Appearance
Vocab: Everyday actions — B1 (2)
Everyday actions vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
hinterlassen — to leave behind; to leave; to leave an impression or mark
In addition to physically leaving something behind, hinterlassen often means leaving an effect, message, or inheritance. It takes haben in the perfect and is not separated, so hinterlassen stays together in the clause.
Nach dem Umzug hinterlässt sie ihre alten Möbel.
After the move, she leaves her old furniture behind.
der Umzug means the move to a new home, and alte Möbel means old furniture. ihre alten Möbel is accusative because hinterlassen takes a direct object, and the finite verb hinterlässt is in position two.
Er hat seiner Familie ein großes Haus hinterlassen.
He left his family a large house.
seiner Familie means to his family, and ein großes Haus means a large house. seiner Familie is dative as the recipient, while ein großes Haus is accusative; the Partizip II hinterlassen goes to the end with hat.
Der alte Mann hinterließ seinen Kindern einen Brief.
The old man left his children a letter.
der alte Mann is the old man, seinen Kindern means his children, and einen Brief is a letter. seinen Kindern is dative as the recipients and einen Brief is accusative; hinterließ is the simple past form and stands in position two.
Hinterlass bitte eine Nachricht.
Please leave a message.
bitte means please, and eine Nachricht is a message. eine Nachricht is accusative because it is the object of hinterlassen; the informal imperative begins the sentence and has no subject pronoun.
Wenn ich gehe, würde ich gern einen guten Eindruck hinterlassen.
When I leave, I would like to leave a good impression.
wenn ich gehe means when I leave, and einen guten Eindruck means a good impression. einen guten Eindruck is accusative, and in the würde form the infinitive hinterlassen goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie wird ihren Kindern ein schönes Andenken hinterlassen.
She will leave her children a lovely memento.
ihren Kindern means her children, and ein schönes Andenken is a lovely memento. ihren Kindern is dative as the recipients and ein schönes Andenken is accusative; wird is in position two and hinterlassen goes to the end.
Der Film hat bei mir einen starken Eindruck hinterlassen.
The film left a strong impression on me.
der Film is the film, bei mir means on me, and einen starken Eindruck means a strong impression. einen starken Eindruck is accusative because it is the object of hinterlassen, while bei mir is a prepositional phrase; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Die Kinder hinterlassen überall Schmutz.
The children leave dirt everywhere.
die Kinder are the children, überall means everywhere, and Schmutz means dirt. Schmutz is an accusative mass noun object, and the finite verb hinterlassen stands in position two.
krachen — to crash; to bang; to make a loud noise
krachen is normally intransitive and describes a loud crash, bang, or crack. Its perfect uses haben: hat gekracht; do not use sein just because the noise may be caused by movement.
Die Tür kracht, wenn der Wind stark ist.
The door bangs when the wind is strong.
die Tür means the door, wenn means when, der Wind means the wind, and stark means strong. kracht is in position two in the main clause; in the wenn clause, the finite verb ist goes to the end.
Im Keller hat es plötzlich gekracht.
There was suddenly a loud crash in the cellar.
im Keller means in the cellar, and plötzlich means suddenly. The impersonal subject es is in the nominative, and hat ... gekracht forms the perfect with haben; the participle goes to the end.
Das Glas krachte auf den Boden.
The glass crashed onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass, and auf den Boden means onto the floor. krachte is the weak preterite in a narrative; auf den Boden is accusative because it expresses movement towards a destination.
Krach nicht so laut!
Don’t make such a loud noise!
nicht so laut means not so loudly, and the command tells someone not to make a loud crash. Krach is the bare du imperative; the negative word nicht comes before the adverbial phrase so laut.
Wenn du die Kiste fallen ließest, krachte es wahrscheinlich.
If you dropped the box, it would probably make a crash.
die Kiste means the box, fallen lassen means drop or let fall, and wahrscheinlich means probably. The conditional meaning is expressed with ließest in the subordinate clause and krachte in the result clause; after wenn, the finite verb goes to the end.
Der Ast wird auf das Dach krachen.
The branch will crash onto the roof.
der Ast means the branch, and auf das Dach means onto the roof. wird ... krachen forms the future with werden, and the infinitive goes to the end; auf das Dach is accusative because it shows movement towards the roof.
der Kratzer — scratch; scrape mark
Der Kratzer usually means a visible scratch on a surface, not a person who scratches. The plural is die Kratzer, with no vowel change.
Der Kratzer ist auf dem Tisch.
The scratch is on the table.
der Tisch is the table and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Kratzer is nominative because it is the subject, and auf takes the dative here because the scratch is in a fixed location.
Ich sehe den Kratzer auf dem Tisch.
I can see the scratch on the table.
ich sehe means I can see, and der Tisch is the table. Den Kratzer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf dem Tisch remains dative for a fixed location.
Ich gebe dem Tisch mit dem Kratzer eine neue Platte.
I give the table with the scratch a new top.
geben means to give and eine neue Platte is a new top or panel. Dem Kratzer is dative after mit, while eine neue Platte is accusative as the thing being given.
Die Farbe des Kratzers ist dunkel.
The colour of the scratch is dark.
die Farbe is the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Kratzers is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Auf dem Auto sind viele Kratzer.
There are many scratches on the car.
das Auto is the car and viele means many. Kratzer is plural after viele, and auf dem Auto is dative because the scratches are in a fixed location.
meistern — to master; to handle successfully; to master a skill or craft
Meistern usually describes succeeding with something difficult, not simply learning a skill. It takes an accusative object, as in eine Aufgabe meistern, and forms the perfect with haben.
Sie meistert jede schwierige Aufgabe.
She masters every difficult task.
jede schwierige Aufgabe means every difficult task, and schwierig means difficult. Jede schwierige Aufgabe is accusative because meistern takes a direct object; the finite verb meistert stands in position two.
Er hat die Krise gemeistert.
He successfully dealt with the crisis.
die Krise means the crisis, and hat means has. Die Krise is accusative because meistern takes a direct object; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gemeistert goes to the end, forming the sentence bracket.
Sie meisterte den schwierigen Auftritt trotz ihrer Angst.
She managed the difficult performance despite her fear.
den schwierigen Auftritt means the difficult performance, trotz means despite, and Angst means fear. The object is accusative because meistern takes an accusative object; the weak past form meisterte stands in position two.
Meistere diese Herausforderung!
Master this challenge!
diese Herausforderung means this challenge. Meistere is the informal singular imperative, and the accusative object follows because meistern takes the thing being mastered; the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, meisterte ich die Aufgabe leichter.
If I had more time, I would manage the task more easily.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and leichter means more easily. Meisterte is the Konjunktiv II form here; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while ich is the subject and die Aufgabe is accusative.
Morgen wird er die Prüfung meistern.
Tomorrow he will master the exam.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Prüfung means the exam. Die Prüfung is accusative because meistern takes a direct object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive meistern goes to the end.
Nach vielen Jahren meistert sie diese Technik.
After many years, she has mastered this technique.
nach vielen Jahren means after many years, and diese Technik means this technique. The object is accusative because meistern takes a direct object; the preposition nach takes the dative, so vielen Jahren is dative.
Er möchte das Handwerk meistern.
He wants to master the craft.
möchte means would like to, and das Handwerk means the craft or trade. Das Handwerk is accusative because meistern takes a direct object; after the modal verb möchte, the infinitive meistern goes to the end.
miterleben — to experience, to witness; to live through
This verb is separable: erlebt ... mit in a main clause but miterleben at the end of a subordinate clause or after a modal verb. The perfect uses haben: hat miterlebt.
Viele Menschen erleben das Finale im Stadion mit.
Many people experience the final in the stadium.
Viele Menschen means many people, das Finale is the final, and im Stadion means in the stadium. Das Finale is accusative because miterleben takes a direct object, and the finite verb is split in position two and at the end: erleben ... mit.
Wir haben den historischen Moment miterlebt.
We witnessed the historic moment.
Wir means we, historisch means historic, and der Moment is the moment. Den historischen Moment is accusative because it is the object of miterleben; haben is in position two and miterlebt goes to the end.
Sie erlebte den Stromausfall mit.
She experienced the power cut.
Sie means she, and der Stromausfall is a power cut or power failure. The object den Stromausfall is accusative, and the simple-past verb is split around it: erlebte ... mit.
Erleb diesen Tag bewusst mit.
Experience this day consciously.
Diesen Tag means this day, and bewusst means consciously. The informal imperative is erleb, while the separable prefix mit goes at the end; the object is accusative.
Ich würde das Konzert gern miterleben.
I would really like to experience the concert.
Das Konzert means the concert, and gern means gladly or really like to. In the würde form, miterleben stays together as an infinitive at the end, and das Konzert is accusative.
Ihr werdet den Wettbewerb live miterleben.
You will experience the competition live.
Ihr means you plural, der Wettbewerb is the competition, and live means live or as it happens. Werdet is in position two and the infinitive miterleben goes to the end; den Wettbewerb is accusative.
Die Kinder erlebten eine schwere Zeit mit.
The children lived through a difficult time.
Die Kinder means the children, and eine schwere Zeit means a difficult period. The phrase eine schwere Zeit is accusative as the object, and the past-tense verb splits around it: erlebten ... mit.
Er hat die Geburt seines Sohnes miterlebt.
He was present for and experienced the birth of his son.
Die Geburt is the birth, and sein Sohn means his son; seines Sohnes means of his son. Die Geburt is accusative after miterleben, while seines Sohnes is genitive to show whose birth it was.
nachahmen — to imitate, to copy
nachahmen is separable in finite main clauses: ahmt ... nach. It takes an accusative object, the person or thing being imitated, and its perfect auxiliary is haben.
Das Kind ahmt seinen Vater nach.
The child imitates its father.
Das Kind means the child, and seinen Vater means its father. seinen Vater is accusative because nachahmen takes a direct object; ahmt is in position two and nach goes to the end.
Sie hat ihre Lehrerin nachgeahmt.
She imitated her teacher.
ihre Lehrerin means her teacher. The Partizip II nachgeahmt stays together at the end with auxiliary haben, and ihre Lehrerin is accusative because it is the person being imitated.
Er ahmte den Schauspieler nach.
He imitated the actor.
den Schauspieler means the actor. The weak Präteritum is ahmte nach; the object is accusative, and the separable prefix nach goes to the end.
Ahme deine Schwester nicht nach.
Do not imitate your sister.
deine Schwester means your sister, and nicht means not. In the singular imperative, ahme comes first and nach goes to the end; deine Schwester is accusative.
Wenn er andere Künstler nachahmen würde, fände ich das langweilig.
If he imitated other artists, I would find that boring.
andere Künstler means other artists, fände means would find, and langweilig means boring. In the wenn clause, the complete infinitive nachahmen goes to the end; andere Künstler is accusative.
