Appearance
Vocab: Food — A2 (1)
Food vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Appetit — appetite; hunger
Appetit is normally used without a plural because it describes a general desire to eat. The fixed phrase Guten Appetit! is said before or during a meal and literally wishes someone a good appetite.
Ich habe großen Appetit.
I am very hungry.
großen means great or strong. In Appetit haben, Appetit is an accusative object after haben, even though there is no article; this fixed expression means to be hungry.
Nach dem Spaziergang habe ich viel Appetit.
After the walk, I am very hungry.
Nach dem Spaziergang means after the walk, and viel means a lot of. Appetit is accusative after haben; because the sentence begins with Nach dem Spaziergang, the finite verb habe still comes in position two.
Mit großem Appetit isst er die Suppe.
He eats the soup with great appetite.
mit großem means with great, and isst means eats. Mit always takes the dative, so großem Appetit is dative; the subject er comes after the verb because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Der Mangel des Appetits macht mir Sorgen.
The lack of appetite worries me.
Der Mangel is the lack, macht mir Sorgen means worries me, and Sorgen are worries. Des Appetits is genitive after der Mangel to show what is lacking; mir is dative because it marks the person affected.
die Aubergine — aubergine, eggplant
The word refers to the vegetable; in British English it is aubergine, while American English usually says eggplant. It is commonly used in recipes and shopping contexts.
Die Aubergine liegt in der Küche.
The aubergine is in the kitchen.
liegt means is lying or is located, and die Küche is the kitchen. Die Aubergine is nominative because it is the subject; in der Küche is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich schneide die Aubergine in kleine Stücke.
I cut the aubergine into small pieces.
schneide means cut, klein means small, and Stücke means pieces. Die Aubergine is accusative because schneiden takes a direct object; the finite verb schneide stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Aubergine etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the aubergine.
gebe means give or add, etwas means some, and Salz is salt. Der Aubergine is dative because it receives the salt, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geschmack der Aubergine ist mild.
The taste of the aubergine is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. Der Aubergine is genitive because it says which vegetable the taste belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Markt gibt es frische Auberginen.
There are fresh aubergines at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, and frische means fresh. Auberginen is plural after es gibt, which always takes the accusative; auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
die Babynahrung — baby food
Babynahrung is a mass noun and normally has no plural. Use a quantity expression such as ein Glas Babynahrung when you need to count it.
Die Babynahrung ist fertig.
The baby food is ready.
ist fertig means is ready. Die Babynahrung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Mutter kauft Babynahrung.
The mother is buying baby food.
die Mutter means the mother, and kauft means is buying. Babynahrung is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; as a mass noun, it often appears without an article.
Die Qualität der Babynahrung ist wichtig.
The quality of the baby food is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. This sentence has no dative form of Babynahrung; der Babynahrung is genitive and means of the baby food, so the example belongs to the genitive slot.
Die Qualität der Babynahrung ist wichtig.
The quality of the baby food is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. der Babynahrung is genitive because it specifies what the quality relates to; the feminine article is der, while the noun remains unchanged.
die Bedienung — service; waiter or waitress; operation, control
die Bedienung commonly means service in a restaurant, or the waiter or waitress providing it. In technical contexts it can instead mean operation or control of a device.
Die Bedienung im Restaurant ist sehr freundlich.
The service in the restaurant is very friendly.
im Restaurant means “in the restaurant,” and sehr freundlich means “very friendly.” Die Bedienung is nominative because it is the subject; im is in dem, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir rufen die Bedienung.
We call the waiter or waitress.
wir rufen means “we call,” and rufen means “call.” die Bedienung is accusative because it is the person being called; the finite verb rufen stands in position two.
Wir geben der Bedienung ein Trinkgeld.
We give the waiter or waitress a tip.
geben means “give,” and ein Trinkgeld means “a tip.” der Bedienung is dative as the recipient, while ein Trinkgeld is accusative as the thing given; the verb geben is in position two.
Die Qualität der Bedienung war ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the service was excellent.
die Qualität means “the quality,” war means “was,” and ausgezeichnet means “excellent.” der Bedienung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the full phrase Die Qualität der Bedienung is nominative.
In diesem Café gibt es zwei Bedienungen.
There are two waiters or waitresses in this café.
in diesem Café means “in this café,” and zwei means “two.” Bedienungen is plural after zwei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
Die Bedienung des Geräts ist einfach.
The operation of the device is easy.
des Geräts means “of the device,” and einfach means “easy.” des Geräts is genitive because it specifies which device is operated; the subject Die Bedienung des Geräts is nominative and ist stands in position two.
Die Anleitung erklärt die Bedienung der Maschine.
The instructions explain how to operate the machine.
die Anleitung means “the instructions,” erklärt means “explains,” and der Maschine means “of the machine.” die Bedienung is accusative because erklären takes an accusative object, while der Maschine is genitive and identifies the machine.
das Bioprodukt — organic product
Bioprodukt usually refers to organic food, but it can also describe other goods made to organic standards. The plural is Bioprodukte, with the ending -e.
Das Bioprodukt ist teurer als das normale Produkt.
The organic product is more expensive than the conventional product.
teurer means more expensive and normal means conventional or ordinary. Das Bioprodukt is nominative because it is the subject of ist; als introduces the comparison with das normale Produkt.
Ich kaufe das Bioprodukt im Supermarkt.
I buy the organic product at the supermarket.
kaufe means buy, im Supermarkt means at the supermarket, and Supermarkt is a supermarket. das Bioprodukt is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Wir vertrauen dem Bioprodukt nicht.
We do not trust the organic product.
vertrauen means to trust and nicht means not. dem Bioprodukt is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object; the finite verb vertrauen is in position two and nicht comes later in the clause.
Die Qualität des Bioprodukts ist sehr gut.
The quality of the organic product is very good.
die Qualität means the quality and sehr gut means very good. des Bioprodukts is genitive and shows which product the quality belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bioprodukte findet man heute in vielen Läden.
Nowadays you can find organic products in many shops.
heute means nowadays or today, viele means many, and Läden means shops. Bioprodukte is a plural object with no article after findet man; man means one or people in general, and the finite verb findet remains in position two.
bitter — bitter; unpleasantly sharp-tasting
For taste, bitter is the opposite of süß sweet. It can also describe a strongly negative feeling or experience, such as bittere Enttäuschung (bitter disappointment).
Der Kaffee ist bitter.
The coffee is bitter.
der Kaffee means the coffee. Bitter is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich trinke keinen bitteren Tee.
I do not drink bitter tea.
trinke means drink and keinen Tee means no tea. Bitteren describes the accusative object keinen Tee, so it takes the ending -en after keinen; the finite verb trinke is in position two.
Diese Medizin schmeckt bitterer als die andere.
This medicine tastes more bitter than the other one.
diese Medizin means this medicine, schmeckt means tastes, and die andere means the other one. Bitterer is the comparative and als introduces the thing used for comparison; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Von allen Kräutern schmeckt dieses am bittersten.
Of all the herbs, this one tastes the most bitter.
von allen Kräutern means of all the herbs, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, so allen Kräutern is dative; am bittersten is the predicative superlative, with schmeckt in position two.
der Braten — roast, roast meat
der Braten is a roast meat dish, not the verb braten, meaning to fry or roast. Its plural is also Braten, so the article or a number is important for recognising the form.
Der Braten ist fertig.
The roast is ready.
fertig means ready. Der Braten is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich schneide den Braten.
I am cutting the roast.
ich means I and schneide means am cutting. den Braten is accusative because schneiden takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sind mit dem Braten zufrieden.
We are satisfied with the roast.
wir means we and zufrieden means satisfied. mit always takes the dative, so dem Braten is dative; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Der Duft des Bratens erfüllt die Küche.
