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Vocab: Everyday actions — A2 (1) ​

Everyday actions vocabulary at A2 level.

Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural

abgeben — to hand in, to hand over; to give away, to give up ​

This separable, strong verb has the forms abgeben – gab ab – hat abgegeben. The thing handed in or handed over is accusative: jemand gibt jemandem etwas ab.
Sie gibt ab, was sie gestern geschrieben hat.
She hands in what she wrote yesterday.
was sie gestern geschrieben hat means what she wrote yesterday. The finite verb gibt is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end; the implied thing handed in is an accusative object.
Er hat den Schlüssel abgegeben.
He handed in the key.
er means he and der Schlüssel means the key. The perfect uses hat plus abgegeben because this action takes haben; the Partizip II goes to the end and den Schlüssel is accusative.
Sie sagte, dass sie den Brief gestern abgab.
She said that she handed in the letter yesterday.
sagte means said, der Brief means the letter, and gestern means yesterday. After dass, the finite verb abgab goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached; den Brief is accusative.
Bitte gib ab!
Please hand it in!
bitte means please. This informal singular command omits du; the two parts of the separable verb stand together as gib ab.
Wenn ich die Arbeit heute abgäbe, wäre ich morgen frei.
If I handed in the work today, I would be free tomorrow.
die Arbeit means the work, heute means today, wäre means would be, and frei means free. In the subordinate clause, the Konjunktiv II form abgäbe stays together at the end; die Arbeit is accusative as the direct object.
Ich werde den Antrag später abgeben.
I will hand in the application later.
der Antrag means the application and später means later. Werde is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive abgeben remains together at the end; den Antrag is accusative.
Er will seine Verantwortung nicht abgeben.
He does not want to give up his responsibility.
will means wants to, seine Verantwortung means his responsibility, and nicht means not. Seine Verantwortung is accusative, and after the modal verb will, the infinitive abgeben stays together at the end.
Sie gibt ab, was sie nicht mehr braucht.
She gives away what she no longer needs.
was sie nicht mehr braucht means what she no longer needs, and mehr means anymore in this negative sentence. The object is accusative, while the finite verb gibt stands in position two and ab follows it directly as the separable prefix.

abhängen — to depend on ​

This sense is normally used with von plus dative: von etwas abhängen or von jemandem abhängen. Do not use the accusative after von.
Das hängt ab vom Wetter.
That depends on the weather.
das means that, and das Wetter means the weather. Vom Wetter is dative because von always takes the dative; hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Das hat vom Wetter abgehangen.
That depended on the weather.
das Wetter means the weather. Vom Wetter is dative after von, and this meaning uses hat abgehangen with haben, not sein.
Früher hing ab alles vom Geld.
In the past, everything depended on money.
früher means in the past, alles means everything, and das Geld means money. Vom Geld is dative after von; hing is the strong past form and ab stands at the end.
Häng ab und mach dir keinen Stress!
Relax and do not stress yourself!
mach dir keinen Stress means do not stress yourself, with dir meaning for yourself. Here häng ab is a colloquial command meaning relax or hang out; the subject du is omitted.
Wenn der Erfolg davon abhinge, würde ich mehr arbeiten.
If success depended on it, I would work more.
der Erfolg means success, davon means on that, and mehr arbeiten means work more. Davon contains von and therefore represents a dative relation; abhinge goes to the end after wenn, while würde ich mehr arbeiten gives the hypothetical result.
Es wird davon abhängen, wie viel Zeit wir haben.
It will depend on how much time we have.
davon means on that, wie viel Zeit means how much time, and wir haben means we have. Wird is in position two and abhängen goes to the end as one infinitive; von is represented by the dative pronoun davon.

abkühlen — to cool down; to cool; to cool something; to cool oneself down ​

For the intransitive meaning, the perfect normally uses sein: ist abgekühlt. With a direct object, abkühlen means to cool something and normally uses haben, for example Ich habe die Suppe abgekühlt.
Der Tee kühlt ab.
The tea is cooling down.
der Tee means the tea. The finite verb kühlt is in position two and the separable prefix ab goes to the end, so abkühlen becomes kühlt ... ab.
Der Tee ist schnell abgekühlt.
The tea cooled down quickly.
schnell means quickly. Because the tea changes state and becomes cool, the perfect uses ist plus abgekühlt; the participle stands at the end.
Nach einer Stunde der Tee kühlte ab.
After an hour, the tea cooled down.
nach einer Stunde means after one hour, and Stunde means hour. The weak past form kühlte ab has the separable prefix next to the verb here; in a normal main clause, the finite verb remains in position two.
Kühl ab.
Cool down.
The command kühl ab means cool down, and the implied subject is du. The verb starts the sentence and the separable prefix ab follows immediately; an object can be added before the prefix in a longer command.
Wenn du wartest, der Tee kühlte ab.
If you waited, the tea would cool down.
wenn means if, wartest means wait, and der Tee means the tea. kühlte ab expresses a hypothetical result here; the prefix ab is separated in the main clause, while the wenn-clause verb wartest stands at the end.
Der Kaffee wird abkühlen, wenn wir warten.
The coffee will cool down if we wait.
der Kaffee means the coffee, warten means wait, and wenn means if. wird is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive abkühlen stays attached at the end; in the wenn-clause, warten also goes to the end.
Ich habe die Suppe abgekühlt.
I cooled the soup down.
die Suppe means the soup, and haben is the auxiliary verb. die Suppe is accusative because it is the direct object; with an object, the perfect uses habe ... abgekühlt, and the participle stands at the end.
Er will sich abkühlen.
He wants to cool himself down.
er means he, will means wants to, and sich means himself. sich is an accusative reflexive pronoun because he cools himself; after the modal verb will, the infinitive abkühlen goes to the end and remains attached.

abmachen — to remove; to take down or off; to arrange; to agree on ​

This sense is separable: abmachen - machte ab - hat abgemacht. For an object attached to a surface, German often uses von plus the dative, as in von der Wand.
Ich gehe ins Zimmer, weil ich das Bild von der Wand abmache.
I am going into the room because I am taking the picture off the wall.
das Zimmer is the room, die Wand is the wall, and gehen means to go. Das Bild is accusative because abmachen takes a direct object; in the subordinate clause after weil, the separable verb stays together as abmache at the end.
Sie hat den Deckel abgemacht.
She took the lid off.
sie means she, and der Deckel is the lid. Den Deckel is accusative after abmachen; the auxiliary hat is in position two and abgemacht goes to the end.
Er ging zurück, weil er den Aufkleber vorsichtig abmachte.
He went back because he carefully removed the sticker.
zurückgehen means to go back, der Aufkleber is the sticker, and vorsichtig means carefully. Den Aufkleber is accusative because it is the object; after weil, the finite verb abmachte stands at the end and the prefix does not separate.
Bitte mach ab!
Please take it off!
bitte means please, and the omitted object is understood from the situation. In the informal imperative, mach ab comes first as one separated verb form; learners should not add a subject pronoun such as du.
Ich würde den alten Aufkleber abmachen.
I would remove the old sticker.
würde means would, alt means old, and der Aufkleber is the sticker. Den alten Aufkleber is accusative, and with würde the infinitive abmachen stays together at the end.
Wir werden die Möbel morgen abmachen.
We will remove the furniture tomorrow.
die Möbel means the furniture, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Möbel is accusative after abmachen; werden is in position two and the infinitive abmachen goes to the end.
Wir gehen die Einzelheiten durch, bevor wir einen Termin abmachen.
We go through the details before we arrange an appointment.
die Einzelheiten are the details, durchgehen means go through, and bevor means before. Einen Termin is accusative because it is the object of abmachen; after bevor, the complete infinitive abmachen stands at the end.
Habt ihr schon etwas abgemacht?
Have you already agreed on something?
habt ihr means have you, schon means already, and etwas means something. Etwas is the accusative object; the auxiliary habt comes first in the question and abgemacht goes to the end.

die Absage — refusal, cancellation; rejection ​

Absage can mean that a person refuses an invitation or that an event is cancelled. Do not confuse it with Zusage, which means acceptance or confirmation.
Die Absage kam heute.
The cancellation arrived today.
kam means arrived and heute means today. Die Absage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kam stands in position two.
Ich habe die Absage gelesen.
I read the refusal.
ich means I and gelesen means read. Die Absage is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end.
Mit der Absage hatte niemand gerechnet.
Nobody had expected the cancellation.
mit means with, niemand means nobody, and gerechnet means expected. Der Absage is dative because mit always takes the dative; hatte is in position two and gerechnet is at the end.
Wegen der Absage blieb er zu Hause.
Because of the cancellation, he stayed at home.
wegen means because of, blieb means stayed, and zu Hause means at home. Der Absage is genitive because formal standard wegen takes the genitive; the verb blieb is in position two.
Heute kamen drei Absagen.
Three refusals arrived today.
heute means today, kamen means arrived, and drei means three. Absagen is plural after drei; the plural subject is nominative, and kamen stands in position two.
Nach dem Vorstellungsgespräch erhielt sie eine Absage.
After the job interview, she received a rejection.
nach means after, das Vorstellungsgespräch is the job interview, and erhielt means received. Eine Absage is accusative because erhalten takes a direct object; nach takes the dative in the time phrase nach dem Vorstellungsgespräch.
Die Absage auf meine Bewerbung hat mich enttäuscht.
The rejection of my application disappointed me.
die Bewerbung means application and enttäuscht means disappointed. Die Absage is nominative because it is the subject, while auf meine Bewerbung uses accusative after auf here in the fixed meaning ‘to an application’; the verb hat is in position two.

absagen — to cancel ​

For cancelling something, use an accusative object: einen Termin absagen. For declining a person’s invitation, German also uses jemandem absagen, with a dative person.
Ich sage ab.
I am cancelling.
ich means I. The finite verb sage is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end; in this short sentence the object is understood from the context.
Wir haben den Termin abgesagt.
We cancelled the appointment.
wir means we and der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because absagen takes a direct object; haben is in position two and abgesagt goes to the end.
Sie sagte das Konzert ab.
She cancelled the concert.
sie means she and das Konzert means the concert. Das Konzert is accusative as the object of absagen; sagte is in position two and ab is at the end.
Sag den Termin ab!
Cancel the appointment!
der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because it is the object, and the command has the shortened subjectless form Sag with ab at the end.
Ich würde die Reise absagen, wenn sie zu teuer wäre.
I would cancel the trip if it were too expensive.
die Reise means the trip, zu teuer means too expensive, and wäre means were. Die Reise is accusative after würde ... absagen; the infinitive stays together at the end, while wäre goes to the end after wenn.
Er wird den Termin absagen.
He will cancel the appointment.
er means he and der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because it is the direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive absagen goes to the end.

abschließen — to lock; to conclude, to sign, to take out; to complete, to finish ​

