Appearance
Vocab: Feelings — B1 (2) ​
Feelings vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
happy — happy, cheerful ​
Happy is an informal English loanword used especially in spoken language and advertising. It can be used predicatively without an ending, or attributively with a German adjective ending, as in ein happyer Tag.
Ich bin happy.
I am happy.
Ich means I, and bin means am. Happy is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Sie hatte einen happyen Tag.
She had a happy day.
Sie means she, hatte means had, and der Tag is the day. Einen happyen Tag is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the masculine article einen.
Heute fĂĽhle ich mich happier als gestern.
Today I feel happier than yesterday.
Heute means today, fĂĽhle ich mich means I feel, and gestern means yesterday. Happier compares today with yesterday; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun required by sich fĂĽhlen, and the finite verb fĂĽhle remains in position two.
Am Wochenende bin ich am happyesten.
At the weekend I am happiest.
Am Wochenende means at the weekend. Am happyesten is the superlative used predicatively after sein; bin is the finite verb in position two, while the superlative comes at the end.
Meine Schwester wirkt heute happy.
My sister seems happy today.
Meine Schwester means my sister, wirkt means seems or appears, and heute means today. Happy is predicative after wirken, so it has no ending; wirkt stands in position two.
Die Kinder sind nach dem Konzert happy.
The children are happy after the concert.
Die Kinder means the children, nach means after, and das Konzert is the concert. Nach dem Konzert is dative because nach takes the dative for time; happy is predicative after sind and has no adjective ending.
der Hass — hatred, hate ​
Hass is usually an uncountable feeling, so it normally has no plural. The fixed expression Hass auf takes auf with the accusative.
Hass ist ein starkes GefĂĽhl.
Hatred is a strong feeling.
ein starkes GefĂĽhl means a strong feeling. Hass is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen spĂĽren Hass auf Gewalt.
Many people feel hatred of violence.
Viele Menschen means many people, spĂĽren means feel, and Gewalt means violence. Hass is accusative after spĂĽren; the preposition auf takes the accusative in the fixed expression Hass auf.
Sie begegnet ihrem Hass mit Ruhe.
She meets her hatred with calmness.
begegnet means meets or faces, ihrem means her, and Ruhe means calmness. ihrem Hass is dative because begegnen takes the dative, while mit Ruhe is also dative after mit.
Die Ursache des Hasses ist nicht klar.
The cause of the hatred is not clear.
die Ursache means the cause, and nicht klar means not clear. des Hasses is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; Hass adds -es in the genitive singular.
Hass und Angst können Menschen verändern.
Hatred and fear can change people.
Angst means fear, können means can, and verändern means change. Hass is normally a mass noun with no plural, so this sentence uses it as a singular abstract noun joined to another subject.
heftig — intense, severe, violent; fierce, strongly ​
heftig describes something very strong or severe, such as heftiger Regen or heftige Schmerzen. Its regular comparison is heftiger – am heftigsten.
Der Wind ist heftig.
The wind is strong.
der Wind is the wind and ist means is. Heftig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir hatten einen heftigen Sturm.
We had a severe storm.
wir hatten means we had and der Sturm is the storm. einen heftigen Sturm is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and the adjective takes -en after einen.
Der Regen ist heute heftiger als gestern.
The rain is heavier today than yesterday.
der Regen is the rain, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. Heftiger is the comparative and is followed by als for the comparison; after ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Im Herbst ist der Wind am heftigsten.
In autumn, the wind is strongest.
im Herbst means in autumn and der Wind is the wind. Am heftigsten is the predicative superlative after sein; im is short for in dem and marks a time period.
Die beiden hatten einen heftigen Streit.
The two of them had a fierce argument.
die beiden means the two of them and der Streit is the argument. einen heftigen Streit is accusative after haben, and the adjective takes -en after einen.
Sie reagierte heftig auf die Kritik.
She reacted strongly to the criticism.
reagierte means reacted and die Kritik is the criticism. Here heftig is used adverbially, so it has no ending; auf die Kritik is accusative because this use of reagieren auf takes auf with the accusative.
die Hektik — hectic rush, hustle and bustle ​
Hektik is usually uncountable and has no plural. Do not confuse it with hektisch, the adjective meaning hectic.
Die Hektik im BĂĽro macht mich mĂĽde.
The hectic atmosphere in the office makes me tired.
im BĂĽro means in the office, macht means makes, and mĂĽde means tired. Die Hektik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Ich hasse die Hektik vor Weihnachten.
I hate the rush before Christmas.
ich hasse means I hate, and vor Weihnachten means before Christmas. die Hektik is accusative because hassen takes a direct object, and hasse stands in position two.
In der Hektik vergesse ich oft meine SchlĂĽssel.
In the rush, I often forget my keys.
vergesse means forget, oft means often, and meine SchlĂĽssel means my keys. der Hektik is dative because in describes a situation or location here, while vergesse comes in position two after the opening phrase.
Wegen der Hektik arbeitet er ungenau.
Because of the hectic atmosphere, he works inaccurately.
wegen means because of, arbeitet means works, and ungenau means inaccurately. der Hektik is genitive because standard written German uses the genitive after wegen, and arbeitet stands in position two.
hoffentlich — hopefully ​
Hoffentlich expresses a hope and often appears at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also stand inside the clause. It does not mean that something is certain.
Hoffentlich kommt der Bus bald.
Hopefully the bus will come soon.
kommt means comes, der Bus means the bus, and bald means soon. Hoffentlich is a sentence adverb in position one, so the finite verb kommt must immediately follow it in position two.
Du bist hoffentlich nicht krank.
Hopefully you are not ill.
krank means ill or sick and nicht means not. Hoffentlich comments on the whole sentence rather than describing du; the finite verb bist remains in position two.
hoffnungslos — hopeless, without hope ​
hoffnungslos describes a person, situation, or attempt for which there is no realistic hope. It is often used after sein without an adjective ending, or before a noun with the normal adjective ending.
Nach dem Unfall war die Lage hoffnungslos.
After the accident, the situation was hopeless.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and die Lage means the situation. After sein, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; war is the finite verb in position two.
Die Ă„rzte sahen eine hoffnungslose Krankheit.
The doctors saw a hopeless illness.
die Ă„rzte means the doctors, sahen means saw, and eine Krankheit means an illness. eine hoffnungslose Krankheit is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Seine Lage ist hoffnungsloser als gestern.
His situation is more hopeless than yesterday.
seine Lage means his situation, and gestern means yesterday. The comparative is formed with -er and is followed by als; after ist, hoffnungsloser has no adjective ending.
Das war der hoffnungsloseste Versuch des ganzen Tages.
That was the most hopeless attempt of the whole day.
der Versuch means the attempt, and des ganzen Tages means of the whole day. Before a noun, the superlative takes an adjective ending, and des ganzen Tages is genitive to show whose or what period is meant.
Ohne Hilfe wäre der Patient hoffnungslos.
Without help, the patient would be hopeless.
ohne Hilfe means without help, and der Patient means the patient. wäre is the Konjunktiv II of sein, and the predicative adjective after it has no ending.
hoffnungsvoll — hopeful, promising ​
hoffnungsvoll can describe a person who has hope or a situation that looks promising. In hoffnungsvoll in die Zukunft blicken, it means hopefully, and in die Zukunft takes the accusative because it expresses direction.
Die Zukunft sieht hoffnungsvoll aus.
The future looks hopeful.
die Zukunft means the future, and sieht ... aus means looks or appears. With aussehen, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the separable verb places aus at the end of this main clause.
Sie machte einen hoffnungsvollen Eindruck.
She made a hopeful impression.
sie means she, machte means made, and einen Eindruck means an impression. einen hoffnungsvollen Eindruck is accusative because machen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has -en after einen.
Heute klingt der Plan hoffnungsvoller als letzte Woche.
Today the plan sounds more promising than last week.
heute means today, klingt means sounds, and letzte Woche means last week. The comparative takes -er and is compared with als; after klingt, it is predicative and has no ending.
Dieser Vorschlag ist am hoffnungsvollsten.
This proposal is the most promising.
dieser Vorschlag means this proposal. The predicative superlative uses am plus -sten, and it has no adjective ending because it follows ist.
