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Vocab: Everyday actions — A2 (3)
Everyday actions vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
normal — normally, as usual
As an adverb, normal means “normally” or “in the usual way” and never takes an adjective ending. It is shorter and often more conversational than normalerweise.
Nach der Operation kann er wieder normal gehen.
After the operation, he can walk normally again.
nach der Operation means after the operation, wieder means again, and gehen means to walk. Normal is an adverb modifying gehen and does not take an adjective ending; kann is in position two and gehen goes to the end.
Alles läuft normal.
Everything is running normally.
Alles means everything and laufen means to run or work. Normal describes how things are running and therefore stays unchanged; the finite verb läuft is in position two.
normalerweise — usually, normally
Normalerweise usually refers to a repeated habit or what happens in most cases. It can stand at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle field, but it does not take an adjective ending.
Normalerweise trinke ich morgens Kaffee.
I usually drink coffee in the morning.
trinken means to drink, morgens means in the morning, and der Kaffee means coffee. Normalerweise is in position one for emphasis, so the finite verb trinke must come immediately after it in position two.
Der Zug kommt normalerweise pünktlich.
The train usually arrives on time.
der Zug means the train, kommen means to arrive, and pünktlich means on time. Normalerweise is a sentence adverb in the middle field; the finite verb kommt remains in position two, before the adverb.
notwendig — necessary, needed
notwendig is often used with sein to say that something is necessary. Before a noun it takes normal adjective endings, as in eine notwendige Entscheidung.
Es ist notwendig, dass du dich anmeldest.
It is necessary for you to register.
sich anmelden means to register or sign up. du means you, and dich is the reflexive pronoun referring back to du. notwendig is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; in the dass clause, the finite verb anmeldest goes to the end.
Eine notwendige Untersuchung dauert lange.
A necessary examination takes a long time.
eine Untersuchung is an examination, and lange means for a long time. notwendige stands before the feminine nominative noun Untersuchung and takes the ending -e after eine; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Diese Regel ist notwendiger als die alte.
This rule is more necessary than the old one.
diese Regel means this rule, and die alte means the old one. The comparative notwendiger is used with als for a comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
In diesem Fall ist Hilfe am notwendigsten.
In this case, help is most necessary.
in diesem Fall means in this case, and Hilfe means help. in takes the dative here because it describes a situation rather than movement, while am notwendigsten is the predicative superlative after ist.
nutzen — to use, to make use of
nutzen normally takes an accusative object: etwas nutzen means to use something. It is regular and forms the perfect with haben: hat genutzt.
Sie nutzt das Internet jeden Tag.
She uses the internet every day.
das Internet means the internet, and jeden Tag means every day. das Internet is accusative because nutzen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nutzt stands in position two.
Wir haben die Chance genutzt.
We took advantage of the opportunity.
die Chance means the opportunity, and haben means have. The perfect uses haben plus genutzt; the Partizip II goes to the end, and die Chance is accusative.
Er nutzte die kurze Pause zum Lesen.
He used the short break for reading.
kurz means short, die Pause means break, and zum Lesen means for reading. nutzte is a regular preterite form and stands in position two; die Pause is accusative.
Nutz deine Zeit gut!
Use your time well!
deine Zeit means your time, and gut means well. Nutz is the informal singular imperative, so du is omitted; deine Zeit is the accusative object.
Ich würde die Gelegenheit nutzen, um Deutsch zu üben.
I would use the opportunity to practise German.
die Gelegenheit means the opportunity, um ... zu üben means in order to practise, and Deutsch means German. würde nutzen expresses a hypothetical idea; nutzen stays as an infinitive at the end of the main clause.
Morgen werden wir den neuen Drucker nutzen.
Tomorrow we will use the new printer.
morgen means tomorrow, neu means new, and der Drucker means printer. Future tense uses werden plus the infinitive nutzen at the end; den neuen Drucker is accusative.
nutzlos — useless, pointless; pointless, futile
nutzlos describes something that has no useful effect. Its opposite is nützlich, meaning useful; the adjective has regular comparison: nutzloser, am nutzlosesten.
Der alte Schlüssel ist nutzlos.
The old key is useless.
alt means old, and der Schlüssel means key. nutzlos is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein nutzloser Tipp.
That is a useless tip.
der Tipp means tip or piece of advice, and ein means a. nutzloser comes before the masculine nominative noun Tipp after ein, so it takes the ending -er.
Dieser Plan ist nutzloser als der erste.
This plan is more useless than the first one.
dieser Plan means this plan, als means than, and der erste means the first one. nutzloser is a predicative comparative with no ending; als introduces the thing being compared.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am nutzlosesten.
Of all the suggestions, this one is the most useless.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the suggestions, and dieser means this one. von takes the dative, while predicative superlative uses am nutzlosesten; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Eine lange Diskussion darüber ist nutzlos.
A long discussion about it is pointless.
lang means long, die Diskussion means discussion, and darüber means about it. nutzlos is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; darüber refers to a previously mentioned subject.
Wir sollten keine nutzlose Arbeit machen.
We should not do any pointless work.
sollten means should, keine means no or any, and Arbeit machen means do work. nutzlose Arbeit is an accusative object of machen, and the adjective takes -e after keine before the feminine noun.
nötig — necessary, needed
Nötig means necessary or needed. It is often used predicatively, as in Das ist nötig, and it is also common before a noun with an adjective ending, as in nötige Sachen.
Deine Hilfe ist nötig.
Your help is necessary.
deine Hilfe means your help, and sein means to be. Nötig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; deine Hilfe is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir kaufen die nötigen Sachen.
We are buying the necessary things.
kaufen means to buy and die Sachen means the things. Nötigen stands before a plural noun in the accusative and takes -en after die; die nötigen Sachen is the direct object of kaufen.
Für die Prüfung ist ein Wörterbuch nötiger als ein Handy.
For the exam, a dictionary is more necessary than a phone.
die Prüfung means the exam, ein Wörterbuch is a dictionary, and ein Handy is a mobile phone. Nötiger compares two things and has the comparative ending -er; für die Prüfung is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Jetzt ist eine Pause am nötigsten.
Now a break is most necessary.
jetzt means now and eine Pause means a break. Am nötigsten is the predicative superlative after ist, formed with am and -sten; the noun phrase eine Pause is nominative.
nützlich — useful, helpful
Nützlich describes something that serves a purpose or helps. Its opposite is nutzlos, meaning “useless”; the comparative and superlative are regular.
Die App ist sehr nützlich.
The app is very useful.
die App means “the app” and sehr means “very”. After ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein nützlicher Tipp für Reisende.
That is a useful tip for travellers.
ein Tipp means “a tip”, für means “for”, and Reisende means “travellers”. Nützlicher stands before the masculine noun and takes -er after the indefinite article in the nominative.
Diese Tasche ist nützlicher als die alte.
This bag is more useful than the old one.
diese Tasche means “this bag”, als means “than”, and die alte means “the old one”. The comparative nützlicher is used with als, and the adjective after ist is predicative without an ending.
Dieses Werkzeug ist am nützlichsten.
This tool is the most useful.
dieses Werkzeug means “this tool”. The superlative am nützlichsten is predicative after ist; do not put a normal adjective ending on the am ...-sten form.
organisieren — to organize, to arrange; to coordinate, to arrange
Organisieren normally takes an accusative object, such as eine Reise organisieren. The perfect auxiliary is haben, and verbs ending in -ieren form the Partizip II without ge-.
Ich organisiere die Party.
I am organizing the party.
ich means I and die Party means the party. Die Party is accusative because it is the direct object of organisieren; the finite verb organisiere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Reise organisiert.
We organized the trip.
wir means we and die Reise means the trip. The perfect uses haben plus organisiert, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause; die Reise is accusative.
Sie organisierte das Treffen allein.
She organized the meeting alone.
sie means she, das Treffen means the meeting, and allein means alone. The regular preterite form organisierte is the finite verb in position two, and das Treffen is its accusative object.
Organisiere bitte den Transport.
Please organize the transport.
bitte means please and der Transport means transport. Organisiere is a direct command to du, and den Transport is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die Feier besser organisieren.
I would organize the celebration better.
würde means would, die Feier means the celebration, and besser means better. The würde construction places the infinitive organisieren at the end; die Feier is accusative.
Morgen werde ich den Ausflug organisieren.
Tomorrow I will organize the outing.
morgen means tomorrow, werde means will, and der Ausflug means the outing. In the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive organisieren goes to the end; den Ausflug is accusative.
Sie organisiert den Umzug für ihre Eltern.
She is organizing the move for her parents.
der Umzug means the move, and ihre Eltern means her parents. Den Umzug is accusative as the thing being organized, while für takes the accusative for the people who benefit.
Kannst du einen Babysitter organisieren?
Can you arrange a babysitter?
kannst du means can you, and ein Babysitter means a babysitter. After the modal verb kann, the infinitive organisieren goes to the end; einen Babysitter is accusative.
organisiert — organized, well-arranged
Organisiert is both an adjective meaning arranged or well planned and the Partizip II of organisieren. As an adjective before a noun, it takes an ending, as in ein organisierter Plan; after sein, it stays unchanged.
Unser Team ist gut organisiert.
Our team is well organized.
unser Team means our team, and gut means well. Organisiert is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen einen organisierten Plan.
We need an organized plan.
brauchen means need, and der Plan means plan. Einen organisierten Plan is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the adjective has -en after the masculine article einen.
