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Vocab: Everyday actions — B1 (1)
Everyday actions vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abbrechen — to stop, to cancel, to break off; to break off, to break away
This strong separable verb is abbrechen – brach ab – hat abgebrochen. It takes an accusative object when someone stops or cancels something; for a physical object, it can also mean breaking something off or breaking it in two.
Die Firma bricht das Projekt ab.
The company is stopping the project.
die Firma is the company and das Projekt is the project. Das Projekt is accusative because abbrechen takes a direct object; the finite verb bricht is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Die Firma hat das Projekt abgebrochen.
The company stopped the project.
die Firma is the company and das Projekt is the project. The perfect uses haben because the company performs the action on an object, and abgebrochen stands at the end.
Die Firma brach das Projekt ab.
The company stopped the project.
die Firma is the company and das Projekt is the project. Brach is the strong preterite form, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end of the main clause.
Brich das Gespräch sofort ab!
Stop the conversation immediately!
das Gespräch is the conversation and sofort means immediately. The du imperative is brich ... ab, and the accusative object comes after the verb.
Ich würde die Reise nicht abbrechen.
I would not cancel the journey.
die Reise is the journey and nicht means not. Würde introduces the Konjunktiv II construction, so the infinitive abbrechen goes to the end; the object die Reise is accusative.
Sie wird das Konzert nach der Pause abbrechen.
She will stop the concert after the break.
das Konzert is the concert, nach der Pause means after the break, and Pause is feminine. Finite wird stands in position two, while the infinitive abbrechen goes to the end and takes the accusative object das Konzert.
Der Sturm hat einen Ast abgebrochen.
The storm broke off a branch.
der Sturm is the storm and der Ast is the branch. Einen Ast is accusative because it is the object of abbrechen; the perfect uses hat, and abgebrochen stands at the end.
Beim Umzug ist der Griff abgebrochen.
The handle broke off during the move.
beim Umzug means during the move and der Griff is the handle. Here the handle breaks off by itself, so the perfect uses sein; beim is short for bei dem and takes the dative.
ablegen — to put down; to take off; to take an exam; to make a formal vow
As a separable verb, ablegen becomes legt ... ab in a main clause but stays together as abgelegt or ablegen in compound tenses and with another verb.
Er legt ab und setzt sich.
He takes off his coat and sits down.
sich setzen means to sit down; the object being taken off is understood from the situation. Legt ab is separable, so legt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie hat den Mantel abgelegt.
She took off her coat.
der Mantel means coat. Den Mantel is accusative because ablegen takes a direct object; the perfect uses hat plus abgelegt, which stands at the end.
Früher legte ab er seine Tasche im Flur.
In the past, he put his bag down in the hallway.
früher means in the past, die Tasche means bag, and der Flur means hallway. Seine Tasche is accusative, and the preterite form splits into legte in position two and ab at the end.
Leg ab und mach eine Pause.
Take it off and take a break.
mach eine Pause means take a break. Leg ab is the informal du imperative of separable ablegen; the prefix stays at the end.
Ich legte ab, wenn ich zu Hause wäre.
I would take it off if I were at home.
zu Hause means at home, and wäre means were. In the main clause legte is in position two and ab is final; the subordinate clause puts wäre at the end.
Ich werde die Schuhe im Flur ablegen.
I will put the shoes down in the hallway.
die Schuhe means shoes, and der Flur means hallway. Die Schuhe is accusative, and future werde ... ablegen places the infinitive at the end rather than splitting the prefix.
Nächste Woche legt sie ihre Prüfung ab.
Next week she will take her exam.
nächste Woche means next week, and die Prüfung means exam. Ihre Prüfung is accusative because ablegen takes a direct object; legt stands in position two and ab at the end.
Der Zeuge legte vor Gericht einen Eid ab.
The witness took an oath in court.
der Zeuge means witness, vor Gericht means in court, and der Eid means oath. Einen Eid is accusative; the preterite splits into legte in position two and ab at the end.
ablehnen — to reject, to decline; to reject, to disapprove of
Use ablehnen for a decision not to accept something; it is stronger than simply saying nein sagen. It is separable in a main clause: lehnt ... ab.
Ich lehne ab, weil der Preis zu hoch ist.
I am declining because the price is too high.
der Preis means price, and zu hoch means too high. The object is understood; lehne is in position two and ab is final, while ist goes to the end of the weil clause.
Wir haben den Vorschlag abgelehnt.
We rejected the suggestion.
der Vorschlag means suggestion. Den Vorschlag is accusative because ablehnen takes a direct object; the perfect uses haben and abgelehnt at the end.
Sie lehnte die Einladung höflich ab.
She politely declined the invitation.
die Einladung means invitation, and höflich means politely. Die Einladung is accusative; lehnte is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Lehn ab, wenn du keine Zeit hast.
Decline it if you do not have time.
keine Zeit haben means not to have time. Lehn ab is the informal du imperative; the wenn clause sends hast to the end.
Ich lehnte ab, wenn ich mehr Informationen hätte.
I would decline if I had more information.
mehr Informationen means more information, and hätte means had. The main clause splits lehnte ... ab, while the conditional wenn clause places hätte at the end.
Er wird das Angebot ablehnen.
He will reject the offer.
das Angebot means offer. Das Angebot is accusative because it is the direct object, and future wird ... ablehnen keeps the infinitive together at the end.
Das Team lehnt ihn wegen seiner Erfahrung ab.
The team rejects him because of his experience.
das Team means team, wegen means because of, and die Erfahrung means experience. Ihn is accusative because the team rejects him; lehnt is in position two and ab is final.
Die Firma hat meine Bewerbung abgelehnt.
The company rejected my application.
die Firma means company, and die Bewerbung means application. Meine Bewerbung is accusative as the direct object, and hat ... abgelehnt forms the perfect.
abnehmen — to lose weight; to decrease
abnehmen is a strong separable verb: nehmen - nahm - hat genommen, with the prefix added. In the meaning ‘lose weight’ it normally has no object; with an object it can also mean ‘take something off’ or ‘remove something’.
Sie nimmt ab, weil sie gesünder isst.
She is losing weight because she is eating more healthily.
weil means because, gesünder means more healthily, and isst means eats. Nimmt ab is separable: the finite verb nimmt is in position two and ab goes to the end; in the weil clause, the finite verb isst goes to the end.
Er hat in drei Monaten fünf Kilo abgenommen.
He lost five kilos in three months.
in drei Monaten means in three months and fünf Kilo means five kilos. The verb uses haben, not sein, because this meaning describes a change in weight rather than movement; abgenommen stands at the end.
Früher nahm ab ich schnell.
I used to lose weight quickly.
früher means formerly or in the past, and schnell means quickly. Nahm ... ab is the simple past of separable abnehmen; the finite verb nahm is in position two and ab forms the end of the sentence bracket.
Nimm ab und beweg dich mehr!
Lose weight and exercise more!
beweg dich mehr means exercise more, with a reflexive dich meaning yourself. Nimm ab is the singular du imperative; the prefix ab follows the verb, and the accusative reflexive pronoun dich follows beweg.
Ich nähme ab, wenn ich weniger esse.
I would lose weight if I ate less.
wenn means if, weniger means less, and esse means ate or eat. Nähme ab is the Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical situation; the finite verb nähme is in position two, while wenn sends esse to the end of its clause.
Mit dieser Diät wird sie langsam abnehmen.
With this diet, she will slowly lose weight.
mit dieser Diät means with this diet, and langsam means slowly. Mit takes the dative, and Future I uses wird in position two with the infinitive abnehmen at the end; the infinitive is not separated.
absetzen — to put down; to drop off; to dismiss; to remove from office; to deduct; to write off
In this sense, absetzen is separable and takes an accusative object. It can also mean to dismiss someone or to deduct an amount, depending on context.
Ich setze den schweren Koffer vorsichtig ab.
I carefully put down the heavy suitcase.
der schwere Koffer means the heavy suitcase, and vorsichtig means carefully. Den schweren Koffer is accusative because absetzen takes the thing being put down as an accusative object; the finite verb setze is in position two and the separable ab is at the end.
Sie hat das Baby auf dem Sofa abgesetzt.
She put the baby down on the sofa.
das Baby means the baby and das Sofa means the sofa. Auf dem Sofa is dative because it describes a fixed location, while das Baby is accusative; hat is in position two and abgesetzt goes to the end.
Der Fahrer setzte uns vor dem Bahnhof ab.
The driver dropped us off in front of the station.
der Fahrer is the driver, uns means us, and vor dem Bahnhof means in front of the station. Uns is accusative as the people being dropped off; the past-tense verb is split, with setzte in position two and ab at the end.
Setz die Kiste hier ab!
Put the box down here!
die Kiste means the box and hier means here. Die Kiste is accusative because it is the object; in the informal singular imperative, setz comes first and the separable ab stays at the end.
Ich würde den Karton neben die Tür absetzen.
I would put the cardboard box down next to the door.
der Karton means the cardboard box, and neben die Tür means next to the door. Den Karton is accusative because it is the object, and neben die Tür is accusative because the box is being moved to a place; after würde, the infinitive absetzen stays together at the end.
Der Roboter wird die Pakete an der Rampe absetzen.
The robot will put the packages down at the ramp.
der Roboter means the robot, die Pakete means the packages, and die Rampe means the loading ramp. Die Pakete is accusative because it is the object, while an der Rampe is dative for a fixed location; wird is in position two and absetzen goes to the end.
Der Vorstand setzte den Geschäftsführer ab.
The board dismissed the managing director.
der Vorstand means the board and der Geschäftsführer means the managing director. Den Geschäftsführer is accusative because the dismissed person is the object; the separable ab goes to the end of the past-tense clause.
Die Partei will ihren Vorsitzenden absetzen.
The party wants to remove its chairperson.
die Partei means the party, ihr Vorsitzender means its chairperson, and will means wants to. Ihren Vorsitzenden is accusative; after the modal verb will, the infinitive absetzen stays together at the end.
Wir können die Reparaturkosten von der Steuer absetzen.
We can deduct the repair costs from our taxes.
die Reparaturkosten means the repair costs and die Steuer means the tax. Die Reparaturkosten is accusative as the amount deducted, while von der Steuer is dative because von always takes the dative; after können, absetzen is at the end.
Sie setzt ihre Fahrtkosten in der Steuererklärung ab.
She deducts her travel costs on her tax return.
die Fahrtkosten means travel costs and die Steuererklärung means tax return. Ihre Fahrtkosten is accusative because it is the amount deducted; the separable verb has setzt in position two and ab at the end.
abziehen — to take off, pull away; to deduct; to deduct, subtract
The separable verb abziehen has several related uses: physically removing something, and deducting an amount. In the perfect it uses haben, not sein, and its strong forms are zog ab and abgezogen.
Ich habe meine nassen Schuhe abgezogen.
I took off my wet shoes.
nass means wet, and Schuhe are shoes. meine nassen Schuhe is accusative because abziehen takes a direct object; abgezogen goes to the end and pairs with habe.
Ich habe meine nassen Schuhe abgezogen.
I took off my wet shoes.
nass means wet, and Schuhe are shoes. meine nassen Schuhe is accusative, while abgezogen goes to the end and pairs with habe because this use of abziehen takes haben.
Er ging nach draußen, weil er seine Jacke abzog.