In this sense, abschließen takes the thing locked as an accusative object. Do not confuse it with zumachen, which means to close but does not necessarily imply using a key.
Er schließt ab jeden Abend die Haustür.
He locks the front door every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening and die Haustür means the front door. Die Haustür is accusative because it is the object being locked; schließt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Ich habe mein Fahrrad abgeschlossen.
I locked my bicycle.
mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. The perfect uses habe plus abgeschlossen at the end, and mein Fahrrad is accusative because it is the thing locked.
Sie schloss ab das Büro um sechs Uhr.
She locked the office at six o'clock.
das Büro means the office and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Das Büro is accusative; the strong past form schloss is in position two and ab stands at the end.
Schließ ab bitte die Tür!
Please lock the door!
bitte means please and die Tür means the door. The informal imperative is schließ, while the prefix ab goes to the end; die Tür is accusative.
Ich würde abschließen die Tür, wenn ich länger weg wäre.
I would lock the door if I were away longer.
länger means longer and weg means away. Würde introduces a hypothetical situation, so the full infinitive abschließen follows würde; die Tür is accusative.
Wir werden abschließen das Auto draußen.
We will lock the car outside.
draußen means outside and das Auto means the car. Future tense places werden in position two and abschließen at the end; das Auto is accusative as the object.
Wir schließen ab heute einen neuen Vertrag.
We are concluding a new contract today.
heute means today, neu means new, and der Vertrag means contract. Einen neuen Vertrag is accusative because it is the object of abschließen; schließen is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie hat eine Versicherung abgeschlossen.
She took out an insurance policy.
die Versicherung means the insurance policy. The perfect uses hat and abgeschlossen at the end; eine Versicherung is accusative because it is the agreement entered into.
Er schließt ab seine Ausbildung im Sommer.
He will complete his training in the summer.
seine Ausbildung means his training and im Sommer means in summer. Seine Ausbildung is accusative as the completed course; schließt is in position two and ab is separated to the end.
Nach drei Jahren hat sie ihr Studium abgeschlossen.
After three years, she completed her degree.
nach drei Jahren means after three years and ihr Studium means her degree course or university studies. Ihr Studium is accusative as the thing completed, and the perfect participle abgeschlossen stands at the end.

abschneiden — to cut off, to cut shorter; to do, to perform ​

It is a strong separable verb: abschneiden – schnitt ab – hat abgeschnitten. The object is usually accusative, and the prefix ab separates in a main clause.
Ich schneide ein Stück Brot ab.
I cut off a piece of bread.
ein Stück Brot means a piece of bread. The finite verb schneide is in position two, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end; ein Stück Brot is accusative because abschneiden takes an accusative object.
Wir haben die alten Zweige abgeschnitten.
We cut off the old branches.
die alten Zweige means the old branches. The perfect uses haben plus abgeschnitten, and the Partizip II stands at the end; die alten Zweige is accusative as the object of abschneiden.
Er schnitt das Papier sauber ab.
He cut the paper neatly.
das Papier means the paper, and sauber means neatly or cleanly. The past form schnitt is in position two and ab is at the end; das Papier is accusative because it is the thing being cut.
Schneid die Enden ab!
Cut off the ends!
die Enden means the ends. The informal singular imperative is schneid; the separable prefix ab stays at the end, and die Enden is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich die Hecke abschneiden.
If I had more time, I would cut the hedge.
mehr Zeit means more time, and die Hecke means the hedge. In the wenn-clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; in the main clause, würde is in position two and the complete infinitive abschneiden goes to the end.
Morgen schneide ich die Hecke ab.
Tomorrow I will cut the hedge.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Hecke means the hedge. The sentence uses present tense for a future plan; schneide is in position two and ab is at the end, while die Hecke is accusative.
Sie hat bei der Prüfung sehr gut abgeschnitten.
She did very well in the exam.
bei der Prüfung means in the exam, and sehr gut means very well. The phrase bei takes the dative here, and the perfect form abgeschnitten stands at the end with haben.
Unsere Mannschaft schneidet in diesem Jahr besser ab.
Our team is doing better this year.
unsere Mannschaft means our team, in diesem Jahr means this year, and besser means better. The finite verb schneidet is in position two and ab is at the end; in diesem Jahr is dative because it describes a time period.

abstellen — to put down, to leave somewhere; to switch off, to turn off ​

Abstellen normally takes an accusative object: etwas abstellen. A two-way preposition takes the accusative for movement and the dative for a fixed location.
Sie stellt die Tasche neben die Tür ab.
She puts the bag down next to the door.
die Tasche means the bag, and neben die Tür means next to the door. die Tasche is accusative because abstellen takes an accusative object; neben die Tür is accusative because it expresses movement to a place.
Er hat sein Fahrrad vor dem Haus abgestellt.
He left his bicycle in front of the house.
sein Fahrrad means his bicycle, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. The perfect uses hat ... abgestellt; the object is accusative and vor dem Haus is dative because it describes location.
Ich stellte den Karton im Flur ab.
I put the box down in the hallway.
der Karton means the box, and der Flur means the hallway. den Karton is accusative, while im Flur is dative for a fixed location; ab stands at the end.
Stell die Kiste dort ab!
Put the crate down there!
die Kiste means the crate and dort means there. die Kiste is accusative because it is the object; the imperative comes first and ab goes to the end.
Ich würde das Auto hinter dem Gebäude abstellen.
I would leave the car behind the building.
das Auto means the car, and hinter dem Gebäude means behind the building. würde is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; the object is accusative and the fixed location is dative.
Wir werden die Möbel morgen im Keller abstellen.
We will put the furniture in the cellar tomorrow.
die Möbel means the furniture, morgen means tomorrow, and der Keller means the cellar. werden is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; die Möbel is accusative and im Keller is dative.
Bitte stell das Licht ab.
Please switch off the light.
bitte means please, and das Licht means the light. das Licht is accusative because it is the object; the imperative comes first and ab goes to the end.
Der Techniker stellt die Heizung wegen des Fehlers ab.
The technician switches off the heating because of the fault.
der Techniker means the technician, die Heizung means the heating, and der Fehler means the fault. die Heizung is accusative; wegen des Fehlers uses the genitive in careful standard German, and ab closes the clause.

abwaschen — to wash, to wash up ​

As a separable verb, abwaschen becomes wäscht ... ab in a main clause but stays together as abwaschen after a modal or in the infinitive. The perfect is hat abgewaschen, not ist abgewaschen.
Ich wasche jeden Abend das Geschirr ab.
I wash the dishes every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and das Geschirr means the dishes or crockery. Das Geschirr is accusative because abwaschen takes a direct object; the finite verb wasche is in position two, and ab goes to the end.
Wir haben nach dem Essen das Geschirr abgewaschen.
We washed the dishes after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and das Geschirr means the dishes. The perfect uses haben plus abgewaschen; the Partizip II stands at the end, and the object is accusative.
Früher mein Vater wusch das Geschirr ab.
In the past, my father washed the dishes.
früher means in the past, and mein Vater means my father. Strong abwaschen becomes wusch ... ab in the simple past; das Geschirr is accusative.
Wasch bitte die Tassen ab!
Please wash the cups!
bitte means please, and die Tassen means the cups. This is the informal singular imperative; the prefix ab follows the accusative object die Tassen.
Ich würde das Geschirr sofort abwaschen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would wash the dishes immediately if I had time.
sofort means immediately, and Zeit means time. Würde ... abwaschen expresses a hypothetical action; das Geschirr is accusative, and hätte goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Morgen werde ich die Teller abwaschen.
Tomorrow I will wash the plates.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Teller means the plates. Future I uses werde in position two and the infinitive abwaschen at the end; die Teller is the accusative object.

achten — to pay attention to, to watch out for; to respect, to value ​

With auf plus accusative, achten means pay attention to or watch out for something. Do not confuse this with the other sense, jemanden achten, which means to respect someone and takes a direct accusative object.
Ich achte auf die Zeit.
I watch the time.
ich means I and die Zeit means the time. auf die Zeit is accusative because this sense of achten requires fixed auf plus accusative; the finite verb achte is in position two.
Wir haben auf den Verkehr geachtet.
We paid attention to the traffic.
der Verkehr means the traffic and wir haben means we have. auf den Verkehr is accusative after fixed auf with this meaning, and geachtet goes to the end with the auxiliary haben.
Sie achtete nicht auf die Warnung.
She did not pay attention to the warning.
nicht means not and die Warnung means the warning. auf die Warnung is accusative because of the fixed preposition pattern, and the finite verb achtete remains in position two.
Achte auf den Verkehr!
Watch the traffic!
der Verkehr means the traffic. Achte is the du imperative, and auf den Verkehr is accusative because this meaning of achten uses fixed auf plus accusative.
Ich würde auf die Kosten achten.
I would pay attention to the costs.
ich würde means I would and die Kosten means the costs. In the würde conditional, the infinitive achten goes to the end; auf die Kosten is accusative after the fixed preposition auf.
Morgen werde ich auf die Details achten.
Tomorrow I will pay attention to the details.
morgen means tomorrow and die Details means the details. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and achten goes to the end; auf die Details is accusative after fixed auf.
Viele Menschen achten ihre Großeltern.
Many people respect their grandparents.
viele Menschen means many people and ihre Großeltern means their grandparents. ihre Großeltern is accusative because achten in the sense respect takes a direct object, and the finite verb achten is in position two.
Er hat seine Lehrerin immer geachtet.
He always respected his teacher.
er means he, seine Lehrerin means his teacher, and immer means always. seine Lehrerin is accusative because it is the direct object; geachtet goes to the end with hat in the perfect.

achtgeben — to be careful, to pay attention ​

achtgeben is normally used with auf plus accusative, especially when looking after someone or watching for danger. It is separable in finite main clauses but written as one word in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Du gibst acht auf den Hund.
You are careful around the dog.
du means you and der Hund means the dog. auf den Hund is accusative because this expression uses fixed auf plus accusative; the finite part gibst is in position two and acht stands at the end.
Wir haben auf die Kinder achtgegeben.
We looked after the children.
wir means we and die Kinder means the children. auf die Kinder is accusative after fixed auf, while the one-word participle achtgegeben goes to the end with haben.
Er gab acht auf jedes Geräusch.
He paid attention to every sound.
er means he, jedes Geräusch means every sound, and gab means gave. The past form is gab ... acht: gab is in position two and acht is at the end; auf jedes Geräusch is accusative after fixed auf.
Gib acht auf die Treppe!
Watch out for the stairs!
die Treppe means the stairs. Gib acht is the du imperative, and auf die Treppe is accusative because this fixed expression uses auf plus accusative.
Du würdest besser auf den Weg achtgeben.
You would be better off paying attention to the path.
besser means better and der Weg means the path. With würdest, the infinitive achtgeben goes to the end as one word; auf den Weg is accusative after fixed auf.
Ich werde auf die Kinder achtgeben.
I will look after the children.
ich means I and die Kinder means the children. In the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive achtgeben goes to the end; auf die Kinder is accusative after fixed auf.

