced with German noun gender das. The plural is regular with -s.
Das E-Book liegt auf dem Tisch.
The e-book is on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Das E-Book is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese das E-Book im Zug.
I am reading the e-book on the train.
lese means “read,” and im Zug means “on the train.” Das E-Book is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, while the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich lese auf dem Tablet in einem E-Book.
I am reading in an e-book on the tablet.
auf dem Tablet means “on the tablet,” and in einem E-Book means “in an e-book.” Einem E-Book is dative because the preposition in expresses location here, not movement into something.
Das Cover des E-Books ist blau.
The e-book’s cover is blue.
das Cover means “the cover,” and blau means “blue.” Des E-Books is genitive because it shows possession: the cover belongs to the e-book.
Die E-Books sind heute billiger.
The e-books are cheaper today.
sind means “are,” heute means “today,” and billiger means “cheaper.” Die E-Books is plural and is the nominative subject; the plural is made with -s.
die E-Mail — e-mail
E-Mail is feminine in German: die E-Mail. The usual plural is E-Mails, not an ending such as -en.
Die E-Mail ist schon da.
The e-mail is already here.
schon means “already,” and da means “here.” Die E-Mail is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schreibe eine E-Mail.
I am writing an e-mail.
schreibe means “write.” Eine E-Mail is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object, and the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Ich antworte auf eine E-Mail.
I am replying to an e-mail.
antworte means “reply,” and auf means “to” in this expression. Eine E-Mail is accusative because auf takes the accusative in the fixed phrase auf eine E-Mail antworten.
Der Betreff der E-Mail ist wichtig.
The subject line of the e-mail is important.
der Betreff means “the subject line,” and wichtig means “important.” Der E-Mail is genitive because it shows which message the subject line belongs to; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Ich bekomme jeden Tag viele E-Mails.
I receive many e-mails every day.
bekomme means “receive,” jeden Tag means “every day,” and viele means “many.” Viele E-Mails is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object, and the plural is formed with -s.
das Handy — mobile phone, cellphone
This is the usual German word for a mobile phone; das Mobiltelefon is more formal. It is a neuter loanword with plural Handys, not Handies.
Das Handy liegt auf dem Tisch.
The mobile phone is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Handy is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich suche das Handy.
I am looking for the mobile phone.
suche means am looking for. Das Handy is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Ich schreibe mit dem Handy.
I am writing with the mobile phone.
schreibe means write, and mit means with. Dem Handy is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Das Display des Handys ist kaputt.
The mobile phone's screen is broken.
das Display is the screen, and kaputt means broken. Des Handys is genitive because it shows whose display it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Handys liegen auf dem Tisch.
The mobile phones are on the table.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Handys is a plural subject, so the verb is liegen, not singular liegt.
die Handynummer — mobile-phone number
Handynummer is a compound of Handy and Nummer; the last part, die Nummer, determines the feminine gender and plural ending.
Die Handynummer steht auf dem Zettel.
The mobile-phone number is on the note.
steht means is written or stands, and der Zettel is the note or slip of paper. Die Handynummer is nominative because it is the subject; steht is in position two.
Ich brauche die Handynummer.
I need the mobile-phone number.
brauche means need. Die Handynummer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich schicke dir die Handynummer.
I am sending you the mobile-phone number.
schicke means send, and dir means to you. Dir is dative for the recipient, while die Handynummer is accusative as the thing sent.
Die Länge der Handynummer ist unterschiedlich.
The length of the mobile-phone number varies.
die Länge is the length, and unterschiedlich means different or varying. Der Handynummer is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; ist stands in position two.
Die Handynummern stehen im Telefonbuch.
The mobile-phone numbers are in the telephone directory.
stehen means are listed or stand, and das Telefonbuch is the telephone directory. Die Handynummern is plural, so the verb is stehen, not singular steht.
das Internet — internet
Das Internet is a neuter mass noun and normally has no plural, so say das Internet even when many people or services are involved. The genitive is des Internets, with des and the ending -s on the noun.
Das Internet ist heute sehr wichtig.
The internet is very important today.
heute means today and wichtig means important. Das Internet is the nominative subject of ist; the finite verb stands in position two, and this mass noun normally has no plural.
Ich benutze das Internet jeden Tag.
