Appearance
Vocab: Food — A1 (3)
Food vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Sahne — cream; whipped cream; cream
die Sahne is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For whipped cream, German often says Schlagsahne.
Die Sahne ist frisch.
The cream is fresh.
frisch means fresh. die Sahne is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Sahne.
I am buying the cream.
kaufe means am buying. die Sahne is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kuchen Sahne.
I add cream to the cake.
gebe means give or add, and dem Kuchen means to the cake. dem Kuchen is dative as the recipient or destination, while uncountable Sahne is the thing added.
Der Geschmack der Sahne ist mild.
The taste of the cream is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild. der Sahne is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; feminine der marks the genitive here.
Auf dem Kuchen ist Sahne.
There is cream on the cake.
auf dem Kuchen means on the cake, and ist means is. dem Kuchen is dative because auf describes a fixed location; uncountable Sahne is the thing located there.
Möchtest du Sahne zu deinem Eis?
Would you like cream with your ice cream?
möchtest du means would you like, and deinem Eis means your ice cream. Sahne is the uncountable accusative object of möchten, while zu always takes the dative.
der Salat — salad; lettuce
der Salat usually means the prepared dish, but it can also mean the leafy vegetable itself. In both uses, the plural is die Salate.
Der Salat ist frisch.
The salad is fresh.
frisch means fresh. der Salat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse den Salat.
I am eating the salad.
esse means am eating. den Salat is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir geben dem Salat Öl und Essig.
We add oil and vinegar to the salad.
Öl means oil and Essig means vinegar. dem Salat is dative because it is the recipient or destination after geben, while Öl und Essig are the things added.
Der Geschmack des Salats ist gut.
The taste of the salad is good.
der Geschmack means the taste and gut means good. des Salats is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the masculine article changes to des.
Auf dem Tisch stehen zwei Salate.
There are two salads on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table and zwei means two. Salate is the plural of Salat with -e; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes location, and stehen is in position two.
Im Garten wächst Salat.
Lettuce is growing in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden and wächst means is growing. Salat is the nominative subject used without an article for a crop or substance; im Garten is dative because it marks location.
Die Bäuerin erntet Salat.
The farmer is harvesting lettuce.
die Bäuerin means the female farmer and erntet means harvests. Salat is an uncountable accusative object after ernten, so it has no article when the amount is not specified.
das Salz — salt
Salz is usually a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural when it means the seasoning. In compounds, it can refer to types of salt, but learners normally use the singular form.
Das Salz steht auf dem Tisch.
The salt is on the table.
stehen means is standing or is placed, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Salz is nominative because it is the subject, while dem Tisch is dative after auf for a fixed location.
Ich brauche das Salz für die Suppe.
I need the salt for the soup.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and die Suppe is the soup. Das Salz is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; für always takes the accusative.
Gib dem Salz etwas Pfeffer dazu.
Add some pepper to the salt.
gib means give or add, etwas Pfeffer means some pepper, and dazu means to it. Dem Salz is dative because it is the recipient or target of gib; the imperative finite verb comes first.
Der Geschmack des Salzes ist stark.
The taste of the salt is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste and stark means strong. Des Salzes is genitive because it means of the salt; the neuter noun adds -es in this form.
Bitte gib mehr Salz in die Soße.
Please put more salt in the sauce.
bitte means please, mehr means more, and die Soße is the sauce. Salz is an uncountable mass noun and normally has no plural; in die Soße is accusative because it expresses movement into the sauce.
Das Essen ist ohne Salz fad.
The food is bland without salt.
das Essen means the food and fad means bland. Ohne Salz means without salt; ohne takes the accusative, but the article is usually omitted with this mass noun.
satt — full, no longer hungry; fed up, tired of
In its basic sense, satt describes someone who has eaten enough. In the expression Ich bin es satt, it has a different meaning: “I am fed up with it”; the pronoun es is part of that expression.
Nach dem Essen bin ich satt.
I am full after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal. Satt is predicative after bin, so it has no adjective ending; nach takes the dative here because it refers to a time after an event.
Das satte Kind trinkt nur Wasser.
The full child only drinks water.
das Kind means the child, trinkt means drinks, and nur Wasser means only water. Satte comes before the neuter noun after das, so it takes the ending -e; the finite verb trinkt is in position two.
Nach der Suppe bin ich satter als vorher.
After the soup, I am fuller than before.
die Suppe means the soup and vorher means before or earlier. Satter compares the speaker’s state with the earlier state using als; after bin, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Nach dem Festessen war er am sattesten.
After the feast, he was the fullest.
das Festessen means the feast or large celebratory meal, and war means was. Am sattesten is the superlative after war; it is not the form used directly before a noun.
Ich bin satt, immer zu warten.
I am fed up with always waiting.
immer means always and warten means to wait. In this use, satt means fed up; it is predicative after bin, and the zu-infinitive phrase explains what the speaker is fed up with.
Sie hat die langen Diskussionen satt.
She is fed up with the long discussions.
die langen Diskussionen means the long discussions, and hat ... satt means is fed up with. The object die langen Diskussionen is accusative, and satt comes at the end because it forms a fixed expression with hat.
sauer — sour; acidic; angry; annoyed
For taste, sauer means sour or acidic. It also has a separate everyday meaning, angry, usually in the expression sauer auf jemanden sein, angry with someone; this is not the same as the taste meaning.
Die Zitrone schmeckt sauer.