He went outside because he took off his jacket.
nach draußen means outside, and seine Jacke means his jacket. seine Jacke is accusative because it is the object; after weil, the finite verb abzog goes to the end, and the strong past form is abzog.
Zieh deine Schuhe ab!
Take off your shoes!
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The informal command uses zieh without a subject pronoun, and ab remains at the end because abziehen is separable; deine Schuhe is accusative.
Ich würde die alte Tapete abziehen, bevor ich streiche.
I would remove the old wallpaper before painting.
die alte Tapete is the old wallpaper, bevor means before, and streiche means paint. die alte Tapete is accusative; in the würde form, the infinitive abziehen stays together at the end.
Der Mechaniker wird den Betrag später abziehen.
The mechanic will deduct the amount later.
der Mechaniker is the mechanic, der Betrag is the amount, and später means later. den Betrag is accusative because it is the object; wird is in position two and the infinitive abziehen goes to the end.
Die Firma zieht die Steuer direkt vom Lohn abzieht.
The company deducts the tax directly from the wage.
die Firma is the company, die Steuer is the tax, and der Lohn is the wage. die Steuer is accusative because it is the object; in this subordinate clause, abzieht stands at the end, with the prefix attached.
Bitte ziehen Sie zehn Euro vom Preis ab.
Please deduct ten euros from the price.
zehn Euro means ten euros, der Preis is the price, and bitte makes the request polite. zehn Euro is the accusative object; in the formal command, ziehen comes first and ab goes to the end.
angehen — to tackle, to deal with; to come on, to start
When angehen means tackle, it is separable and takes an accusative object. In the meaning ‘be relevant to someone’, it is usually used in the fixed expression etwas angehen or jemanden angehen.
Ich gehe das Problem an.
I am tackling the problem.
das Problem means the problem. Das Problem is accusative because angehen takes a direct object; in a main clause, gehe is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Wir haben das Problem angegangen.
We tackled the problem.
wir means we. Das Problem is accusative because it is the object of angehen; the auxiliary haben is in position two and angegangen closes the perfect clause.
Sie ging die schwierige Aufgabe an.
She tackled the difficult task.
die schwierige Aufgabe means the difficult task, and sie means she. The object is accusative because angehen takes the accusative; ging is the past-tense verb in position two and an goes to the end.
Geh die Aufgabe an!
Tackle the task!
die Aufgabe means the task. This is the informal singular imperative; geh comes first and the separable prefix an goes to the end, while the object is accusative.
Ich würde das Problem angehen, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would tackle the problem if I had more time.
wenn means if and mehr Zeit means more time. Das Problem is accusative because angehen takes a direct object; with würde, the infinitive angehen stays together at the end of the main clause.
Morgen werden wir die Aufgabe angehen.
Tomorrow we will tackle the task.
morgen means tomorrow and die Aufgabe means the task. Die Aufgabe is accusative because it is the object; werden is in position two and the infinitive angehen goes to the end.
Das Licht geht an.
The light comes on.
das Licht means the light. Das Licht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb geht is in position two and the prefix an moves to the end.
Der Motor ist endlich angegangen.
The engine finally started.
der Motor means the engine and endlich means finally. Here angehen describes a change of state, so the perfect uses sein; angegangen stands at the end of the clause.
die Angelegenheit — matter, issue, affair
Angelegenheit is often used for an issue that requires action, discussion, or care. For a casual topic, das Thema is usually more natural.
Die Angelegenheit ist noch nicht geklärt.
The matter has not yet been resolved.
noch nicht means not yet and geklärt means resolved or clarified. Die Angelegenheit is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two while geklärt comes at the end.
Wir müssen die Angelegenheit heute besprechen.
We have to discuss the matter today.
heute means today and besprechen means to discuss. die Angelegenheit is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object; with müssen, the finite verb is in position two and besprechen goes to the end.
Ich kümmere mich um die Angelegenheit.
I am dealing with the matter.
sich kümmern um means to deal with or take care of, and ich means I. The phrase um die Angelegenheit is accusative because um always takes the accusative; kümmere is in position two and mich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
Die Lösung der Angelegenheit dauert lange.
The solution to the matter is taking a long time.
die Lösung means the solution and dauert lange means takes a long time. der Angelegenheit is genitive because it identifies which matter the solution concerns; dauert is the finite verb in position two.
Mehrere Angelegenheiten müssen noch geklärt werden.
Several matters still need to be resolved.
mehrere means several and geklärt werden means be resolved. Mehrere Angelegenheiten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in this passive construction, müssen is in position two and geklärt werden stands at the end.
angewöhnen — to get into the habit of, to accustom
The common pattern is sich etwas angewöhnen: the person is expressed by a reflexive dative pronoun such as mir, and the habit is accusative. The separable prefix an moves to the end in a main clause but stays attached in angewöhnt.
Ich gewöhne mir das frühe Aufstehen an.
I am getting into the habit of getting up early.
das frühe Aufstehen means getting up early. mir is dative for the person developing the habit, while das frühe Aufstehen is accusative; the finite verb gewöhne is in position two and the prefix an closes the sentence.
Sie hat sich das regelmäßige Lernen angewöhnt.
She has got into the habit of studying regularly.
das regelmäßige Lernen means studying regularly. sich is reflexive and das regelmäßige Lernen is accusative; hat is in position two and angewöhnt goes to the end.
Früher gewöhnte er sich das späte Schlafengehen an.
He used to get into the habit of going to bed late.
früher means in the past, and das späte Schlafengehen means going to bed late. sich names the person affected and the habit is accusative; gewöhnte is in position two and an stands at the end.
Gewöhn dir an, jeden Tag Wasser zu trinken.
Get into the habit of drinking water every day.
jeden Tag means every day, and Wasser trinken means to drink water. dir is dative for the person forming the habit; in the imperative, gewöhn comes first and the prefix an is separated.
Er würde sich leichter an einen festen Plan gewöhnen.
He would find it easier to get used to a fixed schedule.
leichter means more easily, and ein fester Plan means a fixed schedule. an einen festen Plan is accusative because an expresses getting used to something here; würde is in position two and gewöhnen goes to the end.
Du wirst dich bald an den neuen Alltag gewöhnen.
You will soon get used to the new daily routine.
bald means soon, and der neue Alltag means the new daily routine. an den neuen Alltag is accusative; wirst is in position two and gewöhnen stands at the end.
der Anlass — reason, cause; occasion; occasion, event
Anlass often means a reason or cause, especially in the phrase Anlass zur Sorge. In aus Anlass meaning on the occasion of, aus takes the dative, while a following noun after aus Anlass is commonly genitive.
Der Anlass für das Gespräch war wichtig.
The reason for the conversation was important.
das Gespräch means the conversation and wichtig means important. Der Anlass is nominative because it is the subject; für takes the accusative in für das Gespräch, and war is in position two.
Sie nennt den Anlass für die Reise.
She names the reason for the journey.
nennt means names or gives, and die Reise means the journey. den Anlass is accusative because it is the object of nennt; für die Reise is an accusative prepositional phrase.
Bei diesem Anlass treffen sich alle Freunde.
On this occasion, all the friends meet.
bei diesem Anlass means on this occasion, and alle Freunde means all the friends. The preposition bei takes the dative, so diesem Anlass is dative; treffen sich means meet each other, with the finite verb in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Anlasses ist klar.
The significance of the reason is clear.
die Bedeutung means the significance and klar means clear. des Anlasses is genitive because it identifies which reason's significance is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Besondere Anlässe feiern wir gemeinsam.
We celebrate special occasions together.
besondere means special, feiern means celebrate, and gemeinsam means together. Besondere Anlässe is plural accusative because it is the object; the object is placed first, so feiern still comes in position two.
Ihre Hochzeit war ein schöner Anlass.
Their wedding was a beautiful occasion.
ihre Hochzeit means their wedding, and schön means beautiful. ein schöner Anlass is a nominative predicate after war; the finite verb war is in position two.
Zu diesem Anlass tragen alle elegante Kleidung.
Everyone wears elegant clothes for this occasion.
zu diesem Anlass means for this occasion, tragen means wear, and elegante Kleidung means elegant clothes. The preposition zu takes the dative, so diesem Anlass is dative; tragen is in position two after the fronted phrase.
anordnen — to order, prescribe, arrange officially; to prescribe, order a measure
Anordnen is used for an official instruction or decision. It takes the ordered thing in the accusative: jemand ordnet etwas an.
Der Chef ordnet an, dass alle eine kurze Pause machen.
The boss orders everyone to take a short break.
der Chef means the boss, alle means everyone, and eine kurze Pause means a short break. The finite verb ordnet is in position two, while the prefix an is at the end of the main clause; the dass clause has its finite verb machen at the end.
Die Ärztin hat eine Untersuchung angeordnet.
The doctor has ordered an examination.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and eine Untersuchung means an examination. The perfect uses hat plus angeordnet, with the participle at the end; the examination is accusative because it is the thing ordered.
Der Direktor ordnete eine Änderung an.
The director ordered a change.
der Direktor means the director and eine Änderung means a change. The weak preterite is ordnete; eine Änderung is accusative, and the separated prefix an closes the main clause.
Ordne an, dass alle warten!
Order everyone to wait!
alle warten means everyone should wait. The command is ordne an, with an at the end; in the dass clause, the finite verb warten also stands at the end.
Ich würde eine Untersuchung anordnen.
I would order an examination.
eine Untersuchung means an examination. Würde expresses the conditional meaning, while the infinitive anordnen goes to the end; the examination is accusative.
Die Behörde wird eine Kontrolle anordnen.
The authority will order an inspection.
die Behörde means the authority and eine Kontrolle means an inspection. Future uses wird in position two and anordnen at the end; eine Kontrolle is accusative.
Das Gericht ordnet neue Maßnahmen an.
The court orders new measures.
das Gericht means the court and neue Maßnahmen means new measures. Neue Maßnahmen is accusative because it is what the court orders; ordnet is in position two and an closes the clause.
Der Arzt hat Bettruhe angeordnet.
The doctor has prescribed bed rest.
der Arzt means the doctor and Bettruhe means bed rest. The perfect uses hat with angeordnet at the end, and Bettruhe is the accusative measure being prescribed.
anstehen — to queue, to stand in line; to be pending; to be imminent
For the queueing meaning, anstehen is often used with in der Schlange, “in the queue”. In the perfect it takes haben, not sein, despite describing a standing activity.
Ich stehe vor dem Kino an.
I am queuing in front of the cinema.
vor dem Kino means in front of the cinema. Vor takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, and the verb splits with stehe in position two and an at the end.
Wir haben zwei Stunden angestanden.
We queued for two hours.
zwei Stunden means two hours. Angestanden is the Partizip II at the end with haben; although the situation involves standing, this verb normally does not take sein.
Sie stand vor dem Schalter an.
She queued in front of the counter.
der Schalter means the counter or service window. Vor dem Schalter is dative because vor describes location, and the irregular past form stand is separated from an.
Steh hier an!
Queue here!
hier means here. The informal imperative is steh, and the separable prefix an goes to the end; this command tells one person to join the queue.
Wenn es schneller ginge, würde ich nicht so lange anstehen.
If it went faster, I wouldn’t have to queue for so long.
schneller means faster, and so lange means for so long. Würde expresses an unreal condition, while the infinitive anstehen stays together at the end of the clause.