Der neue Ablauf ist organisierter als der alte.
The new procedure is more organized than the old one.
der Ablauf means the procedure, neu means new, and alt means old. Organisierter is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Teams arbeitet unseres am organisiertesten.
Of all the teams, ours works in the most organized way.
von allen Teams means of all the teams, arbeitet means works, and unseres means ours. Von takes the dative, while am organisiertesten is the predicative superlative and does not take an adjective ending.
praktisch — practical, useful; convenient, handy
In this sense, praktisch describes something that is useful and easy to use. It can also describe practical, hands-on activity, as in praktische Erfahrung; the meaning is not always the opposite of theoretical.
Diese Tasche ist sehr praktisch.
This bag is very practical.
diese Tasche means this bag and sehr means very. After sein, praktisch is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist eine praktische Lösung.
That is a practical solution.
eine Lösung means a solution. Praktische stands before the noun and takes the feminine ending -e after eine; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der Rucksack ist praktischer als der Koffer.
The backpack is more practical than the suitcase.
der Rucksack means the backpack and der Koffer is the suitcase. The comparative praktischer is predicative after ist, and als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Diese App ist am praktischsten.
This app is the most practical.
diese App means this app. The predicative superlative uses am praktischsten without an adjective ending, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Es ist praktisch, dass der Supermarkt bis spät geöffnet ist.
It is convenient that the supermarket is open until late.
der Supermarkt means the supermarket, bis spät means until late, and geöffnet means open. Praktisch is predicative after ist; the clause beginning with dass sends its finite verb ist to the end.
Praktisch ist, dass wir mit dem Bus fahren können.
It is convenient that we can go by bus.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and fahren können means can travel or go. The adjective praktisch is used predicatively at the start; in the dass clause, the modal verb können goes to the end after the infinitive fahren.
prüfen — to check, test, examine
Prüfen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect: hat geprüft. It usually takes an accusative object, such as eine Antwort or einen Vertrag.
Ich prüfe die Rechnung.
I am checking the bill.
die Rechnung is the bill, and prüfe means check. Die Rechnung is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüfe stands in position two.
Wir haben die Ergebnisse geprüft.
We have checked the results.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and haben means have. Die Ergebnisse is accusative, while geprüft is the Partizip II at the end of the clause; prüfen forms the perfect with haben.
Der Lehrer prüfte unsere Hausaufgaben.
The teacher checked our homework.
der Lehrer is the teacher and unsere Hausaufgaben means our homework. Unsere Hausaufgaben is accusative because it is checked, and the regular past form prüfte is in position two.
Prüf bitte die Adresse!
Please check the address!
bitte means please, and die Adresse is the address. Prüf is the informal du imperative; the direct object die Adresse is accusative.
Ich würde den Vertrag vorher prüfen.
I would check the contract beforehand.
der Vertrag is the contract and vorher means beforehand. Würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive prüfen goes to the end; den Vertrag is accusative.
Die Ärztin wird die Ergebnisse morgen prüfen.
The doctor will check the results tomorrow.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, die Ergebnisse are the results, and morgen means tomorrow. Wird is in position two and the infinitive prüfen goes to the end; die Ergebnisse is accusative.
Bitte prüfen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse.
Please check your email address.
Ihre E-Mail-Adresse means your email address. Prüfen Sie is the polite imperative, and the object Ihre E-Mail-Adresse is accusative.
retten — to save, to rescue; to save, to prevent from failing
Retten is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes an accusative person or animal: jemanden retten; do not use the dative for the person being rescued.
Die Feuerwehr rettet das Kind.
The fire brigade rescues the child.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, and das Kind is the child. Das Kind is accusative because retten takes a direct object; the finite verb rettet stands in position two.
Die Feuerwehr hat das Kind gerettet.
The fire brigade has rescued the child.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, and das Kind is the child. The perfect uses hat with retten, while gerettet goes to the end; das Kind is accusative because it is the person rescued.
Die Feuerwehr rettete das Kind.
The fire brigade rescued the child.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, and das Kind is the child. Rettete is the regular preterite form; the finite verb is in position two and das Kind is accusative.
Rette das Kind!
Save the child!
das Kind means the child. Rette is the du imperative, so du is omitted; the child is accusative because retten takes a direct object.
Wenn ich könnte, rettete ich alle Tiere.
If I could, I would save all the animals.
wenn ich könnte means if I could, and alle Tiere means all the animals. Here rettete is also the Konjunktiv II form; in the wenn clause the finite verb könnte goes to the end, while rettete is in position two in the main clause.
Die Ärztin wird den Patienten retten.
The doctor will save the patient.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and der Patient is the patient. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive retten at the end; den Patienten is accusative because he is the person saved.
Wir müssen die Datei retten.
We have to save the file.
müssen means have to, and die Datei is the file. Die Datei is accusative because retten takes a direct object; after the modal verb müssen, the infinitive retten goes to the end.
Mit diesem Plan retten wir die Situation.
With this plan we can save the situation.
mit diesem Plan means with this plan, and die Situation is the situation. Diesem Plan is dative because mit takes the dative, while die Situation is accusative; the finite verb retten is in position two.
ruhen — to rest, to be at rest; to be inactive, to be still
ruhen means to rest or remain still; it is not normally used for taking a break from work, where sich ausruhen is more common. It forms the perfect with haben: hat geruht.
Der Hund ruht im Schatten.
The dog is resting in the shade.
der Hund means the dog, and der Schatten means the shade. ruht is in position two; im Schatten is dative because in describes a location here, not movement.
Der Hund hat im Schatten geruht.
The dog rested in the shade.
der Hund means the dog, and der Schatten means the shade. hat ... geruht uses haben because ruhen is a weak verb; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Das Pferd ruhte nach dem Lauf.
The horse rested after the run.
das Pferd means the horse, and der Lauf means the run. ruhte is the weak-verb simple past with -te; nach dem Lauf is dative because nach takes the dative.
Ruh dich kurz aus!
Rest for a moment!
kurz means briefly, and sich ausruhen means to rest. Ruh is the short du imperative of ruhen; the separate verb ausruhen is a different, separable verb, so its prefix must be marked separately.
Wenn der Motor ruhte, war es ganz leise.
When the engine was at rest, it was completely quiet.
der Motor means the engine, ganz means completely, and leise means quiet. This sentence uses ruhte as a past form in a hypothetical or conditional context; in the wenn clause the finite verb stands at the end.
Nach dem Essen wird das Baby eine Stunde ruhen.
After eating, the baby will rest for an hour.
nach dem Essen means after eating, das Baby means the baby, and eine Stunde means one hour. wird ... ruhen forms the future; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Die Arbeit ruht bis Montag.
The work is suspended until Monday.
die Arbeit means the work, and bis Montag means until Monday. ruht means is suspended here, not simply sleeps; the finite verb is in position two.
Während der Pause ruht der Verkehr.
During the break, traffic is at a standstill.
während der Pause means during the break, and der Verkehr means traffic. der Pause is dative in this common time expression; ruht stands in position two because the sentence begins with a time phrase.
sammeln — to collect, to gather
Sammeln usually takes an accusative object, as in Briefmarken sammeln. It is a regular weak verb: sammelte, gesammelt; the perfect uses haben.
Ich sammle alte Münzen.
I collect old coins.
alte Münzen means old coins. Alte Münzen is accusative because it is the direct object of sammle, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben viele Muscheln gesammelt.
We collected many shells.
viele Muscheln means many shells. Gesammelt is the Partizip II of sammeln and pairs with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Sie sammelte früher Postkarten.
She used to collect postcards.
früher means formerly or in the past, and Postkarten are postcards. Sammelte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; Postkarten is accusative as the collected objects.
Sammle bitte die Blätter ein.
Please collect the leaves.
bitte means please, die Blätter are the leaves, and einsammeln means to collect up. Sammle is the du imperative; the separable prefix ein goes to the end of the main clause.
Ich würde gern mehr Erfahrungen sammeln.
I would like to gain more experience.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mehr Erfahrungen means more experience. Würde expresses the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive sammeln goes to the end; mehr Erfahrungen is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich wieder Briefmarken sammeln.
Next year I will collect stamps again.
nächstes Jahr means next year, wieder means again, and Briefmarken are stamps. Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive sammeln goes to the end.
Die Kinder sammeln Kastanien im Park.
The children collect chestnuts in the park.
die Kinder are the children, Kastanien are chestnuts, and im Park means in the park. Sammeln is in position two because it is the finite verb; Kastanien is accusative as the direct object.
schieben — to push, to move by pushing; to shift
Schieben is a strong verb with the principal parts schieben – schob – hat geschoben. It can describe physical movement and, in expressions such as die Verantwortung auf jemanden schieben, shifting blame or responsibility; the destination after auf takes the accusative when direction is meant.
Er schiebt den Wagen in die Küche.
He pushes the cart into the kitchen.
er means “he,” den Wagen means “the cart,” and in die Küche means “into the kitchen.” Den Wagen is accusative because it is the object; in die Küche is accusative because it expresses movement into a place, and schiebt is in position two.
Sie hat den Tisch ans Fenster geschoben.
She pushed the table to the window.
den Tisch means “the table,” and ans Fenster means “to the window.” The perfect uses hat ... geschoben because schieben takes haben; ans means an das, and the destination is accusative.
Der Hausmeister schob die schweren Kisten in den Keller.