aktiv — active, energetic; involved; active (grammar) ​

Aktiv can describe physical energy or active participation. It is often contrasted with passiv; after sein, it stays unchanged, but before a noun it takes an adjective ending.
Meine Schwester ist sehr aktiv.
My sister is very active.
meine Schwester means my sister, sehr means very, and ist means is. Aktiv is a predicate adjective after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er führt einen aktiven Lebensstil.
He leads an active lifestyle.
führt means leads, and der Lebensstil means lifestyle. Aktiven describes Lebensstil and takes -en because the masculine phrase einen aktiven Lebensstil is accusative, the object of führen.
Sie ist aktiver als ihr Bruder.
She is more active than her brother.
sie means she, als means than, and ihr Bruder means her brother. Aktiver is the comparative after sein and has no adjective ending; als introduces the person used for comparison.
Von allen Kindern ist Tom am aktivsten.
Of all the children, Tom is the most active.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and ist means is. Von takes the dative, so allen Kindern is dative plural; am aktivsten is the predicative superlative after sein.
Der Satz steht im aktiven Genus Verbi.
The sentence is in the active voice.
der Satz means sentence, steht means is or stands, and das Genus Verbi means grammatical voice. Im means in the and takes the dative; aktiven has -en because it describes neuter Genus Verbi in the dative.
Im aktiven Satz nennt das Subjekt die handelnde Person.
In the active sentence, the subject names the person performing the action.
im Satz means in the sentence, nennt means names, das Subjekt means subject, and handelnde Person means person performing the action. Im requires the dative, so aktiven has -en; the finite verb nennt is in position two.

akzeptieren — to accept, to agree to; to accept someone, to respect differences ​

This is a regular -ieren verb, so its Partizip II is akzeptiert, not geakzeptiert. It takes an accusative object, such as einen Vorschlag or die Bedingungen.
Er akzeptiert den Vorschlag.
He accepts the proposal.
Er means he, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Den Vorschlag is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb akzeptiert stands in position two.
Er hat den Vorschlag akzeptiert.
He has accepted the proposal.
hat means has, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Akzeptiert is the Partizip II and goes to the end, while hat is the auxiliary in position two; this verb takes haben.
Er akzeptierte den Vorschlag sofort.
He accepted the proposal immediately.
sofort means immediately, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Den Vorschlag is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb preterite akzeptierte stands in position two.
Bitte akzeptiere den Vorschlag.
Please accept the proposal.
Bitte means please, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Akzeptiere is the singular imperative without a subject pronoun, and den Vorschlag is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde akzeptieren، wenn die Bedingungen fair wären.
I would accept it if the conditions were fair.
würde means would, die Bedingungen means the conditions, fair means fair, and wären means were. The conditional uses würde plus akzeptieren; in the wenn clause, wären goes to the end.
Ich werde die Bedingungen akzeptieren.
I will accept the conditions.
werde means will, and die Bedingungen means the conditions. The future places werde in position two and the infinitive akzeptieren at the end; die Bedingungen is accusative.
Sie akzeptiert ihren neuen Kollegen.
She accepts her new colleague.
Sie means she, ihren means her, and neuen Kollegen means new colleague. Ihren neuen Kollegen is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; the finite verb akzeptiert is in position two.
Wir müssen andere Menschen akzeptieren.
We have to accept other people.
Wir means we, müssen means have to, and andere Menschen means other people. Andere Menschen is accusative, and the infinitive akzeptieren goes to the end after the modal müssen.

der Alltag — everyday life, daily routine ​

Alltag is a compound of all and Tag, but its meaning is everyday life rather than every single day. The common expression im Alltag uses the dative after in because it describes a location or situation, not movement.
Der Alltag kann manchmal anstrengend sein.
Everyday life can sometimes be tiring.
manchmal means sometimes and anstrengend means tiring. Der Alltag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kann stands in position two; the infinitive sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
Ich mag meinen Alltag mit festen Zeiten.
I like my everyday life with fixed times.
mag means like, meinen means my in the masculine accusative, and feste Zeiten means fixed times. meinen Alltag is accusative because mögen takes a direct object, and the finite verb mag is in position two.
Im Alltag habe ich wenig Zeit.
In everyday life, I have little time.
wenig Zeit means little time. im Alltag means in everyday life; in takes the dative here because this describes a fixed situation, and the finite verb habe comes in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Regeln des Alltags ändern sich oft.
The rules of everyday life often change.
die Regeln means the rules and ändern sich means change. des Alltags is genitive because it identifies which rules, and the finite verb ändern stands in position two.
Viele Alltage sehen ähnlich aus.
Many everyday lives look similar.
viele means many, ähnlich means similar, and sehen ... aus means look or appear. Viele Alltage is the plural subject, and aus separates from aussehen and goes to the end of the main clause.

anbieten — to offer ​

The usual pattern is jemandem etwas anbieten: the person is dative and the thing offered is accusative. It is a strong separable verb: anbieten – bot an – hat angeboten.
Der Kellner bietet an, uns die Speisekarte zu geben.
The waiter offers to give us the menu.
der Kellner means the waiter, uns means us, die Speisekarte means the menu, and geben means to give. Uns is dative because it is the person receiving the offer, while die Speisekarte is accusative; in this sentence bietet an is followed by a zu-infinitive clause.
Sie hat mir einen Kaffee angeboten.
She offered me a coffee.
mir means to me and einen Kaffee means a coffee. Mir is dative and einen Kaffee is accusative; the auxiliary hat is in position two and angeboten goes to the end because this is a perfect-tense clause.
Der Verkäufer bot an, mir eine günstigere Tasche zu zeigen.
The salesperson offered to show me a cheaper bag.
der Verkäufer means the salesperson, mir means to me, günstiger means cheaper, die Tasche means the bag, and zeigen means to show. Mir is dative and eine günstigere Tasche is accusative; the strong past form bot is in position two and an follows it before the zu-infinitive clause.
Biete an, ihm deine Hilfe zu geben!
Offer to give him your help!
ihm means to him, deine Hilfe means your help, and geben means to give. The imperative has no subject; ihm is dative, deine Hilfe is accusative, and the separated prefix an follows biete.
Ich würde dir einen Sitzplatz anbieten.
I would offer you a seat.
dir means to you and ein Sitzplatz means a seat. Dir is dative and einen Sitzplatz is accusative; in a clause with würde, the infinitive anbieten stays together at the end.
Wir werden den Gästen Getränke anbieten.
We will offer the guests drinks.
die Gäste means the guests and Getränke means drinks. Den Gästen is dative and Getränke is accusative; werden is in position two and the complete infinitive anbieten goes to the end.

die Angewohnheit — habit, regular behaviour ​

Angewohnheit usually means a repeated personal behaviour, often one that is difficult to change. For a general routine, Gewohnheit is also common; Angewohnheit can suggest an automatic or noticeable habit.
Die Angewohnheit ist schwer zu ändern.
The habit is difficult to change.
schwer means difficult, and zu ändern means to change. Die Angewohnheit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe eine Angewohnheit.
I have a habit.
habe means have, and eine Angewohnheit means a habit. eine Angewohnheit is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the feminine article remains eine in nominative and accusative.
Ich arbeite an der Angewohnheit, spät ins Bett zu gehen.
I am working on the habit of going to bed late.
arbeite an means work on, spät means late, ins Bett means to bed, and zu gehen means to go. der Angewohnheit is dative because the fixed expression an etwas arbeiten uses dative; the infinitive phrase comes after the noun.
Die Nachteile der Angewohnheit sind klar.
The disadvantages of the habit are clear.
die Nachteile means the disadvantages, sind means are, and klar means clear. der Angewohnheit is genitive because it identifies which disadvantages are meant; the genitive feminine article is der.
Viele Angewohnheiten entstehen in der Kindheit.
Many habits develop in childhood.
viele means many, entstehen means develop or arise, and in der Kindheit means in childhood. Viele Angewohnheiten is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the verb entstehen is in position two.

ankreuzen — to tick; to put a cross next to ​

ankreuzen is used for selecting an answer, box or option on paper or on a screen. It takes an accusative object, and its prefix separates in main clauses.
Bitte kreuzen Sie die richtige Antwort an.
Please tick the correct answer.
bitte means please, and die richtige Antwort is the correct answer. die richtige Antwort is accusative because it is the object; in the formal command, kreuzen Sie comes first and an goes to the end.
Ich habe die richtige Antwort angekreuzt.
I ticked the correct answer.
die richtige Antwort means the correct answer, and angekreuzt means ticked. The object is accusative; habe is in position two and angekreuzt closes the clause.
Er kreuzte die letzte Frage an.
He ticked the last question.
er means he, and die letzte Frage is the last question. die letzte Frage is accusative as the object; kreuzte is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Kreuz die passende Antwort an.
Tick the suitable answer.
die passende Antwort is the suitable or matching answer. This informal singular command has no subject; kreuz starts the sentence, an goes to the end, and the answer is accusative.
Ich würde die erste Antwort ankreuzen, wenn ich sicher wäre.
I would tick the first answer if I were sure.
die erste Antwort is the first answer, and sicher means sure. The object is accusative; würde is in position two and the infinitive ankreuzen goes to the end of the main clause.
Du wirst die richtige Antwort ankreuzen.
You will tick the correct answer.
die richtige Antwort means the correct answer. It is accusative because it is the object; wirst stands in position two and the infinitive ankreuzen goes to the end.

anmachen — to switch on, to turn on; to hit on; to hassle or address rudely ​

For the physical meaning, anmachen takes an accusative object: das Licht anmachen. As a separable verb, it splits in a main clause but stays together as angemacht and anzumachen.
..., weil ich morgens das Licht anmache.
... because I switch on the light in the morning.
morgens means in the morning, and das Licht means the light. das Licht is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; in the subordinate clause after weil, the finite verb anmache goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached.
Ich habe den Fernseher angemacht.
I switched on the television.
der Fernseher means television. den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object, and angemacht is the Partizip II at the end of the clause after the auxiliary habe.
..., als sie die Heizung anmachte.
... when she switched on the heating.
als means when, and die Heizung means the heating. die Heizung is accusative as the direct object; in the subordinate clause, the finite verb anmachte goes to the end and the prefix stays attached.
Mach an bitte das Radio.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please, and das Radio means the radio. The informal du imperative is mach an, with the prefix attached directly in this short command; das Radio is accusative.
Ich würde anmachen das Licht, wenn es dunkel wäre.
I would switch on the light if it were dark.
dunkel means dark, and wenn means if. würde ... anmachen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive anmachen stays together at the end, and das Licht is accusative.
Er wird anmachen später den Computer.
He will switch on the computer later.
später means later, and der Computer means computer. In the future, the finite auxiliary wird normally comes first in the verbal bracket and the infinitive anmachen goes at the end; den Computer is accusative.
Ich frage mich, warum du mich anmachst.
I wonder why you are hitting on me.
sich fragen means to wonder, and warum means why. mich is accusative because this meaning of anmachen directly affects a person; in the subordinate clause, anmachst goes to the end with the prefix attached.
Der Mann hat meine Freundin in der Bar angemacht.
The man hit on my girlfriend in the bar.
der Mann means the man, meine Freundin means my girlfriend, and die Bar means bar. meine Freundin is accusative because she is the person addressed, while angemacht stays together at the end after hat.