The smell of the roast fills the kitchen.
der Duft means the smell, erfüllt means fills, and die Küche means the kitchen. des Bratens is genitive because it identifies what the smell belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Auf dem Buffet stehen zwei Braten.
There are two roasts on the buffet.
auf dem Buffet means on the buffet and zwei means two. Braten is plural here and looks like the singular, while auf dem Buffet is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Buffet — buffet; self-service spread; sideboard; dining-room cabinet
In the food sense, das Buffet is usually a spread of food from which guests serve themselves. It can be used with am Buffet for being at the buffet and ein Buffet anbieten for offering one.
Das Buffet ist schon geöffnet.
The buffet is already open.
schon means already, and geöffnet means open. Das Buffet is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Buffet im Saal.
We can see the buffet in the hall.
sehen means to see, and der Saal is the hall. Das Buffet is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im Saal means in the hall and is a dative location phrase.
Die Gäste stehen neben dem Buffet.
The guests are standing next to the buffet.
die Gäste are the guests, and stehen means to stand. Neben takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, so dem Buffet is dative.
Der Duft des Buffets zieht durch den Raum.
The smell of the buffet spreads through the room.
der Duft is the smell, and durch den Raum means through the room. Des Buffets is genitive and shows whose smell it is; the noun has -s in the genitive.
Die Buffets in den Hotels sind sehr groß.
The buffets in the hotels are very large.
die Hotels means the hotels, and sehr groß means very large. Buffets is plural with die; the adjective ending in groß is absent here because it follows sein.
Wir treffen uns heute Abend am Buffet.
We are meeting at the buffet this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and sich treffen means to meet. Am Buffet is short for an dem Buffet; an takes the dative for a fixed location.
Das Hotel bietet ein reichhaltiges Buffet an.
The hotel offers an extensive buffet.
das Hotel is the hotel, and reichhaltig means extensive or rich in choice. Ein reichhaltiges Buffet is accusative because anbieten takes a direct object; the separable verb puts an at the end.
Das alte Buffet steht im Esszimmer.
The old sideboard is in the dining room.
alt means old, stehen means to stand, and das Esszimmer is the dining room. Das Buffet is nominative because it is the subject, and im Esszimmer gives its location.
Meine Großmutter stellt die Teller in das Buffet.
My grandmother puts the plates in the sideboard.
die Großmutter is grandmother, and die Teller are the plates. In das Buffet is accusative because stellen expresses movement into a place; with a fixed location, in would take the dative.
die Cafeteria — cafeteria, self-service café
A Cafeteria is usually a self-service place where people buy simple meals and drinks. In German it can refer to a school, university, hospital, or workplace restaurant, not only to a café.
Die Cafeteria ist heute geschlossen.
The cafeteria is closed today.
geschlossen means closed and heute means today. Die Cafeteria is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Cafeteria.
We are looking for the cafeteria.
suchen means to look for. Die Cafeteria is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the accusative article looks the same as the nominative article.
Wir essen in der Cafeteria.
We eat in the cafeteria.
essen means to eat. In der Cafeteria is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Die Tür der Cafeteria ist offen.
The door of the cafeteria is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Der Cafeteria is genitive because it identifies which door; the verb ist agrees with die Tür.
Die Cafeterien der Universitäten sind oft groß.
University cafeterias are often large.
der Universitäten means of the universities and oft means often. Cafeterien is the plural subject, so the verb sind is plural; the genitive phrase specifies which cafeterias.
der Couscous — couscous
Couscous is normally a mass noun for the food, so it is usually used in the singular and has no ordinary plural. The masculine article is der, although the noun itself is unchanged in the genitive: des Couscous.
Der Couscous ist schon fertig.
The couscous is ready already.
schon fertig means already ready, and fertig means ready. Der Couscous is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen den Couscous mit Gemüse.
We are eating the couscous with vegetables.
wir essen means we are eating, mit means with, and das Gemüse means vegetables. Den Couscous is accusative because essen takes a direct object; mit Gemüse is a prepositional phrase with dative after mit.
Ich gebe dem Couscous etwas Salz.
I add some salt to the couscous.
ich gebe means I give or add, etwas Salz means some salt, and geben means to give. Dem Couscous is dative because it is the recipient or destination of the salt, while etwas Salz is the accusative object.
Der Geschmack des Couscous ist mild.
The taste of the couscous is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or gentle in flavour. Des Couscous is genitive because it identifies the couscous whose taste is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Zum Abendessen gibt es Couscous.
There is couscous for dinner.
zum Abendessen means for dinner, and gibt es means there is or there are. Couscous is used without a plural because it is a mass noun; zum is short for zu dem, and the phrase gives the occasion or meal.
die Creme — cream; skin cream
Die Creme can mean a cream for the skin or a creamy food substance; context tells you which meaning is intended. The plural is die Cremes, and the genitive singular is der Creme.
Die Creme ist sehr weich.
The cream is very soft.
sehr weich means “very soft.” Die Creme is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Creme im Supermarkt.
I am buying the cream at the supermarket.
kaufe means “buy,” and im Supermarkt means “at the supermarket.” Die Creme is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while kaufe is in position two.
Meine Schwester gibt der Creme etwas Zucker.
My sister adds some sugar to the cream.
Meine Schwester means “my sister,” gibt means “gives/adds,” and etwas Zucker means “some sugar.” Der Creme is dative because it is the substance receiving the sugar, while etwas Zucker is the accusative thing added.
Der Geruch der Creme ist angenehm.
The smell of the cream is pleasant.
Der Geruch means “the smell,” and angenehm means “pleasant.” Der Creme is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Bad stehen drei Cremes.
There are three creams in the bathroom.
Im Bad means “in the bathroom,” stehen means “stand,” and drei means “three.” Drei Cremes is plural nominative as the subject after the verb, while im means in dem and marks a fixed location.
die Currywurst — curry sausage
Die Currywurst is a sausage served with curry sauce, especially as a quick meal. Its plural is die Currywürste with an umlaut, while the genitive singular is der Currywurst.
Die Currywurst schmeckt lecker.
The curry sausage tastes delicious.
schmeckt means “tastes,” and lecker means “delicious.” Die Currywurst is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Ich bestelle eine Currywurst mit Pommes.
I am ordering a curry sausage with chips.
bestelle means “order,” and mit Pommes means “with chips.” Eine Currywurst is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; mit always takes the dative, although the plural form Pommes does not visibly show it.
Er gibt seiner Currywurst extra Soße.
He adds extra sauce to his curry sausage.
extra Soße means “extra sauce,” and gibt means “gives/adds.” Seiner Currywurst is dative because it is the recipient or target of the added sauce, while extra Soße is the accusative thing added.
Der Preis der Currywurst ist gestiegen.
The price of the curry sausage has risen.
Der Preis means “the price,” gestiegen means “risen,” and ist gestiegen is the perfect of “rise.” Der Currywurst is genitive because it specifies what the price is for, and the finite auxiliary ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Fest verkaufen sie Currywürste.
They sell curry sausages at the festival.
Auf dem Fest means “at the festival,” verkaufen means “sell,” and sie means “they.” Currywürste is an accusative plural object because verkaufen takes a direct object; the plural umlaut changes Wurst to Würste.
die Diät — diet
Diät usually means a special eating plan. In Austria and Germany, Diäten can also mean expense allowances paid to some politicians; context distinguishes the meanings.
Die Diät ist nicht einfach.
The diet is not easy.
nicht einfach means not easy. Die Diät is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache die Diät seit Montag.
I have been following the diet since Monday.
seit Montag means since Monday, and eine Diät machen means to follow a diet. Die Diät is accusative because it is the object of machen; mache is in position two.
Er folgt der Diät genau.
He follows the diet carefully.
folgen means to follow and genau means carefully or exactly. Der Diät is dative because folgen requires a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Regeln der Diät sind streng.
