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Vocab: Free time — A1 (1)
Free time vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Aktivität — activity, activities
The plural Aktivitäten is common when talking about several things people do. The noun is feminine, so its singular article is die.
Die Aktivität macht mir Spaß.
The activity is fun for me.
macht means makes or gives, and Spaß means fun. Die Aktivität is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Ich plane eine Aktivität für das Wochenende.
I am planning an activity for the weekend.
plane means am planning, für means for, and das Wochenende means the weekend. Eine Aktivität is accusative because planen takes a direct object, and für also requires the accusative.
Bei der Aktivität lerne ich neue Leute kennen.
At the activity, I meet new people.
bei means at or during, lerne ... kennen means meet, and neue Leute means new people. Der Aktivität is dative because the preposition bei requires the dative; the separable verb kennenlernen places kenne at the end here.
Das Ziel der Aktivität ist Entspannung.
The aim of the activity is relaxation.
das Ziel means the aim, and Entspannung means relaxation. Der Aktivität is genitive because it identifies whose aim it is, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Aktivitäten finden draußen statt.
Many activities take place outdoors.
Viele means many, finden ... statt means take place, and draußen means outdoors. Aktivitäten is plural and nominative as the subject; the separable prefix statt moves to the end of the clause.
anschauen — to look at, to watch
For looking at something, anschauen takes an accusative object. With a person as the viewer, German often uses sich etwas anschauen or sich etwas ansehen.
Wir schauen heute Abend einen Film an.
We are watching a film tonight.
wir means we, heute Abend means tonight, and einen Film means a film. The finite verb schauen is in position two and an goes to the end; einen Film is accusative because anschauen takes an accusative object.
Ich habe mir das Foto angeschaut.
I looked at the photo.
ich means I, mir means to myself, and das Foto means the photo. The perfect uses habe plus angeschaut at the end; mir is dative for the person looking, while das Foto is the accusative object.
Er schaute die Nachrichten an.
He watched the news.
er means he and die Nachrichten means the news. The past form schaute is in position two and an is separated to the end; die Nachrichten is accusative.
Schau dir dieses Bild an!
Look at this picture!
dir means to yourself, dieses Bild means this picture, and dieses is the form of this before a neuter noun. The informal imperative is schau, while an goes to the end; dieses Bild is accusative.
Ich würde mir den neuen Film anschauen.
I would watch the new film.
mir means to myself, den neuen Film means the new film, and neu means new. Würde plus the infinitive anschauen expresses a hypothetical action, and the infinitive stays together at the end; den neuen Film is accusative.
Sie wird sich das Museum anschauen.
She will look around the museum.
sie means she, sich means herself, and das Museum means the museum. Future uses wird in position two and anschauen at the end; das Museum is accusative, while sich is the reflexive pronoun.
der Aufzug — elevator, lift; outfit, get-up
In everyday German, der Aufzug usually means “elevator”; the plural is die Aufzüge. Do not confuse this sense with der Aufzug meaning an outfit or appearance.
Der Aufzug ist kaputt.
The elevator is broken.
ist kaputt means “is broken.” Der Aufzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Aufzug in den dritten Stock.
I take the elevator to the third floor.
nehme means “take,” in den dritten Stock means “to the third floor,” and dritten means “third.” den Aufzug is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; nehme is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Aufzug nach oben.
We are going up by elevator.
fahren means “go,” mit means “by or with,” and nach oben means “upwards.” dem Aufzug is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Tür des Aufzugs öffnet sich automatisch.
The elevator door opens automatically.
die Tür means “the door,” and öffnet sich automatisch means “opens automatically.” des Aufzugs is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the genitive ending -s is added to Aufzug.
In unserem Haus gibt es zwei Aufzüge.
There are two elevators in our building.
in unserem Haus means “in our building,” and zwei means “two.” Aufzüge is the plural with an umlaut and -e; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
Was für ein Aufzug!
What an outfit!
was für ein means “what a,” and the sentence expresses surprise about someone’s Aufzug, or outfit. The noun is nominative in this verbless exclamation, and the exclamation mark supplies the emotional force.
Er erschien in einem auffälligen Aufzug.
He appeared in a striking outfit.
erschien means “appeared,” auffällig means “striking,” and in einem means “in a.” in einem auffälligen Aufzug is dative because in describes a location or state here, not movement into it; the adjective takes the ending -en after einem.
ausgehen — to go out; to go off; to go off, go out; to stop working; to assume, to proceed from
For social activity, ausgehen usually means going out with someone, often expressed with mit plus dative. It takes sein in the perfect: ist ausgegangen.
Wir gehen heute Abend aus.
We are going out tonight.
heute Abend means tonight. Gehen ... aus is separable: the finite part gehen is in position two and aus goes to the end; wir is the nominative subject.
Wir sind gestern mit Freunden ausgegangen.
We went out with friends yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and mit Freunden means with friends. The perfect uses sein, not haben, because ausgehen expresses movement; mit takes the dative plural, and ausgegangen goes to the end.
Früher ging meine Schwester oft aus.
My sister often used to go out in the past.
früher means in the past and oft means often. Ging ... aus is the strong preterite form; ging is in position two and the prefix aus is separated to the end.
Geh heute Abend mit uns aus!
Go out with us tonight!
heute Abend means tonight and mit uns means with us. The du imperative is geh ... aus, and mit requires the dative form uns; the pronoun du is left out.
Ich ginge gern mit euch aus.
I would like to go out with you.
gern means gladly and euch means you in the plural. Ginge ... aus expresses a hypothetical wish; mit euch is dative after mit, and the prefix stays at the end.
Am Samstag werden wir zusammen ausgehen.
On Saturday we will go out together.
am Samstag means on Saturday and zusammen means together. In the future, werden is in position two and the whole infinitive ausgehen goes to the end, so the prefix is not split.
Plötzlich geht das Licht aus.
Suddenly the light goes off.
plötzlich means suddenly and das Licht means the light. Das Licht is the nominative subject, while geht ... aus is separable with geht in position two and aus at the end.
Der Motor ist während der Fahrt ausgegangen.
The engine cut out while we were driving.
der Motor means the engine, während der Fahrt means during the journey, and Fahrt means trip or drive. The perfect uses ist ... ausgegangen because the engine changes from running to stopped; während takes the genitive here, and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Wir gehen von einem Fehler aus.
We assume that there is an error.
der Fehler means the error. Von einem Fehler is dative because von requires the dative; gehen ... aus is separated in the main clause.
Ich gehe davon aus, dass er recht hat.
I assume that he is right.
davon means from that and recht haben means to be right. Davon ausgehen, dass ... is a fixed pattern; the main-clause verb splits, while hat goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by dass.
der Ball — ball; formal dance, ball
The usual meaning is a ball for play or sport. In German, the plural is irregular: der Ball becomes die Bälle with an umlaut and -e.
Der Ball rollt unter den Tisch.
The ball rolls under the table.
rollt means rolls, and unter den Tisch means under the table. Der Ball is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb rollt stands in position two.
Ich werfe den Ball.
I throw the ball.
ich means I and werfe means throw. Den Ball is accusative because werfen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir spielen mit dem Ball.
We are playing with the ball.
wir means we and spielen means play. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Ball is dative; the verb spielen stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Balls ist rot.
The colour of the ball is red.
die Farbe means the colour and rot means red. Des Balls is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant, and the noun normally adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Bälle liegen im Garten.