anmelden — to register; to sign up ​

The transitive pattern is jemanden/etwas anmelden, while the common sign-up meaning is reflexive: sich anmelden. The fixed phrase sich für etwas anmelden uses accusative after für.
..., weil ich mich für den Sprachkurs anmelde.
... because I am signing up for the language course.
der Sprachkurs means language course. mich is accusative because the reflexive verb registers the speaker, and für den Sprachkurs uses accusative after für; after weil, the finite verb anmelde goes to the end with the prefix attached.
Wir haben uns gestern für den Kurs angemeldet.
We signed up for the course yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der Kurs means course. uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun for wir, while für den Kurs is accusative after für; angemeldet stands at the end after haben.
..., als sie das neue Auto beim Amt anmeldete.
... when she registered the new car at the government office.
das neue Auto means the new car, and das Amt means the government office. das neue Auto is accusative as the direct object, while beim Amt means bei dem Amt and is dative; in the subordinate clause, anmeldete goes to the end.
Meld dich an bitte sofort.
Please register immediately.
bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. The informal command uses meld dich an with the accusative reflexive pronoun dich; the two parts of the separable verb are together in this short command.
Ich würde anmelden mich gern für den Workshop.
I would like to register for the workshop.
gern means gladly or would like to, and der Workshop means workshop. mich is accusative with the reflexive verb and für den Workshop is accusative after für; the infinitive anmelden stays together.
Er wird anmelden sich morgen online.
He will register online tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and online means online. sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun for er; in the future, the complete infinitive anmelden remains together.

die Anmeldung — registration, sign-up ​

die Anmeldung can mean the registration process or the form/details used to register. The related verb is sich anmelden, meaning to sign up.
Die Anmeldung ist online möglich.
Registration is possible online.
online means online, and möglich means possible. Die Anmeldung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schicke die Anmeldung heute ab.
I am sending off the registration today.
abschicken means to send off, and heute means today. die Anmeldung is accusative because it is the direct object; schicke is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end.
Ich helfe dir bei der Anmeldung.
I am helping you with the registration.
helfen means to help, and dir means to you. der Anmeldung is dative after bei, and dir is also dative because helfen requires a dative person.
Die Bestätigung der Anmeldung kommt per E-Mail.
The confirmation of the registration comes by email.
die Bestätigung means confirmation, kommen means to come, and per E-Mail means by email. der Anmeldung is genitive and shows whose confirmation it is; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Heute sind viele Anmeldungen eingegangen.
Many registrations came in today.
viele means many, and eingehen means to come in or be received. Anmeldungen is plural and is the subject; the perfect form sind eingegangen uses sein and places the Partizip II at the end.

annehmen — to accept; to take; to take on; to assume ​

Annehmen is separable: in a main clause, an moves to the end, but it stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II. It takes an accusative object; the perfect uses haben.
Sie nimmt das Angebot an.
She accepts the offer.
Sie means she, and das Angebot is the offer. Das Angebot is accusative because annehmen takes a direct object; the finite part nimmt is in position two and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Wir haben die Einladung angenommen.
We accepted the invitation.
die Einladung means the invitation, and haben means have. Die Einladung is accusative because annehmen takes a direct object; haben is in position two and angenommen goes to the end.
Er nahm den Vorschlag an.
He accepted the suggestion.
Er means he, den Vorschlag means the suggestion, and nahm means accepted in the simple past. Den Vorschlag is accusative, while nahm stands in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Nimm die Hilfe an!
Accept the help!
die Hilfe means the help. Die Hilfe is accusative because annehmen takes a direct object; in the informal imperative, nimm starts the clause and the prefix an stays at the end.
Ich würde das Angebot annehmen.
I would accept the offer.
Ich means I, würde means would, and das Angebot means the offer. The infinitive annehmen stays at the end after würde; das Angebot is accusative because it is the direct object.
Morgen werde ich die Einladung annehmen.
Tomorrow I will accept the invitation.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Einladung means the invitation. Werde is in position two, annehmen goes to the end after the future auxiliary, and die Einladung is accusative.
Er nimmt eine neue Aufgabe an.
He takes on a new task.
Er means he, eine neue Aufgabe means a new task, and neu means new. Eine neue Aufgabe is accusative because it is the object; nimmt stands in position two and an goes to the end.
Sie hat die Verantwortung angenommen.
She accepted the responsibility.
Sie means she, and die Verantwortung means the responsibility. The object is accusative, and angenommen goes to the end after hat in the perfect.

anschließen — to connect, to plug in; to join, to agree with ​

For connecting a device, use etwas an etwas anschließen: the device being connected is accusative, and an takes accusative when it expresses the target. The verb is also used reflexively in the sense “to join or agree.”
Ich schließe den Drucker an den Computer an.
I connect the printer to the computer.
der Drucker means the printer and der Computer means the computer. The finite verb schließe is in position two and an goes to the end; den Drucker is accusative as the device being connected, and an den Computer takes accusative because it expresses the target.
Wir haben das Kabel an die Lampe angeschlossen.
We connected the cable to the lamp.
wir means we, das Kabel means the cable, and die Lampe means the lamp. The perfect uses haben plus angeschlossen at the end; das Kabel is accusative, and an die Lampe is accusative because it names the connection target.
Er schloss sein Handy an das Ladegerät an.
He connected his phone to the charger.
sein Handy means his mobile phone and das Ladegerät means the charger. The strong past form schloss is in position two and an is at the end; sein Handy is accusative, and an das Ladegerät is accusative for the target.
Schließ bitte das Kabel an den Fernseher an!
Please connect the cable to the television.
bitte means please, das Kabel means the cable, and der Fernseher means the television. The informal imperative is schließ, with an at the end; das Kabel is accusative and an den Fernseher is accusative because the connection is directed toward it.
Ich würde den Lautsprecher an mein Handy anschließen.
I would connect the speaker to my phone.
der Lautsprecher means the speaker and mein Handy means my mobile phone. The conditional uses würde plus the complete infinitive anschließen at the end; den Lautsprecher is accusative, and an mein Handy is accusative as the target.
Sie wird die Kamera an den Computer anschließen.
She will connect the camera to the computer.
sie means she and die Kamera means the camera. Future uses wird in position two and anschließen at the end; die Kamera is accusative, while an den Computer is accusative because it expresses the destination of the connection.
Ich möchte mich der Gruppe anschließen.
I would like to join the group.
ich möchte means I would like to, and die Gruppe means the group. In sich einer Gruppe anschließen, the reflexive pronoun is accusative and der Gruppe is dative because this meaning takes a dative group; the infinitive anschließen stands at the end after möchte.
Viele Kollegen schlossen sich dem Vorschlag an.
Many colleagues supported the suggestion.
viele Kollegen means many colleagues, and der Vorschlag means the suggestion. The past form schlossen is in position two and an goes to the end; sich is reflexive accusative, while dem Vorschlag is dative because this meaning takes a dative object.

anstellen — to switch on, to turn on; to employ, to hire; to queue; to make a fuss ​

For the meaning ‘switch on’, anstellen takes an accusative object such as das Licht. Do not confuse it with aufstellen, which means to put something up or arrange it.
Meine Schwester stellt jeden Abend die Lampe an.
My sister switches on the lamp every evening.
meine Schwester means my sister, jeden Abend means every evening, and die Lampe is the lamp. die Lampe is accusative because anstellen takes the thing being switched on as an accusative object; stellt is in position two and an is at the end.
Ich habe das Radio angestellt.
I switched on the radio.
das Radio means the radio. The object is accusative after anstellen, and the Partizip II angestellt goes to the end with habe.
Er stellte die Heizung morgens an.
He switched on the heating in the morning.
die Heizung means the heating and morgens means in the morning. die Heizung is accusative as the object, while stellte is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Stell bitte das Licht an!
Please switch on the light!
bitte means please and das Licht means the light. The object is accusative, and the informal command separates stell from the prefix an.
Wenn es dunkel wäre, stellte ich die Lampe an.
If it were dark, I would switch on the lamp.
dunkel means dark and die Lampe means the lamp. die Lampe is accusative because it is switched on; stellte plus the context expresses a hypothetical situation, with an at the end.
Ich werde später den Computer anstellen.
I will switch on the computer later.
später means later and der Computer means the computer. The future auxiliary werde stands in position two, the accusative object follows, and the complete infinitive anstellen goes to the end.
Die Firma stellt neue Mitarbeiter an.
The company is hiring new employees.
die Firma means the company and neue Mitarbeiter means new employees. neue Mitarbeiter is accusative because the people hired are the direct object; stellt is in position two and an goes to the end.
Sie hat ihn als Fahrer angestellt.
She employed him as a driver.
ihn means him and als Fahrer means as a driver. ihn is accusative because anstellen takes the person employed as its direct object; angestellt stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Wir stellen uns an der Kasse an.
We are queuing at the checkout.
uns means ourselves and an der Kasse means at the checkout; die Kasse is a checkout here. uns is the reflexive object, while an der Kasse is dative after the fixed location phrase; an goes to the end.
Du stellst dich wegen jeder Kleinigkeit an.
You make a fuss about every little thing.
dich means yourself, wegen jeder Kleinigkeit means about every little thing, and Kleinigkeit means a minor matter. dich is the accusative reflexive object; stellst is in position two and an goes to the end.