The lemon tastes sour.
die Zitrone means the lemon and schmecken means to taste. Sauer is predicative after schmeckt, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Ich esse gern saure Gurken.
I like eating pickled cucumbers.
essen means to eat, gern means gladly or like doing something, and Gurken are cucumbers. Saure Gurken is an accusative object after esse, and the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
Diese Limonade ist saurer als die andere.
This lemonade is more sour than the other one.
diese Limonade means this lemonade and die andere means the other one. Saurer compares two drinks and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Der Essig schmeckt am sauersten.
The vinegar tastes the sourest.
der Essig means the vinegar and schmecken means to taste. Am sauersten is the predicative superlative after schmeckt and has no adjective ending.
Warum bist du sauer auf mich?
Why are you angry with me?
warum means why and mich means me. The expression sauer auf jemanden sein means to be angry with someone; auf takes the accusative here, so mich is accusative.
Sie ist mir noch sauer.
She is still angry with me.
noch means still and mir means to me. In jemandem sauer sein, the angry person is expressed with a dative pronoun such as mir; the finite verb ist is in position two.
schmecken — to taste; to be pleasing in taste
The usual pattern is jemandem schmecken: the food is the subject and the person is dative. In the perfect, schmecken takes haben: hat geschmeckt.
Die Suppe schmeckt mir gut.
I like the taste of the soup.
Die Suppe means the soup and gut means good or well. Mir is dative because the person experiencing the taste is expressed with schmecken; schmeckt is in position two.
Die Suppe hat mir gut geschmeckt.
I liked the taste of the soup.
Suppe means soup and gut means well or good. The perfect uses hat plus geschmeckt, with the Partizip II at the end; mir remains dative, not accusative.
Der Kuchen schmeckte allen Gästen.
All the guests liked the taste of the cake.
Kuchen means cake and allen Gästen means to all the guests. Allen Gästen is dative plural because it names the people experiencing the taste; the weak past form schmeckte is in position two.
Schmeck mal die Soße!
Taste the sauce!
mal softens the command, and Soße means sauce. Schmeck is the informal singular imperative; die Soße is accusative because it is the thing being tasted.
Die neue Speise würde mir sicher schmecken.
I would certainly like the taste of the new dish.
neue Speise means new dish and sicher means certainly. Würde ... schmecken expresses a hypothetical result; the infinitive goes to the end, and mir is dative for the taster.
Der Tee wird dir nach der Wanderung schmecken.
You will like the tea after the hike.
Tee means tea, dir means to you, and Wanderung means hike. Future wird ... schmecken puts the finite verb in position two and the infinitive at the end; dir is dative.
die Schokolade — chocolate; chocolate product; type of chocolate
In everyday use, die Schokolade is usually an uncountable substance; die Schokoladen can mean different kinds or individual chocolate products.
Die Schokolade schmeckt süß.
The chocolate tastes sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Schokolade is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Ich esse die Schokolade langsam.
I eat the chocolate slowly.
esse means eat and langsam means slowly. Die Schokolade is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Mit der Schokolade backe ich einen Kuchen.
I bake a cake with the chocolate.
mit means with, backe means bake, and einen Kuchen means a cake. Mit always takes the dative, so der Schokolade is dative; the verb backe is in position two even though the sentence starts with a prepositional phrase.
Der Geschmack der Schokolade ist intensiv.
The taste of the chocolate is intense.
der Geschmack means the taste and intensiv means intense. Der Schokolade is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Laden liegen viele Schokoladen.
There are many chocolates in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop and viele means many. Schokoladen is the plural for different chocolates or portions; after the opening phrase, the verb liegen comes before the subject.
Ich kaufe zwei Schokoladen für die Kinder.
I am buying two chocolate bars for the children.
kaufe means am buying, zwei means two, and für die Kinder means for the children. Schokoladen is plural and accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative.
Diese Schokolade ist besonders dunkel.
This chocolate is especially dark.
diese means this, besonders means especially, and dunkel means dark. Diese Schokolade is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
der Schokoladenkuchen — chocolate cake
This compound combines Schokolade (chocolate) and Kuchen (cake); the last part, Kuchen, determines the gender and plural pattern.
Der Schokoladenkuchen ist lecker.
The chocolate cake is delicious.
lecker means delicious. Der Schokoladenkuchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen den Schokoladenkuchen.
We are eating the chocolate cake.
wir means we and essen means eat. Den Schokoladenkuchen is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester dem Schokoladenkuchen.
I give the chocolate cake to my sister.
gebe means give and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Dem Schokoladenkuchen is dative because it is the thing given in this sentence; the person receiving it is also marked by the dative, although this wording is less usual than Ich gebe meiner Schwester den Schokoladenkuchen.
Der Duft des Schokoladenkuchens erfüllt die Küche.
The smell of the chocolate cake fills the kitchen.
der Duft means the smell, erfüllt means fills, and die Küche means the kitchen. Des Schokoladenkuchens is genitive because it says whose smell it is; the finite verb erfüllt is in position two.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Schokoladenkuchen.
There are three chocolate cakes on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, stehen means stand or are situated, and drei means three. The plural Schokoladenkuchen has no ending; after the opening phrase, the verb stehen comes before the subject.
das Schwein — pig; swine; pig, nasty person (insult)
The literal meaning is a farm animal. In the expression Schwein haben, the word means luck rather than a pig; calling a person ein Schwein can be insulting.
Das Schwein schläft im Stall.
