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Vocab: Family — A2
Family vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
alleinerziehend — single-parent, raising a child alone
Alleinerziehend describes a parent who brings up a child alone, not simply any person who is alone. The comparative and superlative are grammatically possible but uncommon because this adjective usually describes a fixed family situation rather than a quality measured in degrees.
Sie ist alleinerziehend.
She is a single parent.
Sie means she, and ist means is. Alleinerziehend is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Eine alleinerziehende Mutter arbeitet heute.
A single mother is working today.
eine Mutter means a mother, arbeitet means works, and heute means today. Alleinerziehende stands before the noun and takes -e after eine in the nominative feminine; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Mit drei Kindern ist sie alleinerziehender als mit einem Kind.
With three children, she is more of a single parent than with one child.
mit drei Kindern means with three children, and einem Kind means one child. Alleinerziehender is a predicative comparative after sein and is followed by als for the comparison; mit takes the dative, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In der Gruppe ist sie am alleinerziehendsten.
In the group, she has the greatest single-parent responsibility.
in der Gruppe means in the group, and sie means she. Am alleinerziehendsten is a predicative superlative after sein; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
der Angehörige — male relative, male family member; member
Der Angehörige is a substantivized adjective, so it is written with a capital letter and has adjective-like endings. It usually means a relative or family member, especially in medical contexts; the masculine noun has weak declension: der Angehörige, but den Angehörigen.
Der Angehörige wartet vor dem Krankenhaus.
The relative is waiting outside the hospital.
wartet means is waiting, vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. Der Angehörige is nominative because he is the subject; as a substantivized adjective, Angehörige takes adjective-like endings.
Die Ärztin ruft den Angehörigen.
The doctor calls the relative.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and ruft means calls. Den Angehörigen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; this masculine noun has -en in every case except the nominative.
Die Ärztin spricht mit dem Angehörigen.
The doctor speaks with the relative.
spricht means speaks. Dem Angehörigen is dative because mit always takes the dative, and the masculine substantivized adjective keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Angehörigen steht vor dem Haus.
The relative's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Angehörigen is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun ends in -en here.
Die Angehörigen besuchen den Patienten.
The relatives visit the patient.
besuchen means visit and den Patienten means the patient. Angehörigen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural form ends in -en, just like the other non-nominative masculine forms.
die Angehörige — female relative, female family member; member
Die Angehörige is a substantivized adjective, so it is written with a capital letter and has adjective-like endings. It usually means a female relative or family member; its plural is die Angehörigen, which is the same for male and female relatives.
Die Angehörige wartet vor dem Krankenhaus.
The female relative is waiting outside the hospital.
wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. Die Angehörige is nominative because she is the subject; the feminine substantivized adjective has the ending -e.
Die Ärztin ruft die Angehörige.
The doctor calls the female relative.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and ruft means calls. Die Angehörige is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; in the feminine, the nominative and accusative forms look the same.
Die Ärztin spricht mit der Angehörigen.
The doctor speaks with the female relative.
spricht means speaks. Der Angehörigen is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine ending changes from -e to -en.
Das Auto der Angehörigen steht vor dem Haus.
The female relative's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Angehörigen is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine form takes -en in this case.
Die Angehörigen besuchen den Patienten.
The relatives visit the patient.
besuchen means visit and den Patienten means the patient. Angehörigen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural article is die, and the plural ending is -en.
aufwachsen — to grow up; to grow, develop
The perfect normally uses sein: ist aufgewachsen. The prefix auf- is separable in main clauses but stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Ich wachse in einer kleinen Stadt auf.
I am growing up in a small town.
eine kleine Stadt means a small town. The finite verb wachse is in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie ist bei ihren Großeltern aufgewachsen.
She grew up with her grandparents.
ihre Großeltern means her grandparents. The perfect uses ist with aufgewachsen because growing up describes a change or development, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Mein Vater wuchs in Berlin auf.
My father grew up in Berlin.
mein Vater means my father, and Berlin is the city name. In the simple past, the strong form wuchs is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wachs auf dem Land auf!
Grow up in the countryside!
auf dem Land means in the countryside. This informal command omits du; wach comes first and the prefix auf remains at the end.
Wenn ich dort aufwachsen würde, wäre ich vielleicht ruhiger.
If I grew up there, I might be calmer.
dort means there and ruhiger means calmer. In the wenn clause, the infinitive aufwachsen goes to the end; würde expresses an unreal or imagined situation.
Unsere Kinder werden in diesem Dorf aufwachsen.
Our children will grow up in this village.
unsere Kinder means our children and dieses Dorf means this village. The auxiliary werden is in position two and the infinitive aufwachsen goes to the end.
Viele Kinder wachsen heute mit zwei Sprachen auf.
Many children grow up with two languages today.
viele Kinder means many children, heute means today, and zwei Sprachen means two languages. The phrase mit zwei Sprachen uses mit with the dative, while wachsen and auf form a split verb.
Die jungen Pflanzen wachsen im Frühling schnell auf.
The young plants grow quickly in spring.
die jungen Pflanzen means the young plants and im Frühling means in spring. The finite verb wachsen stands in position two, and the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Die Setzlinge sind im Gewächshaus aufgewachsen.
The seedlings grew in the greenhouse.
die Setzlinge are seedlings and das Gewächshaus is the greenhouse. The perfect uses sein with aufgewachsen, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
die Braut — bride
The masculine word for the groom is der Bräutigam. Do not confuse die Braut with die Frau, which means woman or wife more generally.
Die Braut trägt ein weißes Kleid.
The bride is wearing a white dress.
trägt means is wearing, and ein weißes Kleid is a white dress. Die Braut is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Braut vor der Kirche.
I see the bride in front of the church.
sehe means see, vor der Kirche means in front of the church. Die Braut is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while vor der Kirche gives a location and therefore uses the dative.
Ich gratuliere der Braut.
I congratulate the bride.
gratuliere means congratulate. Der Braut is dative because gratulieren always takes the person being congratulated in the dative; the finite verb gratuliere is in position two.
Das Kleid der Braut ist sehr elegant.
The bride's dress is very elegant.
das Kleid means the dress, and elegant means elegant. Der Braut is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the dress belongs to the bride; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Bräute bekommen viele Blumen.
The brides receive many flowers.
bekommen means receive, and viele Blumen means many flowers. Die Bräute is the plural subject, and the plural form changes au to äu and adds -e.
der Cousin — male cousin
The borrowed noun der Cousin has the same form in the nominative, accusative and dative singular. Its genitive is des Cousins, and its plural is die Cousins.
Der Cousin meiner Mutter wohnt in Köln.
My mother's cousin lives in Cologne.
meiner Mutter means “of my mother,” and wohnt means “lives”; Köln is Cologne. Der Cousin is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche meinen Cousin am Sonntag.
I am visiting my cousin on Sunday.
besuche means “visit,” and am Sonntag means “on Sunday.” Meinen Cousin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich gebe meinem Cousin ein Geschenk.
I am giving my cousin a present.
gebe means “give,” ein Geschenk is “a present,” and meinem means “to my.” Meinem Cousin is dative because he receives something, while ein Geschenk is the accusative thing being given.
Das Fahrrad meines Cousins ist neu.
My cousin's bicycle is new.
Das Fahrrad is “the bicycle,” neu means “new,” and meines means “of my.” Meines Cousins is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Cousins wohnen in verschiedenen Städten.
My cousins live in different cities.
wohnen means “live,” and verschiedenen Städten means “different cities.” Meine Cousins is plural nominative because it is the subject, and in takes the dative here because it describes location rather than movement.
die Cousine — female cousin
Die Cousine is the feminine form of der Cousin. The plural is die Cousinen, and the genitive singular is der Cousine.
Meine Cousine studiert in Berlin.
My cousin is studying in Berlin.
studiert means “is studying,” and Berlin is the German capital. Meine Cousine is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb studiert stands in position two.
