Appearance
Vocab: Food — B1
Food vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Beefsteak — beef steak
Beefsteak is a food word borrowed from English and is neuter in German: das Beefsteak. It normally means a piece of beef cooked as a steak, not a hamburger patty.
Das Beefsteak ist noch warm.
The beef steak is still warm.
noch means still and warm means warm. Das Beefsteak is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bestelle das Beefsteak mit Kartoffeln.
I order the beef steak with potatoes.
bestelle means order and mit Kartoffeln means with potatoes. Das Beefsteak is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er gibt dem Koch das Beefsteak.
He gives the beef steak to the cook.
gibt means gives and der Koch is the cook. Dem Koch is dative because it is the recipient, while das Beefsteak is accusative because it is the thing given; geben can take both objects.
Der Geruch des Beefsteaks ist sehr gut.
The smell of the beef steak is very good.
der Geruch means the smell and sehr gut means very good. Des Beefsteaks is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is; the neuter noun takes des and -s.
Im Restaurant gibt es verschiedene Beefsteaks.
The restaurant has different beef steaks.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, gibt es means there is or there are, and verschiedene means different. Beefsteaks is the plural with -s; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible article here.
befriedigen — to satisfy, to fulfil
Befriedigen takes an accusative object: jemanden or etwas befriedigen. It is used for needs, wishes, demands, expectations, and sometimes people; do not confuse it with befriedigend, which describes something as satisfying.
Das Essen befriedigt meinen Hunger.
The food satisfies my hunger.
das Essen means the food and der Hunger means hunger. Meinen Hunger is accusative because befriedigen takes the thing or person satisfied as its direct object; the finite verb befriedigt stands in position two.
Das neue Angebot hat die Kunden befriedigt.
The new offer satisfied the customers.
das Angebot means the offer and die Kunden means the customers. Die Kunden is accusative, and the perfect uses hat plus befriedigt at the end; the be- prefix does not take ge-.
Der Film befriedigte die Erwartungen des Publikums.
The film satisfied the audience's expectations.
der Film means the film, die Erwartung means expectation, and das Publikum means the audience. Die Erwartungen is accusative, while des Publikums is genitive to show whose expectations they are; befriedigte is the regular simple past.
Befriedige zuerst deine wichtigsten Bedürfnisse!
Satisfy your most important needs first!
zuerst means first, wichtig means important, and das Bedürfnis means need. Deine wichtigsten Bedürfnisse is accusative because it is the direct object; the imperative omits du and the adverb zuerst can stand in the first position.
Ich würde gern alle Beteiligten befriedigen.
I would like to satisfy everyone involved.
gern means gladly or would like to, and beteiligt means involved. Alle Beteiligten is accusative, while würde expresses the conditional and the infinitive befriedigen stands at the end.
Die Lösung wird die meisten Menschen befriedigen.
The solution will satisfy most people.
die Lösung means the solution and die meisten Menschen means most people. The people satisfied are accusative; in the future, wird is in position two and befriedigen goes to the end.
das Catering — catering, food service
Catering usually refers to organised food service for an event, not simply cooking at home. It is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural.
Das Catering für die Hochzeit war ausgezeichnet.
The catering for the wedding was excellent.
die Hochzeit means the wedding and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Das Catering is nominative because it is the subject, and war is the past-tense finite verb in position two.
Wir bestellen das Catering für die Konferenz.
We are ordering the catering for the conference.
bestellen means to order and die Konferenz means the conference. Das Catering is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; für die Konferenz also uses the accusative after für.
Die Firma bietet dem Catering zusätzliche Getränke an.
The company offers the catering service additional drinks.
die Firma means the company, zusätzlich means additional, and die Getränke are drinks. Dem Catering is dative as the recipient after bieten, while zusätzliche Getränke is accusative; the separable verb anbieten appears as bietet ... an.
Die Qualität des Caterings ist uns wichtig.
The quality of the catering is important to us.
die Qualität means the quality and wichtig means important. Des Caterings is genitive after die Qualität to show what kind of quality it is, and uns is dative because something is important to us.
die Eierschale — eggshell
An Eierschale is the hard shell around an egg. It is a compound of Eier meaning eggs and Schale meaning shell; the final part determines the feminine gender.
Die Eierschale ist sehr dünn.
The eggshell is very thin.
dünn means thin, and sehr means very. Die Eierschale is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, followed by the predicative adjective dünn.
Bitte entferne die Eierschale.
Please remove the eggshell.
bitte means please, and entfernen means to remove. Die Eierschale is accusative because it is the direct object of entferne; the imperative verb comes first, and the subject du is understood.
Mit der Eierschale kann man den Boden düngen.
You can fertilise the soil with the eggshell.
mit means with, der Boden means the soil, and düngen means to fertilise. Der Eierschale is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is the finite verb in position two and düngen goes to the end.
Die Farbe der Eierschale ist weiß oder braun.
The colour of the eggshell is white or brown.
die Farbe means the colour, and weiß and braun mean white and brown. Der Eierschale is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Auf dem Teller liegen mehrere Eierschalen.
Several eggshells are lying on the plate.
auf dem Teller means on the plate, and mehrere means several. Eierschalen is the plural with -n; auf dem Teller is dative because it describes a location, while Eierschalen is the nominative subject.
der Esser — eater, diner
This noun describes a person by their eating habits; it can be neutral or slightly humorous. der Esser is not the usual word for a person who is simply eating at this moment; use die Person, die isst when that is what you mean.
Der Esser am Nebentisch bestellt noch ein Dessert.
The eater at the next table is ordering another dessert.
der Nebentisch means the next table, and bestellt means orders; noch means another or still. Der Esser is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb bestellt is in position two.
Der Koch beobachtet den Esser genau.
The cook watches the eater carefully.
der Koch is the cook, beobachtet means watches, and genau means carefully. Den Esser is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the finite verb beobachtet stands in position two.
Der Kellner bringt dem Esser eine große Portion.
The waiter brings the eater a large portion.
der Kellner is the waiter, bringt means brings, eine große Portion is a large portion, and groß means large. Dem Esser is dative because it is the recipient, while eine große Portion is the accusative object of bringt.
Die Meinung des Essers interessiert mich nicht.
The eater’s opinion does not interest me.
die Meinung means the opinion, interessiert means interests, and mich means me. Des Essers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the masculine noun.
Die Esser wählen heute das Buffet.