The caretaker pushed the heavy boxes into the cellar.
der Hausmeister means “the caretaker,” schwere Kisten means “heavy boxes,” and der Keller means “the cellar.” Schob is the strong preterite, while die schweren Kisten is accusative and in den Keller is accusative because it shows direction.
Schieb den Stuhl bitte zur Seite!
Please push the chair to the side!
den Stuhl means “the chair,” bitte means “please,” and zur Seite means “to the side.” Schieb is the du imperative, and den Stuhl is accusative because it is the object being moved.
Ich würde das Auto nicht schieben, wenn der Motor funktioniert.
I would not push the car if the engine worked.
das Auto means “the car,” nicht means “not,” and der Motor funktioniert means “the engine works.” Würde ... schieben expresses a hypothetical action, with schieben at the end of the main clause; the object das Auto is accusative.
Wenn es schneit, werde ich das Fahrrad nach Hause schieben.
If it snows, I will push the bicycle home.
wenn es schneit means “if it snows,” das Fahrrad means “the bicycle,” and nach Hause means “home.” In the future, werde is the finite verb and schieben goes to the end; the subordinate-clause verb schneit also stands at the end of its clause.
Der Junge schiebt die Verantwortung auf seinen Bruder.
The boy shifts the responsibility onto his brother.
der Junge means “the boy,” die Verantwortung means “the responsibility,” and sein Bruder means “his brother.” In the expression die Verantwortung auf jemanden schieben, auf takes the accusative because responsibility is shifted onto someone; schiebt is in position two.
schnallen — to buckle, to fasten; to get, to understand (informal)
This transitive verb takes the thing being fastened as an accusative object. For fastening your own seat belt, German normally uses sich anschnallen, not bare schnallen.
Der Mann schnallt den Gürtel.
The man buckles the belt.
der Mann is the man, and der Gürtel is the belt. den Gürtel is accusative because schnallen takes the thing being fastened as a direct object; the finite verb schnallt stands in position two.
Sie hat den Rucksack geschnallt.
She fastened the backpack.
sie means she, and der Rucksack is the backpack. den Rucksack is accusative because it is the object of schnallen; hat stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end.
Er schnallte den Gurt fest.
He fastened the belt securely.
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means securely or tightly. den Gurt is accusative as the direct object; schnallte is the weak simple-past form.
Schnall den Gurt fest!
Fasten the belt securely!
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means tightly. den Gurt is accusative because it is the object, and the imperative omits du.
Wenn du den Gurt fester schnalltest, wärst du besser geschützt.
If you fastened the belt more tightly, you would be better protected.
fester means more tightly, and geschützt means protected. den Gurt is accusative after schnallen; in the wenn clause, the finite verb schnalltest goes to the end, and wärst expresses the unreal result.
Morgen schnallen wir die neuen Gurte.
Tomorrow we will fasten the new belts.
morgen means tomorrow, and neu means new. die neuen Gurte is accusative because it is the direct object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive schnallen goes to the end.
Ich schnalle die Aufgabe nicht.
I don't understand the task.
die Aufgabe is the task or exercise, and nicht means not. die Aufgabe is accusative because it is the thing understood; this informal meaning is often used with nicht when someone does not understand.
Jetzt habe ich es geschnallt.
Now I get it.
jetzt means now, and es means it. es is an accusative pronoun referring to an idea or explanation; habe stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end in the perfect.
schwer — with difficulty; heavily; hard
As an adverb, schwer does not change its ending and can mean with difficulty, heavily or hard. Do not add an adjective ending when it describes a verb, as in schwer atmen.
Ich kann den Text schwer verstehen.
I can hardly understand the text.
der Text means text and verstehen means to understand; kann means can. Schwer is an adverb modifying verstehen, so it never takes an adjective ending; with the modal verb kann, the infinitive verstehen goes to the end.
Nach der Arbeit atmet er schwer.
After work, he is breathing heavily.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and atmen means to breathe. Schwer modifies atmet and means heavily here; the phrase nach der Arbeit is first, so the finite verb still comes in position two.
sortieren — to sort, to organise
sortieren takes an accusative object: etwas sortieren means to sort something. It is a regular -ieren verb, so its Partizip II is sortiert, not gesortiert, and the perfect uses haben.
Ich sortiere die Bücher nach Größe.
I sort the books by size.
die Bücher means the books, nach Größe means by size, and Größe means size. die Bücher is accusative because sortieren takes an accusative object, while nach takes the dative in this meaning; the finite verb sortiere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Rechnungen sortiert.
We sorted the bills.
die Rechnungen means the bills, and haben means have. die Rechnungen is accusative because it is what we sorted; the auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II sortiert goes to the end.
Sie sortierte die Karten am Abend.
She sorted the cards in the evening.
die Karten means the cards, and am Abend means in the evening. die Karten is accusative because sortierte takes an object; the regular preterite form sortierte stands in position two.
Sortier bitte die Wäsche.
Please sort the laundry.
bitte means please, and die Wäsche means the laundry. This is a du imperative, so the pronoun is omitted and sortier comes first; die Wäsche is accusative because it is the thing to be sorted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, sortierte ich alle Dateien.
If I had more time, I would sort all the files.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and alle Dateien means all the files. The wenn clause sends its finite verb to the end, while sortierte in the main clause is the Konjunktiv II form and stands in position two; alle Dateien is accusative.
Morgen werde ich die Fotos sortieren.
Tomorrow I will sort the photos.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Fotos means the photos. die Fotos is accusative because sortieren takes an object; werde is in position two and the infinitive sortieren goes to the end.
stattfinden — to take place, to happen
stattfinden is a separable strong verb: findet statt - fand statt - hat stattgefunden. It is usually used for planned events, meetings, or ceremonies, and its perfect takes haben.
Das Konzert findet morgen statt.
The concert is taking place tomorrow.
das Konzert means the concert and morgen means tomorrow. stattfinden is separable in a main clause: the finite part findet is in position two and statt goes to the end.
Die Feier hat im Garten stattgefunden.
The party took place in the garden.
die Feier means the party and im Garten means in the garden. The perfect uses hat plus stattgefunden at the end; because stattfinden describes an event taking place, it takes haben, not sein.
Das Treffen fand trotz des Regens statt.
The meeting took place despite the rain.
das Treffen means the meeting, trotz des Regens means despite the rain, and der Regen means rain. In the simple past, fand is in position two and the separable prefix statt goes to the end; trotz takes the genitive here.
Finde die Veranstaltung pünktlich statt.
Make the event take place on time.
die Veranstaltung means the event and pünktlich means on time. The singular imperative is finde; the prefix statt remains separate and goes to the end, although this command sounds formal and is uncommon in ordinary conversation.
Die Sitzung würde am Montag stattfinden.
The meeting would take place on Monday.
die Sitzung means the meeting and am Montag means on Monday. The modal form würde carries the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive stattfinden stays whole at the end; do not separate it after würde.
Das Spiel wird am Samstag stattfinden.
The match will take place on Saturday.
das Spiel means the match and am Samstag means on Saturday. Future tense uses wird in position two and the whole infinitive stattfinden at the end; the prefix is not separated in this construction.
stören — to disturb, to bother; to disrupt, to interfere with
The person or thing disturbed is in the accusative: jemanden stören. Do not use the dative for this object; mich is correct in Das stört mich.
Bitte stör mich nicht beim Lernen.
Please don't disturb me while I am studying.
bitte means please, and beim Lernen means while studying. mich is accusative because stören takes the person disturbed; beim is short for bei dem and takes the dative.
Der Lärm hat die Kinder gestört.
The noise disturbed the children.
der Lärm means the noise, and die Kinder are the children. The perfect uses hat plus gestört; die Kinder is accusative even though its form looks like the nominative plural.
Der Baulärm störte die Nachbarn.
The construction noise disturbed the neighbours.
der Baulärm means construction noise, and die Nachbarn are the neighbours. The regular past form störte is in position two, and die Nachbarn is the accusative object.
Stör die anderen nicht!
Don't disturb the others!
die anderen means the others. The negative imperative uses stör plus nicht; die anderen is accusative because it names the people being disturbed.
Wenn ich leiser spräche, störte ich niemanden.
If I spoke more quietly, I would disturb nobody.
leiser means more quietly, and niemanden means nobody. The Konjunktiv II störte is identical to the simple past here; niemanden is accusative as the object of stören.
Die Musik wird die Gäste nicht stören.
The music will not disturb the guests.
die Musik means the music, and die Gäste are the guests. wird occupies position two and the infinitive stören goes to the end; the guests are accusative.
Die Bauarbeiten stören den Verkehr.
The construction work disrupts traffic.
die Bauarbeiten means the construction work, and der Verkehr means traffic. den Verkehr is accusative because it is the thing affected by stören, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ein technischer Fehler hat den Ablauf gestört.
A technical error disrupted the process.
ein technischer Fehler means a technical error, and der Ablauf is the process or sequence of events. The perfect uses hat gestört, and den Ablauf is accusative as the disrupted process.
die Störung — fault, disruption, interruption; disturbance, interruption
For a machine or service, die Störung is usually a fault or outage. The related verb stören means to disturb, while beheben means to fix or eliminate a fault.
Die Störung ist inzwischen behoben.
The fault has now been fixed.
inzwischen means by now, and behoben means fixed or resolved. Die Störung is nominative because it is the subject; ist behoben is a state description, not the perfect of beheben.
Wir melden die Störung sofort.