The rules of the diet are strict.
die Regeln means the rules and streng means strict. Der Diät is genitive because it identifies which rules; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Diäten sind teuer.
Many diets are expensive.
viele means many and teuer means expensive. Diäten is the plural subject, so the verb is plural sind; the plural ending is -en.
das Eiweiß — protein; egg white
Eiweiß usually means protein in nutrition, but it can also mean the white part of an egg. It is normally an uncountable mass noun, so it has no plural; for different amounts, use a measure such as Gramm Eiweiß.
Eiweiß ist wichtig für die Muskeln.
Protein is important for the muscles.
wichtig means important and die Muskeln means the muscles. Eiweiß is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich esse gern Eiweiß.
I like eating protein.
gern means gladly or with pleasure. Eiweiß is accusative because esse takes a direct object, while the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Der Arzt empfiehlt mir mehr Eiweiß.
The doctor recommends that I eat more protein.
der Arzt means the doctor and mehr means more. mir is dative because empfehlen gives the recommendation to someone, while Eiweiß is the recommended thing and is accusative.
Die Bedeutung des Eiweißes ist gut untersucht.
The importance of protein has been well studied.
die Bedeutung means the importance and gut untersucht means well studied. des Eiweißes is genitive because it identifies what the importance belongs to; the neuter noun takes the ending -es.
der Erdapfel — potato (regional, especially Austrian)
Erdapfel is a regional word for the standard word Kartoffel, especially in Austria. Use Kartoffel in general German unless you are speaking in a region where Erdapfel is normal.
Der Erdapfel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The potato is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Erdapfel is nominative because it is the subject, while dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a location here.
Ich schäle den Erdapfel.
I peel the potato.
schäle means peel. Den Erdapfel is accusative because schälen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Zu dem Erdapfel trinke ich Wasser.
I drink water with the potato.
zu means with or alongside in this food context, and trinke means drink. Dem Erdapfel is dative because zu always governs the dative; trinke remains in position two after the opening phrase.
Der Geschmack des Erdapfels ist mild.
The taste of the potato is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Des Erdapfels is genitive because it means of the potato; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Erdäpfel sind schon gekocht.
The potatoes are already cooked.
schon means already, and gekocht means cooked. Erdäpfel is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; the umlaut and -e are part of this irregular-looking plural.
die Erdnussbutter — peanut butter
Erdnussbutter is a mass noun for peanut butter, so it normally has no plural. It is usually used without an article when talking about the food generally, but die Erdnussbutter is possible when a particular product is meant.
Die Erdnussbutter ist cremig.
The peanut butter is creamy.
cremig means creamy. Die Erdnussbutter is nominative because it is the subject of ist; this substance noun is normally used in the singular.
Ich kaufe Erdnussbutter für das Frühstück.
I am buying peanut butter for breakfast.
kaufen means to buy and das Frühstück means breakfast. Erdnussbutter is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; as a mass noun, it has no plural.
Ich gebe dem Kind ein Brot mit Erdnussbutter.
I give the child a piece of bread with peanut butter.
geben means to give, das Kind means child, and das Brot means bread. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, and mit always takes the dative, so Erdnussbutter remains unmarked after it.
Der Geschmack der Erdnussbutter ist intensiv.
The taste of the peanut butter is strong.
der Geschmack means taste and intensiv means strong or intense. Der Erdnussbutter is genitive and means “of the peanut butter”; the feminine genitive article is der.
die Ernte — harvest
die Ernte can mean the process of harvesting or the crops collected. In everyday English, singular harvest often covers both meanings.
Die Ernte beginnt im September.
The harvest begins in September.
beginnt means begins, and im September means in September. Die Ernte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir bringen die Ernte nach Hause.
We bring the harvest home.
bringen means bring, and nach Hause means home. die Ernte is accusative because bringen takes the thing being moved as its direct object.
Die Bauern helfen der Ernte nicht.
The farmers do not help the harvest.
die Bauern means the farmers, and helfen means help. der Ernte is dative because helfen governs the dative, although this sentence is less common than helping people or animals.
Der Beginn der Ernte ist spät.
The beginning of the harvest is late.
der Beginn means the beginning, and spät means late. der Ernte is genitive because it identifies whose beginning is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
In manchen Regionen dauern die Ernten länger.
In some regions, the harvests last longer.
manchen Regionen means some regions, and länger means longer. die Ernten is the plural subject, so the finite verb dauern is plural; the plural is formed with -n.
ernähren — to feed; to nourish; to eat
As a transitive verb, jemanden ernähren means to feed or support someone and takes an accusative object. In sich von etwas ernähren, the reflexive pronoun is accusative and von requires the dative.
Die Mutter ernährt ihr Baby.
The mother feeds her baby.
die Mutter means the mother, and ihr Baby means her baby. ihr Baby is accusative because ernähren takes the person or animal fed as a direct object; the finite verb ernährt stands in position two.
Die Familie hat sich von Reis ernährt.
The family lived on rice.
die Familie means the family, and Reis means rice. sich ernähren von takes von plus the dative, while hat is the auxiliary and ernährt goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Früher ernährte er seine Tiere selbst.
In the past, he fed his animals himself.
früher means in the past, seine Tiere means his animals, and selbst means himself. seine Tiere is accusative because it is the direct object; the weak-verb preterite is ernährte.
Ernähr dich ausgewogen!
Eat a balanced diet!
dich means yourself, and ausgewogen means balanced. This is the reflexive imperative ernähr dich; the pronoun is accusative, and the imperative verb comes first.
Ich würde mich gern gesünder ernähren.
I would like to eat a healthier diet.
gern means gladly or would like to, and gesünder means healthier. mich ernähren is reflexive, and in würde ... ernähren the infinitive stands at the end of the clause.
Wir werden uns künftig bewusster ernähren.
We will eat more consciously in the future.
künftig means in the future, and bewusster means more consciously. werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive ernähren goes to the end; uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
die Ernährung — nutrition; diet
die Ernährung usually refers to a person's diet or nutrition in general and is often used as a mass noun. The plural Ernährungen is possible when comparing different dietary systems, but it is less common.
Die Ernährung ist für Kinder besonders wichtig.
Nutrition is especially important for children.
für Kinder means for children, and besonders wichtig means especially important. Die Ernährung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen ändern ihre Ernährung.
Many people change their diet.
viele Menschen means many people, and ändern means change. ihre Ernährung is accusative because ändern takes the diet as its direct object; the feminine accusative form of ihre is unchanged.
Mit der Ernährung allein wird das Problem nicht gelöst.
The problem cannot be solved by diet alone.
mit ... allein means with ... alone, and das Problem means the problem. der Ernährung is dative because mit always requires the dative; wird ... gelöst is a passive construction.
Die Qualität der Ernährung beeinflusst die Gesundheit.
The quality of the diet affects health.
die Qualität means the quality, beeinflusst means affects, and die Gesundheit means health. der Ernährung is genitive because it specifies whose quality is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Unterschiedliche Ernährungen können gesund sein.
Different diets can be healthy.
unterschiedliche means different, and gesund means healthy. Ernährungen is the plural subject, while können is plural and the infinitive sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
der Essig — vinegar
Essig is normally an uncountable substance noun, so it has no ordinary plural. To talk about different kinds, you can say Essigsorten, meaning types of vinegar.
Der Essig steht neben dem Öl.
The vinegar is next to the oil.
steht means is standing or is placed, neben means next to, and das Öl is the oil. Der Essig is nominative because it is the subject; dem Öl is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
Ich gebe den Essig in den Salat.
I add the vinegar to the salad.
gebe means give or add, in means into, and der Salat is the salad. Den Essig is accusative because geben takes a direct object; in den Salat is also accusative because it expresses movement into the salad.
Sie gibt dem Salat Essig.