aufbauen — to build, to put up, to set up; to develop, to establish ​

Aufbauen is separable in a main clause: ich baue ... auf, but the infinitive and participle stay together. It can describe physically putting something together or, in a later sense, establishing something less concrete.
Wir bauen heute das Zelt auf.
We are putting up the tent today.
heute means today, and das Zelt is the tent. Das Zelt is accusative because aufbauen takes a direct object; the finite part bauen is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben das Zelt aufgebaut.
We put up the tent.
das Zelt means the tent, and the sentence says that it was put up. Das Zelt is accusative, while the Partizip II aufgebaut goes to the end and combines with haben.
Sie baute das Regal gestern auf.
She assembled the shelf yesterday.
das Regal is the shelf, and gestern means yesterday. The weak past form baute is in position two, and the separable prefix auf stands at the end; das Regal is accusative.
Bau das Regal auf!
Assemble the shelf!
das Regal means the shelf. The informal command uses bau without du, and the prefix auf separates and goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Ich würde gern ein kleines Haus aufbauen.
I would like to build a small house.
gern means gladly or would like to, klein means small, and das Haus is the house. Würde is Konjunktiv II, and the complete infinitive aufbauen stays at the end after it; ein kleines Haus is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir ein neues Büro aufbauen.
Next year we will set up a new office.
nächstes Jahr means next year, neu means new, and das Büro is the office. The finite verb werden is in position two and the inseparable-looking whole infinitive aufbauen goes to the end; the office is accusative.
Sie baut langsam Vertrauen auf.
She is slowly building trust.
langsam means slowly, and Vertrauen is trust. Vertrauen is an accusative object, while baut stays in position two and auf moves to the end.
Das Unternehmen hat ein neues Team aufgebaut.
The company has established a new team.
das Unternehmen is the company, neu means new, and das Team is the team. The perfect uses hat plus aufgebaut at the end; ein neues Team is the accusative object.

aufgeben — to give up, to abandon; to submit, to post; to assign, to set ​

In this sense, aufgeben is often used without an object, as in nicht aufgeben. With an object, it can mean abandoning a plan, attempt, or hope.
Er gibt nicht auf.
He is not giving up.
nicht means not. Er is the nominative subject; the finite part gibt stands in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Sie hat nach einer Stunde aufgegeben.
She gave up after an hour.
nach einer Stunde means after an hour. The perfect uses hat because aufgeben takes haben; the complete Partizip II aufgegeben stays together at the end.
Der Läufer gab kurz vor dem Ziel auf.
The runner gave up shortly before the finish.
der Läufer means the runner, kurz vor means shortly before, and das Ziel means the finish. Gab is the strong past form of geben, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Gib jetzt nicht auf.
Don't give up now.
jetzt means now and nicht means not. This is a du command with the subject omitted; the irregular imperative is gib, and the prefix auf must stand at the end.
Wenn du früher aufgäbest, wärst du jetzt entspannter.
If you gave up earlier, you would be more relaxed now.
früher means earlier and entspannter means more relaxed. In the wenn clause, the Konjunktiv II form aufgäbest goes to the end; because the verb is separable in finite clauses, the prefix is written together in this subordinate clause.
Ich werde nie aufgeben.
I will never give up.
nie means never. In the future, werde is in position two and the complete infinitive aufgeben goes to the end; it is not separated because it is an infinitive.
Ich gebe den Brief bei der Post auf.
I am posting the letter at the post office.
der Brief means the letter and bei der Post means at the post office. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being posted; gebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Bitte geben Sie das Formular heute auf.
Please submit the form today.
das Formular means the form and heute means today. This is the formal Sie imperative, so geben stays in the infinitive-like form; das Formular is accusative and auf goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Kindern Hausaufgaben auf.
The teacher assigns the children homework.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, den Kindern means the children, and Hausaufgaben means homework. Den Kindern is dative because they receive the assignment, while Hausaufgaben is accusative; gibt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Der Kursleiter hat uns eine schwierige Aufgabe aufgegeben.
The course instructor assigned us a difficult task.
der Kursleiter means the course instructor, uns means us, and schwierig means difficult. Uns is dative as the recipient and eine schwierige Aufgabe is accusative; hat is in position two and aufgegeben closes the perfect clause.

aufheben — to pick up; to cancel, abolish, overturn; to keep, save ​

This physical sense is often used with vom Boden, meaning from the floor or ground. The object picked up is accusative.
Er hebt die Münze auf.
He picks up the coin.
die Münze is a coin. Die Münze is accusative because it is the object picked up; hebt stands in position two and auf goes to the end.
Er hat die Münze aufgehoben.
He picked up the coin.
die Münze means coin. It is accusative because aufheben takes the thing picked up as its object; hat is in position two and aufgehoben is at the end.
Er hob die Münze auf.
He picked up the coin.
die Münze is a coin. It is accusative because it is the object of aufheben; hob is the strong past form and auf is separated.
Heb bitte den Zettel auf.
Please pick up the piece of paper.
bitte means please, and der Zettel is a piece of paper or note. Den Zettel is accusative because it is the thing to be picked up; the du imperative is heb, with auf at the end.
Wenn er den Zettel aufhöbe, könnte er die Nummer lesen.
If he picked up the piece of paper, he could read the number.
die Nummer means number, and lesen means to read. Den Zettel is accusative because it is picked up; aufhöbe is Konjunktiv II and, in the subordinate clause, comes at the end.
Sie wird den Schlüssel aufheben.
She will pick up the key.
der Schlüssel means key. Den Schlüssel is accusative because it is the object of aufheben; wird is in position two and the infinitive aufheben goes to the end.
Das Gericht hebt das Urteil auf.
The court overturns the judgment.
das Gericht is the court, and das Urteil means judgment or verdict. Das Urteil is accusative because it is what the court overturns; hebt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Die Stadt hat die Sperrung aufgehoben.
The city cancelled the closure.
die Stadt means city, and die Sperrung is a closure or road closure. Die Sperrung is accusative because it is what was cancelled; the auxiliary hat comes in position two and aufgehoben goes to the end.
Ich hebe den Brief auf.
I am keeping the letter.
der Brief means letter. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being kept; hebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Heb bitte etwas Kuchen auf.
Please save some cake.
etwas Kuchen means some cake, and bitte means please. Etwas Kuchen is an accusative object, while the imperative heb is understood as du heb and the prefix auf stands at the end.

aufschließen — to unlock; to unlock and open ​

Aufschließen means unlocking something, usually with a key. It takes the locked object in the accusative and is different from öffnen, which simply means to open.
Sie schließt die Tür auf.
She unlocks the door.
sie means she, and die Tür is the door. Die Tür is accusative because it is the object; schließt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Sie hat die Tür aufgeschlossen.
She unlocked the door.
sie means she, and die Tür means the door. The door is accusative, and aufgeschlossen is the Partizip II at the end with haben.
Sie schloss die Tür auf.
She unlocked the door.
sie is she, and die Tür is the door. Schloss is the strong past form of schließen, while auf is separated and placed at the end.
Schließ bitte die Tür auf.
Please unlock the door.
bitte means please, and die Tür is the door. The imperative schließ comes first and auf goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Du würdest die Tür aufschließen.
You would unlock the door.
du means you, and würdest marks a hypothetical action. The infinitive aufschließen stays together at the end after würdest, and die Tür is accusative.
Du wirst die Tür aufschließen.
You will unlock the door.
du means you, and wirst forms the future. The infinitive aufschließen goes to the end as one word, and die Tür is the accusative object.
Der Hausmeister schließt morgens das Büro auf.
The caretaker unlocks the office in the morning.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, morgens means in the morning, and das Büro is the office. Das Büro is accusative; schließt is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Wir haben das Geschäft aufgeschlossen.
We unlocked and opened the shop.
wir means we, and das Geschäft is the shop or business. The shop is accusative, and aufgeschlossen goes to the end as the Partizip II with haben.

aufwecken — to wake someone up ​

aufwecken is a separable verb: auf moves to the end in a main clause, as in weckt ... auf. It takes an accusative object for the person who is woken and forms the perfect with haben.
Ich wecke meinen Sohn jeden Morgen um sieben Uhr auf.
I wake my son up every morning at seven.
meinen Sohn means “my son,” jeden Morgen means “every morning,” and um sieben Uhr means “at seven o’clock.” meinen Sohn is accusative because aufwecken takes the person who is woken as an accusative object; the finite verb wecke is in position two, while auf goes to the end.
Ich habe meine Tochter vorsichtig aufgeweckt.
I woke my daughter up carefully.
meine Tochter means “my daughter,” and vorsichtig means “carefully.” The perfect uses habe plus aufgeweckt, with the Partizip II at the end; meine Tochter is accusative because it is the object.
Der Wecker weckte mich um sechs Uhr auf.
The alarm clock woke me up at six.
der Wecker is “the alarm clock,” mich is “me,” and um sechs Uhr means “at six o’clock.” In the simple past, weckte is in position two and auf separates to the end; mich is accusative because it is the person affected.
Weck mich bitte morgen um sechs auf.
Please wake me up at six tomorrow.
bitte means “please,” and morgen means “tomorrow.” mich is accusative because aufwecken takes an accusative object; in the imperative, weck comes first and the prefix auf goes to the end.
Wenn ich nicht aufpasse, würde ich den Bus verpassen und niemand weckte mich auf.
If I were not careful, I would miss the bus and nobody would wake me up.
wenn means “if,” aufpassen means “to pay attention,” den Bus verpassen means “to miss the bus,” and niemand means “nobody.” The conditional meaning is shown by würde; weckte ... auf is the past form of the separable verb, and mich is accusative.
Ich werde dich morgen früh aufwecken.
I will wake you up early tomorrow.
dich means “you,” and morgen früh means “tomorrow morning.” Future tense uses werde in position two and the infinitive aufwecken at the end; because the verb is whole here, its prefix does not separate.

ausfüllen — to fill in, fill out ​

Ausfüllen is used for forms, applications, and other documents. It is separable: füllt ... aus in a main clause, but ausfüllen stays together after a modal verb or in the future.
Ich fülle das Formular jetzt aus.
I am filling in the form now.
das Formular is the form, and jetzt means now. Das Formular is accusative because ausfüllen takes a direct object; fülle is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat den Antrag vollständig ausgefüllt.
She filled in the application completely.
der Antrag is the application, and vollständig means completely. Den Antrag is accusative after ausfüllen; hat carries the perfect tense and ausgefüllt stands at the end.
Er füllte den Fragebogen gestern aus.
He filled in the questionnaire yesterday.
der Fragebogen is the questionnaire, and gestern means yesterday. Den Fragebogen is accusative because it is the direct object; in the simple past, füllte is in position two and aus is at the end.
Füll bitte dieses Formular aus!
Please fill in this form!
bitte means please, and dieses Formular means this form. The du imperative is füll ... aus, while dieses Formular is accusative as the direct object.
Wenn du Zeit hättest, fülltest du den Antrag heute aus.
If you had time, you would fill in the application today.
wenn means if, Zeit means time, and heute means today. In the wenn clause the verb goes to the end; in the main clause fülltest is the Konjunktiv II form and aus completes the separable verb at the end.
Morgen werde ich das Formular ausfüllen.
Tomorrow I will fill in the form.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Formular is the form. Das Formular is accusative after ausfüllen; werde is finite in position two and the complete infinitive ausfüllen goes to the end.