We report the fault immediately.
melden means report, and sofort means immediately. Die Störung is accusative because it is the direct object of melden; its feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Techniker arbeitet an der Störung.
The technician is working on the fault.
der Techniker is the technician, and arbeitet an means is working on. The preposition an takes the dative here because this describes work on a fixed problem, so der Störung is dative.
Die Ursache der Störung ist noch unbekannt.
The cause of the fault is still unknown.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unbekannt means still unknown. der Störung is genitive after die Ursache to show which fault is meant; feminine genitive and dative have the same article form.
Heute gibt es mehrere Störungen im Netz.
There are several disruptions in the network today.
mehrere means several, and im Netz means in the network. Störungen is the plural; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although the form is identical to the nominative plural.
Die lauten Gespräche waren eine Störung für die Prüfung.
The loud conversations were a disturbance during the exam.
laute Gespräche means loud conversations, and die Prüfung is the exam. eine Störung is a predicative noun after sein, while für die Prüfung uses accusative after für.
Entschuldigen Sie die Störung.
Excuse the interruption.
Entschuldigen Sie is the formal imperative excuse me, and die Störung means the interruption. The noun is accusative because it is the object of entschuldigen; the formal imperative keeps Sie in the sentence.
die Suche — search, quest
The common pattern is die Suche nach plus dative: die Suche nach einer Wohnung means the search for an apartment. Do not confuse the noun die Suche with the verb suchen.
Die Suche beginnt heute.
The search begins today.
beginnt means begins and heute means today. Die Suche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir setzen die Suche morgen fort.
We will continue the search tomorrow.
wir means we, morgen means tomorrow, and fortsetzen means to continue. die Suche is accusative because fortsetzen takes a direct object; the separable verb has setzen in position two and fort at the end.
Bei der Suche hilft mir meine Schwester.
My sister helps me with the search.
bei means during or with, and meine Schwester is my sister. der Suche is dative because bei always takes the dative; the indirect object mir is also dative after helfen.
Das Ende der Suche war eine Erleichterung.
The end of the search was a relief.
das Ende is the end and eine Erleichterung is a relief. der Suche is genitive because it identifies whose end it is; the verb war stands in position two.
Die Suchen im Internet dauern oft lange.
Online searches often take a long time.
im Internet means on the internet, dauern means take or last, and oft lange means often a long time. Suchen is plural and nominative here, so the plural verb dauern agrees with it.
der Tagesablauf — daily routine, daily schedule
der Tagesablauf is a compound of der Tag and der Ablauf and describes the order of activities in a day. It is useful for talking about routines, schedules and everyday habits.
Mein Tagesablauf ist ziemlich regelmäßig.
My daily routine is quite regular.
mein means my, ziemlich means quite, and regelmäßig means regular. Mein Tagesablauf is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich ändere meinen Tagesablauf.
I am changing my daily routine.
ändern means to change and meinen means my in the masculine accusative. meinen Tagesablauf is accusative because it is the object of ändere; the masculine ending changes from mein to meinen.
Mit einem festen Tagesablauf schlafe ich besser.
With a fixed daily routine, I sleep better.
fest means fixed and schlafe means sleep. mit always takes dative, so einem festen Tagesablauf is dative; because the phrase comes first, schlafe still occupies position two.
Die Struktur des Tagesablaufs hilft mir.
The structure of the daily routine helps me.
die Struktur means the structure and hilft means helps. des Tagesablaufs is genitive because it shows whose structure it is, while mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Viele Tagesabläufe sehen ähnlich aus.
Many daily routines look similar.
viele means many and ähnlich means similar. Tagesabläufe is plural and the subject; the separable verb aussehen appears as sehen ... aus, with the finite part in position two.
tauschen — to exchange, to swap
The direct object is the thing being exchanged, as in etwas tauschen. For the item received in exchange, use gegen with the accusative or mit when describing the other person or party.
Ich tausche mein altes Fahrrad gegen ein neues.
I am exchanging my old bicycle for a new one.
mein altes Fahrrad means “my old bicycle”, gegen means “for/in exchange for”, and ein neues means “a new one”. mein altes Fahrrad is accusative because tauschen takes the thing being exchanged as a direct object, while gegen ein neues uses the accusative after gegen; the finite verb tausche stands in position two.
Wir haben die Plätze getauscht.
We exchanged seats.
wir means “we”, die Plätze means “the seats”, and haben means “have”. die Plätze is accusative because it is the direct object, and haben getauscht forms the perfect; getauscht goes to the end of the clause.
Sie tauschte ihre Schicht mit einem Kollegen.
She swapped her shift with a colleague.
ihre Schicht means “her shift”, mit means “with”, and einem Kollegen means “a colleague”. ihre Schicht is accusative as the thing exchanged, while mit forces the dative einem Kollegen; tauschte is the regular simple-past form.
Tausch bitte den Platz mit mir.
Please swap seats with me.
bitte means “please”, den Platz means “the seat”, and mit mir means “with me”. den Platz is accusative because it is the object of tauschen, while mit takes the dative mir; the informal imperative tausch has no ending.
Ich würde das Auto gern gegen ein kleineres tauschen.
I would like to exchange the car for a smaller one.
das Auto means “the car”, gern means “gladly/would like to”, and ein kleineres means “a smaller one”. das Auto is accusative as the direct object, and gegen forces the accusative ein kleineres; the polite hypothetical form uses würde plus the infinitive tauschen at the end.
Morgen werden wir die Tickets tauschen.
Tomorrow we will exchange the tickets.
morgen means “tomorrow”, and die Tickets means “the tickets”. die Tickets is accusative because it is the direct object; in the future, werden is in position two and the infinitive tauschen goes to the end.
teilnehmen — to take part; to attend
teilnehmen is a separable verb and normally takes an plus dative: an einem Kurs teilnehmen. Do not use the accusative after an in this fixed pattern, and do not leave teil attached in a normal main clause.
Ich nehme an dem Kurs teil.
I am taking part in the course.
der Kurs means the course. an dem Kurs is dative because teilnehmen an requires an plus dative; in a main clause the separable verb has nehme in position two and teil at the end.
Sie hat an der Sitzung teilgenommen.
She attended the meeting.
die Sitzung means the meeting. The perfect uses hat plus teilgenommen; the complete Partizip II stays together at the end, and an der Sitzung is dative because an is required by teilnehmen.
Er nahm am Wettbewerb teil.
He took part in the competition.
der Wettbewerb means the competition, and am Wettbewerb means an dem Wettbewerb. The strong past form is nahm, while the prefix teil moves to the end; an takes the dative here because it follows teilnehmen.
Nimm an der Diskussion teil!
Take part in the discussion!
die Diskussion means the discussion. The informal imperative addresses du, which is omitted; nimm has the vowel change of nehmen, and the prefix teil is separated and placed at the end.
Ich nähme gern an dem Projekt teil.
I would gladly take part in the project.
gern means gladly, and das Projekt means the project. The Konjunktiv II form nähme keeps the separable prefix teil at the end; an dem Projekt is dative because teilnehmen an requires the dative.
Morgen werde ich an der Führung teilnehmen.
Tomorrow I will take part in the guided tour.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Führung means the guided tour. Future werde stands in position two and the inseparable whole infinitive teilnehmen goes to the end; an der Führung is dative after teilnehmen an.
testen — to test, to try out
Testen usually takes an accusative object: etwas testen means to test something. The verb is regular and forms the perfect with haben.
Ich teste die neue App.
I am testing the new app.
die neue App means the new app. Die neue App is accusative because testen takes a direct object, and the finite verb teste is in position two.
Wir haben den neuen Drucker getestet.
We tested the new printer.
wir means we, der Drucker is a printer, and neu means new. Den neuen Drucker is accusative after testen; the perfect uses haben, with getestet at the end.
Die Firma testete das Gerät im Labor.
The company tested the device in the laboratory.
die Firma means the company, das Gerät means the device, and im Labor means in the laboratory. Das Gerät is accusative after testen, and the regular past form testete is in position two.
Teste bitte den Wecker.
Please test the alarm clock.
bitte means please, and der Wecker is an alarm clock. Den Wecker is accusative because it is the object of testen; the imperative Teste comes first.
Ich würde das vorher testen.
I would test that beforehand.
vorher means beforehand, and das means that or it. Das is accusative as the object of testen; würde plus the infinitive testen expresses a hypothetical action.
Morgen werden wir die Strecke testen.
Tomorrow we will test the route.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Strecke is the route or distance. Die Strecke is accusative after testen; in the future, werden is in position two and testen goes to the end.
trennen — to separate, to sort; to split up, to part
For physical separation, trennen takes an accusative object: etwas trennen. The reflexive form sich trennen means “to part” or “to separate from someone”; it is not the same as separating an object.
Wir trennen den Müll.
We sort the rubbish.
der Müll means rubbish or waste. den Müll is accusative because trennen takes a direct object, and the finite verb trennen is in position two.
Wir haben den Müll getrennt.
We sorted the rubbish.
haben means “have” here, and getrennt means sorted or separated. den Müll is accusative because it is the object; haben is in position two and the Partizip II getrennt goes to the end.
Früher trennte meine Familie den Müll nicht.
In the past, my family did not sort the rubbish.
früher means in the past, and meine Familie means my family. den Müll is accusative after trennen, while the weak-verb past form trennte stands in position two.
Trenn bitte das Papier vom Plastik!