Ihr werdet vor dem Eingang anstehen.
You will queue in front of the entrance.
ihr means you plural, and der Eingang means the entrance. Werdet forms the future, so the infinitive anstehen remains whole at the end; vor dem Eingang is dative for location.
Morgen steht eine wichtige Prüfung an.
An important exam is coming up tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and eine wichtige Prüfung means an important exam. Eine wichtige Prüfung is nominative because it is the subject; steht is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Vor der Reise stand noch viel Arbeit an.
There was still a lot of work to do before the trip.
vor der Reise means before the trip, noch viel Arbeit means still a lot of work. Viel Arbeit is the nominative subject, and stand ... an is the simple past of the separable verb.
anwenden — to apply, to use
anwenden is separable: in a main clause, an moves to the end, but after a modal or in an infinitive phrase the whole form stays together. It takes an accusative object, such as eine Methode anwenden.
Sie wendet eine neue Methode an.
She is applying a new method.
eine neue Methode means a new method. eine neue Methode is accusative because anwenden takes the thing being applied; the finite part wendet is in position two and an goes to the end.
Wir haben die Regel richtig angewandt.
We applied the rule correctly.
die Regel is the rule and richtig means correctly. die Regel is accusative as the object, while haben is in position two and angewandt goes to the end.
Der Arzt wandte diese Behandlung erfolgreich an.
The doctor successfully applied this treatment.
der Arzt is the doctor, diese Behandlung means this treatment, and erfolgreich means successfully. diese Behandlung is accusative because it is what the doctor applies; wandte stands in position two and an closes the clause.
Wende die Regel auf diesen Fall an!
Apply the rule to this case!
die Regel means the rule and dieser Fall means this case. The imperative addresses one person; die Regel is accusative as the direct object, and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Ich würde diese Technik gern anwenden.
I would like to apply this technique.
diese Technik means this technique and gern means gladly or would like to. diese Technik is accusative because it is the object; after würde, the complete infinitive anwenden stays together at the end.
Der Kurs wird diese Übungen im Alltag anwenden.
The course will apply these exercises in everyday life.
der Kurs is the course, diese Übungen means these exercises, and im Alltag means in everyday life. diese Übungen is accusative as the object; wird is in position two and anwenden goes to the end.
arrangieren — to arrange, to organize
Arrangieren is a regular verb borrowed from another language, so its Partizip II is arrangiert, not gearrangiert. It normally takes an accusative object for the thing being arranged.
Sie arrangiert ein Treffen mit dem Kunden.
She is arranging a meeting with the customer.
ein Treffen means a meeting, and der Kunde means the customer. Ein Treffen is accusative because arrangieren takes the thing being arranged, while mit dem Kunden is dative after mit; arrangiert stands in position two.
Wir haben ein Treffen mit dem Kunden arrangiert.
We arranged a meeting with the customer.
ein Treffen means a meeting and der Kunde means the customer. The perfect uses haben plus the unchanged Partizip II arrangiert, which goes to the end; ein Treffen is accusative as the direct object.
Sie arrangierte alles für die Konferenz.
She arranged everything for the conference.
alles means everything and die Konferenz means the conference. Alles is accusative because it is the object of arrangieren, and the regular Präteritum form arrangierte stands in position two.
Arrangiere bitte einen Termin mit dem Arzt.
Please arrange an appointment with the doctor.
bitte means please, einen Termin means an appointment, and der Arzt means the doctor. Arrangiere is the du imperative and comes first; einen Termin is accusative, while mit dem Arzt is dative after mit.
Ich würde den Transport selbst arrangieren.
I would arrange the transport myself.
der Transport means the transport, and selbst means myself or personally. Den Transport is accusative because it is the object, and würde carries the Konjunktiv II while the infinitive arrangieren goes to the end.
Morgen arrangiert er die Abholung der Gäste.
Tomorrow he will arrange the guests' pickup.
morgen means tomorrow, die Abholung means the pickup, and die Gäste means the guests. In the future, wird would normally be the finite verb in position two and arrangieren would go to the end; this natural sentence uses the present tense for a planned future event, with der Gäste in the genitive.
auffallen — to be noticeable, to stand out; to occur to someone; to realize, to notice
The person who notices something is expressed in the dative: jemandem auffallen. In a main clause, the prefix separates, as in fällt auf, but it stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II: auffallen, aufgefallen.
Der rote Mantel fällt sofort auf.
The red coat immediately stands out.
der rote Mantel means the red coat and sofort means immediately. The coat is the nominative subject, while the person who notices it would be in the dative; as a separable verb, fällt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Mir ist der Fehler sofort aufgefallen.
I noticed the mistake immediately.
mir means to me, der Fehler means the mistake, and sofort means immediately. Mir is dative because the person noticing something is expressed with auffallen; the perfect uses ist plus aufgefallen, with the participle at the end.
Der ungewöhnliche Geruch fiel allen Gästen auf.
The unusual smell stood out to all the guests.
der ungewöhnliche Geruch means the unusual smell, and allen Gästen means to all the guests. Allen Gästen is dative because auffallen takes a dative experiencer; in the preterite, fiel is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Fall mir heute bitte nicht auf.
Please do not stand out to me today.
heute means today and bitte means please. Mir is dative for the person who notices, and the imperative separates the verb into fall at the beginning and auf at the end.
Das würde den Lehrern sofort auffallen.
That would immediately stand out to the teachers.
das means that, die Lehrer means the teachers, and sofort means immediately. Den Lehrern is dative because they are the people who would notice it; with würde, the whole infinitive auffallen goes to the end and is not separated.
Der Fehler wird dir später auffallen.
You will notice the mistake later.
der Fehler means the mistake and später means later. Dir is dative because the mistake will become noticeable to you; wird is in position two and the infinitive auffallen goes to the end.
Plötzlich fällt mir auf, dass ich den Schlüssel vergessen habe.
Suddenly I realize that I have forgotten the key.
plötzlich means suddenly, der Schlüssel means the key, and vergessen means forgotten. Mir is dative because the realization comes to me; the main-clause verb splits into fällt ... auf, while the verb habe goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by dass.
Erst später fiel ihr auf, wie leise das Kind war.
Only later did she realize how quiet the child was.
erst später means only later, leise means quiet, and das Kind means the child. Ihr is dative because she is the person who realizes it; fiel is in position two and auf is separated, while war goes to the end of the clause introduced by wie.
aufhalten — to delay, to hold up; to stop; to stay, to spend time
For the meaning “to stay,” the verb is normally reflexive: sich aufhalten means to stay or spend time somewhere. The non-reflexive use takes an accusative object, as in jemanden aufhalten.
Der Unfall hält den Verkehr auf.
The accident is holding up the traffic.
der Unfall is an accident, and der Verkehr means traffic. Den Verkehr is accusative because aufhalten takes the thing being delayed as an accusative object; the finite verb hält is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Der Unfall hat den Verkehr aufgehalten.
The accident held up the traffic.
der Unfall is an accident, and der Verkehr means traffic. Den Verkehr is accusative because it is the object of aufhalten; the auxiliary hat comes in position two and aufgehalten goes to the end.
Der Unfall hielt den Verkehr auf.
The accident held up the traffic.
der Unfall means accident, and der Verkehr means traffic. Den Verkehr is accusative because aufhalten takes an accusative object; hielt is the strong past form and auf stands at the end.
Halt den Bus auf!
Stop the bus!
der Bus means bus. Den Bus is accusative because it is the thing to be stopped, and the du imperative uses halt with the prefix auf at the end.
Wenn du mich aufhieltest, käme ich zu spät.
If you held me up, I would be late.
zu spät means late. Mich is accusative because aufhalten takes the person being delayed as an accusative object; aufhieltest is the Konjunktiv II form in the subordinate clause, where the finite verb goes to the end.
Der Stau wird uns lange aufhalten.
The traffic jam will delay us for a long time.
der Stau is a traffic jam, and lange means for a long time. Uns is accusative here because it is the people being delayed; wird is in position two and the infinitive aufhalten goes to the end.
Wir halten uns gern in Berlin auf.
We like staying in Berlin.
gern means gladly or like to, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun referring to wir; the finite verb halten is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Wie lange hast du dich dort aufgehalten?
How long did you stay there?
wie lange means how long, and dort means there. Dich is the reflexive accusative pronoun referring to du; the auxiliary hast is in position two and aufgehalten goes to the end.
auflösen — to dissolve
In this sense, auflösen is transitive: the thing dissolved is an accusative object. The same verb has other common meanings, including solving a puzzle and disbanding an organisation.
Das warme Wasser löst den Zucker schnell auf.
The warm water dissolves the sugar quickly.
das warme Wasser is the warm water, den Zucker is the sugar, and schnell means quickly. den Zucker is accusative because it is the object of auflösen; the finite verb löst is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben das Pulver in der Suppe aufgelöst.
We dissolved the powder in the soup.
das Pulver is the powder, die Suppe is the soup, and in der Suppe means in the soup. The perfect uses haben, and aufgelöst goes to the end; das Pulver is accusative, while in der Suppe is dative because it describes a location.
Die Flüssigkeit löste das Salz langsam auf.
The liquid slowly dissolved the salt.
die Flüssigkeit means the liquid, das Salz means the salt, and langsam means slowly. löste ... auf is the simple past of the weak separable verb; das Salz is accusative as the object.
Lös den Zucker in der Milch auf!
Dissolve the sugar in the milk!
den Zucker is the sugar and die Milch is the milk. This is the du imperative, so du is omitted; den Zucker is accusative, and the prefix auf comes last.
Wenn sich das Salz nicht auflösen würde, wäre die Suppe zu salzig.
If the salt did not dissolve, the soup would be too salty.
sich auflösen means dissolve, die Suppe is the soup, and zu salzig means too salty. Here auflösen is used reflexively because the salt dissolves by itself; in the wenn clause, würde is followed by the infinitive at the end.
Die Köchin wird den Zucker in der Soße auflösen.
The cook will dissolve the sugar in the sauce.
die Köchin is the female cook and die Soße is the sauce. werden forms the future, and the infinitive auflösen goes to the end; den Zucker is accusative as the object.
aufmachen — to open
aufmachen is common and conversational; the more neutral formal verb is öffnen. It can also be used reflexively in sich aufmachen, meaning to set off or get going.
Ich mache das Fenster jeden Morgen auf.
I open the window every morning.
das Fenster means the window, and jeden Morgen means every morning. das Fenster is accusative because aufmachen takes an accusative object; the finite verb mache is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Sie hat die Tür vorsichtig aufgemacht.
She opened the door carefully.
die Tür is the door and vorsichtig means carefully. The perfect uses haben, with aufgemacht at the end; die Tür is accusative as the object of aufmachen.
Der Hausmeister machte die Garage früh auf.
The caretaker opened the garage early.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, die Garage is the garage, and früh means early. machte ... auf is the simple past of the weak separable verb; die Garage is accusative, and the prefix is separated.
Mach bitte das Fenster auf!
Please open the window!
bitte means please and das Fenster means the window. This is the du imperative, so du is omitted; the accusative object comes after the verb and auf stands at the end.
Wenn ich das Paket vorsichtig aufmachte, fände ich vielleicht den Schlüssel.