The diners are choosing the buffet today.
wählen means choose, heute means today, and das Buffet is the buffet. Die Esser is the plural subject; its form is unchanged from the singular, so the article and the verb show the number.
das Faschierte — minced meat (Austrian)
Das Faschierte is the Austrian German term for minced meat; in Germany, learners more often hear das Hackfleisch. It is a substantivized form related to faschieren, meaning to mince, and is normally used as a mass noun.
Das Faschierte ist frisch.
The minced meat is fresh.
frisch means “fresh.” Das Faschierte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; frisch is a predicative adjective after sein.
Ich kaufe das Faschierte beim Metzger.
I buy the minced meat at the butcher’s.
kaufe means “buy,” and beim Metzger means “at the butcher’s,” with beim meaning bei dem. Das Faschierte is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; neuter nominative and accusative both use das.
Ich gebe dem Faschierten Zwiebeln dazu.
I add onions to the minced meat.
gebe ... dazu means “add,” Zwiebeln are onions, and dazu means “to it.” Dem Faschierten is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while Zwiebeln is the accusative thing being added.
Der Geruch des Faschierten ist stark.
The smell of the minced meat is strong.
der Geruch is the smell, and stark means strong. Des Faschierten is genitive and means “of the minced meat”; the substantivized form has the ending -en after des.
In Österreich ist das Faschierte sehr beliebt.
In Austria, minced meat is very popular.
in Österreich means “in Austria,” and beliebt means popular. This example has no plural because das Faschierte is normally a mass noun; use the singular for minced meat in general.
fleischlos — meat-free, without meat
Fleischlos describes food that contains no meat. It is different from vegetarisch, which usually also excludes meat but is the more usual word for a person’s diet or a vegetarian dish.
Die Suppe ist fleischlos.
The soup is meat-free.
die Suppe is the soup. Fleischlos is predicative because it comes after ist, a form of sein, and therefore has no adjective ending.
Wir bestellen ein fleischloses Gericht.
We order a meat-free dish.
bestellen means order and das Gericht is dish or meal. Fleischloses stands before the noun and takes -es because ein fleischloses Gericht is an accusative neuter object of bestellen.
Diese Mahlzeit ist fleischloser als die andere.
This meal is more meat-free than the other one.
diese Mahlzeit means this meal and die andere means the other one. Fleischloser is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; as a predicate after ist, it has no extra adjective ending.
Das ist die fleischloseste Option auf der Speisekarte.
That is the most meat-free option on the menu.
die Option means the option and die Speisekarte is the menu. Fleischloseste is attributive after die, so it has the ending -e; the phrase auf der Speisekarte is dative because auf describes location here.
frittieren — to deep-fry
frittieren is a weak verb and takes haben in the perfect: hat frittiert. Do not add ge- to this verb, because verbs ending in -ieren form the Partizip II without it.
Ich frittiere die Kartoffeln in heißem Öl.
I deep-fry the potatoes in hot oil.
die Kartoffeln are the potatoes, and in heißem Öl means in hot oil. die Kartoffeln are accusative because frittieren takes the food as a direct object; the finite verb frittiere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Zwiebelringe frittiert.
We deep-fried the onion rings.
die Zwiebelringe are the onion rings, and haben means have. The perfect uses haben + frittiert because cooking takes haben; frittiert goes to the end, while die Zwiebelringe are accusative.
Er frittierte das Gemüse nur kurz.
He deep-fried the vegetables only briefly.
das Gemüse means the vegetables, and nur kurz means only briefly. frittierte is the weak preterite form and stands in position two; das Gemüse is accusative as the direct object.
Frittier die Teigtaschen bei mittlerer Hitze!
Deep-fry the dumplings at medium heat!
die Teigtaschen are the filled dumplings, and bei mittlerer Hitze means at medium heat. The imperative addresses du and therefore omits the pronoun; die Teigtaschen are accusative because they are the food being fried.
Wenn ich eine Fritteuse hätte, frittierte ich öfter.
If I had a deep fryer, I would deep-fry food more often.
wenn means if, eine Fritteuse is a deep fryer, and öfter means more often. The conditional form frittierte is identical in spelling to the preterite, and the finite verb goes to the end after wenn; the following main clause returns the verb to position two.
Morgen werde ich Falafel frittieren.
Tomorrow I will deep-fry falafel.
morgen means tomorrow, and Falafel means falafel, a seasoned food usually made from chickpeas. werde is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive frittieren goes to the end; the food is an accusative object even though the noun has no visible case ending.
die Füllung — filling; contents; dental filling
Die Füllung most commonly means a food filling, for example inside a cake or pastry. It can also mean the material put inside something more generally; the plural is die Füllungen.
Die Füllung ist sehr süß.
The filling is very sweet.
ist means “is”, and sehr süß means “very sweet”. Die Füllung is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective after ist is predicative, so it has no ending.
Ich probiere die Füllung.
I am tasting the filling.
probiere means “taste” or “try”, and here die Füllung is “the filling”. It is accusative because probieren takes an accusative object; the finite verb probiere is in position two.
Der Kuchen schmeckt mir mit der Füllung besser.
The cake tastes better to me with the filling.
der Kuchen is “the cake”, schmeckt means “tastes”, and besser means “better”. Der Füllung is dative because mit always takes the dative; mir is also dative because schmecken expresses whose opinion or reaction it is.
Der Geschmack der Füllung ist intensiv.
The taste of the filling is intense.
der Geschmack means “the taste”, and intensiv means “intense”. Der Füllung is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; with a feminine noun, the noun itself stays unchanged.
Es gibt viele Füllungen für Torten.
There are many fillings for cakes.
viele means “many”, für means “for”, and Torten are cakes or gateaux. Füllungen is plural and accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; the plural is formed with -en.
Der Zahnarzt erneuert die Füllung.
The dentist is replacing the filling.
der Zahnarzt is “the dentist”, and erneuert means “replaces” or “renews”. Die Füllung is accusative because erneuern takes an accusative object, while the finite verb erneuert stands in position two.
Nach der Behandlung braucht der Zahn eine neue Füllung.
After the treatment, the tooth needs a new filling.
nach der Behandlung means “after the treatment”, der Zahn is “the tooth”, and braucht means “needs”. Eine neue Füllung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the introductory phrase comes first, so the finite verb braucht still remains in position two.
das Gasthaus — inn, traditional restaurant
A Gasthaus is usually more traditional and rural than an ordinary restaurant. The word can refer to both the place for eating and drinking and, in some contexts, the accommodation attached to it.
Das Gasthaus liegt neben der Kirche.
The inn is next to the church.
liegt means is located, neben means next to, and die Kirche means the church. Das Gasthaus is nominative because it is the subject; der Kirche is dative because neben describes a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen das Gasthaus am Wochenende.