Die jungen Leute blicken hoffnungsvoll nach vorn.
The young people look hopefully towards the future.
die jungen Leute means the young people, blicken means look, and nach vorn means forward or towards the future. Here the adjective is used adverbially, so it has no ending; the finite verb blicken stands in position two.
der Humor — sense of humour, humour ​
Humor is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural in its everyday meaning. German spelling uses one -r in Humor, unlike the British spelling humour.
Sein Humor ist sehr trocken.
His sense of humour is very dry.
sein means his, and trocken means dry in the sense of understated or not obviously funny. Sein Humor is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag seinen Humor.
I like his sense of humour.
ich mag means “I like”, and seinen means his. seinen Humor is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the possessive ending -en shows masculine accusative.
Mit seinem Humor bringt er alle zum Lachen.
With his humour, he makes everyone laugh.
mit means with, alle means everyone, and zum Lachen bringen means to make someone laugh. seinem Humor is dative because mit always takes the dative; bringt stands in position two.
Die Wirkung seines Humors ist erstaunlich.
The effect of his humour is astonishing.
die Wirkung means the effect, and erstaunlich means astonishing. seines Humors is genitive because it means “of his humour”; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
humorvoll — humorous, funny ​
humorvoll describes someone or something that is funny in a positive way. Do not confuse it with lustig, which is more general and can also describe something simply amusing.
Mein neuer Kollege ist sehr humorvoll.
My new colleague is very humorous.
mein neuer Kollege means my new colleague. humorvoll is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine humorvolle Geschichte.
She tells a funny story.
erzählt means tells, and die Geschichte is the story. humorvolle comes before the feminine accusative noun Geschichte and takes the ending -e after eine; the whole object is accusative because erzählen takes an accusative object.
Tom ist humorvoller als sein Bruder.
Tom is more humorous than his brother.
sein Bruder means his brother. humorvoller compares Tom with his brother and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von allen Gästen ist Mia am humorvollsten.
Of all the guests, Mia is the funniest.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and Gast means guest. von takes the dative, so allen Gästen is dative; am humorvollsten is the superlative predicative form after ist.
klagen — to complain; to sue; to sue ​
Klagen ĂĽber means to complain about something, and ĂĽber takes the accusative in this meaning. In legal contexts, gegen can introduce the person or organisation being sued.
Er klagt oft ĂĽber seine RĂĽckenschmerzen.
He often complains about his back pain.
oft means often, and die RĂĽckenschmerzen are back pain. Ăśber seine RĂĽckenschmerzen is an accusative phrase because ĂĽber means about here; the finite verb klagt is in position two.
Sie hat über den Lärm geklagt.
She complained about the noise.
der Lärm is the noise. Über den Lärm is accusative after über in this meaning; hat is the auxiliary in position two and geklagt goes to the end.
Der Mann klagte ĂĽber starke Schmerzen.
The man complained of severe pain.
der Mann is the man, and starke Schmerzen means severe pain. Ăśber starke Schmerzen is accusative after ĂĽber; the weak past form klagte is the finite verb in position two.
Klag bitte nicht ĂĽber das Wetter.
Please don’t complain about the weather.
bitte means please, and das Wetter is the weather. Klag is a direct command to one person; ĂĽber das Wetter is accusative because ĂĽber means about here, and nicht negates the verb.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, klagte ich weniger.
If I had more time, I would complain less.
mehr Zeit means more time, and weniger means less. In the wenn clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; klagte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause, although würde klagen is also common.
Er wird morgen wieder ĂĽber die Arbeit klagen.
He will complain about the work again tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, wieder means again, and die Arbeit is the work. Ăśber die Arbeit is accusative after ĂĽber; wird stands in position two and the infinitive klagen goes to the end.
Die Kundin klagt gegen die Versicherung.
The customer is suing the insurance company.
die Kundin is the female customer, and die Versicherung is the insurance company. Gegen die Versicherung is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative; klagt is in position two.
Der Arbeiter hat gegen seinen Arbeitgeber geklagt.
The worker sued his employer.
der Arbeiter is the worker, and der Arbeitgeber is the employer. Gegen seinen Arbeitgeber is accusative after gegen; hat is in position two and geklagt goes at the end.
die Leidenschaft — passion; strong interest ​
Leidenschaft fĂĽr is a common combination when naming the subject of the passion, and fĂĽr takes the accusative. The plural is Leidenschaften.
Die Leidenschaft fĂĽr Musik macht sie glĂĽcklich.
Her passion for music makes her happy.
Musik means music, macht means makes, and glĂĽcklich means happy. Die Leidenschaft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Er hat eine groĂźe Leidenschaft fĂĽr Fotografie.
He has a great passion for photography.
Er means he, groĂź means great, and Fotografie means photography. eine groĂźe Leidenschaft is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has the accusative feminine ending -e.
Sie folgt ihrer Leidenschaft und malt jeden Tag.
She follows her passion and paints every day.
folgen means to follow, malt means paints, and jeden Tag means every day. ihrer Leidenschaft is dative because folgen governs the dative; after und, the finite verb malt is again in position two.
Die Kraft der Leidenschaft kann Menschen verändern.
The power of passion can change people.
Die Kraft means the power, kann means can, Menschen means people, and verändern means to change. der Leidenschaft is genitive because it identifies whose power is meant; the infinitive verändern goes to the end after the modal verb kann.
Viele Leidenschaften brauchen Zeit und Energie.
Many passions need time and energy.
Viele means many, brauchen means need, Zeit means time, and Energie means energy. Leidenschaften is the plural subject, so the verb is plural; Zeit und Energie are accusative objects of brauchen.
die Meditation — meditation ​
Meditation is normally uncountable when referring to the activity in general, but individual sessions can be counted as Meditationen. The expression Meditation machen is possible, but Meditation ĂĽben is especially common.
Die Meditation hilft mir beim Entspannen.
Meditation helps me relax.
helfen means to help, and beim Entspannen means while relaxing. Die Meditation is nominative because it is the subject; beim means bei dem and takes the dative.
Ich beginne die Meditation nach dem FrĂĽhstĂĽck.
I begin the meditation after breakfast.
beginnen means to begin, and nach dem FrĂĽhstĂĽck means after breakfast. Die Meditation is accusative because it is the direct object; nach takes the dative in dem FrĂĽhstĂĽck.
Bei der Meditation sitze ich ganz still.
During meditation, I sit completely still.
bei der Meditation means during or in meditation, and ganz still means completely still. Bei always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the verb sitze is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Dauer der Meditation beträgt zehn Minuten.
The duration of the meditation is ten minutes.
die Dauer means the duration, and beträgt zehn Minuten means is ten minutes long. Der Meditation is genitive because it specifies what the duration belongs to; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Die Meditationen in diesem Kurs sind sehr kurz.
The meditations in this course are very short.
in diesem Kurs means in this course, and sehr kurz means very short. Die Meditationen is plural and nominative as the subject; sind is the finite verb in position two.
menschlich — human, humane, humanly understanding ​
menschlich can mean “human” in the sense of relating to people, or “humane” and understanding in the sense of showing kindness. It forms the regular comparison menschlicher, am menschlichsten.
Seine Reaktion war sehr menschlich.
His reaction was very human.
seine Reaktion means “his reaction,” war means “was,” and sehr means “very.” Menschlich is predicative after war, so it has no adjective ending.
Menschliche Fehler sind normal.
Human errors are normal.
Fehler means “errors,” sind means “are,” and normal means “normal.” Menschliche stands before the plural noun and takes the adjective ending -e because the phrase is nominative.
Dieser Weg ist menschlicher als der andere.
This approach is more humane than the other one.
dieser Weg means “this approach,” als means “than,” and der andere means “the other one.” Menschlicher is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; comparisons use als.
Sie hat am menschlichsten reagiert.
She reacted in the most humane way.
sie hat reagiert means “she reacted,” and reagieren means “to react.” Am menschlichsten is the adverbial superlative, and the participle reagiert goes to the end of the perfect tense.
miserabel — miserable, terrible, of very poor quality ​
miserabel is stronger than simply schlecht and often expresses strong criticism or an unpleasant personal state. It can describe things, conditions, or feelings; its comparison is regular: miserabler, am miserabelsten.