She adds vinegar to the salad.
sie means she, gibt means gives or adds, and der Salat is the salad. Essig is a mass noun used without an article here, while dem Salat is dative as the thing receiving the addition.
Der Geschmack des Essigs ist sehr stark.
The taste of the vinegar is very strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, sehr means very, and stark means strong. Des Essigs is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
faul — lazy, idle; rotten, spoiled
For people, faul usually means lazy; for food, fruit, or vegetables it can mean rotten. Its comparison is regular: faul, fauler, am faulsten.
Mein Bruder ist faul.
My brother is lazy.
mein Bruder means my brother. Faul is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein fauler Schüler.
That is a lazy pupil.
ein Schüler means a pupil. Fauler stands before the masculine nominative noun Schüler after the indefinite article ein, so it takes the ending -er.
Tom ist fauler als Anna.
Tom is lazier than Anna.
als means than and Anna is a person’s name. Fauler is the comparative form and is predicative, so it has no extra adjective ending; comparisons of unequal things use als.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am faulsten.
Of all the children, Mia is the laziest.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. Von takes the dative, and the predicative superlative uses am faulsten, not an attributive ending.
Der Apfel ist faul.
The apple is rotten.
der Apfel means the apple. Faul is predicative after ist, so it does not take an ending; here it describes the condition of the apple, not a person’s work habits.
Wir essen kein faules Obst.
We are not eating any rotten fruit.
kein means no or not any, and das Obst means fruit. Kein faules Obst is accusative because essen takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective after kein takes -es.
das Fett — fat; grease; body fat
das Fett is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. Do not confuse it with lowercase fett, the adjective meaning fat or fatty; the genitive singular is des Fetts.
Das Fett ist heiß.
The fat is hot.
heiß means hot. das Fett is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and this mass noun normally has no plural.
Ich brauche das Fett zum Braten.
I need the fat for frying.
brauchen means to need, and zum Braten means for frying. das Fett is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; zum is zu dem, and Braten is a noun made from braten, to fry.
Wir braten das Gemüse in dem Fett.
We fry the vegetables in the fat.
braten means to fry, das Gemüse means the vegetables, and in means in here. dem Fett is dative because in describes a fixed location or medium here, not movement; the accusative object is das Gemüse.
Der Geschmack des Fetts ist kräftig.
The taste of the fat is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, and kräftig means strong or intense. des Fetts is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Zu viel Fett ist ungesund.
Too much body fat is unhealthy.
zu viel means too much, and ungesund means unhealthy. Fett is a mass noun used without an article here; the phrase is the subject, so the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Körper speichert Fett.
The body stores fat.
der Körper means the body, and speichern means to store. Fett is the accusative object of speichert, but a mass noun can appear without an article when the amount is general.
der Fleischerladen — butcher’s shop
Fleischerladen is a compound of Fleischer and Laden. Its plural is Fleischerläden, while its genitive singular is des Fleischerladens.
Der Fleischerladen öffnet um sieben Uhr.
The butcher’s shop opens at seven o’clock.
öffnet means opens, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Der Fleischerladen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Fleischerladen im Zentrum.
We are looking for the butcher’s shop in the town centre.
suchen means to look for, and im Zentrum means in the town centre. Den Fleischerladen is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem.
Ich kaufe im Fleischerladen frische Wurst.
I buy fresh sausage at the butcher’s shop.
frische Wurst means fresh sausage. Im Fleischerladen is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; im is short for in dem.
Die Tür des Fleischerladens ist geschlossen.
The door of the butcher’s shop is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Fleischerladens is genitive because it shows which shop the door belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Fleischerläden verkaufen auch Käse.
The butcher’s shops also sell cheese.
verkaufen means sell, auch means also, and der Käse means cheese. Die Fleischerläden is plural and nominative, so the plural verb verkaufen stands in position two.
die Frucht — fruit; result, benefit
die Frucht usually means a fruit, especially one growing on a plant. Its plural is die Früchte, with an umlaut; the word can also be used figuratively for a result.
Die Frucht ist reif.
The fruit is ripe.
reif means ripe. Die Frucht is nominative because it is the subject of ist; reif is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich esse die Frucht.
I am eating the fruit.
essen means to eat. Die Frucht is accusative because it is the direct object of esse; feminine nouns have the same article die in nominative and accusative.
Das Kind gibt der Frucht etwas Zucker.
The child adds some sugar to the fruit.
das Kind means the child, and Zucker means sugar. Der Frucht is dative because it is the recipient or target of gibt, while etwas Zucker is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe der Frucht ist dunkelrot.
The colour of the fruit is dark red.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelrot means dark red. Der Frucht is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Auf dem Markt kaufe ich Früchte.
I buy fruit at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, and kaufen means to buy. Früchte is the plural accusative object of kaufe; auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Frucht seiner Arbeit ist ein erfolgreicher Roman.
The fruit of his work is a successful novel.
seiner Arbeit means of his work, and ein erfolgreicher Roman means a successful novel. Seiner Arbeit is genitive because it expresses possession, while Die Frucht is the nominative subject and ist stands in position two.
Nach vielen Jahren trägt die Arbeit Frucht.
After many years, the work bears fruit.
nach vielen Jahren means after many years, and tragen means to bear or produce. Frucht tragen is a fixed expression meaning to produce results; Frucht has no article here because it is used idiomatically.
die Garnele — shrimp; prawn
Garnele is a small sea animal commonly eaten as seafood. The plural is Garnelen.
Die Garnele ist frisch.
The shrimp is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Die Garnele is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich esse die Garnele.
I am eating the shrimp.
esse means am eating. die Garnele is accusative because essen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind der Garnele?
I give the child the shrimp?
geben means to give and das Kind means the child. This sentence is not natural with der Garnele as dative: the dative form of die Garnele is der Garnele, but the shrimp would normally be the accusative object after geben.
Der Geschmack der Garnele ist mild.
The taste of the shrimp is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste and mild means mild. der Garnele is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; ist remains in position two.
Die Garnelen schmecken gut.
The shrimp taste good.
schmecken gut means taste good. Die Garnelen is plural and therefore takes schmecken, with the finite verb in position two.
die Geburtstagstorte — birthday cake
A Geburtstagstorte is a cake for a birthday, often decorated with candles, writing or fruit. The compound combines Geburtstag and Torte.
Die Geburtstagstorte sieht wunderschön aus.
The birthday cake looks beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful, and aussehen means to look or appear. Die Geburtstagstorte is nominative because it is the subject; sieht ... aus is a separable verb, so aus moves to the end.
Wir schneiden die Geburtstagstorte nach dem Essen an.
We cut the birthday cake after the meal.
anschneiden means to cut into, and nach dem Essen means after the meal. Die Geburtstagstorte is accusative because it is the object of schneiden ... an; the separable part an goes to the end in this main clause.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin ein Stück von der Geburtstagstorte.
I give my friend a piece of the birthday cake.
ein Stück means a piece, and meiner Freundin means to my friend. Meiner Freundin is dative because she receives something, while von der Geburtstagstorte means from the birthday cake and von also takes the dative.
Die Dekoration der Geburtstagstorte ist bunt.
The decoration of the birthday cake is colourful.
die Dekoration means the decoration, and bunt means colourful. Der Geburtstagstorte is genitive because it says whose decoration it is; with a feminine noun, the article changes to der, but the noun does not change.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Geburtstagstorten.
There are three birthday cakes on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and stehen means stand or be positioned. Geburtstagstorten is plural after drei; auf takes the dative here because the cakes are in a fixed location, not moving onto the table.
das Gebäck — baked goods, pastry; pastry, sweet treat
Gebäck is a mass noun for baked goods considered as a quantity. For separate items, use words such as das Brötchen, der Kuchen, or das Stück Gebäck; do not normally form a plural.
Das Gebäck ist noch warm.
