Appearance
Vocab: Feelings — B1 (1)
Feelings vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Ablehnung — rejection, refusal; disapproval, opposition
Die Ablehnung is the noun from ablehnen. For an official refusal, it often refers to a letter or decision; for a personal refusal, die Zurückweisung can sound stronger.
Die Ablehnung kam gestern per E-Mail.
The rejection came by email yesterday.
kommen means to come, and gestern means yesterday; per E-Mail means by email. Die Ablehnung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kam stands in position two.
Ich habe die Ablehnung erhalten.
I received the rejection.
erhalten means to receive. Die Ablehnung is accusative because erhalten takes a direct object; habe ... erhalten forms the perfect.
Mit der Ablehnung hatte niemand gerechnet.
Nobody had expected the rejection.
niemand means nobody, and rechnen mit means to expect or count on. Der Ablehnung is dative because mit always takes dative; hatte is in position two and gerechnet is at the end.
Der Grund der Ablehnung war unklar.
The reason for the rejection was unclear.
der Grund means reason, and unklar means unclear. Der Ablehnung is genitive because it specifies the reason's connection; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Wir haben mehrere Ablehnungen bekommen.
We received several rejections.
mehrere means several, and bekommen means to receive. Mehrere Ablehnungen is accusative plural as the object of bekommen; haben ... bekommen forms the perfect.
Sein Vorschlag stieß auf Ablehnung.
His suggestion met with disapproval.
sein Vorschlag means his suggestion, and auf Ablehnung stoßen means to meet with disapproval. Here auf is part of a fixed expression and takes accusative; the verb stieß stands in position two.
Sie zeigte deutlich ihre Ablehnung.
She clearly showed her disapproval.
zeigen means to show, and deutlich means clearly. Ihre Ablehnung is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; the finite verb zeigte is in position two.
aggressiv — aggressive, hostile
Aggressiv describes behaviour that is threatening, hostile or ready to attack. It can describe people, animals, speech or behaviour and is not limited to physical attacks.
Der Hund ist sehr aggressiv.
The dog is very aggressive.
der Hund means the dog, and sehr means very. Aggressiv is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ein aggressiver Mann bedrohte den Verkäufer.
An aggressive man threatened the shop assistant.
ein Mann means a man, bedrohen means to threaten, and der Verkäufer means the shop assistant. Aggressiver is attributive and has -er because it follows the masculine nominative article ein; bedrohte is the finite verb in position two.
Heute wirkt er aggressiver als gestern.
Today he seems more aggressive than yesterday.
heute means today, wirken means to seem, and gestern means yesterday. Aggressiver compares two situations with als; after wirkt it is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Von allen Spielern war er am aggressivsten.
Of all the players, he was the most aggressive.
von allen Spielern means of all the players, and Spieler means players. Am aggressivsten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
amüsant — amusing, entertaining
The word describes something that is funny or entertaining, but it is more neutral and less strong than lustig. The comparative is amüsanter, and the superlative is amüsantesten.
Der Film ist amüsant.
The film is amusing.
der Film means the film. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir haben einen amüsanten Abend verbracht.
We spent an amusing evening.
wir means we, einen Abend means an evening, and verbracht means spent. einen amüsanten Abend is accusative because verbringen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
Die Komödie ist amüsanter als der Krimi.
The comedy is more amusing than the crime film.
die Komödie means the comedy and der Krimi means the crime film. amüsanter compares two things, and als introduces the second item in the comparison.
Das war der amüsanteste Teil des Abends.
That was the most amusing part of the evening.
das war means that was, der Teil means the part, and des Abends means of the evening. amüsanteste stands before Teil and takes the adjective ending -e after der; des Abends is genitive.
die Anerkennung — recognition, praise, appreciation
Anerkennung can mean general respect or praise, while eine Anerkennung can also be a specific award or expression of appreciation. It is a feminine noun with plural Anerkennungen; do not confuse it with the verb anerkennen.
Die Anerkennung für ihre Arbeit freut sie.
The recognition for her work makes her happy.
die Arbeit means the work, and freut sie means makes her happy. die Anerkennung is the nominative subject; the finite verb freut stands in position two, and für ihre Arbeit explains what the recognition is for.
Er bekommt viel Anerkennung für seine Hilfe.
He receives a lot of recognition for his help.
bekommt means receives, viel means a lot of, and seine Hilfe means his help. Anerkennung is an accusative object after bekommen; the feminine noun has the same form in the nominative and accusative singular.
Sie dankt ihm für die Anerkennung.
She thanks him for the recognition.
dankt means thanks, and ihm means to him. ihm is dative because danken takes a dative person; für die Anerkennung is an accusative phrase because für always governs the accusative.
Der Wert der Anerkennung ist schwer zu messen.
The value of recognition is difficult to measure.
der Wert means the value, schwer means difficult, and zu messen means to measure. der Anerkennung is genitive because it identifies whose or what value is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Anerkennungen hängen an der Wand.
Many awards are hanging on the wall.
viele means many, hängen means are hanging, and die Wand means the wall. Anerkennungen is the plural subject in the nominative; an der Wand is dative because an describes a fixed location.
der Ausgleich — balance, compensation, compromise
Ausgleich can mean a balance between two things, compensation for a disadvantage, or a compromise between people or groups. In the fixed phrase einen Ausgleich schaffen, the noun is accusative because schaffen takes a direct object.
Der Ausgleich zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit ist wichtig.
The balance between work and free time is important.
zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit means between work and free time, and wichtig means important. der Ausgleich is the nominative subject; zwischen takes the dative here because it describes a fixed relationship rather than movement.
Wir suchen einen fairen Ausgleich.
We are looking for a fair balance.
suchen means look for and fairen means fair. einen fairen Ausgleich is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; suchen is in position two.
Die Parteien einigen sich auf einen Ausgleich.
The parties agree on a compromise.
die Parteien means the parties, sich einigen means to reach an agreement, and auf einen Ausgleich means on a compromise. The reflexive pronoun sich is accusative with sich einigen, while auf takes the accusative here because it expresses the goal of the agreement.
Die Bedingungen des Ausgleichs sind noch offen.
The conditions of the agreement are still open.
die Bedingungen means the conditions and noch offen means still open. des Ausgleichs is genitive because it identifies whose conditions they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Nach langen Gesprächen wurden mehrere Ausgleiche gefunden.
After long discussions, several compromises were found.
nach langen Gesprächen means after long discussions, mehrere means several, and gefunden means found. mehrere Ausgleiche is a plural nominative subject, and the passive uses wurden in position two with gefunden at the end.
aushalten — to withstand, put up with
This verb can describe enduring pain, noise, stress, or another difficult situation. It is separable: hält ... aus, but the Partizip II is one word, ausgehalten.
Ich halte den Lärm nicht aus.
I can't stand the noise.
der Lärm means noise, and nicht means not. Den Lärm is accusative because aushalten takes a direct object; the finite verb halte is in position two and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die lange Reise gut ausgehalten.
She coped well with the long journey.
die lange Reise means the long journey, and gut means well. Die lange Reise is accusative because it is the object of aushalten; the perfect uses hat and ausgehalten at the end.
Er hielt den starken Regen aus.
He endured the heavy rain.
der starke Regen means the heavy rain, and stark means strong or heavy here. The object is accusative, while hielt is the strong past-tense form and aus is separated to the end.
Halt den Lärm bitte aus!
Please put up with the noise!
bitte means please, and der Lärm means the noise. The informal imperative omits du; halt comes first and the separable prefix aus comes last, while the object is accusative.
Ich würde diese Schmerzen nicht lange aushalten.
I wouldn't endure this pain for long.
diese Schmerzen means this pain, and lange means for long. The object is accusative, and the infinitive aushalten stays whole after würde; do not split the prefix in this position.
Wir werden den Lärm schon aushalten.
We'll manage to put up with the noise.
schon means surely or all right in this reassuring expression, and der Lärm means the noise. Den Lärm is accusative, while werden is in position two and the complete infinitive aushalten stands at the end.
bedenklich — worrying; concerning; questionable; questionable; dubious
Bedenklich can describe something that causes concern or seems questionable. It is the opposite of unbedenklich, “safe” or “not a cause for concern”, and it compares regularly.