Das Wetter ist miserabel.
The weather is miserable.
das Wetter means the weather. Miserabel is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir hatten einen miserablen Urlaub.
We had a miserable holiday.
Urlaub means holiday and haben means have. Einen miserablen Urlaub is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
Heute geht es mir miserabler als gestern.
Today I feel worse than yesterday.
heute means today, gestern means yesterday, and als means than. In the expression es geht mir, mir is dative because it names the person whose state is described; the comparative form is used without an adjective ending after geht.
Das war der miserabelste Film des Jahres.
That was the worst film of the year.
der Film means the film and des Jahres means of the year. Der miserabelste Film is nominative after war, and des Jahres is genitive to show the period to which the comparison belongs.
das Misstrauen — distrust, suspicion ​
das Misstrauen is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no ordinary plural. The common opposite is das Vertrauen, and a person can Misstrauen haben or Misstrauen gegen jemanden hegen.
Das Misstrauen wächst langsam.
The distrust is slowly growing.
wächst means grows and langsam means slowly. Das Misstrauen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
Sie spĂĽrt das Misstrauen.
She senses the distrust.
spĂĽren means sense or feel. Das Misstrauen is accusative because it is the direct object of spĂĽren; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit dem Misstrauen kann niemand gut arbeiten.
No one can work well with distrust.
mit means with, niemand means no one, and gut arbeiten means work well. Dem Misstrauen is dative because mit forces the dative; the modal kann is finite in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Wegen des Misstrauens prĂĽft er alles genau.
Because of the distrust, he checks everything carefully.
wegen means because of, prĂĽfen means check, alles means everything, and genau means carefully. Des Misstrauens is genitive because formal standard German uses genitive after wegen; the finite verb prĂĽft remains in position two.
Misstrauen macht eine Zusammenarbeit schwierig.
Distrust makes cooperation difficult.
Zusammenarbeit means cooperation and schwierig means difficult. Misstrauen is a mass noun and normally has no plural; it is nominative as the subject, while eine Zusammenarbeit is accusative after macht.
die Motivation — motivation, incentive ​
Die Motivation is usually uncountable when it means motivation in general, but Motivationen is possible when different motives or sources of motivation are being listed. It is closely related to motiviert, meaning motivated.
Motivation ist beim Lernen sehr wichtig.
Motivation is very important when learning.
beim Lernen means while learning, and sehr wichtig means very important. Motivation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Trainer gibt den Spielern neue Motivation.
The coach gives the players new motivation.
der Trainer is the coach, gibt means gives, and die Spieler are the players. Neue Motivation is accusative because geben takes the thing given in the accusative, while den Spielern is dative for the recipients.
Mit der Motivation der Gruppe war die Arbeit leichter.
With the group's motivation, the work was easier.
mit means with, die Gruppe is the group, and leichter means easier. Der Motivation is dative because mit requires the dative; der Gruppe is genitive, meaning of the group.
Die Stärke der Motivation überrascht mich.
The strength of the motivation surprises me.
die Stärke means strength and überrascht means surprises. Der Motivation is genitive because it specifies whose strength is meant, while mich is accusative as the person surprised.
Unterschiedliche Motivationen fĂĽhren zu unterschiedlichen Zielen.
Different motivations lead to different goals.
unterschiedlich means different, fĂĽhren zu means lead to, and die Ziele are the goals. Unterschiedliche Motivationen is plural nominative as the subject; zu unterschiedlichen Zielen is dative because zu requires the dative.
Ich brauche mehr Motivation fĂĽr die PrĂĽfung.
I need more motivation for the exam.
brauche means need, mehr means more, and die PrĂĽfung is the exam. Mehr Motivation is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; fĂĽr die PrĂĽfung is also accusative because fĂĽr requires it.
motiviert — motivated, keen ​
Motiviert is often used with sein to describe a person's state. It is the Partizip II of motivieren, but here it functions as an adjective and can be compared normally.
Nach dem Gespräch ist sie wieder motiviert.
After the conversation, she is motivated again.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and wieder means again. Motiviert is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Ein motivierter Mitarbeiter lernt schneller.
A motivated employee learns faster.
ein Mitarbeiter is an employee and schneller means faster. Motivierter stands before the masculine nominative noun and takes -er after ein; the adjective describes the subject.
Sie ist heute motivierter als gestern.
She is more motivated today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Motivierter compares her motivation today with yesterday's using als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Von allen ist Paul am motiviertesten.
Of everyone, Paul is the most motivated.
von allen means of or among everyone, and von takes the dative. Am motiviertesten is the predicative superlative after ist; do not put am before a noun.
der Mut — courage, bravery ​
Mut is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no ordinary plural. The common expression Mut machen means “to encourage” literally “to make courage,” and it takes the person being encouraged in the dative.
Mut ist wichtig, wenn man etwas Neues beginnt.
Courage is important when you start something new.
wichtig means important, and etwas Neues means something new. Mut is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and wenn sends beginnt to the end of its clause.
Sie zeigt groĂźen Mut.
She shows great courage.
zeigen means to show, and groĂź means great or considerable. GroĂźen Mut is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; the adjective has the accusative ending -en after groĂźen.
Mit Mut schafft er die schwierige Aufgabe.
With courage, he manages the difficult task.
mit means with, schaffen means to manage, and die schwierige Aufgabe means the difficult task. Mit always takes dative, but the masculine noun Mut has no visible dative ending; the finite verb schafft is in position two.
Die Stärke des Mutes überrascht mich.
The strength of his courage surprises me.
die Stärke means strength, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Mutes is genitive because it explains which strength is meant; mich is accusative because it is the person affected.
die Not — need, hardship, distress; necessity, need (in a fixed expression) ​
In the common phrase in Not sein, Not means being in serious difficulty and is usually used without an article. The plural Nöte refers to separate hardships or difficult problems.
Die Not der Familie ist groĂź.
The family's hardship is great.
die Familie means the family, and groĂź means great or severe. Die Not is nominative because it is the subject, while der Familie is genitive and shows whose hardship it is.
Viele Menschen spĂĽren die Not der anderen.
Many people feel the hardship of others.
viele Menschen means many people, spĂĽren means feel, and die anderen means the others. die Not is accusative because spĂĽren takes a direct object; der anderen is genitive and means of the others.
Wir helfen den Menschen in der Not.
We help the people in need.
wir helfen means we help, and den Menschen means the people. helfen takes a dative object, and in der Not is a fixed phrase with in plus dative for a situation; Not itself does not change.
Die Ursachen der Not sind vielfältig.
The causes of hardship are varied.
die Ursachen means the causes, vielfältig means varied, and sind means are. der Not is genitive after Ursachen to identify what kind of causes they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
In Krisen entstehen große Nöte.
Serious hardships arise in crises.
in Krisen means in crises, and entstehen means arise or come about. Nöte is plural and is the nominative subject; in takes the dative for a fixed setting, shown by the plural form Krisen.
Es tut nicht Not, sich zu beeilen.
There is no need to hurry.
es tut Not means there is a need, sich beeilen means to hurry, and nicht means not. This is a fixed, somewhat formal expression; the infinitive phrase sich zu beeilen comes after Not, and sich is the reflexive pronoun.
Das tut Not, wenn wir sicher ankommen wollen.
That is necessary if we want to arrive safely.
sicher ankommen means arrive safely, and wenn means if or when. Das tut Not is a fixed expression meaning that something is necessary; in the subordinate clause after wenn, the finite verb wollen goes to the end.
die Persönlichkeit — personality; notable person ​
The usual meaning is a person's character and individuality. It can also describe a well-known or influential person, especially in the plural or in formal language.
Die Persönlichkeit eines Menschen verändert sich.
A person's personality changes.
ein Mensch means a person, and sich verändern means to change. Die Persönlichkeit is nominative because it is the subject; eines Menschen is genitive and means of a person.
Viele Menschen bewundern die Persönlichkeit.
Many people admire the personality.
viele Menschen means many people, and bewundern means to admire. Die Persönlichkeit is accusative because bewundern takes an accusative object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er gibt der Persönlichkeit Raum.