Please separate the paper from the plastic!
bitte means please, das Papier is paper, and das Plastik is plastic. das Papier is accusative as the object, while vom Plastik means “from the plastic” and is dative after von.
Ich würde den Müll besser trennen, wenn es mehr Tonnen gäbe.
I would sort the rubbish better if there were more bins.
besser means better, wenn means if, and die Tonne is a bin. den Müll is accusative after trennen; würde ... trennen expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation, while the verb in the wenn clause goes to the end.
Morgen trennen wir die Wäsche.
Tomorrow we will sort the laundry.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Wäsche means laundry. die Wäsche is accusative after trennen; werden would form the future, but in everyday German the present often expresses a planned future.
Sie trennt sich von ihrem Freund.
She is splitting up with her boyfriend.
sich trennen means to split up, and der Freund means boyfriend here. sich is the reflexive pronoun, while von ihrem Freund is dative because von always takes the dative; the finite verb trennt is in position two.
Nach zehn Jahren haben sie sich getrennt.
After ten years, they split up.
nach zehn Jahren means after ten years, and Jahre means years. The reflexive pronoun sich refers back to sie; haben forms the perfect and getrennt goes at the end.
unerwartet — unexpected
unerwartet describes something that was not expected. It can be predicative after sein or attributive before a noun, where it takes an adjective ending.
Die Nachricht war völlig unerwartet.
The news was completely unexpected.
die Nachricht means the news and völlig means completely. The adjective is predicative after war, so it has no ending and agrees with neither gender nor case.
Sie bekam eine unerwartete Antwort.
She received an unexpected answer.
bekam means received and eine Antwort means an answer. eine unerwartete Antwort is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the indefinite article.
Sein Besuch war noch unerwarteter als meiner.
His visit was even more unexpected than mine.
sein Besuch means his visit and noch means even. unerwarteter compares two visits, and als introduces the second comparison; the adjective is predicative after war.
Das war der unerwartetste Moment des Abends.
That was the most unexpected moment of the evening.
der Moment means the moment and des Abends means of the evening. The superlative stands before the noun with the ending -ste and has the adjective ending -e after der; des Abends is a genitive phrase.
unnötig — unnecessary, not needed
unnötig describes something that is not needed. It is often used before a noun, where its ending changes, or after sein, where it has no ending.
Das ist unnötig.
That is unnecessary.
das means that, and ist means is. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie kauft eine unnötige Tasche.
She is buying an unnecessary bag.
sie means she, kauft means buys, and eine Tasche is a bag. eine Tasche is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective before the feminine noun takes the ending -e.
Dieser Weg ist unnötiger als der andere.
This route is more unnecessary than the other one.
dieser Weg means this route, der andere means the other one, and als means than. unnötiger compares two things and is predicative after ist, so it has no ending.
Das war die unnötigste Diskussion des Tages.
That was the most unnecessary discussion of the day.
die Diskussion means the discussion, and des Tages means of the day. Before the feminine noun, the superlative takes -ste; des Tages is genitive to show whose day it is.
unterhalten — to talk, to have a conversation; to entertain
The reflexive pattern is sich mit jemandem über etwas unterhalten: mit takes the dative and über normally takes the accusative here. This meaning is about talking, not about entertaining an audience.
Wir unterhalten uns oft über unsere Reisen.
We often talk about our travels.
oft means often, and unsere Reisen means our travels. uns is accusative because the reflexive form of unterhalten uses an accusative pronoun, while über takes the accusative in this meaning; the finite verb unterhalten is in position two.
Wir haben uns gestern lange unterhalten.
We talked for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus unterhalten, and uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun; the participle stands at the end of the clause.
Sie unterhielt sich nach dem Konzert mit ihrer Schwester.
She talked with her sister after the concert.
nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and ihrer Schwester means her sister. mit always takes the dative, so ihrer Schwester is dative; unterhielt is the simple-past finite verb in position two.
Unterhalte dich mit deinen Gästen!
Talk with your guests!
deinen Gästen means your guests. mit requires the dative plural, shown by Gästen; the imperative comes first, and the reflexive pronoun dich follows it.
Ich unterhielte mich gern länger mit dir.
I would gladly talk with you for longer.
gern means gladly and länger means for longer. mit dir is dative because mit requires dative, while mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun; unterhielte expresses a hypothetical or polite situation.
Wir werden uns morgen über den neuen Plan unterhalten.
We will talk about the new plan tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and den neuen Plan means the new plan. über takes the accusative here, and the finite verb werden is in position two while the infinitive unterhalten goes to the end.
Der Clown unterhält die Kinder.
The clown entertains the children.
der Clown is a clown, and die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because this meaning of unterhalten takes a direct object; the finite verb unterhält stands in position two.
Die Musik hat die Gäste den ganzen Abend unterhalten.
The music entertained the guests all evening.
die Musik means the music, die Gäste means the guests, and den ganzen Abend means all evening. die Gäste is accusative as the direct object; the perfect uses hat, with unterhalten at the end.
untersuchen — to examine; to investigate
This verb takes an accusative object: jemanden/etwas untersuchen. It is used both for a medical examination and for investigating a problem or event.
Der Arzt untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
Der Arzt means the doctor, and der Patient means the patient. den Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes the person being examined as a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat meinen Rücken untersucht.
The doctor examined my back.
Die Ärztin is the female doctor, and mein Rücken means my back. meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the object of untersuchen; the perfect uses hat plus untersucht, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Arzt untersuchte das Kind gestern.
The doctor examined the child yesterday.
das Kind means the child, and gestern means yesterday. das Kind is accusative, although its article looks like the nominative; untersuchte is the weak past form and stands in position two.
Untersuche bitte den Fuß.
Please examine the foot.
bitte means please, and der Fuß means the foot. den Fuß is accusative because it is the object; the informal imperative untersuche comes first, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde gern die Ursache untersuchen.
I would like to investigate the cause.
gern means gladly or would like to, and die Ursache means the cause. die Ursache is accusative as the object of untersuchen; würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive untersuchen goes to the end.
Die Polizei wird den Unfall untersuchen.
The police will investigate the accident.
Die Polizei means the police, and der Unfall means the accident. den Unfall is accusative because it is being investigated; wird is in position two and the infinitive untersuchen stands at the end.
verbessern — to improve, to correct
verbessern usually takes an accusative object: you improve etwas. The reflexive form sich verbessern means to get better, and the verb uses haben in the perfect.
Ich verbessere meinen Text.
I am improving my text.
meinen Text means my text, and verbessere means improve. meinen Text is accusative because verbessern takes an accusative object; the finite verb verbessere is in position two.
Wir haben unsere Aussprache verbessert.
We have improved our pronunciation.
unsere Aussprache means our pronunciation. The perfect uses haben plus verbessert, and the participle goes to the end; unsere Aussprache is accusative after verbessern.
Die neue Methode verbesserte das Ergebnis.
The new method improved the result.
Die neue Methode means the new method, and das Ergebnis means the result. verbesserte is the regular simple-past form in position two, while das Ergebnis is accusative as the object.
Verbessere bitte deinen Satz.
Please improve your sentence.
bitte means please, and deinen Satz means your sentence. The imperative verbessere has no subject pronoun; deinen Satz is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich mehr üben würde, verbesserte ich mich schneller.
If I practised more, I would improve faster.
mehr üben means practise more, and schneller means faster. This sentence uses würde with the infinitive in the subordinate clause; in the main clause, verbesserte is Konjunktiv II and mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Mit regelmäßigem Training wird er seine Zeit verbessern.
With regular training, he will improve his time.
Mit regelmäßigem Training means with regular training, and seine Zeit means his time. Future uses wird plus verbessern at the end; mit takes the dative, while seine Zeit is accusative.
verbieten — to forbid, to ban; to prohibit
The person affected is often in the dative, as in jemandem etwas verbieten, while the thing forbidden is accusative. The perfect uses haben, not sein: hat verboten.
Die Schule verbietet Handys im Unterricht.
The school bans mobile phones in class.
die Schule is the school, Handys are mobile phones, and im Unterricht means in class. Handys is accusative because it is the object of verbietet; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Schule hat Handys im Unterricht verboten.
The school has banned mobile phones in class.
die Schule is the school, and im Unterricht means in class. Handys is accusative after verbieten; hat ... verboten forms the perfect, with verboten at the end.
Der Arzt verbot ihm den Sport.
The doctor forbade him to do sport.
der Arzt is the doctor, ihm means to him, and den Sport means sport. Ihm is dative for the person affected, while den Sport is accusative as the thing forbidden; verbot is the simple past in position two.
Verbiete deinem Bruder das Spiel nicht!
Do not forbid your brother the game!
deinem Bruder means your brother, das Spiel means the game, and nicht means not. The person is dative and the thing is accusative; the imperative comes first, and nicht negates the command.
Ich würde ihm das nicht verbieten.
I would not forbid him that.
ihm means to him, and das means that. Ihm is dative for the person and das is accusative for the thing; würde ... verbieten expresses an unreal or tentative situation, with the infinitive at the end.
Der Trainer wird uns das Tragen von Schmuck verbieten.
The coach will forbid us to wear jewellery.
der Trainer is the coach, uns means us, and das Tragen von Schmuck means wearing jewellery. Uns is dative for the people affected; wird ... verbieten forms the future, with the infinitive at the end.
Das Schild verbietet das Parken.
The sign prohibits parking.
das Schild is the sign, and das Parken means parking. Das Parken is accusative because it is the object of verbietet; the finite verb stands in position two.