The pig is sleeping in the stable.
der Stall means stable or pigsty. Das Schwein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Schwein.
The farmer feeds the pig.
der Bauer means the farmer and füttern means to feed. das Schwein is accusative because it is the direct object of füttert; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Bauer gibt dem Schwein Futter.
The farmer gives the pig food.
geben means to give and das Futter means animal feed. dem Schwein is dative because it is the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Schweins ist rosa.
The pig’s colour is pink.
die Farbe means the colour and rosa means pink. des Schweins expresses possession, so the neuter genitive uses des and the noun ending -s.
Die Schweine laufen über die Wiese.
The pigs are running across the meadow.
laufen means to run, and die Wiese is the meadow. Die Schweine is plural nominative as the subject; über die Wiese is accusative because it describes movement across it.
Er benimmt sich wie ein Schwein.
He behaves like a pig.
sich benehmen means to behave, and wie means like or as. The phrase wie ein Schwein is a comparison; after wie, the noun phrase keeps the case required by its role, here nominative after sich benehmen wie.
Du bist doch kein Schwein!
You’re not a pig, after all!
doch adds emphasis, roughly ‘after all’, and kein means no or not a. Schwein is predicative after bist, so it is not an accusative object; kein negates the description.
der Sellerie — celery
Sellerie is normally a mass noun, so it is used without a plural when referring to the vegetable as food. The masculine article is der, but the noun itself ends in -ie, which does not make it feminine.
Der Sellerie ist frisch.
The celery is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Der Sellerie is nominative because it is the subject, and ist links it to the predicative adjective frisch, which has no ending.
Ich kaufe den Sellerie auf dem Markt.
I’m buying the celery at the market.
kaufe means buy, auf dem Markt means at the market. Den Sellerie is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich gebe dem Sellerie etwas Wasser.
I give the celery some water.
gebe means give, etwas Wasser means some water, and etwas means some or a little. Dem Sellerie is dative because it is the recipient of geben; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Der Geschmack des Selleries ist sehr stark.
The taste of the celery is very strong.
der Geschmack means the taste and stark means strong. Des Selleries is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the whole phrase Der Geschmack des Selleries is the nominative subject, so ist is singular.
Wir essen heute Sellerie in der Suppe.
We’re eating celery in the soup today.
essen means eat, heute means today, and in der Suppe means in the soup. Sellerie is a mass noun here and has no ordinary plural; it is an unmarked accusative object after essen, while in der Suppe is dative because it gives a location.
der Snack — snack
Der Snack is a small meal or piece of food, often eaten between regular meals. The plural is regular with -s, as with many English loanwords in German.
Der Snack ist lecker.
The snack is tasty.
lecker means tasty. Der Snack is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen Snack.
I am buying a snack.
kaufe means buy, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Snack is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; kaufe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Snack wenig Zucker.
I add little sugar to the snack.
gebe means give or add, wenig means little, and Zucker is sugar. Dem Snack is dative as the recipient or target of geben, while wenig Zucker is the accusative thing added.
Der Geschmack des Snacks ist gut.
The taste of the snack is good.
der Geschmack is the taste, and gut means good. Des Snacks is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Snacks.
There are three snacks on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and liegen means lie or be located. Snacks is plural and is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
die Soße — sauce
Soße is the usual everyday word for a sauce served with food. In standard German it is spelled with ß; the plural is Soßen.
Die Soße ist sehr lecker.
The sauce is very tasty.
lecker means tasty. Die Soße is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich probiere die Soße.
I taste the sauce.
probieren means to taste or try. Die Soße is accusative because it is the direct object of probiere; feminine nouns have the same article in the nominative and accusative.
Die Nudeln schmecken mit der Soße besser.
The pasta tastes better with the sauce.
die Nudeln means the pasta, and besser means better. Der Soße is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb schmecken is in position two.
Der Geschmack der Soße ist mild.
The taste of the sauce is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Der Soße is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Soßen.
There are three sauces on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and drei means three. Soßen is the plural after drei; auf takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
der Spargel — asparagus
Spargel is usually a mass noun when it means the vegetable, so it normally has no plural. The genitive singular is des Spargels.
Spargel ist im Frühling besonders frisch.
Asparagus is especially fresh in spring.
im Frühling means in spring, and besonders frisch means especially fresh. Spargel is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe Spargel auf dem Markt.
I am buying asparagus at the market.
kaufe means buy, and auf dem Markt means at the market. Spargel is an uncountable accusative object after kaufe, while auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
Wir essen heute mit Spargel.
Today we are eating with asparagus.
heute means today, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so the noun has no visible ending here; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Spargels ist mild.
The taste of the asparagus is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Des Spargels is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
die Speisekarte — menu
The compound Speisekarte literally contains Speise, food or dish, and Karte, card or list. In a restaurant, it normally means the menu rather than a single food card.
Die Speisekarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The menu is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Speisekarte is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, and liegt stands in position two.
Der Kellner bringt die Speisekarte.
The waiter brings the menu.
der Kellner means the waiter, and bringt means brings. die Speisekarte is accusative because it is the object of bringen; the finite verb bringt stands in position two.
Ich sage der Speisekarte nichts.
I say nothing to the menu.
This sentence is deliberately playful: ich sage means I say, and nichts means nothing. der Speisekarte is dative because sagen can mark the person or thing addressed with dative, while nichts is accusative; the menu is not normally a speaking partner.
Die Preise der Speisekarte sind hoch.