He gives the personality room to develop.
Raum geben means to give room, and er means he. Der Persönlichkeit is dative because geben can take the recipient or beneficiary in the dative; gibt is in position two.
Die Entwicklung der Persönlichkeit braucht Zeit.
The development of personality takes time.
die Entwicklung means the development, and Zeit means time. Der Persönlichkeit is genitive because it identifies what is being developed; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Kinder entwickeln unterschiedliche Persönlichkeiten.
Children develop different personalities.
Kinder means children, and unterschiedlich means different. Persönlichkeiten is plural and accusative because entwickeln takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
Sie hat eine interessante Persönlichkeit.
She has an interesting personality.
interessant means interesting, and haben means to have. Eine interessante Persönlichkeit is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the adjective gets -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
prachtvoll — magnificent, splendid ​
Der Saal ist prachtvoll.
The hall is magnificent.
der Saal means the hall. After sein, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie wohnt in einem prachtvollen Schloss.
She lives in a magnificent castle.
wohnen means to live, and das Schloss is a castle. in takes the dative here because this sentence describes location, so prachtvoll gets the ending -en after einem.
Der neue Saal ist prachtvoller als der alte.
The new hall is more magnificent than the old one.
neu means new and alt means old. The comparative prachtvoller follows ist as a predicative adjective and is followed by als for the comparison.
Der Dom ist am prachtvollsten.
The cathedral is the most magnificent.
der Dom means the cathedral. The superlative am prachtvollsten is the predicative am form and has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
reizen — to irritate; to tease; to appeal to ​
The person affected is normally an accusative object: jemanden reizen. In the sense “to appeal to,” German uses Das reizt mich, literally “that stimulates me”; do not use the dative mir in this standard pattern.
Der Lärm reizt mich.
The noise irritates me.
Der Lärm means “the noise.” Mich is accusative because reizen takes the person who is irritated as its direct object, and the finite verb reizt stands in position two.
Der Lärm hat mich gereizt.
The noise irritated me.
Lärm means “noise.” Hat is the auxiliary in position two, mich remains accusative, and gereizt goes to the end because it is the Partizip II.
Der Lärm reizte die Nachbarn.
The noise irritated the neighbours.
die Nachbarn means “the neighbours.” Die Nachbarn is accusative as the object of reizen; in the simple past, the weak form reizte stands in position two.
Reiz ihn nicht!
Don’t tease him!
ihn means “him,” and nicht means “not.” Reiz is the du imperative, and ihn is accusative because he is the person being teased.
Das würde mich reizen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
That would appeal to me if I had time.
Das means “that,” and Zeit means “time.” In the meaning “appeal to,” mich is accusative in standard German; würde carries the subjunctive meaning and reizen stays at the end of the main clause.
Die Reise wird mich reizen.
The trip will appeal to me.
Die Reise means “the trip.” Mich is accusative because it is the person affected or attracted, while wird is in position two and the infinitive reizen is at the end.
schockieren — to shock ​
Schockieren takes an accusative object for the person affected: jemanden schockieren means to shock someone. The adjective schockiert describes the person's reaction, while the verb names what causes it.
Die Nachricht schockiert ihn.
The news shocks him.
die Nachricht means the news and ihn means him. Die Nachricht is nominative as the cause, while ihn is accusative because schockieren takes the person affected as a direct object; the finite verb schockiert is in position two.
Die Nachricht hat ihn schockiert.
The news shocked him.
die Nachricht means the news and ihn means him. The perfect is formed with hat plus schockiert at the end; because schockieren ends in -ieren, its Partizip II has no ge-.
Die Nachricht schockierte ihn.
The news shocked him.
die Nachricht means the news and ihn means him. Schockierte is the regular weak preterite in position two, and ihn is accusative as the direct object.
Schockiere ihn nicht!
Don't shock him!
ihn means him and nicht means not. Schockiere is the du imperative without a subject pronoun; ihn remains accusative because it is the object of the verb.
Das wĂĽrde mich sehr schockieren.
That would shock me greatly.
das means that, wĂĽrde means would, and sehr means very or greatly. The construction wĂĽrde ... schockieren expresses a hypothetical result; mich is accusative as the person affected, and the infinitive goes to the end.
Die Bilder werden viele Menschen schockieren.
The pictures will shock many people.
die Bilder means the pictures and viele Menschen means many people. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive schockieren at the end; viele Menschen is accusative as the direct object.
der Schrecken — fear, terror; fright; horror, terrible experience ​
The expression jemandem einen Schrecken einjagen uses a dative person and an accusative fright. In the sense of a frightening experience, the plural is die Schrecken.
Der Schrecken saĂź mir noch lange in den Knochen.
The fright stayed with me for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and in den Knochen sitzen is an idiom meaning to remain deeply felt. Der Schrecken is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because the idiom describes something remaining with a person; the finite verb saĂź is in position two.
Ich konnte den Schrecken in ihrem Gesicht sehen.
I could see the fear on her face.
in ihrem Gesicht means in her face. Den Schrecken is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and konnte is in position two while sehen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Nach dem Unfall sprach er lange von dem Schrecken.
After the accident, he talked about the fright for a long time.
der Unfall means the accident, and lange means for a long time. Dem Schrecken is dative because von always takes the dative; the finite verb sprach is in position two.
Die Folgen des Schreckens waren noch sichtbar.
The effects of the terror were still visible.
die Folgen means the effects, and sichtbar means visible. Des Schreckens is genitive because it identifies whose effects they were; the genitive ending -s is easy to miss.
Die Schrecken des Krieges sind schwer zu vergessen.
The horrors of war are difficult to forget.
der Krieg means war, and schwer zu vergessen means difficult to forget. Schrecken is the plural after die, while des Krieges is genitive because it specifies which horrors; the plural has no ending change.
Der laute Knall jagte mir einen Schrecken ein.
The loud bang gave me a fright.
der Knall is the bang, laut means loud, and jemandem einen Schrecken einjagen means to give someone a fright. Mir is dative for the person affected, while einen Schrecken is accusative as the object; the separable verb einjagen splits into jagte ... ein.
Die Schrecken des Krieges sind in dem Film deutlich zu sehen.
The horrors of war can clearly be seen in the film.
der Krieg means war, deutlich means clearly, and der Film means the film. Schrecken is plural after die, while des Krieges is genitive to show the source; sind comes in position two and zu sehen remains at the end.
Sie erzählte von den Schrecken ihrer Kindheit.
She told us about the horrors of her childhood.
erzählen means to tell, and die Kindheit means childhood. Von requires the dative, so the plural is den Schrecken; ihrer Kindheit is genitive-like possession expressed with a possessive determiner.
die Seele — soul; inner self ​
Die Seele can mean the soul in a religious or spiritual sense, or a person's inner self and feelings. In the expression eine gute Seele, it can also describe a kind, helpful person; the plural is Seelen.
Die Seele braucht manchmal Ruhe.
The soul sometimes needs peace and quiet.
braucht means needs, manchmal means sometimes, and Ruhe means peace and quiet. Die Seele is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
Musik beruhigt die Seele.
Music calms the soul.
Musik means music and beruhigt means calms. Die Seele is accusative because beruhigen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article is still die in the accusative.
Er vertraut seiner Seele.
He trusts his soul.
er vertraut means he trusts, and seiner means his. Seiner Seele is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraut is in position two.
Die Stimme der Seele ist leise.
The voice of the soul is quiet.
die Stimme means the voice and leise means quiet or soft. Der Seele is genitive because it shows whose voice it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Seelen finden Trost in der Kunst.
Many souls find comfort in art.
viele means many, finden means find, Trost means comfort, and die Kunst means art. Seelen is plural and the subject, while in der Kunst is dative because it describes a fixed context or location.
sehnen — to long, to yearn ​
This verb is normally used reflexively as sich sehnen. The fixed preposition is nach with the dative: sich nach jemandem oder etwas sehnen.
Ich sehne mich nach meiner Familie.
I long for my family.
meine Familie means my family, and nach means for or after in this expression. Mich is accusative because sich sehnen is used reflexively, while nach takes the dative, shown by meiner Familie; the finite verb sehne is in position two.