Früher verbot man den Verkauf von Alkohol hier.
In the past, the sale of alcohol was forbidden here.
früher means in the past, man means people or one, and der Verkauf von Alkohol means the sale of alcohol. Den Verkauf is accusative after verbieten; verbot is in position two, while man is the subject.
vergessen — to forget; to leave behind; to omit
vergessen is a strong verb with the principal parts vergessen – vergaß – hat vergessen. It takes an accusative object, and the inseparable prefix ver- prevents ge- in the Partizip II.
Ich vergesse oft meinen Schlüssel.
I often forget my key.
oft means often, and mein Schlüssel is my key. meinen Schlüssel is accusative because vergessen takes a direct accusative object; the finite verb vergesse stands in position two.
Wir haben den Termin vergessen.
We forgot the appointment.
der Termin means the appointment. The perfect uses haben with the Partizip II vergessen at the end; den Termin is accusative because it is the object of vergessen.
Sie vergaß ihren Regenschirm im Zug.
She forgot her umbrella on the train.
ihren Regenschirm means her umbrella, and im Zug means on the train. ihren Regenschirm is accusative as the object, while vergaß is the strong-verb Präteritum in position two.
Vergiss bitte deinen Pass nicht!
Please don’t forget your passport!
bitte means please, deinen Pass means your passport, and nicht means not. Vergiss is the singular du imperative; the object deinen Pass is accusative, and nicht makes the command negative.
Wenn ich müde wäre, vergäße ich den Termin leicht.
If I were tired, I would easily forget the appointment.
wenn means if, müde means tired, and leicht means easily. vergäße is the direct Konjunktiv II of vergessen and expresses a hypothetical situation; wäre goes to the end of the wenn-clause, while vergäße stands in position two in the main clause.
Ich werde den Namen nicht vergessen.
I will not forget the name.
der Name means the name, and nicht means not. Future I uses werde in position two and the infinitive vergessen at the end; den Namen is accusative because it is the object.
Er hat seinen Regenschirm im Zug vergessen.
He left his umbrella on the train.
seinen Regenschirm means his umbrella, and im Zug means on the train. The object is accusative, while im Zug is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the Partizip II vergessen stands at the end.
Du hast die Hausaufgaben vergessen.
You forgot the homework.
die Hausaufgaben means the homework. It is an accusative object after vergessen, and the perfect is formed with hast plus vergessen at the end of the clause.
vergleichen — to compare; to compare oneself with; to compare with
The normal pattern is etwas vergleichen with an accusative object; miteinander means with one another. The reflexive pattern sich mit jemandem vergleichen means to compare oneself with someone and uses mit plus the dative.
Ich vergleiche die Preise im Internet.
I compare the prices on the internet.
die Preise means the prices, and im Internet means on the internet. die Preise is accusative because vergleichen takes a direct object; the finite verb vergleiche stands in position two.
Wir haben die beiden Hotels verglichen.
We compared the two hotels.
die beiden Hotels means the two hotels. The perfect uses haben with verglichen; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while die beiden Hotels is accusative.
Er verglich die Fotos miteinander.
He compared the photos with one another.
die Fotos means the photos, and miteinander means with one another. die Fotos is accusative as the object, and the strong past form verglich is the finite verb in position two.
Vergleich die Preise vor dem Kauf!
Compare the prices before buying!
vor dem Kauf means before the purchase. The singular imperative vergleich comes first; die Preise is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde die Angebote zuerst vergleichen.
I would compare the offers first.
die Angebote means the offers, and zuerst means first. würde marks a conditional idea, while the infinitive vergleichen goes to the end; the offers are accusative.
Sie wird die Ergebnisse später vergleichen.
She will compare the results later.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and später means later. Future wird stands in position two and sends vergleichen to the end; die Ergebnisse is accusative as the direct object.
Du solltest dich nicht mit anderen vergleichen.
You should not compare yourself with others.
du solltest means you should, and anderen means other people. dich is accusative because the reflexive object is the person being compared, while mit anderen is dative after mit; the infinitive goes to the end after solltest.
Man kann sich gut mit dieser Tabelle vergleichen.
One can make a good comparison with this table.
man kann means one can, gut means well, and diese Tabelle means this table. sich is the reflexive accusative object, while mit dieser Tabelle is dative after mit; the infinitive vergleichen stands at the end after the modal verb.
verpassen — to miss, to fail to catch; to miss, to let an opportunity pass
Verpassen normally means being too late for transport, an appointment or an event. It can also mean failing to take advantage of an opportunity; the missed thing is always an accusative object.
Er verpasst den Bus.
He misses the bus.
er means he, and der Bus is the bus. Den Bus is accusative because verpassen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb verpasst stands in position two.
Er hat den Bus verpasst.
He has missed the bus.
er means he, and der Bus is the bus. The perfect uses hat plus verpasst, with the Partizip II at the end; den Bus is accusative as the thing he failed to catch.
Er verpasste den Bus heute Morgen.
He missed the bus this morning.
heute Morgen means this morning, and der Bus is the bus. Den Bus is accusative because it is the object, and the regular past form verpasste contains -te.
Verpasse den Zug nicht!
Do not miss the train!
der Zug means the train, and nicht means not. Verpasse is the informal singular imperative; den Zug is accusative as the object, and nicht follows the object in this warning.
Ich würde den Termin nur ungern verpassen.
I would be reluctant to miss the appointment.
ich means I, der Termin is the appointment, and nur ungern means reluctantly or would rather not. Würde verpassen expresses a hypothetical situation, with the infinitive at the end; den Termin is accusative.
Wir werden den Anfang nicht verpassen.
We will not miss the beginning.
wir means we, der Anfang is the beginning, and nicht means not. Future werden verpassen puts werden in position two and the infinitive at the end; den Anfang is accusative because it is the object.
Sie verpasst ihre große Chance.
She is missing her big opportunity.
sie means she, ihre means her, and die Chance is the opportunity or chance. Ihre große Chance is accusative because verpassen takes an accusative object; the possessive determiner and adjective show the feminine accusative form.
Du hast den richtigen Moment verpasst.
You missed the right moment.
du means you, der richtige Moment is the right moment, and hast means have. Den richtigen Moment is accusative as the object, and the perfect places verpasst at the end after hast.
verschieben — to postpone, to move; to move, to shift
Verschieben is a strong verb: verschieben – verschob – hat verschoben. In the first sense it normally takes an accusative object such as einen Termin; the inseparable prefix ver- means the verb does not split.
Der Arzt verschiebt den Termin.
The doctor is postponing the appointment.
Der Arzt means the doctor and der Termin means the appointment. Den Termin is accusative because verschieben takes a direct object, and the finite verb verschiebt stands in position two.
Wir haben die Prüfung verschoben.
We postponed the exam.
die Prüfung means the exam. Die Prüfung is accusative because it is the object of verschieben; haben is in position two and verschoben goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Die Firma verschob das Treffen auf Freitag.
The company postponed the meeting until Friday.
Die Firma means the company, das Treffen means the meeting, and auf Freitag means until Friday. Das Treffen is accusative after verschieben; verschob is the strong-verb past form and stands in position two.
Verschieb den Termin bitte!
Please postpone the appointment!
bitte means please and der Termin means the appointment. Verschieb is the singular du imperative, with the subject omitted; den Termin is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde die Reise gern verschieben.
I would gladly postpone the trip.
die Reise means the trip and gern means gladly or would like to. Würde ... verschieben expresses a hypothetical wish, with the finite verb würde in position two and the infinitive at the end; die Reise is accusative.
Wir werden das Treffen auf nächste Woche verschieben.
We will postpone the meeting until next week.
das Treffen means the meeting and nächste Woche means next week. Werden stands in position two and verschieben goes to the end in the future; das Treffen is accusative after the verb.
Kannst du den Schrank ein Stück verschieben?
Can you move the cupboard a little?
der Schrank means the cupboard and ein Stück means a little distance. Den Schrank is accusative because it is the object being moved; after the modal kannst, the infinitive verschieben goes to the end.
Sie verschob den Stuhl näher ans Fenster.
She moved the chair closer to the window.
der Stuhl means the chair, näher means closer, and das Fenster means the window. Den Stuhl is accusative after verschieben, while ans Fenster expresses the destination and verschob stands in position two.
verschwinden — to disappear, to vanish
verschwinden is intransitive, so it normally has no accusative object. It takes sein in the perfect; its principal parts are verschwinden – verschwand – ist verschwunden.
Mein Schlüssel verschwindet immer wieder.
My key keeps disappearing.
mein Schlüssel means my key, and immer wieder means again and again. Mein Schlüssel is the nominative subject, and the finite verb verschwindet is in position two; there is no object.
Der Schlüssel ist plötzlich verschwunden.
The key has suddenly disappeared.
plötzlich means suddenly. The perfect uses ist rather than hat because the subject changes from present to gone, and verschwunden goes to the end.
Das Geld verschwand in wenigen Tagen.
The money disappeared within a few days.
das Geld means the money, and in wenigen Tagen means within a few days. verschwand is the strong preterite; in takes the dative here because the phrase describes time, not movement into a place.
Verschwinde sofort aus meinem Zimmer!
Get out of my room immediately!
sofort means immediately, and mein Zimmer means my room. The imperative addresses du; aus takes the dative, so meinem Zimmer means from my room.
Der Fleck würde langsam verschwinden.