Das Kind wird bald seine Mutter nachahmen.
The child will soon imitate its mother.
bald means soon, and seine Mutter means its mother. In the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive nachahmen goes to the end; seine Mutter is accusative.
nochmals — again, once more
nochmals is more formal than nochmal, although both mean again. In casual conversation, learners will usually hear nochmal instead.
Bitte lesen Sie die Anweisungen nochmals.
Please read the instructions again.
lesen Sie means read in a formal request, and die Anweisungen means the instructions. nochmals means again; die Anweisungen is accusative because lesen takes an accusative object.
Der Arzt erklärt den Ablauf nochmals.
The doctor explains the procedure again.
Arzt means doctor, and Ablauf means procedure or sequence of events. nochmals means again; den Ablauf is accusative after erklärt, and the finite verb is in position two.
nützen — to be useful, to help
The person who benefits is normally in the dative: jemandem nützen. Do not use helfen and nützen in exactly the same way: nützen often describes something that is useful, while helfen more directly describes helping a person.
Diese Information nützt mir sehr.
This information is very useful to me.
diese Information means “this information”, and sehr means “very”. Mir is dative because the person who benefits from something is expressed with the dative, while the finite verb nützt stands in position two.
Der Tipp hat mir wirklich genützt.
The tip really helped me.
der Tipp means “the tip” and wirklich means “really”. Mir is dative because it is the person helped; the perfect uses hat plus genützt, with the participle at the end.
Früher nützte mir dieser Plan nichts.
This plan was no use to me in the past.
früher means “in the past”, dieser Plan means “this plan”, and nichts means “nothing”. Mir is dative because it names the person affected, and nützte is the simple-past form in the second position.
Nütze mir bitte diesmal!
Please be useful to me this time!
bitte means “please” and diesmal means “this time”. Mir is dative because it is the person who needs help; the imperative has no subject pronoun and comes first.
Das nützte mir wenig, wenn niemand zuhört.
That would be of little use to me if nobody listened.
das means “that”, wenig means “little”, and niemand zuhört means “nobody listens”. The form nützte can also express an unreal or conditional idea in context; mir remains dative, and the verb zuhört goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Die Übung wird dir später nützen.
The exercise will be useful to you later.
die Übung means “the exercise” and später means “later”. Dir is dative because it is the person who benefits; future uses wird in position two and the infinitive nützen at the end.
passiv — passive, inactive
passiv can describe a person who does not act or participate actively. In grammar, passiv also describes the passive voice, but that is a separate technical use.
Er bleibt im Gespräch passiv.
He remains passive in the conversation.
er bleibt means he remains, and das Gespräch means the conversation. passiv is predicative after bleibt and therefore has no ending; im Gespräch means in the conversation and uses dative after in for a location.
Sie spielte eine passive Rolle.
She played a passive role.
sie spielte means she played, and eine Rolle means a role. eine passive Rolle is an accusative object after spielen; the adjective has -e after the feminine article eine.
Der neue Mitarbeiter ist deutlich passiver als sein Kollege.
The new employee is noticeably more passive than his colleague.
der neue Mitarbeiter means the new employee, deutlich means noticeably, and sein Kollege means his colleague. passiver follows ist without an ending, and als introduces the person used for comparison.
Von allen Teilnehmern blieb er am passivsten.
Of all the participants, he remained the most passive.
von allen Teilnehmern means of all the participants, and blieb means remained. von takes the dative, shown by Teilnehmern; am passivsten is the predicative superlative after blieb.
problemlos — trouble-free, without problems
Problemlos describes something that causes no difficulty or works without trouble. It is a normal adjective: use problemlos after sein, but add an adjective ending before a noun, as in eine problemlose Reise.
Die Reise war problemlos.
The journey was trouble-free.
die Reise means the journey, and war means was. Problemlos is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir hatten eine problemlose Reise.
We had a trouble-free journey.
hatten means had, and eine Reise means a journey. Problemlose stands before the feminine accusative noun Reise after eine, so it takes the ending -e; hatten is in position two.
Mit dem neuen Programm geht die Arbeit problemloser.
With the new programme, the work goes more smoothly.
mit dem neuen Programm means with the new programme, and die Arbeit means the work. Dem neuen Programm is dative because mit always takes the dative; problemloser compares this work with an earlier situation and appears after geht.
Von allen Lösungen funktioniert diese am problemlosesten.
Of all the solutions, this one works most smoothly.
von allen Lösungen means of all the solutions, and funktioniert means works. Am problemlosesten is the adverbial superlative after funktioniert; the phrase von allen Lösungen is dative because von takes the dative.
quietschen — to squeak, to screech
Quietschen describes an unpleasant high sound made by things such as doors, wheels or brakes. It is normally intransitive and takes haben in the perfect: hat gequietscht.
Die alte Tür quietscht laut.
The old door squeaks loudly.
alte means old, Tür means door, and laut means loudly. The finite verb quietscht stands in position two; laut describes how the door makes the sound.
Die Tür hat die ganze Nacht gequietscht.
The door squeaked all night.
die ganze Nacht means all night. gequietscht is used with hat, not ist, because quietschen describes a sound rather than movement; the participle goes to the end.
Das Rad quietschte bei jeder Kurve.
The wheel squeaked at every bend.
Rad means wheel and Kurve means bend or turn. quietschte is the regular preterite form; bei jeder Kurve is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Quietsch nicht so laut!
Do not squeak so loudly!
nicht means not and so laut means so loudly. Quietsch is the du imperative and comes first; the negative word nicht follows the verb.
Wenn das Rad öfter quietschte, würde ich es ölen.
If the wheel squeaked more often, I would oil it.
öfter means more often, ölen means oil, and es means it. In the wenn clause, the finite verb quietschte goes to the end; würde plus the infinitive expresses the hypothetical result.
Die Bremsen werden bald wieder quietschen.
The brakes will squeak again soon.
Bremsen means brakes, bald means soon, and wieder means again. werden carries the future tense in position two, while the infinitive quietschen goes to the end.
regeln — to regulate, control, arrange; to settle, sort out, deal with
regeln usually takes an accusative object, such as den Verkehr or die Arbeitszeit. It is also used when rules organise a process, not only when a person actively controls it.
Die Stadt regelt den Verkehr mit neuen Ampeln.
The city controls traffic with new traffic lights.
die Stadt means the city, der Verkehr means traffic, and neue Ampeln means new traffic lights. Den Verkehr is accusative because regeln takes a direct object, while the finite verb regelt stands in position two.
Die Stadt hat den Verkehr während des Festivals geregelt.
The city controlled traffic during the festival.
während des Festivals means during the festival. Den Verkehr is accusative because it is the object of regeln; hat is in position two and geregelt goes to the end, and regeln takes haben in the perfect.
Die Polizei regelte den Verkehr vor dem Stadion.
The police controlled traffic outside the stadium.
die Polizei means the police, vor dem Stadion means outside or in front of the stadium. Den Verkehr is accusative after regeln, and the weak-verb past form regelte stands in position two.
Regel bitte den Verkehr an der Kreuzung!
Please control the traffic at the crossroads!
bitte means please, die Kreuzung means crossroads, and an der Kreuzung means at the crossroads. Den Verkehr is accusative because it is the object, and the du subject is omitted in the imperative.
Wenn ich entscheiden dürfte, regelte ich die Arbeitszeiten anders.
If I were allowed to decide, I would regulate the working hours differently.
entscheiden means to decide, dürfte means were allowed to, die Arbeitszeiten means working hours, and anders means differently. The conditional form regelte stands at the end of the wenn clause but in position two in the main clause; die Arbeitszeiten is accusative.
Die neue Verordnung wird den Verkehr in der Innenstadt regeln.
The new regulation will control traffic in the city centre.
die Verordnung means regulation, and die Innenstadt means city centre. Den Verkehr is accusative because it is the object of regeln; wird is in position two and the infinitive regeln goes to the end.
Wir regeln das Problem morgen.
We will sort out the problem tomorrow.
wir means we, das Problem means the problem, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Problem is accusative as the direct object, and regeln is in position two; German present tense can refer to a planned future.
Sie hat alles mit dem Vermieter geregelt.
She settled everything with the landlord.
alles means everything, der Vermieter means landlord, and mit means with. Alles is accusative after regeln, while dem Vermieter is dative because mit always takes the dative; geregelt stands at the end.
reiben — to rub; to grate; to grate
reiben can describe rubbing a body part or rubbing one thing against another. It also means grating food, as in Käse reiben; the perfect auxiliary is haben.
Sie reibt sich die Augen.
She rubs her eyes.
sich die Augen reiben means to rub one's eyes. sich is accusative because it refers to the person being rubbed, while die Augen is the direct object; the finite verb reibt is in position two.
Er hat sich den Rücken gerieben.
He rubbed his back.
der Rücken means the back, and sich den Rücken reiben means to rub one's back. The perfect uses hat with gerieben because reiben takes haben; sich is dative here and den Rücken is accusative.
Sie rieb ihre Hände aneinander.
She rubbed her hands together.
die Hände means the hands, and aneinander means together or against each other. rieb is the strong Präteritum form, and ihre Hände is accusative as the object.
Reib dir die Hände warm!
Rub your hands warm!
dir means for yourself, die Hände means the hands, and warm means warm. The imperative reib comes first; dir is dative because it marks the person benefiting, while die Hände is accusative.
Wenn du weiter reiben würdest, würde die Haut rot.
If you kept rubbing, the skin would turn red.
weiterreiben means to keep rubbing, die Haut means the skin, and rot means red. würdest ... reiben is the Konjunktiv II of weiterreiben: the finite form würdest stands at the end of the subordinate clause, while reiben comes before it; würde is in position two in the main clause.
Ich werde den Fleck vorsichtig reiben.
I will rub the stain carefully.
der Fleck means the stain, and vorsichtig means carefully. werde forms the future in position two, while the infinitive reiben goes to the end; den Fleck is accusative because it is the object.
Ich reibe Käse über die Suppe.
I grate cheese over the soup.
der Käse means cheese, über means over, and die Suppe means the soup. Käse is the accusative object of reiben, while über die Suppe is accusative because it describes movement or placement over the soup.
Möchtest du eine Karotte reiben?
Would you like to grate a carrot?
möchten means would like to, die Karotte means the carrot, and eine marks a feminine accusative object here. The modal verb möchtest is in position two and the infinitive reiben goes to the end.
reibungslos — smooth; trouble-free; without friction; harmoniously
reibungslos is often used for processes, plans, and technical systems that work without difficulties. It is also commonly used adverbially, as in reibungslos funktionieren.
Der Ablauf ist reibungslos.
The process is running smoothly.
der Ablauf means the process or procedure, and sein means to be. reibungslos is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir hatten einen reibungslosen Start.