Sie hat sich nach dem Meer gesehnt.
She longed for the sea.
das Meer means the sea, and hat is the present form of haben. The reflexive pronoun sich is accusative, nach requires the dative in dem Meer, and gesehnt goes at the end as the Partizip II.
Er sehnte sich nach seiner Heimat.
He longed for his homeland.
seine Heimat means his homeland. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, nach takes the dative in seiner Heimat, and the weak past form sehnte stands in position two.
Sehne dich nicht nach der Vergangenheit!
Do not long for the past!
nicht means not, and die Vergangenheit means the past. The imperative uses sehne with the reflexive accusative dich; nach der Vergangenheit is a dative phrase because nach requires the dative.
Wenn ich frei hätte, sehnte ich mich nach einer langen Reise.
If I had time off, I would long for a long journey.
frei haben means to have time off, and eine lange Reise means a long journey. The conditional form hätte and the Konjunktiv II form sehnte express an unreal situation; nach still takes the dative, shown by einer langen Reise.
Nach dem Umzug wird sie sich nach ihrer alten Wohnung sehnen.
After the move, she will long for her old flat.
der Umzug means the move, and die alte Wohnung means the old flat. Nach dem Umzug is a dative time phrase, while ihrer alten Wohnung is dative after nach; wird is in position two and the infinitive sehnen goes to the end.
selbstbewusst — self-confident ​
Selbstbewusst describes someone who trusts their own abilities and shows this confidence. It can be used predicatively after sein or wirken, and attributively before a noun with an adjective ending.
Sie ist sehr selbstbewusst.
She is very self-confident.
sehr means very. Selbstbewusst is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er hat eine selbstbewusste Stimme.
He has a self-confident voice.
eine Stimme means a voice. Selbstbewusste comes before the feminine accusative noun Stimme and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; hat is in position two.
Nach dem Training wirkt sie selbstbewusster.
After the training, she seems more self-confident.
nach dem Training means after the training, and wirkt means seems or appears. Nach takes the dative, while selbstbewusster is a predicative comparative after wirkt and has no ending.
Von allen Bewerbern wirkt er am selbstbewusstesten.
Of all the applicants, he seems the most self-confident.
von allen Bewerbern means of all the applicants, and wirkt means seems. Von takes the dative plural, and the predicative superlative uses am selbstbewusstesten; it does not take an adjective ending here.
sensibel — sensitive, easily hurt; delicate; sensitive, delicate; highly responsive ​
For people, sensibel often means emotionally sensitive. It can also mean delicate or easily affected, but it does not simply mean English sensible, which usually translates as vernĂĽnftig.
Sie ist sehr sensibel.
She is very sensitive.
sie means she and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so sensibel has no ending and describes the subject in the nominative.
Er braucht einen sensiblen Gesprächspartner.
He needs a sensitive conversation partner.
braucht means needs and der Gesprächspartner is a conversation partner. einen sensiblen Gesprächspartner is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -en after einen.
Mia ist sensibler als ihr Bruder.
Mia is more sensitive than her brother.
ihr Bruder means her brother. sensibler is the comparative and is followed by als; because it follows ist predicatively, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Kindern reagiert Lea am sensibelsten.
Of all the children, Lea reacts the most sensitively.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and reagiert means reacts. The adverbial superlative uses am sensibelsten; von forces the dative, shown by plural Kindern.
Das Gerät hat einen sensiblen Sensor.
The device has a sensitive sensor.
das Gerät means the device and der Sensor means the sensor. einen sensiblen Sensor is accusative after hat; the adjective takes -en after masculine einen.
Bitte behandeln Sie diese sensiblen Daten vorsichtig.
Please handle this sensitive data carefully.
behandeln means handle, die Daten means the data, and vorsichtig means carefully. diese sensiblen Daten is the accusative object, and the formal imperative behandeln Sie keeps the verb in position one.
spüren — to feel, to sense ​
SpĂĽren is used for a physical sensation, an emotion, or an awareness of something. It takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben: hat gespĂĽrt.
Ich spĂĽre einen Schmerz im RĂĽcken.
I feel a pain in my back.
einen Schmerz means a pain, and im RĂĽcken means in the back. Einen Schmerz is accusative because spĂĽren takes the sensation as its object; spĂĽre is the finite verb in position two.
Sie hat die Kälte deutlich gespürt.
She clearly felt the cold.
die Kälte means the cold, and deutlich means clearly. Die Kälte is accusative, hat is in position two, and gespürt goes to the end as the Partizip II with haben.
Er spürte plötzlich eine starke Angst.
He suddenly felt a strong fear.
plötzlich means suddenly, and eine starke Angst means a strong fear. Eine starke Angst is accusative as the object of spüren; the weak past form spürte occupies position two.
SpĂĽr einmal den Wind!
Feel the wind for a moment!
einmal softens the instruction and can mean for a moment here, while der Wind means the wind. SpĂĽr is the du imperative, and den Wind is accusative because it is what the listener should feel.
Ich spürte die Gefahr, wenn ich genauer hingesehen hätte.
I would have sensed the danger if I had looked more carefully.
die Gefahr means the danger, and genauer hingesehen means looked more carefully. The form spürte can express an unreal result here because the wenn clause gives the hypothetical condition; its verb group ends with hätte.
Du wirst die Veränderung bald spüren.
You will soon feel the change.
die Veränderung means the change, and bald means soon. Wirst is in position two and the infinitive spüren goes to the end; die Veränderung is accusative as the object.
stabil — stable, sturdy, strong; stable, secure, reliable ​
Stabil can describe a physical object, a situation, or a condition that does not change easily. Its comparison is regular: stabiler, am stabilsten; the opposite is instabil.
Die BrĂĽcke ist stabil.
The bridge is stable.
die BrĂĽcke means the bridge. Stabil is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen einen stabilen Tisch.
We need a sturdy table.
brauchen means need and der Tisch is the table. Einen stabilen Tisch is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; after einen, the masculine adjective takes -en.
Dieser Tisch ist stabiler als der alte.
This table is more stable than the old one.
dieser Tisch means this table and alt means old. Stabiler compares two tables and is followed by als; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von allen StĂĽhlen ist dieser am stabilsten.
Of all the chairs, this one is the most stable.
von allen StĂĽhlen means of all the chairs, and dieser means this one. Am stabilsten is the predicative superlative used after sein; von requires the dative, so StĂĽhlen has the plural dative ending -n.
Die politische Lage bleibt stabil.
The political situation remains stable.
politisch means political, die Lage means situation, and bleibt means remains. Stabil is predicative after bleiben, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Nach dem Unfall ist sein Zustand wieder stabil.
After the accident, his condition is stable again.
der Unfall is the accident, sein Zustand means his condition, and wieder means again. Nach dem Unfall is dative because nach requires the dative; stabil follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending.
strahlend — radiant, shining, beaming ​
Strahlend can describe bright light, especially sunlight, or a person who looks extremely happy. It is also the present participle of strahlen, but as an adjective it can take normal adjective endings and comparison.
Die Sonne ist heute strahlend.
The sun is shining brightly today.
die Sonne means “the sun,” and heute means “today.” Strahlend is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie trug ein strahlendes Lächeln.
She wore a radiant smile.
trug means “wore,” and ein Lächeln means “a smile”; strahlendes means “radiant.” Ein strahlendes Lächeln is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective ending -es follows the indefinite article ein.
Heute wirkt sie strahlender als gestern.
Today she looks more radiant than yesterday.
wirkt means “looks or seems,” and gestern means “yesterday.” Strahlender compares her appearance with yesterday; als introduces the comparison, while wirkt remains in position two.
Am Morgen ist der Himmel am strahlendsten.
In the morning, the sky is at its most radiant.
am Morgen means “in the morning,” and der Himmel means “the sky.” Am strahlendsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb ist is in position two and the superlative stays at the end.
stressig — stressful ​
stressig describes something that causes or contains Stress. It is different from gestresst, which describes a person who is feeling stressed.
Der neue Job ist stressig.
The new job is stressful.
der neue Job means the new job. stressig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das war ein stressiger Tag.