Wir treffen unsere Cousine morgen.
We are meeting our cousin tomorrow.
treffen means “meet,” and morgen means “tomorrow.” Unsere Cousine is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, while treffen is the finite verb in position two.
Ich schreibe meiner Cousine eine Nachricht.
I am writing my cousin a message.
schreibe means “write,” and eine Nachricht means “a message.” Meiner Cousine is dative because she is the recipient, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing being written.
Das Zimmer meiner Cousine ist klein.
My cousin's room is small.
Das Zimmer means “the room,” and klein means “small.” Meiner Cousine is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Unsere Cousinen kommen heute zu Besuch.
Our cousins are coming to visit today.
kommen means “come,” heute means “today,” and zu Besuch means “to visit.” Unsere Cousinen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommen is in position two.
die Ehe — marriage; marriage as an institution
Die Ehe is the institution or relationship of marriage, while a married couple can also be described as ein Ehepaar. The noun is feminine and its plural is die Ehen.
Die Ehe ist seit zehn Jahren glücklich.
The marriage has been happy for ten years.
seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and glücklich means happy. Die Ehe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie feiern ihre Ehe mit einem großen Fest.
They are celebrating their marriage with a big party.
sie feiern means they are celebrating, ihre means their, and ein großes Fest means a big party. Ihre Ehe is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; mit introduces the dative phrase einem großen Fest.
In der Ehe sprechen sie offen über Geld.
In the marriage, they speak openly about money.
sprechen offen means speak openly, and über Geld means about money. In der Ehe is dative because in describes a fixed location or situation here, not movement; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Regeln der Ehe sind nicht für alle gleich.
The rules of marriage are not the same for everyone.
die Regeln means the rules, nicht für alle means not for everyone, and gleich means the same. Der Ehe is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are; the genitive phrase follows the noun Regeln.
Viele Ehen beginnen mit großen Hoffnungen.
Many marriages begin with great hopes.
viele means many, beginnen means begin, and große Hoffnungen means great hopes. Viele Ehen is the plural nominative subject, so the finite verb beginnen agrees with the plural.
In diesem Land ist die Ehe für alle Paare möglich.
In this country, marriage is possible for all couples.
in diesem Land means in this country, für alle Paare means for all couples, and möglich means possible. In diesem Land is dative because it describes location; für always takes the accusative, and ist stands in position two.
Die Ehe wird rechtlich geschützt.
Marriage is protected by law.
rechtlich means legally, and geschützt means protected. Die Ehe is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; wird is in position two and the Partizip II geschützt goes to the end.
der Ehepartner — spouse, marriage partner
Ehepartner is gender-neutral and is often preferred when the person's gender is unknown or irrelevant. Unlike Ehemann and Ehefrau, it can refer to either member of a marriage.
Der Ehepartner muss das Formular unterschreiben.
The spouse has to sign the form.
muss means has to, das Formular means the form, and unterschreiben means sign. Der Ehepartner is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb muss is in position two and the infinitive unterschreiben goes to the end.
Sie sucht den Ehepartner ihres Bruders.
She is looking for her brother's spouse.
sucht means is looking for, ihres Bruders means her brother's, and Bruder means brother. Den Ehepartner is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; ihres Bruders is genitive and shows whose spouse this is.
Er spricht mit dem Ehepartner seiner Schwester.
He is talking with his sister's spouse.
spricht means talks, mit means with, and seiner Schwester means his sister's. Dem Ehepartner is dative because mit always requires the dative; the possessive phrase seiner Schwester also uses the genitive idea of whose spouse is meant.
Die Meinung des Ehepartners ist wichtig.
The spouse's opinion is important.
Die Meinung means the opinion and wichtig means important. Des Ehepartners is genitive because it identifies whose opinion it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Beide Ehepartner arbeiten Vollzeit.
Both spouses work full-time.
Beide means both, arbeiten means work, and Vollzeit means full-time. Ehepartner has the same form in the singular and plural, so beide and the plural verb arbeiten make the number clear.
der Elternabend — parents' evening, parents' meeting
This is a compound made from Eltern and Abend, so its gender and endings follow der Abend. The plural is Elternabende, with -e on the final part.
Der Elternabend beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The parents' evening starts at seven o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o'clock. Der Elternabend is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Elternabend heute.
I am attending the parents' evening today.
besuche means attend or visit, and heute means today. Den Elternabend is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Nach dem Elternabend spreche ich mit der Lehrerin.
After the parents' evening, I speak with the teacher.
Nach means after, spreche means speak, and die Lehrerin means the female teacher. Dem Elternabend is dative because nach always takes dative; the phrase comes first, so the verb spreche still occupies position two.
Die Dauer des Elternabends ist eine Stunde.
The duration of the parents' evening is one hour.
Die Dauer means the duration, and eine Stunde means one hour. Des Elternabends is genitive because it identifies the duration belonging to the meeting; the compound noun takes -s on its final part.
In diesem Schuljahr gibt es drei Elternabende.
There are three parents' evenings this school year.
In diesem Schuljahr means this school year, and drei means three. Elternabende is plural with the ending -e; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although this sentence focuses on the plural form.
erziehen — to raise, to bring up
Erziehen normally takes an accusative object for the child being raised. It can describe both everyday upbringing and deliberate moral or social education.
Eltern erziehen ihre Kinder mit Liebe und klaren Regeln.
Parents raise their children with love and clear rules.
Eltern means parents, ihre Kinder means their children, mit Liebe means with love, and klare Regeln means clear rules. Ihre Kinder is accusative because erziehen takes a direct object, while mit forces the dative in mit Liebe; the finite verb erziehen stands in position two.
Meine Eltern haben mich sehr liebevoll erzogen.
My parents brought me up very lovingly.
Meine Eltern means my parents, mich means me, and liebevoll means lovingly. Mich is accusative because it is the direct object of erziehen; the perfect uses haben, and the Partizip II erzogen goes to the end.
Sie erzog ihre Kinder allein.
She raised her children alone.
Sie means she, ihre Kinder means her children, and allein means alone. Ihre Kinder is accusative as the direct object, and erzog is the strong Präteritum form used for a completed past event.
Erzieh dein Kind geduldig!
Raise your child patiently!
Dein Kind means your child, and geduldig means patiently. The imperative erzieh addresses one person informally, leaves out du, and takes dein Kind in the accusative.
Wenn ich Kinder erzöge, würde ich ihnen viel vorlesen.
If I raised children, I would read to them a lot.
Wenn means if, Kinder means children, ihnen means to them, and vorlesen means to read aloud. The Konjunktiv II erzöge expresses an unreal situation; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, and ihnen is dative because vorlesen addresses something to someone.
Sie wird ihre Tochter anders erziehen.
She will raise her daughter differently.
Sie means she, ihre Tochter means her daughter, and anders means differently. Ihre Tochter is accusative as the direct object; in the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive erziehen goes to the end.
die Erziehung — upbringing, education
Erziehung usually means the upbringing of children, especially the teaching of behaviour and social values. For school or academic education, Bildung or Ausbildung may be more precise.
Die Erziehung meiner Kinder ist mir sehr wichtig.
My children’s upbringing is very important to me.
meiner Kinder means of my children, and wichtig means important. Die Erziehung is nominative because it is the subject; meiner Kinder is genitive after the noun to show whose upbringing is meant.
Gute Erziehung lernen Kinder zu Hause.
Children learn good manners at home.
gute means good, lernen means learn, Kinder means children, and zu Hause means at home. Gute Erziehung is accusative as the object of lernen, while the finite verb lernen stands in position two.
Mit einer guten Erziehung findet man leichter Freunde.
With a good upbringing, it is easier to make friends.
mit means with, einer guten means a good, findet means finds, leichter means more easily, and Freunde means friends. Mit always forces the dative, so the phrase is mit einer guten Erziehung; the finite verb findet is in position two.
Die Regeln der Erziehung sind nicht überall gleich.