We had a smooth start.
einen Start haben means to have a start, and Start means start. reibungslosen comes before the masculine accusative noun Start and takes -en after einen; hatten is the Präteritum of haben.
Die Anmeldung war diesmal reibungsloser.
Registration was smoother this time.
die Anmeldung means registration, and diesmal means this time. reibungsloser is a predicative comparative after war, so it has no case ending; the comparison with an earlier attempt is understood.
So läuft die Arbeit am reibungslosesten.
This is how the work runs most smoothly.
so means this way, laufen means to run or proceed, and die Arbeit means the work. am reibungslosesten is the adverbial superlative and does not take a noun ending; the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Der Transport verlief reibungslos.
The transport went smoothly.
der Transport means the transport or shipment, and verlaufen means to proceed or go. reibungslos describes how the event proceeded and therefore has no ending; verlief is the finite verb in position two.
Die beiden Teams arbeiten reibungslos zusammen.
The two teams work together smoothly.
beide Teams means both teams, zusammenarbeiten means to work together, and reibungslos means without problems. The separable verb appears as arbeiten ... zusammen, while reibungslos is an adverb and therefore has no ending.
Die Nachbarn konnten reibungslos miteinander sprechen.
The neighbours were able to speak with each other without problems.
die Nachbarn means the neighbours, miteinander means with each other, and sprechen means to speak. The modal verb konnten is in position two and the infinitive sprechen is at the end; reibungslos describes the manner of speaking.
reißen — to tear; to rip; to snap
Use haben when someone tears something, as in etwas reißen. Use sein when something tears or breaks by itself, as in Die Schnur ist gerissen; the verb also has the figurative meaning “to rush” in expressions such as in den Urlaub reißen, but that use is colloquial.
Ich reiße das Papier.
I am tearing the paper.
das Papier means “the paper.” Das Papier is accusative because it is the direct object of reißen, and the finite verb reiße stands in position two.
Ich habe das Papier gerissen.
I tore the paper.
Papier means “paper.” With a direct object, reißen forms the perfect with haben; habe is in position two and gerissen goes at the end.
Ich riss den Brief entzwei.
I tore the letter in two.
den Brief means “the letter,” and entzwei means “in two.” Den Brief is accusative as the object, and riss is the strong simple-past form in position two.
Reiß das Papier nicht!
Don’t tear the paper!
das Papier means “the paper,” and nicht means “not.” Reiß is the du imperative, and the object das Papier is accusative after reißen.
Ich würde den Brief reißen, wenn ich wütend wäre.
I would tear the letter if I were angry.
der Brief means “the letter,” and wütend means “angry.” Den Brief is accusative, while würde expresses the unreal condition and the infinitive reißen stays at the end.
Der Wind wird das Papier reißen.
The wind will tear the paper.
der Wind means “the wind,” and das Papier means “the paper.” Das Papier is accusative, while wird is in position two and the infinitive reißen is at the end.
richten — to direct, aim; to address; to follow, be guided by
With the pattern etwas auf etwas richten, the first object is accusative and auf takes the accusative when it expresses a target. With sich nach etwas richten, the verb means to follow or be guided by something, and nach takes the dative.
Ich richte den Scheinwerfer auf die Bühne.
I aim the spotlight at the stage.
der Scheinwerfer means the spotlight and die Bühne means the stage. Den Scheinwerfer is accusative because it is the object of richte; auf die Bühne is also accusative because auf expresses a direction here, and the finite verb is in position two.
Sie hat den Blick auf das Fenster gerichtet.
She directed her gaze at the window.
der Blick means the gaze and das Fenster means the window. Den Blick is accusative after richten, while auf das Fenster is accusative because it expresses the target; hat is in position two and gerichtet goes to the end.
Der Arzt richtete die Lampe auf die Wunde.
The doctor aimed the lamp at the wound.
der Arzt means the doctor, die Lampe means the lamp, and die Wunde means the wound. Die Lampe is the accusative object; auf die Wunde is accusative because the lamp is directed towards it.
Richte das Licht auf den Tisch.
Aim the light at the table.
das Licht means the light and der Tisch means the table. The bare form richte is the du imperative; das Licht is accusative, and auf den Tisch is accusative because it expresses direction.
Ich würde die Kamera auf das Tor richten, wenn es dunkler wäre.
I would aim the camera at the goal if it were darker.
die Kamera means the camera, das Tor means the goal, and dunkler means darker. Würde richten is the common Konjunktiv II pattern for a hypothetical action; würde stands in position two and the infinitive richten goes to the end.
Wir werden den Spiegel auf die Wand richten.
We will aim the mirror at the wall.
der Spiegel means the mirror and die Wand means the wall. Werden forms the future in position two, while richten goes to the end; den Spiegel is accusative and auf die Wand is accusative because it expresses direction.
Wir richten uns nach dem Wetter.
We adapt to the weather.
uns means ourselves and das Wetter means the weather. In sich nach etwas richten, uns is the reflexive accusative and nach dem Wetter is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Termin richtet sich nach dem Fahrplan.
The appointment follows the timetable.
der Termin means the appointment and der Fahrplan means the timetable. Sich nach etwas richten means to be determined by or follow something; nach dem Fahrplan is dative, and richtet stands in position two.
schaffen — to manage, to accomplish; to create
This verb has two important patterns: weak schaffen – schaffte – hat geschafft means manage or accomplish, while strong schaffen – schuf – hat geschaffen means create. Both meanings take haben in the perfect and usually an accusative object.
Ich schaffe die Prüfung.
I will pass the exam.
die Prüfung is the exam. Die Prüfung is accusative because schaffen takes the thing achieved as a direct object, and the finite verb schaffe stands in position two.
Wir haben die Arbeit geschafft.
We finished the work.
die Arbeit means the work. Geschafft is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; it goes to the end of the perfect clause, while haben stands in position two.
Sie schaffte den Aufstieg.
She managed the climb to the top.
der Aufstieg means the climb or rise to a higher position. Den Aufstieg is accusative because it is what she achieved, and schaffte is the regular simple-past form.
Schaff das heute!
Get that done today!
heute means today. Das is the accusative object, and Schaff is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is left out.
Ich würde das ohne Hilfe nicht schaffen.
I would not manage that without help.
ohne Hilfe means without help. Das is accusative, and after würde the infinitive schaffen goes to the end; ohne always takes the accusative.
Du wirst das schon schaffen.
You will manage that.
schon here means surely or all right. Das is accusative, and the future auxiliary wirst is in position two while the infinitive schaffen goes to the end.
Die Künstlerin schuf ein beeindruckendes Bild.
The artist created an impressive picture.
die Künstlerin is the female artist and beeindruckend means impressive. Ein beeindruckendes Bild is accusative because it is the thing created; schuf is the irregular simple-past form.
Der Autor hat eine neue Figur geschaffen.
The author created a new character.
der Autor is the author and eine neue Figur means a new character. Eine neue Figur is accusative, and geschaffen goes to the end with hat because this meaning uses the perfect form hat geschaffen.
scheitern — to fail, to be unsuccessful
scheitern an is a fixed combination: an takes the dative when it names the reason for failure. In the perfect, scheitern uses sein: ist gescheitert.
Der Plan scheitert an den hohen Kosten.
The plan is failing because of the high costs.
der Plan means the plan and die hohen Kosten means the high costs. an takes the dative here because it names the reason for failure, so den hohen Kosten is dative; scheitert is in position two.
Das Projekt ist an der Finanzierung gescheitert.
The project failed because of the funding.
das Projekt means the project and die Finanzierung means the funding. an der Finanzierung is dative because an expresses the reason, while ist is the auxiliary in position two and gescheitert goes to the end; scheitern uses sein in the perfect.
Der Versuch scheiterte am fehlenden Geld.
The attempt failed because there was not enough money.
der Versuch means the attempt, fehlend means lacking, and Geld means money. am fehlenden Geld means because of the missing money and is dative after an; scheiterte is the regular simple-past form in position two.
Scheitere nicht an kleinen Problemen!
Do not fail because of small problems!
nicht means not and kleine Probleme means small problems. Scheitere is a du command, with du omitted; an kleinen Problemen is dative because an gives the reason for possible failure.
Wenn der Plan an den Kosten scheiterte, hätten wir einen anderen Weg gebraucht.
If the plan had failed because of the costs, we would have needed another way.
wenn means if, die Kosten means the costs, einen anderen Weg means another way, and gebraucht means needed. scheiterte is the Konjunktiv II form in this context and stands at the end of the wenn-clause; an den Kosten is dative after an.
Das Projekt wird an der Finanzierung scheitern.
The project will fail because of the funding.
die Finanzierung means the funding. an der Finanzierung is dative because an expresses the reason, while wird is the future auxiliary in position two and scheitern goes to the end.
shampoonieren — to shampoo, to wash with shampoo
This is a regular verb borrowed from the noun Shampoo. It normally takes an accusative hair object, while the person whose hair is treated can be expressed in the dative: jemandem die Haare shampoonieren.
Die Friseurin shampooniert mir die Haare.
The hairdresser shampoos my hair.
die Friseurin is the hairdresser, mir means to me, and die Haare means the hair. Mir is dative for the person receiving the service, while die Haare is accusative as the object; the finite verb shampooniert is in position two.
Die Friseurin hat mir die Haare shampooniert.
The hairdresser shampooed my hair.
die Friseurin means the hairdresser, mir means to me, and die Haare means the hair. The perfect uses hat plus shampooniert, which goes to the end; mir stays dative and die Haare stays accusative.
Der Friseur shampoonierte ihr das Haar.
The hairdresser shampooed her hair.
der Friseur is the male hairdresser, ihr means to her, and das Haar means the hair. Ihr is dative for the person receiving the action, and das Haar is accusative; shampoonierte is the regular simple past.
Shampooniere das Haar zweimal!
Shampoo the hair twice!
das Haar means the hair and zweimal means twice. This is the singular du imperative, so there is no subject pronoun; das Haar is accusative because it is the direct object.
Wenn du das Haar vorsichtig shampoonieren würdest, wäre es weniger trocken.
If you shampooed the hair carefully, it would be less dry.
wenn means if, vorsichtig means carefully, weniger means less, and trocken means dry. In the wenn clause, shampoonieren goes to the end; das Haar is accusative, and würdest marks the hypothetical meaning.
Morgen werde ich meine Haare selbst shampoonieren.
Tomorrow I will shampoo my hair myself.
morgen means tomorrow, meine Haare means my hair, and selbst means myself. The future uses werde in position two and the infinitive shampoonieren at the end; meine Haare is the accusative object.
starren — to stare, to gaze
The usual pattern is jemanden anstarren or auf etwas starren. The verb takes haben in the perfect: hat gestarrt; with the separable verb anstarren, the prefix separates in a main clause.