That was a stressful day.
ein Tag means a day and war means was. stressiger stands before the masculine noun Tag after ein, so it takes the ending -er; war is the finite verb in position two.
Diese Woche ist stressiger als letzte Woche.
This week is more stressful than last week.
diese Woche means this week and letzte Woche means last week. stressiger compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Der Montag ist am stressigsten.
Monday is the most stressful.
der Montag means Monday. am stressigsten is the predicative superlative; am belongs to this form and should not be replaced by der here.
die Trauer — grief, mourning ​
die Trauer is normally a mass noun, so it is used without a plural. For the people who are mourning, German uses die Trauernden.
Die Trauer ist noch sehr stark.
The grief is still very strong.
noch means still and sehr stark means very strong. Die Trauer is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; Trauer is normally an uncountable noun and has no plural.
Viele Menschen fĂĽhlen die Trauer der Familie.
Many people feel the family's grief.
viele Menschen means many people and die Familie means the family. Die Trauer is accusative because fĂĽhlen takes a direct object, while der Familie is genitive and means of the family.
Wir sprechen mit der Trauernden ĂĽber ihren Verlust.
We speak with the grieving woman about her loss.
die Trauernde means the grieving woman and der Verlust means the loss. Mit der Trauernden is dative because mit requires the dative; ĂĽber ihren Verlust is an additional phrase with ĂĽber plus accusative.
Das Ende der Trauer braucht Zeit.
The end of the mourning takes time.
das Ende means the end and Zeit means time. Der Trauer is genitive and means of the mourning; the feminine noun has no ending, so the article carries the case information.
die Trennung — separation, break-up ​
Die Trennung can describe separating objects or people, and it can also mean the end of a romantic relationship. The verb form sich trennen is commonly used for a couple breaking up.
Die Trennung war schwer.
The separation was difficult.
schwer means difficult or hard. Die Trennung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich akzeptiere die Trennung.
I accept the separation.
akzeptieren means to accept. die Trennung is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; the finite verb akzeptiere stands in position two.
Nach der Trennung wohnt er allein.
After the separation, he lives alone.
nach means after, and allein means alone. der Trennung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the main verb wohnt is in position two.
Die Folgen der Trennung waren deutlich.
The consequences of the separation were clear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. der Trennung is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the plural subject die Folgen takes waren.
Viele Trennungen sind emotional belastend.
Many separations are emotionally stressful.
viele means many, and emotional belastend means emotionally stressful. Trennungen is the regular plural with -en and is nominative because it is the subject.
trüb — cloudy, murky; dull ​
For weather or liquid, trĂĽb means cloudy or murky rather than clear. It can also describe a sad or dull mood; its comparison is regular: trĂĽber, am trĂĽbsten.
Das Wasser ist heute trĂĽb.
The water is cloudy today.
das Wasser means the water, and heute means today. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending and describes the nominative subject das Wasser.
Wir trinken kein trĂĽbes Wasser.
We do not drink cloudy water.
trinken means to drink, kein means no or not any, and das Wasser means the water. trĂĽbes Wasser is accusative because it is the object of trinken, and the adjective takes -es after kein in the neuter accusative.
Heute ist der See trĂĽber als gestern.
Today the lake is cloudier than yesterday.
der See means the lake and gestern means yesterday. trĂĽber is followed by als in a comparison, while ist remains in position two.
Im November ist der Himmel am trĂĽbsten.
In November the sky is at its cloudiest.
im November means in November, and der Himmel means the sky. The superlative after ist uses am trĂĽbsten; ist is in position two and the superlative stays after the subject.
unheimlich — eerie, creepy, frightening ​
unheimlich describes something that feels strange and frightening rather than simply dangerous. It is often used for dark places, unusual noises, or an unsettling atmosphere.
Der Keller ist unheimlich.
The basement is creepy.
der Keller is the basement. unheimlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir hören ein unheimliches Geräusch.
We hear a strange, frightening noise.
wir hören means we hear, and das Geräusch is the noise. ein unheimliches Geräusch is accusative because hören takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Der Wald wirkt nachts unheimlicher.
The forest seems eerier at night.
der Wald is the forest, wirken means to seem, and nachts means at night. unheimlicher is the comparative used after wirken; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Dieser Film ist am unheimlichsten.
This film is the eeriest.
dieser Film means this film. am unheimlichsten is the superlative after sein and has no noun ending; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
die Unruhe — restlessness, unease; unrest; disturbance, commotion ​
For a person's feeling, Unruhe means inner restlessness or anxiety. In the plural, Unruhen usually means public or political disturbances, not several private feelings.
Die Unruhe machte mich nervös.
The restlessness made me nervous.
machte means made, and nervös means nervous. Die Unruhe is the nominative subject, while mich is accusative because the verb phrase jemanden nervös machen takes the person affected in the accusative.
Ich spĂĽre die Unruhe im Raum.
I can feel the unease in the room.
spĂĽre means can feel, and im Raum means in the room. die Unruhe is accusative because spĂĽren takes an accusative object; im is in dem, with dative because it describes a location.
Die Unruhe macht der Patientin groĂźe Angst.
The restlessness is causing the female patient great anxiety.
die Patientin means the female patient, groĂźe Angst means great fear or anxiety, and macht means causes. der Patientin is dative because machen in this pattern gives the person affected a dative role, while Angst is the accusative object.
Die Ursache der Unruhe ist noch unklar.
The cause of the restlessness is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. der Unruhe is genitive after Ursache to show what kind of cause it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach den Wahlen gab es Unruhen.
There was unrest after the elections.
nach den Wahlen means after the elections, and gab es means there was or there were. Unruhen is the plural here and refers to disturbances or unrest in several places or events; nach takes the dative, shown by den Wahlen.
Die Kinder sorgen im Haus fĂĽr Unruhe.
The children are causing a disturbance in the house.
die Kinder means the children, sorgen fĂĽr means cause or make sure of, and im Haus means in the house. The fixed phrase fĂĽr Unruhe sorgen uses fĂĽr with the accusative, while im Haus is a dative location.
Wegen der Unruhe konnte ich nicht schlafen.
Because of the disturbance, I could not sleep.
wegen means because of, konnte means could, and schlafen means sleep. der Unruhe is genitive after wegen in careful standard German, and the finite verb konnte comes before the infinitive at the end of the clause.
unsympathisch — unlikeable, unsympathetic ​
Unsympathisch usually means that someone gives you a negative personal impression, not simply that they lack sympathy for another person. It is commonly used with finden or wirken.
Ich finde ihn unsympathisch.
I find him unlikeable.
ich finde ihn means I find him, and ihn means him. Unsympathisch is predicative after finden; ihn is accusative because finden takes an accusative object.
Das ist ein unsympathischer Nachbar.
That is an unlikeable neighbour.
der Nachbar means the neighbour, and das ist means that is. Ein unsympathischer Nachbar is nominative because it follows sein as an identifying complement, and the masculine adjective takes -er after ein.
Der neue Chef wirkt unsympathischer als der alte.
The new boss seems less likeable than the old one.
der neue Chef is the new boss, wirkt means seems, and der alte means the old one. Unsympathischer is a comparison followed by als; wirken takes a predicative adjective without an ending.
Von allen Gästen war er am unsympathischsten.
Of all the guests, he was the least likeable.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. Am unsympathischsten is the predicative superlative, while von always takes the dative, shown by allen Gästen.
unzufrieden — dissatisfied, unhappy ​
This adjective is commonly used with mit plus the dative: mit etwas unzufrieden sein. Do not confuse it with unglĂĽcklich, which can mean generally unhappy or unlucky.
Ich bin mit dem Essen unzufrieden.
I am dissatisfied with the food.
das Essen means the food. Unzufrieden is used after sein as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; mit takes the dative, giving dem Essen.
Die unzufriedene Kundin verlangt ihr Geld zurĂĽck.
The dissatisfied customer demands her money back.
die Kundin means the female customer, verlangt means demands, and ihr Geld zurĂĽck means her money back. Unzufriedene stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after die; ihr Geld is accusative because verlangen takes a direct object.
Er ist heute unzufriedener als gestern.
He is more dissatisfied today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Unzufriedener is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; comparisons use als, not wie, for unequal things.