The baked goods are still warm.
noch warm means still warm. Das Gebäck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe das Gebäck beim Bäcker.
I am buying the baked goods at the baker’s.
kaufe means buy, and beim Bäcker means at the baker’s. Das Gebäck is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir essen dem Gebäck?
We eat the baked goods?
This sentence is not standard German: essen normally takes an accusative object, not a dative object. Use Wir essen das Gebäck; dem Gebäck would only be possible with a different verb or preposition.
Der Duft des Gebäcks macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the baked goods makes me hungry.
Der Duft is the smell, and hungrig means hungry. Des Gebäcks is genitive because it tells whose smell it is; macht is in position two.
Zum Kaffee gibt es Gebäck.
There are pastries with the coffee.
Zum Kaffee means with the coffee, and gibt es means there is or there are. Gebäck is used without an article because it refers to pastry as an uncountable food; es gibt takes an accusative object.
Die Gäste nehmen gern Gebäck.
The guests like to take pastries.
Die Gäste are the guests, and gern means gladly or like to. Gebäck is an uncountable accusative object after nehmen; the finite verb nehmen stands in position two.
das Geflügel — poultry
Das Geflügel is a mass noun and normally has no plural. For individual birds, use words such as das Huhn, die Ente, or die Gans.
Das Geflügel ist frisch.
The poultry is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Geflügel is nominative because it is the subject, and this mass noun is normally used only in the singular; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen das Geflügel beim Metzger.
We buy the poultry at the butcher's.
kaufen means buy, beim means at the, and der Metzger means the butcher. das Geflügel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; it has no normal plural because it is a mass noun.
Mit dem Geflügel kocht sie eine Suppe.
She cooks a soup with the poultry.
mit means with, kocht means cooks, and eine Suppe means a soup. mit takes the dative, so das Geflügel becomes dem Geflügel; the finite verb kocht is in position two after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Der Geschmack des Geflügels ist mild.
The taste of the poultry is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or delicate. des Geflügels is genitive because it means “of the poultry”; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
der Gemüsehändler — vegetable seller, greengrocer
The compound Gemüsehändler combines Gemüse (vegetables) and Händler (seller or trader). It can mean a shopkeeper or a person selling vegetables at a market.
Der Gemüsehändler arbeitet heute.
The vegetable seller is working today.
arbeitet means is working, and heute means today. Der Gemüsehändler is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Gemüsehändler im Laden.
I see the vegetable seller in the shop.
sehe means see, im Laden means in the shop. Den Gemüsehändler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich kaufe bei dem Gemüsehändler ein.
I shop at the vegetable seller's.
kaufe ... ein means shop or buy things, and bei means at someone's place or business. Dem Gemüsehändler is dative because bei always takes the dative; ein separates from einkaufen and goes to the end.
Das Fahrrad des Gemüsehändlers steht draußen.
The vegetable seller's bicycle is outside.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and draußen means outside. Des Gemüsehändlers shows possession in the genitive; this masculine noun adds -s in that case.
Auf dem Markt arbeiten mehrere Gemüsehändler.
Several vegetable sellers work at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, and mehrere means several. Gemüsehändler has the same ending in the plural as in the singular, while mehrere and the verb arbeiten show the plural.
die Gemüselasagne — vegetable lasagna
This compound combines Gemüse (vegetables) and Lasagne (lasagna). The usual plural is Gemüselasagnen, with -n added to Lasagne.
Die Gemüselasagne ist fertig.
The vegetable lasagna is ready.
fertig means ready or finished. Die Gemüselasagne is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen die Gemüselasagne heute.
We are eating the vegetable lasagna today.
essen means eat, and heute means today. Die Gemüselasagne is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Gemüselasagne noch Käse.
I am adding more cheese to the vegetable lasagna.
gebe ... noch means add some more, and der Käse means the cheese. Der Gemüselasagne is dative because geben can use a recipient or target in the dative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Duft der Gemüselasagne ist wunderbar.
The smell of the vegetable lasagna is wonderful.
der Duft means the smell and wunderbar means wonderful. Der Gemüselasagne is genitive because it identifies what the smell belongs to; feminine nouns keep the same noun form in the genitive.
Für die Gäste backen wir zwei Gemüselasagnen.
We are baking two vegetable lasagnas for the guests.
für die Gäste means for the guests, and zwei means two. Gemüselasagnen is plural and accusative because für takes the accusative; the plural ending is -n.
genießen — to enjoy, to savour
Genießen is a strong verb: genießen – genoss – hat genossen. It normally takes an accusative object and uses haben, not sein, in the perfect.
Wir genießen den Abend im Garten.
We are enjoying the evening in the garden.
der Abend means the evening, and im Garten means in the garden. den Abend is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; the finite verb genießen stands in position two.
Wir haben den Abend im Garten genossen.
We enjoyed the evening in the garden.
der Abend means the evening, and im Garten means in the garden. den Abend remains accusative because genießen takes an accusative object; haben is the auxiliary in position two and genossen goes to the end.
Sie genoss die Ruhe am See.
She enjoyed the peace and quiet by the lake.
die Ruhe means the peace and quiet, and am See means by the lake. genoss is the strong-verb preterite; die Ruhe is accusative because it is the direct object.
Genieß den Urlaub!
Enjoy your holiday!
der Urlaub means the holiday. Genieß is the singular du imperative without a pronoun, and den Urlaub is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde den Abend mehr genießen, wenn ich nicht arbeiten müsste.
I would enjoy the evening more if I did not have to work.
mehr means more, arbeiten means to work, and müsste means would have to. den Abend is accusative after genießen; würde genießen expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation, while the finite verb müsste goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Ihr werdet die Reise genießen.
You will enjoy the trip.
die Reise means the trip. die Reise is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; werdet is the finite future auxiliary in position two and genießen goes to the end.
der Geschmack — taste, flavor; taste, preference, sense of style
Der Geschmack can describe the flavor of food or a person’s aesthetic preference. In the second sense, it often appears in expressions such as guter Geschmack or mein Geschmack.
Der Geschmack der Suppe ist sehr würzig.
The soup tastes very spicy.
die Suppe means soup and würzig means spicy or strongly seasoned. Der Geschmack is nominative because it is the subject; der Suppe is genitive and means of the soup, while ist is in position two.
Ich mag den Geschmack von frischen Tomaten.
I like the taste of fresh tomatoes.
mögen means to like, frisch means fresh, and die Tomaten means tomatoes. Den Geschmack is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag is in position two.
Mit dem Geschmack des Kaffees bin ich zufrieden.
I am satisfied with the taste of the coffee.
der Kaffee means coffee and zufrieden means satisfied. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Geschmack is dative; bin comes before ich because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Die Beschreibung des Geschmacks ist schwierig.
Describing the taste is difficult.
die Beschreibung means description and schwierig means difficult. Des Geschmacks is genitive because it identifies what is being described; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die verschiedenen Geschmäcker der Gäste überraschen den Koch.
The guests’ different tastes surprise the chef.
verschieden means different, die Gäste means guests, überraschen means surprise, and der Koch means chef. Die Geschmäcker is plural nominative as the subject, while den Koch is accusative because it is the person being surprised.
Der Geschmack von Zitronen ist sauer.
The taste of lemons is sour.
die Zitrone means lemon and sauer means sour. Der Geschmack is nominative as the subject; von Zitronen means of lemons, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Dieser Film ist nicht mein Geschmack.
This film is not to my taste.
dieser Film means this film and nicht means not. Mein Geschmack is nominative after sein; German says mein Geschmack, literally my taste, where English normally says to my taste.
Sie hat einen ungewöhnlichen Geschmack.
She has an unusual taste.
sie means she, hat means has, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Einen Geschmack is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the finite verb hat is in position two.
das Getreide — grain, cereal
Getreide is a mass noun for grain as a crop or food and normally has no plural. For individual kinds, German often uses compounds such as Weizen or Hafer instead.