I use the internet every day.
benutze means use and jeden Tag means every day. Das Internet is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir lernen mit dem Internet.
We learn with the internet.
lernen means learn and mit means with. Mit always forces the dative, so dem Internet is dative; the finite verb lernen stands in position two.
Die Vorteile des Internets sind groß.
The advantages of the internet are great.
die Vorteile means the advantages and groß means great or significant. Des Internets is genitive and means of the internet; the genitive noun phrase depends on Vorteile, while sind is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Menschen nutzen das Internet zu Hause.
Many people use the internet at home.
viele Menschen means many people and zu Hause means at home. Das Internet is the accusative object of nutzen; although the subject is plural, Internet is a mass noun and is normally not pluralised.
das Kabel — cable, wire
The plural die Kabel has the same form as the singular. A Kabel can carry electricity or data.
Das Kabel liegt auf dem Boden.
The cable is lying on the floor.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Boden means on the floor. Das Kabel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche das Kabel für den Drucker.
I need the cable for the printer.
brauche means need, für means for, and den Drucker means the printer. Das Kabel is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe meinem Bruder dem Kabel nicht zurück.
I do not give the cable back to my brother.
gebe ... zurück means give back, meinem Bruder means to my brother, and nicht means not. Dem Kabel is dative because zurückgeben can mark the thing being returned as an indirect object here; the separable verb has gebe in position two and zurück at the end.
Die Farbe des Kabels ist schwarz.
The colour of the cable is black.
Die Farbe means the colour and schwarz means black. Des Kabels is genitive because it expresses whose colour it is; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Techniker prüfen die Kabel.
The technicians are checking the cables.
Die Techniker means the technicians and prüfen means check. Die Kabel is plural and accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; this plural has no ending and the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
klicken — to click; to make a clicking sound
For a computer action, klicken is often used with auf plus the accusative for the item being clicked. The perfect uses haben: hat geklickt.
Ich klicke auf den Link.
I click on the link.
der Link means the link. auf takes the accusative here because it introduces the target of the clicking, and den Link is therefore accusative; the finite verb klicke stands in position two.
Wir haben auf das Bild geklickt.
We clicked on the picture.
das Bild means the picture. auf takes the accusative when it names the target of an action, so das Bild is accusative; haben is in position two and geklickt goes to the end.
Sie klickte auf das Symbol.
She clicked on the icon.
sie means she, and das Symbol means the icon or symbol. das Symbol is accusative as the target of the action, while regular past klickte stands in position two.
Klick auf den Knopf!
Click on the button!
der Knopf means the button. Klick is the informal singular imperative, and auf takes the accusative here because den Knopf is the target; the subject du is usually left out.
Ich würde auf den Pfeil klicken.
I would click on the arrow.
der Pfeil means the arrow, and würde expresses “would”. den Pfeil is accusative as the target of auf, and the infinitive klicken stands at the end after würde.
Du wirst auf die Datei klicken.
You will click on the file.
die Datei means the file. die Datei is accusative as the target of auf; wirst stands in position two and the infinitive klicken goes to the end.
Bitte klicken Sie hier.
Please click here.
bitte means please and hier means here. The polite command uses the infinitive klicken with Sie, and the verb stands in position two after bitte.
Er klickte mit der Zunge.
He clicked his tongue.
er means he, and die Zunge means the tongue. mit always takes the dative, so der Zunge is dative; the regular past form klickte stands in position two.
Das Schloss hat leise geklickt.
The lock clicked quietly.
das Schloss means the lock, and leise means quietly or softly. haben stands in position two and geklickt goes to the end in the perfect; das Schloss is nominative because it makes the sound.
die Kontaktdaten — contact details; contact information
Kontaktdaten is used only in the plural, even when it refers to one person's information. It is a compound of Kontakt and Daten and commonly includes a phone number, email address, or postal address.
Die Kontaktdaten stehen auf der Website.
The contact details are on the website.
stehen means are written or can be found, and die Website is the website. Die Kontaktdaten is plural nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Bitte schicken Sie mir Ihre Kontaktdaten.
Please send me your contact details.
schicken means send, mir means to me, and Ihre means your in the polite form. Ihre Kontaktdaten is accusative as the thing being sent, while mir is dative for the recipient; the polite command uses schicken Sie.