We visit the inn at the weekend.
besuchen means to visit, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Das Gasthaus is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Wir sitzen in dem Gasthaus und essen Suppe.
We are sitting in the inn and eating soup.
sitzen means to sit, in dem Gasthaus means in the inn, and Suppe means soup. Dem Gasthaus is dative because in expresses a fixed location; und keeps normal word order, so sitzen and essen stand in their clauses.
Die Tür des Gasthauses ist geschlossen.
The door of the inn is closed.
die Tür means the door, geschlossen means closed, and ist means is. Des Gasthauses is genitive to show that the door belongs to the inn; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In den Bergen gibt es viele Gasthäuser.
There are many inns in the mountains.
in den Bergen means in the mountains, viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Gasthäuser is plural after viele, while den Bergen is dative because in describes location; the phrase gibt es requires an accusative object, though the plural form looks the same in nominative and accusative.
die Gaststätte — restaurant, eating and drinking establishment
Gaststätte is a fairly neutral, slightly formal word for a place serving food and drinks. In everyday conversation, Restaurant, Café or Kneipe may be more specific.
Die Gaststätte öffnet um elf Uhr.
The restaurant opens at eleven o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um elf Uhr means at eleven o'clock. Die Gaststätte is nominative because it performs the action; the finite verb öffnet is in position two, and um introduces the exact time.
Wir suchen eine Gaststätte in der Nähe.
We are looking for a restaurant nearby.
suchen means to look for, in der Nähe means nearby, and eine means a. Eine Gaststätte is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen; in der Nähe gives the location, and suchen stands in position two.
Wir essen in der Gaststätte neben dem Bahnhof.
We eat in the restaurant next to the station.
essen means to eat, neben means next to, and der Bahnhof means the station. Der Gaststätte is dative because in describes a fixed location, and dem Bahnhof is dative after neben; the finite verb essen is in position two.
Die Küche der Gaststätte ist sehr klein.
The restaurant's kitchen is very small.
die Küche means the kitchen, sehr klein means very small, and ist means is. Der Gaststätte is genitive to show which restaurant the kitchen belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In dieser Straße gibt es drei Gaststätten.
There are three restaurants in this street.
in dieser Straße means on this street, drei means three, and gibt es means there are. Gaststätten is plural after drei; dieser Straße is dative because in describes location, while the phrase gibt es takes an accusative object.
glutenfrei — gluten-free
This adjective is mainly used for food and diets. It describes food that contains no Gluten, or gluten.
Das Brot ist glutenfrei.
The bread is gluten-free.
das Brot is the bread. Glutenfrei is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich kaufe glutenfreies Brot.
I am buying gluten-free bread.
kaufe means buy, and das Brot is bread. Glutenfreies stands before the neuter accusative noun Brot and takes -es after the zero article; Brot is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object.
Dieses Brot ist glutenfreier als das andere.
This bread is more gluten-free than the other one.
dieses Brot means this bread, and das andere means the other one. Glutenfreier is predicative and has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Kuchen ist dieser am glutenfreiesten.
Of all the cakes, this one is the most gluten-free.
von allen Kuchen means of all the cakes, and dieser means this one. The superlative uses am plus -sten in a predicative phrase; ist remains in position two.
die Gräte — fish bone
die Gräte is specifically a small bone in a fish, not a general animal bone. Its plural is die Gräten, with an umlaut and -n.
Eine Gräte steckt in meinem Hals.
A fish bone is stuck in my throat.
steckt means is stuck, and Hals means throat. Eine Gräte is nominative because it is the subject; in meinem Hals is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich habe eine Gräte im Fisch gefunden.
I found a fish bone in the fish.
habe gefunden means found, Fisch means fish, and im Fisch means in the fish. eine Gräte is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the perfect uses haben, with gefunden at the end.
Der Koch hilft dem Gast mit der Gräte.
The cook helps the guest with the fish bone.
Koch means cook, Gast means guest, and hilft means helps. dem Gast is dative because helfen requires the dative, while mit der Gräte is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Spitze der Gräte ist sehr scharf.
The tip of the fish bone is very sharp.
Spitze means tip, and scharf means sharp. der Gräte is genitive because it identifies whose tip it is; ist is in position two, and scharf comes after the linking verb.
Die Gräten liegen auf dem Teller.
The fish bones are lying on the plate.
liegen means are lying, and Teller means plate. Die Gräten is a plural subject, while auf dem Teller is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Hackfleisch — minced meat; ground meat
Das Hackfleisch is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. The type of meat can be specified with compounds such as Rinderhackfleisch, minced beef, or Schweinehackfleisch, minced pork.
Das Hackfleisch ist frisch.
The minced meat is fresh.
frisch means fresh. Das Hackfleisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; this mass noun normally has no plural.
Ich kaufe das Hackfleisch beim Metzger.
I buy the minced meat at the butcher's.
kaufe means buy, beim Metzger means at the butcher's, and der Metzger is a butcher. Das Hackfleisch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit dem Hackfleisch mache ich Frikadellen.
I make meatballs with the minced meat.
mit means with, mache means make, and Frikadellen are meatballs. Dem Hackfleisch is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so mache is in position two.
Der Geruch des Hackfleischs ist stark.
The smell of the minced meat is strong.
der Geruch means the smell, and stark means strong. Des Hackfleischs is genitive because it identifies what the smell comes from; the mass noun takes -s in the genitive.
Für die Frikadellen brauche ich 500 Gramm Hackfleisch.
For the meatballs, I need 500 grams of minced meat.
für means for, die Frikadellen are meatballs, and brauche means need. Hackfleisch is a mass noun and has no plural here; für die Frikadellen is accusative because für always takes the accusative, while 500 Gramm Hackfleisch is a quantity phrase.
haltbar — long-lasting, durable; shelf-stable
For food, haltbar means safe or suitable to keep for a certain time; it does not simply mean physically durable. The common label mindestens haltbar bis gives the best-before date, not necessarily the date after which food becomes dangerous.
Die Milch ist noch haltbar.
The milk is still good to use.
die Milch means the milk, and noch means still. haltbar is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen haltbare Lebensmittel für die Reise.
We are buying long-life food for the journey.
Lebensmittel means food, and für die Reise means for the journey. haltbare stands before the plural accusative object Lebensmittel and takes -e because of the articleless plural; kaufen takes the accusative.
Diese Packung ist haltbarer als die andere.
This packet lasts longer than the other one.
diese Packung means this packet, and die andere means the other one. haltbarer is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the item being compared.
Dieses Brot ist am haltbarsten.