Getreide wächst auf großen Feldern.
Grain grows in large fields.
wächst means grows, and großen Feldern means large fields. Getreide is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative for a location, so großen Feldern is dative.
Die Bauern bauen Getreide an.
The farmers grow grain.
Bauern means farmers, and bauen ... an means grow or cultivate. Getreide is accusative because it is the direct object of anbauen; in this main clause, bauen is in position two and an goes to the end.
Mit Getreide kann man viele Tiere füttern.
You can feed many animals with grain.
mit means with, viele Tiere means many animals, and füttern means feed. mit forces the dative, while the modal verb kann is in position two and füttern goes to the end.
Der Preis des Getreides steigt.
The price of the grain is rising.
Preis means price, and steigt means is rising. des Getreides is genitive because it specifies whose price it is; the finite verb steigt stands in position two.
Im Herbst wird Getreide geerntet.
Grain is harvested in autumn.
Im Herbst means in autumn, and geerntet means harvested. Getreide is normally a mass noun with no plural; the sentence uses the singular mass noun in a passive construction, with wird in position two and geerntet at the end.
grillieren — to grill; to barbecue
grillieren is a German verb, especially common in Swiss German usage, with the same meaning as grillen. Because it ends in -ieren, its perfect form is hat grilliert, not hat gegegrilliert.
Wir grillieren heute Gemüse.
We are grilling vegetables today.
heute means today, and Gemüse means vegetables. Gemüse is accusative because grillieren takes a direct object; the finite verb grillieren stands in position two.
Wir haben am See grilliert.
We barbecued by the lake.
am See means by the lake. The perfect uses haben plus grilliert; because grillieren ends in -ieren, its Partizip II has no ge-, and it goes to the end.
Sie grillierte Maiskolben.
She grilled corn on the cob.
Maiskolben means corn on the cob. grillierte is the weak-verb preterite, and Maiskolben is accusative as the direct object.
Grillier die Zucchini!
Grill the courgette!
die Zucchini means the courgette or zucchini. Grillier is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; the object is accusative after grillieren.
Ich würde gern draußen grillieren.
I would like to barbecue outside.
gern means gladly or would like to, and draußen means outside. würde ... grillieren expresses a wish or polite preference, with the infinitive at the end.
Nächsten Sommer werden sie wieder grillieren.
Next summer they will barbecue again.
nächsten Sommer means next summer, and wieder means again. Future uses werden with the infinitive grillieren at the end; the finite verb werden is in position two.
die Grillsoße — barbecue sauce
Grillsoße is sauce served with grilled food. The plural is Grillsoßen; the spelling Soße with ß is standard in Germany, while Sosse is an informal replacement when ß is unavailable.
Die Grillsoße ist scharf.
The barbecue sauce is spicy.
scharf means spicy or hot. Grillsoße is the nominative subject, and ist is in position two; the adjective scharf is predicative after sein, so it has no ending.
Ich stelle die Grillsoße auf den Tisch.
I put the barbecue sauce on the table.
stellen means put or place upright, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. die Grillsoße is accusative because stellen takes an accusative object; auf takes the accusative here because it shows movement to a destination.
Das Fleisch schmeckt mit der Grillsoße besser.
The meat tastes better with the barbecue sauce.
das Fleisch means the meat, and besser means better. mit der Grillsoße is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine noun itself keeps the same form.
Der Geschmack der Grillsoße passt gut zum Fleisch.
The taste of the barbecue sauce goes well with the meat.
der Geschmack means the taste, passt gut means goes well, and zum Fleisch means with the meat. der Grillsoße is genitive because it specifies whose taste it is; the feminine noun does not change in this case.
Im Supermarkt gibt es viele Grillsoßen.
There are many barbecue sauces in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, and viele means many. Grillsoßen is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative.
die Gulaschsuppe — goulash soup
This compound combines Gulasch, goulash, with Suppe, soup. It is usually served as a complete meal or a substantial starter.
Die Gulaschsuppe ist noch heiß.
The goulash soup is still hot.
noch heiß means still hot. Die Gulaschsuppe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle eine Gulaschsuppe.
I am ordering a goulash soup.
bestellen means to order, and eine means one or a. Eine Gulaschsuppe is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestelle is in position two.
Er gibt seiner Freundin eine Gulaschsuppe.
He gives his girlfriend a goulash soup.
geben means to give, and seiner Freundin means to his girlfriend. The soup is accusative as the thing given, while seiner Freundin is dative because she receives it; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Der Geruch der Gulaschsuppe macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the goulash soup makes me hungry.
der Geruch means the smell, and hungrig means hungry. Der Gulaschsuppe is genitive after der Geruch to show what has the smell; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Auf dem Fest essen alle Gulaschsuppen.
Everyone is eating goulash soups at the festival.
auf dem Fest means at the festival, and alle means everyone. Gulaschsuppen is plural with the ending -n; auf takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement.
der Hafer — oats; oat grain
Hafer usually refers to the grain as a mass, not to separate individual grains. It is normally used without a plural; Haferflocken means oat flakes.
Der Hafer wächst auf den Feldern.
The oats are growing in the fields.
wächst means is growing, and die Felder are fields. Der Hafer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Für das Müsli kaufe ich den Hafer.
I buy the oats for the muesli.
für means for, and das Müsli is muesli. Den Hafer is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and für also requires the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Pferd den Hafer.
I give the oats to the horse.
geben means to give, and das Pferd is a horse. Den Hafer is accusative because it is the thing given, while dem Pferd is dative because it is the recipient.
Der Geschmack des Hafers ist mild.
The taste of the oats is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Des Hafers is genitive and shows whose taste it is; the masculine noun adds -s.
Morgens esse ich Hafer.
I eat oats in the morning.
morgens means in the morning, and esse means eat. Hafer is a mass noun with no normal plural; here it is the accusative object of esse, although its form does not change.
das Hauptgericht — main course; main dish
Hauptgericht is a compound of Haupt (main) and Gericht (dish or course). It normally refers to the central dish of a meal, not to a court of law; that other meaning of Gericht is clear from context.
Das Hauptgericht kommt gleich.
The main course is coming soon.
kommt gleich means is coming soon. Das Hauptgericht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich bestelle das Hauptgericht mit Salat.
I am ordering the main course with salad.
bestelle means order, and mit Salat means with salad. Das Hauptgericht is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestelle stands in position two.
Der Kellner bringt uns dem Hauptgericht?
The waiter brings us the main course?
der Kellner is the waiter and bringt means brings. This sentence is not natural with dem Hauptgericht as written: bringen takes the person in the dative and the thing in the accusative, so say Der Kellner bringt uns das Hauptgericht; dem Hauptgericht would need a different dative meaning, such as in bei dem Hauptgericht.
Der Geschmack des Hauptgerichts ist sehr gut.
The taste of the main course is very good.
der Geschmack means the taste, and sehr gut means very good. Des Hauptgerichts is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the noun adds -s, and the verb ist is in position two.
Im Restaurant gibt es viele Hauptgerichte.
There are many main courses in the restaurant.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, and viele means many. Hauptgerichte is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
Heute gibt es ein vegetarisches Hauptgericht.
Today there is a vegetarian main dish.
heute means today and vegetarisch means vegetarian. Ein vegetarisches Hauptgericht is accusative after es gibt, and the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Das Hauptgericht der Speisekarte ist Fisch.
The main dish on the menu is fish.
die Speisekarte means menu and Fisch means fish. Der Speisekarte is genitive after Hauptgericht to mean on the menu or belonging to the menu; the verb ist stands in position two.
das Heu — hay
Heu is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural and is used without an article when speaking generally. Its genitive form is des Heus, although the genitive is less common in everyday speech.
Das Heu ist trocken.