If I carefully opened the parcel, I might find the key.
das Paket is the parcel, vorsichtig means carefully, and der Schlüssel is the key. In this hypothetical wenn clause, the separable verb stays together at the end as aufmachte; das Paket is accusative.
Morgen werde ich das Geschenk aufmachen.
Tomorrow I will open the present.
morgen means tomorrow and das Geschenk is the present. werden forms the future, while the infinitive aufmachen goes to the end; das Geschenk is accusative because it is the object.
aufstellen — to set up, place; to draw up; to draw up, establish
For the physical meaning, aufstellen takes an accusative object: one sets up etwas. It is separable: stellt etwas auf, but the Partizip II is one word, aufgestellt.
Der Hausmeister stellt die Stühle im Saal auf.
The caretaker is setting up the chairs in the hall.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, die Stühle means the chairs, and der Saal is the hall. Die Stühle is accusative because aufstellen takes the thing being placed as a direct object; the finite verb stellt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Tische draußen aufgestellt.
We set up the tables outside.
die Tische means the tables and draußen means outside. Die Tische is accusative because it is the object of aufstellen; the perfect uses haben, with aufgestellt at the end of the clause.
Sie stellte die Koffer neben die Tür auf.
She put the suitcases next to the door.
die Koffer are the suitcases, and neben die Tür means next to the door. Die Koffer is accusative as the object, while neben die Tür is accusative because it expresses movement to a place; the past-tense verb is split around the object.
Stell bitte die Lampe dort auf!
Please put the lamp there!
bitte means please, die Lampe is the lamp, and dort means there. The informal singular imperative is stell; the separable prefix auf moves to the end, and die Lampe is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Platz hätte, stellte ich ein Regal ins Büro auf.
If I had more space, I would set up a shelf in the office.
mehr Platz means more space, ein Regal is a shelf, and das Büro is the office. Ein Regal is accusative because it is what is set up; in the wenn-clause the verb goes to the end, but in the main clause stellte is in position two and auf is at the end.
Morgen stellt die Firma neue Automaten im Bahnhof auf.
Tomorrow the company will set up new machines at the station.
morgen means tomorrow, die Firma is the company, neue Automaten are new machines, and der Bahnhof is the station. Neue Automaten is accusative as the direct object; in the future, wird would be the finite verb and aufstellen would stand at the end, while the present tense here also commonly expresses a planned future.
Das Team stellt einen neuen Plan auf.
The team is drawing up a new plan.
das Team is the team and einen neuen Plan means a new plan. Einen neuen Plan is accusative because it is the object of aufstellen; the finite verb stellt is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Die Schule hat klare Regeln aufgestellt.
The school has established clear rules.
die Schule is the school and klare Regeln means clear rules. Klare Regeln is accusative as the direct object, and the perfect form uses hat with the inseparable-looking whole Partizip II aufgestellt at the end.
aufteilen — to divide up, split; to distribute; to split up, divide oneself
Aufteilen normally takes an accusative object: etwas aufteilen. It can also be reflexive, sich aufteilen, when people or things divide themselves into groups or parts.
Der Lehrer teilt die Klasse in vier Gruppen auf.
The teacher divides the class into four groups.
der Lehrer is the teacher, die Klasse is the class, and vier Gruppen are four groups. Die Klasse is accusative because it is the object of aufteilen; in vier Gruppen is accusative after in because it shows the result of dividing, and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Kosten gerecht aufgeteilt.
We divided the costs fairly.
die Kosten means the costs and gerecht means fairly. Die Kosten is accusative as the object; the perfect uses haben, and the whole Partizip II aufgeteilt stands at the end.
Sie teilte das Geld unter den Kindern auf.
She divided the money among the children.
das Geld is the money and unter den Kindern means among the children. Das Geld is accusative as the object, while unter den Kindern is dative because it describes a fixed location or distribution among people; the verb is split in the past-tense main clause.
Teil die Aufgaben bitte gleichmäßig auf!
Please divide up the tasks evenly!
die Aufgaben are the tasks and gleichmäßig means evenly. The informal singular imperative is teil; die Aufgaben is accusative, and the prefix auf moves to the end.
Wenn wir die Kosten besser aufteilten, könnten alle sparen.
If we divided the costs more fairly, everyone could save money.
besser means better, alle means everyone, and sparen means save money. Die Kosten is accusative as the object; in the wenn-clause the finite verb aufteilten goes to the end, while könnten is in position two in the main clause.
Morgen teilt die Gruppe die Aufgaben neu auf.
Tomorrow the group will redistribute the tasks.
morgen means tomorrow, die Gruppe is the group, and neu means anew or differently. Die Aufgaben is accusative because it is the object; the present tense can express a planned future, and the separable prefix auf stands at the end.
Die Gäste teilen sich auf die beiden Räume auf.
The guests split between the two rooms.
die Gäste are the guests and die beiden Räume are the two rooms. Sich is the reflexive pronoun, and auf die beiden Räume is accusative because auf expresses distribution toward places; both halves of the separable verb are marked.
Die Kinder haben sich in kleine Teams aufgeteilt.
The children split into small teams.
die Kinder are the children and kleine Teams are small teams. The reflexive form sich aufteilen uses haben in the perfect; in kleine Teams is accusative because it expresses the result of the division.
die Aufteilung — division, distribution, allocation
Die Aufteilung is the noun from aufteilen. It can describe dividing things into parts or allocating them among people, groups or categories.
Die Aufteilung der Arbeit ist fair.
The division of the work is fair.
die Arbeit is the work and fair means fair. Die Aufteilung is nominative because it is the subject, while der Arbeit is genitive because it identifies what is divided; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besprechen die Aufteilung der Aufgaben.
We are discussing the division of the tasks.
wir besprechen means we are discussing, and die Aufgaben are the tasks. Die Aufteilung is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object; der Aufgaben is genitive and specifies what is being divided.
Nach dem Essen helfen wir bei der Aufteilung der Kuchenstücke.
After the meal, we help with distributing the pieces of cake.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, helfen means help, and die Kuchenstücke are the pieces of cake. Der Aufteilung is dative after bei, which always takes dative; der Kuchenstücke is genitive and identifies the things being distributed.
Die Regeln der Aufteilung stehen im Vertrag.
The rules for the distribution are in the contract.
die Regeln are the rules, stehen means are written or stand, and der Vertrag is the contract. Der Aufteilung is genitive because it specifies the rules, while im Vertrag is dative from in dem because it describes location.
Verschiedene Aufteilungen sind möglich.
Different distributions are possible.
verschiedene means different and möglich means possible. Verschiedene Aufteilungen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural.
ausbreiten — to spread out, to lay out; to spread, to expand
The transitive pattern is etwas ausbreiten with an accusative object. The verb also has a common reflexive use, sich ausbreiten, meaning to spread or expand by itself.
Sie breitet die Karte auf dem Tisch aus.
She spreads the map out on the table.
die Karte means the map and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Karte is accusative because ausbreiten takes a direct object, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location; breitet is in position two and aus is at the end.
Sie hat die Karte auf dem Tisch ausgebreitet.
She has spread the map out on the table.
hat means has, die Karte means the map, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. The Partizip II ausgebreitet goes to the end with haben; the map is accusative and the fixed location is dative.
Sie breitete die Karte auf dem Tisch aus.
She spread the map out on the table.
breitete means spread out, die Karte means the map, and der Tisch means the table. The weak past form breitete stands in position two and aus goes to the end; die Karte is accusative.
Breite die Decke auf dem Boden aus.
Spread the blanket out on the floor.
die Decke means the blanket and der Boden means the floor. This is the du imperative: breite comes first and aus comes at the end; the blanket is accusative, while the fixed location is dative.
Ich würde die Decke im Garten ausbreiten.
I would spread the blanket out in the garden.
würde means would, die Decke means the blanket, and im Garten means in the garden. The whole infinitive ausbreiten stays at the end after würde; die Decke is accusative as the direct object.
Wir werden die Decke im Garten ausbreiten.
We will spread the blanket out in the garden.
werden means will, die Decke means the blanket, and im Garten means in the garden. Werden is the finite verb in position two and the whole infinitive ausbreiten goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Das Feuer breitet sich schnell aus.
The fire is spreading quickly.
das Feuer means the fire and schnell means quickly. Sich is a reflexive pronoun referring back to das Feuer; breitet is in position two and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Die Nachricht hat sich in der Stadt ausgebreitet.
The news has spread through the city.
die Nachricht means the news, and in der Stadt means in the city. In the reflexive perfect, sich comes before the Partizip II and ausgebreitet goes to the end with haben; do not add a separate object.
auseinandernehmen — to take apart, to dismantle; to pick apart, to analyse critically
This verb normally takes an accusative object: etwas auseinandernehmen means to take something apart. Do not confuse the separable form nimmt auseinander with the infinitive auseinandernehmen.
Ich nehme den alten Computer auseinander.
I am taking the old computer apart.
alt means old, and der Computer means computer. The finite verb nehme is in position two, while the prefix auseinander goes to the end because this is a separable verb.
Wir haben die Maschine vorsichtig auseinandergenommen.
We carefully took the machine apart.
die Maschine means machine and vorsichtig means carefully. The accusative object die Maschine is required by auseinandernehmen; the Partizip II auseinandergenommen goes to the end and uses haben.
Der Techniker nahm das Fahrrad auseinander.
The technician took the bicycle apart.
der Techniker is a technician and das Fahrrad is a bicycle. Das Fahrrad is accusative because it is the object, and the past-tense verb is split into nahm and auseinander.
Nimm das Spielzeug nicht auseinander!
Do not take the toy apart!
das Spielzeug means toy and nicht means not. The command uses the singular du form nimm, and the separable prefix auseinander stands at the end.
Ich würde den Wecker nicht auseinandernehmen.
I would not take the alarm clock apart.
der Wecker means alarm clock and nicht means not. Würde introduces a hypothetical statement, so the full infinitive auseinandernehmen stays at the end instead of splitting.
Sie wird den Drucker morgen auseinandernehmen.
She will take the printer apart tomorrow.
der Drucker means printer and morgen means tomorrow. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the complete infinitive auseinandernehmen goes to the end.
Die Journalistin nimmt das Argument des Ministers auseinander.
The journalist is picking apart the minister's argument.
die Journalistin means journalist, das Argument means argument, and der Minister means minister. Das Argument is accusative because it is what she analyses; the finite verb and separable prefix frame the clause.
Der Experte hat den Bericht gründlich auseinandergenommen.
The expert analysed the report thoroughly.
der Experte means expert, der Bericht means report, and gründlich means thoroughly. The report is accusative, and auseinandergenommen is placed at the end with hat because this is the perfect tense.
ausfallen — to be cancelled, to fail to happen; to fail, to stop working
For classes, flights and events, ausfallen means that something planned does not happen. The perfect uses sein: ist ausgefallen; learners often incorrectly use hat ausgefallen.
Der Unterricht fällt heute aus.
Class is cancelled today.
der Unterricht means class or lessons and heute means today. Fällt is in position two and aus goes to the end because ausfallen is separable; there is no accusative object.
Der Zug ist gestern ausgefallen.
The train was cancelled yesterday.
der Zug means train and gestern means yesterday. Ausgefallen uses sein, not haben, because this verb describes an event failing to happen; the participle closes the clause.
Der Flug fiel wegen des Wetters aus.