This bread lasts the longest.
dieses Brot means this bread, and am längsten means for the longest time. am haltbarsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb remains in position two.
Das haltbarste Produkt ist nicht immer das beste.
The most durable product is not always the best.
das Produkt means the product, and nicht immer means not always. Before the neuter noun Produkt, the superlative is haltbarste with an adjective ending; the whole noun phrase is the nominative subject.
die Haltbarkeit — shelf life; durability
For food, die Haltbarkeit usually means shelf life; for objects, it can mean how long they remain usable. It is a feminine noun with plural die Haltbarkeiten.
Die Haltbarkeit des Joghurts endet morgen.
The yoghurt's shelf life ends tomorrow.
der Joghurt is yoghurt, and endet means ends; morgen means tomorrow. Die Haltbarkeit is nominative because it is the subject, while des Joghurts is genitive because it specifies whose shelf life it is; the finite verb endet is in position two.
Ich prüfe die Haltbarkeit des Fleisches.
I check the meat's shelf life.
prüfen means to check, and das Fleisch is meat. Die Haltbarkeit is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while des Fleisches is genitive and means of the meat; prüfe stands in position two.
Bei warmem Wetter leidet die Haltbarkeit der Milch.
In warm weather, the milk's shelf life suffers.
warmes Wetter means warm weather, and leiden means to suffer. Bei always takes the dative, so warmem Wetter is dative; die Haltbarkeit is nominative subject and der Milch is genitive, meaning of the milk.
Wegen der kurzen Haltbarkeit kaufe ich nur wenig.
Because of the short shelf life, I buy only a little.
wegen means because of, kurz means short, and wenig means little. In careful standard German, wegen takes the genitive, so der kurzen Haltbarkeit means because of the short shelf life; the verb kaufe is in position two.
Die Haltbarkeiten dieser Produkte sind unterschiedlich.
The shelf lives of these products are different.
Produkte means products, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Haltbarkeiten is the plural subject, formed with -en; dieser Produkte is genitive and means of these products.
der Hartweizen — durum wheat
Hartweizen is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural when referring to the substance. It is often used with food words such as Pasta and Mehl; the genitive is des Hartweizens.
Hartweizen wächst gut in warmen Regionen.
Durum wheat grows well in warm regions.
wächst means grows, and warme Regionen means warm regions. Hartweizen is the nominative subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two; this food noun is normally used without a plural.
Für die Pasta braucht man Hartweizen.
You need durum wheat for the pasta.
für die Pasta means for the pasta, and braucht man means one needs or you need. Hartweizen is an accusative object after brauchen; as a mass noun, it has no plural in this meaning.
Die Pasta wird aus Hartweizen gemacht.
The pasta is made from durum wheat.
die Pasta means the pasta, and wird gemacht means is made. aus Hartweizen is dative because aus always takes the dative; the passive verb phrase puts gemacht at the end.
Die Qualität des Hartweizens ist sehr gut.
The quality of the durum wheat is very good.
die Qualität means the quality, and sehr gut means very good. des Hartweizens is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Verschiedene Sorten Hartweizen werden angebaut.
Different varieties of durum wheat are cultivated.
verschiedene Sorten means different varieties, and werden angebaut means are cultivated. Hartweizen remains singular because it is a mass noun; the plural meaning comes from Sorten, not from the wheat itself.
der Hummer — lobster
Hummer is a countable noun whose singular and plural forms are identical. The plural is recognised from words such as zwei or drei and from the article die.
Der Hummer lebt am Meeresboden.
The lobster lives on the seabed.
der Meeresboden means the seabed, and lebt means “lives”. Der Hummer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Wir bestellen einen Hummer für zwei Personen.
We are ordering a lobster for two people.
bestellen means “to order”, and für zwei Personen means “for two people”. einen Hummer is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Der Koch gibt dem Hummer frisches Wasser.
The cook gives the lobster fresh water.
der Koch is the cook, and frisches Wasser means fresh water. dem Hummer is dative because geben gives something to someone or something, while frisches Wasser is the accusative thing being given.
Die Schale des Hummers ist sehr hart.
The lobster’s shell is very hard.
die Schale means shell, and hart means hard. des Hummers is genitive because it shows whose shell it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Im Restaurant liegen drei Hummer im Becken.
Three lobsters are lying in the tank at the restaurant.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, liegen means “are lying”, and das Becken is the tank. drei Hummer is plural, but the noun has no plural ending; im is short for in dem and takes the dative for a location.
das Kalbfleisch — veal
Kalbfleisch is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. Use das Kalb for the animal and das Kalbfleisch for the meat.
Das Kalbfleisch ist sehr zart.
The veal is very tender.
zart means tender or soft. Das Kalbfleisch is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two.
Der Koch schneidet das Kalbfleisch in dünne Scheiben.
The cook cuts the veal into thin slices.
der Koch means the cook, schneiden means to cut, and dünne Scheiben are thin slices. Das Kalbfleisch is accusative because schneiden takes an accusative object.
Die Köchin gibt dem Kalbfleisch etwas Salz.
The cook adds some salt to the veal.
die Köchin means the female cook, and etwas Salz means some salt. Dem Kalbfleisch is dative because geben marks the destination with dative, while etwas Salz is the accusative thing added.
Der Geschmack des Kalbfleisches ist mild.
The taste of the veal is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild. Des Kalbfleisches is genitive because it shows what the taste belongs to; ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen heute kein Kalbfleisch.
We are not buying veal today.
heute means today, and kein means no or not any. Kalbfleisch is a mass noun and normally has no plural; it is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object.
knackig — crisp; crunchy; snappy, concise, to the point
For food, knackig means crisp or crunchy, especially for vegetables and fruit. It can also describe something short, lively, or sharply expressed.
Die Karotten sind noch knackig.
The carrots are still crisp.
die Karotten are the carrots and noch means still. Knackig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; sind stands in position two.
Ich kaufe knackige Äpfel.
I am buying crisp apples.
kaufe means buy and Äpfel are apples. Knackige Äpfel is an accusative object after kaufen; the adjective takes -e because it follows the zero article in the plural.
Diese Gurken sind knackiger als die anderen.
These cucumbers are crisper than the others.
diese Gurken means these cucumbers and die anderen means the others. Knackiger compares two kinds of cucumbers and takes -er; als introduces the comparison.
Dieser Apfel ist am knackigsten.
This apple is the crispiest.
dieser Apfel means this apple. Am knackigsten is the predicative superlative with am; it does not take a separate adjective ending because it follows ist.
Sie gab eine knackige Antwort.