Er starrt auf den Bildschirm.
He is staring at the screen.
er is he, and der Bildschirm is the screen. Auf den Bildschirm uses the accusative because auf describes the target of the gaze here; the finite verb starrt is in position two.
Sie hat mich lange angestarrt.
She stared at me for a long time.
mich means me, and lange means for a long time. Mich is accusative because jemanden anstarren takes an accusative object; the perfect uses hat and the Partizip II angestarrt at the end.
Der Mann starrte aus dem Fenster.
The man stared out of the window.
der Mann is the man, and aus dem Fenster means out of the window. Starrte is the regular preterite in position two; aus always takes the dative, shown by dem Fenster.
Starr nicht auf mein Handy!
Don't stare at my mobile phone!
nicht means not, and mein Handy is my mobile phone. Starr is the informal singular imperative, with the subject du omitted; auf mein Handy uses the accusative as the target of the stare.
Wenn er nicht so starren würde, wäre alles einfacher.
If he did not stare so much, everything would be easier.
wenn means if, so means so much or like that, and einfacher means easier. In the wenn clause, the infinitive starren stands at the end with würde; this is the common substitute form of the Konjunktiv II.
Der Junge wird gleich wieder starren.
The boy will stare again in a moment.
der Junge is the boy, and gleich means in a moment. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive starren at the end; wieder means again.
streichen — to paint; to coat; to cancel, cross out, remove
In this sense, streichen takes an accusative object for the surface being painted. The strong forms are streichen – strich – hat gestrichen.
Mein Vater streicht die Küche.
My father is painting the kitchen.
Mein Vater means my father and die Küche means the kitchen. Die Küche is accusative because streichen takes a direct object, and the finite verb streicht stands in position two.
Wir haben das Wohnzimmer gestrichen.
We painted the living room.
das Wohnzimmer means the living room. The perfect uses haben plus gestrichen, and the Partizip II goes to the end; das Wohnzimmer is accusative as the object.
Sie strich die Tür am Samstag.
She painted the door on Saturday.
die Tür means the door and am Samstag means on Saturday. Strich is the strong preterite form, and die Tür is accusative because it is the object.
Streich bitte die Wand weiß!
Please paint the wall white!
bitte means please, die Wand means the wall, and weiß means white. Streich is an imperative with omitted du; die Wand is accusative, while weiß describes the result.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, striche ich das Zimmer neu.
If I had more time, I would repaint the room.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and neu means again or anew. The Konjunktiv II striche expresses an unreal condition; in the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end, while striche is in position two in the main clause.
Morgen werde ich das Schlafzimmer streichen.
Tomorrow I will paint the bedroom.
morgen means tomorrow and das Schlafzimmer means the bedroom. Future uses werde plus the infinitive streichen at the end; the bedroom is accusative because it is the object.
Die Firma streicht mehrere Stellen.
The company is cutting several jobs.
Die Firma means the company and mehrere Stellen means several jobs or positions. Mehrere Stellen is accusative because it is what the company removes; streicht is in position two.
Bitte streichen Sie meinen Namen von der Liste.
Please remove my name from the list.
meinen Namen means my name, and von der Liste means from the list. The formal imperative uses streichen Sie; meinen Namen is accusative, and von takes the dative here.
umgehen — to deal with, to handle; to circumvent, to get around
In the meaning “to deal with”, umgehen is separable and normally appears as mit etwas umgehen; mit takes the dative. In the meaning “to circumvent”, it is inseparable, as in ein Gesetz umgehen, with the forms umgeht, umging and hat umgangen.
Sie geht sehr ruhig mit Kritik um.
She deals with criticism very calmly.
sehr ruhig means very calmly, and die Kritik is criticism. mit takes the dative here, so mit Kritik names what she deals with; the finite verb geht is in position two and um moves to the end.
Wir sind gut mit der schwierigen Situation umgegangen.
We dealt well with the difficult situation.
gut means well, and die schwierige Situation is the difficult situation. This meaning uses sein in the perfect: sind ... umgegangen; the Partizip II goes to the end, while mit der schwierigen Situation is dative after mit.
Er ging geduldig mit den Kindern um.
He dealt patiently with the children.
geduldig means patiently, and die Kinder means the children. mit den Kindern is dative because mit requires it; in the simple past, the strong form ging is in position two and um is at the end.
Geh vorsichtig mit dem Gerät um!
Handle the device carefully!
vorsichtig means carefully, and das Gerät is the device. The imperative addresses one person and has no subject pronoun; mit dem Gerät is dative after mit, and the prefix um remains at the end.
Ich würde anders mit diesem Problem umgehen.
I would deal with this problem differently.
anders means differently, and das Problem is the problem. The conditional uses würde plus the infinitive umgehen, so the verb is not split; mit diesem Problem is dative after mit.
Sie wird bald besser mit dem Stress umgehen.
She will soon deal with stress better.
bald means soon, besser means better, and der Stress is stress. In the future, wird is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive umgehen goes to the end; mit dem Stress is dative after mit.
Die Firma umgeht das Gesetz.
The company circumvents the law.
die Firma is the company, and das Gesetz is the law. In this meaning, umgeht is not separable and takes an accusative object: das Gesetz; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben eine lange Wartezeit umgangen.
We avoided a long wait.
eine lange Wartezeit means a long wait. In this meaning, the perfect uses haben and the Partizip II umgangen; the avoided thing is an accusative object, and the participle goes to the end.
unnütz — useless, of no use
unnütz means not useful or without practical value. It is stronger than unnötig: something can be unnecessary without being useless.
Diese Information ist unnütz.
This information is useless.
diese Information means this information, and ist means is. The adjective follows sein predicatively, so it has no ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Er gibt mir unnütze Ratschläge.
He gives me useless advice.
er gibt means he gives, mir means to me, and Ratschläge are pieces of advice. mir is dative because geben has a recipient, while unnütze Ratschläge is the accusative thing being given.
Diese Methode ist unnützer als die alte.
This method is more useless than the old one.
diese Methode means this method, die alte means the old one, and als means than. unnützer compares two methods and follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending.
Das ist die unnützeste Funktion des Programms.
That is the most useless function of the program.
die Funktion means the function, and des Programms means of the program. The superlative before the feminine noun takes -ste, while des Programms is genitive after the noun to show possession.
unterlassen — to refrain from, to omit
Unterlassen is more formal than nicht machen and often appears with es plus a zu-infinitive: es unterlassen, etwas zu tun. It takes an accusative object, and it is not separable: unterlässt, not lässt unter.
Er unterlässt jede Kritik an seinen Kollegen.
He refrains from any criticism of his colleagues.
jede Kritik means any criticism, and seinen Kollegen means his colleagues. jede Kritik is accusative because unterlassen takes a direct object; an takes the dative here after Kritik, and the finite verb unterlässt is in position two.
Sie hat es unterlassen, den Fehler zu melden.
She failed to report the mistake.
den Fehler means the mistake, and melden means report. es is the accusative object of unterlassen, while den Fehler is accusative after melden; the participle unterlassen follows hat, and the zu-infinitive clause explains what was omitted.
Der Zeuge unterließ eine wichtige Information.
The witness omitted an important piece of information.
der Zeuge means the witness, and wichtige Information means important information. eine wichtige Information is accusative because it is the direct object; unterließ is the simple-past finite verb in position two.
Unterlass solche Kommentare!
Refrain from making such comments!
solche Kommentare means such comments. The plural noun phrase is accusative because it is the object of unterlassen; the singular informal imperative Unterlass comes first and sounds like a strong warning.
Ich unterließe das lieber, wenn ich du wäre.
I would rather refrain from doing that if I were you.
lieber means rather, and wenn ich du wäre means if I were you. das is accusative as the object of unterlassen; wäre goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by wenn, while unterließe expresses a hypothetical choice.
Die Firma wird weitere Verzögerungen nicht unterlassen.
The company will not refrain from causing further delays.
die Firma means the company, weitere Verzögerungen means further delays, and nicht means not. weitere Verzögerungen is accusative as the object; wird is in position two and the infinitive unterlassen goes to the end.
unternehmen — to undertake, to do, to go on
Unternehmen usually takes an activity as an accusative object, often with etwas or a noun such as einen Ausflug. It is irregular: unternehmen - unternahm - hat unternommen; the verb is not separable, despite the prefix unter-.
Wir unternehmen am Wochenende einen Ausflug.
We are taking a trip at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and einen Ausflug is a trip or outing. The finite verb unternehmen stands in position two; einen Ausflug is accusative because it is the activity being undertaken.
Wir haben gestern einen langen Spaziergang unternommen.
Yesterday we went on a long walk.
gestern means yesterday, and ein langer Spaziergang is a long walk. The perfect uses haben plus unternommen, with the Partizip II at the end; einen langen Spaziergang is accusative.
Sie unternahm allein eine Reise nach Italien.
She took a trip to Italy alone.
allein means alone, and eine Reise nach Italien means a trip to Italy. Unternahm is the irregular simple-past form; the finite verb is in position two and eine Reise is accusative.
Unternimm heute etwas Schönes!
Do something nice today!
heute means today, and etwas Schönes means something nice. Unternimm is the du imperative, so du is omitted; etwas Schönes is the accusative activity or thing done.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, unternähme ich öfter Reisen.
If I had more time, I would travel more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. In the wenn clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; unternähme is the Konjunktiv II form and expresses a hypothetical activity.
Nächsten Sommer werden wir eine große Reise unternehmen.
Next summer we will take a major trip.
nächsten Sommer means next summer, and eine große Reise is a major trip. Futur I uses werden in position two and the infinitive unternehmen at the end; eine große Reise is accusative.
verbergen — to hide, to conceal
verbergen is a strong verb: verbirgt - verbarg - hat verborgen. It normally takes an accusative object, and its prefix ver- never separates.
Sie verbirgt den Schlüssel unter dem Teppich.
She hides the key under the carpet.
den Schlüssel means the key, unter dem Teppich means under the carpet, and Teppich means carpet. den Schlüssel is accusative because verbergen takes an accusative object; unter dem Teppich is dative because it describes a fixed location, and verbirgt is in position two.
Er hat das Geschenk im Keller verborgen.
He has hidden the present in the cellar.
das Geschenk means the present, im Keller means in the cellar, and Keller means cellar. The perfect uses hat plus verborgen because this verb takes haben; the participle goes to the end, and das Geschenk is accusative.
Der Junge verbarg sein Gesicht.
The boy hid his face.
Der Junge means the boy, and sein Gesicht means his face. verbarg is the strong simple-past form and stands in position two; sein Gesicht is accusative after verbergen.
Verbirg die Überraschung vor ihr!
Hide the surprise from her!
die Überraschung means the surprise, and vor ihr means from her. The imperative verbirg has no subject pronoun; die Überraschung is accusative, while vor takes the dative here in the meaning from or in front of.