The balls are lying in the garden.
liegen means are lying and im Garten means in the garden. Bälle is plural, with an umlaut and -e; the plural subject makes liegen plural.
Sie geht heute Abend auf einen Ball.
She is going to a formal dance this evening.
heute Abend means this evening and geht means is going. Auf einen Ball uses the accusative because gehen auf expresses movement towards an event; the finite verb geht is in position two.
Der Ball beginnt um acht Uhr.
The formal dance begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Der Ball is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
der Ballon — balloon
Der Ballon usually means a balloon used for decoration, play, or celebration. The plural is regular with -s, which is typical of many borrowed nouns.
Der Ballon ist blau.
The balloon is blue.
blau means blue. Der Ballon is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Kind hält einen Ballon.
The child is holding a balloon.
das Kind means the child and hält means is holding. Einen Ballon is accusative because halten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich gebe dem Kind einen Ballon.
I give the child a balloon.
ich gebe means I give, dem Kind means to the child, and einen means one or a. Dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Ballon is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Ballons gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the balloon.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Des Ballons is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; mir is dative because gefallen uses a dative person.
Die Ballons hängen an der Decke.
The balloons are hanging from the ceiling.
hängen means are hanging and die Decke means the ceiling. Ballons is plural with -s, while an der Decke is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Bar — bar; bar counter
The capitalized noun die Bar is a place for drinks. It is different from lowercase bar, which means “in cash” in expressions such as bar bezahlen.
Die Bar ist heute voll.
The bar is full today.
heute means today and voll means full. Die Bar is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Bar nach dem Konzert.
We are visiting the bar after the concert.
besuchen means visit and das Konzert means the concert. Die Bar is accusative because besuchen takes a direct accusative object; nach dem Konzert means after the concert and nach takes the dative.
Wir sitzen in der Bar.
We are sitting in the bar.
sitzen means sit. In der Bar is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into the bar would require accusative, as in in die Bar gehen.
Die Musik der Bar ist sehr laut.
The bar’s music is very loud.
die Musik means the music and laut means loud. Der Bar is genitive because it shows whose music it is; with feminine nouns, the noun stays unchanged and the article marks the genitive.
In dieser Straße gibt es drei Bars.
There are three bars on this street.
diese Straße means this street and drei means three. Bars is the plural after drei; the phrase es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural form looks the same after the article is omitted.
Wir bestellen einen Saft an der Bar.
We order a juice at the bar.
bestellen means order and einen Saft means a juice. Einen Saft is accusative as the object of bestellen, while an der Bar is dative because it describes the place where the ordering happens.
Der Barkeeper steht hinter der Bar.
The bartender is standing behind the bar.
der Barkeeper means the bartender, steht means is standing, and hinter means behind. Hinter der Bar is dative because it describes location, not movement; the finite verb steht is in position two.
der Bauer — farmer; bishop (in chess)
Bauer is a weak masculine noun: use der Bauer in the nominative singular but den/dem/des Bauern in the other singular cases. The plural is also Bauern.
Der Bauer arbeitet auf dem Hof.
The farmer works on the farm.
arbeitet means works and auf dem Hof means on the farm. Der Bauer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Bauern.
I see the farmer.
sehe means see. den Bauern is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the weak noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Bauern.
I help the farmer.
helfe means help. dem Bauern is dative because helfen governs the dative, and this weak masculine noun keeps the ending -n.
Das Auto des Bauern ist alt.
The farmer’s car is old.
das Auto means the car and alt means old. des Bauern expresses possession in the genitive, and the weak noun uses -n here.
Die Bauern verkaufen Gemüse.
The farmers sell vegetables.
verkaufen means sell and Gemüse means vegetables. Die Bauern is the plural subject, so the verb is plural; Gemüse is an uncountable accusative object.
Der Bauer steht neben dem König.
The bishop is standing next to the king.
steht means stands, neben means next to, and der König means the king. Der Bauer is nominative as the subject, while dem König is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
Im Schach kann der Bauer diagonal schlagen.
In chess, the bishop can capture diagonally.
im Schach means in chess, kann means can, and diagonal schlagen means capture diagonally. After the modal kann, the infinitive schlagen goes to the end; der Bauer is the nominative subject.
das Bistro — small restaurant, bistro
A Bistro is usually smaller and less formal than a full restaurant, and it may also serve drinks like a café. The plural is Bistros, with -s and no umlaut.
Das Bistro ist heute geschlossen.
The bistro is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Das Bistro is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Bistro am Bahnhof.
We are looking for the bistro at the station.
suchen means to look for, and der Bahnhof means the station. Das Bistro is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; am Bahnhof means at the station and is a shortened form of an dem Bahnhof.
Wir sitzen in dem Bistro am Bahnhof.
We are sitting in the bistro at the station.
sitzen means to sit, and der Bahnhof means the station. Dem Bistro is dative because in describes a location here; in dem is often shortened to im, so im Bistro is also common.
Die Tür des Bistros ist offen.
The bistro's door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Des Bistros is genitive because it shows possession; a neuter noun takes des and usually -s in the genitive singular.
Die Bistros öffnen um acht Uhr.
The bistros open at eight o'clock.
öffnen means open, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Bistros is a plural subject, so the verb is öffnen, not singular öffnet; the plural noun ends in -s.
campen — to camp
campen is a regular weak verb borrowed from English. It normally takes haben in the perfect because it describes an activity, not movement to a destination.
Wir campen im Sommer am See.
We camp by the lake in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and am See means by the lake. campen is in position two; im Sommer and am See are dative because they describe fixed locations or times with in and an.
Wir haben am See gecampt.
We camped by the lake.
am See means by the lake. gecampt is the Partizip II of campen and pairs with haben; the auxiliary haben is in position two and gecampt goes to the end.
Früher campte meine Familie jeden Sommer.
My family used to camp every summer.
früher means formerly or in the past, meine Familie means my family, and jeden Sommer means every summer. campte is the regular preterite form and stands in position two; jeden Sommer is accusative as a duration-of-time expression.
Camp nicht direkt am Fluss!
Don’t camp directly by the river!
nicht means not, direkt means directly, and der Fluss is the river. Camp is the du imperative with the subject omitted; am Fluss is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Ich würde gern in den Bergen campen.
I would like to camp in the mountains.
ich würde gern means I would like to, and in den Bergen means in the mountains. campen remains an infinitive after würde and goes to the end; den Bergen is dative because in describes a location.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir am Meer campen.
Next year we will camp by the sea.
nächstes Jahr means next year and am Meer means by the sea. werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive campen goes to the end; am Meer is dative for a fixed location.
die Dame — lady, woman; queen (in chess)
Die Dame is a polite or somewhat formal word for a woman or lady. Its plural is die Damen, and the genitive singular is der Dame; the feminine article changes to der in the dative and genitive.
Die Dame wartet an der Tür.
The lady is waiting at the door.
wartet means is waiting, and die Tür means the door. Die Dame is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Dame im Garten.
I see the lady in the garden.
Ich sehe means I see, im Garten means in the garden, and der Garten means the garden. Die Dame is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the feminine article remains die in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Dame mit der Tasche.
I help the lady with the bag.
helfe means help, mit means with, and die Tasche means the bag. Der Dame is dative because helfen requires the dative, and der Tasche is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto der Dame steht vor dem Haus.
The lady's car is in front of the house.
Das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Dame is genitive and expresses possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Damen trinken Kaffee zusammen.