She gave a snappy answer.
gab means gave, eine Antwort is an answer, and snappy expresses the figurative meaning here. Eine knackige Antwort is accusative after geben as the thing given; the adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Vortrag war kurz und knackig.
The presentation was short and to the point.
der Vortrag is the presentation, kurz means short, and und means and. Knackig is predicative after war, so it has no ending; the adjective means concise and effective rather than crunchy.
das Kotelett — chop; cutlet
A Kotelett is a slice of meat with a bone, commonly pork or lamb. It is a food word; the plural is Koteletts, with no change to the stem.
Das Kotelett schmeckt gut.
The chop tastes good.
schmeckt gut means tastes good. Das Kotelett is nominative because it is the subject of schmecken, and the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Ich bestelle das Kotelett mit Gemüse.
I order the chop with vegetables.
bestelle means order, and mit Gemüse means with vegetables. das Kotelett is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; mit Gemüse is dative because mit always governs the dative.
Der Kellner bringt mir dem Kotelett eine Soße.
The waiter brings me a sauce for the chop.
der Kellner is the waiter, bringt means brings, mir means to me, and eine Soße is a sauce. In natural German, the chop would normally be expressed as zum Kotelett; zum means zu dem and takes the dative, while eine Soße is the accusative object.
Der Geschmack des Koteletts ist kräftig.
The flavour of the chop is strong.
der Geschmack means the flavour, and kräftig means strong or full-bodied. des Koteletts is genitive because it identifies the flavour’s source; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Grill liegen zwei Koteletts.
Two chops are lying on the grill.
auf dem Grill means on the grill, and liegen means are lying. zwei Koteletts is the plural subject, while auf dem Grill is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
kulinarisch — culinary, food-related
kulinarisch is more formal than simply saying lecker (tasty) and often describes food, cooking, or a dining experience.
Das Essen ist sehr kulinarisch.
The meal is very culinary in character.
das Essen means the meal and sehr means very. kulinarisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen ein kulinarisches Wochenende.
We are planning a food-focused weekend.
planen means plan and das Wochenende is the weekend. kulinarisches describes Wochenende and has the neuter accusative ending -es after ein; ein kulinarisches Wochenende is the accusative object of planen.
Dieses Restaurant bietet ein kulinarischeres Menü an.
This restaurant offers a more culinary menu.
dieses Restaurant is this restaurant, bietet ... an means offers, and das Menü is the menu. kulinarischeres is comparative and has the neuter accusative ending -es; the separable verb places an at the end of the main clause.
Das war der kulinarischste Abend unserer Reise.
That was the most food-focused evening of our trip.
der Abend is the evening and unsere Reise is our trip. kulinarischste is the superlative before a noun and takes -e after der; unserer Reise is genitive, showing which trip is meant.
laktosefrei — lactose-free
laktosefrei is a compound adjective meaning that a food or drink contains no lactose. It is often used before food nouns, where it takes the normal adjective ending, as in laktosefreie Milch.
Die Milch ist laktosefrei.
The milk is lactose-free.
die Milch means the milk. Laktosefrei is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe laktosefreie Milch.
I am buying lactose-free milk.
kaufe means am buying, and Milch means milk. laktosefreie Milch is an accusative object after kaufen, and the adjective has the ending -e after the zero article for feminine accusative.
Diese Milch ist laktosefreier als die andere.
This milk is more lactose-free than the other one.
diese Milch means this milk and die andere means the other one. The comparative laktosefreier is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Produkten ist dieses am laktosefreiesten.
Of all the products, this one is the most lactose-free.
von allen Produkten means of all the products and dieses means this one. The predicative superlative uses am plus -sten and has no adjective ending; the comparison group follows von with dative.
mahlen — to grind, to mill
Mahlen is a weak verb: mahlte – hat gemahlen. It is easily confused with malen, which means to paint; mahlen normally takes an accusative object such as Kaffee or Getreide.
Die Mühle mahlt das Getreide.
The mill grinds the grain.
die Mühle means the mill and das Getreide means grain. Das Getreide is accusative because mahlen takes the thing being ground as an accusative object; the finite verb mahlt is in position two.
Wir haben den Kaffee frisch gemahlen.
We ground the coffee fresh.
frisch means fresh and der Kaffee means coffee. Den Kaffee is accusative after mahlen; the auxiliary haben is in position two and gemahlen goes to the end.
Früher mahlte man das Mehl selbst.
In the past, people ground the flour themselves.
früher means in the past, das Mehl means flour, and selbst means oneself or themselves. Mahlte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; das Mehl is accusative as the object.
Mahl die Bohnen bitte fein!
Please grind the beans finely!
die Bohnen means the beans, bitte means please, and fein means finely or fine. Mahl is the singular imperative, and die Bohnen is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich eine Mühle hätte, mahlte ich mein Mehl selbst.
If I had a mill, I would grind my own flour myself.
wenn means if, eine Mühle means a mill, and mein Mehl means my flour. Here mahlte is the same form as the preterite but has a conditional meaning; the verb comes at the end of the wenn-clause and returns to position two in the main clause.
Morgen werde ich den Kaffee selbst mahlen.
Tomorrow I will grind the coffee myself.
morgen means tomorrow and selbst means myself. Den Kaffee is accusative after mahlen; werde is in position two and the infinitive mahlen goes to the end.
der Milchzucker — lactose
Milchzucker is the chemical name for lactose and is mainly used in health, food and nutrition contexts. It is a mass noun with no ordinary plural; Milchzuckerunverträglichkeit means lactose intolerance.
Milchzucker kommt in Milch vor.
Lactose is found in milk.
kommt ... vor means occurs or is found, and in Milch means in milk. Milchzucker is nominative as the subject; the separable verb vorkommen splits in the main clause, with vor at the end.
Manche Menschen vertragen Milchzucker nicht.
Some people do not tolerate lactose.
manche Menschen means some people, vertragen means tolerate, and nicht means not. Milchzucker is an uncountable accusative object after vertragen, so it normally appears without an article.
Ärzte helfen Menschen mit Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit.
Doctors help people with lactose intolerance.
Ärzte means doctors, helfen means help, and Unverträglichkeit means intolerance. Milchzucker is part of the compound Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit; mit introduces the dative phrase mit Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit.
Die Wirkung des Milchzuckers ist gut untersucht.
The effect of lactose has been well studied.
die Wirkung means the effect, and gut untersucht means well studied. Milchzuckers is genitive after Wirkung to identify the substance’s effect; ist untersucht forms a passive construction.
die Pampelmuse — pomelo, grapefruit
Pampelmuse is a citrus fruit related to the grapefruit and is often translated as pomelo. In everyday German, many speakers use Grapefruit for the more common, usually smaller fruit, so the two names are not always interchangeable.