Die Situation ist bedenklich.
The situation is worrying.
die Situation means “the situation”. Bedenklich stands after the linking verb ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the sentence is a normal verb-second statement.
Das ist eine bedenkliche Entwicklung.
That is a worrying development.
eine Entwicklung means “a development”. Because bedenkliche stands before the feminine noun after eine, it takes the adjective ending -e; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der neue Plan ist bedenklicher als der alte.
The new plan is more worrying than the old one.
der neue Plan means “the new plan”, der alte means “the old one”, and als means “than”. The predicative comparative bedenklicher has no adjective ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Diese Lösung ist am bedenklichsten.
This solution is the most worrying.
diese Lösung means “this solution”. The predicative superlative uses am bedenklichsten; am is part of the superlative construction, not a separate preposition here.
Sein Verhalten ist bedenklich.
His behaviour is questionable.
sein Verhalten means “his behaviour”. Bedenklich is predicative after ist, so it does not take an adjective ending; here it means morally or practically questionable, not simply physically dangerous.
Die Studie enthält einige bedenkliche Aussagen.
The study contains some questionable statements.
die Studie means “the study”, einige means “some”, and Aussagen means “statements”. Bedenkliche Aussagen is the accusative object of enthält, and the adjective takes -e after einige in this plural phrase.
befreit — free, liberated
Befreit is often used after sich fühlen or sein and can describe emotional freedom as well as release from captivity. Before a noun, it takes a normal adjective ending, as in ein befreites Tier.
Nach der Prüfung fühle ich mich endlich befreit.
After the exam, I finally feel free.
die Prüfung means the exam and endlich means finally. Befreit is predicative after sich fühlen, so it has no adjective ending; nach der Prüfung is a dative phrase after nach.
Das befreite Tier läuft in den Wald.
The freed animal runs into the forest.
das Tier means the animal, laufen means to run, and der Wald means the forest. Befreite stands before the neuter noun after definite article das and therefore has -e; in den Wald is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Nach dem Urlaub fühlte er sich noch befreiter.
After the holiday, he felt even freer.
der Urlaub means the holiday and noch means even or still. Befreiter is predicative after sich fühlen, so it has no ending; sich is the reflexive accusative object.
In den Bergen fühlt sie sich am befreitesten.
She feels freest in the mountains.
die Berge means the mountains and fühlen means to feel. Am befreitesten is the predicative am-superlative, while in den Bergen is dative because it describes a location rather than movement.
befriedigen — to satisfy, to fulfil
Befriedigen takes an accusative object: jemanden or etwas befriedigen. It is used for needs, wishes, demands, expectations, and sometimes people; do not confuse it with befriedigend, which describes something as satisfying.
Das Essen befriedigt meinen Hunger.
The food satisfies my hunger.
das Essen means the food and der Hunger means hunger. Meinen Hunger is accusative because befriedigen takes the thing or person satisfied as its direct object; the finite verb befriedigt stands in position two.
Das neue Angebot hat die Kunden befriedigt.
The new offer satisfied the customers.
das Angebot means the offer and die Kunden means the customers. Die Kunden is accusative, and the perfect uses hat plus befriedigt at the end; the be- prefix does not take ge-.
Der Film befriedigte die Erwartungen des Publikums.
The film satisfied the audience's expectations.
der Film means the film, die Erwartung means expectation, and das Publikum means the audience. Die Erwartungen is accusative, while des Publikums is genitive to show whose expectations they are; befriedigte is the regular simple past.
Befriedige zuerst deine wichtigsten Bedürfnisse!
Satisfy your most important needs first!
zuerst means first, wichtig means important, and das Bedürfnis means need. Deine wichtigsten Bedürfnisse is accusative because it is the direct object; the imperative omits du and the adverb zuerst can stand in the first position.
Ich würde gern alle Beteiligten befriedigen.
I would like to satisfy everyone involved.
gern means gladly or would like to, and beteiligt means involved. Alle Beteiligten is accusative, while würde expresses the conditional and the infinitive befriedigen stands at the end.
Die Lösung wird die meisten Menschen befriedigen.
The solution will satisfy most people.
die Lösung means the solution and die meisten Menschen means most people. The people satisfied are accusative; in the future, wird is in position two and befriedigen goes to the end.
befürchten — to fear; to be afraid that
Befürchten is a regular weak verb and takes an accusative object. It normally describes fear about a possible negative event and is stronger and more specific than sich Sorgen machen.
Viele Menschen befürchten einen Krieg.
Many people fear a war.
Viele Menschen means many people, and einen Krieg means a war. Einen Krieg is accusative because befürchten takes an accusative object, and the finite verb befürchten is in position two.
Sie hat eine schlechte Nachricht befürchtet.
She feared bad news.
eine schlechte Nachricht means bad news. The object is accusative because befürchten takes a direct object; hat is in position two and befürchtet goes to the end in the perfect.
Er befürchtete eine lange Wartezeit.
He feared a long wait.
eine lange Wartezeit means a long wait. The object is accusative after befürchten, and the regular past form befürchtete stands in position two.
Befürchte nicht das Schlimmste!
Do not fear the worst!
nicht means not, and das Schlimmste means the worst. Befürchte is the singular imperative; the accusative object follows the verb, and the negative word nicht comes before it here.
Ich würde eine Krise befürchten, wenn die Preise weiter steigen.
I would fear a crisis if prices continued to rise.
eine Krise means a crisis, and Preise means prices. Eine Krise is accusative after befürchten; würde ... befürchten expresses a hypothetical situation, with the infinitive at the end.
Die Experten werden eine Rezession befürchten.
The experts will fear a recession.
Experten means experts, and eine Rezession means a recession. The object is accusative after befürchten; werden occupies position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
begeistern — to enthuse, to inspire; to be enthusiastic about
The transitive pattern is jemanden begeistern: the person who becomes enthusiastic is in the accusative. With the reflexive form sich für etwas begeistern, the fixed preposition für takes the accusative.
Der Film begeistert die Zuschauer.
The film is thrilling the viewers.
der Film means the film, and die Zuschauer are the viewers; begeistert means enthuses or thrills. die Zuschauer is accusative because begeistern takes the affected people as its direct object, and begeistert stands in position two.
Der Film hat die Zuschauer begeistert.
The film thrilled the viewers.
hat ... begeistert means has thrilled, and die Zuschauer means the viewers. The object is accusative, while hat stands in position two and begeistert goes to the end; this verb takes haben.
Der Film begeisterte die Zuschauer.
The film thrilled the viewers.
begeisterte means thrilled or enthused, and die Zuschauer means the viewers. The regular past ending is -te, and die Zuschauer is accusative.
Begeistere die Kinder!
Get the children excited!
die Kinder means the children. Begeistere is the singular imperative, and die Kinder is accusative because they are the people being made enthusiastic.
Das Konzert würde viele Menschen begeistern.
The concert would enthuse many people.
das Konzert means the concert, and viele Menschen means many people. würde ... begeistern expresses would enthuse; the infinitive goes to the end and viele Menschen is accusative.
Das Konzert wird viele Menschen begeistern.
The concert will enthuse many people.
das Konzert means the concert, and viele Menschen means many people. wird stands in position two and begeistern goes to the end; the people affected are the accusative object.
Sie begeistert sich für klassische Musik.
She is enthusiastic about classical music.
sich für etwas begeistern means to be enthusiastic about something, and klassische Musik means classical music. The reflexive pronoun sich refers to sie, while für forces the accusative; begeistert is in position two.
Die Kinder haben sich für das Experiment begeistert.
The children were enthusiastic about the experiment.
die Kinder means the children, and das Experiment is the experiment. sich für das Experiment begeistern uses a reflexive pronoun and accusative after für; haben is in position two and begeistert goes at the end.
begeistert — enthusiastic, thrilled
begeistert can describe a person or their reaction: begeistert sein means to be enthusiastic. It is also the Partizip II of begeistern, but as an adjective it can take endings before a noun.
Ich bin begeistert.
I am enthusiastic.
ich bin means I am, and begeistert means enthusiastic or thrilled. After sein, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; it describes the subject ich.
Sie hat einen begeisterten Fan getroffen.