The rules of upbringing are not the same everywhere.
Die Regeln means the rules, überall means everywhere, and gleich means the same. Der Erziehung is genitive after Regeln and means “of upbringing”; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Familien sprechen über verschiedene Erziehungen.
Many families talk about different forms of upbringing.
Viele Familien means many families, sprechen über means talk about, and verschiedene means different. Über takes the accusative when it means “about”, so verschiedene Erziehungen is accusative plural; the plural article is not used here after verschiedene.
familienfreundlich — family-friendly
This adjective is a compound of Familie, family, and freundlich, friendly. It normally describes places, services or activities that work well for families, especially families with children.
Das Hotel ist sehr familienfreundlich.
The hotel is very family-friendly.
Das Hotel means the hotel, and sehr means very. Familienfreundlich is predicative because it comes after ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Wir suchen ein familienfreundliches Restaurant.
We are looking for a family-friendly restaurant.
suchen means to look for, and das Restaurant is a restaurant. Ein familienfreundliches Restaurant is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; after ein with a neuter noun, the adjective has the ending -es.
Dieser Campingplatz ist familienfreundlicher als der andere.
This campsite is more family-friendly than the other one.
Dieser Campingplatz means this campsite, and der andere means the other one. Familienfreundlicher compares this campsite with another using als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Dieses Freibad ist am familienfreundlichsten.
This outdoor swimming pool is the most family-friendly.
Dieses Freibad means this outdoor swimming pool. Am familienfreundlichsten is the superlative after ist; the ending -sten is used in the am form, and there is no adjective ending because the adjective is predicative.
der Familienname — family name, surname
Familienname means surname or last name, not a person's first name. It is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -n in the accusative, dative and plural, and -ns in the genitive.
Mein Familienname ist Müller.
My family name is Müller.
Mein means my, and Müller is a surname. Mein Familienname is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two, and the name after it identifies the subject.
Ich schreibe meinen Familiennamen auf das Formular.
I am writing my family name on the form.
schreiben means to write, and das Formular is the form. Meinen Familiennamen is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Familienname takes -n in the accusative.
Ich antworte mit meinem Familiennamen.
I answer with my family name.
antworte means answer, and mit means with. Meinem Familiennamen is dative because mit always takes the dative; the weak noun keeps -n outside the nominative.
Die Bedeutung meines Familiennamens ist unbekannt.
The meaning of my family name is unknown.
Die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unbekannt means unknown. Meines Familiennamens is genitive because it shows which name is meant; this noun has -ns in the genitive singular.
In Deutschland gibt es viele verschiedene Familiennamen.
There are many different family names in Germany.
In Deutschland means in Germany, viele verschiedene means many different, and es gibt means there are. Familiennamen is the plural and takes -n; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form looks the same as the nominative plural.
der Familienstand — marital status
Familienstand is mainly used on official forms and in administrative contexts. Common values include ledig, single, verheiratet, married, geschieden, divorced, and verwitwet, widowed.
Mein Familienstand ist ledig.
My marital status is single.
Mein means my, and ledig means single or unmarried. Mein Familienstand is nominative because it is the subject; ledig is a predicate adjective after ist and therefore has no ending.
Bitte geben Sie Ihren Familienstand an.
Please state your marital status.
Bitte means please, geben Sie ... an means state or provide, and Ihren means your in the formal form. Ihren Familienstand is accusative because angeben takes a direct object; the separable prefix an goes to the end of this imperative clause.
Die Mitarbeiterin hilft mir beim Familienstand.
The female employee helps me with the marital-status section.
Die Mitarbeiterin means the female employee, hilft means helps, and beim means bei dem, at or with the. Beim Familienstand is dative because bei takes the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Änderung des Familienstands kostet Zeit.
Changing the marital status takes time.
Die Änderung means the change, and kostet Zeit means takes time. Des Familienstands is genitive because it specifies which change is meant; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
Die Familienstände sind in der Statistik getrennt aufgeführt.
The marital statuses are listed separately in the statistics.
Die Statistik means the statistics, and getrennt aufgeführt means listed separately. Familienstände is the plural with an umlaut and -e; sind ... aufgeführt is a passive construction, with the participle at the end.
geboren — born; native-born
geboren is usually used in the fixed expression geboren sein, to be born, or before a noun in phrases such as ein geborener Berliner, a native-born Berliner. It is an absolute adjective and has no comparative or superlative form; comparisons with mehr or die meisten refer to the number of births, not to the adjective itself.
Ich bin in Köln geboren.
I was born in Cologne.
ich means I, and in Köln means in Cologne. geboren follows bin in the fixed expression geboren sein, so it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Sie hat einen geborenen Künstler geheiratet.
She married a born artist.
sie means she, hat geheiratet means married, and der Künstler means the artist. einen geborenen Künstler is the accusative object of heiraten, so geboren takes the masculine ending -en after einen.
In diesem Jahr wurden mehr Kinder geboren als im letzten Jahr.
More children were born this year than last year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, mehr Kinder means more children, and im letzten Jahr means last year. The comparison is between the number of births, not between degrees of the adjective geboren; wurden geboren is the passive form of gebären, with geboren at the end.
Im Mai wurden die meisten Kinder geboren.
The most children were born in May.
im Mai means in May, and die meisten Kinder means the most children. meisten is the superlative of quantity, not a superlative form of the adjective geboren; wurden geboren is the passive construction.
die Geburt — birth, childbirth
die Geburt is used for the birth of a baby and for the process of childbirth. The related verb is gebären, to give birth, while geboren werden means to be born.
Die Geburt war sehr lang.
The birth was very long.
war means was, and sehr lang means very long. die Geburt is the nominative subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Wir feiern die Geburt unseres Sohnes.
We are celebrating the birth of our son.
feiern means to celebrate, and unseres Sohnes means our son. die Geburt is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; unseres Sohnes is genitive and shows whose birth it is.
Nach der Geburt braucht die Mutter Ruhe.
After the birth, the mother needs rest.
nach means after, die Mutter is the mother, and Ruhe means rest. nach der Geburt is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Die Zeit der Geburt steht im Bericht.
The time of the birth is in the report.
die Zeit means the time, and der Bericht is the report. der Geburt is genitive after die Zeit to show which time; steht is in position two.
Im Krankenhaus gibt es heute drei Geburten.
There are three births in the hospital today.
im Krankenhaus means in the hospital, heute means today, and drei means three. drei Geburten follows es gibt, which takes the accusative; im Krankenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location.
die Geburtstagstorte — birthday cake
A Geburtstagstorte is a cake for a birthday, often decorated with candles, writing or fruit. The compound combines Geburtstag and Torte.
Die Geburtstagstorte sieht wunderschön aus.
The birthday cake looks beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful, and aussehen means to look or appear. Die Geburtstagstorte is nominative because it is the subject; sieht ... aus is a separable verb, so aus moves to the end.
Wir schneiden die Geburtstagstorte nach dem Essen an.
We cut the birthday cake after the meal.
anschneiden means to cut into, and nach dem Essen means after the meal. Die Geburtstagstorte is accusative because it is the object of schneiden ... an; the separable part an goes to the end in this main clause.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin ein Stück von der Geburtstagstorte.
I give my friend a piece of the birthday cake.
ein Stück means a piece, and meiner Freundin means to my friend. Meiner Freundin is dative because she receives something, while von der Geburtstagstorte means from the birthday cake and von also takes the dative.
Die Dekoration der Geburtstagstorte ist bunt.
The decoration of the birthday cake is colourful.
die Dekoration means the decoration, and bunt means colourful. Der Geburtstagstorte is genitive because it says whose decoration it is; with a feminine noun, the article changes to der, but the noun does not change.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Geburtstagstorten.
There are three birthday cakes on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and stehen means stand or be positioned. Geburtstagstorten is plural after drei; auf takes the dative here because the cakes are in a fixed location, not moving onto the table.
die Generation — generation
The plural is Generationen. Generation can mean a whole age group or the people in one family line, depending on context.