The prices on the menu are high.
die Preise means the prices, and hoch means high or expensive. der Speisekarte is genitive to show which menu the prices belong to; Die Preise der Speisekarte is the nominative subject.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Speisekarten.
There are three menus on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and drei means three. Speisekarten is plural because there are three menus; after the initial location phrase, the verb liegen comes before the subject, but the subject remains nominative.
Wir lesen die Speisekarte vor dem Essen.
We read the menu before the meal.
wir lesen means we read, and vor dem Essen means before the meal. die Speisekarte is accusative because it is the object of lesen; the finite verb lesen stands in position two.
der Spinat — spinach
Spinat is a mass noun, so it has no normal plural. To talk about amounts, use expressions such as etwas Spinat, some spinach, or eine Portion Spinat, one portion of spinach.
Der Spinat ist frisch.
The spinach is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Der Spinat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; Spinat is normally singular because it is a mass noun.
Ich esse den Spinat mit Kartoffeln.
I eat spinach with potatoes.
essen means to eat, and mit Kartoffeln means with potatoes. Den Spinat is accusative because it is the object of essen; mit requires dative, which is why the plural is Kartoffeln.
Wir geben dem Spinat etwas Salz.
We add some salt to the spinach.
geben means to give or add, and etwas Salz means some salt. Dem Spinat is dative as the recipient or destination of the addition, while etwas Salz is accusative as the thing added.
Der Geschmack des Spinats ist mild.
The taste of the spinach is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. Des Spinats is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the genitive form adds -s.
das Steak — steak
Steak is a neuter noun borrowed from English. Its plural is Steaks, formed with -s, and its genitive singular is des Steaks.
Das Steak ist sehr zart.
The steak is very tender.
zart means tender or soft. Das Steak is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective zart follows ist without an ending because it is used predicatively.
Ich bestelle ein Steak.
I am ordering a steak.
bestelle means order. Ein Steak is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, the indefinite article stays ein in the accusative.
Ich gebe meinem Freund das Steak.
I give the steak to my friend.
gebe means give, and mein Freund is my friend. Meinem Freund is dative as the recipient, while das Steak is accusative as the thing given.
Der Geruch des Steaks macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the steak makes me hungry.
der Geruch means the smell, and hungrig means hungry. Des Steaks is genitive to show what the smell belongs to; mich is accusative because machen takes the person affected as its object.
Die Steaks liegen auf dem Grill.
The steaks are on the grill.
liegen means are lying, and der Grill is the grill. Die Steaks is plural and takes the plural verb liegen; auf dem Grill is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
die Suppe — soup
Die Suppe is normally served as a starter or a light meal. For a particular bowl or portion, German can use eine Suppe; for soup as food in general, the article is often omitted.
Die Suppe ist heiß.
The soup is hot.
heiß means hot. Die Suppe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse die Suppe.
I am eating the soup.
essen means eat. Die Suppe is accusative because essen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the accusative article remains die, which can hide the case.
Ich gebe meiner Tochter Suppe.
I give my daughter soup.
geben means give, and meiner Tochter means to my daughter. Meiner Tochter is dative because it is the recipient, while Suppe is an uncountable accusative food noun without an article.
Der Geschmack der Suppe ist mild.
The taste of the soup is mild.
der Geschmack is the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. Der Suppe is genitive because it identifies which soup has the taste; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Heute probieren wir drei Suppen.
Today we are trying three soups.
heute means today, probieren means try or taste, and drei means three. Suppen is plural and accusative because it is the object of probieren; the plural ending -n follows the number.
süß — sweet; cute; sweet
süß usually describes a sweet taste, but it can also mean cute or affectionate when describing a person or animal. The comparative and superlative are regular: süßer, am süßesten.
Der Tee ist süß.
The tea is sweet.
der Tee is the tea. süß is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe süße Erdbeeren.
I am buying sweet strawberries.
kaufen means buy and die Erdbeeren are the strawberries. süße Erdbeeren is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -e after the zero article in the plural.
Dieser Kuchen ist süßer als der andere.
This cake is sweeter than the other one.
dieser Kuchen means this cake and der andere means the other one. süßer compares two things with als and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; ist is in position two.
Das ist der süßeste Nachtisch.
That is the sweetest dessert.
der Nachtisch is the dessert. süßeste is the superlative before a noun and takes an adjective ending after der; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Erdbeeren schmecken sehr süß.
The strawberries taste very sweet.
die Erdbeeren are the strawberries and schmecken means taste. süß describes the taste after schmecken and therefore has no adjective ending; sehr means very.
Meine Oma backt einen süßen Kuchen.
My grandma is baking a sweet cake.
meine Oma is my grandma, backen means bake, and der Kuchen is the cake. einen süßen Kuchen is accusative because backen takes a direct object, and the adjective ending after einen is -en.
Das Baby lächelt süß.
The baby smiles sweetly.
das Baby is the baby and lächeln means smile. süß is used adverbially to describe how the baby smiles, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb lächelt is in position two.
Sie hat einen süßen Hund.
She has a cute dog.
haben means have and der Hund is the dog. einen süßen Hund is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and süßen has the masculine accusative ending after einen.
die Süßigkeit — sweet; piece of candy; confectionery
die Süßigkeit usually means one sweet or piece of candy; the plural Süßigkeiten is common when speaking about sweets in general. It is a countable noun, so a singular item normally has an article such as eine Süßigkeit.
Die Süßigkeit liegt auf dem Tisch.