The stain would slowly disappear.
der Fleck means the stain, and langsam means slowly. The würde construction expresses a possible result and sends the infinitive verschwinden to the end; the verb has no accusative object.
Der Nebel wird bald verschwinden.
The fog will disappear soon.
der Nebel means the fog, and bald means soon. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive verschwinden at the end; der Nebel is the nominative subject.
versehentlich — accidental, inadvertent
This adjective describes an unintended action or result. Comparison is grammatically possible but uncommon because accidental actions are not usually measured; use absichtlich for something done deliberately.
Das war versehentlich.
That was accidental.
das means that, and war means was. Versehentlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Sie machte einen versehentlichen Fehler.
She made an accidental mistake.
machte means made, and der Fehler means mistake. Einen versehentlichen Fehler is accusative because machen takes an object, and the adjective has -en after the accusative article einen.
Der zweite Fehler war versehentlicher als der erste.
The second mistake was more accidental than the first.
der zweite Fehler means the second mistake, and der erste means the first one. Versehentlicher is predicative after war and is followed by als when two things are compared; it has no ending here.
Dieser Klick war am versehentlichsten.
This click was the most accidental.
dieser Klick means this click. The predicative superlative uses am versehentlichsten; because it follows war, it does not take an attributive adjective ending.
versehentlich — accidentally, inadvertently
As an adverb, versehentlich describes how an action happens and never takes an adjective ending. Do not confuse it with the attributive adjective form, such as ein versehentlicher Fehler.
Ich habe die Datei versehentlich gelöscht.
I accidentally deleted the file.
die Datei means file, and gelöscht means deleted. Versehentlich is an adverb and has no ending; the perfect uses habe plus gelöscht, with the participle at the end.
Er öffnete versehentlich die falsche Tür.
He accidentally opened the wrong door.
öffnete means opened, falsch means wrong, and die Tür means door. Die falsche Tür is accusative because it is the object of öffnen; the adverb versehentlich does not change form.
verstecken — to hide, to conceal; to hide oneself
Verstecken usually takes an accusative object: etwas verstecken means to hide something. It can also be reflexive, sich verstecken, meaning to hide oneself; the perfect is formed with haben.
Das Kind versteckt den Schlüssel unter dem Kissen.
The child hides the key under the pillow.
das Kind is the child, der Schlüssel is the key, unter means under, and das Kissen is the pillow. Den Schlüssel is accusative because verstecken takes an accusative object; dem Kissen is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb versteckt is in position two.
Sie hat das Geschenk im Schrank versteckt.
She hid the present in the cupboard.
sie means she, das Geschenk is the present, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Das Geschenk is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses hat plus versteckt, with the Partizip II at the end.
Er versteckte die Fotos in einer alten Kiste.
He hid the photos in an old box.
er means he, die Fotos are the photos, alt means old, and die Kiste is the box. Die Fotos is accusative because verstecken takes an accusative object; the regular Präteritum form versteckte stands in position two.
Versteck die Süßigkeiten nicht vor deinem Bruder!
Don't hide the sweets from your brother!
die Süßigkeiten are the sweets, nicht means not, vor means from or in front of, and dein Bruder is your brother. Die Süßigkeiten is accusative, while deinem Bruder is dative after vor in this fixed expression; the imperative begins the sentence and nicht makes it negative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, versteckte ich die Überraschung besser.
If I had more time, I would hide the surprise better.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, die Überraschung is the surprise, and besser means better. The clause with hätte is a Konjunktiv II condition, while versteckte expresses the unreal result; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause and returns to position two in the main clause.
Ich werde den Brief im Schreibtisch verstecken.
I will hide the letter in the desk.
der Brief is the letter, der Schreibtisch is the desk, and im means in the. Den Brief is accusative because verstecken takes an accusative object; werde is in position two and the infinitive verstecken goes to the end.
Die Kinder verstecken sich hinter dem Vorhang.
The children are hiding behind the curtain.
die Kinder are the children, hinter means behind, and der Vorhang is the curtain. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun referring to die Kinder, while dem Vorhang is dative because it describes a fixed location; verstecken is in position two.
Versteck dich vor dem Hund!
Hide from the dog!
dich means yourself, vor means from, and der Hund is the dog. Dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while dem Hund is dative after vor in this meaning; the singular imperative versteck comes first.
der Versuch — attempt, try; experiment; experiment
Versuch usually means an attempt or try; in science it means an experiment. For “to try to do something”, German normally uses versuchen followed by zu plus the infinitive.
Der Versuch war erfolgreich.
The attempt was successful.
war means was, and erfolgreich means successful. Der Versuch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich mache einen Versuch.
I am making an attempt.
ich means I, and mache means make or am making. Einen Versuch is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the finite verb mache is in position two.
Bei dem Versuch hilft mir meine Schwester.
My sister helps me with the attempt.
bei means during or with, hilft means helps, and meine Schwester is my sister. Bei takes the dative, so the form is dem Versuch; hilft stands in position two.
Das Ergebnis des Versuchs überrascht mich.
The result of the attempt surprises me.
das Ergebnis is the result, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Des Versuchs is genitive after das Ergebnis to show which result it is; mich is accusative because it is the person affected.
Die Versuche der Kinder dauern lange.
The children’s attempts take a long time.
der Kinder means of the children, dauern means last or take time, and lange means a long time. Die Versuche is nominative plural, while der Kinder is genitive and shows whose attempts they are.
Der wissenschaftliche Versuch dauert drei Tage.
The scientific experiment lasts three days.
wissenschaftlich means scientific, dauert means lasts, and drei Tage means three days. Der wissenschaftliche Versuch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Die Schüler beobachten den Versuch im Labor.
The students observe the experiment in the laboratory.
die Schüler are the students, beobachten means observe, and im Labor means in the laboratory. Den Versuch is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; im Labor is a dative location phrase.
versuchen — to try, to attempt
versuchen is commonly followed by zu plus an infinitive, as in versuchen, etwas zu machen. With a noun, it takes an accusative object, as in etwas versuchen.
Ich versuche, den Text zu verstehen.
I am trying to understand the text.
ich means I, den Text is the text, and verstehen means understand. Den Text is accusative as the object of verstehen; the finite verb versuche is in position two, and zu verstehen goes to the end.
Sie hat den Schlüssel versucht zu finden.
She tried to find the key.
sie means she, der Schlüssel is the key, and finden means find. The perfect uses hat plus versucht, and the infinitive phrase zu finden follows; den Schlüssel is accusative as the object of finden.
Er versuchte, die Tür zu öffnen.
He tried to open the door.
er means he, die Tür is the door, and öffnen means open. The regular Präteritum versuchte stands in position two, while die Tür is accusative and zu öffnen goes to the end.
Versuche, ruhig zu bleiben.
Try to stay calm.
ruhig means calm or calmly, and bleiben means stay. The imperative addresses one person and omits du; zu bleiben is the infinitive phrase required for the action being attempted.
Ich würde den Fehler noch einmal versuchen zu erklären.
I would try to explain the mistake once again.
der Fehler is the mistake, noch einmal means once again, and erklären means explain. Würde marks the Konjunktiv II, with the infinitive versuchen and then zu erklären at the end; den Fehler is accusative as the object of erklären.
Wir werden morgen eine neue Lösung versuchen.
We will try a new solution tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, eine neue Lösung is a new solution, and werden means will here. Future tense places werden in position two and the infinitive versuchen at the end; eine neue Lösung is accusative.
verteilen — to distribute, to hand out; to share out, to allocate
Verteilen is a regular verb and forms the perfect with haben. It often takes the thing distributed as an accusative object and may use an plus accusative for the recipients.
Die Lehrerin verteilt die Arbeitsblätter.
The teacher is handing out the worksheets.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, and die Arbeitsblätter means the worksheets. Die Arbeitsblätter is accusative because verteilen takes the things being handed out as a direct object; the finite verb verteilt stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hat die Arbeitsblätter verteilt.
The teacher handed out the worksheets.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, and die Arbeitsblätter means the worksheets. The perfect uses hat plus verteilt, which goes to the end; the plural object remains accusative.
Er verteilte die Karten an die Gäste.
He distributed the cards to the guests.
die Karten means the cards, and die Gäste means the guests. Die Karten is accusative as the things distributed, while an die Gäste uses accusative because an expresses direction toward the recipients; verteilte is the regular simple past.
Verteile bitte die Hefte!
Please hand out the notebooks!
bitte means please, and die Hefte means the notebooks. Verteile is the informal singular imperative, with du omitted; die Hefte is accusative as the object being handed out.
Ich würde die Aufgaben gleichmäßig verteilen.
I would distribute the tasks evenly.
die Aufgaben means the tasks, and gleichmäßig means evenly. Würde expresses a hypothetical action and sends the infinitive verteilen to the end; die Aufgaben is accusative.
Wir werden die Einladungen morgen verteilen.
We will distribute the invitations tomorrow.
die Einladungen means the invitations, and morgen means tomorrow. Werden stands in position two and the infinitive verteilen goes to the end; die Einladungen is an accusative object.
Wir verteilen die Kosten gerecht.
We share out the costs fairly.
die Kosten means the costs, and gerecht means fairly. Die Kosten is accusative because it is what is shared out; the finite verb verteilen stands in position two.
Die Aufgaben werden auf alle Teammitglieder verteilt.