She met an enthusiastic fan.
einen Fan means a male fan, and getroffen means met; hat ... getroffen is has met. begeisterten stands before the masculine accusative noun Fan and therefore takes the ending -en.
Die Kinder sind heute begeisterter als gestern.
The children are more enthusiastic today than yesterday.
die Kinder means the children, and heute and gestern mean today and yesterday. begeisterter als means more enthusiastic than; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Er ist am begeistertsten von allen.
He is the most enthusiastic of them all.
von allen means of them all, and er ist means he is. The predicative superlative uses am begeistertsten; von takes the dative, although the plural form allen does not visibly show a special ending here.
die Begeisterung — enthusiasm, excitement; enthusiasm for, support
Begeisterung is normally an abstract mass noun, but the plural Begeisterungen is possible when separate enthusiasms or reactions are discussed. The common expression mit Begeisterung uses mit plus the dative.
Die Begeisterung ist groß.
The enthusiasm is great.
groß means great or strong. Die Begeisterung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; groß is a predicative adjective without an ending.
Ich spüre die Begeisterung.
I can feel the enthusiasm.
spüren means to feel or sense. die Begeisterung is accusative because spüren takes a direct object, while spüre stands in position two.
Die Kinder tanzen vor Begeisterung.
The children are dancing with enthusiasm.
die Kinder means the children, and tanzen means dance; vor Begeisterung means with or from enthusiasm. vor takes the dative here because it expresses a reason or state, not movement to a place.
Die Stärke der Begeisterung überrascht mich.
The strength of the enthusiasm surprises me.
die Stärke means the strength, and überrascht means surprises. der Begeisterung is genitive because it identifies whose strength is meant; überrascht is in position two.
Die verschiedenen Begeisterungen der Fans waren deutlich.
The fans' different enthusiasms were clear.
verschieden means different, der Fans means of the fans, and deutlich means clear or obvious. Begeisterungen is plural and forms the nominative subject; der Fans is genitive and shows whose enthusiasm is meant.
Ihre Begeisterung für Musik ist ansteckend.
Her enthusiasm for music is contagious.
ihre means her, Musik means music, and ansteckend means contagious. für Musik uses für with the accusative, while ihre Begeisterung is the nominative subject.
Die Begeisterung der Fans war überall zu spüren.
The fans' enthusiasm could be felt everywhere.
der Fans means of the fans, überall means everywhere, and zu spüren means to be felt. der Fans is genitive because it shows whose enthusiasm it is, and the infinitive phrase follows war at the end.
beklagen — to complain about; to lament
For “to complain,” beklagen is normally reflexive: sich über etwas beklagen, with über taking the accusative here. It can also be transitive without sich when it means to lament or criticize something.
Sie beklagt sich über den Lärm.
She is complaining about the noise.
der Lärm means the noise. sich beklagen über means complain about, and den Lärm is accusative because über has this meaning with the accusative; beklagt stands in position two.
Er hat sich über die langen Wartezeiten beklagt.
He complained about the long waiting times.
lange Wartezeiten means long waiting times. The perfect uses hat and beklagt with haben; sich is the reflexive pronoun, and über die langen Wartezeiten is an accusative prepositional phrase.
Die Kundin beklagte sich über den schlechten Service.
The customer complained about the poor service.
die Kundin means the female customer and schlechter Service means poor service. den schlechten Service is accusative after über in this meaning, and the regular past form beklagte is in position two.
Beklag dich nicht über jede Kleinigkeit.
Do not complain about every little thing.
jede Kleinigkeit means every little thing, and nicht means not. The imperative is beklag plus the reflexive dich; jede Kleinigkeit is accusative after über.
Wenn ich mich beschweren müsste, würde ich mich über den Preis beklagen.
If I had to complain, I would complain about the price.
sich beschweren means to complain, müsste means would have to, and der Preis means the price. In the conditional main clause, würde is in position two and the infinitive beklagen goes to the end; über den Preis is accusative after über.
Der Kunde wird sich über die Rechnung beklagen.
The customer will complain about the bill.
der Kunde means the customer and die Rechnung means the bill. Future tense places wird in position two and beklagen at the end; sich is reflexive and die Rechnung is accusative after über.
belustigend — amusing, entertaining
belustigend describes something that causes amusement and can sometimes suggest that the thing is ridiculous. It is related to belustigen, to amuse, and is less common in everyday speech than lustig or unterhaltsam.
Der Film ist belustigend.
The film is amusing.
der Film means the film. The adjective follows ist and is predicative, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine belustigende Geschichte.
She is telling an amusing story.
erzählt means is telling and Geschichte means story. eine belustigende Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Sein Kommentar war belustigender als der ganze Film.
His comment was more amusing than the whole film.
sein Kommentar means his comment and der ganze Film means the whole film. The comparative is followed by als for the comparison; belustigender is predicative after war, so it has no additional adjective ending.
Das war der belustigendste Moment des Abends.
That was the most amusing moment of the evening.
Moment means moment and des Abends means of the evening. The masculine superlative before Moment takes -ste and the adjective ending -e after der; des Abends is genitive showing whose moment it was.
Die Kinder finden den Clown belustigend.
The children find the clown amusing.
Kinder means children and Clown means clown. den Clown is accusative as the object of finden, while belustigend is an uninflected predicative adjective describing that object.
die Beschimpfung — insult, verbal abuse
A Beschimpfung is an insulting remark or act of verbally attacking someone. It is a noun made from beschimpfen, to insult, and often refers to a specific offensive comment.
Die Beschimpfung war völlig ungerecht.
The insult was completely unfair.
war means was, völlig means completely, and ungerecht means unfair. Die Beschimpfung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich habe die Beschimpfung gehört.
I heard the insult.
habe ... gehört means have heard, and gehört is heard. die Beschimpfung is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the perfect auxiliary habe is in position two and gehört goes to the end.
Er widerspricht der Beschimpfung.
He objects to the insult.
widerspricht means objects to or contradicts. The verb widersprechen takes the dative, so der Beschimpfung has the dative article der; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Ursache der Beschimpfung ist unklar.
The cause of the insult is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, ist means is, and unklar means unclear. der Beschimpfung is genitive because it specifies the cause of what; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Solche Beschimpfungen sind nicht erlaubt.
Insults like that are not allowed.
solche means such, and nicht erlaubt means not allowed. Beschimpfungen is a plural subject, so it takes sind rather than ist; the plural article is not needed after solche.
betreten — embarrassed, disconcerted
This adjective means embarrassed or disconcerted, not “entered”; that is the verb betreten. It is often used with aussehen, wirken, or sein, and it can also come before a noun with an adjective ending.
Nach der Frage sah er betreten aus.
After the question, he looked embarrassed.
nach der Frage means “after the question”, and sah ... aus means “looked”. Betreten is predicative after aussehen, so it has no adjective ending; the separable verb puts sah in position two and aus at the end.
Sie machte ein betretenes Gesicht.
She made an embarrassed face.
ein Gesicht means “a face”, and machen means “to make”. Betretenes describes Gesicht and has the neuter accusative ending -es after ein; the finite verb machte stands in position two.
Er wirkte betretener als seine Kollegin.
He seemed more embarrassed than his colleague.
wirken means “to seem”, and seine Kollegin means “his female colleague”. Betretener is predicative after wirken, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Gästen wirkte er am betretensten.
Of all the guests, he seemed the most embarrassed.
von allen Gästen means “of all the guests”, and wirkte means “seemed”. Am betretensten is the predicative superlative and has no noun ending; the phrase von allen Gästen uses the dative after von.
beunruhigen — to worry, to make uneasy; to worry, to become uneasy
The usual pattern is jemanden beunruhigen, with the worried person in the accusative. For the meaning to feel worried oneself, German can use the reflexive form sich beunruhigen, but sich Sorgen machen is often more natural.
Die Nachricht beunruhigt mich.
The news worries me.
die Nachricht is the news and mich means me. Mich is accusative because beunruhigen takes the worried person as a direct object, and beunruhigt stands in position two.
Die Nachricht hat mich beunruhigt.
The news worried me.
die Nachricht is the news and mich means me. Mich is accusative as the direct object; hat is in position two and beunruhigt goes to the end because it is the Partizip II.