Die Generation meiner Eltern denkt oft anders als ich.
My parents’ generation often thinks differently from me.
meine Eltern means my parents, and anders means differently. meiner Eltern is genitive because it identifies whose generation is meant; the finite verb denkt stands in position two.
Ich verstehe die Generation meiner Großeltern nicht immer.
I do not always understand my grandparents’ generation.
verstehen means to understand, and meine Großeltern means my grandparents. die Generation is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; nicht immer means not always.
Er gehört zu der Generation, die ohne Internet aufgewachsen ist.
He belongs to the generation that grew up without the internet.
gehören means to belong, and ohne Internet means without the internet. der Generation is dative because zu always takes the dative; in the relative clause, aufgewachsen ist goes to the end.
Die Erfahrungen der Generation haben sich stark verändert.
The experiences of the generation have changed greatly.
die Erfahrungen means the experiences, and sich stark verändert means changed greatly. der Generation is genitive to show possession or association; haben sich verändert is a perfect-tense verb bracket.
Viele Generationen leben heute in derselben Stadt.
Many generations live in the same city today.
viele means many, heute means today, and derselben Stadt means the same city. Generationen is the plural form with -en, and the finite verb leben remains in position two.
geschieden — divorced; divorced, separated
Geschieden is an absolute status adjective and does not normally have comparative or superlative forms. For the action, German usually uses sich scheiden lassen, meaning to get divorced.
Meine Tante ist geschieden.
My aunt is divorced.
Tante means aunt. Geschieden is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is in position two, and the adjective describes her marital status.
Ich kenne einen geschiedenen Mann.
I know a divorced man.
kenne means know, and Mann means man. Einen geschiedenen Mann is accusative because it is the object of kenne; the adjective takes -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
Sie hat sich geschieden.
She got divorced.
sich scheiden means to get divorced, and hat means has. This sentence uses the verb phrase sich scheiden lassen less completely than standard German; the natural full form is Sie hat sich scheiden lassen, with lassen at the end, so do not use geschieden as a comparative.
Nach dem Streit wollen sie geschieden leben.
After the argument, they want to live separately.
Streit means argument, wollen means want to, and leben means live. This sentence shows that geschieden cannot form a meaningful superlative; the natural expression for living separately is getrennt leben, not geschieden leben.
Er ist seit zwei Jahren von seiner Frau geschieden.
He has been divorced from his wife for two years.
seit zwei Jahren means for two years, and Frau means wife. Von seiner Frau is dative because von always takes the dative; geschieden follows ist as a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Das geschiedene Paar hat zwei Kinder.
The divorced couple has two children.
Paar means couple, and Kinder means children. Das geschiedene Paar is nominative because it is the subject; the neuter adjective ending -e follows das, while zwei Kinder is the accusative object of hat.
die Hochzeitsfeier — wedding celebration, wedding reception
Die Hochzeitsfeier is the celebration connected with a wedding. It is a compound of Hochzeit and Feier, and the last part determines the feminine gender.
Die Hochzeitsfeier beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The wedding celebration starts at seven o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Die Hochzeitsfeier is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir organisieren die Hochzeitsfeier.
We are organising the wedding celebration.
organisieren means to organise. Die Hochzeitsfeier is accusative because it is the direct object of organisieren, while the finite verb is in position two.
Bei der Hochzeitsfeier lernten wir viele Verwandte kennen.
At the wedding celebration, we met many relatives.
bei means at, lernten ... kennen means met, and Verwandte means relatives. Der Hochzeitsfeier is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb lernten comes before the subject because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Die Musik der Hochzeitsfeier war sehr laut.
The music of the wedding celebration was very loud.
die Musik means the music and laut means loud. Der Hochzeitsfeier is genitive because it identifies which celebration the music belonged to.
Im Sommer finden viele Hochzeitsfeiern statt.
Many wedding celebrations take place in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and stattfinden means to take place. Hochzeitsfeiern is plural after viele, and the separable verb appears as finden ... statt in a main clause.
Wir waren zu einer Hochzeitsfeier eingeladen.
We were invited to a wedding celebration.
waren eingeladen means were invited, and zu einer means to a. Zu einer Hochzeitsfeier is dative because zu always takes the dative; eingeladen stands at the end of this clause.
der Hochzeitstag — wedding anniversary
Der Hochzeitstag usually means a wedding anniversary, not simply any day on which a wedding takes place. The compound is masculine because its final part, der Tag, is masculine.
Der Hochzeitstag ist nächste Woche.
The wedding anniversary is next week.
nächste Woche means next week. Der Hochzeitstag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Hochzeitstag im Restaurant.
We are celebrating the wedding anniversary in a restaurant.
feiern means to celebrate and im Restaurant means in a restaurant. Den Hochzeitstag is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Zum Hochzeitstag schenke ich ihr Blumen.
For the wedding anniversary, I am giving her flowers.
zum means for the occasion of and schenke means give as a present; ihr means to her and Blumen means flowers. Zum Hochzeitstag is dative because zu takes the dative, and the verb schenke comes before the subject ich after the fronted phrase.
Das Datum des Hochzeitstags steht im Kalender.
The date of the wedding anniversary is in the calendar.
das Datum means the date and der Kalender means the calendar. Des Hochzeitstags is genitive because it identifies which date is meant; the masculine noun has -s in this form.
Viele Hochzeitstage werden gemeinsam gefeiert.
Many wedding anniversaries are celebrated together.
viele means many, gemeinsam means together, and gefeiert means celebrated. Hochzeitstage is plural after viele; werden ... gefeiert is the passive, with the participle at the end.
Wir denken jedes Jahr an den Hochzeitstag.
Every year we think about the wedding anniversary.
jedes Jahr means every year and denken an means think about. An den Hochzeitstag is accusative because an takes the accusative with this figurative direction of thought.
die Kinderbetreuung — childcare; childcare service
This is normally an uncountable noun, so it is used without a plural. It can mean care by parents, a childminder, or an institution.
Kinderbetreuung ist für viele Eltern wichtig.
Childcare is important for many parents.
viele Eltern means many parents, and wichtig means important. The noun is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Eltern suchen eine gute Kinderbetreuung.
Many parents are looking for good childcare.
Viele Eltern means many parents, suchen means are looking for, and eine gute means good. Kinderbetreuung is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Mit der Kinderbetreuung sind die Eltern zufrieden.
The parents are satisfied with the childcare.
mit means with, zufrieden means satisfied, and die Eltern means the parents. Mit always takes the dative, so the noun phrase is der Kinderbetreuung; sind stands in position two.
Die Qualität der Kinderbetreuung ist sehr gut.
The quality of the childcare is very good.
Die Qualität means the quality, and sehr gut means very good. Der Kinderbetreuung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Gute Kinderbetreuung kostet oft viel Geld.
Good childcare often costs a lot of money.
Gute means good, kostet means costs, oft means often, and viel Geld means a lot of money. This is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural; the singular noun is the subject and kostet stands in position two.
Für die Hochzeit haben wir Kinderbetreuung organisiert.
We organised childcare for the wedding.
Für die Hochzeit means for the wedding, and organisiert means organised. Für takes the accusative, while Kinderbetreuung is an uncountable accusative object; haben organisiert forms the perfect, with the participle at the end.
Die Kinderbetreuung während der Konferenz war kostenlos.
The childcare during the conference was free.
während der Konferenz means during the conference, and kostenlos means free. Kinderbetreuung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
das Kindergeld — child benefit
This is an uncountable official payment, so it normally has no plural. The exact amount and rules depend on the country and its family-benefit system.
Das Kindergeld hilft vielen Familien.
Child benefit helps many families.
hilft means helps, and vielen Familien means many families. Kindergeld is nominative because it is the subject; hilft stands in position two, while vielen Familien is dative because helfen takes the dative.
Viele Eltern beantragen das Kindergeld.