The ladies are drinking coffee together.
trinken means drink, der Kaffee means coffee, and zusammen means together. Die Damen is the plural subject, so the verb is trinken, not singular trinkt; the plural noun ends in -n.
Die Dame steht in der Mitte des Brettes.
The queen is in the middle of the board.
steht means is located, in der Mitte means in the middle, and das Brett means the board. Die Dame is nominative as the subject; des Brettes is genitive after Mitte to show which board is meant.
Der Spieler nimmt die Dame.
The player captures the queen.
Der Spieler means the player, nimmt means takes or captures, and der Spieler is the person playing. Die Dame is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; the feminine article stays die in this case.
das Damespiel — checkers; draughts
In German, Damespiel normally means the board game rather than one individual move. The plural Damespiele refers to separate games.
Das Damespiel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The checkers game is on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and der Tisch means “the table.” Das Damespiel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir spielen das Damespiel nach dem Essen.
We play checkers after the meal.
wir means “we,” spielen means “play,” and nach dem Essen means “after the meal.” Das Damespiel is accusative because spielen takes the game as its direct object; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
Ich spiele mit dem Damespiel meines Bruders.
I play with my brother’s checkers game.
ich means “I,” mit means “with,” and meines Bruders means “of my brother.” Dem Damespiel is dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; meines Bruders is genitive inside the possessive phrase.
Die Regeln des Damespiels sind einfach.
The rules of checkers are simple.
die Regeln means “the rules,” and einfach means “simple.” Des Damespiels is genitive because it shows whose rules they are, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
Damespiele machen Kindern Spaß.
Games of checkers are fun for children.
machen Spaß means “are fun,” and Kindern means “children.” Damespiele is the plural subject, while Kindern is dative because jemandem Spaß machen means “to be fun for someone.”
die DVD — DVD, digital video disc
DVD is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disc and is feminine: die DVD. Its plural is DVDs, pronounced with a German plural ending only in writing, not DVDen.
Die DVD liegt neben dem Fernseher.
The DVD is next to the television.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der Fernseher means the television. Die DVD is nominative because it is the subject; dem Fernseher is dative because neben describes a location here.
Ich kaufe die DVD heute.
I am buying the DVD today.
kaufe means buy, and heute means today. Die DVD is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester der DVD?
I give my sister the DVD?
meiner Schwester means to my sister, and gebe means give. This sentence is not natural with der DVD as the dative form: the DVD is accusative, so the correct sentence is Ich gebe meiner Schwester die DVD; the dative is forced by the recipient, not by the DVD.
Die Hülle der DVD ist blau.
The DVD case is blue.
die Hülle means the case or cover, and blau means blue. Der DVD is genitive because it identifies which case is meant; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der and the noun has no ending.
Im Regal stehen viele DVDs.
There are many DVDs on the shelf.
im Regal means on or in the shelf, stehen means are standing, and viele means many. DVDs is the plural after viele; the location phrase im Regal contains dative dem Regal after in.
entspannen — to relax; to make less tense
The reflexive form sich entspannen means to relax, while etwas entspannen can mean to relax a body part or reduce tension in something. The perfect takes haben, not sein.
Ich entspanne mich jeden Abend bei Musik.
I relax with music every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and bei Musik means with music. mich is an accusative reflexive pronoun referring back to ich; the finite verb entspanne is in position two.
Am Wochenende habe ich mich richtig entspannt.
At the weekend I really relaxed.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and richtig means really or properly. The perfect uses habe plus entspannt; mich is accusative, and the participle stands at the end of the main clause.
Nach dem Urlaub entspannte sich mein Körper schnell.
After the holiday, my body relaxed quickly.
nach dem Urlaub means after the holiday, mein Körper is my body, and schnell means quickly. The finite verb entspannte is in position two; sich is the reflexive pronoun and mein Körper is the nominative subject.
Entspann dich und atme tief.
Relax and breathe deeply.
dich means yourself, atmen means to breathe, and tief means deeply. This is a command to one person; the reflexive accusative dich follows the imperative Entspann, and atme is another imperative.
Ich würde mich gern entspannen, aber ich muss arbeiten.
I would like to relax, but I have to work.
gern means gladly or would like to, aber means but, and muss arbeiten means have to work. würde plus the infinitive entspannen expresses an unreal or polite wish; mich is accusative because the verb is reflexive here.
Nach der Prüfung werde ich mich zu Hause entspannen.
After the exam, I will relax at home.
nach der Prüfung means after the exam, and zu Hause means at home. Futur I uses werde plus the infinitive entspannen at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
entspannend — relaxing
Entspannend describes something that causes relaxation; it is different from entspannt, which describes someone or something that is already relaxed. It forms regular comparison with entspannender and am entspannendsten.
Die Musik ist sehr entspannend.
The music is very relaxing.
die Musik means the music, and sehr means very. The adjective follows ist in the predicative position and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir machen heute einen entspannenden Spaziergang.
We are taking a relaxing walk today.
heute means today, and der Spaziergang is a walk. entspannenden stands before the masculine accusative noun Spaziergang after einen, so it takes the ending -en.
Ein Bad ist entspannender als ein kurzer Spaziergang.
A bath is more relaxing than a short walk.
ein Bad means a bath, and kurz means short. The comparative entspannender is predicative after ist, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Für mich ist ein Tag am Meer am entspannendsten.
For me, a day by the sea is the most relaxing.
für mich means for me, ein Tag is a day, and am Meer means by the sea. The superlative am entspannendsten is predicative after ist and uses the fixed am ... -sten pattern.
die Entspannung — relaxation
Entspannung is usually uncountable when it means relaxation in general, but the plural Entspannungen is possible for separate relaxation periods or exercises. It is a feminine noun with the regular plural ending -en.
Die Entspannung tut mir gut.
The relaxation does me good.
tut mir gut means does me good. die Entspannung is the nominative subject, while mir is dative because the expression jemandem guttun means to do someone good; the finite verb tut is in position two.
Ich brauche die Entspannung nach der Arbeit.
I need the relaxation after work.
brauchen means to need, and nach der Arbeit means after work. die Entspannung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Bei der Entspannung höre ich leise Musik.
While relaxing, I listen to quiet music.
bei means during or with, höre means listen to, leise means quiet, and Musik means music. bei always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the subject ich comes after the prepositional phrase.
Die Wirkung der Entspannung hält lange an.
The effect of the relaxation lasts a long time.
die Wirkung means the effect, hält ... an means lasts, and lange means for a long time. der Entspannung is genitive and shows which relaxation the effect belongs to; the separable verb places an at the end of the main clause.
Regelmäßige Entspannungen helfen gegen Stress.
Regular periods of relaxation help against stress.
regelmäßig means regular, helfen means help, and gegen Stress means against stress. Entspannungen is plural, and helfen takes a dative person or thing when one is named; here gegen takes the accusative Stress.
feiern — to celebrate; to party; to party, to have a good time
feiern can mean celebrating an event, such as a birthday, or having a good time at a party. It forms the perfect with haben: hat gefeiert.
Wir feiern heute meinen Geburtstag.
We are celebrating my birthday today.
heute means today, and mein Geburtstag means my birthday. The finite verb feiern stands in position two; meinen Geburtstag is accusative because it is the event being celebrated.
Wir haben gestern meinen Geburtstag gefeiert.
We celebrated my birthday yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and mein Geburtstag means my birthday. The perfect uses haben plus gefeiert at the end of the clause; meinen Geburtstag is accusative as the object of feiern.
Sie feierte ihren Erfolg mit Freunden.