Der Lärm beunruhigte das Baby.
The noise worried the baby.
der Lärm is the noise and das Baby is the baby. Das Baby is accusative as the person affected, and the weak past form beunruhigte stands in position two.
Beunruhige deine Mutter nicht!
Do not worry your mother!
deine Mutter means your mother and nicht means not. Beunruhige is a singular command, so du is omitted; deine Mutter is accusative because it is the direct object.
Das würde die Kinder beunruhigen.
That would worry the children.
das means that and die Kinder means the children. Die Kinder is accusative as the direct object, and würde ... beunruhigen expresses a hypothetical result.
Die schlechte Nachricht wird ihn beunruhigen.
The bad news will worry him.
schlechte Nachricht means bad news and ihn means him. Ihn is accusative because he is the person affected; wird stands in position two and beunruhigen goes to the end.
Du musst dich nicht beunruhigen.
You do not need to worry.
musst means must or need to, dich means yourself, and nicht means not. Dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and the infinitive beunruhigen goes to the end after musst.
Sie beunruhigt sich wegen der Untersuchung.
She is worried about the examination.
sich means herself, wegen means because of, and die Untersuchung is the examination. Sich is the reflexive accusative object; wegen der Untersuchung gives the reason, and the finite verb beunruhigt is in position two.
düster — gloomy, dark, ominous
Düster can describe physical darkness or an atmosphere that feels threatening. It is stronger and more negative than simply dunkel, which can be neutral.
Der Raum ist düster.
The room is gloomy.
der Raum means the room. Düster comes after ist and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing before a noun.
Wir betreten einen düsteren Keller.
We enter a gloomy cellar.
betreten means enter and der Keller is the cellar. Einen düsteren Keller is accusative because betreten takes a direct object; after einen, the adjective gets the ending -en.
Der Film ist düsterer als erwartet.
The film is gloomier than expected.
der Film means the film and erwartet means expected. Düsterer compares the film with an understood standard and is followed by als; after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieser Roman ist am düstersten.
This novel is the gloomiest.
dieser Roman means this novel. Am düstersten is the predicative superlative, formed with am plus -sten; because it follows ist, it does not take a noun ending.
die Eifersucht — jealousy
Eifersucht is usually an uncountable feeling, so it normally has no plural. It is often used with aus to say what motivates an action.
Seine Eifersucht macht die Beziehung schwierig.
His jealousy makes the relationship difficult.
die Beziehung means the relationship, and schwierig means difficult. Seine Eifersucht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Ich verstehe seine Eifersucht nicht.
I do not understand his jealousy.
verstehen means to understand, and nicht means not. Seine Eifersucht is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the finite verb verstehe is in position two.
Mit seiner Eifersucht kann niemand gut umgehen.
No one can deal well with his jealousy.
niemand means no one, and mit etwas umgehen means to deal with something. Mit forces the dative, so seiner Eifersucht is dative; kann is in position two and umgehen goes to the end.
Die Ursache seiner Eifersucht ist Unsicherheit.
The cause of his jealousy is insecurity.
die Ursache means the cause, and die Unsicherheit means insecurity. Seiner Eifersucht is genitive because it specifies what the cause concerns; ist links the subject with its description.
In vielen Filmen sieht man Eifersucht.
You see jealousy in many films.
in vielen Filmen means in many films, and sieht man means you see or one sees. Eifersucht is normally an uncountable noun here, so it has no plural; the finite verb sieht is in position two.
eifersüchtig — jealous
Eifersüchtig is normally used with auf plus the accusative for the person or thing someone is jealous of. The adjective can describe a relationship, a person, or their behaviour.
Er ist eifersüchtig auf seinen Bruder.
He is jealous of his brother.
der Bruder means brother, and sein means to be. Eifersüchtig follows the copula ist and is therefore predicative without an ending; auf takes the accusative in auf seinen Bruder.
Sie hat einen eifersüchtigen Freund.
She has a jealous boyfriend.
haben means to have and der Freund means boyfriend here. Einen eifersüchtigen Freund is accusative because hat takes a direct object, and the adjective gets -en after einen.
Tom ist heute eifersüchtiger als gestern.
Tom is more jealous today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Eifersüchtiger is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Freunden ist Mia am eifersüchtigsten.
Of all the friends, Mia is the most jealous.
von allen Freunden means of all the friends. The am eifersüchtigsten form is predicative after ist and expresses the highest degree; von forces the dative plural.
eitel — vain, conceited
eitel describes someone who cares too much about appearance or admiration. Its comparison is regular: eitler, am eitelsten; it is not the same as eigen, meaning one’s own.
Er ist sehr eitel.
He is very vain.
sehr means very. eitel is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes er, the nominative subject.
Sie kauft einen eitlen Mann nicht gern als Freund.
She does not like having a vain man as a friend.
kauft ... als Freund means chooses ... as a friend, and nicht gern means not gladly. einen eitlen Mann is masculine accusative after kauft; the adjective gets -en after einen.
Mein Bruder ist eitler als ich.
My brother is vainer than I am.
mein Bruder means my brother, and als ich means than I am. eitler compares two people and is followed by als, not wie; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Gästen wirkt er am eitelsten.
Of all the guests, he seems the vainest.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and wirkt means seems or appears. am eitelsten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, shown by allen Gästen.
emotional — emotional
Emotional can describe strong feelings in a person, speech, film, or situation. Its regular comparison is emotionaler and am emotionalsten; English speakers should not add the English endings -er and -est to the German forms.
Der Film ist sehr emotional.
The film is very emotional.
Der Film means the film, and sehr means very. Emotional is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie schrieb einen emotionalen Brief.
She wrote an emotional letter.
schrieb means wrote, and einen Brief means a letter. Emotionalen describes Brief and takes -en because the masculine accusative phrase einen emotionalen Brief is the object of schrieb.
Seine Rede war emotionaler als erwartet.
His speech was more emotional than expected.
Seine Rede means his speech, and als erwartet means than expected. Emotionaler is the comparative after war and has no ending because it is predicative; als introduces the comparison.
Das war der emotionalste Moment des Abends.
That was the most emotional moment of the evening.
Das war means that was, der Moment means the moment, and des Abends means of the evening. Emotionalste is an attributive superlative with the definite article der; des Abends is genitive and shows which evening is meant.
empfinden — to feel; to experience; to perceive; to perceive; to consider
Empfinden is somewhat more formal than fühlen and often describes a considered emotional or physical reaction. It takes the sensation or emotion as an accusative object, as in Schmerz empfinden.
Ich empfinde große Freude dabei.
I feel great joy while doing it.
große Freude means great joy, and dabei means while doing it or in the process. Große Freude is accusative because empfinden takes the feeling as a direct object; the finite verb empfinde is in position two.
Sie hat große Erleichterung empfunden.
She felt great relief.
sie means she, and große Erleichterung means great relief. The perfect is formed with hat empfunden, and the feeling is accusative because it is the direct object; the participle goes to the end.
Er empfand tiefe Dankbarkeit.
He felt deep gratitude.
tiefe Dankbarkeit means deep gratitude. Empfand is the strong past form, and tiefe Dankbarkeit is accusative as the emotion experienced.
Empfinde den Moment bewusst.
Experience the moment consciously.
den Moment means the moment, and bewusst means consciously or mindfully. Empfinde is the singular imperative; den Moment is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde diese Kritik als unfair empfinden.
I would consider this criticism unfair.
diese Kritik means this criticism, and unfair means unfair. Würde plus the infinitive expresses a hypothetical reaction; diese Kritik is accusative, and als unfair describes how the object would be judged.
Viele Menschen werden diesen Verlust als schmerzhaft empfinden.
Many people will experience this loss as painful.
viele Menschen means many people, diesen Verlust means this loss, and schmerzhaft means painful. In the future, werden is in position two and empfinden goes to the end; the loss is accusative and als schmerzhaft gives the speaker's evaluation.
Viele Gäste empfinden die Musik als zu laut.
Many guests find the music too loud.
viele Gäste means many guests, die Musik means the music, and zu laut means too loud. Die Musik is accusative after empfinden, while als zu laut describes the way the guests judge it.