The sweet is lying on the table.
liegen means lie or be placed, and der Tisch is the table. Die Süßigkeit is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Das Kind isst die Süßigkeit.
The child is eating the sweet.
das Kind is the child and essen means eat. die Süßigkeit is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Süßigkeit.
I give the child a sweet.
geben means give, and das Kind is the child. dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Süßigkeit is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Verpackung der Süßigkeit ist bunt.
The sweet's wrapper is colourful.
die Verpackung is the wrapper and bunt means colourful. der Süßigkeit is genitive because it shows which sweet the wrapper belongs to; ist stands in position two.
Kinder kaufen gern Süßigkeiten.
Children like buying sweets.
Kinder are children, kaufen means buy, and gern means gladly or like to. Süßigkeiten is the accusative plural object of kaufen, but the plural article is omitted here because the meaning is general.
die Tafel — board, blackboard; bar of chocolate
In a classroom, die Tafel usually means the blackboard or whiteboard. It is different from der Tisch, which is a table.
Die Tafel ist noch sauber.
The board is still clean.
sauber means clean, and noch means still. Die Tafel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Tafel nicht.
I cannot see the board.
sehen means to see, and nicht means not. die Tafel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Der Lehrer steht neben der Tafel.
The teacher is standing next to the board.
der Lehrer means the teacher, steht means is standing, and neben means next to. der Tafel is dative because neben describes a location here; the noun does not change, but the article does.
Die Farbe der Tafel ist grün.
The colour of the board is green.
die Farbe means the colour and grün means green. der Tafel is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Tafeln hängen in den Klassenräumen.
The boards are hanging in the classrooms.
hängen means are hanging and die Klassenräume means the classrooms. Tafeln is plural, and in den Klassenräumen is dative because it describes a fixed location; the plural noun ends in -n.
Ich kaufe eine Tafel Schokolade.
I am buying a bar of chocolate.
kaufen means to buy and Schokolade means chocolate. eine Tafel Schokolade is accusative because it is the object of kaufe; Schokolade specifies what kind of bar it is.
Die Tafel Schokolade ist fast leer.
The bar of chocolate is almost gone.
fast means almost and leer means empty or gone. Die Tafel Schokolade is the subject, so it is nominative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
das Toastbrot — toast bread, sliced bread
Toastbrot means bread made for toasting, not a piece of toast that has already been toasted. For a single slice, German commonly says eine Scheibe Toast.
Das Toastbrot ist frisch.
The toast bread is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Toastbrot is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe das Toastbrot.
I am buying the toast bread.
kaufe means buy. Das Toastbrot is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Ich esse das Brot mit dem Toastbrot.
I eat the bread with the toast bread.
esse means eat and mit dem Brot means with the bread. Dem Toastbrot is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Der Geruch des Toastbrots ist angenehm.
The smell of the toast bread is pleasant.
der Geruch means the smell and angenehm means pleasant. Des Toastbrots is genitive because it identifies what the smell belongs to; the noun adds -s and the verb ist is in position two.
Im Laden liegen viele Toastbrote.
Many loaves of toast bread are in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Toastbrote is the plural with -e; the verb comes before the subject because Im Laden occupies position one.
die Tomate — tomato
The plural is die Tomaten. In everyday German, Tomate normally means the fruit used as food, although botanically it is a fruit.
Die Tomate ist reif.
The tomato is ripe.
reif means ripe. Die Tomate is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich wasche die Tomate.
I am washing the tomato.
wasche means wash. Die Tomate is accusative because waschen takes a direct object, while the finite verb wasche stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Tomate etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the tomato.
gebe means give or add, and etwas Salz means some salt. Der Tomate is dative because geben marks the recipient or target with the dative; the direct object Salz is accusative.
Der Geschmack der Tomate ist süß.
The taste of the tomato is sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste, and süß means sweet. Der Tomate is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
Die Tomaten liegen im Kühlschrank.
The tomatoes are in the fridge.
liegen means are lying, and der Kühlschrank is the fridge. Tomaten is plural, formed with -n; im means in dem and marks the dative here because the sentence describes a location.
die Torte — layer cake; gateau
Die Torte is a rich decorated cake, often made for a celebration. It is different from der Kuchen, which is a broader word for cake and often describes a simpler cake.
Die Torte sieht lecker aus.
The cake looks delicious.
sieht lecker aus means looks delicious. Die Torte is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb sieht ... aus splits, with sieht in position two and aus at the end.
Ich kaufe die Torte für meinen Geburtstag.
I am buying the cake for my birthday.
kaufe means buy, and für meinen Geburtstag means for my birthday. Die Torte is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; für also forces accusative.
Wir gratulieren Oma mit der Torte.
We congratulate Grandma with the cake.
gratulieren means congratulate, and Oma means Grandma. Mit der Torte uses the dative because mit always takes dative; der Torte is feminine dative singular.
Der Geschmack der Torte ist wunderbar.
The taste of the cake is wonderful.
der Geschmack means the taste, and wunderbar means wonderful. Der Torte is genitive because it means of the cake; feminine genitive uses der, just like feminine dative.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Torten.
There are three cakes on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and stehen means stand or are positioned. Drei Torten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location.
die Traube — grape; bunch of grapes; bunch, cluster
The singular die Traube can mean one grape, while a group of grapes is also eine Traube. The context tells you which meaning is intended.
Die Traube ist süß.
The grape is sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Traube is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse eine Traube.