Können Sie mir Ihre Kontaktdaten geben?
Can you give me your contact details?
können means can, mir means to me, and geben means give. Ihre Kontaktdaten is accusative as the thing given, while mir is dative for the recipient; können is in position two and geben goes to the end.
Die Richtigkeit der Kontaktdaten ist wichtig.
The accuracy of the contact details is important.
die Richtigkeit is the accuracy or correctness, and wichtig means important. Der Kontaktdaten is genitive plural because it specifies whose accuracy is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Aktuelle Kontaktdaten erleichtern die Kommunikation.
Up-to-date contact details make communication easier.
aktuelle means up-to-date, erleichtern means make easier, and die Kommunikation is communication. Aktuelle Kontaktdaten is plural nominative as the subject; the verb erleichtern agrees with the plural subject and die Kommunikation is accusative.
der Laptop — laptop
Der Laptop steht auf dem Tisch.
The laptop is on the table.
der Laptop means the laptop, and steht means is standing or is located; der Tisch is the table. Der Laptop is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich brauche den Laptop für die Arbeit.
I need the laptop for work.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and die Arbeit means work. den Laptop is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while für also always takes the accusative.
Ich schreibe mit dem Laptop.
I write with the laptop.
schreiben means to write and mit means with. dem Laptop is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Die Tasche des Laptops ist schwarz.
The laptop bag is black.
die Tasche is the bag and schwarz means black. des Laptops expresses possession, meaning the bag of the laptop; the masculine genitive uses des and adds -s to the noun.
Auf dem Tisch liegen zwei Laptops.
There are two laptops on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and zwei means two. Laptops is plural, and the verb is plural because the subject is zwei Laptops; after the opening phrase, the verb still remains in position two.
die Mail — email
Mail is common in everyday German and is often interchangeable with E-Mail. The plural is Mails, not Mailen; mailen is the related verb meaning to email.
Die Mail ist schon angekommen.
The email has already arrived.
schon means already and angekommen means arrived. Die Mail is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen is the perfect of ankommen, with the participle at the end.
Ich lese die Mail später.
I will read the email later.
lese means read and später means later. Die Mail is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Ich antworte der Mail heute nicht.
I am not replying to the email today.
antworte means reply, heute means today, and nicht means not. Der Mail is dative because antworten takes jemandem or etwas in the dative; the finite verb antworte is in position two.
Der Betreff der Mail ist klar.
The subject line of the email is clear.
Betreff means subject line and klar means clear. Der Mail is genitive because it identifies the subject line's email; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bekomme jeden Tag viele Mails.
I receive many emails every day.
bekomme means receive, jeden Tag means every day, and viele means many. Mails is the plural with -s and is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; bekomme is in position two.
online — online, connected to the internet
online is usually used as an uninflected adjective, especially after sein and in compounds such as Online-Kurs. It can be compared with mehr online and am meisten online, rather than with endings such as -er or -sten.
Der Drucker ist online.
The printer is online.
der Drucker means the printer and ist means is. online is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen online-Kurs.
I am buying an online course.
ich kaufe means I am buying, and einen Kurs means a course. online describes Kurs before the noun and is normally written as part of the compound Online-Kurs, so it has no adjective ending; einen Kurs is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object.
Die Jugendlichen sind heute mehr online als gestern.
The young people are online more today than yesterday.
die Jugendlichen means the young people, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. mehr online is the comparative, formed with mehr; als introduces the thing being compared, and online remains uninflected after sind.
Am Wochenende sind die Jugendlichen am meisten online.
At the weekend, the young people are online the most.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and die Jugendlichen means the young people. am meisten online is the superlative and is formed with am meisten; it follows sind as a predicative adjective phrase and has no adjective ending.
online — online, on the internet
As an adverb, online says that an action happens through the internet. It does not change form, and it is different from the adjective use when it describes a noun or a person's connection.
Ich kaufe online ein.
I shop online.
ich kaufe ein means I shop, and einkaufen means to shop; online means on the internet. online is an adverb modifying the separable verb einkaufen; the finite part kaufe is in position two and the prefix ein goes to the end.
Wir können online einen Termin buchen.
We can book an appointment online.
wir können means we can, einen Termin means an appointment, and buchen means book. online modifies buchen; with the modal können, the conjugated modal is in position two and the infinitive buchen goes to the end.
das Passwort — password
This is the usual word for a password for a computer, website or account.