The hay is dry.
trocken means dry. Das Heu is a mass noun and the nominative subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Pferde fressen Heu.
The horses eat hay.
die Pferde are the horses, and fressen means eat when animals eat. Heu is an uncountable accusative object with no article; fressen is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen im Heu.
The children play in the hay.
die Kinder are the children, and spielen means play. Im Heu means in the hay; in takes dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it.
Der Geruch des Heus erinnert mich an den Bauernhof.
The smell of the hay reminds me of the farm.
der Geruch means the smell, erinnert means reminds, and der Bauernhof is the farm. Des Heus is genitive because it says whose smell it is; erinnert takes mich as an accusative object.
das Hähnchen — chicken, roast chicken; small chicken
Hähnchen usually means chicken as food, but it can also mean a small chicken. The ending -chen is a diminutive: it makes the noun neuter and gives it the unchanged plural die Hähnchen.
Das Hähnchen ist noch heiß.
The chicken is still hot.
noch heiß means still hot. Das Hähnchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir bestellen das Hähnchen mit Reis.
We order the chicken with rice.
bestellen means order, and mit Reis means with rice. Das Hähnchen is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Hähnchen etwas Wasser.
I give the chicken some water.
etwas Wasser means some water, and gebe means give. Dem Hähnchen is dative because it is the receiver of gebe; etwas Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Der Geschmack des Hähnchens ist mild.
The taste of the chicken is mild.
Der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. Des Hähnchens is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the diminutive noun adds -s after des.
Auf dem Markt verkaufen sie frische Hähnchen.
They sell fresh chickens at the market.
Auf dem Markt means at the market, verkaufen means sell, and frische means fresh. Hähnchen is plural after frische; the plural has the same form as the singular because -chen diminutives do not change.
Die Kinder füttern zwei Hähnchen.
The children feed two small chickens.
Die Kinder means the children, füttern means feed, and zwei means two. Hähnchen is accusative plural because it is the object of füttern; its form is unchanged from the singular.
Das kleine Hähnchen läuft hinter der Mutter her.
The little chicken runs after its mother.
kleine means little, läuft means runs, hinter means behind or after, and Mutter means mother. Das kleine Hähnchen is nominative as the subject; hinter der Mutter is dative because it describes a fixed position, and her is the separated part of hinterherlaufen.
die Hülsenfrucht — legume, pulse
The word is a compound of Hülse, pod or shell, and Frucht, fruit. The plural Hülsenfrüchte commonly refers to beans, peas, lentils, and similar foods collectively.
Die Hülsenfrucht ist sehr gesund.
The legume is very healthy.
gesund means healthy and sehr means very. Die Hülsenfrucht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich koche eine Hülsenfrucht zum Abendessen.
I cook a legume for dinner.
koche means cook and Abendessen means dinner. Eine Hülsenfrucht is accusative because kochen takes a direct object; the finite verb koche is in position two.
Die Suppe wird mit einer Hülsenfrucht gekocht.
The soup is cooked with a legume.
Suppe means soup and gekocht means cooked. Einer Hülsenfrucht is dative because mit always takes the dative; wird gekocht is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
Der Geschmack der Hülsenfrucht ist mild.
The flavour of the legume is mild.
Geschmack means flavour and mild means mild. Der Hülsenfrucht is genitive because it identifies whose flavour is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Hülsenfrüchte liefern viel Eiweiß.
Pulses provide a lot of protein.
liefern means provide and Eiweiß means protein. Hülsenfrüchte is the plural of Hülsenfrucht and is the nominative subject; viel Eiweiß is an uncountable accusative object.
die Jause — snack; light meal
Jause is an Austrian German word; in Germany, speakers usually say Snack, Imbiss, or Brotzeit depending on the situation. It can mean the food itself or a small meal.
Die Jause steht schon auf dem Tisch.
The snack is already on the table.
steht means “is standing” or “is placed”, schon means “already”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Jause is nominative because it is the subject; steht is the finite verb in position two.
Wir essen die Jause im Garten.
We eat the snack in the garden.
essen means “eat”, im Garten means “in the garden”. Die Jause is accusative because it is the direct object of essen; im means in dem, and the location is dative.
Nach der Arbeit gönne ich mir eine Jause.
After work, I treat myself to a snack.
nach der Arbeit means “after work”, gönnen means “treat”, and mir means “to myself”. Eine Jause is accusative because gönnen takes the thing being enjoyed as an accusative object, while mir is dative for the person receiving it; the verb gönne is in position two.
Der Geschmack der Jause erinnert mich an zu Hause.
The taste of the snack reminds me of home.
der Geschmack means “the taste”, erinnert means “reminds”, mich means “me”, and zu Hause means “at home”. Der Jause is genitive after Geschmack, showing what has the taste; mich is accusative because erinnern takes the person reminded as an accusative object.
In Österreich gibt es viele Jausen.
There are many snacks in Austria.
in Österreich means “in Austria”, gibt es means “there is/are”, and viele means “many”. Jausen is the plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is in the accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
die Kantine — canteen, cafeteria
Kantine usually means a cafeteria at a workplace, school, university, or similar institution, not necessarily a public restaurant. The word is neutral and common in everyday German.
Die Kantine öffnet um zwölf Uhr.
The canteen opens at twelve o’clock.
öffnet means opens, and um zwölf Uhr means at twelve o’clock. Die Kantine is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Wir besuchen die Kantine in der Mittagspause.
We go to the canteen during the lunch break.
besuchen means visit or go to, and die Mittagspause means the lunch break. Die Kantine is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; in der Mittagspause is a time phrase in the dative.
Ich esse mit Kollegen in der Kantine.
I eat with colleagues in the canteen.
esse means eat, mit Kollegen means with colleagues, and in means in. Der Kantine is dative because in describes a fixed location here; mit also always takes the dative.
Die Preise der Kantine sind niedrig.
The canteen’s prices are low.
die Preise means the prices, and niedrig means low. Der Kantine is genitive to show which canteen the prices belong to; the verb sind is plural because Preise is plural.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Kantinen.
There are three canteens in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city, and drei means three. Kantinen is plural with -n; after es gibt, the thing that exists is always accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
die Kichererbse — chickpea
Kichererbse is the ordinary word for a chickpea, and its plural is Kichererbsen. The word is also used in the common food Hummus.
Die Kichererbse ist eine Hülsenfrucht.
The chickpea is a legume.
eine Hülsenfrucht means a legume or pulse. Die Kichererbse is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse eine Kichererbse.
I am eating a chickpea.
esse means eat. Eine Kichererbse is accusative because essen takes a direct object, and the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Kichererbse.
I give the child a chickpea.
gebe means give, and dem Kind means to the child. Dem Kind is dative because it receives the chickpea, while eine Kichererbse is accusative as the thing given.
Die Schale der Kichererbse ist dünn.
The skin of the chickpea is thin.
die Schale means the skin or shell, and dünn means thin. Der Kichererbse is genitive because it shows which chickpea the skin belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Salat liegen viele Kichererbsen.
There are many chickpeas in the salad.
im Salat means in the salad, and liegen means are lying or are present. Kichererbsen is the plural with -n; im Salat is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Für die Suppe püriere ich Kichererbsen mit Wasser.
For the soup, I purée chickpeas with water.
für die Suppe means for the soup, püriere means purée or blend, and mit Wasser means with water. Kichererbsen is an unmarked plural accusative object; für forces the accusative, while mit forces the dative.
der Kloß — dumpling; lump; lump; clumsy person or object
For food, der Kloß usually means a potato or bread dumpling. In the expression ein Kloß im Hals, it means a lump or tight feeling in the throat.
Der Kloß liegt auf dem Teller.
The dumpling is on the plate.
liegt means “is lying,” and der Teller is the plate. Der Kloß is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich esse den Kloß mit Soße.