I am eating a grape.
esse means eat. Eine Traube is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the feminine article does not change between nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Traube.
I give the child a grape.
geben means give and das Kind means child. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Traube is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Geschmack der Traube ist frisch.
The taste of the grape is fresh.
der Geschmack means taste and frisch means fresh. Der Traube is genitive and means of the grape; feminine nouns show this case through the article der, not a noun ending.
Auf dem Teller liegen viele Trauben.
There are many grapes on the plate.
auf dem Teller means on the plate, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Trauben is the plural with -n; auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
Am Weinstock hängt eine große Traube.
A large bunch of grapes is hanging on the vine.
am Weinstock means on the vine, hängt means is hanging, and groß means large. Eine große Traube is nominative because it is the subject; an is expressed as am here and takes the dative for a location.
Die Vögel picken an der Traube.
The birds peck at the bunch of grapes.
die Vögel means the birds and picken means peck. An der Traube is dative because an describes a fixed location or object here; the finite verb picken is in position two.
der Truthahn — turkey
Truthahn is the usual word for a turkey in German. Its plural has an umlaut: Truthähne, not Truthahns.
Der Truthahn steht im Garten.
The turkey is standing in the garden.
steht means is standing, and der Garten is the garden. Der Truthahn is nominative because it is the subject; im Garten marks a location with the dative, and steht is in position two.
Wir kaufen den Truthahn auf dem Markt.
We are buying the turkey at the market.
kaufen means buy, and auf dem Markt means at the market. Den Truthahn is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; dem Markt is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Ich gebe dem Truthahn Wasser.
I give the turkey water.
gebe means give, and Wasser is water. Dem Truthahn is dative because it is the recipient, while Wasser is the accusative thing that is given.
Das Gefieder des Truthahns ist bunt.
The turkey's feathers are colourful.
das Gefieder means feathers or plumage, and bunt means colourful. Des Truthahns is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Bauernhof leben drei Truthähne.
Three turkeys live on the farm.
der Bauernhof is the farm, and drei means three. Truthähne is the plural after drei; auf dem Bauernhof marks the location with the dative.
das Vanilleeis — vanilla ice cream
Vanilleeis is a compound noun made from Vanille and Eis, meaning vanilla ice cream. It is normally a mass noun with no plural; a serving can be counted with eine Kugel Vanilleeis, one scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Das Vanilleeis ist kalt.
The vanilla ice cream is cold.
kalt means cold. Das Vanilleeis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse das Vanilleeis.
I am eating the vanilla ice cream.
esse means eat. Das Vanilleeis is accusative because essen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Ich gebe dem Kind Vanilleeis.
I give the child vanilla ice cream.
gebe means give and das Kind means the child. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient after geben, while uncountable Vanilleeis is the accusative thing given.
Der Geschmack des Vanilleeises ist mild.
The taste of the vanilla ice cream is mild.
Der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild or gentle. Des Vanilleeises is genitive because it identifies which taste; the neuter noun adds -es, and ist is in position two.
Im Sommer kaufe ich oft Vanilleeis.
In summer I often buy vanilla ice cream.
Im Sommer means in summer, kaufe means buy, and oft means often. Vanilleeis is a mass noun with no ordinary plural; because Im Sommer occupies position one, the finite verb kaufe comes directly after it in position two.
der Vegetarier — vegetarian
Vegetarier is a person, while vegetarisch describes food or a way of eating. The plural is unchanged: der Vegetarier, die Vegetarier.
Der Vegetarier kocht heute ein Gemüsegericht.
The vegetarian is cooking a vegetable dish today.
heute means today, and das Gemüsegericht is a vegetable dish. Der Vegetarier is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Ich sehe den Vegetarier im Restaurant.
I see the vegetarian in the restaurant.
sehen means to see, and das Restaurant is a restaurant. Den Vegetarier is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Vegetarier eine Speisekarte.
I give the vegetarian a menu.
geben means to give, and die Speisekarte is a menu. Dem Vegetarier is dative because it is the person receiving something, while eine Speisekarte is the accusative thing given.
Das Fahrrad des Vegetariers steht vor dem Haus.
The vegetarian's bicycle is standing in front of the house.
das Fahrrad is a bicycle, stehen means to stand, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Vegetariers is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Vegetarier essen gern Salat.
Many vegetarians like eating salad.
viele means many, essen means to eat, and gern means gladly or like doing something. Viele Vegetarier is a plural subject, so the verb is essen, not singular isst.
vegetarisch — vegetarian; suitable for vegetarians; vegetarian, relating to vegetarianism
vegetarisch describes food without meat or fish and can also describe a lifestyle. The adjective is regular: vegetarischer, am vegetarischsten.
Das Essen ist vegetarisch.
The food is vegetarian.
das Essen means the food. Vegetarisch is predicative because it comes after the linking verb ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending here.
Ich bestelle eine vegetarische Pizza.
I am ordering a vegetarian pizza.
bestellen means to order, and die Pizza is pizza. Eine vegetarische Pizza is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after feminine eine.
Diese Suppe ist vegetarischer als die andere.
This soup is more vegetarian than the other one.
diese Suppe means this soup, and die andere means the other one. Vegetarischer compares two soups and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist das vegetarischste Gericht auf der Karte.
That is the most vegetarian dish on the menu.
das Gericht means the dish, and die Karte here means the menu. Das vegetarischste Gericht is a superlative noun phrase, so the adjective takes -ste and agrees with neuter das.