The flight was cancelled because of the weather.
der Flug means flight, wegen means because of, and das Wetter means weather. Wegen des Wetters is a genitive phrase in careful standard German, while the strong past form fiel is separated from aus.
Fall heute bitte nicht aus!
Please do not drop out today!
heute means today and bitte means please. This imperative uses the singular du form fall; the prefix aus is separated, although this command is uncommon compared with the usual event-related sense.
Wenn der Bus ausfiele, würde ich ein Taxi nehmen.
If the bus were cancelled, I would take a taxi.
wenn means if, der Bus means bus, würde means would, and das Taxi means taxi. In the wenn clause the hypothetical form ausfiele is written as one word because the verb stands at the end; the main clause uses würde plus an infinitive.
Der Kurs wird nächste Woche ausfallen.
The course will be cancelled next week.
der Kurs means course and nächste Woche means next week. Wird is the future auxiliary in position two, while the complete infinitive ausfallen goes to the end; it is not split in this position.
Plötzlich fällt die Heizung aus.
Suddenly the heating stops working.
plötzlich means suddenly and die Heizung means heating system. Die Heizung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb fällt is in position two while aus is separated to the end.
Mein Handy ist gestern ausgefallen.
My mobile phone stopped working yesterday.
mein Handy means my mobile phone and gestern means yesterday. The perfect form ist ausgefallen uses sein, and ausgefallen goes to the end; the phone is the nominative subject, not an object.
auslassen — to leave out; to skip; to let out
The common meaning “to omit” takes the omitted thing in the accusative: etwas auslassen. In the perfect, use haben, and remember that the prefix separates in main-clause finite forms.
Ich lasse den letzten Satz aus.
I am leaving out the last sentence.
der letzte Satz means the last sentence. Den letzten Satz is accusative because auslassen takes the omitted thing as a direct object; the finite part lasse is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir haben die erste Station ausgelassen.
We skipped the first stop.
die erste Station means the first stop. The object is accusative because auslassen takes a direct object, and ausgelassen goes to the end with the auxiliary haben.
Sie ließ eine wichtige Information aus.
She left out important information.
wichtig means important, and die Information means the information. Eine wichtige Information is accusative, while ließ is the irregular past form and aus is separated to the end.
Lass bitte keine Namen aus!
Please do not leave out any names!
bitte means please, and keine Namen means no names. Lass is the informal singular imperative; the prefix aus stays at the end, and keine Namen is accusative.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, ließe ich den Termin aus.
If I had time, I would skip the appointment.
wenn means if, Zeit means time, and der Termin means the appointment. In the wenn clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; in the main clause, ließe is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich den schwierigen Teil auslassen.
Tomorrow I will leave out the difficult part.
morgen means tomorrow, and der schwierige Teil means the difficult part. Den schwierigen Teil is accusative, and in the future werde stands in position two while the infinitive auslassen goes to the end.
Kannst du bitte den Hund auslassen?
Can you please let the dog out?
kannst du means can you, and der Hund means the dog. Den Hund is accusative because it is the object being let out; after the modal kannst, the infinitive auslassen stands at the end.
Der Fahrer ließ uns vor dem Bahnhof aus.
The driver let us out in front of the station.
der Fahrer means the driver, uns means us, and vor dem Bahnhof means in front of the station. Uns is accusative as the people being let out, while ließ is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
ausrichten — to organize, host; to pass on, tell someone
In this sense, ausrichten means to organize or host an event and takes an accusative object, as in eine Feier ausrichten. It is a separable verb: richtet ... aus in a main clause but ausrichten as an infinitive or ausgerichtet as a participle.
Der Verein richtet morgen ein Fest aus.
The club is hosting a party tomorrow.
der Verein means the club, morgen means tomorrow, and ein Fest means a party. ein Fest is accusative because ausrichten takes a direct object; the finite part richtet is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Der Verein hat ein großes Fest ausgerichtet.
The club hosted a big party.
ein großes Fest means a big party. ausgerichtet is the Partizip II and stays together in the perfect; it combines with haben, and the participle goes to the end.
Der Verein richtete letztes Jahr ein Fest aus.
The club hosted a party last year.
letztes Jahr means last year and ein Fest means a party. The weak past form richtete is in position two, while the separable prefix aus goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Richte bitte die Feier aus!
Please organize the celebration!
bitte means please and die Feier means the celebration. This is the informal singular imperative: richte comes first and the prefix aus goes to the end; the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde gern die Hochzeit ausrichten.
I would like to host the wedding.
ich würde gern means I would like to and die Hochzeit means the wedding. die Hochzeit is accusative, and the whole infinitive ausrichten stays together at the end after würde; do not split it here.
Nächsten Sommer wird unser Verein ein Turnier ausrichten.
Next summer our club will host a tournament.
nächsten Sommer means next summer, unser Verein means our club, and ein Turnier means a tournament. In the future, wird is in position two and the unsplit infinitive ausrichten goes to the end; the event is an accusative object.
Kannst du ihm bitte ausrichten, dass ich später komme?
Can you please tell him that I will come later?
ihm means to him, bitte means please, and später means later. The person receiving the message is dative after jemandem etwas ausrichten; after kannst, the infinitive ausrichten goes to the end and remains unsplit.
Ich richte deiner Mutter liebe Grüße aus.
I send your mother my best wishes.
deiner Mutter means to your mother and liebe Grüße means best wishes or kind regards. The person is dative and liebe Grüße is accusative; richte stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
beachten — to pay attention to, to observe, to follow
beachten takes a direct accusative object: eine Regel beachten means to follow a rule. Do not use auf with this verb; auf etwas achten has a similar meaning but is a different construction.
Bitte beachten Sie die neuen Regeln.
Please observe the new rules.
Bitte means please and die neuen Regeln means the new rules. This is the formal imperative with Sie; die neuen Regeln is accusative because beachten takes a direct object.
Wir haben die Hinweise beachtet.
We followed the instructions.
die Hinweise means the instructions or notices, and folgen here means to follow. The perfect is haben beachtet, not sein beachtet; the accusative object comes before the Partizip II at the end.
Sie beachtete die Warnung nicht.
She did not heed the warning.
die Warnung means the warning and nicht means not. beachtete is the regular simple past in position two, while die Warnung is accusative because it is the direct object.
Beachte die rote Ampel!
Pay attention to the red traffic light!
die rote Ampel means the red traffic light. Beachte is the singular du imperative without a pronoun; die rote Ampel is accusative after beachten, and the adjective takes -e after die.
Wenn ich die Regel besser beachten würde, gäbe es kein Problem.
If I followed the rule better, there would be no problem.
wenn means if, besser means better, and kein Problem means no problem. In the wenn-clause, beachten stands at the end; würde beachten expresses a hypothetical situation, and die Regel is accusative.
Ihr werdet die Anweisungen beachten.
You will follow the instructions.
ihr means you plural and die Anweisungen means the instructions. Future uses werdet in position two and the infinitive beachten at the end; die Anweisungen is an accusative object.
beantragen — to apply for, to request officially
Beantragen is a regular, non-separable verb with the inseparable prefix be-. It takes an accusative object for the thing requested, and its perfect uses haben: hat beantragt.
Sie beantragt ein Visum.
She is applying for a visa.
sie means she, and ein Visum is a visa. ein Visum is accusative because beantragen takes the thing being requested as a direct object; the finite verb beantragt stands in position two.
Er hat eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis beantragt.
He has applied for a residence permit.
eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis is a residence permit, and haben means have. The direct object is accusative, while the auxiliary hat stands in position two and the Partizip II beantragt goes to the end; the inseparable be- prefix means there is no ge-.
Die Firma beantragte eine Genehmigung.
The company applied for a permit.
die Firma means the company, and eine Genehmigung is a permit or official authorisation. beantragte is the regular simple past, and eine Genehmigung is accusative because it is the direct object.
Beantrag die Förderung rechtzeitig.
Apply for the funding in good time.
die Förderung means the funding or financial support, and rechtzeitig means in good time. Beantrag is an informal singular imperative; the direct object die Förderung is accusative, and the subject du is left out.
Ich würde einen Zuschuss beantragen.
I would apply for a grant.
ich würde means I would, and ein Zuschuss is a grant or subsidy. The conditional form uses würde in position two and the infinitive beantragen at the end; einen Zuschuss is accusative.
Wir werden nächste Woche einen Pass beantragen.
We will apply for a passport next week.
nächste Woche means next week, and ein Pass is a passport. In the future, werden stands in position two and the infinitive beantragen goes to the end; einen Pass is the accusative object.
bemühen — to make an effort, to try hard
This verb is normally used reflexively: sich bemühen um plus the accusative. Do not omit the reflexive pronoun: Ich bemühe mich, not Ich bemühe in this meaning.
Ich bemühe mich um eine neue Stelle.
I am trying to get a new job.
mich means myself, neu means new, and die Stelle means the job or position. Mich is accusative because sich bemühen is reflexive, and um eine neue Stelle is also accusative because um requires the accusative; the finite verb bemühe is in position two.
Sie hat sich sehr um die Prüfung bemüht.
She worked very hard for the exam.
sehr means very, and die Prüfung means the exam. The perfect uses hat plus bemüht at the end; sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and um die Prüfung is accusative after um.
Er bemühte sich um eine Lösung.
He tried to find a solution.
die Lösung means the solution. Sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and um eine Lösung is accusative after um; the regular past verb bemühte stands in position two.
Bemüh dich um eine gute Antwort.
Try to give a good answer.
gut means good, and die Antwort means the answer. This informal command begins with bemüh dich; dich is the required reflexive accusative pronoun, and um eine gute Antwort is accusative after um.
Wenn sie sich mehr bemühen würde, könnte sie die Aufgabe schaffen.
If she tried harder, she could complete the task.
mehr means more, könnte means could, die Aufgabe means the task, and schaffen means complete or manage. In the subordinate clause, bemühen goes to the end after würde; sich is reflexive, and die Aufgabe is accusative after schaffen.
Du wirst dich um die Stelle bemühen.
You will try to get the position.
die Stelle means the position or job. Future uses wirst in position two and bemühen at the end; dich is reflexive accusative, and um die Stelle is accusative after um.
die Bemühung — effort, attempt
Bemühung is a more formal noun for an effort or attempt; the plural Bemühungen is especially common when someone makes sustained efforts. It is related to sich bemühen.
Die Bemühung hat sich gelohnt.
The effort was worthwhile.
sich lohnen means to be worthwhile. Die Bemühung is nominative because it is the subject; hat stands in position two and gelohnt comes at the end in the perfect construction.
Ich schätze die Bemühung sehr.
I really appreciate the effort.
schätzen means to appreciate or value, and sehr means very much. Die Bemühung is accusative because it is the object of schätzen, while schätze stands in position two.
Wir danken ihr für die Bemühung.
We thank her for the effort.
danken means to thank, and ihr means her. Ihr is dative because danken requires the dative, while für die Bemühung is accusative after für.
Der Erfolg der Bemühung war nicht sicher.
The success of the effort was not certain.
der Erfolg means the success, and sicher means certain or sure. Der Bemühung is genitive because it identifies which effort is meant; the whole phrase Der Erfolg der Bemühung is the nominative subject.
Seine Bemühungen wurden endlich belohnt.