The tasks are distributed among all team members.
die Aufgaben means the tasks, auf alle Teammitglieder means among all team members, and werden forms the passive. In the passive, the former object die Aufgaben becomes the nominative subject, while verteilt goes to the end.
verwenden — to use, to employ
Verwenden is slightly more formal than benutzen but is common in both speech and writing. It takes an accusative object: etwas verwenden means use something.
Sie verwendet frische Tomaten für die Soße.
She uses fresh tomatoes for the sauce.
frische Tomaten means fresh tomatoes, and die Soße means the sauce. Frische Tomaten is accusative because verwenden takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative, and verwendet is in position two.
Wir haben dafür nur wenig Zeit verwendet.
We used very little time for that.
dafür means for that purpose, and nur wenig Zeit means very little time. Zeit is an accusative object after verwenden; haben is in position two and verwendet closes the perfect clause.
Er verwendete ein altes Wörterbuch.
He used an old dictionary.
ein altes Wörterbuch means an old dictionary. The noun phrase is accusative because it is the object of verwenden, and the weak past form verwendete stands in position two.
Verwende bitte einfache Wörter!
Please use simple words!
bitte means please, and einfache Wörter means simple words. The command omits the subject du; einfache Wörter is accusative as the direct object.
Wenn du weniger Plastik verwendetest, würdest du Geld sparen.
If you used less plastic, you would save money.
weniger Plastik means less plastic, and Geld sparen means save money. In the wenn clause, verwendetest goes to the end; the object weniger Plastik is accusative, and würdest introduces the hypothetical result.
Ihr werdet für das Projekt neue Computer verwenden.
You will use new computers for the project.
für das Projekt means for the project, and neue Computer means new computers. Neue Computer is the accusative object, while für also takes the accusative; werdet is in position two and verwenden goes to the end.
vorbereiten — to prepare something; to prepare oneself for
vorbereiten takes an accusative object: etwas vorbereiten. It is separable when it is finite, but the prefix stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Sie bereitet das Essen vor.
She is preparing the food.
sie means she and das Essen is the food or meal. das Essen is accusative because vorbereiten takes a direct object; bereitet is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Sie hat das Essen vorbereitet.
She prepared the food.
das Essen means the food or meal. vorbereitet is the Partizip II and pairs with haben because preparing takes a direct object; it stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Sie bereitete das Essen vor.
She prepared the food.
das Essen means the food or meal. bereitete is the weak preterite with -te, das Essen is accusative as the direct object, and vor is separated to the end.
Bereite das Essen vor!
Prepare the food!
das Essen means the food or meal. The command uses bereite and places vor at the end; the object remains accusative because the verb acts directly on it.
Ich würde die Unterlagen für morgen vorbereiten.
I would prepare the documents for tomorrow.
die Unterlagen means the documents and für morgen means for tomorrow. die Unterlagen is accusative as the direct object, and after würde the complete infinitive vorbereiten stays together at the end.
Wir werden den Raum für die Feier vorbereiten.
We will prepare the room for the party.
der Raum is the room and die Feier is the party. den Raum is accusative because it is the direct object, while für die Feier is also accusative after für; the infinitive goes to the end after werden.
Ich bereite mich auf die Prüfung vor.
I am preparing for the exam.
mich means myself and die Prüfung is the exam. mich is the reflexive accusative object, while auf die Prüfung is accusative because auf means preparing toward a future event; vor goes to the end.
Sie hat sich gut auf den Urlaub vorbereitet.
She prepared well for the holiday.
gut means well and der Urlaub is the holiday. sich is the reflexive object, and auf den Urlaub is accusative because auf refers to the upcoming event; vorbereitet closes the perfect clause.
die Vorbereitung — preparation; preparations
The noun often appears with auf plus the accusative when you name what is being prepared for: die Vorbereitung auf die Prüfung. It can refer both to the process and to the preparatory work itself.
Die Vorbereitung auf die Prüfung dauert mehrere Wochen.
The preparation for the exam takes several weeks.
die Prüfung means the exam, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Die Vorbereitung is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the accusative here because it refers to what the preparation is for, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Ich beginne heute die Vorbereitung auf den Kurs.
I am starting the preparation for the course today.
beginne means start, heute means today, and der Kurs means the course. Die Vorbereitung is accusative because it is the object of beginnen; the finite verb beginne stands in position two.
Wir widmen der Vorbereitung auf das Fest viel Zeit.
We devote a lot of time to preparing for the celebration.
widmen means devote, viel Zeit means a lot of time, and das Fest means the celebration. Der Vorbereitung is dative because widmen takes a dative person or activity; the accusative object is viel Zeit.
Der Erfolg hängt von der Vorbereitung ab.
Success depends on the preparation.
der Erfolg means success, hängt ... ab means depends, and von means on or from. This example uses der Vorbereitung after von, which actually governs the dative; the form looks like the genitive form because feminine dative and genitive articles are both der, and the separable verb places ab at the end.
Gute Vorbereitungen machen den Tag leichter.
Good preparations make the day easier.
gute means good, den Tag means the day, and leichter means easier. Vorbereitungen is plural and nominative as the subject, while den Tag is accusative because machen takes an object.
die Vorsicht — caution, care
die Vorsicht is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no plural. In the warning Vorsicht!, it means “be careful,” while mit Vorsicht means “with caution.”
Die Vorsicht ist im Straßenverkehr wichtig.
Caution is important in traffic.
im Straßenverkehr means in road traffic. die Vorsicht is nominative because it is the subject, while in describes a location here and therefore takes the dative im (= in dem); the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen die Vorsicht der erfahrenen Fahrerin.
We need the experienced driver's caution.
brauchen means need, der erfahrenen Fahrerin means of the experienced female driver, and erfahren means experienced. die Vorsicht is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while der erfahrenen Fahrerin is genitive and shows whose caution it is.
Er begegnet der Gefahr mit Vorsicht.
He faces the danger cautiously.
der Gefahr means the danger, and begegnen means encounters or faces. mit Vorsicht means with caution; mit always takes the dative, although this mass noun has no plural, and the finite verb begegnet stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Vorsicht wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of caution is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means the importance, oft means often, and unterschätzt means underestimated. der Vorsicht is genitive because it identifies the importance of what, while wird ... unterschätzt is a passive structure with the participle at the end.
vorsichtig — careful, cautious
vorsichtig can describe a person or action: ein vorsichtiger Fahrer means a careful driver, while vorsichtig fahren means to drive carefully. Its regular comparison is vorsichtiger and am vorsichtigsten.
Der Fahrer ist sehr vorsichtig.
The driver is very careful.
der Fahrer means the driver and sehr means very. vorsichtig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen einen vorsichtigen Fahrer.
We need a careful driver.
brauchen means need and einen Fahrer means a driver. einen vorsichtigen Fahrer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the adjective takes -en after the accusative masculine article einen.
Meine Schwester fährt vorsichtiger als ich.
My sister drives more carefully than I do.
meine Schwester means my sister and fährt means drives. vorsichtiger compares two ways of driving and is followed by als; because it is used adverbially after the verb, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen fährt Lena am vorsichtigsten.
Of everyone, Lena drives the most carefully.
von allen means of everyone, and fährt means drives. am vorsichtigsten is the adverbial superlative; von takes the dative, shown by allen, and the finite verb fährt remains in position two.
vorstellen — to introduce, to present; to imagine; to present
For introducing a person, vorstellen takes an accusative object: jemanden vorstellen. It is separable in a main clause, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together; the perfect auxiliary is haben.
Ich stelle meine neue Kollegin vor.
I introduce my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague, and neu means new. Meine neue Kollegin is accusative because vorstellen takes the person being introduced; the finite part stelle is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Ich habe meine neue Kollegin vorgestellt.
I introduced my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. The perfect uses habe plus vorgestellt; the participle stays together at the end, and the object is accusative because vorstellen takes a direct object.
Ich stellte meine neue Kollegin vor.
I introduced my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. Stellte ... vor is the simple past, with the finite verb in position two and the separable prefix at the end; the person introduced is accusative.
Stell meine neue Kollegin vor.
Introduce my new colleague.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. This is the informal singular imperative: stell comes first and the separable prefix vor goes to the end; the person introduced is accusative.
Du würdest meine neue Kollegin vorstellen.
You would introduce my new colleague.
du würdest means you would, and meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. In this würde construction, the infinitive vorstellen stays together at the end, and the person introduced is accusative.
Ich werde meine neue Kollegin vorstellen.
I will introduce my new colleague.
werde means will, and meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague. Future tense uses werden plus the complete infinitive vorstellen at the end, not the split form; the object is accusative.
Ich stelle mir eine Reise nach Japan vor.
I imagine a trip to Japan.
mir means to myself, eine Reise is a trip, and nach Japan means to Japan. Mir is dative because this meaning commonly uses sich etwas vorstellen, while eine Reise is accusative; stelle ... vor shows the separated prefix.
Kannst du dir dieses Leben vorstellen?
Can you imagine this life?
dieses Leben means this life, and kannst du means can you. With the modal verb können, the infinitive vorstellen stays together at the end; dir is dative and dieses Leben is the accusative thing imagined.
Sie stellt ihr Projekt vor.
She presents her project.
ihr Projekt means her project, and stellt means presents here. Ihr Projekt is accusative because it is the thing being presented; stellt ... vor splits in the main clause.
Der Student hat seine Ergebnisse vorgestellt.
The student presented his results.
der Student is the student, and seine Ergebnisse means his results. The perfect uses hat plus vorgestellt, which stays together at the end; seine Ergebnisse is accusative as the thing presented.