ausgeben — to spend; to hand out, issue; to hand out, issue ​

For spending, ausgeben takes the thing spent as an accusative object and often uses für plus accusative for what the money is spent on. In a main clause, the prefix separates: ich gebe ... aus.
Ich gebe nicht gern viel Geld aus.
I do not like spending a lot of money.
nicht gern means not gladly, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Geld is accusative because ausgeben takes a direct object; the finite part gebe is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir haben gestern zu viel Geld ausgegeben.
We spent too much money yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and zu viel means too much. Geld is accusative, and the perfect uses haben plus ausgegeben at the end; the prefix is not split in the Partizip II.
Er gab für das Konzert hundert Euro aus.
He spent one hundred euros on the concert.
das Konzert means the concert and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. Hundert Euro is the accusative object, while für also takes the accusative; in the preterite, gab is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Gib nicht so viel Geld aus!
Do not spend so much money!
nicht so viel means not so much. The imperative for du is gib ... aus, with the prefix at the end; Geld is accusative because it is what is being spent.
Ich gäbe gern mehr Geld für Reisen aus.
I would gladly spend more money on travel.
gern means gladly and Reisen means travelling. Gäbe ... aus expresses a hypothetical wish; mehr Geld is accusative, and für Reisen is also accusative after für.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich mehr Geld ausgeben.
Next year I will spend more money.
nächstes Jahr means next year and mehr means more. Geld is accusative, while werde is in position two and the infinitive ausgeben goes to the end; it is not split after werden.
Die Mitarbeiterin gibt die Eintrittskarten aus.
The employee is handing out the admission tickets.
die Mitarbeiterin means the female employee and die Eintrittskarten means the admission tickets. Die Eintrittskarten is accusative because they are what is handed out; gibt stands in position two and aus moves to the end.
Das Amt hat eine neue Bescheinigung ausgegeben.
The office issued a new certificate.
das Amt means the public office and die Bescheinigung means the certificate. Eine neue Bescheinigung is accusative as the object, and hat ... ausgegeben forms the perfect with haben; the prefix is joined in the Partizip II.

ausmachen — to switch off; to agree; to constitute; to arrange, to agree on; to make up, to constitute ​

For the everyday sense “switch off”, ausmachen takes an accusative object such as das Licht. It is separable: ich mache das Licht aus, but ich habe das Licht ausgemacht. The perfect uses haben.
Ich mache das Licht jeden Abend aus.
I switch off the light every evening.
das Licht means the light and jeden Abend means every evening. Das Licht is accusative because ausmachen takes a direct object; the finite part mache is in position two and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Wir haben den Computer ausgemacht.
We switched off the computer.
der Computer means the computer. Den Computer is accusative because it is the object, and the Partizip II ausgemacht goes to the end after haben; the perfect auxiliary is haben, not sein.
Sie machte die Musik leiser und dann aus.
She turned the music down and then switched it off.
die Musik means the music, leiser means quieter, and dann means then. Die Musik is accusative, and in the simple past the finite part machte is in position two while aus stands at the end.
Mach bitte das Radio aus.
Please switch off the radio.
bitte means please and das Radio means the radio. The imperative omits du; mach comes first and the separable prefix aus goes to the end, while das Radio is accusative.
Wenn du fertig bist, mach bitte den Herd aus.
When you are finished, please switch off the cooker.
wenn du fertig bist means when you are finished, and der Herd is the cooker or stove. This example uses the imperative in a subordinate introductory clause plus a main clause; in the main clause mach is first and aus is at the end, with den Herd as the accusative object.
Du wirst das Licht vor dem Schlafengehen ausmachen.
You will switch off the light before going to bed.
vor dem Schlafengehen means before going to bed. Das Licht is accusative because it is the object; in the future, wirst is in position two and the complete infinitive ausmachen goes to the end, so it is not split.
Wir machen einen Termin für Montag aus.
We arrange an appointment for Monday.
einen Termin means an appointment and für Montag means for Monday. Einen Termin is accusative because it is the object; the finite part machen is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir haben eine Uhrzeit ausgemacht.
We agreed on a time.
eine Uhrzeit means a time of day and ausmachen means agree on or arrange here. Eine Uhrzeit is accusative, and the Partizip II ausgemacht stands at the end with haben.
Die Miete macht die Hälfte meiner Kosten aus.
The rent makes up half of my costs.
die Miete means the rent, die Hälfte means half, and meine Kosten means my costs. Die Hälfte meiner Kosten is accusative as the object of ausmachen; macht is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Kleine Details machen oft den Unterschied aus.
Small details often make the difference.
kleine Details means small details, oft means often, and der Unterschied means the difference. Den Unterschied is accusative because it is the object; the separable parts are machen in position two and aus at the end.

ausprobieren — to try out ​

The object is usually something you test or use for the first time, such as a product, recipe, or method. The separable prefix aus moves to the end of a main clause: Ich probiere es aus.
Ich probiere heute ein neues Rezept aus.
I am trying out a new recipe today.
heute means today, and ein neues Rezept means a new recipe. ein neues Rezept is accusative because ausprobieren takes the thing being tried as a direct object; the finite verb is split, with probiere in position two and aus at the end.
Wir haben das neue Spiel ausprobiert.
We tried out the new game.
das neue Spiel means the new game. ausprobiert is the participle used with haben in the perfect, and the accusative object das neue Spiel follows the verb; the participle stands at the end.
Sie probierte den neuen Computer aus.
She tried out the new computer.
sie means she, and den neuen Computer means the new computer. The object is accusative because ausprobieren takes a direct object; in the preterite, probierte is in position two and aus closes the main clause.
Probier diese App aus!
Try out this app!
diese App means this app. This is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; because the verb is separable, probier comes first and aus goes at the end.
Ich würde gern den neuen Staubsauger ausprobieren.
I would like to try out the new vacuum cleaner.
gern means gladly or would like to, and der Staubsauger is a vacuum cleaner. den neuen Staubsauger is accusative as the direct object; in this Konjunktiv II construction, würde is finite in position two and the whole infinitive ausprobieren stays at the end.
Morgen werde ich das Fahrrad ausprobieren.
Tomorrow I will try out the bicycle.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Fahrrad means the bicycle. The accusative object is governed by ausprobieren; in the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive ausprobieren goes to the end.

ausruhen — to rest, relax ​

sich ausruhen means to rest or relax and is normally used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun is accusative: ich ruhe mich aus, du ruhst dich aus; because the verb is separable, aus moves to the end of a main clause.
Nach der Arbeit ruhe ich mich zu Hause aus.
After work, I rest at home.
nach der Arbeit means after work and zu Hause means at home. mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun required by sich ausruhen; ruhe is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Ich habe mich gestern gut ausgeruht.
I rested well yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and gut means well. The perfect uses habe with ausgeruht, and the Partizip II stays together at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Am Sonntag ruhte sie sich im Garten aus.
On Sunday, she rested in the garden.
am Sonntag means on Sunday and im Garten means in the garden. The weak past form ruhte stands in position two, sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and aus moves to the end.
Ruh dich nach der Reise aus!
Rest after the journey!
nach der Reise means after the journey. This is the informal singular imperative: ruh comes first, dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and aus goes to the end.
Ich würde mich heute gern ausruhen.
I would like to rest today.
heute means today and gern means gladly or would like to. After würde, the complete infinitive ausruhen goes to the end and is not split; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Nach dem Urlaub wird er sich richtig ausruhen.
After the holiday, he will really relax.
nach dem Urlaub means after the holiday and richtig means really or properly. In the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive ausruhen goes to the end; sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.

aussteigen — to get out, to get off; to withdraw, to leave ​

Use aussteigen aus plus the dative for the vehicle: aus dem Bus aussteigen means to get off the bus. The opposite is einsteigen; do not use gehen when you specifically mean leaving a vehicle.
Ich steige an der nächsten Haltestelle aus.
I’m getting off at the next stop.
die nächste Haltestelle means the next stop. An der Haltestelle is dative because an describes a fixed location here, and the prefix aus separates and moves to the end.
Wir sind am Bahnhof ausgestiegen.
We got off at the station.
der Bahnhof means train station. Am Bahnhof is dative after contracted an dem, and movement uses sein in the perfect: sind ausgestiegen goes to the end.
Sie stieg vor dem Museum aus.
She got out in front of the museum.
vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. The preposition vor takes the dative for a fixed place, and the strong past form stieg is in position two while aus goes to the end.
Steig hier aus!
Get off here!
hier means here. The singular imperative uses Steig without du, and the separable prefix aus remains at the end.
Ich würde lieber früher aussteigen.
I would rather get off earlier.
lieber means rather and früher means earlier. Würde is the Konjunktiv II form of werden; the infinitive aussteigen stays attached and goes to the end.
Er wird in Berlin aussteigen.
He will get off in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin. Wird is in position two and the complete infinitive aussteigen goes to the end; it does not split in the infinitive.
Er ist aus dem Projekt ausgestiegen.
He withdrew from the project.
das Projekt means project and aussteigen means withdraw here. Aus dem Projekt is dative after aus, and the perfect uses ist ausgestiegen because the verb describes a change of position.
Sie will aus dem Vertrag aussteigen.
She wants to withdraw from the contract.
der Vertrag means contract and wollen means want to. Aus dem Vertrag is dative after aus; the modal will is in position two and the infinitive aussteigen goes to the end.

auswählen — to choose; to select ​

Auswählen is separable and takes an accusative object: etwas auswählen. In a main clause, aus separates, but it stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Ich wähle ein neues Handy aus.
I am choosing a new mobile phone.
ein neues Handy is a new mobile phone. Ein neues Handy is accusative because auswählen takes a direct object; the finite part wähle is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Ich habe ein Hotel ausgewählt.
I chose a hotel.
ein Hotel is a hotel. Ausgewählt is the Partizip II and combines with habe because auswählen takes haben; the participle goes to the end of the clause.
Sie wählte den roten Pullover aus.
She chose the red jumper.
der rote Pullover is the red jumper. Den roten Pullover is accusative as the selected object; the weak past form wählte is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Wähl bitte ein Lied aus.
Please choose a song.
bitte means please, and ein Lied is a song. The informal singular imperative uses wähl without du; because the verb is separable, aus stands at the end.
Ich würde den günstigeren Zug auswählen.
I would choose the cheaper train.
der günstigere Zug is the cheaper train. Den günstigeren Zug is accusative, and the infinitive auswählen stays together at the end after würde; do not split it in this structure.
Morgen werde ich ein Geschenk auswählen.
Tomorrow I will choose a present.
morgen means tomorrow, and ein Geschenk is a present. Future werde ... auswählen places the infinitive at the end, where the separable verb remains one word.