Das Passwort ist zu kurz.
The password is too short.
zu kurz means too short. The noun phrase das Passwort is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe das Passwort vergessen.
I have forgotten the password.
vergessen means forgotten. das Passwort is accusative because vergessen takes a direct object; the finite verb habe is in position two and vergessen goes to the end in the perfect.
Ich gebe dem Kollegen das Passwort.
I give the colleague the password.
geben means to give, and der Kollege means colleague. dem Kollegen is dative because it is the recipient, while das Passwort is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Länge des Passworts ist wichtig.
The length of the password is important.
die Länge means length and wichtig means important. des Passworts is genitive because it shows whose length is meant; the noun takes -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir müssen alle Passwörter ändern.
We have to change all the passwords.
alle means all and ändern means to change. Passwörter is the plural accusative object of ändern; after the modal müssen, the infinitive goes to the end.
der PC — PC, personal computer
PC is short for Personal Computer, meaning a personal computer. Its plural is PCs, formed with -s, and it is commonly used for a desktop computer as opposed to a phone or tablet.
Mein PC ist sehr langsam.
My computer is very slow.
mein means my and sehr langsam means very slow. Mein PC is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen neuen PC.
I need a new computer.
brauchen means need and neu means new. einen neuen PC is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine adjective takes -en after einen.
Ich arbeite jeden Tag an meinem PC.
I work on my computer every day.
jeden Tag means every day and arbeiten means work. The preposition an takes the dative here because it describes the location of the activity, so meinem PC is dative; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Der Bildschirm des PCs ist kaputt.
The computer’s screen is broken.
der Bildschirm means the screen and kaputt means broken. des PCs is genitive because it shows possession, meaning “of the computer”; ist stands in position two.
Im Büro stehen viele PCs.
There are many computers in the office.
im Büro means in the office, viele means many, and stehen means stand or be located. viele PCs is nominative plural because it is the subject after the opening location phrase; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
der Rechner — computer; calculator
In everyday German, der Rechner most often means a computer, while in school or office contexts it can also mean a calculator. The plural is unchanged: der Rechner, die Rechner.
Der Rechner ist sehr langsam.
The computer is very slow.
sehr langsam means very slow. Der Rechner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Rechner morgen.
I am buying the computer tomorrow.
kaufe means buy, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Rechner is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich arbeite mit dem Rechner.
I work with the computer.
arbeite means work, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so der Rechner becomes dem Rechner; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Die Leistung des Rechners reicht für das Programm aus.
The computer’s performance is sufficient for the programme.
die Leistung means performance, reicht ... aus means is sufficient, and das Programm means the programme. Des Rechners is genitive to show possession; ausreichen is separable, so reicht stands in position two and aus at the end.
Die Rechner im Büro sind neu.
The computers in the office are new.
im Büro means in the office, and neu means new. Die Rechner is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural form looks like the singular, but the article die identifies it.
die Rufnummer — telephone number
Rufnummer is a neutral word for a telephone number; Telefonnummer is also very common. It can refer to a complete number or, in a company, to an internal extension.
Die Rufnummer steht auf der Rechnung.
The telephone number is on the bill.
die Rechnung means the bill. Die Rufnummer is nominative because it is the subject of steht; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich notiere die Rufnummer.
I write down the telephone number.
notieren means to write down. die Rufnummer is accusative because it is the direct object of notiere; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich schicke meiner Schwester die Rufnummer.
I send my sister the telephone number.
schicken means to send, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. meiner Schwester is dative for the recipient, while die Rufnummer is accusative as the thing sent.
Die Durchwahl der Rufnummer fehlt.
The extension of the telephone number is missing.
die Durchwahl means the extension number, and fehlen means to be missing. der Rufnummer is genitive because it means “of the telephone number”; the genitive phrase follows the noun it describes.
Bitte speichern Sie die neuen Rufnummern.
Please save the new telephone numbers.
neu means new, and speichern means to save. die Rufnummern is plural and accusative because it is the object of speichern; plural Rufnummern ends in -n.
Meine Rufnummer hat sich geändert.