His efforts were finally rewarded.
seine means his, endlich means finally, and belohnt means rewarded. Seine Bemühungen is plural nominative and the subject of the passive clause; the plural is formed with -en.
benehmen — to behave
sich benehmen is normally used reflexively, with an accusative reflexive pronoun such as sich, dich, or mich. The common opposite is sich schlecht benehmen, meaning “to behave badly.”
Er benimmt sich beim Essen sehr höflich.
He behaves very politely when eating.
beim Essen means “while eating,” and höflich means “polite.” The finite verb benimmt is in position two, while sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun required by sich benehmen; beim means bei dem and takes the dative.
Sie hat sich gestern gut benommen.
She behaved well yesterday.
gestern means “yesterday,” and gut means “well.” The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II benommen, which goes to the end; sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Der Junge benahm sich im Museum ruhig.
The boy behaved calmly in the museum.
der Junge is “the boy,” im Museum means “in the museum,” and ruhig means “calmly.” The strong past form benahm stands in position two, and sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Benimm dich bitte im Unterricht!
Please behave in class!
bitte means “please,” and im Unterricht means “in class.” The singular imperative Benimm comes first, and the reflexive accusative pronoun dich must normally be added; im is short for in dem.
Ich würde mich an deiner Stelle besser benehmen.
If I were you, I would behave better.
an deiner Stelle means “if I were you,” and besser means “better.” The Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and the infinitive benehmen at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Ihr werdet euch auf der Feier gut benehmen.
You will behave well at the party.
ihr means “you” plural, auf der Feier means “at the party,” and gut means “well.” Future I uses werdet in position two and the infinitive benehmen at the end; euch is the plural accusative reflexive pronoun.
bereiten — to prepare; to cause; to cause; to give
For preparing something, bereiten usually takes an accusative object. In the expression jemandem Freude bereiten, the person receiving the pleasure is in the dative.
Mein Vater bereitet das Abendessen zu.
My father is preparing dinner.
das Abendessen means dinner, and mein Vater means my father. Das Abendessen is accusative because bereiten takes the thing being prepared as an accusative object; the finite verb bereitet stands in position two.
Wir haben das Essen gemeinsam bereitet.
We prepared the food together.
das Essen means the food and gemeinsam means together. Das Essen is accusative because it is the object of bereiten; haben is in position two and bereitet goes to the end.
Sie bereitete eine warme Suppe.
She prepared a warm soup.
eine warme Suppe means a warm soup, and warm means warm. The noun phrase is accusative because bereiten takes an accusative object, while the past-tense verb bereitete stands in position two.
Bereite bitte den Salat vor.
Please prepare the salad.
bitte means please, der Salat means the salad, and vor means in advance or beforehand. The imperative bereite addresses one person; den Salat is accusative because it is what is prepared.
Ich bereitete die Prüfung sorgfältig vor, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would prepare the exam carefully if I had more time.
die Prüfung means the exam, sorgfältig means carefully, and mehr Zeit means more time. This sentence uses a conditional meaning; die Prüfung is accusative, and bereitete is the same form as the simple past in this weak verb.
Morgen wird der Koch das Frühstück bereiten.
Tomorrow the cook will prepare breakfast.
morgen means tomorrow, der Koch means the cook, and das Frühstück means breakfast. Wird stands in position two and the infinitive bereiten goes to the end; das Frühstück is accusative.
Der Lärm bereitet den Nachbarn große Sorgen.
The noise is causing the neighbours great worry.
der Lärm means the noise, den Nachbarn means the neighbours, and große Sorgen means great worry. Den Nachbarn is dative because this person experiences the effect, while große Sorgen is accusative as the thing caused.
Diese Aufgabe bereitet mir keine Probleme.
This task causes me no problems.
diese Aufgabe means this task and keine Probleme means no problems. Mir is dative for the person affected, while keine Probleme is accusative; the finite verb bereitet is in position two.
beschränken — to limit, to restrict; to restrict oneself to
The transitive form etwas beschränken means to limit something. The reflexive form sich auf etwas beschränken means to restrict oneself to something; auf takes the accusative in this fixed expression.
Die Stadt beschränkt den Verkehr im Zentrum.
The city is restricting traffic in the centre.
die Stadt means the city, der Verkehr means traffic, and im Zentrum means in the centre. Den Verkehr is accusative because beschränken takes a direct object; im Zentrum is dative after the location phrase in dem.
Die neue Regel hat den Zugang stark beschränkt.
The new rule has greatly restricted access.
die neue Regel means the new rule, der Zugang means access, and stark means greatly. The perfect uses hat plus beschränkt at the end; den Zugang is accusative.
Das Gesetz beschränkte die Werbung für Alkohol.
The law restricted advertising for alcohol.
das Gesetz means the law, and die Werbung für Alkohol means advertising for alcohol. The past form beschränkte is in position two, and die Werbung is accusative as the object.
Beschränke bitte die Anzahl der Teilnehmer.
Please limit the number of participants.
bitte means please, die Anzahl means the number, and der Teilnehmer means of the participants. The imperative beschränke comes first; die Anzahl is accusative, while der Teilnehmer is genitive.
Ich würde meine Ausgaben gern beschränken.
I would gladly limit my spending.
meine Ausgaben means my expenses, and gern means gladly. Meine Ausgaben is accusative after beschränken; würde marks the conditional and the infinitive beschränken follows it.
Der Arzt wird die Behandlung auf zwei Wochen beschränken.
The doctor will limit the treatment to two weeks.
der Arzt means the doctor, die Behandlung means the treatment, and zwei Wochen means two weeks. Die Behandlung is accusative as the object; auf takes the accusative here because it expresses the limit, and future infinitive beschränken goes to the end.
Wir beschränken uns auf eine kurze Antwort.
We will restrict ourselves to a short answer.
uns means ourselves, and eine kurze Antwort means a short answer. The reflexive pronoun uns is accusative, and auf also takes the accusative here because it introduces the limit: eine kurze Antwort.
Sie beschränkt sich beim Essen auf kleine Portionen.
She limits herself to small portions when eating.
beim Essen means when eating, and kleine Portionen means small portions. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while auf kleine Portionen gives the limit and uses the accusative after auf.
beschädigen — to damage
beschädigen is transitive: the damaged thing is an accusative object. It describes harm to an object or surface, not necessarily complete destruction; the related adjective is beschädigt.
Der Sturm beschädigt mehrere Dächer.
The storm damages several roofs.
der Sturm means the storm and mehrere Dächer means several roofs. mehrere Dächer is accusative because it is the direct object of beschädigen; the finite verb beschädigt stands in position two.
Der Sturm hat mehrere Dächer beschädigt.
The storm has damaged several roofs.
der Sturm is the storm and mehrere Dächer are several roofs. The object is accusative, and hat stands in position two while the Partizip II beschädigt goes to the end with haben.
Der Unfall beschädigte die Leitplanke.
The accident damaged the guardrail.
der Unfall means the accident and die Leitplanke means the guardrail. die Leitplanke is accusative as the direct object, although its article looks the same as nominative; beschädigte is the regular past form in position two.
Beschädige bitte nicht die Pflanzen.
Please do not damage the plants.
bitte means please and die Pflanzen means the plants. The imperative beschädige addresses one person informally, nicht negates the action, and die Pflanzen is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde das Fahrrad nicht beschädigen.
I would not damage the bicycle.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and nicht means not. das Fahrrad is accusative as the object, and würde beschädigen expresses a hypothetical or cautious statement.
Der Hagel wird die Fenster beschädigen.
The hail will damage the windows.
der Hagel means hail and die Fenster means the windows. die Fenster is accusative as the direct object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive beschädigen goes to the end.
besetzen — to occupy, fill; to cast
besetzen is a weak verb with the inseparable prefix be-, so its Partizip II is besetzt, not gebesetzt. It takes an accusative object and uses haben in the perfect.
Der Mann besetzt den letzten Platz.
The man occupies the last seat.
Der Mann means the man and der letzte Platz means the last seat. den letzten Platz is accusative because besetzen takes a direct object, and the finite verb besetzt is in position two.
Jemand hat alle Plätze besetzt.
Someone has occupied all the seats.
Jemand means someone and alle Plätze means all the seats. The perfect uses hat plus besetzt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Die Fans besetzten die ersten Reihen.
The fans occupied the first rows.
Die Fans means the fans and die ersten Reihen means the first rows. die ersten Reihen is accusative as the direct object, and the regular past form besetzten is the finite verb in position two.
Besetze diesen Platz nicht!
Do not occupy this seat!
diesen Platz means this seat and nicht means not. The imperative omits du, starts the sentence, and the negative particle comes after the accusative object here.
Ich würde den Tisch nicht besetzen.
I would not occupy the table.
den Tisch means the table and nicht means not. würde expresses the conditional, while the infinitive besetzen goes to the end; den Tisch is accusative.
Die Zuschauer werden alle Sitze besetzen.
The spectators will occupy all the seats.
Die Zuschauer means the spectators and alle Sitze means all the seats. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive besetzen at the end; the seats are the accusative object.
Die Regisseurin besetzt die Hauptrolle mit einer jungen Schauspielerin.
The director casts the leading role with a young actress.
Die Regisseurin means the female director, die Hauptrolle means the leading role, and eine junge Schauspielerin means a young actress. die Hauptrolle is accusative as the role chosen, while mit takes the dative in the casting pattern.
Für den neuen Film besetzte man bekannte Schauspieler.
For the new film, they cast well-known actors.
Für den neuen Film means for the new film, man means people or they, and bekannte Schauspieler means well-known actors. für takes the accusative, and bekannte Schauspieler is also accusative as the direct object of besetzen.
betätigen — to operate, activate, press; to be active, to engage in an activity
This verb is often used for switches, buttons, brakes, and alarms. The inseparable prefix be- means the finite verb stays together; it does not split into tätigt ... be.
Er betätigt den Schalter.
He operates the switch.
der Schalter is the switch. Den Schalter is accusative because betätigen takes a direct object, and the finite verb betätigt stands in position two.
Sie hat die Bremse betätigt.
She applied the brake.
die Bremse is the brake and hat means has. Die Bremse is accusative as the object; hat is in position two and the Partizip II betätigt goes to the end.
Der Fahrer betätigte die Hupe.
The driver pressed the horn.
der Fahrer is the driver and die Hupe is the horn. Die Hupe is accusative because it is the object, and the weak past form betätigte stands in position two.
Betätige die Notbremse!
Pull the emergency brake!
die Notbremse means the emergency brake. Betätige is a direct singular command, so du is omitted and the verb comes first; the object is accusative.
Ich würde den Knopf sofort betätigen.
I would press the button immediately.
der Knopf is the button and sofort means immediately. Den Knopf is accusative because it is the object, and würde ... betätigen expresses a hypothetical action.
Der Techniker wird den Alarm betätigen.
The technician will activate the alarm.
der Techniker is the technician and der Alarm is the alarm. Den Alarm is accusative; wird stands in position two and the infinitive betätigen goes to the end.
Sie betätigt sich in einem Verein.
She is active in a club.
sich means herself and der Verein is the club or association. The phrase sich betätigen is reflexive here, and in einem Verein is dative because it describes a location or area of activity.
Mein Bruder möchte sich politisch betätigen.
My brother would like to be politically active.
mein Bruder means my brother and politisch means politically. Sich betätigen is an infinitive phrase after möchte, so the infinitive goes to the end and sich refers back to mein Bruder.
bewahren — to preserve, to keep safe
Bewahren can mean keeping an object safe, preserving a tradition, or keeping a secret. Do not confuse it with aufbewahren, which more specifically means to store or keep something somewhere.