ausziehen — to take off; to remove; to move out ​

In the clothing sense, ausziehen takes haben in the perfect: hat ausgezogen. The opposite is anziehen, to put on.
Er zieht seine Jacke aus.
He is taking off his jacket.
seine Jacke is his jacket. Seine Jacke is accusative because ausziehen takes the item being removed; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die nassen Schuhe ausgezogen.
She took off her wet shoes.
nassen Schuhe means wet shoes. In this clothing sense, ausgezogen combines with hat, not ist, because the verb has a direct accusative object; the participle goes to the end.
Er zog den Mantel aus.
He took off his coat.
der Mantel is the coat. Den Mantel is accusative as the item removed; the strong past form zog has a vowel change, and aus is separated.
Zieh deine Schuhe aus.
Take off your shoes.
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The informal singular imperative is zieh without du, and the separable prefix aus stands at the end.
Du würdest den nassen Pullover ausziehen.
You would take off the wet jumper.
nasser Pullover means wet jumper. Den nassen Pullover is accusative, and ausziehen stays together at the end after würdest; it is not split in this infinitive construction.
Nach dem Sport werde ich die Schuhe ausziehen.
After sport, I will take off my shoes.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and die Schuhe are the shoes. Nach takes the dative, while die Schuhe is accusative as the object; the infinitive ausziehen stands at the end after werde.
Meine Schwester zieht im August aus.
My sister is moving out in August.
meine Schwester is my sister, and im August means in August. This sense has no direct object; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir sind letztes Jahr aus der kleinen Wohnung ausgezogen.
We moved out of the small flat last year.
letztes Jahr means last year, and kleine Wohnung means small flat. This movement sense uses sein in the perfect: sind ausgezogen; aus takes the dative here, so der kleinen Wohnung is dative.

bedienen — to serve, to attend to; to operate, to use ​

In a shop or restaurant, jemanden bedienen means to serve or attend to someone and takes an accusative object. The same verb also means to operate a machine; the reflexive expression sich einer Sache bedienen is formal and means to make use of something.
Die Kellnerin bedient die Gäste.
The waitress serves the guests.
die Kellnerin means “the waitress,” and die Gäste means “the guests.” die Gäste is accusative because bedienen takes an accusative object; the finite verb bedient stands in position two.
Der Kellner hat uns schnell bedient.
The waiter served us quickly.
der Kellner means “the waiter,” uns means “us,” and schnell means “quickly.” uns is accusative as the customers being served; hat is in position two and the Partizip II bedient goes to the end.
Die Verkäuferin bediente mehrere Kunden.
The sales assistant served several customers.
die Verkäuferin means “the sales assistant,” and mehrere Kunden means “several customers.” The object is accusative because bedienen is transitive, and the weak past form bediente stands in position two.
Bedien bitte die Gäste am Fenster.
Please serve the guests by the window.
bitte means “please,” die Gäste means “the guests,” and am Fenster means “by the window.” The imperative bedien comes first; die Gäste is accusative because they are the people being served, while am means an dem and marks location with the dative.
Wenn ich im Café arbeiten würde, würde ich die Kunden gern bedienen.
If I worked in the café, I would gladly serve the customers.
wenn means “if,” im Café means “in the café,” arbeiten means “work,” and gern means “gladly.” In the wenn clause, arbeiten würde places the verb at the end; in the main clause, würde is in position two and the infinitive bedienen is at the end.
Die Mitarbeiterin wird die nächsten Gäste bedienen.
The employee will serve the next guests.
die Mitarbeiterin means “the female employee,” and die nächsten Gäste means “the next guests.” The guests are accusative because bedienen takes an accusative object; wird is in position two and bedienen goes to the end.
Kannst du diese Maschine bedienen?
Can you operate this machine?
kannst du means “can you,” and diese Maschine means “this machine.” diese Maschine is accusative because it is the object of bedienen; after the modal verb kannst, the infinitive bedienen goes to the end.
Sie bedient das Gerät mit einer Fernbedienung.
She operates the device with a remote control.
das Gerät means “the device,” and mit einer Fernbedienung means “with a remote control.” das Gerät is accusative as the object of bedient, while mit takes the dative, so einer Fernbedienung is dative.

beenden — to end, to finish ​

Beenden means to bring something to an end and therefore normally takes an accusative object. For an activity that simply comes to an end by itself, German often uses enden instead.
Sie beendet ihre Arbeit um fünf Uhr.
She finishes her work at five o’clock.
ihre Arbeit means her work and um fünf Uhr means at five o’clock. Ihre Arbeit is accusative because beenden takes a direct object, and the finite verb beendet stands in position two.
Wir haben den Kurs erfolgreich beendet.
We successfully finished the course.
der Kurs is the course and erfolgreich means successfully. Den Kurs is accusative, while haben is in position two and beendet goes to the end in the perfect.
Der Film beendete den langen Tag.
The film ended the long day.
der Film is the film and den langen Tag means the long day. Den langen Tag is accusative because it is the object of beenden; beendete is the regular simple-past form in position two.
Beende bitte das Gespräch.
Please end the conversation.
bitte means please and das Gespräch is the conversation. This is the informal singular imperative; das Gespräch is accusative because it is the thing being ended.
Ich würde die Sitzung jetzt beenden.
I would end the meeting now.
die Sitzung means the meeting and jetzt means now. Würde expresses a hypothetical action, so beenden remains an infinitive at the end; die Sitzung is accusative.
Der Arzt wird die Behandlung bald beenden.
The doctor will soon end the treatment.
der Arzt is the doctor, die Behandlung is the treatment, and bald means soon. Wird marks the future in position two, and the infinitive beenden goes to the end; die Behandlung is accusative.

begleiten — to accompany, to go with ​

Begleiten takes an accusative person or thing: jemanden begleiten. A destination is often added with zu plus the dative, as in jemanden zum Bahnhof begleiten.
Ich begleite dich zum Bahnhof.
I’ll accompany you to the station.
dich means you and der Bahnhof means the station. Dich is accusative because begleiten takes the person being accompanied as a direct object; zum Bahnhof means to the station.
Sie hat ihren Bruder nach Hause begleitet.
She accompanied her brother home.
ihr Bruder means her brother and nach Hause means home. The perfect uses hat plus begleitet at the end; ihren Bruder is accusative.
Der Arzt begleitete den Patienten ins Zimmer.
The doctor accompanied the patient into the room.
der Arzt is the doctor, der Patient is the patient, and ins Zimmer means into the room. Begleitete is the regular Präteritum form; den Patienten is accusative, and ins marks movement into das Zimmer.
Begleite mich bitte zum Eingang.
Please come with me to the entrance.
mich means me, bitte means please, and der Eingang means the entrance. The imperative begleite stands first; mich is accusative, and zum Eingang means to the entrance.
Ich würde meine Tochter gern begleiten.
I would be happy to accompany my daughter.
meine Tochter means my daughter and gern means gladly or would be happy to. The polite Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and places begleiten at the end; meine Tochter is accusative.
Wir werden dich zum Arzt begleiten.
We will accompany you to the doctor.
dich means you and der Arzt means the doctor. Futur I puts werden in position two and begleiten at the end; dich is accusative, while zum Arzt means to the doctor.

behalten — to keep, to retain ​

behalten normally takes an accusative object: etwas behalten means to keep something. Its Partizip II is behalten, not gebehalten, because be- is an inseparable prefix.
Er behält den alten Schlüssel.
He keeps the old key.
er means “he”, alt means “old”, and der Schlüssel means “the key”. Den alten Schlüssel is accusative because behalten takes a direct object; the finite verb behält is in position two and has the vowel change a–ä.
Sie hat das Geschenk behalten.
She kept the present.
das Geschenk means “the present” or “gift”. The perfect uses hat plus the irregular Partizip II behalten, which stands at the end; das Geschenk is accusative as the thing kept.
Der Junge behielt seinen Platz.
The boy kept his place.
der Junge means “the boy”, and seinen Platz means “his place”. Seinen Platz is accusative because it is the object; behielt is the strong simple-past form with ie, not a weak form ending in -te.
Behalte diese Information für dich.
Keep this information to yourself.
diese Information means “this information”, and für dich means “for yourself”. The imperative Behalte addresses du; diese Information is accusative, and für also forces the accusative in für dich.
Ich würde das Buch gerne behalten.
I would like to keep the book.
das Buch means “the book”, and gerne means “gladly” or “would like to”. Würde ... behalten expresses a wish or hypothetical idea; the infinitive behalten comes at the end after würde.
Du wirst den Koffer nicht behalten.
You will not keep the suitcase.
der Koffer means “the suitcase”, and nicht means “not”. Future uses wirst in position two and behalten at the end; den Koffer is accusative because it is the object.

benutzen — to use ​

benutzen takes an accusative object: etwas benutzen means “to use something.” It is more neutral than colloquial verwenden in some contexts, but both can often be used.
Sie benutzt jeden Tag den Computer.
She uses the computer every day.
jeden Tag means “every day,” and den Computer is “the computer.” den Computer is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object, and the finite verb benutzt stands in position two.
Wir haben den Drucker gestern benutzt.
We used the printer yesterday.
der Drucker means “the printer,” and gestern means “yesterday.” The perfect uses haben plus benutzt at the end; den Drucker is accusative as the direct object.
Er benutzte mein Fahrrad.
He used my bicycle.
mein Fahrrad means “my bicycle.” The regular past form benutzte stands in position two, and mein Fahrrad is accusative because it is the object of benutzen.
Benutz bitte diese Tür!
Please use this door!
bitte means “please,” diese Tür means “this door.” The singular imperative Benutz comes first, and diese Tür is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde gern deine Küche benutzen.
I would like to use your kitchen.
gern means “gladly” or “would like to,” and deine Küche means “your kitchen.” The Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and the infinitive benutzen at the end; deine Küche is accusative.
Du wirst morgen den neuen Aufzug benutzen.
You will use the new lift tomorrow.
morgen means “tomorrow,” and den neuen Aufzug means “the new lift.” Future I places wirst in position two and benutzen at the end; the object is accusative after benutzen.

benötigen — to need, to require ​

Benötigen is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object: jemand benötigt etwas. It is slightly more formal than brauchen in many everyday sentences.
Ich benötige deine Hilfe.
I need your help.
deine Hilfe means your help. Deine Hilfe is accusative because benötigen takes a direct object, and the finite verb benötige stands in position two.
Wir haben mehr Zeit benötigt.
We needed more time.
mehr Zeit means more time. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II benötigt, which goes to the end of the clause; mehr Zeit is accusative after benötigen.
Sie benötigte einen neuen Ausweis.
She needed a new identity card.
einen neuen Ausweis means a new identity card. Einen neuen Ausweis is accusative because it is what she needed, and the weak past form benötigte is in position two.
Benötige ich dafür ein Ticket?
Do I need a ticket for that?
dafür means for that and ein Ticket means a ticket. The form Benötige is at the beginning because this is a question or request with the verb first; ein Ticket is accusative.
Ich benötigte damals keine Hilfe.
At that time, I did not need any help.
damals means at that time and keine Hilfe means no help. Here benötigte has the same form as the simple past, so the hypothetical meaning depends on context; keine Hilfe is accusative.
Du wirst morgen mehr Zeit benötigen.
You will need more time tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and mehr Zeit means more time. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive benötigen at the end; mehr Zeit is accusative.