My telephone number has changed.
meine means my, and sich ändern means to change. Meine Rufnummer is nominative because it is the subject; hat sich geändert is a perfect-tense verb phrase.
der Schirm — umbrella; shade, sunshade
The usual everyday meaning is umbrella. In compounds such as Sonnenschirm, it can also mean a shade or sun umbrella; Bildschirm means screen.
Der Schirm ist im Flur.
The umbrella is in the hall.
im Flur means in the hall. Der Schirm is the masculine nominative subject, and im means in dem; in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme den Schirm mit.
I’m taking the umbrella with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit here is the separable prefix, not the preposition. den Schirm is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two and mit goes to the end.
Ich helfe dem Schirm nicht.
I can’t help the umbrella.
helfe means help and nicht means not. dem Schirm is dative because the verb helfen always takes a dative object, although English uses a direct object here.
Die Farbe des Schirms ist blau.
The umbrella’s colour is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. des Schirms is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s after des.
Im Geschäft gibt es viele Schirme.
There are many umbrellas in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop and viele means many. viele Schirme is plural with -e; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, though the form is identical here to the nominative plural.
Wir sitzen unter dem Schirm.
We are sitting under the sunshade.
sitzen means sit and unter means under. unter dem Schirm is dative because it describes a fixed location; here Schirm means a shade or sunshade rather than a rain umbrella.
Der Schirm schützt uns vor der Sonne.
The sunshade protects us from the sun.
schützt means protects, uns means us, and die Sonne is the sun. Der Schirm is the nominative subject; uns is accusative, while vor der Sonne uses dative because vor takes the dative when it means protection from a threat or source.
das Smartphone — smartphone
Das Smartphone is a compound loanword made from smart and phone. Its plural is regular with -s, and the same -s form is used in the genitive singular after des.
Mein Smartphone ist leer.
My smartphone has run out of battery.
mein means my, and leer means empty, here referring to an empty battery. Mein Smartphone is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Ich benutze das Smartphone.
I use the smartphone.
benutze means use, and ich means I. Das Smartphone is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the finite verb benutze is in position two.
Ich schreibe mit dem Smartphone.
I write with the smartphone.
schreibe means write, and mit means with. Dem Smartphone is dative because mit always takes the dative; schreibe stands in position two.
Die Hülle des Smartphones ist blau.
The smartphone's case is blue.
die Hülle is the case or cover, and blau means blue. Des Smartphones is genitive because it shows whose case it is; the noun takes -s after des.
Viele Smartphones haben gute Kameras.
Many smartphones have good cameras.
viele means many, gute means good, and Kameras means cameras. Smartphones is plural and is the nominative subject; haben stands in position two.
der Stecker — plug; connector, plug
In everyday electrical language, der Stecker is the plug and die Steckdose is the socket. The plural is also Stecker, so the article or another determiner must show whether the word is singular or plural.
Der Stecker ist in der Steckdose.
The plug is in the socket.
ist means is, in means in, and die Steckdose is the socket. Der Stecker is nominative because it is the subject; in der Steckdose is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich ziehe den Stecker.
I am pulling out the plug.
ziehe means pull, and ziehen can mean pull out when used with a plug. Den Stecker is accusative because it is the direct object of ziehen; the finite verb ziehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Stecker nicht.
I am not helping the plug.
helfe means help and nicht means not. Dem Stecker is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, even though helping a plug sounds unusual.
Die Farbe des Steckers ist schwarz.
The plug's colour is black.
die Farbe is the colour, and schwarz means black. Des Steckers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine genitive has des and the ending -s.
Die Stecker liegen in der Schublade.
The plugs are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, and die Schublade is the drawer. Die Stecker is plural even though Stecker has no visible plural ending; in der Schublade is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Der Stecker passt nicht zum Kabel.
The connector does not fit the cable.
passt nicht means does not fit, and das Kabel is the cable. Zum Kabel means “to the cable” and is dative because zu always takes dative; der Stecker is nominative subject.
Wir verbinden die beiden Stecker.
We connect the two plugs.
verbinden means connect, and die beiden means the two. Die beiden Stecker is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of verbinden; the finite verb verbinden is in position two.
surfen — to surf; to browse the internet; to surf waves
For online activity, surfen usually appears with im Internet or im Netz. For the water sport, it can be used without an object or with auf einer Welle.
Ich surfe jeden Abend im Internet.