I eat the dumpling with sauce.
esse means “eat,” and die Soße is sauce. Den Kloß is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester einen Kloß.
I give my sister a dumpling.
gebe means “give,” and meiner Schwester means “my sister.” Einen Kloß is accusative as the thing given, while meiner Schwester is dative as the recipient.
Der Geschmack des Kloßes ist mild.
The taste of the dumpling is mild.
der Geschmack is the taste and mild means mild. Des Kloßes is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; the genitive ending is -es.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Klöße.
There are three dumplings on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, and liegen means are lying. Klöße is the plural of Kloß, formed with an umlaut and -e; after drei, no plural article is needed.
Nach dem Schreck hatte sie einen Kloß im Hals.
After the fright, she had a lump in her throat.
nach dem Schreck means after the fright, and der Hals is the throat. Einen Kloß is accusative after haben; the fixed expression ein Kloß im Hals describes difficulty speaking because of emotion.
Der große Junge wirkt wie ein Kloß.
The large boy looks like a clumsy lump.
große means large, der Junge is the boy, and wirkt wie means looks like. Ein Kloß follows wie here as a comparison, and the finite verb wirkt stands in position two.
der Knödel — dumpling
A Knödel is a cooked dumpling, especially common in southern Germany and Austria. It is often made from potatoes or bread and served with sauce or meat.
Der Knödel schmeckt gut.
The dumpling tastes good.
schmeckt gut means tastes good. Der Knödel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two, and gut is a predicative adjective.
Ich bestelle einen Knödel.
I order a dumpling.
bestelle means order, usually in a restaurant. Einen Knödel is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Sie gibt dem Knödel eine Soße.
She puts a sauce on the dumpling.
gibt means gives or puts, and eine Soße is a sauce. Dem Knödel is dative as the thing receiving the sauce, while eine Soße is the accusative object.
Der Geschmack des Knödels ist mild.
The taste of the dumpling is mild.
der Geschmack means taste and mild means mild or not strongly flavoured. Des Knödels is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; ist stands in position two.
Die Knödel kommen mit der Soße auf den Tisch.
The dumplings come onto the table with the sauce.
kommen means come, die Soße is the sauce, and der Tisch is the table. Die Knödel is the plural subject; mit der Soße is dative after mit, and auf den Tisch is accusative because it expresses movement onto the table.
der Kohl — cabbage; money, cash
Kohl means cabbage and is often used as a mass noun without an article. The plural Kohlen is used for separate kinds or pieces; in colloquial language, Kohle can also mean money.
Kohl wächst gut in diesem Garten.
Cabbage grows well in this garden.
wächst means grows, gut means well, and diesem Garten means this garden. Kohl is the nominative subject and is often used without an article as a food or plant substance; wächst stands in position two.
Wir essen Kohl im Winter.
We eat cabbage in winter.
wir means we, essen means eat, and im Winter means in winter. Kohl is an uncountable accusative object after essen, so it normally has no article; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Sie gibt dem Kohl etwas Salz.
She adds some salt to the cabbage.
sie means she, gibt means gives or adds, and etwas Salz means some salt. dem Kohl is dative as the recipient or target after geben, while etwas Salz is accusative; gibt is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Kohles ist kräftig.
The taste of the cabbage is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, and kräftig means strong or rich. des Kohles is genitive and identifies which taste; the masculine noun takes -es here, and ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Markt liegen verschiedene Kohlen.
Different cabbages are lying at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, liegen means are lying, and verschiedene means different. Kohlen is a plural for separate kinds or heads of cabbage; auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
Ich habe keine Kohle.
I have no money.
keine means no, and haben means have. Kohle means money here and is a colloquial mass noun used without a plural; it is the accusative object of habe, which stands in position two.
Für das Konzert brauche ich mehr Kohle.
I need more money for the concert.
für das Konzert means for the concert, and brauche means need. Kohle is an accusative object after brauchen, while für also always takes the accusative; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
die Konditorei — pastry shop; cake café
A Konditorei is more specialised than an ordinary Bäckerei: it is associated especially with cakes, pastries and coffee. Do not confuse the singular ending -ei with the plural ending -eien.
Die Konditorei öffnet um sieben Uhr.
The pastry shop opens at seven o’clock.
öffnet means “opens,” and um sieben Uhr means “at seven o’clock.” Die Konditorei is nominative because it is the subject, and öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche die Konditorei in der Stadt.
I am looking for the pastry shop in the city.
suche means “am looking for,” and in der Stadt means “in the city.” Die Konditorei is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Wir sitzen in der Konditorei und trinken Kaffee.
We are sitting in the pastry shop and drinking coffee.
sitzen means “sit,” and trinken Kaffee means “drink coffee.” In der Konditorei is dative because in describes a location here, not movement; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Tür der Konditorei ist geschlossen.
The pastry shop’s door is closed.
die Tür means “the door,” and geschlossen means “closed.” Der Konditorei is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; ist stands in position two.
In dieser Straße gibt es zwei Konditoreien.
There are two pastry shops in this street.
in dieser Straße means “in this street,” and gibt es means “there are.” Zwei Konditoreien is plural, formed with -eien; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative even though the plural article is not shown here.
Wir kaufen in der Konditorei frische Törtchen.
We buy fresh little cakes at the pastry shop.
frische Törtchen means “fresh little cakes,” and kaufen means “buy.” In der Konditorei is dative because it names the place where the action happens; kaufen is in position two.
die Konfitüre — jam, preserve; type or jar of jam
Konfitüre is the usual word for a sweet fruit spread; in everyday speech, Marmelade is also widely used, although technically it can mean a citrus preserve. It is normally a mass noun when referring to the food in general.
Die Konfitüre steht auf dem Tisch.
The jam is on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Konfitüre is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kaufe Konfitüre.
I am buying jam.
kaufe means am buying. Konfitüre is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; an uncountable food is often used without an article here.
Ich esse Brot mit Konfitüre.
I eat bread with jam.
Brot means bread and mit means with. Konfitüre is dative after mit, although the feminine article is not visible because the noun is used without an article.
Der Geschmack der Konfitüre ist sehr süß.
The taste of the jam is very sweet.
der Geschmack means the taste and süß means sweet. der Konfitüre is genitive because it tells whose taste it is; the feminine genitive article is der, not des.
Im Laden gibt es viele Konfitüren.
There are many kinds of jam in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop and viele means many. Konfitüren is plural after viele; the plural ending is -n, and es gibt takes an accusative object.
Diese Konfitüre schmeckt nach Erdbeeren.
This jam tastes of strawberries.
Diese means this, schmeckt means tastes, and Erdbeeren means strawberries. Konfitüre is the nominative subject, and the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Welche Konfitüre möchtest du probieren?
Which jam would you like to try?
welche means which, möchtest du means would you like, and probieren means to try. Konfitüre is accusative because it is the object of probieren; in a yes-no or question-word question, the finite verb comes before the subject.
die Konservendose — tin, can
die Konservendose is a compound: Konserve means preserved food and Dose means can or tin. It normally refers to the container, while the food inside may also be called a Konserve.
Die Konservendose steht im Schrank.
The tin is in the cupboard.
steht means stands or is located, im Schrank means in the cupboard, and Schrank means cupboard. die Konservendose is the nominative subject; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes location, not movement.
Ich öffne die Konservendose.
I open the tin.
öffne means open. die Konservendose is the accusative object of öffnen, and the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester eine Konservendose.
I give my sister a tin.
gebe means give, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. meiner Schwester is dative because geben has a recipient, while eine Konservendose is the accusative thing being given.
Der Deckel der Konservendose ist kaputt.
The lid of the tin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. der Konservendose is a genitive attribute meaning of the tin; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Supermarkt stehen viele Konservendosen.
There are many tins in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. im is in dem and forces the dative for location, while viele Konservendosen is the plural subject.