Die Pampelmuse schmeckt leicht bitter.
The pomelo tastes slightly bitter.
schmeckt means tastes, leicht means slightly, and bitter means bitter. Die Pampelmuse is nominative because it is the subject; bitter follows schmecken as a description and has no ending.
Ich schäle die Pampelmuse in der Küche.
I peel the pomelo in the kitchen.
schälen means peel, and in der Küche means in the kitchen. Die Pampelmuse is accusative because schälen takes a direct object; the location phrase uses the dative.
Ich gebe der Pampelmuse etwas Zucker.
I add some sugar to the pomelo.
etwas Zucker means some sugar, and geben means give or add. Der Pampelmuse is dative because it receives the sugar, while etwas Zucker is accusative.
Die Schale der Pampelmuse ist sehr dick.
The pomelo's peel is very thick.
die Schale means the peel, and dick means thick. Der Pampelmuse is genitive because it shows which fruit the peel belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Pampelmusen liegen im Obstkorb.
The pomelos are lying in the fruit bowl.
liegen means are lying, and im Obstkorb means in the fruit bowl. Die Pampelmusen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, the dative form for a fixed location.
Pampelmusen enthalten viel Vitamin C.
Pomelos contain a lot of vitamin C.
enthalten means contain, and viel Vitamin C means a lot of vitamin C. Pampelmusen is the unmarked plural subject, and the finite verb enthalten is in position two; Vitamin C is the accusative object.
die Paste — paste; thick substance; medicinal or cosmetic paste
In everyday German, a similar substance used for cleaning teeth is normally called Zahnpasta, not simply Paste.
Die Paste ist sehr dick.
The paste is very thick.
sehr dick means very thick. Die Paste is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Koch mischt die Paste mit Wasser.
The cook mixes the paste with water.
der Koch means the cook, mischt means mixes, and mit Wasser means with water. Die Paste is accusative because mischen takes a direct object; mit always takes the dative.
Wir geben dem Teig der Paste etwas Öl hinzu.
We add some oil from the paste to the dough.
der Teig is dough, etwas Öl is some oil, and hinzugeben means to add. Der Paste is dative because aus is understood in this unusual construction; the separable verb geben ... hinzu places hinzu at the end.
Die Farbe der Paste ist dunkelgrün.
The colour of the paste is dark green.
die Farbe means colour and dunkelgrün means dark green. Der Paste is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Im Labor stehen mehrere Pasten.
There are several pastes in the laboratory.
im Labor means in the laboratory and mehrere means several. Pasten is plural after mehrere, and im marks a fixed location with the dative.
Die Ärztin verschreibt die Paste gegen den Ausschlag.
The doctor prescribes the paste for the rash.
die Ärztin means female doctor, verschreibt means prescribes, and der Ausschlag means rash. Die Paste is accusative as the object of verschreiben, while gegen also takes the accusative.
Tragen Sie die Paste zweimal täglich auf.
Apply the paste twice a day.
Tragen Sie ... auf means apply, and zweimal täglich means twice daily. This is the formal imperative; the separable prefix auf goes to the end, while die Paste is the accusative object.
der Rinderbraten — roast beef
Rinderbraten is a compound of Rinder (cattle) and Braten (roast). It normally refers to the prepared dish, not simply to raw beef.
Der Rinderbraten ist heute besonders zart.
The roast beef is especially tender today.
heute means today, and besonders zart means especially tender. Der Rinderbraten is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir essen den Rinderbraten am Sonntag.
We eat the roast beef on Sunday.
wir means we, essen means eat, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Den Rinderbraten is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb essen stands in position two.
Die Köchin gibt dem Rinderbraten eine kräftige Soße.
The cook gives the roast beef a rich sauce.
die Köchin is the cook, gibt means gives, and eine kräftige Soße is a rich sauce. Dem Rinderbraten is dative because it is the recipient or affected item with geben; eine kräftige Soße is the accusative thing being given.
Der Duft des Rinderbratens erfüllt die Küche.
The smell of the roast beef fills the kitchen.
der Duft is the smell, erfüllt means fills, and die Küche is the kitchen. Des Rinderbratens is genitive after der Duft to show what the smell comes from; the noun adds -s.
Am Feiertag servieren wir verschiedene Rinderbraten.
On the public holiday, we serve different roast beef dishes.
am Feiertag means on the public holiday, servieren means serve, and verschiedene means different. Verschiedene Rinderbraten is plural and accusative because it is the object of servieren; its form is unchanged from the singular.
das Sauerkraut — sauerkraut, fermented cabbage
Sauerkraut is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. It is often eaten as a side dish with meat or potatoes.
Das Sauerkraut schmeckt sehr würzig.
The sauerkraut tastes very spicy.
würzig means spicy or strongly seasoned. Das Sauerkraut is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Ich esse das Sauerkraut gern zu Würstchen.
I like eating sauerkraut with sausages.
gern means gladly, zu means with or alongside, and Würstchen means small sausages. Das Sauerkraut is accusative because esse takes a direct object.
Zu dem Sauerkraut passen Kartoffeln besonders gut.
Potatoes go especially well with the sauerkraut.
Kartoffeln are potatoes, and besonders gut means especially well. Zu always takes the dative, so dem Sauerkraut is dative.
Der Geschmack des Sauerkrauts ist kräftig.
The taste of the sauerkraut is strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, and kräftig means strong or full-bodied. Des Sauerkrauts is genitive because it identifies whose taste is meant; the noun takes -s.
Auf dem Markt gibt es frisches Sauerkraut.
There is fresh sauerkraut at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, gibt es means there is or there are, and frisch means fresh. Sauerkraut is a mass noun and normally has no plural, so the singular mass noun is used here.
der Schweinebraten — roast pork
Schweinebraten usually means a roast-pork dish, not simply raw pork. The plural is normally unchanged: der Schweinebraten, die Schweinebraten.
Der Schweinebraten ist fertig.
The roast pork is ready.
fertig means ready or finished. Der Schweinebraten is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two; fertig is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Wir bestellen den Schweinebraten.
We are ordering the roast pork.
bestellen means to order, usually in a restaurant. den Schweinebraten is accusative because it is the direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Schweinebraten noch zehn Minuten.
I give the roast pork another ten minutes.
noch means another or still, and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. dem Schweinebraten is dative as the thing receiving extra cooking time, while zehn Minuten is an accusative duration expression.