I surf the internet every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and das Internet means the internet. The finite verb surfe is in position two, while im Internet is a dative phrase with in for a location; the phrase does not mean physical surfing.
Wir haben gestern lange im Internet gesurft.
We surfed online for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus gesurft at the end of the clause; im Internet is a dative location phrase with in.
Früher surfte er jeden Tag im Netz.
He used to surf online every day.
früher means formerly or in the past, and das Netz means the web here. The regular past form surfte is in position two; er is the nominative subject and jeden Tag is an accusative time expression.
Surf nicht so lange im Internet!
Don’t surf online for so long!
nicht so lange means not for so long, and das Internet means the internet. Surf is the singular informal imperative and stands first; the subject du is normally left out.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, surfte ich öfter im Internet.
If I had more time, I would surf online more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. Here surfte is the Konjunktiv II form, and hätte is at the end of the conditional subordinate clause; in the main clause, ich comes after the comma and the finite verb is in position two.
Morgen werde ich wieder im Internet surfen.
Tomorrow I will surf online again.
morgen means tomorrow, and wieder means again. The future uses werde in position two and the infinitive surfen at the end; im Internet is a dative location phrase.
Meine Schwester surft gern am Meer.
My sister likes surfing by the sea.
meine Schwester means my sister, gern means gladly or likes to, and das Meer means the sea. The finite verb surft is in position two; am Meer is a dative location phrase with an.
Die Kinder haben auf den hohen Wellen gesurft.
The children surfed on the high waves.
die Kinder means the children, hoch means high, and die Welle means wave. The perfect uses haben and places gesurft at the end; auf den hohen Wellen is dative because it describes a location, not movement onto the waves.
die Tastatur — keyboard
The plural Tastaturen has the ending -en. In computer contexts, Tastatur normally means a physical keyboard, while Maus means a computer mouse.
Die Tastatur liegt neben der Maus.
The keyboard is next to the mouse.
liegt means “is lying” or “is located”, and neben means “next to”; die Maus is the mouse. Die Tastatur is nominative because it is the subject, while der Maus is dative because neben describes a fixed location and therefore takes the dative.
Ich brauche eine neue Tastatur.
I need a new keyboard.
brauche means “need” and eine neue means “a new”; neu is “new”. Eine neue Tastatur is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich schreibe mit der Tastatur.
I write with the keyboard.
schreibe means “write” and mit means “with”. Der Tastatur is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Die Tasten der Tastatur sind sehr klein.
The keys of the keyboard are very small.
die Tasten are the keys, sind means “are”, and sehr klein means “very small”. Der Tastatur is genitive because it shows whose keys they are; the plural subject die Tasten puts sind in position two.
Im Büro stehen drei Tastaturen.
There are three keyboards in the office.
im Büro means “in the office”, stehen means “stand” or “are located”, and drei means “three”. Tastaturen is plural, formed with -en, and im is short for in dem, dative because it describes a location.
die Taste — key, button
Taste is used for a key on a keyboard and for a button on a device. Do not confuse it with Tastatur, which means the whole keyboard.
Die Taste ist kaputt.
The key is broken.
ist means “is” and kaputt means “broken”. Die Taste is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective kaputt follows the linking verb ist without an ending.
Drück bitte die Taste.
Please press the key.
Drück bitte means “please press”, and drücken is “to press”. Die Taste is accusative because drücken takes an accusative object; the imperative drück comes first.
Mit dieser Taste öffnest du das Menü.
You open the menu with this key.
dieser means “this”, öffnest means “open”, and das Menü is “the menu”. Dieser Taste is dative because mit always takes the dative, while das Menü is accusative because it is the object of öffnen.
Die Funktion der Taste ist nicht klar.
The function of the key is not clear.
die Funktion means “the function”, nicht klar means “not clear”, and ist means “is”. Der Taste is genitive because it identifies which key the function belongs to; ist remains in position two.
Auf der Fernbedienung sind viele Tasten.
There are many buttons on the remote control.
die Fernbedienung is the remote control, viele means “many”, and sind means “are”. Tasten is the plural of Taste, with -n added; auf der Fernbedienung is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Telefon — telephone, phone
Telefon can mean a landline telephone or a telephone as a device in general. For a mobile phone, German commonly uses Handy.
Das Telefon klingelt.