Sie bewahrt die alten Briefe in einer Schachtel auf.
She keeps the old letters in a box.
sie means she, alte Briefe means old letters, and eine Schachtel means a box. Die alten Briefe is accusative because bewahren takes a direct object; bewahrt is in position two, while in einer Schachtel describes the place.
Er hat das Foto viele Jahre bewahrt.
He kept the photo for many years.
das Foto means the photo and viele Jahre means many years. Das Foto is accusative as the object of bewahren; hat is in position two and bewahrt goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Die Familie bewahrte das Rezept sorgfältig.
The family carefully preserved the recipe.
die Familie means the family, das Rezept means the recipe, and sorgfältig means carefully. Das Rezept is accusative because it is the object, and the weak-verb form bewahrte stands in position two.
Bewahr diese Erinnerung gut.
Keep this memory safe.
diese Erinnerung means this memory and gut means well. The imperative bewahr starts the command, and diese Erinnerung is accusative because it is the object of bewahren.
Wenn ich das Dokument hätte, bewahrte ich es sicher auf.
If I had the document, I would keep it safe.
das Dokument means the document, hätte means had, and sicher means safely; es means it. Bewahrte ... auf here means would keep safe, but the separable verb aufbewahren is not the headword; the given headword bewahren itself is not separable.
Wir werden die Tradition auch künftig bewahren.
We will preserve the tradition in the future too.
die Tradition means the tradition and auch künftig means in the future too. Die Tradition is accusative because it is the object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive bewahren goes to the end.
der Büroalltag — office routine, everyday office life
This compound combines Büro (office) and Alltag (everyday life). It describes normal working routines rather than one particular task or one particular office.
Der Büroalltag beginnt um acht Uhr.
The office routine begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Büroalltag is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Viele Menschen erleben den Büroalltag als stressig.
Many people experience office life as stressful.
viele Menschen means many people, erleben means experience, and stressig means stressful. den Büroalltag is accusative because erleben takes a direct object; als stressig describes how it is experienced.
Nach dem Büroalltag brauche ich Ruhe.
After the office routine, I need peace and quiet.
nach means after, brauche means need, and Ruhe means peace and quiet. dem Büroalltag is dative because nach always requires the dative; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Die Organisation des Büroalltags kostet viel Zeit.
Organising everyday office life takes a lot of time.
die Organisation means organisation, kostet means costs or takes, and viel Zeit means a lot of time. des Büroalltags is genitive because it specifies which organisation is meant; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Büroalltage sind nicht immer gleich.
Office routines are not always the same.
nicht immer means not always and gleich means the same. Die Büroalltage is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -e appears on Alltag.
checken — to check, verify; to get, to understand
Checken is an informal loan verb used for checking or verifying something. It is a regular weak verb: checkte - hat gecheckt, and it forms the perfect with haben.
Sie checkt jeden Morgen ihre E-Mails.
She checks her emails every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and ihre E-Mails means her emails. Ihre E-Mails is accusative because checken takes a direct object; the finite verb checkt is in position two.
Wir haben die Adresse gecheckt.
We checked the address.
die Adresse means the address. Gecheckt is the Partizip II and goes at the end, while haben carries the tense; die Adresse is accusative as the object.
Er checkte noch einmal die Rechnung.
He checked the bill once more.
noch einmal means once more, and die Rechnung is the bill. Die Rechnung is accusative because it is checked; the regular past form checkte is in position two.
Check bitte die Nummer.
Please check the number.
bitte means please, and die Nummer means the number. Check is the du imperative, so du is omitted; die Nummer is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, checkte ich alles noch einmal.
If I had time, I would check everything once more.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte means if I had time, and alles means everything. Here checkte is the form used for an unreal conditional; after wenn, the verb goes to the end, while the main-clause verb follows the comma.
Ich werde die Daten später checken.
I will check the data later.
die Daten means the data, and später means later. In the future, werde is finite in position two and the infinitive checken goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Checkst du, ob die Tür abgeschlossen ist?
Are you checking whether the door is locked?
ob means whether, die Tür means the door, and abgeschlossen means locked. Checkst comes first because this is a yes-no question, while ist goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by ob.
Ich checke die Aufgabe nicht.
I don’t understand the exercise.
die Aufgabe means the exercise or task, and nicht means not. Die Aufgabe is accusative because it is what the speaker does not understand; checke is in position two.
Jetzt habe ich es gecheckt.
Now I get it.
jetzt means now, and es means it. Gecheckt goes to the end with habe in the perfect; es is an accusative pronoun standing for the thing understood.
dabeihaben — to have with one, to have on one
The object is normally a thing that someone has with them: etwas dabeihaben. It is separable in a main clause, but the infinitive dabeihaben and the participle dabeigehabt stay together.
Ich habe meinen Pass immer dabei.
I always have my passport with me.
meinen Pass means my passport, and immer means always. Meinen Pass is accusative because dabeihaben takes an accusative object; the finite verb habe is in position two and the prefix dabei goes to the end.
Wir haben unsere Tickets dabeigehabt.
We had our tickets with us.
unsere Tickets means our tickets. The object is accusative because dabeihaben takes an accusative object; haben is the auxiliary in position two and dabeigehabt goes to the end as one word.
Er hatte seinen Laptop dabei.
He had his laptop with him.
seinen Laptop means his laptop. The object is accusative because dabeihaben takes an accusative object; the past-tense form hatte stands in position two and dabei is separated to the end.
Hab deinen Schlüssel dabei.
Have your key with you.
deinen Schlüssel means your key. The imperative hab comes first, the accusative object follows it, and the separable prefix dabei goes at the end; the subject du is left out.
Wenn ich meinen Pass dabeihätte, könnte ich einchecken.
If I had my passport with me, I could check in.
wenn means if, könnte means could, and einchecken means check in. Meinen Pass is accusative after dabeihaben; in the wenn clause, the Konjunktiv II form dabeihätte goes to the end, and könnte begins the main clause after the comma.
Sie wird ihren Ausweis dabeihaben.
She will have her identity card with her.
ihren Ausweis means her identity card. The object is accusative because dabeihaben takes an accusative object; wird is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive dabeihaben goes to the end.
einsetzen — to use; to deploy; to employ; to put in; to insert; to appoint; to establish
In this sense, einsetzen means to use or deploy something or someone for a purpose. It takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben.
Die Firma setzt neue Software ein.
The company is using new software.
die Firma means the company, and neue Software means new software. Neue Software is accusative because einsetzen takes a direct object; the finite part setzt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Das Team hat einen erfahrenen Techniker eingesetzt.
The team used an experienced technician.
das Team means the team, and ein erfahrener Techniker is an experienced technician. The perfect uses hat plus eingesetzt at the end; einen erfahrenen Techniker is accusative because the person is the direct object.
Die Organisation setzte zusätzliche Helfer ein.
The organisation deployed additional helpers.
die Organisation means the organisation, zusätzliche means additional, and Helfer means helpers. Setzte ... ein is the simple past of the separable verb; zusätzliche Helfer is the accusative object.
Setz deine Zeit sinnvoll ein.
Use your time sensibly.
deine Zeit means your time, and sinnvoll means sensibly or usefully. This is the du imperative, with setz first and ein at the end; the direct object is accusative.
Du würdest deine Kenntnisse besser einsetzen.
You would use your knowledge better.
deine Kenntnisse means your knowledge or skills, and besser means better. Würdest ... einsetzen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive remains one word at the end and takes an accusative object.
Wir werden die neue Methode bald einsetzen.
We will use the new method soon.
die neue Methode means the new method, and bald means soon. Werden ... einsetzen forms the future; werden is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end, with die neue Methode as accusative object.
Ich setze eine neue Batterie ein.
I am putting in a new battery.
eine neue Batterie means a new battery, and setzen means put or place here. The battery is accusative because it is the direct object; setze is in position two and the prefix ein is separated to the end.
Bitte setz die Karte in den Automaten ein.
Please insert the card into the machine.
die Karte means the card, and der Automat means the machine. Die Karte is accusative as the thing inserted, while in den Automaten is accusative because it expresses movement into a place; the prefix ein is at the end.
Der Vorstand setzt eine neue Leiterin ein.
The board appoints a new female director.
der Vorstand means the board, and die Leiterin means the female director or manager. Eine neue Leiterin is accusative because the appointed person is the direct object; the finite part setzt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Die Regierung hat eine Untersuchungskommission eingesetzt.
The government has set up an investigative commission.
die Regierung means the government, and die Untersuchungskommission is an investigative commission. The perfect uses hat and eingesetzt at the end; the commission is accusative as the group that was established.
festkleben — to stick fast; to glue firmly
For the physical meaning, festkleben can be intransitive, as in something being stuck, or transitive, as in someone gluing something firmly. It is separable: festkleben, but klebt ... fest in a main clause.
Der Kaugummi klebt an meinem Schuh fest.
The chewing gum is stuck to my shoe.
der Kaugummi is chewing gum, an means to, and mein Schuh is my shoe. The separable verb splits in a main clause: klebt is in position two and fest goes to the end; meinem Schuh is dative after an for a fixed location.
Der Aufkleber ist an der Tür festgeklebt.
The sticker is stuck to the door.
der Aufkleber is the sticker and die Tür is the door. The perfect uses ist festgeklebt here because the sentence describes a resulting state; the Partizip II festgeklebt stands at the end, while an der Tür is dative for location.
Der Teig klebte an der Schüssel fest.
The dough was stuck to the bowl.
der Teig is dough and die Schüssel is the bowl. The weak past form klebte is in position two and fest is separated to the end; an der Schüssel is dative because it describes a fixed place.
Kleb das Poster nicht an die Wand fest!
Do not stick the poster firmly to the wall!
das Poster is the poster, nicht means not, and die Wand is the wall. The imperative omits du and splits into kleb ... fest; an die Wand is accusative because the action is directed toward the wall.
Wenn der Kaugummi weicher wäre, klebte er noch stärker am Schuh fest.
If the chewing gum were softer, it would stick to the shoe even more strongly.
weicher means softer, noch stärker means even more strongly, and der Schuh is the shoe. The hypothetical form klebte is at the end of the subordinate clause before er? Here the verb phrase is split in the subordinate clause, with klebte before er only because the conditional clause is awkward; the natural main-clause order puts fest at the end.
Der Leim wird das Holz bald festkleben.
The glue will soon stick the wood firmly.
der Leim is glue, das Holz is wood, and bald means soon. Das Holz is accusative because it is the object; wird is in position two and the infinitive festkleben goes to the end.
fix — quick, efficient; fixed, definite
As an adjective, fix is colloquial and describes someone or something that works quickly and efficiently. The comparative is fixer, and the superlative is am fixsten.
Der neue Mitarbeiter ist fix.
The new employee is quick and efficient.
der neue Mitarbeiter means the new employee. fix is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie ist eine fixe Rechnerin.
She is a quick calculator.
eine Rechnerin means a female calculator or someone who calculates, and sie means she. fixe stands before the feminine noun Rechnerin and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; the phrase is nominative after ist.
Tom ist fixer als ich.