Sie empfindet die lange Wartezeit als belastend.
She finds the long waiting time stressful.
die lange Wartezeit means the long waiting time, and belastend means stressful or burdensome. The waiting time is accusative as the direct object; lange has an adjective ending because it stands before the feminine noun after die.
empfindlich — sensitive, delicate; sensitive, touchy
For physical sensitivity, empfindlich can describe skin, materials, or reactions. It is also used for people who are easily hurt emotionally; do not confuse it with empfindsam, which usually means emotionally sensitive in a more literary way.
Meine Haut ist sehr empfindlich.
My skin is very sensitive.
die Haut means skin and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending and stays empfindlich.
Sie trägt eine empfindliche Bluse aus Seide.
She is wearing a delicate silk blouse.
tragen means to wear, die Bluse is a blouse, and aus Seide means made of silk. eine empfindliche Bluse is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the feminine indefinite-article ending is -e.
Kinderhaut ist oft empfindlicher als Erwachsenenhaut.
Children’s skin is often more sensitive than adults’ skin.
die Kinderhaut means children’s skin, oft means often, and die Erwachsenenhaut means adults’ skin. Empfindlicher compares two things and is followed by als; because it is predicative after sein, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Stelle ist am empfindlichsten.
This spot is the most sensitive.
diese Stelle means this spot and die Stelle is a place or spot. Am empfindlichsten is the predicative superlative after sein; do not add a noun ending to the am-form.
Er ist sehr empfindlich und nimmt jede Kritik persönlich.
He is very touchy and takes every criticism personally.
nehmen means to take, jede Kritik means every criticism, and persönlich means personally. Empfindlich is predicative after sein and therefore has no ending; jede Kritik is accusative as the object of nehmen.
Sei nicht so empfindlich!
Don’t be so sensitive!
nicht so means not so, or not so much. Sei is the imperative of sein; the adjective is predicative and therefore remains empfindlich without an ending.
energisch — energetic, forceful, determined
Energisch describes a person, action, or voice that is forceful and determined, not merely physically energetic. As an adjective before a noun it takes the normal adjective ending, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Die neue Trainerin ist energisch.
The new coach is energetic and forceful.
die Trainerin means the female coach, and neu means new. Energisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er gibt eine energische Antwort.
He gives a forceful answer.
geben means to give, and die Antwort means the answer. Energische stands before the feminine accusative noun Antwort and takes -e after eine; the verb gibt is in position two.
Sie spricht energischer als ihr Kollege.
She speaks more forcefully than her colleague.
sprechen means to speak, and ihr Kollege means her colleague. Energischer compares two ways of speaking and is followed by als; because it is used adverbially after spricht, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Rednern spricht sie am energischsten.
Of all the speakers, she speaks the most forcefully.
von allen Rednern means of all the speakers, and Redner means speakers. Am energischsten is the predicative or adverbial superlative with am; von takes the dative, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
entmutigt — discouraged; disheartened
entmutigt describes a person who has lost confidence or hope; it is often used with sein. It comes from the verb entmutigen, to discourage, and is not the same as müde, tired.
Nach der Prüfung war ich entmutigt.
I was discouraged after the exam.
nach der Prüfung means after the exam, and war means was. Entmutigt is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; nach takes the dative, shown by der Prüfung.
Ein entmutigter Schüler gab auf.
A discouraged pupil gave up.
ein Schüler means a pupil, and gab auf means gave up. Entmutigter comes before the masculine nominative noun and takes -er after the indefinite article ein; the separable verb aufgeben splits into gab ... auf.
Nach dem Fehler war sie entmutigter als vorher.
After the mistake, she was more discouraged than before.
der Fehler means the mistake, als means than, and vorher means before or previously. The comparative entmutigter is predicative after war and is compared with als; nach takes the dative in nach dem Fehler.
Von allen war er am entmutigsten.
Of everyone, he was the most discouraged.
von allen means of or among everyone, and er means he. Am entmutigsten is the predicative superlative, built with am and -sten; von takes the dative, so allen has the dative plural form.
entsetzlich — terrible; horrifying; awful
entsetzlich can describe something horrifying, but in everyday speech it can also be an intensifier meaning “terribly,” as in entsetzlich laut. It is stronger than neutral schlecht, “bad.”
Der Film ist entsetzlich.
The film is terrible.
der Film means the film. Entsetzlich is predicative here, after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir hörten eine entsetzliche Geschichte.
We heard a terrible story.
hörten means heard, and eine Geschichte means a story. entsetzliche stands before the feminine accusative noun Geschichte and takes -e after the indefinite article eine.
Der zweite Unfall war entsetzlicher als der erste.
The second accident was more terrible than the first one.
der zweite Unfall means the second accident, and der erste means the first one. The comparative entsetzlicher is predicative and therefore has no ending; als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Das war der entsetzlichste Moment meines Lebens.
That was the most terrible moment of my life.
der Moment means the moment, and mein Leben means my life. Before the masculine noun Moment, the superlative is entsetzlichste with an adjective ending; meines Lebens is genitive and means of my life.
erfreut — pleased, glad
Erfreut is usually used with sein, often followed by über plus an accusative noun phrase. It is also the Partizip II of erfreuen, but this entry is the adjective meaning “pleased”.
Ich bin erfreut über die gute Nachricht.
I am pleased about the good news.
die gute Nachricht means the good news. With über meaning “about” in this expression, the noun phrase is accusative: über die gute Nachricht; erfreut follows the verb bin as a predicative adjective.
Sie begrüßte uns mit einem erfreuten Lächeln.
She greeted us with a pleased smile.
begrüßte means greeted, uns means us, and ein Lächeln is a smile. mit requires the dative, so einem erfreuten Lächeln is dative; the adjective has -en after einem.
Er war erfreuter über das Ergebnis als erwartet.
He was more pleased about the result than expected.
das Ergebnis means the result and als erwartet means than expected. The comparative erfreuter is predicative after war, and über das Ergebnis is accusative because this use of über means “about”.
Von allen Gästen war sie am erfreutesten.
Of all the guests, she was the most pleased.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. von requires the dative, so allen Gästen is dative; the predicative superlative uses am erfreutesten after war.
erleichtert — relieved
Erleichtert describes a feeling after worry, danger, or difficulty has gone away. It is commonly used with sein, and the clause introduced by dass explains what caused the relief.
Ich bin erleichtert, dass du sicher angekommen bist.
I am relieved that you arrived safely.
sicher angekommen means ‘arrived safely’, and dass means ‘that’. Erleichtert is predicative after bin; the finite verb bist goes to the end of the dass clause.
Sie gab mir einen erleichterten Blick.
She gave me a relieved look.
gab means ‘gave’, mir means ‘to me’, and einen Blick means ‘a look’. Erleichterten is attributive and takes -en after einen in the accusative masculine phrase.
Nach dem Gespräch wirkte er erleichterter.
After the conversation, he seemed more relieved.
nach dem Gespräch means ‘after the conversation’, and wirkte means ‘seemed’. The comparative erleichterter follows wirkte as a predicative adjective; nach takes the dative here because it refers to time or location, not movement.
Von allen war sie am erleichtertsten.
Of everyone, she was the most relieved.
von allen means ‘of everyone’, and sie means ‘she’. The superlative uses am ... -sten after war; von takes the dative, shown by allen.
die Erleichterung — relief, alleviation
Die Erleichterung can mean an emotional feeling of relief or a measure that makes something easier. The feminine noun forms its plural with -en and has no change in the genitive singular apart from the article: der Erleichterung.
Die Erleichterung war deutlich zu spüren.
The relief was clearly noticeable.
deutlich means ‘clearly’, and zu spüren means ‘noticeable’ or literally ‘to be felt’. Die Erleichterung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Alle spürten die Erleichterung im Raum.
Everyone felt the relief in the room.
alle means ‘everyone’, spürten means ‘felt’, and im Raum means ‘in the room’. Die Erleichterung is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach der Prüfung fiel ihm eine Erleichterung vom Herzen.
After the exam, he felt a great sense of relief.
nach der Prüfung means ‘after the exam’, fiel ... vom Herzen is an idiom meaning ‘felt like a weight was lifted’, and ihm means ‘to him’. Ihm is dative because he experiences the feeling, while nach also takes the dative.