Many parents apply for child benefit.
Viele Eltern means many parents, and beantragen means apply for. Das Kindergeld is accusative because beantragen takes a direct object; the finite verb beantragen stands in position two.
Mit dem Kindergeld bezahlen wir die Kinderbetreuung.
We pay for childcare with the child benefit.
Mit dem means with the, bezahlen means pay for, and Kinderbetreuung means childcare. Mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Kindergeld; bezahlen stands in position two and Kinderbetreuung is its accusative object.
Die Höhe des Kindergelds hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of child benefit depends on income.
Die Höhe means the amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and vom Einkommen means on income. Des Kindergelds is genitive because it identifies the benefit's amount; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Familien mit drei Kindern erhalten zusätzliches Kindergeld.
Families with three children receive additional child benefit.
Familien means families, mit drei Kindern means with three children, erhalten means receive, and zusätzliches means additional. Kindergeld is normally uncountable and has no plural; mit takes the dative in drei Kindern, while the object is accusative.
der Kinderwagen — baby carriage, stroller
This compound combines das Kind, a child, and der Wagen, a vehicle or cart. The plural is unchanged: der Kinderwagen, die Kinderwagen.
Der Kinderwagen steht im Flur.
The stroller is in the hallway.
der Flur means the hallway. Der Kinderwagen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich stelle den Kinderwagen neben die Tür.
I put the stroller next to the door.
neben die Tür means next to the door, and stellen means to put upright. Den Kinderwagen is accusative because it is the direct object; neben takes accusative here because the stroller is being moved to a new place.
Wir helfen der Mutter mit dem Kinderwagen.
We help the mother with the stroller.
helfen means to help, and die Mutter means the mother. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Kinderwagen has the dative article dem.
Die Farbe des Kinderwagens ist blau.
The colour of the stroller is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. Des Kinderwagens expresses possession or belonging, so it is genitive; the noun adds -s and the article is des.
Vor dem Laden stehen zwei Kinderwagen.
Two strollers are standing in front of the shop.
vor dem Laden means in front of the shop, and zwei means two. Kinderwagen is unchanged in the plural, but the article would be die when used with an article; vor takes dative here because this describes a location.
das Kinderzimmer — children’s room, child’s bedroom
This compound combines das Kind, a child, and das Zimmer, a room. It can mean a child’s bedroom or a room used by children; the plural is unchanged: die Kinderzimmer.
Das Kinderzimmer ist hell und groß.
The children’s room is bright and large.
hell means bright and groß means large. Das Kinderzimmer is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir streichen das Kinderzimmer morgen.
We are painting the children’s room tomorrow.
streichen means to paint, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Kinderzimmer is accusative because it is the direct object, although the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Kinder spielen in dem Kinderzimmer.
The children are playing in the children’s room.
die Kinder means the children and spielen means to play. In dem Kinderzimmer describes a fixed location, so in takes dative; dem is often shortened to im.
Die Tür des Kinderzimmers ist offen.
The door of the children’s room is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Kinderzimmers shows whose door it is, so it is genitive and the neuter noun adds -s.
In diesem Haus gibt es drei Kinderzimmer.
There are three children’s rooms in this house.
diesem Haus means this house and drei means three. Kinderzimmer is plural without an ending; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, but the neuter plural has the same form as the nominative plural.
kriegen — to get, to receive; to manage, to succeed in doing
Kriegen is colloquial and is common in speech; bekommen is more neutral. It normally takes haben in the perfect and an accusative object for the thing received.
Ich kriege heute ein Paket.
I’m getting a parcel today.
heute means today, and ein Paket is a parcel. Ein Paket is accusative because kriegen takes the thing received as an accusative object; the finite verb kriege stands in position two.
Sie hat gestern eine Antwort gekriegt.
She got an answer yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and eine Antwort is an answer. The perfect uses hat plus gekriegt, with the Partizip II gekriegt at the end; eine Antwort is accusative because it is the thing received.
Er kriegte keinen Urlaub.
He didn’t get any holiday time.
keinen Urlaub means no holiday time. The weak-verb preterite kriegte is the finite verb in position two, and keinen Urlaub is accusative as the thing he did not receive.
Krieg bitte die Rechnung aus dem Büro.
Please get the bill from the office.
bitte means please, die Rechnung is the bill, and das Büro is the office. Krieg is the informal du imperative; die Rechnung is accusative, while aus dem Büro uses the dative after aus.
Ich kriegte das schon, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would manage that if I had more time.
das means that or it, and mehr Zeit means more time. Here kriegte is a Konjunktiv II form meaning “would manage,” and wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte is the condition; the verb hätte goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Wir werden morgen die Schlüssel kriegen.
We will get the keys tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Schlüssel are the keys. Futur I uses werden in position two and the infinitive kriegen at the end; die Schlüssel is accusative as the thing received.
Ich kriege die Tür nicht auf.
I can’t get the door open.
die Tür is the door, and auf means open in this expression. Die Tür is accusative as the object, while kriege ... auf means “manage to open”; the finite verb kriege is in position two and auf stays at the end.
K riegst du das ohne Hilfe?
Can you manage that without help?
ohne Hilfe means without help. The du form kriegst is a present-tense question meaning “can you manage,” and das is accusative as the thing to be managed.
der Lebenspartner — life partner, long-term partner
Lebenspartner is a gender-neutral term for a long-term romantic partner. It can refer to a married or unmarried partner; the feminine form is die Lebenspartnerin.
Der Lebenspartner unterstützt sie im Alltag.
Her life partner supports her in everyday life.
unterstützt means supports, sie means her, and im Alltag means in everyday life. Der Lebenspartner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb unterstützt stands in position two.
Sie besucht ihren Lebenspartner am Wochenende.
She visits her life partner at the weekend.
besucht means visits, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Ihren Lebenspartner is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to ihren.
Sie spricht mit ihrem Lebenspartner über den Umzug.
She talks to her life partner about the move.
spricht means talks, über means about, and der Umzug is the move. Ihrem Lebenspartner is dative because mit always takes the dative; über den Umzug is accusative because it names the topic after über here.
Die Meinung des Lebenspartners ist ihr wichtig.
Her life partner’s opinion is important to her.
Die Meinung means the opinion, and wichtig means important. Des Lebenspartners is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is, while ihr is dative because the opinion is important to her.
Viele Lebenspartner teilen sich die Hausarbeit.
Many life partners share the household chores.
Viele means many, teilen sich means share between themselves, and die Hausarbeit means the housework. Lebenspartner is plural with no ending; sich is the reflexive pronoun, and die Hausarbeit is the accusative object.
der Schwager — brother-in-law
Schwager has two common family meanings: your spouse’s brother or your sibling’s husband. The feminine equivalent is Schwägerin, meaning sister-in-law.
Mein Schwager wohnt in Köln.
My brother-in-law lives in Cologne.
mein means “my,” and wohnt in Köln means “lives in Cologne.” Mein Schwager is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich besuche meinen Schwager.
I am visiting my brother-in-law.
besuche means “visit,” and meinen means “my” with a masculine accusative noun. Meinen Schwager is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche stands in position two.
Ich spreche mit meinem Schwager.
I am talking to my brother-in-law.
spreche means “speak” or “talk,” and mit means “with.” Meinem Schwager is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Das Auto meines Schwagers ist neu.
My brother-in-law’s car is new.
das Auto means “the car,” and neu means “new.” Meines Schwagers is genitive because it shows possession; Schwagers has the genitive ending -s.
Meine Schwäger kommen am Sonntag.
My brothers-in-law are coming on Sunday.
kommen means “are coming,” and am Sonntag means “on Sunday.” Schwäger is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb kommen follows it.
die Schwiegereltern — parents-in-law
This is a plural-only noun: German normally has no singular Schwiegereltern. To name one person, use a more specific word such as der Schwiegervater or die Schwiegermutter.
Meine Schwiegereltern wohnen in Köln.