Wenn ich es wüsste, verbärge ich die Wahrheit.
If I knew it, I would hide the truth.
Wenn ich es wüsste means if I knew it, and die Wahrheit means the truth. verbärge is the Konjunktiv II of the strong verb; it expresses an unreal condition, and die Wahrheit is accusative.
Sie wird die Briefe dort verbergen.
She will hide the letters there.
die Briefe means the letters, and dort means there. Future uses wird plus the infinitive verbergen at the end; die Briefe is accusative because it is the object.
verbrauchen — to consume, to use up
Verbrauchen means to use up a resource, such as Energie, Wasser, or Geld. It is a weak verb with perfect hat verbraucht; it is not separable, so ver- stays attached in forms such as verbraucht.
Die Heizung verbraucht viel Energie.
The heating uses a lot of energy.
Die Heizung means the heating system, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. Verbraucht is in position two, and viel Energie is accusative because verbrauchen takes the thing that is used up as its direct object.
Wir haben gestern viel Wasser verbraucht.
We used a lot of water yesterday.
Gestern means yesterday, and viel Wasser means a lot of water. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II verbraucht; haben is in position two and the participle goes to the end, while viel Wasser is accusative.
Der alte Kühlschrank verbrauchte zu viel Strom.
The old refrigerator used too much electricity.
Der alte Kühlschrank means the old refrigerator, and zu viel Strom means too much electricity. Verbrauchte is the weak-verb preterite in position two, and Strom is accusative because it is what the refrigerator used.
Verbrauche nicht so viel Papier!
Don't use so much paper!
Nicht so viel Papier means not so much paper. Verbrauche is the informal singular imperative, with no subject pronoun; Papier is an accusative object, and nicht negates the action.
Wenn ich weniger Strom hätte, verbrauchte ich weniger.
If I had less electricity, I would use less.
Wenn means if, and weniger Strom means less electricity. Here verbrauchte is the Konjunktiv II form, which has the same spelling as the preterite for this weak verb; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, but returns to position two in the main clause.
Die neue Maschine wird weniger Energie verbrauchen.
The new machine will use less energy.
Die neue Maschine means the new machine, and weniger Energie means less energy. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive verbrauchen at the end; the energy is an accusative object.
verbrennen — to burn; to burn up
In the transitive sense, verbrennen takes an accusative object and normally forms the perfect with haben. For an unplanned change of state, as in something burning up, sein is also possible: Das Holz ist verbrannt.
Ich verbrenne trockenes Holz im Ofen.
I burn dry wood in the stove.
trockenes Holz means dry wood, and im Ofen means in the stove. Trockenes Holz is accusative because verbrennen takes a direct object, and the finite verb verbrenne stands in position two.
Wir haben die alten Briefe verbrannt.
We burned the old letters.
die alten Briefe means the old letters. Verbrannt is at the end because it is the Partizip II in a perfect clause, while haben is the auxiliary in second position.
Er verbrannte das Papier im Kamin.
He burned the paper in the fireplace.
das Papier means the paper, and im Kamin means in the fireplace. Das Papier is accusative as the object, and verbrannte is the weak preterite form in position two.
Verbrenn diese Fotos nicht!
Don't burn these photos!
diese Fotos means these photos, and nicht means not. The imperative verbrenn addresses one person directly; the object is accusative, and ver- does not separate.
Ich würde den Müll nicht verbrennen.
I would not burn the rubbish.
den Müll means the rubbish, and nicht means not. In this conditional sentence, würde carries the Konjunktiv II and the infinitive verbrennen goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Die Feuerwehr wird das Holz verbrennen.
The fire brigade will burn the wood.
Die Feuerwehr means the fire brigade, and das Holz means the wood. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while verbrennen goes to the end and takes the accusative object das Holz.
Das Essen ist verbrannt.
The food has burned.
Das Essen means the food, and verbrannt means burned. Ist is used rather than hat because this sentence describes a change of state; the Partizip II verbrannt stands at the end.
Das Papier verbrennt sehr schnell.
The paper burns very quickly.
Das Papier means the paper, and sehr schnell means very quickly. The sentence describes the paper burning by itself, so there is no accusative object; the finite verb verbrennt is in position two.
verhindern — to prevent, to stop; to avert, to thwart
Verhindern takes a direct accusative object: you prevent etwas. It normally describes stopping an event or result, not physically blocking a person; the perfect uses haben.
Der Helm verhindert schwere Verletzungen.
The helmet prevents serious injuries.
der Helm is the helmet, and schwere Verletzungen means serious injuries. Schwere Verletzungen is accusative because verhindern takes a direct object; the finite verb verhindert is in position two.
Der Helm hat schwere Verletzungen verhindert.
The helmet prevented serious injuries.
der Helm means the helmet, and schwere Verletzungen means serious injuries. Verhindert is the Partizip II and combines with haben; it goes to the end, while the object remains accusative.
Die Polizei verhinderte den Unfall.
The police prevented the accident.
die Polizei means the police, and der Unfall is the accident. Den Unfall is accusative as the direct object, and verhinderte is the regular simple past form in position two.
Verhindere den Streit!
Prevent the argument!
der Streit means the argument or quarrel. The imperative omits du, and den Streit is accusative because it is the direct object of verhindern.
Wenn wir früher losfahren würden, könnten wir den Stau verhindern.
If we left earlier, we might avoid the traffic jam.
früher losfahren means to leave earlier, könnten means could, and der Stau is the traffic jam. The infinitive verhindern stands at the end of the wenn clause, and den Stau is accusative after it.
Neue Regeln werden weitere Unfälle verhindern.
New rules will prevent further accidents.
neue Regeln means new rules, and weitere Unfälle means further accidents. Werden verhindern forms the future; werden is in position two and the infinitive verhindern goes to the end, with weitere Unfälle as the accusative object.
Die Feuerwehr verhindert eine Katastrophe.
The fire brigade averts a catastrophe.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, and eine Katastrophe means a catastrophe. Eine Katastrophe is accusative as the direct object, and verhindert stands in position two.
Nichts konnte ihn daran verhindern, die Reise zu machen.
Nothing could stop him from taking the trip.
nichts means nothing, ihn means him, and die Reise machen means take the trip. Ihn is accusative after verhindern; the pattern jemanden daran hindern, etwas zu tun is more usual for stopping a person, while verhindern here means avert or prevent the action.
vermeiden — to avoid
Vermeiden is a strong verb: vermeiden – vermied – hat vermieden. It takes an accusative object, not a dative object; the common mistake is to use a form of sein in the perfect.
Ich vermeide unnötigen Stress.
I avoid unnecessary stress.
unnötig means unnecessary and der Stress means stress. Unnötigen Stress is accusative because vermeiden takes a direct object, and the finite verb vermeide stands in position two.
Sie hat den Fehler vermieden.
She avoided the mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake. The perfect uses haben and the Partizip II vermieden; the object den Fehler is accusative and the participle goes to the end.
Er vermied jede Diskussion.
He avoided every discussion.
jede Diskussion means every discussion. Vermied is the strong simple-past form with a stem change; jede Diskussion is accusative as the direct object.
Vermeide bitte diesen Fehler!
Please avoid this mistake!
bitte means please and dieser Fehler means this mistake. Vermeide is the informal singular imperative; the object diesen Fehler is accusative and du is omitted.
Ich würde solche Situationen gern vermeiden.
I would gladly avoid situations like that.
solche Situationen means situations like that, and gern means gladly. Würde marks a hypothetical statement, while vermeiden remains an infinitive at the end; the object is accusative.
Wir werden unnötige Kosten vermeiden.
We will avoid unnecessary costs.
unnötige Kosten means unnecessary costs. In the future, werden is in position two and vermeiden goes to the end; unnötige Kosten is the accusative object.
versagen — to fail, to break down
For a person or machine, versagen is normally intransitive: the thing that fails is the subject, as in Die Technik versagt. The perfect auxiliary is haben, even when the subject is a machine.
Der Motor versagt plötzlich.
The engine suddenly fails.
der Motor means the engine and plötzlich means suddenly. versagt is an intransitive finite verb in position two, so it has no accusative object.
Die Bremse hat im Notfall versagt.
The brake failed in the emergency.
die Bremse means the brake and im Notfall means in an emergency. The perfect uses hat plus versagt because this verb takes haben; the participle goes to the end of the clause.
Das alte Gerät versagte nach wenigen Minuten.
The old device failed after a few minutes.
das alte Gerät means the old device and nach wenigen Minuten means after a few minutes. versagte is the regular weak-verb preterite in position two, while the time phrase uses nach with the dative.
Versag jetzt nicht!
Do not fail now!
jetzt means now. The bare imperative Versag addresses one person informally; nicht makes the command negative and stands after the verb here.
Wenn der Plan versagen würde, hätten wir ein Problem.
If the plan failed, we would have a problem.
wenn means if, der Plan means the plan, and ein Problem means a problem. The Konjunktiv II uses würde plus the infinitive versagen; the finite verb würde goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Die Maschine wird morgen nicht versagen.
The machine will not fail tomorrow.
die Maschine means the machine and morgen means tomorrow. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive versagen at the end; nicht negates the action.
versteckt — hidden, concealed; secret, implicit
As an adjective, versteckt describes something that cannot easily be seen or found. It has the same spelling as the Partizip II of verstecken, but in ein versteckter Ort it is an adjective and takes an adjective ending.
Der Schlüssel ist versteckt.
The key is hidden.
der Schlüssel is the key, and ist means is. Versteckt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen den versteckten Eingang.
We are looking for the hidden entrance.
wir suchen means we are looking for, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den versteckten Eingang is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; after den, the adjective takes the ending -en, and suchen is in position two.
Dieser Weg ist versteckter als der andere.
This path is more hidden than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. Versteckter is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing it is compared with; ist is in position two.
Der Eingang ist am verstecktesten.
The entrance is the most hidden.
der Eingang is the entrance, and am means at the. Am verstecktesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Film enthält eine versteckte Botschaft.
The film contains a hidden message.
der Film is the film, enthält means contains, and die Botschaft is the message. Eine versteckte Botschaft is accusative because enthalten takes an accusative object; after the indefinite article eine, the adjective has the ending -e, and enthält is in position two.
Sie macht einen versteckten Hinweis auf das Problem.
She makes a hidden reference to the problem.
sie macht means she makes, der Hinweis is the reference or hint, and das Problem is the problem. Einen versteckten Hinweis is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; auf das Problem is an accusative phrase meaning to the problem.
verstärken — to strengthen, to intensify
verstärken takes an accusative object. It can describe physical strength, sound, an effect, or an emotion.
Das Medikament verstärkt die Wirkung der Behandlung.