Der Grund der Erleichterung war die gute Nachricht.
The reason for the relief was the good news.
der Grund means ‘the reason’, and die gute Nachricht means ‘the good news’. Der Erleichterung is genitive after Grund to show what the reason concerns; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die kleinen Erleichterungen halfen vielen Menschen.
The small reliefs helped many people.
kleinen means ‘small’, halfen means ‘helped’, and vielen Menschen means ‘many people’. Erleichterungen is the plural with -en; vielen Menschen is dative because helfen takes the dative.
erregt — excited, agitated, worked up
This adjective can describe strong emotion or agitation, not only positive excitement. Before a noun it takes normal adjective endings, as in eine erregte Diskussion; after sein it stays uninflected.
Er ist erregt.
He is agitated.
er means he. erregt is a predicative adjective after ist, the third-person singular form of sein; it has no adjective ending because it does not stand before a noun.
Sie führt eine erregte Diskussion.
She is having a heated discussion.
sie means she, führt means conducts or has, and eine Diskussion means a discussion. erregte stands before the feminine accusative noun Diskussion and takes the ending -e after eine.
Nach der Nachricht ist er noch erregter.
After the news, he is even more agitated.
nach der Nachricht means after the news, and noch means even or still. nach takes the dative, while predicative erregter has no adjective ending and compares the subject with an earlier state.
Von allen Gästen war er am erregtesten.
Of all the guests, he was the most agitated.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. von takes the dative, and am erregtesten is the predicative superlative; the -sten ending appears in the am-form.
erschrecken — to become frightened, to be startled; to frighten, to startle
There are two important verbs with this spelling. The intransitive strong verb means erschrecken - erschrak - ist erschrocken; the transitive weak verb means frighten someone and has erschreckte - hat erschreckt.
Das Kind erschrickt bei dem lauten Geräusch.
The child is startled by the loud noise.
das Kind is the child, laut means loud, and das Geräusch is noise. Bei dem lauten Geräusch is dative because bei always takes the dative; the intransitive verb erschrickt has no accusative object and stands in position two.
Ich bin vor dem Hund erschrocken.
I was frightened by the dog.
der Hund is the dog and vor here means because of or in reaction to. Vor dem Hund is dative because this meaning of vor describes a cause, not movement; the perfect uses bin plus erschrocken, with the Partizip II at the end.
Sie erschrak, als das Licht ausging.
She was startled when the light went out.
als means when, das Licht is the light, and ausgehen means go out. Erschrak is the strong simple past of the intransitive verb; in the als clause, ausging goes to the end.
Erschrick nicht vor der Spinne!
Don't be frightened by the spider!
nicht means not, die Spinne is the spider, and vor means at or because of here. Vor der Spinne is dative because this use of vor expresses the source of fear; erschrick is the singular du imperative without a subject pronoun.
Wenn du die Nachricht läsest, erschräkest du vielleicht.
If you read the message, you might become frightened.
die Nachricht is the message and vielleicht means perhaps. Läsest and erschräkest are Konjunktiv II forms; the finite verb läsest goes to the end of the wenn clause, while erschräkest is in position two in the main clause.
Du wirst bestimmt erschrecken, wenn du das hörst.
You will certainly be frightened when you hear that.
bestimmt means certainly, hören means hear, and das means that or it. Future I uses wirst in position two and the infinitive erschrecken at the end; the finite verb hörst goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Der Film erschreckt viele Kinder.
The film frightens many children.
der Film is the film and viele Kinder means many children. In this transitive use, viele Kinder is accusative because erschrecken takes the frightened person as a direct object; this use has erschreckt, not strong erschrocken.
Ich habe meinen Bruder erschreckt.
I frightened my brother.
mein Bruder means my brother. Meinen Bruder is accusative because it is the direct object, and this transitive meaning forms the perfect with haben plus erschreckt; do not use bin erschrocken for this meaning.
erschreckt — frightened, startled
Erschreckt is the adjectival use of the Partizip II of the transitive jemanden erschrecken, to frighten someone. It is often used before a noun or with sein and can be compared when different degrees of fear are meant; for a person who has become frightened, the commoner form is erschrocken.
Das Kind sieht erschreckt aus.
The child looks frightened.
das Kind is the child and aussehen means look or appear. Erschreckt is predicative after sieht ... aus, so it has no adjective ending; the separable verb places aus at the end.
Der erschreckte Hund versteckt sich unter dem Tisch.
The frightened dog hides under the table.
der Hund is the dog, sich verstecken means hide, and unter dem Tisch means under the table. Erschreckte stands before Hund and takes -e after the definite article der; unter dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Sie wirkt heute erschreckter als gestern.
She looks more frightened today than yesterday.
wirken means seem or look, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. Erschreckter is predicative after wirkt and compares two states with als; because it is predicative, it has no additional adjective ending.
Von allen Kindern wirkt Paul am erschrecktesten.
Of all the children, Paul looks the most frightened.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and wirken means seem or look. Am erschrecktesten is the predicative superlative after wirkt; the am ...-sten form is used when the adjective does not stand directly before a noun.
erstaunen — to astonish, to amaze
The person who is surprised is normally an accusative object: Das erstaunt mich. Do not use the dative form mir with the direct transitive verb when you mean ‘it surprises me’.
Das Ergebnis erstaunt mich.
The result astonishes me.
das Ergebnis means the result and mich means me. mich is accusative because the person who feels the effect is the object of erstaunen; the finite verb erstaunt stands in position two.
Das Ergebnis hat mich erstaunt.
The result astonished me.
das Ergebnis means the result and mich means me. mich is accusative because erstaunen takes an accusative object; hat is in position two and erstaunt goes to the end.
Die Nachricht erstaunte alle.
The news astonished everyone.
die Nachricht means the news and alle means everyone. alle is accusative as the object affected by the news; erstaunte is the regular Präteritum form with -te.
Erstaune mich!
Astonish me!
mich means me. mich is accusative because it is the person affected, and the imperative erstaune comes first; this command sounds playful or unnatural in many situations.
Das würde mich sehr erstaunen.
That would surprise me greatly.
sehr means very or greatly, and das means that. mich is accusative because it is the object of erstaunen; after würde, the infinitive erstaunen stands at the end.
Die Nachricht wird ihn erstaunen.
The news will surprise him.
die Nachricht means the news and ihn means him. ihn is accusative because he is the person affected; wird is in position two and the infinitive erstaunen goes to the end.
erstaunlich — astonishing, amazing, surprising
erstaunlich describes something that causes surprise; erstaunt describes the person who feels it. It can be used before a noun with an adjective ending or after sein without an ending.
Das Ergebnis ist erstaunlich.
The result is astonishing.
das Ergebnis means the result. erstaunlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat ein erstaunliches Gedächtnis.
She has an astonishing memory.
ein Gedächtnis means a memory, and hat means has. ein erstaunliches Gedächtnis is an accusative object after haben, so the adjective takes the neuter ending -es.
Dieser Weg ist erstaunlicher als der andere.
This route is more astonishing than the other one.
dieser Weg means this route and der andere means the other one. erstaunlicher is predicative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Das ist der erstaunlichste Teil der Geschichte.
That is the most astonishing part of the story.
der Teil means the part and die Geschichte means the story. der erstaunlichste Teil is a nominative phrase after ist, while der Geschichte is genitive to show belonging; before a noun, the superlative takes the ending -ste.
eskalieren — to escalate; to get out of control; to cause to escalate
Eskalieren is normally intransitive: a conflict or situation escalates by itself. Its perfect uses sein, and the Partizip II has no ge- because the verb ends in -ieren.
Der Streit eskaliert schnell.
The argument is escalating quickly.
der Streit is the argument or dispute, and schnell means quickly. Der Streit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb eskaliert stands in position two, and the verb takes no accusative object here.
Die Situation ist völlig eskaliert.
The situation has completely escalated.
die Situation means the situation and völlig means completely. The perfect is ist eskaliert, with sein because the situation has entered a new state; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Konflikt eskalierte nach dem Gespräch.