My parents-in-law live in Cologne.
meine means my, wohnen means live, and Köln is a city in Germany. Meine Schwiegereltern is plural nominative because it is the subject, so the verb is plural: wohnen, not wohnt.
Wir besuchen meine Schwiegereltern am Sonntag.
We are visiting my parents-in-law on Sunday.
besuchen means visit, meine means my, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Meine Schwiegereltern is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the noun itself looks the same in nominative and accusative plural.
Wir helfen den Schwiegereltern im Garten.
We help our parents-in-law in the garden.
helfen means help, der Garten is the garden, and im Garten means in the garden. Den Schwiegereltern is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the article den marks the plural dative.
Das Haus meiner Schwiegereltern steht am See.
My parents-in-law's house is by the lake.
das Haus is the house, stehen means stand or be located, and der See is the lake. Meiner Schwiegereltern expresses possession in the genitive; because this noun is plural-only, it has no genitive singular form.
Die Schwiegereltern kommen morgen zu Besuch.
My parents-in-law are coming to visit tomorrow.
kommen means come, morgen means tomorrow, and zu Besuch means for a visit. Die Schwiegereltern is plural nominative and therefore takes the plural verb kommen; the form has no ordinary singular.
Meine Schwiegereltern feiern heute ihren Hochzeitstag.
My parents-in-law are celebrating their wedding anniversary today.
feiern means celebrate, heute means today, and der Hochzeitstag is the wedding anniversary. Meine Schwiegereltern is the plural subject, while ihren Hochzeitstag is accusative because it is what they celebrate.
die Schwiegertochter — daughter-in-law
This family word is built from Schwieger-, referring to a relationship through marriage, and Tochter, daughter. The male equivalent is der Schwiegersohn, son-in-law.
Meine Schwiegertochter arbeitet in einer Schule.
My daughter-in-law works at a school.
arbeiten means work, in einer Schule means at a school, and die Schule is the school. Meine Schwiegertochter is nominative because it is the subject; in einer Schule is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich besuche meine Schwiegertochter morgen.
I am visiting my daughter-in-law tomorrow.
besuchen means visit and morgen means tomorrow. Meine Schwiegertochter is accusative because it is the direct object of besuche; the finite verb remains in position two.
Ich schenke der Schwiegertochter Blumen.
I give my daughter-in-law flowers as a present.
schenken means give as a present, and die Blumen are flowers. Der Schwiegertochter is dative because she is the recipient, while Blumen is the accusative gift.
Das Auto der Schwiegertochter ist blau.
My daughter-in-law's car is blue.
das Auto is the car, and blau means blue. Der Schwiegertochter is genitive because it expresses possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schwiegertöchter treffen sich zum Essen.
The daughters-in-law meet for a meal.
treffen sich means meet one another, and zum Essen means for a meal. Die Schwiegertöchter is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
Seine Schwiegertochter besucht ihn oft.
His daughter-in-law often visits him.
seine means his, oft means often, and ihn means him. Seine Schwiegertochter is the nominative subject, while ihn is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
der Schwiegervater — father-in-law
The plural Schwiegerväter has an umlaut and -er. Possession is expressed with genitive des Schwiegervaters or, commonly, with von plus dative.
Der Schwiegervater kocht heute für die Familie.
My father-in-law is cooking for the family today.
kocht means is cooking, heute means today, and die Familie means the family. Der Schwiegervater is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb kocht stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Schwiegervater am Sonntag.
I am visiting my father-in-law on Sunday.
besuche means visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Den Schwiegervater is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich schenke dem Schwiegervater eine Flasche Wein.
I am giving my father-in-law a bottle of wine.
schenke means give, eine Flasche Wein means a bottle of wine, and Flasche means bottle. Dem Schwiegervater is dative because schenken gives the recipient dative case, while eine Flasche Wein is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto des Schwiegervaters steht vor dem Haus.
My father-in-law's car is standing in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Schwiegervaters is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the masculine noun has des and -s.
Ihre Schwiegerväter treffen sich jedes Jahr.
Their fathers-in-law meet every year.
ihre means their, treffen sich means meet each other, and jedes Jahr means every year. Schwiegerväter is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the umlaut and -er form the plural.
das Standesamt — civil registry office
A Standesamt handles official civil records and civil marriages. It is not simply any office connected with a Stand; the compound has its own administrative meaning.
Das Standesamt ist heute geschlossen.
The civil registry office is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Das Standesamt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir besuchen morgen das Standesamt.
We are visiting the civil registry office tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Standesamt is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative for a neuter noun.
Wir gehen nach der Arbeit zum Standesamt.
We are going to the civil registry office after work.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and gehen means to go. Zum Standesamt means zu dem Standesamt; zu always takes the dative and expresses the destination here.
Die Adresse des Standesamts steht auf der Einladung.
The address of the civil registry office is on the invitation.
die Adresse means the address, stehen means to be written or stand, and die Einladung means the invitation. Des Standesamts is genitive because it specifies the address; the finite verb steht is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Standesämter.
There are many civil registry offices in Germany.
Deutschland is Germany, viele means many, and geben in es gibt means there are. Standesämter is the plural of das Standesamt; in Deutschland is dative because it describes a location, while es gibt takes an accusative object.
Meine Schwester heiratet im Standesamt.
My sister is getting married at the civil registry office.
meine Schwester means my sister, and heiraten means to get married. Im Standesamt means in dem Standesamt; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and heiratet is in position two.
die Stiefmutter — stepmother
The prefix Stief- means step- and identifies a family relationship through marriage rather than biology.
Die Stiefmutter kocht heute das Abendessen.
The stepmother is cooking dinner today.
heute means today and das Abendessen means dinner. Die Stiefmutter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Ich besuche die Stiefmutter am Sonntag.
I am visiting my stepmother on Sunday.
besuchen means to visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Die Stiefmutter is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich erzähle der Stiefmutter von der Reise.
I tell the stepmother about the trip.
erzählen means to tell and die Reise means the trip. Der Stiefmutter is dative because erzählen gives the person told the dative case, while von also takes the dative in von der Reise.
Das Auto der Stiefmutter steht vor dem Haus.
The stepmother's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Stiefmutter is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Meine Familie hat zwei Stiefmütter.
My family has two stepmothers.
meine Familie means my family and zwei means two. Stiefmütter is the plural, with u changing to ü and -er added; it is accusative because hat takes a direct object.
der Stiefsohn — stepson
The prefix Stief- means step-; der Stiefsohn is the son of a spouse, not necessarily the speaker's biological son.
Der Stiefsohn wohnt bei uns.
The stepson lives with us.
wohnt bei uns means lives with us. Der Stiefsohn is nominative because it is the subject; bei takes the dative in bei uns, and wohnt is in position two.
Sie besucht den Stiefsohn am Wochenende.
She visits her stepson at the weekend.
sie means she and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Den Stiefsohn is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; only the article changes from der to den.
Wir helfen dem Stiefsohn bei den Hausaufgaben.
We help the stepson with his homework.
helfen means to help and die Hausaufgaben means homework. Dem Stiefsohn is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; bei also takes the dative in bei den Hausaufgaben.
Das Fahrrad des Stiefsohns ist kaputt.
The stepson's bicycle is broken.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and kaputt means broken. Des Stiefsohns is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Familie hat drei Stiefsöhne.
The family has three stepsons.
die Familie means the family and drei means three. Stiefsöhne is the plural, with o changing to ö and -e added; it is accusative after hat.
die Stieftochter — stepdaughter
The prefix Stief- means step- and marks a family relationship through marriage rather than biology.
Die Stieftochter liest ein Buch.
The stepdaughter is reading a book.
liest means is reading and ein Buch means a book. Die Stieftochter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liest is in position two.
Er ruft die Stieftochter an.
He calls the stepdaughter.
anrufen means to call and er means he. Die Stieftochter is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb places ruft in position two and an at the end.