Von allen Gästen ist sie am unzufriedensten.
Of all the guests, she is the most dissatisfied.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. Von takes the dative, so Gästen has -n; am unzufriedensten is the superlative after ist and does not take an adjective ending.
verlieben — to fall in love ​
This verb is normally used reflexively as sich verlieben. The person or thing one falls in love with is introduced by in plus the accusative.
Er verliebt sich in seine neue Kollegin.
He falls in love with his new colleague.
die neue Kollegin is the new female colleague, and neu means new. The usual expression is sich in jemanden verlieben; in takes the accusative here, and the finite verb verliebt stands in position two.
Sie hat sich in ihren Nachbarn verliebt.
She has fallen in love with her neighbour.
der Nachbar is the neighbour, and ihr means her. The perfect uses hat plus verliebt at the end; the reflexive pronoun is sich, and in ihren Nachbarn is accusative after in in this expression.
Als Student verliebte er sich in eine Musikerin.
As a student, he fell in love with a musician.
als Student means as a student, and die Musikerin is the female musician. Verliebte is the weak preterite form; the finite verb is in position two in the main clause, while sich follows it.
Verlieb dich nicht in jemanden, der dich nicht respektiert.
Do not fall in love with someone who does not respect you.
nicht means not, jemand means someone, and respektieren means to respect. The imperative for du is verlieb and the reflexive pronoun is dich; the relative-clause verb respektiert stands at the end.
Ich wĂĽrde mich gern in einen freundlichen Menschen verlieben.
I would like to fall in love with a kind person.
gern means gladly or would like to, freundlich means kind, and der Mensch is a person. WĂĽrde plus the infinitive expresses an unreal or desired situation; in einen freundlichen Menschen is accusative in the fixed expression.
Vielleicht wird sie sich bald verlieben.
Perhaps she will fall in love soon.
vielleicht means perhaps and bald means soon. Future wird is in position two and the infinitive verlieben goes to the end; the reflexive pronoun sich stays before the infinitive.
der Verlust — loss ​
Der Verlust usually means the loss of something valuable or important. For a financial loss, German also commonly uses der Verlust; the opposite is der Gewinn.
Der Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes war fĂĽr sie ein Schock.
The loss of her job was a shock for her.
der Arbeitsplatz means job, and ein Schock means a shock. Der Verlust is nominative because it is the subject; des Arbeitsplatzes is genitive because it specifies what was lost, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Sie konnte den Verlust nur schwer akzeptieren.
She found it difficult to accept the loss.
konnte means could, nur schwer means only with difficulty, and akzeptieren means to accept. Den Verlust is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; konnte is in position two and akzeptieren goes to the end.
Nach dem Verlust brauchte er einige Tage Ruhe.
After the loss, he needed a few days of rest.
nach means after, einige Tage means a few days, and Ruhe means rest. Dem Verlust is dative because nach always governs the dative; the verb brauchte is in position two.
Die Folgen des Verlustes waren lange spĂĽrbar.
The consequences of the loss could be felt for a long time.
die Folgen means the consequences and spĂĽrbar means noticeable or able to be felt. Des Verlustes is genitive and describes which consequences; the plural subject die Folgen puts waren in position two.
Viele Verluste entstehen durch schlechte Planung.
Many losses arise through poor planning.
viele means many, entstehen means arise, schlechte Planung means poor planning. Verluste is plural nominative because it is the subject, while durch would normally take accusative; here durch introduces the cause.
verraten — to reveal; to tell; to betray ​
The information revealed is accusative, and the person told is usually dative. Verraten can sound negative because it often involves a secret or information that should have been kept private.
Er verrät niemandem das Geheimnis.
He does not reveal the secret to anyone.
niemandem means to nobody, and das Geheimnis means the secret. Das Geheimnis is accusative because it is the thing revealed, while niemandem is dative for the person receiving the information; verrät stands in position two.
Sie hat mir die Ăśberraschung verraten.
She revealed the surprise to me.
mir means to me, and die Ăśberraschung means the surprise. Mir is dative for the person told and die Ăśberraschung is accusative for the information; hat stands in position two and verraten closes the perfect clause.
Der Zeuge verriet die Wahrheit.
The witness revealed the truth.
der Zeuge is the witness, and die Wahrheit means the truth. Die Wahrheit is accusative because it is what was revealed; verriet is the strong past form and stands in position two.
Verrat mir bitte, was passiert ist!
Please tell me what happened!
mir means to me, bitte means please, and was passiert ist means what happened. Mir is dative for the person told; the imperative verrat starts the sentence, while the verb in the embedded clause ist goes to the end.
Wenn ich es wĂĽsste, verriete ich dir alles.
If I knew it, I would tell you everything.
wenn ich es wĂĽsste means if I knew it, and alles means everything. Dir is dative for the person told and alles is accusative for the information; verriete is the hypothetical form of the strong verb.
Er wird uns morgen die Neuigkeit verraten.
He will tell us the news tomorrow.
uns means to us, morgen means tomorrow, and die Neuigkeit is the news. Uns is dative and die Neuigkeit is accusative; wird stands in position two and the infinitive verraten goes to the end.
Er hat seinen besten Freund verraten.
He betrayed his best friend.
seinen besten Freund means his best friend. The phrase is accusative because the betrayed person is the direct object; hat stands in position two and verraten goes to the end.
Sie fĂĽhlte sich von ihrem Partner verraten.
She felt betrayed by her partner.
fĂĽhlte sich means felt herself, and ihrem Partner means by her partner. Sich is accusative with fĂĽhlen, while von takes the dative, so ihrem Partner is dative; the Partizip II verraten stands at the end.
verwöhnen — to pamper, to spoil ​
Verwöhnen takes an accusative object for the person or animal receiving special treatment: jemanden verwöhnen. It can be positive, meaning pamper, or negative, meaning spoil; the inseparable prefix ver- does not split.
Meine Großeltern verwöhnen mich jedes Wochenende.
My grandparents spoil me every weekend.
die Großeltern means grandparents, and jedes Wochenende means every weekend. Mich is accusative because verwöhnen takes an accusative person; the finite verb verwöhnen is in position two.
Das Hotel hat uns mit einem großen Frühstück verwöhnt.
The hotel pampered us with a large breakfast.
das Hotel means hotel, uns means us, and ein großes Frühstück means a large breakfast. Uns is accusative as the person being pampered, and the Partizip II verwöhnt goes to the end with hat.
Früher verwöhnte sie ihren Hund jeden Tag.
She used to spoil her dog every day.
früher means formerly, and der Hund means dog. Ihren Hund is accusative because it is the object; the finite Präteritum form verwöhnte stands in position two.
Verwöhn deine Kinder nicht zu sehr!
Do not spoil your children too much!
deine Kinder means your children, and zu sehr means too much. The imperative verwöhn comes first and takes the accusative object deine Kinder; nicht negates the action.
Ich würde meine Gäste gern verwöhnen.
I would gladly pamper my guests.
meine Gäste means my guests, and gern means gladly. Meine Gäste is accusative after verwöhnen; in the würde construction, the infinitive verwöhnen goes to the end.
Wir werden unsere Freunde morgen verwöhnen.
We will pamper our friends tomorrow.
unsere Freunde means our friends, and morgen means tomorrow. Unsere Freunde is accusative because it is the object; werden is in position two and the infinitive verwöhnen goes to the end.
verzweifelt — desperate, hopeless; desperate, urgent ​
Verzweifelt describes a person who sees no way out; it is stronger than simply traurig, sad. It can be used both before a noun, as in ein verzweifelter Mann, and after sein, as in er ist verzweifelt.
Nach dem Unfall war er völlig verzweifelt.
After the accident, he was completely desperate.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and völlig means completely. Verzweifelt is predicative after war, so it has no adjective ending; nach takes the dative in this time expression, shown by dem Unfall.
Eine verzweifelte Mutter rief die Polizei.
A desperate mother called the police.
eine Mutter means a mother, and rief die Polizei means called the police. Before the feminine nominative noun Mutter, verzweifelte takes an -e ending; the finite verb rief is in position two.
Er wirkte heute verzweifelter als gestern.