Der Geruch des Schweinebratens macht mich hungrig.
The smell of the roast pork makes me hungry.
der Geruch means the smell, hungrig means hungry, and machen means to make. des Schweinebratens is genitive because it specifies whose smell; mich is accusative after macht.
Auf dem Fest gibt es verschiedene Schweinebraten.
There are different roast pork dishes at the festival.
das Fest means festival or celebration, and verschieden means different. Schweinebraten has no visible plural ending here; after es gibt, the plural phrase is accusative, but the noun form stays unchanged.
die Speise — dish, prepared food
Speise is a somewhat formal word for a prepared dish; in everyday speech, Gericht or Essen is often more natural. Do not confuse it with Speisekarte, which means menu.
Die Speise ist noch warm.
The dish is still warm.
noch warm means still warm. Die Speise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Koch probiert die Speise.
The cook tastes the dish.
der Koch means the cook, and probiert means tastes. die Speise is accusative because probieren takes a direct object; the finite verb probiert stands in position two.
Wir geben der Speise etwas Salz.
We add some salt to the dish.
etwas Salz means some salt, and geben means give or add here. der Speise is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while etwas Salz is accusative; the finite verb geben stands in position two.
Der Geschmack der Speise ist mild.
The taste of the dish is mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or not strong. der Speise is genitive after der Geschmack to show what has the taste; the whole phrase Der Geschmack der Speise is the nominative subject.
Im Restaurant bestellen wir verschiedene Speisen.
In the restaurant, we order different dishes.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, bestellen means order, and verschiedene means different. verschiedene Speisen is accusative because it is the object of bestellen; the plural has the article or determiner verschiedene, not singular eine.
der Speisewagen — dining car, restaurant car
Speisewagen is a compound of Speise, food, and Wagen, carriage or car. Its plural is also Speisewagen, so the article or a number shows whether it is singular or plural.
Der Speisewagen ist am Ende des Zuges.
The dining car is at the end of the train.
am Ende means at the end, and der Zug means the train. Der Speisewagen is nominative because it is the subject; des Zuges is genitive after das Ende to show the end of what, and ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Speisewagen.
We are looking for the dining car.
wir suchen means we are looking for. den Speisewagen is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gehe mit dem Speisewagen?
Am I going with the dining car?
This is an unusual humorous sentence: ich gehe means I go, and mit means with. dem Speisewagen is dative because mit always requires dative; normally a person would go zum Speisewagen, meaning to the dining car.
Die Tür des Speisewagens ist offen.
The door of the dining car is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. des Speisewagens is genitive to show whose door it is; the whole phrase Die Tür des Speisewagens is the nominative subject.
In modernen Zügen gibt es mehrere Speisewagen.
There are several dining cars on modern trains.
moderne Züge means modern trains, and mehrere means several. Speisewagen is plural but has no plural ending; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form looks identical to the singular.
die Spezialität — speciality; special dish
The word often describes a local food or product, especially in regionale Spezialität. It can also mean a person’s area of expertise.
Die Spezialität des Hauses ist frischer Fisch.
The house speciality is fresh fish.
des Hauses means “of the house”, and frischer Fisch means fresh fish. Die Spezialität is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist comes in position two.
Wir probieren heute die Spezialität des Hauses.
We are trying the house speciality today.
probieren means to try, heute means today, and des Hauses means “of the house”. Die Spezialität is accusative because it is the object of probieren; the finite verb probieren is in position two.
Der Koch empfiehlt den Gästen eine regionale Spezialität.
The chef recommends a regional speciality to the guests.
der Koch is the chef, empfehlen means to recommend, den Gästen means to the guests, and regional means regional. Den Gästen is dative because empfehlen gives the recommendation to someone, while eine regionale Spezialität is accusative as the thing recommended.
Der Geschmack der Spezialität überrascht alle.
The taste of the speciality surprises everyone.
der Geschmack means the taste, überrascht means surprises, and alle means everyone. Der Spezialität is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the finite verb überrascht stands in position two.
Auf dem Markt verkaufen mehrere Stände regionale Spezialitäten.
Several stalls sell regional specialities at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, verkaufen means sell, mehrere Stände means several stalls, and regional means regional. Spezialitäten is plural and accusative because it is the object of verkaufen; its plural ending is -en.
vertragen — to tolerate; to digest; to get along; to get along
For food or drink, vertragen means that your body tolerates it. In the reflexive expression sich vertragen, it means to get along; the phrase sich mit jemandem vertragen uses mit with the dative.
Ich ver||||trage Milch nicht gut.
I do not tolerate milk well.
Milch means milk, and gut means well. Milch is an accusative object because vertragen takes the thing tolerated in the accusative; the finite verb vertrage is in position two.
Ich habe den scharfen Käse nicht vertragen.
I did not tolerate the spicy cheese.
der scharfe Käse means the spicy cheese, and scharf means spicy. den scharfen Käse is accusative because it is the object of vertragen; habe is the auxiliary in position two and vertragen stands at the end.
Sie ver||||trug die lange Reise erstaunlich gut.
She tolerated the long journey surprisingly well.
die lange Reise means the long journey, and erstaunlich means surprisingly. The strong past form vertrug is the finite verb in position two; die lange Reise is accusative as the thing she endured.
Vertrage die Hitze langsam!
Tolerate the heat slowly!
die Hitze means the heat, and langsam means slowly. Vertrage is the du imperative, and die Hitze is accusative because it is the object of vertragen.
Ich würde das Essen besser vertragen, wenn es nicht so fettig wäre.
I would tolerate the food better if it were not so fatty.
das Essen means the food, besser means better, and fettig means fatty. würde ... vertragen expresses a hypothetical situation; the verb wäre goes to the end of the wenn clause, while das Essen is accusative.
Mit der Zeit wird er die Höhe besser vertragen.
In time, he will tolerate the altitude better.
mit der Zeit means in time, die Höhe means the altitude, and besser means better. die Höhe is accusative because it is the object of vertragen; wird is in position two and the infinitive vertragen closes the sentence bracket.
Wir ver||||tragen uns wieder.
We are getting along again.
wieder means again. The reflexive form uns refers back to wir; in the main clause, the finite verb vertragen is in position two and uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Die beiden Kinder ver||||tragen sich trotz des Streits.
The two children get along despite the argument.
die beiden Kinder means the two children, trotz means despite, and der Streit means the argument. sich is the reflexive pronoun for die beiden Kinder; trotz des Streits uses the genitive, and the verb remains in position two.
der Vorrat — supply, stock, reserve
A Vorrat is something stored for future use, such as food, water, or money. The plural Vorräte is common when talking about different supplies or stored amounts.