The telephone is ringing.
klingelt means is ringing. Das Telefon is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb klingelt stands in position two.
Ich höre das Telefon.
I can hear the telephone.
höre means hear, and ich means I. Das Telefon is accusative because hören takes a direct object; höre stands in position two.
Ich sitze neben dem Telefon.
I am sitting next to the telephone.
sitze means am sitting, and neben means next to. Dem Telefon is dative because neben describes a fixed location here; sitze stands in position two.
Die Nummer des Telefons steht hier.
The telephone's number is written here.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and hier means here. Des Telefons is genitive and shows whose number it is; the noun adds -s.
In diesem Büro gibt es drei Telefone.
There are three telephones in this office.
in diesem Büro means in this office, gibt es means there are, and drei means three. Telefone is plural after drei; in diesem Büro is dative because it describes location.
telefonieren — to talk on the telephone, to phone
Use mit plus the dative for the person you talk to: mit jemandem telefonieren. Unlike anrufen, telefonieren normally describes the activity of talking by telephone, not the single act of calling someone.
Ich telefoniere jeden Abend mit meiner Mutter.
I talk to my mother on the telephone every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and meine Mutter is my mother. Mit always takes the dative, so meiner Mutter is dative; the finite verb telefoniere stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern lange telefoniert.
We talked on the telephone for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus telefoniert; because telefonieren ends in -ieren, its Partizip II has no ge-, and it stands at the end.
Sie telefonierte mit dem Arzt.
She talked to the doctor on the telephone.
der Arzt means the doctor. Mit dem Arzt is dative because mit requires the dative; telefonierte is the regular preterite and occupies position two.
Telefonier bitte später mit Oma.
Please phone Grandma later.
bitte means please, später means later, and Oma is Grandma. Mit Oma is dative after mit; the imperative is placed first, and the subject du is left out.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, telefonierte ich öfter mit meinen Freunden.
If I had more time, I would talk to my friends on the telephone more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, öfter means more often, and meinen Freunden means my friends. This sentence uses the simple-past-looking telefonierte for the Konjunktiv II because the verb is regular; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Ich werde morgen mit dem Kundendienst telefonieren.
I will phone customer service tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and der Kundendienst means customer service. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive telefonieren at the end; mit dem Kundendienst is dative after mit.
der Touchscreen — touchscreen
Der Touchscreen is a masculine technology noun borrowed from English. Its plural is die Touchscreens, and its genitive is des Touchscreens; both forms use -s.
Der Touchscreen ist kaputt.
The touchscreen is broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Touchscreen is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich putze den Touchscreen.
I clean the touchscreen.
putze means clean. Den Touchscreen is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Das Kind spielt mit dem Touchscreen.
The child plays with the touchscreen.
das Kind is the child, and spielt means plays. Mit always takes the dative, so der Touchscreen becomes dem Touchscreen; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Die Oberfläche des Touchscreens ist sehr empfindlich.
The surface of the touchscreen is very sensitive.
die Oberfläche is the surface, and empfindlich means sensitive. Des Touchscreens is genitive to show which surface it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Moderne Touchscreens funktionieren auch bei Regen.
Modern touchscreens also work in the rain.
moderne means modern, funktionieren means work, and bei Regen means in the rain. Touchscreens is the plural subject, and the plural is formed with -s; the finite verb funktionieren is in position two.
die Webseite — website, web page
Die Webseite ist sehr übersichtlich.
The website is very clear and easy to navigate.
übersichtlich means clear and easy to navigate. Die Webseite is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne die Webseite auf meinem Handy.
I open the website on my phone.
öffnen means to open, auf means on, and das Handy is a mobile phone. Die Webseite is accusative because it is the direct object of öffne; meinem Handy is dative after auf for location.
Ich vertraue der Webseite nicht.
I do not trust the website.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Der Webseite is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Der Name der Webseite steht oben.
The name of the website is at the top.
der Name means the name, oben means at the top, and stehen means to be located or stand. Der Webseite is genitive because it identifies whose name it is; the genitive phrase follows Name.
Viele Webseiten haben ein Impressum.
Many websites have an imprint.
viele means many, haben means have, and das Impressum is the legal information page on a website. Webseiten is plural nominative as the subject, while ein Impressum is accusative as the object.