Tom is quicker than I am.
als ich means than I am. fixer compares Tom with another person and is formed with -er; after ist, the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Von allen Kollegen arbeitet Lea am fixsten.
Of all the colleagues, Lea works the fastest.
von allen Kollegen means of all the colleagues, and arbeitet means works. von takes the dative, shown by allen Kollegen; am fixsten is the predicative superlative and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Wir haben einen fixen Termin.
We have a fixed appointment.
einen Termin means an appointment, and haben means to have. fixen has the ending -en because Termin is masculine accusative after einen; haben takes this accusative object.
Der Preis ist fix.
The price is fixed.
der Preis means the price. fix is predicative after ist, so it does not take an ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
die Fundsache — found item, lost property
A Fundsache is not simply any object that has been found: the word usually refers to property officially handed in and recorded.
Die Fundsache liegt im Fundbüro.
The found item is at the lost-property office.
liegt means is lying or is located, and im Fundbüro means at the lost-property office. Die Fundsache is nominative as the subject, and liegt is in position two.
Ich beschreibe die Fundsache genau.
I describe the found item precisely.
beschreibe means describe and genau means precisely. Die Fundsache is accusative because beschreiben takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir geben der Fundsache eine Nummer.
We give the found item a number.
geben means give and eine Nummer means a number. Der Fundsache is dative because it is the thing receiving a number; eine Nummer is the accusative object.
Die Farbe der Fundsache ist auffällig.
The colour of the found item is distinctive.
die Farbe means colour and auffällig means distinctive or conspicuous. Der Fundsache is genitive because it shows which item’s colour is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Im Schrank liegen viele Fundsachen.
There are many found items in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Fundsachen is the plural subject, formed with -n.
der Gebrauch — use; usage; custom; traditional practice
der Gebrauch usually means use or usage and is often used in the phrase Gebrauch machen von, to make use of. Its plural die Gebräuche normally means customs or traditional practices, not several ordinary uses.
Der Gebrauch dieser App ist einfach.
Using this app is easy.
dieser App means of this app, and einfach means easy. der Gebrauch is the nominative subject, while dieser App is a genitive phrase specifying what is being used; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich lerne den Gebrauch des Geräts.
I am learning how to use the device.
ich lerne means I am learning, and das Gerät means the device. den Gebrauch is the accusative object of lernen, while des Geräts is genitive and means of the device.
Mit regelmäßigem Gebrauch wird die Maschine besser.
With regular use, the machine gets better.
mit regelmäßigem means with regular, and die Maschine means the machine. mit always forces the dative, so regelmäßigem Gebrauch has a dative adjective ending; the verb wird is in position two.
Die Regeln des Gebrauchs stehen im Handbuch.
The rules for use are in the manual.
die Regeln are the rules, stehen means are written or stand, and das Handbuch is the manual. des Gebrauchs is a genitive phrase depending on die Regeln, and the verb stehen is in position two.
Alte Gebräuche verschwinden langsam.
Old customs are slowly disappearing.
alte means old, verschwinden means disappear, and langsam means slowly. alte Gebräuche is the plural nominative subject, so there is no article and the adjective takes the ending -e.
Dieser Gebrauch ist in der Region noch bekannt.
This custom is still known in the region.
dieser means this, in der Region means in the region, and noch bekannt means still known. dieser Gebrauch is the nominative subject, and ist stands in position two; in takes the dative here because the phrase describes a location, not movement.
Die Gebräuche des Dorfes sind interessant.
The customs of the village are interesting.
des Dorfes means of the village and interessant means interesting. die Gebräuche is the plural nominative subject, while des Dorfes is a genitive phrase showing whose customs they are.
gelingen — to succeed, to work out
The usual pattern is jemandem gelingt etwas: the person is in the dative and the successful thing is the nominative subject. In the perfect, gelingen takes sein, as in ist gelungen.
Der Plan gelingt heute.
The plan is successful today.
der Plan means “the plan,” and heute means “today.” Der Plan is nominative as the thing that succeeds; with gelingen, the person affected is usually dative, and the finite verb gelingt stands in position two.
Der Versuch ist gelungen.
The attempt succeeded.
der Versuch means “the attempt.” The perfect uses ist gelungen because gelingen takes sein, and the Partizip II gelungen stands at the end of the clause.
Der erste Versuch gelang.
The first attempt succeeded.
der erste Versuch means “the first attempt.” Gelang is the strong preterite form of gelingen; the finite verb is in position two, and there is no auxiliary in this simple past sentence.
Geling mir bitte dieser Schritt!
Please let me manage this step!
mir means “for me” or “to me,” bitte means “please,” and dieser Schritt means “this step.” The imperative geling is rare; mir is dative because the person affected by success is marked with the dative.
Wenn alles gut liefe, gelänge uns der Start.
If everything went well, we would manage the launch.
wenn means “if,” alles means “everything,” gut liefe means “went well,” and der Start means “the launch.” Gelänge is the Konjunktiv II of gelingen; uns is dative, and the verb stands at the end of the subordinate wenn-clause but in position two in the main clause.
Mit etwas Übung wird dir der Test gelingen.
With some practice, you will succeed in the test.
mit etwas Übung means “with some practice,” and der Test means “the test.” Dir is dative because it is the person who succeeds; in the future, wird is finite in position two and gelingen goes to the end.
gewohnt — accustomed, familiar, usual
Gewohnt usually describes something familiar through repetition and is often used with sein. For a person, German more commonly says an etwas gewöhnt sein or mit etwas vertraut sein when meaning accustomed to something.
Ich bin gewohnt, früh aufzustehen.
I am used to getting up early.
früh means early and aufstehen means to get up. Gewohnt stands after bin as a predicative adjective; the zu-infinitive aufzustehen goes to the end.
Sie hat einen gewohnten Tagesablauf.
She has a familiar daily routine.
einen Tagesablauf means a daily routine, and hat means has. Gewohnten comes before the masculine accusative noun Tagesablauf, so it takes the ending -en after einen.
Nach einem Monat war mir der neue Rhythmus gewohnter.
After a month, the new rhythm felt more familiar to me.
nach einem Monat means after one month, and der neue Rhythmus means the new rhythm. Gewohnter is the comparative; mir is dative because the phrase jemandem sein expresses how something feels to someone.
Am Wochenende ist dieser Ablauf am gewohntesten.
At the weekend, this routine feels the most familiar.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and dieser Ablauf means this routine. Am gewohntesten is the predicative superlative after ist; the am ...-sten form does not take a noun ending.
handeln — to act, to take action; to trade, to bargain, to negotiate
For the meaning ‘to act’, handeln is normally used without a direct object. Its perfect is hat gehandelt with haben, not sein.
Ich handle sofort.
I will act immediately.
sofort means immediately. The verb handle is in position two and has no object here; it means to take action rather than to trade.
Wir haben schnell gehandelt.
We acted quickly.
schnell means quickly. gehandelt is the Partizip II and pairs with haben because handeln is not a movement verb; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Er handelte ohne Angst.
He acted without fear.
ohne Angst means without fear. handelte is the regular preterite form and stands in position two; ohne takes the accusative, although this phrase has no article.
Handle jetzt!
Act now!
jetzt means now. Handle is the singular imperative and comes first because this is a command; the subject du is normally omitted.
Ich würde anders handeln, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would act differently if I had more time.
anders means differently, wenn means if, and mehr Zeit means more time. würde handeln expresses an unreal or hypothetical action; the infinitive handeln goes to the end after würde, and hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Die Regierung wird bald handeln.
The government will act soon.
Regierung means government and bald means soon. wird ... handeln forms the future; the finite auxiliary wird is in position two and the infinitive handeln goes to the end.
Die Händler handeln mit Kaffee.
The traders deal in coffee.
Händler means traders and Kaffee means coffee. mit Kaffee uses the dative because mit always takes the dative, although the uncountable noun has no visible article; the finite verb handeln is in position two.
Wir handelten lange über den Preis.
We bargained about the price for a long time.
lange means for a long time and Preis means price. über den Preis is accusative because über means about in this fixed topic expression; handelten is the preterite and stands in position two.
heraussuchen — to select, to choose out
This separable verb means choosing one item from several possibilities. In a main clause, heraussuchen splits into sucht ... heraus, but after a modal verb or in the perfect it stays together.
Er sucht ein Geschenk für seine Schwester heraus.
He is choosing a gift for his sister.
ein Geschenk means a gift, and für seine Schwester means for his sister. Ein Geschenk is accusative because heraussuchen takes a direct object; sucht is in position two and heraus goes to the end.
Wir haben ein schönes Hotel herausgesucht.
We have selected a nice hotel.
schönes means nice or attractive, and das Hotel is the hotel. The perfect uses haben plus herausgesucht at the end; ein schönes Hotel is accusative as the direct object.
Sie suchte einen passenden Kurs heraus.
She selected a suitable course.
passend means suitable, and der Kurs means the course. Einen passenden Kurs is accusative because it is the direct object; the regular past form suchte is in position two and heraus is separated.
Such bitte ein ruhiges Zimmer heraus.
Please choose a quiet room.
bitte means please, ruhig means quiet, and das Zimmer means the room. This is the informal singular imperative with omitted du; such comes first and heraus goes at the end.
Ich würde gern heraussuchen, welches Angebot am besten passt.
I would like to choose which offer fits best.
welches Angebot means which offer, and am besten passt means fits best. Würde plus heraussuchen expresses a polite or hypothetical wish, and the infinitive stays together after würde.
Morgen werden wir ein neues Sofa heraussuchen.
Tomorrow we will choose a new sofa.
morgen means tomorrow, neu means new, and das Sofa means the sofa. Futur I places werden in position two and the complete infinitive heraussuchen at the end; ein neues Sofa is accusative.
hindern — to hinder, to prevent
The usual pattern is jemanden an etwas hindern: the person is accusative, and an takes the dative. The activity is often expressed by am plus a noun made from a verb, such as am Arbeiten.
Der Lärm hindert mich am Arbeiten.
The noise prevents me from working.
der Lärm means the noise, mich means me, and am Arbeiten means from working. mich is accusative because hindern takes the person prevented as its accusative object; an takes the dative here, and the finite verb hindert stands in position two.
Der Lärm hat mich am Arbeiten gehindert.
The noise prevented me from working.
der Lärm means the noise, mich means me, and am Arbeiten means from working. gehindert is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; it goes to the end, while mich remains accusative and an governs the dative in am Arbeiten.
Der Lärm hinderte mich am Arbeiten.
The noise prevented me from working.
der Lärm means the noise, mich means me, and am Arbeiten means from working. hinderte is the regular Präteritum form of hindern and stands in position two; mich is accusative because it is the person being prevented.
Hindere mich nicht am Arbeiten!
Don't stop me from working!
mich means me, nicht means not, and am Arbeiten means from working. Hindere is the singular imperative, and mich is accusative because hindern takes an accusative person; an introduces the activity.
Das Wetter würde uns an der Reise hindern.
The weather would prevent us from travelling.
das Wetter means the weather, uns means us, and die Reise means the journey. uns is accusative because it is the people prevented, while an der Reise uses an with the dative; würde ... hindern expresses a hypothetical result.
Die Baustelle wird den Verkehr hindern.
The roadworks will hinder the traffic.
die Baustelle means the roadworks and der Verkehr means the traffic. den Verkehr is accusative because it is the thing affected by hindern; the finite verb wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.