Der Vorrat an Wasser reicht für eine Woche.
The water supply is enough for a week.
das Wasser means water, and reichen means to be enough; eine Woche means one week. Der Vorrat is the nominative subject, and an Wasser names what the supply consists of; the finite verb reicht is in position two.
Wir brauchen den Vorrat für den Winter.
We need the supply for the winter.
brauchen means to need, and der Winter means winter. Den Vorrat is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; für also forces accusative in für den Winter.
Mit dem Vorrat kommen wir lange aus.
We can manage for a long time with the supply.
mit means with, lange means for a long time, and auskommen means to manage or get by. Dem Vorrat is dative because mit always takes dative; the separable verb appears as kommen ... aus.
Die Größe des Vorrats hängt vom Wetter ab.
The size of the supply depends on the weather.
die Größe means size, abhängen means to depend, and das Wetter means weather. Des Vorrats is genitive because it says whose size it is; hängt ... ab is separable, and vom Wetter is dative after von.
Im Keller stehen große Vorräte.
There are large supplies in the cellar.
der Keller means cellar, groß means large, and stehen means stand or be located. Vorräte is plural and is the subject, while im Keller is a fixed location with dative in; the plural ending is -e with an umlaut.
der Weizen — wheat
Der Weizen is usually a mass noun, like das Brot, so it normally has no plural. For different kinds or varieties, speakers can sometimes use Weizensorten instead.
Der Weizen wächst auf den Feldern.
The wheat is growing in the fields.
wächst means “grows”, and das Feld is a field; auf den Feldern means “in the fields”. Der Weizen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Die Bäuerin erntet den Weizen.
The farmer is harvesting the wheat.
die Bäuerin is a female farmer, and ernten means “to harvest”. Den Weizen is accusative because ernten takes a direct object; the finite verb erntet stands in position two.
Der Müller arbeitet mit dem Weizen.
The miller works with the wheat.
der Müller is a miller, and arbeiten means “to work”. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Weizen is dative; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Der Geruch des Weizens ist angenehm.
The smell of the wheat is pleasant.
der Geruch means “smell”, and angenehm means “pleasant”. Des Weizens is genitive because it says whose smell it is, and the genitive ending -s is added to Weizen.
Auf dem Feld wächst Weizen.
Wheat is growing in the field.
auf dem Feld means “in the field”, and wächst means “is growing”. Weizen is a mass noun here, so it has no ordinary plural; auf takes the dative in this location phrase.
zart — delicate, tender, soft; subtle, gentle, light
Zart can describe something physically soft or delicate, such as zarte Haut, and food that is tender, such as zartes Fleisch. Its opposite is hart; the comparison is regular: zarter, am zartesten.
Die Haut ist zart.
The skin is delicate.
die Haut means “the skin.” Zart is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt ein zartes Kleid.
She is wearing a delicate dress.
trägt means “is wearing,” and das Kleid is a dress. Zartes comes before the noun and takes the ending -es because ein Kleid is neuter accusative, the object of trägt.
Diese Decke ist zarter als die andere.
This blanket is softer than the other one.
die Decke means “the blanket,” and die andere means “the other one.” Zarter compares two things and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Das ist die zarteste Seide im Geschäft.
That is the most delicate silk in the shop.
die Seide means “the silk,” and im Geschäft means “in the shop.” Zarteste is the superlative before a feminine noun; the article die supplies the case and gender information, so the adjective takes -e.
Die Blumen haben eine zarte Farbe.
The flowers have a delicate colour.
die Blumen means “the flowers,” and die Farbe means “the colour.” Zarte is attributive and takes -e because eine Farbe is feminine accusative, the object of haben.
Ein zarter Duft liegt in der Luft.
A delicate scent is in the air.
der Duft means “the scent,” and liegt in der Luft means “is in the air.” Zarter Duft is nominative because it is the subject; with the indefinite article ein in masculine nominative, the adjective takes -er.
die Zubereitung — preparation; preparation method
die Zubereitung is formed from zubereiten with -ung and is feminine. It can mean the process of preparing food or the written method for preparing it.
Die Zubereitung dauert nur zehn Minuten.
The preparation takes only ten minutes.
dauert means takes or lasts, and nur zehn Minuten means only ten minutes. Die Zubereitung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Zubereitung dieses Gerichts.
I know how to prepare this dish.
kenne means know, and dieses Gerichts means of this dish. die Zubereitung is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; dieses Gerichts is genitive and specifies what is being prepared.
Bei der Zubereitung hilft mir meine Schwester.
My sister helps me with the preparation.
bei means during or with, and hilft means helps. der Zubereitung is dative because bei requires the dative; meine Schwester is nominative, the subject of hilft.
Die Dauer der Zubereitung steht auf der Packung.
The duration of the preparation is written on the packet.
die Dauer means the duration, and die Packung means the packet or package. der Zubereitung is genitive because it specifies the duration; auf der Packung is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Zubereitungen in diesem Buch sind leicht.
The preparations in this book are easy.
in diesem Buch means in this book, and leicht means easy. Die Zubereitungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
zäh — tough, chewy; persistent; persistent, tough, hard-fought
For food, zäh means tough or chewy; for people, work, or negotiations it can mean persistent or difficult to stop. Its comparison is regular: zäh, zäher, am zähesten.
Das Fleisch ist zäh.
The meat is tough.
das Fleisch means the meat. Zäh is predicative here, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir essen ein zähes Stück Fleisch.
We are eating a tough piece of meat.
essen means eat and ein Stück Fleisch means a piece of meat. Ein zähes Stück Fleisch is accusative because it is the object of essen, and the adjective takes -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Fleisch ist zäher als das andere.
This meat is tougher than the other one.
dieses Fleisch means this meat and das andere means the other one. Zäher compares two things and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no additional ending.
Von allen Steaks ist dieses am zähesten.
Of all the steaks, this one is the toughest.
von allen Steaks means of all the steaks, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, while predicative superlatives use am zähesten; do not add a noun ending to this am form.
Der Patient zeigt eine zähe Ausdauer.
The patient shows great perseverance.
der Patient means the patient, zeigt means shows, and die Ausdauer means perseverance. Eine zähe Ausdauer is accusative because it is the object of zeigt, and the adjective takes -e after eine with a feminine noun.
Die Verhandlungen waren zäh.
The negotiations were tough.
die Verhandlungen means the negotiations and waren means were. Zäh is predicative after waren, so it has no ending; the verb is in the past tense and remains in position two.