Sie interessiert sich für vegetarische Ernährung.
She is interested in vegetarian nutrition.
sich interessieren für means to be interested in, and die Ernährung means nutrition or diet. Für takes the accusative, so vegetarische Ernährung has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Viele Familien sprechen über vegetarische Ernährung.
Many families talk about vegetarian nutrition.
viele Familien means many families, and sprechen über means to talk about. Über takes the accusative here, so vegetarische Ernährung has the accusative feminine ending -e.
das Vitamin — vitamin
Das Vitamin ist wichtig für den Körper.
The vitamin is important for the body.
wichtig means important, and der Körper means body. das Vitamin is the nominative subject; für den Körper is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Obst enthält das Vitamin.
Fruit contains the vitamin.
Obst means fruit, and enthalten means to contain. das Vitamin is accusative because it is the direct object of enthält, whose finite form is in position two.
Mit dem Vitamin fühle ich mich besser.
With the vitamin, I feel better.
mit means with, and fühle ich mich besser means I feel better. mit always takes the dative, so dem Vitamin is dative; the verb fühle remains in position two after the introductory phrase.
Die Wirkung des Vitamins ist gut erforscht.
The effect of the vitamin has been well researched.
die Wirkung means effect, and gut erforscht means well researched. des Vitamins is genitive because it identifies the vitamin's effect; the neuter noun adds -s.
Frisches Obst enthält viele Vitamine.
Fresh fruit contains many vitamins.
frisch means fresh, and viele means many. viele Vitamine is a plural accusative object after enthält; the adjective has the ending -es before the neuter singular noun Obst.
die Vorspeise — starter, appetiser
A Vorspeise is eaten before the main course, while the main course is called das Hauptgericht. In a restaurant, Vorspeise can mean either one starter or the starter course in general.
Die Vorspeise ist lecker.
The starter is delicious.
lecker means delicious or tasty. Die Vorspeise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle die Vorspeise.
I order the starter.
bestelle means order. Die Vorspeise is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Der Kellner bringt mir die Vorspeise.
The waiter brings me the starter.
der Kellner is the waiter, bringt means brings, and mir means to me. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while die Vorspeise is accusative because it is the thing being brought.
Der Geschmack der Vorspeise ist frisch.
The taste of the starter is fresh.
der Geschmack means the taste, and frisch means fresh. Der Vorspeise is genitive and means of the starter; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Vorspeisen kommen gleich.
The starters are coming shortly.
kommen means come, and gleich means shortly or in a moment. Die Vorspeisen is plural and has the ending -n; the finite verb kommen stands in position two.
die Wassermelone — watermelon
This is a feminine compound of Wasser (water) and Melone (melon). Its plural is regular: Wassermelonen.
Die Wassermelone ist süß.
The watermelon is sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Wassermelone is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen eine Wassermelone.
We are buying a watermelon.
kaufen means to buy. Eine Wassermelone is accusative because kaufen takes the thing bought as an accusative object; the feminine article remains eine in the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind ein Stück Wassermelone.
I give the child a piece of watermelon.
geben means to give, dem Kind means to the child, and ein Stück means a piece. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while Wassermelone is the accusative thing given.
Der Geschmack der Wassermelone ist frisch.
The taste of the watermelon is fresh.
der Geschmack means the taste and frisch means fresh. Der Wassermelone is genitive because it shows which fruit the taste belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
Im Sommer essen wir gern Wassermelonen.
In summer we like eating watermelons.
im Sommer means in summer, and gern means gladly or like doing something. Wassermelonen is a plural accusative object of essen; the plural is formed by adding -n.
die Wurst — sausage; matter of indifference
The plural is Würste, with an umlaut and -e. In the expression Das ist mir Wurst, the word means “I do not care”; this is not a literal statement about food.
Die Wurst liegt auf dem Teller.
The sausage is on the plate.
der Teller means plate. Die Wurst is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich esse eine Wurst.
I am eating a sausage.
essen means to eat. eine Wurst is accusative because it is the direct object of esse, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Wurst.
I give the child a sausage.
geben means to give and das Kind means child. dem Kind is dative for the recipient, while eine Wurst is accusative as the thing given.
Der Geruch der Wurst ist stark.
The smell of the sausage is strong.
der Geruch means smell and stark means strong. der Wurst is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is.
Auf dem Grill liegen drei Würste.
Three sausages are lying on the barbecue.
der Grill means barbecue, and drei means three. Würste is the plural of Wurst; auf dem Grill is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ob wir heute oder morgen fahren, ist mir Wurst.
Whether we go today or tomorrow, I do not care.
ob means whether, heute means today, morgen means tomorrow, and fahren means go or travel. mir is dative because the expression Das ist mir Wurst means that something is unimportant to me.
Welchen Film wir sehen, ist ihm Wurst.
He does not care which film we watch.
welchen Film means which film, sehen means watch, and ihm means to him. The subordinate clause comes first, so the finite verb ist follows it in position two; ihm is dative in this fixed expression.
das Würstchen — small sausage, sausage
The ending -chen makes Würstchen a diminutive, which is why it is neuter: das Würstchen. Diminutives in -chen keep the same form in the plural.
Das Würstchen ist heiß.
The sausage is hot.
heiß means hot. Das Würstchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two before the predicative adjective.
Ich esse das Würstchen.
I am eating the sausage.
esse means eat. Das Würstchen is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das in both nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Würstchen etwas Senf.