She celebrated her success with friends.
ihren Erfolg means her success, and mit Freunden means with friends. feierte is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two; mit Freunden is dative because mit requires the dative.
Feier heute Abend mit uns!
Celebrate with us this evening!
heute Abend means this evening, and mit uns means with us. Feier is the informal singular imperative without du; mit uns is dative because mit requires the dative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, feierte ich länger.
If I had more time, I would celebrate longer.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and länger means for longer. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end, while feierte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause and expresses an unreal situation.
Wir werden morgen gemeinsam feiern.
We will celebrate together tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and gemeinsam means together. Futur I uses werden in position two and the infinitive feiern at the end; gemeinsam describes how the celebration will happen.
Die Studenten feiern heute in der Stadt.
The students are partying in town today.
die Studenten means the students, heute means today, and in der Stadt means in town. Here feiern means party; in der Stadt is dative because it describes a location, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben die ganze Nacht gefeiert.
We partied all night.
die ganze Nacht means the whole night. The perfect uses haben and puts gefeiert at the end; die ganze Nacht is an accusative time expression, not a direct object.
die Ferien — holidays; vacation
Die Ferien is a plural-only noun, so it always takes a plural verb such as sind. In Germany it commonly means school holidays; for a person's time away from work, Urlaub is often more precise.
Die Ferien beginnen heute.
The holidays start today.
beginnen means start, and heute means today. Die Ferien is nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb beginnen agrees with it.
Wir planen die Ferien.
We are planning the holidays.
planen means plan, and wir means we. Die Ferien is accusative because it is the object of planen; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Wir fahren in den Ferien ans Meer.
We are going to the seaside during the holidays.
fahren means go or travel, and ans Meer means to the seaside. The fixed expression in den Ferien uses dative for a time period, so die becomes den; the verb is in position two.
Die Länge der Ferien hängt vom Schulkalender ab.
The length of the holidays depends on the school calendar.
die Länge means the length, hängt ... ab means depends on, and der Schulkalender means the school calendar. Der Ferien is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause.
Die Ferien sind schon vorbei.
The holidays are already over.
schon means already and vorbei means over. Die Ferien is always plural, so it takes the plural verb sind; there is no singular form.
fernsehen — to watch television
The separable verb fernsehen is normally used without an object: you say fernsehen, not a direct translation of “watch the television.” Its perfect auxiliary is haben, and its Partizip II is ferngesehen.
Ich sehe jeden Abend fern.
I watch television every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening. In a main clause, the finite part sehe is in position two and the separable prefix fern goes to the end; do not keep fernsehen together here.
Wir haben gestern ferngesehen.
We watched television yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and wir means we. The perfect uses haben plus ferngesehen; the Partizip II goes to the end, and the prefix is joined to the verb in this form.
Als Kind sah ich oft fern.
As a child, I often watched television.
als Kind means as a child, and oft means often. The strong past form is sah, while fern stays at the end of the main clause; sah is in position two.
Sieh heute Abend fern!
Watch television this evening!
heute Abend means this evening. The singular du command is sieh; the prefix fern separates and goes to the end, and the subject du is normally omitted.
Ich sähe gern öfter fern, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would like to watch television more often if I had more time.
gern means gladly or would like to, öfter means more often, and mehr Zeit means more time. Sähe is the Konjunktiv II of sehen, with fern separated in the main clause; hätte expresses the unreal condition.
Morgen werde ich den ganzen Abend fernsehen.
Tomorrow I will watch television all evening.
morgen means tomorrow, and den ganzen Abend means all evening. Futur I uses werde in position two and the infinitive fernsehen at the end; the separable verb is whole in the infinitive.
das Fernsehen — television; television broadcasting
Das Fernsehen is the medium or activity, while der Fernseher is the physical television set. It is normally a mass noun with no plural in everyday use.
Das Fernsehen ist heute sehr beliebt.
Television is very popular today.
heute means today, and beliebt means popular. Das Fernsehen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Kinder lieben das Fernsehen.
My children love watching television.
meine Kinder means my children, and lieben means love. Das Fernsehen is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Viele Menschen verbringen ihre Freizeit mit dem Fernsehen.
Many people spend their free time watching television.
viele Menschen means many people, verbringen means spend, and ihre Freizeit means their free time. Mit always takes the dative, so the noun phrase is dem Fernsehen; the finite verb verbringen is in position two.
Die Zukunft des Fernsehens ist digital.
The future of television is digital.
die Zukunft means the future, and digital means digital. Des Fernsehens expresses possession in the genitive; Fernsehen adds -s, and ist is in position two.
Am Abend schauen wir Fernsehen.
In the evening, we watch television.
am Abend means in the evening, and schauen means watch. Fernsehen is a mass noun in this meaning and has no plural; the phrase is used without an article after schauen.
das Festival — festival
The German word is commonly used for music, film, and cultural events. Its plural is Festivals, with the English-style ending -s.
Das Festival ist heute im Stadtpark.
The festival is in the city park today.
heute means today, and der Stadtpark is the city park. Das Festival is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Festival am Samstag.
We are attending the festival on Saturday.
wir means we, besuchen means attend or visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Festival is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir treffen uns auf dem Festival.
We are meeting at the festival.
wir treffen uns means we are meeting, and auf dem Festival means at the festival. The preposition auf takes dative for a fixed location, so dem Festival is dative.
Die Musik des Festivals ist sehr laut.
The festival’s music is very loud.
die Musik means the music, and sehr laut means very loud. Des Festivals is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Festivals.
There are many festivals in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Festivals is plural, and after es gibt the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not visible here.
der Film — film; movie; photographic film
For the movie meaning, Film is a countable noun with the plural Filme. Einen Film sehen means to watch a film; the article is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Der Film beginnt um acht Uhr.
The film starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Film is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend den Film.
We are watching the film this evening.
heute Abend means this evening and sehen means watch or see. Den Film is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Sie spricht über den Film.
She is talking about the film.
spricht means speaks or talks and über means about here. Den Film is accusative because über takes the accusative when it means about; this is not the location meaning of über.
Das Ende des Films war überraschend.
The ending of the film was surprising.
Das Ende means the ending, war means was, and überraschend means surprising. Des Films is genitive because it identifies which film the ending belongs to; Films takes -s.
Am Wochenende laufen viele Filme im Kino.
Many films are showing at the cinema at the weekend.
Am Wochenende means at the weekend, viele means many, and laufen means are showing here. Filme is plural after viele, and the verb laufen agrees with the plural subject.
Die Kamera hat keinen Film.
The camera has no film.
Die Kamera means the camera and keinen means no or not any. Film is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and the mass-material meaning is normally used without a plural here.
Früher fotografierte man oft auf Film.
In the past, people often photographed on film.
Früher means in the past, fotografierte means photographed, and oft means often. Auf Film means on film in photography; auf takes the dative for this fixed medium expression, and fotografierte is in position two.
die Freizeit — free time; leisure
die Freizeit means time away from work or school. It is usually used in the singular for free time in general; the plural die Freizeiten is mainly used for separate periods or organised holidays.
Die Freizeit beginnt um fünf Uhr.
Free time begins at five o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um fünf Uhr means at five o'clock. Die Freizeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich genieße die Freizeit am Wochenende.
I enjoy my free time at the weekend.
genieße means enjoy, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. die Freizeit is accusative because genießen takes an accusative object; the finite verb genieße stands in position two.
In der Freizeit lese ich gern.