The medicine intensifies the effect of the treatment.
das Medikament is the medicine, die Wirkung is the effect, and die Behandlung is the treatment. Die Wirkung is accusative because verstärken takes a direct object, and the finite verb verstärkt stands in position two.
Das Medikament hat die Wirkung der Behandlung verstärkt.
The medicine has intensified the effect of the treatment.
das Medikament is the medicine, die Wirkung is the effect, and die Behandlung is the treatment. The perfect uses hat plus verstärkt, with the Partizip II at the end; die Wirkung is accusative because it is the direct object.
Der Lärm verstärkte meine Kopfschmerzen.
The noise made my headache worse.
der Lärm is the noise, and meine Kopfschmerzen means my headache or headaches. Meine Kopfschmerzen is accusative as the direct object, and the regular Präteritum form verstärkte is in position two.
Verstärke bitte das Signal.
Please strengthen the signal.
bitte means please, and das Signal is the signal. The imperative addresses one person and omits du; das Signal is accusative because it is the object of verstärken.
Mehr Bewegung würde meinen Rücken verstärken.
More exercise would strengthen my back.
mehr Bewegung means more exercise or movement, and mein Rücken is my back. Würde introduces the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive verstärken goes to the end; meinen Rücken is accusative.
Die neue Therapie wird die Muskeln verstärken.
The new therapy will strengthen the muscles.
die neue Therapie is the new therapy, and die Muskeln are the muscles. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive verstärken at the end; die Muskeln is the accusative object.
die Verstärkung — reinforcement, support; reinforcements; amplification, intensification
The plural Verstärkungen often means military or practical reinforcements, while the singular can mean additional support or an enhancement. Context decides whether the word refers to people, help, or a technical improvement.
Die Verstärkung kommt morgen.
The reinforcements are coming tomorrow.
kommt means is coming, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Verstärkung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Wir brauchen die Verstärkung sofort.
We need the reinforcements immediately.
wir means we, brauchen means need, and sofort means immediately. Die Verstärkung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while brauchen stands in position two.
Mit der Verstärkung gewinnen wir das Spiel.
With the reinforcements, we win the game.
mit means with, gewinnen means win, and das Spiel is the game. Mit always takes the dative, so the form is der Verstärkung; the verb gewinnen is in position two.
Die Ankunft der Verstärkung macht uns ruhiger.
The arrival of the reinforcements makes us calmer.
die Ankunft is the arrival, macht means makes, and ruhiger means calmer. Der Verstärkung is genitive after die Ankunft to show whose arrival it is; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Die Verstärkungen treffen am Abend ein.
The reinforcements arrive in the evening.
treffen ... ein means arrive, and am Abend means in the evening. Die Verstärkungen is nominative plural, and the separable verb splits in the main clause: treffen is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Der Lautsprecher sorgt für eine Verstärkung des Tons.
The loudspeaker provides amplification of the sound.
der Lautsprecher is the loudspeaker, sorgt für means provides or ensures, and der Ton is the sound. Eine Verstärkung follows für in the accusative, while des Tons is genitive because it specifies what is amplified.
Zur Verstärkung des Effekts wird das Licht gedimmt.
To intensify the effect, the light is dimmed.
zur means for the purpose of or to, der Effekt is the effect, das Licht is the light, and gedimmt means dimmed. Zur Verstärkung uses zu with the dative, and des Effekts is genitive; the passive verb phrase comes after the introductory phrase.
verursachen — to cause, to result in
Verursachen takes an accusative object, usually a problem, cost, result, or damage. It is a regular weak verb with inseparable ver-: verursachen – verursachte – hat verursacht.
Der Sturm verursacht große Schäden.
The storm is causing major damage.
der Sturm is the storm and große Schäden means major damage. Der Sturm is nominative as the cause, while große Schäden is accusative because verursachen takes a direct object; verursacht is in position two.
Der Sturm hat große Schäden verursacht.
The storm has caused major damage.
der Sturm is the storm and große Schäden means major damage. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II verursacht because this verb takes haben; the finite auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Fehler verursachte eine lange Verzögerung.
The mistake caused a long delay.
der Fehler means the mistake and eine lange Verzögerung means a long delay. Eine lange Verzögerung is accusative as the object of verursachen, and the regular preterite verursachte stands in position two.
Bitte verursache keinen zusätzlichen Ärger.
Please do not cause any additional trouble.
bitte means please, zusätzlich means additional, and Ärger means trouble. The imperative addresses one person and places verursache near the beginning; keinen zusätzlichen Ärger is accusative because it is the direct object.
Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, würde ich keine Probleme verursachen.
If I had known that, I would not cause any problems.
wenn means if, gewusst means known, and Probleme means problems. In the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while würde ... verursachen expresses an unreal result; keine Probleme is accusative.
Die Reparatur wird hohe Kosten verursachen.
The repair will cause high costs.
die Reparatur means the repair and hohe Kosten means high costs. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive verursachen at the end; hohe Kosten is accusative as the direct object.
die Verwendung — use, application; use, usefulness
This noun often describes how a thing is used, especially in technical or formal language. For everyday actions, German also commonly uses benutzen or verwenden.
Die Verwendung von Plastik ist in diesem Produkt verboten.
The use of plastic is forbidden in this product.
Plastik means plastic, Produkt means product, and verboten means forbidden. Die Verwendung is nominative because it is the subject, while von Plastik uses von with the dative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen die Verwendung dieses Materials.
We are checking the use of this material.
prüfen means to check, and Material means material. Die Verwendung is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; dieses Materials is genitive and means of this material.
Mit der Verwendung dieser App sparen wir Zeit.
By using this app, we save time.
mit means with or by means of, App means app, and sparen means save. Mit forces the dative, so the feminine form is der Verwendung; the prepositional phrase comes first and the finite verb sparen remains in position two.
Die Vorteile der Verwendung sind klar.
The advantages of the use are clear.
Vorteile means advantages and klar means clear. Der Verwendung is genitive because it specifies whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Neue Verwendungen für diese Maschine sind möglich.
New uses for this machine are possible.
neue means new, Maschine means machine, and möglich means possible. Verwendungen is the plural subject, and the adjective takes -e after neue; the finite verb sind agrees with the plural.
Für die alten Kartons haben wir noch eine Verwendung.
We still have a use for the old cardboard boxes.
alte Kartons means old cardboard boxes, and noch means still. Für forces the accusative, so eine Verwendung is accusative; the perfect auxiliary haben is in position two and gehabt would stand at the end if the sentence used the perfect.
Das kaputte Gerät findet keine Verwendung mehr.
The broken device is no longer useful.
kaputt means broken, Gerät means device, and mehr means anymore. Keine Verwendung finden is a fixed collocation meaning to be useful or used; Verwendung is the accusative object of finden, although the negative article looks like a determiner rather than a separate article.
verzichten — to do without, to give up
The fixed phrase is auf etwas verzichten: auf takes the accusative. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein.
Ich verzichte heute auf Süßigkeiten.
I am giving up sweets today.
heute means today, and Süßigkeiten means sweets or candy. The finite verb verzichte is in position two, while auf forces the accusative in Süßigkeiten; the phrase auf etwas verzichten means to do without something.
Sie hat eine Woche lang auf ihr Auto verzichtet.
She did without her car for a week.
eine Woche lang means for a week, and ihr Auto means her car. The perfect uses hat with the Partizip II verzichtet, which goes to the end; auf takes the accusative ihr Auto.
Er verzichtete wegen seiner Diät auf Kuchen.
He did without cake because of his diet.
wegen means because of, seine Diät means his diet, and Kuchen means cake. The weak past form verzichtete stands in position two, and auf introduces the accusative object Kuchen.
Verzichte bitte auf den Nachtisch.
Please do without dessert.
bitte means please, and der Nachtisch means dessert. The imperative Verzichte begins the sentence; auf forces the accusative den Nachtisch.
Ich würde nicht auf diesen Urlaub verzichten.
I would not give up this holiday.
nicht means not, and dieser Urlaub means this holiday. The conditional form würde is followed by the infinitive verzichten at the end, and auf takes the accusative diesen Urlaub.
Wir werden im nächsten Jahr auf Plastik verzichten.
We will do without plastic next year.
im nächsten Jahr means next year, and Plastik means plastic. The future uses werden in position two and puts the infinitive verzichten at the end; auf introduces the accusative Plastik.
die Verzögerung — delay, postponement; postponement
The noun can describe a delay in a process, journey, or appointment. It is feminine, and its plural is Verzögerungen.
Die Verzögerung dauert nur zehn Minuten.
The delay will last only ten minutes.
dauert means lasts, and nur zehn Minuten means only ten minutes. Die Verzögerung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Wir entschuldigen die Verzögerung.
We apologise for the delay.
Wir entschuldigen means we apologise, and sich entschuldigen is being used here in a formal transitive expression. die Verzögerung is accusative because it is the object of entschuldigen; the finite verb entschuldigen is in position two.
Nach der Verzögerung fuhr der Zug weiter.
After the delay, the train continued on.
nach means after, fuhr means travelled or went, and weiter means on or onward. der Verzögerung is dative because nach always takes the dative, and the verb fuhr comes directly after the opening phrase.
Die Ursache der Verzögerung ist noch unklar.
The cause of the delay is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. der Verzögerung is genitive because it identifies what caused the delay; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wegen technischer Verzögerungen kam der Bus zu spät.
Because of technical delays, the bus arrived late.
wegen means because of, technischer means technical, kam means came or arrived, and zu spät means late. technischer Verzögerungen is plural genitive after wegen; Verzögerungen has the ending -en.
Die Verzögerung des Starts wurde gestern bekannt gegeben.
The postponement of the start was announced yesterday.
der Start means the start, and bekannt gegeben means announced. des Starts is genitive because it specifies what was postponed; wurde ... bekannt gegeben is a passive construction with the finite verb in position two.
Die Verzögerung des Projekts kostet viel Geld.
The postponement of the project costs a lot of money.
das Projekt means the project, and kostet viel Geld means costs a lot of money. des Projekts is genitive because it identifies the project affected; kostet is the finite verb in position two.
verändern — to change, to alter; to change, to develop
verändern normally takes an accusative object: etwas verändern means to change something. With sich verändern, it means to become different; the perfect uses haben.
Die neue Regel verändert unseren Alltag.
The new rule changes our everyday life.
die neue Regel means the new rule, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. unseren Alltag is accusative because verändern takes an accusative object; the finite verb verändert is in position two.
Die neue Regel hat unseren Alltag verändert.
The new rule has changed our everyday life.
die neue Regel means the new rule, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. unseren Alltag is accusative after verändern, while the auxiliary hat is in position two and verändert goes to the end.
Die neue Regel veränderte unseren Alltag.
The new rule changed our everyday life.
die neue Regel means the new rule, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. The object unseren Alltag is accusative, and the preterite verb veränderte stands in position two.