I put some mustard on the sausage.
gebe means give or put, and etwas Senf means some mustard. Dem Würstchen is dative for the thing receiving the mustard, while etwas Senf is the accusative object.
Der Geruch des Würstchens ist stark.
The smell of the sausage is strong.
der Geruch means the smell, and stark means strong. Des Würstchens is genitive to show what the smell comes from; the subject Geruch is singular, so the verb is ist.
Auf dem Grill liegen Würstchen.
Sausages are lying on the grill.
auf dem Grill means on the grill, and liegen means are lying. Würstchen is plural and unchanged from the singular; auf dem Grill is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
die Zitrone — lemon
Die Zitrone is usually yellow and sour. The word Zitronensaft means lemon juice.
Die Zitrone ist sehr sauer.
The lemon is very sour.
sauer means sour and sehr means very. Die Zitrone is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich schneide eine Zitrone auf.
I cut open a lemon.
schneide ... auf means cut open. Eine Zitrone is accusative because aufschneiden takes a direct object; the separable verb has schneide in position two and auf at the end.
Ich gebe dem Tee eine Zitrone?
I give the tea a lemon?
geben means to give and der Tee means tea. In natural German, eine Zitrone is the accusative thing given, while dem Tee is dative; this sentence is unusual unless a whole lemon is being added to the tea.
Der Saft der Zitrone ist frisch.
The lemon juice is fresh.
der Saft means the juice and frisch means fresh. Der Zitrone is genitive because it says whose juice it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Zitronen.
There are three lemons lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means lie, and drei means three. Zitronen is plural because there are three; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
die Zucchini — courgette, zucchini
die Zucchini is feminine and has the same form in the singular and plural. The context, article, and verb show the number; in the plural, use die Zucchini, not an added ending.
Die Zucchini liegt auf dem Tisch.
The courgette is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Zucchini is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe eine Zucchini.
I am buying a courgette.
kaufe means buy, and eine Zucchini means a courgette. eine Zucchini is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine noun looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit der Zucchini koche ich eine Suppe.
I am cooking a soup with the courgette.
mit means with, and koche means cook. der Zucchini is dative because mit always takes the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so koche is still in position two.
Der Geschmack der Zucchini ist mild.
The taste of the courgette is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. der Zucchini is genitive and means of the courgette; because the noun is feminine, the genitive article is der, not des.
Die Zucchini sind frisch.
The courgettes are fresh.
sind frisch means are fresh. Die Zucchini can be plural without changing its form, and the plural verb sind shows that several courgettes are meant.
der Zucker — sugar
Zucker is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For different kinds or packets, speakers may use expressions such as Zuckersorten or Päckchen Zucker.
Der Zucker steht auf dem Tisch.
The sugar is on the table.
steht means “is standing” or “is placed”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Der Zucker is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich brauche den Zucker für den Kuchen.
I need the sugar for the cake.
brauche means “need”, für means “for”, and der Kuchen is “the cake”. Den Zucker is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Mit dem Zucker backe ich einen Kuchen.
I bake a cake with the sugar.
mit means “with”, backe means “bake”, and einen Kuchen means “a cake”. Dem Zucker is dative because mit always takes the dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, the finite verb backe comes next in position two.
Der Geschmack des Zuckers ist süß.
The taste of the sugar is sweet.
der Geschmack means “the taste” and süß means “sweet”. Des Zuckers is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the masculine article changes to des and the noun adds -s.
die Zutat — ingredient
Zutat is used for an individual ingredient in a dish, while Lebensmittel means food as a product. In recipes, the plural Zutaten is especially common because several ingredients are usually listed.
Die Zutat ist frisch.
The ingredient is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Die Zutat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Zutat.
I am buying an ingredient.
kaufe means buy, and eine means an or one. Eine Zutat is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains eine, so learners must look at the sentence role rather than the article alone.
Ich gebe der Zutat etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the ingredient.
geben means to give or add, and etwas Salz means some salt. Der Zutat is dative as the recipient, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing being added; the verb gebe is in position two.
Der Geschmack der Zutat ist stark.
The flavour of the ingredient is strong.
der Geschmack means the flavour and stark means strong. Der Zutat is genitive after der Geschmack and means of the ingredient; the subject is der Geschmack, so ist agrees with masculine singular.
Für den Salat brauche ich drei Zutaten.
I need three ingredients for the salad.
der Salat means the salad, and brauchen means to need. Drei Zutaten is the accusative object of brauche, while für den Salat is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
die Zwiebel — onion
The plural Zwiebeln has -n. The word can refer to the whole vegetable or to onions as an ingredient.
Die Zwiebel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The onion is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Zwiebel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich schneide die Zwiebel.
I am cutting the onion.
schneide means “cut”. Die Zwiebel is accusative because schneiden takes a direct object, and the finite verb schneide stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Zwiebel etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the onion.
gebe means “give/add”, and etwas Salz means “some salt”. Der Zwiebel is dative because geben marks the recipient or target with the dative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Geschmack der Zwiebel ist stark.
The taste of the onion is strong.
der Geschmack means “the taste”, ist means “is”, and stark means “strong”. Der Zwiebel is genitive because it shows whose taste it is; the genitive feminine article is der.
Im Salat sind Zwiebeln.
There are onions in the salad.
im Salat means “in the salad”. Zwiebeln is the plural of die Zwiebel; after sind, it is the thing that exists, while im is short for in dem and marks location.