In my free time, I like reading.
lese means read, and gern means gladly or like to. in takes the dative here because it describes a time or situation rather than movement; after the opening phrase, lese comes before the subject ich.
Die Qualität der Freizeit ist wichtig.
The quality of free time is important.
die Qualität means the quality, and wichtig means important. der Freizeit is genitive because it specifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder genießen ihre Freizeiten.
The children enjoy their periods of free time.
die Kinder means the children, genießen means enjoy, and ihre means their. ihre Freizeiten is accusative plural because genießen takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
das Hobby — hobby, pastime
das Hobby is an activity you enjoy in your free time. The plural die Hobbys uses -s, as with many borrowed words ending in a vowel.
Das Hobby macht mir viel Spaß.
The hobby is a lot of fun for me.
macht Spaß means is fun, and viel means a lot of. Das Hobby is nominative because it is the subject; mir is dative because the expression Spaß machen says who enjoys something.
Ich habe ein Hobby.
I have a hobby.
haben means to have and ein means a. ein Hobby is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the neuter article stays ein in both nominative and accusative.
Ich erzähle meiner Freundin von meinem Hobby.
I tell my friend about my hobby.
erzählen means to tell, meiner Freundin means to my female friend, and von means about or from. meinem Hobby is dative because von takes the dative; meiner Freundin is also dative as the person being told.
Der Name des Hobbys ist ungewöhnlich.
The name of the hobby is unusual.
der Name means the name and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Hobbys is genitive because it identifies which hobby the name belongs to; the singular subject der Name takes ist.
Meine Hobbys sind Kochen und Lesen.
My hobbies are cooking and reading.
meine means my, Kochen means cooking, and Lesen means reading. Meine Hobbys is a plural subject, so the verb is sind; the noun forms its plural with -s.
das Karussell — carousel
Das Karussell dreht sich.
The carousel is turning.
dreht sich means is turning, and sich is a reflexive pronoun. Das Karussell is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dreht is in position two.
Die Kinder sehen das Karussell.
The children see the carousel.
die Kinder means the children, and sehen means see. Das Karussell is accusative because it is the object of sehen; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Karussell.
We ride the carousel.
fahren means ride or travel, and mit means with or by. Dem Karussell is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Farbe des Karussells ist rot.
The colour of the carousel is red.
die Farbe means the colour, and rot means red. Des Karussells is genitive because it shows association or possession; the neuter noun also takes -s.
Die Karussells sind laut.
The carousels are loud.
laut means loud. Karussells is plural with -s, and the plural subject requires sind.
das Kino — cinema, movie theatre
In everyday German, Kino usually means both the cinema as a building and the activity of going to see a film there. The common phrase ins Kino is short for in das Kino.
Das Kino ist heute voll.
The cinema is full today.
heute means today and voll means full. Das Kino is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Kino am Samstag.
We are going to the cinema on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit or go to, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Kino is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; do not use the dative after this verb.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Kino.
We are meeting in front of the cinema.
treffen uns means meet each other, and vor means in front of. Vor dem Kino describes a location, so vor takes dative; dem Kino is also a shortened location phrase with no movement.
Der Eingang des Kinos ist dort.
The entrance to the cinema is over there.
der Eingang means the entrance and dort means over there. Des Kinos identifies which entrance, so it is genitive; the neuter noun has the ending -s, and the article is des.
In dieser Stadt gibt es vier Kinos.
There are four cinemas in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city and vier means four. Kinos is plural with -s; after es gibt, the plural noun phrase is accusative, but its form is the same as the nominative plural.
die Kinokarte — cinema ticket
The compound Kinokarte combines Kino, cinema, and Karte, ticket or card. It normally means a ticket for a film, not a general ticket for every kind of cinema event.
Die Kinokarte ist noch in meiner Tasche.
The cinema ticket is still in my bag.
noch means still, and Tasche means bag. Die Kinokarte is nominative because it is the subject, and in meiner Tasche is dative because it describes a location; the verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe die Kinokarte online gekauft.
I bought the cinema ticket online.
online means online, and gekauft means bought. Die Kinokarte is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; habe gekauft forms the perfect, with gekauft at the end.
Ich gebe meiner Freundin der Kinokarte?
I give my friend the cinema ticket?
meiner Freundin means my female friend, and geben means to give. This sentence is not natural with der Kinokarte as the dative because the intended object is usually die Kinokarte in the accusative: Ich gebe meiner Freundin die Kinokarte; the dative is forced by the recipient meiner Freundin.
Der Preis der Kinokarte ist gestiegen.
The price of the cinema ticket has risen.
Preis means price, and gestiegen means risen. Der Kinokarte is genitive because it identifies whose price it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two, while gestiegen goes to the end.
Wir haben Kinokarten für den neuen Film gekauft.
We bought cinema tickets for the new film.
neuen Film means new film, and für means for. Kinokarten is the accusative plural because kaufen takes a direct object, and für also requires the accusative; the plural has -n.
die Kneipe — pub, bar
die Kneipe is usually a small, informal pub or bar, not a large nightclub. Its plural is die Kneipen.
Die Kneipe ist heute voll.
The pub is full today.
heute means today and voll means full or crowded. Die Kneipe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Kneipe am Freitag.
We are visiting the pub on Friday.
wir besuchen means we visit and am Freitag means on Friday. die Kneipe is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir treffen uns in der Kneipe.
We are meeting in the pub.
wir treffen uns means we meet, and in means in. der Kneipe is dative because in describes a fixed location here; uns is the reflexive pronoun for wir.
Die Tür der Kneipe ist offen.
The pub's door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Kneipe is genitive because it shows possession, the door of the pub; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Abend sind viele Kneipen offen.
In the evening, many pubs are open.
am Abend means in the evening, viele means many, and offen means open. Kneipen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
das Konzert — concert
Das Konzert beginnt um acht Uhr.
The concert starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Konzert is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir besuchen heute ein Konzert.
We are going to a concert today.
wir means we, besuchen means visit or attend, and heute means today. ein Konzert is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Nach dem Konzert fahren wir nach Hause.
After the concert, we are going home.
nach means after here, fahren means go or travel, and nach Hause means home. nach dem Konzert is dative because this use of nach takes the dative, and the verb follows the initial phrase in position two.
Die Stimmung des Konzerts war großartig.
The atmosphere of the concert was fantastic.
die Stimmung means the atmosphere, war means was, and großartig means fantastic. des Konzerts is genitive and shows which concert the atmosphere belongs to.
Im Sommer besuchen wir viele Konzerte.
In summer we attend many concerts.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and besuchen means attend. viele Konzerte is a plural accusative object after besuchen; the plural noun has no ending here beyond its -e plural.
die Langeweile — boredom
This is an uncountable abstract noun, so it normally has no plural. The fixed phrase aus Langeweile means because one is bored or out of boredom.
Die Langeweile ist groß.
The boredom is intense.
groß means great or intense. Die Langeweile is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich hasse die Langeweile.
I hate boredom.
ich means I and hasse means hate. die Langeweile is accusative because hassen takes a direct object; the finite verb hasse is in position two.
Bei der Langeweile lese ich ein Buch.
When I am bored, I read a book.
bei means when faced with or during, and lese means read. bei always takes the dative, so the phrase is bei der Langeweile; the prepositional phrase occupies position one and lese follows it.
Wegen der Langeweile ging er spazieren.