The conflict escalated after the conversation.
der Konflikt is the conflict, nach means after, and das Gespräch is the conversation. Der Konflikt is nominative, while nach dem Gespräch is a dative time phrase; the finite verb is in position two.
Eskalier nicht weiter!
Don’t escalate any further!
nicht means not and weiter means further. Eskalier is the singular imperative; nicht negates the command, and the intransitive verb has no object.
Wenn der Streit weiterginge, würde alles eskalieren.
If the argument continued, everything would escalate.
wenn means if, weiterginge means continued, and alles means everything. The conditional form würde eskalieren expresses a hypothetical result; würde is finite in position two of the main clause, while eskalieren comes at the end.
Ohne eine Lösung wird der Konflikt weiter eskalieren.
Without a solution, the conflict will continue to escalate.
ohne means without, eine Lösung is a solution, and weiter means further or continue. Future I uses wird plus the infinitive eskalieren; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Seine Worte ließen den Konflikt eskalieren.
His words caused the conflict to escalate.
seine Worte are his words, ließen means caused or let, and der Konflikt is the conflict. Den Konflikt is accusative as the object of ließen; the infinitive eskalieren remains at the end after lassen.
Die Medien dürfen die Situation nicht eskalieren lassen.
The media must not let the situation escalate.
die Medien means the media, dürfen means may or are allowed to, and nicht means not. Die Situation is accusative as the object of lassen; with the modal dürfen, the infinitives eskalieren lassen stand together at the end.
friedlich — peaceful, non-violent; peacefully, calmly
friedlich normally describes the absence of violence or conflict. The opposite is gewalttätig or kriegerisch; do not confuse friedlich with simply ruhig, which means quiet or calm.
Die Demonstration bleibt friedlich.
The demonstration remains peaceful.
die Demonstration is the demonstration and bleibt means remains. friedlich is predicative after bleiben, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Die Menschen organisieren eine friedliche Demonstration.
The people are organising a peaceful demonstration.
die Menschen means the people and organisieren means organise. friedliche describes Demonstration and has an adjective ending because it stands before the feminine accusative noun after eine.
Diese Lösung ist friedlicher als die andere.
This solution is more peaceful than the other one.
diese Lösung means this solution and die andere means the other one. friedlicher compares two solutions and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Der friedlichste Ort ist ein kleiner Park.
The most peaceful place is a small park.
der Ort means the place and ein kleiner Park means a small park. friedlichste is the superlative before a masculine nominative noun, so it takes the adjective ending -e; the form is not am friedlichsten because it comes directly before the noun.
Die Kinder spielen friedlich im Garten.
The children are playing peacefully in the garden.
die Kinder means the children, spielen means are playing, and im Garten means in the garden. Here friedlich describes how they play, so the adjective is used adverbially and does not take an ending.
Nach dem Streit sitzen beide friedlich zusammen.
After the argument, both of them sit together peacefully.
nach dem Streit means after the argument and beide means both of them. friedlich describes the manner of sitting and stays unchanged; nach takes the dative, shown by dem Streit.
der Frust — frustration, annoyance
der Frust is a colloquial noun for frustration or annoyance. It is usually treated as a mass noun and has no ordinary plural; the related verb is frustrieren.
Der Frust wird immer größer.
The frustration is getting greater and greater.
immer größer means greater and greater, and werden means to become or get. Der Frust is nominative because it is the subject; the adjective größer is predicative after wird and has no ending.
Die lange Wartezeit verursacht den Frust.
The long waiting time causes frustration.
die lange Wartezeit means the long waiting time, and verursachen means to cause. Den Frust is accusative because it is the direct object of verursacht; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Mit dem Frust kann man schlecht arbeiten.
It is difficult to work while frustrated.
mit means with, and schlecht arbeiten means to work badly or ineffectively. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Frust is dative; kann man expresses what one can or cannot do.
Die Ursache des Frusts ist unklar.
The cause of the frustration is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and unklar means unclear. Des Frusts is genitive because it identifies the cause's object or source; the verb ist stands in position two.
frustriert — frustrated
Frustriert describes a person who is annoyed because a goal is blocked or something takes too long. It is commonly used with sein, wirken, or reagieren and is not the same as simply being sad.
Ich bin nach dem langen Gespräch frustriert.
I am frustrated after the long conversation.
das lange Gespräch means the long conversation, and nach means after. Nach dem langen Gespräch is a dative phrase because nach takes the dative, while frustriert is predicative after bin and has no adjective ending.
Die frustrierte Kundin wartet seit einer Stunde.
The frustrated customer has been waiting for an hour.
die Kundin is the female customer, and wartet seit einer Stunde means has been waiting for an hour. Frustrierte stands before the noun and takes -e after die; seit einer Stunde is a dative time expression.
Er wirkt heute frustrierter als gestern.
He seems more frustrated today than yesterday.
wirkt means seems or appears, and heute and gestern mean today and yesterday. Frustrierter is predicative after wirkt, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Nach drei Stunden Wartezeit war sie am frustriertesten.
After three hours of waiting, she was the most frustrated.
drei Stunden Wartezeit means three hours of waiting, and war means was. Am frustriertesten is the predicative superlative; nach drei Stunden is a dative time phrase.
die Furcht — fear, dread
die Furcht is more formal or literary than the everyday word die Angst. It is normally a singular-only mass noun, so learners should not usually form a plural.
Die Furcht bleibt.
The fear remains.
bleibt means “remains”. Die Furcht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb bleibt stands in position two.
Er spürt die Furcht.
He feels the fear.
er means “he” and spürt means “feels”. die Furcht is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; the finite verb spürt is in position two.
Mit der Furcht zu leben ist schwer.
Living with fear is difficult.
mit means “with”, zu leben means “to live”, and schwer means “difficult”. mit always takes the dative, so der Furcht is dative; the infinitive phrase mit der Furcht zu leben is the subject.
Die Ursache der Furcht ist unbekannt.
The cause of the fear is unknown.
die Ursache means “the cause” and unbekannt means “unknown”. der Furcht is genitive because it identifies whose cause it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
furchterregend — terrifying, frightening
furchterregend is stronger than furchtbar when the focus is specifically on causing fear. It is formed from die Furcht plus erregend, “arousing”, and behaves like a normal adjective.
Der Anblick ist furchterregend.
The sight is terrifying.
der Anblick means “the sight”. furchterregend is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie sah ein furchterregendes Gesicht.
She saw a terrifying face.
sie sah means “she saw” and das Gesicht means “the face”. ein furchterregendes Gesicht is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Der Sturm war furchterregender als erwartet.
The storm was more terrifying than expected.
der Sturm means “the storm” and erwartet means “expected”. The comparative furchterregender follows war without an ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Das war am furchterregendsten.
That was the most terrifying.
das means “that” and war means “was”. The predicative superlative is am furchterregendsten; learners should not add a noun ending after am.
gespannt — excited, eager; tense; tense, strained
In the common sense, gespannt sein auf means to be eager or curious about something and takes auf plus the accusative. In another sense, gespannt describes something physically or emotionally tense.
Ich bin gespannt, wie die Prüfung ausgeht.
I am curious to see how the exam turns out.
die Prüfung is the exam, and ausgeht means turns out or ends. Gespannt is a predicate adjective after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb bin stands in position two, while ausgeht goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Die gespannte Schülerin wartet vor dem Ergebnis.
The excited student is waiting before the result is announced.
die Schülerin is the female student, wartet means is waiting, and das Ergebnis is the result. Gespannte stands before the feminine noun with the definite article die, so it takes -e; vor means before here and takes the dative, seen in dem Ergebnis.
Vor dem Finale war ich noch gespannter.
Before the final, I was even more excited.
das Finale is the final match or event, and noch means even or still. Gespannter compares this feeling with an earlier one and is a predicate adjective after war; vor dem Finale is a dative phrase because vor expresses a time or location here.
Auf diesen Moment war sie am gespanntesten.
She was most excited about this moment.
dieser Moment means this moment, and sie means she. Am gespanntesten is the predicative superlative after war; auf diesen Moment takes the accusative because gespannt sein auf means to be eager about something.
Nach dem Streit war die Stimmung gespannt.