bereit — ready, willing; willing, prepared ​

bereit sein means to be ready, and bereit sein, etwas zu tun means to be willing or ready to do something. Do not use the English preposition for automatically: German uses für for a thing, but an action normally follows with zu.
Ich bin bereit.
I am ready.
Ich bin means I am, and bereit means ready. Bereit is a predicate adjective after bin, so it has no ending; the adjective describes the nominative subject ich.
Wir sind für die Reise bereit.
We are ready for the journey.
Wir sind means we are, die Reise is the journey, and für means for. Bereit follows sind as a predicate adjective and therefore has no ending; für die Reise is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Anna ist heute bereiter als gestern.
Anna is more ready today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Bereiter is a predicate comparative after ist and is followed by als; it has no adjective ending because it does not stand before a noun.
Von allen ist Tom am bereitesten.
Tom is the most ready of all.
von allen means of all of them, and Tom is a name. Am bereitesten is the predicative superlative after ist; allen is dative after von, and the superlative has the am ...-sten form.
Bist du bereit, jetzt zu gehen?
Are you ready to leave now?
Bist du means are you, jetzt means now, and gehen means leave or go. Bereit is a predicate adjective after bist; the action follows as zu gehen, and the yes-no question begins with the finite verb.
Die bereite Mannschaft wartet am Bus.
The ready team is waiting by the bus.
Die Mannschaft is the team, warten means wait, and der Bus is the bus. Bereite stands before the feminine nominative noun Mannschaft after the definite article and takes -e; am Bus means by the bus.
Sie ist bereit, einen Kompromiss zu schließen.
She is willing to reach a compromise.
Sie means she, einen Kompromiss is a compromise, and schließen means conclude or reach. Bereit is a predicate adjective after ist, and the action follows with zu schließen; einen Kompromiss is accusative after schließen.
Seid ihr zu einer Änderung bereit?
Are you willing to make a change?
Seid ihr means are you, and eine Änderung is a change. Bereit follows seid as a predicate adjective; zu einer Änderung is dative after zu, and the question begins with the finite verb.

beschädigt — damaged ​

beschädigt is both the adjective meaning damaged and the Partizip II of beschädigen. As an adjective before a noun it takes an ending, as in ein beschädigtes Paket, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Das Fenster ist beschädigt.
The window is damaged.
das Fenster means the window. beschädigt is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the adjective describes the nominative subject das Fenster.
Wir müssen das beschädigte Fahrrad reparieren.
We have to repair the damaged bicycle.
müssen means have to and reparieren means repair. das beschädigte Fahrrad is accusative because it is the object of reparieren, and the adjective takes -e after the definite article das; reparieren goes to the end after the modal verb.
Das hintere Fenster ist stärker beschädigt als das vordere.
The rear window is more badly damaged than the front one.
das hintere Fenster means the rear window and das vordere means the front one. stärker beschädigt means more severely damaged; the comparison uses als, and beschädigt remains uninflected because it is predicative after ist.
Diese Tür ist am stärksten beschädigt.
This door is the most severely damaged.
diese Tür means this door and am stärksten means the most severely. am beschädigtsten would mean the most damaged, but this natural sentence uses the adverb am stärksten with beschädigt; the adjective is predicative after ist and has no ending.

beschäftigt — busy, occupied; employed ​

beschäftigt can mean ‘busy’ or ‘employed’, depending on the context. It is also the Partizip II of beschäftigen, but after sein it often functions as an adjective describing a state.
Ich bin heute sehr beschäftigt.
I am very busy today.
heute means ‘today’ and sehr means ‘very’. beschäftigt is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Die beschäftigte Ärztin arbeitet bis spät.
The busy doctor works until late.
die Ärztin means ‘the female doctor’, arbeitet means ‘works’, and bis spät means ‘until late’. Before the feminine noun with definite article die, the adjective takes the ending -e: beschäftigte.
Heute bin ich noch beschäftigter als gestern.
Today I am even busier than yesterday.
noch means ‘even’ and gestern means ‘yesterday’. The comparative beschäftigter follows sein without an adjective ending, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Am Montag bin ich am beschäftigtsten.
On Monday I am the busiest.
am Montag means ‘on Monday’. The predicative superlative is formed with am and -sten; it comes after bin, while the finite verb remains in position two.

brechen — to break; to violate; to break a rule or promise ​

In the transitive sense, etwas brechen takes an accusative object and uses haben in the perfect. For a subject that breaks by itself, as in Der Ast ist gebrochen, the perfect uses sein.
Ich breche das Brot in Stücke.
I break the bread into pieces.
das Brot means the bread, and in Stücke means into pieces. Das Brot is accusative because brechen takes a direct object; the finite verb breche stands in position two.
Sie hat sich den Arm gebrochen.
She broke her arm.
sich den Arm means her arm, and Arm means arm. The perfect uses hat plus gebrochen because this transitive sense takes haben; sich is accusative and den Arm is accusative as the injured body part, with the finite auxiliary in position two and the Partizip II at the end.
Der Sturm brach mehrere Äste.
The storm broke several branches.
der Sturm means the storm, and mehrere Äste means several branches. Mehrere Äste is accusative because it is what the storm broke; the strong-verb past form brach stands in position two.
Brich das Brot vorsichtig!
Break the bread carefully!
das Brot means the bread, and vorsichtig means carefully. Brich is the singular du imperative and comes first; das Brot is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich das Fenster bräche, wäre es kalt.
If I broke the window, it would be cold.
wenn means if, das Fenster means the window, and kalt means cold. Bräche is Konjunktiv II for an unreal condition; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause, while wäre stands in position two in the main clause.
Der Ast wird bald brechen.
The branch will break soon.
der Ast means the branch, and bald means soon. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive brechen at the end; because the branch breaks by itself, this intransitive sense takes sein in the perfect.
Er bricht oft die Regeln.
He often breaks the rules.
oft means often, and die Regeln means the rules. Die Regeln is accusative because brechen has a direct object here; the finite verb bricht stands in position two.
Sie hat ihr Versprechen gebrochen.
She broke her promise.
ihr Versprechen means her promise. The perfect uses hat with gebrochen in this transitive sense, and the accusative object comes before the Partizip II at the end of the clause.

brennen — to burn, to be burning; to burn, to copy onto a disc ​

In this sense, brennen describes something that is on fire or gives off heat, and it is normally intransitive. It takes haben in the perfect: hat gebrannt; do not use sein just because the verb describes a change or movement of flames.
Das Feuer brennt im Kamin.
The fire is burning in the fireplace.
das Feuer means the fire, and der Kamin means the fireplace. brennen is intransitive here, so it has no accusative object; the finite verb brennt stands in position two.
Die Kerze hat die ganze Nacht gebrannt.
The candle burned all night.
die Kerze means the candle, and die ganze Nacht means all night. The perfect uses hat plus gebrannt, because brennen takes haben here; hat is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Gestern brannte das Holz sehr hell.
Yesterday the wood burned very brightly.
gestern means yesterday, das Holz means the wood, and sehr hell means very brightly. The past form brannte is in position two after the time expression; do not use present brennt for this finished past event.
Brenn nicht so stark!
Don’t burn so strongly!
nicht so stark means not so strongly. brenn is a direct command to one person, with du omitted; nicht comes before the manner phrase, and the exclamation mark is punctuation rather than part of the verb.
Wenn das Holz trocken wäre, würde es besser brennen.
If the wood were dry, it would burn better.
wenn means if, trocken means dry, and besser means better. The subordinate clause sends wäre to the end, while the main clause uses würde plus the infinitive brennen; the infinitive also stands at the end of its clause.
Das Feuer wird noch lange brennen.
The fire will burn for a long time yet.
noch lange means for a long time yet. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive brennen at the end; das Feuer is the nominative subject.
Ich brenne die Fotos auf eine CD.
I am burning the photos onto a CD.
die Fotos means the photos, and auf eine CD means onto a CD. die Fotos is accusative because this use of brennen takes a direct object; eine CD is accusative after auf because the copying is directed onto the disc, and the finite verb brenne stands in position two.
Wir haben die Musik auf eine DVD gebrannt.
We burned the music onto a DVD.
die Musik means the music, and auf eine DVD means onto a DVD. die Musik is the accusative object of brennen, while eine DVD is accusative after auf because it expresses a destination; haben is in position two and gebrannt goes to the end.

das Chaos — chaos, disorder ​

Chaos is an uncountable noun in normal everyday use and is therefore singular-only. The genitive is des Chaos, with no ending on the noun; do not use an English-style plural for ordinary situations.
Das Chaos beginnt nach der Party.
The chaos begins after the party.
beginnt means begins, and die Party is the party. Das Chaos is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Chaos.
I can see the chaos.
sehe means see. Das Chaos is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, although the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
In dem Chaos finde ich nichts.
I cannot find anything in the chaos.
in dem Chaos means in the chaos, and nichts means nothing. In takes dative for a fixed location, so dem Chaos is dative; finde is in position two and nichts is its accusative object.
Die Ursache des Chaos ist unklar.
The cause of the chaos is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and unklar means unclear. Des Chaos is genitive after die Ursache to show what the cause belongs to; Chaos does not change its spelling.
Nach dem Umzug herrscht Chaos.
There is chaos after the move.
der Umzug is the move to a new home, and herrscht means reigns or exists. Nach dem Umzug uses dative because nach governs the dative, while Chaos is the subject after the verb.

dringend — urgent, pressing ​

dringend describes something that needs attention immediately. It is a regular adjective: dringender and am dringendsten; after sein, it has no ending, but before a noun it takes an adjective ending.
Die Angelegenheit ist dringend.
The matter is urgent.
die Angelegenheit means the matter or issue. The adjective is dringend because it follows sein and is therefore predicative, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine dringende Antwort.
I need an urgent answer.
brauchen means to need, and die Antwort is an answer. eine dringende Antwort is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; dringende has an adjective ending after eine.
Dieser Anruf ist dringender als der andere.
This call is more urgent than the other one.
dieser Anruf means this call, and der andere means the other one. dringender compares two things with als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Das ist die dringendste Aufgabe heute.
That is the most urgent task today.
die Aufgabe means the task, and heute means today. die dringendste Aufgabe is nominative because it identifies the subject after das ist; before a noun, the superlative takes the ending -ste plus the normal adjective ending.