Because of boredom, he went for a walk.
wegen means because of, ging means went, and spazieren means for a walk. In careful standard German, wegen takes the genitive, giving wegen der Langeweile; the phrase comes first, so ging is in position two.
langweilen — to bore someone
langweilen is normally transitive: jemanden langweilen means to bore someone and takes the accusative. With sich langweilen, it means to be bored; the perfect uses haben in both uses.
Der Film langweilt mich.
The film bores me.
der Film means the film and mich means me. mich is accusative because langweilen takes the person who is bored as an accusative object; the finite verb langweilt is in position two.
Der Film hat mich gelangweilt.
The film bored me.
der Film means the film and mich means me. The perfect uses hat plus gelangweilt because this weak verb takes haben; the finite auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Vortrag langweilte die Schüler.
The lecture bored the pupils.
der Vortrag means the lecture and die Schüler means the pupils. die Schüler is accusative because they are the people affected by langweilen; the weak-verb past form langweilte stands in position two.
Langweile mich bitte nicht!
Please do not bore me!
bitte means please and nicht means not. mich is accusative because it is the object of langweilen; the du imperative is langweile, and the subject du is left out.
Der lange Vortrag würde mich langweilen.
The long lecture would bore me.
der lange Vortrag means the long lecture. mich is accusative after langweilen, and würde ... langweilen places the conjugated form in position two and the infinitive at the end.
Der Film wird die Kinder langweilen.
The film will bore the children.
die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because it is the object of langweilen; wird is the finite verb in position two and langweilen goes to the end.
langweilig — boring; uninteresting
langweilig describes something that causes boredom, such as a film or lesson. Do not confuse it with gelangweilt, which describes the person who feels bored.
Der Film ist langweilig.
The film is boring.
der Film means the film. langweilig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein langweiliger Abend.
This is a boring evening.
der Abend means the evening. ein langweiliger Abend is nominative because it follows ist as the subject complement, and the adjective has the ending -er after ein.
Der zweite Film ist noch langweiliger.
The second film is even more boring.
der zweite Film means the second film and noch means even. langweiliger compares this film with another one; after ist, it is predicative and has no case ending.
Diese Aufgabe ist am langweiligsten.
This task is the most boring.
diese Aufgabe means this task. am langweiligsten is the superlative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
der Luftballon — balloon
Der Luftballon ist rot.
The balloon is red.
rot means red. Der Luftballon is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das Kind hält den Luftballon.
The child is holding the balloon.
Das Kind means the child and hält means is holding. Den Luftballon is accusative because halten takes a direct object; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Luftballon mehr Luft.
I put more air into the balloon.
Ich gebe means I give or put, mehr means more, and Luft means air. Dem Luftballon is dative because it is the recipient, while mehr Luft is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Luftballons ist schön.
The colour of the balloon is beautiful.
Die Farbe means the colour and schön means beautiful. Des Luftballons is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun adds -s after des.
Auf der Party schweben viele Luftballons.
Many balloons are floating at the party.
Auf der Party means at the party, schweben means float, and viele means many. Luftballons is plural with -s; auf der Party is dative here because it describes a location.
mitspielen — to play along, to take part in a game; to play along, to cooperate
mitspielen is separable and usually refers to joining a game or playing as part of a team. The preposition bei is common with activities and takes the dative.
Mein Bruder spielt im Verein mit.
My brother plays for the club.
mein Bruder means my brother, and der Verein means the club or sports club. im Verein is dative because in describes the setting; spielt is in position two and mit goes to the end.
Die Kinder haben beim Fußball mitgespielt.
The children took part in the football game.
die Kinder means the children, and Fußball means football. beim Fußball is dative after bei; the perfect uses haben, and mitgespielt stands at the end.
Sie spielte gestern im Team mit.
She played on the team yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and das Team means the team. im Team is dative for the playing situation; spielte is in position two and mit is separated at the end.
Spiel mit uns mit!
Play along with us!
uns means us. This is the du imperative; mit uns means with us and mit is the verb prefix at the end, so the same word appears twice with different functions.
Ich würde gern bei dem Turnier mitspielen.
I would like to take part in the tournament.
gern means gladly or would like to, and das Turnier means the tournament. würde plus mitspielen expresses a wish, while bei dem Turnier is dative after bei.
Nächsten Samstag spielt unsere Mannschaft beim Turnier mit.
Next Saturday our team will take part in the tournament.
nächsten Samstag means next Saturday, unsere Mannschaft means our team, and das Turnier means the tournament. The present tense can express a planned future; spielt is in position two, beim Turnier is dative, and mit is final.
Er spielt bei dem schlechten Scherz nicht mit.
He is not playing along with the bad joke.
schlecht means bad, and der Scherz means joke. bei dem schlechten Scherz is dative after bei; nicht negates the action, while spielt and mit are separated.
Bitte spiel bei dieser Ausrede nicht mit.
Please do not play along with this excuse.
bitte means please, diese Ausrede means this excuse, and nicht means not. This is a polite du imperative; bei dieser Ausrede is dative, and the prefix mit remains separate at the end.
das Märchen — fairy tale
The ending -chen makes this a diminutive, so it is neuter: das Märchen. The plural is unchanged: das Märchen, die Märchen.
Das Märchen ist sehr schön.
The fairy tale is very beautiful.
schön means beautiful. Das Märchen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich lese das Märchen heute Abend.
I am reading the fairy tale this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and lese means am reading. Das Märchen is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich erzähle meinem Kind ein Märchen.
I am telling my child a fairy tale.
erzählen means to tell, and mein Kind means my child. Meinem Kind is dative as the person receiving the story, while ein Märchen is accusative as the thing told.
Das Ende des Märchens ist lustig.
The ending of the fairy tale is funny.
das Ende means the ending, and lustig means funny. Des Märchens is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the noun takes -s.
Kinder lieben Märchen.
Children love fairy tales.
Kinder means children, and lieben means love. Märchen is plural here and also accusative because it is the object of lieben; its form does not change from the singular.
das Ostern — Easter
Ostern is normally used without an article in time expressions such as zu Ostern and an Ostern. It is a singular-only holiday noun; do not form a plural.
Ostern ist im Frühling.
Easter is in spring.
ist means is, and im Frühling means in spring. Ostern is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern Ostern mit der Familie.
We celebrate Easter with the family.
wir feiern means we celebrate, mit means with, and der Familie means the family. Ostern is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; mit separately requires the dative.
Zu Ostern besuchen wir unsere Großeltern.
At Easter we visit our grandparents.
zu Ostern means at Easter, besuchen means visit, and unsere Großeltern means our grandparents. The fixed time phrase zu Ostern uses zu without a visible article; the verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Osterns ist für viele Menschen wichtig.
The meaning of Easter is important to many people.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, für viele Menschen means for many people, and wichtig means important. Des Osterns is genitive because it shows which holiday’s meaning is meant; the article is des and the noun has -s.
An Ostern sind die Geschäfte geschlossen.
At Easter the shops are closed.
an Ostern means at Easter, die Geschäfte means the shops, and geschlossen means closed. This example shows a common fixed time expression, not a real plural: Ostern is normally singular-only.
die Party — party
Party is a common informal word for a social celebration. Its German plural is Partys, not the English spelling parties.
Die Party beginnt um acht Uhr.
The party starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Party is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir machen eine Party am Samstag.
We are having a party on Saturday.
machen means to have or hold here, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Eine Party is accusative because it is the object of machen; the finite verb machen is in position two.
Wir tanzen auf der Party.