He seemed more desperate today than yesterday.
wirkte means seemed or appeared, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. The comparative verzweifelter follows wirken without an ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Bewerbern wirkte sie am verzweifelsten.
Of all the applicants, she seemed the most desperate.
von allen Bewerbern means of all the applicants, and wirkte means seemed. The predicative superlative uses am verzweifelsten without an adjective ending; von takes the dative plural Bewerbern.
Sie suchte verzweifelt nach ihrem SchlĂĽssel.
She desperately searched for her key.
suchte means searched, nach means for in this expression, and ihr SchlĂĽssel means her key. Verzweifelt is used adverbially and therefore has no ending; nach takes the dative, so ihrem SchlĂĽssel is dative.
Der verzweifelte Mann bat um Hilfe.
The desperate man asked for help.
der Mann means the man, bat means asked, and um Hilfe means for help. Verzweifelte has the masculine nominative ending before Mann; um introduces the accusative in the fixed phrase um Hilfe bitten.
die Verzweiflung — despair, desperation ​
Verzweiflung is the noun related to verzweifelt, desperate. The common phrase in Verzweiflung geraten means to fall into despair, while aus Verzweiflung takes the dative.
Die Verzweiflung war ihm deutlich anzusehen.
His despair was clearly visible.
deutlich means clearly, anzusehen means visible or possible to see, and ihm means to him. Die Verzweiflung is the nominative subject, while ihm is dative because the expression jemandem anzusehen sein means to be visible in someone.
Viele Menschen spĂĽren die Verzweiflung der Familie.
Many people sense the family’s despair.
viele Menschen means many people, spĂĽren means sense or feel, and die Familie means the family. Die Verzweiflung is accusative because spĂĽren takes a direct object; der Familie is genitive and means of the family.
Er gab der Verzweiflung nicht nach.
He did not give in to despair.
gab ... nach means gave in, and nicht means not. The separable verb nachgeben takes a dative object, so der Verzweiflung is dative; the finite part gab is in position two and nach goes to the end.
Aus der Verzweiflung rief sie ihre Freundin an.
Out of despair, she called her friend.
aus means out of, rief ... an means called, and ihre Freundin means her female friend. Aus takes the dative, so der Verzweiflung is dative rather than genitive; the separable verb anrufen splits in the main clause.
Nach der Katastrophe folgten Jahre der Verzweiflung.
After the catastrophe, years of despair followed.
nach der Katastrophe means after the catastrophe, folgten means followed, and Jahre means years. Der Verzweiflung is genitive after Jahre and means of despair; the noun has the plural form Verzweiflungen, although this sentence uses the uncountable-like genitive singular.
verärgert — annoyed, angry, upset; upset, displeased ​
verärgert describes a feeling of annoyance or anger. It is commonly used with über plus the accusative for the thing causing the feeling: über etwas verärgert sein.
Ich bin verärgert.
I am annoyed.
ich bin means I am. verärgert is predicative, so it follows the verb bin and has no adjective ending; it describes the subject ich.
Der verärgerte Kunde wartet draußen.
The annoyed customer is waiting outside.
der Kunde means the customer, wartet means is waiting, and draußen means outside. verärgerte stands before the masculine nominative noun Kunde and takes -e after the definite article der.
Nach dem Gespräch war sie noch verärgerter.
After the conversation, she was even more annoyed.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and noch means still or even. dem Gespräch is dative because nach takes the dative; verärgerter follows war and compares her state with an earlier one.
Von allen Gästen war er am verärgertsten.
Of all the guests, he was the most annoyed.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests. Gästen is dative plural after von, and am verärgertsten is the predicative superlative after war.
Die Eltern sind über die Entscheidung verärgert.
The parents are upset about the decision.
die Eltern means the parents, and die Entscheidung means the decision. über die Entscheidung is accusative because verärgert sein über uses über with the accusative; verärgert follows sind without an ending.
Ihre verärgerte Reaktion überraschte mich.
Her annoyed reaction surprised me.
ihre means her, die Reaktion means the reaction, and überraschte means surprised. verärgerte stands before the feminine nominative subject Reaktion and takes -e after ihre; mich is accusative because it is the person affected by überraschen.
wagen — to dare; to risk ​
wagen often has an accusative object, as in etwas wagen, to dare or risk something. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein; the related noun is der Wagen, a car or vehicle.
Ich wage einen neuen Anfang.
I am daring to make a new beginning.
einen neuen Anfang means a new beginning. It is accusative because wagen takes the thing being risked as a direct object, and the finite verb wage is in position two.
Sie hat den Sprung gewagt.
She dared to make the jump.
den Sprung means the jump. The perfect uses hat plus gewagt because wagen takes haben; the participle stands at the end of the clause, and the object is accusative.
Er wagte eine ehrliche Antwort.
He dared to give an honest answer.
eine ehrliche Antwort means an honest answer. The phrase is accusative because it is what he risked, while the weak past form wagte occupies position two.
Wag den ersten Schritt!
Dare to take the first step!
den ersten Schritt means the first step. Wag is the singular imperative, and the accusative object follows it; the subject du is normally left out.
Ich wäre es nicht gewagt, allein zu fahren.
I would not have dared to travel alone.
allein means alone and zu fahren means to travel. The form hätte gewagt expresses an unreal past situation; gewagt stands at the end, and es is the accusative object.
Du wirst es bald wagen.
You will dare to do it soon.
bald means soon and es means it. Future uses wirst plus the infinitive wagen at the end; es is the accusative object of wagen.
wahnsinnig — crazy; insane; incredibly; extremely ​
When used about a person, wahnsinnig means mentally insane and may sound insulting. The adjective is also very common in informal speech with the stronger meaning extremely or incredibly.
Er ist wahnsinnig.
He is crazy.
Er means he. Wahnsinnig is a predicative adjective after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; depending on context, calling a person wahnsinnig can sound harsh or offensive.
Die Ă„rztin behandelt einen wahnsinnigen Mann.
The doctor is treating a mentally ill man.
die Ă„rztin is the female doctor and behandelt means treats. Einen wahnsinnigen Mann is an accusative object, so the adjective takes the ending -en after the indefinite article.
Sein Verhalten wird wahnsinniger.
His behaviour is becoming crazier.
sein Verhalten means his behaviour and wird means becomes. Wahnsinniger is a predicative comparative after werden, so it has no adjective ending.
Das war der wahnsinnigste Streit meines Lebens.
That was the craziest argument of my life.
der Streit means the argument and meines Lebens means of my life. Before the masculine noun Streit, the superlative is wahnsinnigste with an adjective ending; meines Lebens is genitive.
Der Film ist wahnsinnig gut.
The film is incredibly good.
der Film means the film and gut means good. Here wahnsinnig is used informally as an intensifier meaning incredibly; it does not describe mental illness and has no adjective ending before gut.
Sie fährt wahnsinnig schnell.
She drives incredibly fast.
sie fährt means she drives and schnell means fast. Wahnsinnig intensifies the adverb schnell; because it is used adverbially, it does not take an adjective ending.
wahnsinnig — extremely, incredibly ​
In this adverbial use, wahnsinnig means sehr or extremely, not mentally ill. It usually intensifies an adjective or adverb.
Das ist wahnsinnig teuer.
That is incredibly expensive.
teuer means expensive, and das means that or it. Wahnsinnig modifies the adjective teuer and intensifies it; it does not describe a mad person in this sentence.
Der Film war wahnsinnig spannend.
The film was incredibly exciting.
der Film is the film, and spannend means exciting or suspenseful. Wahnsinnig modifies spannend; war is the Präteritum of sein and stands in position two.
wohl — well, surely, clearly ​
As an adverb, wohl can strengthen a statement, especially with wissen or kennen. In many short sentences, however, wohl is a modal particle meaning probably; context and intonation distinguish the uses.
Das weiĂźt du wohl selbst.
You surely know that yourself.
wissen means to know, and selbst means yourself. Wohl strengthens the statement and means something like surely; the finite verb weiĂźt remains in position two.
Er kannte den Weg wohl besser als ich.
He probably knew the way better than I did.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, der Weg means the way, and besser als ich means better than I did. Den Weg is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; wohl modifies the statement rather than changing the word order.