Ich gebe der Stieftochter ein Geschenk.
I give the stepdaughter a present.
geben means to give and ein Geschenk means a present. Der Stieftochter is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Geschenk is the accusative thing given.
Das Zimmer der Stieftochter ist hell.
The stepdaughter's room is bright.
das Zimmer means the room and hell means bright. Der Stieftochter is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat zwei Stieftöchter.
She has two stepdaughters.
sie means she and zwei means two. Stieftöchter is the plural, with o changing to ö and -er added; it is accusative after hat.
der Stiefvater — stepfather
The prefix Stief- means step-; der Stiefvater is the mother's husband, not necessarily the speaker's biological father.
Der Stiefvater arbeitet im Krankenhaus.
The stepfather works in the hospital.
arbeitet means works and das Krankenhaus means the hospital. Der Stiefvater is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich treffe den Stiefvater morgen.
I am meeting the stepfather tomorrow.
treffen means to meet and morgen means tomorrow. Den Stiefvater is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffe is in position two.
Sie dankt dem Stiefvater für die Hilfe.
She thanks the stepfather for the help.
danken means to thank and die Hilfe means the help. Dem Stiefvater is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für takes the accusative in für die Hilfe.
Der Rat des Stiefvaters war hilfreich.
The stepfather's advice was helpful.
der Rat means the advice and hilfreich means helpful. Des Stiefvaters is genitive because it shows whose advice it was; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Kinder haben zwei Stiefväter.
The children have two stepfathers.
die Kinder means the children and zwei means two. Stiefväter is the plural, with a changing to ä and -er added; it is accusative after haben.
verloben — to get engaged
The common construction is sich mit jemandem verloben: the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject, and mit takes the dative. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein.
Anna verlobt sich mit ihrem Freund.
Anna gets engaged to her boyfriend.
Anna is a woman's name, and ihr Freund means her boyfriend. The reflexive sich refers back to Anna; mit takes the dative, so ihrem Freund is dative, and verlobt stands in position two.
Sie hat sich im Sommer verlobt.
She got engaged in the summer.
im Sommer means in the summer. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II verlobt; hat is in position two and verlobt goes to the end, while sich refers to sie.
Mein Bruder verlobte sich mit seiner Partnerin.
My brother got engaged to his partner.
mein Bruder means my brother, and seine Partnerin means his female partner. Verlobte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; mit forces the dative, giving seiner Partnerin.
Verlob dich nicht vorschnell!
Do not get engaged too quickly!
nicht means not, and vorschnell means too quickly or prematurely. This is an informal singular command: verlob is the imperative and dich is the reflexive pronoun; the negative word nicht follows the verb phrase.
Wenn ich sicher wäre, würde ich mich verloben.
If I were sure, I would get engaged.
sicher means sure or certain. The subordinate clause with wenn sends finite wäre to the end, while the main clause uses würde plus the infinitive verloben; mich is the first-person reflexive pronoun.
Wir werden uns nächstes Jahr verloben.
We will get engaged next year.
nächstes Jahr means next year. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive verloben at the end; uns is the reflexive pronoun for wir.
der Verlobte — fiancé; engaged man
Der Verlobte is a substantivized adjective, so it declines like a weak adjective after the definite article: der Verlobte, but den Verlobten and des Verlobten. The feminine form is die Verlobte.
Der Verlobte wartet vor dem Standesamt.
The fiancé is waiting outside the registry office.
wartet means is waiting, vor means outside or in front of, and das Standesamt is the registry office. Der Verlobte is nominative because it is the subject; as a substantivized adjective, it has the ending -e after der.
Sie besucht den Verlobten.
She visits the fiancé.
besucht means visits, and sie means she. Den Verlobten is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; masculine substantivized adjectives use -en after den.
Sie schenkt dem Verlobten eine Uhr.
She gives the fiancé a watch as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and eine Uhr is a watch. Dem Verlobten is dative because he is the recipient; eine Uhr is the accusative thing being given, and the adjective noun keeps -en.
Die Mutter des Verlobten kommt heute.
The fiancé's mother is coming today.
die Mutter means the mother, and heute means today. Des Verlobten is genitive because it shows whose mother she is; the masculine genitive uses des and the ending -en.
Die Verlobten feiern zusammen.
The engaged couple celebrate together.
feiern means celebrate, and zusammen means together. Die Verlobten is plural; substantivized adjectives use -en in the plural, and the plural verb is feiern.
die Verlobte — fiancée; engaged woman
Die Verlobte is a substantivized adjective, so it has adjective endings: die Verlobte in nominative and accusative, but der Verlobten in dative and genitive. The masculine counterpart is der Verlobte.
Die Verlobte wartet vor dem Standesamt.
The fiancée is waiting outside the registry office.
wartet means is waiting, vor means outside or in front of, and das Standesamt is the registry office. Die Verlobte is nominative because it is the subject; the substantivized adjective has the ending -e after die.
Er besucht die Verlobte.
He visits the fiancée.
besucht means visits, and er means he. Die Verlobte is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er schenkt der Verlobten eine Uhr.
He gives the fiancée a watch as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and eine Uhr is a watch. Der Verlobten is dative because she is the recipient; the feminine dative article is der, and the substantivized adjective ends in -en.
Die Mutter der Verlobten kommt heute.
The fiancée's mother is coming today.
die Mutter means the mother, and heute means today. Der Verlobten is genitive because it shows whose mother she is; the feminine genitive uses der and the ending -en.
Die Verlobten feiern zusammen.
The engaged couple celebrate together.
feiern means celebrate, and zusammen means together. Die Verlobten is plural, and the substantivized adjective has -en; the same plural form can refer to a group of women or a mixed couple.
versorgen — to look after; to provide for; to care for; to supply; to provide with
For the meaning “to look after”, versorgen takes an accusative person or animal: jemanden versorgen. It can also take mit plus the dative for what is provided, as in jemanden mit Essen versorgen; its perfect uses haben.
Die Krankenschwester versorgt den Patienten.
The nurse looks after the patient.
die Krankenschwester is the nurse and der Patient is the patient. den Patienten is accusative because versorgen takes the person being cared for as a direct object; the finite verb versorgt is in position two.
Die Krankenschwester hat den Patienten versorgt.
The nurse looked after the patient.
die Krankenschwester is the nurse and der Patient is the patient. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II versorgt at the end; den Patienten is accusative because versorgen takes a direct object.
Die Krankenschwester versorgte den Patienten sofort.
The nurse looked after the patient immediately.
sofort means immediately, and der Patient is the patient. den Patienten is accusative because it is the object of versorgte; the weak-verb past form has the ending -te.
Versorg bitte den verletzten Vogel!
Please look after the injured bird!
bitte means please, verletzt means injured, and der Vogel is the bird. Versorg is the singular du imperative; den verletzten Vogel is accusative because it is the direct object, and the subject du is left out.
Ich versorgte die Kinder, wenn ihre Eltern arbeiteten.
I looked after the children when their parents were working.
die Kinder are the children, wenn means when, ihre Eltern means their parents, and arbeiteten means were working. In this past hypothetical-style sentence, versorgte is also the form used for the Konjunktiv II of this weak verb; the subordinate-clause verb arbeiteten goes to the end.
Morgen wird die Familie die Gäste versorgen.
Tomorrow the family will look after the guests.
morgen means tomorrow, die Familie is the family, and die Gäste are the guests. Futur I uses wird plus the infinitive versorgen at the end; die Gäste is accusative because the guests are being looked after.
Die Anlage versorgt das Dorf mit sauberem Wasser.
The facility supplies the village with clean water.
die Anlage is the facility, das Dorf is the village, and sauberes Wasser means clean water. das Dorf is accusative as the direct object, while mit sauberem Wasser uses the dative after mit; the finite verb versorgt stands in position two.
Wir müssen das Gerät mit Strom versorgen.