We are dancing at the party.
tanzen means to dance, and auf der Party means at the party. The preposition auf takes dative here because it describes a fixed location, so der Party is dative.
Die Musik der Party war sehr laut.
The music at the party was very loud.
die Musik means the music, and sehr laut means very loud. Der Party is genitive because it identifies whose music it was; the past-tense verb war stands in position two.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Partys.
There are many parties in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele means many. Partys is the plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
das Picknick — picnic
Ein Picknick machen is the usual German expression for having a picnic. The word is a neuter loanword, and its plural is regular with -s.
Das Picknick beginnt um zwölf Uhr.
The picnic starts at twelve o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um zwölf Uhr means at twelve o’clock. das Picknick is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir machen das Picknick im Park.
We are having the picnic in the park.
wir means we, machen means make or have, and im Park means in the park. das Picknick is accusative because machen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, with dative for location.
Bei dem Picknick spielen die Kinder Ball.
The children play ball at the picnic.
bei means at, die Kinder means the children, and Ball spielen means play ball. bei always takes the dative, so dem Picknick is dative; spielen is in position two.
Die Decke des Picknicks ist noch im Auto.
The picnic blanket is still in the car.
die Decke means the blanket, noch means still, and im Auto means in the car. des Picknicks is genitive because it tells which picnic the blanket belongs to; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Im Sommer machen wir oft Picknicks.
In summer, we often have picnics.
im Sommer means in summer and oft means often. Picknicks is the plural object of machen, and the plural ending is -s; the finite verb machen remains in position two.
der Pool — swimming pool
der Pool usually means a swimming pool at a home, hotel, or leisure centre. The borrowed noun forms its plural with -s, and its genitive is des Pools.
Der Pool ist im Sommer warm.
The pool is warm in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and warm means warm. Der Pool is the masculine subject in the nominative case; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Pool.
The children can see the pool.
Die Kinder means the children, and sehen means see. den Pool is the accusative object of sehen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sitzen neben dem Pool.
We are sitting next to the pool.
sitzen means are sitting, and neben means next to. Here neben describes a fixed location and forces the dative, so der Pool becomes dem Pool.
Die Farbe des Pools gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the pool.
Die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Pools is genitive after Farbe to show possession, while mir is dative because gefallen gives the experiencer the dative.
In unserem Hotel gibt es drei Pools.
There are three pools at our hotel.
In unserem Hotel means at our hotel, and drei means three. Pools is plural and is the accusative object after es gibt; the plural is formed with -s.
die Puppe — doll
Die Puppe normally means a child’s doll. Its regular plural is die Puppen.
Die Puppe sitzt auf dem Bett.
The doll is sitting on the bed.
sitzt means is sitting and auf dem Bett means on the bed. Die Puppe is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the doll is in a fixed position.
Das Kind hat eine Puppe bekommen.
The child got a doll.
das Kind means the child and bekommen means get or receive. Eine Puppe is accusative as the thing received; hat bekommen is the perfect tense.
Ich spiele mit der Puppe.
I am playing with the doll.
spiele means play and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so der Puppe is dative; the finite verb spiele is in position two.
Das Kleid der Puppe ist blau.
The doll’s dress is blue.
das Kleid means the dress and blau means blue. Der Puppe is genitive because it shows possession; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Im Laden stehen viele Puppen.
There are many dolls standing in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Puppen is plural after viele; im is short for in dem, which is dative for a location.
Meine Puppe hat ein rotes Kleid.
My doll has a red dress.
meine means my, ein rotes Kleid means a red dress, and rot means red. Meine Puppe is nominative as the subject, while ein rotes Kleid is accusative as what it has.
das Puppenhaus — dollhouse
Das Puppenhaus is a compound made from Puppe and Haus. Its plural is Puppenhäuser, with the vowel change in Haus.
Das Puppenhaus steht im Kinderzimmer.
The dollhouse is in the children’s room.
steht means stands, and im Kinderzimmer means in the children’s room. Das Puppenhaus is nominative as the subject; im means in dem, and in takes the dative for a fixed location.
Wir kaufen ein Puppenhaus.
We are buying a dollhouse.
wir means we and kaufen means buy. Ein Puppenhaus is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Das Mädchen spielt mit dem Puppenhaus.
The girl is playing with the dollhouse.
das Mädchen means the girl and spielt means is playing. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Puppenhaus is dative; dem is also the dative form of the neuter article.
Die Tür des Puppenhauses ist offen.
The door of the dollhouse is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Puppenhauses is genitive because it identifies which door is meant; the compound noun ends in -haus and takes -es in the genitive.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Puppenhäuser.
There are many dollhouses in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Puppenhäuser is plural after viele; the ä in Häuser is part of the plural of Haus.
Das Puppenhaus hat drei Zimmer.
The dollhouse has three rooms.
hat means has and drei Zimmer means three rooms. Das Puppenhaus is nominative as the subject, while drei Zimmer is accusative as what it has.
das Puzzle — puzzle, jigsaw puzzle
This everyday loanword uses das and forms its plural with -s: die Puzzles. It can mean both the pieces and the activity of putting them together.
Das Puzzle liegt auf dem Tisch.
The puzzle is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Puzzle is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich mache das Puzzle am Abend.
I do the puzzle in the evening.
mache means do or make, and am Abend means in the evening. Das Puzzle is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the finite verb mache stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Puzzle einen neuen Platz.
We give the puzzle a new place.
geben means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. Dem Puzzle is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing with geben, while einen neuen Platz is the accusative object.
Die Teile des Puzzles sind überall.
The pieces of the puzzle are everywhere.
die Teile means the pieces, and überall means everywhere. Des Puzzles is genitive and means of the puzzle; the genitive article is des, and the noun ends in -s.
Die Kinder lösen die Puzzles schnell.
The children solve the puzzles quickly.
die Kinder means the children, lösen means solve, and schnell means quickly. Die Puzzles is plural and accusative because it is the object of lösen; the plural ending is -s.
das Restaurant — restaurant
Restaurant is a common international word. Its plural is regular with -s, and German uses im Restaurant for “in the restaurant.”
Das Restaurant ist heute geschlossen.
The restaurant is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Das Restaurant is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen das Restaurant.
We are looking for the restaurant.
suchen means look for. Das Restaurant is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Wir essen in dem Restaurant.
We are eating in the restaurant.
essen means eat, and in means in. Dem Restaurant is dative because in describes a fixed location here; essen is in position two.
Die Küche des Restaurants ist klein.
The restaurant's kitchen is small.
die Küche means the kitchen, and klein means small. Des Restaurants is genitive because it shows whose kitchen it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Restaurants im Zentrum sind teuer.
The restaurants in the city centre are expensive.
im Zentrum means in the city centre, and teuer means expensive. Die Restaurants is plural nominative because it is the subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject.
die Ruhe — peace and quiet, rest; calm, inner peace
Ruhe is usually an uncountable noun, so it has no normal plural. For physical recovery or a break, German also uses die Erholung.
Ruhe ist mir heute wichtig.
Peace and quiet are important to me today.
heute means today, and wichtig means important. Ruhe is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative after the expression wichtig sein.
Ich brauche Ruhe.
I need peace and quiet.
brauchen means to need. Ruhe is accusative because it is the direct object of brauche; this mass noun normally has no plural.
Bitte gib mir etwas Ruhe.
Please give me some peace and quiet.
geben means to give, and etwas means some or a little. mir is dative for the person receiving something, while Ruhe is the accusative thing being given; gib is an imperative.