The atmosphere was tense after the argument.
nach dem Streit means after the argument, and die Stimmung is the atmosphere or mood. Gespannt is a predicate adjective after war and therefore has no ending; nach takes the dative, shown by dem Streit.
Zwischen den beiden Teams herrschte eine gespannte Atmosphäre.
There was a tense atmosphere between the two teams.
zwischen den beiden Teams means between the two teams, and herrschte means prevailed or existed. Gespannte comes before the feminine noun Atmosphäre after the indefinite article eine, so it takes -e; zwischen takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location or situation.
gleichgültig — indifferent, unconcerned
The pattern jemandem gleichgültig sein means that something does not matter to someone, so the person is in the dative. Do not confuse gleichgültig with gleich: it does not mean equal.
Das ist mir gleichgültig.
I do not care about that.
das means that and mir means to me; the sentence says literally that something is indifferent to me. Mir is dative because this adjective describes the person's reaction, and gleichgültig follows the linking verb ist without an ending.
Er zeigt eine gleichgültige Haltung.
He shows an indifferent attitude.
zeigt means shows and die Haltung is the attitude. Eine gleichgültige Haltung is an accusative object after zeigt; the adjective has -e because it follows the feminine article eine.
Sie ist ihrer Schwester gegenüber gleichgültiger als früher.
She is more indifferent towards her sister than before.
ihrer Schwester means towards her sister and früher means before. Gegenüber normally takes the dative, and gleichgültiger als compares her attitude now with her earlier attitude.
Von allen Themen ist ihm dieses am gleichgültigsten.
Of all the topics, this one matters least to him.
von allen Themen means of all the topics and dieses means this one. Ihm is dative because the topic is being evaluated as indifferent to him; the predicative superlative uses am ...-sten.
Die Meinung anderer ist ihr gleichgültig.
Other people's opinions do not matter to her.
die Meinung anderer means other people's opinion, and ihr means to her. Anderer is a genitive plural attribute, while ihr is dative with the expression gleichgültig sein.
Wem die Aufgabe gleichgültig ist, soll sich melden.
Anyone who does not care about the task should report to us.
wem means to whom or whoever, die Aufgabe is the task, and sich melden means to report or speak up. Wem is dative because the task is indifferent to that person; the finite verb ist goes to the end of the subordinate relative clause.
glücklicherweise — fortunately; luckily
This sentence adverb expresses relief or a positive result. It is the adverbial form of glücklich, not a description of a person’s feelings.
Glücklicherweise war noch ein Platz frei.
Fortunately, there was still a place available.
noch means still, and ein Platz frei means a place available. Glücklicherweise is a sentence adverb and occupies position one, so the finite verb war comes immediately after it in position two.
Wir haben glücklicherweise den letzten Zug erreicht.
Fortunately, we caught the last train.
den letzten Zug means the last train, and erreicht means caught or reached. Glücklicherweise can stand between the auxiliary haben and the object; den letzten Zug is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object.
der Glückstag — lucky day
The compound der Glückstag combines das Glück, luck, with der Tag, day. It describes a day that brings unusually good fortune.
Heute ist mein Glückstag.
Today is my lucky day.
heute means today, and mein means my. Mein Glückstag is nominative because it comes after sein and identifies the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Glückstag.
I wish you a wonderful lucky day.
wünsche means wish, dir means to you, and schönen means wonderful. Einen schönen Glückstag is accusative because wünschen takes a direct object, while dir is dative for the person receiving the wish.
An meinem Glückstag habe ich eine Reise gewonnen.
On my lucky day, I won a trip.
an means on, meinem means my, eine Reise is a trip, and gewonnen means won. Meinem Glückstag is dative because an refers here to a fixed time, and the finite verb habe comes second after the time phrase.
Die Erinnerung meines Glückstags bleibt lange.
The memory of my lucky day remains for a long time.
die Erinnerung means the memory, bleibt means remains, and lange means for a long time. Meines Glückstags is genitive because it tells whose memory it is; the masculine noun has -s and the determiner is meines.
Solche Glückstage vergisst man nicht.
You do not forget lucky days like that.
solche means such, vergisst means forgets, and man means one or people in general. Glückstage is plural and accusative because vergessen takes a direct object; the subject man is followed by the finite verb in position two.
grandios — magnificent, fantastic
Grandios is a strong positive word, often meaning extremely impressive or excellent. It compares regularly as grandioser and am grandiosesten.
Der Film ist grandios.
The film is magnificent.
der Film is the film, and sein means to be. Grandios is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie hatte einen grandiosen Abend.
She had a fantastic evening.
haben means have, der Abend is the evening, and hatte is had. Grandiosen comes before the noun and has the accusative masculine ending -en after einen; einen Abend is the accusative object.
Dieses Konzert war grandioser als das letzte.
This concert was more fantastic than the last one.
dieses Konzert means this concert, als means than, and das letzte means the last one. Grandioser is the comparative form, and als introduces the second part of the comparison.
Das war am grandiosesten von allen Auftritten.
That was the most magnificent of all the performances.
das means that, von allen means of all, and der Auftritt is the performance. Am grandiosesten is the predicative superlative with am; von forces the dative in allen Auftritten.
grausam — cruel, horrible
grausam can describe a person, action, or experience that causes suffering, or something extremely unpleasant to watch. In the positive predicative form it has no ending, but attributive forms take normal adjective endings.
Der Film ist grausam.
The film is horrible.
der Film is the film, and horrible describes something shocking or violent. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das war ein grausamer Krieg.
That was a cruel war.
das means that, and der Krieg is the war. grausamer stands before the noun and takes an adjective ending after the indefinite article ein; war is the past-tense verb in position two.
Dieser Krieg war grausamer als der vorige.
This war was more cruel than the previous one.
dieser Krieg means this war, and der vorige means the previous one. The comparative grausamer is predicative after war, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das war der grausamste Teil der Geschichte.
That was the most horrible part of the story.
der Teil is the part, and die Geschichte is the story. Before the noun, the superlative uses -st- with an adjective ending: der grausamste Teil; der Geschichte is genitive and means of the story.
grimmig — grim, fierce, menacing
grimmig describes someone or something that looks angry, severe, or threatening. It can describe a person, face, expression, or look; the regular comparison is grimmiger, am grimmigsten.
Der Mann sieht grimmig aus.
The man looks grim.
der Mann means the man, and sieht ... aus means looks. grimmig is predicative after aussehen, so it has no adjective ending; the separable verb places sieht in position two and aus at the end.
Sie trägt ein grimmiges Gesicht.
She has a grim expression on her face.
trägt means wears or has, and ein Gesicht means a face or expression. grimmiges describes Gesicht and has the ending -es after ein in the accusative neuter; ein grimmiges Gesicht is the accusative object of trägt.
Heute wirkt er grimmiger als gestern.
Today he seems grimmer than yesterday.
heute means today, wirken means seem, and gestern means yesterday. grimmiger compares his appearance today with yesterday and is predicative after wirkt, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen schaut er am grimmigsten.
Of everyone, he looks the grimmest.
von allen means of everyone, and schaut ... means looks. am grimmigsten is the predicative superlative; the separable verb ausschauen puts schaut in position two and aus at the end, while am grimmigsten stands before that final part.
das Gute — the good, something good
das Gute is a substantivized adjective meaning the good in general or something good. It is normally used as a singular mass-like noun and has no ordinary plural; in the genitive, use des Guten.
Das Gute gewinnt am Ende.
Good wins in the end.
gewinnt means wins, and am Ende means in the end. Das Gute is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb gewinnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Gute in dieser Situation.
I see the good in this situation.
sehe means see, and diese Situation means this situation. das Gute is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the neuter article das is the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir nähern uns dem Guten.
We are approaching the good.
nähern uns means are approaching. sich nähern takes a dative object, so dem Guten is dative; uns is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Kraft des Guten ist stark.
The power of good is strong.
die Kraft means the power, and stark means strong. des Guten is genitive and means of good; des marks the neuter genitive and the substantivized adjective has the ending -en.
Das Gute hilft uns im Alltag.
The good helps us in everyday life.
hilft means helps, uns means us, and im Alltag means in everyday life. Das Gute is the nominative subject, while uns is dative because helfen takes a dative person; this noun is normally singular-only, so this example does not show a plural form.