Verändere bitte nicht den Plan.
Please do not change the plan.
bitte means please, nicht means not, and der Plan means the plan. The imperative verändere addresses one informal person, and den Plan is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde den Termin verändern, wenn es möglich wäre.
I would change the appointment if that were possible.
der Termin means the appointment, wenn means if, and möglich means possible. den Termin is accusative after verändern; würde ... verändern expresses an unreal or hypothetical action, with the infinitive at the end.
Die Erfahrung wird meine Meinung verändern.
The experience will change my opinion.
die Erfahrung means the experience, and meine Meinung means my opinion. meine Meinung is accusative because verändern takes an accusative object; wird is in position two and the infinitive verändern goes to the end.
Kinder verändern sich schnell.
Children change quickly.
Kinder means children, and schnell means quickly. sich is the reflexive pronoun referring back to Kinder; the finite verb verändern is in position two.
Sie hat sich in den letzten Jahren sehr verändert.
She has changed a great deal in recent years.
in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and sehr means very or a great deal. sich refers back to sie; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II verändert goes to the end.
die Veränderung — change, alteration; development, change
die Veränderung is the noun formed from verändern and can describe a change in a situation, appearance, or process. Its plural is Veränderungen.
Die Veränderung war nicht leicht.
The change was not easy.
war means was, and nicht leicht means not easy. Die Veränderung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich bemerke die Veränderung.
I notice the change.
bemerke means notice. die Veränderung is accusative because it is the object of bemerken; the finite verb bemerke is in position two.
Wir müssen uns an die Veränderung gewöhnen.
We have to get used to the change.
müssen means have to, and sich gewöhnen means get used to. uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun, while an die Veränderung is accusative because this expression uses an for what one gets used to; the infinitive gewöhnen is at the end.
Die Folgen der Veränderung sind deutlich.
The consequences of the change are clear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. der Veränderung is genitive because it identifies which change caused the consequences; sind is in position two.
Viele Veränderungen beginnen mit einem kleinen Schritt.
Many changes begin with a small step.
viele means many, beginnen means begin, and ein kleiner Schritt means a small step. Veränderungen is plural and nominative as the subject; mit einem kleinen Schritt is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Politische Veränderungen brauchen oft Zeit.
Political changes often take time.
politische means political, brauchen means need or take, and oft means often. Veränderungen is plural nominative as the subject, and brauchen stands in position two.
Die Gesellschaft reagiert auf die Veränderung.
Society is reacting to the change.
die Gesellschaft means society, and reagiert means reacts or is reacting. auf die Veränderung is accusative because reagieren auf takes auf with the accusative; the finite verb reagiert is in position two.
der Vorfall — incident, occurrence
Vorfall usually suggests an unusual, unpleasant, or noteworthy event, often one that is investigated or reported. For a neutral everyday event, Ereignis may be more suitable.
Der Vorfall passierte gestern Abend.
The incident happened yesterday evening.
passieren means to happen, and gestern Abend means yesterday evening. Der Vorfall is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb passierte stands in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Vorfall.
The police are investigating the incident.
die Polizei means the police, and untersuchen means to investigate. Den Vorfall is accusative because it is the direct object of untersuchen.
Nach dem Vorfall war die Stimmung schlecht.
After the incident, the mood was bad.
nach means after, and die Stimmung means the mood; schlecht means bad. Dem Vorfall is dative because nach always takes the dative, and the first phrase occupies position one, so war comes in position two.
Die Ursache des Vorfalls ist noch unklar.
The cause of the incident is still unclear.
die Ursache means cause, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. Des Vorfalls is genitive because it identifies the cause belonging to the incident; the noun takes -s in this form.
Mehrere Vorfälle wurden der Leitung gemeldet.
Several incidents were reported to the management.
mehrere means several, melden means to report, and die Leitung means the management or authority in charge. Vorfälle is plural and nominative as the subject of the passive sentence; der Leitung is dative for the person or organisation receiving the report.
der Vorgang — process, procedure; operation, process, event
Vorgang is common in formal, administrative, technical, and business language for a process or procedure. It can also mean an operation or event that is taking place, but it is less personal and less dramatic than Vorfall.
Der Vorgang dauert mehrere Minuten.
The process takes several minutes.
dauern means to take time, and mehrere Minuten means several minutes. Der Vorgang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich beobachte den Vorgang genau.
I am observing the process carefully.
beobachten means to observe, and genau means carefully or closely. Den Vorgang is accusative because it is the direct object of beobachten.
Bei dem Vorgang darf kein Fehler passieren.
No mistake may happen during the process.
bei means during or in the course of, kein Fehler means no mistake, and passieren means to happen. Dem Vorgang is dative because bei requires the dative; the modal verb darf sends the infinitive passieren to the end.
Die Beschreibung des Vorgangs ist verständlich.
The description of the process is understandable.
die Beschreibung means description, and verständlich means understandable. Des Vorgangs is genitive because it shows which process is being described, and the genitive singular ends in -s.
Die Vorgänge werden automatisch dokumentiert.
The processes are documented automatically.
werden dokumentiert means are documented, and automatisch means automatically. Vorgänge is plural and nominative as the subject of the passive sentence; the umlaut changes a to ä in the plural.
Dieser technische Vorgang wiederholt sich automatisch.
This technical operation repeats itself automatically.
technisch means technical, sich wiederholen means to repeat itself, and automatisch means automatically. Dieser Vorgang is nominative as the subject, and the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to wiederholt sich.
Die Forscher erklären den biologischen Vorgang.
The researchers explain the biological process.
die Forscher means the researchers, erklären means explain, and biologisch means biological. Den Vorgang is accusative because it is the direct object of erklären; the adjective takes the ending -en after den.
vornehmen — to plan, intend to do; to carry out; to carry out, make (a formal action)
The common personal construction is sich etwas vornehmen: the person is reflexive and dative, and the planned thing is accusative. In the less personal sense eine Maßnahme vornehmen, the verb means to carry out or make an action; it forms the perfect with haben.
Ich nehme mir für morgen viel vor.
I am planning a lot for tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and viel means a lot. In sich etwas vornehmen, mir is the dative reflexive pronoun and viel is the accusative object; the finite verb nehme is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Ich habe mir vorgenommen, jeden Tag zu laufen.
I have decided to go running every day.
jeden Tag means every day, and laufen means to run or walk. Vorgenommen is the Partizip II and stands at the end of the main clause with habe; mir is dative and the following zu laufen clause says what was planned.
Sie nahm sich vor, früher aufzustehen.
She decided to get up earlier.
früher means earlier, and aufstehen means to get up. The simple-past form nahm is irregular, while vor stands at the end of the main clause; the infinitive aufzustehen goes to the end of the following clause.
Nimm dir heute eine Pause vor!
Plan to take a break today!
heute means today, and eine Pause means a break. Dir is the dative reflexive pronoun and eine Pause is accusative; in the du imperative, nimm comes first and the prefix vor goes to the end.
Ich würde mir mehr Zeit vornehmen, wenn ich könnte.
I would plan more time for myself if I could.
mehr Zeit means more time, and wenn ich könnte means if I could. The Konjunktiv II is formed with würde plus the infinitive vornehmen, which stays together at the end of its clause; mir is dative and Zeit is accusative.
Wir werden uns für den Kurs viel vornehmen.
We will plan a lot for the course.
der Kurs means course, and viel means a lot. In the future, werden is finite in position two and the infinitive vornehmen stays together at the end; uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun here.
Die Ärztin nimmt eine Untersuchung vor.
The doctor is carrying out an examination.
die Ärztin means female doctor, and die Untersuchung means examination. Die Untersuchung is accusative because it is the object of vornehmen; the finite verb nimmt is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Die Firma hat wichtige Änderungen vorgenommen.
The company has made important changes.
die Firma means company, wichtig means important, and die Änderungen means changes. Änderungen is accusative as the object, while vorgenommen stands at the end with hat; this formal use means making or carrying out changes, not merely planning them.
der Wechsel — change, changeover; exchange; bill of exchange
The meaning depends on context: der Wechsel can be a change or changeover, while in finance it can mean an exchange or bill of exchange. Do not confuse it with the verb wechseln, which means to change or switch.
Der Wechsel war für alle überraschend.
The change was surprising for everyone.
überraschend means surprising, and alle means everyone. Der Wechsel is nominative because it is the subject; the verb war stands in position two.
Wir spüren den Wechsel der Jahreszeiten.
We feel the change of the seasons.
spüren means to feel, and die Jahreszeiten are the seasons. Den Wechsel is accusative because it is the object of spüren; der Jahreszeiten is genitive and means of the seasons.
Nach dem Wechsel ging es mir besser.
After the change, I felt better.
nach means after, ging es mir means I felt or things went for me, and besser means better. Dem Wechsel is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb ging is in position two.
Die Folgen des Wechsels waren deutlich.
The consequences of the change were clear.
die Folgen are the consequences, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Des Wechsels is genitive because it identifies the change whose consequences are meant; die Folgen is the plural subject.
In meinem Leben gab es viele Wechsel.
There were many changes in my life.
mein Leben means my life, and es gab means there were. Viele Wechsel is plural after viele; meinem Leben is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement.
Die Firma akzeptiert den Wechsel nicht.
The company does not accept the bill of exchange.
die Firma means the company, akzeptieren means to accept, and nicht means not. Den Wechsel is accusative because it is the direct object; the separable-looking phrase is not involved here, and nicht negates the verb phrase.
Der Anwalt prüft die Gültigkeit des Wechsels.
The lawyer checks the validity of the bill of exchange.
der Anwalt is the lawyer, prüfen means to check, and die Gültigkeit means validity. Des Wechsels is genitive because it means of the bill of exchange, while die Gültigkeit is accusative as the object of prüft.
weiterhelfen — to help someone further, to help someone
The person who receives help is normally in the dative: jemandem weiterhelfen. In a main clause, weiterhelfen separates, as in ich helfe dir weiter, but it stays together at the end of a subordinate clause or after a modal verb.
Ich helfe dir gern weiter.
I’m happy to help you.
dir means “to you”, and gern means “gladly” or “with pleasure”. weiter adds the idea of helping someone make progress. The pronoun dir is dative because weiterhelfen takes a dative person, and the finite verb helfe is in position two while weiter moves to the end.
Der Kundendienst hat mir schnell weitergeholfen.
Customer service helped me quickly.
der Kundendienst means “customer service”, and schnell means “quickly”. mir means “to me” and is dative because the person helped is the indirect object. The perfect uses hat plus weitergeholfen at the end; learners should not use ist with this verb.
Die Kollegin half mir bei der Suche weiter.