Die Bedeutung der Ruhe wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of peace and quiet is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means importance, and unterschätzen means to underestimate. der Ruhe is genitive after Bedeutung, meaning “the importance of peace”; wird unterschätzt is a passive construction.
Nach der Arbeit genieße ich die Ruhe.
After work, I enjoy the peace and quiet.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and genießen means to enjoy. der Arbeit is dative because nach takes the dative; die Ruhe is accusative after genieße.
Nach dem Gespräch fand sie wieder Ruhe.
After the conversation, she found her calm again.
das Gespräch means the conversation, and wieder means again. Ruhe is accusative after finden; the finite verb fand is in position two.
Der Streit lässt ihn nicht zur Ruhe kommen.
The argument does not let him calm down.
der Streit means the argument, lassen means to let, and kommen means to come. zur Ruhe means into a calm state; zur combines zu with der, and the infinitive kommen stands at the end.
das Rätsel — riddle, puzzle
Rätsel can mean a word riddle, a puzzle, or a problem that is difficult to understand. The plural is unusual because das Rätsel and die Rätsel have the same noun form.
Das Rätsel ist nicht schwer.
The puzzle is not difficult.
nicht schwer means not difficult. Das Rätsel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich löse das Rätsel heute Abend.
I am solving the puzzle this evening.
löse means solve, heute Abend means this evening. Das Rätsel is accusative because lösen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Rätsel noch eine Chance.
I am giving the puzzle one more chance.
geben means give, noch means still or one more, and eine Chance means a chance. Dem Rätsel is dative because geben has a recipient or target; eine Chance is the accusative thing being given.
Die Lösung des Rätsels steht hinten im Buch.
The solution to the puzzle is at the back of the book.
die Lösung means solution, hinten means at the back, and das Buch means book. Des Rätsels is genitive because it identifies which solution is meant; the neuter genitive uses des and -s.
Die Rätsel in diesem Buch sind lustig.
The puzzles in this book are fun.
in diesem Buch means in this book, and lustig means fun or funny. Die Rätsel is plural and nominative as the subject; the noun itself does not change from singular to plural.
das Schachspiel — game of chess; chess set; chess set
In everyday speech, Schachspiel can mean either a game being played or a chess set with pieces and a board.
Das Schachspiel beginnt um acht Uhr.
The game of chess begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Schachspiel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir kaufen ein neues Schachspiel.
We are buying a new chess set.
kaufen means to buy, and neu means new. Ein neues Schachspiel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Er spielt mit seinem Schachspiel.
He is playing with his chess set.
spielt means is playing, and sein means his. Mit always takes the dative, so seinem Schachspiel is dative; the prepositional phrase comes after the verb here.
Die Regeln des Schachspiels sind kompliziert.
The rules of the chess game are complicated.
die Regeln are the rules, and kompliziert means complicated. Des Schachspiels is genitive because it shows whose rules they are; the finite verb sind remains in position two.
Die Kinder lernen verschiedene Schachspiele.
The children are learning different chess games.
die Kinder are the children, lernen means learn, and verschiedene means different. Verschiedene Schachspiele is plural accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -e.
Das Schachspiel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The chess set is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Schachspiel is nominative as the subject, while auf takes the dative here because the set is in a fixed location.
Sie schenkt ihrem Bruder ein Schachspiel.
She gives her brother a chess set as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and ihrem Bruder means to her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Schachspiel is accusative because it is the thing given.
die Schaukel — swing
Die Schaukel is the seat that moves backwards and forwards, usually in a playground. Its plural is die Schaukeln, with -n added to the noun.
Die Schaukel ist im Garten.
The swing is in the garden.
der Garten means the garden. Die Schaukel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Kind benutzt die Schaukel.
The child uses the swing.
das Kind means the child and benutzt means uses. Die Schaukel is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in the accusative.
Das Kind sitzt auf der Schaukel.
The child is sitting on the swing.
sitzt means is sitting. Der Schaukel is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Farbe der Schaukel ist rot.
The colour of the swing is red.
die Farbe means the colour and rot means red. Der Schaukel is genitive because it tells us which swing the colour belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Schaukeln sind auf dem Spielplatz.
The swings are at the playground.
sind means are and der Spielplatz means the playground. Die Schaukeln is plural because there is more than one swing; auf dem Spielplatz is dative because it describes location.
der Schlitten — sled; sledge
Der Schlitten is used for a vehicle that slides over snow. Its plural is unchanged in form: der Schlitten – die Schlitten.
Der Schlitten steht im Keller.
The sled is in the basement.
steht means is standing, and im Keller means in the basement. Der Schlitten is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir nehmen den Schlitten mit.
We are taking the sled with us.
wir means we, and mitnehmen means to take along. Den Schlitten is accusative because it is the object of nehmen; mit separates and goes to the end in this main clause.
Das Kind sitzt auf dem Schlitten.
The child is sitting on the sled.
das Kind means the child, and sitzt means is sitting. Auf takes dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement; therefore der Schlitten becomes dem Schlitten.
Die Farbe des Schlittens ist blau.
The colour of the sled is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Schlittens is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Im Winter stehen viele Schlitten vor dem Haus.
In winter, many sleds stand in front of the house.
im Winter means in winter, viele means many, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Viele Schlitten is plural and is the nominative subject; vor takes dative here because it describes a fixed location.
der Schneemann — snowman
The plural Schneemänner has an umlaut and -er, while the genitive is des Schneemanns with -s. The word is normally used for a figure made of snow.
Der Schneemann steht im Garten.
The snowman is standing in the garden.
der Garten means garden. Der Schneemann is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Kinder bauen einen Schneemann.
The children are building a snowman.
die Kinder means the children, and bauen means build. Einen Schneemann is accusative because it is the object of bauen; the finite verb bauen stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Schneemann einen Hut.
We give the snowman a hat.
wir means we, geben means give, and einen Hut means a hat. Dem Schneemann is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while einen Hut is the accusative thing being given.
Die Nase des Schneemanns ist aus einer Karotte.
The snowman's nose is made from a carrot.
die Nase means nose, aus means made from, and einer Karotte means a carrot. Des Schneemanns is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Im Winter stehen viele Schneemänner im Park.
In winter, many snowmen stand in the park.
im Winter means in winter, viele means many, and der Park means park. Schneemänner is plural after viele; im is dative because it is in dem, showing location.
der Sonnenschirm — sun umbrella, parasol
Sonnenschirm is a compound of Sonne (sun) and Schirm (umbrella or shade). The plural is Sonnenschirme, with -e at the end.
Der Sonnenschirm steht auf der Terrasse.
The sun umbrella is standing on the terrace.
steht means is standing, and die Terrasse is the terrace. Sonnenschirm is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen Sonnenschirm.
We are buying a sun umbrella.
kaufen means buy. einen Sonnenschirm is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Wir sitzen unter dem Sonnenschirm.
We are sitting under the sun umbrella.
sitzen means sit. unter takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement; therefore der Sonnenschirm becomes dem Sonnenschirm.
Die Farbe des Sonnenschirms passt zum Tisch.
The colour of the sun umbrella matches the table.
die Farbe means the colour, passt means matches, and der Tisch is the table. des Sonnenschirms is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; masculine singular genitive adds -s.
Am Strand stehen viele Sonnenschirme.
There are many sun umbrellas on the beach.
am Strand means on the beach, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Sonnenschirme is the plural form and has no ending on the article because plural nominative uses die when the noun is specified.