We have to supply the device with electricity.
wir müssen means we have to, das Gerät is the device, and der Strom is electricity. The modal verb müssen sends the infinitive versorgen to the end; das Gerät is accusative, and mit Strom is dative after mit.
verwandt — related, akin
verwandt mit means related to someone and takes mit plus the dative. Do not confuse it with bekannt, which can mean familiar or well-known but does not mean related by family.
Ich bin mit Anna verwandt.
I am related to Anna.
mit Anna means with Anna, and sein means to be. mit Anna is dative because mit requires the dative; verwandt is predicative after bin, so it has no adjective ending.
Das ist meine verwandte Familie.
That is my related family.
meine Familie means my family. verwandte stands before the feminine noun Familie and has the adjective ending -e after the possessive determiner meine.
Diese beiden Schwestern sind verwandter als ihre Cousinen.
These two sisters are more closely related than their cousins.
diese beiden Schwestern means these two sisters, and ihre Cousinen means their female cousins. verwandter is predicative and therefore has no ending; als introduces the group used for comparison.
Die beiden Kinder sind am verwandtesten.
The two children are the most closely related.
die beiden Kinder means the two children. The predicative superlative uses am verwandtesten; after sein, the adjective does not take an additional noun ending.
der Verwandte — male relative; relative
der Verwandte is an adjectival noun: it comes from the adjective verwandt, but it is written with a capital letter and behaves like a noun. It is a weak masculine noun, so use den, dem, and des Verwandten in the non-nominative singular.
Der Verwandte kommt heute zu Besuch.
The male relative is coming to visit today.
heute means today and zu Besuch kommen means to come to visit. Der Verwandte is nominative because he is the subject; as a masculine adjectival noun, it has the special noun ending -e in the nominative singular.
Ich besuche den Verwandten am Sonntag.
I am visiting the male relative on Sunday.
besuchen means to visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. den Verwandten is accusative because it is the direct object; masculine adjectival nouns use -en in the accusative.
Ich helfe dem Verwandten beim Umzug.
I am helping the male relative with the move.
helfen means to help and der Umzug is the move to a new home. dem Verwandten is dative because helfen takes the dative; beim Umzug means during or with the move.
Das Auto des Verwandten steht vor dem Haus.
The male relative’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Verwandten is genitive because it shows possession; the form keeps the weak ending -en.
Die Verwandten kommen am Wochenende.
The relatives are coming at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and kommen means to come. Die Verwandten is the plural subject; the plural form ends in -en, and the finite verb kommen is in position two.
verwitwet — widowed
Verwitwet describes a person whose husband or wife has died. It is normally used as a state with sein and is not normally compared; forms such as verwitwetere are possible only in unusual contexts.
Meine Nachbarin ist seit zwei Jahren verwitwet.
My neighbour has been widowed for two years.
die Nachbarin means female neighbour, and seit zwei Jahren means for two years. Verwitwet is used predicatively after ist; seit takes the dative, so zwei Jahren is dative plural.
Der verwitwete Mann lebt allein.
The widowed man lives alone.
der Mann means the man, and allein means alone. Verwitwete stands before the masculine noun and has the weak adjective ending -e after der; the noun phrase is nominative because it is the subject.
Sie ist länger verwitwet als ihre Schwester.
She has been widowed longer than her sister.
länger means longer, and die Schwester means sister. In this comparison, länger verwitwet means widowed for a longer time; als introduces the person used for comparison.
Er ist am längsten verwitwet.
He has been widowed the longest.
am längsten means the longest. The superlative is used predicatively with sein; verwitwet itself normally describes a state rather than something that is graded.
die Wiege — cradle; cradle, origin
A Wiege is a baby’s cradle, traditionally something that can be rocked. In the expression die Wiege der Menschheit, it is used figuratively for the place where humanity or something important began.
Die Wiege steht im Schlafzimmer.
The cradle is in the bedroom.
steht means is standing or is located, and das Schlafzimmer means bedroom. Die Wiege is nominative because it is the subject, and steht is the finite verb in position two.
Der Vater schiebt die Wiege.
The father pushes the cradle.
der Vater means the father and schiebt means pushes. die Wiege is accusative because schieben takes a direct object, and the finite verb schiebt stands in position two.
Das Baby schläft in der Wiege.
The baby is sleeping in the cradle.
das Baby means the baby and schläft means is sleeping. in takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Wiege is dative; the verb schläft is in position two.
Das Holz der Wiege ist alt.
The wood of the cradle is old.
das Holz means the wood and alt means old. der Wiege is genitive because it tells us whose wood it is, while ist is the finite verb in position two.
Im Geschäft stehen drei Wiegen.
There are three cradles in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, stehen means are standing, and drei means three. Wiegen is the plural after drei; the phrase im Geschäft gives the location and does not change the plural noun.
Griechenland gilt als Wiege der Demokratie.
Greece is regarded as the cradle of democracy.
Griechenland means Greece, gilt als means is regarded as, and die Demokratie means democracy. Wiege is used metaphorically here, and der Demokratie is genitive because it means “of democracy”; the verb phrase gilt als follows the subject in position two.
Die Stadt war die Wiege einer neuen Bewegung.
The city was the birthplace of a new movement.
die Stadt means the city, eine neue Bewegung means a new movement, and war means was. die Wiege is a predicate noun after sein, so it remains nominative; einer neuen Bewegung is genitive and means “of a new movement.”
der Zuname — surname, family name
Zuname is a more formal word for a family name and is often contrasted with Vorname, first name. It is a weak masculine noun: use -n in every singular case except the nominative, as in den Zunamen.
Mein Zuname ist Müller.
My surname is Müller.
mein means my, and Müller is a surname. Zuname is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two in this simple statement.
Bitte schreiben Sie den Zunamen deutlich.
Please write the surname clearly.
bitte means please, schreiben means write, and deutlich means clearly. Den Zunamen is accusative because schreiben takes an accusative object; Sie is the formal imperative subject, although it is not written separately here.
Ich helfe meiner Kollegin mit dem Zunamen.
I help my colleague with the surname.
ich helfe means I help, meiner Kollegin means my female colleague, and mit means with. Dem Zunamen is dative because mit requires the dative, and this weak masculine noun has -n outside the nominative.
Die Schreibweise des Zunamens ist unklar.
The spelling of the surname is unclear.
die Schreibweise means the spelling, and unklar means unclear. Des Zunamens is genitive after die Schreibweise to mean of the surname; Zuname adds -s as well as taking the genitive article.
Die Zunamen stehen auf der Liste.
The surnames are on the list.
stehen means stand or are written, and die Liste means the list. Zunamen is plural with die; auf der Liste is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
der Zwilling — twin; Gemini, the zodiac sign
A Zwilling is one of two children born at the same time to the same mother. The plural is irregular in spelling: Zwillinge, not Zwillings.
Der Zwilling schläft.
The twin is sleeping.
schläft means “is sleeping”. Der Zwilling is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Ich sehe den Zwilling.
I see the twin.
sehe means “see”. Den Zwilling is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Zwilling.
I help the twin.
helfe means “help”. Dem Zwilling is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; the masculine article is dem.
Das Fahrrad des Zwillings ist neu.
The twin’s bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, and neu means “new”. Des Zwillings shows possession, so it is genitive; the noun adds -s and the masculine article is des.
Zwillinge sehen sich oft ähnlich.
Twins often look alike.
sehen sich ähnlich means “look alike”, and oft means “often”. Zwillinge is the plural of der Zwilling; sich refers back to the twins.
Mein Sternzeichen ist Zwilling.
My star sign is Gemini.
mein Sternzeichen means “my star sign”, and ist means “is”. Zwilling is used predicatively after sein here; the zodiac sign is normally also called Zwillinge.
Sie ist im Zeichen Zwillinge geboren.
She was born under the sign Gemini.
sie means “she”, geboren means “born”, and im Zeichen means “under the sign”. Im is short for in dem and marks a fixed phrase; Zwillinge is the usual zodiac name.