The colleague helped me with the search.
die Kollegin is “the female colleague”, and die Suche is “the search”. mir is dative because it names the person receiving help, while bei der Suche means “with the search” and bei takes the dative. The strong past form half is in position two and the prefix weiter stands at the end.
Hilf mir bitte weiter!
Please help me!
bitte means “please”. mir is dative because weiterhelfen helps a person, not a direct accusative object. In the du imperative, hilf comes first, the subject is omitted, and the separable prefix weiter remains at the end.
Wenn du mich anrufst, helfe ich dir weiter.
If you call me, I’ll help you.
wenn means “if”, anrufen means “to call”, and anrufst means “you call”. mich is accusative because it is the object of anrufen, while dir is dative because it is the person helped by weiterhelfen. This sentence uses the present for a real future condition; in the main clause, helfe is in position two and weiter is separated to the end.
Ich werde dir morgen weiterhelfen.
I will help you tomorrow.
morgen means “tomorrow”. dir is dative because it names the person receiving help. In the future tense, the finite auxiliary werde stands in position two and the whole infinitive weiterhelfen goes to the end, so the prefix is not separated.
zerschlagen — to smash, to shatter; to thwart, to break up, to defeat
zerschlagen is used for breaking something forcefully, usually by hitting it. It also has a figurative sense for defeating or breaking up a plan or organisation.
Der Hammer zerschlägt den Stein.
The hammer smashes the stone.
der Hammer is the hammer and der Stein is the stone. Den Stein is accusative because it is the direct object, and the finite verb zerschlägt stands in position two.
Er hat die alte Scheibe zerschlagen.
He smashed the old pane.
er means he, alt means old, and die Scheibe is the pane or window glass. The perfect uses hat with this transitive verb, and zerschlagen goes to the end.
Der Junge zerschlug die Tasse.
The boy smashed the cup.
der Junge is the boy and die Tasse is the cup. Die Tasse is accusative as the object, and zerschlug is the strong preterite form.
Zerschlag diese Kiste nicht!
Don’t smash this box!
diese Kiste means this box, and nicht means not. The object is accusative, and the imperative zerschlag comes first.
Wenn der Spieler den Ball träfe, zerschlüge er die Lampe.
If the player hit the ball, he would smash the lamp.
der Spieler is the player, der Ball is the ball, and träfe means hit in an unreal situation. The wenn clause sends träfe to the end, while zerschlüge is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause.
Der Sturm wird die alte Mauer zerschlagen.
The storm will smash the old wall.
der Sturm is the storm, alt means old, and die Mauer is the wall. Die alte Mauer is accusative as the object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Die Polizei zerschlägt die kriminelle Gruppe.
The police are breaking up the criminal group.
die Polizei is the police, kriminell means criminal, and die Gruppe is the group. Die kriminelle Gruppe is accusative because it is the object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Der Regen hat unsere Pläne zerschlagen.
The rain has ruined our plans.
der Regen is the rain and unsere Pläne means our plans. The perfect uses hat, and unsere Pläne is accusative because the figurative verb acts directly on the plans.
die Zerstörung — destruction
die Zerstörung is a feminine noun formed from zerstören with -ung. It often occurs with von plus a dative noun or with a genitive phrase, for example die Zerstörung von Gebäuden or die Zerstörung der Brücke.
Die Zerstörung der Brücke verursacht große Probleme.
The destruction of the bridge is causing major problems.
die Brücke means the bridge and große Probleme means major problems. Die Zerstörung is nominative because it is the subject; der Brücke is genitive and means “of the bridge”, while verursacht stands in position two.
Die Menschen sehen die Zerstörung nach dem Erdbeben.
People see the destruction after the earthquake.
die Menschen means people, nach means after, and das Erdbeben means the earthquake. die Zerstörung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Viele Familien leiden unter der Zerstörung ihrer Häuser.
Many families are suffering because of the destruction of their houses.
viele Familien means many families, leiden means suffer, and ihre Häuser means their houses. unter takes the dative here because it describes a cause or condition, so der Zerstörung is dative; ihrer Häuser is a genitive phrase meaning “of their houses”.
Die Folgen der Zerstörung sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the destruction are still visible.
die Folgen means the consequences and noch sichtbar means still visible. der Zerstörung is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the plural subject Die Folgen requires sind.
Nach dem Krieg sah man überall Zerstörungen.
After the war, destruction could be seen everywhere.
nach dem Krieg means after the war and überall means everywhere. dem Krieg is dative because nach always takes the dative, while Zerstörungen is plural accusative as the object of sah; the indefinite plural has no article.
zuordnen — to assign; to match; to associate; to classify
zuordnen commonly has the pattern jemandem etwas zuordnen: a dative person or category receives an accusative thing. Because zu- is separable, it splits in a main clause but stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Die Lehrerin ordnet die Antworten den Fragen zu.
The teacher assigns the answers to the questions.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, die Antworten are the answers, and die Fragen are the questions. die Antworten is accusative because it is what is assigned, while den Fragen is dative because the answers are assigned to the questions; the finite verb ordnet is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Wir haben die Begriffe den Bildern zugeordnet.
We assigned the terms to the pictures.
wir means we, die Begriffe are the terms, and den Bildern means to the pictures. die Begriffe is accusative and den Bildern is dative; the perfect uses haben, with zugeordnet at the end of the clause.
Der Computer ordnete jede Datei einem Ordner zu.
The computer assigned each file to a folder.
der Computer is the computer, jede Datei means each file, and einem Ordner is a folder. jede Datei is accusative and einem Ordner is dative; the simple-past form ordnete is in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Bitte ordne die Namen den Fotos zu.
Please match the names to the photos.
bitte means please, die Namen are the names, and die Fotos are the photos. The command has an accusative object, die Namen, and a dative target, den Fotos; in the imperative, ordne comes first and zu stays at the end.
Ich würde diese Aufgabe dem ersten Kapitel zuordnen.
I would assign this task to the first chapter.
ich würde means I would, diese Aufgabe is this task, and dem ersten Kapitel means to the first chapter. diese Aufgabe is accusative and dem ersten Kapitel is dative; after würde, the whole infinitive zuordnen goes to the end and is not split.
Wir werden die Beispiele den Regeln zuordnen.
We will assign the examples to the rules.
wir werden means we will, die Beispiele are the examples, and die Regeln are the rules. The accusative object is die Beispiele, while den Regeln is dative; in the future, werden is in position two and the complete infinitive zuordnen goes at the end.
Ordne jedem Bild die passende Nummer zu.
Match the correct number to each picture.
jedem Bild means to each picture, and die passende Nummer is the correct number. jedem Bild is dative and die passende Nummer is accusative; the imperative separates zu and places it at the end.
Das Programm ordnet die Wörter automatisch Themen zu.
The program automatically assigns the words to topics.
das Programm is the program, die Wörter are the words, automatisch means automatically, and Themen are topics. die Wörter is accusative and Themen is dative without an article; the finite verb ordnet is in position two and zu is separated.
zurechtkommen — to manage; to cope; to get along
The usual pattern is mit etwas zurechtkommen, with mit forcing the dative. The perfect is formed with sein: ist zurechtgekommen.
Ich komme mit dem neuen Programm gut zurecht.
I manage well with the new program.
das neue Programm is the new program and gut means well. mit always takes the dative, so dem neuen Programm is dative; the finite verb komme is in position two and zurecht is separated to the end.
Sie ist mit dem Stress zurechtgekommen.
She coped with the stress.
sie means she, and der Stress is stress. mit dem Stress is dative because mit requires the dative; the perfect uses ist because the verb is based on kommen, and zurechtgekommen goes at the end.
Er kam allein in der fremden Stadt zurecht.
He managed on his own in the unfamiliar city.
allein means on his own, fremd means unfamiliar, and die Stadt is the city. in der fremden Stadt is dative because it describes a fixed location; kam is the simple-past form in position two and zurecht is at the end.
Komm mit dem Problem zurecht!
Cope with the problem!
das Problem means the problem, and mit means with. mit dem Problem is dative because mit requires that case; the informal command starts with komm, while zurecht moves to the end.
Du würdest auch ohne Hilfe zurechtkommen.
You would manage even without help.
auch means also or even, ohne Hilfe means without help, and Hilfe is help. ohne takes the accusative, although the unmarked noun here makes the case hard to see; after würdest, the complete infinitive zurechtkommen goes to the end.
Mit etwas Übung wirst du bald zurechtkommen.
With some practice, you will soon manage.
etwas Übung means some practice and bald means soon. mit etwas Übung is dative because mit requires it; wirst is in position two and the complete infinitive zurechtkommen stands at the end.
Wir kommen mit unseren Nachbarn gut zurecht.
We get along well with our neighbours.
unsere Nachbarn are our neighbours and gut means well. mit unseren Nachbarn is dative because mit requires the dative; kommen is in position two and zurecht is separated to the end.
Die beiden sind nie miteinander zurechtgekommen.
The two of them never got along with each other.
die beiden means the two of them, nie means never, and miteinander means with each other. miteinander refers to a reciprocal relationship and is dative in meaning after mit; the perfect uses sind, with zurechtgekommen at the end.
zurücklassen — to leave behind, to leave somewhere
The person or thing left behind is an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas zurücklassen. The verb can sound emotionally strong when it means abandoning a person.
Der Zug lässt einige Fahrgäste am Bahnhof zurück.
The train leaves some passengers behind at the station.
der Zug is the train, einige Fahrgäste means some passengers, and der Bahnhof is the station. einige Fahrgäste is accusative because they are the people left behind; lässt is in position two and zurück closes the main clause.
Sie hat ihren Koffer im Hotel zurückgelassen.
She left her suitcase at the hotel.
ihr Koffer means her suitcase, and das Hotel is the hotel. ihren Koffer is accusative because it is the thing left behind, while im Hotel gives the place; hat is the auxiliary and zurückgelassen stands at the end.
Er ließ seine Familie in der Stadt zurück.
He left his family behind in the city.
seine Familie means his family, and die Stadt is the city. seine Familie is accusative as the people left behind, while in der Stadt is dative because it describes location; ließ is in position two and zurück is at the end.
Lass mich nicht zurück!
Don't leave me behind!
mich means me, and nicht means not. mich is accusative because it is the person being left behind; the singular imperative omits du, and zurück is separated to the end.
Ich würde die alten Möbel nicht zurücklassen.
I would not leave the old furniture behind.
die alten Möbel means the old furniture, and nicht means not. die alten Möbel is accusative because it is what would be left behind; würde marks the conditional and the complete infinitive zurücklassen stands at the end.
Wir werden niemanden im gefährlichen Gebäude zurücklassen.
We will not leave anyone behind in the dangerous building.
niemanden means nobody or anyone in a negative sentence, gefährlich means dangerous, and das Gebäude is the building. niemanden is accusative because it is the person left behind, while im Gebäude gives the location; werden is in position two and zurücklassen is final.